Cantonment Woman Trapped Under Overturned Vehicle At Kingsfield Bridge
February 27, 2017
A Cantonment woman was critically injured in a single vehicle crash into a ravine Sunday night.
Bonnie Judson, 30, was westbound on Kingsfield Road just after 7:00 p.m. when she ran off the roadway in her 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer and hit a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The vehicle continued to travel westbound and hit the guardrail again, causing the vehicle to become airborne.
Judson was ejected and came to rest under the vehicle off the Eleven Mile Creek Bridge. Firefighters, including an Escambia County Fire Rescue Special Operations Team, worked for over half an hour to free the Judson from under the wreckage after securing the vehicle to keep it from further overturning.
Judson was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”.
The accident remains under FHP investigation.
For more photos from the dramatic rescue, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Institution Inmate Assaults Officer
February 27, 2017
An inmate recently assaulted a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jaylin Y. Rue became combative and bit the officer on the knee. Staff responded appropriately, and the Rue was subdued, according to DOC.
Medical staff examined the officer and noted minor injuries. Rue will receive a disciplinary report for this assault, according to corrections staff.
Rue was serving an eight year sentence out of St. Lucie County for robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
FWC Offering Hunter Safety Class In Molino
February 27, 2017
A hunter safety class will be offered Wednesday, March 1 at the Molino Branch Library at 6 p.m.
All hunters born after 1975 are required to take a hunter safety class to get their hunting license. This class requires completion of the FWC’s free online hunter safety course before attending class. Go to myfwc.com/HunterSafety to register and take the online course.
Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Hunter Safety Instructor at 850-982-8070 for more information.
Century Candidates Campaign On A Budget For Tuesday Election
February 27, 2017
It’s been a campaign on a budget for two town council candidates on the ballot Tuesday in Century.
Kevin Stead and Luis Gomez, Jr. are facing off for the Seat 2 on the town council, a non-partisan office.
Stead currently holds the seat on an interim basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. Tuesday’s election will fill the seat until the end of Savage’s term in January 2021.
Stead contributed $150 to his own campaign and received one contribution — $100 from Lewis M. Blanton, Jr., an electrician in Jay. He spent $50.94 on the qualifying fee to run for office, and $140.60 to Ron the Sign Man of Navarre for campaign signs, leaving him a campaign balance of $58.46 of February 23, the lastest reporting deadline.
Gomez contributed $50 to his own campaign and received donations of $10 from Denise Lynett Gomez of Century and $50 from the Baldwin Management Group, Inc. of Gulf Breeze. He spent $49.60 on business card ads to The L House in Brewton, and $50.94 on the qualifying fee to run for office. That gave him a remaining campaign balance of $9.46 as of the February 23, the latest reporting deadline.
Polls will be open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Century Town Hall.
The winner of Tuesday’s race will be sworn in on Friday, March 10.
Appeals Court Tosses $23 Billion Escambia County Tobacco Verdict
February 27, 2017
In a sharply worded ruling, a state appeals court has ordered a new trial in the death of a smoker whose estate initially won a more than $23 billion verdict in Escambia County against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, in an 18-page ruling, blasted an attorney for the estate of Michael Johnson Sr., pointing to the “depth and pervasiveness” of improper closing arguments in the Escambia County case.
“It is clear from the record that Robinson’s trial strategy was to utterly vilify their opponent,” appeals-court Judge Thomas Winokur wrote, referring to the personal representative of the estate named in the lawsuit.
“In addition to accusing opposing counsel of participation in a scheme of deception, counsel for Robinson denigrated Reynolds as an unrepentant, anti-military, criminal predator, whom the jury must fight and destroy.” The jury initially awarded nearly $16.9 million in compensatory damages and $23.6 billion in punitive damages.
But the trial judge later tossed out the punitive-damages award as excessive and ordered a new trial for R.J. Reynolds on punitive damages. The ruling will require a new trial on the overall issues in the case, not just punitive damages.
“This case concerns the boundaries of proper closing argument,” Winokur wrote, in a ruling joined by judges Brad Thomas and Harvey Jay. “Plaintiff’s counsel crossed those boundaries repeatedly, flagrantly, and often in defiance of the trial court’s admonishments. The depth and pervasiveness of these improper arguments compel reversal of this case for new trial.”
The case is one of thousands in Florida that are known as “Engle progeny” cases. Such cases are linked to a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that established critical findings about the health dangers of smoking and misrepresentation by cigarette makers.
Gulf Power Warns Of Continuing Scam Against Customers
February 27, 2017
Scammers continue to target Gulf Power customers in a scheme where business owners and residential customers receive calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power and demanding payment — or their electric service will be cut off.
Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, but the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent months. Customers are being told their electric bill is past due and that their electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment or other forms of immediate payment.
Gulf Power advises customers that:
• Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
• Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
• All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
Sunshine For Tuesday
February 27, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east in the evening.
Tuesday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Kenneth Franklin Milstead
February 27, 2017
On February 26, 2017, Kenny Milstead passed away after a lengthy illness. Kenny was born on March 15, 1970, in Pensacola, FL. He is the son of Vincent and Karen Milstead. He graduated from Pace High School and the University of West Florida with a BA degree. Kenny worked as a master esthetician for many high end spas in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New York City. After living in the big cities, he wanted to move back home to be with his family, friends and the beach that he loved. He always had a ready smile for everyone he met. He loved music, played the guitar and had a beautiful voice.
Kenny leaves behind to cherish his memory his father, Vincent Milstead; his mother, Karen Belanger Milstead; his stepmother, Cindy Conley Milstead; sisters, Tara Milstead and Darcy Ballie (Joe); brother, Michael (Haleigh Nichols) Milstead; aunts and uncles, Judy Doherty, Kenny (Joan) Belanger, Jan (Bob) Pollock, Debbie (Eric) Springer and Dale (Becky) Conley; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and his many friends. He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Nicholas.
Kenny was a member of Christian Life Church in Milton, FL.
Our thanks go out to Dr. Tom Sunnenberg, Dr. Ephtimios, Dr. Hank Cramer, the staff of St. Catherine (2 East) Sacred Heart Hospital and Covenant Hospice.
Flowers are welcome, however, contributions may also be made to your favorite charity.
Pallbearers will be Rob Pollock, Adam Freeman, Harrison Whitehead, Edward Hudson, Vernal Barrow and Jay Spivey.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 10 a.m. with the funeral services beginning at 12 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Cantonment Man Trapped In Early Morning Crash
February 26, 2017
A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover crash early Sunday morning
The Florida Highway Patrol said 43-year old Daniel Goodale lost control on Jacks Branch Road near Old Bridge Road, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert about 12:15 a.m. Officials said 2003 Nissan Altima then went airborne for almost 100 feet before crashing into a ditch. Goodale was trapped in the vehicle after it came to rest on its side. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and free the driver.
Goodale was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Any charges in the crash are pending, according to the FHP as they continue their investigation.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Strong Thunderstorms Possible On Monday
February 26, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Areas of fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.