Gov. Kay Ivey Awards $34K In Grants To Atmore, Flomaton Police Departments
May 23, 2023
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $34,000 in grants to the Atmore and Flomaton police departments.
The City of Atmore will use $24,000 to purchase new software for Atmore Police Department vehicle computers to make information sharing between officers easier.
The Town of Flomaton will receive $10,000 to purchase new tactical bullet-proof vests for the Flomaton Police Department.
Ivey awarded grants totaling $147,414 to help seven law enforcement agencies in south Alabama purchase new or update existing equipment.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities every day and having up-to-date equipment helps them be better prepared for what they may face on any given day,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to assist these agencies in their efforts to keep their officers and communities safe.”
The grants are from more than $750,000 in law-enforcement equipment funding allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Defending State Champion Jay Falls To Branford In 1A Final Four
May 23, 2023
The defending 1A station champion Jay Lady Royals fell 2-1 to Branford Buccaneers Monday in the Final Four in Clermont.
Jenna Toups surrendered two runs and five hits over six innings while walking one and striking out four.
Brett Watson led Jay at the plate, going 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin and Brooklyn Sorrells also added a hit each for the Royals.
Branford (25-4) moves on to the 1A state championship game tomorrow afternoon.. The Royals finished their season at 16-12.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
McDavid Man Now Charged With Murder After Atmore Shooting Victim Dies
May 22, 2023
A McDavid man has now been charged with murder after the woman he allegedly shot last week in Atmore has died.
Luis Trevizo Becerra, 39, remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on the murder charge.
The Atmore Police Department said that the victim, Tara Ann Bryan, died Monday at the hospital.
The Atmore Police Department responded to the Southland Motel on East Louisville Avenue about 11:45 on May 17. They found Bryan suffering from gunshot wounds on the floor of a motel room. She was airlifted to the trauma center at an area hospital.
Once police developed Becerra as a suspect, a statewide alert was issued. Becerra was apprehended by Alabama Law Enforcement Agencies troopers along I-65 near Evergreen.
After Firing Smith, School Board Sets Special Meeting To Discuss Move To An Interim Superintendent
May 22, 2023
The Escambia County School Board has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, May 30 to plan their next steps after voting last week to terminate Superintendent Tim Smith.
The board voted 3-2, with Patty Hightower and Bill Slayton dissenting, to fire Smith with his final day set for May 31. They also named Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Keith Leonard as interim superintendent, presumably beginning June 1.
In the meeting, the board is set to determine how to transition to an interim superintendent and how to start the process of finding a permanent replacement. The details of moving Leonard into the interim role were not discussed last week. Leonard and Smith were two finalists for the position, with Smith chosen for the top spot.
The special meeting will take place at 1 p.m.May 30 at the J.E. Hall Center on Texar Drive.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.
Bratt Elementary School Recognizes Students Of The Month
May 22, 2023
Bratt Elementary School recently recognized their Students of the Month with a pizza party and storytime. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
May 22, 2023
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for April. They are Lauren Watts and EJ Bryant, Jr.
Gas Prices Decline As AAA Says 2.1 Million Floridians Prep For Memorial Day Road Trip
May 22, 2023
Florida gas prices are still declining as nearly 2.4 million Floridians prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend. According to AAA’s holiday travel forecast, more than 2.1 million Floridians will take a road trip.
Florida gas prices have declined 31 cents per gallon over the course of the past 30 days. During the past week alone, the state average declined 7 cents per gallon.
On Sunday, Florida drivers paid an average price of $3.41 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average was one of the lowest in the state at $3.21. In North Escambia, a low price of $3.12 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, $2.91 was available at the warehouse clubs, and several other stations were below $3.
“It’s looking like Florida drivers will spend a dollar per gallon less for gasoline than they did last Memorial Day weekend,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The state average should trickle even lower this week. However, even if pump prices do suddenly rise this week, it’s unlikely it’d be by a large enough margin that Floridians would change their plans, since most travel plans have already been finalized by now.”
Tate High’s Jay Davis Signs With Coastal Alabama
May 22, 2023
Tate High School’s Jay Davis recently signed with Coastal Alabama East to continue his athletic and academic career. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Where Emergency Care Begins: It’s EMS Week In Escambia County
May 22, 2023
It’s Emergency Medical Services Week in Escambia County.
The county commission issued a proclamation designating the week recently. EMS Week was first established by President Gerald Ford in 1974 . This year, Escambia County will be celebrating EMS Week with the theme, “Where Emergency Care Begins.”
“Our team continues to meet the challenges of the ever-increasing demand placed on Emergency Medical Services,” said EMS Chief David Torsell III. “The tireless effort of our EMTs and Paramedics is a testament to the dedication they provide to the citizens of Escambia County every day.”
Last year, Escambia County EMS responded to 74,060 calls. That’s an average of about 8.5 calls per hour, 24 hours a day for 365 days.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos End Series With 3-1 Finale Win Over Smokies
May 22, 2023
On their Throwback Sunday, the Blue Wahoos returned to a narrative that’s worked well in the past.
They got solid starting pitching, put together just enough runs, then had their bullpen show its winning depth in the Blue Wahoos’ 3-1 victory against the Tennessee Smokies at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With closer Sean Reynolds earning his league-best seventh save, thus pounding his glove in delight after recording the final pop out, this win enabled the Blue Wahoos (25-13) to gain a split in the six-game homestand with the Smokies and increase their first-place lead to five games in the Southern League South Division.
A crowd of 4,202 took a cue from famed organist Nancy Faust, who worked 41 years and missed just five games as the iconic Chicago White Sox entertainer. They clapped and sang along with her various medleys as the Blue Wahoos took a 3-1 lead in the fifth and played good defense the rest of the way.
Faust got one of the loudest cheers when announced for a final time in the ninth inning.
Pensacola’s winning inning occurred in a strange way. After J.D. Orr led off the fifth inning with a walk, José Devers laced a one-out single. Dane Myers drew a walk and Victor Mesa Jr. battled his way with foul balls and good takes to draw a bases-loaded walk to score Orr.
Troy Johnson then took a curveball in the back to force in the third run. A double-play ball by Will Banfield ended the inning with the 3-1 lead. The Blue Wahoos got their first run when Dane Myers tripled home José Devers in the first inning.
The Blue Wahoos had numerous other scoring chances in the game, but couldn’t break it open.
But their pitching Sunday was outstanding against the Smokies, the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate and North Division leaders.
Blue Wahoos righthander M.D. Johnson, making his second start of the week, grinded through four innings. He gave up a leadoff walk against Andy Weber, who came around to score the game’s first run on two-out single by Cole Roederer.
But the rest of the way, Johnson found a way to get through innings.
He threw 82 pitches, yielded three walks and struck out five in those four innings. His best inning was his final one when he gave up a leadoff single, then a walk, but retired the next three batters with a pair of strikeouts and inning-ending flyout.
Cristian Charle and Josan Méndez followed with three scoreless innings of relief. They combined to allow just one hit and had a trio of strikeouts.
That set the table for Reynolds to finish the game and seal the win.
The Smokies had just four baserunners in the final five innings.
Following the game, as is customary on Sunday, children were able to run the bases and families played catch in the outfield.
The Blue Wahoos will have Monday off before embarking on a two-week road trip to face the Mississippi Braves and Biloxi Shuckers.
The series against the M-Braves begins on Tuesday at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi. The Blue Wahoos’ ace Patrick Monteverde (5-0, 1.29 ERA) is the scheduled starter against the M-Braves Luis De Avila (1-3, 4.00). The teams will play through Sunday, May 28.
After a rough start, the M-Braves (16-21), the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate, have turned things around. They were 7-3 in their last 10 games entering Sunday. It will be the Blue Wahoos’ first of two trips this season to Pearl, Miss.
Following that series, the Blue Wahoos will travel to Biloxi, Mississippi to face the Biloxi Shuckers for six games beginning on May 29.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos