More Sunshine In Store
March 28, 2019
More sun is in store Thursday and Friday, but a slight chance of showers returns to the forecast by the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Traffic Stop Leads To Two Meth Trafficking Arrests
March 28, 2019
Two people, including a Cantonment woman, were arrested on drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Brittany Dawn Black, 33, and Joaquin Jaramillo, 42, were charged with first degree felony methamphetamine trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County deputy stopped a Chevrolet Trailblazer at Rambler Drive and Marcus Pointe Boulevard due to an attached improper tag that was not assigned.
Deputies found methamphetamine fragments in the front passenger seat that was occupied by Jaramillo, and syringes, a metal spoon with residue and several small clear plastic bags in his backpack, according to an arrest report.
In Black’s purse, deputies located four bags of suspected methamphetamine, a small bag with methamphetamine in a zippered case, a folder receipt containing a crystalline substance and tweezers, the report stated. In the vehicle, deputies reported finding a metallic smoking pipe with residue and digital scale with residue.
Both remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000 for Jaramillo and $51,250 for Black.
Black was also cited for an attached tag not assigned to the vehicle.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
March 28, 2019
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for February. They are Seydou Hanne and Katherine Cavenaugh, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
March 28, 2019
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2019 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the eighth consecutive year.
Topping this year’s list is Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
West Florida Softball Moves Up To No. 1 In NFCA Poll
March 28, 2019
For the first time since 2005, the University of West Florida softball team holds the top spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation poll, the organization announced Wednesday. The Argonauts are 31-4 overall and 14-1 in Gulf South Conference play after sweeping Delta State last weekend.
UWF was ranked No. 3 in last week’s poll and has the second-best winning percentage (.886) in the country, behind only No. 2 Central Oklahoma (.926). The Argos are the seventh consecutive No. 1 team in the poll, earning eight first-place votes from voting members. Last week’s top team, North Georgia, finished third in the poll on Wednesday.
West Florida was last ranked No. 1 during its 60-6 season in 2005, a year that marked the most wins since the program moved to Division II.
The Argonauts are among the most well-rounded teams in the country this season, ranking fourth in DII in shutouts (11), fifth in ERA (1.36), ninth in batting (.350), 12th in on-base percentage (.425), and 13th in fielding percentage (.974).
West Florida will host Shorter for a GSC series on Saturday and Sunday, and UWF will hold “Bark at the Park” on Saturday.
ECUA Conducting Sewer Smoke Testing In Cantonment Area
March 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is conducting smoke testing for sewer system leak detection in the Cantonment area into next week.
On Thursday, crews were working in the Booker Street area.
The smoke testing areas include Booker Street to Muscogee Road east to International Paper, and Muscogee Road to Well Line Road to Highway 29 (see maps).
White smoke will be circulated into the sewer lines and manholes to locate broken pipes and other plumbing defects, and it will exit from vent pipes on home roofs. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard. The smoke will not enter the house unless there is defective plumbing present or the drain traps are dry. If potential problems are found on private property, residents will be notified of repairs that may need to be made.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
10-Year Plan Proposed For Lake Stone’s Future; Public Hearing Set
March 27, 2019
A 10-year plan for Lake Stone is in the works, and the public will have an opportunity to learn more and comment next month.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the Lake Stone Fish Management Area.
Lake Stone is managed through a cooperative agreement between the FWC and Escambia County to conserve natural communities and use lake management techniques to maintain healthy fish habitats. The area features a man-made lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish. The impoundment, managed and maintained by FWC, was constructed in the late 1960s to provide additional freshwater fishing opportunities in an area where these opportunities are limited.
Escambia County maintains public camping facilities and a fishing pier, along with roads, trails and parking facilities in the area. In addition to fishing opportunities, the lake provides recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, paddling and camping. Gasoline boat motors are prohibited from use on Lake Stone; however, the use of electric trolling motors is allowed.
“This draft management plan provides conservation-based management for healthy terrestrial and aquatic habitats, cultural resources, along with fish- and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities for public use,” said Dylan Imlah, FWC land conservation planner.
There is about $148,000 in the first year and an additional $428,000 over the 10-year life of the plan for capital construction.
About 15 campsites have been paved so far, and another 50 to 60 will be paved with county funding, according to Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. The county also hopes to replace the playground and the office/caretaker trailer.
“We are also looking towards potentially building a new open pavilion, kiosk and new gate near the dam for the area, however these items have not yet been approved or vetted for funding,” said Imlah.
There are also two full-time employees in the plan.
“Currently, we have several employees from both the FWC and Escambia County assisting in managing the area. The two employees listed in the plan is based off of our proposed budget, showing that we would need at a minimum of two full time employees dedicated to the area in order to manage optimally. Currently, we have an FWC manager along with several other staff who help maintain the lake and fish populations. We also have FWC staff who monitor wildlife species and exotics that may occur on the upland areas. Additionally, the county pays a caretaker to live on the area and manage the recreational facilities. Not to mention county staff that assist in campsite reservations, facility development improvements,” Imlah told NorthEscambia.com.
There are no plans, she said, to change the public’s current use of Lake Stone, only improve access as funding allows.
The Lake Stone Fish Management Area public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Century Town Hall.
Pictured: Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Man Caught On Camera Performing Lewd Act At Auto Parts Store
March 27, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect caught on camera in lewd act behind a business.
The suspect was performing a lewd and lascivious act behind the AutoZone at 8877 Pensacola Boulevard, near Hood Drive.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Bratt Elementary Names March Students Of The Month
March 27, 2019
Bratt Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for March. They are:
Pre-K
Sameul Peters
Lilly Harper Jacobson
Kindergarten
Mason Wilson
Michael Flowers
Cory Stetson
Nicholas Flowers
1st Grade
Tucker Hare
Cade Hare
Teagen Black
Olivia Grimes
Calee Satterwhite
2nd Grade
Abigail Brown
Alexa Beasley
Izzy Barber
Joey Fontenot
3rd Grade
Zaviar Williams
Breah Shelly
Jamarriea Davis
Parker Tutton
Brayden Talamo
4th Grade
Presley Amos
Hallie Emmons
Hunter Griffis
5th Grade
Landon Watson
Jackson Simmons
Jackson Bridges
Zakhel Clemm
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Lewis Bear To Triumph Gulf Coast Board Of Directors
March 27, 2019
Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Lewis Bear, Jr. the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors.
“Since Hurricane Michael, communities throughout Northwest Florida have faced immense challenges in their recovery efforts,” said DeSantis. “The Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors is focused on overseeing funds to address the economic recovery of some of the most heavily impacted communities and I’m confident Lewis Bear, Jr. will be a champion for that cause.”
Bear, of Gulf Breeze, is the president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, a wholesale distribution business in Pensacola. He received his bachelor’s degree from Troy University and is a member of the University of West Florida board of trustees. He is the chair of the Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission, appointed for the remainder of a three-year term.
Triumph Gulf Coast is a nonprofit corporation that allocates funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Originally created in 2013, Triumph Gulf Coast administers the distribution of the funds to be used for the recovery, diversification and enhancement of eight Northwest Florida counties affected by the oil spill. This year, Triumph Gulf Coast voted to create a Hurricane Michael Disaster Recovery Fund of $15 million to address economic recovery and ad valorem tax losses in Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties.