Avarie Jackson, Delaney Reynolds Named EREC Scholarship Winners
April 28, 2019
Saturday, Escambia River Electric Cooperative awarded two $4,000 scholarships to local high school seniors. The Escambia County winner was Delaney Reynolds from Northview High School, and the Santa Rosa County winner was Avarie Jackson from Jay High School.
This was EREC’s 22nd year to offer the Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Awards to graduating seniors with a parent or guardian that is a member of the cooperative..
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Both students will receive $1,000 for each of four years provided they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.
Pictured: EREC scholarship winners Avarie Jackson (top) and Delaney Reynolds (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Holds Open House
April 28, 2019
The Escambia County Extension Service held an Open House and Plant Sale on Saturday at their location on Stefani Road in Cantonment.
The event featured gardening demonstrations, an introduction to various 4-H youth programs, a healthy eating seminar, cooking demonstrations, discussions about coastal sustainability practices and livestock management, and a vegetable plant sale.
There was also a chance to learn about training sessions, volunteer activities and the role of Extension in the community.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life In Prison For Home Invasion Robbery
April 28, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison for a 2017 home invasion robbery.
Shaba Ryheem Savage was convicted of home invasion robbery with a weapon, kidnapping with a weapon, false imprisonment with a weapon, false imprisonment of a child under 13 years of age, grand theft, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
In February 2017 Savage and his co-defendant Terrell Williams forced their way into an Escambia County residence while armed with a long gun. Savage is alleged to have held the family at gunpoint while Williams forced the father to drive him to various ATM machines in an effort to acquire cash. During the incident, the father was struck in the head with the weapon and numerous items of personal property were stolen from the residence.
The investigation into the home invasion continued after Williams’ arrest and Shaba Savage was identified as the second intruder. Savage was ultimately identified through the use of Facebook photographs. Additionally, one of the victims located her property in a pawn shop. The investigation determined that Savage’s then girlfriend received those items from the Defendant and had pawned those items shortly after this robbery. Savage was then arrested.
Savage qualifies as a habitual felony offender and prison releasee reoffender. He had been released from prison in June 2016 eight months before this incident. He faces up to life in state prison.
Williams was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
Wahoos Earn Slim Win Over Generals
April 28, 2019
The Blue Wahoos hung on to defeat the Jackson Generals 4-3 Saturday night at the Ballpark at Jackson and have regained a two-game-to-one series advantage over the Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate.
For the second consecutive night the Blue Wahoos took the lead in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single from Luis Arraez, Pensacola scored courtesy of a one-out single from Ernie De La Trinidad to give Pensacola a 1-0 lead. The Wahoos would double their advantage in the third inning when Caleb Hamilton smashed a solo home run off Generals starter Emilio Vargas for his second home run of the year.
Brusdar Graterol cruised through the first four innings of the game, holding the Generals to just three hits until he ran into some turbulence in the fifth. After retiring the first two batters quickly, Graterol plunked Jamie Westbrook for the second time in the game and allowed back-to-back doubles to Jeffrey Baez and Jazz Chisholm, which tied the game at 2-2.
However, the Wahoos had a counter-punch in the seventh inning when they scored twice off former big leaguer Lucas Luetge (L, 1-1). After a lead off walk and a single, Brian Navaretto laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Taylor Grzelakowski and Hamilton into scoring position with only one out. Arraez then laced a double off Luetge to give the Wahoos a 4-2 lead.
After a clean sixth inning from Ryan Mason (W, 1-0), Ramon Borrego turned the rest of the game over to Dusten Knight (S, 5). Knight’s only blemish came in the eighth inning, when he surrendered a leadoff home run to Jazz Chisholm, which cut Jackson’s deficit down to a single run. After that, Knight was untouchable, retiring the final six batters he faced to close out the win.
Pensacola will try to capture their fifth series win to start the year tomorrow afternoon when they send LHP Devin Smeltzer (2-1, 0.72) on the bump. He will be opposed by RHP Sam Lewis (1-1, 2.41). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
Three People Killed In Fiery Crash Near Jay
April 27, 2019
Three people were killed in a fiery crash just outside Jay early Saturday morning.
Names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Ford F150 was traveling north on Chumuckla Highway when the driver drifted across the center line into the path of a southbound Jeep Wrangler.
The vehicles collided head-on, causing both vehicles to becoming engulfed in flames.
The driver and a passenger in the Jeep, and the driver of the pickup were all pronounced deceased at the scene of the 12 a.m. crash.
The FHP investigation into the crash is continuing. The Jay and Allentown volunteer fire department, EMS and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Stealing Jewelry, Narcotics From Her Parents
April 27, 2019
A Cantonment woman stands accused of multiple felonies for allegedly stealing jewelry and other items from her mother and prescription narcotics from her father.
Kerri Ann Horton, 37, was charged with grand theft, grand theft of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and larceny of a credit card.
After the items were reported missing, Horton was located by an Escambia County deputy as she walked on Muscogee Road near International Paper.
According to an arrest report, the stolen items were reported in a bag being carried by Horton. Inside the bag, deputies reported finding jewelry, a credit card in the name of Horton’s mother, a Lowe’s in-store credit gift card, 100 rounds of .22 long rifle hollow point ammunition and 21 rounds of 20 gauge ammunition. In her purse, deputies said she had 14 Tramadol pills and 11 Clonidine pills.
Horton remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $8,000.
United Way Of Escambia County Expands Into Santa Rosa County
April 27, 2019
The United Way of Escambia County Board of Directors has approved a motion to incorporate Santa Rosa County into the organization’s service area. This came at the request of United Way Worldwide, who approached United Way of Escambia County about assuming the territory.
“We stand ready to serve our neighboring county, and to ensure its residents have access to the services and resources they need,” said Laura Gilliam, president and CEO of United Way of Escambia County. “There is a natural relationship between Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties given their geographic proximity,” Gilliam added, “16 of the 30 agencies currently receiving grant funding from United Way of Escambia County provide services to both counties.”
United Way of Escambia County will soon begin the process of reaching out to key stakeholders, community groups, agency representatives, and other leaders in the Santa Rosa community to determine the most pressing needs and urgent priorities in the county.
United Way of Escambia County currently serves more than 313,000 people. Expanding services to include Santa Rosa County will increase that number to more than 480,000 individuals between the two counties. In 2018, the organization generated financial resources in excess of $2.5 million and coordinated more than 45,000 hours of volunteer service.
Northview Gets Senior Night Win Over Baker
April 27, 2019
Northview 9, Baker 0
The Northview Chiefs completed a two-game sweep over Baker 9-0 Friday night. Tuesday night, the Chiefs beat Baker 16-4.
After a scoreless first inning, the Chiefs took a 4-up lead in the bottom of the second Friday night before adding five in the third.
The Chiefs stand at 14-4 overall, a perfect 8-0 in the district. They have one regular season game remaining Monday at Pensacola High School.
Also Friday night, the Chiefs honored seniors Jacob Bryant, Seth Killam, Tanner Levins, Alex McMinn, Jackson Moore, Billy Rolin, Nick Venable and Taylor Wilson during Senior Night.
For game action and Senior Night photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tops Tate; Pine Forest Beats Pace
April 27, 2019
Escambia 1, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies fell to the Escambia Gators 1-0 Friday night.
Cole Fryman went six innings for Tate, allowing one run on six hits, walking one and striking out 10. Fryman led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-2 with a double. Jadon Fryman was 1-3 for the Aggies.
Tate 11, Escambia 0
The JV Tate Aggies shut out Escambia 11-0 Friday afternoon. On Wednesday, the JV Aggies beat Escambia 9-0.
Pine Forest 7, Pace 0
The Pine Forest Eagles shut out Pace 7-0 Friday night.
Tekoah Roby took the win for Pine Forest, giving up no runs on three hits, walking one and striking out nine in seven innings.
Roby sent 3-4 at the plate with a homer. Jason Roberts was 1-5 with a homerun. Timmy Williams and Nolan Rigby had two hits each for Pine Forest.
File photo.
Tate Aggies Football Players Volunteer In Beulah Elementary Car Rider Line
April 27, 2019
Members of the Tate High School varsity and junior varsity football teams greeted students and helped out in the car ride line Friday morning at Beulah Elementary School. The Aggies will continue the car rider outreach next week at Pine Meadow Elementary, followed by Jim Allen Elementary, Lipscomb Elementary and possibly other schools. Photos by Dorrian Vance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
