Karl King Named Head Coach Of Tate Aggie Baseball
August 4, 2023
Tate High School announced Friday afternoon that Karl King as been named head baseball coach for the Aggies. He has served as an assistant coach since the 2017 season.
“Since his arrival, he has completely bought into the traditions of our school and community and has always been an avid supporter of all of our athletic programs and activities,” Principal Laura Touchstone said. “With his intentions to add enhancements to our facility, expected staff additions, and the infusion of his tremendous character and unquestionable desire to uphold the standards of Tate High School and our community, we feel Coach King will help us raise the bar and once again make strides toward playing for another state championship.”
King was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is a 1989 graduate of Mount Saint Mary High School where he won a state championship his junior year along with being named to the Oklahoma All-State team his senior year as a pitcher. Following graduation, he was selected in the Major League Baseball draft as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins. After a short career in the Twins organization, he completed his post secondary degree in secondary math education at the University of Central Oklahoma and began his coaching and teaching career in 1995.
King started his teaching career at Summit Middle School in Edmond, Oklahoma, while coaching baseball as an assistant at Edmond Santa Fe High School. After two years, he made the move to Edmond Santa Fe as a math teacher and continued his duties as an assistant baseball coach where he would experience four trips to the state tournament including a state runner-up finish in 2002. After six years at Santa Fe, King had his first opportunity as a head coach at Putnam City North High School and would spend the next six years there leading their baseball program and teaching math. He guided the Panthers to a state semi-finalist finish in 2009 losing to the eventual state champion Owasso Rams. In 2010, King made the move to Edmond North High School as the head baseball coach and math teacher. He would spend seven years there making three consecutive trips to the state tournament from 2012-2014 including a state championship in 2012 where he was recognized as the Oklahoma Coach of the Year as well as the ABCA National Region 8 Coach of the Year and was nominated as National Coach of the Year.
During his seven years at Edmond North, the Huskies participated in the Aggie Classic during Spring break from 2013-2016 playing for the championship in 2013 where they finished runner up. Upon completion of the 2016 season, King and his family decided to make the move to the beach where he and his wife accepted teaching positions at Tate High School and Lipscomb Elementary respectively. He has spent the past seven years at Tate High School as a math teacher and assistant baseball coach.
King said he is excited about the opportunity to lead the Aggie baseball program into the future as he starts his 29th year in education. He said he recognizes what the school and program means to the community along with the program’s history and rich tradition. King is looking forward to moving the program in a positive direction both on and off the field that will impact not only the school but the community as well.
King is moving into the head coaching job vacated with the recent resignation of Karl Jernigan who stepped down to spend more time with his family.
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Atmore Murder Suspect Arrested
August 4, 2023
An Atmore murder suspect has been arrested.
Antonio LeMarcus Pettaway II of Mobile was wanted for the shooting death of Jatyrain Aquamini Tolbert on July 25.
Atmore Police responded to a traffic collision on Brooks Lane to find that a driver had been shot. Tolbert was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he died a short time later.
Pettaway, 19, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Molino Man Facing Drug, Weapons Charges
August 4, 2023
A Molino man is facing drug and weapons charges after deputies responded to a suspicious person complaint at a hotel.
Alexander George Deloach was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County deputy was on patrol at the Garden Inn Suites on Pine Forest Road at I-10, an area described as “a high crime area for guns and narcotics” in a sheriff’s office report.
The deputy reported Deloach’s Kia Forte was backed into a parking space, and when the deputy approached Deloach’s hands were shaking very fast and he was speaking in a high pitch voice. The deputy noted the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During a probable cause vehicle search, deputies reported finding a loaded .40 caliber handgun, 34.3 grams of marijuana, $270 in small denominations, digital scale, sandwich bags and a digital copier.
Baggies of crack cocaine were located in the back of the deputy’s patrol vehicle after Deloach was removed, according to an arrest report. The patrol vehicle had previously been searched prior to Deloach being placed inside, and the report indicates he was the only detainee placed there on that date.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $26,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Wanted For Grand Theft Of Utility Trailer From Jay
August 4, 2023
Authorities are looking for a suspect in connection with a utility trailer theft in Jay.
Coley Ray Daw, 37, is wanted by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for the alleged grand theft of a black utility trailer from Highway 89. Daw has a recent address in Century, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report on an unrelated incident.
He is 6-feet, 1-inch tall, 250 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The SRSO said he may be driving a white pickup truck, possibly a Ford.
Anyone with information can call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (850) 37-STOP (7867) or their local law enforcement agency.
Navy Federal 5K Raises $24K For Escambia Public Schools Foundation
August 4, 2023
Navy Federal Credit Union has presented $24,000 to the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
The proceeds are from the annual Navy Federal 5K held in downtown Pensacola on April 1 with over 1,800 participants.
“The Foundation is thrilled about the generous donation from the proceeds of the Navy Federal 5K. The funds are used for Foundation Programs such as Grants for Excellence, employee events, and Golden Apple Awards,” said Foundation Executive Director Jo McArthur. “Navy Federal is an engaged and integral partner of Escambia County Public Schools and the Foundation. They provide volunteers, mentors, programs for Workforce Development, participate on the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, donations of resources, and so much more.”
The Foundation will be the beneficiary of next year’s Navy Federal 5K.
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Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2021 Drug Deal Gone Wrong Double Murder
August 4, 2023
A 20-year old Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering two people in a 2021 drug deal gone wrong.
Nathan Douglas Brown was convicted Thursday on two counts of first degree murder for the shooting deaths of 26-year old Natalie Greenough and 25-year old David Purchase on November 9, 2021.
Prosecutors said Brown and his co-defendant, then 15-year-old Hunter Carroll, attempted to rob Greenough and Purchase during a drug deal on Waycross Avenue near Stonewall Avenue, south of Gulf Beach Highway, in Warrington.
Carroll is awaiting trial; he is due back in court on October 4.
Mesa’s Multi-Homer Game Not Enough Wahoos 7-4 Loss
August 4, 2023
One out into the third inning, the Blue Wahoos’ lefthander Luis Palacios was repeating his past two stellar outings.
The next five Biloxi Shuckers batters, however, changed the script and the game.
The top of their order ignited for five runs off Palacios in that sequence, including back-to-back homers, that led to Biloxi’s 7-4 win Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It continued Biloxi’s power brigade that has now produced 146 runs since mid-July’s season resumption – the most scored by any team in Minor League Baseball. The Milwaukee Brewers affiliate is 14-4 during this stretch.
Palacios, who had allowed just one unearned run on six hits in his past two starts, retired seven of the first eight batters he faced Thursday. But a one-out single against No. 9 hitter Felix Valerio was followed by a double, a run-scoring single, then a two-run homer by Isaac Collins and solo shot by Wes Clarke. For Clarke, this was his ninth homer since July 1 and fourth of the series.
The Blue Wahoos took a 2-0 lead in the second when Victor Mesa Jr. led off with the first of his two home runs Thursday. Bennett Hostetler then drove home Griffin Conine with a single.
Mesa repeated the leadoff feat in the sixth inning with his blast over the center field wall, which became the first multi-homer game of his career. He finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. Conine then reached on a hit batter and scored on Hostetler’s second RBI single, cutting Biloxi’s lead to 5-4.
But an errant throw by Hostetler after a seventh-inning strikeout against Shuckers star Jackson Chourio resulted in teammate Lamar Sparks scoring after he was headed for second on the play.
The Blue Wahoos had just one hit in the final three innings.
Pregame activities Thursday included the Jay High marching band, which performed the National Anthem and played outside the stadium before the game. The Jay High cheerleading squads were also part of pregame performances as part of the annual Jay High Spirit Night.
Jay baseball coach Duane Raley threw out a ceremonial first pitch and was among the athletic staff attending the game.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
‘Unimaginable Tragedy’ — Marine’s Family Members – Ages 33, 6 And 7 – Drown Near NAS Pensacola
August 3, 2023
The bodies of a U.S. Marine’s family have been recovered at NAS Pensacola in an “unimaginable tragedy”.
Wednesday night, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to NAS Pensacola to assist NAS Police. When deputies arrived, they assisted in recovering a 33-year-old female who had washed ashore near Barrancas Beach.
Deputies were advised that two juveniles, ages 6 and 7, were believed to have been in the water with the female. The ECSO, U.S. Navy, and Escambia County Search and Rescue utilized all available search efforts into the morning hours of August 3.
At around 7:00 a.m. Thursday, the two juveniles’ bodies were recovered near the shoreline.
The woman and two children were family members of a U.S. Marine who had an address onboard NAS Pensacola, according to the ECSO.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this time,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Breakfast And Lunch Are Free For Every Student At 44 Escambia Schools; Others Must Apply
August 3, 2023
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools in Escambia County. Applications must be submitted for free or reduced price lunches at all other schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
Meal applications, or payment, will be required at: Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Cook Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, Kingsfield Elementary, Suter Elementary, Brown Barge Middle, Ransom Middle, Tate High and West Florida High. Parents at these schools should plan on providing their child with money for their meals until eligibility is established to avoid creating a deficit in their account. Funds can be added to student accounts online at myschoolapps.com.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and was not related to the pandemic.
Free meal schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Bellview Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Workman Middle
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High
- Northview High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Washington High
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Acceleration Academy
- Achieve Academy
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Hope Horizon
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Success Academy
Free/reduced meal applications are available here.
Pictured: An Escambia County School lunch. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Teachers Return To School
August 3, 2023
Teachers in Escambia County returned to school on Wednesday.
Students will head back to class on Thursday, August 10.
Pictured top: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders welcomed teachers back Wednesday, Pictured below: Jim Allen Elementary School teachers were among teachers across the county that returned to work on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
