NorthEscambia.com Readers Credited With Solving Burglary
May 23, 2024
The arrest of a Cantonment man in connection with the theft of over $800 worth of outdoor items from a local small business was credited to NorthEscambia.com readers.
As we reported yesterday, Kyle Aaron Walden, 34, was arrested Tuesday for grand theft and burglary, both felony charges. His bond was set at $5,000, but he has an outstanding warrant from Santa Rosa County, according to jail records.
The theft occurred about 7 a.m. May 16 at Antiques Marketplace at 10100 Pensacola Boulevard, just south of 10 Mile Road. Surveillance images shows the man taking items from outside the business and placing them into the backseat of a small car.
NorthEscambia.com published a report about the burglary with surveillance images on May 17. That story lead to a Crime Stoppers tip that led the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Walden.
The arrest report (pictured below) states:
“This incident was reported as a news story on NorthEscambia.com. The news article had a picture from the surveillance camera of the suspect loading items into a gray four door vehicle. I received a Crime Stopper tip stating the guy involved with the incident was Kyle Walden. Through investigative techniques I was able to locate the tag of the vehicle used during the incident. Florida tag 35BVHV, was which was on a gray Honda and registered to a Frances Kiker-Walden.
“I then went to OP/Kiker-Walden’s address and spoke with her. I asked if she knew S/Kyle Walden and she stated he is her son. I showed the news article to OP/Kiker-Walden from North Escambia.com and she stated “that’s my son Kyle and my car”. OP/Kiker-Walden stated S/Walden has had her Honda since December of 2023. OP/Kiker-Walden stated she has tried several times to get the vehicle back from him, but he has refused to do so. OP/Kiker-Walden stated S/Kyle hangs around unfavorable people.”
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Wildcats Say Goodbye On The Last Day At Beulah Elementary School
May 23, 2024
The last day of school was extra special Wednesday at Beulah Elementary School. The fifth graders took a memory walk through the halls of the school as staff cheered them on and said goodbye.
Several former Beulah Wildcats that are now graduating from high school joined in the celebration.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Neal Croom Inks College Baseball Scholarship
May 23, 2024
Neal Croom, a pitcher with the Tate Aggies, recently signed a full-ride scholarship with Palm Beach State College. Croom led the Aggies in strikeouts and innings pitched this past season. An honors student and member of student council, Croom was named to the Pensacola Sports All-Star team. Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Honor State Champ Jay Royals Before Comeback Rally Is Spoiled
May 23, 2024
by Blll Vilona
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos honored the 1A state championship Jay High Royals baseball team Wednesday night.
The Wahoos were an out away from their best comeback win so far this season.
And then a gut-punch happened.
Reliable closer Austin Roberts, the league saves leader, was unable to protect a two-run lead just delivered for the ninth inning, leading to the Tennessee Smokies celebrating a 6-5 victory Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,144 saw plenty of fireworks before the actual show – the first Wednesday school’s out display of the season. But in this case, the Smokies produced the grand finale.
After the Blue Wahoos, who were held to one hit the first seven innings, exploded with a 5-run rally in the eighth inning, a probable win turned the other way in the Smokies’ final at bat.
After yielding a one-out walk, then two-out single that put runners on the corners, Roberts left a fastball too much over the plate and Tennessee first baseman Haydn McGeary crushed it deep into the night sky for a no-doubt, three-run bomb over left field. McGeary is one of 12 players on this team ranked among the Chicago Cubs’ top 30 prospects.
He jumped on Roberts’ first pitch for the game-deciding moment. It was Roberts’ first blown save after producing eight saves this season.
The stadium went from anticipated winning cheer to silence. The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the bottom of the inning and sustained their sixth loss in the past eight games.
But the crowd then saw the Jay High School baseball team, honored for winning the school’s first state championship in 54 years, come on the field a second time Wednesday to help the countdown and ignite the fireworks display
The Royals’ players spent hours before the game watching both teams take batting and fielding practice and were recognized at home plate in pregame ceremonies.
When the game began, Smokies starter Kyle McGowin, a former Major League reliever with the Washington Nationals, was in command. He retired the first 12 Blue Wahoos batters in order, before Zach Zubia drew a one-out walk. McGowin struck out Harrison Spohn with the bases loaded to end the threat.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios had a strong outing, save for one mistake curveball. Shortstop Josh Rivers blasted that pitch for a 3-run homer in the fifth inning.
After McGowin exited following the seventh inning, the Blue Wahoos lit up reliever Michael Arias. Four of the first five batters he faced reached base. Jacob Marsee had a one-out RBI single. Joe Mack followed with the Blue Wahoos’ biggest hit, a two-run double to tie the game. Jacob Berry then hit a go-ahead single to further electrify the crowd.
Cody Morissette, who had the Blue Wahoos first two hits, was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a fifth run.
But it didn’t stand. The Smokies now have a 2-0 lead in the series that shifts to Mullet Thursday with the Blue Wahoos taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets for a game that begins at 6:05 p.m.
GAME NOTABLES
— Senior Ethan McDonald, a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) for Jay HS, threw out a ceremonial first pitch, after his baseball teammates lined the field, along with five coaching staff members. McDonald was a leader in Jay’s championship run that included semifinal wins against higher ranked Class 1A teams.
The players all were able to be on the field during both teams’ batting practices to study how high-level professionals prepare for a game.
“It’s meant the world to them,” said second-year head coach Duane Raley. “It’s been awesome. It’s opened their eyes, because their starting to understand that ‘hey you (Raley) said that. You said if we do this it would work.’ It was kind of neat because they saw we do the same thing in practice (as two pro teams).’
— The Bayside Academy baseball team in Daphne also attended the game with a fundraiser event after playing at the stadium earlier this spring.
— State senator Doug Broxson also was part of the group of ceremonial first pitch throwers and he visited with Jay’s team.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Tennessee Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Oh, The Places You Will Go: Bratt Elementary 5th Graders Celebrate Final Day
May 23, 2024
It was a bittersweet day Wednesday at Bratt Elementary School as the the fifth grade said goodbye.
The younger students enjoyed watching the fifth grade talent show.
The fifth graders spent time reading “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” with Principal Amy McCrory before taking their final walk as Bratt Elementary students.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Cottage Hill Water Works Customers On Parker Road
May 22, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN RESCINDED.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers following a water main break Wednesday in the 1500 block of Parker Road.
“The section of Parker Road south of Williams Ditch Road may experience a disruption of service. Our crews are on site and working as quickly as possible to restore service,” CHWW said in a statement about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.
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 with the boil water notice is rescinded.
Century Town Clerk Leslie Howington Resigns; Town To Hire Interim Clerk
May 22, 2024
Century Town Clerk Leslie Howington has resigned.
In mid-April, Howington took a temporary leave of absence.
She told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday that she submitted her resignation due to medical reasons.
“This was a blow to the town,” Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said. “We wish her well.”
Howington was Century town clerk from 2010-2018 before resigning for another position. She was rehired in 2021.
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council voted to authorize Gomez to negotiate with Lakisha Burch (pictured left) for interim town clerk services.
Gomez said Burch has extensive experience in municipal government administration. She has proposed a rate of $26 per hour for up to 30 hours per week, with additional hours billed at $40 per hour. She will work remotely.
According to her Linkedin profile, Burch served as town clerk for the Town of Loxahatchee Groves for just over five years and was the Florida Association of City Clerks Clerk of the Year in 2022. She holds a master municipal clerk designation.
The council also approved a job description in order to begin the search for a permanent replacement for Howington. The salary range for the position will be $71,000 to $91,000, more than Howington was paid.
Pictured: Century Town Clerk Leslie Howington uses her phone to find information for council members during a Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brett McCullough Named New Tate Aggies Baseball Head Coach
May 22, 2024
The Tate Aggies have named Brett McCullough as their new head baseball coach.
McCullough is a Class of 2002 Tate High School graduate. He has six years of head coaching experience. He also has seven years experience as an assistant coach for the Aggies.
McCullough compiled a 79-53 record at Pine Forest High School from 2018-2022. He was an all-state first team pitcher at Tate before pitching for Lipscomb University, Alabama Southern and the University of West Florida.
It’s an honor and absolutely privilege! Excited to get to work,” McCullough said in a social media post Tuesday night. ‘I’m extremely lucky because alot of people call their profession a job, I get to call mine home! Aggie nation it’s time to get to work!”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Schedule, Video Links: High School Graduations Thursday And Friday
May 22, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools will hold graduation ceremonies Thursday and Friday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The schedule is below; each school name has a clickable link to a live YouTube stream. The videos will be archived for future viewing.
Thursday, May 23
9:00 a.m. — West Florida High School
12:15 p.m. –Pine Forest High School
2:30 p.m. – Northview High School
5:30 p.m. — Tate High School
Friday, May 24
9:00 a.m. — Pensacola High School
12:15 p.m. — Escambia High School
2:30 p.m.– EVA/Success Academy/George Stone/Acceleration Academy/Achieve Academy
5:30 pm. — Washington High School
For Pensacola Bay Center security procedures, click here.
The Escambia Westgate graduation was held May 17 [read more...]. The District extended program graduation is at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at the Hall Center.
Arrest Made In Caught On Camera Theft From Local Small Business
May 22, 2024
A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with the theft of over $800 worth of outdoor items from a local small business.
Kyle Aaron Walden, 34, was arrested Tuesday for grand theft and burglary, both felony charges. His bond was set at $5,000, but he has an outstanding warrant from Santa Rosa County, according to jail records.
The theft occurred about 7 a.m. May 16 at Antiques Marketplace at 10100 Pensacola Boulevard, just south of 10 Mile Road. Surveillance images shows the man taking items from outside the business and placing them into the backseat of a small car.
Walden’s arrest came just four days after surveillance images were posted on NorthEscambia.com.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.