Molino Park Kindergarteners Present ‘Wing It’ (With Photo Gallery)
May 1, 2019
The kindergarten class at Molino Park Elementary School recently presented “Wing It”. The musical about taking risks and taking flight was full of tweets, beaks and feathers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
South Alabama Passenger Rail Service Generates Little Interest At Public Meeting
May 1, 2019
A public meeting about the possible return of passenger rail service from Mobile to Montgomery generated little public interest Tuesday night in Atmore.
No one from the general public attended the first half hour of the meeting hosted by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs at the Atmore City Hall.
The study into the return of service to the former “Gulf Breeze” passenger corridor is being completed in two phases. Phase I, completed and submitted to the Federal Rail Administration in 2014, included rail service between Birmingham and Montgomery. Phase II, the current study, pertains to rail service between Mobile and Montgomery and is set to be submitted in the fall of 2019.
The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility of passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile, and to determine the necessary elements needed to implement the system. The study will also consider the combined effects of restoring passenger rail service along the corridor, with rail connections to existing and proposed east-west Amtrak lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
A similar meeting held about the project last November in Atmore was attended by a few dozen people. Years ago, Atmore was designated by the state legislature as Alabama’s official rail welcome station.
Pictured above and below: No member of the general public attended the opening of a public meeting on a Mobile to Montgomery passenger rail service meeting in Atmore Tuesday evening. Pictured bottom: A proposed route from the service. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Teen Who Pleaded No Contest To Attempted Murder Of His Parents Is Sentenced
May 1, 2019
A Jay teen who pleaded no contest to the attempted murder of his parents in was sentenced Tuesday.
Jackson Shane Baxley was sentenced to 48 months probation for the August 2018 incident.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Baxley, then 15, and his girlfriend got into trouble for sending inappropriate phone messages during the summer and were forbidden to date or talk to each other, according to an arrest report. They did not stop talking to each other and hid it from their parents before he dated her again, according to an arrest report.
Baxley drove his grandfather’s pickup truck to North Highway 89 and Finley Road, just north of Jay, and approached his residence in the 15000 block of North Highway 89 on foot and went inside.
Baxley’s mother found him at the kitchen counter wearing a hoodie and a cotton mask around his neck.
Baxley stared at his mother with no expression on his face and did not respond to her, the arrest report states. His father pushed past his mother towards the kitchen where Baxley was standing armed with a shotgun. He began to walk backwards toward another room with the shotgun pointed downward. His father attempted to take the shotgun from his hand, causing Baxley to pull the trigger as a result of the struggle, the report states. The father was struck with birdshot in the upper thigh.
As law enforcement arrived on scene, Baxley fled. Deputies chased Baxley, eventually tasing him twice.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Social Media Post Lands Man In Trouble
May 1, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending April 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood received information that an individual posted a picture on social media of him holding two gag grouper in front of his home. Officer Allgood contacted the individual who still had parts of the fish in his possession. The individual was cited for possession of gag grouper during closed season.
Officer McHenry received information from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that they saw an individual catching and keeping red snapper in Pensacola Bay near the USCG station. When he arrived on scene, the subjects had left the area, but the vessel’s registration number was obtained from the USCG. Officer McHenry proceeded to the registered owner’s home and located the vessel there. The individual admitted to catching the red snapper and was in possession of two freshly caught red snapper. Charges were filed for possession of red snapper out of season.
Officer Allgood was checking subjects at the Navy Point Boat Ramp when he noticed two divers returning to the ramp. They claimed they did not catch or spear any fish. During the fisheries inspection he found a red snapper on board the vessel. The individual who speared the fish was cited for possession of red snapper during a closed season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
No report received from Santa Rosa County.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
All Six Tate High Volleyball Seniors Sign To Play At Collegiate Level
May 1, 2019
A milestone was reached Tuesday by the Tate High School volleyball program as the sixth and final senior signed to play at the collegiate level.
The seniors and their college choices are:
- Lauren Seibert to Wallace State Community College
- Kasey Scott to Pensacola State College
- Karen Hill to Florida Gateway College
- Claire Roberson to Florida Gateway College
- Grace Talbert to University of Texas of the Permian Basin
- Olivia Oxendine to Walters State Community College
Pictured top: All six Tate High School volleyball seniors have signed to play at the next level. Pictured below (top to bottom) are signings for Lauren Seibert, Kasey Scott, Karen Hill, Claire Roberson, Grace Talbert and Olivia Oxendine. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview And Jay Advance To District Softball Championship Games
May 1, 2019
Tate 4, Pace 2
The Tate Lady Aggies advanced to the district championship game with a 4-2 win over the Pace Patriots Tuesday.
In the first inning, Avery Beauchanie singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. In the third, Lilly Locke double on a fly ball to the center field, scoring Courtney Adams. And in the bottom of the fifth, Lilly Locke singled on a ground ball to the center fielder, scoring Courtney Lundquist and Ryleigh Cawby.
Avery Beauchanie earned the victory on the mound for the Lady Aggies, going seven innings while allowing two runs on three hits and striking out four.
Lilly Locke and Beauchanie led the Aggies at bat with two hits each.
The Lady Aggies will play in the district championship game Thursday night at 6:30.
Northview 3, Freeport 2
The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport 3-2 Tuesday afternoon.
Northview and Jay will face off for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m. in Jay.
Jay 15. Baker 0
The Jay Lady Royals shut out Baker 15-0 Tuesday night in Jay.
Northview and Jay will face off for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m. in Jay.
County Fire Chief Rusty Nail Rescinds His Resignation
April 30, 2019
Escambia Fire Chief Rusty Nail rescinded his resignation Tuesday, one day after the commission chose Janice Gilley as the next county administrator.
On April 3, Nail submitted his resignation to be effective on June 1, calling it a “personal decision”.
But in a letter to Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy on Tuesday, Nail said:
“Many changes have occurred since my resignation in early April, and in good conscience I cannot leave my position or departments without a succession plan. Uncertainties regarding future direction make it even more critical to stay involved.
“Other factors include the obvious show of support from the Escambia County BOCC towards not only County-wide improvements, but also initiatives aimed at improving the County’s emergency services. These are all great undertakings that will benefit the citizens for decades to come.
“Hearing the new County Administrator’s vision for the future; I hereby rescind my resignation as Fire & EMS Chief.”
On Sunday, Nail had provided another letter to Interim Public Safety Director Matt Coughlin requesting that he begin administrative leave on Monday, April 30 and amending his resignation date from June 1 to June 15. That request was granted.
Lovoy, Coughlin, former public safety director Mike Weaver and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert have all submitted their resignations. Weaver is no longer on the job.
Three Vehicle Crash On Highway 29 In Molino
April 30, 2019
There were no serious injuries in a three vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Highway 29 just north of Molino Road.
At least two people were taken to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Escambia Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Prison Time For Hitting Eight Navy Personnel While Driving Drunk
April 30, 2019
An Escambia County that was driving under the influence when he struck eight Navy personnel from NAS Pensacola on Perdido Key has been sentenced to prison.
Escambia County Circuit Judge Stephen Pitre sentenced Eric Watt to five years in state prison, followed by two years community control, followed by five years of probation for two counts of driving while under the influence causing serious bodily injury and two counts of driving while under the influence.
Food Truck Wreck Slows Highway 29 Traffic For Hours
April 30, 2019
A pre-dawn wreck involving a food truck with double trailers slowed traffic for hours Tuesday morning on Highway 29 near Kingsfield Road.
The driver of the U.S. Foods truck lost control about 4 a.m., ran off the roadway and traveled along the woodline. The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
