Early Morning Fire Closes Escambia County Taco Shop Named One Of The Best In USA
May 22, 2018
An Escambia County taco shop named one of the best in the country caught fire early Tuesday morning and is now closed for the time being.
The fire at Taqueria El Asador behind a Shell station on North Davis Highway at I-10 was reported at 3:41 a.m. Firefighters arrived moments later and found smoke coming from the roof. They were able to enter the building and quickly extinguish the fire.
In a social media post, the restaurant stated: “We are sad to inform you we will be CLOSED until further notice, due to a fire caused by an electronic malfunction. We are already working hard to open again soon. We will keep you informed, a look forward to serving you once again! Thanks for understanding.”
About a year ago, Business Insider and Yelp named Taqueria El Asador number four on their list of “The 50 best taco joints in America”.
Former Century Correctional Officer Charged With Stealing Drugs From Evidence Locker
May 22, 2018
A former correctional officer was recently arrested for allegedly stealing drugs from the work camp at Century Correctional Institution.
The Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General charged 26-year old Joshua Vann Harrell with felony theft and tampering with evidence. Harrell is accused of taking “K2″ synthetic marijuana from an evidence locker.
The state says Harrell requested a sergeant open an evidence locker inside the Century Correctional Institution Work Camp, saying he needed to make sure he signed an evidence sheet or make sure a piece of evidence was signed. The sergeant complied before stepping away to answer a control room phone. She observed Harrell place his right hand into his pocket, but did not observe anything in his hand, according to a warrant affidavit. He returned to his post duty on the facility’s perimeter.
Officers reported finding a chain of custody form on the seat of the post vehicle used by Harrell, and they reported finding an evidence bag on top of a trash can located along the perimeter road.
The same day, another officer reported observing Harrell “wobble into the restroom” and become sick multiple times.
According to court documents, investigators determined that “K-2″ taken from an inmate was missing from the evidence locker.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $7,500 bond. The alleged incident occurred in September 2017. The arrest warrant was issued in March 2018 and recently served.
Harrell resigned on September 23, 2017, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Celebrates 100th Birthday
May 22, 2018
Francis “Frank” Emond of Cantonment turned 100 on Monday, celebrating with a party at Naval Hospital Pensacola where he volunteers.
The Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor greets visitors, answers the phone at the Quarterdeck and pushes patients in wheelchairs who need assistance. He has been a Red Cross volunteer for over 16 years and enjoys the interaction with patients and staff.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Hawaii in the summer of 1941. The day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Emond and fellow Navy musicians played at a dance and band contest. His band won the contest against other bands from the USS California (BB-44) and USS Arizona (BB-39). His band later donated the trophy they won in memory to the men from the Arizona. As the sun rose on Dec. 7, 1941, Emond was preparing for morning colors and the raising of the American flag.
That’s when Emond noticed the hundreds of Japanese planes that filled the sky followed by the sound of a torpedo striking a ship docked behind his battleship. In addition to being a musician, Emond was trained as a stretcher bearer and with the general alarm sounding amongst the sound of gunfire and explosions; he began retrieving injured and dead Sailors aboard the Pennsylvania.
Following the war, Emond remained in the Navy until he retired in 1968 in Pensacola. He is currently married and has two sons, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His 100-year-old brother still lives in Rhode Island.
“It’s important for everyone to give something,” said Emond when asked why he still volunteers at Naval Hospital Pensacola, “and time is something that everyone can give. It’s an important gift.”
Emond is a popular volunteer at Naval Hospital Pensacola, though not everyone knows his history. He is popular for the enthusiasm he brings to the hospital and the help he provides to patients and staff.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Daily Rain In Our Forecast
May 22, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Memorial Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Century Receives $700K Grant For Housing Improvements
May 22, 2018
The Town of Century has received a $700,000 Community Development Block Grant to provide better housing for up to 10 local families.
With the approval, each family’s application will be completed and survey and site inspections will begin.
The top 10 applicants were:
Mary Griggs — 9421 Old Flomaton Road
Ada Mitchell — 181 Zion Street
Carrie Watkins — 190 Henry Street
Leonard & Rosie Howell — 111 W. Cottage Street
Carl & Jewel Hammonds — 231 Hudson Hill Road
Aubrey & Rosie Odom — 4661 Highway 4-A
Patricia Ewing — 231 East Street
Idanier Bradley — 30 West Highway 4
Ernie Dupue — 8 Maple Street
Paul Thompson — 30 Hobbs Road
Funding is not guaranteed for every applicant. Each application will be reviewed in the order listed above, and funding is dependent on the funds available and the applicants eligibility.
Pictured: Homes set for rehabilitation or replacement by the Town of Century include: 9421 Old Flomaton Road (top), 190 Henry Street (below) and 111 West Cottage Street (bottom). Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Students Enjoy End Of The Year Bash At Splash Pad
May 22, 2018
Byrneville Elementary School second and third graders were treated to an “End of the Year Bash” Monday at the Century Splash Pad at Showalter Park. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Heroin Death
May 22, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the death of a man that died from heroin use.
A jury convicted James Jonathan Mitchell, 54, of homicide by delivery of heroin.
Circuit Judge John Simon immediately sentenced Mitchell to a mandatory term of life in state prison. The sentence will be served consecutive to a separate 25 year sentence Mitchell is serving for trafficking in heroin from 2015. There is no parole in Florida so Mitchell will be required to serve the rest of his life in state prison.
Over the two-day trial, prosecutors presented witness testimony that on January 30, 2014, Mitchell sold black tar heroin to the victim Donald Davis, and a group of others. Davis’ wife found him deceased at their home later that evening. Two medical doctors presented testimony that heroin caused Davis’ death.
White Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarship
May 22, 2018
Zachary Hunter White has been named the winner of this year’s Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship.
With a 3.0 GPA at Flomaton High School, White has played several years of baseball and football. He is active with the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department and Friendship Freewill Baptist Church. He has also served as a Jr. Commander with the Royal Rangers Youth Group.
“Of all of the applicants, Hunter White’s essay really stood out,” said Committee Member Brenda Godwin, who is also Solon Gandy’s mother. “At the age of 17, he had a life-changing experience. Because of an accident with a large firework, Hunter was left with only his pinky finger and the palm of his right hand. This was also his dominant hand.”
“According to his essay, he has had to change his plans enlisting early in the Air Force, but he has mastered learning how to throw a baseball, with only his pinky and palm. He also had to figure out a way to swing the bat,” she said.
The Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of Solon Gandy, a 1990 Flomaton High School graduate. Solon was a member of the 1988 Flomaton High School state baseball championship team and was a four-year member of the Hurricane football team. The scholarship was established to help foster the love of nature and sports in a deserving Flomaton and /or a Jay senior. The scholarship was started by Solon’s father, coach Bill Gandy, who passed away of cancer in 2015. Hunter White is the 20th recipient of the scholarship.
ECSO Beats U.S. Navy In ‘Boots Vs. Badges Challenge’ In Molino
May 22, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office beat the U.S. Navy in the Escambia County 4-H Council’s Boots Vs. Badges Challenge at the 4-H property Molino.
The teams competed in an obstacle course challenge. The event also featured an obstacle course for the public, kids activities, vendors, a car show and more.
The event benefited Gulf Coast Kids House.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Holding Local Career Fair
May 22, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking to hire troopers.
The FHP will hold a career fair on Thursday at the FHP Pensacola Station at 150 Stumpfield Road from 3-6 p.m.
The minimum qualifications are:
- United States citizen
- High School graduate or equivalent
- Minimum of 19 years old at time of application (no maximum age restriction)
- Valid driver’s license
- One of the following – one year of law enforcement experience (sworn or non-sworn); two years of public contact experience; two years of active continuous U.S. military service with an honorable discharge; completed 30 semester or 45-quarter hours of college credit from an accredited college or university.