Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Stalking Of His Ex-girlfriend
April 17, 2023
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly calling and repeatedly texting his ex-girlfriend, threatening to show up with firearms at her home to harm her, and being found near her residence with multiple weapons.
Quintin Bryce Rutherford, 18, was charged with felony aggravated stalking domestic violence.
A neighbor called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on April 8 after someone was discovered wearing a ski mask and plaid green shirt a patio, crouched under an air conditioner. The neighbor’s boyfriend said the man reached into his waistband as if he was pulling out a firearm.
An arriving deputy found Rutherford at the apartment complex, wearing a green plaid shirt, sitting in a Toyota Avalon, according to the ECSO, and Rutherford said he was there just trying to scare his girlfriend. A search of the vehicle following a K-9 alert located a .22 caliber rifle, a pink and purple 9 mm High Point 995, and a .40 caliber Glock 22, and a ski mask.
Rutherford told deputies that he put on the ski mask because of cold weather, went to the nearby apartment and crouched under the air conditioner, according to the report.
The victim provided deputies with “unwanted, repeated, threatening and harassing text messages and phone calls from Rutherford”, the arrest report states, and told deputies that she received a Snapchat from Rutherford showing him holding a firearm and parked outside her apartment complex. His phone was seized as evidence, as were the weapons and vehicle.
An emergency temporary domestic violence injunction was issued by a judge and served on Rutherford five minutes later. He was released from jail on a $2,500 bond
Gas Prices Slip Pennies; AAA Says Increase Likely After Oil Price Hike
April 17, 2023
Florida gas prices slipped a couple cents last week, but could get more expensive soon, as global supply concerns caused oil prices to rise again last week.
Gas prices across Florida averaged $3.56 per gallon on Sunday. The state average is two cents less than the 2023 high of $3.58 per gallon and 44 cents less than this time last year.
The average in Escambia County was $3.45. In North Escambia, a low of $3.39 was available at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $3.21 at the warehouse clubs.
The U.S. price of crude only rose 2%, but it was enough to reach a new 2023 high of $83.26 per barrel. Ultimately, it amounts to what could be a 5 cent increase at the pump.
Crude prices rose last week on the belief that easing U.S. inflation could lessen the pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which could ultimately be bullish for gasoline demand. Also propping up prices is a report from the International Energy Agency which forecasts global fuel supplies may not be able to keep pace with global fuel demand, due to OPEC’s decision to cut oil production by more than 1 million barrels per day starting next month.
Blue Wahoos Get 4-2 Win Over Shuckers In Series Finale
April 17, 2023
Nasim Nuñez showcased surprising power for the second time in four days, hitting a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning to lead the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 4-2 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday afternoon.
Nuñez, who had homered twice in his professional career entering the week, took Justin Jarvis (L, 0-1) deep off the right field scoreboard to break a 2-2 tie and sent the Blue Wahoos to a split in their six-game road series.
Biloxi struck first against Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson, as Tyler Black hit a two-run homer in the first inning. The Pensacola righty settled in after that, completing 4.0 innings without another run allowed.
Paul McIntosh got the Blue Wahoos on the board in the third with an RBI single, and scored on a Troy Johnston double two batters later to tie the game 2-2. After Nuñez’s homer in the fifth inning, the Blue Wahoos added an unearned run in the sixth on a Victor Mesa Jr. double, pickoff error, and Will Banfield sacrifice fly.
Four Pensacola relievers covered the final five innings, as Josan Méndez (W, 2-0) was followed by Austin Roberts, Cristian Charle and Sean Reynolds (S, 1). Reynolds fanned three in a perfect six-up, six-down appearance to close out the win.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos welcome the Birmingham Barons to town for a six-game series starting Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer
Saturday Storms Damage Homes, Down Trees, Leave Thousands Without Power
April 16, 2023
Saturday afternoon storms damaged homes, downed trees, and left thousands without power.
Just north of Flomaton, wind ripped the roof off an older mobile on Pecan Grove Lane (above). The occupants were not injured.
On Sunshine Hill Road just off Highway 97 in Molino, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a call of a tree falling onto a car. The vehicle’s driver was not injured. Nearby, residents reported several small pine trees were snapped a few feet off the ground.
Just off Highway 297A in Cantonment, walls and trusses were blown down at a house under construction (pictured left. Further south on Jackson Street in Myrtle Grove, a home was heavily damaged by a falling tree.
Over 1,600 Escambia River Electric Cooperatives customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties lost power. At midnight Saturday, EREC reported that electricity had been restored for all members in Escambia County, but 529 in Santa Rosa County were in the dark, with most of those along and east of Munson Highway.
Florida Power & Light reported several thousand lost power in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, with 337 customers in Escambia County without electricity at midnight.
High winds snapped and downed trees in several areas across the county, and flash flooding was reported on several roadways.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
April 16, 2023
Tate High School recently named their students of the month for February. They are Erica Langton and Kamran Stackpole. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
April 16, 2023
The Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for the term June 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024. The committee was established per F.S. 420.9076 for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council. The committee will also help in the development of the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.
The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:
- residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
- banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
- representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
- advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
- for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
- local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
- resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
- represents employers within the jurisdiction.
- represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms unless a position is filled mid three-year cycle. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in May.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:
Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Timothy H. Evans
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.
All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 28, 2023, for consideration.
Drake Driskell, Elisabeth Stowers Named EREC Scholarship Winners
April 16, 2023
Drake Driskell from Escambia County and Elisabeth Stowers of Santa Rosa County have named as the winners of Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 2023 Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Awards
Drake Driskell is a senior at Northview High School and is the son of Allen and Michelle Driskell. He would like to study anesthesiology. Driskell is the academic commander and command master chief of Northview’s NJROTC, class treasurer, and is involved in several sports including baseball, cross country and track. Driskell is the Beta Club president and participates in Math Club and Phi Theta Kappa and an Atmore Rotary Club scholar. Drake was an EREC delegate for the 2022 Tallahassee and Washington youth tours.
“This scholarship would allow me to dive deeper into my studies and focus on my education,” Driskell said. “Thank you to EREC for investing in me.”
Elisabeth Stowers is a senior at Central School and is the daughter of Myra Cole Robinson. Elisabeth plans to use this scholarship to pursue a nursing degree. She is the senior Beta Club president and National Honor Society officer. She participates in the Spanish Club and the Debate Club. Stowers has many hours volunteering for New Life Baptist and at events in her community.
“The Herman D. Johnson Scholarship will definitely benefit me,” said Stowers. “It will help me achieve my goals of becoming a nurse and helping children with cancer. I want them to feel loved and safe through their toughest time.”
“These scholarships are going to two very deserving students, and we are excited to watch them as they follow their dreams,” says Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “EREC has such a rich history of helping our youth, and we are proud to be able to give them a head start on their college careers.”
Elisabeth and Drake will receive $1,000 each for four years providing they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Beulah Middle School FFA Aquaculture Team Places 2nd In Florida
April 16, 2023
The Beulah Middle School FFA Aquaculture Team placed second in the state during competition last week. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: This Week’s List Of Construction Slow Down Spots
April 16, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 16 through Saturday, April 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 18, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter shoulder closures and daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 to Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder construction.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard southbound, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters and sidewalks.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century - Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through April. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 16 through Saturday, April 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 18, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers will encounter intermittent nightly lane closures on U.S. 90 beginning Monday, April 17 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews prepare to open the westbound bridge to four lanes of traffic. Currently, the westbound bridge is accommodating one eastbound and two westbound lanes.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, April 16, through Friday, April 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos One-Hit Shuckers In 7-1 Win
April 16, 2023
Patrick Monteverde backed up a dominant 2023 debut with an even more impressive performance on Saturday night, firing the first seven innings of a one-hitter in a 7-1 Blue Wahoos win over the Biloxi Shuckers.
Monteverde (W, 1-0), who allowed only a hit over 6.0 innings last Sunday against Montgomery, repeated his performance over 7.0 scoreless frames against the Shuckers while adding eight strikeouts. Biloxi’s only hit, a Tyler Black single in the fourth, was immediately erased on a pickoff.
Patrick Murphy and Jefry Yan got the final six outs to complete the 12th one-hitter in Blue Wahoos history, and the first since Zach King and Justin Evans combined for a one-hit effort in a 2-1 loss to the Mississippi Braves on August 17, 2022. Eury Pérez and three relievers also one-hit the Shuckers at MGM Park last April 29.
Pensacola opened up the scoring in the third against Carlos Rodriguez (L, 0-1) as J.D. Orr laced a triple into the right field corner and scored on a José Devers single. Paul McIntosh and Joe Rizzo each hit two-run homers in the late innings, padding out the lead against the Biloxi bullpen.
The Shuckers scored an unearned run against Yan thanks to an error and three walks, but the lefty finished off the performance with a popout just as the Biloxi crowd was coming to life.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Shuckers on Sunday at MGM Park.
by Erik Bremer