Escambia County Completes Eleven Mile Creek Basin Stormwater Improvements
February 17, 2024
Escambia County recently completed stormwater improvements to the Eleven Mile Creek basin, including the addition of a stormwater pond at West Roberts Road to help reduce flooding in surrounding neighborhoods.
The approximately $4.26 million project was funded by RESTORE Direct Component Pot 1, and it is designed to reduce the frequency of flooding while protecting surrounding homes from flooding in a 100-year storm event.
“We are continually working to improve our stormwater infrastructure in District 5, and I’m excited to complete this project to help mitigate flooding in the West Roberts Road area of Eleven Mile Creek,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I look forward to continuing to complete projects like this that directly benefit residents of District 5 and Escambia County.”
Accoridn to Escambia County, the West Roberts Road stormwater pond is one of 14 regional stormwater ponds planned for the Eleven Mile Creek basin that will provide flood attenuation, improve water quality, expand and/or improve adjoining floodplains and wetlands, and have a direct positive impact on Eleven Mile Creek and Perdido Bay.
The project included construction of a dry retention pond and 4,363 feet of stormwater conveyance, which will attenuate and treat approximately 90 acres. The design goes above and beyond state stormwater requirements, with a treatment volume of approximately 648,954 cubic feet – nearly four times the required volume of 164,635 cubic feet.
A section of West Roberts Road was also reconstructed and resurfaced through the project, in addition to the construction of stormwater drains along West Roberts Road near the stormwater pond.
Escambia Recognizes Firefighters For Recent Structure Fire Rescues
February 17, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue honored their firefighters for their work involving two residential structure fire rescues during a presentation on Friday.
During the presentation, ECFR Fire Chief Adam Harrison acknowledged the bravery and commitment of the ECFR firefighters who risked their lives to save the life of another. Chief Harrison, along with ECFR Battalion Chief Curt Isakson, discussed the roles Escambia County Emergency Communications and Escambia County EMS played in the rescues, including the clear information provided by emergency dispatchers and the smooth, seamless transition of patient care from the firefighters to the paramedics and EMTs.
“In a one-week period, our Fire and EMS personnel have responded to numerous emergencies, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community,” said Chief Harrison. “Their swift response and effective coordination have resulted in several remarkable civilian rescues, showcasing the true essence of heroism.”
Highway 95A Residential Structure Fire
ECFR units Cantonment, Ensley, Beulah, McDavid, Bellview, and other staff responded to a residential structure fire at the 2600 block of N. Highway 95A at 11:43 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Upon arrival, a single-story wood-framed structure was showing heavy fire conditions in the front of the home. During the size-up of the situation, firefighters were able to access the home in the rear. During the primary search of the burning structure, one person was discovered inside the home and was quickly removed.
“As we went in, we were doing a search and our firefighters reported to me that we had a victim,” said Lt. Jeff Rohrer. “At that point, I went on the radio and let our command know that we had a victim and that we were pulling the victim out of the Charlie side.”
Once the victim was brought out of the home, firefighters performed CPR until Escambia County EMS took over patient care. The victim was transported to an area hospital by LifeFlight crews. The fire was brought under by 12:05 a.m. and is being investigated by the Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives.
Family tells NorthEscambia.com that the victim later passed away on February 2.
Deauville Way Residential Structure Fire
ECFR units Squad 3, Engine 17, Ladder 12, Engine 11, Engine 1, Battalion Chief 2, Battalion Chief 3 and Chief 2 responded to a residential structure fire at the 4500 block of Deauville Way on Monday, Feb. 5. Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flames were visible from the single-story home. Bystanders confirmed to ECFR that one person was trapped inside the structure. Firefighters located the occupant within 90 seconds after entering the home and safely removed the victim from the home.
“As I made my way to the front door, I could hear the victim inside screaming for help,” said Lt. Charles McGuffey. “So I made a decision to go in and I was able to hear her and use the thermal imager to get to her. As I got to her, I realized she was conscious and I told her to put her arms around my neck and we’ll get you outside.”
Once the victim was out of the home, Escambia County EMS provided immediate medical care and transported them to an area hospital. ECFR conducted an investigation and determined the fire was accidental and electrical-in-nature. The American Red Cross provided assistance to the displaced occupants.
Escambia Westgate’s Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
February 17, 2024
A very special Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning for the special needs students of Escambia Westgate School.
With plenty of beads, trinkets and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man On 20 Child Porn Counts
February 17, 2024
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested 26-year old Steven Thomas Twitty of Escambia County on 20 felony counts for possession of child sexual abuse material, and one felony count each for transmission of child sexual abuse material and possession of over 20 grams of marijuana.
The investigation began in November 2023 after FDLE agents identified an unknown internet user offering to share electronic files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Through the investigative and legal process, Twitty was linked to the file sharing.
Agents served a search warrant on Twitty’s home on February 15, and an onsite forensic analysis of his computer was conducted. Numerous file paths were located that had filenames indicative of child sexual abuse material. FDLE said Twitty admitted that he had possessed the child sexual abuse files that were shared online, which depicted some children as young as 5-years old. Agents also located more than 20 grams of marijuana in his bedroom during the search.
The investigation was conducted by the FDLE Pensacola Cyber Squad.
Twitty was arrested and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond pending first appearance. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit.
Traffic Stop Leads To Woman’s Arrest With Trafficking Amounts Of Fentanyl, Meth, Cocaine
February 17, 2024
An Escambia County woman is facing multiple drug charges after a traffic stop early Friday morning in Escambia County.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled 41-year old Cassy Callahan over on Pensacola Boulevard near Stumpfield Road. Callahan has an active arrest warrant for larceny and fraud.
During the arrest, deputies located cocaine in Callahan’s possession. Deputies searched the vehicle and located a trafficking amount of cocaine (69 grams), over 500 grams of fentanyl, trafficking amounts of methamphetamine (over 160 grams), marijuana, Xanax, and other drug paraphernalia, according to ECSO.
Callahan was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The passenger, Whitney Bailey was arrested on an active warrant for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Drop Weekend Opener To Quad Cities
February 17, 2024
By Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
Garrett Milan tied the Ice Flyers franchise goal-scoring record Friday, but he wished the feat came with better satisfaction.
Instead, the Quad City Storm broke open a tight game with four goals in the final period, skating off with a 6-3 win against the Ice Flyers. It was the first of three consecutive games between the teams this weekend at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Ice Flyers halved the lead to 2-1 in the final seconds of the second period and carried momentum into the intermission.
But that became short-lived.
Quad City scored just 36 seconds into the final period, got a pair more to pad a lead, then finished their scoring with empty net goal with 41 seconds remaining.
A crowd of 4,462 on Dino Race Night watched Milan get a historic goal with his one-time shot with 7:35 left in the game. It was his 85th goal for the Ice Flyers, matching the record set by former Ice Flyers great Adam Pawlick, who set the mark in three seasons (2013-2016).
The Storm (20-18, 40 points) began the weekend two points ahead of the Ice Flyers (17-19, 2 OT losses) for sixth place in the SPHL standings.
Ice Flyers goaltender Eric Dop made his first start at home after playing both games last week at Huntsville.
The game recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers had a 12-5 edge in shots on goal, but Quad City scored the only goal of the period. It occurred with exactly 10 minutes left, just 11 seconds after the Storm killed off the Ice Flyers only power play chance.
The Storm caught the Ice Flyers in a 2-on-1 advantage at center ice and Quad City center, Leif Mattson, faked a pass and buried a wrist shot behind Dop in the top corner of the net.
Three minutes later, the Ice Flyers killed off a Quad City power play by limiting the Storm to one shot.
The best Ice Flyers scoring chance occurred when Garrett Milan was thwarted by Storm goaltender Brent Moran with 3:34 left. Then just 27 seconds later, Ivan Bondarenko and Malik Johnson had great chances in the crease area, but with Moran on the ice, a teammate got in the net to stop a loose puck.
SECOND PERIOD
After missing on a power-play chance in the final two minutes, the Ice Flyers broke through when Dale Deon scored on a rebound with just 28.8 seconds left. That goal halved the Storm lead and lifted up the crowd with the goal dance.
Reggie Millette created the opportunity with his wrist shot that forced a kick save by Moran and Deon was there to bang in the rebound while skating toward the crease. It was Deon’s second goal since joining the Ice Flyers last month, as part of an early January trade with the Peoria Rivermen.
Earlier in the period Millette was involved in a pair of scrums with Quad City players.
Quad City took a 2-0 lead less than four minutes into the period on a wrist shot by Logan Nelson between the faceoff circles. But that score could have been more if not for two big saves by the Ice Flyers’ Dop in this period that kept Pensacola within striking distance.
THIRD PERIOD
What a goal flurry ensured from the start of this period.
Nelson scored his second goal of the game for the Storm just 26 seconds into the period, after he rifled a screened shot past Dop.
It then became a 4-1 lead when Trevor Mount scored nine minutes later.
Milan’s goal was followed by the Storm’s Darren McCormick scoring two minutes later and that one became a back-breaker.
Millette scored the Ice Flyers third goal in unassisted fashion with 1:26 left in the game.
NOTABLES – There were three heats of the Dino costume races in the first intermission. That was followed by a consolation and championship race during the second intermission.
This was the Ice Flyers’ 19th home game. They will have seven home games left following the weekend series.
QUOTABLES:
Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham: “I think the first two periods was a competitive game. We had a really good start to the game. We gave them (scoring) chances off the rush and that’s what happened. It’s a game of chances. Those first two goals, we didn’t give up much, but the chances we did give up, they capitalized on.
“I thought that goal we scored at the end of the second period was just what we needed at the right time. Unfortunately, we might of come out in the third period almost a little too high and they came out and were opportunistic again. They scored right away and you just could feel the air let out of our whole group. That was a tough goal. That goal summarized what happened in the third period. We just didn’t handle the moment well. The next 10 minutes we didn’t play good hockey at all.
Ice Flyers center/captain Garrett Milan: “Like I told the guys in the (locker) room… they congratulated me, it’s great, but honestly tying the record means nothing. I’ll trade that for wins right now. It’s all about wins right now.”
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Quad City Storm vs. Ice Flyers.
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
Company Increases Offer By $1 Million For Smaller Portion Of OLF-8
February 16, 2024
An investment firm has upped their offer by a million dollars for a smaller portion of the Escambia Ccounty-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
Ryan Bell of Kinetic Realty Services and Pensacola Bay Realty broker Bryce Burch on behalf of Precision Capital previously offered $20 million for 537 acres, a majority of the property, and proposed the development of some 900 single family homes.
This week, Precision Capital increased their offer to $21 million for 290 acres while following the area’s master plan, and no longer proposing single family homes. The county would retain the remainder of the property for economic development.
Last week, the Escambia County Commission voted 4-0 on February 8 to begin negotiations with Beulah Town Center (BTC) LLC and partner Fred Hemmer on a contract to develop OLF-8. Beulah Town Center (BTC) and Hemmer have told commissioners that they will follow the Master plan and not contruct any single family homes.
Beulah Town Center’s latest offer was $20 million cash for 290 acres, with the county retaining acreage for economic development. Under their latest proposal, BTC will not retain a purchase option on the additional property.
BTC and Hemmer also revised their offer at the request of Commissioner Jeff Bergosh to set aside sufficient property to allow the county to construct four tennis courts adjacent to the new Navy Federal Recreation Park.
Just before the commission voted to negotiate a contract with BTC, District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he could not consider Precision Capital’s offer that, at the time, did not follow the master plan.
FHP Arrests Convicted Felon In Escambia County With Weapons, Neo-Nazi Memorabilia
February 16, 2024
Thursday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested a convicted felon in Escambia County with weapons and neo-Nazi memorabilia.
Trooper stopped a vehicle on I-10 near the Highway 29 exit for following a dump truck too closely.
Troopers discovered weapons, including handguns, ammunition, and antisemitic memorabilia.
The driver, identified as 42-year old Ronald Lee Murray Jr., of Cypress, Texas, was confirmed to be a convicted felon with multiple felony convictions out on bond in Orange County, Florida. Murray also holds no valid Florida driver’s license.
Passengers in the vehicle were released, and Murray was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of driving while license suspended or revoked and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. According to jail records, he was also wanted by the FBI.
The investigation is continuing.
Images courtesy Florida Highway Patrol for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Adds New Sidewalks Near Pine Meadow Elementary
February 16, 2024
Escambia County has completed the 9 ½ Mile Road Sidewalk Project, providing children and their families with a safer route to Pine Meadow Elementary School by connecting to the existing sidewalk network in the area.
The project added approximately 4,600 feet of 5-foot sidewalks near Pine Meadow Elementary School from Edendale Lane to Cove Avenue, expanding existing sidewalks that were installed as part of the Safe Routes to School initiative.
Florida’s Safe Routes to School program helps communities like Escambia County address school transportation needs and encourage more students to walk or ride their bicycles to school. The program is part of a nationwide movement to increase the number of children who walk or ride their bicycles to school by funding projects that make it easier and safer for them to do so.
“Any opportunity to enhance safety for our children is a win for Escambia County,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I’m incredibly excited to have this project completed and provide a better connected, safer route for children and families to walk or bike to and from school.”
The goal of this project was to contribute toward creating safer walking infrastructure in Escambia County, while providing a more safe and secure walking route for Pine Meadow Elementary School students
Sweet Treats: Record Setting Northview Culinary Arts Academy Makes School Board Presentation
February 16, 2024
Students from Northview High School’s Culinary Arts Academy made a presentation to the Escambia County School Board during a workshop meeting Thursday.
They also provided a charcuterie board filled with sweet treats.
The Northview High School Culinary Arts Academy had one 167 students earn culinary certifications last year, a district record. The academy was also named the Escambia County School District’s 2023 Career Academy of the Year.
Academy students can receive certifications from the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) and ServSafe. Students learn to prepare meals, cater events, prepare and have a chance to compete in food-related competitions.
“To our students, thank you. What you do is amazing,” Superintendent Keith Leonard said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.co, click to enlarge.
