Century Man That Evaded Capture For Months Gets 50 Months For Arson
August 16, 2024
A Century man that eluded capture on several occasions before being captured May 1 has been sentenced to just over four years in state prison.
Christopher George Pace, 41, was convicted of arson, criminal mischief, trespassing and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 50 months for arson, and time served on the additional charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and K-9s from the Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Road Prison captured Pace without incident May 1 g in a wooded area off Pleasant Hill Road.
According to sheriff’s office reports:
On February 27, Pace set a fire in a wooded area at the dead end of Sellers Road off West Highway 4. In an incident captured in game camera photos, someone piled a tent and other items onto a deer feeder before they were burned. The fire destroyed $450 worth of property including a hunting blind/tent, a deer feeder, 50 pounds of feed corn, a batter, solar battery charger and an archery target.
Pace was identified as the suspect in the game camera photos by one of his relatives and a deputy.
On March 18 deputies attempted to locate Pace in the wooded area in order to serve an arrest warrant. They spotted him on a trail through a wooded area at the dead end of Pleasant Hill Road, according to a report. They came close enough to him to make eye contact before he ran into the woods. Deputies pursued on foot but lost sight.
Two ECSO K-9s, a K-9 from the Century Correctional Institution, and a drone team were unable to locate him. One ECSO deputy received minor injuries to his knee during the chase.
On April 21, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious person complaint in the area of Williams Street and West Highway 4. A responded deputy recognized a person walking on Williams Street as Pace. Pace ran into a wooded area when he saw the marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The deputy gave chase on foot, but lost Pace. An ECSO K-9 responded but was unable to locate him in the woods. a deputy reportedly tripped on vines and suffered minor injuries.
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Roman Catholic Diocese Proposes New Worship Facility In Cantonment
August 16, 2024
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is proposing to construct a worship facility and family life center in Cantonment.
St. Jude Catholic Church Family Life Center is planned for Highway 29 and Cedar Tree Lane on a 12.25 acre parcel.
An application filed with Escambia County shows an 8,300-square-feet facility with 45 parking spaces in an asphalt lot and an additional 48 spaces in a grass parking area. Plans show the facility will be accessed from Pinoak Lane.
The plan is still pending before the Escambia County Development Review Committee and shows an address of 1051 Pinoak Lane with frontage on Highway 29. A public hearing has not yet been announced.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Boating And Fishing Violations
August 16, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Investigator J. Pifer observed individuals taking photographs with several fish at Galvez Landing. The officer conducted a resource inspection and found an undersized red snapper had been harvested. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited earlier in the year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper.
Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with several individuals and fishing gear on board. Upon conducting a resource inspection, Investigator Pifer located an undersized red snapper and an undersized scamp grouper on board the vessel. The owner/operator of the vessel was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper and a warning for undersized scamp grouper.
Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a charter fishing vessel in Pensacola Bay with several individuals and fishing gear on board. During a resource inspection, six undersized red snapper were located on board. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited multiple times this year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper.
FWC officers in the Northwest Region cited 131 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 631 boating safety warnings and removed nine vessel operators from the water for BUI.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis responded a complaint from the Florida Forest Service about a subject camping at a primitive campsite in Blackwater River State Forest for more than the allowable 14 consecutive nights in a 30-day period. Officer Lewis and Officer Roberson located the subject and subsequently cited the subject for the camping violation and for littering.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Second Teen Indicted For Fatal Drive-By Shooting Of 70-Year-Old Woman
August 16, 2024
A second teen has been indicted for first degree premeditated murder for a July drive-by shooting that took the life of a Pensacola woman.
A grand jury issued the indictment against Terrance Gross, Jr., for the drive-by shooting that occurred at 4260 Erress Blvd on June 24, 2024, which killed 70-year-old Myra Hayes.
Gross is now charged with first degree premeditated murder, shooting at or into a building, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed and possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age.
Last month, 19-year-old Jaquaris Ethridge, was indicted on the same charges.
A high speed chase occurred after Hayes was shot.
The chase ended with a PIT maneuver on the Highway 90 bridge over Escambia Bay. Three suspects — Ethridge, Terrance Gross Jr. and Trevion Moton — jumped off the bridge. Morton died from the jump, and Ethridge was captured shortly thereafter. Gross Jr. fled and was captured in Webb County, Texas and extradited back to Escambia County.
Berry’s Blast, Strong Pitching Lift Blue Wahoos To Win
August 16, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Along with taking on their usual alternate identity Thursday as the Pensacola Mullets, the Blue Wahoos recreated what has always worked so well.
They got a strong start on the mound. Flawless relief pitching. And one big hit.
The summation became a 3-1 win against the Montgomery Biscuits on “Mullet Thursday” that was much needed, following the first two games of this homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“Yeah, we’re kinda in a race right here to make the playoffs, obviously that’s the goal, and we’re just trying to play our best brand of baseball,” said Jacob Berry, whose two-run homer in the fourth inning was the decisive hit in the game.
“Just top to bottom it was great baseball.”
Evan Fitterer set the early tone by tossing three scoreless innings with runners on base each time. His only run allowed was on a fourth inning ground out. He worked five innings to earn the win, improve to 6-4 and lower his earned run average to 3.60 for the season.
Fitterer had six strikeouts in his quality start.
The game was decided in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Graham Pauley reached on a single. Berry timed a one-strike cutter from Biscuits starter Sean Hunley that was low in the strike zone, but launched high into the right-center berm for his eighth home run.
It continued a hot bat that Berry has swung this week, after collecting five hits in seven plate appearances the first two games.
“I wasn’t really thinking about it too much, just trying to stick to my positives,” Berry said. “Just trying to put a good swing on it. I feel like I got a good pitch to hit.”
Later in the inning, Paul McIntosh drove in the third run on a grounder that scored Nathan Martorella, who singled and advanced to third on Joe Mack’s double.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos bullpen took over in a way that didn’t happen on previous nights.
Adam Laskey earned his seventh hold by shutting out Montgomery the next three innings, allowing just two hits and getting two strikeouts among the 12 batters he faced. The pivotal moment occurred in the sixth inning when Laskey entered the game.
The first two Biscuits batters reached on a hit by pitch and single. Laskey then got a lineout to shortstop Jared Serna, struck out the next batter and ended the inning on a ground out to first baseman Nathan Martorella.
That set things up for Justin King to get his first save in a Blue Wahoos uniform. King gave up a leadoff single in the ninth, but ended any drama by striking out the next two batters and having a fly out that Jacob Marsee tracked in left-center to end the game.
Catcher Joe Mack began clapping as he ran to congratulate King with a hug as the Blue Wahoos finished a game played in two hours, nine minutes.
They will now try to even the series on Friday, a Giveaway Friday where the first 1,000 fans will receive a refillable drink container. It will be the first home start for newcomer Jacob Miller, who has made two effective road starts since being promoted from High-A Beloit at the beginning of the month.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos are now 8-2 on Thursdays wearing the Pensacola Mullets jerseys.
— Unfortunately for Jacob Serna, who had produced at least one hit in each of his 13 games since joining the Blue Wahoos, his streak ended Thursday with an 0-for-4 night.
— During pregame ceremonies, Clay Pyle, the “Jean Lafitte LXIX” of Pensacola’s Krewe of Lafitte, presented a $5,000 check on behalf of the Krew and the Krewe of Lafitte Foundation to the local chapter of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Pensacola’s Krewe of Lafitte is celebrating its 70th anniversary since being founded in 1954.
The Krewe partnered with the Blue Wahoos for its “KOL Pirate Takeover of Blue Wahoos” on Thursday night and helped bring awareness and raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
— The All Sports Association, based in Fort Walton Beach, had its group outing Thursday night. The organization was formed in 1970 and is the sports association for the Fort Walton-Destin and Walton County area, headlined by its annual awards banquet in February.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Pensacola High School Assistant Principal Charged With Sex Offense
August 15, 2024
The assistant principal at Pensacola High School was arrested on a sex offense Wednesday night.
Sean Clark Roby, 55, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony charge of video voyeurism by an offender age 19 or older, according to jail records.
The victim, now 23, alleged the crime occurred back in 2019 when she was 17-years old. The incident did not occur on the school campus or involved any student, according to police.
Roby was listed as “Assistant Principal: School Operations” on Pensacola High School’s official website. His information has since been removed from the site.
Escambia County Public School released the following statement: “We can confirm the arrest of one of our employees yesterday, and are fully cooperating with our partners in law enforcement as their investigation unfolds. Out of respect for their investigative process, and in accordance with our policies as negotiated in our Employment Master Contract, we will not be able to provide further information at this time, other than to say this individual is suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Roby’s bond was set at $15,000 at a Thursday afternoon hearing.
One Injured, Dozens Left Without Power In Cantonment Rollover Crash
August 15, 2024
One person was injured, and dozens of area residents were left without power for hours in a single vehicle rollover crash Wednesday night on Pine Forest Road in Cantonment.
A driver lost control of their vehicle on Pine Forest Road near Amanda Lane and crashed into a utility pole at the entrance to the Pine Forest Oaks Townhomes. The vehicle overturned and came to rest upside down in the front yard of nearby residence.
The driver was trapped in the vehicle for about 11 minutes until being extricated by Escambia County Fire Rescue. They were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The townhomes complex was without power well into the early morning hours of Thursday while Florida Power & Light made repairs to restore service to an estimated 40 residences.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
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Application Pending For Borrow Pit On Highway 95A In Molino
August 15, 2024
A conditional use change application is pending before the Escambia County Board of Adjustment for a borrow pit in Molino.
According to Escambia County, a borrow pit is where material like gravel, soil, clay or sand is excavated for use at another location. Borrow pits can be enclosed or open, and both types require a permit in Escambia County.
The applicant, Justin Patterson, Ironhorse Cattle, Co., is proposing the 44-acre borrow pit on 52.88 acres zoned AG (agriculture use) at 5595 Highway 95A, west of Highway 95A and just south of Cedartown Road. Escambia County Land Development Code (LDC) requires conditional approval use approval for any borrow pit or reclamation activity with 1,000 feet from any residential use or zoning.
“The proposed use can be conducted and operated in a manner that is compatible with adjacent and surrounding properties. The subject property is largely surrounded by undeveloped property,” the application states, noting that there is one residential structure to the south of the proposed pit site, which will become a lake overlooked by a single-family residence when after excavation is complete. Operation is planned for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, as allowed by the LDC. A 25-foot landscape buffer is proposed around the fenced-in pit.
Single access to the pit property is proposed for a driveway off Highway 95A across from Josh Lane.
The developer’s application says noise will be limited to the daylight hours and with pit’s sidewalls acting as a sound barrier, and a dust suppression system will be used to prevent airborne materials.
“The use will not generate unreasonable noise, glare, dust, smoke, odor, vibration or other nuisances or hazards,” the application states. “The excavation activity is temporary.”
According to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, there are no permitted potable water wells with 500 feet of the property; however, the permitting program did not exist until the late 1970s, and records are incomplete before the late 1980s.
A neighbor previously objected to the proposed use based on a private irrigation well in the vicinity of the project. An attorney for the applicant asserted that protections do not exist around any private or non-potable (drinking) water well.
Escambia County Development Review staff have recommended approval of the conditional use of the property.
“Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use as submitted with the enhanced buffering as detailed on the submitted site plan. DRC site plan approval and BCC approval of the reclamation plan are required,” was the staff findings as submitted.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment will consider the application at meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place.
A similar conditional use change request for the property was denied by the Board of Adjustment in April 2022.
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Over 19,000 Votes Already Cast In Escambia County As Early Voting Continues
August 15, 2024
Voters in Escambia County had cast 19,294 ballot by the end of the day Wednesday.
Of those, 12,799 vote-by-mail had been received, and there were 6,493 early voters for the 2024 Primary Election in Escambia County.
Early voting begins continues through Saturday in Escambia County at 10 locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Blvd, Century
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Room 235, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Voters may choose any one of the 10 locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
If voters have requested a Vote-by-Mail ballot, they must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Voters may drop-off a vote-by-mail ballot during early voting hours at any of the ten area locations. The USPS recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
In Florida’s closed partisan primary elections, you are only eligible to vote in primary contests for the party in which you are registered.
A Universal Primary contest occurs when all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation. These contests appear on every voter’s ballot. Voters in ECUA District 1 (Republican) and ECUA District 3 (Democratic) will have these contests on their ballot regardless of party affiliation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
District 5 Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Next Wednesday
August 15, 2024
Residents of a portion of Cantonment and Farm Hill can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup next Wednesday, August 21.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 6,915 tons (13,830,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.