Century Man Sentenced For Stealing Copper Wire From Former School
October 25, 2016
A Century man has been sentenced to jail for stealing heavy duty copper wiring from the former Century High School and a boat motor from a private residence.
Nicholas Depue, 33, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft and petit theft. He was sentenced to 270 days in the county jail, with credit for 142 days previously served while awaiting trail.
The site foreman responsible for the demolition of the old Century High School following February’s EF-3 tornado told investigators that 100 pounds of salvage copper wire was missing from inside one of the campus buildings.
Upon contacting Advance Environmental Recycling in Flomaton, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s investigators found that Depue had sold the stolen wire for scrap.
Depue also removed a wood covering over a window and broke the window to enter the Old Century High School. Inside the building he took about 28 pieces of heavy duty copper wiring about 6-8 feet in length valued at about $600. The wiring was then hid in bushes about 1,000 feet from the school.
When investigators contacted Depue at his Front Street home, he admitted to the theft and showed deputies where the wire was located. The wire was returned to the demolition company that removed the school.
Depue was also convicted of stealing a $4,000 Evinrude boat motor from a home on North Century Boulevard. The motor was attached to a 16-foot aluminum boat and was parked in the rear area of a yard. Depue then sold the boat motor to a Flomaton man for $800. The stolen boat motor was recovered.
Nightly Lane Closures Near Highway 29, Nine Mile Overpass
October 25, 2016
Motorists traveling Highway 29 and Nine Mile Road in Escambia County will encounter alternating lane closures near the Highway 29/Nine Mile Road overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday, November 3 as workers construct detours to accommodate the construction of the new bridge, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Construction activities are weather dependent and might be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Tate Aggies Breast Cancer Walk Raises Over $2K
October 25, 2016
Over 100 people took part in the recent Aggies Support the Fight: A Walk to Help End Breast Cancer at Tate High School, hosted by Tate High School’s Community Caregivers and National Honor Society.
Organizers had hopes of 300 laps walked, representing 300,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, but participants walked just over 400 laps. The proceeds were combined with the Lady Aggies volleyball team’s Dig Pink proceeds and the Student Council’s “Fight Like an Aggie” shirt proceeds for a combined donation of just over $2,100 to the Pensacola Breast Cancer Association.
Plans are already underway for a second annual walk in 2017.
Additional Tate High School clubs — FAB, Art Club, Mu Alpha Theta, HOSA, and Spanish Club — also worked to make the walk successful.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Helping Others: Grand Opening Today For New Cantonment Thrift Store
October 25, 2016
A grand opening was held Tuesday at a new secondhand thrift store in Cantonment that aims to help others.
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church officially opened Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in the old Winn Dixie shopping center at 470 Highway 29 South. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Patrons of Monica’s Attic Thrift Store can shop knowing their purchases will positively impact the community, and donors can recycle items they no longer use or need, with the benefit of a tax deduction. Carrying a variety of gently used home décor, furniture, housewares, and books, as well as clothing and accessories for men, women and children, store sales will fund the community food pantry and the beans and rice programs of Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church.
Leadership of the congregation, which includes approximately 135 members, saw a promising opportunity to enhance their service to the community with the development of a thrift store, says Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II.
“Our aim with the store is to offer quality items at reasonable prices for those who may be shopping on a limited budget, while also establishing a self-sustaining means by which we can further expand our outreach services to benefit more families and individuals in this community,” MacWhinnie explains. “Keeping in mind our fundamental purpose as a body of believers is to love and serve others, the thrift store was a natural avenue for our church to continue to positively impact our neighbors in very practical, but important ways.”
In addition to the thrift store, the congregation extends several ministries to the community at large. Their emergency food pantry allows the church to supply a bag of non-perishable foods and basic hygiene products on the spot, any time a sudden need arises, such as a personal tragedy or natural disaster.
To provide meals to those in need more frequently, the monthly beans and rice ministry packages and distributes gifts of food, including large bags of beans, rice and other items as available. Since the program was established in 2008, the church has served an average of 30 local families each month. But recently, the need has increased, with growing numbers of people gathering at the church on the last Saturday of the month to receive the generous helpings of food offered.
Donations may be dropped off at the store during operating hours. Special arrangements for large donations may be made by calling (850) 780-6888.
Pictured: Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Cross Country Places At Districts, Headed To Regionals
October 25, 2016
The Northview Boy’s Cross Country team is headed to regionals after a third place finish Saturday during the district meet at Sims Middle School in Pace. Two Northview boys place in the top 15 — Brandon Korinchak was third, and Tanner Levins was sixth.
The girl’s team placed fifth with many members setting personal record times.
The regional cross meet will be held at the Pensacola Equestrian Center on Friday.
Pictured: The Northview boys and girls cross country teams last Saturday at the district meet in Pace. Pictured inset: Brandon Korinchak (left) placed third, and Tanner Levins was sixth. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE: If You See Something, Say Something
October 25, 2016
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has unveiled Florida’s online “If You See Something, Say Something” tool kit, an important resource providing safety information for businesses and citizens. The tool kit contains a variety of educational videos and flyers from general awareness to industry specific information for more than a dozen businesses including hotels, transportation and healthcare.
Florida Governor Rick Scott said, “Remembering ‘If You See Something, Say Something™’ is an important way we can all work together to protect Florida’s families and visitors. FDLE’s Tool Kit will provide helpful public safety information for communities across the state. I applaud our brave law enforcement officers for working each day to do all they can to keep our state safe.”
In addition to the tool kit, FDLE is developing partnerships to broaden the campaign’s reach and working to educate businesses and citizens about the role we all play in keeping our community safe.
The “If You See Something, Say Something™” Tool Kit is available on FDLE’s website at, http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/FFC/S4/SAR-Home.aspx.
Pictured: State officials unveiled Florida’s online “If You See Something, Say Somethin” tool kit on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Home (With Gallery, Video)
October 24, 2016
Fire destroyed a home on Rockaway Creek Road in Atmore Monday afternoon.
The fire reportedly began with a lawnmower near the rear of the residence and quickly spread into the home and attic. Flames were shooting several feet into the air when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
The occupants of the home and their pets were able to escape without injury.
The Atmore Fire Department. Poarch Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with the Atmore Police Department and Atmore Ambulance.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos and video, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Early Morning Highway 29 Accident
October 24, 2016
There were no injuries in a single vehicle wreck early Monday morning on Highway 29.
The accident was reported about 4:15 a.m. on Highway 29 just north of Quintette Road. The driver of a SUV lost control and ran off the roadway into a ditch. The driver refused medical treatment at the scene.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the name of the driver, have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Voting Begins
October 24, 2016
Early voting got underway Monday in Escambia County.
According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, a total of seven sites will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. county-wide, the most early voting ever offered in Escambia County:
- Escambia Co Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street
- Bellview-Saufley, 916 W Michigan Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
Early voting will be offered daily through Saturday, November 5. Early voters cast paper ballots through our digital scanners, and may choose any one of the seven sites.
Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by email (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, November 2. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or email with any questions.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
October 24, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 /State Road (S.R.) 95 Widening from I-10 to 9 Mile Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Nov. 3 as workers construct detours to accommodate the construction of the new bridge.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound, between the Ninth Avenue overpass and the Escambia Bay Bridge, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 as crews perform pavement repairs. In addition, traffic on I-10 east and westbound will be shifted to the newly constructed inside travel lanes near the Ninth Avenue overpass the week of Monday, Oct. 24. The shift will allow crews to reconstruct and lower the outside travel lanes to provide additional clearance for the overpass.
- S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Resurfacing from Alabama State Line to ICWW Bridge – Intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures will continue Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews mill and place the structural course of asphalt on the mainline traffic lanes.
- Airport Road (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance- Drivers may encounter lane restriction from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Oct. 25 as crews replace signs on the I-110 on-ramps.
- U.S. 98 – Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Intermittent and alternating lane closures near the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98, Gregory Street, Bayfront Parkway and 17th Avenue (south of the railroad bridge) from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews take asphalt pavement core samples.
- 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road - Clearing of trees and shrubs on the 4.8-mile segment has begun. Lane closures are only permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Bluff Springs Road over Pritchett Mill Creek Bridge Replacement- The road will be closed the week of Monday, Oct. 31 as crews begin construction of a new bridge. Project is anticipated to be complete spring 2017.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard- Drivers will encounter the following impacts on I-10 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27.
- Alternating lane closures between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22 as crews continue widening work.
- Traffic remains shifted to the outside on the I-10 on-and-off ramps at Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22 as crews prepare for rigid inclusion work. The shift will be in place until spring 2017.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures east and westbound between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
- S.R. 87 Widening from two miles south of the Yellow River to Hickory Hammock Road –The Yellow River beneath the S.R. 87 bridge will be temporarily closed Monday, Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize equipment for construction of the new northbound bridge. Boaters are advised to avoid this area. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) officers in marked vessels will be immediately upstream and downstream of the Yellow River Bridge to notify boaters of the closure.
- I-10 over Blackwater River Bridge Maintenance – The westbound, inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 to 5 a.m. Oct. 25 as crews perform routine maintenance work on the bridge.
- U.S. 98 – Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Intermittent and alternating lane closures in Gulf Breeze near the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews take asphalt pavement core samples. Additional samples will be taken from the parking lots of the Wayside Park adjacent to the bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.