At Least One Injured In Semi, Car Crash
March 31, 2022
At least one person was trapped after a crash involving a passenger car and an 18-wheeler Thursday afternoon.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. on Broad Street at Pensacola Boulevard. The car came to rest under the semi’s trailer.
Further details have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Find Man With Meth, Possible Explosive Device In Store Parking Lot
March 31, 2022
A man was found in the parking lot of a Flomaton business early Thursday morning with methamphetamine and a possible explosive device, according to police.
The Flomaton Police Department checked a vehicle parked in front of the We Care Thrift Store.
The occupant, 32-year old Andrew Robert Howell, was in possession of a crystal-like substance identified as methamphetamine and had an outstanding warrant from another state, according to police.
“Also inside of the car was an item/device that was electrical taped and had a protruding fuse. It was more/less the size of a potato,” Flomaton Police said in a statement.
An investigation into the device is continuing with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Bomb Squad assisting the Flomaton Police Department.
Howell was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on charges of possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and as a fugitive from justice.
Storms Dump Hail; Strong Winds Cause Minor Damage
March 31, 2022
A line of strong storms dropped hail, and strong winds caused minor damage in Escambia County early Thursday morning.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos (below) showed minor damage to an awning at a home near the intersection of Kingsfield and Chemstrand Roads, and tree limbs were reported down in the Cantonment area.
The trailer of an 18-wheeler was left hanging over Escambia Bay as severe weather moved through the area early Thursday morning. Click here for details and photos.
Hail fell across a large swath from Beulah in Escambia County and into Santa Rosa County.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported up to about 500 customers without power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Florida Power & Light reported up to about 300 out in Escambia County and nearly 2,000 without power in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to scattered reports of power lines down across the county, including Highway 168 near Wiggins Road near Bratt.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Truck Left Hanging Off Escambia Bay Bridge During Tornado Warning
March 31, 2022
The trailer of an 18-wheeler crashed and was left hanging over Escambia Bay as severe weather moved through the area early Thursday morning.
The semi was reportedly rolled onto its side on eastbound I-10 over Escambia Bay, with the trailer left hanging over the guardrail.
Two people and two dogs were reportedly rescued from the cab and were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. Firefighters were able to remove the windshield to extricate the occupants.
There were high winds and a tornado warning at the time of the crash. As of early Thursday morning, a tornado had not been confirmed by the National Weather Service.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Power & Light Warning Siren Surprises Local Residents
March 31, 2022
Florida Power & Light has confirmed that they were responsible for a loud siren and voice warning heard across portions of the area Wednesday afternoon.
FP&L confirmed a siren test was conducted about 2:15 p.m. and lasted less than 20 minutes at the Gulf Clean Energy Center (formerly known as Plant Crist).
“We understand that some of our customers and nearby residents may have heard these sirens. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” FPL spokesperson Marshall Hastings told NorthEscambia.com.
Once we received numerous reports of the warning sirens, mostly from Cantonment to Ferry Pass and Pace, we were able to quickly confirm that it was not originating from International Paper or Ascend Performance Materials. There was a regular warning system test at International Paper about 1 p.m. Thursday, some hour and 15 minutes earlier.
We reached out to FP&L and received the final response about several hours later.
FP&L said they plan to conduct future tests, but a schedule is not yet available.
“These tests are done periodically throughout the year. The company will provide a notification prior to the next one,” Hastings said.
Pictured: The entrance to the Gulf Clean Energy Center (formerly known as Plant Crist) as seen Tuesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Clear And Cool Tonight
March 31, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 78. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Every Friday Morning, 11 UWF Students Head To Prison
March 31, 2022
Every Friday at 8 a.m., 11 University of West Florida students show up for class at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. Once inside, they are joined by their classmates: 13 incarcerated individuals.
The students are the first cohort enrolled in the Spring 2022 Inside-Out Exchange course led by Jennifer Brinkley, J.D., assistant professor of legal studies, and Dr. Nicole Niebuhr, assistant professor in the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice. The course, Contemporary Social Justice Issues, addresses the creation of social justice policy and its impacts on society.
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program® is an international initiative that encourages dialogue and education among incarcerated individuals and university students. UWF currently offers the first and only course in the region.
“Prisons are often looking for educational course offerings and, in my experience, incarcerated individuals are very eager to participate in an intellectual pursuit,” Brinkley said. “This type of collaboration brings so much joy to everyone involved, and it’s important for communities to invest in programs that help with re-entry, as incarcerated individuals will be joining our communities again at the end of their sentence. I am proud that UWF has been willing to step in and provide educational programming for incarcerated individuals, and to allow UWF students to be a part of this important endeavor.”
Brinkley and Niebuhr underwent a rigorous, 40-hour training course in early 2021 to gain eligibility for instructing an Inside-Out course, and joined forces to co-teach the first offering in the Spring 2022 semester.
Kayla Reid, a criminal justice graduate student, said she joined the course to participate in the unique opportunity to hear new perspectives within the criminal justice system and to expand her classroom learning through conversations with those who have lived the experience.
“Hearing the perspectives of individuals who are currently incarcerated is important,” Reid said. “I’m appreciating the discussions, and I believe the class is a good human experience. They come into class through one door, we come in another, but we all get to sit as students together.”
Sarah Goldberg, junior legal studies major, said the course provided an irresistible opportunity to pursue her interest in the prison system and prison reform topics.
“The most impactful part of the course so far has been the dismantling of my implicit bias,” she said. “Incarcerated people have been so ‘othered’ by society that we are taught to view them as inferior in every sense of the word. Having meaningful, important, eye-opening conversations with the inside-out students fosters a sense of understanding and connection you wouldn’t expect to have with someone whose life looks so different from your own. It’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Miracle League Of Pensacola Still Needs Buddies For The Spring Season
March 31, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola is still looking for volunteers to serve as buddies during the current spring season.
Buddies can volunteer for one or two games or for the rest of the season. Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.
To volunteer or for more information, call Volunteer Director Mike Norre at (850) 384-3489.
Store Clerk Doused With Gas, Set On Fire In Escambia County
March 31, 2022
An Escambia County convenience store clerk was doused with gasoline and set on fire Wednesday afternoon at a Circle K on W Street at Massachusetts Avenue.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year old Betty McFadden was told not to panhandle earlier in the day outside the service station. She left, retrieved a gas can, and panhandled for the gas before going inside.
McFadden then “followed that employee and started throwing matches on that employee and caught the employee on fire, then calmly walked out of the store,” Simmons said.
The sheriff said the employee has life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
A second employee was burned while attempting to help the victim.
A K-9 unit tracked down and arrested McFadden. She has been charged with attempted murder. According to the Escambia County Jail, she is homeless.
Man, 78, Struck And Killed By RV Being Moved In His Driveway
March 30, 2022
A woman struck and killed a man with a RV Wednesday afternoon in their driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 76-year old woman was moving the RV forward in the driveway of a home on Floyd Drive. A 78-year old man was between the motor home and a parked Lincoln SUV at the time. He as hit and pinned between the two vehicles.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS.
Troopers are continuing to investigate.
Floyd Drive is located off Inda Avenue, east of Pine Forest Road.