Two Young Children Injured In Crash With Escambia County Ambulance
February 18, 2023
An eight-month old and a one-year old were among those injured when a car and ambulance collided on I-10.
The crash happened about 2:45 a.m. Friday, on I-10 westbound about a quarter of a mile west of the Pine Forest Road exit.
An Escambia County EMS ambulance was traveling westbound in the left lane of I-10 with the siren and lights on while enroute to a medical emergency. The 17-year old driver of a Hyundai sedan failed to yield to the oncoming ambulance and braked “heavily”, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. That caused the ambulance to collide with the rear of the Hyundai.
Troopers said the Hyundai driver pulled over for a few minutes and then fled the scene. The car was later located in the center median of I-10 near the three mile marker.
The driver of the Hyundai and her passengers — children ages eight months and one year — was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The two occupants of the ambulance were not injured.
The driver of the Hyundai was cited for no driver’s license, leaving the scene of crash, failure to provide insurance, failure to yield to emergency vehicles, and failure to have a child under three secured in a car seat.
Prayer Vigil Held As Search Continues For Missing, Endangered Cantonment Woman
February 18, 2023
As the search continues for a missing and endangered Cantonment woman, a prayer vigil was held Friday night.
Mary Louis Fountain, 69, was last seen on February 6 in the area of Winners Circle off East Kingsfield Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said she may be in need of medical attention.
Friday night, a prayer vigil for Fountain was held at her church, the Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
According to the ECSO, she may also go by the name of Mary Henson Fountain.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Public Comment Period Opens For Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Grant Projects
February 18, 2023
A public comment period is open on Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program projects. The program is designed to fund fund infrastructure restoration and hardening projects in communities impacted by Hurricane Sally.
The Escambia County Commission has selected five project to prioritize:
- Energy-efficient Escambia County Transit Center and solar-powered bus shelters with ADA upgrades
- Upgrades to the Pensacola Bay Center
- Indoor multi-use facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park
- Beach Haven stormwater and septic-to-sewer project
- 11 stormwater projects in Escambia County:
- Carver Park Phase 2
- Brickyard Road
- Woodrun Bridge Replacement
- Pensacola High School Drainage Improvements
- Oakfield Estates/Palafox Street
- Monroe Avenue
- Gulf Beach Highway Pipe Replacement
- Vista Park
- Muldoon Road Drainage Improvements
- Bayou Grande Villas
- Olive Road Street and Drainage
The comment period is open until March 20. Public comments can be email to sallyrecoverygrant@myescambia.com.
Tate Aggies 6A Playoff Run Ends In Orange Park
February 18, 2023
The Tate Aggies 6A playoff run came to an end Friday night with a 51-40 regional loss to Oakleaf in Orange Park, Florida.
The Aggies season record was 18-6.
The No. 4 Gulf Breeze Dolphins will travel February 21 to take on No. 1 Ponte Vedra. The Aggies defeated No. 5 Nease 54-49 Friday night.
Pictured: Tate defeated Crestview 55-50 in district playoff action. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jayne Runnels McBarron
February 18, 2023
With the surety of God’s grace and the love of her family, Jayne Runnels McBarron passed away, Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at the age of 75. Singer/songwriter Vince Gill’s eloquent words aptly described her passage, “Your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shouting love for the father and the son.”
Born October 19, 1947, to the Reverend William James Runnels, a celebrated WWII Navy fighter pilot and flight instructor (and, eventually, a minister), and Virginia Nixon Runnels, in Norfolk, VA.
Jayne grew up in Florida’s Panhandle region, graduating from Wewahitchka, FL; high school and then attending Chipola College. She later gave birth to her beloved daughter, Angelica Christine McBarron (Allen), who preceded
her in death in 2021 due to Covid.
Surviving Jayne are Virginia (Jennie) Runnels, her mother, and siblings Paul Runnels (Susan) and Linda Runnels Brimmer (Jim). The loves of her life are five grandchildren, who remarkably doted upon and provided dedicated care in her later years. They are Seth, Ara, Grace, Sullivan and Moses. Also dear to her was niece Brooke Runnels Kelly (Michael) and nephew Wesley Runnels (Angela).
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Bro. Seth Krueger officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Allen Krueger, Seth Krueger, Sullivan Krueger, Paul Runnels, and Chad Bowling.
Dr. Kenith “Ken” Gene Exum
February 18, 2023
Dr. Kenith “Ken” Gene Exum, 89, of Pensacola, Florida passed away on February 14, 2023 at home surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness of coronary artery disease.
Ken was born on November 19, 1933 to Virgil Frank Exum and Anne Louise Exum in Tchula, Mississippi. He came from one of the poorest families in the poorest town in the poorest county in the poorest state of the union, but he never lacked for love and encouragement from his family. He had a passion for baseball and while in high school, played on the state championship team for Mississippi American Legion. After graduating from Tchula High School in 1951, he went on to attend The University of Mississippi. In 1953, he joined the United States Army where he served in the Korean War with top security clearance as an International Morse Code specialist from 1954-1957.
Upon returning stateside, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Geology and his Master of Arts in Science from the University of Alabama. After moving to Florida, he attended the University of Florida where he obtained his second Master’s Degree in Education with a major in Science Education. He went on to receive a Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
He began working at Satellite Beach High School in Satellite Beach, Florida in 1962 where he became the head baseball coach from 1963-1964. He came to Pensacola in 1965 where he began a lifelong career at Pensacola Junior College. During his fifty-two years of working there, he established the Earth Science and Geology program and curriculum while working as an Earth Science/Geology professor. He retired in 1998 but continued to work as an adjunct professor until 2016. He loved his students and colleagues and had such a passion for teaching others about the earth.
He married Claudette Hayes in 1957. While both went on to remarry others, they shared three wonderful children together.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Mary; five children, Virginia (Rodney) Miller, Susan (Glen) Ross, John (Vicky) Exum, Carrie (Jared) Gann, and Jacob Exum; eleven grandchildren, Heather Ross, Michael Miller, Matthew Miller, Jessica Ross, Steven Exum, Zachary Exum, Anya Exum, Emmeline Gann, Levi Gann, Luke Gann, and Lilly Exum; and 6 great-grandchildren, as well as beloved cousins and dear friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Virgil Martin Exum.
Ken’s life was marked by hard, honest work and overcoming hardships. Out of all of Ken’s achievements, his greatest joy and purpose in life was his family. He will be forever cherished and remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and doting Pawpaw. He continuously blessed people with his generous heart, his delicious cooking, and avid story-telling. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home, 1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL 32533. There will be a visitation held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 8:00-9:00am followed by services at 9:00am. Burial directly follows at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:00am.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to the staff at Emerald Coast Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care.
Horace Eugene Pickern
February 18, 2023
Mr. Horace Eugene Pickern, age 96, passed away, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at his home in Bratt, FL; surrounded by his family at his bedside. He was a lifelong resident of Bratt, FL. He served in The United States Army and The United States Navy, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt, FL. He retired with Vanity Fair Mills with many years of service and just became “The Handy Man”.
Mr. Pickern loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed doing yard work and going fishing.
Mr. Pickern is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas (Della Mae Mason) Pickern, and numerous brothers, and sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Pauline Pickern, of Bratt, FL; three sons, Rev. Gene (Julie) Pickern, of Fort Worth, TX; Rick (Lonna) Pickern, of Summerdale, AL; David (Debbie) Pickern, of Robertsdale, AL; one daughter, Jackie (Tommy) Steadham, of Robertsdale, AL; eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 2:30 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Greg Sellers, Rev. Larry Bein, Rev. Chip Barbas, and Rev. Mike Lynn officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 1:30 PM until service time at 2:30 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Josh Pickern, Bo Gideons, Adam Manning, Jonathan Lynn, Matt Pickern, Mark Pickern, and Brian Pickern.
Honorary pallbearers will be Eli Lynn, John Manning, Thomas Manning, Luke Pickern, Beneah Gideons, and Christian Gideons.
Cantonment Wreck Shuts Down Highway 29 Northbound
February 17, 2023
At least one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash that shut down Highway 29 northbound in Cantonment late Friday afternoon.
A SUV and truck collided at the intersection of Highway 29 and Tate Road, in front of Domino’s, about 5 p.m. The truck then rolled over, coming to rest upright just off the roadway.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Northbound traffic was detoured to Highway 95A.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Gets 53 Years In Prison For Murder Of Her Daughter’s Father
February 17, 2023
A Cantonment woman has been sentenced to 53 years in prison for an Okaloosa County murder.
Carissa Lynn Parker, 30, pleaded guilty to second degree murder with a firearm last November and faced up to life in prison.
Parker contracted the killing of her daughter’s father.
Investigators said Parker shared a child with the victim, 35-year old Edgar Jennings.
Deputies responded to Jennings’ home shortly before midnight on November 19, 2019, after receiving multiple 911 calls of shots fired. They found Jennings dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head outside a side door of his apartment.
During the course of the investigation, a “controlled phone call” to Parker was set up with the assistance of a relative. During that call, Parker admitted driving her co-defendant, Jordan Phillips, to the scene and discussing with him ongoing issues she was having with Jennings.
Phillips was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison.
Video footage from a home near Culp Avenue the night of the shooting shows the car Parker was driving arriving in the area approximately six minutes before the first 9-1-1 call came in. Approximately a minute after the calls started, Phillips is seen getting back into the vehicle and leaving.
Investigators say during the controlled phone call Parker told her relative the suspect had pulled out a gun, she was terrified and that’s when things escalated.
At no time after the shooting did Parker attempt to contact law enforcement, despite knowing Jennings had been killed. She also assisted Phillips by driving him away from the scene of the crime to avoid arrest, according to the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia Approves Temporary Concrete Crushing Permit For Cantonment Company
February 17, 2023
The Escambia County Commission Thursday unanimously approved a 14-day temporary concrete crushing permit at a Cantonment business.
Chavers Construction has applied for the permit for 14 consecutive working days on their property at 801 Virecent Road in Cantonment. Concrete material that has accumulated on the property over the last couple of years will be crushed on-site. The material will then be re-used as base material for Chavers’ own parking lot and road projects and not be sold or open to the public for sale.
The concrete will be crushed by Sunbelt Crushing between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday in a central location on the 18-acre property well behind the Chavers Construction office to minimize any outside impacts. The pile will be sprinkled with water during the operation to minimize any dust, and silt fencing will be used on all downhill slopes. The crushing location will not be visible from any road.
Two nearby residents addressed the commission Thursday morning in opposition to the permit issuance.
“You’ve got people out there on breathing apparatuses in the neighborhood, you’ve got children, you’ve got animals,” Ron Porter told the commission. “Chavers, if they do the type quality work as what their yard looks like…I don’t see how they in business.”
“They have not done the first thing that they promised the neighbors out there that they’d do,” Porter continued. “They’ve done come to us trying to bribe us; they’ve given us a load or so of asphalt for the road And they hadn’t done that. Their word ain’t worth the breath that’s spit out.”
“Y’all aint’ looking out for the citizens in the north end, not at all. You’re doing what’s lining y’all’s pockets,” he told commissioners.
“Not a dime of any of that money goes into any of our pockets,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “To say so was just ridiculous.”
Sharon Cummins told commissioners that the 18 acres is next to her property, and she’s concerned about noise and ill health effects in close proximity to Jim Allen Elementary School.
“There’s a bunch of elementary school aged children in developmental stages where that stuff, I don’t care how much water you think you are going to spray on it,” she said. “It spews in the air; it’s going to filter down on all of those children out playing at recess. It’s loud, noisy, and it’s just not going to work.”
“We are looking at a 14-day permit. It’s not a permanent or a regular activity that’s going to be on the property,” Commission Steven Barry said, noting that several nearby residents had expressed their support for the permit.
“It’s a temporary permit,” Bergosh reiterated. “I thought everybody loved recycling. We are taking concrete, and we are making products out of it that can be reutilized. I am in full support of it.”
County staff said the permit will be subject to requirements such as maximum wind speed and air quality standards, and county crews will monitor for off-site dust. If the standards are exceeded, the operation will be shut down.
NorthEscambia.com graphic/images, click to enlarge.