ECSO Locates Suspects Caught On Camera Stealing From Local Farmer; Corn And Peanuts Recovered
November 24, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has located three people suspected of stealing from a Walnut Hill farmer that was selling his products on the honor system.
Three people were caught on camera early last Friday morning stealing 27 bags of deer corn, peanuts and ear corn being sold at the farmer’s roadside bin and barn on South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill. They can be seen on surveillance video loading up the bags into a van that was later determined to be yellow. Part of that video, first posted by NorthEscambia.com on Monday, is below.
By Tuesday, investigators had tracked down the three suspects. According to Wesley Eicher of Eicher Farms, deputies recovered about two dozen bags of corn and peanuts that were returned to him Tuesday night.
“They brought the bags back to me tonight,” Eicher told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “I’m glad the deputies found them and appreciate their work.”
The ECSO is expected to seek arrest warrants for the trio; their names have not yet been released because they have yet been formally charged with any crime.
We will keep you updated on the progress of this case.
Images and video for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
15-Year Old Driver Critically Injures Pedestrian In Escambia County
November 24, 2021
A pedestrian was struck by a SUV drivn by a 15-year old Tuesday afternoon in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the teen was traveling north on Mobile Highway near Lynch Street at 4:23 p.m. when a pedestiran jumped over a guardrail and into the roadway. The teen began braking and turned toward the shoulder of the road, striking the pedestrian. The SUV continued into the guardrain on the east side of the road, traveled across all lanes and struck the guardrail on the west side of Mobile Highway.
The 31-year old female pedestrian was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries, while the teen was transported with minor injuries.
Troopers said charges are pending the completion of the investigation, according to FHP. There were no adults in the vehicle with the 15-year, according to a FHP report.
File photo.
A Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Is Costing More This Year, Farm Bureau Says
November 24, 2021
Thanksgiving dinner, on average, is costing more this year. But the bottom line really depends on when, and if, turkey was purchased for the menu.
Farm Bureau’s 36th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $53.31, or less than $6 per person. This is a $6.41 or 14% increase from last year’s average of $46.90.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $23.99 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.50 per pound, up 24% from last year, but there are several mitigating factors.
Farm Bureau “volunteer shoppers” checked prices Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, about two weeks before most grocery store chains began featuring whole frozen turkeys at sharply lower prices. Although the survey timeline is consistent with past AFBF Thanksgiving surveys, 2021 brought some unique differences. According to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, grocery stores began advertising lower feature prices later than usual this year. Also, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys was $1.07 the week of Nov. 5-11 and 88 cents the week of Nov. 12-18, a decline of 18% in just one week. This means consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey should be able to find one at a lower cost than the Farm Bureau average.
“Several factors contributed to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” said AFBF Senior Economist Veronica Nigh. “These include dramatic disruptions to the U.S. economy and supply chains over the last 20 months; inflationary pressure throughout the economy; difficulty in predicting demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and high global demand for food, particularly meat. The trend of consumers cooking and eating at home more often due to the pandemic led to increased supermarket demand and higher retail food prices in 2020 and 2021, compared to pre-pandemic prices in 2019.”
The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.
“Taking turkey out of the basket of foods reveals a 6.6% price increase compared to last year, which tracks closely with the Consumer Price Index for food and general inflation across the economy,” said Nigh.
In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also includes ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded holiday menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost by $15.41, to $68.72. This updated basket of foods also increased in price (up 14%) compared to 2020.
This year’s national average cost was calculated using 218 surveys completed with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online using grocery store apps and websites. They looked for the best possible prices without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals.
The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. The informal survey provides a record of comparative holiday meal costs over the years. Farm Bureau’s classic survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
Individual Prices From The Suvey
16-pound turkey: $23.99 or approximately $1.50 per pound (up 24%)
2 frozen pie crusts: $2.91 (up 20%)
30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $3.64 (up 7%)
Half pint of whipping cream: $1.78 (up 2%)
1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.05 (up 15%)
12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.98 (up 11%)
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.30 (up 7%)
1 pound of frozen peas: $1.54 (up 6%)
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.56 (up 4%)
1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): 82 cents (up 12%)
Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.45 (up 12%)
14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix: $2.29 (down 19%)
AAA Urges Thanksgiving Drivers To Ensure Their Vehicle Is Ready For The Road
November 24, 2021
Nearly 48.3 million Americans will hit the road this Thanksgiving. Yet some may travel in a vehicle that isn’t ready for an extended road trip.
AAA estimates 400,000 Americans will need roadside assistance during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The three most common issues are dead batteries, flat tires, and lock outs.
“Most vehicle problems like these could be prevented with a pre-trip vehicle inspection,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Before you hit the road this Thanksgiving, make sure to check everything from the battery to the tires. That could make the difference between spending Thanksgiving at the table or on the roadside.”
TOP 5 ITEMS ON A VEHICLE CHECKLIST
- Tires
- Battery
- Brakes
- Fluids
- Wiper Blades
TIRES ARE MOST IMPORTANT
If neglected, tires could create serious consequences – ranging from a simple flat to a dangerous blowout on the highway. In 2020, there were 3,069 tire-related crashes in Florida, resulting in 184 serious bodily insures and 61 fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Check your tires once a month, at minimum, and before taking a long trip.
Inspect all four tires. Since some new vehicles don’t come with a spare tire, know whether you have one and if it’s inflated too. Look for cuts, gouges or sidewall bulges. Drivers should pay special attention to both tire inflation pressure and tire tread depth:
- Check Tire Inflation Pressure – Check tire pressure when the car has been idle and tires are cool. Inflate as needed to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure. You will find it listed in the owner’s manual and on the sticker on the driver side door. Do NOT use the number on the tire sidewall.
- Check Tire Tread Depth – Insert a quarter upside down into the grooves. If you see the top of George Washington’s head, it is time for new tires. Be sure to check in multiple spots across your tire to diagnose any uneven wear patterns.
BATTERIES ARE VULNERABLE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES
Changes in temperature can take a toll on your car battery. Have a service professional do a battery check to determine remaining capacity.
Symptoms of a dying battery include:
- Car hesitates or slowly cranks when you’re trying to start it
- A grinding, clicking or buzzing sound when you turn the ignition
- Dim headlights, especially when your car is idling
- The battery warning light is illuminated
- Corrosion, cracks or bulges on your battery
OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS IN YOUR VEHICLE CHECKLIST
- Brakes – Listen to and feel the brakes – If you hear a grinding sound or feel a vibration when applying the brakes, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for a brake inspection.
- Top off engine oil and other fluids – Check that engine oil, coolant, brake, transmission and power steering fluids are at the correct levels for safe vehicle operation. When adding fluids, use products that meet the specifications listed in the owner’s manual.
- Replace wiper blades and replenish windshield cleaner – Rubber wiper blades naturally deteriorate over time. If wipers streak or fail to clear the windshield thoroughly, replace the blades. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with fluid formulated to remove insects and other debris, and test to make sure the nozzles spray adequately.
- Replenish emergency kit supplies – AAA recommends keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle. Include a cellphone charger, flashlight and extra fresh batteries, first-aid supplies, drinking water, non-perishable snacks for people and pets, car battery booster cables, emergency flares or reflectors, a rain poncho, a basic tool kit, duct tape, gloves and shop rags or paper towels.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN
- Pull off the road to a safe place
- Turn on emergency flashers to notify other drivers
- Call AAA for roadside assistance
- Stay with your vehicle, unless it is unsafe to do so
Drivers who find themselves stranded can reach AAA by calling or texting “HELP” to 1-800-AAA-HELP
Cantonment Woman Faces Up To Life In Prison For Stabbing Death Of Her Boyfriend
November 23, 2021
A Cantonment woman pleaded no contest Monday for the 2019 stabbing death of her boyfriend.
Ja’Quoia XiaXiana Collins, now 27, entered the plea on a charge of second degree murder with a weapon.
She allegedly stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight on July 6, 2019. Deputies responded to apartments at 11:39 p.m. where they found victim Quartez McShane unresponsive on the ground near the driver’s side door of a blue Mitsubishi Gallant parked in the entrance of the apartment complex. He had been stabbed in the center of his chest with a knife. McShane was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased less than an hour later.
Collins will be sentenced in December. She faced up to life in prison.
Waterfront Mission Set To Feed 5,000 For Thanksgiving; Started With Cantonment And Quintette Monday
November 23, 2021
Waterfront Rescue Mission is on a mission to provide 5,000 meals this holiday season.
On Monday, the Cantonment Improvement Committee and Pinewood Presbyterian Church joined Waterfront Rescue to distribute hot Thanksgiving meals in Cantonment and Quintette.
Waterfront and its volunteers, supporters and donors will work to distribute more meals to homeless encampments and other key locations in both Pensacola and Mobile on Thursday.
On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, anyone can pick up a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the Ensley First Baptist Church at 50 West Johnson Avenue or the Hollice T. Williams Park at 1601 North Hayne Street in Pensacola.
Pictured: Hot Thanksgiving meals from the Waterfront Rescue Mission were distributed Monday in Cantonment and Quintette by the Cantonment Improvement Committee and Pinewood Presbyterian Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm To City: A Thanksgiving Bounty For 1,000 Needy Families
November 23, 2021
Students and volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay Monday to harvest vegetables that will help feed 1,000 needy families this week for Thanksgiving.
The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center is part of Farm to City Week, bringing the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy of the city.
The students were from agricultural programs and organizations that included FFA members from Northview High , Tate High, Ernest Ward Middle, Jay High School, Central High and Milton High.
The produce will be distributed to 500 families in Escambia County and 500 in Santa Rosa County along with a turkey or ham and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal from Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Drive-thru distribution for the food are taking place on a first come basis from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday at the Waterfront Rescue Mission at 348 Herman Street in Pensacola and the Milton Community Center at 5629 Byrom Street.
FAST FACT: In September, NorthEscamiba.com gave readers a sneak peak at this event as the collards were planted. Click to tap here for that story and photos.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Monoclonal Antibody Site Closed As COVID Cases Decline
November 23, 2021
The monoclonal antibody treatment site in Escambia County has closed as COVID-19 cases decline.
The next nearest Florida Department of Health monoclonal antibody treatment site is at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. It is open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
The Escambia County Center was located at the Bayview Community Center. Any seeking treatment is asked not to enter the building now that the clinic is closed.
COVID-19 cases continue to decline in Escambia County. There were 94 cases reported last week in the county.
Pictured: The Bayview Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Calls For Months Of Gas Tax Relief
November 23, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking lawmakers to “zero out” state gas taxes for five or six months next year.
DeSantis said the gas tax holiday will save up to $200 for the average Florida family while cutting more than $1 billion from the state’s revenues.
“Gas prices have been rising due to inflationary pressures from bad federal policies, so we here in Florida need to step up and provide relief to our citizens,” DeSantis said. “Today, I am proposing that during session, the Florida Legislature provide more than $1 billion in gas tax relief for Florida families. This will have a positive impact on millions of Floridians.”
“We’ve always been very strong on tax relief in Florida. We did things like sportsmen’s relief (a sales-tax “holiday” around July 4). We’ve done back-to-school (tax holidays). We’ve done all that stuff. And that’s good. But this is, I think, really, really big,” DeSantis said
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a state gas tax holiday while speaking at a Buc-ee’s convenience store in Daytona Beach on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Porn Actress Sentenced On Child Porn Possession Charges
November 22, 2021
A woman described by investigators as a nanny, foster care provider and porn actress has been sentenced to six months in jail.
Nicole Lynn Walter, formerly of Foxrun Road, was charged in April 2020 with lewd and lascivious exhibition with a victim under 16, possession of child pornography, battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
Walker, now 28, was sentenced on two counts of possession of child pornography to 180 days in the county jail to be followed by four years of sex offender probatuib. She was designated as a sex offender and will be required to submit to a mental health evaluation. The other charges against her were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
According to court documents, Walter made videos of herself masturbating in public locations, including Pensacola pediatrician’s office and a car dealership.. Children could be heard talking in the videos, but not seen. She told investigators that she was alone when the videos were recorded, and prerecorded sounds of the children talking were played during the filming.
Then sheriff David Morgan said a search warrant found child pornography in her home, and he said she previously worked as a nanny and was a licensed foster parent.