Community Health Pediatric Clinic Opens Monday On Pine Forest High Campus
January 8, 2023
Community Health Northwest Florida will open the doors at their new pediatric clinic at Pine Forest High School.
Located in a standalone building on the high school campus,, the clinic is open to all children and youth in the surrounding community, providing comprehensive primary care for ages 0 to 18.
Board certified pediatrician John Lanza, MD, FAAP, will transfer from Community Health’s Jackson Street Pediatrics to take the lead at the Pine Forest Clinic. He offers compassionate care backed by a myriad of diverse experience, education and accolades. Prior to joining the organization, Lanza retired as the director and health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, where he served in that role for more than 24 years. Previously, Lanza worked as a pediatric emergency department physician and was in private pediatric practice.
For more information, contact the clinic directly at (850) 665-3252.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisories
January 8, 2023
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:
- S.R. 97 Routine Utility Maintenance Just North of Abromovich Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- S.R. 99 Routine Maintenance near Beulah Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 10 starting at 9 a.m. for drainage operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures from U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 9 through Friday, Jan. 13 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from north of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter intermittent alternating lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews place construction signage near the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Jan. 8, through Friday, Jan. 13, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- S.R. 87 North Routine Utility Maintenance South of Bayberry Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime southbound outside lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to access cables in a manhole.
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By The Numbers: How Many Calls Did Escambia Fire Rescue Answer Last Month?
January 8, 2023
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 93 fires during December.
The department’s 1,978 calls also included 199 vehicle crashes and 585 medical calls.
Details are in the infographic below.
This infographic includes a sampling of Escambia Fire Rescue calls for service during December 2022.
Four Police Vehicles Hit On Nine Mile, Convicted Felon Charged With Drug, Weapons Offenses
January 7, 2023
A man with 20 previous felony charges was arrested and another is wanted after four patrol cars were struck Thursday on Nine Mile Road.
The incident started when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Marcus Flintroy was armed with multiple weapons in a white Volkswagen Passat.
Flintroy is a multi-time convicted felon with over 20 previous felony charges. Based on this verified information and other intelligence gathered, members of the ECSO Narcotics Unit, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, attempted to stop Flintroy at the RaceTrac at 701 West Nine Mile Road, near Lowes and Home Depot.
Flintroy had pulled up to a pump and was meeting with an unidentified black male who had also pulled up to the pump.
The unidentified male entered Marcus Flintroy’s vehicle, and neither attempted to pump gas. A marked FHP vehicle and several unmarked ECSO vehicles approached from different directions.
The unidentified male immediately exited Flintroy’s vehicle and ran to his own vehicle. Flintroy ignored the FHP lights. Deputies said he attempted to escape, pulled forward and into one of the ECSO unmarked vehicles. After contact, Flintroy pulled to the right, only to be blocked by another ECSO unmarked vehicle. His vehicle struck this second ECSO vehicle before he exited his vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, he was caught and arrested.
Meanwhile, the other unidentified male who had returned to his vehicle struck a third ECSO vehicle and the FHP vehicle before fleeing the scene. He has yet to be identified and charged.
Inside Flintroy’s vehicle, deputies located a loaded and chambered AR pistol with a 30-round magazine and an additional loaded 30-round magazine. Deputies also found a Glock pistol with two extended magazines, 105 grams of fentanyl, a pill press, and an amount of crack cocaine.
Flintroy was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and attaching tag not assigned. He has no bond.
ECFR’s Yoshimi Core Named 2022 Florida’s Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year
January 7, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Assistant District Fire Chief Yoshimi Core has been named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.
“I’m honored to be named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year among all of the other great firefighters out there,” said Core. “There are so many more deserving firefighters than me that set the example, train their juniors and continue learning. At the end of the day, taking care of people will help more people to serve their communities and to help answer the call of volunteer service.”
Core began his career with Escambia County Fire Rescue in 2015, serving from the Beulah Fire Station. Prior to his career with the county, Chief Core joined the U.S. Navy as a firefighter in 1984, serving until his retirement in 2014. His time with the Navy included a three-year stint with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as a Command Master Chief. Following his naval career, Chief Core worked as a financial advisor for First Command before choosing to follow his father-in-law’s advice to become a firefighter for Escambia County.
Since 2022, Chief Core has served as the assistant district fire chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue. Throughout his time with ECFR, he has consistently exhibited dedication and professionalism with his fellow firefighters.
“Chief Core has been instrumental in carrying out his duties as an assistant district chief, but he has also gone above and beyond in many circumstances,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “He has a strong military bearing from his past service with the U.S. Navy and brings that bearing and professionalism to ECFR. Chief Core has been a mentor to many volunteer members and has most recently been working with the training division to enhance training for the department’s volunteer personnel. We are fortunate to have Chief Core as a member of the department and look forward to many years of service to come.”
Chief Core will be honored on Wednesday, Jan. 18, during the opening ceremonies at Fire-Rescue EAST in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Pictured top: Volunteer firefighters Chris Kneziensk (pictured left) and Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core deployed from the Beulah Fire Station in September to help with Hurricane Ian rescue and recovery. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Core’s official photo from Blue Angels.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty In Purchasing Gun Used In Fitness Center Murder Of PSC Instructor
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to making a false false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer when purchasing a firearm used in a fatal shooting.
Tavaris East, 42, purchased a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer on April 27, 2022, “and checked the box ‘yes’ that he was ‘the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm’ on the ATF Form 4473,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody said East purchased the firearm for Kennon Farrow, a convicted felon. The firearm was recovered by law enforcement on May 24, 2022, after it was used by Kennon Farrow to commit a homicide. Farrow allegedly used the gun to fatally shoot his girlfriend, Pensacola State College instructor Carla Williams during a morning workout inside the Pensacola Fitness on North 9th Avenue.
East faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 30.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2021 Murder
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man was sentenced Friday to life in prison for a 2021 murder.
Anthony Brown II, 22, was previously found guilty by a jury of the second degree murder or 42-year-old Clarence “Tom” Allard.
Brown shot Allard during an armed robbery, according to prosecutors. He was found with a gunshot wound outside his home on Garfield Drive
Escambia Man Wins $15 Million On Scratch-Off Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man has claimed a $15 million scratch-off lottery prize from a ticket purchased on Nine Mile Road.
Bryan Allen, 50, bought the Florida Lottery Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket at Cumberland Farms, 1405 East Nine Mile Road at Jernigan Road. The retailer will receive a $30,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
The $30 Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket game launched in February 2021 with four top prizes of $15 million and 24 prizes of $1 million.
Fire Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant; Florida Residents Alerted
January 6, 2023
Firefighters are battled a fire for hours Friday at an Atmore sulfur plant.
A warehouse building at Tiger-Sul Products on Highway 31 just west of the Atmore Country Club collapsed in the fire The building is was not the main plant.
No railroad tanker cars were involved in the blaze, but reports from the scene were that sulfur was burning and hot sulfur was flowing downhill away from the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Fire stations from the Atmore area responded, including Poarch Creek and Nokomis.
Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue responded with a hazardous materials team, and Escambia County, Florida, residents within five miles of the state line just south of the plant received an emergency alert via their cell phones about the fire. Florida residents were not advised to shelter in place at this time. Air monitoring equipment from Escambia County, Florida, was also used, and an ECFR hazardous materials response team staged at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Highway 31 in Atmore has since reopened.
NorthEcambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Winner Collects $57K For Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Cantonment
January 6, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket in Cantonment just before Christmas.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $51,638.17 in the December 23 drawing was claimed by James Donald Guilford of Cantonment. He bought the winning ticket at The Mill Bar and Package on Highway 29. Other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Sanford and Ocala.
The 269 tickets matching four numbers won $123.50 each. Another 8,732 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10.50 each, and 88,006 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The December 23 winning numbers were 4-15-23-24-29.