Unidentified Pedestrian Struck Twice, Dies
July 24, 2016
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A pedestrian struck twice on Willard Norris Road in Santa Rosa County early Sunday morning is dead, and authorities are searching for his identify.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the pedestrian was already lying in the roadway from a previous collision when he was struck a second time by a 1991 Ford Bronco driven y 18-year old Tyler Watson Shook of Jay about 12:20 Sunday morning. Shook was uninjured and does not face any charges.
The FHP said all attempts to identify the pedestrian have been unsuccessful. The FHP said the victim was a white male, about 5-foot, 8-inches tall.
Anyone with information on the crash causing the pedestrian’s initial injuries or the pedestrian’s identity is asked to contact Corporal Jane Watts at donnawatts@flhsmv.gov or call (850) 471-6928.
Man Shot In Cantonment Dies; ECSO Names Homicide Suspect
July 24, 2016
The victim in a shooting Saturday night in Cantonment has died, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has named a suspect.
Escambia County EMS responded to a gunshot victim in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Sheppard Street just after 9 p.m. Alphonso Leon Griffin, 29, was discovered with a gunshot would to his shoulder. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later passed away.
Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 19-year old Marquis Derrell Bryant (pictured) is wanted for homicide in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
More Scattered Showers For Sunday
July 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Family Offers $10K Reward For Hit And Run Driver That Hit Teen
July 24, 2016
The family of a 15-year old hit and run victim is offering a reward for information.
Brianna Nicole Marks, 15, was crossing Pine Forest Road at Citation Drive about 4:25 a.m. Friday when she was struck by a northbound vehicle that fled the scene. The vehicle should have extensive front end damage according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Marks remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Her family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the hit and run.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 24, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening – The outside east and westbound lane, near Exit 17 (U.S. 90/Scenic Highway) will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 24. In addition, traffic in the inside lane will be slowed by the Florida Highway Patrol from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in a “pacing operation.” The lane closures and pacing operations will allow construction crews to paint the Scenic Highway overpass.
- Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10)- Lane restrictions east of Guidy Lane as crews construct a new eastbound, right and westbound, left turn lane for the shopping center Sunday, July 24 through Thursday, July 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Texar Drive (S.R. 752) Pedestrian Overpass– Access to the pedestrian bridge is closed for approximately one month. Eastbound ECAT bus stops located at the pedestrian bridge will be temporarily relocated during construction to just west of N Miller Street.
- Airport Road (S.R. 750) Resurfacing- Intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving operations between U.S. 29 and County Road 95A (North Palafox Street).
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), Sunday, July 24 through Thursday, July 28 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue widening work. In addition, there will be alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing through Sunday, July 31 as crews perform striping operations.
- I-10- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures between Santa Rosa County line and U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) from 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 27 as crews repair highway lighting.
- I-110- Intermittent north and southbound lane closures between Chance Street and I-10 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 29 as crews repair highway lighting.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard)- Intermittent lane closures and slow moving operations from U.S. 98 to the toll bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuing through Thursday, July 28 as crews perform striping operations. There will be no work performed Friday through Sunday.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday nights through Sunday, July 31. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Vote 2016: Q&A With District 5 Commission Candidates
July 24, 2016
The Greater Pensacola Chamber sent an online questionnaire to local candidates running for Escambia County Commission. Questions focus on issues affecting the business community. Below are the unedited responses from incumbent Stephen Barry and Danny Smillie, candidates for Escambia County Commission District 5.
Q1: Rate the regulatory climate for business in Escambia County. Is it good, fair or bad? Explain your answer.
Steven Barry: I would describe the business climate of Escambia County as fair, not in an equitable sense of fairness, but in the sense of the climate being better than it has been in the past, but we still need a lot of work to be a great environment for business.
Danny Smillie: Fair. So many complications, permits, and restrictions to start business. You have to have so much money and insurance to start a business. Many are going out of town because its easier to start a business.
Q2: Provide any examples of how regulations have affected the lives of county residents in a positive or negative way.
Steven Barry: One example of the impact of regulations on the community is what the Wedgewood community is dealing with today. There were decades of little or no regulation, and even when there were regulations, the enforcement was lax. Addressing the issue appropriately is taking us years.
Danny Smillie: Negative. When a family gets permit to setup a mobile home on family property who has a terminally ill family member is revoked before person dies. Try to get a carport installed and is given the run around. Sent to many offices about permits and drawings and other complicated items.
Q3: Name the top 3 specific county ordinances/regulations you would like to see eliminated. Explain why they should be eliminated.
Steven Barry: The BCC passed a new land development code earlier in 2016, with approximately 2/3 of the aggregate code volume being removed. The rewrite process was a very tedious, slow, six to seven year process. I have not heard much feedback about remaining issues the board needs to eliminate, but I am open to the idea. I want Escambia County to be a place where people and businesses attempting to invest their private capital into our community are treated as an asset, and the county senior staff leadership helps them work through their development. Private capital continuing to grow our tax base, as an aggregate figure, is absolutely integral to keeping property tax rates low.
Danny Smillie: N/A
Q4: Should Escambia County have a Human Rights Ordinance? Explain why or why not.
Steven Barry: I noticed discussion earlier this year related to the Pensacola City Council and discussing the Human Rights Ordinance, but it is not an issue which we have discussed, even in passing.
Danny Smillie: N/A
Q5: Do you see any overlap or duplication of services between the county and the city? If so, what services should be consolidated? How could these services be consolidated?
Steven Barry: I am not particularly familiar with the City of Pensacola governmental structure. However, if there is an opportunity to truly share the cost of services for some of the tax payers we both have a fiduciary responsibility to serve, then I am open to the idea. I would only support the consolidation of clearly duplicative services themselves, not the consolidation, or merger of the entities, Escambia County and Pensacola respectively.
Danny Smillie: No
Q6: How will you work to build a more collaborative environment among our elected officials? How can the county commission better work with other local and state officials to further business interests in Escambia County?
Steven Barry: I believe all of our elected representatives, regardless of the size or scope of the entity they represent, should make every effort possible to have a pleasant working relationship with each other. Many of us share common tax payers, rate payers, and constituents. I have been very supportive of joint meetings between the county and any of the other elected boards each time the issue has been up for discussion. The joint meetings require spending time with each other, and give you the opportunity to build healthy working relationships with your elected colleagues.
Danny Smillie: Have quarterly meetings. Find a way to reduce permits and the cost of the permits.
Q7: Do you believe the county allocates sufficient resources for infrastructure projects? How would you prioritize these projects and fund them?
Steven Barry: With the voters extending another term of the local option sales tax, Escambia County will have a very healthy amount of annual revenue to devote to capital projects, 35 + million. It’s important to me that our priority setting of the resources take place on the dais, with each commissioner passionately pitching for the respective needs of their district, and for their opinion of the needs of the entire county.
Danny Smillie: No. Build Escambia County new jail which will save millions of dollars being sent to Santa Rosa County. Make sure bridges, roads and evacuation routes for hurricanes are in top shape. Redistribute money, stop waste of money and make roads safe.
Q8: What would your five-year plan for Escambia County look like?
Steven Barry: Generally, a five-year plan to me means that Escambia County will be a better place to live, work, play, and raise a family than it is today. I hope to continue to have a positive impact on that vision. Specifically, in five years there are a number of infrastructure projects in District 5 I hope to see completed, or at least nearly completed:
1. Four-laning of Nine Mile Road
2. Major improvements on Muscogee Road from Highway 29 to the Alabama state line
3. Major improvements on Old Chemstrand Road from Ascend to Highway 29
4. Major improvements on Quintette Road from Highway 29 to the Santa Rosa County line, and the realignment of the intersection of Highway 95A and Quintette Road
Danny Smillie: More local business, cleaner county, less crime and better roadways.
Q9: What role should county government take in attracting new businesses to the area? Be specific.
Steven Barry: I agree Escambia County BCC has a responsibility in attracting new business to our area, but we also have a responsibility to allow the businesses which are already here, making payrolls, paying taxes, etc., to thrive. Our major responsibility related to this is to manage the financial affairs of the county in a prudent way, so that we keep taxes and fees low. We also have a responsibility for good, healthy leadership, meaning as five representatives of 300,000 citizens we should be expected to be behave well.
Danny Smillie: Be business friendly. Give exceptions on ordinances to let the business grow. As a result, the business will grow and hire more employees.
Steven Barry: OLF-8 represents tremendous potential as an economic development project. I am, and have been, very supportive of the project. Now that we have a signed agreement with the Navy related to the eventual land swap I hope we will begin to develop a master plan for exactly what it will be, in terms of the development infrastructure on the ground.
Danny Smillie: [No answer]
Q11: What should the county do with excess properties that it owns? Be specific.
Steven Barry: All the vacant or undeveloped property the county owns should fall into only two categories; First, a memorialized written intent or rationale exists, so there is a clear use or need for the parcel. Alternatively, there is no defined intent for the parcel now, or in the near future, and we should divest the parcel.
Danny Smillie: Keep the property if it can be used for county improvements. Sell the property if it can not be used for a good purpose.
Q12: Tourism is an integral part of Escambia County’s economy. In what ways can the county commission support tourism in Escambia County? Be specific.
Steven Barry: Tourism is certainly important, and from the TDT figures, the tourism industry seems very healthy. We have many instances of issues not working perfectly, so as this is going well, then I support maintaining the current system.
Danny Smillie: Make sure tourists feel safe while here. Make law enforcement visual so they will feel safe. More lighting to brighten up the city. Improve and clean roadways.
Q13: What can the county commission do to support and attract more manufacturing jobs to Escambia County?
Steven Barry: The BCC can certainly indirectly attract more manufacturing industry by being good stewards of the resources we have, keeping tax rates low, continuing to be very supportive of all of the economic incentives which are in place currently, and again, behaving well and presenting an image of the type of community where anyone would want to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Danny Smillie: Show that we are a strong, growing county.
Powerball Rolls Over Again To $422 Million
July 24, 2016
There were no winners in Saturday night’s $390 million Powerball drawing. The Powerball jackpot has now rolled over 22 times since the May 11 drawing.
The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night is now estimated at $422 million.
Saturday’s numbers were 39, 5, 35, 7, 23. The Powerball was 11. Saturday’s jackpot was the ninth largest in the game’s history.
The jackpot has been won only 3 times this year compared to a dozen times in 2015.
EREC Installs Solar Project As Educational Tool
July 24, 2016
Due to members’ growing interest in renewable energy sources – particularly solar – EREC has completed construction of an on-site solar demonstration project. The solar array is for informational purposes designed to demonstrate objective and actual data for a typical, residential-sized solar installation.
The 40-panel, roof-mount solar array at EREC’s headquarters in Jay has a generating capacity of 10.6 kW and an estimated annual output of 14,600 kWh.
This solar installation is sized to demonstrate the output needed to run the average member’s home – minus climate control during seasonal peaks.
“We chose to do the solar demonstration project because we want to be an information source for our members,” said EREC General Manager and CEO Clay Campbell. “We’re not opposed to renewables such as solar, but we want our members
to be able to make informed decisions based on actual facts in regard to the cost and benefits of solar installation.”
The solar demonstration project is owned and operated by PowerSouth EnergyCooperative, the generation and transmission facility for EREC. Members are invited to call EREC to schedule a visit to view the solar demonstration to get actual operational data to make an informed decision if they are considering solar panel installation on their property.
Pictured: An solar demonstration project installed at EREC headquarters in Jay. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi 7-3
July 24, 2016
Blue Wahoos down Shuckers, 7-3, to clinch series.
Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde has struggled at the plate in the second half but Saturday he looked like his old self, smashing a two-run homer over the right field fence in the first inning.
Elizalde also finished the game with four RBIs, while starting pitcher Sal Romano limited Biloxi to three hits to lead Pensacola to a 7-3 victory Saturday in front of its 23rd sellout of 5,038 this at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The former Mexican League player now has four homers and 30 RBIs and saw his batting average reverse its steady fall and go up four points to .270 in his first season in Double-A for Pensacola. He was 2-4 with two runs scored and it was his third game this season that he’s knocked in four runs.
“I always say baseball is the same everywhere,” Elizalde said. “A lot from Mexico come to states. We have a chance. We have to just try to enjoy it.”
The 24-year-old Elizalde signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2013 and is playing in his third season in the minors. He started his baseball career with four seasons in the Mexican League for the Sultanes de Monterrey.
In bottom of first inning, Elizalde got all of a fastball rocketing it over the right field wall for a two-out, two-run homer. His fourth dinger of the season also scored Alex Blandino who singled on a ground ball to left field.
Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej then drove in the third run of the first inning on a line drive that bounced off the left field wall, allowing Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks to score from first and give the team a 3-0 lead.
Elizalde hit a line drive to the wall in the left center gap for a stand up double in the third inning that drove in left fielder Jeff Gelalich to put Pensacola up, 4-0. Sparks then clobbered a grounder past the third baseman to score Elizalde to make the score, 5-0.
Elizalde came through one more time in the seventh inning when his ground out to second base scored Blandino to give Pensacola a 7-1 lead.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said Elizalde has always played well on offense and worked hard to improve his fielding. He said he could see Elizalde playing one of the corner outfield spots for the Reds one day.
“To me, he has always hit wherever he’s gone,” Kelly said.
Part of that, Elizalde said, is being able to clown around with his teammates to stay relaxed.
“We have to have fun and enjoy it, ‘cause baseball is a game,” he said. “There’s no pressure. It’s a game. Enjoy it.”
Elizalde also gave kudos to Pensacola starting pitcher Sal Romano.
In 11 starts, Romano, the Cincinnati Reds’ 23rd round draft pick in 2011, lost nine games before blanking Biloxi over seven innings for his second win of the season on July 12. He picked up his third win of the season (3-10, 4.25) by limiting Biloxi to one unearned run on three hits and two walks, while striking out three in 5.2 innings.
His three strikeouts gave him 100 for the season in 103.2 innings, making him the first Southern League pitcher to reach the mark.
Romano gave way to Pensacola relief pitcher Abel De Los Santos, who earned a save in his first Blue Wahoos appearance, with the bases loaded in the sixth. De Los Santos blew two fastballs in the low-90s past catcher Rene Garcia and then caught him looking on a 76 mph fastball.
“Those are two power arms right there,” Kelly said about Romano and De Los Santos. “When you have a breaking ball that good (like De Los Santos) and a 94 mph fastball you have a little bit of escapeability.”
Kelly said, too, that Romano has been a better pitcher than the one in the first half.
“He’s changed his pregame preparation and we’ve seen a big change in the second half,” Kelly said.
Pensacola improved to 15-14 in the second half and the first half South Division champions are 56-43 overall. Biloxi fell to 10-18 in the second half and 50-49 on the season.
Cantonment Man Busted For Video Voyeurism At Target
July 23, 2016
A Cantonment man has been arrested for voyeurism after allegedly using a miniature camera to film up a woman’s skirt in a Target store.
Christopher Edward Dreyer, age 36 of Wiggins Lane, was charged with the felony sexual offense of video voyeurism and battery. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
A female customer inside the Target on Nine Mile Road told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she was standing in a store aisle when she felt something touch her leg. She turned around and saw Dreyer bending down at a bottom shelf. She said she asked Dreyer what he was doing at which time he replied that he was picking something up.
According to deputies, Dryer can clearly be seen on store surveillance video as he approached the victim from behind with what was identified as a micro-camera. He is clearly seen, deputies said, placing the camera device between the woman’s legs under her skirt. The victim was clearly startled when Dryer touched her inner leg. According to an arrest report, the victim’s statements were clearly corroborated by the store video.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asked anyone that believes they may have been the victim of a similar incident to call them at (850) 436-9620.