Escambia Man Wins $15 Million On Scratch-Off Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man has claimed a $15 million scratch-off lottery prize from a ticket purchased on Nine Mile Road.
Bryan Allen, 50, bought the Florida Lottery Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket at Cumberland Farms, 1405 East Nine Mile Road at Jernigan Road. The retailer will receive a $30,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
The $30 Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket game launched in February 2021 with four top prizes of $15 million and 24 prizes of $1 million.
Fire Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant; Florida Residents Alerted
January 6, 2023
Firefighters are battled a fire for hours Friday at an Atmore sulfur plant.
A warehouse building at Tiger-Sul Products on Highway 31 just west of the Atmore Country Club collapsed in the fire The building is was not the main plant.
No railroad tanker cars were involved in the blaze, but reports from the scene were that sulfur was burning and hot sulfur was flowing downhill away from the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Fire stations from the Atmore area responded, including Poarch Creek and Nokomis.
Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue responded with a hazardous materials team, and Escambia County, Florida, residents within five miles of the state line just south of the plant received an emergency alert via their cell phones about the fire. Florida residents were not advised to shelter in place at this time. Air monitoring equipment from Escambia County, Florida, was also used, and an ECFR hazardous materials response team staged at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Highway 31 in Atmore has since reopened.
NorthEcambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Local Family Issues Plea To Keep Murderers In Prison
January 6, 2023
Update: Parole Denied For Two Nokomis Brothers In 1993 Murder
A North Escambia family has issued a plea for area residents to help stop the parole of two Nokomis men behind bars for the 1993 murders of a woman and 12-year old girl.
Shannon Dean Barlow and Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr. are both serving life sentences with the possibility of parole for the murders of Kathy Victor Hall Barlow and Angel Marie Hall.
On October 10, 1993, the Barlow brothers went out with Albert Ganoe “Rocky” Beasley, consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana. They then went to the home of Kathy Barlow in Perdido, Ala., shooting her in the head with a .410-gauge shotgun when she opened the door. According to testimony, he then went to the room of Angel Hall, 12, raped her and shot her in the face.
“They were shot, stabbed, raped, beaten, strangled, buried in the sand at the gravel lakes near our home, then urinated on,” said Marsha Maher, Kathy Barlow’s niece and a North Escambia resident. “They surely do not need to be paroled and pose a threat to myself, my family and to our community. So for the sake of our family’s sanity and security and also for our community, please help keep them in prison.”
Shannon Barlow was sentenced to three consecutive life terms, and Franklin Barlow was sentenced to two life sentences. Both are now eligible for parole from prison in Alabama. Beasley remains behind bars, sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
The parole hearing for the Barlow brothers is set for January 11. Maher is asking area residents to send a protest email to the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles at victim.services@paroles.alabama.gov.
For those interested, Maher suggests the following email be sent:
“We, the undersigned, respectfully protest the parole of Inmates Shannon Dean Barlow AIS# 183626 AND Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr AIS# 182999. They both pled guilty to the murders of Kathy and Angel Hall. Please impose the maximum (5) five years before the next hearing.”
Suspect Rams Patrol Car During Nine Mile Traffic Stop
January 6, 2023
At least one person was taken into custody after a suspect rammed a patrol car on Nine Mile Road Thursday afternoon.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Nine Mile Road and Fowler Avenue. FHP said they were assisting the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in conducting the traffic stop.
According to the ECSO, the suspect was a convicted felon. They said drugs including fentanyl and guns were in the vehicle.
The name of the suspect and other details were not yet available early Friday morning.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway January 21 At Three Library Locations
January 6, 2023
UF IFAS Extension/Escambia County will hold three simultaneous tree giveaways later this month in celebration of Florida’s Arbor Day.
The tree giveaways will take place from 10 a.m. until noon (or while supplies last) on Saturday January 21 at the Molino, Bellview and Tryon branches of the West Florida Regional Libraries.
Each Escambia County household represented will receive two free native trees. Species available include live oak, dahoon holly, mayhaw, and Walter’s viburnum. Funding for the tree giveaways is provided by Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department and International Paper, with volunteer support from Our Corner (formerly Keep Pensacola Beautiful), the Florida Forest Service, and Escambia County Master Gardeners.
Escambia County Extension will also host their 7th annual Arbor Day Art Contest this year. To participate, mail a drawing, painting, photograph, or mixed media artwork with the theme, “A Walk in the Woods” to Arbor Day Art Contest c/o Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Please include your name, age, and contact information on the back of your artwork. Contest entries must arrive by mail or be dropped off by January 18.
First place winners of the art contest will receive prizes including a tree, shovel, and book. Second place winners will receive a book, and third place winners will receive gardening supplies. Categories include children (12-under), teen (13-18), and adult (over 18). Winners will be announced on Friday, January 20, and prizes given out by appointment. Resource Management Services provides support for the art contest.
For more information, contact Carrie Stevenson, Coastal Sustainability Agent with UF IFAS Extension (850) 475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu, or Jimmie Jarratt with Escambia County
Natural Resource Management at jnjarrat@myescambia.com.
Winner Collects $57K For Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Cantonment
January 6, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket in Cantonment just before Christmas.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $51,638.17 in the December 23 drawing was claimed by James Donald Guilford of Cantonment. He bought the winning ticket at The Mill Bar and Package on Highway 29. Other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Sanford and Ocala.
The 269 tickets matching four numbers won $123.50 each. Another 8,732 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10.50 each, and 88,006 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The December 23 winning numbers were 4-15-23-24-29.
Escambia Receives Share Of $13 Million Auto Parts Price Fixing Settlement
January 6, 2023
Escambia County has received its share of Florida’s $13 million settlement in price fixing claims against major automotive parts manufacturers.
The county received $33,473.92 after the funds were divided between over 80 local governments affected by the companies’ practices.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said the funds came after an investigation of more than 60 manufacturers, including Hitachi, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric. The investigation into the companies’ conduct found evidence of the manufacturers fixing prices and rigging contract bids. As a result of the companies’ actions, public entities paid more for vehicles needed for public services, including police cruisers.
“These automotive parts manufacturers set high prices and rigged contract bids, causing local and our state governments to spend more for vehicles needed for essential public services, like police cruisers. I’m proud to announce the conclusion of our investigation into these companies’ conduct and secure more than $13 million for the entities around the state that were affected,” Moody said.
The investigation found evidence that the conduct of approximately 60 companies likely violated antitrust laws. The companies, including major suppliers of automotive parts, engaged in activities that increased the price of many items, including lamps, radiators, air conditioning systems and air bags. As a result of this conduct, Florida public entities paid more for the vehicles needed to perform necessary public services, like police cruisers.
According to Moody, companies investigated include: Aisan Industry Co., Aisin Seiki, Alpha Corporation, Alps, Autoliv, Bosch, Bridgestone Corp., Brose Schliebsysteme, Calsonic, Chiyoda, Continental, Corning International, Delphi, Denso, Diamond Electric, Eberspacher, Faurecia SA, Fujikura, Furukawa, G.S. Electech, Green Tokai, Hitachi, Hitachi Metals, Inoac, JTEKT Corp, Keihin, Kiekert AG, Koito Mfg, KYB, Lear, Leoni, MAHLE Behr GmbH, Maruyasu Industries Co., Meritor, Mikuni, Mitsuba Corp, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Ind., Nachi-Fujikoshi, NGK Insulators, NGK Spark Plug, Nippon Seiki, Nishikawa Rubber, NSK Ltd., NTN, Omron, Panasonic Corp., Sanden, Sanoh Industrial Co., Schaeffler, Showa Corp, SKF, Stanley Electric, Sumitomo, Sumitomo Riko, T.Rad, Tenneco, Tokai Rika Co., Toyo Denso, Toyo Tire & Rubber, Toyoda Gosei, TRW, Usui Kokusai Sangyo, Valeo Japan Co., Yamada, Yamashita Rubber and Yazaki.
Sunny Days, Cool Nights Ahead
January 6, 2023
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Going Cashless For 2023
January 6, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Thursday that Blue Wahoos Stadium will join ballparks and stadiums across the nation as a cashless venue during the 2023 Minor League Baseball season and at all future team events at the ballpark.
The transition to cashless payments at Blue Wahoos Stadium brings the ballpark in alignment with Major League Baseball stadiums across the country, joining 29 MLB teams with cashless stadium experiences including Pensacola’s affiliate, the Miami Marlins.
“Blue Wahoos Stadium will join stadiums and ballparks across the country in transitioning to a cashless experience, creating a faster, more efficient, and more secure payment system for fans,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Being cashless will help cut down on lines at concessions and the box office by making transactions quicker and offer added security for fans.”
Credit, debit, and gift cards will be accepted at all locations inside Blue Wahoos Stadium including the box office, Bait & Tackle Team Store, and concessions. Select locations will also process mobile tap-to-pay payments. The StadiumDrop app will remain available to fans, allowing them to order food and beverages for delivery directly to their seat.
Fans with cash will be able to exchange it for a stadium gift card at the Bait & Tackle Shop and box office at the ballpark.
Opening day for the Blue Wahoos is April 7.
Man Charged After Shooting At Two Women Outside Bingo Hall, ECSO Says
January 5, 2023
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting at two women outside a bingo hall Wednesday night.
Lee David Wilkerson, 38, was standing outside of Bingo Paradise on Mobile Highway when two females tried to enter. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office became involved in an altercation at the entrance of the building. During the altercation, he retrieved a firearm from his side and hit one female victim in the head with it. He then began shooting in their direction and continued to fire into the parking lot as the victims fled, deputies said.
ECSO said Wilkerson then tossed the firearm in a nearby dumpster, but not his meth. As Wilkerson tried to enter the building, two citizens who had witnessed the altercation pulled their concealed weapons, holding Wilkerson until deputies arrived.
Wilkerson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, firing a weapon in public, use or display of a firearm during a felony, aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, and trafficking methamphetamine.
The firearm used was located by deputies in the nearby dumpster (pictured bottom).
