Gonzalez Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint
May 28, 2018
A Highway 29 convenience store in Gonzalez was robbed at gunpoint Monday afternoon.
Surveillance video shows the suspect enter the Speed Mart at Tate School Road wearing a black hoodie, black pants with a red and white design, sunglasses and a white mask.. The suspect pulls a handgun on the clerk and demands money. During the robbery, another customer starts to enter the store but quickly retreats when the suspects turns the gun on him.
The suspect fled the store on foot and was seen at an apartment complex near Batson Lane and Pauline Street, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: Images from an armed robbery Monday afternoon at the Speed Mart on Highway. Pictured bottom: NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Home In Beulah
May 28, 2018
Fire destroyed a home early Monday morning in Beulah.
The fire was reported about 1 a.m. on Tower Ridge Road near Frank Reeder Road. There was no immediate report of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Beulah, Bellview, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Osceola Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 28, 2018
People across North Escambia and the country paused Monday to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrated Memorial Day.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:
Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
(Article continues below photo)
LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park
The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
(Article continues below photo)
Atmore Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.
Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.
.
.
.
(Article continues below photo)
Barrineau Park Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors scores of area residents that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)
Century Veterans Wall of Honor
About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)
The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Democratic Effort To Hold Special Session Falls Short
May 28, 2018
A Democratic effort to hold a special session to increase education funding formally died Thursday, as Republican opposition blocked the idea. Supporters needed support from three-fifths majorities in the House and Senate to spur the special session. A final tally from the Department of State showed that 105 House members voted on the proposal, with only 41 supporting it. In the Senate, 29 members cast votes, with 16 supporting the special session.
Taking into account empty seats, Democrats needed votes from 23 senators and 70 House members to reach the 60 percent threshold for support. A dozen House Republicans and 10 Senate Republicans didn’t cast votes.
Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat who joined Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami, in advocating for the poll, called the results “disheartening” and disappointing. “While many of our colleagues are focused on their pursuits for higher office, we are focused on the matters at hand, most importantly, doing our jobs in representing the best interest of our districts,” Jones said in a prepared statement.
Among those who did not vote were Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican who is running for attorney general, and Rep. Ross Spano, a Dover Republican who is running for Congress.
by The News Service of Florida
Byrne: We Remember The Fallen
May 28, 2018
by Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-AL
As Americans, we know all too well that freedom is not free. Each time we bow our heads to pray or speak up for what we believe in, we exercise rights that many across the world do not have. These are just some of the unique freedoms that the brave men and women of the United States military have fought and died to protect.
We are reminded of their patriotic sacrifice each Memorial Day as we pay our respects to servicemembers who have selflessly given their lives to defend freedom and liberty throughout our country’s history.
From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, men and women of all backgrounds have answered the call of service and paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the United States. These American heroes shall never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, loss of life does not occur solely in times of war; this past year, we have experienced tragic loss during military training, likely due to the readiness crisis and funding shortfalls. In 2017, nearly four times as many members of the military died in training-related accidents as were killed in combat.
These accidents span from aviation training mishaps in the Air Force to major naval collisions involving the USS McCain and the USS Fitzgerald. The gravity of these accidents – in the air, on land, and at sea – could have likely been avoided given the proper resources and enhanced military readiness.
It is imperative that Congress take immediate action to give our servicemen and women the proper resources they need to keep our nation safe. That’s why I am proud that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 passed the House with strong bipartisan support last week.
This bill authorizes funding for our military, including the highest pay raise for our troops in almost a decade. The bill prioritizes military readiness and rebuilding the military so that our troops can safely meet current and future threats.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The NDAA reflects on a century of military service and focuses on the men and women who sacrificed to secure America’s freedoms. While those who served in the First World War are no longer with us, their memories live on in the hearts of younger generations everywhere.
I recently had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Alabama Blue Star Salute Celebration at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. This annual event to pays tribute to the Armed Forces and the military heroes who have served our country.
As I addressed the crowd, I was filled with pride to see servicemembers of all ages, many different ranks, across all branches of service, who had come to participate in the event. I was also struck by the young people in the crowd, who may very well represent the next generation of servicemembers.
Heaviest on my heart were the people not in the crowd – the millions of Americans who lost their lives fighting to protect the red, white, and blue.
Memorial Day gives us the time each year to honor our American heroes at memorial services, vigils, and parades. Americans proudly display the stars and stripes in remembrance of the sacrifices paid in service to our country.
John 15:13 says it best, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Thank you to all of those who have served, are serving, or intend to serve in the United States military. Our nation is forever grateful.
Rep. Bradley Byrne is Congressman for Alabama’s First Congressional District, which includes all of Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties, and a portion of Clarke County.
State: How To Avoid Gas Pump Card Skimmers
May 28, 2018
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is providing Floridians and visitors simple tips to avoid identity-stealing card skimmers placed on gas pumps.
“Floridians and visitors shouldn’t have to worry about losing their hard-earned money to scammers who prey on victims at gas pumps. A few simple steps can help prevent identity theft,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Travelers can take the following steps to avoid skimmers at gas stations:
- Pay in cash inside the store to ensure credit card information stays safe.
- Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with.
- Use a gas pump closer to the front of the store. Thieves often place skimmer at the gas pumps farther away from the store so they are not noticed as quickly.
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection, and the money is not deducted immediately from an account.
- If using a debit card at the pump, choose to run it as a credit card instead of putting a PIN number in. That way, the PIN number is safe.
- Monitor bank accounts regularly to spot any unauthorized charges.
- Consumers who suspect their credit card number has been compromised should report it immediately to authorities and their credit card company.
Consumers who suspect that a gas pump has been tampered with should contact the gas station manager, local law enforcement or the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Smokies Defeat Wahoos 11-6 To Claim Series Victory
May 28, 2018
The Blue Wahoos could not get the win in their final game against the Smokies despite a late comeback as Tennessee bested Pensacola, 11-6, to claim the series.
Pensacola trailed 9-4 in the bottom of the eighth. A Nick Longhi two-run base hit cut the Wahoos deficit to 9-6. Gavin LaValley came to the plate with only one out in the inning. LaValley hit a line drive that could have cut the deficit to one, but third basemen Jesse Hodges caught LaValley’s ball, then dove back to the bag to double off Shed Long and end the threat.
Hodges and Zack Short each hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth to increase the Smokies lead to 11-6.
The Blue Wahoos got off to a fast start in the game with four runs over the first two innings. C.J. McElroy, Longhi and LaValley combined to go 6-for-6 in the first and second innings helping the Wahoos to the early advantage. Pensacola starter Wyatt Strahan battled through four-plus innings but was charged with six runs (five earned) in the losing effort. He allowed just one earned run over his first 3.2 innings, but surrendered hits to seven of the last eight batters he faced before getting lifted with two on and nobody out in the fifth.
Carlos Navas, Jesus Reyes, and Juan Martinez combined to allow five runs out of the Pensacola bullpen. Offensively, Longhi and LaValley led the way with three hits each in the losing effort.
Preston Morrison earned the win in relief for the Smokies with a pair of scoreless innings.
The Wahoos will head to Jacksonville to face off against the Jumbo Shrimp for five games. Pensacola will turn to right-hander Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.59) against Shrimp right-hander Nick Neidert (4-3, 3.11).
New ‘Jake Livingston And Century Academy’ Little Free Library Dedicated
May 27, 2018
The “Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library” was dedicated Friday afternoon.
The Town of Century recently made a $500 donation to Century Academy in Livingston’s name; a portion of the donation went toward the little free library. The library was constructed by students at Northview High School.
Century Academy, a division of East Hill Academy in Pensacola, specializes in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities.
Livingston raises funds and volunteers for Autism Pensacola.
The Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library is located in front of Century Academy at 440 East Hecker Road in Century. The Little Free Library concept is simple — anyone from the community may borrow a book or give a book to the library.
Pictured above: Jake Livingston cuts the ribbon to dedicate the Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library. Pictured below: The dedication of the little free library. Pictured bottom: Century Academy students also have an indoor little free library constructed by Pensacola State College. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Is Your Church Having VBS?
May 27, 2018
Now is the time to submit your Vacation Bible School announcements to NorthEscambia.com so that we can include them on our events page and let everyone know.
Email your VBS event details to: news@northescambia.com
Please try to submit your information as far in advance as possible.
Escambia County High Grad Hubert Completes Basic Training
May 27, 2018
U.S. Air Force Airman Donineque C. Hubert graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Hubert is the son of Shiley C. Hubert of Atmore.
He is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore.