Northview High Valedictorian Sarah Bailey Looks To A Future Of Helping Kids
May 29, 2024
Northview High School’s Class of 2024 valedictorian is an involved, goal-oriented individual with her sights sight on a future of helping others, especially kids.
She was editor of the yearbook for two years, varsity cheerleading captain, president of the Beta Club and historian of the SGA.
Sarah said she decided years ago to set a goal of becoming valedictorian.
“This just didn’t happen,”‘ she said. “I went out of my way to do extra classes, honors classes, and dual enrollment credit.”
The valedictorian said life has been about more than just studying.
“I hang out with my friends; I lifeguard at the Atmore city pool,” she added. ” I work at the NWE concession stand, and I’ve done some other volunteering.”
Sarah also graduated in May from Pensacola State College with a general education degree.
She credits God for helping her achieve her goals.
“God really helped me through this, like whenever you really get worked up and you need a friend, God is there.”
She plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall and major in psychology before applying to medical school “I hope to help a lot of people, specifically kids.”
“I’ve dealt with some like OCD when I was little not that I really remember but I know it happened. So, I want to do my best to help other kids and their families.”
After college, she hopes to partner in a private practice and have a family of her own someday.
For the summer, she plans to spend time playing with her Basset hound puppy Oakley and go fishing with her brother.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged After Allegedly Ramming Ex-girlfriend’s Vehicle
May 29, 2024
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly ramming his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot.
Dalton Andrew Puente, 26, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and two felony counts criminal mischief with properly damage.
The victim told deputies that she pulled her vehicle into the parking lot of Home Depot on Mobile Highway to avoid Puente, her ex-boyfriend.
Puente followed the victim into the parking lot, accelerating rapidly and ramed his GMC truck into her vehicle, causing it to spin and hit another parked car, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim and two passengers in her vehicle were not injured.
Deputies said the victim’s vehicle suffered about $3,000 in damage, including the bumper, tail lights, and driver’s front side. The second vehicle, a Land Rover, sustained about $1,000 in damage to a bumper.
The ECSO said the incident was captured be Home Depot security cameras.
Puente was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $35,000 bond.
Ray Melton Retires After 24 Years Of Fire And EMS Service
May 29, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton retired Tuesday after 24 years of fire and EMS service, eight of those years with Escambia County Fire Rescue.
“I’m honored to have served our citizens from Pensacola to Century,” Melton said. “Life safety is and always will be my passion and I will never stop that.”
“To the firefighters I have had the honor to work with, you are my brothers and sisters for life and I’m grateful to all of you,” he said. “From fire, to EMS, to dispatch, keep strong and whatever you face; The mission is above all else I’m so grateful for all of you!”
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.
Melton started the home fire safety program for ECFR. 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.
Melton was honored as one of the Exemplary Public Servants for 2022 by American City & County, a 113-year old publication for government officials.
Now that he is retired, Melton plans to move to Memphis, Tennessee soon.
“I am certainly going to miss my job of bringing fire safety home to our citizens on a personal level,” he said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Upper 60s For Tonight
May 29, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 88.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 29, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their May Students of the Month. They are third graders Raelyn Hale and Keylan Biggs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gary Wayne Driver
May 29, 2024
Gary Wayne Driver, 69, a lifelong resident of Molino, FL, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024, to be with our Lord Jesus Christ surrounded by his family and friends.
Gary passed away in the home his mother and father built and raised him in. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends on the porch, he loved to reminisce, quick to tell one of the many stories of his childhood when Barrineau Park Road was a red muddy dirt road. As an adult Gary was a welder and later in life he ran several grocer meat departments. He loved to go to the river, fish, and just being outdoors. He loved his family dearly.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mrs. Elizabeth and Mr. Oscar Driver; and brother, Howard (Martha) Driver.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 25 years this year, Katherine “Loriann” Driver, loving sisters, Barbara Kite (Jimmie) and Sylvia Kelly (Michael); the sons he loved fiercely, Corey Driver, Kyle Driver, and Tyler Driver; step-children, Tabitha Bucci (Chris), Christopher Gulsby, and Heather Gulsby; and grandson, Hayden Gulsby; whom Gary and Katherine raised and for all intents and purposes, is their son. Gary is also survived by many step-grandchildren who he treated as his own.
Special thanks to his caregiver during the last several weeks of his life, Tabitha, for she bore a heavy hearted task.
There will be a celebration of life for Gary on Saturday, June 22nd, at 2 p.m. at Byrneville Community Church 1351 Byrneville Rd. Century, FL 32535 (the little white church on the hill). Friends and family are encouraged to bring drinks and finger food.
Jury Finds Cantonment Woman Not Guilty Of Burglary, Battery
May 29, 2024
A Cantonment woman has been found not guilty of first degree felony burglary with a battery and misdemeanor battery causing bodily harm.
Christine Elizabeth Haynes, now 44, was charged in 2022 after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said witnesses stated Haynes knocked on the door before forcing her way into a home where her biological child resided despite not having custody.
An adult female suffered bruising and swelling on her right eye and also had scratches on her neck, chest and arms, deputies said.
After deliberation, an Escambia County jury returned a not guilty verdict.
Judy Ann Joyner Campbell
May 29, 2024
Judy Ann Joyner Campbell, 81, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on May 23, 2024. She was born in her grandparents’ home in Evergreen, Alabama on October 12,1942 to Leroy and Vermelle Joyner.
Judy was a graduate of Pensacola Technical High School. She was married to Jimmy Campbell for 23 years.
Judy helped her husband run his used car dealership and worked as a Title Clerk for Muldon Ford and Mitchell Motors. She also worked as a cashier for Wal-Mart at the Ensley location. She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed visiting the casinos in Biloxi, Mississippi and loved to play bingo at various local bingo halls.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Vermelle Joyner, her husband, Jimmy Campbell, her in-laws, James and Winnie Campbell, her sister-in-law Kay Joyner and various aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her brother, Ken Joyner, Pensacola, FL, her daughter, Sherri Gehrdes (Peter) of Cantonment, FL, her grandson, Jonathan Gehrdes of Minneapolis, Minnesota, her granddaughter, Bethany Pendleton (Nathan) of Cannon AFB, New Mexico, her nephews, Ken Joyner (LuAnn) and Randy Joyner of Pensacola, FL and niece, Jennifer Foster of Pensacola, FL.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Peter Gehrdes, Kenny Joyner, Randy Joyner, DeRand Black, Dan Black, and Bill Nodhturft. Officiant will be Judy’s cousin, Ed Joyner.
Special thanks to the nurses and staff of Coral Bay at Pensacola and Vitas Healthcare for their wonderful support and care.
Family and friends will meet at the home of Sherri Gehrdes after the service for lunch.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 4,2024 at 10:00am at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 S. Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533. Visitation will be prior to service 9 until 10 a.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Wahoos Start Road Series With 4-0 Shutout Over Shuckers
May 29, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Four Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a four-hit, 4-0 shutout win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday night
Jonathan Bermúdez (W, 2-3) overcame shaky control to register 5.0 scoreless innings, setting a trend for the Pensacola pitching staff. Despite seven walks, including three from closer Austin Roberts in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos kept the Shuckers off the scoreboard for an important tone-setting win.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb back to within 2.0 games of first-place Montgomery with 23 games to play in the first half. It marked Biloxi’s eighth consecutive loss, one shy of tying a franchise record.
The game was scoreless until the fourth, when Jakob Marsee led off with a double against Shuckers starer Nate Peterson (L, 1-4) and scored on a Zach Zubia RBI single. Joe Mack made it 2-0 in the sixth with a solo home run, his third at the Double-A level.
Cody Morissette added a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Paul McIntosh finished the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth.
After Bermúdez departed, Adam Laskey and Raffi Vizcaíno combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief. Roberts walked the bases full in the ninth, but struck out hot-hitting Mike Boeve as the potential tying run to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Wednesday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Flomaton Woman Charged After SWAT Team Serves Search Warrant In Century
May 28, 2024
A Flomaton woman is facing charges for methamphetamine and a weapon charged after a search warrant was served in Century.
On May 3, a search warrant was executed at 9206 Academy Street in Century by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Narcotics Unit.
The ECSO said Amy Nicole Lewis exited the residence and was detained without incident, and a male was found sleeping in a bedroom.
Investigators reported finding items that included:
- a glass jar containing marijuana
- a High Standard .22 caliber “Deringer-style” pistol with a scratched off serial number inside a pink purse
- pills imprinted with “K40″
- two hidden compartment cans in a kitchen cabinet
- a digital scale which tested positive for methamphetamine on the kitchen stove
- two other digital scales on the stove
- notebook containing phone numbers, also on the stove
- marijuana in a bag in a dresser drawer
- a hidden compartment can that contained 13 grams of bagged methamphetamine, an additional bag with 1.5 grams of meth and 19 blue pills imprinted “V2531″
- an additional hidden compartment can containing jewelry
- a Motorola smartphone
- a white power substance that field test positive for meth on the floor near a bedside table
Lewis told deputies that she was unaware of any narcotics sales happening at her residence but was aware of marijuana in her bedroom, an arrest report states.
The ECSO said Lewis stated she has been regularly staying at the residence for several months while Darrin Green was in prison, and she knew Green to sell narcotics. She said a “hippie looking dude” named David would frequently come to the residence.
Following the May 3 search warrant, an arrest warrant was prepared to Lewis. She was arrested last week and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams, and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,000 bond.