All Charges Dropped Against Former Police Lieutenant Involved In Fatal Pedestrian Crash
December 4, 2021
All charges have been dropped against a former police officer that was involved in a fatal pedestrian crash last September in Pensacola.
Alvin Odessel Godwin, 74, was charged with DUI manslaughter after his pickup truck hit a pedestrian who was walking westbound on an Airport Boulevard sidewalk between The Fresh Market and Sam’s Club.
But a toxicology report showed he did not have alcohol or any controlled substance in his system.
“A review of the totality of the circumstances leads to a finding that insufficient evidence exists to prove that the defendant’s apparent impairment at the time of the crash was caused by consumption of alcohol or controlled substances,” court records state. “The Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime lab’s analysis of the defendant’s timely legal blood draw determined that there was no alcohol or controlled substances in his blood after the crash.”
According to police, Godwin retired from the Pensacola Police Department as a lieutenant about 20 years ago.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With String Of Carjacking Attempts Around Nine Mile, Pine Forest Roads
December 4, 2021
An Escambia County man is accused in a string carjacking attempts around the Nine Mile and Pine Forest road area
Robert Nickalous Minter was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of attempted carjacking, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief. According to the ECSO, more charges may be forthcoming.
According to investigators, Minter attempted the carjackings at the Walmart at 9301 Pine Forest Road, in the 7000 block of Pine Forest Road and in the 700 block of East Nine Mile Road.
Minter remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $241,000.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
December 4, 2021
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
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 through Friday, Dec. 10 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between A and N streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary and intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Dec. 6 through Friday, Dec. 10 as crews place final striping and complete final work items.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) –Drivers can expect the following construction related traffic impacts the week of Sunday, Dec. 5.
- · Intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- · The U.S. 29 southbound on-ramp and U.S. 29 northbound off-ramp at the Nine Mile Road interchange may be reduced to a single lane between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Signage will be in place and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct motorists.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Dec. 6, as crews place a watermain.
- Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Utility Operations West of Schwab Drive – Traffic will be restricted from 7:30 a.m.to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 7, as utility crews perform 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 Sunday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 9 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at Woodbine Road – There will be an intermittent turn lane closure from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, Dec. 5 to Thursday, Dec. 9 as crews replace overhead power lines.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Inspections over Wilson Branch and East Relief – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures, 2.7 miles east of U.S. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 as crews perform routine inspections.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance from Vonnie Tolbert Road to Gordon Evans Road – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 through Wednesday, Dec. 8 as crews perform utility operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia Reports 96 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
December 4, 2021
There were 96 new COVID-19 cases reported last week in Escambia County, according to a Florida Department of Health report.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 54,121 (+96)
Positivity rate last week: 3.8%
People vaccinated: 160,319 (+1,044)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 52%
New hospital admissions: 11
Total deaths last 7 days: <10 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,730 (+88)
Positivity rate last week: 4.6%
People vaccinated: 93,219 (+645)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 53%
New hospital admissions: 4
Total deaths last 7 days: <10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,697,523 (+10,892)
Case positivity rate: 2.5%
Deaths: 61,701 (+35)
Large Shed Used As Residence Destroyed By Fire In Cantonment (With Photo Gallery)
December 3, 2021
Fire destroyed a large shed being used as a residence behind a home in Cantonment Friday morning.
Flames were high above the roof of the structure when the fire was reported just after 10 a.m. in the 200 block of Louis Street. The shed was a total loss. After the fire was extinguished, it was determined that the structure was being used as a residence.
There was no significant damage reported to the brick home on the same lot, and there were no injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Pictured above: Flames rage above a structure in Cantonment Friday morning before the arrival of firefighters. Pictured below: The building was a complete loss. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Charter Review Committee Reverses Course; Decides Mayor, Not Town Manager Should Have Power
December 3, 2021
The Century Charter Review Committee is reversing course on a proposal to delegate most authority for running the municipality to a hired town manager.
Earlier this year, the committee decided it would be best for Century to make the elected mayor a weak position, perhaps mostly a figurehead. In October, they voted to make the mayor a council member.
But now, the committee has completely reversed directions, deciding that the mayor should be at the head of Century’s government rather than a town manager.
A draft charter also calls for term limits — no more than two terms for the mayor or council members.
The Century Charter Review Committee will continue their work in January. If they complete a rewrite, the changes would go to the town council to decide if the recommendation will go on the ballot for a citizen vote.
The committee is tasked with updating the charter — the document that legally establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The committee has meet periodically for over two years.
Pictured: Century Charter Review Committee member Brenda Spencer reviews her notes during a meeting Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two IP Employees Retire With Over 75 Years Combined Service
December 3, 2021
Two longtime International Paper Pensacola Mill employees retired this week with over 75 years combined service.
Mark Lockridge, Electrical and Instrumentation Safety and Training Coordinator, retired December 1. He has over 42 years at the International Paper Pensacola Mill.
Garry Hendrix, Finished Products Safety Coordinator, retired December 1 with more than 33 at the International Paper Pensacola Mill.
Pictured: Mark Lockridge (left) and Garry Hendrix. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Body Of Slain Alabama Deputy Escorted Home (With Photo Gallery)
December 3, 2021
The body of a slain Alabama sheriff’s deputy was escorted through North Escambia Thursday afternoon on the way back home to Wilcox County, Alabama.
The chief deputy in Wilcox County and retired Deputy Madison “Skip” Nicholson, who was working as a constable/process server, responded to a domestic disturbance in Yellow Bluff, Alabama, a town of less than 200 people Wednesday evening. They were met with gunfire, and both were shot.
Nicholson was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he succumbed to his injuries. The chief deputy was injured and taken to an Alabama hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was also killed, according to AL.com.
Pensacola Police Department officers and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stood watch over the fallen deputy throughout Wednesday night into Thursday.
Thursday afternoon, Nicholson’s body was escorted north from Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola through Escambia County. After passing through North Escambia on Highway 97, the procession was met in Atmore by Alabama law enforcement. A giant American flag flew from an Atmore Fire Department truck just across the state line.
For more photos, click or tap here.
“My home county of Wilcox tragically lost retired Sheriff’s Deputy Madison “Skip” Nicholson who was shot and killed in the line of duty,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. “We are reminded far too often the grave sacrifice our men and women in blue face each day to protect our communities. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is actively leading the investigation on this tragic situation. My prayers go out to his family and colleagues.”
Pictured: The procession for a fallen Wilcox County, Alabama, deputy crosses the Florida-Alabama state line Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo of retired Deputy Madison “Skip” Nicholson courtesy AL.com.
Tate High’s Kennedy Turner Signs With Coastal Alabama South Softball
December 3, 2021
Tate High School’s Kennedy Turner has signed to play softball with the Coastal Alabama South Sun Chiefs. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Proposes $100 Million For Florida National Guard, Establish Florida State Guard
December 3, 2021
In Escambia County Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $100 million in funding proposals to support Florida’s National Guard and establish the Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer force that will assist the National Guard in state-specific emergencies
The Governor’s budget proposal includes:
- $87.5 million to expand the existing readiness center in Miramar and to establish three new armories in Homestead, Gainesville and Malabar;
- $8.9 million for existing armory maintenance;
- $2.2 million for a new headquarters for the National Guard Counter Drug Program;
- $5.1 million to support Florida National Guardsmen seeking higher-education degrees; and
- $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard.
“We are proud of our veterans and active-duty military members and proud of what our communities do to support them,” DeSantis said at the Pensacola National Guard Armory. “Florida is one of the most veteran friendly states and I think there are very few places that you would rather be on duty than in the state of Florida. As a veteran, I really appreciate what everyone who wears the uniform does in our state and am excited about these proposals – they will go a long way and have a meaningful impact. In Florida, we are going to continue our momentum of supporting our military, supporting our veterans and being good stewards of our military installations.”
The military spending budget for the Florida National Guard supports emergency response services that the National Guard provides.
The establishment of the Florida State Guard will further support those emergency response efforts in the event of a hurricane, natural disasters and other state emergencies. The $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard will enable civilians to be trained in the best emergency response techniques. By establishing the Florida State Guard, Florida will become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government.
The budget proposal also includes $12.2 million in scholarships for children and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans, and $3.6 million to improve base infrastructure and support projects that keep our military installations among the best in the nation.