Body Of Missing Man Found Near Flora-Bama
May 17, 2020
The body of a man reported missing Friday was found in Escambia County near the Flora-Bama Lounge early Sunday morning.
David Brandon Trammell, 43, was last seen near the water behind the lounge about 4 p.m. Friday. Early Sunday morning, his body was located in the water by Escambia Search and Rescue volunteers.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it appeared Trammel drowned. His family has been notified.
Cantonment Man Charged With Opening Fire At Pine Forest Road Gas Station
May 17, 2020
A Cantonment man wanted for allegedly opening fire at gas station on Pine Forest Road last week is now behind bars.
William David Nicholson II, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday night on charges of aggravated battery, firing a weapon in public, deadly missiles, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief. An unrelated warrant for for dealing in stolen property was also served . He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday without bond as a fugitive from justice on additional charges from Alabama.
Last Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. Nicholson was identified as the man that fired two shots at the victim after he allegedly cut Nicholson off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Area In Moderate To Severe Drought
May 17, 2020
A moderate to severe drought exists across much of the North Escambia area, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
All but the extreme northern part of Escambia County is in the severe drought category.
Winning Fantasy 5 Tickets Sold In Jay And Milton; Each Worth Over $40,000
May 17, 2020
Two people are over $40,000 richer after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 tickets in Jay and Milton
The tickets sold at the Farmer’s Country Market on Highway 4 and the Milton Exxon on Caroline Street are two of five winning tickets sold for Friday night’s drawing and is worth $40,351.08. Other winning tickets were sold in The Villages, Naples and Hileah.
The 385 tickets matching four numbers won $94.50 each. Another 11,062 tickets matching three numbers are worth $8 each, and 96,696 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Friday’s winning numbers were 5-9-11-26-29.
75 Percent Of Escambia County COVID-19 Deaths Have Been In These Four Long-Term Care Facilities
May 17, 2020
Of the 20 COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County, 15 have been long-term care facility or staff members.
Five residents of Bayside Health and Rehabilitation Center have died. There have been five deaths associate with Southern Oaks Care Center – four residents and one staff member.
Four residents of the Brookdale Pensacola assisted living facility and one resident at Arcadia Health and Rehabilitation Center have also died.
The Florida Department of Health releases their report on long term facility deaths once per week.
Tropical Storm Arthur Forms Off Florida, An Early Start To Hurricane Season
May 17, 2020
Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the southeast coast of Florida Saturday night, over two weeks before the official start to the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
It is no threat to the North Escambia area.
Arthur is expected to track offshore of the southeastern United States, perhaps skirting the North Carolina Outer Banks by Monday. Forecasters expect that the strongest winds will remain to the eastern side of the storm – out in the open Atlantic.
The latest on Tropical Storm Arthur is in the graphics on this page, click to enlarge.
A Chance Of Showers For Sunday Night And Monday
May 17, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Escambia County Submits Plan To Reopen Short-Term Vacation Rentals
May 17, 2020
UPDATE: This plan was approved Tuesday, May 19. Click or tap here for an update.
Friday night, Escambia County submitted a short-term vacation rental reopening plan to the state for possible implementation as early as Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that counties could submit their own plans to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for approval. In March, DeSantis suspending short-term vacation rental bookings.
The ban was extended indefinitely under his first phase reopening plan. But he left the door open for individual counties.
“What we’re doing is telling counties, if you want short-term rentals, you request it to be authorized through the state and provide your safety plan,” he said in Jacksonville Friday as he announced his “Full Phase One” reopening plan.
“We are thankful Governor DeSantis recognized the importance of short-term vacation rentals to our community yesterday during his press conference,” said County Administrator Janice Gilley said Saturday. “This short-term vacation rental plan was created with input from county commissioners and members of ESF-18 such as the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Visit Pensacola and the DMO. We hope for approval by Sunday for implementation on Monday, May 18.”
Under Escambia County’s plan, reservations and stays will be allowed from U.S. states with a COVID-19 case rate less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents as of May 15. Reservations from COVID-19 hotpots identified by the governor, such as New York, New Jersey and New Orleans, will be avoided for the next 30-45 days, and no reservations from international travelers will be allowed.
To read Escambia County’s complete plan, click here.
This Week’s Road Construction Worries
May 17, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning 9 a.m. Friday, May 22 and ending 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 17:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, May 17:
o U.S. 29 between Broad Street and the westbound I-10 on-ramp- beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17 the southbound lanes will be shifted toward the left to provide room for crews to continue the construction of the future southbound lanes.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- Wednesday, May 20 motorists will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound roadway between Allegheny Avenue and the Leisure Lakes RV Park to allow crews to construct the new westbound lanes. Motorists will encounter alternating and intermittent lane closures between the Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19 as crews prepare for the transition.
In addition, the far-right portion of the I-10 eastbound off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Underground Utility Maintenance – Drivers will experience traffic impacts at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday, May 15.
- The westbound and eastbound, outside lanes will be closed from A Street to Devilliers Street.
- The eastbound and westbound, inside lanes will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and E Street to the intersection of Garden Street and I Street.
- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and B Street to the intersection of Garden Street and D Street.
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Utility Operations at Gimble Street- The southbound lane will be closed at Gimble Street Wednesday, May 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform underground utility work.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The contractor has installed the drill shaft and is awaiting cure time before returning to the project. There are currently no lane closures or impacts to traffic.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews perform paving operations. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work at various locations on the project.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 17:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations through Thursday, Aug. 27.
- S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay – Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions throughout town as crews perform paving operations and bridge work.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work through Saturday, May 16.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Nancy Noble Chapman
May 17, 2020
Nancy Noble Chapman, 89 of Atmore, AL. passed away May 10, 2020 in Fairhope, AL. She was born on April 24, 1931 in Clark County, AL. She was co-owner and manager of Chapman Ace Hardware, Inc. for 30 years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, PCA. Atmore, AL.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Will Stewart “Bill” Chapman, Jr; siblings; Shirley Lowder; Chet Noble and Marilyn Jensen. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She is survived by her children Will (Janice) Chapman of Atmore, AL; Bess Chapman (Richard) Maxwell of Atmore, AL; Gretchen Chapman (Steve) Odham of Pensacola, FL and Rebecca Chapman (James) Williamson of Bay Minette, AL. Two brothers Frank (Debbie) Noble of Pasadena, CA; Wesley “Buddy” (Charlene) Noble of Jackson, AL. and one sister Margie Reid of Leroy, AL. Grandchildren Will Stewart (Maya) Chapman, III; Mary Frances Chapman (Doug) Anderson; Mallory Maxwell Downey; Chapman Richard (Katie) Maxwell, Hannah Stephens; Bess Tyler; Jamie Williamson (Jack) Hazelrig, Ann Williamson (Kory) Doyle and thirteen great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her many other family and friends.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 1 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL. with Reverend Jim Thorpe officiating.
Active pallbearers will be Stewart Chapman, Chapman Maxwell, Harris Downey, Kory Doyle, Bryan Shebeck, Patrick Prestarri and Jack Hazelrig.
Due to the current health crisis it is asked of you to please use the social distancing requirements for the safety of the family and others.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church, PCA; Atmore and First United Methodist Church of Atmore Costa Rica Missions Fund.