Ransom Orchestra Earns Excellent Rating At District MPA
March 24, 2019
The members of Ransom Middle School Orchestra III earned an overall excellent rating at the annual District MPA. In the sight-reading room, the Ransom Orchestra’s work earned them a perfect score. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Warns Cool, Dry Weather Increases Fire Risk
March 24, 2019
The Florida Forest Service is warning of an increased wildfire reside due to recent cool, dry weather.
As northwest Florida is starting to reach the peak of its year-round wildfire season, officials with the Florida Forest Service are asking residents to be careful if they choose to burn yard debris.
“This cold front has brought cooler temperatures and lower humidity into the area,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “That combination can dry vegetation out very quickly and allow fire to spread despite the fact we have had rain recently.”
There are no burn bans in effect in our area but residents must still follow certain requirements: Burning piles of yard debris less than 8 feet in diameter is allowed if it is 25 feet from and wooded area or combustible structure, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied dwellings. (See graphic at page bottom.)
Piles greater than eight feet require a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service and must meet more stringent standards. For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at (850) 957-5701.
Pictured: A wildfire last May on Highway 29 in McDavid just south of Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Sun For Sunday, But Rain Back In Forecast For Monday
March 24, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Pictured: Saturday’s sunset over Lake Stone in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Train Hits Vehicle On Kingsfield Road
March 23, 2019
A Cantonment man’s vehicle was struck by a train Friday night on Kingsfield Road.
About 7:30 p.m., 66-year old Hugh Fones was traveling north on Highway 95A when he turned his Toyota Highlander east on Kingsfield Road at the railroad crossing as a northbound CSX approached. The railroad crossing arms were coming down at the time, and the crossing bar came down on the top of the roof of his vehicle as he came to a stop, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The conductor and engineer were unable to slow the train, and the left side of the train collided with the front of the Highlander. The train continued north and came to a controlled stop about one mile north of the collision.
There were no injuries reported.
Fones was cited by the FHP for driving around, under or through a railroad crossing.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Former Pensacola NAS Commander Named New Navy Federal Boss In Pensacola
March 23, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union president/CEO Mary McDuffie announced today that Keith Hoskins has been hired to serve as senior vice president of the credit union’s Greater Pensacola Operations.
Captain Hoskins (USN Retired) has a distinguished military career, serving 27 years in the United States Navy. Hoskins’ military experience includes serving as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola; member of the Navy’s flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels; and commanding officer of Strike Force Squadron 15. Most recently, Hoskins served as the general manager of Gulf Power’s western district.
“Keith is a talented and committed leader,” said Mary McDuffie, president/CEO of Navy Federal. “He understands our mission of serving members. He also understands that the mission begins with supporting our employees, providing those with the tools they need to grow their careers and empowering them to improve our operations.”
Hoskins will lead an operation site of more than 7,500 team members. Navy Federal is on track to reach its commitment of employing 10,000 people in the Pensacola/Escambia County community by 2026.
“I have been a Navy Federal member for 21 years and I am proud and humbled to now have the opportunity to serve as the lead executive for Navy Federal’s Pensacola campus,” Hoskins said. “We have a talented team who is committed to helping our members and making a positive difference in the Pensacola community. I look forward to continue to build upon the foundation of success that Debbie Calder and the entire team have built.”
Hoskins replaces Debbie Calder, who oversaw the growth of Greater Pensacola Operations for 12 years before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer and relocating to Navy Federal’s headquarters in Northern Virginia in January.
Mobile Bank Robbery Suspect Captured After Pursuit Ends Near Highway 29
March 23, 2019
A Mobile bank robbery suspect was arrested after a chase that ended in just off Highway 29 in Escambia County.
About 10:58 p.m. Thursday the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office alerted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that they were pursuing a vehicle occupied by a bank robbery suspect. The vehicle exited I-10 at Nine Mile Road.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Karen Riley, drove across Highway 29 to a dead end on East 9 1/2 Mile Road where the two suspects left the car and tried to flee on foot. They were captured by Baldwin County deputies.
Both Samuel Dickey and Riley were charged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with destruction of evidence and resisting arrest without violence. Riley was charged with fleeing and eluding.
Dickey is expected to face charges for the robbery of the Woodforest Bank inside a Walmart store at I-65 in Mobile on Thursday.
Man Accused Of DUI Manslaughter In Deaths Of Siblings Wants Lower Bond
March 23, 2019
The man accused of killing two siblings in a driving under the influence crash is trying to get his bond reduced because his family can’t afford it.
Hunter Black is accused of killing 15-year-old Sean Banks and 22-year-old Antoinette McCoy in January in an early morning crash on Kingsfield Road.
Black is currently facing two of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
He’s being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1 million. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report showed there was no alcohol found in Black’s system, but it was positive for Xanax and chemicals that can be linked to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
In a court filing this week, Black’s attorney says he lacks the financial means to post the bond. The attorney also said Black lives in Cantonment “with his family and has resided in the area for his entire life,” and other grounds will argued orally.
A hearing date on the motion has not yet been set.
Escambia Man Faces Life Sentence For Attempted Murder Of Three Deputies
March 23, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing life in prison for attempted murder of three Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Demetric Denario Carter was convicted of three counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. A jury also found Carter to be in actual possession of a firearm and that he discharged the firearm. The conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. The case was tried in front of Circuit Judge Jeff Burns and sentencing is currently set for April 17.
On October 27, 2017, Carter entered the Warrington Bank on Barrancas Avenue. He approached one of the tellers and told her to call the police. He then stated he did not want to take it out on them and to tell the police to meet him behind the bank. Law enforcement responded and made contact with Carter and it was discovered he had a firearm in his back pocket. After repeatedly telling Carter to get on the ground and to keep his hands visible, a taser was displayed. when carter reached and grabbed the firearm, the taser was deployed. carter then fired several shots in the direction of three deputies who returned fire.
Carter has several prior convictions including convictions for aggravated assault by threat with a firearm, domestic battery by strangulation, fleeing or attempting to elude a leo in an agency vehicle with siren and lights activated, sell, manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance with intent, possession of controlled substance (over 20 grams of cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with no valid driver’s license, possession of prescription drugs without prescription, resisting an officer without violence, battery, and possession of a controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis). He had just been released from prison 10 months prior to this incident.
Great Sunny Spring Weekend
March 23, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Proposed Blue Angels License Plate Officially Unveiled
March 23, 2019
A proposed Blue Angels license plate was unveiled during a ceremony Friday at NAS Pensacola.
Sen. Doug Broxson has filed a bill to create a new Blue Angels specialty license plate.
If the bill become law, the license plate will include the words “Home of the Blue Angels” at the bottom. The annual fees generated by the plate will benefit the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, including the Naval Aviation Museum and the National Flight Academy in Pensacola.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
