Barth Cleaned Up Wednesday. What’s Next?
May 17, 2023
During an April town hall meeting held in Cantonment, Commissioner Steven Barry said he is looking for ways to help the small community of Barth after residents reached out.
Barth is a quiet little community between Highway 29 to the west and the Escambia River to the east, a couple of miles north of the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection.
During that meeting, Barry promised the first-ever community cleanup event. That took place Wednesday , with residents of Barth and a portion of Molino able to yard debris and other items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
Some of the roads in Barth are dirt. And it’s dark, with no street lighting.. There’s no bus stop, no community center, and no playground. Children play basketball in the street with a goal next to Barth Lane.
“This is a small community, but we are still people. And we need the same concern and consideration,” resident Mary Nory recently said. She was born in Barth, moved away, and returned home about a decade ago. “No one seems to help Barth. They pass over Barth. They go to everywhere but Barth, and there is a whole community here.”
NorthEscambia.com reached back out to Barry this week to find out the status of street lights and perhaps even a park, as were discussed during the April meeting.
Escambia County has identified several locations around Barth for streetlights. Those are Highway 29 and Barth Road, Highway 29 and North Barth Road, Barth Road and Barth Heights, and Barth Road and Barth Lane. Barry said the county is now simply waiting for Florida Power & Light to install the lights.
In April, Franscine Mathis told Barry that she would love to see a community park in Barth, and that she has had contact with a Barth landowner with “a lot of land” that has expressed interest in allowing a park on their property. Barry replied that was doable, if they donate the land or lease it to the county for $1 a year.
I’m comfortable looking at something similar to what we did in the Walnut Hill community, a small community park that’s walking distance for a lot of residents that may not have transportation,” Barry said. He said a park in Barth could be located on any small parcels owned by the county. The Katie Mae Marshall Memorial Park open in July 2021 on North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill with a playground on a small parcel that escheated to the county.
This week, Barry said there has been no movement forward to date on a possible park. That’s because, he said, no landowner had made contact with a possible location. He said the county will search for any parcels in the area that are county property, perhaps that escheated to the county in a tax case.
Defending State Champions Jay Defeat Northview For Regional Title (With Gallery)
May 17, 2023
The defending 1A state champion Jay Royals are headed back to the final four.
The Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 8-3 Tuesday night in Jay.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Royals were first on the board with a solo homer from Ella Nelson, who went 3-3 to lead at bat.
Jenna Toups went seven innings for Jay, giving up three runs and nine hits while striking out three.
Jamison Gilman and Aubrey Stuckey threw three innings each for the Chiefs. Mary-Clayton Dawson went 3-4 to lead Northview at the plate.
Northview’s season (15-13) ended in the top eight in the state. The Royals ( 16-11) will move to the state semifinals at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont on May 22 against Liberty County (19-8).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Elderly Van Driver Crashes Into Helicopter Outside Local Hospital
May 17, 2023
An elderly Escambia County driver crashed into a medical helicopter at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon.
The Shandscair 6 medical helicopter had just landed on the ground-level helipad at Sacred Heart Hospital. After shutting down the helicopter, the flight crew transferred their trauma patient into the hospital.
A short time later, an 82-year old man was attempting to find a parking space outside the hospital and drove onto the restricted helipad.
As he attempted to circle the helicopter, the driver’s van collided with the helicopter’s tail rotor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
“The helicopter was inspected before further flight,” FHP said.
There were no injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Myers, Mesa Pace Wahoos In Record Ninth Win In A Row
May 17, 2023
The most successful stretch in Blue Wahoos franchise history now has a special feat attached.
The Blue Wahoos blasted their way to a record ninth consecutive win, led by Victor Mesa Jr. hitting a three-run homer in the seventh inning to break a tie game in Pensacola’s eventual 9-3 victory Tuesday night against the Tennessee Smokies at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 3,337 on “Doggone Tuesday” where fans can bring their beloved dogs watched a continuation of the Blue Wahoos’ (23-11) scorching streak. This team has now won 17 of its last 18 games with possession of the best record in the Southern League.
“That’s the most impressive part,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel on the three-week success. “I don’t think I’ve been a part of something like this, to be honest. We’ve had some good runs, but even last year, I don’t think we had anything close to this.”
The same components of the three-week stretch were on display. The Blue Wahoos got strong pitching, this time from M.D. Johnson’s longest start of the season, then Will Stewart and Sean Reynolds in scoreless relief. Reynolds struck out the game’s final batter with the bases loaded.
Johnson worked six complete innings, allowing three runs on a pair of homers, but also produced nine strikeouts and zero walks.
They peppered 14 hits against four Smokies pitchers. Dane Myers had five of those hits on a 5-for-5 night with two runs scored. Every Blue Wahoos batter reached base and eight had at least one hit.
And the Blue Wahoos played flawless defense.
“It’s a good core group of guys who are grinding every day. The lineup we roll out there is relentless,” Randel said. “If the pitching holds up we always have a chance. The guys did a great job with two strikes (Tuesday) and the goal is to just win every at-bat, win every pitch.
“We are on a nice little streak. The ‘Hoos are hot. But they’re fun to watch.”
After scoring their first two runs on errors, the Blue Wahoos tied the game on Will Banfield’s solo homer in the sixth inning.
In the decisive seventh inning, Troy Johnson led off with a single and Dane Myers singled. Mesa Jr. following by hitting a 92-mph cutter from Ryan Jensen over the right field wall. The ball just cleared a leaping attempt by right fielder Owen Caissie as the crowd roared.
Jose Devers followed with a single and later scored on Barrett Hostetier’s two-out single, finishing a 4-run rally.
Banfield drove in two more runs in the eighth inning with his single.
The game marked the first time the Blue Wahoos faced the Smokies, the Chicago Cubs affiliate, since Pensacola won the Southern League title on September 28 with a decisive Game 3 win in Tennessee.
Johnson’s previous three starts in recent weeks were all affected by rain. The past two outings, he was unable to pitch past the second inning. His last start in Birmingham was halted after one complete inning.
But the weather held Tuesday for him to work through six innings.
The teams will continue the series Wednesday night with the Blue Wahoos’ top pitcher, lefthander Patrick Monteverde (4-0, 1.22 ERA) going against the Smokies’ Walker Powell (2-0, 3.22).
written by Bill Vilona
One Injured In Pine Forest, West Roberts Rollover In Cantonment
May 16, 2023
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash at Pine Forest and West Roberts roads early Tuesday morning.
The driver of a passenger car was apparently northbound on Pine Forest Road and failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle crossed West Roberts Road and overturned, sliding until coming to rest on its roof.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating has not released further details.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Study To Consider Realignment, Four-Laning Of Beulah Road To A Relocated Kingsfield Road
May 16, 2023
The Escambia County Commission this week will consider funding a study on realigning Beulah Road to accommodate a proposed Kingsfield Road relocation project.
The Beulah Road extension would be studied as a rural four lane divided, limited access road, which would likely begin as two lanes in the near future and ultimately expand to four lanes, according to the county. The proposed Beulah Road Extension also includes a new I-10 interchange.
The western extension of Kingsfield Road has been designed and permitted. It consists of rebuilding the existing roadway westward a half mile from County Road 97 and the construction of a new road one mile to the west.
The proposed $911,000 Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study will consider the safety and environmental impacts of the Beulah Road realignment. It will take approximately 18 months to complete.
The Escambia County Commission will consider funding for the study at their meeting on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Meet Buster, ECSO’s Newest K-9 In Training
May 16, 2023
Meet Buster, the Escambia County Sheriff’s office newest K-9 officer in training.
Buster will be in training for the next few months, learning to track and locate items like firearms.
And, yes, Buster will be out meeting the public soon.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sexual Predator Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
May 16, 2023
Inmate Jason Silvestre assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Silvestre is serving a 30 year sentence for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and sex battery from a 2014 Orange County conviction. He was designated as a sexual predator, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
UPDATE: Boil Water Advisory Lifted Between North And East Chipper
May 15, 2023
UPDATE THIS BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS LIFTED ON FRIDAY, MAY 19 AFTER TESTS SHOWED THE WATER WAS SAFE TO DRINK.
A water main break was reported Monday between North Chipper Road and East Chipper Road that may have led to a disruption in water service.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for all Cottage Hill Water Works customers on North Chipper Road and East Chipper Road until further notice
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Man Charged With Murdering His Brother Near Flomaton Saturday Night
May 15, 2023
An Evergreen, Alabama, man is accused of murdering his brother near Flomaton Saturday night.
Shawn Miller, 42, was charged with murder. He remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton where he is being held without bond.
Miller was at his brother’s home about 9 p.m. in the 3700 block of Old Foshee Road, just off Highway 113, about four miles north of Flomaton. He got into an argument before shooting and killing his brother, 49-year old Benjamin Miller, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson.
The sheriff said Shawn Miller also got into a physical altercation when another family member. That victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition.
Jackson said Shawn Miller will likely face additional charges as the investigation continues.