Beulah Elementary Heart Challenge Raises $7,800 And Counting
February 15, 2023
Beulah Elementary School families have raised over $7,800 in the Kids Heart Challenge, and it continues through Friday.
The Kids Heart Challenge is a fun and exciting event where students learn about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association.
Donations can be made through February 17 here or in the Kids Heart Challenge app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.
Beulah Elementary student also made paper hearts to dedicate their fundraising event to family members that have had a heart attack, heart disease or stroke.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wednesday Was The 7th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century (With Galleries)
February 15, 2023
Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that was trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Anti-terrorism Exercises Continue This Week At Local Navy Bases
February 15, 2023
An annual anti-terrorism force protection exercise continues through Friday at area Navy bases.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field are taking part.
Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023 is conducted at all Navy installations in the continental U.S. The exercise, which is not a response to any specific threat, is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base
operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise.
Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
Both Spans Of The Pensacola Bay Bridge Now Open
February 14, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 to vehicular traffic about 11:30 Monday night.
The two spans of the bridge are now temporarily accommodating two east and two westbound travel lanes, but upon final completion of the project each structure will support three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The multiuse path on the eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge remains open, but the westbound path will remain closed until completed.
While there is now traffic on both spans of the bridge, multiple miscellaneous tasks remain to complete the project. These include work on the U.S. 98 tie-ins and median areas, the wayside park in Gulf Breeze, bridge painting, and other final items. Completion of the project is currently estimated for this summer.
With a construction cost of approximately $440-million, the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project is the largest transportation initiative in Northwest Florida history. More than 55,000 drivers travel the bridge daily between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. The modern, six-lane structure replaces a four-lane bridge that opened in 1960.
Pictured: Traffic flows over both spans of the Pensacola Bay Bridge about 11:30 Monday night. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man On Probation Now Charged With Murder
February 14, 2023
A Molino man on probation after threatening his mother in 2021 has now been charged with murdering a man.
Nicholas Bronson Pierce, 37, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of first degree felony murder,
On January 31, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office found a white male face down in the dirt driveway in the 1300 block of Blue Angel Parkway. The victim was deceased with multiple gunshot wounds to his back, leg and side, according to investigators. Multiple shell casings were found near the body. Witnesses reported seeing a black Chevrolet Impala and a blue Honda Accord in the driveway prior to the shooting.
The resident of the home told deputies that he had never seen the victim before.
Pierce’s arrest report does not indicate how he was developed as the suspect.
In August 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded n armed disturbance at a residence on Pilgrim Trail West. Pierce entered a residence and pointed a gun at his mother’s head and yelled, “I’ll kill you [expletive]‘, according to an arrest report.
Pierce was previously convicted in September 2022 of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was ordered to serve 12 months on community control and 24 months probation.
FBI Warns Of Romance Scams, North Floridians Lost $15 Million Last Year
February 14, 2023
The FBI Jacksonville Division is warning those looking for love about romance scams.
During 2022 in northern Florida, 387 victims reported losing a total of over $15 million, according to the FBI.
Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim.
The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites, according to authorities.
The scammer’s intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.
Upon gaining the trust of their victims, romance scammers request money for false purposes including medical, travel, or legal fees.
The FBI has also identified a trend in which these criminals are increasingly pressuring victims to invest in cryptocurrency, which could lead to increased victimization in 2023. To demonstrate the returns on investment, victims are directed to websites that appear authentic but are instead controlled by the scammer. Once the victim makes a purchase, they are denied the ability to cash out their investments and the scammer cuts off contact.
“Online dating is common today, but unfortunately scammers also thrive on those same sites,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville Sherri E. Onks. “Whether you’re looking for love or a friendship online, be sure you first understand the risk of being exploited. Remember, a scammer will always eventually ask you for something, so set a boundary early on and never, ever send money to someone you’ve never met.”
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s An Overnight Forecast To Love
February 14, 2023
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers after 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. South wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Cantonment Company Seeks Temporary Concrete Crushing Permit
February 14, 2023
A local construction company has applied for a 14-day temporary concrete crushing permit at their business.
Chavers Construction has applied for the permit for 14 consecutive working days on their property at 801 Virecent Road in Cantonment.
Concrete material that has accumulated on the property over the last couple of years will be crushed on-site. The material will then be re-used as base material for Chavers’ own parking lot and road projects and not be sold or open to the public for sale.
The concrete will be crushed by Sunbelt Crushing between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday in a central location on the 18-acre property well behind the Chavers Construction office to minimize any outside impacts. The pile will be sprinkled with water during the operation to minimize any dust, and silt fencing will be used on all downhill slopes. The crushing location will not be visible from any road.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the temporary permit at their meeting on February 16.
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder
February 14, 2023
An Atmore man has been charged with trying to murder someone inside a home on King Street.
George Edward Cooper, 44, was charged with attempted murder, burglary first degree, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, reckless endangerment, and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm.
According to the Atmore Police Department, officers responded to King Street where Cooper had forced opened the front door of a residence and attempted to shoot someone inside. He fled the scene, but was spotted by police a short distance away and taken into custody.
Cooper, a convicted felon, had a loaded firearm in his pocket when he was arrested, according to police.
Cooper was booked into the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center without bond.
This Is Who Had The Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
February 14, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket on Nine Mile Road last week.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $36,427.41 in the February 6 drawing was claimed by Vardria Magbie Barnett, Jr. of Loxley. The quick pick ticket sold at the SP Foot Mart On West Nine Mile Road at Bridlewood Road was one of five winning tickets sold for the drawing. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Hollywood, Miami and Vero Beach.
The 373 tickets matching four numbers won $78.50 each. Another 10,700 tickets matching three numbers are worth $7.50 each, and 89,577 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Monday’s winning numbers were 3-7-9-21-26.