Santa Rosa County Joins Escambia In Issuing Burn Ban
May 14, 2020
Santa Rosa County issued a burn ban Thursday morning, joined Escambia County which issued a burn ban Wednesday afternoon.
Outdoor burning is prohibited in both counties, including campfires, bonfires and burning trash. Enclosed outdoor cooking, such as on a grill, is allowed.
The Florida Forest Service is not issuing an burn permits at this time for Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
The burn bans in both counties will remain in effect until lifted by local government after significant rainfall.
ECSO: Man Wanted For Opening Fire At Pine Forest Road Gas Station
May 14, 2020
Deputies are searching for a man that allegedly opened fire at gas station on Pine Forest Road in Escambia County.
On Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. The victim told deputies that 27-year old William David Nicholson II, fired two shots at the victim, after the victim accidentally cut the suspect off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
At the time of the incident Nicholson was reported to be driving a green Kia SUV type vehicle with Florida license Z93OUE. Nicholson is a white male with red hair, blue eyes whom is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds.
A warrant for Nicholson’s arrest has been issued chagrining him with aggravated battery, firing a weapon in public, deadly missiles, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief. Nicholson’s bond was set at $71,000. Nicholson also has an unrelated felony warrant for his arrest for dealing in stolen property.
Anyone with information on Nicholson’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Hurst Hammock, Santa Rosa Fires Nearly Contained
May 14, 2020
The Florida Forest Service said Thursday that the two large wildfires burning since last week in Escambia County are nearing containment.
The Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah has burned 1,191 acres and is now 98% contained. The 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 2,215 acres and 97% contained.
Firefighters will continue patrolling fire lines and mopping up hot spots today. The team is leaving four brush trucks, three tractor/plow units and other specialized equipment in district to bolster local resources as the potential for new fires remains high until the area receives significant rainfall.
The weather forecast calls for relative humidity at 40-60%. Winds will be southeast at 10-14 mph with no rain in the forecast for the next several days. Given the conditions, Blackwater Forestry Center is not authorizing any burns and there are burn bans in effect for Escambia and Okaloosa counties.
Burn bans are in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Six New COVID-19 Cases Reported Thursday In Escambia County
May 14, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. See the front page of NorthEscambia.com for the latest.
Six new COVID-19 cases were reported Thursday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County total now stands at 671. The Santa Rosa County is up by one to 180.
Of the 19 deaths in Escambia County, 14 have been long-term care facility residents. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, all outside long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 43,210 cases including 42,038 Florida residents. There have been 7,749 hospitalizations and 1,875 deaths.
- Total cases — 671 (+6 since Wednesday)
- Pensacola — 507
- Cantonment — 46
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 57*
- Deaths — 19
- Male — 240
- Female — 330
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 180 (+1 since Wednesday)
- Milton — 101
- Navarre — 33
- Gulf Breeze — 25
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 119
- Female — 59
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 43,210
- Florida residents — 42,038
- Deaths — 1,875
- Hospitalizations — 7,749*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Cantonment Man Arrested On 20 Child Porn Counts, Previously Charged With Luring An Underage Girl For Sex
May 14, 2020
A Cantonment man arrested last month on multiple felony charges after allegedly luring and trying to meet an underage girl for sex is now facing additional child pornography charges. Authorities said he possessed nearly 450 images depicting a wide range of child pornography.
Christopher James McElveen, Sr., age 40 of 801 Cedar Tree Lane, was charged this week with 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography. Last month, he was charged with luring or enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
The nearly 397 child pornography images found on his computer depicted children as young as infants engaged in various sexual activities, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and an additional 47 child porn images were located on a USB drive.
Using the profile name “Chris McElveen” on a commonly used social media platform, McElveen initiated contact on March 23 with an undercover investigator posing as girl under the age of 13, according to an arrest report. The social media site was not named by authorities.
The investigator informed McElveen several times that his online persona was an underage girl. McElveen stated “I would prefer younger but its all good” and he initiated sexual conversation. His chats included statements that included “Im okay with you”, “age and all” and comments that he has previously engaged in sexual contact with a seven-year old girl, the report states.
“McElveen sent several messages of his sexual intent, he began inquiring about if my parents we at home or at work and expressed wanting to meet. McElveen advised that he wished to get a hotel room for a few hours with the underage female, and once again named the sexual acts he wished to perform with the underage female,” the investigator wrote.
A meeting location was established on Thursday, April 2, and McElveen drove his gold GMC van to the location and sent a message to the undercover social media profile which stated “Im parked on the side”. He was taken into custody without incident, and a search warrant was executed at his residence at 801 Cedar Tree Lane. His cellular phone was seized as evidence pending an additional search warrant.
McElveen’s statements to investigators were redacted from the arrest reports.
COVID-19 Testing Turnout Was Light In Century
May 14, 2020
Turnout was light Wednesday at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Century.
Just 55 tests were administered during a four hour period at the drive-thru testing site that did not require and pre-screening. Many times during the test period, there was no one in line.
The tests were available to anyone for any reason from age newborn and up regardless of symptoms. Those that were tested were advised to go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep away from other people, including family members, until they receive their test results.
Wednesday’s testing event in Century was the first in Escambia County north of Cantonment. At a similar event at Carver Park in Cantonment late last month, a total of 306 people were tested with others referred to another testing location.
Community Health also offers drive-thru testing at Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pre-screening is required for the Cantonment Pediatrics location by calling (850) 746-2684.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate Wednesday’s testing in Century.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2020 Members Receive Extra Surprises
May 14, 2020
The Northview High School Class of 2020 visited the school Wednesday to return items like uniforms, and they also received a few extra surprises.
Seniors received items such as a “We Love Our NHS Chiefs Seniors” yard signs with their name, their cap and gown, a photo banner and a “SENIORS 2020 – The One Where They Were Quarantined” senior shirt. They also received academic awards.
The seniors remained in their vehicles for the event for proper social distancing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Reports First Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Case On Campus
May 14, 2020
The University of West Florida has confirmed an employee as the first case of COVID-19 on the college campus. While much of the college’s staff has been working for home, UWF said this employee has been at work on campus.
The university notified students in an email Wednesday evening that they learned of the positive case earlier in the day. The case was confirmed by the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, according to the email, and the individual in turn notified the school.
“We are working closely with the Escambia County Health Department, the Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure all guidelines and protocols are diligently followed. The University is taking proactive measures to thoroughly clean and disinfect the building,” the email stated.
The employee worked in Building 20E and has been working on campus. According to a campus map, Building 20E includes the ADA Office, Cashier’s Office and Human Resources.
UWF employees that have had contact with the infected person have been notified. The university’s email did not indicate if the person has had any contact with students or the general public. Students have generally been off campus taking part in virtual instruction for the past several weeks.
Atmore Man Facing Weapons, Drug Charges After Allegedly Speeding On Highway 97
May 14, 2020
An Atmore man is facing multiple charges after a deputy spotted him allegedly speeding on Highway 97 in Davisville.
James Logan Smith was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was sitting at the Marathon Gas Station at Highway 97 and Nokomis Road about 10:50 p.m. Tuesday when he observed a Chevrolet Camaro pass at a high rate of speed. He attempted to catch up with the vehicle, and found it parked on Pine Forest Road near Highway 97.
Smith told the deputy that he did not have a valid driver’s license, and he was detained. Smith’s girlfriend, who was in the vehicle, told deputies that he pulled over because his “Reduce Engine Power” light came on. She said they had just left her mother’s house because they had been arguing.
While searching the vehicle, the deputy smelled marijuana and observed a marijuana blunt smoking in the vehicle’s ashtray, and he found loose marijuana and another blunt under the driver’s seat, according to an arrest report. The deputy also located an unsecured 9 mm handgun in the vehicle and a magazine with seven rounds of ammunition next to the gun.
Smith’s driver’s license was revoked in February 2016 and he had felony convictions in Alabama in 2013, according to an arrest report. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on a $6,000 bond.
The girlfriend as not charged.
Fort Pickens, Perdido Key, Gulf Island Seashore Opening This Weekend
May 14, 2020
Additional portions of the Gulf Islands National Seashore will open this weekend, including the Fort Pickens and Perdido Key areas.
Beginning on Saturday, May 16, Gulf Islands National Seashore will initiate Phase II access at:
-
The Fort Pickens Are
a
- Regular operating hours
- Restrooms will be limited to Langdon Beach and the restrooms outside of the Discovery Center
- Lifeguards will be on duty at Langdon Beach
-
The Perdido Key Area
- Regular operating hours resume
- Lifeguards will be on duty at Johnson Beach
-
Santa Rosa Area, including Highway 399
- Opal Beach restrooms at clusters C & D will be open
- Lifeguards will be on duty at Opal Beach
-
The Okaloosa Area
- Restrooms will be open
-
The Naval Live Oaks Area
- No restrooms
-
Pensacola Bay Cruises
- Modified operations
Beginning on Saturday, May 23, additional services will resume including:
- Free tram service at the Fort Pickens Area
- Pensacola Bay Cruises will drop-off and pick-up passengers at the Fort Pickens Area
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
- The Fort Barrancas Area
- The Fort Pickens Campground, Discovery Center, and bookstore
- The headquarters indoor exhibits at the Naval Live Oaks Area
- Parking lots 33A & 36A along Highway 399 (closed for the season)
- Parking lots 34A & 34E at the Opal Beach Complex
“Park staff, in coordination with public health officials continue to monitor health data from local and regional areas to determine when gating criteria is met,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. “As the areas evaluated continue to move through the required criteria the park is working hard to increase recreational access in a safe and responsible way.”
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services will be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.