Florida Part Of Five State Speeding Crackdown
July 17, 2019
Florida is part of a five state speeding crackdown effort.
The Florida Highway Patrol is joining other law enforcement agencies in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina in “Operation Southern Shield”, a weeklong speed enforcement campaign.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to providing highway safety with our law enforcement partners,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “FHP Troopers continue to remain highly visible on Florida’s state highways to enforce speeding and dangerous driving behaviors that lead to unnecessary and sometimes deadly crashes.”
According to NHTSA, in 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities nationwide, killing more than 9,000 people. One of the primary reasons that speed-related crashes have such detrimental effects is that the increased velocity and force of impact works against the usefulness of safety equipment, such as seat belts and airbags.
Missing, Endangered Teen Located Safe
July 16, 2019
UPDATE: This missing juvenile was located safe.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing and endangered teen female.
Kyla Shannon was last seen in the area of Pebble Brook Drive in Milton on June 28. The SRSO said it was initially believed she intentionally ran away from home, but they recently received information she may be endangered.
She may be in the company of a white female, approximately 40 years of age, with brown hair and hazel eyes. She may be in the Pensacola or Panama City area. Shannon is 16, is 5-feet 5-inches tall, weighs 190 pounds, has black hair and blue eyes. She may be wearing nose ring.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1100, Detective Scott Assmann at (850) 983-1243 or Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Rollover Crash
July 16, 2019
One person was injured in a rollover crash in Molino Tuesday.
The wreck happened at Highway 29 and Highway 97 when a pickup and SUV collided, causing the SUV to roll over. A second SUV sustained minor damage.
One person from a vehicle the SUV that rolled over was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital. The occupants of two other vehicles involved in the crash were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Gulf Breeze City Manager Hired To Turn Century Around
July 16, 2019
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to hire former Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy as a consultant to help the turn the town around.
He will be paid $35 an hour an independent contractor, not an employee, and receive a $200 mileage reimbursement. He will also bill for services provided by additional consultants not yet named.
The council has allotted up to $5,000 for his Eddy’s services. His first day will be July 29 after he completes previously planned personal travel. Eddy will answer to Mayor Henry Hawkins and the town council under an “at will” arrangement.
“Local government is my passion,” Eddy said. “I’m not doing this to make a lot of money.”
He said his first goals will be to get the town on track in the budget making process and work to improve the bottom line in the gas department, which has consistently lost money for several years.
Council members have expressed concern that the town purchased new gas meters months ago in an effort to increase billing accuracy and revenue, but very few of those meters have actually been installed.
Eddy said the meter installations should be another priority, even if the town hires a contractor to complete the work because their gas department does not have the time or resources.
Eddy made the unsolicited consultant offer after reading a report by independent financial consultant Bob Inzer, whose services were provided to the town by the Florida League of Cities following a scathing grand jury findings. Inzer repeatedly told the town council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.
Pictured: Edwin “Buz” Eddy addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Marine Struck And Killed On California Roadway
July 16, 2019
A local Marine was struck and killed by vehicle as he crossed a multi-lane highway Saturday night in Orange County, California.
Pfc. Trace Goodwin, 19, was struck by a Tesla Model 3 about 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Jamboree Road in a Tustin, California, business district. Goodwin was in the roadway at the time he was hit by the vehicle, according to police, but the exact circumstances have not been released.
Goodwin was pronounced deceased at the scene. Tustin Police said the driver of the Tesla remained on scene and was cooperative with police. Authorities did not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
Goodwin was from Atmore and was a resident of Pensacola, according to police.
Thomas Celebrates ‘Tremendous Academic Success’ Reflected In School Grades
July 16, 2019
In an email to Escambia County School District employees Monday, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas celebrated the “tremendous academic success” reflected in the recently released school grades from the Florida Department of Education.
The district maintained its B grade for the second consecutive year.
Thomas said 92% of the county’s school are now rated a C or higher, and there are no longer any F schools in the county. Eight schools maintained an ‘A’ from 2018 while 18 schools improved their school grade by one letter or more.
READ: School Grades Are Out: How Did Your Child’s School Score?
“In celebrating this success, it is important to recognize that this is a shared accomplishment. Congratulations to the students, teachers, administrators, and parents and also to the many other stakeholders that make a positive impact on student success every day,” Thomas wrote in his email to district employees.
“So many participate in the success of our students. From the bus driver who is often the first school related adult that a student interacts with, to the custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher aides, school nurses, front office staff and the list goes on and on, they all play an important role. Additionally, it is important to recognize the contributions of external stakeholders including but not limited to parents, mentors, school volunteers, PTA’s/PTO’s, local businesses & the community at-large,” he continued.
ECSO Patrol Vehicle Strikes 13-Year Old Boy
July 16, 2019
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle struck a 13-year old boy Monday afternoon in Escambia County.
The deputy, who was not named in a Florida Highway Patrol report, was making left turn onto L Street from Fairfield Drive as the boy entered the road on foot.
The FHP said the juvenile ran into the deputy’s lane of travel and was hit by the Chevrolet Tahoe about 4:40 p.m. The boy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
No charges were filed in incident.
File photo.
Driver’s License Service, Vehicle Registration Event Returns To Century Next Month
July 16, 2019
Mobile driver’s license and vehicle registration services will return to Century on Tuesday, August 6 for a single day event.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford has partnered with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to bring the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office to Century from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
FLOW is a stand-alone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver’s license, obtain a replacement driver’s license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver’s license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Citizens can renew vehicle registrations up to three months and driver’s licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.
Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc. Citizens also can drop off property tax payments (checks only).
Pictured: The Florida Licensing on Wheels mobile office in Century earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Elementary School Reunion Set For Saturday
July 16, 2019
The Fourth Annual Barrineau Park Elementary School Reunion is coming up Saturday from 11 am. until 2 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The reunion is for anyone that attended the school from its origin in 1938 until its closure in 2003. Attendees should bring a covered dish for a potluck lunch — fried chicken will be provided along with ice and drinks.
There will be music (if you play an instrument, bring it), fellowship and fun.
RSVP will the number attended to (850) 587-5389.
Person Killed By Train In Cantonment
July 15, 2019
An adult woman was killed when she tried to crawl through a train Monday evening in Cantonment.
Witnesses said the train was stopped when she attempted to crawl under a train car, according to Deb Henley, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The train began to move, running over the woman.
The victim came to rest east of the intersection of Carver and Webb streets after the 7:30 p.m. incident.
Further details have not been released as the investigation continues.
Editor’s note: An Escambia County spokesperson initially identified the victim as an adult male Monday night. Tuesday morning, the ECSO released the the victim was an adult female, and this story was updated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barber.
