Cantonment Rotary Presents ‘Service Above Self’ Award To First Responder Craig Ammons

September 2, 2022

The Rotary Club of Cantonment has presented their “Service Above Self Award” to first responder Craig Ammons.

In December, Ammons retired as a captain for Escambia County Fire Rescue after 36 years. He took just six weeks off before continuing his 42-year safety career by going to work as a paramedic with Lifeguard Ambulance Service in Santa Rosa County,

Ammons began his career with Escambia County as a paramedic in 1985 and moved to the fire department in 2000 where he began as a firefighter and worked his way through the ranks to captain.

During his career with Escambia County, he worked through emergencies that included hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, floods, the oil spill, the recent pandemic and more.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

One-Run Magic Runs Out In 3-2 Wahoos Loss To Lookouts

September 2, 2022

After tense one-run wins on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night by a score of 3-2.

Michael Siani’s go-ahead home run in the eighth helped the Lookouts collect just their second win in nine games against the Blue Wahoos.

Pensacola’s Patrick Monteverde and Chattanooga’s Joe Boyle traded zeroes through the first three innings before the Blue Wahoos struck first in the fourth inning on a Davis Bradshaw RBI single. The lead wouldn’t last long, as Garrett Wolforth laced a two-run double in the fifth to put the Lookouts ahead 2-1.

Pensacola tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single from Cobie Fletcher-Vance, but left the bases loaded as reliever Connor Curlis worked out of the jam to preserve the tie.

Chandler Jozwiak struck out six of the seven batters he faced in relief for the Blue Wahoos, who threatened in the eighth but did not score against Ryan Nutof (W, 6-2). Nutof didn’t retire a batter, but singles from Will Banfield and Fletcher-Vance were erased on the basepaths as the Blue Wahoos squandered an opportunity to reclaim the lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Siani took Zack Leban (L, 0-3) deep for a solo home run, his second in as many ballgames. Pedro Garcia (S, 12) allowed a pair of two-out singles in the ninth to give Pensacola one last chance, but Paul McIntosh struck out looking to end the game.

The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Friday.

by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Escambia Gas Station Shooting Suspected Arrested

September 1, 2022

The man wanted for a shooting at an Escambia County gas station on Tuesday has been arrested.

Shannon Wheat, Jr., 21, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon charged with attempted homicide and deadly missiles.

The shooting occurred about 11:45 a.m. at the Beacon store on Mobile Highway near New Warrington Road. The victim was shot several times and transported to an area hospital. An update on his condition was not available.

Investigators released a surveillance image of Wheat (below) from the gas station.

Wheat listed his current address as Old Corry Field Road in Pensacola. According to jail records, he has a previous known address in Atmore.

Blue Angels Homecoming Show Returning To NAS Pensacola

September 1, 2022

The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is returning to NAS Pensacola on Friday and Saturday, November 11 and 12.

This will be first homecoming air show on NAS Pensacola  since 2019; the base closed to public access following the December 2019 terrorist attack on the base. It has since reopened only to Department of Defense ID card holders and their guests.

This year’s air show will celebrate the theme: 100 Years of Carrier Aviation. In March of 1922, the USS Jupiter was recommissioned as the USS Langley, the first aircraft carrier, catapulting Naval Aviation to the forefront of Naval operations. This year, planes will be flying in honor of this momentous anniversary. Chief among those flying for this celebration will be the Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels will fly at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There will not be a Night Show this year, but other performers have already committed to the show. A Special Operations Paratrooper team will be parachuting out of Fat Albert, the Blue Angels’ C-130 Hercules.

The show will start at 9:30 a.m. both days, with gates opening at 8:00 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. Reserved seating will be available for an additional fee, but guests are encouraged to bring their own seating

NorthEscambia.com photo by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.

A Trial Date Has Been Set For Mom Accused In Tate Homecoming Queen Scandal

September 1, 2022

A trial date has been set for the former school official accused of illegally accessing student information to help her daughter win the Tate High School homecoming queen crown.

Laura Carroll appeared in an Escambia County courtroom Wednesday

Carroll was given eight days to enter into a plea deal. Otherwise, her case is set for trial with jury selection beginning at 8:30 a.m. on September 19.

Carroll, former assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, and her daughter Emily Rose Grover were charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in March 2021 with one count each of felony offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices; felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, felony criminal use of personally identifiable information, and conspiracy to commit these offenses.

In January, Grover entered a pre-trial diversion program that resulted  in the charges against her being dismissed in March 2022.

Kitten That Was Inside Stolen Car Has Been Found; Suspect Arrested In Mississippi

September 1, 2022

A kitten that was inside a car when it was stolen Sunday has been reunited with its owner.

The kitten named Hiefer was returned Wednesday night to Lianna Pugh of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, at the Pensacola Hotel for Dogs and Cats rescue shelter. The kitten was reportedly dumped on the westside and rescued by a good Samaritan.

The man that stole the car shortly after carjacking another vehicle has been arrested in Mississippi.

Pugh left her vehicle running about 10:30 Sunday morning while she went inside to pick up food at The Leisure Club restaurant in the area of 12th Avenue and Office Woods Drive.

According to Pensacola Police, 33-year-old Leif Danenmann stole the vehicle.  Hiefer, the kitten, was inside the 2005 Toyota Camry with Pennsylvania license plate number KHG1428.

About 25 minutes earlier, Danenmann carjacked a driver in the area of 1000 West Moreno Street, according to Pensacola Police. The victim was not injured, but the suspect took the victim’s vehicle and left the area. The carjacked vehicle was found near where the second vehicle and kitten were stolen.

Danenmann’s was arrested in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Celebrate 25 Years Of Harry Potter A Your Local Library (With Schedule)

September 1, 2022

West Florida Libraries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter with programs at each branch.

There will be a versity of games, crafts and other activities. All ages are welcome.

The programs will be held as follows:

  • Saturday, Sept. 3, 1-2:30 p.m. – Century Library
  • Tuesday, Sept. 6, 3-4:30 p.m. – Westside Library
  • Thursday, Sept. 8, 4-5:30 p.m. – Southwest Library
  • Tuesday, Sept. 13, 3-4:30 p.m. – Tryon Library
  • Thursday, Sept. 15, 3-4:30 p.m. – Molino Library
  • Saturday, Sept. 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Bellview Library
  • Tuesday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m. – Genealogy Library
  • Thursday, Sept. 29, 3-4:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Molino Man Charged With Fleeing Traffic Stop At A High Rate Of Speed

September 1, 2022

A Molino man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop at a high rate of speed.

Edward Freeman, 62, was charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.

An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watched as Freement exited a parking lot and ran a red light at South Highway 29 and Kingsfield Road. As the deputy caught up with the GMC Envoy, Freeman slowed and drove in the adjacent lane to the deputy. He rolled his window down and yelled “what’s the problem officer?”, according to an arrest report.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop at Highway 29 and Woodbury Circle, but Freeman accelerated away at a high rate of speed. The deputy terminated the attempted traffic stop at Highway 29 and watched as the vehicle sped away northbound on Highway 29 near Quintette Road.

The deputy located the vehicle at Freeman’s residence on Richardson Road in Molino. As the deputy spoke to Freeman, he admitted to driving the vehicle and fleeing, the report states. Freeman became disoriented and began to lose his balance and was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. He told the deputy that he takes multiple prescription medications for high blood pressure and seizures.

Freeman was later arrested on an outstanding warrant. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $26,000.

ECUA Reports 4,250 Gallon Sewage Spill In Cantonment

September 1, 2022

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has reported a 4,250 gallon sewage spill in Cantonment.

A contractor hit a force main causing the overflow at the end of Connie Way, north of Upland Road. An estimated 4,000 gallons was recovered, the force main was repaired and the area was cleaned up, according to a report from the Florida Department of Environmental Management.

Northview Homecoming Parade Set For September 16. Here’s How To Enter For Free.

September 1, 2022

The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, September 16 with a longer route.

For free entry to participate in the parade, click here for a form (pdf). Registrations are due by September 6.

The parade will line up at noon and roll at noon from Northview High School. It will travel east on Highway 4 before turning on Bratt Road by the Travis Nelson Park, around the park to Ashcraft Road to Highway 99, travel north past Bratt Elementary School, turn back onto Highway 4 and end at Northview. Candy and other throws will not begin until the parade reaches the “Bratt Crossroads” at Highway 99 and Highway 4. (Note that Ashcraft Road has a very narrow shoulder with no place to park.)

In previous years, the parade has lined up at Bratt Elementary, but there is construction on that campus this year.

Here are some other changes to note for this year:

  • Only parade participants will be allowed to enter Northview’s campus.
  • Northview students will return to seventh period after the parade..
  • Parents picking up parade participants from NWE, Ernest Ward, or other youth organizations may park at the NHS baseball field to pick up the child.
  • Only parade floats should enter the NHS bus loop following the parade.

Pictured: Scenes from the 2021 Northview High School homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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