Atmore Man Charged In Connection With Stolen UTV Found In Walnut Hill
February 2, 2022
An Atmore man was arrested in connection with a stolen UTV found in Walnut Hill.
Michael Cleveland Rolin, 45, was charged with felony dealing in stolen property.
In 2020, Rolin was charged in Baldwin County with stealing a 2015 Kubota RTV900 utility vehicle worth $8,500.
The UTV was located on Highway 97A in Walnut Hill, parked in plain view. The resident told deputies that he had purchased it from Rolin for $1,500. The victim stated he had paid $800 of that amount under a payment plan to Rolin. The purchaser identified Rolin from his Baldwin County Jail photo, according to an arrest report.
A Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigator took possession of the UTV to return it to the rightful owner.
Rolin was arrested in Escambia County, Florida, this week after he was released from the Baldwin County Jail, where had been since July 2020 on charges of receiving stolen property, and third degree burglary.
He then posted a $7,500 bond to be released from the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola.
Flomaton Sailor Serving About USS Harry S. Truman
February 2, 2022
Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Travis Odom is serving aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa
Odom is pictured using a drill to make a key in the repair shop aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
Photos by U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman T’ara Tripp for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Continues Through Friday
February 2, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 73. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 46. South wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 50. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Matthew James Hecht
February 2, 2022
, age 32, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 31, 2022, after a brief illness.
Matt recently relocated to Jonesborough, TN with his family. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Pensacola.
He attended R.C Lipscomb, Ransom Middle School and graduated from Tate High in 2008. He also completed the PALS program at Pensacola State College in 2016.
Matt loved hockey, reading his Bible, doing artwork, riding his hand cycle, and fishing. He was a dedicated Pensacola Ice Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning fan. He also enjoyed the several years that he played in the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Matt had a bright smile and a kind heart and will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew him.
Matt is survived by his parents Steve and Barbara Hecht, and his brothers Andy and Chris.
A celebration of Matt’s life will be performed at a later date.
Ashton Dakota Smith
February 2, 2022
Mr. Ashton Dakota Smith, age 24, passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022, in Bay Minette, Alabama. He has resided in Atmore, AL all of his life.
He loved airplanes, flags, and dancing. He enjoyed the simple things in life and enjoyed spending time outside.
He is preceded in death by his devoted grandmother, Louise Jones, special aunt, Levonda Gabriel Jones, and special friend, Mary Ellen Ray.
He is survived by his mother, Wanda Jones, of Atmore, AL; special aunt, Patty (Henry) Wiggins, of Atmore, AL; two uncles, Tony Jones, of Pine Grove, AL; Marvin “Tabo” (Teresa) Jones, of Montgomery, AL; two brothers, Dillon (Crystal) Marshall, of Atmore, AL; Hunter Revel, of Brewton, AL; two sisters, Brittany Revel, of Brewton, AL; MaKayla (Hayden) Sage, of Atmore, AL; numerous cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Earl Harrison officiating.
Burial was at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Dennis Jarrell, Brian Mason, Brian Marshall, Dillon Marshall, Travis Stephens, and John Stephens.
Honorary pallbearers were Tony Jones, and Henry Wiggins.
Contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital, Shreveport, LA.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Escambia Firefighter Injured In Yonge Street Fire
February 1, 2022
An Escambia County firefighter is recovering after being injured while fighting a fire Tuesday afternoon.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to residential fire in the 1100 block of West Yonge Street where a a single-wide trailer and residential structure were fully engulfed in flames.
A firefighter reportedly fell through a rotted floor inside one of the structures. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The fire was brought under control in about 35 minutes. There were no other injuries.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
West Yonge Street is in the Englewood area, a few blocks from Pensacola High School.
What Was All That Smoke In North Escambia?
February 1, 2022
Very thick smoke blanketed parts of North Escambia Tuesday afternoon.
Joe Zwierzchowski, spokesperson for the Florida Forest Service, told NorthEscambia.com that the smoke was from a 4,000 acre controlled burn on Eglin Air Force Base some 35-40 miles away.
Readers reported heavy smoke, even some falling ash, in McDavid, Bratt, Walnut Hill and into Atmore. Visibilities quickly dropped to under 1,000 feet in some areas.
Motoristswere advised to treat the smoke like fog and exercise caution in areas of reduced visibility.
Pictured above: The sun almost obliterated by heavy smoke about 3:50 Tuesday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com graphic/photo.
Plans Unveiled For New Escambia Fire Training Facility In Gonzalez
February 1, 2022
Plans have been unveiled for a new Escambia County Fire Rescue training facility in Gonzalez.
The facility will be located at the former Escambia Charter School at 319 90 & 9 Ranch Road, just behind Gonzalez Utilities on Old Chemstrand Road.
ECFR leaders met with representatives of Florida Power & Light, Gonzalez Utilities, Ascend Performance Materials and Escambia County Facilities Management to discuss infrastructure, training props and other details for the future fire training facility.
“This is a significant step forward to enhance fire department services benefiting the county and the customers we serve,” said ECFR Deputy Chief Paul Williams. “We are very excited to see this facility moving forward after many years of research and planning, and want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their leadership and assistance in securing this property.”
“I’m extremely excited about the new fire services training facility being added to District 5, “said D5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “I love how the property will be redeveloped to provide a great public benefit, not just for the residents of Gonzalez, but also for all the residents of Escambia County.”
The county said implementing a fire training facility for ECFR will be instrumental in the success of the department and improving training needs. ECFR will be able to train career and volunteer firefighters faster and specifically to the standard operating guidelines and expectations.
In addition, officials said the facility will also enhance the ability to recruit and retain career and volunteer firefighters while offering in-house training at no cost to the future firefighter. The 11-acre facility is large enough to address the immediate training needs for ECFR while also offering room for future expansion. Additionally, the future training site will include classrooms and a community center.
ECFR will continue to work with local community partners to help establish training opportunities that will be mutually beneficial to all parties involved. Escambia County is in the process of beginning the architectural and engineering designs. In the meantime, the department will research grant opportunities and other funding resources to help build the facility.
The Escambia Charter School closed after 22 years at the end of the 2017-2018 school year due to declining enrollment.
Photos/map for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Is The First North Escambia Crossing Closed By CSX, But No Details On Which One Is Next
February 1, 2022
CSX is temporarily closing a half dozen railroad closings in North Escambia this week, but so far the railroad has not told the county which crossings will be closed when.
Monday afternoon, NorthEscambia.com hit the road and learned the crossing on North Barth Road was the first to be closed. The asphalt was completely removed, piled to the side, making the crossing impassable. The few residents on the other side can still get out off the their neighborhood, crossing the tracks on Barth Road. Signage was in place at the Barth Road crossing Monday afternoon in advance of an impending closure.
When the Daffin Road crossing in Molino is closed, several homes will be cut off .
Perhaps the biggest concern among area residents has been Quintette Road. Not only will the crossing closure mean a detour up to 20 miles, it will also mean that areas between the railroad tracks and the river will not be immediately accessible to emergency services from Escambia County.
Escambia County officials at multiple levels have told NorthEscambia.com that they have been unable to obtain a timetable from CSX. We reached out to the CSX media team Monday night and, likely to the late hour, did not receive a response.
The temporary closures will be at the railroad crossings as follows:
- Quintette Road (detoured to Highway 90)
- Barth Road
- Brickyard Road
- Cottage Hill
- Fairground Road
- Daffin Road
Pictured: The railroad crossing was closed Monday on North Barth Road. The crossing on Barth road remained open at the time. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Hit And Run Driver That Killed Man On Dark, Lonely Area Of Highway 29
February 1, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to seek a hit and run driver that struck and killed a man on Highway 29 early Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 42-year-old Pensacola man was killed about 2:45 a.m. on Highway 29 about one mile north of Champion Drive and the West Fraser Sawmill. The man was walking southbound in the inside lane when he was hit by an unknown southbound vehicle that fled the scene.
As of now, troopers don’t know why he was on the dark, lonely stretch of Highway 29. The entire area north of the sawmill is completely dark at night, mostly surrounded by woods. There are no houses in the area.
Late Monday afternoon, FHP told us they are still looking for any witnesses that observed the crash or may have seen the vehicle.
The vehicle is believed to be a large pickup truck or semi truck and may have front end damage, according to troopers.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call *FHP.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
Pictured: The general area where a man was struck and killed on Highway 29 north of Champion Drive as seen Tuesday night. The photo (taken safely by a passenger) shows the roadway illuminated by standard car headlights on high beams. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.