Gloria Beasley Gilman
June 20, 2021
Mrs. Gloria Beasley Gilman, 71 of Bratt, FL passed away June 19, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. She was born on October 16, 1949, in Atmore, AL to the late Ray and Priscilla Howell Beasley. Mrs. Gilman was a nurse at Greenlawn Hospital in Atmore for many years and later worked as a private duty nurse before she retired. After retiring, she loved reading her Bible, being involved in all of her grandchildren’s activities and spending time at the camp at Hubbard’s Landing with her family. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt and was a member of the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert Gilman; two sons, James (Donna) Gilman and Philip (Heather) Gilman of Bratt, FL; her sister, Raeanne (Jimmy) Long of Loxley, AL; her brother, Ray, Jr. (Penny) Beasley of Robertsdale, AL; four grandchildren, Kyla (Jeff) Furman, Amber Gilman, J.P. Gilman, Jamison Gilman; numerous nieces, nephews and many other loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church of Bratt with Pastor Josh Long officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be J.P. Gilman, Jeff Furman, Jimmy Long, Sr., Brad Johnson, Ray Beasley, Jr. and Ray Beasley, III.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 21, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Chance Of Rain 40% for Sunday, Increasing For Monday
June 20, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Windy conditions possible, a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Against Montgomery
June 20, 2021
The day began with some of the worst imaginable tropical weather hitting Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It ended 12 hours or so later Saturday night with the Blue Wahoos producing a pair of memorable wins.
Peyton Burdick created first-game euphoria with his two-run, walk-off homer for a 4-2 win against the Montgomery Biscuits, following a strong start by Miami Marlins touted pitching prospect Edward Cabrera.
Jake Eder followed with six-inning shutout and Josh Roberson earned his first save for the Blue Wahoos in a 2-0 win to complete a doubleheader sweep before the fireworks show. Both games were 7-innings, following Friday’s rainout.
The win clinched another series for the Blue Wahoos (26-16), who now have the best record in the Double-A South and have lost just one series this season.
“It’s good to see how we got the goose eggs on the board, playing some defense and pitching, timely hits and game over,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel. “We finished up a long day and glad we finished up on top.”
On Juneteenth, now a national holiday, the Blue Wahoos paid homage to the Pensacola Seagulls, a member of the Negro Southern League, which had its final official season 70 years ago in 1951.
The Blue Wahoos players wore the Seagulls uniforms for the second game of the doubleheader. The jerseys were then auctioned for the Southern Youth Sports Association during the game.
All of this, of course, happened after Tropical Storm Claudette caused morning wrath and early afternoon uncertainty. And then, like magic, the nasty weather parted into a colorful sunset.
“Once we started coming in about 10:30 (morning), we realized how bad this thing and we sent out a text (to players) that said don’t come in till about 2 o’clock,” Randel said. “Everything moved out, the field held up, the field looked immaculate after all that rain and we had to strap it on real quick and get going.”
Incredibly, after the storm made landfall early Saturday less than 200 miles west, thus creating a series of rain squalls, high winds and tornado warnings, the sky then broke into late afternoon sunshine in late afternoon and it became a beautiful night at the ballpark.
“We woke up and it was like a hurricane outside. The tarp crew did a great job. Our field is great, it drains great.. When we got that little window (of dry weather), there was no doubt we were going to play.”
Burdick ended the first game in dramatic fashion with his blast on an 0-2 slider over the left field fence The ball traveled 419 feet and so high that the Biscuits left fielder Garrett Whitley never looked up to see it. He just broke into a slow trot off the field.
“We had opportunities before that and I had opportunities myself to tack on a couple extra runs,” Burdick said. “And I hit on top of it and ran into double play (in fifth inning) and kinda screwed us out of a couple runs.”
The Blue Wahoos had the bases-loaded in the sixth inning of the game with none out and came up empty as well when Riley Mahan hit into a double play.
But in the seventh with two out and catcher Jhon Nunes on third base, following his leadoff double and throwing error on a pickoff attempt, Burdick produced the team’s fourth walkoff win.
“We just have a bunch of competitors up there. We all go out there and try not to make the last out,” Burdick said. “It’s been up and down the lineup abd people have been putting together good at bats, so we are never out of it.”
Two years ago, on July 31, 2019, Edward Cabrera was pitching for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – then the Marlins Double-A affiliate, when he earned a win against the Blue Wahoos.
Saturday, he made his first start for the Blue Wahoos on an expected road to the big leagues. He was projected to be part of the Marlins’ starting rotation this year before an injury in February.
His first pitch Saturday clocked at 100 mph and he finished four innings and a 65-pitch limit with seven strikeouts, one walk and one earned run allowed. Colton Hock got the win in the seventh with a scoreless inning.
“He’s with us building up his pitch count… he threw the ball well, coming in hot,” Randel said. “But I think the story was his changeup. It got him right back in count
In the second game, Bubba Hollins produced a two-run single in the second inning and that held up. Eder worked six innings, allowing just three hits with seven strikeouts. He got out of a two-on, none out jam in the fourth inning, then retired the last batter in the sixth on a base-loaded situation.
In that inning, JJ Bleday made a spectacular diving catch in right field to rob Biscuits’ shortstop Jake Palomaki of a hit.
“(Eder) really had to battle,” Randel said. “His fastball command wasn’t there again. He just grinded out there. We gave him another inning.
“One of those things where he had to just grind it out and figure it out. But it was a good day for him.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Tornado Caught On Camera
June 19, 2021
A local storm spotter caught an apparent tornado on camera this morning near Molino.
A tornado warning was in effect with radar confirming a strong rotation as the storm moved from Barrineau Park and across Highway 29 north of Highway 97 about 8:30 a.m.
Asa Schlobohm captured the images, and below has highlighted the rain-wrapped tornado since it is difficult to see.
There were no injuries or damage reported.
Photos by Asa Schlobohm for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 Bridge Reopened Across Escambia Bay
June 19, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol has reopened the I-10 bridge in both directions across Escambia Bay as of 12:05 p.m.
The bridge was closed earlier due to high winds from Tropical Storm Claudette.
Pictured: The I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay at 12:05 p.m. Saturday. NorthEscambia.com image.
Windy, A Few Showers Possible Tonight
June 19, 2021
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Over 22,000 Lost Power Due To Tropical Storm Claudette; Majority Restored By Early Afternoon
June 19, 2021
Over 22,000 lost power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties due to Tropical Storm Claudette.
Gulf Power Company reported that they had restored over 17,000 customers by about 1 p.m. Saturday. There were about 1,150 Gulf customers without power in Escambia County and about 330 in Santa Rosa County at 2 p.m.
At one point, Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported about 5,000 of their 11,596 customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties without power due to the tropical storm. By about noon, that number had been reduced to 650. By 2 p.m. Saturday, EREC reported service had been restored to customers in Escambia County, while just under 300 remained without power in Santa Rosa County.
Pictured: Escambia River Electric Cooperative crews (above) and Gulf Power crews (pictured below) worked throughout Tropical Storm Claudette to restore power as fast as possible. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tropical Storm Claudette: See The Very Latest Info
June 19, 2021
The latest tropical update information is in the graphics on this page, click to enlarge.
Escambia County is currently under a tropical storm warning, tornado watch, and flash flood watch. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts in excess of 10 inches, will possible across the area.
Skanska Says They Moved, Secured Barges Away From Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 19, 2021
Skanska says they secured their barges away from the Pensacola Bay Bridge in preparation for this weekend’s tropical weather.
Skanska released the following statement on Friday, ahead of the storm:
“As the Gulf Coast prepares for inclement weather, we are closely monitoring the path of the storm in conjunction with our partners with the goal of ensuring the safety of the community and our workers. Skanska is in the process of making necessary storm preparations, including securing barges and cranes.
During Hurricane Sally, multiple barges struck and destroyed portions of the newly constructed Pensacola Bay Bridge and came to rest on shore around Pensacola Bay.
Pictured: This image shows the same area along the Pensacola Bay bridge about 12:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Friday after the barge was moved away from the bridge. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click toe enlarge.
Flood Warnings For Escambia And Perdido Rivers
June 19, 2021
Flood warnings have been issued for the Escambia and Perdido rivers in North Escambia. These forecasts are subject to change dependent upon how much rain is received upriver.
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century from Sunday evening until further notice. Friday night, the stage was 5.6 feet, and the river is forecast to rise above flood stage (17 feet) late Sunday evening and continue to a crest of 19.1 feet Monday evening. At 19 feet, low lying pastures will flood and there is considerable flooding of lowlands.
A flood warning is in effect for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park beginning Sunday morning. Friday afternoon, the stage was 2.0 feet. The river is expected to rise above flood stage Sunday morning to a crest of 13.7 feet Sunday afternoon before falling below flood stage on Monday. At 13 feet, the river begins to leave its banks at the parking lot of Adventures Perdido River and threaten several permanently parked travel trailers.