North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 27, 2019
People across North Escambia and the country are remembering the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrate Memorial Day.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:
Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
The late Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park
The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
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Atmore Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.
Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.
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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors scores of area residents that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)
Century Veterans Wall of Honor
About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured above.)
The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.
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Molino Community Center Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Molino Community Center honors dozens of area residents = that have served in the military, including those killed in action (pictured above).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Forestry Officials Warn Of Fire Danger As Dry Weather Persists
May 27, 2019
It’s been nearly two weeks since the last appreciable rainfall hit much of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and officials with the Florida’s Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are keeping a wary eye on the weather and the potential for significant wildfires.
While Florida has a year-round wildfire season, it peaks every year between late March and early June and there is a history of large fires in this area surrounding Memorial Day.
On May 25, 2013, a wildfire broke out near Giese Lane in west Pensacola. The 200-acre fire took nine tractor/plow units, multiple aircraft and dozens of fire department apparatus to stop. The fire threatened multiple homes, forced evacuations and closed Dog Track Road, Blue Angel Parkway, US 98 and multiple other secondary roads on a busy holiday weekend.
A similar weather pattern of dry, hot air has established itself in recent weeks and is forecast to continue with no significant chance for rainfall in the forecast.
Despite no significant increases in fires recently, Blackwater officials are urging residents not to burn until rainfall.
“People want to get some work done in the yard, we understand,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “It’s hot, it’s dry and there is a very real potential for big wildfires right now so we’re just asking them to hold off.”
Pictured: A May 2018 wildfire near Weller Avenue in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: Escambia Deputy Injured When Driver Runs Red Light, Crashes Into Patrol Vehicle
May 27, 2019
An Escambia County deputy received minor injuries Sunday morning when a driver crashed into his patrol cruiser before fleeing the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Juan Jose Hernandez Fajardo, 50, was traveling south in the outside lane of Pine Forest Road approaching Wilde Lake Boulevard about 6:32 a.m. when he ran a stop light. Fajardo crashed his Toyota Tundra into the passenger side of the deputy’s Chevrolet Tahoe.
Fajardo then fled on foot, according to troopers. He was later located and booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, no driver’s license and failing to stop at a steady red signal.
The deputy was treated for minor injuries and released from Baptist Hospital.
Fajardo remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning due to a hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
DeSantis, Florida Delegation Arrive In Israel For Trade Mission
May 27, 2019
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and delegation of nearly 100 people arrived Sunday in Israel for week of meetings, including a Cabinet meeting and time with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about job creation, business opportunities and education.
The delegation includes top legislative policy makers, business brokers, lobbyist and academic leaders.
The governor’s business development mission will provide Florida with a unique opportunity to strengthen the economic bonds between Florida and Israel, according to the governor’s office. During the mission. DeSantis and Enterprise Florida, Inc. President and CEO Jamal Sowell will meet with Israeli companies to recruit new high-wage jobs and make Florida the destination for Israeli business investment. Florida businesses attending the mission will meet with Israeli businesses in an effort to build relationships and create trade opportunities.
“I am excited to be here in Israel with such a diverse group of Florida leaders who will proudly represent Florida and our great nation on this historic business development mission,” said DeSantis. “This mission will affirm our deep and ongoing partnership with Israel.”
Cabinet members in Israel are Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
More Heat For Memorial Day Monday
May 27, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Memorial Day Closures
May 27, 2019
Escambia County
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Below are exceptions in Escambia County:
- The Perdido Landfill will be open for normal business hours, but administrative offices will be closed.
- ECAT administrative offices will be closed and buses and trolleys will run on a modified Memorial Day schedule. ECAT will only operate Route 59X, 64 Beach Jumper and the Pensacola Beach Trolley.
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. However, residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual.
Town Of Century, Cities Of Pensacola, Jay
- All city/town offices and departments will be closed
Scouts, Barrineau Park 4-H And Other Volunteers Place Flags At Barrancas National Cemetery
May 27, 2019
Hundreds of volunteers, including Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, members of Barrineau Park 4-H (pictured) and others placed flags at reacher marker in Barrancas National Cemetery for Memorial Day. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blankenhorn Caps Wild Wahoos Comeback Win With Ninth Inning Homer
May 27, 2019
In maybe their most memorable win this season, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos pulled off their biggest comeback twice in a wild, stunning 11-10 road win Sunday against the Tennessee Smokies.
Trailing 4-0 early in the game, then 10-4 after six innings, the Blue Wahoos scored seven runs in the final three innings at Smokies Stadium to take the series finale off their five game road series in Tennessee.
While the Smokies took the series 3-2, the Blue Wahoos win Sunday provided a jolt of good vibe for a 500-plus mile trip back to Pensacola. It also kept the Blue Wahoos (30-20) two games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, who won Sunday, in the Southern League South Division standings.
After tying the game in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Caleb Hamilton and RBI sacrifice fly by Ernie De La Trinidad, the Blue Wahoos scored the go-ahead run on Travis Blankenhorn’s leadoff home run in the ninth.
It was Blankenhorn’s eighth homer this season and he continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 4-for-6 with four RBI. Since he was promoted to Pensacola on April 26, Blankenhorn leads the Southern League in home runs, slugging (563) and total bases (67).
On the mound, facing a starting pitching shortage, the Blue Wahoos turned to Andro Cutura for his second spot start of the series. Two of Pensacola’s starters, Randy Dobnak and Sean Poppen, have been promoted to AAA over the past two days and two more (Brusdar Graterol and Griffin Jax) have recently gone on the injured list.
Cutura allowed four runs on seven hits, only pitching into the second inning. With two outs in the second, Pensacola turned to Jeff Ames, who stranded two inherited runners and threw 2.0 scoreless.
Cody Stashak and Ryan Mason, who have been strong in relief this season, struggled in succession after replacing Jeff Ames in the fourth inning, combining to allow six runs over 2.1 innings.
Tyler Jay followed with 1.1 scoreless, setting up Williams Ramirez to earn the win with 1.2 hitless innings of relief as the Blue Wahoos bats came alive late.
The Blue Wahoos turned the game’s direction in the seventh while trailing 10-4 when Ben Rortvedthit a two-run homer, then Blankenhorn followed with a two-out, two run, bases-loaded single to score Hamilton and Mark Contreras, who both walked, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 10-8.
In the eighth inning, Mitchell Kranson singled, then Jaylin Davis and Rortvedt were both hit by pitches to load the bases. With the bases jammed, Caleb Hamilton worked a walk to bring home a run and pull Pensacola within one. Ernie De La Trinidad then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 10-10.
Blankenhorn homered leading off the 10th to give Pensacola their first lead of the game at 11-10 and Ramirez retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.
All-in-all, the two teams combined for 31 hits in the game. Pensacola allowed a season-high 19 while knocking 12 themselves.
Kranson finished 3-for-5, joining Blankenhorn as the other Blue Wahoos batter with multiple hits.
After an off-day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos will begin a 10-game homestand on Tuesday as they take on the Mississippi Braves.
Teen Mom, Her Infant Son Found Safe
May 26, 2019
Update: The ECSO says Jamicah Pate and her son are home safe.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a 16-year old and her 9-month old baby that may have been in Cantonment overnight.
Jamicah Pate left home with her son about 6 p.m. Saturday to attend a graduation party at an unknown address in Cantonment. She was picked up by a friend that was driving her to the party, according to Deb Henley, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She was due home around 10:30 p.m.
“Jamicah called her mom around 1:20 a.m. and said she was looking for a ride home. When her mom asked for the address so she could come get them, Jamicah hung up the phone. Jamicah’s phone does not have service and only works if it has wi-fi. While the ECSO does not suspect foul play, due to the young age of the baby, it is asking for help locating Jamicah and her son,” Henley said.
Jamicah Pate was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, light blue leggings, and white/black tennis shoes. Her infant Malakhi Lindsey was wearing a yellow and plaid polo shirt.
If you have any information on Jamicah’s whereabouts or last known location, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Cove Avenue At Nine Mile Closing Tuesday
May 26, 2019
Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to enable crews to perform roadway construction and drainage improvements. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.