60 Apply For The Escambia County Fire Chief Job
December 7, 2020
There were 60 people that applied to be the next Escambia County fire chief.
The job has been open for well over a year. The county’s last fire chief, Rusty Nail, was hired in April 2018 and submitted his resignation about a year later.
A selection is not expected until early 2021.
“They are reviewing applications and there will be several rounds of interview,” Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale said.
In alphabetical order, the 60 applicants for chief of Escambia Fire Rescue are:
- Michael A. Aaron
- Daniel Augustus Akerman
- William D. Austin, Jr.
- Michael Joseph Bailey
- Christopher L. Balassone
- William D. Beaty, Jr.
- Greg Benson
- James C. Bird
- Richard C. Bode
- Joshua E. Brown
- John G. Brubaker
- Roger Keith Burton
- Raymond W. Canafax
- Craig Carr
- Donald S. Collins
- Clinton Cooke
- Larry James Couch
- Thomas H. Croteau
- Richard Shannon Draper
- Walter G. Ebbert, IV
- Mark Ellis
- Ian Emmons
- William Ervin
- John P. Flick
- Christopher Michael Gerwick
- Jeremiah A. Gilley
- Joseph A. Glover
- Christopher L. Hatch
- James A. Hinton
- Walter H. Hower
- Trenton D. Kleinow
- Dale Kyrouac
- Joshua D. Luke
- Greg W. Main
- Jerry L. Marrison
- Brian D. Mayo
- Stephen W. McBride
- Robert McGilloway
- Robert D. Metzger
- Thomas J. Moran
- Michael C. Morton
- Michael P. Osman
- James Pribble
- John R. Schleicher
- Blain A. Schumacher
- Randall E. Sides
- Jeffery H. Sinclair
- Daniel R. Spillman
- Ellison L. Stearns
- James A. Stillwagon, II
- LeAnn Tacon
- James W. Tobin
- David M. Torsell
- William D. Vinyard
- Michael J. Vogel
- Jason G. Wallace
- Loren Shawn Whittington
- Robert L. Wirtz
- Maurice A. Witt
- Scott Wolfe
Florida Gas Prices Jump After Solid Gains In Oil Prices
December 7, 2020
Florida gas prices were up an average of 13 cents last week, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon in the state was up to $2.16 a gallon, still 38 cents less than this time last year.
Escambia County gas prices averaged a little less than the rest of the state at $2.13. In Cantonment, a low of $2.13 could be found on Muscogee Road Sunday night, will Pensacola prices bottomed out at $1.91 at a station on Airport Boulevard.
Oil prices remain the primary driver for prices at the pump. The price of crude reached a new 9-month high on Friday, settling at $46.26 per barrel. The price of US crude is now nearly 25% more than a month ago.
ECSO Looking For Missing, Endangered Woman Last Seen Two Weeks Ago
December 7, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing and endangered Cantonment woman.
Leslie Weaden, 19, was reported missing to the ECSO on December 6, but she was last seen two week ago in the 700 block of Ellington Street. She may be driving a red 2003 Ford Mustang with a missing bumper and Florida tag number LHUN11.
Anyone with information on Weaden’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436.-9620.
FDOT: Daily Paving Delays Highway 29 From Cantonment To Molino Again This Week
December 7, 2020
Drivers on Highway 29 can expect delays from Cantonment to Molino each day this week as contractors continue laying the final layer of asphalt.
There will be intermittent delays and lane closures between south of Muscogee Road to Highway 97 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The resurfacing work is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Northview High Graduate Shot And Killed In Jackson, Alabama
December 6, 2020
A Northview High School graduate was shot and killed in Jackson, Alabama, and his college roommate is charged with his death.
Daniel Lamar Merit, age 20 of Century, was in a vehicle with Gordon Marks, 20, Friday night in the area of the McDonald’s in Jackson when there was some sort of gun play, according to Jackson Police. Merit was killed when the gun went off. Authorities said alcohol was believed to be involved in the incident.
Marks, who owned the gun, was arrested and charged of manslaughter and possession of a weapon without a permit. He was booked into the Clarke County (AL) Jail.
Police described Marks and Merit as college roommates on break; Marks is from Jackson.
Merit was a 2019 graduate of Northview High School where he was a multi-sport athlete. Merit played football, basketball, advanced to state in track and placed in regional weightlifting for the Chiefs.
Pictured: Daniel Lamar Merit as he graduated from Northview High School in 2019. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Held In Walnut Hill
December 6, 2020
A 10,000 pound food giveaway will be held Saturday in Walnut Hill.
The drive-thru event was held by Justified Incarcerated Ministries, Pensacola Caring Hearts and Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The event was originally planned for the Walnut Hill Community Center, but was moved on Saturday to Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Slowdowns For The Week
December 6, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Dec. 6:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – There will be intermittent daytime westbound right turn lane closures the week of Monday, Dec. 7.
- U.S. 98 Temporary Road Closure from Palafox Street, West Garden Street, and East Garden Street – Motorists will encounter a temporary road closure from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 for an event.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect north and southbound closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 11 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Christmas Parade – Motorists will encounter minor traffic delays and temporary closures from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 for the annual Christmas parade. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- S.R. 4 and S.R. 89 Town of Jay Christmas Parade – Motorists will encounter minor traffic delays and temporary closures from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 for the annual Christmas parade. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 11, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements to accommodate additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Open Competition Season With A Bid To Nationals
December 6, 2020
The Tate High School Aggie competition cheerleading team opened their first weekend of competition at the UCA National Qualifier in Tampa. Their performance earned them a top three finish and a bid to nationals.
Last year, the Tate Aggie cheerleaders won a state championship and placed fifth in the nation.
Photo for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Man Wanted For Aggravated Battery Is Back In Jail
December 6, 2020
UPDATE 12:50 PM – This suspect is back in the Escambia County Jail.
Hours after he was released from jail, an Escambia County man is wanted for battery.
Eric James Doyle, 34, was released from the Escambia County Jail about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. By 2:30 p.m., an Escambia County new release said he was wanted for aggravated battery.
He was described as a 170 pound, 5-foot 11-inch white male with brown or black hair and a beard.
Anyone that knows Doyle’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Doyle was being held on charges that included aggravated battery. Escambia County, which operates the jail, did not say if he was released by mistake or is accused of a different crime.
Two Inmates Stabbed At Century Correctional Institution
December 5, 2020
Two inmates were stabbed Friday at Century Correctional Institution.
Ambulances were dispatched at 12:25 to the prison on Tedder Road for a stabbing call, according to Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale. Two patients were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS and Flomaton Lifeguard ambulance.
“There was an isolated incident involving an inmate-on-inmate assault at Century Correctional Institution. Security staff immediately responded, and the incident was swiftly brought under control,” the Florida Department of Corrections told NorthEscambia.com following the incident.
FDC confirmed that two inmates were injured but did not confirm their identities or the extent of their injuries.
Century Correctional Institution remained under normal operation following the incident.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.