Woman Sentenced For DUI Crash That Killed One, Seriously Injured Century Man
May 20, 2021
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for a fatal DUI crash in January 2020.
Ava Nicole Stoudemire was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Lee Robinson to 15 years in state prison under a plea agreement under which she admitted to DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing injury and driving without a valid driver’s license.
Stoudemire attempted to make a turn onto Marcus Point Boulevard from W Street. Her Toyota van was traveling too fast to negotiate the turn, causing her to lose control and collide with a semi-truck and a box truck.
Stoudemire’s backseat passenger, Tyrone Deonta Wilkins, Jr., passed away as a result of the crash. Her front seat passenger, Gregory Joseph Matthews of Century, was seriously injured. The driver of an oncoming truck was also injured.
Stoudemire’s blood alcohol level was .221, well above the legal level of .08 at the time of the crash.
Stoudemire was also seriously injured in the crash.
Blue Wahoos Fall 2-1 To Rocket City
May 20, 2021
A
fter 14 games, the Blue Wahoos are even with their record and it has been reflective of how the season has started.
“I think we are still trying to find our identity a little bit, especially offensively,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel following Wednesday’s 2-1 loss against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“Our starting pitching is holding up pretty good. We got (Brandon) Leibrandt going tomorrow and hopefully he can rebound from a couple bad losses.
“The bullpen is coming together, trying to find guys for the back end and how we are going to bridge it there. But guys are stepping up there are finding their roles and hopefully in another week or two, we get rolling and find out where we are.”
The loss dropped the Blue Wahoos to 7-7. The Trash Pandas (8-6) won their sixth game in the past seven. The teams will continue their six-game series Thursday with the Blue Wahoos transforming into the Pensacola Mullets, complete with uniforms and logo hats.
Making his third-start, Blue Wahoos pitcher Jake Eder gave up his first runs of the season, both in the fifth inning. Only one was earned.
A leadoff walk, then a throwing error on a slow chop was followed another walk to load the bases. Rocket City’s Michael Stefani hit a two-run single as part of his three-hit night with two doubles.
But after that struggle, Eder struck out the next three batters.
“He is a monster on the mound,” Randel said. “It wasn’t one of his cleanest outings. He threw a lot of pitches early. Got a few walks, four walks, so about 25 extra pitches. But he responded.”
Finishing with seven strikeouts, Eder, a former Vanderbilt star reliever, moved into lead among Double-A South Division pitchers with 26. The total is second-best in the 30-team Double-A level.
The Blue Wahoos could not catch a break at the plate.
The Trash Pandas made a pair of diving catches to thwart possible extra base hits. The Blue Wahoos only steal attempt was thwarted. There were also several hard-hit line drives right at fielders.
And in the eighth inning, Connor Justus hit a bomb was shifted by the wind just outside the left field foul pole.
That kind of night.
But in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos made it suspenseful. Peyton Burdick followed his three-hit night Tuesday with a blast into the wind that carried over the left-center wall to begin the inning.
With one out, Nick Fortes singled. But Trash Pandas closer Conner Higgins made a pair of big pitches on 3-2 counts to strike out Riley Mahan and Lazaro Alonso swinging to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos had just three hits against Rocket City starter Kyle Tyler, who had his best outing this season. He worked seven innings, struck out five with three walks.
In previous starts, he did not finish the fifth inning in either game. He gave up a combined 13 hits and six earned runs. Wednesday he dealt quality pitches the entire way.
“I thought we swung the bats all right,” Randel said. “Just missed a couple.”
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Escambia Sees 14 New COVID-19 Cases
May 20, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 14 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,420 (+14)
Non-Florida residents: 3,693
Recovered: 33,893*
Total deaths: 698
Long-term care facility deaths: 288
Current hospitalizations: 37 (-5)
Number of tests reported last day: 683
Percent positive reported last day: 3.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,302 (+9)
Cantonment: 3,273 (+1)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 495 (+1)
McDavid: 214
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,399 (+21)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 912*
Number of tests reported last day: 414
Percent positive reported last day: 5.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,776 (+11)
Navarre: 3,787 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,382 (+1)
Pace: 1,511
Jay: 556
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,299,596
Florida residents: 2,256,645
Deaths: 36,271
Hospitalizations: 93,598
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Taylor Sims
May 20, 2021
Taylor Sims, age 28, passed away on May 15, 2021. He was born on February 18, 1993 in Pensacola, FL to Jason and Dawn Sims. He was a 2011 graduate of Northview High School and a member of Highland Baptist Church. He was currently employed as a Senior Associate Consultant with Aerotek and a proud partner of Sims and Son, LLC. He previously worked with the Department of Corrections.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Sam Malloy.
He is survived by his parents, Jason and Dawn Sims of Molino, FL; his grandparents, Charlotte and Winfred Sims of Molino, FL and Bonnie and Craig Exner of Barrineau Park, FL; his brother, Zachary (Crystal) and Bowen Ryker Sims; his aunts, uncles and cousins, Tricia (Byron), Nathan and Will Davis; Chad (Stephanie), Lindsey, Bizzy and Kenzie Sims, Anna (David) Brantley, Barrett Gilley. We cannot go without mentioning Taylor’s brothers from other mothers, Bo, Okoye, Chad and Kaleb and his godparents, The Lathans and The Rawls. Taylor was loved by a large extended family, as well as friends he considered family.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12 Noon at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, FL with Rev. Brian Calhoun officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Shane Harigel, Bryan Josey, Chad Rigby, Orbin Albritton, Tony Lathan, Okoye Richardson, Chad Smith, Kaleb Purvis, Zachary Sims and Bo Bishop.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 12 Noon at Highland Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shands Children’s Hospital.
Peter “Petey” Gindl Jr.
May 20, 2021
Petey Gindl, 55, passed away May 18, 2021. For years he worked as a Paramedic with Escambia County EMS. Petey had grown up with a love for farming, hunting, and Auburn football. He was a loving father and papa. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly. While our lives are forever changed, the memories and love will remain in our hearts until we meet again.
Petey was preceded in death by his parents; Pete and Sue Gindl, and his best friend, Steven Johnson. He is survived by daughters: Rayla Gantt (Remy) and Lindsey Gindl; Son: Peter “Rudy” Gindl III (Caitlan); grandchildren: Vivian Gindl, Isabel Gindl, Peter Gindl IV, and Raylen Everette; sisters: Lesa Morgan (Teet), Jeanene Hall (Tony), and Nancy Perry (Foye); brother: Stephen Gindl (Carmen); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Rudy Gindl, Jimmy Morgan, Chris Morgan, Will Wilson, Cody McCarty, and Josh Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Gindl, Caleb Gindl, Teet Morgan, Tony Hall, Foye Perry, William “Paco” Meador, and Randall Wilson.
Flowers are welcome; the family also welcomes memorial contributions be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Barrineau Park Colony Cemetery.
Jessie L. Wiggins
May 20, 2021
Jessie L. Wiggins, age 90, of Pensacola, FL passed away on May 17, 2021 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on December 22, 1930 in Bratt, FL to the late Robert and Addie Cooper Wiggins. She was a graduate from Ernest Ward High School. She was a secretary at Bratt Elementary School for many years then continued her career with Escambia County School District Office in Pensacola where she retired from the Purchasing Department. She was a member of East Brent Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Myra Brantley, Dorothy Norris, Essie Coleman, Thelma Holley, Henry Wiggins, Rufus Wiggins, Marvin Wiggins and Leon Wiggins.
She is survived by her sister, Glyndal Robbins of Bratt, FL; her loving nieces and nephews along with many friends and family.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home followed by a private family graveside service with Dr. Darrell Holley officiating.
Active pallbearers will be Greg Robbins, Brian Robbins, Ben Robbins, Heath Ward, Brad Purvis and Marvin Wiggins.
Jean Knowles
May 20, 2021
Jean Knowles, age 83, of Molino, FL passed away May 18, 2021. She was born on July 11, 1937 in Bratt, FL to the late Aubrey H. and Agnes Velda Wiggins Ashcraft. She loved her family dearly. She was of great faith and was a member of The Pentecostal Faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James “Pete” Knowles; her daughter, Toni L. Knowles and her brothers, Aubrey Kenneth Ashcraft and James Larry Ashcraft.
She is survived by her sons, Terry (Cindy) Knowles of Cantonment, FL and Rusty (Melanie) Knowles of Molino, FL; her daughters, Cindy Knowles of Molino, FL and Vickie (Ken) Johnson of Molino, FL; eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery with Rev. Rusty Knowles and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Knowles, Wesley Knowles, Nathan Johnson, Tyler Knowles, Karson Brown Matt Blackburn, Jason Brown and A.J. Ashcraft.
Roy Wilbon Shivers, Jr.
May 20, 2021
Mr. Roy Wilbon Shivers Jr. age 65, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Pensacola, FL.
Mr. Shivers was a lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. He was a proud member of “The Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ (Wind Clan) and a member of Unity Baptist Church. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and he loved University of Alabama football. He is preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Beckey Vickery Shivers; parents, Roy Shivers Sr. and Geneva; one sister-in-law, Penny Morris Shivers and many other family members.
He is survived by his wife, Wendy Mothershed Shivers of Flomaton, AL; four sons, Michael (Sherra) Shivers of Dothan, AL; Brian (Rebekah) Shivers of Atmore, AL; Dakota Madison of Atmore, AL. and Wyatt Madison of Atmore, AL; one brother, Kenny Shivers Of Flomaton, AL; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 12 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Brother Ray Ward officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jeremie Sharpe Sr; Steven Crutchfield, John Wesley McCullough, Johnny Griffis, Nick Shivers and Michael Shivers Jr.
Honorary pallbearer will be John Pierce.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Jay Lady Royals Beat WeWa In Semifinals, Play For State Title Wednesday Afternoon
May 19, 2021
The Jay Lady Royals got the big win Tuesday afternoon 7-2 over Wewahitchka in the state 1A semifinals in Clermont.
The Lady Royals head into the state championship game at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. Eastern) Wednesday against Trenton.
Mattie Cochran pitched a complete game win for the Lady Royals over Wewa. She allowed six hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out 11 and walking none.
Alayna Lowery homered in the sixth inning, and Caitlyn Gavin had a home run in the sixth inning.
Ella Nelson, Brett Watson and Lowery had three hits each in the game; Christa Sanders added two. Jay had one hit each from Kassidy Nevels and Gavin.
The Jay Lady Royals are 24-5 headed into Wednesday’s championship; the Trenton Tigers are 19-1. Jay has scored an average of 9.069 points per game this season, slightly better than Trenton’s 8.1 points per game.
Santa Rosa County Breaks Ground On Industrial Expansion
May 19, 2021
Santa Rosa County officials broke ground Tuesday on the ne home of Gulf Cable/WTEC to be constructed on eight acres in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park.
Gulf Cable/WTEC currently employs over 300 individuals in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. This additional property on Armstrong Road will be used to construct a 160,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility that will house and facilitate the growth of operations currently located at 5689 Industrial Boulevard.
Headquartered in Milton, Gulf Cable is the expert of cable manufacturing, producing cables that serve diverse markets including renewable (solar and wind), irrigations, electric utility (distribution and transmission), oil and gas (refineries and production), and petrochemical.
“Gulf Cable is exactly the kind of company we want to be located in the industrial park,” said Commissioner Bob Cole, District 2. “The company is expanding and hiring more people as they continue to grow. They are the perfect industry for Santa Rosa County.”
According to Shannon Ogletree, executive director, and Erica Grancagnolo, associate director of Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office (EDO), “Employment at this facility will increase by more than 20 additional people paying a salary of at least $41,000. This is 115% of the 2020 Santa Rosa County average wage. We anticipate that capital investment at the site will be approximately $3 million. That’s a big win for Santa Rosa County.”
“Gulf Cable has been in Santa Rosa County for a number of years now, and thanks to the business climate here and the support we receive from the economic development office we are continuing to grow,” said Kevin Bate, executive vice president, WTEC Energy Innovation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
