Donut Strike For Manna Collects Enough Food For 34,074 Meals
June 30, 2021
The final count is in from the “Donut Strike” for Manna Food Panties. First responders were on strike against doughnuts for three days last week worked toward a goal of 30,000 meals for Manna.
The Donut Strike collected 20,233 pounds of healthy food and $21,582.05. That’s 11,358 people fed for an entire day and 34,074 meals, according to Manna.
Participating agencies were Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
Pictured: Donut Strike for Manna at Winn Dixie in Cantonment and the Beulah Publix on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and ECSO, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get Series Opening Victory Over Biloxi
June 30, 2021
Along with command of his arsenal of pitches, the Blue Wahoos’ Max Meyer has shown another important quality in his rookie professional season.
He’s twice followed a rough outing with a brilliant one.
Meyer matched his season-high length, working six shutout innings and getting enough run support for the the Blue Wahoos to hold off the Biloxi Shuckers in the ninth inning for a 5-3 win Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Credit his brother’s weekend wedding, too. It followed Meyer’s disappointment in allowing four runs a week ago at Birmingham, leading to the Barons’ comeback win that night.
“I took a couple days off from throwing and I feel like I was just getting loose back out there again,” said Meyer, smiling, afterward, as he continued his progression as one of the Miami Marlins’ top prospects.
“As the game went on, I felt I got a little sharper,” Meyer said. “I think my (velocity) went up a little bit and knocked all that rust of off.”
In two starts against Birmingham, Meyer has giving up a combined nine runs and 13 hits. Against everyone else in the league, he’s given up one run. That’s one run in seven games.
“Being able to bounce back after giving up runs that I obviously hate to do…. just kinda dial it in more and be a little more focused,” said Meyer, explaining his approach. “Birmingham has got me twice now and the next start I usually lock it in a little bit better. I guess it is fun to do.”
It was fun to watch among a crowd of 4,409 as the quick-working Meyer breezed through six innings, allowing four hits, just one walk with six strikeouts. He twice gave up leadoff singles in the third and fifth and responded with quality pitches.
The win began a six-game, Fourth of July week homestand for the Blue Wahoos (29-20) in a festive way. The Shuckers (15-33) have now lost eight straight games.
The Blue Wahoos are sending another heralded prospect, Edward Cabrera, on the mound Wednesday for the first of four post-game fireworks nights, followed by Jake Eder on Thursday. It’s a trio that is among the top of minor league baseball with earned run averages and overall performance.
“It’s really fun to watch these guys (Cabrera, Eder),” said Meyer, the No. 3 overall selection by the Marlins a year ago out of the University of Minnesota.
“Us three kinda rolling out back to back to back,” he said. “We kind a feed off each other and we all have pretty good stuff so you are able to see how to throw to the teams we are facing. And really, good guys, too.”
As they’ve done all season, the Blue Wahoos’ offense made the most of each hit. Five hits, five runs.
Demetrius Sims started with a solo home run in the second into the right field berm. In the fifth, after Peyton Burdick and J.J. Bleday walked, Jerar Encarnacion just missed a three-run homer to straightaway center.
But catcher Nick Fortes hit a one-out single to score both runners.
In the ninth inning, Burdick followed a bases-loaded, none out situation by delivering a two-run double to continue his Double-A South lead in RBI.
Blue Wahoos closer Colton Hock gained his 11th save by making one big pitch – striking out Alexander Palms with the bases loaded in the eighth on a perfect curveball.
But Hock then struggled in the ninth, giving up a single, double, another batter reaching on an error, then a two-run double before ending the game on two flyouts.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Barry: New Industry With Up To 200 Jobs Likely Headed To Central Commerce Park In Cantonment
June 29, 2021
A new industry bringing up to 200 new jobs in their first year of operation may be coming to the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon that he believes he will present a letter of intent from the company to the full commission for a vote on July 8.
Barry same the company is looking at about 75 acres in the Central Commerce Park for a facility that will bring 150 to 200 jobs their first year in operation. He expects the private capital investment by the company will be about $20 million.
He said the project will involve no out of pocket money from the county.
“It’s really good news. It’s the first company we’ve been able to bring forward for this commerce park since I’ve been in office,” said Barry, who is now in his third term.
He declined to name the company or the type of industry due to economic development privacy exemptions, but he did say it will be a company that is new to Escambia County.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry discusses a potential new industry during a town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Convicted Sex Offender Captured Early Tuesday Morning Near State Line
June 29, 2021
A convicted sex offender was captures early Tuesday morning near the Alabama/Florida state line after several hours on the run.
Authorities from Alabama and Florida were involved in a search Monday night into Tuesday morning west of Flomaton for 36-year old Jedd Jackson Grimes who was wanted on outstanding warrants for a probation violation and a felony sex offender violation.
Grimes was capture just before 1:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of Old Atmore Road, just north of the state line. He was located on the roof of an abandoned shed in a wooded area, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson. Grimes surrendered to Jackson shortly after he arrived on scene.
A search Monday night for Grimes was concentrated in the area of Old Atmore Road between Tom Shivers Road and Red Maple Drive, along both sides of the Alabama/Florida state line. The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama State Troopers, and Alabama Drug Task Force were involved, including K-9 teams.
According to the Alabama Sex Offender Registry, Grimes was convicted in 2016 of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. He was released from prison on March 28, 2019, and his last reported address was 1036 North Canoe Road, Atmore.
Pictured: Wanted sex offender Jedd Jackson Grimes (center) was captured shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in a wooded area off Old Atmore. Pictured left is Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff Heath Jackson, and picture right is an unnamed member of an Alabama Department of Corrections dog team. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS Increasing Pay, Manpower; Considering Medical Director Partnership With University Of Florida
June 29, 2021
Escambia County EMS is considering a new direction in medication direction training partnership with the University of Florida.
“When we go with the University of Florida…this will give us another level,” Escambia County Interim Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said, stressing that the county’s paramedics and EMTs are already trained and certified. “Another degree of training, of certification that will allow us to actually build upon what we have now and make the system even better.”
There will be three medical directors for Escambia EMS, two of which live in the area.
Gilmore expects to present the University of Florida contract to the Escambia County Commission for a vote on July 8.
“Contracting with UF affords us the opportunity to bring in all types of training now. We can actually get a baseline training for our EMS personnel, identify the gaps, fill those gaps and build upon advanced stuff,” he said. “So the opportunities that we are bringing to the county are trying to make this system a much better system.”
In 2003, Escambia County EMS was named Florida’s Provider of the Year.
“There’s no reason we can’t get that again,” Gilmore said during a District 5 town hall meeting at the Molino Community Center. He said new EMS Manager David Torsell, who has been on the job since June 1, has set a goal to once again be the best in Florida.
“Since he’s been here three and a half weeks, he’s brought accountability back to the system that has been long needed,” Gilmore said. “We’ve got crews back on the road like they are supposed to be, answering calls.”
Gilmore said the starting pay has increased to $19.19 per hour for paramedics, which he believes will lead to an influx of paramedics coming into Escambia County. He said that’s competitive with other EMS systems to the east and west of Escambia County. Some of those pay more, he said, but don’t offer benefits.
“We are getting manpower coming back to the county. We are hoping to staff more ambulances down the road,” he said. The county is aiming for about 20 ambulances on the road in the daytime hours and 15 at night.
“That will get us where we need to be. Right now we are trying to do 15 in the daytime, and we’re getting 12-15. And we are trying to get 10 right now at night, and we’re getting around seven to eight, sometimes six, and we have to call in extra manpower for mandatory (hours). We are trying to fix those gaps.”
The low manpower, and the low number of ambulances on the road, sometimes mean parts of North Escambia are without an EMS unit in the area.
“I live up here too; my family lives up here. I’ve been here all my life, and I am dedicated to make this happen so that nobody has any issues with the EMS system or the fire system,” said Gilmore, who is a resident of Bratt. “I’ve been doing the county stuff for 25 years as district fire chief for McDavid, and this is near and dear to my heart. I want to make sure we get it right for you guys, for your family, for my family.”
Pictured: Escambia County Interim Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore speaks during a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Shot During Cantonment Car Theft Facing Charges; Homeowner Won’t Be Charged
June 29, 2021
A 15-year old shot by a homeowner while allegedly stealing a car from a Cantonment neighborhood early Sunday is now facing several charges, while the homeowner will not face any charges.
A’kobie Gregory Fountain was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and burglary of a vehicle in connection with the incident in the 2500 block of Southern Oaks Drive.
The owner of the vehicle told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies he was alerted by his video surveillance system about the theft. The victim armed himself with a firearm and ran toward his vehicle with Fountain inside. The victim pointed his gun and demanded Fountain exit the ca.
Fountain got out of the vehicle and tackled the victim to the ground, according to investigators. The victim then fired his weapon several times at Fountain, but was unsure at the time if he struck the suspect. Fountain ran from the scene.
ECSO deputies arrived at the home and began searching for Fountain. Lt. Stephen Hall heard screaming from a wooded area and located Fountain, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies also located two stolen guns taken from previous car burglaries.
Fountain was taken to a hospital and treated for gunshot wounds to his legs and abdomen. Once he was released from the hospital he was arrested.
“We encourage people to lock their doors, but just because a car is left unlocked does not give anyone the right to take it. A criminal broke into his car. A criminal stole his car. A criminal physically attacked him. A criminal got shot. We have no intention of charging the homeowner,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip W. Simmons.
The ECSO is still looking for two other suspects in this incident. Anyone with information about their identities or locations is to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Deputy County Attorney Leaving For Job As Pensacola City Attorney
June 29, 2021
Escambia County Deputy County Attorney Charles Peppler is leaving the county to become the city attorney for Pensacola.
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced Monday that Peppler is taking the position being vacated by Susan Woolf as she becomes the University of West Florida’s general counsel in August. Peppler’s first day with the city will be sometime in September.
“I’m very excited. I think he’ll do an incredible job as city attorney, and I think he would fit right in,” Robinson said.
“I appreciate the confidence you placed in me to be the city attorney,” Peppler said during a Monday press conference with Robinson. “We’re really looking forward to working with you mayor, and the city council and with the people of the city of Pensacola to provide them the best legal services and legal advice possible>”
Farm Hill Utilities, Town Of Century Both Cancel Boil Water Notices
June 28, 2021
Monday, both the Town of Century and Farm Hill Utilities canceled unrelated boil water notices after satisfactory bacteriological sampling.
Farm Hill Utilities issued a boil water notice following a water main break last Thursday. The boil water notice has been rescinded for the west end of River Annex Road, the intersection of Beulah Road and Muscogee Road and all of Beulah Road including the side roads.
Town of Century Utilities issued a boil water notice after a truck broke a fire hydrant at the Food Giant Friday night. The notice has been rescinded for Backwoods Road, Shady Lane, Stateline Road, Bass Road, Benauer Road and Green Street.
Local Hams Take To The Airwaves For Amateur Radio Field Day To Practice Emergency Communications
June 28, 2021
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will hold their annual field day this weekend during “Amateur Radio Week” in Escambia County.
“Field Day started out as kind of a civil defense thing back in the early, early days,” said ham operator Gene Bannon, call sign KB4HAH. “And then it kind of mushroomed it into an operation, practice drill, and a now it’s a contest. The whole goal for the amateurs is to basically go out where you normally don’t have your towers and equipment all set up and run on preferably emergency power.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
And for 24 hours this pst weekend, they did just that at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
Club member set up their amateur radio equipment — ranging from 1960s tube radios that literally glow in the dark to modern digital gear and satellite communications. With a generator and portable antennas, including a wire antenna running some 300 feet through the trees, they were soon communicating with ham operators across the United States and Canada. The goal was to reach another ham operator in Canadian province and U.S. state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
“You just basically practice emergency communications of course, and, by the way, make a contest out of so people will actually do it. Give them something to look forward to, even if it’s nothing more than bragging rights. Nobody gets a brand-new car out of the deal or anything.”
There were six amateur stations operating this year. Last year, during COVID-19, there were nine.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications can be knocked out of service.
The amateur radio operators have their own equipment inside the Escambia County Operations Center, ready to provide needed communications during local emergencies. That room is being named for Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, a ham operator that passed away May 29.
“He was a major instrumental factor to amateur radio from the mid 80s to the early 2000s. He was the coordinator for a lot. He was one of the instrumental people when Katrina hit Louisiana and the Gulf Coast — Mississippi, Alabama, South Alabama, South Mississippi and North Florida. He combined people together who could go over to Louisiana and help.”
For more information, visit the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association webpage.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff Adds Additional Patrol Deputies To Molino, Perdido Precincts
June 28, 2021
In February, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons opened precincts in Molino and Perdido with the intent to upgrade patrol in both communities.
“The reason we reopened the precincts was to bring more resources to specific areas,” Simmons told NorthEscambia.com.
“We didn’t just want to reopen them; that was phase one. Now I’ve been able to hire enough deputies to have two deputies for the Molino and Perdido precincts on a flex schedule. It was not just an empty promise, but an actual plan, an effort. We wanted to increase our enforcement in those areas.”
“We really want to go our best to get the resources where we need it,” the sheriff said.
Pictured: Inside the recently reopened Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.