Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
May 26, 2022
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their May Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten — London Mixon and Kylo Davis
- 1st Grade — Hexten Dykes and Blake Mathis
- 2nd Grade — Patrick Quinnelly and Kahlan Davis
- 3rd Grade — Ivyonna Adkins and Trendell Johnson
- 4th Grade — Jayden Carter and Bentley Sanders
- 5th Grade — Landon Barrow and Ian Therrell
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pérez Cruises In 10-2 Blue Wahoos Win
May 26, 2022
Eury Pérez collected his first professional quality start, scattering three singles over 6.0 scoreless innings, as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Mississippi Braves 10-2 on Wednesday night.
Pérez (W, 2-1) took advantage of ample run support, including a six-run fifth inning, as he completed six innings for the first time in his career.
The Blue Wahoos got out to an early 2-0 lead in the second against Mississippi starter Freddy Tarnok (L, 1-1), beginning the inning with three straight hits. A Cobie Fletcher-Vance single was followed by a Bubba Hollins double and a J.D. Orr RBI single to get the first run on the board, and Thomas Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home the second run.
The game was broken open in the fifth inning against Tarnok and A.J. Puckett, as Troy Johnston capped a three-hit night with a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-0. Paul McIntosh and Fletcher-Vance hit back-to-back doubles over the head of right fielder Jacob Pearson to bring home three more runs, ultimately stretching the lead to 8-0.
Pérez finished strong, retiring his final five batters, to finish at 82 pitches. His five strikeouts on the night put him at 50 for the season, placing him in a tie atop the Southern League leaderboard.
Andrew McInvale allowed two Mississippi runs in the eighth inning in his season debut, but the Blue Wahoos added two more runs in the eighth on a Victor Victor Mesa RBI single and throwing error to seal their most lopsided win of the season.
With the victory, the Blue Wahoos’ division lead has grown to 3.5 games over Mississippi and Biloxi with 28 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Thursday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Victoria Ellen Duke Rockwell
May 26, 2022
Victoria Ellen Duke Rockwell, age 70, of LaGrange, GA, passed into eternal rest Saturday, May 21, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Vicki, was born in Union, MS on May 1, 1952 and grew up in Pensacola, Florida. She graduated from Tate High School in Pensacola in 1970, then went on to study Home Economics at Pensacola Junior College, then transferring to Troy University.
Vicki married her high school sweetheart, James Nelson Rockwell Jr. “Jim”, on September 2, 1972. This September would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Margie Duke, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Jim and Marion Rockwell Sr., and several aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Rockwell Jr of LaGrange; children Alexander “Sandy” (Lisa) Rockwell of LaGrange, Carrie Rockwell Wood of Statesboro, Mary Rockwell of LaGrange; 3 grandchildren Walker and Amelia Rockwell of LaGrange and Porter Wood of Statesboro. She is also survived by two brothers, Harrison (Janice) Duke and Robert (Cindy) Duke, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Vicki was a very creative individual. For most of her children’s younger years, she would sew beautiful outfits and dresses using smocking techniques with special fabrics and French lace. Her creativity was put into her passion for floral arrangements as her children were older. She started her first business, Affairs to Remember, in 2000, creating floral arrangements for weddings and events. This business grew into her opening her own store located in downtown LaGrange-The White Orchid, named for her favorite flower. This was a special boutique that featured home décor, wedding registry and specialty clothing lines and of course she continued to keep fresh flowers for events.
She also decorated homes and the local hospital for many years at Christmas, as well as teaching floral classes at Hills and Dales.
Growing up in Pensacola, Vicki has always had a love for the beach where she would spend many summer days. After her retirement, she spent as many days as she could walking the beaches collecting shells and enjoying the sand & surf.
Vicki’s family would like to thank the Wellstar Home Hospice Team, the medical staff at Warm Springs Medical Center Nursing Home and, the caregivers and staff at Poplar Creek.
Also, a personal thank you to very special friends that help care for Vicki; Tommy Whitworth, Dr. Tommy Gore, Laura & Blair Harlin, and Phil & Gayle Oliver.
The family will have a Celebration of Life for family and friends on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm at the Del’Avant Event Center located in LaGrange.
Flowers are accepted but donations may be made to the Harmony House in LaGrange or to Alzheimer’s Research.
Arrangements are by Bluffton Funeral Services, Lanett, Alabama.
Updated: No Serious Injuries In Crash Involving Fire Department Vehicle In Cantonment
May 25, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a three vehicle crash involving an Escambia County Fire Rescue vehicle Wednesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The three vehicles collided at the intersection of Tate and East Kingsfield roads about 2:30 p.m.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 49-year old male driver of a pickup truck was traveling north on Tate Road when he failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic on East Kingsfield. He struck an Escambia County Fire Rescue pickup truck driven by a 52-year old man from Milton. The fire department pickup was then hit by a van driven by a 78-year old Cantonment man.
The Escambia County employee and the driver of the van received minor injuries.
After the wreck, a small fire broke out under the hood if the fire department truck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
NWS Confirms An EF-1 Tornado Touchdown And Strong Straight Line Winds Wednesday Morning
May 25, 2022
The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down Wednesday morning in the Ferry Pass area.
A NWS Mobile storm survey team found scattered locations of wind damage across the area, especially in the area of Davis Highway. Straight line winds of 60 to 80 mph caused damage in the area around Davis Highway., while the airport recorded a wind gust of 59 mph.
Winds appeared to strengthen near North Davis Highway south of I-10 and generated a brief tornado. It appeared to first organize and touchdown at Olive Baptist Church about 5:11 a.m. and moved northwest. The tornado moved to the northwest and reach peak EF-1 intensity with 90 mph winds along Whitmire Drive with downed trees and power lines. A camper was flipped and a shed suffered minor roof damage. The tornado path was about 50 yards wide.
The tornado appeared to lift as it reached East Johnson Avenue.
Further to the north, additional pockets of spotty wind damage were noted up to the Nine Mile Road area, where a box truck was flipped over in the parking lot in the 1600 block of Nine Mile Road in front of Crumbl Cookies, SportClips and Chipotle. Readers tell us the truck is always parked in that parking lot in the 1600 block of Nine Mile Road, near Hillview Drive.
At Olive Baptist Church, several trees were downed. There was water inside the Early Learning Center, and they were unable to assist with food and utility assistance programs on Wednesday, according to Drayton Smith of the Ministry Village at Olive. Residents of the Charis House at Olive joined church members and staff in working to clean up.
There were no injuries reported in the morning storms.
A few thousand Florida Power & Light customers lost power.
A tornado warning was in effect at the time.
Pictured above and first two photos below: The National Weather Service says a tornado touched down Wednesday morning at Olive Baptist Church. Pictured third below: Windows were blown out of Eyeglass World on North Davis Highway by straight line winds. Pictured bottom: Straight line winds overturned a box truck on Nine Mile Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Morning Storm Overturns Truck, Causes Other Minor Damage
May 25, 2022
CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY.
Minor damage was reported in Escambia County from storms that rolled through the area Wednesday morning.
A small box truck was flipped onto its side in the parking lot in the 1600 block of Nine Mile Road in front of Crumbl Cookies, SportClips and Chipotle. Readers tell us the truck is always parked in that parking lot in the 1600 block of Nine Mile Road, near Hillview Drive.
A few trees were also reported down in the area, and a few thousand Florida Power & Light customers lost power. There was damage reported to a few fences and a screen room at a home not far from Airport Boulevard and Ninth Avenue.
There were no reports of any injuries.
A tornado warning was in effect at the time, but there was no confirmed tornado.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo on Hermitage Drive, directly above, courtesy of our partners at WEAR 3.
Man Accused Of Murder At Highway 29 Circle K Released On Bond
May 25, 2022
The man charged with a deadly shooting Monday morning at a Highway 29 convenience store was released from jail on bond Tuesday night.
Charles Tyree Moore, 35, is charged with second degree murder for the shooting death of 35-year old Durrell Dupree Palmer at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road. During his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, his bond was set at $150,000. Jail records indicate that he made bail and was released at 6:39 p.m. Tuesday.
Under the terms of his release, he must surrender any firearms within 24 hours.
Moore is due back in court on June 17 for an arraignment hearing.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said there had been “interaction” between the individuals going back two years. He said they had an argument over Palmer’s wife about two weeks ago, but she was not involved in the incident Monday morning.
“During a conversation that they had actually at the Circle K ended up escalating and ended up in gunfire,” Simmons said Monday afternoon.
Both men were at the Circle K at Highway 29 and West Roberts Road about 7:30 Monday morning when Moore pulled a handgun and fired four or five shots at Palmer, according to the sheriff. The incident occurred outside the store near the gas pumps at the southern end of the parking lot.
Moore fled the scene, but called the ECSO and told them that he would be stopping and placing the gun in the glovebox of his vehicle. Deputies took him into custody within minutes on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road.
The sheriff said Moore had no criminal history and held a concealed weapons permit.
Palmer was a father, community activist and local business owner involved in the Black Lives Matter efforts in Pensacola.
Pictured above and below: A man was shot and killed at the Circle K at the corner of Highway 29 and West Roberts Road about 7:30 Monday morning. Pictured first below: The suspect was taken into custody minutes later on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge.
Inmate Reportedly Stabbed At Century Correctional Institution
May 25, 2022
An inmate was reportedly stabbed Tuesday at Century Correctional Institution.
The male inmate was airlifted to an area hospital by Medstar Air Care 2 helicopter.
The Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that an inmate on inmate altercation took place at the Tedder Road prison but did not confirm the identity of the inmate or the extent of his injuries.
The incident is under investigation by the Office of Inspection General. Further details were not released.
FDC said inmates who cause harm to others are held accountable for their actions, including administrative sanctions, placement in restrictive housing and criminal charges if applicable.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names The Top Of The Class Of 2022
May 25, 2022
Tate High School has named the top of the Class of 2022.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2022 is Jenna Kathryn Bennett (pictured left) with a GPA of 5.283. Salutatorian is Kaitlyn Rose Williams with a 5.245 GPA.
The Tate High School Class of 2022 graduates at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Top 10% honors graduates are as follows:
- Jenna Kathryn Bennett
- Kaitlyn Rose Williams
- Allison Haley Baer
- Fletcher Reese Howard
- Mikayla Marie Porter
- Margaret Marie Darbyshire
- Carter James Pitts
- Alyssa Ann Daniels
- Danica Riddell
- Brianna S Perea
- Dylainie Charlery
- Mikaela Gabriele Infante Lara
- Elise Claire Grissom
- Addison Charles Jenkins
- Kaya Rose McKay
- Michael Perez
- Rikki Jayden Camacho
- Cooper Bryant McKinney
- Kaitlyn Lorraine Stephens
- Natalie Renee Gaddy
- Holly Marie Phillips
- Cody N Alltop
- Elias G Ray
- Jenna Lynn Banta
- Kaleigh L Chism
- Gabrielle Cyprienne Gryskiewicz
- Kayla Denelle Le Tolbert
- Jefferson Jiang
- KaleighAnne Viado Villanueva
- Paige Rhyan Foxworth
- Dalton Wayne Etheridge
- James Austin Goolsby
- Sarah Marie Cook
- Grier Alexander Locke
- Amara Layne Wynder
- Jaxson Todd Stafford
- Jordan Cochran
- Brianna Lynn Wilson
- Grace Madison Neal
- Alaina Grace Shuey
- Emma Grace Schelling
- Madison Faith Sheets
- Melissa Renee Holland Schauer
Here’s The Schedule, And Live Video Links, For This Week’s Graduations
May 25, 2022
Graduations are scheduled through Thursday at the Pensacola Bay Center for Escambia County schools.
The schedule and live video links are below.
Friday, May 20
11 a.m. — Escambia Westgate
Tuesday, May 24
9 a.m. — District Extended
Wednesday, May 25
9 a.m. — Pine Forest High
12:15 p.m. — West Florida High
3:15 p.m. — Northview High
6:30 p.m. — Tate High
Thursday, May 26
9 a.m. — Pensacola High
12:15 p.m. — Escambia High
3:15 p.m. — Escambia Virtual, Success Academy, and George Stone
6:30 p.m. — Washington High