At Least One Injured In East Roberts Road Crash
July 22, 2021
At least one person was reported injured in a traffic crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 95A at East Roberts Road. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Apartment Building Off Fowler Avenue
July 22, 2021
Escambia Fire REscue responded to an apartment fire early Thursday morning.
The fire in the 700 block of Tumbleweed Trail, off Fowler Avenue, was reported at 2:39 a.m. in a two-story, four-unit apartment building.
The fire originated in the second floor apartment and was through the roof when firefighters arrived. Four hose lines were rapidly deployed, stopping the fire from extending to the other units.
ECFR efforts saved numerous personal items for the occupants residing in the three other apartments. There was heavy fire damage to the attic, heavy water and fire damage to one apartment with water damage to the first floor apartments and some water damage to the adjoining second floor apartment. Occupants of the apartment with the fire and the downstairs apartment were not at home during the fire. The fire was reported to be out by 3:50 a.m.
Smoke alarms were present, and the occupants of the adjoining second floor apartment were awake and smelled smoke. There were no injuries reported.
A cat was rescued from the main fire apartment and turned over to the animal control officer since the occupant was not at home.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations conducted the cause and origin and determined the fire was caused by electrical wiring associated with the main power to the electric stove.
The American Red Cross provided lodging to some of the residents.
Pine Forest Road Family Dollar Robbed At Gunpoint Thursday Morning
July 22, 2021
An Escambia County Family Dollar was robbed at gunpoint Thursday morning.
The robbery occurred about 9 a.m. at the Family Dollar on the corner of Pine Forest Road and North Blue Angel Parkway.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect pointed a gun at the clerk and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register before fleeing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Recyclables Going Into The Landfill After Facility Fire; Customers Encouraged To Stay In Recycling Habit
July 22, 2021
Recyclables in Escambia County are going into the landfill following a recycling facility fire last week, but the Emerald Coast Utility Authority is encouraging residents to stay in the recycling habit.
The fire, possibly sparked by a propane tank or a battery, appeared to have originated in a chute in the metal sorting area the afternoon of July 15 at ECUA’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) located at the Perdido Landfill in Beulah.
“In addition to the fire damage, there is also a lot of water damage to materials and electrical systems,” ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday afternoon. She said the recyclables still being collected are being landfilled because there is simply to place to store them until the facility is back up and running.
“ECUA maintenance crews and contractors are working diligently to clean up and repair the areas that were damaged by the fire in order to bring MRF operations back as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we are continuing normal recycling collections and urge our customers to keep in the positive recycling habit,” Bowers said.
ECUA has also put the brakes on recyclables normally processed at the MRF from other cities, counties and commercial entities.
Bowers also praised MRF staff for their quick actions to save machine such as backhoes from the building, along with Escambia Fire Rescue personnel that responded.
Pictured above and below: Inside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Perdido Landfill as cleanup was beginning. Pictured bottom: Smoke pours from the MRF on Thursday, July 15. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fundraiser Underway For Volunteer Firefighter In Need Of Kidney Transplant
July 22, 2021
A fundraiser is underway for a firefighter in need of an immediate kidney transplant.
Cody Green and his wife Sarah have a two-year old son. Cody is a Florida Forest Service wildland firefighter, and he is a volunteer firefighter at the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Cody suffers from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a serious condition in which scar tissue develops in parts of the kidney, and it can lead to full kidney failure.
About a year and a half ago he was at 40% kidney function, and doctors thought he would be able to live without dialysis or need of transplant until he was older in his 40s or 50s. But about six months ago he had only 15% kidney function left and within two months was at just 7%.
To donate to the Cody Green Transplant Fundraiser on Facebook, click or tap here. To donate on GoFundMe, click or tap here.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery, Strangulation Of His Pregnant Girlfriend
July 22, 2021
A Cantonment man is accused of the battery and strangulation of his girlfriend, who is 10 weeks pregnant with his child at the time.
Donquies A. Sledge III, 20, was charged with domestic aggravated battery on a pregnant female, domestic battery by strangulation and grand theft.
The victim told deputies that she had been living with Sledge, her boyfriend, since November 2020. She said she purchased a new car and registered it in her name. When Sledge arrived home from work, he became involved in a verbal altercation over the vehicle, according to his arrest report.
The victim said her boyfriend believed the car to be his and was upset because she was driving it. She said the altercation became physical, and he allegedly grabbed her iPhone and ripped a necklace from her neck. Sledge pushed her into a wall, put both of his around her neck and choked her until she passed out, the report states. He also allegedly bit her on her elbow and bent her index finger back until it was almost broken.
A deputy noted that the victim suffered numerous injuries.
Sledge remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $7,000.
Tate Holds Annual Youth Football Camp
July 22, 2021
The 2021 Tate Youth Football Camp was held this week.
The camp was directed by the Tate coaching staff, assisted by Tate football players. It was an opportunity for attendees to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Hungry To Read’ Provides Books And Groceries At Century, Tryon And Main Libraries
July 22, 2021
Children and their families were able to receive a bag of groceries and a free book Wednesday at three libraries in Escambia County.
FoodRaising Friends, the Escambia County School District and West Florida Public Libraries hosted “Hungry to Read”.
The books and groceries were distributed to children and families at the Century, Tryon and Main libraries. The books were furnished by Navy Federal Credit Union
Pictured: A book and grocery distribution Wednesday morning at the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Sentenced For Setting Car On Fire With Enlisted Woman Inside
July 22, 2021
An Escambia County man as been sentenced to state prison for setting an enlisted woman’s vehicle on fire while she was inside.
Lee Edward Yohn entered a plea to one count of first degree arson of an occupied structure and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
On New Year’s Day, 2020, the victim, an active duty military service member, went to a U-Haul business. Not seeing anyone inside the business, she returned to her vehicle to leave. Upon returning to her vehicle, she was confronted by the defendant who began yelling at her. When the victim entered her vehicle in an attempt to leave, Yohn threw an unknown liquid on her car and then set the car on fire. When exiting the burning vehicle, the victim suffered minor injuries.
Although Yohn fled the scene, he was later identified by surveillance video, photo line ups, and other investigative techniques.
Pensacola’s Ninth-Inning Surge Sees Wahoos Ease Past Biscuits, Win 7-3
July 22, 2021
Tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Pensacola scored four times to defeat the Biscuits 7-3 at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Wednesday.
With Alex Valverde (L, 2-2) pitching in his third inning of relief, J.D. Osborne crushed a no-doubter to left center to break the 3-3 deadlock. It was Pensacola’s third homer of the night after the team had been homer-less since July 10th.
Already leading 5-3, Montgomery’s defense gifted the Blue Wahoos an additional two runs. After a two-out double from Devin Hairston, Demetrius Sims hit a routine ground ball to first that should’ve ended the inning. However, Jim Haley’s toss to the pitcher, Joel Peguero, was low and Peguero missed the ball entirely. Rather than run the ball down, Peguero simply stood in frustration, which allowed Sims to run all the way to third base.
The next batter, JJ Bleday, hit a flyball to left field that also should have ended the inning. This time, Niko Hulsizer missed the ball as it hit off his glove and landed safely, which allowed Sims to score. After all of the errors, the Wahoos exited the ninth with a 7-3 lead.
The Wahoos led briefly early, when Bleday homered off Biscuit starter Jayden Murray to make it 1-0. Montgomery took the lead in the bottom of the first, and it was not until Peyton Burdick launched a solo homer off Murray that the Wahoos were able to tie the game again at 2-2.
The late game craziness distracts somewhat from Max Meyer’s 13th start for the Wahoos. The former first-round pick pitched five innings and allowed six hits, three runs (two earned), and one walk while tying his career high with nine strikeouts. Tyler Stevens, Alberto Guerrero (W, 2-1), and Guillen combined to pitch four shutout innings while striking out eight.
The series rolls on tomorrow night when Jake Eder (3-3, 1.49) takes the hill for the Blue Wahoos. He will be opposed by RHP Easton McGee (0-0, 5.53).