Fire Destroys Storage Shed In Molino
December 9, 2020
Fire destroyed a storage shed in Molino midday Wednesday.
The fire was reported shortly before noon on Highway 97 at a home next door to Escambia County Farm Bureau. The shed was a complete loss.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: A shed burns on South Highway 97 in Molino midday Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Air Force Captain From Cantonment Charged With Sexual Battery Of Child
December 9, 2020
An Air Force captain from Cantonment is behind bars this afternoon charged with the sexual assault of a child.
Zachary Stephen Green, 31, is charged with capital sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age and two felony counts of child abuse. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Green admitted to a Department of Children and Families investigator that he committed child abuse by squeezing, pinching and biting two children, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. He also admitted to the sexual battery of one of the children, the report continues.
The report states Green also admitted an addiction to transgender pornography, but not child pornography.
Most of Green’s other statements to law enforcement were redacted from the arrest report.
Green’s occupation was listed as captain in the United States Air Force on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Invited To Become Miami Marlins Double-A Affiliate
December 9, 2020
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos received a formal invitation from Major League Baseball to become the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins on Wednesday morning.
“We are very excited to be invited to partner with the Miami Marlins,” Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer said. “The Marlins franchise, fresh off a trip to the playoffs in 2020, boasts one of the top five Minor League farm systems in baseball. We look forward to completing the process to officially become an affiliate of the Marlins and to put an extremely talented, winning team in front of our fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Off the field, the Marlins share our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and bettering the community, and we look forward to being great partners to them both at the ballpark and away from it.”
When the license applications processes are completed, the Marlins will have their two highest-level affiliates located within the state of Florida, with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp making the jump from Double-A to Triple-A.
“We are excited to invite Pensacola to be the Miami Marlins’ Double-A affiliate,” Gary Denbo, the Vice President of Player Development for the Marlins said. “Pensacola is widely recognized as one of the top franchises in minor league baseball and we are pleased that our outstanding young players and Player Development staff will have the opportunity to continue their ascension to the Major Leagues in front of the great fans at beautiful Blue Wahoos Stadium.”
The invitation to join the Marlins farm system continues an exciting fall for the Blue Wahoos franchise. The team was recently awarded Baseball America’s Bob Freitas Award, given to the organization of the year at each level of the Minor Leagues, completing an impressive and historic triple crown of major awards for the team in 2020. Earlier in the year, the team was the recipient of the Ballpark Digest Best Double-A Ballpark award and Minor League Baseball’s Best Overall Golden Bobblehead, making the Blue Wahoos the first team in history to receive each of the three most prestigious awards available to Minor League teams in a single year.
The Marlins will become the third affiliate for the Blue Wahoos franchise. The team was previously a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization (2012-2018) and the Minnesota Twins (2019-2020).
“Our entire organization would like to pass along our gratitude to the Minnesota Twins for their partnership with the Blue Wahoos over the past two years,” Studer said. “On the field, they provided a playoff-caliber team for us. Off the field, they were excellent business and community partners, recently making a generous donation to hurricane relief efforts in our city. We wish the Twins nothing but the best.”
In a subsequent announcement, the Beloit Snappers were invited to become the Advanced-A affiliate of the Marlins. The Snappers, located in Wisconsin, are also managed by the Studers.
Molino Utilities Phone Lines Are Down
December 9, 2020
The phone lines at Molino Utilities are down, and the utility said Wednesday morning that it may be up to 48 hours before service is restored. Customers are asked to first call the regular number at (850) 587-5538. If that does not work, customers should call (850) 530-6707.
Arrest Made In Cantonment Animal Cruelty Case
December 9, 2020
A man has been arrested in a 2019 animal cruelty case in Cantonment.
Gregory Burns, 62, was arrested this week on a charge of animal abuse and later released on a $6,000 bond.
In April 2019, a nearby resident called PER to report that four horses appeared malnourished and were being kept in a barren pasture. One horse, Callie, was removed from the property at 316 Meander Lane off Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The in September 2019, three additional malnourished horses — Sassy, Montana and Legend — were removed and also placed under the care of Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER). Two of them were having difficulty breathing at the time, according to PER.
A report notes that there was no available grazing in the pasture, and the hay provided was old with black mildew in it.
“Panhandle Equine Rescue worked with this individual trying to assist him for a long period of time, and that did not result in a favorable outcome,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday. “We reviewed the case and determined that charges were appropriate.”
Pictured: Three malnourshed horses were removed from this property in Cantonment in September 2019. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo: Tate High Agricultural Mechanics Students Learning Real World Skills
December 9, 2020
Tate High School agricultural mechanics students are learning skills to be successful in the local and national workforce. The students cut and fabricated three different fire pit designs in Tate’s agricultural mechanics shop. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Still Picking Up Debris. And Marking Ineligible Piles.
December 9, 2020
Escambia County is still picking up Hurricane Sally debris, and marking ineligible piles.
As of Tuesday, there have been 75,928 loads hauled and 3,865,756 cubic yards of debris removed — enough to fill 83% of the Superdome in New Orleans.
The final set out date for Hurricane Sally debris was December 1, with a goal to finish collections by Christmas.
Ineligible piles are being marked orange. Indelible debris includes items from landscaping, land cleaning, garage cleaning, illegal dumping, debris located on private property and debris generated by businesses. The resident or business will be responsible for removal. More information is in the graphic on this page.
Driver’s License Clinic To Assist Participants In Restoring Driving Privileges
December 9, 2020
The First Judicial Circuit will host a Driver’s License Clinic on Friday, March 26, 2021, to assist individuals whose licenses have been revoked, suspended, or cancelled. The event will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many if not most participants will be assisted virtually. Only certain participants who need to see a judge or hearing officer will be seen in the courthouse, and social distancing protocols will be carefully observed.
Registration now open in order that more services can be provided in advance of the actual clinic day.
Staff from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office, Florida Department of Revenue, Escambia County Clerk of Court, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Attorney, and the Office of the Public Defender, along with judges and court and community corrections staff, will be available to assist registrants and provide individualized information relevant to each participant’s personal circumstances. The goal of the clinic is to provide “one-stop shopping” for citizens to interact with the appropriate state agencies and/or the court, so they can determine how to regain their driving privileges.
Drivers’ licenses may be suspended for a variety of reasons, including:
- failure to pay traffic tickets;
- the accumulation of too many points on one’s driving record;
- failure to pay child support;
- failure to pay or work off fines, fees, and costs imposed as part of a criminal sentence;
- failure to maintain automobile insurance; 6) failure to register a vehicle or keep or renew the registration;
- failure to obtain, renew, or return a car tag; or
- designation as an habitual traffic offender.
Licenses may also be revoked as a consequence of entering a plea to certain crimes, such as driving under the influence or certain drug-related offenses.
Clinic eligibility is outlined on the Escambia County Driver’s License Clinic event page at https://escambiacountydriverslicenseclinic2021.eventbrite.com
Registrants should use care to enter the precise weblink for registration, as search engines or inaccurate entry may result in access to an incorrect webpage. Availability is limited, so interested persons should register as soon as possible. Participants must be pre-registered in order to receive service at the clinic; walk-ins will not be accepted. A list of frequently asked questions is available at www.firstjudicialcircuit.org.
Florida Forest Service Offers Tips To Care For Timber After Hurricanes Sally And Zeta
December 9, 2020
Clean up and recovery from the 2020 hurricane season is well under way. While progress is being made, the damage done to timberland might impact your forest for years to come. Here are few tips and reminders from the Florida Forest Service for getting your timber stand back on track:
- Always be safety conscious. Watch for leaning trees and limb hangers in trees. These can come loose without warning and injure or kill.
- Document your damage (this can include photos, drone footage, scale tickets from salvage operations, damage estimates from a forester, invoices from clean up contractors, etc)
- Clear your access roads and firelines
- Repair eroded roadways and stream crossings
- Determine if you need to make any changes to your management strategies
- If needed, seek assistance for financial help, vendor lists, a new management plan, and/or recommendations on how to proceed
- Implement new or existing management plan
Damage from Hurricane Sally has been inconsistent with damaged forest stands scattered across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Hurricane Zeta further impacted timber in the northwest part of Escambia County.
In all, most areas in Florida saw only light damage. Often the best thing to do for lightly damaged timber is to leave it be or possibly something as simple as a well-timed prescribed burn. A few areas saw more significant damage that could require salvage operations or clearing, site preparation, and replanting. \
If you are uncertain what would be the best approach for your forest or are seeking financial assistance in your restoration efforts, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin in Molino at (850) 587-5237.
Man Charged With Murdering His Former Stepson Off East Kingsfield Road
December 9, 2020
A man is charged with murdering his former stepson in a domestic incident Friday afternoon in neighborhood off East Kingsfield Road, and authorities said he was arrested after returning to the scene of the crime.
It happened in the 2300 block of Packwood Drive about 1:15 p.m. The victim, 38-year old Christoper Roan, was found deceased inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds.
The suspect, 54-year old James Isiah Blackmon, was booked into the Escambia County Jail charged with second degree murder, first degree attempted premeditated murder and firing deadly missiles for shooting his weapon. Roan was identified by the ECSO as Blackmon’s former stepson.
“The murder stemmed from an argument between the two family members and escalated when Blackmon shot and killed Roan,” ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard said.
Southard confirmed that Blackmon left the scene and then returned.
Neighbors told NorthEscambia.com that Blackmon fled in a red sports car immediately after the shooting before coming back and surrendering to deputies.
Exclusive photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
