Carol Levane Vickrey
August 27, 2021
Carol Levane Vickrey, was born on November 18,1940 in Atmore Alabama. She passed on August 27, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida. She was married to her husband, Lawrence for 53 years. And she was a long-time member of Highland Baptist Church.
Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence F. Vickrey; mother, Estelle Parmer Reynolds; father, William Ollie Parmer.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Earl) Rodgers; son, Kevin (Suzanne) Vickrey; brothers, Gerald (Patty) Parmer and Olen Parmer; grandson’s, Hunter L. Vickrey and Michael (Kendall) Sanderson; granddaughter, Amanda (Keka) Sanderson.
Visitation will be held at Highland Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The Service will follow immediately after at 2:00 PM.
Pallbearers will be Brannon Parmer, Randy McCauley, Hunter Vickrey, Damien Sanderson, Michael Sanderson, and Paxton Hobbs.
ECUA Bulk Waste Collections Are Back
August 27, 2021
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority bulk waste collections are back to their regular weekly schedule.
On August 18, ECUA had suspended all bulk waste collections for one week due a driver shortage.
Bulk waste includes items such as couches, mattresses, desks and chairs.
ECSO: Escambia County’s Biggest Ever Marijuana Distributor Arrested, About $2 Million In Assets Seized
August 26, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County.
Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one federal count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Additional charges are expected to be forthcoming against Vo, and more arrests are possible, according to Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody.
A four-month investigation led to the August 19 service of search warrants at nine locations in Escambia County and two in Santa Rosa County in an operation that was centered around a home in the 7400 block of Klondike Road.
Local and federal investigators seized:
- 2,156 pounds of the “highest grade” marijuana
- 24 pounds of spice
- 18 pounds of THC
- 32 firearms
- 12 vehicles (two of which were stolen)
- $820,000 in cash
- $150,000 worth of gold bars
- $750,000 worth of jewelry
- a tractor
- a ski boat
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons described it as the largest asset seizure in the history of Escambia County as photos were displayed during a news conference. The photos showed some of the seized items, including a suitcase containing about a half million dollars, a safe containing weapons, an Audi and a Porsche.
“This is a major drug dealer that has major ties throughout the country,” Simmons said during a Thursday afternoon press conference. “This was a major player in Northwest Florida.”
The sheriff said the investigation began after a series of violent crimes in Escambia County.
“When you deal marijuana at this level, violence will ensue,” he said.
““The days of living large or fancy car driving, speed boat driving, community damaging is over. Your Ric Flair days are over,” Simmons said.
The investigation was conducted by agencies including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pensacola Police Department.
Dump Truck Driver Seriously Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash
August 26, 2021
A dump truck driver was seriously injured when his truck overturned Thursday morning in Cantonment.
Firefighters worked about 20 minutes to extricate the 51-year old driver from the wreckage on Muscogee Road near Beulah Road. The driver was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash about 8:10 a.m. was due to a mechanical failure as the driver attempted to make a right turn.
The Cantonment, Beulah, Bellview, and Brent stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECUA Approves Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
August 26, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board has given final approval to increased sanitation, water and sewer rates.
For the average water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month, the added cost will be $1.06. Much of the increase will go to fund a Brownsville sewer expansion project. The increase passed unanimously.
The cost of a single 90-gallon sanitation container, with included recycling and bulk service, jumps $1.85 from $24.54 to $26.39 per month. The increase is intended for pay increases for sanitation workers, include CDL drivers. The increase passed 4-1.
ECUA board members have said the utility is having trouble hiring and retaining personnel, including those in-demand CDL drivers.
Editor’s note: ECUA bulk service has returned as of August 25. It had been suspended for about a week.
Pictured: The Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Man Who Trespassed On Molino Woman’s Property Charged With Assault With A Deadly Weapon, ECSO Says
August 26, 2021
A Molino man allegedly found on a woman’s property is charged with assaulting her.
Marvin Arlo Lamb, 60, was charged with trespassing, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and driving with no valid driver’s license.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s office she observed a gray van parked on her property near Molino. As she approached the vehicle, it drove off. The vehicle returned to her address a short time later, and Lamb was yelling as he approached the victim with a large wooden stick, according to an arrest report.
Lamb denied the allegations against him. An arrest report notes that a wooden stick was located next to the driver’s seat in Lamb’s vehicle.
The victim’s property has posted no trespassing signs and is behind a closed gate, according to the report.
Lamb remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $1,600.
PHS At Tate Aggies: Here’s What To Know, How To Buy Tickets
August 26, 2021
The Tate Aggies will open their regular season as they host the Pensacola High Tigers Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
There will be no cash ticket sales at the gate. All tickets will be sold using GoFan. Click or tap here to purchase tickets, or search for “Tate High School” on the GoFan app. Parking will be $2 cash per vehicle, and fans should enter the campus through the main gate or the junior parking lot gate.
Concessions will be available from the Tate High School Showband of the South with plenty of hamburgers, Aggie Fries and more.
The following rules will be in place: no reentry, no backpacks, no large bags, no outside chairs, no tobacco, and no alcoholic beverages.
Suspect Charged With Attempt To Deliver Drugs, Phones, Smokes Into Century Prison
August 26, 2021
A suspect allegedly prepared to throw contraband over the fence at the Century Correctional Institution was captured Tuesday afternoon after a manhunt.
Dickale Tanzano Cothrell, age 35 of Orlando, was arrested on a criminal offense of introduction of a contraband into a state correctional facility and one count of interference with prisoners. He was charged by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.
About 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, Cothrell was reportedly spotted at the perimeter fence of the east side of Century CI. That led to a lockdown of the facility and a prisoner count, while a perimeter and manhunt occurred outside the facility.
Two Century correctional officers found Cothrell on east side of the prison Tuesday afternoon, and he was detained by two Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Corrections officers recovered a package that was ready to be introduced into the facility, according to an arrest report.
The package contained three cellphones, 23.8 grams of suspected synthetic cannabis (commonly known as “spice”), 111..5 grams of cigarettes, a cellphone charger and two charging cables.
Cothrell remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $3,000.
Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach New Daily High
August 26, 2021
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a daily record of 398 on Wednesday in Escambia County, nine of those under age 18.
One month ago, only July 25, there 110 hospitalizations at Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. On June 25, that number was just 23.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital.
The latest Ascension Sacred Heart data from Tuesday showed 153 hospitalizations at their facility, with 93% of those unvaccinated.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting vaccinated, and I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are able,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.
Sunshine And Showers For Thursday. And Maybe A Rainbow Or Two.
August 26, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Pictured: A rainbow this week over Gonzalez United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy GUMC for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.