Wayne Cox

April 7, 2018

Wayne Cox, 46, of Pace, FL, passed away in a tragic accident on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

He had a love and passion for fishing and hunting that he shared with his best friend, his wife Lisa. He took part in many tournament trails and was proud to be a pro-staff member of Blazer Boats, Big Bite Baits, Bass Pro Shops, and many others. The friends he made along the way were numerous and meant so much to him. He spent his career in the HVAC industry. When not working or fishing, Wayne enjoyed spending time with the grandkids, friends, and family and loving on his big boy Rosco who completely adored him. Wayne carried a large presence and boisterous personality, and if he wanted to, he could put a smile on anyone’s face. He will be sorely missed by anyone lucky enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Cox, step-daughter, Vanessa Leger (Jason), grandchildren, Emory, Adeline, Isla, Olive, and Everett, father, Jack Cox (Pat), mother, Gail Cox, brother, Bobby Cox (Bobbie Sue), sister, April, nieces, Courtney, Haley, and Alexis, mother-in-law, Bertha Blacksher, brothers-in-law, Dale (Dianna) and David (Roxanne), sisters-in-law, Carol (Bruce) and Teresa (Brian), and numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Catch A Dream Foundation or Cast For Kids Foundation.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 11:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 1:00 p.m.

No Injuries On Loaded School Bus In Highway 29 Wreck

April 6, 2018

No one was injured on an Escambia County School bus crash Friday afternoon on Highway in Cantonment.

There were 40 students from Jim Allen Elementary School on bus, according to Deputy School Superintendent Norm Ross. No serious injuries were reported in the passenger car that was struck by the bus. Both vehicles were moved off the roadway following the crash.

Parents and guardians of the students on Bus 19-15 were notified of the crash.

Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Highway Worker Struck And Killed On Highway 29; Century Woman Seriously Injured

April 6, 2018

A highway worker was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday afternoon on Highway 29 near Siglar Road, north of McDavid.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century was southbound on Highway 29 when her 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with worker Maceo A. Perkins, 41, of Pensacola and an unoccupied Dodge Ram truck that was off the roadway.

Odom was trapped in her vehicle and was extricated by firefighters before being  airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries. Perkins was pronounced deceased at the scene.

All charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.

Perkins reportedly worked for Broadspectrum, a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT was unable to provide information late Friday afternoon on the nature of the work being performed.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.



Meth Baggies Float: McDavid Man Busted After Diving Into Creek

April 6, 2018

A McDavid man learned an important lesson this week — plastic baggies of meth float if you jump into a creek while running from the cops.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Highway 97A just east of Dan Hall Road after receiving a report of an unresponsive male and female parked under a bridge. They arrived to find a female sunbathing on the ground behind a black Chevrolet Impala and male behind the wheel. When the man, later identified as 44-year old William Hall of McDavid, spotted deputies, he ran toward the creek and dove into the water, according to an arrest report.

A deputy watched Hall treading below water level as  he reached towards his pockets. After Hall complied with an order to show his hands, the deputy said he watched as two plastic baggies floated to the water surface. Hall began to swim back to the deputy and attempt to push the plastic baggies way from him, the report states.

A deputy positioned on the bridge above the creek said  he observed  Hall remove something from his pockets and the plastic baggies float to the surface. Deputies were able to use a local resident’s boat to retrieve the baggies from the water. The substance in the baggies test positive for methamphetamine. Deputies also reported finding a burnt glass pipe in plain view in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

Hall was charged with possession of methamphetamine, destruction of evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $11,000.

The female was not charged with any crime.

Second Century Man Arrested For Armed Home Invasion

April 6, 2018

A second Century man has been charged in connection with a local home invasion robbery with a firearm back in January.

Gregory Lavone Williams, 52, was charged this week with first degree felony home invasion with a firearm and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage.

Kendrick Jamar Washington, 29, was previously charged with first degree felony home invasion and aggravated assault

Washington allegedly knocked on the female victim’s door about 4 a.m. while dressed in a dark colored hoodie and camouflage pants. As she was closing the door, he pulled the door back and shoved the female backwards, according to an arrest report, with both men entering the home. Washington then allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it the victim’s face while demanding money. Washington allegedly took the cash and headed it to Williams before both men ran out the front door.

The victim told deputies she had about $1,500 in her purse because she worked as a cocktail waitress at Wind Creek Casino in Atmore and she had cashed her check there but not yet deposited it into the bank.

Williams remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $75,000, while Washington is being held without bond.

Owl Rescued From Tangled Fishing Line Is Released Back Into The Wild

April 6, 2018

A barred owl — better known as a hoot owl — rescued near Century back in January has been released back into the wild.

The female owl was successfully rehabilitated and released near Walnut Hill on Thursday.

NorthEscambia.com first brought you the story about the owl on January 28, the morning after it was found hanging by a wing that was tangled in fishing line at Salter’s Lake. After being rescued by a group of local residents, the owl was picked up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and transported to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.

Ben Preston, David Preston, Ross Daughdrill, Lakelynn Parker and Tammy Parker were hunting when Ben Preston went out to retrieve a duck that had fallen into a wooded area. He came upon the owl hanging from the fishing line. They covered the owl with a bag while the fishing line was cut.  Ben and Lakelynn wrapped the owl in Ben’s jacket and put him in their boat.

They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a FWC officer met them at the Salter’s Lake Boat Ramp to pick up the owl.

The FWC warns that that monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can snag and entangle birds, sea turtles and manatees, leading to injury and even death.

“People can prevent injury and death to wildlife by committing to stop litter of tackle and monofilament line,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano.

Tackle should be checked frequently for frayed line that may easily break. Unwanted or damaged line should be stored safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin. The FWC urges those outdoors to pick up, secure and appropriate dispose of any fishing line they may see.

Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month

April 6, 2018

Ernest Ward Middle School has named students of the month for February and March.

February students of the month are: Jaquez Moorer, sixth grade; Madison Rowinsky, seventh grade; and Naveah Brown, eighth grade (pictured above, L-R).

March students of the month are: Isabella Sanders, sixth grade; Zacharie Jones , seventh grade; and Khiazhia Jones, eighth grade (pictured above, L-R).

Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Outside Westbound Exit Lane Reopens On I-10 At Highway 29

April 6, 2018

The I-10 westbound outside travel lane near Highway 29 interchange (Exit 10 – Pensacola/Cantonment) is now open, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Baseball: Northview Beats 20-0 Neal, Tate Shuts Out Washington; Jay Softball Over NHS

April 6, 2018

Northview 3, W.S. Neal 2

W.S. Neal’s 20-0 perfect season came to an end at the hand of the Northview Chiefs Thursday night.

Northview downed Neal 3-2 in East Brewton.

Tanner Levins pitched six innings for the Chiefs, and Seth Killam finished it off in the seventh.

For the Chiefs: Jackson Moore 1-3, R, RBI; Seth Killam 1-3, R; John Chivington 2-3, R, RBI.

The Chiefs will host Baker Friday at 6:30.

Tate 10, Washington 0

Raymond Lafleur  tossed a no-hitter as the Tate Aggies shut out Washington 10-0 Thursday night.

Lafeur recorded six strike outs in six innings.

For Tate: Blake Anderson 2-4, 2R; Ethan Bloodsworth R; Reid Halfacre R; Zach Hyatt R; Trent Jeffcoat 2-2, 2B, R, RBI; Mason Land 2-3, 2B, R, RBI; Hunter Riggan R; Jesse Sherrill 3-4, 2R, RBI.

SOFTBALL

Jay 3, Northview 2 (9 innings)

The Jay Lady Royals beat the 10-0 Northview Lady Chiefs by the score of 3-2 Thursday night in Jay.

BayBears Power Past Wahoos 9-4 In Season Opener

April 6, 2018

The Mobile BayBears spoiled the Blue Wahoos encore to their Southern League Championship with a 9-4 win over Pensacola on Opening Day at Hank Aaron Stadium on Thursday night.

Daniel Wright suffered the shortest outing of his professional career as the Wahoos lost on Opening Day for just the second time in team history.

After a clean opening inning for Wright and the Blue Wahoos, things quickly turned south in the second.

The BayBears opened the scoring early in the inning. Double-A debutant, Michael Barash, homered off the first pitch he saw in the second to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Connor Justus and Zach Gibbons fired back-to-back singles before Bo Way doubled Mobile’s advantage with an RBI groundout.

With two outs, the BayBears rallied for five additional runs thanks to a pair of BayBear hits and a pair of Blue Wahoos errors. Wright had a chance to end the second when Thaiss hit a weak grounder towards first but Wright’s flip to Gavin LaValley sailed over the first baseman’s head allowing Brennon Lund to score.

Two batters later Hutton Moyer made the Blue Wahoos pay when he crushed his first home run of the season to make it 7-0.

Pensacola tried to climb back into the game when they plated a pair of runs in the third. LaValley’s two-run single gave the Blue Wahoos a brief surge of momentum.

The BayBears proved to be relentless as they answered Pensacola’s two runs with two of their own in the bottom of the inning.

There were several bright spots that could be extracted from Thursday’s contest. Nick Longhi, in his first game since injuring his elbow, went 3-for-4. LaValley and Gabriel Guerrero both reached base twice.

The bullpen also turned in a solid effort after the seven-run rally. Brennan Bernardino, in his second season with the Blue Wahoos, pitched two near-perfect innings while newcomer Jose Rafael De Paula did not allow a run over his two innings of work.

Pensacola will put this game behind them and get ready for tomorrow when RHP Keury Mella gets the ball for the Blue Wahoos opposite RHP Luis Pena.

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