Fire Marshal Investigating Suspicious Back Porch Fire At Abandoned Home
March 26, 2018
A suspicious fire that damaged an abandoned mobile home near McDavid is under investigation.
A passerby noticed smoke from the rear of the trailer on Lambert Bridge Road, near Pine Barren Road, about 1 p.m. Monday. The fire originated on the back porch and was quickly extinguished.
The mobile home did not have power or gas service. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Pictured: The first firefighters arrive at an abandoned mobile home on Lambert Bridge Road Monday morning and extinguish a porch fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Seven Finalists Named For Escambia County Fire Chief
March 26, 2018
Seven names are on a short list of candidates to be the next Escambia County Fire Chief, down from an original field of 77 applicants.
They are:
- David E. Allen, Pensacola, Florida
- Larry L. Collins, Saline, Michigan
- Stephen F. Cox, South Bend, Indiana
- Steven C. Hudson, Cudjoe Key, Florida
- Russell Clark Nail, Melbourne, Florida
- Paul Randall Smith, Mobile, Alabama
- Steven P. Woodworth, Atlanta, GA
The seven were named after a selection committee meeting Monday. Next, the county will determine if each is interested in moving forward with the selection process. Interviews and background checks will follow.
Allen is the only local candidate remaining.
Among those cut from the list of 77 candidates were local applicants Molino District Fire Chief Anthony Manning, Ferry Pass District Fire Chief Michael Aaron, former Pensacola Fire Chief Matt Schmitt and former Pensacola Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Glover (a current part time ECFR employee), and current ECFR lieutenants Daniel Akerman and Richard Bode.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Pensacola Woman Killed In I-65 Hit And Run Crash
March 26, 2018
An Escambia County, FL, woman was killed Sunday night when she was struck by a vehicle on I-65 in Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said 25-year old Anna Caroline Lewis of Pensacola was walking along I-65 about eight miles north of Evergreen when she was hit. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene.
Troopers are continuing their investigation. They have not said why Lewis was walking on the interstate.
Anyone with any information about the crash is asked to call the Alabama State Troopers at (251) 578-1316.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century, Travels Through Escambia County
March 26, 2018
The 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued in Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line about 7:05 a.m. Monday. Runners from Century Correctional Institution with an escort from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office carried the torch down Highway 29 to the Century Town Hall.
Later in the morning the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Pensacola Police Department and other law enforcement agencies carried the torch from the ECSO Administration building on West Leonard Street to Bartram Park in downtown Pensacola.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
The Florida Special Olympics State Summer Games begin May 18 in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
Pictured: The 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom two photos: The Torch Run leaving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing For 15 Years: Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee
March 26, 2018
This weekend marked 15 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home.
Her sister, Lisa Wooten, has said that she’s never held any hope that her sister will be found alive since the moment she learned the details of McGhee’s disappearance .
“I live everyday with no hope that she will be found alive,” Wooten said. “I knew from the first day, I knew and believed at that moment that she was murdered.”
For Wooten, her hope now centers on closure and justice.
“Every time I hear that remains have been found somewhere, I pray that it will be my sister,” she said. “We are still hoping someone with come forward with something. We want to to find out what happened, who did it, and bring them to justice.”
The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda Wall McGhee, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.
Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda McGhee spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.
At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.
In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.
When asked what she would like to say directly to the person responsible for the disappearance of her sister, Wooten said, “I don’t want him to know the pain, the hurt, the anger I’ve felt…He is not worthy of any of my words.”
Driver Recovering After Crashing Into Tree On West Roberts Road
March 26, 2018
One person is recovering after crash into a tree just before 9:00 Sunday night on West Roberts Road near Tate Road. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Their injuries were not considered life threatening. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Crash Involving Motorcycle On Pensacola Boulevard
March 26, 2018
Two people were injured in a crash involving a motorcycle crash and a SUV Sunday night on Pensacola Boulevard at Hood Drive. Both were transported by Escambia County EMS to area hospitals, one as a “trauma alert”. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further information has not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Runners Excel In T.R. Miller Track Meet
March 26, 2018
At a recent meet at T.R. Miller, the Northview boys track team placed second and the girls finished third.
Northview runners finished as follows:
Triple Jump Rayvon Bush 3rd
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
March 26, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of March 26-March 30:
Monday, March 26
Selection Committee – Short List Fire Chief Applicants – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1200 W. Langley Avenue, Pensacola
Tuesday, March 27
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining – 9 a.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa L. Parks Transit Complex, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Public Hearing – 3 p.m., 700 S. Palafox Place
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Special Meeting – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox Place
Wednesday, March 28
District 1 Coffee with the Commissioner – 6:30 a.m., 4625 Mobile Highway
Amalgamated transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining – 9 a.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa L. Parks Transit Complex, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach
Friday, March 30
County Offices Closed – Good Friday
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Spring Break: Drive Like Your Kids Live Here
March 26, 2018
It’s Spring Break this week in Escambia County, FL. And this sign on Old Flomaton Road in Century offers good advice with kids out playing this week — “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here”. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.