FDLE Raids Escambia County Public Safety Office
November 8, 2019
Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the Escambia County Public Safety Building Thursday afternoon.
FDLE seized county records in connection with an investigation.
“The county continues to cooperate with an ongoing state investigation that includes the gathering of records, some of which are housed at the public safety building,” Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley told NorthEscambia.com.
The Florida Department of Health began an investigation earlier this year into allegations involving the possible falsification of training certificates by Escambia EMS.
In an April 2019 statement, the county said: “While we are unable to comment about specifics of any ongoing investigation, we can tell you that our own processes through our medical director alerted county leadership to possible training discrepancies and other areas of concern within EMS in 2018. A challenge was finding documentable evidence to bring forward for review. An internal investigation began in January 2019 and then was turned over by the county to the Florida Department of Health with a cover letter from our medical director outlining our concerns, as the scope falls under their jurisdiction and expertise.”
File photo.
Human Trafficking, Sexual Battery Charges Dropped Against Cantonment Man
November 8, 2019
Charges including human trafficking have been dropped against a Cantonment man.
John Chess Foster was arrested late last month for human trafficking, sexual battery, false imprisonment and battery due to allegations made by the woman that had lived with him for nearly five years.
The arrest report states the victim told deputies he gets high on methamphetamine, brings guys over and forces her to perform sexual acts on them. She stated that he has facilitated sexual contact between her and over 20 men where he forces her to sit naked before telling her what acts to perform on them and making her bathe with bleach when finished.
He denies the allegations, and now the State Attorney’s Office has dropped all charges because the victim is not cooperating with investigators and information provided by a neighbor contradicts her claims.
The State Attorney’s Office said they are continuing their investigation into the case and looking into if the alleged victim could face charges for filing a false police report.
Blue Angels Air Show: What You Need To Know, With Schedule And Map
November 8, 2019
The Blue Angels homecoming air show is Friday and Saturday onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Gates open both days at 8 a.m. and admission and parking for all shows are free. Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted. Security personnel and signs will direct spectators to parking areas near the show site.
Tentatively scheduled for both days will be extraordinary aerobatics by performers such as U.S. Navy Parachute Team “The Leap Frogs” and Rob Holland in his MXS-RH monoplane. Adam Baker will fly his Extra 330 to thrill the crowd and Matt Chapman will conduct aerobatics in the Embry Riddle. The show will also feature the world famous GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, a flight squadron consisting of six vintage World War II aircraft. Chris Darnell will drive the world’s fastest jet powered truck “Shockwave” at more than 300 miles per hour and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team will perform tight, awe-inspiring formation aerial maneuvers.
There will also be a night show on Friday evening that will start at approximately 4 p.m. and end with a fireworks show. The Blue Angels will not be participating in the night air show. The Blue Angels will fly at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday as part of the day air shows.
Along with incredible flying demonstrations, dozens of military and civilian aircraft will be on display. These static displays will include a variety of aircraft ranging from the present-day, state-of-the-art fighters to aircraft from the 1930s.
A complete schedule of events and a show layout map are below. Click to enlarge.
Cooler Today, 30s For Tonight
November 8, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Veterans Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Playoffs Begin Tonight For Eight Area Teams
November 8, 2019
Eight North Escambia area teams are in the playoffs. Six of the teams are in Florida, and two are in Alabama.
FLORIDA
Region 1-1A Quarterfinals
Jay (4-6) at Northview (7-2)
It’s a rematch in Region 1-1A between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals. Just last Friday night, Northview bat Jay 40-7. For more details on the matchup, the 1A brackets and rankings and more, click here for an earlier story.
Region 1-3A
Pensacola Catholic, ranked No. 1 in the region, has a bye Friday night and on November 15 will play the winner of Trinity Catholic vs. Trinity Christian.
Region 1-5A Quarterfinals
Baker County (6-4) at Pine Forest (7-2)
Region 1-6A Quarterfinals
New Smyrna Beach (7-3) at Escambia (10-0)
Washington (8-1) at Daytona Beach Mainland (5-4)
ALABAMA
3A – AHSAA
The defending state champion Flomaton Hurricanes (9-1) will open the first round of the 3A state football championship at home against Opp.
AA – AISA
The Escambia Academy Cougars will host Lakeside on Friday, November 8.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals on Friday, Nov. 1. Pictured below: The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated Escambia County High School on Sept. 27. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wastewater Spill Reported At Gulf Power’s Plant Crist
November 8, 2019
Thousands of gallons of wastewater spilled Thursday at Gulf Power’s Plant Crist.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said a release of industrial wastewater occurred as a result of malfunction of an air relief valve on the ECUA return water line the power plant.
In response to the incident, Gulf Power isolated the valve and shut-off flow through the line. It is estimated that up to approximately 9,000 gallons was released to the surrounding ground surface over approximately 90 minutes, with a small amount captured by the industrial wastewater system. There was no direct discharge to surface water or wetlands.
File photo.
Events: Arts And Crafts Festivals, Judgement House
November 8, 2019
Here are several events of interest in the North Escambia are happening through the weekend:
Walnut Hill Baptist Church Judgement House
A judgement house live performance will be held at Walnut Hill Baptist Church, November 9, and 10, from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. This is a ten-scene, walk through drama, which effectively presents the gospel through relevant and gripping stories. Guests are led through a series of rooms that portray peoples’ lives which have been cut short through some type of tragedy. Audiences will observe how the deaths dramatically impact families and what people experience beyond the grave. Children under seven are not recommended to attend. Donations will be accepted. Walk ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. For reservations call 850-382-3071. The church is located at 5741 Arthur Brown Rd in Walnut Hill.
St. Monica’s Arts and Crafts Festival and Chili Cookoff
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church will be hosting their Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival and Chili Cookoff on Saturday, November 9, 2019, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event will feature local artists, crafter, cottage business and other vendors, as well as a competition chili cookoff. Admission and parking are free. Come shop for your holiday gifting and taste and judge the chili selections. There will also be a silent auction. The church is located at 699 S. Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.
Pine Forest UMC Arts & Crafts Festival
Pine Forest United Methodist Church will be hosting their 30th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival and Car Show on Saturday, November 9, 2019, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The day will feature over 180 arts, crafts and other vendors, as well as food and live music. Free admission. Free parking. Door prizes. The church is located at 2800 Wilde Lake Boulevard in Pensacola. Proceeds benefit community ministries. For more information call (850) 944-0170 or visit www.pineforestumc.org.
Century Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2019
The Town of Century held their eighth annual Veterans Day Program Thursday afternoon.
The program featured a flag presentation by the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard and patriotic music from Byrneville Elementary School fourth and fifth graders.
Guest speaker was veteran Kevin Stead, U.S. Marines. He served with the VMAQ-4 Seahawks as a technician on the EA-6A aircraft.
Stead stressed the importance of those that served. He also highlighted the service of veteran Dwain Bradshaw, an Escambia County fire chief killed at the scene of fatal motorcycle crash on Wednesday. Stead led a moment of silence in his honor.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Announced For Fallen Fire Chief
November 8, 2019
Services have been announced for a fallen Escambia County fire fighter killed while on a call Wednesday.
Services for Chief Dwain Bradshaw will be as follows:
Visitation:
Tuesday, November 12
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Hillcrest Baptist Church
800 East Nine Mile Road
Funeral Services:
Tuesday, November 12
11:00 a.m.
Hillcrest Baptist Church
800 East Nine Mile Road
Graveside Service:
Pensacola Memorial Gardens
7433 Pine Forest Road
Traffic Delays But No Injuries In Highway 97, Highway 29 Wreck
November 7, 2019
There were no injuries in a crash that shut down part of the Highway 97 at Highway 29 intersection for two hours Thursday night.
Both drivers refused medical transport to the hospital after the wreck about 6 p.m. The roadway reopened about 8 p.m.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
