Deputies Seek Man For Questioning In Klondike Road Murder
March 9, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempting to locate a man for questioning only in a homicide Tuesday on Klondike Road.
Deputies are looking for 35-year old Dino Ray Reaves for questioning in the shooting death of 29-year-old Thadius Edward Watson. Watson was found dead from gunshot wounds in the 8000 block of Klondike Road, south of Wilde Lake Boulevard near the Klondike Kennels. His body was discovered along edge of the roadway.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Reaves, or with more information on the shooting, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Update: A female previously wanted for questioning has been located.
Pictured below: The body of 29-year-old Thadius Edward Watson was found alongside Klondike Road Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
IP Releases Preliminary Findings From Explosion Investigation
March 9, 2017
International Paper has released their preliminary findings on the cause of the January 22 explosion at their Cantonment mill.
“The findings indicate that an explosive atmosphere was created by a combination of off-gasses normally produced in the pulping process and air introduced to maintain pressure while the vessel was not in operation. The explosive nature of the off-gasses and air combination was likely related to the extended period of mill down time prior to the incident where no chips and liquor were flowing into the digester,” a statement from Tom Ryan, director of IP’s corporate communications, said.
“The gas mixture, combined with one of several possible ignition sources, provided the necessary components for the incident. The unusual set of circumstances set in motion a chain of events unlike any that International Paper had ever seen or heard of. The company has implemented enhanced procedures and protections across the entire mill system and has also taken the step to share this information industry-wide, to ensure enhanced safety measures are in place across the entire industry,” he said.
Ryan said all IP employees are back to work and have been for some time, and a portion of mill has been restarted.
“We continue to dedicate all resources to a safe return to full operations, but it is important we follow all responsible steps to do so. Hundreds of mill team members are working safely and diligently to get the facility fully operational,” Ryan said.
“International Paper remains committed to the entire remediation effort. We are not going anywhere. We are going to be here,” Cantonment Mill Manager Brett DeJong said.
IP said cleanup of homes is now complete. A citizen’s information line remains in place at (850) 968-4208.
Pictured top: Emergency crews on the scene following an explosion January 22 at International Paper in Cantonment. Pictured below: First responders coordinate their response efforts from a command post at IP shortly after the explosion. Pictured bottom: A vehicle that was passing the mill at the time of the explosion covered in black liquor from the explosion. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Highway 297A Head-On Crash Causes Serious Injuries
March 9, 2017
At least two people were seriously injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night on Highway 297A near Corral Drive.
The near head-on collision between a car and a pickup sent at least one person to the hospital as a “trauma alert”.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century To Recognize Employees Of The Month
March 9, 2017
Outgoing Century council member Kevin Stead has proposed that the town honor an “employee of the month”.
The proposal comes on the heels of a 53-cent per hour pay raise for all employees given by the mayor but rescinded by the council (read recent story).
Under Stead’s plan, which was approved by the full council, town employees would vote to choose one person as employee of the month. The award winner will be honored by the town with a public proclamation and received four paid hours off during that month.
Employees will not be able to vote for themselves, and they can only be employee of the month once per calendar year.
Stead was temporarily appointed to the council to replace Annie Savage who passed away in late October. Stead lost a recent special election to Luis Gomez, Jr., to fill the seat until January 2021.
Maybe A Little Shower Tonight; Warm Again Friday
March 9, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Showers. Low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Negron Skeptical About Deepwater Horizon Proposals
March 9, 2017
Senate President Joe Negron has expressed concerns about House proposals he said could attach “Washington-like” bureaucratic strings on money from the Deepwater Horizon disaster settlement — money headed to counties including Escambia.
“I don’t believe we should set up some complicated bureaucracy for those funds to be released to the community, to compensate them for actual economic damages that occurred,” Negron told reporters. He indicated a concern that the House proposals could limit how local officials use the money.
The House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast canceled a meeting Monday in which it was expected to discuss a pair of proposed measures that would define how Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. — a non-profit organization within the Department of Economic Opportunity — can handle the bulk of the state’s settlement money from the 2010 disaster. The committee has started to consider changes to an initial plan that would give the non-profit the ability to use the settlement money to market Northwest Florida and for broad economic-development projects. The committee also was looking to eliminate a requirement for projects to get approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.
Instead, Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. would be required to post online details of any project or program 14 days before cash awards are made.
Florida is in line to eventually receive up to $2 billion from the $4.9 billion that is expected to be paid by BP to resolve Gulf Coast economic claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil-spill disaster. The state received $400 million last year and is expected to get $106.7 million a year from 2019 through 2033.
Seventy-five percent of the money is to go to the non-profit representing eight Panhandle counties most impacted by the disaster — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Wakulla and Walton.
by The News Service of Florida
New Look For Walnut Hill Landmark: Escambia Grain Gets Coat Of Paint
March 9, 2017
A Walnut Hill landmark has an updated look, thanks to a fresh coat of paint at Escambia Grain, one of just a handful of grain elevators in Florida. First opened in 1965, Escambia Grain has six storage silos, each about 100 feet tall.
The silos were previously white, with little paint remaining on the concrete surfaces (see bottom photo).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Still Looking For Driver That Hit 15-Year Old Last July
March 9, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol is still seeking a hit and run driver that hit a 15-year old last July.
Brianna Nicole Mark was crossing Pine Forest Road at Citation Drive about 4:25 a.m. July 22 when she was struck by a northbound vehicle that fled the scene. Mark was seriously injured.
The vehicle should have extensive front end damage according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Wednesday, the FHP said the vehicle may be a pickup or midsize SUV.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper J. Durham at (850) 484-5000 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP.
Democrats Seek Explanded Use Of Body Cameras
March 9, 2017
After several high-profile shooting incidents, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday backed legislation that would expand the use of police body cameras.
Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, and Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana, have filed bills (SB 828 and HB 513) that would mandate body cameras for all officers who regularly make traffic stops. Body cameras have become a major issue after officer-involved shootings in Florida and nationally raised questions about whether the police action was warranted.
Supporters of the bills said body cameras can help clear up questions about confrontations between police and members of the public. “Everybody does not trust police officers anymore,” said Sen. Daphne Campbell, a Miami Democrat who is co-sponsoring the Senate bill.
“We have to stop that. This is why this bill is so important, just to get back the trust between police officers and the communities.”
The proposal has not been heard in legislative committees. Current Florida law addresses law-enforcement agencies that choose to have the cameras. In such situations, the agencies are required to establish procedures for use and maintenance of the body cameras and the data they record.
by The News Service of Florida
Tate Aggies Claims District Win Over Pace Patriots 7-2
March 9, 2017
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots on the road 7-2 in a district game Wednesday night.
Hanna Brown pitched a complete game for the Aggies, allowing four hits, two runs, four walks and striking out five with no errors.
Sydni Solliday tripled for the Aggies, while Brown and Belle Wolfenden doubled.
For Tate: Sydni Solliday 2-4 3B, 2 R, RBI; Belle Wolfenden 2-4 2B; Leslee Scruggs 1-2 RBI; Shelby Ulrich 1-3, 2 R; Kayleigh Cawthon 1-4 RBI, R; Hannah Brown 1-3 2B.
Pictured: Sydni Solliday tripled for the Tate Aggies Wednesday night in Pace. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.