Hurst Hammock Fire Now 100% Contained; Santa Rosa Fire At 97% Containment
May 19, 2020
After nearly two weeks, the Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah is now 100% contained, the Florida Forest Service said Tuesday morning. The fire has burned since May 7 and consumed 1,191 acres.
The 2,215 acre 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 97% contained.
More than an inch of rain fell on both fires but widespread heat sources throughout the area of the 5 Mile Swamp Fire warrant monitoring and mop up. With previous dry conditions, the fire has burned deep into the vegetative matter that lies below the surface. While the rains have helped, more is needed to reach those pockets of lingering heat. More rain is forecast for the area this evening and tomorrow.
Today will be an evaluation and assessment day as engine crews continue to patrol the area of known hot spots and see if smoke returns as afternoon sun and winds dry out surface fuels. Residents are likely to witness what’s known as reburn as trees that were affected by the fire but not completely burned will drop their remaining leaves and needles as they begin their recovery process. These needles and leaves could land in lingering hot spots that are well inside the fire lines and flare up.
Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have enacted burn bans and the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations. Residents are asked to call the non-emergency line for their respective area to report violations and 911 for emergency situations only.
Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for smoke on the road anytime there’s a wildfire nearby. Drivers should treat the smoke as fog, turn on low-beam headlights and slow down. If conditions worsen, drivers should pull safely off the side of the road and turn on their hazard lights while waiting for visibility to improve.
Pictured:The Hurst Hammock fire in Beulah on May 7. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Applies For Grant To Finish Updates To Land Development Code
May 19, 2020
The Town of Century is applying for a $30,000 grant to update the town’s land development code (LDC).
The town council voted Monday to approve apply for a Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant for fiscal year 2020-2021. If the town receives the grant, it will be used to update portions of the LDC that were adopted in 1991, prepare a zoning map and offset the cost of publishing the changes.
Portions of Century’s land development code were previously updated. The $30,000 grant will allow them to finish the project.
In 2016, the town received a $25,000 Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity that was used to updated five chapters of the LDC. They applied for another grant in 2018, but did not receive funding.
Pictured: Century Assistant Clerk Kristina Wood, Peggy Fowler of Peggy Fowler and Associates and consultant Debbie Nickles at a 2017 land development code workshop in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
State Appeals Court Tosses Convicted Sex Offender’s Appeal Because It Was Filed Too Late
May 19, 2020
A state appeals court has denied an appeal filed by a convicted sex offender.
In February, Jason James Vazquez, 40, was sentenced by Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford to 29 years after he entered a plea to four counts of sexual battery while in the position of familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation, and three counts of battery. Vazquez was designated a sexual predator and will be required to register as a sexual predator and comply with all statutory requirements.
The Florida First Court of Appeals tossed Vasquez’s appeal because it was not filed within the statutorily required 30 days, noting that he can file a proper petition seeking a belated appeals.
In May 2019, the 14-year old child disclosed to a family member that Vazquez had been abusing her for several years. Tthe Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Gulf Coast Kid’s House launched an investigation that led to Vazquez’s arrest.
Donate Blood At OneBlood And Find Out If You Have The COVID-19 Antibody
May 19, 2020
If you donate blood with OneBlood you will find out if you have the coronavirus antibody.
That’s because the non-profit OneBlood is testing all donations for the COVID-19 antibody.
The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal.
“The testing brings many benefits. In addition to donors learning if they have the antibody, OneBlood will be identifying additional people who can be COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors”, said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president for of corporate communications and public relations.
Convalescent plasma donors have a special ability to help critically ill coronavirus patients. By transfusing plasma that is rich with coronavirus antibodies into a patient still fighting the virus it can help boost the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover.
“OneBlood is working closely with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees M.D., to provide de-identified data on the number of people testing positive and the geographical location. This information will help in decision making for reopening the economy”, said Forbes.
OneBlood is one of the first blood centers to begin testing for the coronavirus antibody and plans to provide the antibody testing for the foreseeable future.
Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE
Hungry? Check On The Food Trucks Tuesday And Saturday At Equestrian Center
May 19, 2020
Food trucks will be at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Tuesdays and Saturdays through May 26.
Here’s the schedule for this Saturday:
Saturday, May 23
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Who Cut the Grilled Cheese and Cake
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Arlene Williams BBQ & Grill
- 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Fantastic Foods Sweets and Snacks
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Jordan Valley Mediterranean
- 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. Chick-fil-A
- 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. Rubens Concessions
- 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. The Po Boy Shack
Arrest Made In Escambia County (AL) Murder; Victim Was Found Shot To Death On Porch
May 19, 2020
An Escambia County, Alabama, man has been charged with murder.
On May 9, the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3600 block of William Cook Road where 22-year old Tyer Lisenby found deceased from a gunshot wound on the front porch of the home.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said 54-year old Rufus Evens of Brewton was developed as a suspect and later arrested for murder. He remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Further details have not been released as the investigation continues.
Editor’s note: The “INMATE” label was placed on mugshot by the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center at the time of booking.
Century Parks To Remain Closed At Least Two More Weeks Due To COVID-19
May 19, 2020
Public parks in the Town of Century will remain closed for at least two more weeks.
Monday night, the Century Town Council discussed the parks but there was no action to open them. Instead, the council will consider the park closures at the next meeting on June 1.
Escambia County and City of Pensacola parks never closed during the pandemic, and youth sports leagues are once again offered in the county. Beaches and the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Escambia County have also reopened.
Just across the state line from Century, Flomaton reopened their parks two weeks ago.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Resumes Many Functions That Were Suspended Due To COVID-19
May 19, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has resumed many functions that were suspended in March due to COVID-19.
- Front Lobby: The lobby is re-opened to the public for full services, including fingerprinting, with social distancing limitations to provide for public and employee safety. Each department will respond to the lobby to assist citizens.
- Civil: Civil is open for all service of process that has not been limited by judicial administrative or executive orders.
- Criminal Registration: Criminal and sex offender registrations have resumed. For inquiries regarding registrations, call (850) 436-9494.
- Records/Public Records: Citizens can request records through the lobby. Records may also continue to be requested by telephone or via the records request center on the ECSO website.
- Citizen Complaints: Complaint forms may be filled out at the ECSO lobby or filled out online and dropped off at the ECSO front desk. All complaint forms must be signed and returned to the Sheriff’s Office.
- Patrol: Reports, where there is no immediate threat to life or safety, can be made in the lobby. Citizens can also continue to report crime via the E-Reports section on the ECSO website.
- Victim Services: Face-to-face contact with victim advocates remains suspended; assistance via telephone will continue to be provided until further notice.
- Community Relations: All community events remain suspended.
- Communications: Dispatchers will continue to ask specific questions to identify risk factors for responding deputies.
- Property/Facilities: All deliveries will be accepted without vendors entering the physical building.
- Evidence: Evidence will continue to be released by appointment only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To request items from the Evidence Unit, call (850) 436-9506 to make an appointment.
All changes were effective on Monday, May 18.
Driver Hits Power Pole On Bogia Road, Days After A Fatal Wreck Near The Same Spot
May 18, 2020
Less than a week after a fatal crash on Bogia Road, a driver crashed Monday morning into a power pole near the same spot.
The driver lost control on Bogia Road just west of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church about 10:45 a.m. Monday. The pole was snapped, cutting power to 123 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers.
The driver stated he was attempting to a avoid a deer on the stretch of roadway through a wooded area. He was not injured.
On May 13, 33-year old Ernest Brown of Molino was killed when the vehicle in which he was as passenger left Bogia Road and crashed into a tree about 2,000 feet from Monday morning’s crash site.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rainfall Not Enough To Fully Extinguish Beulah, Santa Rosa Wildfires
May 18, 2020
While most of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties received rainfall, it has not been enough over the fire areas to truly extinguish either the Hurt Hammock or 5 Mile Swamp fires. The nearest weather station to Hurst Hammock is reporting 0.19 inches of rain Monday morning while the closest to 5 Mile Swamp shows less than 0.10. Neither amount is enough to declare these fires out for good. More rain is forecast today and later in the week.
Firefighters monitored the 5 Mile Swamp Fire throughout the night and will continue today as they patrol for any potential smoke issues or hot spots. The 2,215-acre fire is 97% contained and pockets of unburned vegetation remain in the thick swamp north of Interstate 10.
The Hurst Hammock Fire is 1,191 acres and 98% contained and crews are monitoring and patrolling it as well.
Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for smoke on the road anytime there’s a wildfire nearby. Drivers should treat the smoke as fog, turn on low-beam headlights and slow down. If conditions worsen, drivers should pull safely off the side of the road and turn on their hazard lights while waiting for visibility to improve.
Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have enacted burn bans and the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations. Residents are asked to call the non-emergency line for their respective area to report violations and 911 for emergency situations only.