Molino Woman Charged With Burglary, Battery
August 18, 2022
A Cantonment woman allegedly forced her way into a local home after knocking on the door.
Christine Elizabeth Haynes, 42, is facing charges of first degree felony burglary with a battery and misdemeanor battery causing bodily harm.
Haynes allegedly knocked on a door, punched an adult female resident in the eye, and forced her way into the home. Haynes’ biological child resides in the home, but she does not have custody, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report said.
Deputies said Haynes attempted to open the child’s room door, but it was locked. The adult female retrieved a firearm, and Haynes left the residence.
The adult female suffered bruising and swelling on her right eye and also had scratches on her neck, chest and arms, deputies said.
Haynes was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $27,500 bond
Miracle League New Player Registration Is Saturday
August 18, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola will hold new player registration on Saturday.
The new player registration will take place from 9 a.m. until noon at the Miracle League Park on Nine Mile Road.
Those who registered for the spring of 2022 do not need to register for the fall.
In Pensacola, DeSantis Announces Veterans To Teachers Pathway
August 18, 2022
Speaking in Pensacola Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted proposals for the 2023 Legislative Session that he said will help support and grow Florida’s teaching workforce and leverage the talents of Florida’s retired veterans and first responders.
The governor announced that the Florida Department of Education will adopt military-friendly policies that will increase educational and employment opportunities for veterans and active service members. The action provides a pathway for them to obtain a temporary teaching certificate before receiving their bachelor’s degree and assist veterans in gaining college credit for military experience and coursework.
“In Florida, we are leading by example with innovative teacher recruitment initiatives and in our support of military and veteran families,” DeSantis said. “These proposals and actions will create new avenues for veterans, first responders and aspiring teachers to excel and continue to serve their communities while building meaningful careers. We are able to make these important actions because we understand that having great teachers in our classrooms will help us develop great students.”
“Today’s changes reaffirm Governor DeSantis’ commitment to supporting Florida’s military heroes,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “We are proud to have qualified and knowledgeable veterans in the classroom, which will increase the value of a student’s education.”
Military Veterans Certification Pathway
- Minimum of 48 months of military service with an honorable/medical discharge;
- Minimum of 60 college credits;
- Passing score on a Florida subject area examination;
- Employment in a Florida school district, including charter schools; and
- Cleared background screening.
Veterans who successfully obtain their 5-year temporary teaching certificate will be assigned a classroom mentor for a minimum of two years. They must also earn their bachelor’s degree during the 5-year period and may not teach subject areas that require master’s degree. The temporary certificate cannot be renewed once it expires, nor does it apply to military spouses or families.
Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges and School Districts
DOE also amended a rule to expand opportunities for veterans and military servicemembers to be awarded postsecondary credit for equivalent training and education acquired in the military. The board implemented a specific list of college credits and clock hours that will now be guaranteed to former and current military members beginning in the 2022-23 academic year at any Florida state college, university or district technical center.
Pictured: Governor Ron DeSantis at Cordova Park Elementary School in Pensacola on Wednesday.
Escambia Names Williams Emergency Coordinator
August 18, 2022
Escambia County has named Scottlin Williams as emergency coordinator. She succeeds Travis Tompkins who became emergency manager.
Williams previously worked as a broadcast meteorologist at a Jackson, Mississippi, television station.
“I am honored and grateful to begin my career with Escambia County,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with the Emergency Management team and others in the public safety sector while using my meteorological expertise to provide critical information to help our citizens be prepared for any hazard that could affect our community.”
“We’re very happy to have someone with Scottlin’s background on our team,” Tompkins added. “Having a meteorologist on staff brings our organization to a whole new level. I am confident we will see great things from her.”
Williams holds a bachelor of science degree in geosciences with a concentration in broadcast meteorology and an emphasis in communication from Mississippi State University.
Rain And Storms Becoming Likely By Friday Morning
August 18, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers between 10pm and 4am, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Blue Wahoos Split Low-Scoring Doubleheader In Mississippi
August 18, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday night, winning the first game 2-1 and falling in the nightcap by the same score.
In game one of the twin bill, a pair of RBI singles from Norel González provided all the offense that Pensacola would need. After the Braves took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Drew Lugbauer RBI single, the Pensacola bullpen cracked down and held Mississippi scoreless for the rest of the game. González’s first RBI single in the third tied the game 1-1, and his hit after a Paul McIntosh double in the sixth proved to be the game-winner.
Tyler Mitzel (W, 1-1), the third reliever in a scheduled bullpen game for Pensacola, earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief. Eli Villalobos (S, 
got the final five outs for the save. Allan Winans (L, 0-3) turned in a complete game in the loss for the Braves, allowing two runs, one earned, over 7.0 innings.
In game two, Mississippi’s only hit came on the first pitch they saw from Zach King (L, 1-4) in the first inning. Cody Milligan’s single didn’t lead to anything, but a string of four walks and a throwing error in the second netted Mississippi their two runs against the Pensacola starter.
Tanner Gordon (W, 7-4) pitched 5.0 clean innings for the Braves, allowing only three singles in the span of four batters to Davis Bradshaw, Demetrius Sims and J.D. Orr in the third inning. Neither team had a hit from the third inning on, and Justin Yeager (S, 3) pitched a quick seventh inning to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Thursday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia County’s Next Step Toward Broadband Internet Network Coming Soon
August 17, 2022
Escambia County will soon take their next big step toward a fiber network to provide true high speed broadband internet north of 10 Mile Road.
A request for proposals (“RFP”) is on the streets now seeking companies to bring broadband internet to residents, and their responses are due by September 6.
During a town hall meeting this week, District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said he should have news soon on a recommend award for partners to take broadband to homes in the district. He expects the entire commission will be considering the proposals at their last meeting in late September or early October.
The commission previously divided the county broadband project into two areas — north and south of 10 Mile Road — and committed $10 million to the northern portion from a $22 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. Escambia County will contribute $10 million, plus expected grant funds of several million dollars more, for the fiber backbone network across the area north of 10 Mile Road. The $12 million remaining will go toward the area south of 10 Mile in the future.
The county won’t provide internet all the way to the home. Instead, they issued that RFP from companies to be the internet service provider to the end user.
“High speed internet access is one of the issues that I’ve had comments and complaints about since taking office,” Barry told a group in Walnut Hill. He said that until now, he’s been able to offer few solutions for his constituents because the existing franchises are granted by the state, leaving the county with no jurisdiction. He added that Frontier Communications filed bankruptcy years ago; they are the DSL service provider as the local phone company in the Molino, Walnut Hill and Bratt areas.
Barry said high speed internet has become a necessity for school, working from home and telemedicine.
“If you don’t have decent internet at your house, you can’t do real education. You can’t do television,” he said. “High speed internet is becoming something that is an absolute need to be a productive member of society.”
Century Man Stabbed A House Trailer With A Machete, ECSO Says
August 17, 2022
A Century man was jailed after allegedly stabbing a house trailer with a machete.
Eubie Alexander Kennedy, 38, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief with property damage.
A woman told deputies that Kennedy stabbed the side of her trailer several times with a machete while stating “you (expletive), come out here or I’ll kill you”, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim stated that Kennedy never entered the trailer, and there was no physical contact.
The victim was not injured, but the trailer suffered damage.
“I observed several stab holes on the front side of the trailer,” a deputy wrote in his report.
Kennedy remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $27,500.
SUV Driver Rear-ends School Bus In Cantonment
August 17, 2022
There were no injuries in a wreck involving a school bus in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon.
The school bus driven by a 55-year old Cantonment woman was stopped to let children off the bus on Green Hills Road at Bold Ruler Driver, just off Pine Forest Road, about 4:55 p.m. The bus was rear-ended by a SUV driven by an 87-year old Pensacola woman, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Both drivers and two juveniles on the bus were uninjured.
Driver Charged With Attempted Murder After High Speed Chase That Started In Atmore
August 17, 2022
A high speed chase that began in Atmore Tuesday ended in Baldwin County with an attempted murder charge against the driver.
It all started in Atmore about 10 a.m. when an Atmore Police Department patrol officer observed a Dodge Journey stopped next to another vehicle in a parking lot on Carver Avenue. Narcotics investigators had given a tip to officers that the occupant of a Dodge Journey had been seen attempted to purchase narcotics several times in the area of Carver Avenue.
An officer attempted a traffic stop on the Dodge Journey, but the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed on Highway 31. Police said the driver, 41-year old James Earl Ivy, began to drive recklessly and ran a vehicle off the road near the Atmore Country Club.
“The officer decided not to pursue due to Ivy’s reckless driving and disregard for the safety of other drivers,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
A short time later, narcotics investigators in an unmarked vehicle saw the Journey at the intersection of Highway 31 and Katelyn Lane in Nokomis.
“Ivy turned his steering wheel toward the investigators’ vehicle and accelerated at a high rate of speed and struck the front passenger side of the unmarked car,” McMann said.
Ivy turned south on Highway 31 with the narcotics investigators in pursuit. Ivy continued into Baldwin County and turned onto Highway 47. As Ivy continued on Baldwin County Highway 47, his front seat passenger jumped from the vehicle. The investigators estimated Ivy was driving around 50 mph when the passenger bailed.
During the pursuit the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama State Troopers joined the pursuit with Baldwin County taking the lead before stop strips were deployed.
The pursuit eventually came to an end off of Highway 47 when Ivy turned around and began driving back in the direction of officers.
Ivy is charged with attempted murder, along with fleeing and eluding a police officer. He also had an outstanding warrant from Tennessee, but that agency is declining to extradite him.
Ivy was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
The passenger that jumped from Ivy’s vehicle is not facing criminal charges and was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.