Murder Mystery: Cold Case Homicide Victim Identified, Search For Suspect Continues
October 16, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man that was murdered 35-years ago.
On January 23, 1985, the body of an adult male was found in the area of west Klondike Road and Wild Lake Boulevard. He had been murdered.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released details about the victim’s location and other identifying factors to the public. Years passed, but there were no tips in the case.
In 2018, a person searching for a missing family member stumbled on the cold case information on the ECSO website and contacted investigators.
The thing that stuck out to the person the most was the victims belt buckle with the hand-engraved initials “W.T.”. The person felt this could have been their missing uncle, whose last known location was in Escambia County near the same time the unidentified body was discovered.
The last time Thompson made contact with his family was on September 23, 1983, when he called his mother from an unknown location on Pensacola Beach. A missing person’s report was never filed with the ECSO.
The case is being actively worked as a homicide.
“This is another example of the never-ending quest for justice,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said. “While we haven’t yet solved the homicide. It is a step forward and can give the family some closure until the case is solved.”
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia Ups CARES Act Family Grants, Using Money From Business Relief Program
October 16, 2020
The Escambia County Commission has approved increasing the amount of CARES Act grant funding for individuals, using money that was first allocated for business relief.
The board voted to increase the award amount from $2,000 to $3,000 for the Escambia CARES Family Assistance Grant Program and from $3,000 to up to $7,500 for the Rent and Mortgage Grant Program. The application for both has closed.
ESCAMBIA CARES FAMILY ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
Each qualified household applicant will receive $3,000 as part of the Escambia CARES Family Assistance Grant Program, and applicants should receive confirmation emails within the next three weeks. The additional amount will come from the reassignment of funds earmarked for the Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant Program and from the third phase of funds that the state has allocated to the county but has yet to distribute. The Board increased the award amount and the total pool of money in order to impact the county’s residents in the best possible way.
In total, more than 9,000 applications were received for the Escambia CARES Family Assistance Grant. The Board expects to have more than 5,000 approved applications once all duplicated, incomplete or ineligible applications are vetted. Please keep in mind the award is per household so if there are duplicate emails or addresses that were submitted, only one may be approved and other duplicate applications will be denied. As of Thursday’s board meeting, 1,500 applications have been approved and prepared to send to the Escambia County Clerk of Court’s Office for payment with another 1,500 under a second review for approval.
“We just need everyone to have patience as we process the incredible volume of applications we received,” said Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services. “Within the next three weeks, we will have the majority of the applications processed and sent for approval. We intend to reach out to those who may have had trouble filling out their applications so we can help as many residents as possible in our county; however, we ask those applicants to be patient while we quickly work on getting assistance out to those who are clearly qualified.”
Those who haven’t received approval or denial of their application in the next three weeks are those applicants who are in a lengthier approval process. Long said that applicants who are in this longer approval process will be contacted and made aware of their status by the end of this three-week period.
ESCAMBIA CARES BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant Program received 490 applications. Distribution of this grant has begun with 76 applications moved forward to funding, all of which were approved for $7,500 of aid. The Board anticipates that most of the approved applications will be funded with the $2.8 million that is allocated for this grant program.
ESCAMBIA CARES RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The Rent and Mortgage Assistance Grant was made available by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to cover rent and utilities or mortgage or utilities in arrears due to a direct loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19. The Board decided to increase the ceiling on the grant to $7,500 to help residents of Escambia County avoid eviction or foreclosure.
Reimagine Cantonment Is Saturday With Free Food, Free Clothes, Free Lunch And Much More
October 16, 2020
An outreach will be held Saturday in Cantonment to help those in need.
Reimage Cantonment will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
The faith-based event will include a 20,000 pound food giveaway, free clothing, free lunch, free haircuts, free children’s activities, free baby diapers and much more. Absolutely everything at the event is free. Social distancing will be required, and everyone is encouraged to wear a face covering.
Reimagine Spring is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Reimagine Spring held in 2019 in Gonzalez. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Records Spike In COVID-19 Cases, But FDOH Says That Was Due To Data Dump
October 16, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
Thursday, the Florida Department of Health reported the largest single day increase in COVID-19 cases in Escambia County since August, but they said that was due to old test results just now being counted.
There were 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in Escambia County. FDOH said 57 of those were tests conducted by Curative Labs in August but just reported. The health department is investigating how the data dump occurred.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 12,837 (+100 — 57 from August, 43 current))
Non-Florida residents: 1223
Total deaths: 267 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths : 124 (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 43 (+1)
Number of tests last day: 1,400
Percent positive last day: 6.2%
Percent positive last week: 2.5%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 9,375 (+89)
Cantonment: 956 (+2)
Century: 934
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 150
McDavid: 74
Walnut Hill: 18
Bellview: 16
Perdido Key: 8
Gonzalez: 7
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 5,639 (+23)
Non-Florida residents: 58
Total deaths: 84
Long-term care facility deaths: 19
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 340*
Number of tests last day: 396
Percent positive last day: 5.3%
Santa County cases by location:
Milton: 2,908 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 812 (+7)
Navarre: 714 (+8)
Pace: 474
Jay: 158 (+1)
Bagdad: 12
Florida cases:
Total cases: 744,988
Florida residents: 735,565
Deaths: 15,736
Hospitalizations: 46,693*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Cold Front Bringing North Winds, Cooler Weather
October 16, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Motorcyclist Critically Injured In Highway 97 Crash In Molino
October 16, 2020
A motorcyclist was critically injured in wreck Thursday night in Molino.
The motorcycle reportedly collided with a dog on Highway 97 between Highway 29 and Highway 95A, near the Escambia County Farm Bureau office.
The rider was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as a trauma alert.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and has not released further details. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FDOT: 2 Of 3 Barges Removed From Under Pensacola Bay Bridge, Reopening Targeted For March 2021
October 16, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation says the Pensacola Bay Bridge repairs could be complete by March 2021.
Progress at the bridge continues and one damaged span of the bridge has been removed while crews continue to carefully remove damaged portions from additional spans in order to minimize impacts to the existing structure. Two of the three barges under the bridge have also been removed, accelerating demolition efforts. As of Thursday, 15 of the 27 barges have been removed from the area.
Three bridge contractors are on site, increasing equipment resources to include:
- 50 additional personnel to expedite demolition.
- Additional dive teams have been deployed, bringing the total to eight, to assist with the final inspection.
- Five barge mounted cranes, including two 300-ton cranes, have been brought in to replace existing cranes that were damaged or lost to assist in the process.
- A specialty barge designed to take large damaged sections away from the bridge for demolition or to be delivered to an artificial reef site. This will allow repair work to proceed without having to wait for deck demolition to be complete.
FDOT has been continuously working to improve the traffic flow along the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour routes. To date, FDOT has
- Installed a new temporary traffic signal at the I-10 westbound ramps at State Road (S.R.) 281
- Delineators have been installed to provide a free flow southbound movement from the I-10 eastbound ramp onto southbound S.R. 281
- Additional temporary traffic cameras have been installed that have significantly improved travel time.
- The Road Ranger service that was previously on the Pensacola Bay Bridge has been relocated to the Garcon Point Bridge to help with minor incidents and to keep traffic flowing as much as possible.
- Developing plans to temporarily widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange.
- Developing plans to temporarily widening the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes to better facilitate traffic movement leaving the interstate.
FDOT continues to develop and improve alternative transportation solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. Examples include:
- Exploring all funding avenues available to implement a ferry service between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
- Funding Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers between the Pensacola Bay Center Park in Escambia County and the Tiger Point Community Center City in Gulf Breeze.
- Gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a ferry or additional bus routes.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of early March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions and at the same condition as expected for new construction. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
The design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge with a focus on substructure repairs which includes the piers. Durability, and ensuring there is absolutely no reduction in the bridge’s strength as a result of the repairs, remains paramount in the design plans.
FDOT is assessing the final total number of the spans/piers that will ultimately need to be replaced. The contractor has already fabricated 25 beams and the piers needed to begin repairs. The contractor has also begun constructing more replacement beams and piers at its offsite yard and has reached out to other facilities to assist in production. This aggressive effort will allow the installation of these items to commence as soon as demolition of the damaged items are complete.
Further preliminary inspection findings include:
- To date, FDOT divers have inspected 202 underwater footings while top side inspection teams have assessed 105 spans, 202 piers and 525 beams.
- The number of spans requiring full replacement remains at five and FDOT has identified an additional two that will require partial replacement.
- A minimum of twelve pedestrian spans have been identified for replacement.
- FDOT will have to replace a number of beams and is still determining the specific number needing replacement.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-yard buffer zone for all Pensacola Bay Bridge construction activities. Vessels may use only low or idle speeds within the buffer zone. Due to the potential for underwater hazards, boaters are advised to use caution near the bridge. The navigational channel has been inspected and is free of hazards. For this reason, crossing beneath the bridge should be done only at the navigational channel.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through 6 a.m., Friday, October 23.
Friday Night Football Schedule
October 16, 2020
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area football schedule:
FLORIDA
- Escambia at Tate
- South Walton at Northview
- Jay at Freeport
- Washington at Pine Forest
- West Florida at Choctaw
- Catholic at Pensacola High
- Milton at Crestview
- Gulf Breeze at Mosley
ALABAMA
- Escambia County (Atmore) at W.S. Neal
- Flomaton at Hillcrest CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS
- Escambia Academy (OFF)
- T.R. Miller (OFF)
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Arrested In Connection With 2007 Escambia County Cold Case Murder
October 15, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with a cold case murder from 2007.
Cheryl Burgett (pictured right), 54, is charged with accessory after the fact. She is being held on a $276,000 bond.
On July 27, 2007, the body of 42-year old Carolyn Whitney Antrim (pictured left) was found in a wooded area on Lola Lane, not far from Gulf Beach Highway and Patton Drive.
Carolyn’s mother had reported her daughter missing to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office earlier that day. She told deputies that Carolyn had not been seen since July 20, 2007. The van Carolyn was traveling in had been towed from the same area on July 21 as an abandoned vehicle. When the family retrieved the van on July 27, they noticed blood inside.
Years went by, with no arrest in the murder.
During an annual review of this case, ECSO investigator James Lee re-interviewed several people, but it was new interviews he conducted that led to Burgett’s arrest.
Anyone with information about the homicide of Carolyn Antrim is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
17-Year Old Charged With Attempted Murder For Escambia Shooting
October 15, 2020
An 17-year old was arrested Thursday for a shooting a man Tuesday night.
Asontae Mason is charged with attempted homicide for the shooting in the 4400 block of Whisper Drive, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim walked into a convenience store on Creighton Road at Spanish Trail just before midnigh Tuesday. He had a gunshot wound to his neck and was transported to the hospital.
An update on the victim’s condition has not been made available.