FBI Cracks iPhones Belonging to NAS Pensacola Shooter, Finding Evidence Of Al Qaeda Connection
May 18, 2020
The Saudi aviation student that opened fire killing three sailors at NAS Pensacola last December had been in contact with Al Qaeda, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday morning.
Evidence of the previously unknown communications was discovered after the FBI was finally able to unlock the iPhone belonging to Saudi Arabian Air Force 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, U.S. Attorney General William Barr said.
“The FBI finally succeeded in unlocking Alshamrani’s phones. The phones contained information previously unknown to us that definitively establishes Alshamrani’s significant ties to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) — not only before the attack but before he even arrived in the United States,” Barr said. “We now have a clearer understanding of Alshamrani’s associations and activities in the years, months, and days leading up to his attack,” Barr said.
“It was clear at the time that the phones were likely to contain very important information,” Barr said. “Indeed, Alshamrani attempted to destroy both of the phones, even going so far as to disengage from the gunfight long enough to fire a bullet into one of the phones.”
Evidence on the phones showed “that the Pensacola attack was actually the brutal culmination of years of planning and preparation by a longtime AQAP associate”, the attorney general said. He added the phones showed he had contact and started planning with AQAP, an offshoot of Al Qaeda, before he arrived in the United States in 2017.
Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray repeatedly expressed disgust with Apple during a press conference Monday morning. The tech giant had refused to help the government unlock the iPhone despite a federal search warrant.
Wray said no other evidence has been discovered on the phones that hinted of any other planned attacks in the U.S.
Wray recognized partners, including local agencies including the Jacksonville and Pensacola offices of the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Naval security forces and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, for their response to the shooting.
Sailors Joshua K. Watson, Mohammed S. Haitham and Cameron S. Walters were killed and either others, members of Naval security forces and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, were injured in the attack.
Pictured inset: Photos of one of the iPhones. Pictured below: Side-by-side comparison of Pensacola shooter Mohammed Saeed al-Shamrani’s notes (left side) with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s original claim of responsibility. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man In Wheelchair Struck And Killed On Highway 29
May 18, 2020
A man was struck and killed Sunday night on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 60-year old man in a motorized wheelchair was traveling across Highway 29 near Kenmore Road when he was struck by a car shortly before 10 p.m.
The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The driver of the car, a 24-year female from Pensacola, was not injured.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
When Will Nine Mile Road Construction Be Done? FDOT Offers Some Hints
May 18, 2020
Sometime it seems like the road construction on Nine Mile Road will never get finished. Now, the Florida Department of Transportation is offering some hints when major segments will be completed.
FDOT says the Nine Mile Road from Highway 29 to Pine Forest Road will be completed in the fall, and the segment from Pine Forest Road to Beulah Road should be done by mid-2021.
Currently, crews are working in both areas on roadway construction and sidewalks, and they are making drainage improvements.
But there’s a disclaimer.
“Weather and unforeseen issues may affect the construction schedule and completion dates of the project,” FDOT said.
Pictured: Construction on Nine Mile Road just west of Highway 29, as seen from the Highway 29 overpass. Photo for NorthEscambia.com
Food Giveaway Tuesday At St. Luke United Methodist Church On Nine Mile Road
May 18, 2020
St. Luke United Methodist Church on Nine Mile Road will hold a food giveaway on Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.
The parking lot at 1394 East Nine Mile Road will open at 8 a.m. for pre-registration with proper ID. Distribution of the food from Feeding the Gulf Coast will begin at 10 a.m. and is on a first come, first served basis. Everyone is asked to stay in their vehicle with their windows rolled up.
File photo.
Gyms In Florida Can Open Today But Must Follow These Safety Rules
May 18, 2020
Gyms and fitness centers in Florida can reopen Monday weeks after being forced to closed due to COVID-19.
There are several mandatory safety rules for gyms set by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, along with a few recommended best practices.
Mandatory Safety Measures
- Monitor building occupancy and restrict customer access to no more than 50% of the building’s occupancy.
- Offer readily-available dispensers of a disinfectant and provide patrons with sufficient cleaning materials, including disposable wipes. Instruct patrons to clean touched surfaces upon each use of fitness equipment.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect all seating, counters, weights, weight bars, mats, machines, and other fitness equipment upon closing the facility each day.
- During daily operation, routinely clean and disinfect surfaces, particularly high-touch surfaces such as faucets, toilets, doorknobs, and light switches.
- Maintain restrooms that remain open with functional toilets, clean and disinfected surfaces, and hand washing supplies, including soap and materials for drying hands or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Employees who appear to have symptoms upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day must immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors, and sent home.
Recommended Best Practices
- Display posters and signs throughout the facility to remind visitors to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the wiping and sanitation of touched surfaces upon each use of fitness equipment.
- Open doors between separate fitness areas or rooms of the facility to reduce surface touching by multiple people. Open windows where feasible to improve ventilation in the facility.
- Remove all unnecessary, frequently touched items like magazines, newspapers, service menus and any other unnecessary paper products and décor from customer waiting areas and locker rooms.
Gas Prices Inch Higher As Florida Reopens
May 18, 2020
Florida gas prices are beginning to inch higher as Florida eases restrictions, causing a growing number of people to hit the road. Gasoline demand is now only 30 percent lower than a year ago, compared to the 50-75 percent deficit seen just weeks ago during the height of Florida’s stay-at-home order.
Gas prices in Florida increased last week – albeit slightly – for the first time in 10 weeks. After sinking to a four year low, the state average rose a penny to $1.77 per gallon. The state average is now a penny more than a week ago, yet five cents less than last month and 89 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $1.70, up from $1.64 one year ago. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $1.63 at a Cantonment gas station. A Pensacola wholesale club was at $1.48.
District 5 Commissioner Barry Elected Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization Chairman
May 18, 2020
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board of Directors has elected Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry as the new chairman of the board effective July 1. He will succeed Santa Rosa Commissioner Sam Parker.
Barry, who represents District 5, became a member of the FL-AL TPO Board when he was elected in 2012.
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization is the regional, intergovernmental transportation policy board for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Orange Beach and the community of Lillian in Alabama. The board is comprised of local government officials who make decisions regarding transportation at a regional level.
Top Of The Class Of 2020 From Each High School In Escambia County Honored
May 18, 2020
The top students from the Class of 2020 at each Escambia County high school have been named.
The Senior Academic Awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, represented by the top five students from each school with the highest GPAs at the end of the first semester of their senior year and the top student from each of the six academic disciplines.
The annual program was not held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but students still received their award, a personalized medallion and a Congressional certificate.
Honorees are listed below.
Escambia High School
Sophia Bonanno – Top Five
Juliette Bonnlander – Top Five
Emily Geiger – Top Five
Omar Mejia – Top Five
Brandon Mitra – Top Five
Maggie Kidder – CTE
Marena Garcia Vidal – English
Brianna Amos – Science
Rhapeepan Antrim – Foreign Language
Jacob Faulkner – Mathematics
Sophia Bonanno – Social Studies
Northview High School
Will Beach – Top Five
Keaton Brown – Top Five
Kayla McKillion – Top Five
Charleigh Parham – Top Five
Marissa Rothrock – Top Five
Sophia Cotita – English
Hailie Anderson – Science
Kinzie Rackard – Career & Technical
Colby Morris – Mathematics
Elana Ward – Social Studies
Pensacola High School
Jackson Allen – Top Five
Jordyn Ewing – Top Five
Oliver Norris – Top Five
Madison Payne – Top Five
Pearson Stack – Top Five
Aydin Lasure – Science
Patrick Imhof – English
Jackson Ruggles – Mathematics
Zaniah Heath – Career & Technical
Elliot Adler – Social Studies
Gregory Posey – Foreign Language
Pensacola IB Program
Sami Humeda – Top Five
Mehul Kapur – Top Five
Rachel Lee – Top Five
Lillian Petsinger – Top Five
Nicholas Skoufis – Top Five
Jett Zhang – Top Five and National Merit
Anna Huynh – National Merit
Katherine McCrackin – National Merit
Jane Chakraborty – National Merit
Jason Dela Cruz – Foreign Language
Samuel Duong – Science
Tanner Struck – Mathematics
Ella Griffith – Career & Technical
Chiara Kyn Estrada – English
Kyla Homewood – Social Studies
Pine Forest High School
Rhett Hardy – Top Five
Chloe Huffman – Top Five
Kayla Le – Top Five
Brandon Rode – Top Five
Journee Stevenson – Top Five
Joseph Hawkins – Science
Kameron Sasser – Foreign Language
Annessa Williams – Career & Technical
Brian Jones, Jr. – English
Miles Gibson – Mathematics
John Pinette – Social Studies
Tate High School
Catherine Alderman – Top Five
Nasim Boussarhane – Top Five
Melanie Letourneau – Top Five
Camille Macks – Top Five
Gabriel Pfeuffer-Ferguson – Top Five
Kade Boyd – English
Alexander Hicks – Foreign Language
Chase Jenkins – Social Studies
Samuel Shinnick – Science
Braden Boutwell – Mathematics
Tra’lon Gillis – Career & Technical
Washington High School
Lily Drasutis – Top Five
Katherine Grissett – Top Five
Emma Hill – Top Five
Lindsay Lurate – Top Five
Sierra Werdann – Top Five
Samantha Thompson – English
Darryl Brundidge, Jr. – Foreign Language
Tobias Johnson – Mathematics
Mary Lipham – Social Studies
Ansley Gill – Career & Technical
Liberty Tillman – Science
West Florida High School
Phillip Gindl – Top Five
Anna Hoang – Top Five
Katelyn McCaffrey – Top Five
Zander Preston – Top Five
Jayden Spiess – Top Five
Courtney Crosby – Science
Luke Whitwell – Social Studies
Haley Israelson – English
Tristan Cravatt – Career & Technical
Marcus Ingram – Mathematics
Luis Moya Marrero – Foreign Language
Central Water Works Boil Water Notice Rescinded, Including For Century Prison
May 17, 2020
Sunday afternoon, Central Water Works rescinded a boil water notice issued May 14 due to the detection of E. coli. This includes all Central Water Works customers and the Century Correctional Institution.
According to the utility, bacteriological sampling show the water is safe to drink. Water samples were taken daily May 14-16, all with clear results.
Central is currently supplying the Century prison with water through an emergency fire hose connection after the failure of the Century water well that normally supplies the prison. At last report, prison inmates were not consuming the water from Central but were being provided with bottled water.
On the date of the sample that showed E. Coli — April 8 — Central was not supplying water to the prison.
Body Of Missing Man Found Near Flora-Bama
May 17, 2020
The body of a man reported missing Friday was found in Escambia County near the Flora-Bama Lounge early Sunday morning.
David Brandon Trammell, 43, was last seen near the water behind the lounge about 4 p.m. Friday. Early Sunday morning, his body was located in the water by Escambia Search and Rescue volunteers.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it appeared Trammel drowned. His family has been notified.