Update: No Escambia Roads Closed Due To Flooding, But Here Are Some Spots To Watch
September 15, 2021
UPDATE 5 PM: Escambia County mistakenly released a list of closed roads in Escambia County. They have since clarified that the roads are not closed but drivers need to use caution due to standing water on these and other roadways.
As of 4 p.m., the following roads in Escambia County were open, but had issues with standing water:
- Rebel Road/Beulah Church Road
- 9th Ave/Texar Dr to Blount St
- Fairfield Dr/Mobile Hwy
- Cervantes St/Pace Blvd
- Fairfield Dr/Market St
- Saufley Field Road/Blue Angel Pkwy
- Perkins St/Blue Angel Pkwy
- W Intendencia St/S Coyle St
- Gregory St/N St
Escambia County reminds residents to avoid flooded roadways. During a flood, more people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around barricades, as there may not be a road or a bridge where one used to be.
Law Enforcement Searches For Stolen Vehicle Suspect In Quintette Area
September 15, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol were involved in the search for a suspect Wednesday afternoon in the area surrounding Quintette Lane.
According to the ECSO, a suspect or suspects fled from vehicle that had been reported stolen in Walton County. The vehicle was recovered.
No suspect description was provided.
Quintette Lane leads to the Quintette Park, not far from the intersection of Quintette Road and Highway 95A.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ethics Commission Finds Probable Cause In Several Complaints Against Commissioner Doug Underhill
September 15, 2021
The Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause in several ethics violation complaints against Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill.
A finding of probable cause is not a determination that a violation has occurred. Such a determination is made only after a full evidentiary hearing on the allegations.
The Commission found probable cause to believe that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. Probable cause also was found to believe the information he disclosed was only available to him as a public officer and gained by reason of his official position.
The commission also found probable cause on three allegations that related to Underhill soliciting donations through a GoFundMe page including soliciting donations from a vendor, lobbyist or principal of a lobbyist of the County, accepting prohibited donations to his personal legal defense fund from a vendor, lobbyist or the principal lobbyist of the County, and failing to disclose reportable gifts in excess of $100 on a required disclosure form.
Regarding two additional allegations relating to the reporting of gifts, probable cause was found to believe Underhill failed to report free personal legal services from a law firm, as well as travel and shipping expenses provided to him by a non-profit organization.
Other allegations were dismissed by the Ethics Commission with a finding of no probable cause Those dismissed allegations include that Underhill published his GoFundMe legal defense fund to social media, solicited free legal services from a lobbyist/vendor, accepted free legal services from a lobbyist or vendor, had a conflicting employment or contracted relationship with the Pensacola Sports Association, Inc., and an allegation that Mr. Underhill solicited, and then accepted, reimbursement for travel and expenses from an organization that accepting funding from the county.
According to the Florida Commission on Ethics, Underhill can enter into a settlement at a hearing, admitting wrongdoing and accepting a fine. Or, he can go before a judge in an evidentiary hearing for a ruling.
Need Free Sand Due To Forecasted Heavy Rain? Here’s Where To Find It Today.
September 15, 2021
Due to forecasted heavy rain from now Tropical Depression Nicholas, Escambia County has made sand available at several locations.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Charter Review Committee Considers Change To Century Mayor’s Role
September 15, 2021
The Century Charter Review Committee is continuing to explore a change in the town’s form of government that would transfer most of the mayor’s powers to a town manager.
The committee voted in July to that a charter rewrite would form a town manager-council form of government, making the elected mayor a weak position, perhaps mostly a figurehead. Tuesday evening, with only three members present, the committee discussed making the mayor a voting member of the town council — perhaps as one of the five members or even a sixth member allowed to vote only to break a tie.
According to Tuesday’s discussion, the mayor and council would not be responsible for hiring and firing employees; that duty would fall to with the town manager. The town manager would prepare the town’s budget, which is currently a mayoral duty.
It was noted that if the mayor were to be a voting member of the town council, he or she would not be allowed to discuss business with council members outside of public meetings due to the Sunshine Law. Contact with council members would instead by coordinated by the town manager.
If the charter review committee completes a rewrite, the changes would go the town council to decide if the recommendation will go on the ballot for a citizen votes.
ECSO, U.S. Marshals Arrest June Attempted Homicide Suspect
September 15, 2021
A man was wanted for a June shooting in Escambia County was arrested Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals.
Gregory Alanzo Brown, 32, was captured at a home in the 400 block of Tallow Tree Drive.
Brown was wanted for a June 16 shooting that took place in the 2100 block of West Fairfield Drive. Investigators said Brown used a gun to fire at a victim’s car, but did not strike the victim inside the vehicle. A bullet hole was found in the car.
Brown was arrested and charged with attempted homicide, deadly missiles, criminal mischief, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, display of a firearm during a felony, and discharging a firearm in public.
Brown was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Significant Flooding Potential Continues Into Thursday With Several More Inches Of Rain Expected
September 15, 2021
A flash flood watch is in effect for the entire area as a significant heavy rain event is unfolding, according to the National Weather Service.
That is leading to considerable flooding in the southern portion of Escambia County and the other red shaded areas on the map above.
Heavy rain continues to stream into the area this evening from the remnants of Nicholas. Expect more bands of heavy rain tonight and Thursday
The weather service said this is turning into a long-duration flood event that persists into the weekend. The overall coverage of heavy rain will be less on Thursday, but we’ve already seen rainfall totals greater than 10 inches today in southern Escambia County, so any additional rain will exacerbate saturated ground. We expect another 3-6 inches of rain with locally higher totals through the weekend, especially near the coast. The weather service is becoming increasingly concerned about another round of heavy rain on Friday potentially through the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 71. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 78. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 80. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84
DeSantis Wants To End FSA School Testing, Switch To ‘Progress Monitoring’
September 15, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday s announced a legislative proposal that will eliminate the common-core based, end-of-year, high-stakes Florida Statewide Assessment (FSA) in classrooms across the state.
Instead, he wants the state to create a “progress monitoring” standard called the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T) plan. By creating the F.A.S.T. Plan, Florida will become the first state in the nation to fully implement progress monitoring instead of end-of-year standardized testing, and fully eliminate common core.
“This is going to be more student friendly. This is going to be more teacher friendly. This is going to be more parent friendly,” DeSantis said. “This is a big deal.”
“Florida’s education focus should be students’ growth and how we restore the conversation between parents and teachers in support of students’ growth,” DeSantis added. “In this final step to eradicate Common Core from our assessments, our administration is implementing the lessons learned from progress monitoring both during the state’s recovery and from our districts and schools that were already showing how we can better support students reaching their own unique growth goals.”
DeSantis made the announcement with Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran at High Point Elementary School in Clearwater, which is already using the progress monitoring approach. At the school, every student is considered to come from an economically disadvantaged family. They used progress monitoring tools throughout the 2020-2021 school year to make actionable decisions in real time, and the school was able to make a turnaround from a D to a C grade.
“We started by creating more flexible pathways to teacher certifications, elevating the profession through massively increasing minimum compensation, providing relief to our teachers who kept education going throughout our recovery and across-the-board increasing our focus on professional development and instructional supports,” Corcoran said. “Florida is now taking the next great step — using what many districts and schools have already proven to be true — that progress monitoring is a school accountability system that puts great information in the hands of our teachers, early and meaningfully, so they can drive students’ growth.”
DeSantis said the plan will reduce testing stress with much shorter tests in the fall, winter and spring that will inform students, teachers and parents about students’ growth, rather than a single lengthy end-of-year assessment that halts learning and leaves zero opportunity for improvement.
In addition, the governor said schools will reduce testing time an average of 75% through progress monitoring, increasing time for teaching and providing more timely, usable feedback to help students reach their unique goals.
Additional details are in the graphic below, which was provided by the Governor’s Office:
Atmore Man Charged With Drug Trafficking After Fleeing From Police
September 15, 2021
The Atmore Police Department on Tuesday announced a drug arrest last week.
On September 9, the Atmore Police Department and agents from the Alabama Drug Task Force, arrested 32-year old Charlton Orlando Jones of Atmore on charges for trafficking in a controlled substance (synthetic cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and resisting arrest.
According to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, Jones was seen driving in the area of America Drive. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Jones in order to serve outstanding Escambia County (AL) warrants.
Brooks said Jones fled from the officer, and the officer initiated a pursuit.
“During the pursuit, the officer noticed Jones throwing items from the car that was later identified as a controlled substance. The officer observed Jones,” Brooks said.
The suspect synthetic cannabis, commonly called spice, weighed 1,186 grams with a street value of $24,000, according to police.
Explore Tech, Learn To Build Paper Circuits And Mini Robots At Molino Library
September 15, 2021
You can explore technology with a touch of engineering at the Molino and other branches of the West Florida Library.
Participants will lean to build paper circuits and mini robots with Cubelets with help from he library’s STEAM team.
Remaining program for the month include:
- Thursday, Sept. 16, 3 – 4 p.m. – Molino Library
- Saturday, Sept. 18, 1 – 3 p.m. – Genealogy Library
- Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3 – 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Pictured: The program was held earlier this month at the Century Branch Library.
