New 448 Area Code, Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Now In Effect
May 21, 2021
A second area code has been activated in Northwest Florida, and mandatory change in how you dial your phone is now in effect.
Mandatory 10-digit dialing will be effective for all calls, including local calls, for existing and new phone numbers in the 850 and the new 448 area codes. This includes landlines, cellphones and other devices.
“With Florida’s 850 area code running out of phone numbers, the 448 overlay plan and 10-digit dialing is necessary,” said PSC Chairman Gary Clark. “The good news is that Florida’s growing population and economy are driving this change. With today’s digital applications, programming 10-digit dialing into our contacts and devices is relatively easy.”
The PSC actually delayed mandatory 10-digit dialing implementation for three months—originally scheduled to begin in February—so that business customers in the overlay region had ample time to reprogram alarm systems and elevator operations.
Here are some other quick facts about the new 448 area code:
- Your current telephone number, including current 850 area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911. You can also dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511, where available.
- Telephone customers should remember to include their area code (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) when giving their number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.
- Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 448 area code as a valid area code, and should continue to program 10-digit telephone numbers.
The 850/448 area code region consists of 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including the cities of Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Edmond Turns 103
May 21, 2021
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment celebrated his 103rd birthday Friday. And he’s looking forward to reading your birthday wishes in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
“I’m about the last one (Pearl Harbor survivor) left around here,” Emond said during a drive-by birthday party last year at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band. The Guinness Book of World Records named him the “Oldest Musical Conductor” in the world after he participated in a 2019 Memorial Day concert.
Picture above, Emond is seen celebrating a few days ago and encouraging future Naval Aviator Eva Miller as she begins her time in the NROTC at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Miller, who is graduating this year from Tate High School, calls Emond “Uncle Frank” even there is no blood relation.
For photos from Emond’s 102 drive-by birthday event in 2020, click or tap here.
Pictured below: Scenes from Frank Emond’s 102nd drive-thru birthday party last year at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Armed Carjacking In Century
May 21, 2021
A Panama City man has been charged in connection with a carjacking in Century.
Daniel Jerod Brocklehurst, 31, was charged with carjacking with a weapon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
A resident reported an attempted carjacking in the 8000 block of Jefferson Avenue. She told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that an armed white male had approached her, demanded one of her vehicles and asked to go inside her residence. When she refused, the alleged suspect put on a black motorcycle helmet and fled the scene in a black Volkswagen.
As they were responding to the to the area, deputies saw Brocklehurst wearing a black motorcycle helmet standing in the front yard of a residence in the 800 block of Hecker Road. He resisted deputies and was taken to the ground, according to an arrest report.
Deputies determined that Brocklehurst had committed a carjacking at the home on Hecker Road. The victim said she was sitting in her vehicle when she saw Brocklehurst approach her from across Jefferson Avenue. She said he pulled a handgun from his waist area, pointed at her and demanded her 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis.
The victim exited the car and Brocklehurst entered, placing the gun on the passenger seat. He started to back out of the driveway, but pulled back in and exited the vehicle, the report continues. Brocklehurst then tried to explain his actions to the victim and her father.
A Ruger semi-automatic handgun with a live 9 mm round in the chamber was recovered from the front seat of the vehicle.
Brocklehurst was not charged with the incident on Jefferson Avenue.
Sunny, Dry And Warming For The Next Week
May 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Ready For Some Football? Spring Games Tonight For Northview vs. Flomaton, Tate vs. Escambia
May 21, 2021
Are you ready for some football? Both Tate and Northview high schools have spring games tonight.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Flomaton Hurricanes at 7 p.m. in Bratt. Tickets are available at GoFan (click or tap here).
The Tate Aggies will be at Escambia High School at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from GoFan (click or tap here).
Pictured: Northview and Flomaton last met during a regular season game in 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Above Average Hurricane Season, But Not 2020 Kind Of Busy
May 21, 2021
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020.
For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30.
“Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The experts at NOAA are poised to deliver lifesaving early warnings and forecasts to communities, which will also help minimize the economic impacts of storms.”
An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which 7 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.
“Although NOAA scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate a community,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “The forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are well-prepared with significant upgrades to our computer models, emerging observation techniques, and the expertise to deliver the lifesaving forecasts that we all depend on during this, and every, hurricane season.”
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Volunteer For The Barrineau Park Community Clean Up On Saturday
May 21, 2021
The Honeysuckle Garden Club and Barrineau Park Historical Society will hold their annual community clean up Saturday from 8:30 until 11 a.m.
Trash bags and water will be provided.
Volunteers should bring their own “grabbers” if available and sign up at 8:30 at the Barrineau Park Community Center. A meal will be provided for volunteers from 11 a.m. until noon.
Pictured: The 2019 community clean up in Barrineau Park.
Blue Wahoos Get Walk-Off Win Over Trash Pandas
May 21, 2021
His last time with walk-off heroics was Nick Lovullo’s freshman year in high school.
So you can imagine how good he felt Thursday night, after the Blue Wahoos second baseman hit a two-strike pitch in the right center gap, scoring Devin Hairston all the way from first base in the Wahoos’ entralling 4-3 comeback win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
It was Pensacola’s second walk-off win in three nights. Wow, indeed.
“It has been 12 years,” said Lovullo, remembering his prior walk-off thrill. “And it definitely felt great. Anytime we win it’s awesome, but especially when you come from behind like we did (Thursday) night.
Most of the crowd of 4,114 had stayed around when the Blue Wahoos entered the bottom of the ninth, trailing 3-1, and with only five hits to that point.
And then, drama happened.
Lazaro Alonso led off with a walk. Lorenzo Hampton followed with a single. Connor Justus, who nearly had a game-tying home run in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, smashed the first pitch he saw down the third base line to tie the game with a double.
Hairston followed with a sacrifice bunt, which led to an errant throw that deflected off first baseman Ibandel Isabel’s glove.
In the split-second Justus had to make a decision, as he rounded third, he made a dash for the plate, but the Isabel recovered fast enough and his throw home was perfect to get Justus out
Up stepped Lovullo.
“Great at-bats by Alonzo, Hamps and Justus and good job by Dev. Everybody up front executed,” Lovullo said. “And for me, I was seeing the ball pretty well. He threw an 0-1 fastball, I put a good swing on it and I just missed it.
“And then he threw pretty much the same pitch and I was able to get a barrel on it and put it in the right spot and it was a pretty fun celebration afterwards.”
The win put the Blue Wahoos back above .500 at 8-7. The Trash Pandas have the same record. The teams will complete the full week series with games Friday through Sunday.
The game began with the Tate High baseball team part of the groups attending and Tate High grad Jay Bell, now Trash Pandas manager, greeting friends prior to the first pitch.
The Trash Pandas scored all their runs in the second inning. It was the only rough patch for Blue Wahoos starter Brandon Leibrandt, who had his best outing.
Leibrandt finished with four hits allowed, just one walk and four strikeouts in five inning. The Blue Wahoos bullpen trio of Jose Mesa Jr., Zach Wolf and newcomer Dylan Brice combined on shutout innings.
That set the stage for the Blue Wahoos ninth.
“It was a crazy ninth inning. Last couple nights has been a crazy end to our games. Great at-bats by Alonzo, Hamps and Justus and good job by Des. Everybody up front executed.
“There is so much talent in our lineup and so much talent on the pitching mound. Everyone believes in one another. Just because the results aren’t what we wanted early in the game, doesn’t mean that we are not going to get it later in the game.}
They did just that Thursday.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Escambia Records 18 New COVID-19 Cases
May 21, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 18 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,438 (+18)
Non-Florida residents: 3,693
Recovered: 33,917*
Total deaths: 698
Long-term care facility deaths: 288
Current hospitalizations: 31 (-6)
Number of tests reported last day: 495
Percent positive reported last day: 3.3%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,312 (+10)
Cantonment: 3,279 (+6)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 496 (+1)
McDavid: 215 (+1)
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,411 (+12)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 914*
Number of tests reported last day: 372
Percent positive reported last day: 3.4%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,784 (+8)
Navarre: 3,788 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,383 (+1)
Pace: 1,511
Jay: 558 (+2)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,302,489
Florida residents: 2,259,494
Deaths: 36,347
Hospitalizations: 93,815
*“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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Century Man Gets Life In Prison For Raping 16-Year Old Girl As She Walked To The Library
May 20, 2021
A Century man has been sentenced to life in prison for grabbing a 16-year old girl she walked to the library in Century and raping her.
Thursday, Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jennie Kinsey sentenced Na’Keetric Devonte Davison to life imprisonment as a habitual felony offender. He was also designated as a sexual predator. In March, he was convicted of kidnapping, sexual battery using threats of force or violence, attempted sexual battery, trespassing and criminal mischief.
On August 21, 2019, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Highway 29 and McCurdy Street Wednesday where a teen female exiting the wood line told deputies she had been raped by a man that fled the area on foot.
A passerby called 911 to report a disturbance after seeing a man pull the teen into wooded area. The motorist’s intervention allowed the teenage victim to escape from Davison.
The 16-year old female was obviously hysterical, standing with her jeans unzipped and her hair in disarray. She told deputies she was walking south on the sidewalk to the Century Branch Library when she was approached from behind by a a man that asked her for some change. She stated the man, later identified as Davison, grabbed her and pulled her into a wooded area adjacent to the sidewalk. Davison then grabbed her by the throat, slammed her to the ground and told her not to scream or he would kill her, the report states.
The teen told deputies that Davison then sexually assaulted her before telling her again that he would kill her if she screamed out. He then took her wallet from inside her purse and fled on foot into the woods.
The teen was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
A perimeter was established, and Davison was tracked by deputies and K-9 units from the Escambia County Road Prison and the Century Correctional Institution.
NorthEscambia.com was there as Davison was found inside a small storage building used as a meeting room adjacent to the New Calvary Church at Zion and Jackson streets. He had kicked in the door of the building in order to gain entry, according to an arrest report, and consumed several bottles of water and a bag of chips. He as apprehended wearing only his underwear after hiding his clothes in a refrigerator inside the building. The hidden clothing matched the description provided by the victim. Other evidence was collected at that time that helped corroborate the crime.
For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the scene and arrest, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
