A Month Of Temporary Lane Closures Begin Today On Highway 168
October 22, 2015
There will be temporary lane closures beginning today and continuing for about a month on Highway 168 near Bratt. The temporary single lane closures will take place on the Hobbs Branch Bridge on Highway 168 between Pine Barren Road and Wiggins Road from today through Wednesday, November 25. The lane closures will be between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pictured: The Hobbs Branch Bridge on Highway 168 Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Lawmakers Look To Help Firefighters With Cancer
October 22, 2015
House and Senate members Wednesday detailed legislation aimed at creating a presumption that firefighters diagnosed with cancer got the disease while in the line of duty.
The bills filed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, would change a burden of proof about what caused the cancer. The burden would go from the employee to the employer.
Fitzenhagen said science has proven firefighters are at a much greater risk for cancer than the general population, given their hazardous work environment.
“In the gear that firefighters wear, there are a lot of places where carcinogens can get in touch with the skin, even though they are wearing protective gear,” she said. “Typically, those places are around the neck.”
Supporters say the legislation is necessary because employees are now being let go after using up sick leave and short-term disability. The bills will be considered during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Molino Firefighters Battle Debris Pile Fire
October 22, 2015
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported brush fire Wednesday night on Highway 95 in Molino. Firefighters arrived to find a debris pile burning behind the old Lee Boats building just south of Highland Baptist Church. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low 60’s Tonight; Mid 80’s Friday
October 22, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
House Fire Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
October 21, 2015
An Escambia County woman was killed in a house fire this morning.
The fire in the 5800 block of Bilek Drive, off West Michagan Avenue claimed the life of 66-year old Barbara A. Smith.
The fire was reported shortly before 8 a.m. by a neighbor who reported seeing smoke coming from the residence. Escambia County Fire Rescue was able to quickly extinguish the fire, which was confined primarily to one bedroom in the house. The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate.
Wanted Century Man Arrested For Attempted Murder For Bar Shooting
October 21, 2015
A Century man is now behind bars for an October 11 shooting at a Century bar.
Kendrick Jamar Washington, 27, is being held in the Escambia County Jail on charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. His bond was set at $750,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS were called to Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard at the Alabama state line about 11:50 p.m. on October 11.
According to witnesses, Washington shot David Darnell McCall following an argument over Washington’s girlfriend. McCall was transported first by private vehicle to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his head.
Investigators quickly developed Washington as a suspect and a search had been underway for him.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Assault Outside Nightclub
October 21, 2015
A Walnut Hill man is facing multiple felony charges after an alleged assaulting two people — including a security guard — with a Crown Royal bottle outside a Pensacola nightclub.
Thomas Zachariah Mason, 26, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, disorderly intoxication and possession of cocaine. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $36,000 bond.
The altercation occurred in a Seville Quarter parking lot, with a Seville Quarter security guard and another individual telling Pensacola Police that Mason struck them in the head with a liquor bottle.
When police officers searched Mason, they reported finding two small plastics bag containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Pine Forest Road, Nokomis Road To Close Next Week
October 21, 2015
Pine Forest Road and Nokomis Road are scheduled to be closed at their railroad crossings next week.
Nokomis Road in Davisville is set to be closed Monday, October 26 at 7 a.m. through Tuesday, October 27 at 4 p.m. Drivers may detour on Meadows Lane.
Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill is set to be closed Wednesday, October 28 at 7 a.m. through Thursday, October 29 at 4 p.m.. Drivers may detour on Rockaway Creek and Pelt Roads.
Crews will be working to replace the railroad crossings on both roadways.
Mold Discovered In Century Town Hall
October 21, 2015
Mold was discovered in the Century Town Hall, but quick remediation steps were taken to ensure the health of the public and employees.
The mold was discovered in a utility closet directly adjacent to the main entrance that was housing a leaky water heater. Servpro, a professional cleaning company, was hired to remove the mold and the area was sealed off for repairs.
According to Mayor Freddie McCall, the mold was contained to the closet, and the air quality in the building testing safe.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Uninjured In Highway 97 Accident
October 21, 2015
A driver was uninjured after striking a pole or some other object along Highway 97 in Walnut Hill early Wednesday morning.
The adult male was pulled over along Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99, where the accident was reported by OnStar at about 1 a.m. The driver told first responders that he had struck an unknown pole somewhere nearby, but authorities were not immediately able to determine the location of the pole.
The man’s vehicle did have damage to the driver’s side, was missing the driver’s side rearview mirror, and the side curtain airbags had deployed.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded.