Blue Wahoos Fall To Montgomery Biscuits
August 24, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos played on-time and uninterrupted through a persistent rain on Tuesday night, but fell to the Montgomery Biscuits 9-5 in their series opener.
Paul McIntosh was 2-for-4 with a long two-run homer in the third inning to put Pensacola ahead 5-2, but that would be the last highlight for the Blue Wahoos. Montgomery scored seven unanswered runs, capped by a pair of late home runs from Diego Infante and Niko Hulsizer, as they cruised to victory.
The Biscuits jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning against Pensacola starter Zach King on a two-run single from Hulsizer. Davis Bradshaw evened the score for the Blue Wahoos with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning against Michael Mercado, and a Norel González RBI double in the third was followed by McIntosh’s homer.
Infante completed a fourth-inning comeback for Montgomery with an RBI single, and Greg Jones led off the fifth by drawing a walk against Zack Leban (L, 0-2). He promptly stole second, took third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch to score the go-ahead run.
Pensacola collected just two hits over 5.2 scoreless innings against the Biscuits bullpen, and former Pensacola farmhand Cody Reed (W, 1-0) earned the win with 1.2 perfect innings of relief.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Wednesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Grand Opening Date Set For New Bellview Library
August 23, 2022
A grand opening date has been set for the new Bellview Library.
A ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, September 16, according to Escambia County Library Services Director Todd Humble.
“It’s a great day in Bellview; it’s a great day in Escambia County, We are opening the first library in District 1, and it’s going to be an incredible facility and community amenity,” Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon.
The $3.8 million plus library was due to open back in spring, but materials delays repeatedly pushed that date later.
The main portion of the library will consist of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space will provide entrances to other support spaces such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a computer area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The development of the building’s façade was inspired by origami, the art of folding paper, which is why there are angles throughout the building.
At 12,000 square feet, the library is located on about four acres at 6425 Mobile Highway, near Bellview Elementary and Bellview Middle schools. About 2,000 square feet of the structure is a former bank; the remainder is a new addition.
On Saturday, September 17, the Bellview Library will host a 25th anniversary celebration of Harry Potter from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be a big program,” Humble said. “There will be games and crafts.”
Pictured: The Bellview Library still under construction in June 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Indicted For Murder After Her Escambia Jail Cellmate Overdosed On Fentanyl
August 23, 2022
A woman has now been indicted for the fentanyl overdose death of her cellmate at the Escambia County Jail.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted 40-year old Pamela Faye Schwarz, 40, on charged of first degree murder by unlawful distribution of drugs, introduction of contraband into a county detention facility, tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance.
According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, Schwarz was remanded into custody from drug court and taken to the Escambia County Jail last May and placed into a cell with a 52-year old female later identified as Shirley Barney. There was no one else in the cell.
Prosecutors contend that the Defendant smuggled fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl (synthetic fentanyl) into the jail and gave it to her cellmate who later died from an overdose of the drugs.
Instead of calling for help, Sheriff Chip Simmons said Schwarz helped her cellmate into bed before flushing the rest of the drugs down the toilet.
Several hours later, the victim was found unresponsive. Her death was caused by a fentanyl overdose, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Schwarz remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Funeral Services Set For Longtime Century Fire Chief Regi Burkett
August 23, 2022
Funeral services have been announced for Regi Burkett, longtime chief of the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Burkett passed away Saturday at the age of 62, surrounded by his family at his bedside. Burkett spent nearly 40 years in the fire service to his community.
His funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with Rev. Mitch Herring and Rev. Tim Floyd officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Cemetery in Byrneville.
He joined the Century Volunteer Fire Department in April 1978. He advanced through the ranks before being named chief in 1987. He served as Century’s fire chief until his retirement in July 2017.
Burkett is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Ann Burkett, son Ryan Burkett, daughter Casey Roach and numerous other family and friends.
For his complete obituary, click or tap here.
Person Struck By Lightning On UWF Campus
August 23, 2022
One person was struck by lightning at the University of West Florida on Monday.
It happened just before 2:00 Monday afternoon on the UWF campus. The injured person was transported to an Alabama hospital for treatment, according to Escambia County 911.
An update on the individual’s condition was not made available.
Rebuild Of Olive At Davis Traffic Light Was Successful, Officials Say
August 23, 2022
Escambia County says the traffic light at Olive Road and Davis Highway was successfully rebuilt on Sunday.
Prior to the work, the light would often go into flash mode during and after inclement weather.
The county said work started at 7 a.m. Sunday, and the light was operating successfully by 3:30 p.m. Law enforcement, the contractor, Escambia County and the Florida Department of Transportation were on-site during the process.
There were “minimal delays” following service dismissals at the nearby Olive Baptist Church, according to the county.
“Having been a longtime resident of this area, I understand the frustration that comes when motorists experience delays at this light,” said District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender, whose district encompasses the intersection. “Ensuring this light was in working condition was a top priority of mine. We expect this complete rebuild to prevent the signal from going into flash mode, even during moderate rainfalls. I’m thankful to our staff, the contractor crews and our partners at FDOT for working so quickly to make sure the light was in working condition.”
Century Woman, Atmore Man Facing Drug Charges After Trespassing Complaint
August 23, 2022
A Century woman and an Atmore man are facing multiple drug charges after a trespassing incident in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department reported finding 49-year old Teresa Michelle Davis and 41-year old Shawn Edward Brown inside a vehicle parked in the driveway of a home.
The officer confirmed that Brown had a trespass warning at the property and placed him under arrest. While speaking with Davis, the officer observed a clear container and foil inside the vehicle with a clear crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. The total quantity was about one gram.
Officers said Brown damaged a wooden shelf and began striking a door while in a holding cell at the Atmore Police Department.
Brown was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespass third degree, and criminal mischief third degree. Davis was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond Tuesday morning.
Lightning Strikes 12-Inch Water Main; Boil Water Notice Issued For Chisholm Road Area
August 22, 2022
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued after lightning struck a 12-inch water main on Sunday.
The PBWN is in effect for 8620-8863 Chisholm Road, Regency Oak Drive and Lake Ridge Lane — all just south of Nine Mile Road.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
(This story will be updated when the notice has been lifted.)
Century’s Latest Proposed Budget Comes Up Short; Council Discusses Cutting Employee Raises
August 22, 2022
The Century Town Council may be rethinking employee raises following a recent budget meeting.
Earlier in the month, the council was presented with a proposed budget that projected $51,000 more in income than expenses. But an updated proposal shows them short $1,500 for the next fiscal year that begins October 1.
By the time a final budget is approved, state law says it must balance.
Robert Hudson, the town’s accountant, said somewhere about $160,000 could be moved from an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund into the budget, creating a positive flow and making it “look better” with reserves in some accounts.
“I don’t see spending money because we’ve got it,” Council President Luis Gomez, Jr. said of the ARPA funds.
“This seems like we are turning APRA into a slush fund,” he said.
It was discussed at the meeting that department heads had submitted a list of needed items for the new budget. Very few of those items were discussed at the meeting. There was mention of $35,000 for new floor coverings, $12,000 for new office furniture and $6,000 for new laptops, including a $1,700 laptop for the town clerk.
The proposal also included a 7% cost of living raise. Hudson said that there will likely be increased over 10% approved this year for Social Security recipients.
“I think that’s a lot,” council member Dynette Lewis said.
“How long are we going to continue to give 5%, 7% maybe 10% next year and keep paying 100% of the employees’,” Gomez said of the full health insurance payment for employees. “We can’t do a budget like this.”
“We’ve got to look at this in reality. This is unsustainable. This is not a metropolitan town. It isn’t New York, and it’s not even Pensacola. We are either going to have to decrease the employees, or decrease some of this insurance, or decrease some of that pay raise,” Gomez added. “Just because that’s the national average, this town is not big enough for that. Let’s be realistic.”
The town also pays 99% of an employee’s health insurance cost, plus 50% for additional family members. Their annual personnel costs are nearing $1 million.
Pictured top: Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson, Luis Gomez. Jr., and Dynette Lewis listen to accountant Robert Hudson. Pictured below: Council members James Smith, Jr. questions Hudson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunday Rainfall Totals Exceeded 4 Inches In Some Parts Of North Escambia
August 22, 2022
Up to 4.5 inches of rain fell Sunday in part of North Escambia, according to radar estimates. Most of the rain fell over several hours Sunday night.
Heavy rain fell Sunday in a line from Perdido and Nokomis through Atmore, Flomaton and Century. Radar estimates showed 3-4 inches also fell around part of the Quintette and Cottage Hill areas.
The areas in blue on the image above received in excess of 4 inches, while the magenta areas indicate over three inches of rain.
More rain is expected each day this week. For the complete forecast, click or tap here.