Woman Arrested For Crystal Meth In State Line Traffic Stop
August 26, 2017
A Flomaton woman was arrested by Alabama deputies on meth charges after a traffic stop just north of the Florida line.
Bethanie Cash Ward, 40, was charged with possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center and later released on a $5,000 bond.
Deputies assigned to the Escambia Co. Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit stopped Cash’s BMW on Old Atmore Road after she crossed the center line. She provided deputies with consent to search her vehicle.
During the vehicle search, deputies reported finding two packages of what field tested positive for crystal methamphetamine, according to a report.
A Texas Size Storm: Category 4 Harvey Makes Landfall (With Local Forecast)
August 26, 2017
Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 MAJOR HURRICANE across southeast Texas on Friday evening. Locally – Expect increased long period swell from Harvey will bring an increasing risk of rip currents lasting through at least the weekend for coastal Alabama and northwest Florida beaches. There is also the potential for heavy rain and severe weather next week, but this will be highly dependent on the eventual track of Harvey.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
New Escambia County Mass Transit Director Named
August 26, 2017
Mike Crittenden has been selected to serve as the county’s mass transit director. The newly created internal position reports to the county administrator and is responsible for overseeing the operation of the Escambia County Area Transit System, or ECAT, and paratransit systems. Crittenden has over three decades of transportation experience in the public and private sectors in the areas of fleet operations, logistics, project management and transportation research. His start date is immediate.
“I’m very excited to be back working for Escambia County residents.” Crittenden continued, “I am looking forward to collaborating with our elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders, customers and employees to improve ECAT and paratransit’s overall operating efficiency.”
In his most recent position, Crittenden was employed with First Transit where he served in several roles over 17 years including region director of operations for the southeast and general manager of ECAT. Prior, he held senior management positions with Destiny Transportation Group, Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the Center for Urban Transportation Research. He holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University and a Transportation and Logistics Management Certificate from the United States Air Force Technical Training Center.
Four candidates were interviewed by the selection committee which consisted of County Administrator Jack Brown, Assistant County Administrator Amy Lovoy and Citrus Connect Executive Director Tom Phillips.
Tate Aggies Roll Over Choctaw
August 26, 2017
The Tate Aggies beat Choctaw on the road Friday night, 49-21.
Choctaw took an early 7-0 lead with a touchdown on their opening drive. But the Aggies answered quickly with a touchdown from Shermari Jones to make it 7-7.
Junior quarterback Hunter Riggan found Alex Jones with a touchdown pass from near midfield, 14-7 Aggies. After another TD for a 21-7 score, Riggan was in on a QB-keeper for a 28-7 Aggie advantage. Tate advanced to 35-7 with a touchdown pass to senior Alex Young.
Up 42-21 at the half, Tate pulled most starters out in the second half as they went on to earn a solid 49-21 win.
Riggan had 252 offensive yards in the first half with 71 rushing for two touchdowns and 181 yards in the air for two more touchdowns.
The Aggies (1-0) will take on West Florida next Friday night at 7:00 at the Jaguars’ home turf at Woodham Middle School.
High School Football Scores
August 26, 2017
Here are area high school football scores:
Thursday, August 24
West Florida 42 Escambia 20
Friday, August 25
FLORIDA
Northview 14 J.U. Blacksher 7 [Read more...]
Tate 49 Choctaw 21 [Read more...]
Flomaton 36 Jay 7
Pine Forest 41, Pensacola 0
Washington 46, Milton 25
Navarre 56, Catholic 35
Gulf Breeze 36, Pascagoula 0
Fort Walton Beach 31, Pace 27
ALABAMA
Flomaton 36 Jay 7
B.C. Rain (Mobile) 34 Escambia County (Atmore) 18
Escambia Academy 42 Resurrection Catholic 21
TR Miller 41 Washington County 0
WS Neal 21 South Choctaw 6
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Robert Greg Evers
August 26, 2017
Senator Robert G. “Greg” Evers, of Baker, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Evers served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010 and in the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2016. He was known for being an unwavering Second Amendment advocate, supporter of smaller government and a legislative champion for law enforcement, first responders and veterans. His distinguished legislative career was marked by his common sense and “get it done” approach.
A fifth-generation northwest Floridian, Greg’s roots ran deep in north Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties. He was born in Milton on June 16, 1955, to high school sweethearts John Robert Evers and Rhanalda Jequita Holley Evers. He grew up on the family farm in Munson. Greg graduated from Jay High School in 1973, where he lettered in multiple sports and served as a statewide Vice-President for the Future Farmers of America; he later attended Pensacola Junior College. He was a lifelong member of Beaver Creek Baptist Church and a long-time member of the Beaver Creek Masonic Lodge No. 230.
Evers’ primary career was as a farmer, growing cotton, peanuts, soybeans and wheat. He also took over the Baker Farm Center upon his parents retirement and moved it to its current location. In 1991, Greg decided he wanted to learn to grow strawberries and Akers of Strawberries was born. He quickly nurtured his strawberry business from a shed to the largest u-pick strawberry patch north of Plant City. The flourishing of this enterprise became the highlight of his farming career; Greg absolutely loved watching families pick his berries and enjoy frozen yogurt and his “almost famous” strawberry shortcake.
Evers was known for his infectious smile, southern charm and perfect strawberries. His vast knowledge of agriculture combined with his steady demeanor and signature use of “sugar” as a greeting with his friends made him a magnetic force.
Evers loved his community and consistently found opportunities to contribute. He served as a member of the Milton Rotary Club, Crestview Lion’s Club, Okaloosa County Farm Service Agency, President of the Okaloosa County Farm Bureau, and Chairman of the Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District.
Evers is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Leonard and Clyde Peaden Evers, his maternal grandparents William Thomas and Thelma Renfroe Holley, and his brother Thomas Jeffrey Evers.
Evers is survived by his parents, John and Jequita Evers; wife, Lori Weems Evers; children, Stephanie (Anthony) Barlow, Jennifer (Kendal) Wallace, and Robert (Marley) Evers; grandchildren, Alli, Rex, and Reece; brother, Eric (Michelle) Evers; sister, Kay (Tom) Dawson; nephews, Kyle (Lindi) and Christopher and niece, Kaylee; and great-nephew, Grayson.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 28, 2017, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Milton. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Milton on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, beginning at 1 p.m. Evers will be laid to rest at Beaver Creek Baptist Church.
Greg’s deepest wish was that his legacy of service continue for future generations. In honor of this wish, the Evers family asks that,in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greg Evers Florida’s Heroes Memorial Fund at www.eversmemorialfund.com. The fund is used to provide education scholarships to the children of Florida law enforcement and fire rescue personnel who have fallen in the line of duty.
Jackson Downs The Wahoos
August 26, 2017
The Jackson Generals used three pitchers in the ninth inning and each pitcher struck out a Pensacola Blue Wahoos hitter to complete a, 1-0, shutout Friday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game remained scoreless into the ninth inning until Jackson third baseman Marty Herum drilled a two-out solo homer, his first in Double-A, over the left field fence in the top of the ninth. Herum had five with High-A Visalia Rawhide before getting called up to the Generals July 19.
The Generals captured the series, 3-2, in front of the 15th sellout of 5,038 at the ballpark. Pensacola recorded its 14th shutout loss of the season.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said the loss was tough. With 10 games left in the second half, the Blue Wahoos fell to 28-31 and 5.5 games behind first place Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp who are 34-26. Friday’s loss hurts the ballclub’s chances of winning the second half and a Southern League record five straight halves.
Jackson put runners on first and second in the fourth and Pensacola pitcher Jose Lopez gave up a two-out single to right field to Herum. But Aristides Aquino fired the ball to catcher Joe Hudson to easily tag out first baseman Travis Denker at home to end the inning.
Both pitchers traded zeros most of the game. Through the first six innings, Lopez shut out the Jackson lineup on five hits, one walk and one hit batter, while striking out seven.
He is now 7-1 with a 2.34 ERA. The Pensacola righty has turned into one of the Southern League’s most dominating hurlers since July 6. He is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA, allowing only nine runs in his last 66.1 innings over 10 starts.
Kelly said the key to Lopez mesmerizing hitters has been his aggressiveness in the strike zone after giving up 18 runs, 15 earned in his first four starts in Double-A.
“I thought he did a great job out there,” Kelly said. “He settled in about the third inning and pitched six scoreless. He could have easily pitched seven.”
Jackson starter Ryan Atkinson matched Lopez Friday. Atkinson blanked Pensacola’s hitters through seven innings, allowing two hits, five walks and striking out three. Reliever J.R. Bradley picked up the win to improve to 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA by tossing 1.1 perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos’ Aquino singled to left field to lead off the second inning and reached second base on a ground out but was stranded. Pensacola wouldn’t get another batter past first base the rest of the game.
Pitcher Tyler Mahle, who started for the Blue Wahoos earlier this season, was called up from the Triple-A Louisville Bats to make his major league debut in a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds announced.
For Pensacola and Louisville Mahle is 10-7 with a 2.06 ERA in 24 starts with 138 strikeouts in 144.1 innings pitched.
Following In His Father’s Footsteps: Lineworker Appreciation Day
August 26, 2017
People who have endured long power outages in the wake of hurricanes or tornadoes applaud lineworkers. Some even call them heroes.
Curt Cunningham, who has been working on hundreds of miles of distribution and transmission lines for Gulf Power since 1991, flashes a smile and laughs at the thought. But he admits lineworkers do feel a sense of triumph when they make repairs and see the sparkle of lights springing back to life across a neighborhood.
“Sometimes we do feel like a hero, because we are the people our customers see and come out and thank when we get the lights back on,” said Cunningham, a Gulf Power Transmission lineworker. “But there are a whole lot of other people behind that crew who help get the lights on.”
Despite the nod to a large Gulf Power transmission and distribution team supporting lineworkers, Cunningham and his 182 colleagues are the first responders. When the lights go out, they can be called on in the middle of the night and in all sorts of weather to make repairs and restore power. Their mantra is to do the work “as safely and quickly as possible.”
Line work is considered among the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the world. After the Florida House of Representatives designated Aug. 26, 2012 Lineworker Appreciation Day, utilities across the state observe that day annually to honor the thousands of men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure customers receive reliable energy 24/7, 365 days a year.
Cunningham was attracted to the industry at an early age, despite the inherent dangers. His father, Royce, once worked on a Gulf Power line crew and often talked about the job and the men he worked with.
“My dad was a big influencer, and I always looked up to this trade and the men who worked in it,” said Cunningham. “I was already in the electrical trade, and for me this was the career to shoot for.”
He worked as an electrician and earned a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice from University of West Florida before joining Gulf Power, and working in distribution –– the segment of the power grid that feeds homes and businesses. His first set of climbing tools were his father’s, and he learned the work on the job from the veterans.
“A lot of things have changed in my 26 years,” he pointed out. For instance, safety measures have improved and newly recruited lineworkers have comprehensive training that includes diet and fitness education and a seven-year apprenticeship.
The married father of two grown daughters spent half of his career working on the distribution in Pace, Milton and Gulf Breeze. He did his share of storm duty –– heading out into the aftermath of a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado or ice storm to repair the electric grid and restore power. That duty often requires days and weeks working long hours. Gulf Power lineworkers even travel to neighboring communities and out of state to assist other utility companies with storm restoration.
About 12 years ago, he became a transmission lineworker. He’s one of 10 who work on the high voltage lines and towers that transport power from generation facilities to substations, which feed the distribution lines that serve Gulf Power’s customers.
“Transmission gave me the big picture view of the team that supports lineworkers. By having working relations with system controls, relay and protection, substation workers and engineers, you understand the scope of what goes into just changing out a support arm on a tower,” he said. “It’s a huge team our customers don’t see.”
Cunningham said he joined transmission at one of the most interesting times in Gulf Power’s history.
“I have been involved in one of the biggest investments in the transmission system the company has ever done –– building new tie lines to Alabama, new lines from Pensacola to Panama City and upgrading transmission substations,” he said.
His team is also nearing completion of a huge, multi-year storm hardening project to replace every wooden arm –– 1,500 –– on transmission towers with steel ones. Cunningham said the upgrade and other improvements Gulf Power has invested in the transmission system have reduced outages and improved power reliability. This leads to fewer of those middle-of-the-night calls for lineworkers to rush out and restore power, he said.
On a day-to-day basis, he travels some of the 1,667 miles of transmission lines in his utility truck from the Pensacola area east to Fort Walton Beach inspecting towers, poles and equipment for deterioration or damage.
The opportunity to be out in rural areas where many of the transmissions lines lace across fields, forests, swamps, rivers and bays is what he likes best about transmission work. “I cover a lot of territory and in a lot of remote areas,” he said. “That’s one of the challenges of transmission for some people, but for me, I love it.”
Sometimes to access those remote areas he and his team board boats and an amphibious tractor called a Marsh Master to go to work. That’s what they had to do during the holiday season a few years ago when a transmission tower spanning a river fell.
“I got a call at 2 a.m. that we had a transmission line out,” he said. “We started getting our crews in and picking up our boats and amphibious tractor. That’s the only way we could get out and see what was wrong. As soon as it was light enough before dawn for us to see, we were in the water.”
Whether it’s an emergency job or completing a storm-hardening project, Cunningham said what makes him enjoy his job is “at the end of the day you can look at what you’ve done and say, ‘there’s a job I completed.’
“And we may not always see the lights come back on when we’re working in remote areas, but we get that radio call confirming our work was a success,” Cunningham said. “You feel good.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robert O. Sawtell
August 26, 2017
Robert “Bob” O. Sawtell, 66, of Pensacola, Florida, unexpectedly died early in the morning, Friday, August 25, 2017, at his home. Bob was born in Manhattan, NY to Edward and Ana Sawtell on March 3, 1951. He traveled the world as he worked aboard a Tramp Steamer. Upon his return to New York he attended and graduated from Columbia University. He was recently retired from his successful career as a constructional engineer. Bob was a generous man who donated monthly to local charities. Bob was a member of The Lanier Sailing Club for 17 years, and loved to sail any chance he had. He also like to cook, do yard work, and play with the family pets. We will always carry the memories of him in our hearts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ana Sawtell.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Sondra of 34 years; son, Rob Sawtell; daughter, Charlotte (Brandon) Steed; stepson, Sean (Nancy) Knickman; grandsons, Joshua Knickman and Bradley Robert Steed; sister, Nancy Freiler; brother, Edward (Paula) Sawtell and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 30, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10 a.m. Pastor Doug Moesta will be officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with the arrangements.
Century Creates Short List Of Oil Spill Money Projects
August 25, 2017
The Century Town Council wants to purchase the their old town hall for use as welcome center.
The idea was among seven ideas given the preliminary approval by the town council as possible oil spill money projects after a joint workshop with the Century Area Chamber of Commerce.
The small 1,600 square foot building would be a Florida welcome center for tourists, if the town is able to purchase it from a private owner. Behind the center, the town would construct a walking trail around a large drainage pond that’s part of what was called the “north Century drainage project”. There would also be a parking area and a “Welcome To Florida” sign for photo opportunities.
Other projects under consideration are:
- Moving about 20 sewage lift stations underground
- A workforce development, workforce training and financial literacy education program
- A partnership with Escambia Community Clinic to construct a new building near the Lakeview Center in the Century Industrial Park. ECC would use the building for an adult medical care, adult dental care and urgent care facility.
- Wastewater treatment plant improvements
- The renovation of the old Century High School gymnasium for basketball, youth sports and other activities
- The creation of a farmer’s market (similar to the Palafox Market in Pensacola) and a community garden.
During a council meeting on September 11, the list of seven projects will be narrowed to five to submit to the Escambia County Commission for possible funding through Triumph Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act signed by Gov. Rick Scott on June 2 directs $1.5 billion to be spent over a 15 year period in eight counties in Northwest Florida that were impacted by the oil spill. The act directs Escambia and other seven other counties to seek proposals from other local governing boards withing their county.
Activities eligible for funding include ad valorem tax rate reductions, workforce skill development, local funding match requirements, public infrastructure projects, equipment and personnel for local disaster action plans, promotion of tourism and workforce and educational career development programs.
Pictured top: A panoramic view of a joint workshop meeting Thursday evening between the Century Chamber of Commerce and the Century Town Council to chose projects for possible funding by Triump Gulf Coast. Pictured below: The are properties of the old town hall and the north Century drainage project. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
