Mistakes, Misfortune Continue As Ice Flyers Endure 5-2 Loss To Roanoke Friday
January 14, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers had their four-week slide hit a new low.
In a game that highlighted the team’s current woes, the Ice Flyers were buried by a five-goal deficit after two periods and the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs breezed to a 5-2 win Friday night, which became Pensacola’s seventh consecutive loss.
Since the start of December, the Ice Flyers have managed just three wins in 13 games. The latest setback became a fourth consecutive defeat on home ice at the Pensacola Bay Center. The two teams had a rematch Saturday night as the Ice Flyers sought to end their struggles.
“There is something going on right now and we have to figure it out internally,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “It is frustrating to see. It is not for a lack of talent, we just need for guys to really start elevating.”
After his team trailed 5-0 at the second intermission, Graham lit into players in the dressing room. The Ice Flyers responded with their best 10 minutes of the game, getting goals from Houston Wilson – his second of the season – and Ivan Bondarenko.
But that was followed by the Ice Flyers taking two penalties in a 15-second span that gave Roanoke a 5-on-3 advantage. The Ice Flyers killed both penalties, then pulled goaltender Stephen Mundinger with more than five minutes remaining for extra attacker but weren’t able to generate any further surge.
“Unfortunately, I had to go in there and lose my mind like an idiot after the second period,” Graham said. “Why should I have to bring the pom-poms out and act like an idiot to get a response (from players)? This is professional hockey. That is non-negotiable. I should not have to coach effort and attitude.”
Roanoke, the defending Southern Professional Hockey League champions won for the sixth time in the team’s past seven games. The Rail Yard Dawgs (17-7, 3 OT losses, 35 points) entered weekend in fourth place in league standings.
Friday’s game was the Ice Flyers midpoint of their season. The Ice Flyers (13-15, 26 points) have slipped to just a one-point lead in sixth place.
“You start the see the frustration of guys and you can’t execute as a professional athlete when you are slamming your stick on the glass and … we can’t have that,” Graham said. “We need leaders to lead and go out and play with their hearts on fire.
“It’s just not enough right now. Everything is magnified when you are going through something like this.”
The Rail Yard Dawgs scored the game’s first goal when Justin Daly backhanded a loose puck with his back turned into the net. He scored the team’s next goal three minutes later off a 2-on-1 break and wide-open look. Matt O’Dea followed by finishing a 3-on-1 advantage.
The second period started with a Roanoke goal three minutes into play that caused Graham to lift starting goaltender Riley Morris and insert Mundinger into the net.
During that period, Malik Johnson hit the left goal post on what fooled the goal judge into briefly lighting the lamp. But the puck remained in the goalie’s circle just above the line and was cleared out.
“We get a breakaway and it’s off the post. They get a bounce it’s in the back of the net,” Graham said.
“I liked our start (to the game). We were breaking pucks out well; we were snapping the puck around and everything was going good. Their first goal was a very harmless thing, a loose puck in the side slot and guy throws it at the net and in.
“The problem with our team right now… we’re so fragile and when that happens how do we respond and come out of it. The next five minutes, guys were trying to do too much. We had a couple bad turnovers, gave them momentum and that’s the issue right now with our group.”
“It’s a good group of guys, but when we have adversity right now during this losing streak, everybody wants to start trying to be the hero and do it all themselves, instead of sticking to the gameplan.”
Ice Flyers winger Joseph Widmar, acquired in recent trade with Peoria, continued his solid play with two assists and was the only Ice Flyers player with a plus-2 in the plus-minus category. He now has 26 assists on the season, the most in the league and is the fourth overall scorer.
The Ice Flyers had a “Hockey Night in Pensacola Theme” with fans encouraged to wear jerseys of their favorite NHL team and plenty of NHL teams were represented.
Highway 29 Critical Injury Crash In Molino Under Investigation
January 13, 2024
At least one person was critically injured in a wreck Friday afternoon in Molino
A GMC Denali pickup and a plumbing company work van were involved in the crash.
The intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road was closed by the crash just before 3 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Sentenced To Prison As Accessories In 2018 Walnut Hill Murder
January 13, 2024
Three accessories in a 2018 Walnut Hill murder were sentenced to prison Friday.
Christopher James Logan Stacey will spend 40 years in prison with credit for 1,612 days served in the county jail awaiting trial. Jessica Thomas was sentenced to 30 years. Alexis Shiffner-Cain was also sentenced to 10 years plus five years probation.
Christopher Alan Stacey was convicted in September of lesser charges of second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. He was originally indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murder.
After his arrest, Stacey claimed the shootings were self defense. Court motions and denied appeals from the Florida First District Court of Appeals delayed the trial, but all of Stacey’s self defense motions were eventually denied.
In June 2018, Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore. Troy Dewayne Boutwell was found in critical condition near the road after crawling from the truck but survived his injuries. They were shot nine miles away at a home on Highway 164 near Walnut Hill (pictured bottom), according to investigators.
His ex-wife, Jessica Nicole Thomas, was charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting at her home on Highway 164. Stacey’s son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, and Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain were also both charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder.
Thomas and Shiffner-Cain pleaded guilty while Christopher James Logan Stacey pleaded no contest in 2019.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the suspects in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat in a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of the Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resided with Thomas at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resided in the home, the report states.
Boutwell, the victim that survived the July 2018 shooting, was killed in a single vehicle wreck on March 13, 2021, on Highway 4A about three miles west of Century. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; there were no passengers in the vehicle. [Read more...]
Pictured below: Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son James Logan Stacey sat on a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home. Pictured middle below: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill. Pictured bottom: Investigators say two men were shot inside this home on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Undersize Fish, Illegal Dumping
January 13, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Corbin observed a vessel return to a local boat ramp at night. Two subjects began displaying their catch on the bow of the vessel to take a photo. A resource inspection was conducted, and the subjects were found to be in possession of undersized sheepshead and flounder. One of the subjects claimed responsibility for keeping the undersized fish and was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
Officer Lugg was on patrol when he observed a vehicle pull into a location known for illegal dumping. The subject proceeded to remove trash from his vehicle and a stop was conducted. The subject and passenger were identified and the passenger had an active warrant out of Escambia County. The subject was cited for littering and advised to clean up the area, the passenger was placed under arrest on the warrant and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was traveling on Quinette Road when he noticed a vehicle in front of him operating without a tag. Officer Roberson conducted a stop on the vehicle. When the officer made contact with the operator of the vehicle, he showed several obvious signs of impairment. The driver agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject performed poorly on the tasks. Officer Roberson arrested the driver and transported him to the Escambia County Jail.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Northview Boys Top Baker 45-38
January 13, 2024
The Northview Chiefs varsity boys defeated the Baker Gators 45-38 Friday night in Bratt.
Northview had 40 total rebounds.
Senior Jikeir Hudson led the Chiefs on their home court with 11 ponts. Luke Diamond had 10; Austin Dunsford 9 points; and Jacob Spence added 8 points; Jarrett Bodiford had 5 points for Northview while Jaques Moorer contributed 2.
Tuesday, Northview will travel south to take on Pensacola Christian Academy.
High Speed Chase Ends With Crash, Arrest On Pine Forest Road
January 13, 2024
An Escambia County man was jailed after leading deputies on a pursuit Thursday afternoon.
Ja’Corey Tyquell Clay, 25, was charged with fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, cocaine possession and marijuana possession.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Clay fled from deputies during a traffic stop attempt near Untreiner Avenue and Lepley Road.
Clay “drove towards another deputy’s vehicle, causing the deputy to take evasive action to avoid collision by driving off the road. Deputies canceled the pursuit due to safety concerns,” ECSO said. Deputies located Clay’s vehicle a short time later traveling north on Pine Forest Road and a second traffic stop was attempted.
“The pursuit ended when Deputy Beaty bumped the fleeing vehicle, which led to the vehicle ultimately hitting a trailer and coming to a stop in a ditch,” ECSO said in a statement. The pursuit ended in a ditch at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Clay was taken into custody by Deputy Beaty and K-9 Maddox. He was booked into jail with bond set $22,500.
Jim Allen Elementary Fifth Grade Scientists Explore At Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
January 12, 2024
Fifth grade scientists from Jim Allen Elementary visited the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center this week and participated in the Infinitely Big! Infinitely Small! program.
These explorers blasted off into space studying planets and the moon, observing constellations and so much more. They also studied the flow of energy through an ecosystem while observing microscopic food chains in their microscopes right in front of them.
The students ended their day meeting Tood, Roy’ Hyatt’s Florida kingsnake animal ambassador.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Child Abuse Of Two Children
January 12, 2024
A Century man has been accused of abusing two children as they were riding their bikes.
Cortez Rasheed Davison, 30, was charged with two counts of cruelty towards a child without great bodily harm and resisting arrest.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at the intersection of Ashford Alley and Jefferson Avenue in Century. Davison allegedly punched and slapped kids riding their bikes. According to an arrest report, Davison babysits at least one of the children while his mother is at work.
Davison denied that he ever touched or hit either child.
As a deputy grabbed Davison’s arm, telling him that he was under arrest, Davison jumped off his bike and took off running, the report states.
Davison was later arrested on outstanding warrants. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $12,500.
Man Gets 40 Years For Murdering Pensacola Woman In Monroe County, Alabama
January 12, 2024
An Alabama man has been sentenced to 40 years for murdering his wife — a Pensacola woman — in July 2020.
Monroe County District Attorney Todd Watson said 37-year old Joshua Simpson, of Beatrice, pleaded guilty to the 2020 murder of Stephanie Rivers-Simpson, 55, of Pensacola.
The case began when a missing person report was filed on Rivers-Simpson July 7, 2020. During the initial investigation, law enforcement received numerous tips that led them to believe Simpson killed Rivers-Simpson and hid her body. A multi-agency search combed the Beatrice area and a state lake attempting to find Rivers-Simpson. Forensic digital evidence eventually led law enforcement to her body in a shallow grave within a heavily wooded area near Black’s Loop.
Simpson was subsequently arrested and indicted for murder.
Simpson admitted his guilt in open court before Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Jack Weaver. Weaver then sentenced Simpson to 40 years in prison.
“No amount of punishment will bring back the life that was taken,” Watson said. “There are no winners in a murder case. However, we are satisfied with the sentence in this case since Mr. Simpson was willing to admit his guilt and accept the punishment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved in this tragic incident.”
Three Ejected In Munson Crash; One Dead
January 12, 2024
A 23-year-old man is dead and two others are critically injured after a crash Wednesday in Santa Rosa County.
It happened around 9:30 p.m. on Munson Highway south of Indian Ford Road.
Three Milton men — two aged 23 and another age 20 — were traveling north on Munson Highway in a pickup truck. FHP says it’s still unclear who was driving at this time.
A 66-year-old Milton woman was turning left in her sedan northbound on Munson Highway into the Lake Kristina Campground.
The driver of the truck began to pass the car on the left, but collided with the vehicle’s left front. The pickup overturned, ejecting the three men.
There were no other injuries.