DeSantis Makes Local Appointment To State Board Of Optometry
July 13, 2021
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed an Escambia County woman to the Board of Optometry.
Katie Spear is a licensed optometrist and owner of The Visual Performance Center. She is a member of the Florida Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and is a past co-editor of Women in Optometry. Spear earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn University, master’s degree in public health and doctorate of optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her juris doctor from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Crestview Murder Suspect Killed In Shootout With Escambia County Deputies (With Bodycam Video)
July 12, 2021
An Okaloosa County murder suspect was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with Escambia County deputies early Monday morning
Johnny Ray Kirk, 22, was wanted for the July 10 shooting death of an 80-year old man at a park in Crestview. He was also accused of kidnapping two 16-year old girls in DeFuniak Springs earlier that day.
Kirk was located about 2:45 a.m. Monday by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. He was a passenger in a white Ford Escape they stopped at Inez Road and Carrick Avenue, off Fairfield Drive.
He “jumped out of the passenger seat and immediately fired multiple rounds at the two deputies. The deputies returned fire striking him twice,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office statement.
Kirk was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. No deputies were injured during the incident.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to investigate the shooting, as is standard procedure. Both deputies that fired have been placed on administrative leave. ECSO said the incident was captured on body cameras and in-car video.
Bodycam video is below. It may be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
On Sunday, the 80-year old murder victim’s pickup truck was found in off Linda Lane near Defuniak Spring in Walton County (pictured bottom).
Cantonment Man Charged With Theft Of Water Tank Trailer, Construction Tools
July 12, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged in connection with the theft of water tank trailer and multiple tools from a local construction site.
William Ashton Cook, 19, was charged with grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure, felony grand theft, and criminal mischief with property damage.
On June 18, Cook allegedly took a 14-foot trailer with a 500 gallon water tank valued at $6,500, several tools from inside a storage container and a generator from a construction site at Nowak Dairy Road and Highway 97. The potable water tank received an estimated $1,500 in damage after diesel fuel was poured into it, according to an arrest report.
On June 23, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered the stolen trailer attached to Cook’s pickup on Vantage Road, along with two reciprocating saws in the front seat of jos Ford F250 that were taken from the construction site, the report states.
Cook had allegedly walked to a relative’s property on Vantage Road after parking the pickup and water tank trailer. As a search warrant was being prepared for the property, the owner gave deputies consent to search. They reported finding a pressure pump and tamping machine also taken from the construction site.
Cook was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Pictured top: This 500 gallon water tank and trailer were recovered on Vantage Road June 23. Pictured below: Deputies search a nearby property a short time later. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pfizer Vaccine Available In Century Tuesday
July 12, 2021
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination will be available in Century Tuesday from Community Health Northwest Florida.
The vaccine will be available to anyone ages 12 and up from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Century Pediatrics at 501 Church Street.
Walk-ins are welcome, or call (850) 439-3358 for available appointment times.
Century Woman Charged With Cocaine Trafficking
July 12, 2021
A Century woman was charged with trafficking cocaine after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant last week.
The warrant was served in the 7500 block of Cobb Lane off Diamond Dairy Road where 391 grams of powdered and crack cocaine were found in a bedroom occupied by 28-year old Coral Diahn Bowman, according to the ECSO. Deputies also reported finding scales, baggies and firearm.
Bowman was charged with first degree felony trafficking cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $116,000 bond.
Register Now For Tate Youth Football Camp
July 12, 2021
Registration is open now for the 2021 Tate Youth Football Camp, which will be held July 19-20 from 5-8 p.m.
The camp will be directed by the Tate coaching staff, assisted by Tate football players. This is an opportunity to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
The cost is $50 in advance, or $60 on the day of the camp. Attendees will receive a t-shirt. No football equipment will be needed. Cleats are recommended but not required.
To register, click or tap here. For more information, click the graphic on this page to enlarge.
Summer Toy Giveaway Saturday In Walnut Hill; Parents Must Register Now
July 12, 2021
A summer toy giveaway will be held Saturday in Walnut Hill, but parents must register now.
The Toys for Tots event will be held Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97 for children ages 2-17. Children must be present and accompanied by a parent.
Parents must register in advance by calling Chandra Fountain at (850) 501-8217.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady Over The Past Week
July 12, 2021
Florida gas prices held steady during the past week, with drivers paying an average of $3.01 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.99. In North Escambia, a low of $2.83 could be found at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment. In Pensacola, the lowest price Sunday night was $2.83 at the two warehouse clubs and a station on Nine Mile Road.
“Crude oil prices fluctuated last week, but ultimately evened out. So it’s likely these elevated gas prices will hang around for the near future,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group.
Wahoos Knock 10 Hits In 10-4 Series Finale Win Over M-Braves
July 12, 2021
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos ambushed the M-Braves early and avoided a six-game sweep with a resounding 10-4 win at Trustmark Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Wahoos were off the the perfect start scoring five times before Edward Cabrera (W, 2-1) ever took the mound. M-Brave starter Spencer Strider (L, 1-2) struggled mightily with his command, walking five consecutive batters to put the Wahoos 2-0.
After a sac fly from Galli Cribbs, John Nunez and Devin Hairston tallied back-to-back run-scoring singles to put Pensacola up 5-0.
For a moment the Wahoos lead was in peril. Mississippi scored four times in the bottom of the fourth after hitting for the cycle as a team against Cabrera. Drew Lugbauer hit a two-run homer, Jefrey Ramos laced an RBI triple and Jalen Miller made it 5-4 with an RBI double.
After the first, Mississippi would not score again. Cabrera and the Wahoos bullpen held the M-Braves to a total of two hits over the final eight innings. Pensacola’s starter finished the game having thrown 85 pitches across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven and walked only one en route to his second win with the Wahoos.
The bottom of the lineup contributed a lion-share of the offense. Pensacola’s 5-9 hitters went 8-for-18 with nine RBIs and five runs scored. J.D. Osborne launched his first homer of the season in the win while Connor Justus and JJ Bleday each had at least one walk and one double.
The Blue Wahoos will now head home in preparation for their six-game showdown against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The series begins on Tuesday.
Updated: Two People Killed In Highway 97 Head-On Crash Sunday Morning
July 11, 2021
Two people died in a three-vehicle wreck on Highway 97 Sunday morning near Molino. One other person was critically injured.
The crash occurred about 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 97 and Gibson Road, about 3.5 miles north of Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Ford SUV was southbound on Highway 97 approaching the intersection with Gibson Road when the driver crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a white Chevrolet pickup truck that was northbound. Another pickup truck collided with the rear of the white pickup.
The passenger in the Ford Explorer, a 60-year old Cantonment woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the SUV, a 65-year old Cantonment man, was critically injured.
A 62-year old Cantonment man driving the white pickup truck was pronounced deceased. His dog also died in the crash.
The 46-year old Cantonment man driving the third pickup truck was not injured.
For additional photos, click here.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Highway 97 was closed for several hours by the wreck.
FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
