Special Early Father’s Day Parade Held For Stage 4 Cancer Patient In Cantonment (With Photo Gallery)
May 25, 2020
A special Father’s Day parade was Sunday for a Cantonment man.
Johnell Smith was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a few months ago. His 12-year old son Dakota wanted to go ahead and do something special for him now for Father’s Day, and asked for the parade for his dad.
The two sat together in a golf cart alongside Casey Lane Sunday afternoon to watch as the community came together for the very special parade.
And for a while, all was well as the parade went by, led by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. There were fire trucks, big trucks, antique cars, motorcycles — all the good stuff that fathers and sons can enjoy together.
There was laughter. And tears. And that special bond that a father and son share. It may have been a few weeks early, but it was a happy Father’s Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click enlarge.
Man Seriously Injured, Airlifted To The Hospital Following Nokomis Road Rollover Wreck
May 25, 2020
A local man was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday night.
The 28-year old was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola following the wreck just before 11 p.m. on Nokomis Road near Meadows Road, about 1.5 miles west of Highway 97.
The driver of a Chevrolet 1500 pickup was headed east on Nokomis Road when he failed to properly negotiate a curve and left the road way. The the truck traveled over a high embankment and overturned in a yard, coming to rest upright against a small tree. It appeared the driver was ejected.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Memorial Day: Bratt Park, Century Wall And Other Memorials Honor Locals That Served And Sacrificed
May 25, 2020
On Memorial Day, people across North Escambia and the country remember the brave men and women that have served and sacrificed all.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military. Below, we are highlighting some of the outdoor memorials.
Continue scrolling; the article continues below the photos.
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.
For more photos from Travis M. Nelson Park and the Century memorial (highlighted below), click here.
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 and also honors local soldiers killed in action.
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.
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 about300 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, 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.
Many 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.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Park Along Perdido Key Drive And You May Be Ticketed Or Towed
May 25, 2020
Be careful where you park on Perdido Key or you may get a ticket or have your vehicle towed.
According to Escambia County, there is an ordinance prohibiting parking along Perdido Key Drive or on private property. There is free parking in designated lots.
“Beach goers parking in the right of way create an unsafe situation as pedestrians attempt to cross Perdido Key Drive at any location, often stepping out from behind parked cars,” said District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill. “In addition, walking through the dunes damages the fragile ecosystem and may negatively impact protected species that share our beach.”
Two Injured In Kingsfield Road Crash; FHP Says Pickup Lost Wheel Prior To The Wreck
May 24, 2020
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday evening in Gonzalez.
A 33-year old female was trapped in her van for about 45 minutes as Escambia Fire Rescue firefighters worked to extricate her from the crash on East Kingsfield Road at Pauline Street. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital as a trauma alert. The 19-year old pickup truck driver was also taken to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the front wheel of the truck snapped off at the axle prior to the crash, causing the pickup to travel into oncoming traffic.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
74 Tested For COVID-19 At Carver Park In Cantonment
May 24, 2020
There were 74 people that took advantage of free COVID-19 testing last week at Cantonment’s Carver Park.
The Community Health of Northwest Florida site did not require payment or a pre-screening phone call. It was open to any resident of Escambia County regardless of any symptoms.
It was the third time Community Health brought mobile testing to the North Escambia area. On April 27, 306 people were tested at Carver Park and on May 13 a total of 55 tested were administered in Century.
Those that were tested were advised to go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep away from other people, including family members, until they receive their test results.
Community Health also offers drive-thru testing at Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pre-screening is required for the Cantonment Pediatrics location by calling (850) 746-2684.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Field Of Dreams: Blue Wahoos Stadium For Rent On Airbnb
May 24, 2020
Short-term vacation rentals are back, and this local one is really, really big. Field of Dreams kind of big.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have placed their entire stadium on Airbnb. For you and nine of your friends, it’s just $1,500 a night.
“For the first time ever, a professional baseball stadium is available for rent on AirBnB, giving fans the most intimate, behind-the-scenes ballpark experience in history. Whether you’d like to host an unforgettable overnight trip with your youth league team, throw an unbeatable birthday bash, stage a corporate retreat that will make you an office hero, or spend your bachelor party living your sports dream, Blue Wahoos Stadium is the ultimate rental,” the listing says.
Guests staying at the ballpark will have full access to the newly-renovated and fully-furnished clubhouse, a large bedroom with 10 beds, the batting cage, and the field itself.
The clubhouse has four leather couches, two flat screen TVs, a ping pong able, padded chairs, two large tables and connected bathrooms with showers.
The large bedroom is connected directly to the clubhouse and has four bunk beds and two queen-sized beds, allowing 10 to sleep comfortably. It also includes two flat screen televisions and a kitchenette with a fridge, freezer, coffee-maker, and microwave.
Guests will be given access to Blue Wahoos Stadium’s batting tunnel, allowing them to hit just like the players do. Bats, balls, and helmets will be provided.
Guests will have full and exclusive access to the baseball field at Blue Wahoos Stadium during their stay. A full batting practice set-up is included on the field. Guests are welcome to hit from home plate, play catch in the outfield, run the bases, enjoy a picnic in the outfield, or find other creative uses for the field.
A Blue Wahoos representative will provide a full tour on arrival and will be stationed in the ballpark to provide security and answer questions.
Add-ons include available food and beverage packages merchandise and additional experiences for an additional charge.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms
May 24, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Memorial Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
John Odom From Flomaton Serving Aboard USS Harry S. Truman During COVID-19 Pandemic
May 24, 2020
Machinery Repairman Fireman John Odom, from Flomaton is serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Sea.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.
The Truman has spent at least one day underway for 30 of the last 34 months, in direct support of global security around the world. . Keeping the strike group at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOH: Seven New Coronavirus Cases In Escambia County
May 24, 2020
The number of reported COVID-19 of cases in Escambia County increased by seven on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 756, and Santa Rosa remained the same at 207.
Of the 26 deaths in Escambia County, at least 18 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 50,867 cases including 49,547 Florida residents. There have been 9,381 hospitalizations and 2,237 deaths.
EscambiaCounty cases:
- Total cases — 756 (+7 since Saturday)
- Pensacola — 550
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 63*
- Deaths — 26
- Male — 256
- Female — 362
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 207 (+0 since Saturday)
- Milton — 123
- Navarre — 35
- Gulf Breeze — 27
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 143
- Female — 61
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 50,867
- Florida residents — 49,547
- Deaths — 2,237
- Hospitalizations — 9,381*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.