Cantonment Man Charged With Raping Underage Girl
February 17, 2021
A Cantonment man is charged with the forcible rape of an underage girl.
Josue Morel Lopez, 23, is charged with two counts of felony sexual battery of an underage victim age 12 or older while using force.
According to arrest report, Lopez would go to the victim’s home to see her sister and enter through her window. On the night of the incident, he instead went to the underage victim’s bedroom window. She recognized him and let him in the front door.
As she returned to her room, Lopez allegedly pushed her on the bed, began to strangle and rape her, according to an arrest report. The victim was treated for injuries, and a sexual assault kit was collected at a local hospital.
When the victim was interviewed, she told investigators that Lopez had previously sexually assaulted her about six years ago, the report states.
If convicted, Lopez faces life in prison on the capital offenses. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $400,000.
Woman Accused Of Stealing SUV From Atmore Gas Station Wrecks During Police Chase
February 17, 2021
An Ohio woman that allegedly stole a vehicle in Atmore led police on a chase that ended with a crash in Baldwin County.
Shortly before 7:30 Tuesday morning, 22-year old Hayli Lape of Columbus, Ohio, jumped into Chevrolet Tahoe that was parked at a gas station on Highway 21 in Atmore, according to police. She sped away, damaging the pump.
The Alabama Highway Patrol and Atmore Police caught up with the vehicle and pursued it south on I-65. Lape exited onto Baldwin County Highway 47 at Perdido.
Lape crashed and then attempted to get away on foot, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks. She was apprehended a short time later. She was transported to North Baldwin Hospital In Bay Minette where she was treated for minor injuries and released.
Lape was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond on charges of theft of property first degree, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
Rain, Isolated Severe Storms Possible Wednesday Night Into Thursday
February 17, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9pm. Low around 46. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Escambia County Reports Four More COVID-19 Deaths, Another 102 Cases
February 17, 2021
HERE IS YOUR OFFICIAL NORTH ESCAMBIA AREA FORECAST.
There were four additional COVID-19 deaths and 102 more cases in Escambia County reported Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,890 (+102)
Non-Florida residents: 3,403
Recovered: 30,855*
Total deaths: 598 (+4)
Long-term care facility deaths: 259 (+2)
Current hospitalizations: 120 (-3)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,283
Percent positive reported last day: 7.1%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,500 (+85)
Cantonment: 2,972 (+7)
Century: 1,135
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 450 (+2)
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,557 (+41)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 244 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 74
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 754*
Number of tests reported last day: 1,595
Percent positive reported last day: 3.3%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,947 (+17)
Navarre: 3,344 (+11)
Gulf Breeze: 3,104 (+4)
Pace: 1,311 (+5)
Jay: 511 (+4)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,837,285
Florida residents: 1,803,893
Deaths: 29,154
Hospitalizations: 76,525*
*“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.
Jonathan David Cotton
February 17, 2021
Our beloved son, husband, father, nephew and cousin, Jonathan David Cotton was unexpectedly called home on Saturday, February 6, 2021.
Jonathan was born in Atmore, AL, to John David Cotton Jr. and Kathryn Gail Cotton on March 24, 1985. He worked for Williamson Electrical and loved his job and work family. In his spare time, he loved riding four wheelers, working on projects with his dad and watching his girls play sports.
Jonathan is preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Hazel Crutchfield, John and Joyce Cotton, Step-Daughter, Daizee Angus, Aunt and Uncle, Diane and Lamar Smith.
He is survived by his wife Karmen Cotton of Flomaton, AL; daughter Kayley Marie Cotton of Flomaton, AL; stepdaughter, Zoey Angus of Flomaton, AL; his parents, John and Gail Cotton of Flomaton, AL; aunts Jennifer (Walt) Woodfin, Julie (Chad) Miller and Faye Bradley Coover; cousins, Steve Bradley, Cindy Baggett, Chris Smith, Allison Woodfin, Stewart Woodfin, Raeleigh Woodfin, Ansley Claire Miller and John Edward Miller.
Visitation was held at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL, on Thursday, February 11. A celebration of life was held Friday, February 12 at at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home with Brother Ted Bridges officiating. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Steve Foley, Jeremy Wise, Stephen Manning, Chris Smith, John Edward Miller and Stewart Woodfin.
The family greatly appreciates the overwhelming support and generosity they have received from so many in the community over the past few days and ask for your continued prayers. Due to Covid-19, the family asks that you practice social distancing and face masks are recommended.
Jillian Michelle Caraway
February 17, 2021
Jillian Michelle Caraway, age 38, passed away on February 9, 2021. She was born on June 23, 1982 in Brewton, AL to the Eugene and Kim Weaver Caraway.
She is preceded in death by her father, Eugene Caraway.
She is survived by her mother, Kim (Billy) Walker of McCullough, AL; her children, James Morris of McCullough, AL, Mia Morris, Brandy Morris and Colton Morris all from Bay Minette, AL; her brother, Justin (Magen) Caraway of McCullough, AL, her sister, Kimberly (James) Dyal of Bay Minette, AL, her grandfather, James Caraway and her niece, Hadley Caraway.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James Morris Special Fund at First National Bank and Trust of Atmore, AL.
Update: Becks Lake Road Crossing Now Open After Emergency Repair To Broken Rail
February 16, 2021
Update: Becks Lake Road has reopened after an emergency repair at a CSX crossing.
CSX reported the broken rail and closure early Tuesday morning on Becks Lake Road just east of Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
From Schools To Government Offices And Trash Service, Here’s What Is Closed Or Delayed Due To Weather
February 16, 2021
Here is a list of what closed for Tuesday in the North Escambia area due to winter weather. Each is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday unless otherwise indicated.
SCHOOLS
- Escambia County (FL) Schools, including indoor and outdoor athletics.
- Santa Rosa County SchoolS, including indoor and outdoor athletics.
- Escambia County (AL) Schools, including all after school events.
- University of West Florida, including online courses. All assignments, exams, virtual and in-person courses are suspended during this time. Reopening 5 a.m. Wednesday.
- Pensacola State College until 1 p.m. Tuesday
- Pensacola Christian Academy
- Escambia Academy (AL)
- Atmore Christian School (students dressing up for the 100th day of school should do so on Wednesday)
SANITATION
Due to the closure of the Perdido Landfill, ECUA sanitation collections this week will be delayed by one day. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday and the remaining collections for the week will follow in the same manner until all collections are completed on Saturday.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Escambia County
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
- The Escambia County Animal Shelter
- Waste Services Administrative Offices
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller – Finance Offices
- Escambia County Area Transit administrative offices
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will suspend all bus and UWF Trolley service from Tuesday, Feb.16 until noon due to cold weather conditions on the road. Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will also suspend paratransit service on Tuesday, Feb. 16, until noon.
- If weather and road conditions are deemed safe, ECAT will tentatively start bus service at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 16
- If the severe weather and road conditions are still deemed unsafe, ECAT and ECCT will continue suspended bus and trolley service for the remainder of Tuesday, Feb. 16. ECAT will notify the public as soon as possible when the decision is made to continue or cancel service for Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Town of Century
- All Town of Century offices will reopen on Wednesday.
City of Pensacola
- All City of Pensacola offices are closed until 1 p.m. Tuesday.
COVID-19 TESTING
- Ascension Sacred Heart testing locations will reopen on Wednesday.
- Community Health Northwest Florida testing locations will reopen on Wednesday, including Cantonment.
Freezing Temperatures Again Tuesday Night; Rain Returns Wednesday
February 16, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 44. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers likely. High near 57. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Escambia County Worked To Sand Bridges, FDOT Prepped For Ice Potential
February 16, 2021
When the threat of black ice became apparent, Escambia Public Works and the Florida Department of Transportation went to work.
County crews fanned out across North Escambia to sand bridges, according to Public Works Director Wes Moreno. Sands improves traction in the event of ice on a bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation into winter weather operations mode at 9 p.m. in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. FDOT was poised to deploy various tankers, bridge deck sprayers and other equipment to apply anti-icing products on bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement surface. The anti-icing products allow any potential ice layer to melt more quickly and reduces the amount of time required to restore roads to a clear, dry state.
Pictured: Escambia County work crews sand bridges late Monday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
