Woman Tries To Choke Driver; Vehicle Crashes Into Car Dealership, FHP Says
February 19, 2021
A woman was charged after she allegedly tried to choke a woman that was driving a vehicle, causing it to crash into a car dealership building Thursday night.
Deonshae Octavia Greene, 22, was charged with battery and later released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Green was a passenger in an Infiniti sedan driven by a 28-year old woman. The vehicle was in the drive-thru at the McDonalds at Pensacola Boulevard and Burgess Road when Greene began choking the driver, according FHP.
The driver hit the accelerator, traveled across Highway 29, struck a parked vehicle that was for sale, and crashed into the pre-owned building at Bob Tyler Toyota. The Infiniti came to rest fully inside the building and partially inside an office.
There were only minor injuries, but FHP said the building suffered major damage.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Foul Play Not Suspected After Man’s Body Found In Century Park
February 19, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said foul play is not suspected after a body was found in a Century park just a few feet away from busy North Century Boulevard.
The body of an adult male was discovered about 7 a.m. in an open grassy area next to a bicycle in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall in the Nadine McCaw Park.
Amber Southard, ECSO spokesperson, said it appeared the man died of natural causes. She said a final determination would be made the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The man’s name has not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Plan Presented For OLF-8 As BOCC Continues To Review Behind The Scenes Emails
February 19, 2021
A new preliminary plan for OLF-8 was presented to the Escambia County Commission Thursday, but commissioners are not making any final decisions as they continue to look into emails involving the design firm.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The county hired DPZ CoDesign to develop the best plan for OLF-8, and the firm presented four plans ranging from a commerce park based concept to designs with a mix of commerce, residential and green space on the 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
The new plan presented Thursday by DPZ is a combination of commerce, residential and amenities (click or tap image to enlarge).
The “Adjusted Hybrid Plan” allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
“This is moving in the right direction,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said.
But Bergosh said he is still skeptical DPZ after more emails have come to light between DPZ and others including Navy Federal and the “Beulah Coalition,” some of which were disparaging toward the commission.
“I certainly feel we were undermined, and we certainly were not treated like the client,” Bergosh said.
While DPZ had provided dumps of external emails, commissioners will want to see internal DPZ emails and text message about the project.
DPZ wants to charge the county, their client, $189 per hour to fulfill the request, according to County Attorney Alison Rogers. She said she is working with DPZ in an attempt to lower that rate.
“It is highly unusual that one of our own vendors would charge us to give us records on our own project,” Rogers said.
“Whatever it costs, it costs,” said Commissioner Steven Barry. “I want to see the stuff too.”
The county commission will discuss OLF-8 again at their next meeting on March 11. In the meantime, DPZ is expected to hold some type of town hall meeting on the new plan.
Ribbon Cutting Saturday For ECSO’s Molino Precinct
February 19, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons will cut the ribbon Saturday to reopen the ECSO precinct in Molino.
The Molino Precinct opening will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. There will be a K-9 demonstration, coloring books from Crime Scene, a SWAT team vehicle display, and the Escambia County Mounted Posse will be there.
The Molino Cub Scout Pack 430 will raise the flag at 11 a.m., followed by brief comments from Simmons and the ribbon cutting.
Lt. Bobby Nelson, who will oversee the Molino Precinct, will also be present to meet local residents.
“Law enforcement and community engagement begins at the neighborhood level,” Simmons said two week ago when he reopened the ECSO precinct in Perdido.
The ECSO Molino Precinct is located at 5844 North Highway 29, at the corner of Highway 29 and Omega Drive.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stabbing Woman To Death In DeFuniak Springs
February 19, 2021
A Cantonment man is accused of stabbing a woman to death in DeFuniak Springs.
Thomas McDonald, 35, is charged with homicide.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Donald called 911 to report the crime, saying that he had stabbed the woman in the neck and the victim was beyond help.
Deputies responded to McLeod Road around 4:30 p.m. They found the 68-year-old female dead, sitting in a chair with a knife wound to her neck.
McDonald was booked into the Walton County Jail without bond.
Escambia Bookkeeper Gets Prison Time For Stealing Over $140,000 From Employer
February 19, 2021
An Escambia County bookkeeper has been sentenced to state prison for stealing $140,000 from her employer.
Stephanie Erickson pleaded no contest to one count of organized fraud. Circuit Court Judge Linda Nobles sentenced her to two years in state prison to be followed by five years of probation.
Erickson was employed as the bookkeeper at CEMEX, Inc., an international building materials company with an office in Pensacola from 2014 until 2019.
During that time, she created fraudulent invoices and submitted them to CEMEX as legitimate vendor invoices. She then remitted the payments to herself, according to State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden.
ECUA Reports 19,500 Gallon Sewer Overflow On West Roberts Road
February 19, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported a sewage overflow on Wednesday in Cantonment.
The overflow occurred at 515 West Roberts Road due to a broken six-inch force main that was damaged by a utility contractor. The overflow was estimated at 19,500 gallons, of which 15,000 gallons were recovered by vacuum truck and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment.
The spill flowed down a ditch that leads to a locked and gated stormwater retention pond.
Bacteriological sampling was not required.
Blue Wahoos Announce 2021 Season Schedule
February 19, 2021
The 2021 season schedule for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos was released by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The team will play 120 games this season, including 60 home games in Pensacola, between May 4 and September 19.
Under the new Professional Development License system through Major League Baseball, the Blue Wahoos will play as part of the Double-A South league which features Pensacola, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Montgomery in the South Division and Birmingham, Chattanooga, Rocket City, and Tennessee in the North Division.
The league will adopt a six-game series format in 2021 with teams playing Tuesday through Sunday each week. Mondays will serve as a league-wide off-day to facilitate team travel.
The Blue Wahoos season will begin on the road against the Mississippi Braves on May 4-9. Pensacola will host the Birmingham Barons on May 11 for their home opener to begin a 12-game homestand that will feature the Barons (May 11-16) and the team’s first-ever match-up against the Rocket City Trash Pandas (May 18-23). The team’s final home series will be held September 7-12 against Biloxi with the Blue Wahoos ending their series on the road against Rocket City September 14-19.
Stadium capacity limits are expected to be implemented to ensure fan safety during the 2021 season and will be announced leading up to the season. Game times and the team’s promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos 2021 season schedule is as follows:
May 4-9 at Mississippi Braves
May 11-16 vs Birmingham Barons
May 18-23 vs Rocket City Trash Pandas
May 25-30 at Biloxi Shuckers
June 1-6 vs Mississippi Braves
June 8-13 at Chattanooga Lookouts
June 15-20 vs Montgomery Biscuits
June 22-27 at Birmingham Barons
June 29-July 4 vs Biloxi Shuckers
July 6-11 at Mississippi Braves
July 13-18 vs Chattanooga Lookouts
July 20-25 at Montgomery Biscuits
July 27-August 1 vs Mississippi Braves
August 3-8 at Biloxi Shuckers
August 10-15 vs Montgomery Biscuits
August 17-22 vs Biloxi Shuckers
August 24-29 at Mississippi Braves
August 31-September 5 at Montgomery Biscuits
September 7-12 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
September 14-19 at Rocket City Trash Pandas
The 2021 season schedule for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos was released by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The team will play 120 games this season, including 60 home games in Pensacola, between May 4 and September 19.
Under the new Professional Development License system through Major League Baseball, the Blue Wahoos will play as part of the Double-A South league which features Pensacola, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Montgomery in the South Division and Birmingham, Chattanooga, Rocket City, and Tennessee in the North Division.
The league will adopt a six-game series format in 2021 with teams playing Tuesday through Sunday each week. Mondays will serve as a league-wide off-day to facilitate team travel.
The Blue Wahoos season will begin on the road against the Mississippi Braves on May 4-9. Pensacola will host the Birmingham Barons on May 11 for their home opener to begin a 12-game homestand that will feature the Barons (May 11-16) and the team’s first-ever match-up against the Rocket City Trash Pandas (May 18-23). The team’s final home series will be held September 7-12 against Biloxi with the Blue Wahoos ending their series on the road against Rocket City September 14-19.
Stadium capacity limits are expected to be implemented to ensure fan safety during the 2021 season and will be announced leading up to the season. Game times and the team’s promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos 2021 season schedule is as follows:
- May 4-9 at Mississippi Braves
- May 11-16 vs Birmingham Barons
- May 18-23 vs Rocket City Trash Pandas
- May 25-30 at Biloxi Shuckers
- June 1-6 vs Mississippi Braves
- June 8-13 at Chattanooga Lookouts
- June 15-20 vs Montgomery Biscuits
- June 22-27 at Birmingham Barons
- June 29-July 4 vs Biloxi Shuckers
- July 6-11 at Mississippi Braves
- July 13-18 vs Chattanooga Lookouts
- July 20-25 at Montgomery Biscuits
- July 27-August 1 vs Mississippi Braves
- August 3-8 at Biloxi Shuckers
- August 10-15 vs Montgomery Biscuits
- August 17-22 vs Biloxi Shuckers
- August 24-29 at Mississippi Braves
- August 31-September 5 at Montgomery Biscuits
- September 7-12 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
- September 14-19 at Rocket City Trash Pandas
Pensacola Bay Bridge Set To Reopen March 22 With Lane Restrictions
February 18, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation will reopen the Pensacola Bay Bridge in March, but only with two lanes in one section.
Under a phased plan announced Thursday afternoon by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, nearly the first mile of Pensacola end of the bridge will only have two lanes of traffic while four lanes will be open for the remainder of the 3-mile long bridge. The target date for the partial reopening is March 22.
“FDOT understands that this has been a tough time for Pensacola and Gulf Breeze residents and has been laser-focused on reconnecting these communities as safely and quickly as possible,” Thibault said during a press conference in Milton. “We will continue to work with the contractor to ensure the final repairs are completed by Memorial Day and at a superior level of quality so it may serve these communities for decades to come.”
The first phase will open two lanes of traffic (one in each direction) for the first 4,000 feet on the Pensacola side. The remaining approximate two miles of the bridge will be open to four lanes of traffic (two in each direction). During this initial phase, the speed limit will be temporarily set at 35 mph and emergency refuge areas will be available on the bridge.
To quickly clear travel lanes following vehicle incidents, assist drivers in the event of mechanical breakdowns, and keep the bridge free of debris, FDOT’s Road Ranger Service Patrol will be stationed on each end of the bridge from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. At other times, at least one unit will be on-call and available. Law enforcement will also be on site 24-hours a day on both ends of the bridge to alert drivers about the temporary restrictions.
The second phase, which consists of opening the remaining 4,000 feet to four lanes of traffic, will be complete by Memorial Day.
Consistent with the requirements within the construction contract, FDOT will continue to withhold payments of $35,000 per day until four lanes of traffic are restored to the entire southbound span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. FDOT is regularly reviewing the contractor’s schedule of the entire Pensacola Bay Bridge Project with the anticipated completion date for all improvements currently scheduled for January 2022.
A combination of adverse weather and unexpected obstructions on the seabed of Pensacola Bay have impacted the original plan to open four lanes of traffic. Over the course of the repairs, crews demobilized twice in October 2020 for Hurricanes Delta and Zeta as well as experiencing a number of days with high winds and heavy rains. Because crews are working with soil and other hidden features in the earth, unforeseen complications can be encountered. The phased reopening makes weather-rlated and unforeseen conditions more manageable by removing many of the in-water components from the first phase schedule.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which still includes the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Friday, March 12. Commuters can also use the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed when multiple Skanska barges struck and damaged the bridge during Hurricane Sally.
Pictured: Repair work this week on the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Approves Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 18, 2021
The ban on Sunday morning alcohol sales in Escambia County is coming to an end.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to approve an ordinance allowing retail alcohol sales seven days a week except between 2:30 and 6 a.m.
Currently, retail sales are prohibited 2:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. daily, except 2:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sundays. An exception allowed sales on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key on Sundays beginning at 7 a.m.
“I proposed the language change, as right now, as we speak, some stores can already legally sell alcohol on Sunday mornings but the same ‘type’ of store, for no good reason, cannot sell on Sunday mornings,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said in a post on NorthEscambia.com. “This is currently based upon such store’s geographic location in the county. Stores at the beaches can sell, but stores on the mainland cannot.”
“This is backwards, discriminatory, and unfair,” Bergosh said.
There was only one speaker during Thursday morning’s public hearing on the ordinance. Larry Downs, Jr., who frequently addressed the commission on numerous topics, asked commissioners if the ordinance would be in effect this Sunday.
“Will this go into effect like this Sunday?” Downs asked with a chuckle. “I’m just trying to be the very first one at 7 a.m. at the Gulf Beach Grocery to, you know, to right this wrong,”
The ordinance will go into effect after it’s filed with the Florida Department of State, according to County Attorney Alison Rogers. She said the county has up to 10 days to send the ordinance to them.
“Larry, I’ll stick around after the meeting and sign it,” Commission Chairman Robert Bender said.
The new ordinance passed 4-0 Thursday, with Commissioner Lumon May out of the room at the time of the vote.