Debbie Williams Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
November 6, 2022
Debbie Williams has been named the Escambia County November 2022 Employee of the Month.
Williams is an environmental specialist in theNatural Resources Management department.
Williams began her career with Escambia County in September 1999. As an environmental specialist, she provides citizens with technical assistance to address land management concerns such as soil erosion and drainage issues. In addition, she plays an active role in land management activities on county-owned property, including timber, recreation and wildlife. Debbie also partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service through the United States Department of Agriculture to help implement the conservation of land, water and aid, as well as cost-share programs for local farm producers and timber landowners.
She serves as the point of contact for the Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District, where she has taken on new challenges as board member eligibility requirements recently changed. She has been deeply engaged with many parties as these amendments take effect, including the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Association of Florida Conservation Districts.
Williams also oversees the Escambia County Geocache Tour, which was designed to route residents and visitors to the area’s environmental restoration projects and unique environmental habitats. She also serves as the county representative on the Escambia County Farm Tour Committee, which has successfully showcased the agricultural community in Escambia County over the years.
“Debbie has always been an exceptional public servant who has served as an invaluable asset to the agricultural community in Escambia County for many years,” said Natural Resources Conservation Manager Adam Parden. “We are very grateful and honored that her contributions and hard work are being recognized.”
Outside of her duties with the county, Debbie is an active member of the Florida Farm Bureau and in the equestrian community, routinely volunteering time with the Northview High School FFA.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
November 6, 2022
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:
- 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, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 12 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.
- Saufley Field Road (State Road (S.R.) 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to West of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter single lane closures with traffic flagging operations on Parda Road as crews remove and reconstruct a portion of the roadway. The closures will continue for the next several weeks.
- 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) through Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to adjust manholes, mill and pave the roadways, and make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – The $1.5 million safety improvement project is complete. The project began in spring 2022 and included milling and resurfacing and applying an anti-skid surface to the ramps, adding audible edge lines along the outside edges of the ramps, installing raised rumble strips across the I-110 northbound to I-10 eastbound travel lanes, reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound, and improving guardrail, signage, and pavement markings.
- · Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Sunday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 12. The closures will allow crews to perform final work list items.
- 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 now share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Nov. 6 through Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29), from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Nov. 6 through Thursday, Nov. 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 on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Highway, for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- Sorrento Road Turn Lane Construction at the new Pleasant Grove Elementary – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures west of Blue Angel Parkway beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 through 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 for construction activities.
- North Palafox Street Routine Maintenance at the Intersection of Bayliss Court – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for routine maintenance.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Routine Maintenance near Langley Avenue – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- Airport Boulevard Routine Maintenance near Creek Station Drive – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for routine maintenance.
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, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 12 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.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11 for construction activities.
- 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, Nov. 6 through Friday, Nov. 10 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.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction West of S.R. 87 – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Investiture Held For Cantonment Man As First Circuit Judge
November 6, 2022
A investiture ceremony was held Friday afternoon for a Cantonment man recently named a First Circuit Court judge by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Randall “Todd” Harris of Cantonment was appointed to serve as judge on the First Judicial Circuit Court.
Harris was a partner at Fleming, Harris, Bond, Bush & Associates, PLLC. Previously, he worked at McDonald Fleming, LLP for nine years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his law degree from Florida State University. Harris filled the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael A. Flowers.
Courtesy photo.
Third Suspect – The Alleged Gunman – Arrested For Escambia County Murder
November 5, 2022
The alleged gunman in an October 29 murder was arrested Saturday.
Jacob Monroe Colville, 29, was wanted for first degree premeditated murder.
Alyssa Marie Blackburn, 22, and Lawrence Bonner, Jr., 44, were both previously charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder.
The victim was identified by family members as 22-year old Jesse Allen Geoghahan.
On October 29, the ECSO responded to the 1000 block of Medford Avenue where they found Geoghahan. with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Blackburn contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that he had been shot inside the residence.
Bonner allegedly gave Colville the gun used in the murder. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Colville shot Geoghagan twice inside a closet, before shooting him a “few more times” as he limped out of the bedroom.
They fled in a stolen 1996 Toyota Avalon, which was later found burning under the Mobile Highway Bridge over Eleven Mile Creek.
A security system in the residence captured the murder, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Man Pleads Not Guilty To DUI In Crash That Killed Escambia County Deputy
November 5, 2022
The man accused of a DUI in a crash that killed an off-duty Escambia County deputy last month has entered a plea of not guilty.
Tristen Cole Parker, 26, failed to stop at a stop sign, and his bucket truck struck an oncoming silver Jeep driven by the deputy, according to an arrest report. He is charged with negligent DUI vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and driving with a suspended license habitual offender. He remains in the Okaloosa County Jail with bond set at $500,000 and is due back in court December 1 as he seeks a bail reduction.
Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment and his 15-year old daughter were traveling from Troy, Alabama, when the crash occurred on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida, at 8:40 p.m. on October 15.
Ray was pronounced deceased at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to an area hospital where she continues to recover. The 2012 white Dodge bucket truck driven by Parker overturned multiple times, destroying utility poles before coming to rest in a field in the southwest corner of the intersection.
“There were beer cans near the passenger door of the Dodge truck that were in the pickup and thrown while overturning,” the investigating trooper wrote in an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
“When the witness rolled up on the crash, Tristen Cole Parker had self-extricated from his vehicle but identified himself as the sole occupant and operator of the suspect vehicle,” the report states. “While being treated on scene by Okaloosa County Fireman Paramedic (redacted), Tristen Cole Parker admitted to consuming 3 to 4 alcohol beverages prior to the collision. (The paramedic) also smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Tristan Cole Parker while he was speaking.”
Parker was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
“During conversation with Tristen Cole Parker, Mr. Parker spontaneously uttered to (the trooper) that he had 2 or 3 ‘beers’ prior to the collision’,” the report continues. Despite initial consent for a voluntary blood draw, Parker refused to provide the blood sample when hospital staff arrived in his room.
A FHP traffic homicide investigator also noted that Parker had bulged eyes, slurred speech, a dry mouth, thick tongue, flushed face and smelled of alcohol in the emergency room. The investigator said Parker had labored breathing, slow deliberate movements and repeated himself.
FHP said Parker’s certified driving record from Texas showed multiple convictions for driving with suspended license in that state.
Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He had been assigned to courthouse security for over a decade.
A Perfect 10: The Northview Chiefs Finish Undefeated Season With Win Over Bay (With Gallery)
November 5, 2022
A perfect 10.
The Northview Chiefs finished their regular season at 10-0 with a 41-6 rout of the Bay Tornadoes Friday night in Bratt.
It’s the first perfect regular season for the Chiefs since they won nine straight in 2006 before losing at home 20-14 to Chipley in round one of the playoffs for a 9-1 record that year.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
“Just look at these players that have been driving for three years, and they accomplished it,” third year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think I imagined this three years ago, but you don’t think it’s going to happen. It takes a special group of kids first and foremost, and then coaches support it. And we’ve got both.”
The Chiefs headed into Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium Friday night in Bratt at 9-0, hosting one-loss Panama City Bay, a school twice the size of NHS.
“We knew that they had speed,” Summerford said. “Their game is a quick game, get it to their athletes, and they’ve got a bunch of them. They’ve got some good players that can really play.”
The first quarter was scoreless, but the Chiefs outscored Bay 21-6 in the second quarter on the way to a win behind an unstoppable offense and a defense that proved to be unwavering.
“
Coach (Jace) Gandy really put a game plan together this week,” he said. “Unbelievable. That’s the thing about a great defense; it’s characteristic of them. It’s been building all year. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Summerford said. “I’ve challenged them all year. They stepped up in a big way. I don’t know if I’ve got words to express how well we played defensively.”
Northview and Chipley will sit out the first round of the playoffs next Friday. Beyond that, the games and second round home field advantage remain to be seen until the FHSAA computers crunch the numbers.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Summerford said.
Jamarkus Jefferson had three touchdowns on the night of 4, 2, and 14 yards. Quarterback Kaden Odom tossed to Luke Bridges for passing touchdowns of 24 and 76 yards, and found Malaki Hayes from 22 yards. And kicker Brandon Ferguson was 5 of 6 on point after attempts.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
Pictured top: Maliki Haynes catches a Kaden Odom pass for a Northview touchdown Friday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset above: Luke Bridges with one of two touchdowns. Pictured bottom inset: QB Odom dumps a color of ice and water on NHS head coach Wes Summerford seconds before time expired on a perfect 10-0 season for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Arrest Escambia County Bank Robbery Suspect In Key West
November 5, 2022
A man wanted for an October 21 bank robbery in Escambia County was arrested by U.S. Marshals Friday night in Key West.
Tanner Richard Morgan, 36, was wanted for the robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank on Bayou Boulevard.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Key West, he was also charged with possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
He will be transported back to Escambia County to face the bank robbery charge.
Tate’s Season Ends With 36-20 Loss To Washington
November 5, 2022
The Washington Wildcats defeated the Tate Aggies 36-20 Friday night on Tate’s Carl Madison Field.
Sophomore quarterback Taite Davis found Carmelo Campbell to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead with 8:46 on the clock in the first.
Washington added a couple of touchdowns to hold a 14-7 lead by the first minute of the second quarter. The Wildcats snapped out of the endzone for a safety to give the Aggies a couple and cut their lead to 14-9.
Caleb Westergreen put the pigskin through the uprights for a Tate field goal, making it a 14-12 ballgame.
Davis hit Campbell in the endzone and 13 Edward O’Brien made the 2-point conversion to put the Aggies on top 20-14 in the third.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 1-9.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
5,000 Pound Food Giveaway Held In Walnut Hill
November 5, 2022
A 5,000 pound food giveaway was held Friday morning in Walnut Hill.
Justified Incarcerated Ministries hosted the Feeding the Gulf Coast drive-thru distribution at Bradberry Park, near Ernest Ward Middle School.
The event was sponsored by Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. Escambia County Corrections Director Rich Powell, Jail Security Operations Commander Scott Nash and county corrections officers assisted with the food distribution.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 5, 2022
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Bay 6 [Story, photos...]
- Washington 36, Tate 20 [Story, photos...]
- West Florida 14, Gulf Breeze 7
- Wewahitchka 16, Jay 10
- Escambia 35, Pensacola High 6
- Milton 56, Godby 32
- Niceville 35, Navarre 14
- Pace 48, Hollis Christian Academy 0
- Byes: Pensacola Catholic, Pine Forest
ALABAMA – Playoffs
- Chambers Academy 56, Escambia Academy 12
- T.R. Miller 41, Montgomery Academy 7
- W.S. Neal 27, Opp 13
Pictured: Northview Chiefs quarterback Kaden Odom hands off to Jamarkus Jefferson Friday night as the Chiefs routed Bay, 41-6. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.