Long Detour: Quintette Road Railroad Crossing Closed Next Week, South Chipper Road Too
January 23, 2021
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE: We’ve been told this will not happen Monday, but no further information has been provided to Escambia County by CSX.
Railroad crossings on Quintette and South Chipper roads will be closed for several days next week.
So far, Escambia County officials have not been told by CSX exactly which days the crossings will be closed during the week of January 25. NorthEscambia.com will let you know the details as soon as CSX passes along the information.
The South Chipper Road closure will impact just a few residents, but the Quintette Road closure will impact a large number of people in both Escambia and Santa Road counties. The closest detour route is using Highway 90 across the Escambia River, about 30 miles from one side of the crossing to the other. Detouring across the river on the Highway 4 bridge through Century is some 60 miles.
CSX is conducting a crosstie replacement, and each crossing will be closed from two to three days.
During the week of February 1, the railroad crossings on Pauline Drive and Chemstrand Road will be closed, along with three private crossings.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Facing 19 Child Porn Charges After FDLE K-9 Sniffs Out Hidden Laptop
January 23, 2021
An Escambia County man is facing 19 child pornography counts after a Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 sniffed out a laptop hidden in an attic.
Jason Paul Cherry, 45, is behind bars after a three month investigation after Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered child pornography on his computer and a past relationship with an underaged victim. The investigation began in November of 2020 and involved involved the assistance of Homeland Security, FBI and FDLE.
On Friday, a search warrant was executed at Cherry’s home. Investigators said Cherry was in possession of digital files that included child sexual abuse material. Other evidence found in the home revealed he was engaging in sexual activity with a female victim, which began when the victim was 14-years old.
FDLE Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy, and her K-9 Maple, located a laptop in the bedroom attic, concealed under insulation. More charges are expected to come after the completion of a forensic examination of the electronic devices.
ECSO’s lead investigator, Jeremy Horn, arrested Cherry on 19 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Cherry was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was given no bond.
“This is a disturbing and disgusting act that we cannot, and will not tolerate in our community. I’m proud of the investigative work and time that went into this case, subsequently landing this suspect in the Escambia County Jail,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
Partly Sunny Saturday, Rain Returns Monday
January 23, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Florida COVID-19 Vaccines Limited To State Residents Only
January 23, 2021
Florida has issued new guidelines that limits COVID-19 vaccines to only permanent and seasonal residents.
Cutting off out of state residents is meant to curb “vaccine tourism” — people over 65 flying into Florida for vaccine and then flying out.
But it will also prevent, for instance, Flomaton or Atmore residents from cross the state line to get a vaccine in, say, Century.
On Thursday, Community Health Northwest Florida had an allocation of 200 vaccines available at their Century location. During a Century Town Council meeting Monday night, Community Health representatives said the Century clinic, which occurred before the new state order, was open to residents of Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama.
Out of state residents that have already received their first shot in Florida will be eligible for their second shot in the Sunshine State.
State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees signed a Public Health Advisory on Thursday prioritizing Florida residents for the vaccines.
“We’re only doing (shots) for Florida residents,” DeSantis said Tuesday in Cape Coral. “You’ve got to live here either full-time or at least part-time.”
The order requires proof of residency or proof of being a health care provider directly involved with patients. Residents much be 65 or older to receive the vaccine, and must spend at 31 days a year in Florida and maintain a permanent residence in the state.
“We want to put seniors first, but we obviously want to put people that live here first in line,” DeSantis said during a news conference. ”And that can include people that live here half the year. But it’s not for people that are just visiting.”
Here’s What FDLE Uncovered About Eavesdropping Device Found In Escambia County Administrator’s Office
January 23, 2021
We are learning more about an eavesdropping device — an illegal hidden camera — found in the office of Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley last year.
Gilley said she requested that her office be swept for a bugs after details of a private conversation were leaked to the public. The device, which had both audio and video capabilities, was found after a confidential informant contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement “requesting assistance with a possible insider threat case at a county office,” according to a FDLE investigative report.
On August 7, a FDLE special agent and a K-9 performed a search, finding a Vivitar Versa Magnetic Camera inside a fake plant in a conference room. The camera was turned on and appeared to be recording when it was located, according to the FDLE.
The camera’s SD card was empty.
According to the report, the camera is sold at Walmart stores, “appearing to be exclusively online” and connects wirelessly to a phone or device when it is recording.
FDLE placed the camera back in the fake plant in an attempt to capture someone retrieving the camera.
Agents then conducted an in-depth electronic sweep, and no other suspicious devices were located. FDLE searched the building again for suspicious devices on September 15 and found nothing.
The State Attorney’s Office subpoenaed Walmart records and found that three of the cameras were sold online in Florida between February 1, 2020, and August 1, 2020.
“Analytical research was completed on the subpoena results and no customer was linked to the undisclosed business or any of their employees,” the FDLE report stated.
Twelve New COVID-19 Deaths, Another 326 Cases Reported In Escambia County
January 23, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 12 additional COVID-19 deaths and 326 new cases reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 28,757 (+326)
Non-Florida residents: 3,034
Recovered: 22,956*
Total deaths: 484 (+)
Long-term care facility deaths : 205 (+4)
Current hospitalizations: 252 (-12)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,392
Percent positive reported last day: 17.9%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.4%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 21,266 (+303)
Cantonment: 2,594 (+41)
Century: 1,103 (+4)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 372 (+7)
McDavid: 175 (+1)
Bellview: 48 (+2)
Walnut Hill: 47
Perdido Key: 20
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 14,421 (+160)
Non-Florida residents: 182
Total deaths: 199 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths: 62 (+3)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 663*
Number of tests reported last day: 412
Percent positive reported last day: 27.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,963 (+183)
Navarre: 2,893 (+45)
Gulf Breeze: 2,670 (+73)
Pace: 1,158 (+12)
Jay: 442 (+10)
Bagdad: 30
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,627,603
Florida residents: 1,597,849
Deaths: 25,5011
Hospitalizations: 69,735*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Betty “Jo” Bexley
January 23, 2021
Mrs. Betty “Jo” Bexley, age 61, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at her home in Irvington, Alabama.
Mrs. Bexley was a native of Mobile, AL, former resident of Atmore, AL and had resided in Irvington, AL for the past 20 years. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved to cook and take care of her family and friends. She was of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Genese McCraney; two brothers, Doug McCraney and Jerry McCraney and grandson, Seth Garrett.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert W. Bexley of Irvington, AL; three sons, Chris (Pam) Garrett of Irvington, AL, J.J. Bexley of Irvington, AL and Sebasten “Bobo” Bexley of Irvington, AL; three step-sons, Jeremy Bexley of Mobile, AL, Michael Bexley of Mobile, AL and Matthew (Judy) Bexley of Mobile, AL; one daughter, Sabrina Garrett of Atmore, AL; five sisters, Ann (Wayne) Waddell of Philadelphia, MS, Bobbie (Billy) Walker of Semmes, AL, Rita Ikner (Ricky) of Frisco City, AL, Debbie Fullbright of Atmore, AL and Jan Powell of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren, Mikey Mason, Kari Mason, Makayla Garrett, C.J. Garrett, Kyle Garrett, Abigail Bexley, Robert Thomas Bexley and Zadie Bexley; two great grandchildren, Aidan Caraway and Micah Mason and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Earl Harrison officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Garrett, Michael Bexley, Matthew Bexley, Dylan Caraway, Keith Fullbright and D.J. Carter.
BOCC Agrees With Sheriff’s Request For Body Cameras, But They’re Not Sure How To Fund Them
January 22, 2021
Newly-elected Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons asked the Escambia County Commission on Thursday for the funds to purchase body cameras for his deputies, following through on a campaign pledge.
Simmons is requesting the commission allocate $912,727 for the purchase of 268 body cameras, with the money coming from what was CARES Act funds.
“Every day that we do not have body cameras, there’s one thing that could take place that could come up and embarrass the Sheriff’s Office, could embarrass the county,” Simmons said. “I just think that this is that important — too important for us to delay it.”
The county had until December 31, 2020, to use $57 million from the CARES Act. In order to beat the deadline, the county put $25 million into a “Public Health and Safety Payroll” account to use for Public Safety Department expenses. Because the $25 million will be used to reimburse normal payroll expenses, the $25 million will go into the general fund for other CARES Act expenses.
Each county commissioner has expressed support for the body cameras, but they are not yet convinced it should come from the $25 million. Commissioner Robert Bender stated that he was told the body cameras would not have otherwise been eligible for CARES Act funding.
“I support the sheriff’s department getting cameras, but to use this money for something other CARES related expenses at this time, in the middle of the pandemic, might be putting the cart before the horse a little bit,” Bender said. “We still having testing and vaccinations to do. I think we need to be mindful of how we spend that money.”
“I want our law enforcement to have the protection of cameras,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “I think it is a totally appropriate CARES Act spend. I think it’s something, I applaud you for bringing this forward.”
“I understand it (the $25 million from CARES Act) was moved based on a deadline of December 31 to the general fund to cover for payroll, payroll that was already funded,” Simmons told commissioners. “So this is no longer CARES Act…these are millions of dollars that Escambia County has to decide what’s the best use for those. Some is CARES, some is items like this. My request is consider this as a higher priority as I do to go ahead and get these body cameras.”
Commissioner Steven Barry said he was not against using the funds that originated from the CARES ACT for the cameras, but he questioned the timing of the funding request and the ongoing expenses for operating the system.
“I like the idea. I didn’t think it should be on the agenda for today. I think you will find board support for this moving forward with this in the appropriate time,” Barry said. “It’s not been something that has been a priority to the office (the ECSO) previously.”
“This is money that’s available, that I understand is available, and it sounds like is available. And I think it’s high priority, so I felt like it was something I could ask for,” the sheriff said. “I understand your point about maybe not today, but I’m not one that waits. Again, I’ve been the sheriff for two weeks now, and I think that body cameras and transparency is that important. And that’s why I’m here.”
“I’m going to be supportive of body cameras,” Commissioner Lumon May told the sheriff. “This is something that is important, and it’s critical to you in your operations. Once we get that money at the end of February, this will be a top priority for me because you said it is top priority for the safety of the officers and for the safety of our citizens.”
Simmons said he had money in his current overtime budget to fund five employees to process the body camera video footage and maintain the system. But he said he would need to work on a permanent funding solution from the next fiscal year’s budget.
The commission is expected to return to the body camera funding discussion in March after county staff provides further research.
“Quit frankly, I am not going to wait forever,” Simmons said.
Showers Ending Tonight
January 22, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Escambia May Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
January 22, 2021
Escambia County may soon allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday morning across the entire county.
There is currently an ordinance banning retail alcohol sale on Sunday between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he will bring and ordinance to a vote to allow countywide Sunday alcohol sales after 7 a.m.
File photo.