Happy Independence Day Weekend
July 4, 2019
Happy Independence Day weekend from NorthEscambia.com! These are the Boy Scouts of Troop 430 in Molino. They placed the flags alongside Highway 29 in front of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Beach Tolls Of Any Kind During Holiday Weekend
July 4, 2019
All tolls to Pensacola Beach will be waived this Fourth of July holiday weekend…that means no $1 cash toll, no Toll-by-Plate and no Sunpass needed to cross the Bob Sikes Bridge.
Commissioner Robert Bender will use about $65,000 from discretionary District 4 funds to make up the lost tolls through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. All lanes will be open for all drivers with no need to stop at the toll booth. Sunpass holders will not be charged during this period for using the Bob Sikes Bridge.
“The past two weekends have showed us that not stopping to pay cash via the Toll-by-Plate system dramatically helped to reduce travel time to the beach. We had very positive feedback on the greatly improved drive time during high volume periods when only electronic payment was in use, but I also understand that there was confusion on when cash payments were accepted. By District 4 paying the tolls this weekend, it allows us to move traffic faster and lets everyone enjoy the beach without worrying about the payment process,” Bender said. “This is not a a permanent solution, but gets us all through this busy weekend with one less worry as we work on a more long-term fix.”
Above and below: A live look at Pensacola Beach traffic at the toll plaza.
Sheriff David Morgan Denies Allegations Made In Federal ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Against Him
July 3, 2019
CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY.
A federal civil lawsuit against Sheriff David Morgan alleges he was involved in a sex ring and then took steps to halt an internal affairs investigation.
Leah and Doug Manning were convicted in state court for sexual activities that included their own underage daughters. Escambia County deputies Mark Smith and Walter Thomas were also charged. Smith was found not guilty, and Thomas was sentenced to 30 years. Leah Manning was sentenced to 25 years, and Doug Manning received 30 years in state prison.
Manning, at the time, worked as a nurse for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Now legal age adults, the twin daughters are suing Morgan. Morgan is adamantly denying the allegations, and Wednesday afternoon held joint press conference and meeting with all personnel not on active duty protecting the public.
The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).”
Leah Manning claimed, according to a court document, that she had sex with Morgan on about five occasions, and that there is video that shows a half-naked Morgan in a hotel bed. She also claims the family dog was named “David” after the sheriff.
Morgan said he has never had contact with the Mannings and he had no supervision or influence on the investigation. The case was not directly investigated by the ECSO; it was handled by the State Attorney’s Office.
“I haven’t met someone, how can I have sex with them?” the sheriff said Wednesday. He also denied the video claim, and denied that he ever had any contact with the Mannings. The alleged video has not been made available.
During the investigation, phone numbers of a number of deputies were found in Leah Manning’s phone, including a number for Morgan.
Morgan said Thursday that the number in the Manning’s phone was his official cell number, not his personal cell or a landline. He said the investigation revealed that none of these numbers had contact with Manning’s phone.
“This whole case is fueled by rumors and innuendos and Facebook postings,” the sheriff said, “where a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.”
Morgan’s attorneys are arguing that he should not required to give a deposition in the lawsuits.
Court filings say “Plaintiffs have failed to establish any reason why the deposition of the Sheriff is required, except for the purpose of a fishing expedition for irrelevant information. All of their claims against the Sheriff are in his official capacity regarding the policies and practices of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Such information can be obtained through other discovery and/or the depositions of lesser ranking officials.”
Vehicles And Guns Stolen, Other Vehicles Burglarized In Cantonment
July 3, 2019
Two vehicles were stolen and eight others were burglarized in the same Cantonment neighborhood. All were unlocked.
The crimes were discovered Tuesday on Harlington and Joshua streets.
Two guns were also taken from vehicles, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Always make sure your vehicle is locked,” Hobbs said. “We all get in a hurry when we are getting out of our vehicles, but it just takes a second to make sure it is locked.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Triple Digit Heat Indexes, More Afternoon And Evening Storms
July 3, 2019
Hot temperatures and a triple digit heat index are expected across the North Escambia area over the next several days.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Doughnut Strike For Manna Collects Over 20,000 Pounds Of Food
July 3, 2019
The final numbers are in from last week’s first responder Doughnut Strike for Manna. The event collected 21,314 pounds of food, enough for nearly 16,000 meals.
The most popular items donated were: 3,018 pounds of peanut butter, 771 pounds of oatmeal, and 515 cereal items.
First responders from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Pensacola Police Department and the Pensacola Fire Department had vowed not to eat a single doughnut until 20,000 pounds of food was collected. Most of the collections occurred at local grocery stories last Wednesday to Friday.
Who Has The Best Local Fireworks Show? How Will Locals Spend The Fourth?
July 3, 2019
How will local residents celebrate the Fourth of July, and which town has the best local fireworks show?
NorthEscambia.com conducted a survey with four questions for the Fourth. We found the majority of respondents will have a cookout, enjoy family time and attend a public fireworks show. And most won’t be going to the beach or traveling very far from home.
Celebration Plans
- Cookout (47%)
- Family time (43%)
- Public fireworks show (34%)
- Fireworks at home (23%)
- Fly American flag (22%)
- Nothing special (19%)
- Bing watch TV (6%)
- Beach (6%)
- Travel (4%)
Spending Amount
A majority, 60%, said they’ll be spending under $50 on their celebrations, while 21 percent said $50-$99 and 15% responded $100-$249. Only 8% plan to spend over $250.
How Far To Travel
Most, 67%, don’t plan on any extra travel, 27% will travel under 100 miles, and 5% will travel 100 to 499 miles. About 2% said they will travel over 500 miles during the holiday period.
Best Local Fireworks Show
Survey participants said the best local fireworks show is:
- Pensacola (Sertoma) 35%
- Pensacola Beach 25%
- Jay 12%
- Atmore (Wind Creek) 12%
- Century/Flomaton 7%
- Milton 7%
(For a fireworks show schedule, click here.)
This was an informal, non-scientific survey with 3,314 respondents. Percentages in this story may not equal exactly to 100 due to rounding and exclusion of minor answers (less than 3%).
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Area Fireworks Shows Begin Tonight; Here’s The Schedule
July 3, 2019
Here’s a guide to public Fourth of July fireworks shows and events across the North Escambia area. Note that the Flomaton-Century show is on Wednesday, and Jay will split days with activities on Thursday and fireworks on Friday. The other shows and events listed are Thursday, July 4.
JULY 3
Flomaton/Century
The annual Flomaton-Century Fireworks show is July 3 at 9 p.m. at Flomaton’s Hurricane Park. Tip: Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
JULY 4
Jay
The Celebrate Freedom 5K is at 8 a.m. at Bray-Hendricks Park on Booker Lane; register beginning at 6:30 a.m. A youth kickball tournament follows in the park at 10 a.m. Vendors, live music, water slide, contests and games on Commerce Street beginning at 10 a.m. (Note: Jay’s fireworks show is Friday, July 5 in Bray-Hendricks Park.)
Pensacola
Sertoma 4th of July Celebration activities take place in Seville Square from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. over Pensacola Bay, synchronized to music broadcast on CatCountry 98.7. Best view: Along Bayfront Parkway.
Symphony Sparks and Stars featuring the Pensacola Symphony in the Community Maritime Park amphitheater beginning at 7:30 p.m. Fabulous patriotic and pops classics followed by a view of the Sertoma fireworks show at 9 p.m. Free, family friendly event.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach Fireworks on the sound side of the island at 8:30 p.m.
Milton
Riverfest 4th of July Celebration on the Milton Riverwalk, Willing Street. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and end with fireworks at dark over the Blackwater River.
East Brewton
East Brewton will have entertainment from 5-9:30 p.m. The annual Murder Creek duck race is at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin about 9:30 p.m.
Atmore
Fireworks at Wind Creek Casino at 9 p.m.
JULY 5
Jay
Fireworks over Bray-Hendricks Park on Booker Street at 9 p.m. (Note: Other Fourth of July festivities are on Thursday, July 4.)
Century Considers Travel Per Diem, Promotes Burkett To Water Superintendent
July 3, 2019
This week’s Century Town Council meeting was a night of ordinary business. The council:
- Discussed implementing a per diem rate for meals and incidentals for employees traveling for the town.
- Officially promoted Heath Burkett to the water superintendent position. He will also get back pay for about three months that he has worked in the position after the departure of the previous superintendent. Burkett was the only applicant for the job.
- Voted to pay employees on Wednesday, July 3 rather than on their regular Friday payday due to the bank used by the town being closed July 4-5 for the holiday.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Carl “Buster” McGhee
July 3, 2019
Carl “Buster” McGhee, age 102 of Poarch, AL. and was formerly of Walnut Hill, FL. passed away July 2, 2019 in Atmore, AL. He was born to the late Littles and Ellen Colbert McGhee in Huxford, AL. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. He was the oldest living WWII veteran and Poarch Creek Tribal Member in the state of Alabama. He was an avid fisherman and was preceded in death by his parents, wife Atrebee “Bootee” Dees McGhee six brothers, a sister, a son Stephen McGhee and granddaughter Rhonda Kay McGhee.
He is survived by his children Gilbert (Mary) McGhee of Walnut Hill, FL; Carl Farron “Fay” McGhee of Poarch, AL; Robert (Annette) McGhee of Saraland, AL; Glenn (Billie) McGhee of Pensacola, FL; Larry E. McGhee of Poarch, AL; Harold (Lynna) McGhee of Brewton, AL and Sandra (Larue) Chunn of Theodore, AL. One sister Thelma Henson of Frost Proof, FL; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; ten great- great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11 AM from the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. James Boyd and Bro. Rowdy Boyte officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Will McGhee, Charlie McGhee, Kenneth McGhee, Ronnie McGhee, Roger Howard, Robert Howard, Paul Howard and Kenneth Manning.
Honorary pallbearers will be Randy McGhee, Doyle McGhee, Tim McGhee Ben Colbert, Jerry Colbert, Marty Henson, Wayne McGhee, Wendell McGhee and Dicky Johnson.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 5, 2019 from 6PM until 8 PM from the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.