Cantonment Woman Found Asleep In Vehicle Facing Cocaine And Fentanyl Charges
April 20, 2024
A Cantonment woman found asleep in her vehicle by deputies is facing fentanyl and cocaine related charges.
Cherrelle Jeanninne Clay, 39, was charged with possession of controlled substances, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license third or subsequent conviction.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reported finding Clay asleep and hunched over the center console of her parked and running Nissan Pathfinder at a car wash on Mobile Highway. Deputies noted in their report that after Clay awoke, she was trying to reach for a box on the passenger seat and had visible drug paraphernalia.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and deputies found powdered fentanyl and oxycodone pills, according to an arrest report.
Clay was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,500 bond.
Family Identifies 16-Year Old Cottage Hill Shooting Victim
April 20, 2024
Family members have identified the 16-year shot and killed April 12 in Cottage Hill, and they are working to raise funds for his funeral expenses.
Bryson Allen was a “loving child that loves basketball, fishing, hanging with friends and family,” Travis Packard wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser page.
“He would help with anything. He was also eager to work for what he wanted; we loved him dearly.”
The shooting happened during a teen party at a home on Wishbone Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office siad 19-year-old Ethan Alexander O’Brien was showing off a gun when it fired an struck Allen in the chest. O’Brien was charged with felony negligent manslaughter.
Tate Gets Senior Night DoubleHeader Sweep Of Escambia (With Galleries)
April 20, 2024
The Tate Lady Aggies celebrated a blowout senior night doubleheader sweep over the Escambia Gators Friday.
The Aggies outscored EHS 22-3 with wins off 11-0 and 11-3.
For game action photos, click here.
For Tate Senior Night photos and candids, click here.
The Lady Aggies also honored their seniors — Kate Balagbagan, Olivea “Liv” Latner, Lizzy McVay and Kylea Gibbs — between games.
Tate 11, Escambia 0
Kara Wine slammed two home runs as she drove in six during Tate’s 11-0 shutout of Escambia.
Wine homered in the first and fourth innings.
Peyton Womack earned the wine for Tate. She pitched a complete five innings, surrendering one hit and no runs, striking out three and walking one.
Wine, Amburleigh Laird, Lacy Wilson, and Elizabeth McVay each had two hits for the Lady Aggies.
Tate 11, Escambia 3
In the second game of the Friday double header, Tate beat Escambia 11-3.
Balagbagan earned the win for Tate, allowing six hits and three runs in seven innings, striking out seven and walking two.
Tristen Showalter was 4-4 for Tate, and Balagbagan went 2-4 Tate. Elizabeth McVay, Womack, Wilson, and Jordan Smith, each contributed a run.
Pictured: Tate Lady Aggies softball seniors (L-R) #7 Kate Balagbagan, #21 Kylea Gibbs, #6 Lizzy McVay and #10 Liv Latner. Also pictured: Game action Friday afternoon as Tate hosted Escambia at Tate. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Killed In Crash Into A Tree
April 20, 2024
A Friday morning crash in Baldwin County claimed the life of an Atmore man Friday morning.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 34-year-old David D. Williams was fatally injured when the 2010 Mercury Milan he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree.
Troopers said he was not wearing a selt belt and was ejected after crashing into a tree on Highway 31 about seven miles outside Atmore. He was pronounced deceased on scene.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Chiefs Top Dawgs On Northview Senior Night (With Gallery)
April 20, 2024
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a 6-1 senior night win over the Crestview Bulldogs Friday night in Bratt.
For action and senior night photos, click here.
Mikayla McAnnally earned the win for the Chiefs. She surrendered two hits and one unearned run over six and two-third innings, striking out five and walking one. Makayla Golson opened for the Chiefs, recording no hits, no runs, no strikeouts, and no walks in one-third of an inning.
Riley Brooks, Makayla Golson, and Chloe Ragsdale each had two hits for Northview. Riley Brooks and Bailey Burkett both had two RBIs.
Northview will travel to Urian on Monday to take on J.U. Blacksher.
Before the game, Northview recognized seniors Chloe Ragsdale, Makayla Golson, and Mason Edwards.
Pictured top: Northview Lady Chiefs softball seniors Chloe Ragsdale, Makayla Golson, and Mason Edwards. Also pictured: Action as Northview defeated Crestview Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview Fall In Friday Night Baseball On The Road
April 20, 2024
In Friday night high school baseball, both the Tate Aggies and the Northview Chiefs lost on the road.
Milton 9, Northview 6
A four-point lead evaporated as the Northview Chiefs fell to Milton 9-6 Friday night in Milton.
Robbie Bodiford, Brady Smith, Jackson Bridges, and Jase Portwood had two hits each for the Chiefs. Bodiford and Portwood had two RBIs each.
Jackson Bridges opened on the mound for Northview, giving up five hits and three runs in four innings, striking out four and walking three. Grayden Sheffield went for two-thirds of an inning, giving up three hits and six runs while walking four and striking out two. Portwood tossed one and a third, striking out three, walking none and surrendering no hits and no runs.
Up next, the Chiefs will be in action Tuesday against at the Tate Aggie at 6 p.m.
Fairhope 10, Tate 5
The Tate Aggies fell to the Fairhope Pirates 10-5 Friday night in Fairhope.
Clif Quiggins had a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth for Tate.
Quiggins and Conner Hassell recorded two hits each for the Aggies. Quiggins, Ketch King, and Madox Land each had one run for the Aggies.
Tate will host Northview at 6 p.m. next Tuesday.
Jake Thompson Overcomes Tough Start In Blue Wahoos Comeback Win
April 20, 2024
by Bill Vilona
Jake Thompson had just returned this week from the injured list and three at-bats into Friday’s game, things weren’t going so well.
But then he made something special happen.
Thompson met a two-strike pitch and delivered a game-tying single in the eighth inning that led to the Blue Wahoos 5-4 comeback win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, igniting an extended roar from a capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It was followed by relief pitcher Austin Roberts slamming the door in the ninth inning as he’s done in all four save opportunities this season with a stellar finish. The Blue Wahoos had trailed 4-0 into the fifth inning when chipping away at the deficit.
“To start the game off, I was 0-for-3 and it wasn’t pretty,” said Thompson, who was signed by the Miami Marlins in 2022 as a free agent following his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. “Had the bases loaded and (hit into) douple play and had two strikeouts. I wasn’t seeing the ball the best.
“But I knew I was going to have an important at-bat at the end, so I stayed locked in, stayed positive, was up cheering everybody on, having fun that we were coming back.
“There was a game my first year (in professional baseball) when I was in Jupiter (2022). I was like 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and then hit a go-ahead homer late in the eighth and it was like everyone forgot about it (early game struggles) except my mom. I got a text from her and goes, ‘At least you finally touched it.’
“That just made me relax and laugh a little bit. It’s like, I’ve done that before and been able to come through when I had the opportunity.”
The win evened the series for the Blue Wahoos (6-7) against the Trash Pandas (7-6), the Los Angeles Angels affiliate.
A perfect evening and filled seating bowl Friday included Pensacola’s Bubba Watson, the two-time former Masters champion who attended with his two children, and Miami Marlins assistant general manager Gabe Kapler, a former 14-year major league veteran and San Francisco Giants manager.
The Trash Pandas produced three runs in the second inning off Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, then added another run in the fourth.
But the Blue Wahoos got back into the game when Javier Sanoja launched a two-run homer in the fifth inning. They trimmed the decifict to 4-3 after Dalvy Rosario tripled.
In the eighth, Jacob Berry led off with a double. He scored on Thompson’s single. With Thompson at second. Shane Sasaki produced a textbook bunt single that sent Thompson to third and runners on the corners.
Sean Roby then laced a pitch 114 mph off his bat that was hit so hard in caused the centerfielder to fall after catching the ball and Thompson scored the go-ahead run with ease.
“That eighth inning, that was team baseball executed perfectly,” Thompson said. “Beautiful line drive up the middle to center and gosh, since you were 10-years-old, that’s how you’re taught to score runs.”
The series will continue Saturday with M.D. Johnson on the mound. A limited number of tickets are still available.
GAME NOTABLES
Blue Wahoos players passed on T-shirts to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of game sponsor Woodlands Medical Specialist.
Cassi McGee, teacher of the year in Escambia County, was honored before the game by leading a parade of fellow teachers who received awards and Magee threw out a first pitch.
WANT TO GO? WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Florida Purple Alert Issued For Escambia County Man
April 19, 2024
A Floria Purple Alert has been issued for a missing 70-year-old Escambia County man.
Dennis Jolly was last seen about 3 a.m. Friday in the 7900 block of Kipling Street. He wearing a black and red striped jacket (seen in the photo) and black pants. He is 6’1”, 133 pounds, has gray hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park
April 19, 2024
Escambia County is set to lease the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment and develop it into a park.
The golf course has been closed since 2017. Escambia County plans to use the land for disc golf, walking trails, a pavilion, and a playground. The park will be open only during daylight hours.
“I am so excited about the culmination of years of work with our friends at IP. The development of the property is going to be such a great thing for our community,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said. “When I think about the pavilion hosting parties, dozens of people walking around the track, kids playing on the new playground, and a full disc golf course being utilized by constituents, a huge smile comes across my face. I want to thank Hunter Morris, Scott Taylor, and Whitney Fike from IP, as well as Michael Rhodes and Alison Rogers from Escambia County for all their work and persistence to get the job done.”
“International Paper is excited to partner with Escambia County to create a future recreation area, dedicated to enriching community life,” said Whitney Fike, IP regional communications manager. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering health and wellness, and community engagement through the development of this new park. Together, we’re not just transforming land; we’re shaping experiences and enhancing lives, exemplifying our steadfast dedication to being a force for good in the communities we serve.”
Under a proposed lease agreement for, Escambia County would pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.
The Escambia County Commission is set to consider the lease agreement for the property, previously known as the Champion Golf Club, during a meeting on Monday.
Pictured: The former International Paper golf course at the corner of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Courtesy (top) and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Nine Mile Road
April 19, 2024
An Alabama man was struck and killed Thursday night on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 73-year-old Castleberry, Alabama, man was walking westbound in the bicycle line of Nine Mile Road approaching Fox Run Road about 7:40 p.m. when he was struck by a Dodge Ram driven by a 57-year-old Pensacola man. The collision happened after the Dodge Ram driver initiated a lane change in the right turn lane, according to troopers.
The vehicle driver was not injured.
File photo.