Suspect In Multiple Carjackings Shot After Trying To Run Over Officer North Of Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
January 8, 2021
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A suspect tied to multiple carjackings across south Alabama was shot by a Poarch Creek Police officer Friday morning north of Atmore, according to one Alabama police department.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Creek Travel Plaza located at I-65 and Jacks Springs Road, about a mile from the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The man was shot by a Poarch Creek Tribal Police officer and transported to an area hospital for treatment. An update on the suspect’s condition has not been provided. No officers were injured.
According to Wetumpka (AL) Assistant Police Chief Earl Reeves, their first contact with the man was during suspicious persons call at 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The man told police officers he had just been discharged from a hospital and was waiting on a ride. Police said his story was verified, and he was told not to panhandle or harass anyone.
At 5:41 a man driving a Nissan Armada left his vehicle running as he went inside the Pace Car Gas Station in Wetumpka. The suspect jumped in and drove away with an assault rifle that had been left in the vehicle, according to AL.com.
The suspect took the Armada to Evergreen where it was discovered abandoned at 10:40 p.m. but the assault rifle was missing.. The suspect then reportedly then took another vehicle at gunpoint and drove to north to Greenville, Alabama.
The suspect then carjacked a vehicle at a gas station in Greenville near I-65, according to Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn. He then carjacked another vehicle at a Murphy gas station at the Greenville Walmart, also near I-65.
Lovvorn said Greenville Police pinged the location of vehicle and discovered it was near Atmore. Poarch Creek Police located the vehicle in the Creek Travel Plaza parking lot, where the suspected attempted to run over the officer, according to Greenville Police. The Poarch officer then fired at the suspect.
“After being approached by uniformed officers and marked patrol vehicles, an altercation ensued forcing officers to discharge their firearms,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said.
A Chevrolet vehicle with the windows shot out was directly in front of the truck stop’s diner. Multiple shell casings could be seen in the parking lot, and about a dozen bullet holes were in the windows of the diner.
An assault-style rifle was removed from the scene by the SBI.
Special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating the officer involved shooting. SBI said the results of their investigation will be turned over to the Escambia County (AL) District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Creek Travel Plaza is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, but is not located on the reservation.
The suspect’s name has not been released. Further details will be posted when they are made available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Going To Blow Tonight’ – Cantonment Man Charged With Arson For Setting House On Fire
January 8, 2021
A Cantonment man has been charged by state investigators with setting fire to a local house.
Andrew Christian Geoghagan was charged with felony arson of a structure by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations in connection with a fire in the 600 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment.
A state fire investigator found the structure fire was started Geoghagan by lighting his backpack containing his clothes and papers taken from the residence.
Before the fire, Geoghagan was seen taking a propane tank, and when confronted he stated, “that’s alright this [expletive] is going to blow tonight,” according to an arrest report. He was also seen in the area of the fire.
Geoghagan’s grandmother told investigators that he has issues with schizophrenia and was thought to be using methamphetamine, the report states. She also stated he had started other fires in the past.
After his arrest, Geoghagan refused to answer any questions. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
The estimated damage to the structure was approximately $1,000.
Didn’t Receive Your $600 Stimulus Money? Prepaid Debit Cards Going Out This Week
January 8, 2021
Starting this week, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are sending approximately 8 million second Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) by prepaid debit card.
These EIP Cards follow the millions of payments already made by direct deposit and the ongoing mailing of paper checks that are delivering the second round of Economic Impact Payments as rapidly as possible.
For those who don’t receive a direct deposit, they should watch their mail for either a paper check or a prepaid debit card. To speed delivery of the payments to reach as many people as soon as possible the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service is sending payments out by prepaid debit card.
IRS and Treasury urge eligible people who don’t receive a direct deposit to watch their mail carefully during this period. The prepaid debit card, called the Economic Impact Payment card, is sponsored by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank, N.A.
Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the second mailed EIP may be different than the first mailed EIP. Some people who received a paper check last time might receive a prepaid debit card this time, and some people who received a prepaid debit card last time may receive a paper check.
EIP Cards are being sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. The EIP Card has the Visa name on the front of the Card and the issuing bank name, MetaBank, N.A. on the back of the card. Each mailing will include instructions on how to securely activate and use the EIP Card.
Escambia County Now Reporting Number Of Recovered COVID-19 Patients
January 8, 2021
For the first time since the pandemic began, Escambia County is now reporting a number of people believed to be recovered from COVID-19.
Of the 24,530 total cases in Escambia County as of Thursday, the county reports 22,794, or 98.2% of them have recovered, for a fatality risk of 1.8%.
The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered.
As for the “fatality risk”, here’s how the Escambia County explains that calculation: “The Crude Case-Fatality Risk (CFR) is calculated by dividing the Total Number of Fatalities in Escambia County (Resident and Non-Resident) by the Total Number of Confirmed Cases in Escambia County (Resident and Non-Resident) and multiplying by 100%. The Crude Case-Recovery Risk (CRR) is calculated by subtracting the CFR from 100%. The CFR and CRR are not adjusted for the time delay from diagnosis to death which is highly variable from one to eight weeks.”
NorthEscambia.com now includes this recovered number data in our daily reporting.
Pictured: COVID-19 testing last August at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
6th And 7th Grade Students Encouraged To Apply For Take Stock In Children Full Scholarships
January 8, 2021
Applications are now available for Take Stock in Children Scholarships.
Take Stock in Children is a scholarship and mentorship program operating under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. Students selected to participate are matched with a mentor and agree to maintain satisfactory grades, attendance, citizenship, and remain drug and crime free. At graduation, students receive a four year Florida college tuition scholarship.
Eligible sixth and sixth grade students can obtain applications and deadline details from their middle school guidance counselors. Sixth grade applications will be held for selection in July, after year-end grades are available and the number of available scholarships has been determined.
Because this year’s seventh grade students in Florida schools didn’t have a chance to be selected last Spring, due to the pandemic’s disruption to school schedules,
Due to the pandemic, this year’s seventh grade students missed the selection opportunity in 2020. They are encouraged to apply this month. Their applications will be reviewed in February and selections will be announced in late February or early March. Any student who completed an application in November do not need not apply again.
To be eligible to apply, the student applicant must:
- Be a sixth or seventh grade student in an Escambia County public school.
- Provide proof of family financial eligibility for free and/or reduced lunch based upon USDA guidelines.
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
To see income eligibility guidelines and required documents, click or tap here.
To receive an application and check deadlines, contact the student’s school guidance counselor. Questions about the application and ways to support the Take Stock in Children program through donations for scholarships, or by volunteering to be a TSIC Mentor, should be directed to Escambia County’s TSIC Student Services Coordinator Sally Lee at SLee@ecsdfl.us or call (850) 341-6607.
Pictured: Students that joined the Take Stock in Children scholarship program in 2019. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Concrete Pour Set To Begin On Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs
January 8, 2021
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractors have set multiple beam spans and will begin pouring concrete for the deck on the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Beams and decks are part of the bridge superstructure that support traffic and bear the load passing over it. The deck, the surface of the bridge that will serve as a roadway for vehicles are supported by the beams.
Simultaneously, multiple teams are:
- Demolishing damaged spans on the bridge.
- Removing debris near the bottom of the bay.
- Fabricating multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams for reconstruction from the Pensacola precast yard and a facility in Tampa.
- Driving piles and setting beams to repair bridge spans.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Tuesday, January 12, 2021. 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 has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Ascension Sacred Heart Scheduling Monday Vaccination Appointments
January 7, 2021
Ascension Sacred Heart plans to hold additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Monday, Jan. 11, in Milton and Pensacola for local residents who are age 65 and older.
Both clinics are being organized in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and officials from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The Pensacola clinic will take place in the gym of Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. In Santa Rosa County, the vaccination clinic will be located in the basketball gym of Milton Community Center, 5329 Byrom Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The vaccinations must be scheduled in advance. Persons without an appointment will not be eligible to get the vaccine.
To schedule a vaccination at either site, visit www.getsacredheartcare.com and click on the link for COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments were available at the time this story was published.
Ascension Sacred Heart does not have enough vaccine yet to meet the great demand for the vaccine in the community, but it will schedule more clinics as additional vaccine becomes available.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a new executive order directing that the next priority group for vaccinations in Florida should be persons age 65 and older. The seniors group follows the first priority group, which is healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents and staff.
To support the Florida DOH as it develops a long-term, comprehensive approach to community vaccinations, Ascension Sacred Heart is working with the state and other community partners to deploy vaccines to those 65 and older.
Ascend Cares Grant Buys Thermal Imaging Cameras For Bratt, Brent, West Pensacola Fire Stations
January 7, 2021
An Ascend Cares Community Impact Grant has provided funds for a thermal imaging camera at each of three fire stations — Bratt, Brent and West Pensacola.
The $4,200 grant purchased FLIR K2 cameras to assist firefighters in a number of ways, most importantly in helping to locate fire victims faster. The lightweight cameras can withstand a 6.5 foot drop onto concrete, are water resistant and are fully operational up to 500 degrees for three minutes. Each thermal imaging camera also comes with a spare battery and charger.
“This grant for thermal imagers and the others received through the Ascend Cares grants has saved the county thousands of dollars, and significantly benefits the citizens we serve,” interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said. “I hope to equip all apparatus with a FLIR K2 thermal imaging camera, which will provide the truck officer, as well as search crews a camera, thus greatly enhancing their ability to locate victims, extinguish the seat of the fire and monitor structural conditions. These are fantastic tools for Escambia County Fire Rescue, and we would like to thank Ascend Cares, a longtime community partner with ECFR, for the grant that will positively impact the community.”
Lt. Austin Langfeldt is a volunteer firefighter with ECFR and works for Ascend Performance Materials. He has been instrumental in obtaining several grants from Ascend Cares program.
Ascend is proud to support local first responders through its nonprofit Ascend Cares Community Impact Grant program,” Langfeldt said. “ECFR is one of the busiest departments in the state, and these thermal imagers will support the front line personnel in preserving life and property throughout Escambia County. As a member of ECFR, I am happy to know that my peers will be receiving additional tools to help them perform ECFR’s mission.”
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Daily Record
January 7, 2021
The number of daily COVID-19 local hospitalizations has reached record territory.
There were 268 people currently hospitalized in Escambia County on Wednesday, following a week of steady increases. During a summer surge, local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of 246 on July 20.
According to Escambia County, there were 11 adult ICU beds available in Escambia County Wednesday night – none at Baptist, one at West Florida and 10 at Sacred Heart. Of the 215 total ventilators in the county, 142 were available.
A month ago, there were 121 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the county. Six additional deaths and 460 new virus cases were reported Wednesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
A Final Farewell: Funeral Service Held For Former Molino Fire Chief Gary Diamond (With Photo Gallery)
January 7, 2021
One of Gary Diamond’s last requests was a final ride atop a Molino fire engine.
Wednesday afternoon, he took his last ride atop the Molino Station’s new Engine 18 to his final resting place in the Highland Baptist Church cemetery.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Diamond was a longtime firefighter, serving during his career as the volunteer chief in Molino, a captain at Navarre Beach and fire service instructor at Pensacola State College.
“He was more than just a man. He dedicated his life to serving and protecting others,” Diamond’s son Joseph Diamond said.
Diamond was murdered at his home during the early morning hours of December 26.
Firefighters, family and friends from across the area gathered for Diamond’s funeral Wednesday at Olive Baptist Church and a graveside service at Highland Baptist. In the cemetery, a fireman’s bell tolled in his honor, “Amazing Grace” was played on a bagpipe, and an Escambia County Fire dispatcher conducted a “last call” over the county’s fire radio system.
“Escambia to Chief Gary Diamond,” the dispatcher called with no response.
“Escambia to Chief Gary Diamond,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the graveside service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used to alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“There is no response from Chief Gary Diamond. Chief Diamond has answered his last call. The members of Escambia County Fire Rescue wish to thank Chief Gary Diamond and his family for his years of service to the citizens of Escambia County. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten. Escambia clear.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Diamond joined the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in 1982 before transferring to Molino. He worked his way through the ranks to assistant chief of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department in 1987 and went on to serve as Molino chief from November 1992 to September 1993. He was currently volunteering as a fleet transport driver for Escambia Fire Rescue, moving fire apparatus around the county as needed.
“I was saddened and heartbroken to hear the news about Gary this morning,” Interim Escambia Fire Rescue Chief Paul Williams said. “He was not only a longtime part of Escambia Fire Rescue, but a longtime friend as well.”
“He was very nice with a very laid back kind of attitude. He was obviously willing to give and volunteer his time, and willing to serve the community,” Williams added.
Diamond was a captain at Navarre Beach Fire Rescue for a decade, retiring to take care of a family member. He recently returned to Navarre Beach Fire, pulling extra shifts as a fill-in captain.
“He worked his way up through the ranks until he retired as captain of C Shift,” Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Chief Danny Fureigh said. “He was an extremely well educated, well seasoned firefighter known throughout the area.”
Fureigh said that Diamond was always there for the department – always around cooking and volunteering at department events.
“He was always there. He and his family were a big part of us,” the Navarre Beach fire chief said. “He never met a stranger, would give you the shirt off his back. He was legitimately a good guy…this is a horrific event.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
