DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency For All 67 Counties
August 30, 2019
On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency that includes all of Florida’s 67 counties, and he sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting that he declare a pre-landfall disaster as Florida prepares for Hurricane Dorian. The federal request also includes all 67 counties.
Current forecasts project Hurricane Dorian will hit the East Coast of Florida as a major hurricane, possibly as strong as a Category 4.
“With Hurricane Dorian strengthening, I have sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that he declare a pre-landfall disaster for all of Florida’s 67 counties,” said DeSantis. “The trajectory of this storm remains uncertain, and this declaration will provide us with the necessary resources to ensure the state is fully prepared. I am confident the President will grant my request and show his full support for Florida.”
The declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government, as well as free up funding sources for emergency protective measures.
Pictured: Gov Ron DeSantis receives a Hurricane Dorian briefing Thursday at the National Hurricane Center. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seizes $2.2 Million Of Powdered Cocaine, Largest Seizure In Agency History
August 30, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made what is believed to be the largest powdered cocaine seizure in the agency’s history.
The 22 kilos of powder cocaine has a street value estimated at $2.2 million.
“This seizure was unique in many ways,” Sheriff David Morgan said during a Thursday afternoon press conference, “but unfortunately there’s not going to be a tremendous amount of information that can be released.”
“It was destined for a warehouse that did not exist,” Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said. The ECSO has not said where they drugs were found in Escambia County.
Simmons said an attempt was made to conceal the cocaine from detection in spray foam insulation, but it was discovered by an ECSO K-9 during an interdiction effort.
“Drugs like this are coming through Escambia County,: Simmons said. “We are going to keep finding the drugs. You have a dedicated group of nactorics officers and K-9s.”
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate JV Beats Pine Forest With OT Field Goal From Conner Wright
August 30, 2019
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Pine Forest 10-7 Thursday with an overtime field goal by Conner Wright to seal the win. The JV Aggies are off next week, and will be on the road September 12 against the Escambia Gator JV. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Involved In Fatal I-10 Crash
August 30, 2019
A Molino man was uninjured in a crash that killed a Florida man Wednesday in Washington County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 56-year old Eddie Lamar Hicks of Molino was westbound on I-10 just east of the Caryville exit in Washington County. His 2007 Peterbilt collided with a Toyota Tacoma that had been involved in a previous crash.
The driver of a Tacoma, 70-year old Michael Lee Wright of West Melbourne, FL, was killed. Hicks was not injured.
Locals Strip Hurricane Supplies From Store Shelves
August 30, 2019
While any local impacts from Hurricane Dorian are not yet known, locals have headed to the store looking for supplies.
Several local stores were nearly out of hurricane supplies like bottled water on Thursday afternoon.
Escambia County officials are encouraging residents to be prepared for Dorian — or any story — with an emergency supply kit that will last at least three days. It should contain three days of clothes, nonperishable food, pet food, water and a battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries. Also include a first-aid kit with items such as gloves, adhesive bandages and prescription medications. Find a printable disaster shopping list here.
Pictured: The water aisle at the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard in Ensley. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Critically Injured In Nokomis Crash, His Dog Uninjured
August 29, 2019
A Bay Minette man was critically injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in extreme northwestern Escambia County just south of the Alabama-Florida state line.
Melvin Leonce Carpenter, 74, was northbound on North Pineville Road through a canopy of trees when for an unknown reason he traveled off the southbound shoulder and struck multiple trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Carpenter was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital, transferred to a medical helicopter and airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital. It was not known if he was wearing his seat belt.
Carpenter’s dog was also inside the vehicle and appeared not to be injured.
First responders from Escambia Fire Rescue, the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department and Atmore Fire Department also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Charged With Stealing 31 Guns, 100 Knives
August 29, 2019
Three people have been charged in connection with a burglary on Pinoak Lane in Cantonment in which 31 firearms were stolen, along with a approximately 100 knives, two chainsaws, a Suzuki ATV and assorted camouflage clothing items. The items were collectively valued at $20,000.
Martin Joseph Shaughnessy, 35; Dawn Cheree Brooks, 39; and Charles Kettering, 42, were each charged with 15 counts of felony grand theft of a firearm and one count of burglary. In addition, Shaughnessy was charged with felony resisting an officer with violence, misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence and violation of probation, and Brooks was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in reference to the burglary on Escambia Avenue in Cantonment, they reported finding Shaughnessy hiding in area cluttered with boxes stacked about four feet high. He refused commands to show his hands, and he struck a deputy in the chest area, according to an arrest report.
Shaughnessy is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Brooks remained jailed Thursday morning with bond set at $185,000, and Kettering was released on a $35,000 bond.
One Injured In Ransom Middle Car Rider Line Crash
August 29, 2019
At least one person was injured in a crash Wednesday in the car rider line at Ransom Middle School on West Kingsfield Road.
One vehicle occupant was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
The crash occurred on the school campus, not near or on the roadway. Witnesses said the driver of car rear-ended another vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released any additional information.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For Health Care Expansion In Century
August 29, 2019
A grand opening was held Wednesday for the new expanded Century location of Community Health Northwest Florida.
The nearly 5,000 square foot expansion includes five medical exam rooms, a new dental suite, and expanded lobby and additional parking in the rear of the building located in the Century Industrial Park.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The expansion adds capacity for about 5,000 additional medical visits and 1,600 new dental visits per year. And it opens the door to possible new services in the future.
“So if we need to look at women’s health services or expanding medical services, that’s certainly now an option,” Community Health Northwest Florida Executive Director Chandra Smiley said. “This is a one stop shop.
Community Health Northwest Florida is a non-profit community health center that strives to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to the medically underserved residents of the Pensacola area and surrounding regions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including locations in Century and Cantonment.
“We look forward to more of our citizens come and utilize the facility,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority made a $2 million contribution to expand the facility. The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority is a special purpose public corporation which provides capital financing for non-profit health care organizations. The authority was established by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, which appoints the Authority’s five board members. The Authority is self-supporting and receives no federal, state or local governmental funding.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins, Community Health Northwest Florida Executive Director Chandra Smiley and President and CEO of Lakeview Center Allison Hill address attendees Wednesday afternoon at the grand opening of the new expanded Century location of Community Health Northwest Florida. Pictured below: The grand opening of the new facility in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Declares $2.1 Billion I-10 Toll Bridge Project Is Dead
August 29, 2019
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the proposed high-toll I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is “dead”. Her statement came after the I-10 project was removed from the short term plans of the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Upon hearing that the local delegation failed to move the project forward, Gov. Ivey released a statement.
“With the action taken today, there is no pathway forward, and this project is dead. Moreover, without a project, there is no need for a meeting on October 7. I am thereby cancelling the Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority meeting.
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is asking the Alabama Department of Transportation to go back to the drawing board and come back with a scaled back proposal that will relieve traffic congestion but not require a toll.
The Alabama Department of Transportation had proposed a $6 one-way toll or a $90 monthly pass for unlimited trips across the $2.1 billion bridge.
