Escambia County Motorcyclist Killed In Late Wednesday Crash
September 28, 2023
A 41-year old motorcyclist from Escambia County was killed in crash late Wednesday night.
The crash happened about 11:25 p.m. on Gulf Beach Highway at Plateau Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 81-year old Lillian, Alabama, woman was driving her Ford F150 south on Plateau Road when she failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Troopers said she attempted to make a turn onto Gulf Beach Highway and collided with the front of the motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County paramedics.
File photo.
Gomez, Cunningham Elected By Default, No One Else Qualifies For Century Mayor, Council
September 28, 2023
The interim mayor and an interim council member will keep their seats because no one else qualified for a special election.
Luis Gomez, Jr. was elected as the only candidate for the office of mayor, and Henry Cunningham was elected for town council without opposition.
Gomez was recently appointed interim mayor after the resignation of Ben Boutwell, and Cunningham was appointed on an interim basis to the council seat vacated by Gomez.
Wednesday was the final day of a qualification week the town council shortened to just three days.
The special election was set for November 1 with the oaths of office 10 days later on November 11. It was not immediately clear if Gomez and Cunningham will be sworn in November 11 or sooner. In the meantime, they will continue to hold their interim seats.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. (left) and Henry Cunningham. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Armed And Dangerous’ Suspect Wanted For Burglaries In Walnut Hill, Atmore Now Behind Bars
September 28, 2023
Asuspect described by authorities as “armed and dangerous” is now behind bars. He was wanted in connection with burglaries in Walnut Hill and Atmore.
Mario Dewayne Mendez, 46, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail Wednesday on Bay Minette Police Department charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, attempting to elude a police officer, criminal trespass third degree, and criminal mischief third degree. He was held without bond due to outstanding warrants from Escambia County, Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama.
Mendez was wanted for a September 5 burglary on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill where a golf cart, tools, camera accessories and other items were stolen, according to the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe Mendez is also responsible for multiple thefts in Atmore where a pistol and rifle were stolen.
“Various Items from weapons and other property have been stolen,” APD said. “Mendez is presumed to be armed and dangerous due to the items stolen from various properties.”
Image page top and first image below from a Walnut Hill burglary courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bottom two images courtesy Atmore Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ReImagine Cantonment Returning In October With Free Food, Clothing And More
September 28, 2023
The ReImagine Cantonment outreach will return next month.
The event will be held Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The faith-based event will include a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, free tablets, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, free laundry detergent and more. Absolutely everything is free. There will also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sewing Club Presents Bibs To Escambia Westgate For Pre-K Students
September 28, 2023
The Caring Hearts Sewing Club presented 16 bibs to Jennifer Kozell’s Pre-K class at Escambia Westgate on Wednesday.
The Caring Hearts Sewing Club falls under the Council on Aging umbrella. Group members sew and crochet items for people and organizations in the community using donated supplies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low Tonight In The Mid 60s
September 28, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Tate Aggies Fans Asked To Black Out The Panthers; Free Student Pregame Tailgate Party And Shirts
September 28, 2023
The Tate High Aggies are asking fans to black out the stands Friday night as they host a district game against Milton.
There will be a tailgate event in the school courtyard at 5 p.m. Friday with free tailgate party food and drinks provided by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. The church will also provide free blackout shirts to the first 250 students who attend.
Wahoos Johnston, Monteverde, Yan Named Southern League All-Stars; Randel Named Manager of the Year
September 28, 2023
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos players were recognized for their outstanding 2023 seasons , as Troy Johnston, Patrick Monteverde and Jefry Yan were named to the Southern League All-Star Team. Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel was recognized by his peers as the Southern League Manager of the Year.
Johnston, who was named a Southern League All-Star for Pensacola in 2022, returned to the Blue Wahoos for a second season and had an even more impressive offensive year in 2023. As an everyday first baseman for the Blue Wahoos, Johnston led the league in OPS at .963 and established a career-high mark in home runs with 18. His 83 RBI broke a Blue Wahoos single-season record, and he continued to hit after an August promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. His 116 RBI across two levels were the most in all of Minor League Baseball in 2023.
Monteverde enjoyed a breakout campaign that saw him represent the Marlins in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July. After a dominant start to the season that earned him Southern League Pitcher of the Month honors, the left-handed starter remained effective throughout 21 Double-A starts. He finished with a 10-5 record and a 3.32 ERA, striking out 114 batters in 114 innings and leading qualified Southern League pitchers in winning percentage.
Yan, back for his third season as a member of the Pensacola bullpen, was handed closer duties mid-season and ultimately picked up 13 saves in 14 tries. The lefty finished 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA with the Blue Wahoos, striking out an impressive 91 batters in 51.0 innings and holding opponents to a .201 average.
Randel becomes the first Pensacola manager ever to win Southern League Manager of the Year honors, and just the second Marlins Double-A manager to be recognized by his league (Carlos Tosca, Portland Sea Dogs, 1996). In his third year as Blue Wahoos manager, he led the club to its best winning percentage in franchise history (.581) and has followed up a championship season in 2022 with another appearance in the Southern League Championship Series. Despite balancing 63 different players who suited up for the Blue Wahoos in the regular season, Randel maintained a steady hand and saw the Blue Wahoos secure a winning record in all but one month.
The Blue Wahoos lost game two of the Southern League Championship Series Tuesday night, ending their season.
by Erick Bremer
Bonnie Ruth Black Cummings
September 28, 2023
Bonnie Ruth Black Cummings, age 82, of Atmore, AL passed away on September 27, 2023.
She was born on June 29, 1941 in Atmore, AL to Harry Comer Black, Sr. and Verma Ruth Rowell Black. She was a member of Canoe Baptist Church. She worked for Vanity Fair Corporation for many years and later cherished time taking care of her family especially her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved gardening and cooking. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles L. Cummings and her brother, Harry Comer Black, Jr.
She is survived by her sons, Charles M. (Traci) Cummings of Canoe, AL, Leslie Wayne Cummings of Canoe, AL and Gary Eugene Cummings of Canoe, AL; her daughter, Teresa Cummings (Tony) Hadley of Canoe, AL; seven grandchildren: Clayton, Klinton, Leslie, Dustin, Dylan, Jacob and Annalyn and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Waylon Stuckey officiating. Interment will follow in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. at Johnson- Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Drugs At Perdido Rec Area, Boating And Fishing Violations
September 28, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Waters and Hahr were patrolling at the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when they observed a subject conceal himself behind the sandbar and begin to roll a cannabis blunt. The officers interrupted him and informed him that illegal drugs are a violation within the recreation area. He was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officers Waters and Hahr were patrolling at Heron Bayou when they observed a vessel return to the ramp without navigation lights. A resource inspection revealed he had an oversized redfish in the cooler. The man was charged with harvesting an oversized redfish.
Officers Waters, Hahr, and Allgood were on patrol and checking boats in Pensacola Bay when they observed a subject fishing alone on a vessel. Upon conducting a fisheries inspection, the subject stated he had some lane snapper. He opened his fish box to show the officers and they observed four juvenile red snappers. He was charged with undersized and over the bag limit of red snapper. Another man was found in possession of an undersized flounder and was charged accordingly.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Valdez and Mullins were on patrol conducting resource inspections at boat landings on Escambia River. They located two subjects recovering their vessel at Williams Landing. After contacting the subjects, the officers conducted a boating safety and resource inspection and discovered 16 largemouth bass in a cooler on the boat. The daily bag limit is five bass per person. Both subjects were charged with taking over the bag limit.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.