Atmore Man Arrested On Elderly Exploitation Charges
August 14, 2024
An Atmore man has been arrested on a charge of financial exploitation of the elderly following a months-long investigation.
Scott Peck, 58, was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center without bond.
The investigation began on April 8, 2024, when a caseworker with the Alabama Department of Human Resources contacted the Atmore Police Department with concerns about the financial well-being of an elderly individual.
Working in conjunction with the Escambia County District Attorney’s office, investigators examined financial records and built a case against Peck.
Blue Wahoos Sustain Rough Return Home In Loss To Biscuits
August 14, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
This was not exactly the welcome back the Blue Wahoos sought.
Their successful road trip was replaced by a forgettable restart Tuesday, after the Montgomery Biscuits pounded out 10 runs in the first two innings, then rolled to an 18-5 victory to begin the first homestand in 16 days at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Biscuits had all nine hitters at the plate in the first inning, scoring six runs on a pair of homers, then chased out starter Patrick Monteverde with four more runs, including another multi-run homer, before the second inning ended. The Biscuits led 14-0 into the seventh inning.
Montgomery blasted six home runs Tuesday. It was that kind of forgettable night in the Blue Wahoos’ worst home loss this season.
The Biscuits (62-47 overall, 22-18 in the second half), who edged out the Blue Wahoos (60-47, 22-17) for the first half divisional win, now have four of the Tampa Bay Rays’ top six prospects in their batting order.
All did early damage Tuesday.
Shortstop Carson Williams, the Rays’ No. 2 overall prospect, doubled home Montgomery’s first run, then walked and scored on catcher Dominic Keegan’s two-run double in the second inning. Keegan is the Rays’ No. 6 rated prospect. His hit scored Xavier Issac (No. 3 prospect) who reached on a single and finished with three hits, three RBI in the game.
Later that inning, Brayden Taylor (No. 4 rated), blasted a two-run homer off Monteverde. Taylor also scored in the first inning on Matthew Etzel’s homer.
It was the roughest outing Monteverde encountered in his three seasons with the Blue Wahoos. He was the Miami Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season and a Southern League All-Star.
In 1.2 innings Tuesday, he yielded 10 runs on eight hits, including three homers.
One bright spot for the Blue Wahoos was reliever Anderson Pilar, who followed Monteverde with 2.1 quality innings with four strikeouts, no walks and one hit.
Another home club highlight was Cody Morissette smashing a 3-run homer in the seventh inning over the centerfield wall. Newcomer Graham Pauley had a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
In his final at-bat, Jared Serna singled to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, getting at least one hit in each game since joining the Blue Wahoos in a trade.
The Blue Wahoos, who have struggled against the Biscuits this season to a 6-13 record, entered this week with good vibes. They went 8-3 on the two-week road trip against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Mississippi Braves to pull within two games of first place Biloxi in the second half division race.
It was their second 16-day break between home games this season. Tuesday was the first game since May 23 played on a school night after area schools began their 2024 fall semester on Monday.
The second game of the series will be Wednesday at 6:05 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos’ wins leader, lefthander Luis Palacios (8-5, 4.85 ERA), on the mound against the Biscuits’ Trevor Martin (1-2, 4.91.). Pregame activities will begin at 5:45 p.m. and include ceremonial first pitches. The actual first pitch in the game will be at 6:05 p.m.
GAME NOTABLES
— Prior to the game, the Blue Wahoos held a moment of silence for Gene Rosenbaum, a long-time season-ticket holder, who passed away on July 27. He was a regular attendee at Blue Wahoos Stadium and well-known among the fans seated in his section.
— The Blue Wahoos added infielder Johnny Olmstead, who was recently elevated from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate. Olmstead, 24, was a 19th round selection by the Marlins out of the University of Southern California. He was batting .239 with 11 homers with the Sky Carp.
— The move corresponded to outfielder Andrew Pintar being placed on the injured list after he was hit in the face by a pitch in Sunday’s game against Mississippi. He was one of four new players joining the Blue Wahoos when the Marlins received 15 new players in their organization from various trades on the July 30 MLB trade deadline.
Update: Two Escaped Alabama Inmates Captured
August 13, 2024
Two inmates that escaped Monday night from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton have been captured.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said Cameron Garner, 22, and Joseph Loper, 21, escaped just about 8:05 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday, Loper was captured by about noon, and Garner was back in custody by about 2 p.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Garner (pictured left) had been held on burglary and attempting to elude charges since June 27. Loper had been held since January 17 on a charge of failing to appear in court. Additional escape charges are expected to be added.
Escambia County Worker Injured When Tractor Overturns In Cantonment
August 13, 2024
An Escambia County Road Department worker was transported to area hospital after his tractor overturned in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon.
The worker was cutting grass in county-owned retention pond on Plata Canada Drive off Tate Road when the tractor slipped and overturned in a soft, muddy area just before 1 p.m.
He was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital for evaluation., according to a county spokesperson.
His injuries did not appear serious.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Superintendent Says First Day Of School Was Good, Sets High Expectations For Year
August 13, 2024
Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard started his day before sunrise Monday, and was still going in he late evening, visiting schools across the county on the first day of school.
Leonard said he has three big goals for the district this year, and he is excited to see students strive to achieve their best.
“I’m really excited about the 24-25 school year. We have high expectations for our students,” he said. “If you have high expectations to these young people, I believe they are going to step up and do the things that are necessary for them to be successful in school.”"
The first day was not without a few issues, mostly transportation logistic issues, as is always the case on the first day of school when about 35,000 students return to class.
“We’ve had a good first day,” Leonard said. “There have been a few hiccups here and there, but nothing that’s not unexpected or certainly not anything we can’t overcome.”
Photo Gallery: First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 13, 2024
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County.
As is an annual tradition, we asked parents to submit their North Escambia area back to school photos. We received hundreds of photos.
For a photo gallery of parent submitted photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Marine Training Helicopter Makes Unscheduled Landing In Molino
August 13, 2024
A Marine training helicopter made an unscheduled landing Monday afternoon in Molno.
There were no injuries reported when the TH-57C training helicopter landed in an open grassy area near the intersection of Highway 196 and Chestnut Road.
The aircraft crew could be seen up and walking around out of the helicopter, which suffered no obvious damage in the incident.
The helicopter was removed by truck a short time later.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Employees Donate School Supplies To Molino Park Elementary
August 13, 2024
A group of 13 Navy Federal Credit Union employees donated about 300 school supply items to Molino Park Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ascend Cares Foundations Provides Breakfast For Escambia Sheriff’s Office
August 13, 2024
The Ascend Cares Foundation provided breakfast for deputies and staff at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Community Mourns Passing Of Longtime Local Barber
August 13, 2024
The Cantonment community is mourning the loss of longtime local barber.
Dwight Peake, 77, was a barber by trade, working for Purvis’ Barber Shop for 18 years.
He is survived by his loving wife Helen Peake, son Joshua, daughter Jennifer Mink and numerous other relatives.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on August 16 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, followed with a funeral service at 2 p.m. There will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, family is asking for donations to Calvary Baptist Church on Pine Forest Road, where he was a deacon.
For the complete obituary, click here.