Driver Extricated After Old Chemstrand Road Crash
May 4, 2017
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate a driver pinned in a single vehicle rollover crash early Wednesday evening in Cantonment.
The accident was reported about 6:45 p.m. on Old Chemstrand Road near Mill Creek Trail. The Jeep Laredo came to rest upside down against a utility pole. The driver’s injuries were no considered life threatening. The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scott Declares Opioid ‘Emergency’ In Florida
May 4, 2017
Pointing to thousands of overdose deaths, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Wednesday that said an opioid epidemic has created a “state of emergency” in Florida.
Scott’s order, and a related “public health emergency” declaration by Surgeon General Celeste Philip, came as lawmakers look to increase criminal penalties related to the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl. It also came after calls across the state for the governor to declare an emergency because of deaths linked to drugs such as fentanyl and heroin.
“I know firsthand how heartbreaking substance abuse can be to a family because it impacted my own family growing up,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “The individuals struggling with drug use are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends and each tragic case leaves loved ones searching for answers and praying for help. Families across our nation are fighting the opioid epidemic and Florida is going to do everything possible to help our communities.”
Scott’s office said the order will allow Florida to immediately draw down $27 million in federal money that can be used for prevention, treatment and recovery services. Philip’s order authorizes pharmacists to dispense the drug naloxone to emergency responders. Naloxone can be used to block the effects of opioids and prevent overdoses.
The Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also have held a series of workshops this week across the state about issues related to opioid use.
A key lawmaker Wednesday praised Scott for taking action on the issue.
“He wanted to identify that the crisis was real, and get some evidence and gather some opinions from people and not go out half-cocked on it,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who said he had met with Scott’s staff about the opioid issue. “So, that’s what he did. I think the important thing is that he has done it.”
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill (HB 477) that would impose tough criminal penalties on people who traffic in fentanyl, which is often mixed with drugs such as heroin and is one of the causes of increased overdose deaths.
The bill, in part, would create a first-degree felony offense for trafficking in fentanyl and similar drugs, with trafficking defined as involving four grams or more. The bill still needs House approval because senators made a change that would give judges some discretion in sentencing people convicted of fentanyl trafficking.
During a debate Tuesday, senators described the effects of fentanyl on their communities.
“This is a fire out of control that is deadly,” said Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who son is a sheriff’s deputy.
by The News Service of Florida
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio met recently with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward and other local officials to discuss combating the opioid crisis in Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tall Order: Truck Collides With McDonald’s Drive-Thru
May 4, 2017
It was a tall order in the Highway 29 Cantonment McDonald’s drive-thru Wednesday afternoon when a moving van collided with a roof overhang. The truck suffered minor damage in the incident. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Conducts Hurricane Exercise At Emergency Operations Center
May 4, 2017
Officials and agencies from across Escambia County gathered at the county’s Emergency Operations Center for an annual hurricane exercise Wednesday. The four-hour even simulated the response as Category 4 Hurricane Grisales took aim at the Gulf Coast. The event focused on internal processes and training and the responsibilities found in the EOC. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Volvo In Connection With Molino Murder
May 4, 2017
On April 30th, Anna Louis Brown also known as Anna Louis Brown Vega was shot and killed on Gibson Road in Molino.
Witnesses near the scene said they heard gun shots around 4:00 p.m. in that area and saw a early 2000’s silver four-door Volvo, like the one pictured, leaving the scene..
If anyone has any information on this case or anyone living in the Gibson Road area has surveillance video around the same time frame, they should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
For an earlier story with more details on the murder, click here.
Spring Garden Festival Is Saturday In Cantonment
May 4, 2017
UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension will host a Spring Garden Festival Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Escambia Demonstration Garden, located at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Educational demonstrations offered during the festival include:
- Container gardening
- Herbs-to-table
- How to test your soil
- Easy to grow summer vegetables
- Micro greens from seeds
- Pruning and air layering
- All about citrus trees
- Native plants
The festival will also feature a plant sale, children’s activities, 4-H projects, garden tours, a plant clinic, plant societies and a performance from the McGuire’s Pipe Band at 10 a.m.
For more information, contact Beth Bolles at 850-475-5230 or bbolles@ufl.edu.
Chattanooga Beats The Blue Wahoos 7-4
May 4, 2017
Named the Southern League-MiLB Player of the Month for April, Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Tyler Mahle has had sharper games this season.
Although, the righty pitched a good game, the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 10 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.com, gave up season highs in hits (7), runs (3), walks (2) and tied his season-low for innings pitched (5), as the Chattanooga Lookouts rallied Wednesday from four runs down to win, 7-4, at AT&T Field.
Mahle turned the game over to reliever Alex Powers, who struck out five but gave up two solo home runs in his two innings of work that gave Chattanooga a, 5-4, lead that they never relinquished. Powers is 1-2 on the season with a 3.55 ERA.
Mahle gave up a homer — his first of the season — to Lookouts right fielder Edgar Corcino, his first of the year, in the fifth inning. The three earned runs raised the ERA of Mahle, who threw a nine-inning perfect game two starts ago, from 0.55 to 1.19.
Then Powers took over from Mahle and allowed solo shots to Chattanooga’s second baseman Nick Gordon, his second of the season, in the sixth inning and the game-winning blast to leftfielder LaMonte Wade, his third, in the seventh inning. Wade was 3-4 in the game with two runs scored.
Tyler Goeddel, who was playing his first game for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, scored two of the Blue Wahoos four runs in the game. The Cincinnati Reds moved Goeddel down from Triple-A Louisville Bats Wednesday to replace the injured Taylor Sparks, who was hit by a pitch in the palm of his hand and placed on the disabled list.
Goeddel, who played his 2016 season in the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies where he hit .192 in 56 outfield starts, was 1-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Meanwhile, the Blue Wahoos had three starters with multi-hit games, including center fielder Gabriel Guerrero, who was 2-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs. It was his 12th multi-hit game and fourth in the last five games.
Pensacola shortstop Blake Trahan was 2-4 with a walk, run and RBI, while first baseman Angelo Gumbs was 2-4 with a walk.
The Blue Wahoos went ahead, 4-0, of Chattanooga through the first four innings. Pensacola scored one run in the second inning when Guerrero scored on Alex Blandino’s single to centerfield. Guerrero then hit a double to left field in the third inning that drove in both Goeddel and Trahan. Finally, Trahan knocked in Goeddel on a single to right field.
Pensacola fell to 15-11 on the season but still owns first place in the Southern League South Division. Chattanooga evened its record to 13-13 in the North Division.
Deadly Golf Cart Wreck Driver Arrested, Victims Named
May 3, 2017
UPDATE 2:30 p.m. – Authorities have arrested a hit and run driver in a deadly golf cart accident near the state line Tuesday afternoon.
Garrett Williamson, 25, is charged with reckless murder and leaving the scene of an accident with injury of death.
About 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, Flomaton Police said Williamson hit the golf cart on Old Fannie Road in Flomaton, about a half mile north of the Alabama/Florida line.
Myrtle Ann Rolin was flown by LifeGuard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she later passed away. James Ray Foster was airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he was listed in stable condition at last report. Rolin and Foster are both residents of Old Flomaton Road in Century.
The vehicle that fled the scene was described by witnesses as being a blue or silver-like color car, possibly a Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle was last seen about two miles away, being driven extremely erratically as it turned from Highway 31 onto Oil Well Road, according to Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis.
Flomaton Police are being assisted in their investigation by the Alabama State Trooper Traffic Homicide Division. The Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County (FL) EMS also responded to the crash.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Theater To Present ‘Band Geeks’ Friday, Saturday Nights
May 3, 2017
The Northview High School Theater Department will present “Band Geeks” as their annual spring musical Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00.
Advance tickets can be purchased for $6 from the Northview front desk. Admission at the door will be $7.
Band Geeks is a high-stepping tribute to high school marching bands and misfits everywhere. With just nine members and dwindling funds, the Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are close to extinction. When a troubled athlete is relegated to their ranks, tuba-playing band captain Elliott and his best friend Laura must find a way to unite the band, embrace their inner geek and save the Marching Beavers.
Story Time Held Each Week At Your Local Library (And Earn Ice Cream In Molino)
May 3, 2017
The West Florida Public Library offers Story Time for children five and younger each week. Story Time programs introduce young children to books, rhymes, music and other fun activities. The events incorporate the early literacy skills that children must master before they can learn to read.
Children who attend Story Time at the Molino Branch Library can collect certificates each time they go. Ten certificates can be redeemed for a free ice cream coupon through November 30.
Story Time is held:
Century Branch Library
Preschool Story Time
- Thursdays at 4 p.m.
Molino Branch Library
Preschool Story Time
- Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Pensacola Library
Preschool Story Time
- No Preschool Story Time in May.
Bouncy Babies Story Time
- No Bouncy Babies Story Time in May.
Tryon Branch Library
Mommy & Me
- Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room B
Lapsit is a program for babies and their special someone.
Preschool Story Time
- Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room A
Southwest Branch Library
Preschool Story Time
- No Preschool Story Time in May.
For more information call (850) 436-5060 or visit www.mywfpl.com. The events are always free of charge.
Pictured: Leah, the Molino Branch Library’s first ice cream cone winner. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.