Frozen Fountain Photo
January 3, 2018
Pictured: Ice was building up Tuesday morning on the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to elarge.
Deputies Seek Homicide Suspect
January 2, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a homicide suspect that is considered armed and dangerous.
Emanuel Dinell Adams, 20, is wanted for a homicide that happened on December 15 about 4 p.m. near the 4600 block of West Jackson Street.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Moreno Completes Military Basic Training
January 2, 2018
U.S. Air Force Airman Joshua S. Moreno graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Moreno is the son of Christina A. Moreno of Cantonment and Frank N. Moreno of Chicago.
He is a 2017 graduate of West Florida High School, Pensacola.
Editor’s Note: No photo was submitted with this article.
‘Horrific’ Scene As Outside Fire Kills Dog, Three Puppies; Owner Cited For Violations
January 2, 2018
Editor’s note: Some readers may find the details in this story and the photographs below to be disturbing.
A dog and three puppies died in a “horrific” accidental outside fire Monday night in Cantonment, as additional puppies were left behind to suffer through a frigid night, according to a local woman. But Escambia County Animal Control says the incident was handled by their office.
The fire was reported shortly before 6 p.m. behind a home in the 600 block of County Road 97 and burned the animals in what neighbor Laura Catterton described as a “cage on stilts”. The fire was reportedly started by an electric space heater that was being used to keep the dogs warm.
“I heard the dog screaming,” Catterton said. “I climbed over fence but couldn’t save them.”
Catterton said Escambia County Animal Control responded but did not seize three litters of puppies remaining in the cold in chain link kennels. She said the homeowner was not at home.
“Animal control does not think puppies outside in 20 degree temperatures is neglect,” she said. “What the hell? I’m furious with animal control not investigating.”
“This has been one of the worst nights of my life,” Catterton said.
“The officer who responded last night wrote multiple violations to homeowner. The citations were written as a mandatory court appearance and we will ask the judge for injunctive relief to prevent him from owning animals for whatever time the judge determines,” Escambia County Public Information Office Joy Tsubooka said Tuesday morning. “The officer made sure that all of the dogs on the property were inside or in proper shelter before she left the scene last night..”
Tsubooka said property owner Carlos Moorer was home at the time Escambia Animal Control responded to investigate.
An activity report from Escambia County Animal Control states that Moorer said an 8-year old adult female and three 4-week old puppies died in the fire. One 19-month old adult female and six puppies remained in the backyard kennel after the fire. None of the dogs were vaccinated for rabies.
The dogs were housed in three fenced pens, each of which contained a barrel for shelter.
Moorer was cited for three counts of animal cruelty, one per pen, for inadequate shelter, two counts of non-potable water and issued two citations for unlicensed and unvaccinated animals.
According to Escambia County records, Moorer holds a business tax receipt (business license) for “Carlos Moorer Pet Supply” at the home.
Pictured top: Fire claimed the life of a dog and three puppies in Cantonment Monday night. Pictured below: Photos show the cage were a dog and three puppies died Monday night in Cantonment. Pictured bottom: Firefighters provide water to several remaining puppies. Reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighters Charity To Open House For Families Displaced By Fire
January 2, 2018
The Escambia County Professional Firefighters Charity is planning to open a house to provide temporary refuge for families displaced by residential fires in Escambia County.
The charity plans to provide a comfortable, safe, and supportive place of temporary refuge for families that lose their home to fire.
“We are proud and excited to be the first to provide this level of assistance to displaced families in our area,” Ian Sumner, Escambia County Professional Firefighters Charity coordinator said. “Being displaced from your home due to a fire and sometimes losing everything is a very devastating event. While there are many charities in the area that step up and help these families, we hope to bring it all together and make the devastation sting a little less. We plan to do this by offering a temporary home along with assistance with walking through the process of connecting with all available resources and getting their life back together. Families will hopefully feel a little more relaxed and be able to mentally heal a little quicker.”
The firefighters charity plans to release more details Friday on the house and how the community can help.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Byrneville Ice Show
January 2, 2018
Lon and Alice Malone decided to create a little ice show in their yard on Highway 168 in Byrneville. This is how it looked Monday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Road Construction Delays Return Wednesday, Lane Closures on Highway 29
January 2, 2018
The road construction lane closure reprieve over the holidays ends at midnight Tuesday in Florida. Then it’s back to work as usual.
Drainage operations are scheduled to resume Wednesday on Highway 29 in Escambia County Drivers traveling Highway 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Saturday, January 6.
Pictured: Work before Christmas on Highway 29 at Nine Mile Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 90 Closed By Overturned Lumber Truck
January 1, 2018
An overturned lumber truck closed Highway 90 in Beulah Monday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 27-year old Jesse Lee Coyle of Robertsdale was driving the truck eastbound just east of the AL/FL line about 6:37 p.m. The semi truck had a mechanical issue when caused the driver to lose control, with the vehicle rolling over into the wood line.
Coyle was transported by ambulance to a Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
No charges were filed in the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Vehicles Collide On Narrow Highway 97 Bridge Set For Replacement
January 1, 2018
Sunday afternoon, two vehicles side-swiped on a narrow Highway 97 bridge, just days before construction is set to begin to replace the bridge with a wider structure.
The cars collided just after 4 p.m. on the Highway 97 bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek, about a mile south of Highway 4. One vehicle remained on the bridge, while the second came to rest about 100 yards away off the roadway in a ditch. The driver of the vehicle that remained on the bridge was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. The driver and occupant of the second vehicle refused treatment at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released.
Work is scheduled to begin this week, weather permitting, to replace the bridge. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the bridge was deemed functional obsolete, partially due to its narrow width.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Minimum Wage Workers Get A Pay Raise Today
January 1, 2018
Florida’s minimum wage increased to $8.25 an hour Monday, 15 cents higher than the previous rate.
Under a state constitutional amendment, passed by voters in 2004, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity adjusts the wage each year based on changes in a federal consumer price index. The wage applies to all Florida workers who are covered by the federal minimum wage, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Since the passage of the amendment and the enactment of Florida’s minimum wage law in 2005, the state minimum wage has risen $2.10 an hour, or 34 percent, since the original wage was set at $6.15 in 2005.
The 15-cent increase for 2018 is the largest hourly increase since 2012, when the wage rose by 36 cents an hour, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.