15-Year Old Teen Seriously Injured In Hit And Run On Ten Mile Road; FHP Searching For Driver
March 31, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that struck a 15-year old early Wednesday morning on Ten Mile Road.
The teen was walking west in the travel lane of of 10 Mile Road toward Chemstrand Road about 12:30 a.m as a vehicle was also traveling west.
The driver of the vehicle, described as possibly being a small dark-colored sedan, slammed on brakes and attempted to swerve to avoid the pedestrian, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The car hit the boy, throwing him to the right side of the vehicle and onto the roadway.
The driver failed to stop and was last seen traveling west towards Chemstrand Road. The car will have damage on the front bumper and hood, near the passenger side headlight.
The teen was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP Trooper Knowles at *FHP from a cell phone or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
Questions Raised About Residency Of ECUA District 5 Board Member Kevin Stephens
March 31, 2021
Questions have been raised about the residency of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member Kevin Stephens after recent comments he made at a Pensacola City Council meeting and a check of property records. But Stephens says he is, and remains, a longtime resident of Barth, a small community in the Molino area.
The political newcomer was elected to ECUA last year as the representative for District 5, an area essentially from Nine Mile Road north in Escambia County.
Last week, Stephens stepped to the microphone at Pensacola council meeting and made statements that some interpreted as indicating that he actually lives in the city.
“Good evening, my name is Kevin Stephens, 607 Crown Cove,” he said. He also identified himself as vice president of the homeowners association for the Crown Cove subdivision. Crown Cove is in Pensacola very near Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway. The U.S. Navy veteran addressed the council in favor of the installation of bathrooms at the park.
“My 10-year old son and I jog down there frequently, three days a week when here ” Stephens told the council.
Speaking at the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct in February, Stephens referred to his neighbors in the area and driving by the precinct daily on his way home.
“From District 5 to my neighbors here in Molino and Barth, I can’t be more excited about having this substation opened up. I pass it to and from home each day and look at it,” he told a large crowd in Molino.
Public records show Stephens and his wife have claimed a homestead exemption on their Crown Cove property for the past two years. He said that a homestead exemption does not indicate residency.
“I have lived in Molino for over 16 years,” Stephens told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday afternoon. “I live in District 5 and represent the people of District 5.”
Tuesday, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford agreed. He said that the residency requirement for the ECUA board is the same as defined by law for the Escambia County Commission.
“They must be a resident of the district on the day of election by statute,” Stafford said. Florida residency is defined as where a person spends most of their time and is not defined by homestead exemptions.
Stephens explained that he and his wife do spend time at their Crown Cove home in Pensacola, and that time increased right after Hurricane Sally which downed trees and caused significant damage their Barth Road home.
“We do still live in Molino. In fact we’ll be celebrating Easter their this weekend. Anyone that doubts we live there can stop by and hunt Easter eggs with us,” he said.
Pictured top: ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens speaks about his neighbors during the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct. Picture below: Stephens, far right, looks on as the ribbon is cut on the precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Had Over 100 Images Showing Child Sex Abuse, ECSO Says
March 31, 2021
An Escambia County man was charged after investigators found over 100 images depicting child sexual abuse in his possession, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday a search warrant was executed in the 8500 block of Alvarado Calzada off Gulf Beach Highway by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and SWAT team, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The search warrant revealed that the target of the investigation, Andrew Alexander Thompson, was in possession of image files on his electronic devices which depicted over 100 children being sexually abused, the ECSO said in a statement.
The victims were between the ages of 2 and 12, according to an arrest report.
ECSO lead investigator Jeremy Horn arrested Thompson on 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Turning Breezy And Colder Tonight
March 31, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 40. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Patchy frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Your Local Pizza Hut Has A New Owner In Massive Franchise Deal
March 31, 2021
Your local Pizza Hut has a new owner.
Flynn Restaurant Group has acquired 937 Pizza Hut locations across the United States from NPC International. NPC declared bankruptcy in 2020.
The deal includes the Pizza Hut restaurants in Cantonment, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton, a Flynn Restaurant Group spokesperson told NorthEscambia.com.
Flynn, which describes itself as the largest restaurant franchise operator in the country, including Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Taco Bell and Arby’s. With the purchase, Flynn will nearly double its restaurant count as a result of this acquisition, now owning and operating a combined total of 2,355 quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants, generating $3.5 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people in 44 states.
Pictured: The Pizza Hut location in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Splits Games With Pine Forest
March 31, 2021
Pine Forest 3, Tate 1
The Pine Forest Eagles topped the Tate Aggies Tuesday night 3-1.
Tanner Rouchon allowed two hits and one run in two innings for the Aggies. Tucker Griffin pitched one inning, allowing one hit and sitting down one.. Ethan McAnally allowed two runs on one hit striking out one; and Jackson Penton pitched two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Drew Reaves was 2-4 for Tate. Jadon Fryman was 1-3 with a run; Penton went 1-1 with a RBI.
Tate 4, Pine Forest 1 (JV)
The Tate High School junior varsity defeated Pine Forest 4-1 Tuesday.
Caleb Murph started on the mound for Tate, going three innings while allowing no hits, no runs and striking out four. Saxon Hill pitched two and a third innings allowing one hit, one run and striking out five.
Hill led Tate at bat, going 3-4 with two RBIs. Javin Floyd, Colton Swiers, Allan Beasley, Michael Sardar and Jamil Sarder each added a hit.
Pictured: Tate High School’s junior varsity defeated Pine Forest 4-1 Tuesday. Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walk-in Vaccinations Available At Community Health Clinic Thursday At 4-H Center In Cantonment
March 31, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Eligible persons who wish to be scheduled for this Moderna first dose vaccination event should call the Community Health COVID-19 vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to make an appointment. Walk-ins will also be accepted. The clinic is open to all Florida residents age 40 and older, people age 18 and older who are “medically vulnerable”, as well as individuals who hold specific jobs that put them at high risk.
- Eligibility Criteria for Vaccines:
- Persons 40 years of age and older;
- Adults 18 and older deemed medically vulnerable by a physician. One of the following is required:
- Patients may have their doctor fill out a State of Florida “COVID Vulnerability Determination” form or
- Bring a doctor’s note/prescription stating the condition that qualifies the patient or current prescription bottles of the medication that treats the preexisting condition;
- All K-12 school employees, all ages; must show a badge from their school. (Current Executive Order does not include educators beyond K-12);
- Daycare workers; badge or paystub required as proof of employment in day care setting;
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact.
- Sworn law enforcement officers
- Firefighters
IMPORTANT:
- All participants will be required to show photo ID as well as proof of eligibility at time of appointment.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine.
Tate Aggies Girls Continue Winning Streak With Defeat Of Washington
March 31, 2021
The Tate High School Aggies girls tennis team continued their winning streak Tuesday with a 4-3 win over Washington.
Ana Sanchez Morales and Kingsley Cline maintain their momentum at the #1 doubles with a 9-7 victory and the #2 doubles of Gwen Ward and Kayley Foshee securing the overall with their 8-5 win.
Next up, the Aggies will be at Milton on Thursday.
File photo.
FDOH Reports 28 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
March 31, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported 28 new COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths in Escambia County on Tuesday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,810 (+28)
Non-Florida residents: 3,602
Recovered: 33,202*
Total deaths: 664
Long-term care facility deaths: 278
Current hospitalizations: 25 (+3)
Number of tests reported last day: 476
Percent positive reported last day: 5.7%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.5%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,961 (+21)
Cantonment: 3,134 (+5)
Century: 1,172
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 484
McDavid: 209
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,725 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 221
Total deaths: 278
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 852*
Number of tests reported last day: 424
Percent positive reported last day: 4.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,456 (+7)
Navarre: 3,660 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,285 (+4)
Pace: 1,425 (+2)
Jay: 544
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,052,441
Florida residents: 2,014,354
Deaths: 33,338
Hospitalizations: 84,973
*“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.
Dorothy Jean Howell White
March 31, 2021
Mrs. Dorothy Jean Howell White, age 81, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021 at her home in Tallahassee FL.
Mrs. White was born in Century, FL, and had been a member of the Century and Flomaton communities for years before she moved to Tallahassee where she lived for 23 years. During her working years she worked as a secretary for the Florida Department of Forestry. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, quilting and her gardening. Mrs. White was of the Holiness faith, and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and was preceded in death by her parents, James Elvin and Luna Dee Ryles Howell; three brothers; one sister, and her husband, Willard O’Neil White.
She is survived by son, Joey O’Neil (Allison) White of Land O’ Lakes, FL; daughters, Katherine Virginia White of Tallahassee, FL, Frances Darlene (Peter Nicholas) Diaz of Port Richey, FL, Mary Phyllis (Lawrence) Davis of Fayetteville, TN; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Mrs. White will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 1 P.M. until a 2 P.M. service time with Bro. Donnis Bowman officiating.
Interment will follow in Rock Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.