Amber Alert Issued After Missing Tennessee Girl Possibly Seen In Florida
March 12, 2021
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued an Amber Alert for a missing Tennessee girl that may be in Florida.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the most recent information in the search for Daphne Westbrook and her non-custodial father, John, likely places them in Florida one week ago. They may be driving the pictured 1971 Volkswagen Beetle that has no license plate or windshield.
She was last seen in Chattanooga in October 2019, and did not return from a weekend visit with her non-custodial father. He is wanted for aggravated kidnapping.
Authorities received a credible sighting of the father and daughter in Fort Walton Beach on Saturday, March 6, the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office said on Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call their local law enforcement agency or 911.
Garcon Point Bridge Toll Suspension Extended Again
March 12, 2021
The toll suspension on the Garcon Point bridge has been extended through April 9, 2021, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Friday morning.
“The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired from damage sustained during Hurricane Sally,” FDOT said in a news release.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge is no longer expected to open in March as previously announced due to additional repairs. An exact opening date has not been provided, but it is expected to be sometime in May.
Escambia Commission Agrees On Adjusted Hybrid Plan For OLF-8
March 12, 2021
The Escambia County Commission agreed Thursday to move forward with what’s known as the “Adjusted Hybrid Plan” for the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
The plan is a combination of commerce, residential and amenities. It allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
DPZ CoDesign, the design firm for the project, will move forward with developing specifics including zoning, infrastructure and density plans. That phase is expected to be completed by about Memorial Day.
The commission has also discussed impact fees for construction on OLF-8 to pay for roads and other infrastructure on the site.
Towing Rates In Escambia County To Increase For First Time In 11 Years
March 12, 2021
The Escambia County Commission has agreed on new towing rates, the first increase for towing companies in 11 years.
The rates applies to no-consensual towing and storage — that’s for vehicles that are parked without the property owner’s permission or when police request a car be towed such as in the event of a wreck. Insurance companies will often pay the towing fee for wrecks.
Local tow truck companies have lobbied the commission for the increase, saying their cost of doing business has increased since 2009.
For vehicles less than 10,000 pounds, the maximum towing fee will increase from $100 to $150, and daily storage will increase from $20 to $40.
For vehicles over 10,000 pounds, the towing rate will increase to $250 to 450 depending on vehicle weight. The current rates range from $175 to $400.
Commissioner also agreed to allow an annual increase based upon the Consumer Price Index.
The Escambia County Commission will formally vote on the rate increase at their next meeting on March 25. The new maximum rates do not apply if the vehicle owner requests a voluntary tow.
Detailed rates are below:
FWC Asks For Help To Stop Invasive Zebra Mussels. Yeah, That’s A Thing That Might Be In Your Aquarium.
March 12, 2021
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking for the public’s help in stopping the spread of the invasive zebra mussel. This species might cause devastating impacts to Florida’s ecology and economy, and has recently been discovered in a Florida pet store and stores in other parts of the country. The FWC is working with state and federal partners to address this national issue.
Zebra mussels are considered one of the most troublesome invasive species in North America. They clog pipelines used for water filtration, render beaches unusable and damage boats. They also can have harmful effects on native aquatic organisms. These filter feeders outcompete other native species in infested rivers and lakes. The waste they produce accumulates and degrades the environment, using up oxygen, making the water acidic and producing toxic byproducts.
Zebra mussels and their microscopic larvae have been found in a species of aquarium plants known as “moss balls” that are being sold in some pet stores under a variety of names throughout parts of the United States, including Florida. The moss balls are up to a few inches in diameter and are sold separately as an aquarium plant or may be provided with a fish being sold. Because the larvae might not be noticeable in the aquarium material, any purchased moss balls can contain zebra mussels or their larvae.
The FWC is urging pet stores to remove “moss ball” aquarium plant products from their shelves and properly dispose of them. If an aquarium owner has already bought one of these moss balls, they should safely dispose of it. The safest way to do this is by completely drying, freezing or placing the moss balls into a plastic zipper bag. Then throw that bag into a garbage bag. Aquarium water should be replaced, and filters/cartridges replaced and disinfected before disposal. Aquarium water can be disinfected prior to disposal by adding one cup of bleach per gallon and allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before disposing of the water down the drain. This method can also be used to disinfect gravel, filter, and other structures, and is highly recommended if zebra mussels are found attached to the moss or in the aquarium.
Zebra mussels are a small shellfish with triangular, brownish shells. As their name implies, they often have zebra-like stripes. They typically grow no bigger than an inch in size and some found in the pet store plants are less than a quarter of an inch long.
Spirit Airlines Coming To Pensacola Airport With Flights To Seven Cities
March 12, 2021
Spirit Airlines is is bringing flights to seven destinations to the Pensacola International Airport.
With brand new Airbus planes, Spirit will offer flights beginning June 10 to Columbus (CMH), Indianapolis (IND) and Louisville (SDF), along with nonstop service Austin (AUS), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Kansas City (MCI) and St. Louis (STL).
The flights will be available as follows:
Austin, Texas — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
Columbus, Ohio — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Dallas-Fort Worth — daily
Indianapolis — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Kansas City — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Louisville, Kentucky — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
St. Louis — daily
“As Florida’s Hometown Airline we are excited to launch service to Pensacola, our first destination in Northwest Florida,” Spirit Airlines Vice President of Network Planning John Kirby said. “With seven non-stop destinations, Spirit Airlines is making it easy and affordable for travelers to enjoy Pensacola’s emerald-green waters and sugar-white sands. In addition, our new Guests in Florida’s Panhandle will enjoy low-cost non-stops to many popular cities stretching from Texas to Ohio.”
“Today’s announcement further demonstrates Pensacola’s foothold in the national marketplace for air service,” said Matt Coughlin, Pensacola International Airport Director. “We are truly grateful for Spirit Airlines’ investment here at Pensacola International Airport, and more importantly, their commitment to the Gulf Coast region.”
Northview Chiefs Beat The Baker Gators (With Photo Gallery); Jay Softball Tops NHS
March 12, 2021
BASEBALL
Northview 5, Baker 4
The Northview Chiefs took a late lead on a Rustin Pope single in the bottom of the sixth to beat Baker 5-4 Thursday night in Bratt.
Pope led the Chiefs going 1-4 with a run and two RBIs. Bryce Korinchak was 1-2 with a run; Luke Bridges was 0-2 with an RBI; Trent Knighten was 0-1 with an RBI; and Josh Landis was 1-4.
Landis earned the win for NHS, going one and one-third innings allowing one hit, no runs, no walks and striking out three. Jamarkus Jefferson pitched five and two-third innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walking two and striking out nine.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
SOFTBALL
Jay 12, Northview 2
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview chiefs 12-2 Thursday night in Jay.
Rylie Cochran pitched five innings for the Royals, allowing two runs on one hit.
Emma Gilmore went four and a third innings for the Chiefs, allowing six runs on seven hits and striking out four.
Cochran, Alayna Lowery and Madison Mathis each had home runs in the fifth inning for Jay.
Kailyn Watson was 1-2 with a run for Northview, and Chloe Ragsdale had one run.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
3
Crestview Gets 7-6 Walk-off Win Over Tate Varsity; Aggie JV Beats Crestview; Freshmen Blanked By Baker (With Gallery)
March 12, 2021
Crestview 7, Tate 6
Crestview got a 7-6 walk-off win over the Tate Aggies Thursday night. The Bulldogs were down 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh when Drew Gillis doubled, scoring three runs.
Josiah Glodfelter allowed four hits and one run in six innings while striking out 10 and walking one.
Dalton Bowen went 2-for-3 for Tate. Drew Reaves, Zak Licastro, Bray Touchstone, Jackson Penton, and Tanner Rochon added one hit each for the Aggies.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
(continues below photo)
Tate 17, Crestview 1 (JV)
Tate High School JV handily beat Crestview 17-1 Thursday.
Ethan McAnally homered for Tate in the second, going 3-3 with 3 RBIs. Cade Kelly, Paul Whitson, Javin Floyd, and Colton Swiers had two each each, and Alan Beasley added one.
Swiers tossed three on the mound, allowing one hit on two runs, striking out five and walking two. Cade Kelly pitched two, walking one and striking out four.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
Baker (Mobile, AL) 10, Tate 0 (Freshmen)
Baker of Mobile, Alabama, blanked the Tate Aggies Freshmen 10-0 Thursday.
Neal Croom went for four innings on the hill, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out five and walking one. Conner Hassell tossed one inning allowing four hits on four runs, and Connor Baker went for an inning allowing one run.
Ketch King, Joseph Polk, and Hassell had one hit apiece for Tate.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highs Near 80 Through The Weekend
March 12, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Becoming sunny, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Escambia Reports One New COVID-19 Death, Additional 24 Positive Cases
March 12, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
One additional COVID-19 death and 24 additional cases reported Thursday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,292 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 3,546
Recovered: 33,203*
Total deaths: 646 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 272
Current hospitalizations: 53 (-4)
Number of tests reported last day: 936
Percent positive reported last day: 2.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.4%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,550 (+14)
Cantonment: 3,093 (+5)
Century: 1,169 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 483
McDavid: 204 (+1)
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 52
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,396 (+22)
Non-Florida residents: 222
Total deaths: 274 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 80 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 821*
Number of tests reported last day: 371
Percent positive reported last day: 5.6%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,296 (+6)
Navarre: 3,583 (+5)
Gulf Breeze: 3,236 (+3)
Pace: 1,384 (+5)
Jay: 542
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,962,651
Florida residents: 1,926,494
Deaths: 32,040
Hospitalizations: 81,763*
*“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.