Woman Critically Injured In Crash Trying To Pass Another Vehicle On Jacks Branch Road
May 18, 2021
A Milton woman was critically injured when she lost control of her SUV while passing on Jacks Branch Road Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 30-year old woman was traveling north on Jacks Branch Road at River Annex Road when she attempted to pass another vehicle. She ran off the roadway, hit a trashcan and lost control of her SUV. The vehicle rolled several times on the shoulder of the roadway.
The adult female was airlifted by MedStar Air Care helicopter to an area hospital.
FHP no longer releases the name of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Shed In Cottage Hill
May 18, 2021
Fire destroyed a storage shed in Cottage Hill Tuesday morning.
The approximately 500 square foot shed was involved in fire and had already collapsed when firefighters arrived behind a home in the 800 block of McKenzie Road about 7:45 a.m.
There were no injuries reported, and there was no word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Smoke In Century Nursing Home Forces Evacuation
May 18, 2021
Smoke in a Century nursing home forced a partial evacuation of the facility Tuesday morning.
Fire alarms at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center sounded about 6:40 a.m. Firefighters arrived at the 88-bed facility to find smoke in a back hallway.
The source of the smoke was believed to be the HVAC system. At least some of the residents were evacuated to the outdoors as firefighters worked to determine the cause.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Pace Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among those dispatched to the scene. Some of the fire units remained on scene until about 8:30 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Tom Thumb Closed Temporarily After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
May 18, 2021
The Tom Thumb in Molino is closed for a few days after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee notified Tom Thumb of their positive test result, and the store was closed early Monday afternoon for cleaning and sanitizing by an industrial cleaning crew.
“The store will re-open in the next few days. We are grateful to all our customers for their patience and understanding during this time,” a Tom Thumb spokesman said in statement to NorthEscambia.com. “We are making every effort to provide the affected team member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
The company said the store’s employees have been contacted and advised to follow CDC recommended guidelines.
Pictured: The Tom Thumb at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
‘Going To Blow Tonight’ – Cantonment Man Sentenced For Arson Of His Grandmother’s Home
May 18, 2021
A Cantonment man has struck a plea deal and has been sentenced for setting fire to his grandmother’s house early this year.
Andrew Christian Geoghagan was charged with felony arson of a structure by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations in connection with a fire in the 600 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment on January 5, 2021.
Judge Jan Shackelford withheld adjudication and sentenced Geoghagan to six months community control (“house arrest”), 36 months probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to submit to drug and alcohol testing, pay fines and costs, seek employment and attend a weekly Narcotics Anonymous meeting.
According to prosecutor Elisibeth Davenport, Geoghagan started a fire in the crawlspace of his grandmother’s home using propane. The grandmother wanted to see Geoghagan receive drug treatment rather than spend time in state prison, Davenport said.
Before the fire, Geoghagan was seen taking a propane tank, and when confronted he stated, “that’s alright this [expletive] is going to blow tonight,” according to an arrest report. He was also seen in the area of the fire.
The estimated damage to the structure was approximately $1,000.
Pictured top: Andrew Christian Geoghagan appeared in video court before Judge Jan Shackelford. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Elementary Dedicates ‘Jaden James Friendship Bench’ In Memory Of Student Killed Near Walnut Hill
May 18, 2021
On Monday, Flomaton Elementary School dedicated a bench in memory of a student killed in a car crash last year near Walnut Hill.
“The Jaden James Friendship Bench” honors the six grader killed in the crash October 3, 2020, on Highway 97 one mile south of Tungoil Road.
“Jaden was a friend to everyone he met and leaves a legacy for us to uphold,” the school said about Jaden James in a social media post. “The bench, which was built and donated anonymously, will be used for times when students (and adults) need to talk to each other and remember the value and importance of friendship.”
Jaden’s father Jermaine James and sister Jermiah attended the bench dedication.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Council On Aging Senior Dining Sites Have Reopened
May 18, 2021
The Council on Aging of West Florida senior dining sites reopened Monday for the first time since the start of the pandemic last year.
The Council on Aging congregate meal program sites are open elders 60 and over on Monday, May 17. The sites closed March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, meals were available at these sites via a Monday through Friday grab-and-go platform, but now the locations are open with 100 percent occupancy so older adults can resume daytime activities.
Meals must be ordered a day in advance before 12 noon by calling (850) 432-1475.
For those who can and enjoy getting out for lunch, the Senior Dining Program is a neighborhood-based program which offers older citizens the opportunity to share their lunch with others their age. Hot nutritious balanced meals are served to active senior adults at several locations throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Meals are prepared fresh daily and contain one-third of the required daily allowance (RDA) for adults and comply with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Guidelines. In addition, participants have an opportunity to join in arts and crafts projects, play games and socialize. Serving times and location hours vary by site.
Missing from the list below are the sites in Cantonment and Beulah. Josh Newby, marketing director for the Council on Aging, said the Cantonment site needs building repairs, and the Beulah site is too small to allow for proper social distancing.
The sites wno open are:
Century Senior Center
6025 Industrial Boulevard
Century, FL 32535
(850) 256-1012
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Chumuckla Community Center
2355 Highway 182 West, Chumuckla, FL 32566
(850) 994-8811
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane, Jay, FL 32565
(850) 675-0810
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Tuesday through Thursday
Bayview Senior Center
2000 E Lloyd St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 432-1475
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:30 AM
Monday through Friday
Cobb Center
601 E. Mallory
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 436-5192
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Westwood Homes
4400 Westover Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 292-9868
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Friday
Bagdad Community Center
6860 Pooley St., Bagdad, FL 32530
(850) 983-4500
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Christ United Methodist Church
5983 Dogwood Street, Milton, FL 32570
(850) 983-4590
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
E.H. Pullum Senior Center
8476 Gordon Goodin Lane. Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 936-1644
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Thursday Only
The decision to reopen comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all coronavirus limitations based on emergency executive order, and local municipalities have followed suit. As vaccination rates continue to increase, COVID hospitalizations remain trending downward, and average infection age drops steadily, Council on Aging’s management and board have made the decision to allow seniors to recongregate.
“For decades, we have been preaching the importance of socialization and companionship for our community’s elderly,” said John B. Clark, Council on Aging president and CEO. “It’s good for your mind, your soul and your body. Of course, we had to reverse course during COVID as that physical safety became most pressing, but now we feel that our area is in a safe place to return these elders to a communal setting where they can support and enrich each other and grow together.”
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Outstanding Seniors
May 18, 2021
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded scholarships to five outstanding seniors.
Northview High School senior Abigail Nelson received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner. She plans to attend Florida State University and work toward a degree in psychology.
Tate High School senior Jessica Conti received a $500 Lynda Minchew scholarship endowed by the Bobby Minchew family. She plans to major in agricultural science and will attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
Northview High School senior Amber Gilman received a $500 Louis Crabtree Sr. scholarship endowed by the Crabtree family. She will be attending the University of West Florida working towards a degree in psychology in the fall.
Home schooled senior Sidney Ziglar received a $1,000 Steven Jogan scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Jogan was a lifetime BPHS member, and its treasurer and office manager for many years. Ziglar plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in physical therapy in the fall
Parker Hasselbrock ,a West Florida High School senior, received a $500 Mildred Haupert Schwartz scholarship endowed by the Paul Schwartz family. Parker plans to attend the University of West Florida and work towards a graphic design degree.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery By Strangulation Of Girlfriend
May 18, 2021
A Cantonment man is charged with allegedly strangling his girlfriend.
Jacob Michael Marmon, 29, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery.
The victim told deputies that she decided to meet Marmon, her boyfriend, at her home after work. He began to drink alcohol and struck her one time in the left jaw area with his elbow, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She decided to go to bed alone, but woke up to Marmon pulling her hair about 3 a.m. He then began to slap, push and hit her; he also choked her until she could not breathe as he stated “I will kill you,” according to an arrest report. The victim was able to break free and run to a family member’s home.
The responding deputy noted redness on the victim’s face and neck and a small bruise on her back. She refused medical treatment.
ECUA Says Nearly 6 Million Gallons Of Sewage Leaked Last Week; Perdido Bay Health Advisories Remain In Effect
May 18, 2021
Nearly 6 million gallons of sewage leaked over 20 hours last week form the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility, and health advisories remain in effect.
In a report to the Florida Department of Environmental Management on Monday, ECUA said 5.922 million gallons leaked, and 222,660 gallons was collected. ECUA acknowledged in the report that the spill did reach Bayou Marcus Creek and surrounding wetlands.
A 30-inch diameter pipe at the Emerald Coast Utility Authority Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility ruptured Thursday night. Some 20 hours later, the pipe had been replaced and was back in service. About 7:45 p.m. Friday, ECUA said the overflow had ceased and the plant had resume normal operation.
Friday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory for Perdido Bay south of the Bayou Marcus Creek. The health department advised any water-related activities due to the potential for high bacteria levels. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management also advised caution and an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in Perdido Bay. The state line is roughly in the middle of the bay.
Monday afternoon, ECUA said they began sampling Saturday for E. Coli in Bayou Marcus Creek and Enterococci in Perdido Bay.
“The Perdido Bay sample results were below maximum allowable thresholds for Enterococci for both days,” ECUA said. “The upstream creek location sample results were also below maximum allowable thresholds for both days. The creek entry point and downstream sample results for both days were above the maximum allowable threshold but are declining rapidly.”
The facility is located west of the North Blue Angel Parkway and Muldoon Road intersection (maps below).
