FBI Warns Of Romance Scams, North Floridians Lost $15 Million Last Year
February 14, 2023
The FBI Jacksonville Division is warning those looking for love about romance scams.
During 2022 in northern Florida, 387 victims reported losing a total of over $15 million, according to the FBI.
Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim.
The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites, according to authorities.
The scammer’s intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.
Upon gaining the trust of their victims, romance scammers request money for false purposes including medical, travel, or legal fees.
The FBI has also identified a trend in which these criminals are increasingly pressuring victims to invest in cryptocurrency, which could lead to increased victimization in 2023. To demonstrate the returns on investment, victims are directed to websites that appear authentic but are instead controlled by the scammer. Once the victim makes a purchase, they are denied the ability to cash out their investments and the scammer cuts off contact.
“Online dating is common today, but unfortunately scammers also thrive on those same sites,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville Sherri E. Onks. “Whether you’re looking for love or a friendship online, be sure you first understand the risk of being exploited. Remember, a scammer will always eventually ask you for something, so set a boundary early on and never, ever send money to someone you’ve never met.”
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder
February 14, 2023
An Atmore man has been charged with trying to murder someone inside a home on King Street.
George Edward Cooper, 44, was charged with attempted murder, burglary first degree, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, reckless endangerment, and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm.
According to the Atmore Police Department, officers responded to King Street where Cooper had forced opened the front door of a residence and attempted to shoot someone inside. He fled the scene, but was spotted by police a short distance away and taken into custody.
Cooper, a convicted felon, had a loaded firearm in his pocket when he was arrested, according to police.
Cooper was booked into the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center without bond.
This Is Who Had The Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
February 14, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket on Nine Mile Road last week.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $36,427.41 in the February 6 drawing was claimed by Vardria Magbie Barnett, Jr. of Loxley. The quick pick ticket sold at the SP Foot Mart On West Nine Mile Road at Bridlewood Road was one of five winning tickets sold for the drawing. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Hollywood, Miami and Vero Beach.
The 373 tickets matching four numbers won $78.50 each. Another 10,700 tickets matching three numbers are worth $7.50 each, and 89,577 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Monday’s winning numbers were 3-7-9-21-26.
Fifth Grade Sign-ups This Week For The Ransom Middle School Band
February 14, 2023
Fifth grade sign-ups are going on this week for the Ransom Middle School band.
The band performed at local elementary schools recently, including Jim Allen and Pine Meadow (both pictured).
Fifth graders attending Ransom in the fall can click or tap here make an appointment for an instrument fitting on Thursday, February 16.
For more information, Lee Rigdon, Ransom’s band director, at rrigdon@ecsdfl.us.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Highway 297A, Sherrilane Drive Area
February 13, 2023
A Precautionary Boil Water Notice as been issued by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority for customers located in the following area:
- Highway 297A (Address Range: 2639 – 2830)
- Sherrilane Dr. (Address Range: 2334 – 2888)
- Creekwood Dr. (Address Range: 2634 – 2664)
- Pemberton Ln. (Address Range: 401 – 481)
- Woodman Ln. (Address Range: 2701 2772)
This notice is being issued after repairs were made to a broken 12-inch water main. Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified PBWN area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the work and flushed out the lines. Residents within the PBWN area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
ECSO Searching For Missing, Endangered Cantonment Woman
February 13, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered Cantonment woman.
Mary Louis Fountain, 69, was last seen on February 6 in the area of Winners Circle off East Kingsfield Road. Deputies said she may be in need of medical attention.
According to the ECSO, she may also go by the name of Mary Henson Fountain.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pensacola Bay Bridge Westbound To Open On Tuesday
February 13, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will open the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 to vehicular traffic by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. The two spans of the bridge are now temporarily accommodating two east and two westbound travel lanes, but upon final completion of the project each structure will support three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The multiuse path on the eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge remains open, but the westbound path will remain closed until completed.
While there is now traffic on both spans of the bridge, multiple miscellaneous tasks remain to complete the project. These include work on the U.S. 98 tie-ins and median areas, the wayside park in Gulf Breeze, bridge painting, and other final items. Completion of the project is currently estimated for this summer.
With a construction cost of approximately $440-million, the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project is the largest transportation initiative in Northwest Florida history. More than 55,000 drivers travel the bridge daily between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. The modern, six-lane structure replaces a four-lane bridge that opened in 1960.
Two, Ages 19 And 12, Critically Injured In Cantonment Dirt Bike Crash
February 13, 2023
Two young people from Cantonment were critically injured when their dirt bike crashed into a pickup truck Sunday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a blue Yamaha dirt bike was traveling east on Lincoln Street toward Louis Street where driver failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the side door of a pickup truck.
FHP said the 19-year old and 12-year old on the dirt bike were not wearing helmets. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. The 52-year Molino man driving the pickup truck was not injured.
Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weight Limit Lowered To Three Tons On Bridge Near Molino
February 13, 2023
Escambia County Public Works has lowered the weight limit on a 56-year old Chestnut Road Bridge to just three tons after a recent inspection.
That prevents many large private vehicles, commercial vehicles, fire trucks and school buses from crossing the bridge over Dry Creek, about a mile north of Barrineau Park Road.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said the county is putting together an action plan to address the situation.
The bridge, constructed in 1967, is about 16 feet long and spans Dry Creek.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Take 10th In The Nation
February 13, 2023
The Tate High School Aggie Cheerleaders competition team placed 10th in the nation Sunday at the 2023 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando.
There were 113 total teams that competed in the small varsity division with the Aggies.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.