Escambia County Jail Staff Delivers Thanksgiving Food For Families In Need
November 23, 2017
After hearing about empty shelves at a local food bank, Escambia County Jail staff members collected Thanksgiving turkeys and other food items for families in need, delivering the items Wednesday to the Epps Christian Center.
Jail staff collected nine boxes of food and seven turkeys for the center, which will be distributed to local homeless and families in need.
Escambia County Jail Lt. Jason Walker, who helped coordinate the food drive along with other jail command staff, said he’s glad to be able to help people in the community this Thanksgiving.
“We wanted to let the community know that the staff working inside the Escambia County Jail care about their fellow man,” Walker said. “We are a diverse group of employees here, and we care about the community as a whole. Seeing that there was a need close by, we wanted to assist with that need.”
Epps Christian Center’s food pantry gives out hundreds of pounds of food each month to the poor and homeless, along with offering free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals annually.
“The staff at the jail did a great job organizing the food drive,” Escambia County Corrections Director Tammy Jarvis said. “The holiday season is an especially difficult time for those in need, and it meant a lot to the staff at the jail to help make the holiday more enjoyable by donating food items to the Epps Christian Center.”
Gas Prices Down Slightly For The Thanksgiving Travel Weekend
November 23, 2017
About 2.3 million Floridians are expected to hit the road during the Thanksgiving holiday period, and gas prices are on the decline.
After holding steady for nine days, the national gas price average is slowly declining at the start of the Thanksgiving week. At $2.54, today’s national gas price average is two cents less than one week ago and 40 cents more than a year ago. However, the more expensive year-over-year pump price is not stopping Americans from hitting the road for holiday travel.
“Nearly 46 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles away from their home by car this holiday. Many will be thankful to see gas prices trending cheaper in cities across the country,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Since 2014, the national gas price average has dropped one to five cents heading into the Thanksgiving week.”
Three months following Hurricane Harvey, gas prices in the South and Southeast are again among the cheapest in the country; Florida saw prices decrease four cents with a gallon of regular unleaded averaging $2.47. That’s still significantly higher than a year ago at $2.09.
In Escambia County, the average price gallon was $2.38 on Wednesday, down from $2.45 a week ago.
Pictured: Regular unleaded gas was $2.47 per gallon Wednesday afternoon on Highway 29 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Reminds Travelers To Buckle Up, Slow Down This Thanksgiving Weekend
November 23, 2017
The Thanksgiving holiday is a peak travel period for families nationwide. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) wants all motorists to Arrive Alive this holiday weekend and is reminding motorists to buckle up before they hit the road. During the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday period, law enforcement agencies statewide worked more than 10,000 crashes. Although only two percent of people involved in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday were not wearing their seat belts, over 30 percent of those that died in those crashes were not wearing a seat belt.
Thanksgiving produces a high volume of motor vehicle traffic and the FHP will increase its presence from November 22 through 26. All sworn FHP personnel, including Auxiliary and Reserve troopers, will patrol Florida’s high volume roadways during the five-day period.
“The Florida Highway Patrol remains committed to keeping Florida’s highways safe and ensuring motorists and their families Arrive Alive this holiday season,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “It’s imperative to buckle all seatbelts, get plenty of rest before a long trip and allow sufficient time to reach your destination.”
DHSMV wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving and reminds motorists to obey all speed limits and adjust speed accordingly as traffic congestion and weather conditions may require driving more slowly. Motorists should always keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and mind on driving.
The public is encouraged to report impaired or aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). Also, remember to check traffic conditions before leaving for a trip and allow sufficient time to arrive at your destination safely. For real time traffic conditions and additional travel information, visit: www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic.
Deputies Seeking Child Sexual Abuse Suspect
November 23, 2017
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Bradley Wayne Stoner on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12-16 years old. He is 21-year old white male, about 5-foot 8-inches tall and 175 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP. Call are anonymous and information that leads to his arrest could earn up to $3,000.
Tips To Avoid Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scams
November 23, 2017
In advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam is providing tips to help consumers avoid scams.
Keep the following tips in mind while shopping on Black Friday:
- Some retailers may inflate prices ahead of Black Friday to create the illusion of a drastic price cut. Research the regular retail price of items to check how much will actually be saved.
- Price matching policies may be suspended by some retailers between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Be wary of unexpected emails that claim to contain coupons with significant discounts and ask for personal information. Don’t click on any suspicious links. These may contain malware to compromise your identity.
- Read the fine print at the bottom of sales ads, as sales may be limited to certain time periods, brands or quantities.
Below are precautions to take on Cyber Monday:
- Avoid websites with odd or incorrect spellings of legitimate companies. Domain names that include hyphens are often red flags.
- Beware of bogus websites promising unbelievable deals. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be wary of “delivery failure” or “order confirmation” emails for items you did not order. These may be used to gain a consumer’s personal information.
- Use a credit card for online orders. It is easier to dispute and mediate fraudulent charges with a credit card than a debit card.
- Use strong passwords for credit cards and bank accounts.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Cop Impersonator Also Charged With Sexual Battery
November 22, 2017
An accused cop impersonator has also been charged with sexual battery.
Martin Goodman was booked into the Escambia County Jail for impersonating a law enforcement officer,. false imprisonment, kidnapping and sexual battery. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $450,000.
Authorities said on November 21, Goodman flashed a badge and tried to pull a person over on Highway 90 in Santa Rosa County, but the victim kept driving.
The victim said Goodman used a siren and that a light was visible on the dash of Goodman’s SUV. The victim called 9-1-1 and pulled in to the Winn-Dixie parking lot on Creighton Road. The victim assumed Goodman was law enforcement, but called dispatch to confirm.
Goodman then pulled his car in front of the victims and flashed his badge once more and began arguing, then left the parking lot. ECSO deputies arrived and were able to get a description of Goodman and his vehicle. Using that description Pensacola Police officers were able to stop Goodman in his vehicle.
Inside the Goodman’s vehicle, ECSO deputies found a security badge and light on the dash. Goodman was arrested.
During the investigation Escambia Sheriff’s Office investigators determined Goodman was responsible for a sexual battery that occurred on May 18th. In that incident Goodman also pretended to be a law enforcement officer and pulled the victim over in the area of Amber Street and North Davis Highway.
ECSO investigators believe there might be other victims. If you’ve had any encounters with Goodman call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Search Continues For Suspect In Cantonment Armed Robbery
November 22, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday released surveillance photos from the Saturday night armed robbery of a Cantonment Dollar General store.
The Sheriff’s Office said the suspect pulled a gun and robbed the clerk at the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Tate School Road about 9:50 p.m.
Multiple Escambia County deputies, including a K-9 unit, responded to the robbery and searched the area unsuccessfully for the suspect. There were no injuries reported.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above: Survellience images from the Saturday night armed robbery of a Cantonment Dollar General store. Pictured below: The scene outside the store shortly after the holdup. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Multiple Injuries In Highway 97 Crash In Davisville
November 22, 2017
Multiple people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The driver of a passenger car was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital after apparently rear-ending a SUV about 8:35 p.m. on Highway 97 near the Nokomis Road intersection.
There were four people in the SUV, with an unknown number transported by ambulance to area hospitals.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos. click to enlarge.
One Killed In Northern Santa Rosa County Crash
November 22, 2017
A Pensacola man died Tuesday in a three vehicle accident in northern Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 54-year old Kevin Karlton Morgan was traveling south on Highway 87 near Spring Hill Road when his Ford F150 struck the rear of a southbound Chevrolet Suburban driven by 38-year old Clifford Alvin Miller of Milton. Morgan’s pickup then veered into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Prius driven by 76-year old Jewel Lowery Donahue of Milton.
Morgan was pronounced deceased following the crash. Donahue was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition, while Miller was taken to Santa Rosa Medical Center with minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation.
Thanksgiving Holiday Closures
November 22, 2017
ESCAMBIA COUNTY:
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal operations resume on Monday, Nov. 27 unless otherwise noted.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- Escambia County Animal Shelter (Normal hours will resume Saturday, Nov. 25)
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations – normal hours will resume Saturday, Nov. 25)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
Escambia County Exceptions:
- ECAT buses will not operate Thursday, Nov. 23. Regular bus service resumes Friday, Nov. 24. UWF trolleys will not operate Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. UWF Trolley service resumes Saturday, Nov. 25. For more information about ECAT schedules, click here.
- Animal Control will be responding to emergency calls only.
- The Perdido Landfill will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and will reopen Friday, Nov. 24.
ECUA Escambia County:
All residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 23, or Friday, Nov. 24 will be made one day later, on Friday, Nov. 24 or Saturday, Nov. 25, respectively.
All commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 23, will be made one day earlier, on Wednesday, Nov. 22. There are no changes to the schedule for commercial services scheduled on Friday, Nov. 24, or Saturday, November 25.
ECUA Santa Rosa County, Town of Jay:
There will be no garbage or yard trash collection on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Garbage and yard trash will be collected on the next normally scheduled collection day for that route (Monday). Recycling collection scheduled for Thursday, November 23, will be collected on Saturday, November 25.
There are NO CHANGES for Tuesday and Friday collections, which are unaffected by the holiday schedule change.
Town of Century:
All office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24.