Heat Advisory; Head Index Around 112 Monday
August 9, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wahoos Win Second Straight Over Birmingham Barons
August 9, 2015
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos smacked home runs and the club won its second straight game over the Birmingham Barons Saturday.
Blue Wahoos center fielder Bryson Smith doubled with two outs in the eighth inning to score Pensacola speedster Beau Amaral from third with the winning run, 8-7, in front of its 20th sellout of the year at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was Pensacola’s seventh win in the last nine games and the Blue Wahoos remained a half-game back of Southern League South Division second half leader the Mobile BayBears at 25-17 (49-60). Mobile is 25-16 in the second half.
Pensacola came back to defeat the Barons after trailing, 5-1, in the third inning. Blue Wahoos shortstop Alex Blandino smashed a three-run homer to left field in the bottom of the third inning to bring Pensacola within one run, 5-4. Both catcher Yovan Gonzalez and Bryson Smith scored on Blandino’s second homer for the Blue Wahoos since joining the club Aug. 3.
Pensacola also got a monstrous solo blast from third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean in the second inning, which was his sixth of the year to have a team-leading 42 RBIs. Gonzalez, who now has a four-game hit streak, hit his third homer of the year when he smashed a two-run blast in the fourth inning.
The Blue Wahoos have led the Southern League since July 1 with 117 extra base hits.
Coming back from four runs down is something the Blue Wahoos have rarely done this season, said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. Kelly credits the addition of right fielder Juan Duran’s bat to the lineup July 1 after he completed injury rehab.
“He really lengthens our lineup,” Kelly said. “Everyone is in a position now where they are very comfortable.”
Kelly said he was most impressed with Blandino’s homer to left. “That was a big blow right there,” he said.
He also complimented Gonzalez, the backup catcher for the Wahoos, who was 1-2 with two walks Saturday and scored two runs.
“He’s swinging a great bat the last four or five games,” Kelly said. “He’s done it in limited play. He’s in a tough role. It’s nice to see that production.”
Gonzalez’s two-run homer in the fourth brought the Blue Wahoos within, 7-6. Buckley then scored on a Ryan Wright sacrifice fly to right to tie the game, 7-7, in the sixth inning.
Birmingham went up 7-4 when third baseman Nicky Delmonico, who had a home run and three RBIs, singled in shortstop Tim Anderson, who hit a leadoff double in the fourth inning. Delmonico then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by designated hitter Danny Hayes.
Anderson, the Chicago White Sox top prospect, went 2-4 with a double, scored three times and stole three bases for a Southern League-leading 44 steals on the year.
“He is such a threat,” Kelly said. “Plus, he plays great at shortstop.”
Voncile Cannon
August 9, 2015
Mrs. Voncile Cannon, age 80 of Century, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2015, at Jay Hospital.
Mrs. Cannon was a native of Jay and had spent her lifetime there. During her working years she worked as a nurse’s aide at Century Hospital and was of the Holiness faith.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Daniel) Lister of Century; brother, W.L. (Voncile) Tyree of Century; and sister, Dorie (Larry) Hammond of Century.
Services were held on Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Carl Wilson officiating.
Interment was in McCurdy Cemetery in Century.
Pallbearers were Robert Day, Billy Cox, Eddie Nelson, Joe Brown, Buddy Morris, and Randy Sheltra.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Heat Advisory All Weekend
August 8, 2015
There is a heat advisory in effect through Monday night. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 112. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 110. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Cantonment Man Convicted Of Sexual Assault, Carjacking; Faces Up To Life In Prison
August 8, 2015
A Cantonment carjacking and sexual assault suspect has been found guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court. He now faces up to life in prison when sentenced next month.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, was convicted Friday by an Escambia County Jury of sexual battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury, attempted sexual battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury, burglary of a conveyance with assault and battery and carjacking without a weapon for two separate attacks on September 18, 2014. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNS evidence linked Atkins to both crimes.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The 55-year old victim went inside the store to make a purchase and pay for gasoline. After she pumped her gas, she found that Atkins had allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkins and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins ordered the victim to drive to a particular location and when she disobeyed his orders, he jumped in the front seat and began beating her multiple times in the face. Finally, the victim was able to stop the car, at which time Atkins pushed her out and stole the car.
Within 20 minutes, the stolen vehicle was located at the intersection of Pine Street and Booth Avenue. The second female victim was jogging past the area when Atkins attacked her and dragged her into the woods where he sexually battered and beat her.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
DNA evidence found inside the vehicle linked Eddie Lee Atkins to the crime. He was subsequently identified by the second victim in a photographic lineup.
Circuit Judge Jennie Kinsey scheduled Eddie Lee Atkins to be sentenced on September 1 at 1:30 p.m. at which time he is facing up to life in prison.
Atkins was released from prison in August 2013 and has a prior criminal history that includes robbery, two aggravated assaults, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors will seek to have Atkins sentenced as a prison releasee reoffender.
Local Law Enforcement Supervisors Graduate From Florida Leadership Academy
August 8, 2015
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation today of 31 first-line supervisors from the Florida Leadership Academy. The graduates represent criminal justice agencies from across the state and serve in leadership roles within their agencies, including several local agencies.
Graduates learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and the community as they prepared for future challenges during four weeks of training. Among the graduates were Correctional Officer Sergeant Steven Bailey of the Century Correctional Institution and Correctional Officer Sergeant Christie Martin of the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution.
Their accomplishments were highlighted by the Florida Department of Corrections. DOC Secretary Julie Jones said, “The Department is proud to recognize the achievements of Correctional Officer Sergeant Steven Bailey and Correctional Officer Sergeant Christie Martin. These officers have displayed exceptional leadership and the commitment to enhancing their skills and abilities to better lead the staff under their supervision.”
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan likewise recognized his deputies that graduated Friday. “The purpose of these professional development courses is to train and mentor our future leaders in law enforcement. We congratulate our graduates,” Morgan said. Graduates of the 33rd Class of the Florida Leadership Academy were:
- Steven Bailey — Century Correctional Institution
- Charles Dickin, II — Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Phillip Folmar — Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Robert Pollock — Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Jeffrey Swanson — Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Delarian Wiggins — Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Christie Martin — Santa Rosa Correctional Institution
- William Dunsford, Jr. — Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Scott Jones — Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Jamey Kahalley — Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- James Reese — Pensacola Police Department
- Gary Biggs — Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
- Scott Lee — Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Sandra Fernland — Ocala Police Department
- Leroy V. Huyghue, III — Okaloosa County Corrections
- Lisa Roper — Okaloosa County Corrections
- Matthew Abbott — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Donald “DJ” Folley — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Jeremy Gilbert — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- John Merchant — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Jared Hanna — Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
- Scott Brockew — Tarpon Springs Police Department
- William Curtis — Walton County Sheriff’s Office
- Joshua Martin — Walton County Sheriff’s Office
- Mark Wendel — Walton County Sheriff’s Office
- Sandra D. Fitzsimons — Florida Department of Financial Services
- David O’Dell — Florida Department of Financial Services
- Jeremiah Bortle — Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Rachel Bryant — Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
- Kent Harvey — Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Eddie Elmore — Florida Highway Patrol
Tate Showband Presents Preview Show (With Video)
August 8, 2015
The Tate High School Showband of the South presented a preview show of the 2015 halftime show Friday evening.
Video is below, courtesy of the Tate High School Showband of the South.
(If you do not see the video, it is because your work, school or home firewall is block YouTube videos.)
Incumbent Steven Barry Pre-files For District 5 Commissioner
August 8, 2015
Incumbent Steven Barry has pre-filed for Escambia County Commission District 5 as a Republican for the 2016 election. Barry has served one term on the commission.
“I have the utmost respect for the important trust that the citizens of Escambia County, District 5 in particular, have placed in me. I believe I have conducted myself and performed my public service in a manner the citizens can be proud of, and I humbly ask the voters of District 5 to support my re-election. I aspire to continue to work to help make Escambia County a vibrant community where anyone would love to live, work and play,” Barry said.
Barry is an independent certified financial planner and has operated his small business in District 5 for 15 years. He and his wife, Ellen, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in late October.
NHS Tribal Beat Band Presents Preview Show (With Gallery)
August 8, 2015
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band presented a special preview of the 2015 halftime show Friday evening at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 8, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.