Magazine Honors ECFR’s Ray Melton As 2022 Exemplary Public Servant
April 14, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton has been honored by a national magazine.
American City & County, a 113-year old publication for government officials, recognized as one of their Exemplary Public Servants for 2022.
Melton’s interest in the fire service began when he was five years old when firefighters saved his life after he became sick and stopped breathing. After joining the Army at 17 as a finance specialist, he transferred to a firefighting position when the opportunity became available.
In 2016, Melton discovered his passion for fire prevention, but it came with tragedy. On an early Thursday morning, four children lost their lives in Pensacola after a water heater shorted out, causing a deadly fire. From there, Melton knew he had to do something.
Following the tragedy, Melton has worked to make sure another deadly incident like that would never happen again. While with ECFR, Melton has implemented a number of effective and innovative fire prevention programs, such as the county’s “Ready, Set, Go” wildland-urban interface education initiative, where he partners with local forestry personnel to host educational programs with urban communities that could be affected by wildfires.
Last year, Melton started the home fire safety program. The program is an opportunity for Escambia County residents to request to have their homes inspected for any potential fire hazards, such as exposed wiring, burned electrical outlets and non-functioning smoke detectors. Since then, Melton has inspected numerous Escambia County homes and identified several potential fire hazards, leading to preventative maintenance in those homes.
“My seven years with ECFR have been very rewarding in that we have saved lives through education,” said Melton. “The greatest rewards come when I get feedback from our citizens who explain how grateful they are for our implemented programs that bring fire safety to them on a personal level or when they tell me that after we installed alarms in their home, the alarms saved their life. Bringing awareness to a personal level lets our citizens know we truly care about them and even though we will not prevent many fires, the awareness we bring to their homes will save lives.”
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Escambia Man Wins $1 Million On Scratch-Off Ticket Sold In Beulah
April 14, 2023
An Escambia County man has claimed a $1 million scratch-off lottery prize from a ticket purchased on Nine Mile Road.
Earl Evans, bought the Florida Lottery Gold Rush Limited scratch-off ticket at Publix at Nine Mile and Beulah Road. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
The $20 scratch-off game was launched in September 2021 and features 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million
Sunny And Warm Friday; Showers Return Saturday Afternoon
April 14, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
FHP Chase Ends With Two Felons Back Behind Bars
April 14, 2023
Troopers attempted to stop a Nissan Altima for reckless driving at a high rate of speed on Mobile Highway. The Altima had a tag from another vehicle, and the driver was weaving in and out of traffic, and passing in the median.
State troopers activated emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 28-year old Cordrell Devontrius Hayes, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes near Pine Forest Road. A trooper conducted a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, with both the driver and passenger fleeing on foot.
FHP said Hayes discarded a loaded 9mm pistol from his waistband while being ordered to stop.
“Failing to stop and uncertain if he had any more weapons, the state trooper deployed his taser which was effective in gaining compliance from the driver roughly 200 yards from the vehicles,” FHP Lt. Jason King said. “The driver was taken into custody and the gun was recovered.”
Another trooper and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to capture the passenger, identified as 24-year old Dakota Robert Downs.
Hayes was charged with reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, cocaine trafficking, resisting arrest without violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without a license.
Downs was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, cocaine trafficking, resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, and introduction of contraband into a jail.
FHP said state troopers located two guns, 30 grams of cocaine and 10 grams of marijuana.
Tracy Barberree Is Byrneville Elementary Teacher Of The Year
April 14, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School has named Tracy Barberree as their teacher of the year. Barberree has over 30 years in the classroom — all at Byrneville Elementary School — where she currently teaches kindergarten. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Shut Out Fort Walton 3-0
April 14, 2023
The Tate Aggies shut out Fort Walton 3-0 Thursday evening.
Senior Drew Reaves and junior Bray Touchstone both had home runs for the Aggies. Complete game stats were not available at publication time.
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Pictured: Drew Reaves (top) and Bray Touchstone (below) both had homers for the Tate Aggies Thursday evening. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Split Twin Bill In Biloxi
April 14, 2023
After a rainout on Wednesday, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos played their first doubleheader of the 2023 season on Thursday night against the Biloxi Shuckers at MGM Park. A late, disappointing 6-4 loss in game one was avenged by a 6-2 win in the nightcap.
In game one, Nasim Nuñez opened the scoring with an opposite-field solo homer in the first, just the third long ball of his professional career. The Blue Wahoos added runs in the second and fourth thanks to triples from Victor Mesa Jr. and Troy Johnston, and extended their lead to 4-2 with a two-out RBI single from Joe Rizzo in the fifth.
Dax Fulton (L, 0-2) surrendered a two-run homer to Zavier Warren in the fourth, but returned for the sixth inning in good shape with a 4-2 lead intact. With two on and one out, Felix Valerio hit a comebacker to the mound that was nearly turned into an inning-ending double play, but saw Valerio beat a high throw to first to keep the inning alive. Fulton departed after allowing an RBI single to Noah Campbell, and Justin Evans gave up a go-ahead two-run double to Freddy Zamora to give the Shuckers the lead for good.
Darrell Thompson (W, 1-0) pitched effective relief for Biloxi before handing the ball to Abner Uribe (S, 2) for a scoreless seventh to earn the save.
In game two, the Pensacola pitching staff led by starter Zach King allowed eight walks but dodged out of trouble to keep the Shuckers at arm’s length. Wes Clarke gave Biloxi a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single, but King left the bases loaded to prevent further damage in a sign of things to come.
The Blue Wahoos evened the score 1-1 in the second on a Cobie Fletcher-Vance RBI double, and blew the game open in the fifth against starter Adam Seminaris (L, 0-1) with a four-run frame. Three consecutive RBI singles from Nuñez, José Devers and Joe Rizzo highlighted an effort that saw the Blue Wahoos push out their lead to 5-1.
Josan Méndez (W, 1-0) pitched effective relief, leaving the bases loaded once again in the fourth, before handing the ball for Austin Roberts (S, 1) for a six-out save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
File photo.
James (Jimmy) McLeod Wilson
April 14, 2023
James (Jimmy) McLeod Wilson, 86 of Byrneville, FL passed away on April 13, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Bay Minette, AL to the late D.C. and Media Wilson. He was a retired chemical operator from Monsanto with 37 years of service. He was a member of Byrneville UMC, an avid fisherman and hunter, and a New Orleans Saints fan.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Barbara Covan Wilson; one son, James Michael Wilson and three daughters, Sharon Denise Odom, Teresa Marie Jordan and Mary Kathryn Black and one grandson Mikey Odom.
He is survived by his daughter, Beth (Kevin) Beck of Lake Mary, FL; eight grandchildren, Jessie, Nicholas, Lindsey, Kasey, Jessica, Caleb, Jacob, and Sarah and eight great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Byrneville Community Church with Rev. Fred Stallworth officiating.
Interment will follow at the Byrneville Community Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at the Byrneville Community Church.
Terence ‘Ted’ Evans French III
April 14, 2023
Terence “Ted” Evans French III passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Pensacola, Florida. He was born on October 15,1934 in Atmore, Alabama where he grew up graduating from Escambia County High School. He attended Auburn University (API) obtaining a finance degree in 1957. Ted then joined the Air Force flying B47’s and B52’s. He was honorably (medically) discharged in September 1968 as an Air Force Captain.
Ted married Margaret (Rabon) French in 1969. They welcomed a daughter, Mary-Margaret in 1976. He enjoyed hunting with his nephews and fishing on Perdido Bay with his family and friends. He loved Auburn football and watched every game he could.
He is preceded in death by his infant son; his mother, Mary Willie; his father, Terence and sisters, Jane, Lillie and Mary Louise.
Ted is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Mary-Margaret; grandchildren, Conner, Morgan and Carter; nephews, Warren, Robert, Scotti; nieces, Ann, Betsy, Peggy and Cathy and many more family members, Auburn fans and friends.
Graveside services will be held 3:00PM Monday, April 17, 2023 at Stockton Memorial Cemetery 52441 Stockton Cemetery Road, Stockton, Alabama 36579.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 1
Pickup Trucks Collide Nearly Head-on On Highway 164
April 13, 2023
There were no critical injuries in a near head-on crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 164 outside McDavid.
Both vehicles left the roadway when two pickup trucks collided about 4:25 p.m. on Highway 164 about a mile west of Pine Barren Road and the Christian Home community. One vehicle caught fire following the collision, but the driver was able to escape before the truck became engulfed. The other pickup overturned, coming to rest on its roof.
One driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital, and the other driver was transported to Jay Hospital. There injuries were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the crash occurred.
Highway 164 has been the scene of several near head-on crashes, many of which have been attributed to the narrow roadway.
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The McDavid Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
