Man Charged With Murder After Fatal Sunday Night Shooting In Beulah
September 23, 2024
One person was shot and killed Sunday night near Beulah, and a suspect has been arrested.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fire on Rebel Acres Lane about 9:15 p.m. Deputies arrived to find an unidentified 40-year-old man dead in the yard with a gunshot wound.
The suspect, 33-year-old Dennis Saul Herrera Canale was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 4:49 a.m. Monday on a charge of second degree murder. He is being held without bond.
The sheriff’s office said Herrera Canale and the victim has been roommates at some point and the shooting happened after they got into a disagreement.
The investigation is continuing.
Waste Company Proposes Vegetative Debris Incinerator In Cantonment
September 23, 2024
UPDATE: The public hearing that was set for Tuesday will be postponed but the proposal remains. Details at the bottom of the story.
An Escambia County company is proposing to use an incinerator to burn vegetative debris at their facility near Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Creek Waste and Recycling is seeking a conditional use approval to use an incinerator to burn land clearing vegetative debris at its existing operating location at 2560 South Highway 95A near East Roberts Road. According to the company, the operation will consist of burning land clearing debris in an above-ground firebox. The resulting ash will be mixed (recycled) with topsoil and be transported off site.
The company plans to use a VRI — volume reduction incinerator — with its own fuel tank on their existing developed site. Creek Waste says it will not require potable water, sewer service or electrical service. The triangular property is bordered by Highway 95A, East Roberts Road and the CSX railroad. There are no directly adjoining parcels.
The proposed incinerator is smokeless, according to the company, and will cover 492 square feet and will only be used during regular operating hours. with minimal odor or other nuisances (sample photo provided by the company below).
The site currently is used by dump trucks and construction equipment as part of the normal daily operation of Creek Waste.
The Escambia County Commission was set to hold a public hearing on the conditional use determination Tuesday, but it will be postponed due to a public notice error. A new date has not been set.
FHP Pursuit Ends With Six-Vehicle Crash, Two Arrests
September 23, 2024
Two suspects were arrested on multiple charges after a Florida Highway Patrol pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into five other vehicles Saturday afternoon.
The crash occurred on North 12th Avenue south of East Jordan Street about 2:15 p.m. in Escambia County.
FHP said a Blue Nissan Altima was fleeing from a traffic stop when it collided with five other vehicles and other property. There were no serious injuries in the crash.
The driver, 25-year-old Antione Lamar Smith (pictured bottom right) was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and trafficking in fentanyl. The passenger, 21-year-old Tariq Jameel Watson (pictured bottom left) was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and trafficking in fentanyl.
Smith remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Watson was jailed with bond set at $57,500.
This was one of two FHP pursuits that ended in a traffic crash over the weekend in Escambia County. Click here for details on the other incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
September 23, 2024
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:
- State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway) Pensacola Seafood Festival from Tarragona Street to 9th Avenue – Motorists will encounter a road closure starting 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 through 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 for the Pensacola Seafood Festival.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Sept. 22:
- The I-10 eastbound on-ramp detour at the U.S. 29 interchange has been rescheduled to open the week of Sept. 22 and will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- Sunday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 26, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction– Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Tuesday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 26, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary detour.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 is shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through fall 2024. Signs are in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Brent Lane and West Scott Street, Sunday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) Coring Operations at North 12th Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 23 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for coring operations.
- U.S. 90 Routine Maintenance from North Baylen Street to North Spring Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole rehabilitation.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to County Road (C.R.) 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept. 27 as crews install rumble strips and place thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.
- 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Sept. 22, through Friday, Sept. 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Tuesday In Walnut Hill
September 23, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in in Walnut Hill on Tuesday.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the Walnut Hill Community Center on September 24 from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the “Ruritan Building”, is at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the fire department.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center on June 11. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady as Oil Prices Rise
September 23, 2024
Florida gas prices averaged $3.13 per gallon on Sunday, according to AAA. The state average increased 6 cents at the beginning of the week, then sank back down to $3.13 by the weekend.
“Crude oil and gasoline futures rose last week, cooling off the downward trend of prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price gains are being attributed to optimism that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut would boost the global economy and energy demand.”
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.84. The low price in North Escambia was $2.69 at several gas stations in Cantonment, while $2.67 could be found on Burgess Road in Pensacola along with $2.69 at multiple locations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Chase Ends With Crash And Arrest
September 23, 2024
A Florida Highway Patrol chase Sunday in Escambia County ended with a crash and an arrest.
Dante Jamon Walker, 24, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and no driver’s license.
An FHP trooper was conducting traffic enforcement on Fairfield Drive in the area of Stanford Road when he observed a black Jeep Wagoneer operating in reckless manner. The trooper activated his emergency equipment in order to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.
FHP said Walker rapidly accelerated and fled from the trooper. The pursuit continued for a short distance until Walker crashed into an oak tree estimated to be 100 years old on Cherokee Trail. He was taken into custody uninjured without further incident.
A passenger fled on foot and had not been located as of Sunday night.
This was one of two FHP pursuits that ended in a traffic crash over the weekend in Escambia County. Click here for details on the other incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supervisor of Elections: Century Charter Changes Will Remain On November Ballot
September 22, 2024
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office is moving forward with vote-by-mail and sample ballots with Town of Century charter amendment questions for voters that live in the town limits.
As we previously reported, the Century Town Council Tuesday night gave final approval to three charter amendments for the November 5, 2024, general election ballot. The town submitted the charter questions to be placed on the ballot without a final approval, and the ballots were printed.
The town council gave first approval in July to the three ordinances to place the items on the ballot, but did not give a secord required approval until September 17 — nearly a month after emailing the ballot questions to the SOE office.
Bender requested final, signed copies of the ordinance setting the ballot amendments after they received a second approval at a town council meeting he attended last Tuesday night.
“The language in the ordinances did match what was previously submitted and placed on the ballot,” Bender said Friday afternoon. “The charter questions will remain on the ballot for voters in the Town of Century.”
He noted that his office did make some minor changes to the required Spanish language version of the ballot questions. “We did make some changes to accents and a few words, but the English version remained the same.”
What are the three chanter questions on the ballot?
The exact ballot questions for voters were not actually approved Tuesday night.
The SOE face a deadline of September 21 to send vote-by-mail ballots to “Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act” (UOCAVA) voters, according to the Florida Division of Elections. But the Century precinct has no uniformed or overseas voters. The deadline period to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters is September 26, 2024 – October 3, 2024.
The ballot questions that were submitted without were as follows:
Question 1:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING FOR TOWN PURCHASING TO BE GOVERNED BY COUNCIL-APPROVED PURCHASING POLICIES
Amending the Town of Century Charter to remove specific bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditure requirements and procedures from the Charter, and provide that Town bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditures will be governed by Town ordinances, policies, and procedures adopted by the Town Council. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
Question 2:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT CONCERNING MAYOR’S EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY
Amending the Town of Century Charter to expand the Mayor’s powers to select, appoint, suspend, and remove town employees and appointive administrative officers, by limiting the requirement for Council approval of such actions solely to the selection, appointment, suspension, or removal of the Town Clerk, Town Attorney, and Town Manager. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
Question 3:
TOWN CHARTER CLEANUP AMENDMENT
Amending the Town of Century Charter to correct scriveners and codification errors, and to conform charter provisions to the requirements of the Florida Election Code. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
NorthEscambia.com will provide more coverage before the election on the specifics of each ballot question.
Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender and Chief Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel sit quietly in the back of the room at a Tuesday night Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Employee Of The Month
September 22, 2024
New for this year, Ernest Ward Middle School is now naming an employee of the month. The August Employee of the Month is Wesley Stafford, information technology. He is pictured left with the Ernest Ward August Students of the Month and Principal Tyvanna Boulanger. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School To Hold Junior Parent Night
September 22, 2024
Tate High School will be hosting a Junior Parent Night this week.
The event will be held Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This event is designed to provide parents and guardians of junior students with essential information regarding graduation requirements and upcoming opportunities.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.