Marsh Fire Burns On Lower Escambia River
July 22, 2015
The Florida Forest Service and local fire departments monitored a wildfire Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the marsh of the Escambia River just north and west of Highway 90.
Because of the location, equipment cannot reach the fire so crews were watching the situation, according to Joe Zwierzchowski of the Florida Forest Service. By Wednesday morning, there was no smoke visible from nearby roadways.
Couple Charged With Failing To Report A Death
July 22, 2015
Two Escambia County residents have been charged with failing to report a death. Instead, authorities say they took the man’s TV out of his trailer, literally over his dead body.
Kimberly Joyce Smith, 32, and her boyfriend, 47-year old Stevenson Antonio Holly, were both arrested this week with failing to report a death to the medical examiner.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Smith called her mother about 6 p.m. on May 26 and told her that her father was “cold” and dead inside his mobile home at a North Palafox Street trailer park. Deputies later determined that Smith and Holly were at the trailer about 3:00 that afternoon, when witnesses saw them removing a TV and other items from the trailer.
About noon the following day, Smith’s mother questioned whether she had called 911 to report the death, with Smith telling her “no” because she was scared, an arrest report states.
Investigators said Smith and Holly dropped cigarette ashes onto the deceased man’s head as they toted out items, and his head had a postmortem injury that was believed be from the TV being dropped on his head while it was being carried out of his trailer.
Smith was released from the Escambia County Jail on a pre-trial release bond; Holly was released on a $15,000 bond.
Editor’s note: A typographical error on Kimberly Smith’s age has been corrected. She is 32 years old.
Century Considers Slight Property Tax Increase
July 22, 2015
The Town of Century is considering a property tax increase, but it won’t cost the average citizen more than pennies per month and won’t add much to the town’s bottom line.
The town council is recommending that the town’s property tax rate increase from a current year 0.8707 mills to 0.9006 mill, an increase of 6.35 percent. The increase would equal the 2013-2014 rate, while remaining lower than the rate during the previous three years.
One mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. If the tax increase is approved, the property tax paid to Century on home with a $50,000 taxable value would increase from $42.34 to $45.03, or about $2.69 per year.
With the increase Century would be set to collect $29,549 in total property taxes, up from $27,784.
Due to homestead and other exemptions, many Century residents do not pay any property tax at all, according to Council President Ann Brooks, because of low property values.
Century will hold budget workshop at 5:00 Thursday afternoon at Town Hall. The workshop is open to the public.
Atmore Police Officer Assaulted; One Charged
July 22, 2015
An Atmore man is behind bars, charged with assault on an Atmore police officer.
About 3 a.m. Sunday, Atmore officers responded to a call for assistance on Sunset Drive where a growing crowd would not disperse, the department said in a Tuesday news release.
Officers responded to find several individuals involved in an altercation. As officers attempted to intervene, 30-year old Johnny Derell Knight of Atmore refused to comply, charged one of the offers and assaulted him.
Knight was arrested without further incident on charges of assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Wahoos Move Into Second Place
July 22, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos played good defense, received clutch hitting and relied on strong pitching to hand the Jacksonville Suns its sixth straight loss.
It all came together to propel the Blue Wahoos to a 6-5 victory Tuesday in front of 3,290 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
On defense, Pensacola turned four double plays and now leads the Southern League with 119 total.
At the plate, Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej hit a solo home run in the first inning to knot the game at 1. Second baseman Ryan Wright singled in the fifth to score third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean to tie the score, 4-4. Finally, right fielder Juan Duran smashed a double down the third baseline in the sixth inning to put Pensacola ahead, 6-4.
On the mound, Barrett Astin lasted a career-long seven innings in his fifth start in Double-A, setting down the last seven Suns batters he faced. Then, Blue Wahoos closer Zack Weiss struck out two with the bases loaded in the eighth and two more in the ninth to earn his 12th save on the season.
Pensacola leads the Florida rivals’ race for the Golden Skillet, 9-6. The Blue Wahoos, who have one more five-game series left with the Suns, have never won the trophy since its inaugural season in 2012.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly is intent on winning the Golden Skillet, which he has a picture of on his Twitter account. But he said he’s not savvy enough to print it out.
“It would be the first time we’ve won it,” Kelly said. “It really tells us how much Jacksonville has dominated Pensacola the last four years. We want to win every series and win the division. That’s our goal. That’s what we’re shooting for.”
The Blue Wahoos are in second place at 15-10 in the Southern League South Division, one game behind the Mississippi Braves. They were 24-43 and in last place in the first half.
Duran provided much of the clutch hitting for Pensacola Tuesday. He went 3-5 with three doubles and three RBIs. He also generated a run on his own in the fifth when he reached on an error by the third baseman, stole second, stole third and then scored on a wild pitch that cut Jacksonville’s lead to 4-3. His two stolen bases came after he had one in his previous 118 games in Double-A.
Duran is hitting .270 with one homer and 13 RBIs for the Blue Wahoos since returning July 1 to the team after injury rehab at Goodyear, Ariz.
“I’m feeling very good,” said Duran, who played pepper with a Cincinnati Reds hitting coach Tuesday. “This is one of the best games in my life. That’s what I’m working on — being consistent.”
In his fifth start with the Blue Wahoos, Astin overcame a three-run fourth inning, to retire nine of the last 10 Suns he faced. Astin improved to 2-1 with a 3.73 ERA, after giving up four runs, three unearned, on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four.
“A good manager would have left him in the game,” Kelly said jokingly. “Astin did a really nice job, pitching through the seventh inning. We needed what he could give us.”
Jacksonville went on top with three runs in the fourth off Astin to go ahead, 4-2. He walked Suns third baseman Zack Cox to score right fielder Carlos Lopez. Suns catcher Chadd Krist then hit a double to left field that drove in shortstop J.T. Riddle and second baseman Terrence Dayleg.
Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the third when he lined a solo home run to left field. Vincej has hit in 13 of his last 14 games, going 4-7 in the series, with a home run and double. He’s batting 20-50 or .400 with five RBIs in those games and has raised his season average to .261.
The first game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers. LHP Wandy Peralta (5-7, 5.72) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by Shuckers RHP Johnny Hellweg (0-2, 6.23).
Northview Junior Leads Escambia School Board Meeting Invocation
July 22, 2015
Northview High School junior Mitchell Singleton delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance at Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Singleton, who was invited to led the invocation by board member Gerald Boone, has served as class president each year so far during his career at NHS and serves as vice president of the Northview FFA. He has also served as a messenger and a page in Florida House of Representatives.
During his short prayer, Singleton asked that the Lord guide the school board in making decisions that would have a positive impact in the county.
“I believe that asking for the Lord’s guidance is essential for our nation to thrive. History shows that our founding fathers were of the Christian faith. Which means our constitution was drafted on the foundation of Christianity. The only way we are going to restore America is to put God as our foundation again. We strayed away as a nation, and we are reaping the consequences from that right now,” Singleton said later. “Opening a meeting of the school board, or any other government meeting, with an invocation is just one way we can show the people that we stand with Christ.”
Pictured: A video screen grab of Northview High junior Mitchell Singleton delivering the invocation during Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
James “Jimbo” Martin
July 22, 2015
James “Jimbo” Martin, age 62, of Jay, passed away on July 15, 2015. He was a people person and never met a stranger. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and a friend to those that knew him. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice Martin.
Jimbo is survived by his children, Jason (Melissa) Martin, Josh Martin and Jenifer (Eddy) Higginbothem; five grandchildren, Dusten Martin, Kaelyn Martin, Ceanna Martin, Robby Higginbothem and Nichole Martin; and one brother, Mark (Lynda) Martin.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will begin at 2 pm.
Burial will be at Cobbtown Community Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Joyce Bridges
July 22, 2015
Mrs. Betty Joyce Bridges, 68, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2015, in Atmore.
Mrs. Bridges was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mrs. Bridges loved gardening. She was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was of the Holiness Faith. She is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, George Bridges; and mother, Reva McGhee.
Survivors include her son, Robin Jay of Atmore; her daughter, Kelly (Jay) Milstid of Stockton, AL; five grandchildren, Carter Overstreet, Ethan Powell, Skylyn Milstid, Chason Jay and Ashley Jay; and special friends, Ann and Lewis Reynolds of Perdido, and Annice and Don Atwell of Dothan.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. William Bubba Rolin officiating.
Burial was at the New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Tyler Milstid, Matthew Luker, Jackie Odom, Larry Jackson and Chason Jay.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Martha W. White
July 22, 2015
Martha W. White, 80, of Atmore, passed away Monday, July 20, 2015, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker. She was born in Flomaton on December 23, 1934, to the late Joseph and Martha Odom White. She was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford G. White.
Survivors include her two sons, Randy G. (Rosemary) White of Eufula, AL, and Robert Keith (Alice) White of Canoe; one brother, Tom (Lois) White of Cantonment; two grandchildren, David (Heather) White and Mark (Alisia) White; and four great-grandchildren, Anna Claire, Alivia, Isaac, and Hope.
Services will be Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mark White, David White, Joe Mize, Jonathan Mize, Samuel Mize and Matthew Mize.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Century Awarded Grant For Splash Pad — But It Might Never Open
July 21, 2015
The Town of Century has been awarded a state grant to install a splash pad at Showalter Park, but there’s a chance the water playland will never open.
Century received the $50,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. That will fund the purchase and installation of the splash pad, but associated costs, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, may be too much for the town to bear.
The splash pad that Century can afford won’t recycle water — that feature would cost the town another $50,000 plus, McCall said. The splash pad that Century can purchase with grant money will use hundreds of gallons of water in just minutes, hitting an estimated monthly water bill of as much as $1,300. Plus all that water will have to flow somewhere, possibly requiring a Department of Environmental Protection permit, to send it to a pond or even the sewer system.
In order to meet a state deadline, the Century Town Council voted Monday night to accept the $50,000 splash pad grant. The council may decide at a future meeting to return the money if it’s decided it will cost to much to operate.
The Town of Century owns and operates its own water and sewer company.
Pictured: The Town of Century has been awarded a state grant to purchase this model splash pad. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
