Wreaths Across America To Go On Saturday At NAS Pensacola
December 11, 2019
The annual Wreaths Across America program will go on Saturday onboard NAS Pensacola at Barrancas National Cemetery.
This year’s event will kick-off at 11 a.m. to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud.
This year’s event will only be open to those with a current a DoD ID card or to groups and organizations previously approved. To participate in the event, please visit www.barrancaswreaths.com by Friday at noon. For more information, please call (850) 867-5873 or (850) 207-1217.
Several North Escambia groups take part in the annual event. If you are part of one of those groups, you can share your photos with news@northescambia.com on Saturday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Two More Red Bulbs On Fire Safety Wreath After Residential Fires
December 11, 2019
The third and fourth red bulbs have been placed on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath, representing four total residential structure fires so far this December.
The third fire this month occurred in the 800 block of Nantes Way on Friday, December 6 at 8:26 p.m. An electrical fire in a wall apparently spread to the attic. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.
The fourth fire occurred in the 4000 block of Mobile Highway at 5:17 a.m. on Saturday, December 7. Upon arrival, Escambia Fire units found single story private dwelling on fire. Units searched aggressively for occupants, despite looking uninhabited. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Some of the responding ECFR units had been awake for 24 hours, having already responded to numerous incidents, including the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents
One Month Old Baby Suffers Displaced Shoulder, Fractured Arms; Cantonment Woman Charged
December 11, 2019
A Cantonment woman was charged with aggravated child abuse after a baby was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital with multiple fractures.
Chyianne Lee Smith, 22, was booked into the Escambia County Jail where she was being held without bond.
The baby had a displaced shoulder and fractures of both arms, according to an arrest report that noted hospital staff said the injuries were indicative of someone pulling on the child’s arms.
The baby was taken to the hospital by Smith and a second person. The second person said when he asked Smith what happened, she said the child “might have slept on it wrong”, the arrest report states.
Smith’s statements were redacted from the arrest report, but the deputy wrote that her inconsistent statements that were not consistent with the victim’s injuries led to the arrest.
Second Escaped Alabama Inmate Caught In Escambia County
December 11, 2019
A second escaped Alabama inmate has been caught in Escambia County.
Joseph Keith Edwards, 26 and Landon Lee Gunter, 28, escaped November 24 from the Chilton County (AL) Jail.
Edwards was arrested November 26 when a high speed chase ended with him crashing a carjacked vehicle on West Kingsfield Road. A Florida Highway Patrol report indicated that Gunter was not known to be in the vehicle at the time of the wreck.
An arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com does not reveal any of the circumstances of Gunter’s arrest, but it does indicate he was taken into custody at West Florida Hospital at 5:10 p.m. Sunday. Gunter was extradited back to Alabama Monday night.
Edwards remains in the Escambia County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting an officer in connection with the high speed chase.
Edwards is also wanted out of Santa Rosa County for carjacking. A woman reported that she picked up Edwards and a woman on Clairmont Street near 57th Avenue in Pensacola last month because she felt bad for them. The woman drove them to Milton where Edwards told her to drive to Putnam Road before putting what she believed to be a gun to the back of head and taking the car, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
In Chilton County, Gunter was being held on an auto theft charge and Edwards was held on charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia first degree, and receiving a stolen vehicle.
Edwards has a history of arrests in Escambia County dating back to 2015.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Too-Tall Truck Brings Down Power Lines In Molino, Plunges Homes Into The Dark
December 11, 2019
A trucker with an over-height load left a few hundred people in the dark Tuesday night in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Vincent Washington of Mobile was hauling a load of scrap metal that was 17 feet, 1 inch high, which was 3 feet, 4 inches over the legal height.
The scrap metal pulled down power and cable lines along nearly two miles of Molino Road about 6:15 p.m.. As the truck snagged power lines, it reportedly pulled the electric service masts away from several homes.
Washington was cited for careless driving and having an over dimensional load.
The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Florida Highway Patrol and FHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement responded. Customers of both Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative in the area lost power as a result of the incident.
A power outage about the same time in the area of Jacks Branch Road and Green Tree Circle in Cantonment was unrelated and was caused by wind.
Pictured above: Power lines trail behind an over-height scrap truck Tuesday night on Molino Road. Pictured below: Power lines wrapped around the top of the load. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Windy And Colder Weather Returns
December 11, 2019
Pensacola set a record high of 81 on Tuesday, smoking the old record of 78 back in 2012. But a cold front has delivered much colder weather.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Showers. Low around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Kittens Rescued From Pipe In Molino
December 11, 2019
Several kittens rescued from a pipe in Molino Monday afternoon are doing well and have new homes in their future.
Following a minor traffic crash at the Tom Thumb on Highway 29 at Highway 97, first responders heard meowing coming from an overflow pipe for a retention pond.
Florida Highway Patrol trooper Aaron Acker and Molino Fire Department volunteer Drew Manning rescued the kittens from the pipe with a little help from Manning’s mom.
Manning took the kittens home and bathed them. We’re told they are now eating well and playing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Secretary Of The Navy Visits NAS Pensacola, Praises First Responders, Holds Agency Brief
December 11, 2019
Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith visited Naval Air Station Pensacola Tuesday following the active shooter incident on December 6.
During the visit, Modly and Smith praised first responders from the base and the surrounding community for their response to the situation and the care they’re providing for all who are affected by this incident.
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the brave men and women for what we ask you to do every day,” said Modly. “Your immense bravery in the line of fire undoubtedly saved the lives of many. Today, as a Navy we grieve for those who were lost and we continue to stand by those who were wounded.”
Department of the Navy patrol officers and master-at-arms with the Naval Security Force were the first responders on the scene and confronted the shooter. NSF was joined by officers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office who assisted with the eventual takedown of the shooter. In the end, three sailors and the shooter were killed and eight individuals were injured.
“Our Security Force responded immediately and their quick reaction prevented the situation from being far worse,” said Lt. Steve Pakola, security officer, NAS Pensacola. “We train for these types of situations and their performance was exceptional. They displayed unbelievable bravery when confronted with the shooter, but they performed their job without thought of the risk they faced.”
Following a short tour of the base, the pair joined members of the FBI, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, NCIS, and NAS Pensacola for a leadership brief. The brief was meant to increase interagency communication, coordination, and support for one another.
Pictured: Capt. Tim Kinsella Naval Air Station commanding officer introduces the acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly, o Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Holly Barber, one of the first responders of the active shooter incident on NAS Pensacola. SECNAV visited the base on Tuesday. Photo Chief Mass Communication Specialist Dan Mennuto/U.S. Navy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Fifth Graders Visited Environmental Center. And Met A Big Snake.
December 11, 2019
Fifth grade students from Molino Park Elementary School visited the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center Tuesday. They entered the planetarium “blasting off” into space studying the solar system. They also used microscopes to study the flow of energy through an aquatic ecosystem observing a microscopic food chain in a drop of pond water. And they met Todd the Florida king snake. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FCA Challenger Awards Presented To Area High School Football Players
December 11, 2019
Area high school football players were honored this week at the 51st Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet at the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Guest speaker for the event was Pat Nix, former Auburn quarterback and father of current AU quarterback Box Nix.
Challenger award winners were:
- Dean Hatcher, Tate High
- Trent Peebles, Northview High
- Chris Buddy Page, West Florida High
- Tucker Mandell ,Jay High School
- Khazyren McWilliams, Pine Forest High
- Robert Sherlock, Washington High
- Gabe Johnson, Escambia High
- Calvin McCreary, Pensacola High
- CJ Davis, Catholic High
- Carter Lees, Milton High
- Blake Bullock, Pace High
- Trevor Pugh, Gulf Breeze High
- Matt Morgan, T.R. Miller High
One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
Pictured top: With former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix are Trent Peebles from Northview High School (left) and Dean Hatcher from Tate High School (right). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
