Man Wanted Since February Century Manhunt Now Behind Bars
March 13, 2010
A man that eluded capture back in early February is now in the Escambia County Jail.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were unable to catch Kenneth Elbert Hammac, Jr., 27, of Century, when he ran from them in Century on February 4. He was wanted for violation of probation on possession of cocaine and possession of narcotic charges from 2006.
Deputies found Hammac the morning of February 4 near a car lot on North Century Boulevard, near the intersection of Pond Street. When Hammac spotted deputies, he ran. A subsequent brief manhunt failed to locate him.
Hammac is being held in the county jail without bond. He will back in court in early April.
Spring Forward; Change Batteries In Your Smoke Alarms
March 13, 2010
As you “spring forward” with the change to daylight-saving time, Escambia County Fire Rescue wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives — changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” says Fire Chief Frank Edwards. “Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”
In addition, Edwards also recommends residents test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children — Approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- Seniors — Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
- Low-Income Households — Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
For more information about fire safety, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-475-5530 or visit our web site at www.myescambia.com.
For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).
Looking For A Bargain? It’s The Weekend’s Biggest Garage Sale
March 13, 2010
If you are looking for a bargain today, there’s a sale in Pensacola for you.
The Junior League of Pensacola continues its annual Bargain Sale today at its new location, the University of West Florida Field House.
“We are excited about our new location offering more space and amenities and to partner with the University of West Florida”, says Leah McCreary and Meghan Barter, Bargain Sale Chairs. This super-sized garage sale, features new and gently used merchandise donated by Junior League members, neighbors, friends, and local businesses. The event setup is similar to a large department store, offering thousands of items including housewares, clothing, books, electronics, children’s clothing, furniture, and more.
Come join other shoppers in the hunt for great bargains and quality merchandise at this much-anticipated annual fundraising event. The Bargain Sale is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and items will be discounted by 50 percent. Admission on Saturday is $1.00.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Junior League of Pensacola’s community projects, which are aimed to improve the lives of children in the foster care system throughout Northwest Florida. Ildi Hosman, Junior League President notes, “As one of our largest annual fundraisers, Bargain Sale is a key factor in the League’s ability to continue our community foster care projects. With this event, we not only secure our position to carry out our projects, but we also provide a venue for the community to find great deals on things they need and can use at home everyday.”
The Junior League of Pensacola is a nonprofit organization of women in the Pensacola area committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League of Pensacola celebrated 50 years of service to this community in 2006.
Want To Learn More About Growing Summer Veggies?
March 13, 2010
Are you interested in growing your favorite summer vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and a few others? Are you interested in learning the basics of plant propagation?
Escambia Extension will offer two programs:
- Saturday, March 20- Growing Your Favorite Summer Vegetables
- Saturday, April 17- Plant Propagation Basics (growing your favorite perennials by cutting, divisions and layering)
The programs are from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Escambia Extension, 3740 Stefani Road in Pensacola. The cost of each program is $5 for materials. To pre-register, call Beth Bolles at
(850) 475-5230 or email bbolles@ufl.edu.
WEGS 91.7 FM Remains Off Air
March 13, 2010
If you have been missing WEGS 91.7 FM on your radio dial, you are going to have to wait a bit longer to enjoy their programming.
WEGS 91.7 has been off the air since a lightning strike at the station’s transmitter in Milton; the station will need to replace the entire length of coaxial cable from the bottom to the top of the transmitter.
“The best case scenario on the station being back on the air is next Thursday,” Chris Paden, WEGS operations manager, said. The whole process will be delayed by a shipping error on the coaxial cable, Paden said, with it not being shipped on time and it being shipped to Orlando instead of Milton.
WEGS is operated by Olive Baptist Church.
Public Transportation In North Escambia Could Be Cut Back
March 12, 2010
The only Escambia County Area Transit route that serves North Escambia will be cut back if proposed changes in the county’s public transportation routes are made.
The Saturday transit bus that serves Century, Molino and Cantonment would be eliminated due to low ridership if the plan presented to the Escambia County by ECAT is approved. The route would also no longer service the “Park-n-Ride” lot at the old Winn Dixie in Cantonment.
The “Route 60″ bus makes three weekday trips with stops between Century and the ECAT transfer center where it allows riders to connect to the rest of the ECAT network. It currently makes the run twice on Saturdays.
Most of the proposed changes across the county are simple route changes or service additions, with just a few routes seeking service cuts.
According to an ECAT memo from General Manager Kenneth Gordon, the route changes in the county are designed to improve safety, improve on-time performance, improve connectivity between routes, provide service to under-served areas, reduce complaints and improve operating efficiencies.
ECAT is required to present proposed route changes to the Board of County Commissioners for discussion and public input. After the board discusses the plans on March 11, a 30 day period for public comment will be allowed and then then plan will go back to the commission.
The North Escambia to Pensacola Route 60 bus in the most expensive bus per hour in the entire public transportation system in the county.
The bus costs $11.15 per passenger to operate, according to ECAT numbers from the last fiscal year — a decrease from $16.27 the previous year. That’s the most expensive cost per passenger by far over any other bus in the system, with every other route falling below $8 per person (except for a free tourist route). The next most expensive route per person is a crosstown/airport route that costs ECAT $7.82 per person. The Century and Molino to Pensacola bus is also the most expensive per hour to operate in the ECAT system, at $60.67, down from $78.29 per hour the previous year.
A total of 9 ,430 riders took the Route 60 bus over a one year period, up from 7,819 the previous year. That compares to 162,403 on a Davis Highway area bus.
Pictured above middle: The “Route 60″ Century and Molino to Pensacola ECAT route map. Pictured below: A timetable for the bus. Click to enlarge.
Manhunt In Brewton For Wanted Century Man; Reward Offered
March 12, 2010
A search for a wanted Century robbery suspect led to a manhunt in Brewton, Alabama, Thursday afternoon.
Shawn Demarcus Simmons, 30, of Ivey Street, Century, has been named one of the most wanted fugitives in Escambia County, Fla. A tip led the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Brewton Police Department to look for Simmons in the Martin Luther King Avenue area of Brewton around midday.
Tracking dogs from the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore were used in the search for Simmons, but he was not apprehended.
Authorities say Simmons should be considered armed and dangerous. He is wanted in Florida for aggravated battery, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and robbery with a firearm in connection with the February 25 robbery of Devante Aaaron Knight, 18, of Hecker Road, Century.
Simmons has scars on his upper and lower lips, scars on both legs and a tattoo on his left arm. In addition to the area of his home on Ivey Street, Simmons has been seen on Zion and Cottage streets in Century and is known to frequent Brewton. He has been known to use the names David Jones, Sean Simpson and Sean Simmons.
Knight was arrested after he allegedly snatched a purse containing $2,000 in cash from an 85-year old woman in Escambia County, Alabama. The day after the purse snatching, Knight was himself the victim of a robbery where the $2,000 was allegedly stolen by Simmons. Knight was arrested last week in Escambia County, Florida, and subsequently extradited back to Alabama.
Anyone with information on Simmons’ whereabouts should call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous and can receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information.
Traffic Update: Highway 97 Lane Closures Take Spring Break
March 12, 2010
Beginning today, there will be no road construction related lane closures on Highway 97 for two weeks.
Under their contract with the Florida Department of Transportation, contractor Panhandle Grade and Paving will not close any lanes for construction from March 12 through March 28 for collegiate spring break.
Crews will continue work during the two week period, but without disrupting traffic.
The paving portion of the $5.7 million project is scheduled to being the week of March 29.
During the Highway 97 resurfacing project, NorthEscambia.com will provide the most current Highway 97 lane closure and construction updates to help you avoid delays.
Blueberry Jamboree To Return
March 12, 2010
Mark your calenders — the Blueberry Jamboree is returning again this year.
About 5,000 people attended the first Blueberry Jamboree last year, and it will be back this year bigger and better on June 12 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Artists and craftsmen are invited to showcase and sell their treasures at this family-friendly festival celebrating blueberries and bluegrass. The cost for a 10’ x 10’ space is $48.37. Registration and payment must be received by May 31.
To register or for more information, please contact the Brandi Daigle in Public Information at (850) 595-3476 or email brandy_daigle@myescambia.com.
The community center is located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road in Molino.
Pictured below: About 60 vendors participated in the first Blueberry Jamboree last year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
1,100 Buckets Of Hope Collected For Haiti, Still Time For You To Help
March 12, 2010
You have through the weekend if you would like to join area churches in helping Haiti with the Buckets of Hope program — an earthquake relief effort that is providing hope to the families of Haiti on 5-gallon bucket of food at a time.
As of Thursday, about 1,100 buckets have been collected, according to Drayton Smith, associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment. The buckets contain specific food items, including beans, rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil and other essentials. It’s enough to feed a family of four for about a week, plus they have the bucket to reuse to haul water, store food items or even move rubble in the earthquake stricken land.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is serving as a collection point for the north end of Escambia County, according to FBC Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey. In the Cantonment and central portions of Escambia County, the buckets are still be collected by the First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
The deadline to drop off the filled buckets at the First Baptist Church of Bratt is Sunday, March 14. More information is available from through the student ministry of the church.
The deadline to drop off the filled buckets at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment is Monday, March 15.