Escambia Man Indicted For Bringing Guns To Pensacola VA Clinic
May 27, 2020
A federal grand jury has indicted an Escambia County man for the possession of firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola.
The three-count indictment alleges that 58-year old Howell E. Camp illegally possessed a 5.56 mm Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.
“The security of our federal facilities and those who work within them remains a priority of this office and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are deeply committed to protecting such facilities,” said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida.
Camp is charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime, for which he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. He is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in violation of law, for which he faces up to three years’ imprisonment.
Pine Forest’s Taniyah Killette Signs To Play Softball At The Next Level
May 27, 2020
Taniyah Killette from Pine Forest High School signed with Winston-Salem State University to play softball. Pictured are: Taniyah Killette (signing) with Mika Killette Black and (standing, L-R) Wendol Black and Pine Forest Coach Mike Haveard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect Arrested For 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
May 27, 2020
The suspect in a 2003 cold case homicide was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on a murder charge.
David Lasha Dale, 39, is charged with the first degree premeditated murder of Marcus Virgin.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again.; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time. In 2019, as part of a renewed focus on cold cases, the DNA evidence in the case was reexamined and led to new information, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Prison Still On Temporary Water Supply, But Century Has Made Major Progress In Restoring Potable Water
May 26, 2020
The Town of Century has taken to major steps forward toward a dependable permanent supply of water for the Century Correctional Institution.
Earlier in May, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison failed.
Town officials and the town council were aware the water pump had not been properly maintained in the past, and last fall the council gave preliminary approval to connecting their water system at the prison to a neighboring water franchise as a backup. That would allow Century’s well to be taken out of service for much needed maintenance. The agreement was finalized in April, and parts were ordered. They arrived just before the pump failed, leaving the prison without a water supply.
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An emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road.
Last week, a temporary submersible electric pump was installed in Century’s well that can pump about 300-325 gallons per minute, and a permanent turbine pump has been ordered.
After being out of service, the well failed two bacteriological samples, so the prison is not yet back on Century water, City Manager Vernon Prather said. Additional sampling will be done after a repeat disinfection process.
The permanent interconnect in front of the prison between Town of Century and Central Water Works was completed last week, except for a meter, and was awaiting water sampling results as the prison remained on the temporary fire hose connection through the holiday weekend. Prisoners continued to drink bottled water in the interim because the fire hoses do not meet potable water supply standards.
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Prather estimated that the town has spent about $60,000 so far on repairs and the new turbine pump will cost about $40,000. That will put the total repair cost in the neighborhood of $100,000.
The cost of the interconnect was estimated at an additional $60,000, but Prather said money has been saved by Central and Century staff doing much of the labor. The elevated storage tank at the prison is not connected to the water supply for the remainder of Century’s residents and businesses.
On May 10, the Florida Department of Corrections transferred at least 190 close custody inmates about of the Century prison due to the water situation. FDC has not said if they have been returned.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Schools No Longer Serving Free Meals. Libraries And Other Summer Breakspots Are. Find One Here.
May 26, 2020
Thousands of Escambia County children will need a new source for lunch this week.
The school year official came to a close Friday, and that meant that dozens of meal distributions sites at schools across the county have also closed. The Escambia County School District Food Service Department served over 180,000 breakfasts and lunches since March 23; the 27 sites served 21,307 students just last week.
West Florida Public Libraries will continue to serve meals Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all locations:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
The meals include lunch and a snack, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Additional Summer BreakSpot meal locations can be found at summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com/.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Delays This Week For Construction At Highway 29 Railroad Crossing
May 26, 2020
Drivers can expect delays during certain time periods over the next two weeks at the Highway 29 railroad crossing at International Paper.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, there will be intermittent and alternating lane restriction from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the area of the Highway 29 CSX railroad crossing in Cantonment Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29 and again Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4 as crews construct improvements to the railroad crossing.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Schools Wrap Up The School Year. The One With The Quarantine. (With Jim Allen Photo Gallery)
May 26, 2020
Schools across the North Escambia area wrapped up the school year — the one with the quarantine — in their own special way last week.
At Jim Allen Elementary School, a “Ride-Bye” was held for the fifth grade class.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices For Memorial Day Were Lowest In 17 Years, AAA Says
May 26, 2020
Florida drivers paid an average price of $1.88 per gallon on Memorial Day. That was 77 cents less than last year’s holiday, and the lowest Memorial Day gas price in 17 years.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $1.79 on Memorial Day Monday. In North Escambia, the lowest price per gallon was $1.74 in Cantonment, while the lowest in Pensacola was $1.67 at a warehouse store.
Pump prices have been suppressed since February, due to Covid-19’s limiting effects on gasoline demand. Since that time, the state average declined a total of 66 cents per gallon, bottoming out at $1.76 on May 6. But now with more Floridians on the road, pump prices are beginning to bounce back.
As Florida reopens, gasoline demand is improving. Since sinking to a 75 percent deficit, gasoline demand in Florida is now down only 10-20 percent from a year ago.
“Gas prices are back on the rise now that Floridians are driving more, but it’s unclear how high they’ll go,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While additional price increases are possible in the coming weeks, drivers are currently in line for the cheapest summer at the pump in 15 years.”
Florida gas prices increased 11 cents last week across the state. It’s the largest weekly increase since the pandemic began. Florida drivers are now paying 73 cents per gallon less than a year ago.
Pictured: The lowest North Escambia gas price for the Memorial Day weekend was $1.74 at this station on Highway 29 at Becks Lake Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Horrifically Violent Highway 29 Crash Sunday Claims Life
May 25, 2020
A Brewton man died in a horrifically violent crash on Highway 29 south of Century Sunday afternoon.
The driver of a Jeep Patriot (the white vehicle in the photos) was southbound on Highway 29 at Canoe Creek when he crossed the median about 3:50 p.m. and crashed into an oncoming Buick Enclave occupied by two people.
The Buick came to rest on its side in the ditch. The driver of the SUV, a 67-year old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the 62-year old female passenger was transported to Pensacola hospital in critical condition.
The collision essentially exploded the front of the Jeep, leaving the front wheels, engine compartment and engine in the median and debris spread across a large area of southbound Highway 29. The remainder of the Jeep came to rest upside down on the shoulder of the southbound lanes.
The Jeep driver, a 19-year old male from McDavid, was able to crawl out of the wreckage with minor injuries. He told bystanders that he believed that he may have fallen asleep, but the cause of the crash remained under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Drive-By Birthday Parade Held For 102-Year Old Pearl Harbor Survivor (With Photo Gallery)
May 25, 2020
A drive-by birthday party was held Sunday afternoon in Gonzalez for 102-year old Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond.
Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spen t his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes.”
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I’m about the last one (Pearl Harbor survivor) left around here,” Emond said.
He’s still a musical man; sometimes he still leads the music at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. He still performs with the Pensacola Civic Band. The Guinness Book of World Records named him the “Oldest Musical Conducter” in the world last year after he participated in a 2019 Memorial Day concert.
The church planned the parade as a big surprise and thank you for Emond, who turned 102 last Thursday. Emond stood for the entire 20-minute parade, spryly waving and walking up to vehicles to receive cards and presents. Several men stopped to salute.
The parade included the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Patriot Guard, motorcycle and car clubs, Pensacola’s Boat Car, a long line of well wishers and more.
“It was really special,” Emond said with a little smile on his face. “Somebody went to a lot of trouble on this for me. I really appreciate it.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: A drive-by 102nd birthday party for Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond Sunday at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
