Cool, Low About 43 Tonight
April 22, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Escambia Woman, 20, Gets 15 Years In Prison for 2022 Double Fatal Crash
April 22, 2024
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to prison in connection with a double fatal crash that occurred in January 2022.
Sara Nicole Huson was sentenced was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, 15 years of probation following her release, and a 20-year driver’s license revocation. for two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of driving with a suspended license and one count of drug possession.
The crash on Sorrento Road involved a sedan driving by Hudson which collided with pickup driven by a female from Brierfield, Alabama.
Hudson’s sedan crossed the centerline at a high rate of speed, entering the lane with the pickup truck. The driver attempted unsuccessfully to swerve to the right to avoid the collision. The front of the sedan collided with the front of the pickup truck. Hudon’s passenger, her boyfriend, was pronounced deceased on scene.
The female driver was transported to Baptist Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. During the investigation, the sedan driven by Hudson was calculated to have been traveling at a speed of near 85 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
Florida Gas Prices Rise 13 Cents; Set New 2024 High
April 22, 2024
Florida gas prices rose 13 cents early last week. From there, the state average declined 6 cents through the weekend. Sunday’s state average was $3.58 per gallon.
On Wednesday, the state average reached a new 2024 high of $3.64 per gallon. Last year’s high was $3.85 per gallon.
The Pensacola metro had the lowest average in the state at $3.32 per gallong. A low of $3.16 could be found Sunday night in North Escambia at two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola. the low price awas $3.07 at a station on west Nine Mile Road.
“Volatility in the oil market has greatly contributed to rising prices at the pump in recent weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices have been reacting to rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, and OPEC’s decision to extend production cuts, in effort to crimp global fuel supplies.”
About half the price of gasoline is influenced by the price of oil. Higher oil prices contribute to higher gasoline production costs. Through the first quarter of the year, the price of oil averaged around $75 per barrel. Since mid-March, the price of oil has averaged nearly $84 per barrel. During that same time, the state average has mostly remained above $3.50 per gallon.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Angels Thrill, Rocket City Blasts Past Wahoos In Series Finale
April 22, 2024
by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos will have Monday to rest and reset following their first home series loss against the Rocket City Trash Pandas in the matchup’s four-season history.
They seek a change in batting fortune.
A pair of Trash Pandas pitchers, led by top pitching prospect Caden Dana, checked the Blue Wahoos on just three hits in a 3-0 loss Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium to close out the first half of an extended homestand. The win enabled Rocket City (9-6) to win the series 4-2, after entering the week with a 2-16 record in Pensacola.
A crowd of 3,851 had its biggest excitement when the famed Blue Angels buzzed over the stadium under a clear-blue sky during the seventh inning while returning from a weekend air show. That was the loudest roar of the day.
In the ninth inning, however, there was some suspense on the field.
The first two Blue Wahoos batters, newcomer Joe Mack and catcher Paul McIntosh, drew walks to put multiple runners on base for the only time in the game.
Jacob Berry then missed on a game-tying home run when lining a shot foul down the right field line. He then fouled off a couple pitches before reliever Hayden Seig struck him out with a changeup. Shane Sasaki then hit a slow grounder that became a force out. Cody Morissette, who had laced two hard lineouts earlier in the game, grounded out to end the game.
After Javier Sanoja led off the Blue Wahoos first inning with a single, Rocket City’s Dana retired the next 15 batters in order. Dana, a 20-year-old righthander from Warwick, New York, entered this season ranked No. 2 overall among the Los Angeles Angels top 30 prospects.
The Trash Pandas team has all four of the Angels’ top quartet of prospects on the team to start the season.
Rocket City got two first inning runs off Blue Wahoos starter Paul Campbell, but then Campbell settled into a groove, retiring 12 of the next 16 batters he faced in a what became a rapidly played game that was complete in two hours, 22 minutes.
Campbell was solid again in his second start this week, working into the seventh with just three hits allowed and seven strikeouts and just one walk. It continued his comeback attempt after making his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2021.
The Blue Wahoos (6-9) will now turn attention to the series against the Shuckers (10-4), who entered Sunday’s game with eight consecutive wins and the best start in the Southern League.
Lefthander Jonathan Bermúdez (1-1, 1.64 ERA) will start for the Blue Wahoos. He held Rocket City hitless into the sixth inning of the series-opening 1-0 win Tuesday.
GAME NOTABLES
—- Joe Mack walked into the Blue Wahoos front office at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, after flying into Pensacola from Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was the top hitter (.343, 12 RBI) and biggest force behind the Beloit Sky Carp’s fast start in the Midwest League as the Marlins High-affiliate. He’s the Marlins’ top catcher prospect and will likely see plenty of opportunity in that role in Pensacola.
The Blue Anchor Belles, a trio of military wives, whose husbands are stationed at NAS-Pensacola, performed the National Anthem.
—- It was West Florida High’s baseball team group outing Sunday. The 6-year-old son of Jaguars’ coach Joe Rieland threw out ta ceremonial first pitch and got a roar when he threw a pitch from the mound to home plate.
—- There were two outs in the top of the seventh at 5:43 p.m. when the unmistakable roar of the Blue Angels jets were heard a split- before the jets buzzed over the stadium.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Tuesday through Sunday (April 23-28). Gametimes are 6:05 p.m. for all games except Wednesday at 11:05 and Sunday at 4:05.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Clyde G Helton
April 22, 2024
Mr. Clyde G Helton, born September 25, 1933 in Atmore, Alabama passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024 at his home in Robinsonville, Alabama after a long illness.
Clyde grew up in the Robinsonville community and played on the undefeated Atmore Blue Devils football team in 1950, one of his most treasured memories. He married Gladys in 1956 and shortly after went into the Army serving in Alaska. Upon completion of his service to his country, he returned to farming, Clyde worked for the United States Postal Service until final retirement. Clyde lived his life for God and his family. He loved hunting and fishing, watching old westerns and sports of TV and riding his side by side around his farm. He was a proud long-time member of the National Rifle Association. Clyde was a lifelong member of the Robinsonville Baptist Church serving in almost every position. He was a genuine Chrisitan man who lived what he believed. Clyde was always civic minded, serving his community un many capacities through the years, including Escambia County Cattleman’s Association President.
Preceded in death by his parents Fonnie and Junnie Helton; his siblings CW Helton, Leople Peacock, Ima Crawford, Robert Helton, and Kendral Helton; grandson Randall Helton.
Survived by his beloved wife of sixty-eight years Gladys McLain; sister Nelda Jernigan; sons Clay (Susan) Helton and Rex Helton; grandchildren Clay Helton Jr., Morgan (Nate) Scott, and Myles Helton; and a host of step-grandchildren, great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Robinsonville Baptist Church with Dr. Toomy Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Robinsonville Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 12:00 PM until service time at 1:00 PM at Robinsonville Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Rodney Helton, Mike Helton, Clay Helton Jr., Landon Helton, Will Owens, and Charlie Woods.
Carol Elizabeth Satterwhite
April 22, 2024
Mrs. Carol Elizabeth Satterwhite, age 76, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of Pensacola and a resident of Flomaton, Alabama. She was a faithful member of Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Church.
At a young age Carol liked to water ski, she was also a homemaker and loved cooking for her husband and family. Her family meant the world to her, and she would always love to see family come to visit. Carol also had a big heart when it came to animals especially her two little dogs, she also loved flowers. She went through a lot of hardships in life but always stayed strong and kept her faith no matter the pain and sickness she endured the past few years. Carol would always say “The Lord is with me and when its my time I’m ready”. Carol will be missed and will live in her families’ hearts forever.
She is preceded in death by her father Gerald Leroy Hoyt; mother Carnley Owen; daughter Carla Elizabeth Settles; son William Ernest Stacey Jr.; granddaughter Kerry Mae VanHoosen.
Mrs. Carol is survived by her devoted husband of 26 years Bobby Satterwhite; daughter Regina (Ernest) Wyatt; step-children Tim Satterwhite, Johnny Satterwhite, Michael Harvell, and Timothy Harvell; son-in-law Brad Settles; brother Melvin Crowter; grandchildren Krystle and Robbie Wilson, Joel and Brittany Wyatt, Kevin and Tiffany Settles, Keith and Maggie Settles, Lexie Stacey, Zachery Satterwhite, Dakota Satterwhite, Johnnah Satterwhite, Audrea Satterwhite, Colby Satterwhite, Levi Satterwhite and Jaden Satterwhite; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Dr. Charles Satterwhite officiating.
Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until service time at noon at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements
Escambia Considers Widening 2.16 Miles Of Dangerously Narrow Highway 164; Barry Promises More
April 21, 2024
Escambia County is set to consider a $1.25 million project to widen about 2.16 total miles of dangerously narrow Highway 164 in two locations in what one county commissioner promises is part of the first phase of work.
Highway 164 has been the scene of several near head-on crashes and sideswipes attributed to the narrow roadway. Some of the roadway has approximately 8-foot travel lanes — not wide enough for large vehicles like a fire engine from the nearby McDavid Fire Station (pictured below).
The project would widen Highway 164 to 11-foot wide travel lanes two-thirds of a mile east from Highway 97 and a 1.5 mile stretch that is three-quarters of a mile either side of the Pine Barren Road intersection. (See maps below.) Highway 164 is about 11.5 miles long from Highway 97 to Highway 29.
“I’m excited about the first phase of widening improvements for the most narrow part of Hwy 164,” Barry said. “I promise it’s not the completion of the project, only the first phase including the worst area, and I will keep working diligently to secure the funds needed for additional widening of Highway 164 and for other roads which need these type improvements as well.
On Monday, the Escambia County Commission will vote on awarding a $1,254,955.88 bid to Panhandle Grading and Paving, the lowest lowest, most responsive, and responsible bidder for this project.
According to Escambia County Engineering, the two areas had seven sideswipes and other accidents between May 2018 and May 2023– the highest concentration areas on Highway 164. NorthEscambia.com has covered several other crashes on Highway 164 outside the proposed widening zone — including a fiery two pickup crash last April, and a pickup truck and school bus last year (detailed in photo descriptions below).
If approved, the project will be funded by Local Option Sales Tax funs and is expected to be complete in 150 days.
Pictured above and first below: A near head-on crash in April 2023 on Highway 164 about a mile west of Pine Barren Road — outside the area currently proposed for widening. Pictured second and third photos below: A pickup truck overturned in February 2022 after sideswiping a school bus on Highway 164 1.3 miles east of Pine Barren Road — outside the area currently proposed for widening. Pictured bottom two photos: A school bus and ECUA sanitation truck sideswiped in June 2022 just east of Pine Barren Road — our records do not indicate the exact distance from Pine Barren Road, but it was very near the three-quarter mile mark. NorthEscambia.com photos and graphics, click to enlarge.
Charges Dropped Against Atmore Journalists Accused Of Revealing Grand Jury Secrets
April 21, 2024
ll criminal charges against two Atmore journalists and school board members have been dropped.
The move came at the request of Alabama Assistant Attorney General Thomas Govan Jr., who had taken over the Escambia County, Alabama, bases after the local district attorney recused himself. The dismissals were granted Friday by Judge Ben Fuller.
All charges related to criminally revealing of grand jury secrets were dismissed against Escambia County (AL) School Board member and Atmore News Publisher Sherry Digmon, Atmore News reporter Don Fletcher Escambia County (AL) School Board vice-president Cindy Jackson and Veronica Fore, the school district’s bookkeeper. An additional charge against Digmon for using her position for personal gain was also dropped.
The cases garnered national attention and calls of violations of the First Amendment principles of freedom the press. The charges were filed after an October 2023 article in the Atmore News written by Fletcher allegedly revealed details about grand jury proceedings that should have remained secret under Alabama law.
The cases came about after a school board voted not to renew the contract former former School Superintendent Michele McClung.
Tate High School FBLA Members Participate In Spring Cleanup At Veterans Memorial Park
April 21, 2024
Students from the Tate High School FBLA worked Saturday morning in the annual spring cleanup at the Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola.
Under the leadership of Tate faculty members Janice Courson and Tommy Maher, the students worked to spruce up the park, including using brushes to meticulously clean monuments.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC’s 85th Annual Meeting Will Be Saturday, April 27
April 21, 2024
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 85th Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, April 27.
The meeting for EREC members will be held at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. Activities will be from 8 to 10 am., and the business meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
There will be lots of door prizes, vendor information tables and activities for kids. An electric vehicle will be on display, scholarship winners will be announced, and voting will take place for open trustee seats. Guest speaker will be Matt Diamond from PowerSouth.
Absentee voting is going on now at EREC offices in Walnut Hill and Jay through April 26.
Breakfast will be available with cash only with proceeds going to the EWMS culinary arts program.
Pictured: The 2023 EREC Annual Meeting at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
