Four Arrested In Flomaton Drug Raid
June 11, 2010
A drug bust Thursday in Flomaton landed four people in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center.
The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force and the Flomaton Police Department executed a search warrant on Sue Street.
Charged were:
- Kimberly Ann Costa, 22, of Sue Street, first-degree possession of marijuana.
- Tonya Lee Johnson, 41, of Sue Street, first degree possession of marijuana; unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), unlawful possession of a controlled substance (prescription medication), and distribution of a controlled substance.
- Donald Ray Wilkerson, 49, of Holt Street, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Christopher Wayne Morris, 24, of Cary Street, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Clonopine and Lortab), possession of drug paraphernalia and distribution of a controlled substance.
Officers reportedly located cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and illegal prescription pills in the home on Sue Street.
Escambia’s War On Oil In Full Swing
June 11, 2010
The battle to keep oil away from Escambia County shores was in full swing Thursday night.
Crews responded to a reported plume of oil 12 miles from Perdido Pass Thursday night, possibly with plans to set fire to oil.
“One option may be to try to burn some of the plume. If they decide to burn off some of the oil, you may see a glow in the Gulf along the horizon,” said Sonya Daniel, Escambia County spokesperson, late Thursday night.
Earlier Thursday, tar balls and sheen were reported to be coming through Pensacola Pass an into Pensacola Bay. Boom was set in Pensacola Pass as the majority of oil in the pass was collected by skimmers, Daniel said. Pensacola Pass is the entrance into Pensacola and Perdido bays. The Coast Guard authorized the closure of Perdido Pass so boom could be deployed.
Pictured above: Boom in Pensacola Bay; the Pensacola Bay Bridge and Gulf Breeze can bee seen in the background. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Robs Three Convenience Stores, Nets Less Than $100
June 11, 2010
Authorities are searching for a man that robbed three stores, netting less than $100 total.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the man they said robbed the Circle K at 330 Kenmore Road, the Circle K at 560 West Nine Mile Road (across from Home Depot) and the Tom Thumb at 6495 W Street on June 7.
“In all the robberies a black male entered the store and demanded money as he displayed a small caliber black handgun,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. Roy said the man will face at least three armed robbery charges that could carry up to 20 to 30 years in prison.
The man was described as being between five-foot, three inches and five-foot, six inches and weighing about 130 to 145 pounds.
Photographs released Thursday by the Sheriff’s Office also show a white female and a black male with dreadlocks. “These two individuals are being treated as possible witnesses and investigators are trying to identify these two individuals as well,” Roy said.
Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to contact Investigator Tom Watts at (850) 436-9620, or to remain anonymous call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: A black male robs the Circle K at 560 West Nine Mile Road on June 7. Pictured bottom: Two people seen leaving the Circle K at 330 Kenmore Road moments before the black male robbed that store. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday’s Oil Update, Forecast
June 11, 2010
Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County, with updated information in yellow:
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Important Phone Numbers For Citizens
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from the Florida/Alabama line east to the entrance of Johnson Beach/Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Health Department posted signs at the affected area.Hot And Steamy Weekend
June 11, 2010
It’s going to be hot in the North Escambia area, with the heat index expected to reach 105 to 110 today through Sunday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Blueberry Jamboree Saturday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 92.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92.
Narcotics Investigators Serve Drug Related Search Warrants In Century
June 10, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served two narcotics search warrants in Century Wednesday night — one in the 4700 block of Highway 4A and one in the 100 block of West Highway 4.
At the Highway 4A location, several people were seen handcuffed outside the residence as deputies searched the house, an outlying shed, several vehicles and even a grill.
“We served a search warrant here tonight in connection with an ongoing investigation,” Narcotics Division Investigator Heath Jackson said while at the Highway 4A home. “Drug related evidence was removed from the residence.”
No one at the home was arrested or charged with any crime Wednesday night.
“Future charges are expected in connection with the search,” Jackson said.
There was no one at home as deputies searched a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4 near the Century Care Center nursing home. Jackson said evidence was also removed from that home, and charges were possible against the persons involved with that residence.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit agents question the occupants of a home on Highway 4A after serving a search warrant Wednesday night. Pictured inset: Investigator Heath Jackson and other undercover narcotics agents at a home on West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Injured In Wreck Near Vernon
June 10, 2010
A Walnut Hill man received minor injuries in a Wednesday wreck in Washington County that critically injured a Chipley man.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, David P. Fuller, 41, of Chipley, failed to stop his 2000 Toyota pickup at a “clearly marked” stop sign at the intersection of County Road 279 and State Road 77 near Vernon about 10:50 Wednesday morning.
Fuller steered right and entered the northbound turn lane on State Road 77, colliding with the left side of a 1995 Kenworth dump truck driven by Andrew F. Beck, 27, of Walnut Hill. Beck’s dump truck overturned onto the passenger side, spilling a load of dirt onto the highway. Fuller’s vehicle rotated several times, partially ejecting Fuller.
Fuller was transported in critical condition to Bay Medical Center in Panama City. Beck was transported to Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley with minor injuries.
Charges are pending against Fuller, according to the FHP.
Maritime Park Multicultural Center Names Board Including Century Mayor
June 10, 2010
Sixteen Pensacola area businesses, charitable and civic leaders — including Century Mayor Freddie McCall — have formed a development board to help build The Pensacola Multicultural Center which will be operated by the University of West Florida at the Community Maritime Park.
Plans are under way to construct the center, which will focus on Pensacola’s diverse past and present and celebrate the many cultures that make up the Gulf Coast region. The Center will be at the southwest corner of Devilliers and Main Street.
Members of the newly-formed executive committee are:
- Ellis Bullock III
- Debbie Calder
- Carol Carlan
- Robert de Varona
- Brunie Emmanuel
- Teri Levin
- Kyle Marrero
- LuTimothy May
- Freddie McCall
- Jean Norman
- Debbie Ritchie
- Susan Story
- Sue Straughn
- Bentina Terry
- Dr. Ted Traylor
- PC Wu
“Pensacola has more history than any other city in America,” said Susan Story, a member of the Multicultural Center Development Board and Gulf Power president and CEO. “A rich tapestry of history that all started when Spaniards, Mexicans and African Americans arrived to be greeted by the Native Americans. Other Europeans came later as well as the Vietnamese and other Asians and they all brought different languages, different customs, different food and different ways of life.”
LuTimothy May, also a member of the Multicultural Center Development Board and pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church as well as instructor/advisor at UWF, said celebrating that past is an important part of the center, but it’s more important to have a place to recognize the different aspects of Pensacola’s multiculturalism today.
“This is not a museum focused on artifacts,” said May. “Its focus will be on people and recognizing that all of these differences blended together give us strength as a community. We truly are a tapestry woven with many different threads of many different colors and textures.”
Plans for the center began in 2006 when a community advisory group was formed. That group, comprised of representatives from different ethnic backgrounds, is tasked with developing content for the center, including the stories and exhibits that will be on display.
The center will also include a library and a research center run by UWF and open for students and the public. Also included will be a theater, exhibits, places for storytelling, art exhibits, musical performances and other cultural expressions and a gift shop.
Funding for the center, which is expected to cost around $8 million, will come from private donations and matching funds from the state of Florida. A public fund-raising campaign will be kicked off later this year. dent and CEO. “A rich tapestry of history that all started when Spaniards, Mexicans and African Americans arrived to be greeted by the Native Americans. Other Europeans came later as well as the Vietnamese and other Asians and they all brought different languages, different customs, different food and different ways of life.”
LuTimothy May, also a member of the Multicultural Center Development Board and pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church as well as instructor/advisor at UWF, said celebrating that past is an important part of the center, but it’s more important to have a place to recognize the different aspects of Pensacola’s multiculturalism today.
“This is not a museum focused on artifacts,” said May. “Its focus will be on people and recognizing that all of these differences blended together give us strength as a community. We truly are a tapestry woven with many different threads of many different colors and textures.”
Plans for the center began in 2006 when a community advisory group was formed. That group, comprised of representatives from different ethnic backgrounds, is tasked with developing content for the center, including the stories and exhibits that will be on display.
The center will also include a library and a research center run by UWF and open for students and the public. Also included will be a theater, exhibits, places for storytelling, art exhibits, musical performances and other cultural expressions and a gift shop.
Funding for the center, which is expected to cost around $8 million, will come from private donations and matching funds from the state of Florida. A public fund-raising campaign will be kicked off later this year.
Pictured: Century Mayor Freddie McCall, shown here at last Monday night’s Century Town Council Meeting, was named to a 16-member development board for the The Pensacola Multicultural Center at the Community Maritime Park in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
North Escambia, Santa Rosa Produce To Be Sold At Area Food World Stores
June 10, 2010
Beginning next week, shoppers will be able to purchase local produce grown in North Escambia and Santa Rosa County at their local Food World.
Produce grown locally and marketed by the Panhandle Fresh Marketing Association will be available in 20 Food World and Bruno’s supermarkets in Northwest Florida and South Alabama, including stores in Pensacola and Atmore.
Panhandle Fresh already handles the marketing, the insurance and logistics of getting produce like sweet corn from Walnut Hill to Wal-Mart. Panhandle Fresh secures the orders from Wal-Mart and works with local farmers to coordinate the produce delivery. And beginning Tuesday, June 15, the produce will be available in the Food World and Bruno’s stores.
Panhandle Fresh sits between the farmer and the chain stores, providing the $3 million in liability insurance, for instance, that Wal-Mart requires. The group also provides the marketing, works to secure shelf space for the products, takes care of most paperwork and bills the chain store for the produce. The farmer delivers his goods, bills Panhandle Fresh and receives a check for the fresh goods.
“We’re excited about partnering with Panhandle Fresh to promote our local farmers and their products in our stores,” said Tony Albano, a representative from Southern Family Markets, which owns the Food World and Bruno’s stores in the area. “From harvest to our stores, in some cases within a day, you just can’t beat the quality of fresh and local produce.”
The big grocery stores get the freshest product possible from local farms, and the local farmers that participate get a much needed financial boost.
Pictured top: Panhandle fresh product in an area Wal-mart. Pictured inset: Steve’s Sweet Corn from Walnut Hill was just one of the products that Panhandle Fresh worked to get from area fields into retail giant Wal-Mart. Pictured bottom middle: Panhandle Fresh greens being sold in an area Wal-Mart. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Health Department Tests Delay Century Water Project
June 10, 2010
There has been a slight delay, but water problems for residents of Backwoods Road in Century will soon come to an end.
A $1.58 million project to improve the Town of Century’s water system in the Backwoods Road, State Line Road, Highway 4A area is on hold after a couple of failing health department tests.
The improvements recently failed a handful of 20 recent water quality tests. The system was flushed to remove impurities so that future tests will give the town the go-ahead to pump water to customers through the improvements.
Additional samples were taken, according to engineer Dale Long, and he said he expects those results to be available by next week. “I would rather have more tests than people being sick,” he said.
According to Mayor Freddie McCall, service lines are installed and ready to attach to individual customer meters once the health approval is given.
The entire project includes a new 300,000 gallon elevated water storage tank to improve system reliability and fire protection, two natural gas operated back-up generators to improve system reliability for the existing water treatment plants, 16,000 feet of six-inch water main and a booster station to provide fire protection, improve pressure and system reliability in a portion of the existing water system franchise area.
Almost all of the project is complete, according to the mayor. The booster station has not been installed yet, but McCall said the system will be used prior to its construction.
Residents of Backwoods Road have complained about poor water pressure and poor water quality for 10 years. They are currently served by just a two-inch water main.
Pictured top: A new 300,000 gallon elevated water storage tank under construction at the intersection of Academy and Henry streets in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.