Suspicious Package At Escambia County Courthouse Cleared, Building Reopened
May 4, 2023
The Escambia County Courthouse was closed temporarily Thursday morning due to a suspicious package. The all-clear was give about 8:13 a.m and the building reopened.
The package was located outside the courthouse as deputies were opening the building. It was believed that the package was dropped off by an individual, ECSO said.
The ECSO, Florida’s Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, and other agencies responded. The investigation is continuing.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash Involving Kia, Semi
May 4, 2023
One person was injured in a crash involving a Kia and a semi-truck Thursday morning at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The victim’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening in the wreck about 7:30 a.m.
Bot the Kia and the semi were disabled by the crash, blocking the intersection and causing traffic problems.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Expected To Approve Lease With New Manufacturer In Town’s Industial Park
May 4, 2023
The Century Town Council is expected to approve a lease during a special meeting next week with a new manufacturer I in a town-owned industrial park building.
In January, the 50-year old foreign company agreed to lease a building in the Century Industrial Park for their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
Officials had hoped they could begin warehouse operations by the end of February with manufacturing to follow.
According to the town and Floridawest, the company’s commitment to the lease was delayed by, among other things, their work to establish their legal entity in the U.S.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes. They are expected to create five jobs at startup with more to come in the first year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola metro.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Dry; The Next Small Rain Chance Is Saturday
May 4, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Flomaton Woman Charged With Exploitation Of Elderly Century Resident
May 4, 2023
A Flomaton woman is charged with exploiting an elderly Century resident.
Dawn Renee Watson, 39, was charged with felony elderly exploitation and misdemeanor petit theft. She also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.
The elderly victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she gave her debit card to Watson, a close relative, to pick up items while she was sick, but never gave her permission for any personal use of the funds.
Watson made withdrawals to her cash app from the victim’s account totaling $669, according to an arrest report. When confronted by the victim, deputies said Watson deposited $130 for the victim but then no longer responded.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Four Injured In Davis Highway Crash; SUV Ends Up On Top Of Car
May 4, 2023
Four people were injured in a wreck on Davis Highway that ended with a SUV on top of a car.
The crash happened in front of HCA West Florida Hospital.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, including a Special Operations Team, responded to extricate the SUV driver. Due to the situation, the SUV was strapped to the vehicle below it and stabilized with stuts. ECFR said the extrication process took just 11 minutes.
Four people were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the wreck happened.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Win Number 100 For Northview Baseball Coach Jeremy Greenwell
May 4, 2023
Northview High School baseball coach Jeremy Greenwell is celebrating his 100th win.
After Tuesday’s number 100 in the W-column with a shutout of Central, the team presented Greenwell with an autographed home plate and a customized bat.
Greenwell was the first coach in Northview history to reach 100 wins.
Thursday night, Greenwell earned win number 101 as the No. 1 Chiefs beat the No. 2 Royals in Jay for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
District Championships On The Line Tonight For Tate Baseball, Northview Baseball And Softball
May 4, 2023
District championships are on the line tonight for Tate baseball, Northview baseball and Northview softball.
1A District 1 Softball
In 1A District 1 softball defending state champions No. 1 Jay (13-11) will take on No. 1 Northview (14-11) at 7 p.m. at Northview High School. In previous meetings this year, Jay defeated Northview 4-3 and 10-0.
1A District 1 Baseball
In 1A District 1 baseball, No. 1 Northview (16-6) will visit No. 2 Jay (16-10) at 7 p.m. During the regular season Northview beat Jay 9-2 and 5-1.
6A District 1 Baseball
In 6A District 1 baseball. No. 3 Tate (18-6) will be at No 1 Pace (23-2) at 7 .m. In regular season place, the Patriots have topped the Aggies twice, 5-2, 5-3.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fitterer, Blue Wahoos Blank Braves for Seventh Straight Win
May 4, 2023
Evan Fitterer continued to make a strong impression in a Blue Wahoos uniform, tossing the first five innings of a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday morning.
Fitterer (W, 2-0), who allowed only one hit over 6.0 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut at Montgomery last Thursday, scattered three hits over another strong start as the Blue Wahoos won their seventh game in a row.
Will Banfield started the scoring with a two-run homer in the second inning against Scott Blewett (L, 0-2), and Dane Myers followed with an RBI single in the third that would provide Pensacola all the run support they would need.
Cristian Charle, Zack Leban and Jefry Yan (S, 2) worked the final four innings out of the Blue Wahoos bullpen, securing just the fifth seven-game winning streak in team history. The franchise record is eight wins in a row, accomplished in 2017 and 2018.
The Education Day game was played in front of 5,038 fans, a group mostly comprised of students and field trip groups. It marked the seventh sellout of the season in 11 games at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Thursday evening in Pensacola
written by Erik Bremer/photos Blue Wahoos
Patsy Ann Gulsby
May 4, 2023
Patsy Ann Gulsby, age 85, of Atmore, AL passed away on May 1, 2023. She was born on September 29, 1937 in Mexia, AL to Willard and Ima Dobbins Smith. She was a member of Presley Street Baptist Church and was a bank teller for United Bank for over twelve years. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Gulsby; her daughter, Vicki Lynn Jordan; her son, Leslie E. Gulsby and her grandson, Scotty Jordan. She is survived by her son, David Gulsby of Atmore, AL; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 5, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.