One Charged In Saturday Escambia County Murder
July 11, 2021
One person has been charged with a weekend shooting death in Escambia County.
Brandian Darnell Lyons, 36, was charged with second degree homicide, firing a weapon into a vehicle or building, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Lyons allegedly shot and killed a man Saturday in the 3100 block of Fayal Drive, near Blue Angel Parkway at Muldoon Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called to the area in reference to a shots fired call about 5:25 a.m.
The name of the victim and other details have not been released by the ECSO.
Chance Of Sunday Showers And Thunderstorms
July 11, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Vacation Bible School Scheduled This Month At Several Area Churches
July 11, 2021
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for many area children that is returning this year. Here is a list of upcoming VBS events in the North Escambia area. To add a VBS to this list and our Events Page, email news@northescambia.com.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will host VBS this year July 11-16 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a light snack provided each night. On Thursday evening, July 15 VBS will be held at the Nadiine McCaw Park on Highway 29 in Century. Ray’s Chapel is located at 170 Bogia Road in McDavid.
First Baptist Church of Bratt VBS
First Baptist Church of Bratt will host “Destination Dig” VBS July 12 – 16, from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for ages three thru fifth grade. The Family Celebration will be Friday, July 16, at 12 noon complete with hot dogs and a water slide. The church is located at 4570 West Hwy 4 in Bratt.
Gonzalez United Methodist VBS
Gonzalez United Methodist will hold “Destination Dig” Vacation BIble School July 12-16 from 6-8 p.m. nightly. Register at https://vbspro.events/p/events/ece863
Faith Bible Baptist Church VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church at 5801 North Century Blvd. will hold “Faith Factory” Vacation Bible School July 12-16 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. For info or bus transportation, call (850) 256-5483.
Allen Memorial United Methodist Church VBS
Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, 206 Pace Parkway Cantonment, will host VBS “Knights of North Castle”, Thursday and Friday, July 22- 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m and Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m. until noon. Lunch provided on Thursday and Friday. Ages K-5.
Highland Baptist Church VBS
Highland Baptist Church will host a Rocky Railway VBS this year July 26 – July 30 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. There will be games, missions, and snack served each night. Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Hwy 95A North, Molino, FL 32577. For more information, you can interact via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbcmolino, visit: http://www.hbcmolino.com/ or call 850.587.5174.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisory Zones
July 11, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17. Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction.
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- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch is open from 17th Avenue. Westbound access to the bridge is available via Bayfront Parkway, however, there are no left turns permitted from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway. These drivers should detour to Ninth Avenue southbound, turn east onto Chase Street, and then continue east to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 11 through Friday, July 16 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – The inside lane between North Pace Boulevard and J Street will be closed as crews perform median improvement work. The speed limit on West Cervantes Street between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers can expect intermittent east and westbound lane closures between Beulah Road and Surry Drive 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, July 12 for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, July 12 as crews perform drainage operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17. Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos On Losing End Of No-Hitter For First Time Ever
July 11, 2021
For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Wahoos were on the wrong end of a no-hitter, losing 6-0 to the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park.
Bryce Elder fired seven shutout innings and struck out six while walking four. The M-Braves brought in Daysbel Hernandez for the final two innings. For Mississippi, it was the fourth no-hitter in the club’s history and the first since Ian Anderson and Jeremy Walker no-hit the Jackson Generals on June 28, 2019.
Zach McCambley made his Double-A debut for the Wahoos and struggled early against the red-hot M-Braves. The right-hander and top-30 prospect in the Marlins system allowed six runs in 3.1 innings.
McCambley entered the night having struck out 73 compared to just six walks across 11 starts with High-A Beloit. On Saturday however, the New-Jersey native battled his command as he walked five only striking out one.
The M-Braves led 4-0 after two innings. Up 1-0, Trey Harris hit a three-run double in the second to put Mississippi up 4-0. In the bottom of the fourth, Justin Dean homered off McCambley to make it 6-0.
Jose Mesa Jr replaced McCambley in the fourth but was only able to pitch 1.2 innings before he was lifted from the game due to injury. Tyler Stevens and Alexander Guillen pitched the final three innings scoreless fashion.
Including Saturday’s loss, the Blue Wahoos have now lost a season-long five straight games to the M-Braves. The club entered the series with a one-game lead over the M-Braves for the best record in the Double-A South and now find themselves four games out of first place and on the verge of being out of a playoff spot.
Pensacola will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon in a pitching rematch of Tuesday’s series opener. RHP Edward Cabrera (1-1,1.77) will face off against RHP Spencer Strider (1-1, 3.95).
Thomas Apollo Buskirk
July 11, 2021
Thomas Apollo Buskirk kept his chosen circle of loved ones small and close. Born at Eglin AFB, 13 November 1973, he passed peacefully in his sleep on 08 July 2021. Tom graduated from Pine Forest High School and earned a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering from The University of West Florida. As a Senior Software developer, he was considered one of the very best by all who worked with him during his time with both Navy-based efforts and most recently with Eduworks. Many said that there wasn’t a problem he couldn’t fix or a solution he couldn’t code with a more eloquent interface/solution. While those who worked with him respected his talent and enjoyed his wit, his family were the most blessed to have a devoted husband, father, and son. All who knew Tom knew that he was quirky and funny and would say and do things only he would ever think of. He leaves behind hearts and lives that are forever changed by all he gave and the man he was.
While Tom was an avid gamer and lover of everything sci-fi, Star Wars, and Star Trek, he was devoted to making sure his family were front and center and many memories were made during vacations and holidays and he also turned daily interactions into lasting events with his sense of humor and his unique perspective of the world and people.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Carl Thomas Buskirk. Tom’s mother Eleanor, wife Janet, and children Morgan (fiancé Robert and grandson John) and Matthew (spouse Deenah and granddaughters Zoee, Saralynn) will all miss him terribly but we will keep him in our hearts and try our best to keep his spirit alive.
A short celebration of life ceremony will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Faith Chapel North, Cantonment, FL
…
Zorita Pearl Shaw
July 11, 2021
Zorita Pearl Shaw, 91 passed away July 5, 2021.
Zorita, known to friends as Rita, was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL. Rita was the daughter of Glenn Alvin and Mamie Gertrude McElhnney Harper. After Graduating from high school, Rita married William Houston White who was serving in the US Navy in Key West, FL.
After accompanying her husband to several duty stations, Rita and William eventually settled in Pensacola, FL.
Rita worked at numerous restaurants in Pensacola, but her passion was reading and eventually landed a Librarian position at the Pensacola Public Library where she worked for many years.
Rita’s hobbies included crocheting, gardening, decorating, decoupage, reading, cross word puzzles and yard selling. Rita’s beautiful red camellia flowers and her African violets won her some ribbons at the State Fair. A hobby she took such pride.
Rita enjoyed playing her piano and trying her hand in making some of her Grandmother’s family recipes. After years of working at the library, Rita decided she wanted to do some overseas traveling. Adventures she enjoyed with her Sister and stories she was always so excited to share.
Rita was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Pensacola where she was very active in her Sunday school class. Rita had a heart of gold. She will be missed and forever our hearts.
Rita is survived by her Sister, Honey Harper Duncan; four children: Marianne Tassio, Julia White, Sarah (Dwight) Gievers and John White. Rita’s nine grandchildren and her 8 great grandchildren survive her. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her former spouse William, her husband Elvin. Her children: Nancy, Glenn, William and Rita Diane.
Rita’s special little dog Pearl had crossed the rainbow bridge.
Many thanks to the hard workers at DeLuna and Arcadia Rehabilitation.
A private family service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed Early Saturday Morning On Highway 29
July 10, 2021
A woman was struck and killed early Saturday morning on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 47-year old Texas woman attempted to cross Highway 29 north of Kenmore Road, near the Key West Inn, when she was struck by a northbound Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 51-year old Pensacola man about 12:25 a.m.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Gulf Power To Recover $13.2 Million In Pandemic Costs From Customers
July 10, 2021
Gulf Power customers will pay up to $13.2 million in costs related to the utility’s COVID-19 measures under a settlement approved this week by the Florida Public Service Commission.
The settlement includes safety related measures and bad debt expenses because the utility did not disconnect nonpaying customers between March and November of 2020.
The Office of Public Counsel (OPC) — representing consumers — entered into separate stipulation and settlement agreements with Gulf Power Company on issues concerning their petitions to charge customers for COVID-19 costs.
Under the settlement, Gulf Power can only claim COVID-19 expenses, up to the $13.2 million, only through June 30, 2021. Any other costs associated with the pandemic or otherwise incurred after through the end of 2021 will be categorized as a separate event.
The COVID-19 cost recovery won’t appear as a separate line item on customers’ bills. Instead, the funds will be recovered over three years as part of the fuel and purchase power recovery clause.
Gulf Power, now a part of Florida Power & Light Company, serves approximately 463,000 customers in Northwest Florida.
Good Chance Of Afternoon Storms Through The Weekend
July 10, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.v