ECSO Warns FPL Isn’t Collecting Bitcoin For Your Overdue Power Bill
April 17, 2022
No, Florida Power & Light is not collecting bitcoin for your overdue power bill.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is warning of just such a scam. Investigators said that scammers are calling people claiming to be FPL or other utility companies or agencies telling them that their bills are overdue. They then ask the customer to deposit cash into a bitcoin ATM. The scammer on the phone then sends a QR code to scan at the bitcoin kiosk, but it’s all a scam.
The sheriff’s office wants you to call them at (850) 436-9620 and report calls like this. Do not send any money or provide your personal or financial information.
Other tips:
- Always be suspicious of any threatening calls claiming to be from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
- Always be suspicious when asked to send an electronic payment, “Green Dot” card payment, or wire transfer.
- Trust your instinct. If you feel that something “just isn’t right”, call your local law enforcement agency and report it.
“It is much easier to prevent fraud in the first place than to recover your money after the fact,” ECSO said.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisories
April 17, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 17 through Saturday, April 23. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street between Dominguez and A streets will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane restrictions and temporary detours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway. Paving operations are currently underway between Dominquez and Shoemaker streets and will progress eastward. At times, drivers may be temporarily detoured to side streets to accommodate the work. Operations are anticipated to be complete in May.
- Inside lane closures and shifts between D and Q streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, and construct curb, gutter, and sidewalk.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, April 18 as crews place a watermain.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, April 18 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the southern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Live Oak Avenue and the Bayou Chico Bridge, and sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed as crews work on sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the westbound weigh station the week of Monday, April 18. During the operations the westbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
- I-10/I-110 Interchange – Construction activities have begun to improve safety on a 3/4-mile segment of I-10 at the I-110 Interchange. Drivers can expect periodic lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Construction activities have begun to mill and resurface Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from the Bayou Chico Bridge to Pace Boulevard, and Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue in Escambia County. Motorists and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will be limited to the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. timeframe. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway.
- S.R. 85 (South Ferdon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over FG&A Railroad – There will be intermittent lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 through Friday, April 22 as crews clean, repair, and seal areas of the bridge.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Pavement Coring Operations from U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 18 through Thursday, April 21 as crews perform pavement coring operations.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance from US 90ALT (Exit Five) east of US 90 (Exit 17)- Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform guardrail repairs.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction at Pathstone Boulevard – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 18 through Sunday, May 15 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-110 Routine Maintenance at Mile Marker Zero Through Seven – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform guardrail repairs.
- North 9th Avenue (U.S. 98) Routine Utility Maintenance near East La Rua Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 as crews perform utility maintenance
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Routine Bridge Inspection over Bayou Chico – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 0.4 miles south of U.S. 98 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform routine inspection.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Routine Utility Maintenance South of Langley Avenue intersection to Brookshire Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 18 through Thursday, April 21 as crews perform tree trimming operations.
- 9 Mile Road (U.S 90) Routine Maintenance West of Allegheny Avenue – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, April 15 through Monday, April 18 as crews perform concrete operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 17 through Saturday, April 23. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists traveling westbound will encounter intermittent lane and median closures between Autumn Breeze Circle and Bayshore Road between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday. The closures are necessary for crews to perform median work. One westbound lane will be always maintained.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, April 18 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Beat Trash Pandas After Ninth Inning Rally
April 17, 2022
Griffin Conine’s two-out, two-run single in the top of the ninth inning gave the Pensacola Blue Wahoos their biggest moment of the young season on Saturday night, defeating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 10-8.
After a hit batsman and Jerar Encarnacion infield single put runners at first and third trailing 8-7, Ray-Patrick Didder beat out a game-tying infield single to bring the score to keep the game alive. Conine then grounded his go-ahead two-run single that proved to be the difference, giving Pensacola at least a split of their six-game series in North Alabama.
Blue Wahoos starter Zach McCambley fell victim to the long ball, allowing a two-run homer to Trey Cabbage in the first and a three-run homer to Zach Humphreys in the fourth. Encarnacion hit a solo homer in the fourth for Pensacola to get on the board, and Hayden Cantrelle tied for the league lead with his third home run of the year, a three-run blast in the fifth to tie the game 5-5.
The tie game wouldn’t last long, as McCambley was chased in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run double from Kevin Maitan. Josh Simpson allowed an inherited runner to score, but struck out seven batters over 2.2 hitless innings to keep the game within reach at 8-5.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance extended his team-high hitting streak to seven games with RBI singles in the sixth and eighth innings, drawing the deficit to 8-7. Jefry Yan (W, 1-0) pitched a perfect eighth to send the game to the ninth, where the Blue Wahoos used their small ball skills to scratch across the pivotal three runs against Sean McLaughlin (L, 0-1). Yan returned to the mound to lock down the thrilling win.
The Blue Wahoos look for a series win in their finale against the Trash Pandas on Sunday afternoon.
Third Suspect Arrested In Nearly $100,000 Burglary Of Guns, Silver, Other Items
April 16, 2022
A third North Escambia man has been arrested for allegedly taking items worth nearly $100,000, including nine guns, during a burglary on Innerarity Point Road.
James Bronson Morgan, 48, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on nine counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft $20,000 to $100,000, armed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.
Raymond Eugene Love, age 41 of Molino, and David Ross Holmquist, age 50 of Cantonment, were arrested on the same charges last week.
During the burglary, the trio allegedly took items including $60,000 in silver bars and bullion, ammunition valued at $10,000, 50 extra magazines for an AR-15 and AK-47, and the firearms, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The items were collectively valued at $96,459.
The homeowner arrived to find his indoor dog outside and that his house had been ransacked. According to the ECSO, the home was entered through a window over the kitchen sink.
Morgan (pictured top) remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $63,500. Love (pictured bottom right) remained jailed with bond set at $211,000, and Holmquist was being held without bond.
ECFR: Electric Problem Sparked Molino House Fire
April 16, 2022
Escambia Fire Rescue now says a fire that destroyed a Molino home early Friday morning was caused by “an electrical issue”.
The home in the 2000 block of Mathison Road, about a half mile west of Highway 29, was declared a total loss following the fire that was reported about 12:40 a.m.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming from the garage area of the approximately 2,700 square foot brick home. A large portion of the home’s roof collapsed during the fire.
The occupants were alerted by smoke detectors and were able to escape with their pet.
There were no injuries.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Ensley, Beulah, Bellview and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 29, Highway 97 Wreck
April 16, 2022
There were no injuries reported in a wreck Friday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The wreck did cause a few traffic delays and closed at least one lane on Highway 29 northbound.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Glodfelter Throws Complete Game Shutout As No. 2 Tate Beats No. 1 Pace; Pace JV tops Tate
April 16, 2022
Tate 2, Pace 0
Josiah Glodfelter threw a complete game shutout as the No. 2 Tate Aggies beat the No. 1 Pace Patriots 2-0 Friday night in Pace.
Glodfelter allowed just one hit in seven innings, striking out nine in 97 pitches on the mound for the Aggies during the district matchup.
Madox Land, Bray Touchstone, Frankie Randall, Cade Kelly and Kirk Mosley had one hit each for the Aggies at the plate.
The Aggie improved to 16-2, and the Patriots fell to 15-3.
For more photos from both varsity and junior varsity games, click or tap here.
Pace 6, Tate 5 (JV)
The junior varsity Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 6-5 Friday night.
The Aggies scored five in the fifth inning to take the lead, only to see a Pace batter ground out and score a run in the bottom of the sixth.
Gabe Patterson was on the mound for Tate, allowing one hit and two runs in two innings, and striking out two. Hayden St. Amant, Neal Croom and Tristin Lynn pitched in relief, collectively allowing two hits, two runs and striking out one.
Michael Sardar, Conner Hassell, Javin Floyd and Ketch King each had one hit at the plate for the Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Pérez Fans Six on Birthday in 6-4 Wahoos Loss
April 16, 2022
On his 19th birthday, Eury Pérez struck out six batters but ran into early trouble as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 6-4 to the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Friday night.
Pérez (L, 0-1) allowed a two-run homer to Trey Cabbage in the first inning, falling behind 2-0 before the Pensacola offense evened the score in the top of the second on an RBI double from Ray-Patrick Didder and RBI single from Cobie Fletcher-Vance. Rocket City added another run in the second on an Anthony Mulrine RBI double to claim a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, a potential inning-ending double play went awry as Pérez threw off target to second base. The tall righty left trailing 3-2 with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth, and Aaron Whitefield made the Blue Wahoos pay with a two-run single against Anthony Maldonado to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the sixth against Rocket City reliever Zach Linginfelter (W, 1-0) on an RBI groundout from Santiago Chávez, but couldn’t generate a sustained rally. Thomas Jones hit a solo homer against Luis Ledo (S, 1) in the ninth, bringing the score to the eventual final of 6-4.
The Blue Wahoos continue their road series against the Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Occupants Escape Uninjured From Early Morning House Fire
April 15, 2022
The occupants were able to escape uninjured from a house fire in Molino early Friday morning.
The home in the 2000 block of Mathison Road, about a half mile west of Highway 29, was heavily damaged in a fire reported about 12:40 a.m.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Ensley, Walnut Hill and Beulah fire stations were among those responding, along with Escambia County EMS.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation early Friday morning.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Employee Charged With Stealing Copper From The Town
April 15, 2022
A Town of Flomaton employee is facing charges after allegedly stealing copper belonging to the town.
Travis Emile Owens, 22, was charged with theft of property third degree, two counts of theft of property fourth degree and a felony ethics violation of using an official position for personal gain. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL)) Detention Center without bond.
Flomaton Town Supervisor Shaun Moye contacted the Flomaton Police Department about a bag of copper wire that was placed at a town water tower on Highway 31. Police said surveillance video showed Owens taking the bag from the town’s public works facility to the water tower.
Flomaton Police found the bag, which contacted copper tubing, and placed multiple wireless cameras to monitor it.
According to Police Chief Charles Thompson, Owens was observed using a drone as he went to the water tower after work hours, placed the bag in a personal vehicle, and drove away. He said Flomaton Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found Owens in possession of stolen edging blades and the copper tubing.
“It was also learned that he had also committed another theft the day prior from town in that of copper tubing,” Thompson said.
The police chief said Owens is no longer employed by the Town of Flomaton. By 3:40 p.m. Thursday, the town had posted a job listing for a public works employee starting at $12 an hour plus benefits.