Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Caleb Passes Away

December 27, 2018

Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Caleb passed away Wednesday evening.

Master Deputy Wayne Gulsby and Caleb received several honors at the national level during Caleb’s career at the ECSO.

K-9 Caleb served the citizens of Escambia County from February 2013 until his retirement in 2017.

Authorities Seek Nine Mile Road Attempted Burglary Suspect

December 27, 2018

Authorities are searching for a man that attempted to break into Thompson Tractor on West Nine Mile Road on Christmas Eve.

The suspect is seen on security footage at 10:36 p.m. He exits the vehicle unsuccessfully attempts to break the glass out of door. A manager said this was the third time someone had busted their door glass in the past month. No one has tampered with or stolen anything.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Here’s How To Dispose Of Your Christmas Tree

December 27, 2018

Need to dispose of your Christmas tree? Here are options:

ECUA Christmas Tree Collections in Escambia and Santa Rosa

ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.

The Florida Forest Service offers the following tips if you chose to burn your Christmas tree:

  • Check local ordinances for requirements for outdoor burning.
  • Burn only if significant rainfall has occurred in the last three or four days.
  • Never burn on dry or windy days.
  • Select a burn location that is at least 25 feet from natural areas, 25 feet from your home, 150 feet from other occupied buildings and 50 feet from any paved public roadway.
  • Remove all decorations from the tree before you burn.
  • Cut the tree into manageable sections, as necessary.
  • Clear the burn area free of other flammable materials, such as leaf litter and pine straw.
  • Keep a shovel and water hose handy in case the fire starts to escape containment.
  • Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is out before leaving.
  • Never burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove.

Escambia EMS Crew Recognized For Delivering Atmore Couple’s Baby

December 27, 2018

An Escambia County EMS crew was recognized with the County Star Award for their assistance with several baby deliveries over the summer, including one on July 31 involving a couple driving from Atmore to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

The patient’s water broke in the car before they could make it to the hospital, forcing them to call 911 for help. Paramedic Kristin Bruce and EMT Kaitlyn Brown were able to get to the couple just as the patient was giving birth in the front seat of the car, facilitating a safe, healthy delivery.

The patient was very thankful and reported that the crew was very kind to her, giving her much-needed emotional support.

Assistant County Administrator Matthew Coughlin presented each crew member with a Star Award for their dedication and service.

Lawmakers Seek Silent Alarms For Schools

December 27, 2018

Silent “panic” alarms for emergency situations would be required to link public-school buildings to local law-enforcement agencies under a Senate measure filed last week.

Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, called her proposal (SB 174) “Alyssa’s Law,” after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was one of the 17 people killed in the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The proposal, filed for consideration during the legislative session that will start in March, would require each building on public elementary, middle or high school campuses to be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in non-fire evacuations, lockdowns or active shooter situations.

“The panic alarm must be directly linked to the local law enforcement agencies that are designated as first responders to the school’s campus and must immediately transmit a signal or message to such authorities upon activation,” the proposal said.

A similar effort being pursued in New Jersey is also named after Alhadeff. Her family lived in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., before moving to South Florida in 2014. New Jersey has considered the measure for five years, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the requirement three times, the final time stating he preferred each school district to have the option to install the alarms.

Registration Begins Jan. 6 For Molino Ballpark Spring Ball

December 27, 2018

Registration will begin next month for spring ball at the Molino Ballpark.

Registration starts January 5 and will continue every Saturday in January. Registration fees are $70 for the first child, $65 for the second child, $60 for third child if they live in the same household.

The registration deadline is January 26.

For a registration form, click here.

Christmas Night House Fire Is Sixth ‘Red Bulb’ Of December

December 26, 2018

A house fire Christmas night in the 900 block of Rentz Avenue in Warrington represents the sixth red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:34 p.m. reporting the residential structure fire.

Crews arrived on scene at 11:43 p.m. to find light smoke coming from the residence, with a report of an occupant still inside. Firefighters were able to locate the adult male occupant, who was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in trauma alert condition. The fire was called under control at 11:59 p.m., with major damage throughout the home. Smoke alarms were present in the residence, but it is unknown if they alerted the occupant. The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. Navy Fire Department also responded.

The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a Escambia County collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.

If your home doesn’t have a working smoke detector, please call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Late Night Burglary At Century Gas Station Under Investigation

December 26, 2018

A late night Christmas burglary at a Century gas station is under investigation.

Someone smashed a window at the Marathon gas station at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4 about 11:30 p.m. A Whataburger patron saw someone smash glass on the business and run away with merchandise, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

A search by deputies and a K-9 unit turned up empty.

The suspect was described as wearing a gray hoodie with gray sweatpants.

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

One Seriously Injured In Highway 97 Christmas Night Crash

December 26, 2018

One person was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Christmas night on Highway 97 about halfway between Molino and Walnut Hill.

The driver of a pickup truck left the roadway and struck a tree about 10:45 p.m. one mile north of Hendricks Lane. The driver was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital.

The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Waterfront Rescue Mission Serves Christmas Lunch To Hundreds

December 26, 2018

The Waterfront Rescue served hundreds of people during their 70th annual Christmas luncheon.

There were 300 people served on the Waterfront Rescue’s campus on West Herman Street in Pensacola, and another 400 meals were delivered.

The meals were available to anyone that needed a meal or was looking for company on Christmas Day.

For more photos, click here.

Pictured top: Cantonment resident Susan Whittle serving lunch to guests at Waterfront’s 70th annual Christmas luncheon. Pictured below: Hundreds of meals were served by volunteers. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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