Motorcyclist Airlifted To Hospital After Crash Through Highway 97 Fence
August 23, 2021
A motorcyclist was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after crashing through a fence Sunday near Walnut Hill.
The adult male was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Pelt Road when he left the roadway and crash through a cattle fence. A witness said the motorcycle went through a fence before the man, and both traveled under an upper strand of barbed wire. Both came to rest in a pasture.
The man was reportedly released from the hospital Sunday night.
The Florida Highway patrol investigated and not released the cause of the crash. The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Recue, Escambia County EMS and Medstar Air Care 2 responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Pump Prices Face Downward Pressure As Futures Plummet
August 23, 2021
Florida gas prices are down three cents from a week ago and are about to slip even lower, unless futures prices can recover from sharp declines last week, according to AAA.
Florida gas prices are now averaging $2.98 per gallon.
The price of U.S. crude dropped nearly 10% last week, settling $6 per barrel less than the week before. Meanwhile, gasoline futures dropped 24 cents (12%). Wholesale gasoline prices haven’t been this low since April, when the average price at the pump was below $2.80 per gallon.
The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.94 at stations on Muscogee Road and on Highway 29. In Pensacola, a low of $2.75 could be found at on station on Nine Mile Road.
The delta strain of COVID-19 continues to drive fuel prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “The busy summer driving season ends in September and market watchers are worried that COVID-19 will cause demand to drop more dramatically than it has in previous years. If crude oil and gasoline futures hold at current levels, prices at the pump could drop more than 20 cents per gallon in the weeks to come.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Conine Homers Twice In Blue Wahoos Series Finale Win
August 23, 2021
After hitting a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth on Saturday, Griffin Conine belted a pair of home runs in Pensacola’s 9-1 win over Biloxi on Sunday afternoon.
In the bottom of the first inning with Peyton Burdick on first, Conine took Justin Bullock (L, 2-3) deep to left to put the Wahoos ahead 2-0. A couple of pitches prior, the players and fans were treated to a surprise airshow from the Blue Angels, as the six fighter jets flew in formation over the park before soaring over the bay.
The offense did not end for the Wahoos in the first, and Pensacola scored in each of the first four innings. After taking a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the third, Conine came to plate and once again homered off Bullock to the opposite field. For Conine, that was his third consecutive at-bat with a home run, dating back to Saturday’s game-tying heroics.
When the dust settled, the Blue Wahoos led the Shuckers 8-1 after four, and eventually cruised to a 9-1 victory.
Antonio Velez made his Double-A debut for the Wahoos and turned in a quality start. The southpaw allowed one run in six innings and only walked one while striking out five on five hits. Outside of the second inning when Tristen Lutz hit an RBI double, Velez’s start never seemed in peril. On the Lutz double, JJ Bleday picked up his 11th outfield assist when he rifled a throw to Demetrius Sims who in turn delivered a strike to Brian Navarreto to nab David Fry at the plate.
After Velez departed the game, three separate relievers pitched the final three innings in scoreless fashion. Other notable performances include Sims, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. J.D. Orr—who entered the game for Jerar Encarnacion after he was struck by a pitch in the fourth— also went 2-for-2 with a double.
Pensacola will now prepare for their series against first-place Mississippi, having captured their first series win since July 4th, when the club won five of six against the Shuckers. Montgomery and Mississippi also split a doubleheader earlier today, meaning the Wahoos are now 2.5 games out of the second and final playoff spot.
The Blue Wahoos will hit the road Monday in preparation of their first and only 12-game road trip of the year. The Blue Wahoos will take on the M-Braves for six games before their final trip to Montgomery for six against the Biscuits. RHP Kyle Nicolas (2-0, 0.90) will take the mound for the Wahoos on Tuesday,
Former Atmore Mayor Howard Shell Has Passed Away
August 23, 2021
Former Atmore Mayor Howard Shell has passed away at age 88.
Shell was born in Monroe County, Alabama, but his family moved to Davisville in Florida. About two years later, the family moved to Walnut Hill, and Shell’s father bought a small general store on Highway 97 just south of the modern day Ernest Ward Middle School.
Shell graduated from Ernest Ward High School, where he played football in 1950. He attended Florida State University, and served in the Korean War in the U.S. Navy. He then spent 30 years in research and development at the Chemstrand plant in Cantonment.
After his retirement, Shell was first elected to the Atmore City Council in 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. He served a total of 22 years as Atmore mayor.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Suspect In Bratt Home Invasion Arrested After All-Day Search
August 22, 2021
A home invasion suspect was arrested Saturday night after a day-long manhunt near Bratt.
The home invasion was reported in the eight o’clock hour Saturday morning in the 5400 block of Still Road, just south of West Highway 4. There were no injuries reported.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9’s spent hours Saturday and into Saturday night searching for the suspect.
Paul Ray Morris, age 42 of Atmore, was located by ECSO deputies and arrested shortly after 9 p.m. in the 5400 block of Still Road – at or near the location of the reported home invasion.
Morris was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 11:44 p.m. Saturday. He was charged with burglary, criminal mischief property damage, larceny from a person age 65 or older, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $21,000.
Pictured: A manhunt followed a home invasion on Still Road near Bratt Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder After Victim’s Body Found In Vehicle Trunk On Highway 29 In Ensley
August 22, 2021
The body of a Crestview murder victim was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Highway 29 Saturday evening in Ensley, and the driver is now charged.
The Crestview Police Department has charged 37 year old Johnny Lee Akins, Jr. with murder in connection with an incident that occurred on East Walnut yesterday.
During the incident, Johnny Akins shot and killed a 42 year old male victim that was later identified as James D. Matthews of Holt.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Highway 29 near the Murphy Oil gas station. “They arrived to find a black male in a state of excited delirium”, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson. The man was taken into custody a short distance away near Game Stop in the shopping center in front of Walmart and transported to a local hospital.
“He was transported to the hospital after they got control of him,” she said. “They ran the tag, and the vehicle came back that the owner of the car was suspected in a homicide out of Crestview.”
She said there were drugs in plain view “everywhere” on the seat of the car. As part of the inventory process before seizing the vehicle, the trunk was opened.
“There was a dead body there in the trunk,” Peterson said.
The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Tate Meets Pace In Kickoff Classic
August 22, 2021
The Tate High School Aggies traveled to Pace to take on the Patriots in a Kickoff Classic Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Scores were as follows:
- Freshmen – Pace 8, Tate 6
- JV – Pace 7, Tate 0
- Varsity – Pace 17, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies will kick off their 2021 regular season Friday night, August 27 as they host Pensacola High School at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
August 22, 2021
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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
- Southbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- North and southbound travel lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
During the closures, southbound traffic on 17th Avenue will be detoured to 14th Avenue using East Belmont Street. Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic destined for 17th Avenue northbound will be detoured to Ninth Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures to allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The inside lane will be closed between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvements. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – There will be alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 23 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance from Maxwell Street to Garden Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane – There will be intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the intersections of West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane Tuesday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are anticipated traffic impacts.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
File photo.
Blue Wahoos Get 3-2 Walk-off Win Over Shuckers
August 22, 2021
After Griffin Conine tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, Demetrius Sims blooped a game-winning single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a walk-off 3-2 win over the Shuckers on Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Biloxi turned to reliever Braden Webb, (L, 4-7) despite his poor numbers against Pensacola this season (8.31 ERA in 9 prior appearances). Webb’s first pitch to Conine was belted out to left, skimming over the top of the left-field wall before skipping out into the bay for a solo home run, tying the game at 2-2. Two pitches later, Brian Navarreto smashed a double off the left-field wall. With nobody out, Zack Kone was brought in to pinch run at second, and after a fly out from Riley Mahan, Sims looped a single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a much-needed win and a 3-2 series edge over the Shuckers heading into Sunday’s finale.
Jeff Lindgren—who did not factor into the decision—turned in another fine outing, throwing five innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed four hits and only walked one batter while striking out seven, which was one shy of tying his career high. The only run he allowed came on an RBI single from Gabe Holt in the second inning in which Korry Holt had been running on the pitch from first. Outside of the second, the Shuckers only had one runner in scoring position for the rest of his outing.
Offensively, Pensacola struggled to find an answer for Jesus Castillo. The former Mobile BayBear twirled six shutout innings and only allowed three hits while striking out two. Saturday was Castillo’s first quality start since July 29 against Montgomery.
Andrew McInvale was the first name called out of the bullpen for the Wahoos. After a perfect sixth inning, McInvale returned to the mound in the seventh but failed to retire a batter. After a walk, a two-base throwing error from the pitcher, and another walk, Jefry Yan was brought into the game with nobody out.
Holt dropped a safety-squeeze bunt right back to Yan, whose toss to home was too high as Korry Howell slid under the tag to make it 2-0 Biloxi. After that, Yan was lights out retiring five out the next six without giving up a run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Riley Mahan belted a solo home run off Cody Beckman to give the Wahoos momentum after stalling on offense for most of the game. For Mahan, it was his first home run since August 1 against the M-Braves.
Colton Hock (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Wahoos, keeping the score 2-1 and giving Pensacola a realistic chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Pensacola is now only three games back of Montgomery for the second and final playoff spot for the inaugural Double-A South Championship Series. Montgomery and Mississippi were rained out tonight, and a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Wahoos conclude their series against the Shuckers on Sunday.
Escambia County’s Unemployment Rate Decreases By Half A Point
August 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by half a percentage point last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.1% in July, down from 5.6% in June. That represents 7,866 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,835. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 9.8%, or 14,353 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 5,300 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.5 percent. The Pensacola area labor force in July 2021 increased by 13,788 over the year, a 6.0 percent increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,100 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in July 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the June 2021 rate, and down 6.4 percentage points from a year ago.