Judge Orders Teen To Write Apology Letter For High School Bomb Threat
December 3, 2018
A teenager who made a bomb threat against Northview High School has been ordered to write an apology essay.
Judge Gary Bergosh ordered Gavin Lee Barlow, 19, to “write sincere letter of apology to Northview High School at least 250 to 300 words” within 90 days. He was also ordered to pay $273 in court costs.
The incident occured on May 18, 2018. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office completed a search and cleared the campus shortly after the threat was made, and deputies were able to quickly develop Barlow as a suspect thanks to video evidence.
At 2:30 p.m., the school resource officer was made aware that Barlow sent a profanity-laced video through the Snapchat app to a student at the school who had just been suspended for the rest of the year, according to the Sheriff’s Office. In the video, Barlow said, “I hate that (profanity) school, I hate that (profanity), I hate Mrs. Weaver. I wish that (profanity) would blow the (profanity) up at 3:20. (Profanity) I’m gonna set a bomb off in that (profanity). I’m gonna get Russia to blow that (profanity) up.”
Barlow was not a student at the school.
Principal Gayle Weaver was informed of the threat, and a decision was made to dismiss faculty, staff and students early at 3:11 p.m., rather than the normal dismissal time of 3:20 p.m.
“The threat was time specific for 3:20,” Weaver said in a recorded photo call to parents.
After contact was made with Barlow, he met deputies at a house on Pine Barren Road (pictured above), just outside the Northview campus, and Barlow was placed under arrest without incident at 4:45 p.m.
A charge of making a bomb threat was dropped by prosecutors, and adjudication was withheld on two counts of interfering with a school function.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign Now Underway
December 3, 2018
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, launched its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Saturday. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, lifesaving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths were placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home. In 2017, 10 bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, and the city had seven red bulbs.
According to the United States Fire Administration, fires occurring during the winter claim the lives of over 900 people and cause over $2.1 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of home winter fires, with 5 to 8 p.m. being the most common time for a fire to occur. A working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
New Highway 97 Bridge Now Open Replacing 78-Year Old Bridge
December 3, 2018
Traffic has shifted to a new Highway 97 bridge over Sandy Hollow creek, about mile south of Highway 4 near Walnut Hill.
The bridge replaces a wooden-support bridge constructed in 1940. The new concrete structure has 12-foot travel lanes, eight-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing.
Work on the project began in January to install a temporary bridge while the new bridge was constructed; work is now underway to remove the temporary bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation project has about a $5 million price tag. The bridge has an average daily traffic count of about 5,000 vehicles.
Pictured top: A new bridge on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill. Pictured below: The new bridge replaces this 78-year old bridge, seen here in January. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts; Where To Expect Delays
December 3, 2018
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:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur Sunday, Dec. 2 through Saturday, Dec. 8. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 9.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 9.
- I-10 over the CSX RR Bridge Maintenance- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3 as crews perform routine maintenance on the bridge.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek- Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane over Canoe Creek, 13.5 miles north of S.R.97, from 8 a.m. to 12-noon Sunday, Dec. 2 as crews replace bridge joints.
- State Road (S.R.) 10A (Scenic Highway) Routine Maintenance from Manolete Drive to Bohemia Drive- East and westbound traffic will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 as crews trim vegetation from behind the guardrail.
- · U.S. 98 (East Chase Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- There will be paving operations from Palafox Street to the I-110 ramps from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 through Thursday, Dec. 6.
- · S.R. 295 (New Warrington Road) Utility Operations at Jackson Street- Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. northbound drivers on New Warrington Road will encounter a traffic shift at the intersection of Jackson Street as crews adjust a manhole in the turn lane.
- · U.S. 98 Routine Bridge Inspection over Perdido Bay- Crews will perform a routine inspection on the bridge Tuesday, Dec. 4. Eastbound lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- · S.R. 750 (Airport Boulevard) Routine Maintenance at I-110- There will be alternating east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 5 as crews repair overhead lighting.
- · U.S. 90 Bridge Inspection over Perdido River- Crews will perform a routine inspection on the bridge Wednesday, Dec. 5. Eastbound lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- · S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Routine Maintenance at I-110- There will be alternating east and westbound lane closures from midnight Wednesday, Dec. 5 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 as crews repair overhead lighting.
- · Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Crary Road will be temporarily closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road.
- · Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek- Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek during construction. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.
- · S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Drainage Improvements from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place- The south entrance to Usher Circle from Fairfield Drive will be closed to traffic from Thursday, Dec. 5 through Tuesday, Dec. 11 as crews install pipe across the roadway. Those seeking access to Usher Circle may utilize the north entrance off Fairfield Drive.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 9.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Sunday, Dec. 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange from Monday through Thursday.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through spring 2019.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- Crews will begin paving operations From Sunrise Drive to east of Cotton Bay Lane Monday, Dec. 3. Lane restriction will be in effect 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) –Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Clearing Skies, Cooler Tonight
December 3, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 65. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tate Varsity And JV Cheerleaders Tops At Navarre Competition
December 3, 2018
The Tate High School varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders both placed first during a weekend competition in Navarre. The varsity squad was also named Grand Champions. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida’s Wiley Signs With Faulkner University
December 3, 2018
West Florida High School senior Kenzi Wiley of Cantonment has signed to play softball at Faulkner University, a four year NAIA school in Montgomery. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
December 3, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, Dec. 3
Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School Cafeteria, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Planning Board-Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board-Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Public Safety Coordinating Meeting – 9 a.m., 190 W. Government St., 5th Floor Conference Room
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Dec. 6
Escambia County Area Transit Authority – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Friday, Dec. 7
Value Adjustment Board – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 Union Negotiations – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Saturday, Dec. 8
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Tryout – 1 p.m., University of West Florida Aquatic Center, 11000 University Parkway, Building 72
Holiday Youth Extravaganza – 6 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St.
Inmates Stabbed, One Fatally, At Holman Prison
December 3, 2018
Holman Prison in Atmore is on lockdown today following a fatal stabbing Sunday night.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., prison officials found Vaquerro Kinjuan Armstrong, 29, in a housing area with multiple stab wounds received in an altercation with another inmate. Armstrong was taken to the facility’s infirmary for emergency treatment but died from his injuries at around 6:30 p.m.
At 9:30 p.m., correctional staff reported a second incident in a different housing area where a fight broke out among several inmates. Two inmates who were involved in the fight were treated at the facility’s infirmary for non-threatening injuries. A third inmate received multiple stabs wounds and was airlifted to an area hospital where his condition is listed as critical. The inmate’s name is not being released due to security reasons.
The Alabama Department of Corrections has sent investigators and a Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) to Holman to assist prison officials with their response to the incidents. The prison is currently locked down while the ADOC conducts its investigation. The prison and all housing areas were secure with no additional incidents reported, the department said Monday morning.
Delivery Gone Wrong: Mail Carrier Hits Carport, Backs Across Ditch
December 2, 2018
A mail carrier crashed into a carport in Bratt before putting her vehicle in reverse and backing across a ditch.
The delivery gone wrong happened on West Highway 4 near the First Baptist Church of Bratt. The mail carrier was in a private driveway when she pulled forward, crashing into a freestanding metal carport and an outdoor HVAC condensing unit, according to reports, barely missing the resident’s vehicle and stopping just short of the house.
She then put her car in reverse backed across a ditch, with her vehicle coming to rest in Highway 4.
The mail carrier was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but refused transport to the hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
