Escambia Man Indicted For Bringing Guns To Pensacola VA Clinic
May 27, 2020
A federal grand jury has indicted an Escambia County man for the possession of firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola.
The three-count indictment alleges that 58-year old Howell E. Camp illegally possessed a 5.56 mm Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.
“The security of our federal facilities and those who work within them remains a priority of this office and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are deeply committed to protecting such facilities,” said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida.
Camp is charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime, for which he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. He is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in violation of law, for which he faces up to three years’ imprisonment.
Pine Forest’s Taniyah Killette Signs To Play Softball At The Next Level
May 27, 2020
Taniyah Killette from Pine Forest High School signed with Winston-Salem State University to play softball. Pictured are: Taniyah Killette (signing) with Mika Killette Black and (standing, L-R) Wendol Black and Pine Forest Coach Mike Haveard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorm Pattern Continues
May 27, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Suspect Arrested For 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
May 27, 2020
The suspect in a 2003 cold case homicide was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on a murder charge.
David Lasha Dale, 39, is charged with the first degree premeditated murder of Marcus Virgin.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again.; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time. In 2019, as part of a renewed focus on cold cases, the DNA evidence in the case was reexamined and led to new information, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
10,000 Pounds Of Food To Be Given Away Wednesday In Walnut Hill
May 26, 2020
A 10,000 pound food giveaway will be held Wednesday in Walnut Hill.
Pensacola Caring Hearts and Justified Incarcerated Ministries has partnered with Feeding the Gulf Coast for the food distribution.
The food will be given away from 9 a.m. until noon, or as long as supplies last, at The House of Prayer at 54 North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill. Families will pick up their food while remaining in their vehicle, and social distancing rules will be followed.
“We are blessed to be able to help approximately 300 families who are in need,” said Pastor Reginald Benjamin. “As this pandemic continues, it continues to create stress and hopelessness on the families in our community. This is why we are excited to have this opportunity to help a community who has not receive any help during this pandemic free food distribution for this community.”
Escambia, Santa Rosa COVID-19 Cases Increase By Just One Each Tuesday
May 26, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFO.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties increased by just one each , according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 769, and Santa Rosa is at 209.
Of the 26 deaths in Escambia County, 19 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 52.255 cases including 50,916 Florida residents. There have been 9,482 hospitalizations and 2,259 deaths.
EscambiaCounty cases:
- Total cases — 769 (+1 since Monday)
- Pensacola — 563
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 5
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 64*
- Deaths — 26
- Male — 259
- Female — 370
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 209 (+1 since Monday)
- Milton — 123
- Navarre — 36
- Gulf Breeze — 27
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 145
- Female — 61
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 52,255
- Florida residents — 50,916
- Deaths — 2,259
- Hospitalizations — 9,482*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Prison Still On Temporary Water Supply, But Century Has Made Major Progress In Restoring Potable Water
May 26, 2020
The Town of Century has taken to major steps forward toward a dependable permanent supply of water for the Century Correctional Institution.
Earlier in May, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison failed.
Town officials and the town council were aware the water pump had not been properly maintained in the past, and last fall the council gave preliminary approval to connecting their water system at the prison to a neighboring water franchise as a backup. That would allow Century’s well to be taken out of service for much needed maintenance. The agreement was finalized in April, and parts were ordered. They arrived just before the pump failed, leaving the prison without a water supply.
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An emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road.
Last week, a temporary submersible electric pump was installed in Century’s well that can pump about 300-325 gallons per minute, and a permanent turbine pump has been ordered.
After being out of service, the well failed two bacteriological samples, so the prison is not yet back on Century water, City Manager Vernon Prather said. Additional sampling will be done after a repeat disinfection process.
The permanent interconnect in front of the prison between Town of Century and Central Water Works was completed last week, except for a meter, and was awaiting water sampling results as the prison remained on the temporary fire hose connection through the holiday weekend. Prisoners continued to drink bottled water in the interim because the fire hoses do not meet potable water supply standards.
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Prather estimated that the town has spent about $60,000 so far on repairs and the new turbine pump will cost about $40,000. That will put the total repair cost in the neighborhood of $100,000.
The cost of the interconnect was estimated at an additional $60,000, but Prather said money has been saved by Central and Century staff doing much of the labor. The elevated storage tank at the prison is not connected to the water supply for the remainder of Century’s residents and businesses.
On May 10, the Florida Department of Corrections transferred at least 190 close custody inmates about of the Century prison due to the water situation. FDC has not said if they have been returned.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Four New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County, Alabama
May 26, 2020
Story updated Tuesday morning to reflect one additional reported case.
Five new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Escambia County, Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Health.
There are now 45 cases in the county, up by five in the last week, out of 1,054 tested.
Across the state, Alabama has recorded 15,194 confirmed cases out of 192,602 tested. There have been 566 deaths and 1,652 cumulative hospitalizations.
The Alabama Department of Health is now reporting a number of presumed recovered patients, which now stands at 7,951.
Higher Chances Of Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms For This Week
May 26, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Schools No Longer Serving Free Meals. Libraries And Other Summer Breakspots Are. Find One Here.
May 26, 2020
Thousands of Escambia County children will need a new source for lunch this week.
The school year official came to a close Friday, and that meant that dozens of meal distributions sites at schools across the county have also closed. The Escambia County School District Food Service Department served over 180,000 breakfasts and lunches since March 23; the 27 sites served 21,307 students just last week.
West Florida Public Libraries will continue to serve meals Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all locations:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
The meals include lunch and a snack, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Additional Summer BreakSpot meal locations can be found at summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com/.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.