Woman Charged In Fatal DUI Crash
April 22, 2019
An Escambia County woman was charged with DUI after a fatal crash Sunday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Marie Ann Simpkins failed to stop her Hyundai Sonata at a red traffic signal at Fairfield Drive and W Street about 4:30 p.m. and collided with two other vehicles. Her vehicle collided with a 2003 Ford Mustang drive by 49-year old Randy Riley. Riley was critically injured, while the crash claimed the life of his passenger, 22-year old Nelson Riley of Pensacola.
Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries.
Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital.
Simpkins was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and reckless driving. She was booked into the Escambia Jail late Sunday night without bond.
Albert John Ritchey, Jr.
April 22, 2019
Albert John Ritchey, Jr., passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Pensacola, FL. He was born June 18, 1941, in Lancaster, PA. Albert was in the United States Navy for six years. He loved to fish and he liked working on pocket watches and clocks.
Albert is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Ann Ritchey; mother, Anna Marie Ritchey; father, Albert John Ritchey, Sr.; brother, Michael Stephen Ritchey; and sister, Diane Elisa Ritchey. Albert is survived by his wife of 17 years, Marina Ritchey; sons, Michael Brian Ritchey, Sr., Stephen James Ritchey, and Thomas John Ritchey, Sr.; daughter, Dianna Elisa Welch; step-sons, Konstantin Avdeev and Alexey Avdeev; grandchildren, Michael Brian Ritchey, Jr., Nadine Nicole Ritchey, Forrest Taylor Ritchey, Claudia Michelle Ritchey, Gabriel John Ritchey, Brandon Matthew Ritchey, Timothy Ryan Ritchey, Michael Anthony Welch, David Andrew Welch, Terrel James Ritchey, Robert Tyler Ritchey, Kyle Emmons, Heather Ritchey, and Thomas Ritchey, Jr.; step grandsons, Andrew Avdeev and Egor Avdeev; step granddaughters, Irene Avdeev, Barbara Avdeev and Anna Avdeev; and 13 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Thursday, April 25, 2019, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment. Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Ritchey, Timothy Ritchey, Thomas Ritchey, Jr., TJ Ritchey, Tyler Ritchey, David Welch and Michael Welch.
Missing Man Found Safe In Cantonment Woods; Silver Alert Canceled
April 21, 2019
A missing elderly man that was the subject of a silver alert was found in safe the woods in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
Clifford Reynolds, 83, left his home on Gulf Beach Highway Friday about 6 p.m. He was found with his white Chevrolet Avalanche by several people shortly before 5:00 Sunday afternoon down a trail off Becks Lake Road. He was rescued from the woods by the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Reynolds was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for evaluation but appeared to be in good condition, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Worshipers Gather For Easter Sunrise Services
April 21, 2019
Worshipers gathered for sunrise services across Escambia County on Easter Sunday morning.
The services were to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pictured above and below are the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pictured bottom is from the Molino Community Sunrise Service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home, Vehicle In Cantonment
April 21, 2019
Fire destroyed mobile home and a vehicle in Cantonment Saturday afternoon.
There were no injuries reported in the blaze on Robinson Street. Firefighters were able to save an adjacent mobile home.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Easter Bunny Visits The Molino Branch Library (With Photo Gallery)
April 21, 2019
The Easter Bunny stopped by the Molino Branch Library last week for story time and to take photos with the kids.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Silver Alert Issued For Missing Escambia County Man
April 21, 2019
This missing senior has been found. Click for an updated story.
A silver alert has been issued for a missing Escambia County man.
Clifford Reynolds, 83, left his home on Gulf Beach Highway Friday about 6 p.m. He was last seen driving his white Chevrolet Avalanche truck with Florida tab 109RAN. at 10:30 Friday on Highway 41 in Brewton.
He is described as being 5-foot, 9-inches tall and 130 pounds.
Anyone that sees Reynolds or the vehicle is asked to call the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Happy Easter! Great Weather In Store Today
April 21, 2019
Happy Easter! Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 63.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Bicyclist Hit By Car On North Palafox, Critically Injured
April 21, 2019
A bicyclist was seriously injured Saturday afternoon when he was hit by a car.
The 54-year old man entered the direct path of a Chevrolet Malibu driven by 42-year old Lakeshia Snow of Pensacola about 3:45 p.m.on North Palafox Street south of Hope Drive.
The bicyclist was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. His name has not been released as the FHP attempted to notify his next of kin.
Wahoos Shut Out The BayBears
April 21, 2019
Pensacola’s lauded starting pitching rotation got a new cast member on Saturday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium as Sean Poppen made his first start in a Blue Wahoos uniform. True to the part, the Harvard grad delivered 5.0 shutout innings and struck out 11 BayBears batters in a 5-0 win for Pensacola. With tonight’s outing by Poppen, Blue Wahoos starting pitchers now have a 1.39 ERA this season, having allowed just 13 earned runs in 84.1 innings.
Poppen, who made his first appearance of the year on the mound for AAA-Rochester, recovered from some first inning hiccups before cruising to the win. The game’s leadoff batter Jahmai Jones singled and one batter later Jack Kruger was hit by a pitch, but Poppen quickly worked out of the jam, striking out a pair in the inning.
After walking the first batter in the second, he struck out two more. In the home half of the inning, Tanner English was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on an Ernie De La Trinidad single, the first of three for De La Trinidad.
Poppen was back at it in the third, striking out a pair for the third straight inning. In the fourth, he one-upped himself, striking out the side. Two more strikeouts followed in the fifth, giving him 11 in the game, the most by a Blue Wahoos pitcher this season.
Pensacola scored twice in the bottom of the fifth, using a walk to Brian Schales and singles by Luis Arraez, Jaylin Davis, and English to go up 3-0.
Following the fifth inning, both teams welcomed John Matthew Peacock, an inspirational local 4-year-old who has battled medical problems throughout his life after being born prematurely, for 2019’s first Home Run For Life. John Matthew circled the bases, high fiving the players on both teams, before leaping on home and hugging Kazoo while a sold-out crowd gave him a standing ovation.
LHP Jovani Moran took over on the mound for Pensacola and picked up where Poppen left off, striking out five over 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings. RHP Cody Stashak followed in the eighth, and struck out a pair over over 2.0 scoreless to finish out the shutout for the Blue Wahoos and give Pensacola pitchers 18 strikeouts in the game.
Offensively, Pensacola had nine hits in the game, including a 3-4 night by De La Trinidad. English was 2-2 with a walk, two RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Davis was 2-3 with a run and a steal.
The win improves Pensacola’s record to a league-best 11-5 while Mobile falls to 6-9.