Pensacola Offering Creditor Monitoring To Thousands After Cyberattack
January 18, 2020
The City of Pensacola is offering credit monitoring to an estimated 57,000 people following a ransomware cyberattack last month.
Pensacola’s computer network suffered the attack during the early morning hours of December 7.
City officials say any current customer of Pensacola Energy, an employee or retiree of the city, an active applicant or recipient of Section 8 Housing assistance and/or a vendor of the city who supplied a social security number rather than an federal tax ID number are all at risk.
The personal information that may have been obtained by the hackers includes individuals’ first and last names; social security number, driver license number, or other identification number; bank account number, credit card number, or debit card number.
The city is now offering LifeLock credit monitoring and identity theft protection services via a letter in the mail. The letter is described as nondescript with a return address in Suwanee, Georgia.
Anyone with questions regarding the security breach or personal information that was kept by the city should contact LifeLock at (877) 368-4457 by April 30, 2020.
Woman Cited After Rear-ending School Bus With 14 Students On Board
January 18, 2020
A woman was cited by troopers after rear-ending a school bus in Escambia County Friday.
The Escambia County school bus was stopped with red lights flashing and stop sign deployed on Tower Ridge Road when it was rear-ended by a 2007 Buick Lucerne driven by 59-year old Donna Edwards, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Buick became pinned under the bus, but Edwards was not injured.
The driver of the bus, Brittaney Gay of Walnut Hill, and the 14 students on board were also not injured.
Edwards was cited for careless driving and knowingly operating a motor vehicle with suspended or revoked license.
Tate Varsity Cheerleaders Take Regionals, Advance To State Finals
January 18, 2020
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The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders won their third consecutive FHSAA Region 1 championship Friday night. This year, they competed in the Medium Varsity division at Oakleaf High School in Orange Park.
With the win, the Tate cheerleaders advance to the finals at the FHSAA state competition January 31-February 1 in Gainesville.
Last season, the Tate varsity cheerleaders won the state championship and placed fifth in the nation.
Pictured are (front, L-R) coaches and seniors Morgan White (coach), Madelyn Ray, Trista King, Kensley Foley, Shelby Fleming (captain), Bailey Carter (captain), Kyndal Milsted, Abigail Manoso, Keaden Martin, Annie Wiggins (assistant coach), (back, L-R) Briana Ragan, Alana Polk, Emily McNair, Kyndell Ammons, Erin Johnson, Morgan Warrington, Ashlyn NeSmith, Angelena Tamoria, Hagyn Helton, Ashlie Houdashelt, Paige McKinney, Emma Romero and Landry Bellard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Underway At Molino Ballpark, Northwest Escambia
January 18, 2020
Molino Ballpark
Molino Ballpark spring registration is underway though next Saturday online only.
Register for tee ball, baseball and softball through 11:59 .m. on January 25 at www.molinoballpark.com. Further information and costs can be found on the website.
Northwest Escambia
Registration is underway from Northwest Escambia tee ball, baseball and softball. Registration is open online at www.nwebaseball.com through January 31. Additional information is available on the website.
In-person registration will also be held from 9 a.m. until noon on January 25 and February 1 at the Bradberry Park Fieldhouse.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jury Selected In Case Of Man Accused Of Murdering Three Family Members Four Years Ago
January 18, 2020
A jury has been seated for the trial of an Escambia County man accused of the murder of three family members over four years ago.
Jury selection wrapped up Friday and opening statements will begin Tuesday morning in the case against Donald Hartung. He is facing three counts of first degree premeditated murder in the death of his mother and two half-brothers, Voncile Smith, John Smith, and Richard Smith. State Attorney Bill Eddins said prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation first found witchcraft may have been involved in the killings. But further investigation revealed the motive may have been more financially motivated.
Milestone Boulevard To Be Closed At Nine Mile Road Next Week
January 17, 2020
Milestone Boulevard will be closed at the intersection of Nine Mile Road in Escambia County the week of Tuesday, January 21, following the reopening of Littleton Street.
The closure will allow crews to perform drainage work, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The work is anticipated to take seven to 10 days to complete. Traffic will be detoured to Littleton Street and Oldenburg Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cantonment Man Charged In Cottage Hill Drive By Shooting
January 17, 2020
A drive-by shooting suspect that crashed his pickup into a tree in Cottage Hill last November has been arrested.
Kenneth Brandon Caughey, 34, was charged this week with three counts of felony aggravated assault, five counts of firing deadly missiles, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and criminal mischief in connection with the drive-by shooting about 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2019. No one was hit or injured by the gunfire.
A resident of Handy Road told deputies that someone in a black pickup stopped in front of her house and opened fire, taking some 6-10 shots at her home before speeding off towards McKenzie Road. Deputies found three bullet holes in the exterior of the home and numerous .40 caliber shell casings in front.
Caughey crashed his pickup into a tree in the area of a Handy Road and Williams Ditch Road. He and a juvenile passenger were transported to an area hospital in serious condition. Deputies said a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol was in plain sight where Caughey had been sitting in the vehicle.
Caughey remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $156,000.
The juvenile has also be charged in connection with the drive-by shooting.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Add NAS Pensacola Memorial Patch To Uniforms
January 17, 2020
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will take the field in 2020 with their city over their hearts.
The team announced on Thursday that the Blue Wahoos will wear “We Have The Watch-NAS Pensacola” patches on their uniforms in 2020 to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6th, 2019, and the brave military members, police officers, and first responders who protect the citizens of Pensacola.
“The brave military members at Naval Air Station Pensacola keep our city and our nation safe, and it’s an honor for us to pay tribute to the victims of this tragic event and to the strength of the city of Pensacola as we collectively recover as a community,” team president Jonathan Griffith said.
The patches, designed by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Media Director Robbie Harvey and pressed and embroidered by Wings & Things Monogramming on South Navy Boulevard, will be worn over the heart, directly above the Blue Wahoos logo on the team’s home uniforms.
The same patches are worn on the uniforms of local military members at Naval Air Station Pensacola and first responders across Pensacola.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop
January 17, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing from deputies attempting a traffic stop.
Kaderus Antonio Williams, 29, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding a law enforcement office and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An Escambia County deputy on routine patrol activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop after spotting a Chevrolet Malibu with no headlights traveling north on Pace Boulevard. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and the deputy lost visual contact.
A short time later,police located the vehicle at the address on the tag registration. A female at that location advised she had loaned the vehicle to Williams. He was also observed on surveillance video parking it and running after the attempted traffic stop, according to an arrest report.
Williams was released from the Escambia County Jail on $11,000 bond.
Rain By Saturday, Much Colder Sunday And Beyond
January 17, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely before 10am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10am and 4pm, then showers likely after 4pm. High near 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 10 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 70%.