Escambia Deputies Were Justified In Shooting Man During ‘Running Gun Battle’, State Attorney Says
November 6, 2020
No charges will be filed against three Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies for shooting a man in August during what was described as a “running gun battle”.
Tyler Edward Brooks,. 30, fired a rifle at deputies when they went to arrest him on Matthews Junction Road near Saufley Field on August 28. Brooks fled into a wooded area, resulting a manhunt.
When Brooks was taken into custody, he was found to be suffering from four gunshot wounds — three to the abdomen and one to his right arm. He was transported to the hospital for treatment. After his arrest, the charges against him were upgraded to attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.
Assistant State Attorney John Molchan said the use of force was justified and no criminal charges are warranted. He said the use of force by the deputies attempting to stop a fleeing felon was in direct response to Brooks firing them in an incident that was captured on video.
“The deputies fired at him when he was fleeing and armed with a high powered rifle that he had just pointed as his mother and fired at the deputies. At that time, Brooks presented a clear threat of death or serious bodily harm to the public,” Molchan wrote in his findings.
Escambia Approves Contract With Dr. Deanna Oleske As District 1 Medical Examiner
November 6, 2020
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday approved the employment agreement Dr. Deanna A. Oleske, moving her closer to becoming the District 1 medical examiner.
Her name will go to the governor’s office for official appointment.
“I am honored to have made it through this round of approvals from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners,” said Oleske. “Serving the residents of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties has been very rewarding as an associate medical examiner. I am eager to bring transparency, integrity and compassion in my new role as the next District 1 medical examiner.”
The District 1 medical examiner position has been vacant since October 1, 2019. Oleske was recommended by a search committee appointed by State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Oleske holds active medical licenses in Florida and Texas. She earned a medical doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University in Bloomington. Dr. Oleske is double board certified in forensic pathology and anatomic pathology. She is currently a deputy medical examiner at the Fort Bend medical examiner’s office in Rosenberg, Texas and an associate medical examiner at the District 1 medical examiner’s office in Pensacola. From December 2016 to May 2020, she was an associate medical examiner at the District 23 medical examiner’s office in St. Augustine. Dr. Oleske is also an assistant clinical professor of pathology and the forensic pathology clerkship site director at the University of Central Florida.
Ivey Extends Alabama Mask Order Until December 11
November 5, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that the state’s mask order has been extended until Friday, December 11. It was set to expire on Sunday.
Ivey said she had hoped to change the order into a strong recommendation, but it’s simply not time. She said with the impending flu season, the flu and COVID-19 could be a “deadly combination”.
“I know you can’t go on forever with a government mandate,” Ivey said. “I am willing to keep the mask order in place acknowledging that sooner or later it will be up to each up us to do the right thing.”
She did roll back restrictions on retail stores and restaurants, and close contact service providers such as hair and nail salons, allowing them to return to full capacity if everyone is following CDC guidelines.
“If you mask up and social distance, you can increase occupancy in your businesses,” Ivey said.
Specifically:
- Occupancy rates were removed for retailers, fitness centers and entertainment venues.
- An exception to social-distancing rules will be allowed for many businesses, including barber shops, hair salons, gyms, and restaurants, if people are wearing masks and separated by an “impermeable” barrier such as plexiglass partitions.
FDOT Wants Public Input On Potential I-10, Beulah Road Interchange
November 5, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a study to consider the addition of a new I-10 interchange along I-10 in the vicinity of Beulah Road.
The project includes the widening of Beulah Road from West Nine Mile Road to Isaacs Lane, the realignment from Isaacs Lane to West Kingsfield Road, a new interchange at I-10 and the widening of I-10 from the Florida/Alabama line to the Pensacola weigh station.
The project encompasses an area that will see a significant amount of a future development.
As a result of planned growth, there is a need to provide connectivity from new areas of development to the surrounding regional transportation system, according to FDOT. Additionally, there is a need to provide an alternative route that will reduce travel times and congestion within the study area.
For a project update, virtual tour, interactive map and an interactive comment form, click or tap here.
FDOT is seeking public comment on the proposal with a deadline of Thursday, November 19.
Cantonment Man Charged With Pushing Fiancée, Breaking Her Rib
November 5, 2020
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly pushing his fiancée of five years into a chair, breaking her rib.
Eric Lamon Hurst, 45, was charged with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm or injury. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $5,000.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Hurst had been drinking alcohol and began to video her with his phone while she was not dressed appropriately. Despite multiple requests, he would not stop, so she took his phone away. He became upset and bit her lip and hand, according to an arrest report.
Hurst then pushed the victim down into a wooden chair hard enough to break her rib and the chair, the report states. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital for treatment.
Hurst told deputies he was sleeping and did not touch the victim and he was video chatting with his sister. He also said that he was not sure why EMS transported the victim, the ECSOs reported.
Gulf Power Customers To See Slight Electric Rate Increase In January
November 5, 2020
Gulf Power customers will see a small rate increase on their bills in January.
Gulf Power residential customers that use 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month will see their bill increase by 19 cents from $140.43 to $140.62, according to the Florida Public Service Commission. The 1,000 kilowatt hours in an example; actual usage varies widely among consumers.
Customers of Florida Power & Light, the parent company of Gulf Power, will see a $2.62 increase for 1,000 kilowatt hours. Their total bill for example usage will increase to $99.05.
Escambia Property Tax Bills Are In The Mail. Here’s How You Can Get A Discount.
November 5, 2020
Collection of Escambia County 2020 real estate and tangible personal property taxes is underway, and there’s a way to get a discount.
This year’s tax rolls include 179,704 accounts totaling over $320 million, and bills are being delivered now by the postal service and should arrive by November 12.
Discounts are available:
- November payments are discounted 4%
- December payments are discounted 3%
- January payments are discounted 2%
- February payments are discounted 1%
- March payments receive no discount, and the gross amount is due by close of business on March 31, 2021.
Any payment made April 1 and after is considered delinquent and will be assessed a penalty.
When mailed, discounts are determined by postmark of payment. When a discount period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the discount period will be extended to the next business day for online payments or walk-in customers.
In addition, help is available for those taxpayers who may need to make partial payments. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee is deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. The installment payment plan application deadline for 2021 property taxes is April 30, 2021.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
By The Numbers: Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increasing
November 5, 2020
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County is increasing.
As of Wednesday, there were 62 patients current hospitalized for COVID-19 in Escambia County, the highest number since September 17.
“The numbers are starting to increase,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “It’s too early to say whether that trend will continue, but please keep taking preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.”
The numbers are still significantly below late July when over 240 were hospitalized.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County. They are not cumulative.
Sourc/graphic: City of Pensacola.
Three Injured In Highway 95A Wreck
November 4, 2020
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday on Highway 95A near East Roberts Road.
Two people were transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS, and a juvenile was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle following the wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Chip Simmons Wins Escambia County Sheriff
November 4, 2020
Republican Chip Simmons will win the race for Escambia County Sheriff.
Simmons received 63.48% (105,838) of the vote to 36.52% (60,881) for Democrat David Alexander III. Both men are former chiefs of the Pensacola Police Department, and Simmons currently serves as chief deputy for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I think we need a way to increase service in the middle and northern end sections of Escambia County,” Simmons told NorthEsambia.com. “We are going to do a review of north end units and potentially look at reopening substations.”
“I really look forward to helping the neighborhoods that are being decimated by the violent crime,” Simmons said about the county as a whole, “violent crime that’s attached to the narcotics trafficking. I’m looking forward to being able to go to those neighborhoods and saying we are going to put our resources in this neighborhood. And we are going to do our best to make sure that the crime in this neighborhood is reduced. Then we are going to fill that up with a level of engagement that they have not yet seen.”
Simmons said he also wants to bring body cameras to the ECSO and increase training.
Simmons will take office in January. Current Sheriff David Morgan did not seek reelection.