Arson Investigation Opened After Cantonment House Fire That Injured Firefighter
August 15, 2023
A residential fire that injured a firefighter Sunday afternoon in Cantonment is being investigated as an arson.
The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the 110 block of Griggs Street, near Carver Park. Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find smoke showing the eaves of the home and brought the fire under control by 4:49 p.m.
One ECFR firefighter was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The nature of the injuries and the condition of the firefighter were not released. There were no other injuries reported.
Investigators determined that the fire originated from “several” points throughout the home. The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations was called to the scene.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to the residents that were displaced.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Arrested On Spice, Other Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
August 15, 2023
A Walnut Hill man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
An Atmore Police Department officer stopped 53-year old Ricky Eugene Foster after an alleged improper lane change on South Main Street.
After Foster consented to a search of the vehicle, officers reported finding about 20 grams of green leafy substance identified as synthetic cannabis (spice), “several” amphetamine and dextroamphetamine pills, and a glass pipe with residue that tested positive for methamphetamne.
Foster was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on bond from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewon.
Volunteers Needed For Free Health Care Clinic This December
August 15, 2023
Remote Area Medical (RAM), a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need, is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for an upcoming clinic December 2 and 3 at Milton High School.
RAM is also in need of general support volunteers to help set up on Friday, December 1 and take down on Sunday, December 3. Overnight parking staff to greet patients is also needed, and interpreters can volunteer to aid patients through the process, either in the parking lot or during clinic operations. Individuals do not need to work in the medical field to volunteer as general support.
Organizations wishing to volunteer time to help provide free healthcare services to local residents should visit the RAM website at www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.
All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Services available at a RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, eye health screenings, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams and general medical exams.
RAM is a major nonprofit organization that operates pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, RAM has treated more than 910,000 individuals with $189.5 million worth of free healthcare and veterinary services. Since its foundation, more than 196,000 volunteers – composed of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have supported RAM’s mission.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Possession, Trafficking
August 15, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on drug charges.
A jury convicted 38-year old Aaron Joseph Brunson of trafficking in cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.
On March 2, 2022, Brunson was stopped by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies for a traffic infraction, but he fled on foot.
After he was captured, a search revealed that Brunson had a trafficking amount of cocaine, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a scale concealed in a zippered case in his pants.
Brunson had prior felony convictions for drug possession, drug sales, and weapons offenses.
EREC’s Fiber Network Goes Live As First Customer Connected In Bratt
August 14, 2023
A portion of a new high speed fiber internet network in North Escambia went live Monday morning with the very first customer of Escambia River Electric Cooperative and partner Conexon Connect.
Service was installed and activated at the Bratt home of William Reynolds, publisher of NorthEscambia.com.
A crowd of dignitaries and company officials gather at the Reynolds home not far from Northview High School to eagerly await the moment when the fiber was “lit” at a symmetrical speed of 2 GB down and 2 GB up — one of the fastest residential speeds available in Escambia County.
“This is a big step for our neighbors throughout the EREC territory as true high speed fiber internet comes to North Escambia,” Reynolds said. “From video conferencing, to telemedicine, to educational opportunities, to simply being able to watch a video without buffering, we now have internet not limited by our choice to live in a rural area. We now have the same opportunities as people in major cities.”
“I could not be happier to have the first fiber customer lit this morning,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I think it’s a fantastic day for Escambia County, and certainly a fantastic day for Escambia River Electric Cooperative. I could not be more excited. The project is unrolling even faster than I could have ever hoped. Thanks to Ryan Campbell and his team at EREC and our partners Conexon. I want to thank them both, the State of Florida, Michelle Salzman state representative for our area. It’s a great day for Escambia County.”
“This is life changing, absolutely life changing,” Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC, said. “Access to quality internet is important.”
“Access to quality internet is critical to citizens across all of America and in our community,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said. “We don’t have access to an emergency room or health care facility within 45 minutes from here. Being able to do a telehealth medicine appointment could literally be lifesaving. Of course access to education. For those that want to home school or do virtual school, they don’t really have that option if they don’t have quality internet. This will provide another opportunity for the children.”
Campbell said installations are expected to begin this week for additional customers in the Bratt area as fiber backbone construction continues across the rest of EREC’s service area in Escambia County. The fiber internet will also become available later to EREC customers in Santa Rosa County.
EREC and Conexon Connect are investing about $50 million to build the two-county network.
Editor’s note: NorthEscambia.com operates in the cloud; it does not operate on the Conexon service. For over 15 years, it has been hosted by a major provider elsewhere in the U.S.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Details Released On Deadly Home Depot Shooting
August 14, 2023
A report obtained early Monday morning by NorthEscambia.com provided more details into a deadly shooting Friday afternoon inside an Escambia County Home Depot store.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year old Keith Eric Agee of Calvert, Alabama. He has been charged with premeditated first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shots fired report and arrived to find the victim deceased on the floor in aisle 52. The victim’s name was redacted from the report but states that she was a “contracted inventory worker” that was working inside the store.
Friends have identified the victim as 18-year old Brooklyn Sims.
Victim footage showed a black male, later identified as Agee enter the store and turn down aisle 52. Seconds later, people are seen running from aisle 52, then Agee runs back toward the entrance. He runs in the parking lot, gets into a silver four-door sedan and exits that parking lot at a high rate of speed toward Duval Street. He called 911 a short time later from the Mellow Mushroom on Bayou Boulevard and surrendered to police.
According to the report, Agee was interviewed at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He stated that his day started by going to work at AM/NS Calvert Steel in Mt. Vernon, Alabama. While at work, he received a call from a local medical office, and he headed to Pensacola. The remainder of his statements were redacted from the report.
The report reveals that two other people suffered gunshot wounds, including one wounded in the back. That victim said he heard an unfamiliar voice say something to the victim before gunshots rang out. A second witness stated that Agee said something to the victim before opening fire.
A Glock 19 and 9mm rounds were recovered from the street in front of AAMCO Transmission at 5655 North Davis Highway, and Agee’s shirt was found in the parking lot of the AMC Bayou 15 on Bayou Boulevard, according to the report.
Pictured: The scene at Home Depot on Davis Highway shortly after a shooting that left one person dead Friday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Stealing Utility Trailer; Later Robbing, Hitting A Witness With A Bat
August 14, 2023
A Century man is accused of stealing a utility trailer before later robbing and hitting a witness with a bat.
Julius Ray Harris, 59, was charged with robbery with a weapon, grand theft, petit theft and tampering in a third degree felony proceeding.
Harris and another suspect allegedly stole a 7×24 utility trailer from the 6900 block of Ashford Alley. Davis then allegedly sold the trailer to an individual with a concrete business for about $1,000.
A witness was later robbed and hit with a bat in Century by Harris, and Harris threatened him about testifying in the case, according to an arrest report.
Harris remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $65,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report indicates an arrest warrant is active on a second suspect in the trailer theft, and a warrant is pending against a third suspect.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry To Host Molino Town Hall
August 14, 2023
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday, August 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Molino Community Center is located at 6450 North Highway 95A.
Pictured: District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry’s last town hall meeting in April 2023 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Excessive Heat Warning Monday; High 99, Heat Index Nearing 115
August 14, 2023
There is an excessive heat warning in effect for Sunday with a heat index reaching up to 115 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 115. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 115. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Escambia Fire Rescue Continues Safety Standbys In School Zones
August 14, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters are continuing safety standbys in school zones across the county.
The trucks are there to remind drivers to slow down and keep children safe in school zones.
Pictured: Engine 18 from the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on Highway 97 in the Molino Park Elementary school zone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
