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Byrneville Elementary’s Luke Godwin Wins Local Essay Contest, Places Second In State

Luke Godwin, who just completed the fifth grade at Byrneville Elementary School, won first place in the Escambia Retired Teachers Association essay contest, and he also placed second in the state competition. His topic was his grandmother, Susan Moorehead, who is a second grade teacher at Byrneville. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia County Seeks Public Input On Tree Protection Standards

Escambia County is seeking public input on the county’s current tree protection standards.

Once the survey period has ended, the Escambia County Planning Board will host a workshop to discuss comments submitted through the survey and determine if revisions to the current tree protection standards are necessary.

Take the public survey here.

Tree protection standards were originally adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 1998 with revisions last made in 2015. Existing regulations can be found in the Land Development Code and Design Standards Manual here. Tree-related standards are available in LDC Section 5.7 Landscaping and in DSM Article 2 Landscaping. Definitions are found in LDC Article 6.

Pictured: A giant oak tree towers over a residence on McElhaney Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo.

Five Home Runs Power Blue Wahoos To 7-0 Win

The Blue Wahoos launched five home runs into Tuesday’s thick, humid air during a season-high home run show in a 7-0 victory against the Mississippi Braves to start an extended homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

There was plenty of entertainment at the ballpark Tuesday on the Summer Kickoff and Out of School Fireworks Night game theme.

No team in nine years had hit five home runs against the M-Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, which has been an organization full of talented arms. The last time it happened was April 10, 2010.

“Home runs definitely come and go. They are contagious, I can tell you that,” said Blue Wahoos catcher Caleb Hamilton, whose two-run blast in the second inning became all the offense needed. He finished 2-for-4 while catching the Blue Wahoos tenth shutout win this season.”Other than the one Travis (Blankenhorn) hit Sunday, we haven’t hit a bunch recently, so it was nice to kinda explode out.”

No team in all levels of baseball has thrown more shutout wins than the Blue Wahoos. Tonight’s shutout came after a week of roster moves that left the Blue Wahoos without four of the five starting pitchers that comprised their rotation just a week ago.

Another former Wahoos starting pitcher, Devin Smeltzer, wowed Tuesday in his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins, throwing six scoreless innings in the Twins eventual 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I am so happy for him,” said Hamilton. “I love that kid to death.”

Four Pensacola pitchers combined Tuesday to rack up 15 strikeouts against the M-Braves, led by new starter Bryan Sammons, who had eight in four innings of work.

Sammons, 23, a left-hander elevated Monday from the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins’ Advance-A affiliate, struck out the side in the first and second innings – mixed around three walks – but his pitch count (80) for innings prevented a longer night.

“It is always fun when you get moved up and make that first start for a new team,” said Sammons, a Western Carolina University grad and eighth round pick by the Twins in 2017. He pitched one game last year in Double-A for then affiliate Chattanooga.

“I didn’t necessarily have the control I wanted, but overall I will take the outing and look forward to improving from here on out,” said Sammons. It was probably a little extra jitters, but after the first batter you get back to playing baseball again. I felt I was pitching better as the game went on.”

Like the Twins have done this season, the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday displayed a diverse power show.

Outfielder Jimmy Kerrigan returned from being sidelined a month to hit a homer, his third this season. Alex Kirilloff, a top-10 overall prospect in the game, blasted his first Double-A homer in the eighth inning, following a first-inning double.

Shortstop Jordan Gore hit his first home run this season with a solo shot in the seventh that followed Mitchell Kranson’s two-run bomb three batters earlier.

“Kirilloff had his first one, Jordan had his first one, Jimmy hit one. That was very good to see,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego.

The win pushed the Blue Wahoos’ league-best record to 31-20 and kept two-games ahead of surging Biloxi, the Brewers’ affiliate, in the Southern League South Division, setting up a two-team race for the first half, division title between the Gulf Coast rivals.

After allowing 31 runs against the Tennessee Smokies, the Blue Wahoos staff settled back into a season-long groove Tuesday. Relievers Adam Bray, Tom Hackimer, and Sam Clay followed Sammons with a combined five innings, allowing just one hit, no walks and getting seven strikeouts.

“It’s great to see Sammons in his debut,” Borrego said. “He gave us a solid outing. He ran a little bit out of gas because of the pitches he threw, but he was able to battle through four innings.”

The Wahoos and M-Braves will square off again Wednesday night in game two of Pensacola’s 10 game home stand.

See Moon Rocks During STEAM Program At The Library

Moon rocks are coming to a library near you. The West Florida Library has borrowed real moon rocks and meteorite samples from NASA.

During Summer STEAM programs the library, the items will be on display, and there will be a program of activities to explore lunar science and cosmic impacts.

The program schedule is as follows (North Escambia locations are bolded):

• Wednesday, May 29, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Wednesday, May 29, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Thursday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, May 30, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Friday, May 31, 10:30 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library
• Friday, May 31, 2 p.m. - Century Branch Library
• Saturday, June 1, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Tuesday, June 4, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 5, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Thursday, June 6, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Saturday, June 8, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Pictured: A Summer STEAM program with moon rocks Tuesday at the Pensacola Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Mom Sentenced For Death Of 9-Year Old

An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to state prison for the death of her adopted daughter.

Grace Smith, 71,  received a 20-year sentence by Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford. She was previously found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after Veronica Posey, her 325-pound niece Veronica Posey sat on 9-year old Derricka Lindsay as a form of punishment. Lindsay could not breathe and died.

On October 14, 2017, law enforcement was called to the home of Grace and James Smith for a report of an unresponsive child. It was later learned, Grace Smith had summoned her niece Veronica Posey to the home to assist her in disciplining her adopted children.

During the punishment, Posey sat on the child’s back for several minutes as she was bent facedown into the seat of a chair; and as a result, the child died from mechanical asphyxia. Evidence from the autopsy also showed the child had been severely beaten on the day(s) prior to her death, and both Posey and Grace Smith admitted to striking the child. James Smith was also present in the room when the death occurred. Both he and Grace Smith admitted being present and doing nothing to intervene with Posey’s method of discipline.

On March 15, Posey was convicted by an Escambia County jury of first degree felony murder and subsequently sentenced to life in state prison. On November 29, 2018, James Smith entered a plea straight to the court to one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child and received 10 years in state prison.

Man Facing Drug Charges After Fleeing From Deputy In Cantonment

A Flomaton man was arrested on multiple drug charges after allegedly fleeing from deputies in Cantonment.

Toney Maurice Harrison, 21, was charged with trafficking MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), possession of marijuana, resisting a law enforcement officer and fleeing and eluding from law enforcement.

An Escambia County deputy  attempted to stop a Nissan Altima driven by Harrison on Highway 29 near Woodbury Circle. The deputy, with lights and siren activated, followed the vehicle north on Highway 29 to Highway 95A. The vehicle did not stop until it neared the intersection of Eden Lane and Highway 95A.

Because the deputy could not see the driver due to the dark window tint, he approached with his firearm drawn. As he approached the driver’s door, he reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana. Harrison refused to exit the vehicle, forcing the deputy to grab his shirt and pull him out, according to an arrest report.

A search of the vehicle revealed 20.4 grams of ecstasy pills, marijuana and $254 in cash, the report states.

Harrison also received a citation for window tint violation; deputies tested the window tint at 19%, below the legal limit of 28%.

Harrison was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,000 bond.

This Week’s Traffic Delay Hotspots

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.  In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, May 24 and ending at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

Escambia County:

• State Road (S.R.) 289 (Ninth Avenue) D.U.I. Checkpoint- The northbound inside lane of Ninth Avenue in Pensacola will be closed at Berkley Drive from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, May 24 for a Florida Highway Patrol D.U.I. checkpoint. 
• U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1.
  • Nine Mile Road Closed: Nine Mile Road will be closed at the U.S. 29 overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, as crews complete the removal of the southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic. The following detour will be in place:
    • Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to U.S. 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road
    • Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new bridge. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 2:

• • U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
  • North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).

• I-10 Sign Maintenance from the Welcome Center the Escambia Bay Bridge- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from the Welcome Center to the Escambia Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30 as crews repair signs.
• U.S. 98 Sign Maintenance from Chiefs Way to Water Street- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from Chiefs Way to Water Street from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30 as crews repair signs.
• S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Manhole Repair- The westbound inside lane from Marie Avenue to Chapel Street and westbound turn lane from Creighton Road to Marie Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 until Thursday, May 30 as crews perform manhole repairs.
• U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29-  Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 until 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to enable crews to perform roadway construction and drainage improvements. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
• I-10 over Escambia Bay Routine Bridge Maintenance- Motorists will encounter eastbound lane restrictions on I-10 over Escambia Bay from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Utility Work- Drivers will encounter east and westbound, outside lane restrictions on U.S. 98 over Pensacola Bay from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 2 and Monday, June 3 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• I-10 from Exit 5 (U.S. 90 Alt.) to Exit 17 (U.S. 90/Scenic Highway)- There will be east and westbound, inside and outside lane restrictions between U.S. 90 Alt. and Scenic Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 3 to Thursday, June 6 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• I-110 from Exit 1A (Gregory Street West) to the I-10 interchange- There will be north and southbound, inside and outside lane restrictions between Gregory Street and the I-10 interchange from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 3 to Thursday, June 6 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch- Activities associated with the bridge replacement project on C.R. 168 over Unnamed Branch, Northwest of Century continue. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
• Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews continue to construct a bridge culvert.  Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
• Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4.  Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.  The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
• Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4.  Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 28:

• • U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
  • North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).

• I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) –The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Tuesday, May 28 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
  • Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31 as crews work to widen the roadway.

o  Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, as crews perform construction activities

• S.R. 4 over Blackwater River Routine Bridge Inspection- Traffic on S.R. 4 will be reduced to one lane over Blackwater River, about four miles west of County Road (C.R.) 189N, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
• U. S. 98 Utility Operations between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County – Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions on U.S. 98 between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 as Pike Electric completes routine maintenance on power lines. In addition, there will be intermittent daytime shoulder closures, except for the designated Memorial Day Holiday period, until Thursday, May 30.
• S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic on S.R. 87 will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday, until Thursday, July 30 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
  • U.S 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
  • U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road–All north and southbound travel lanes on S.R. 87, between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and two miles south of the Yellow River are now open. Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete construction activities and the speed limit remains 45 MPH until the project in complete.
• U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- The westbound, left turn lane at Sunrise Drive is open to traffic. Improvements at Navarre School Road and drainage improvements at Thresher Drive and Newport Street are complete. Crews will soon place the final layer of asphalt and striping, perform general project clean up, and place sod.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Updated Rabies Alert Narrowed To Bayou Chico: Rabid Stray Cat Attacks Two People

UPDATE: The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County now says a rabies alert issued due to a stray cat is for the Bayou Chico area.

The alert is in response to a report of a positive test result for rabies in a cat on May 25, 2019, which follows a positive test on a raccoon found in the same area in January 2019.

All residents and visitors in Escambia County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Escambia County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.

The rabies alert will last for 60 days and covers the area in southern Escambia County, surrounding Bayou Chico, that lies south of West Jackson Street between New Warrington Road and Pace Boulevard.

Previous story:

A rabid stray cat attacked two people in Escambia County recently, prompting a rabies alert.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County collected tissue samples from the cat and forwarded the samples to the state laboratory, which confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.

The health department is urging residents and visitors to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals.

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system. Without proper treatment, rabies can cause brain infection and death. Rabies is transmitted by a rabid animal by a bite, a scratch, or by contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. A series of “rabies shots” can protect a bite victim from developing the rabies infection, if given soon after the bite occurs.

“Rabies is a fatal infection but is preventable,” notes FDOH-Escambia’s director, Dr. John J. Lanza. “It is important to not feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies. Persons who are bitten by a wild animal or an animal who has not been vaccinated against rabies should seek immediate medical care. Proper medical treatment of an animal bite can be life-saving.”

In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats, and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks, and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.

Individuals cannot always tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. To guard against rabies, the health department recommends residents follow these steps:

• Teach your children not to go near wild and stray animals, and never keep them as pets.
• Vaccinate your dog, cat, ferret, or horse to protect against rabies. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.
• Do not feed your pets outside. The food may attract wild animals.
• Make sure your garbage is securely covered. Open garbage attracts wild and stray animals.
• Spay or neuter your pet to reduce its tendency to roam or fight.
• Do not let your pets roam freely or allow them to interact with wild or stray animals. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come into contact with people and pets.
• Call Escambia County Animal Control, at 850-595-0097, to remove stray dogs and cats from your neighborhood.
• If your pet is bitten by another animal, immediately seek veterinary assistance for your pet and contact Escambia County Animal Control.
• If you are bitten by a wild animal, or by any animal that is acting strangely, seek medical care as soon as possible so that a physician can evaluate your risk of rabies infection and administer the rabies vaccine, if appropriate.

DOH-Escambia’s Environmental Health division investigates animal bite reports, tests animals for rabies through the state laboratory, and orders animal quarantine as necessary. For more information, or to report an animal bite, contact the FDOH-Escambia Environmental Health office at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.

File photo.

Escambia County Students Can Ride ECAT Buses For Free

Escambia County students and other youth under age 18 can ride Escambia County Area Transit buses for free.

Escambia County students grades K-12 are now able to use their county-issued student library cards as a free bus pass year-round on all ECAT buses and trolleys.

In addition, the ECAT Summer Wheels Youth Pass Program will include free, unlimited rides for Summer Wheels Pass holders, ages 18 and under through September 2.

The free bus programs provide youth with the opportunity to explore Pensacola, travel to summer jobs, visit libraries and participate in summer camps.

ECAT also offers free training for those who are new to the bus system to help read the Ride Guide, plan trips and review safety.

To receive a free Summer Wheels Pass, bring your kids and their photo IDs to ECAT’s main office located at 1515 W. Fairfield Drive, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Apply for the Summer Wheels Pass online and view complete application details here.

Escambia Animal Shelter Offering Reduced Adoption Fees for All Animals

Rosco and Oreo found a new furever home this weekend. Rosco had been at the Escambia County Animal Shelter for over two months, longer than any any other cat. And now, they are part of the NorthEscambia.com family.

The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $40 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens through Friday, May 31.

Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchip, heartworm test and initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents are also required to purchase a license for an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately.

The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075.

Pictured: Rosco (above) and Oreo (below) found new furever homes this weekend when they were adopted from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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