Tropical Storm Alberto Forms In The Gulf; Double Red Flags At The Beach
June 19, 2024
Tropical Storm Alberto formed Wednesday over the western Gulf of Mexico and is expected to bring heavy rains, coastal flooding and gusty winds over the coastal areas of Texas and northern Mexico through Thursday.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the coastal areas of northern Mexico and portions of Texas.
There will be no serious impact to the North Escambia area. However, breezy conditions will continue for our portion of the Gulf Coast, and the wind will cause high seas and surf. Double red flags are flying (water is closed) for area beaches.
Details on Alberto are in the graphic above.
School Board Makes Leadership Changes At Tate, Pine Forest And George Stone
June 19, 2024
The Escambia County School Board Tuesday night made several leadership changes at school across the county.
For the North Escambia area, the board voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations from Superintendent Keith Leonard:
- Melanie McElhaney was promoted from assistant principal at Tate High School to principal at Pine Forest High School.
- Tate agriculture teacher Austin Courson is now assistant principal at Tate High School.
- Northview High School teacher Megan Carroll is now assistant principal at George Stone Technical College.
- Stephen Brooks was promoted from assistant principal to principal at George Stone.
Other appointments were:
- Tracie Carollo – subject area specialist, language arts
- Nicole Everette – principal, Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Amy Gordon – principal, Pensacola High School
- Anne McGowan – assistant principal, Booker T. Washington High School
- Barbara Spears – subject area specialist, music/fine arts
The board vote was unanimous following a motion by board member Bill Slayton and a second by David Williams.
Pictured: Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard and school board members with new administrators Austin Courson (top), Megan Carroll (first below), Melanie McElhaney (second below) and Stephen Brooks (bottom photo). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2022 Murder
June 19, 2024
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for an October 2022 murder in Escambia County.
A jury found Jacob Monroe Colville guilty of the October 29, 2022, first degree premeditated murder of Jesse Allen Geoghagan at a home on Medford Avenue. Jude Coleman Robinson immediately sentenced him to life.
Alyssa Marie Blackburn and Lawrence Bonner, Jr. were both indicted for principal to first degree premeditated murder with a firearm in the case.
On October 29, the ECSO responded to the 1000 block of Medford Avenue where they found Geoghegan. with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Blackburn contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that he had been shot inside the residence.
Bonner allegedly gave Colville the gun used in the murder. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Colville shot Geoghagan twice inside a closet, before shooting him a “few more times” as he limped out of the bedroom.
They fled in a stolen 1996 Toyota Avalon, which was later found burning under the Mobile Highway Bridge over Eleven Mile Creek.
A security system in the residence captured the murder, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Blackburn and Bonner remain in jail without bond awaiting trial. Both are due back in court in mid-August.
Slight Chance Of Scattered Showers, Nearing 90 Today
June 19, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Escambia, Pensacola And Century Offices Closed In Observance Of Juneteenth
June 19, 2024
Many government offices are closed Wednesday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Escambia County:
The following Escambia County offices will be closed Wednesday, June 19:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration and Customer Service
Escambia County Exceptions:
- The Perdido Landfill will be open Wednesday, June 19.
- The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices at 221 Palafox Place will be closed Wednesday, June 19. All other Clerk’s offices located at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Building, Century Courthouse and the Public Records Center will be open.
- ECAT buses and the UWF trolleys will not run service Wednesday, June 19. The Pensacola Beach Trolleys will run regular service.
City of Pensacola
The following City of Pensacola offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday:
- City of Pensacola administrative offices
- City Hall
- City of Pensacola community resource centers
City of Pensacola exceptions:
- Osceola Golf Course and Roger Scott Tennis Center will be open for regular business hours.
Town of Century:
The Town of Century will be closed Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
House Ethics Probe Continues Into Matt Gaetz And Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct, Drug Use
June 19, 2024
The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday that it will further review allegations against Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz involving sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and that he accepted improper gifts.
Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, and the committee said it has experienced “difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz”.
“Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review. During the course of its investigation, the Committee has also identified additional allegations that merit review,” the committee said in a statement Tuesday.
House investigators are looking further into accusations Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.” The complete statement and allegations are below.
Gaetz released the following statement on social media:
“The House Ethics Committee has closed four probes into me, which emerged from lies intended solely to smear me. Instead of working with me to ban Congressional stock trading, the Ethics Committee is now opening new frivolous investigations. They are doing this to avoid the obvious fact that every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.
“This is Soviet. Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime. I work for Northwest Floridians who won’t be swayed by this nonsense and McCarthy and his goons know it.”
(article continues below)
The following is the complete statement from the House Ethics Committee:
“On April 9, 2021, the Committee announced it had initiated a review into allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct. The Committee deferred its consideration of the matter in response to a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ). In May 2023, the Committee reauthorized its investigation after DOJ withdrew its deferral request.
“There has been a significant and unusual amount of public reporting on the Committee’s activities this Congress. Much of that reporting has been inaccurate. The Committee’s investigations are conducted confidentially, but the Committee’s confidentiality rules do not prohibit witnesses from disclosing information about the Committee’s requests or conversations with Committee investigators. The Committee is confident in the integrity of its process.
“Representative Gaetz has categorically denied all of the allegations before the Committee. Notwithstanding the difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz and others, the Committee has spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in this matter. Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review. During the course of its investigation, the Committee has also identified additional allegations that merit review.
“Accordingly, the Committee is reviewing allegations pursuant to Committee Rules 14(a)(3) and 18(a) that Representative Gaetz may have: engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. The Committee will take no further action at this time on the allegations that he may have shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.
“The Committee notes that the mere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.”
Tri-County Junior League All-Star Team Wins Section Championship
June 19, 2024
The Tri-County Junior League All-Star team won the Florida Section 1 Championship Tuesday evening.
With the win, Tri-County advances to state beginning July 5 in Melbourne, Florida. The team is organizing fundraisers for the trip, and the Jay Recreation Association already accepting donations via Paypal.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Sunk By Pair Of Two-Run Homers In Series-Opening Loss To Lookouts
June 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
If there’s one element in which the Chattanooga Lookouts have excelled amid a dismal record, it’s hitting home runs.
They did again Tuesday night, putting a damaging dent into the Blue Wahoos’ hopes for another first half divisional win.
A pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings were decisive in Chattanooga’s 4-2 victory, beginning the final week of the first half schedule in a glum way for the Blue Wahoos.
A crowd of 4,034 on a Doggone Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which included the Pace High School state champion softball team, watched the Blue Wahoos (35-28) get few scoring chances against the Lookouts (18-47), who by far have the worst record in the Southern League.
The Blue Wahoos’ loss, coupled by the Montgomery Biscuits’ 6-5 win Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons, dropped the Blue Wahoos 1.5 games behind in the South Division race with just five games left. The Barons hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in their game.
This all followed, of course, the Blue Wahoos winning four of six games last week in Birmingham to get into contention for a third consecutive first half divisional win and automatic playoff berth.
Tuesday’s game started well for Pensacola. Joe Mack homered just inside the right field foul pole for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The lead was flipped by one swing in the fourth inning. Lookouts third base Nick Northcut, a Cincinnati native playing for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, hit a two-run homer on a two-out pitch by Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer.
A repeat scenario happened in the sixth inning when Quincy McAfee had a two-run homer, ending Fitterer’s night. The Lookouts tagged him for seven hits in the game.
It gave the Lookouts a total of 51 homers – second-most in the league behind the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos missed chances with two runners on base in the fifth and sixth inning, then had Paul McIntosh thrown out on a double-steal attempt in the eighth. A wild pitch led to a run, but the Lookouts’ Braxton Roxby earned his first save with a clean ninth inning.
The series continues Wednesday.
The game will start at 6:05 p.m. and will be followed by the largest fireworks show of the season.
GAME NOTABLES
Pace High’s prep All-American third baseman Shelby McKenzie, who is heading to join Florida State’s softball team, threw out a first pitch, along with senior teammate Mallory Baker, who was the Patriots’ No. 2 pitcher and outfielder. Baker threw a baseball, then went underhand with the softball in a double first pitch to the Blue Wahoos’ Tanner Allen in pregame ceremonies.
The Patriots finished ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps – the highest ranked softball team in Florida – following their 2-0 win against Bartow in the Class 6A state title game on May 23.
It was a special moment for the Patriots who went to the state final four in all four seasons for the seniors, led by pitching star Jayden Heavener, who was attending an orientation session at LSU, where she will play next season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
New Boat Ramp On Perdido Bay Now Open, Escambia’s First Large Public Access
June 19, 2024
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the new Perdido Bay Boat Ramp, Escambia County’s first large public access to Perdido Bay.
“This is an exciting day for District 1 and all of our west side residents who can now more easily access and enjoy beautiful Perdido Bay,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This project is the culmination of many hours of hard work and collaboration, and I look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy this amazing community amenity all summer long and for years to come.”
The new 40-acre facility is located on Heron Bayou and includes a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measurin 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet was dredged from the launching facility to Perdido Bay. Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.
In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property with $1.24 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and vessel registration fees. Construction was funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Settlement Funds.
The Perdido Bay Boat Ramp is located at 10808 Lillian Highway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rita Wiggins Nichol
June 19, 2024
Mrs. Rita Wiggins Nichols, age 74, passed away, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Atmore, AL; surrounded by her loving family. She was born, March 26, 1950, in Century FL; and has resided most of her life in McDavid, FL; before moving to Atmore, AL; the past 18 years.
Mrs. Nichols enjoyed bowling, boating and overall, the outdoors. She loved spending time with her family, traveling to the mountains, Graceland and going on cruises. She really liked to cook for family and friends, watch General Hospital, and Alabama Football.
She is preceded by her parents, Clifton (Doris) Wiggins, two brothers, Jerry Wiggins and David Wiggins.
She is survived by her one son, Allen Walston, of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Deborah (David) Arrington, of Flomaton, AL; one brother, Donnie Wiggins, of McDavid, FL; three, grandchildren, Austin Arrington, Logan Walston, Madison Launius, three great-grandchildren, Jake Walston, Harper Walston, Sawyer Walston, and two great-grandchildren, on the way Lucy Launius, Charlotte Arrington, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Friday, June 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Rev. Michael Wiggins officiating.
Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Logan Walston, Austin Arrington, Houston Launius, Doug Darby, Sammy Lee, and Gary Wiggins.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.