Atmore Police Arrest Two Century Women, Foley Resident On Drug Charges
August 27, 2024
Three people, including two Century residents, were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop on Highway 31 in Atmore.
The incident began when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle heading towards Atmore from the Canoe area. After locating the vehicle, Atmore Police Department officers discovered the license plate was registered to another vehicle.
A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, 33-year-old Kiauna Grice of Century, and two passengers, 31-year old Tashawna Perkins of Century and 20-year old Hannah Reed of Foley, were detained.
During a search of the vehicle, officers reported that they discovered a quantity of controlled substances, including about one gram methamphetamine, one gram of synthetic cannabis (spice), and prescription Lortab and Tramadol.
Grice and Perkins were each charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, while Reed was charged with one count and an outstanding warrant from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office.
All three were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Ascend Cares Donates $3K To Buy Thermal Imaging Cameras For Molino Fire Station
August 27, 2024
The Ascends Cares Foundation made a significant contribution to Escambia County Fire Rescue. On Monday, the foundation presented a check for $3,078 at the Molino Fire Station, which will be used to purchase two FLIR K2 thermal imaging cameras for the fire station.
Robby Suggs, the fire chief for Ascend Performance Materials Fire Department in Cantonment, represented the Ascends Cares Foundation at the presentation. Suggs, who also serves as a part-time firefighter with ECFR, emphasized the importance of these cameras for enhancing fire safety and rescue operations.
Thermal imaging cameras are designed to detect and measure heat energy, also known as infrared radiation. This technology allows the camera to “see” heat, even in conditions where visible light is limited or absent. Firefighters can use these cameras to locate hidden hotspots, such as a fire inside a wall or overheated electrical components. . In search and rescue operations, the thermal imaging cameras can be used to location people that are lost, trapped in a collapse of that may have been ejected from a motor vehicle crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: About 1 In 4 Escambia Voters Took Part In Primary Election
August 27, 2024
Nearly 1 in 4 registered voters in Escambia County turned out for last week’s 2024 Primary Election.
Of Escambia County’s 198,336 active eligible voters, 48,385 or 24.4% voted, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
Nearly 60% of the ballots were cast before election day. There were 15,781 early votes cast and 13,255 that took advantage of early voting and 10 Escambia County locations.
Preliminary data indicates just 22.4% of registered voters statewide participated in the primary election season. That is the lowest turnout during a presidential election year since 2012.
Meet Gracie, The 911 Support Dog
August 27, 2024
Escambia County’s lifeline for emergencies isn’t just staffed by dedicated professionals – it has a furry friend too.
When you call 911, you connect with the Emergency Communications team, a group working tirelessly around the clock at the Escambia County Public Safety building on W Street. These communications specialists are the first responders behind the scenes, dispatching help to those in need.
But there’s another member of the team offering comfort and support – Gracie.
Gracie, an emotional support animal, lives alongside the communications crew. Known for her warm greetings and love for treats, Gracie provides a welcome dose of stress relief in the high-pressure environment..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library Board Of Governance Holds Meeting At Molino Library
August 27, 2024
The West Florida Library Board of Governance held their regular August board meeting Monday afternoon in Molino.
The board establishes policy and oversees the management of the West Florida Public Libraries and makes annual budget recommendations to the Escambia County Commission.
During the meeting at the Molino Branch Library, the board discussed a collection development policy and other library policy updates.
Director of Library Services Todd Humble also reported that a book vending machine could be coming to a new community center at Carver Park at Webb and Washington streets in Cantonment.
Pictured top: The West Florida Library Board of Governance met Monday afternoon in Molino. Pictured below: Molino Library Branch Manager Rachel Kahalley explains the many community programs at her branch to the board. Pictured below: WFPL Assistant Director of Library Services Christal Bell-Rivera and Director of Library Services Todd Humble met with the board. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Debuts At No. 12 In 2024 AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll
August 27, 2024
The UWF football team will open the 2024 season ranked No. 12 following the release of the AFCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Argonauts are among three Gulf South Conference teams in the poll, with Valdosta State at No. 7 and Delta State at No. 18.
UWF’s week four opponent, Grand Valley State, was slotted at No. 4 with one first place vote.
UWF went 8-4 a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Argos were ranked 23rd in the final poll a year ago.
UWF is 64-25 all-time with five NCAA postseason appearances in seven seasons. The Argos have reached the national semifinals three times and the national championship twice, winning the title in 2019. Since 2019, UWF’s 42 victories rank fifth among all Division 2 programs.
The Argos open the 2024 season on Thursday, September 5 when they host McKendree at PenAir Field on the UWF campus. Kickoff for the game is at 6 p.m.
Photo Scott A. Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Warm, Mix Of Sunshine And Showers
August 27, 2024
Expect a mix of sunshine and scattered showers for the next several days, according to the latest forecast. Temperatures will remain warm, with highs in the low 90s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
One Area Winn Dixie Will Soon Be Converted Into Aldi Store
August 26, 2024
Get your quarters ready.
The process to convert some of the Winn Dixie grocery stores in Florida is beginning. Aldi tells NorthEscambia.com that one Aldi in the North Escambia area will close next month to begin the conversion into an Aldi.
In March, the Germany-based Aldi completed the purchase of all Winn Dixie stores.
The Winn-Dixie store located at 312 East Nine Mile Road will close for renovations in late September. The store will reopen as an Aldi in the next several months.
“While this store is temporarily closed, we continue to proudly serve the residents of Pensacola at our other area stores. We thank our customers for their years of loyalty at this location and look forward to seeing them soon as a new Aldi,” an Aldi spokesperson told us.
“Customers can expect a quick, easy shopping experience with great products at the lowest possible prices. Our smaller stores are stocked with only the items customers need so they can get in and out,” the company said.
Employees at the Nine Mile Road location will have priority when applying for positions at the new Aldi. The company emphasizes its commitment to minimizing the impact on staff, offering support and opportunities for redeployment within Aldi or transfers to nearby Winn Dixie stores.
Not all Winn-Dixie stores will become Aldis, and the only confirmed Escambia County conversion so far is the Nine Mile Road store.
In case you are wondering why you need a quarter — you insert a quarter to get a shopping cart at Aldi. But don’t worry, it’s like a deposit. You get the quarter back when you return the shopping cart.
The first Aldi store opened in Germany in 1913 and now operates thousands of stores in more than 10 countries. Aldi has opened over 2,300 stores in the U.S. and continues its path as one of America’s fastest growing grocery retailers.
Pictured: The Aldi store on Mobile Highway in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy, Middle 70s Tonight
August 26, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Beulah Man That Was Charged With 20 Child Porn Counts Released On Bond
August 26, 2024
A 50-year-old man arrested last month by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on 20 felony child porn counts has been released from jail on bond.
Charles “Billy” Danielson was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
According to court records, Danielson was released from the Escambia County Jail after posting a $210,000 bond and pleading not guilty.
Danielson has also filed a motion to remove a GPS monitoring requirement from his bond conditions.
FDLE said the investigation began in February after agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a social media user uploading images of child pornography.
On July 10, agents served a search warrant at Danielson’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices for examination. Agents said they found numerous images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of male and female children, some as young as infants and toddlers.
Danielson is due back in court in late November with trial currently set for December.