Fire Destroys Van
July 12, 2015
Fire destroyed a van late Saturday afternoon on Rocky Branch Road off Quintette Road. The van was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene, but they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring structures. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Eight Injured In Single Vehicle Santa Rosa County Wreck
July 12, 2015
Eight people were injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Santa Rosa County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 45-year old Warren S. Floyd of Deridder, LA, was traveling south on Highway 87 near Farrington Road when he because unresponsive due to a medical seizure. His 2010 Nissan Armada and traveled onto the shoulder and into the tree line, striking a large pine tree before overturning.
Floyd and six passengers — Tina Floyd, 35; Caymerin Floyd, 14; Ashlin Wood, 15; Janet Wood, 40; Edward Floyd, 8; and Emma Floyd, 8, all of Deridder, LA — were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital. Passenger Benjamin Floyd, 10 was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Wahoos Win Fourth In A Row
July 12, 2015
Zack Weiss made sure he preserved the Pensacola Blue Wahoos one-run victory, 4-3, over the Montgomery Biscuits Saturday night.
Throwing his fastball in the mid-90s, Weiss earned his team leading ninth save in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038. It was the 18th sellout of the season and the 122 sold out game since the Blue Wahoos inaugural year in 2012.
Weiss entered the game in the eighth inning with runners on first and third and got a strikeout. On the very next play, right fielder Juan Duran stretched out and made a diving catch to rob Biscuits left fielder Tyler Goeddel of a hit.
Weiss said he likes the closer role that he’s assumed during the past four weeks. His fastball helped Pensacola win its fourth straight game and extended the Biscuits road losing streak to seven games.
“I enjoy pitching in the ninth inning,” he said. “That’s fun. Getting those last three outs and going to shake the catcher’s hand, give him a hug, that’s awesome. I really do enjoy that.”
Weiss now has 20 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched in his last 12 relief appearances.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said both Weiss and Duran saved the day for the Blue Wahoos.
“(Duran) saved the ball game with that catch,” Kelly said. “It was a tremendous play in the eighth inning.”
Kelly added that Weiss, who he first coached in Billings, also did well. “We put him in with the tying run on third in the eighth inning. Now he’s got to get five outs. That’s very special. There are not a lot of guys who can do that.”
Pensacola is now 9-7 and tied for first place in the Southern League Southern Division in the second half. They are 34-50 overall this season.
It’s the first time since 2012 that Pensacola has been in first place this late in a half. They were last in first place July 22, 2012. Montgomery fell to 8-7 in the second half and is 42-41 on the year.
Pensacola took the lead, 3-2, in the fifth inning when left fielder Jesse Winker grounded a single to right field to score catcher Yovan Gonzalez. Gonzalez tied the game, 2-2, when he singled to center to score second baseman Juan Perez, who doubled to lead off the inning.
The Blue Wahoos tacked on what ended up being the game-winning run in the seventh when shortstop Zach Vincej lined a single to center to score center fielder Beau Amaral to put Pensacola ahead, 4-2.
Montgomery cut the lead to 4-3 when first baseman Jake Bauers smacked a liner to the left-center gap to score right fielder Johnny Field Jr. in the eighth inning before Weiss came in and shut the Biscuits down.
Pensacola starter Wandy Peralta went six innings, which was his longest start since going 6.2 inning against the Mobile BayBears June 17. Peralta rebounded from two bad starts, leaving the game with a 3-2 lead. He scattered eight hits, walked two and struck out four Montgomery batters.
In his previous two starts, Peralta allowed 10 runs on 13 hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work for a 16.88 ERA.
Winker went 1-4 with two RBIs Saturday. He’s now 3-10 with a home run, six RBIs, two runs scored and two walks. He has 5 HR 29 RBI and hitting .271 on year. Winker is hitting .363 (20-55) in 16 games in the second half. He has multi-hit games in eight of his last 18 starts.
Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp This Week
July 12, 2015
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp this week with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 13-17 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
“We are fortunate to get someone of Coach Roger’s talents and achievements to head up this camp” said First Baptist Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey. “He has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident.” This is the fourth year the church has offered this camp.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
Students can register Monday morning prior to the camp at the church on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Nellie Grace Russell Ballard
July 12, 2015
Nellie Grace Russell Ballard, age 77, of Berrydale, Florida entered Heaven’s gate on July 10, 2015, after a brief illness with COPD. Nell was born July 1, 1938, in Miami, Florida to Hurbert “Bo” and Margaret “Mag” Russell. She graduated from Jay High School at the age of 16 and then graduated with her Associates in Science Degree from Graceland College in Lamoni Iowa May 2, 1957. After graduation, she married Silas Ballard of Lamoni on June 2, 1957, and they moved to Berrydale (Jay) Florida and began their family.
Nell is proceeded in death by her parents, Bo and Maggie Russell; infant siblings, Wade Durrell and Doris Elaine; and a stillborn, premature son, Kenneth.
Nell is survived by her children; Myrna (Lynn) Cobb of Jay, Peggy Melton of Rock Hill, South Carolina (companion Bert Settle of Jay), and Keith Ballard of Louisiana; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Erik (Tori) Cobb, Peighton and Jansen, Erin (Tonya) Cobb, Micala, Caden, and Kerrigan, Kendell (Andrew) Teague, Hamilton, Presley Melton, and Silas Ballard (his mother Debbie Sturm). Nell is also survived by her sister, Margaret Calhoun; her brother, Sid (Leanne) Russell; one nephew and three nieces. She is also survived by her special aunt, Becky Pugh of Milton as well as numerous cousins.
Nell held various jobs throughout her lifetime. She was a homemaker. She worked for the Monsanto Company. She was a substitute teacher and substitute bus driver for the SRC, before starting a career as a rural letter carrier in the Milton Post Office in 1972 where she retired April 30, 1997, after 25 years of service. Nell also was a caregiver to residents of the Jay area.
Nell was saved in the spring of 2001 and was baptized, joining Berrydale Baptist Church, July 29, 2001. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and volunteering at her church.
Her hobbies included crocheting, cross stitching and researching and compiling her family’s genealogy records. Nell was also an avid sports fan.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 7 p.m.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Jeff Kelley, the staff of Jay Hospital, the staff of Century Care Rehabilitation Center, and Covenant Hospice for their compassion and professionalism in attending to their mother’s needs.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Two Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
July 11, 2015
Two Monroeville, AL, residents were injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Saturday morning on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 19-year old Cadauious Nyketih Kentrey Smith lost control of his 2010 Ford Fusion while northbound on Highway 97 near Highway 164 about 6:25 a.m.. The vehicle entered the ditch south of Highway 164, went airborne over Highway 164 after striking a culvert, and overturned multiple times. The vehicle came to rest in a ditch north of Highway 164.
Smith and his passenger, 16-year old Nichlos Gross, were transported to Atmore Community Hospital by ambulance. Their injuries were considered minor.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Two people were injured in this single vehicle rollover accident on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Brothers Face Lengthy Prison Sentences on Burglary, Theft Convictions
July 11, 2015
Two brothers, both former North Escambia residents, are facing prison after being convicted on multiple burglary and theft related charges in Santa Rosa County.
Shawn Demontre Cooler, 20, was convicted of burglary while armed with a firearm, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and criminal mischief. His brother, Jeremiah Cooler, age 21 of Molino, was convicted of grand theft of a firearm and petit theft. Sentencing for both cases is set for July 21 in front of Circuit Judge John Simon. Shawn Cooler faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, while Jeremiah Cooler faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
On January 14, 2014, an eyewitness saw two subjects outside a home on the 7000 block of Gordon Evans Road in Navarre. Once Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, it was discovered that the front door was kicked in and two firearms, electronic items, and several pieces of jewelry were stolen. A sheriff’s deputy witnessed Shawn Cooler driving towards Pensacola after the burglary.
Deputies were unable to stop the defendant because the car engaged in a high-speed pursuit. The car and the subjects were found at the Red Roof Inn on Davis Highway by Escambia County deputies the next day. Jeremiah Cooler was apprehended after throwing a backpack with items stolen from the burglary in a dumpster. Shawn Cooler fled on foot after being approached by deputies.
The brothers were previously convicted on April 14, 2015, by a Santa Rosa County Jury on several other charges. Shawn Cooler was convicted of grand theft, and Jeremiah Cooler was convicted of three counts of grand theft of a firearm. The two defendants were found guilty after being found in possession of three stolen firearms and electronics that were taken from a residence located on the 4400 block of Leavins Street in Milton on January 14, 2014.
At the time of the offenses, Shawn Cooler was on probation for burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief. Those charges stemmed from an incident on June 13, 2012, when an Escambia County home was burglarized after the back door was kicked in. A handgun, jewelry and a television were taken in that burglary. On June 18, 2014, Shawn Cooler was found guilty of violating that probation and sentenced to 30 months in state prison prison.
DCF Offers Summer Water Safety Tips
July 11, 2015
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reminding parents to take extra precautions to keep their children safe.
“We can’t forget the importance of safety when it comes to our youngest family members,” DCF Deputy Secretary David Fairbanks said. “Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children in our communities. You can never be too careful around water.”
In Florida, 41 children have died so far this year from drowning. Of those who have tragically passed away, 68 percent were under the age of three. These deaths are 100 percent preventable. There should always be a responsible adult present when a child is engaging in water activities.
DCF urges parents and caregivers to keep “Eyes on the Kids” at all times when children have access to water. Lengthy conversations, texting and phone calls create distractions that should be avoided while children are swimming or near water. A responsible adult should be designated as a “Water Watcher” at all times.
Often times a child slips away undetected in family pool when several adults are present. Supervision, pool barriers and emergency preparedness, such as learning CPR, are crucially important.
Elderly Man Dies After Crashing Into House
July 11, 2015
An elderly Escambia County man died Friday evening when he accidentally drove into a house.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 84-year Howland Clark Quinby was parked in a driveway on Sawmill Run, just off Davis Highway, where he picked up his passenger. Quinby then suddenly accelerated forward, crossed the road and struck the front of a house on Waterwheel Turn with his 2006 Toyota Solaris.. Quinby was transported to nearby West Florida Hospital here he later passed away.
The passenger, 69-year old Martha Morris Quinby, was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Oh How We Love Our Blue Angels
July 11, 2015
The Blue Angels took to the skies over Pensacola Beach Friday, along with other military and civilian acts, in air show dress rehearsal for Saturday. The official 2015 Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon Saturday, with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m.
Have Blue Angels pictures to share? Email news@northescambia.com, visit us at Facebook.com/NorthEscambia, or follow @northescambia on Twitter.
Pictured top: Cousins wave to Fat Albert Friday (Leigh Ann Beck photo). Inset: Kaylie McCall enjoys the Blues Friday afternoon (Kirsten McCall photo). Below: A Blue Angels selfie (#BlueAngels). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
