Arbor Day Program, Tree Giveaway Held
January 20, 2019
An Arbor Day tree giveaway was held Saturday at the Escambia County Extension Office in Cantonment.
Each attendee received two free native one gallon trees while supplies lasted. Trees available included red maple, chickasaw plum, swamp chestnut oak and fringe tree.
The trees were gone in about an hour.
Support for the event was provided by the Florida Forest Service, Escambia County Water Quality and Land Management Division and UF/IFAS Extension.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Rollover Accident In Cantonment
January 19, 2019
A driver escaped serious injuries in a rollover crash Saturday morning in Cantonment.
The driver of a Chevrolet Cobalt lost control and flipped into a ditch at Tate Road and West Roberts Road. The 23-year old female refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECAT Holding Public Workshops On North Escambia Community Transportation
January 19, 2019
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will soon roll out an expanded local service in North Escambia on February 20.
The public is invited to attend two upcoming ECAT public workshops to provide community input regarding the North Escambia Transportation Service Pilot Project. ECAT and Escambia County Community Transportation staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Workshops will be held:
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m.
- Byrneville Community Center, 1701 Highway 4A,
Thursday, Jan 31, 5 p.m.
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A
The North Escambia Transportation Service Pilot Project is a door-to-door on demand transportation project that is funded through a $50,000 Transportation Disadvantaged Mobility Enhancement Grant. The project will begin Wednesday, February 20 and will service Walnut Hill, Davisville and Bratt on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Century, Molino and McDavid on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
To qualify for the program, participants must live north of Quintette Road within Escambia County and complete a short application. All trips will require 24-hour advance reservation. The participant’s fare will be $1 for each trip.
Medical Examiner Out, But Will Continue On Interim Basis
January 19, 2019
A state commission failed to reappoint District 1 Medical Examiner Dr. Andrea Minyard on Friday, but she is is back as substitute interim medical examiner.
The Florida Medical Examiner Commission did not reappoint Minyard, giving State Attorney Bill Eddins the authority to fill the post temporarily.
“In order to provide continuity of services, I have appointed Dr. Andrea Minyard as interim Medical Examiner. She will remain in that capacity until the Medical Examiners Commission conducts a search for a new Medical Examiner and recommends one to the Governor,” Eddins said in an email release.
Eddins sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis apprising him of his decision. (Click image to enlarge.)
Under Florida code, the Medical Examiners Commission must make a recommendation to the governor within six months.
The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Photos: Molino Park Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast
January 19, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School held their Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast Friday morning. The school holds a grandparents breakfast during the year for each grade level.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Wind Advisory; Turning Colder Tonight
January 19, 2019
There is also a wind advisory in effect into Sunday morning with winds expected to be 20-25 mph with frequent guests to near 35 mph. A tornado watch for Escambia County, FL, has been canceled.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 68. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
FHP Now Looking For Second Pickup In Fatal Pedestrian Hit And Run
January 19, 2019
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE
The Florida Highway Patrol is now asking for the public’s help in locating two pickup trucks that may have been involved in a fatal pedestrian crash Thursday night.
A white Dodge pickup truck was traveling westbound on Fairfield Drive approaching Pace Boulevard as a pedestrian was crossing northbound on Fairfield Drive. Witnesses told troopers that the pickup did not have headlights and was driving in two lanes when the pedestrian was struck.
The truck is a white in color Dodge pickup, possibly a dually, with white hub caps. It may have a black color front grill protector.
Friday afternoon, the FHP said they are also looking for a dark in color pickup that may have also been involved in the crash. Troopers also said the drivers of the black and white pickup trucks many not have known they struck the pedestrian.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with any information about this crash or information about a possible vehicle, is asked to contact FHP Corporal E. Diaz at (850) 484-5000.
Escambia Man Facing Up To Life In Prison For Shooting Sleeping Man
January 19, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison for shooting a sleeping man last year.
Barry Locklear III, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a Firearm. The jury also found Locklear to be in actual possession of a firearm, that he discharged the firearm and caused great bodily harm.
Locklear faces up to life in prison with a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years. Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford set sentencing for February 21.
On January 27, 2018, Locklear was involved in an argument with the victim regarding Locklear’s girlfriend. Locklear pulled a gun and threatened the victim during the argument.
The victim walked away and went to sleep. Shortly thereafter, the victim woke up to Locklear shooting him. The victim was shot in the face, the chest and the arm. Locklear then fled the scene with the firearm.
He was apprehended on February 4, 2018, in possession of a firearm matching the description given to law enforcement the day of the shooting. He was captured at the corner of Pine Forest and Stratford Road, near the 5 Flags Speedway.
Locklear has several prior convictions including convictions for assault on a female, assault, communicating threats, sell or delivery of a controlled substance, breaking and/or entering, larceny after breaking and/or entering, possessing with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Locklear also has a possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge that remains pending.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting Due To MLK Holiday
January 19, 2019
The Century Town Council has rescheduled their usual third Monday of the month meeting due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Their Monday, January 21 meeting has been moved to Monday, January 28 at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Basketball: Chipley Sweeps Northview, Washington Beats Pine Forest
January 19, 2019
Friday scores:
BOYS
Chipley 65, Northview 37
GIRLS
Chipley 51, Northview 23
Washington 54, Pine Forest 53