Open to The Public: Cottage Hill Water Works Board Meeting
February 5, 2017
The Board of Directors of Cottage Hill Water Works will hold a special board meeting Tuesday, February. 7 at 6 p.m at 16 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment for a presentation by the Escambia County Attorney’s Office on the Sunshine Law.
Juvenile Diversion Push Gets Start In Florida Senate
February 5, 2017
A Senate proposal aimed at keeping young offenders out of the criminal justice system got off to a rocky, but successful, start passing its first committee despite concerns from some Republicans and law-enforcement officials.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved the measure (SB 196) on a 5-2 vote, with Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, opposed. But even some of the lawmakers who supported bill, offered by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said they were uncomfortable with some provisions.
Supporters say programs that issue civil citations to young offenders or otherwise send them to pretrial diversion programs can save money and help youths avoid being marked for the rest of their lives for youthful indiscretions. Children in diversion programs are required to do community service and receive counseling, substance-abuse help or other interventions.
The programs are either in place or are being put in place in 62 of Florida’s 67 counties.
Flores’ bill would require counties to have programs and would require law-enforcement officers to issue citations if juveniles commit one of a list of nonviolent misdemeanors for the first time. Officers could also issue citations for other misdemeanors or for second or third offenses.
According to supporters, about 10,000 children were eligible for civil citations during the state’s last fiscal year, which ended June 30, but didn’t receive them. Flores said that included 620 offenders who were 12 years old, and some who were even younger.
“There are three 7-year-olds somewhere in the state of Florida that committed one of these misdemeanors and were put into the criminal justice system — at 7 years old,” she said. “That is wrong. It is wrong. And we have an opportunity to get it right.”
The bill is in line with a push by Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, to offer for more diversion programs for younger offenders.
Even some boosters of civil citations, though, argued that Flores’ bill goes too far. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, whose department frequently uses diversion programs, said data about children who could receive civil citations under the bill hasn’t been closely examined.
“What’s included in that data are kids who are 17 years old, 6-foot-2, 230 lbs., who smack their mom in the face,” he said. “There are kids included in that with a heroin syringe. There are kids included in that with a crack pipe.”
Gualtieri also said officers might be less willing to lower crimes that would technically qualify for felonies down to misdemeanors — in order to give young offenders a break — if the officers would then have to issue civil citations.
For example, if a shoplifter was caught with just over the amount that makes retail theft a felony, the officer might decide under the new law to go ahead charge the juvenile with a felony. Currently, an officer might go with a misdemeanor.
“When you’re taking away discretion, you’re totally taking it away,” Gualtieri said.
Brandes was among those looking for another way. He proposed, then pulled, an amendment that would have limited the bill’s requirement for civil citations by making it apply only to offenders younger than 14. It also would have allowed only drug-paraphernalia offenses related to marijuana to be eligible for diversion programs and would have excluded domestic batteries from the list of misdemeanors.
Brandes’ amendment would have also made it easier for juveniles who enter pre-arrest or post-arrest diversion programs to have their records expunged.
“Ultimately, my belief is that law enforcement should never be left in a position where they can’t remove somebody and arrest them if that’s what they feel is the absolute best issue,” he said. “But also, we should not let children carry this around with them like a scarlet letter the rest of their lives, either. And so the ability to expunge those records to me is ultimately what will get us to the place where we feel comfortable with the policy.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
IP Explosion: Watch Out For Scams
February 5, 2017
As previously reported, the Unified Command Team has been made aware businesses are contacting community members potentially impacted by the Cantonment International Paper explosion. The businesses are offering various services including water testing, pressure washing and carpet cleaning for a fee.
International Paper, through the Unified Command Team, is not currently coordinating with any business other than Cotton and CTEH, who are managing the community cleanup. All community questions and concerns should be coordinated directly through the UC’s Joint Information Center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-850-968-4208.
The Unified Command is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Teen Airlifted After Being Severely Burned
February 5, 2017
A 13-year old was airlifted to a regional burn center after suffering severe burns near Flomaton Saturday afternoon.
Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said the girl was burned all over her body during an incident involving an “outside fire” at a home on Wolf Log Road about 1:24 p.m.
The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to the USA Burn Center in Mobile for treatment. The victim’s name has not been released.
Stanton said Flomaton Police Office Leon Kiser was on routine patrol when the driver of a pickup truck flagged him down and asked for an escort to DW McMillan Hospital in Brewton. Kiser said he could not, but told the driver to follow him to a nearby location where Stanton, several firemen and an 0ff duty police officer were having a hunting club cookout.
They were able to provide medical care for the teen until the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department and an Escambia County (FL) EMS unit from Century arrived on scene to prepare for LifeFlight.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
February 5, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R.297) to U.S. 29- A new detour configuration is being initiated on Nine Mile Road between Stefani and Waring roads. Please use extra caution when traveling through the construction zone as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern. Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews drive temporary sheet pile and prepare for jack and bore operations.
· Garden Street ( U.S. 98), Bayfront Parkway/State Road (S.R.) 196 and Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Double Bridge Run- The Double Bridge run will be held Saturday, Feb.4. Lane restrictions will be in place from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
· Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Routine Maintenance –East and westbound outside, right lane closures from 11 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 as crews repair overhead lights.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) - East and westbound outside, right lane restrictions, three miles west of U.S. 29, from 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
· U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance at I-10 Underpass- Southbound outside, right lane closed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. as crews repair underdeck lighting.
· Nine Mile Road from Beulah Road (County Road 99) to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Widening – Traffic will be reduced to one lane at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Eight Mile Creek Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews relocate utilities. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway, south of I-10, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 6 as crews install drainage structures beneath the roadway. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct traffic through the work zone.
· Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 10 as crews perform paving operations between the Alabama State line and the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge). Drivers can expect delays.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating southbound lane closures near the I-10 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. continue through Saturday, Feb. 11 as crews perform drainage work. Also, alternating north and southbound U.S. 29 and east and westbound Nine Mile Road lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass continue to accommodate for the bridge construction operations.
· Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to North Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292)- Traffic on Fairfield Drive will encounter lane restrictions, a shift, and temporary detour from 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 to 6:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4 as crews perform paving operations. The westbound inside, left lane will be closed just east of Ruby Avenue and traffic shifted to the outside lane. New Warrington Road Spur under the Fairfield Drive overpass, will be temporarily closed and traffic detoured to Mobile Highway, south to the on ramp leading back to New Warrington Road. Drivers traveling eastbound on Fairfield Drive will encounter a lane shift just west of the overpass over the New Warrington Road Spur. Traffic will be transitioned to the westbound travel lanes to bypass the overpass, transitioning back to the eastbound lanes at Ruby Avenue. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit and to watch for construction vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. In addition, intermittent and alternating lane closures continue between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating inside lane closures between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 through Thursday, Feb. 9 as crews perform paving operations. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area.
Super Sunday Weather
February 5, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Areas of dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Areas of dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Areas of dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Areas of dense fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sailor With Local Ties Receives Commendation Medal
February 5, 2017
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Scott G. Searcy has been decorated with the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
The medal is awarded for meritorious service or heroism in a combat or non-combat role. Its recipients have demonstrated either consistently superb performance or a singular exceptional act of heroism, service or professional leadership that contributes greatly toward accomplishment of the unit’s mission.
Searcy is the son of Tim Searcy of Nolensville, Tenn., and Joyce L. Searcy of Nashville, and husband of Anna T. Searcy of Cantonment..
He is a 2005 graduate of John Overton Comprehensive High School, Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured: Rear Adm. Michael White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), presents a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to Petty Officer 1st Class Scott G. Searcy of Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station during this year’s NETC Sailor and Instructor of the Year awards ceremony. Searcy, the husband of a Cantonment woman, was named mid-grade Instructor of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspect On The Run; Stolen Vehicle Recovered
February 4, 2017
FOR AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
FOR AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says “I can not over-emphasize how dangerous this suspect is” and called William Boyette a “killer”.
“There is a killer on the loose and we believe he may be in Escambia County…we have recovered two vehicles that may be attributed to Mr. Boyette, both in Escambia County,” Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said.
The vehicle reported missing following a murder in Lillian, AL, has been recovered in Escambia County near the intersection of I-10 and Nine Mile Road.
He may in the company of Mary Michelle Craig Rice, 37 of Milton (pictured left). She has been missing for two days.
There have been no arrests whatsoever in connection with this case, Morgan said. There is no current vehicle description available.
Previous story:
Authorities in two states and the U.S. Marshals are currently looking for an Escambia County man in connection with a double murder in Santa Rosa County and another murder in Baldwin County, AL.
William “Billy” Eugene Boyette, Jr., a 44, is known to frequent both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
He is wanted for capital murder for the death of Peggy Phillips-Broz. She was found dead outside her Lillian home Friday morning. She worked as a respiratory therapist at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola for more than 30 years. Authorities have not released her cause of death.
They found Boyette’s black SUV in the parking lot of Cash Saver Grocery Store on Bower Road and Highway 98 in Lillian. Baldwin County investigators now believe he is driving Broz’s stolen car, a 2003 Chrysler Concorde.
He may be in the company of white woman, officials said.
Boyette is also wanted in connection with a double murder in Milton on Tuesday. Deputies say he killed 30-year old Alicia Greer and 39-year old Jacqueline Moore at the Emerald Sands Inn.
Boyette also has several active felony warrants for unrelated charges.
Anyone with information on Boyette’s whereabouts should call 911. Authorities said he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Possible Police Chase Ends With Wreck, Vehicle Fire
February 4, 2017
A reported police chase from Santa Rosa County ended with a vehicle crash and fire in Escambia County early Saturday morning.
The crash and vehicle fire were reported at the intersection of Rockey Branch Road and East Quintette road about 12:05 a.m. Initial reports indicated that the vehicle was being chased or closely followed by deputies from Santa County for an unknown reason prior to the wreck.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene of the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including information about the possible police chase, have not been released by the FHP or the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Neighborhood Cleanup Update
February 4, 2017
Here is the latest update on the International Paper explosion cleanup in Cantonment:
- Cleanup work is progressing well, with cleanup crews completing the majority of cleaning required for approximately 10 homes per day.
- The Unified Command has directed that soil samples be taken at each residence at the conclusion of cleanup operations.
- Unified Command representatives are collecting daily air, water and soil samples from various locations in the impacted area and presenting the data to the environmental unit, which is comprised of the Florida Department long-term environmental monitoring plan will be implemented after daily monitoring and cleanup efforts have been completed.
- Residents who believe their property may have been affected by the material released as a result of the incident and would like further information should call the Joint Information Center available 24/7 at 1-850-968-4208.t of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Escambia County, the Florida Department of Health and International Paper.