No Identity, Cause Of Death Released Yet After Human Remains Discovery In Bratt
February 13, 2023
A week after investigators returned to Bratt looking for more human remains in a wooded area, there’s still no word on an identity or cause of death.
Highly decomposed remains were first discovered by a hunter on Christmas Eve, and investigators were back in the woods on C.W. Caraway Road last Monday, February 6, with cadaver dogs. NorthEscambia.com was there as crime scene technicians, investigators, and volunteers with the cadaver dogs returned from a heavily wooded area, some carrying evidence bags.
Dan Schebler, director of operations for the District One Medical Examiner’s Office, said more evidence was located. The additional remains located last week were believed to be from the same individual as the December discovery.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the remains are part of an ongoing death investigation, and the remains may be those of an individual in an open missing person case. The Medical Examiner’s Office will make the final identification and determination if any foul play was involved.
C.W. Caraway Road is a private dirt lane that travels north off West Highway 4, about 1.5 miles east of Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Basketball Moves Into 6A State Series
February 13, 2023
The Tate Aggies have earned a bid in the FHSAA Class 6A state championship series.
In Class 6A Region 1 quarterfinals, the No. 6 Tate Aggies (18-5) will travel about 360 miles to Orange Park to face the No. 3 Oakleaf Knights (23-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Also, No. 4 Gulf Breeze (22-3) will host No. 5 Nease (18-18) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Today Is Voter Registration Deadline For Special Primary Election In Century
February 13, 2023
Today, February 13, is the deadline to register to vote in an upcoming special primary election in Century, if it’s required.
The Town of Century has set a special election for town council seats 3 and 4. The special general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28. If three or more candidates qualify for either of the seats, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14.
The registration deadline for the special general election is Monday, February 27. New voter registration applications need to be postmarked or submitted to a voter registration agency by close of business on the day of the deadline.
For more on the special election, click or tap here.
Pauline Coker Ward
February 13, 2023
Pauline Coker Ward, age 90, of Atmore, AL passed away on February 12, 2023 in Mobile, AL. She was born on June 19, 1932 in Goodway, AL to Paschal and Nettie Ramsey Coker. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher for over fifty years. During her career, she was a bookkeeper for Ward Brothers Farm and worked at Vanity Fair. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, James Lavaughn
Ward.
She is survived by her daughter, Sheliah (J.P.) Sawyer of Huxford, AL; her brothers, John C. Coker of Opelika, AL and Kenneth (Margaret) Coker of Mobile, AL; her sister, Kathryn Letts of Wetumpka, AL; three grandchildren: Carlie Crutchfield, John Patrick Sawyer and Victoria Sawyer (Austin) Cain; three great grandchildren: Aubrianna, Railen and Haegan along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Enon Baptist Church in Goodway, AL with Bro. James Henry and Bro. Tom Thurman officiating.
Interment will follow in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Enon Baptist Church in Goodway, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Gas Prices Drop About A Dime On Average
February 13, 2023
Florida gas prices declined for the second consecutive week, declining a total of 19 cents per gallon. During the past week, the state average dropped 10 cents.
Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.40 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price in a little more than three weeks (January 19th).
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $3.25. The North Escambia low Sunday night was $3.16 at a Muscogee Road station, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.01 at the warehouse clubs and a staton on Nine Mile Road.
The downward trend at the pump may not last much longer,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude oil and gasoline futures prices jumped 9% last week, almost completely erasing the losses that led to the 2-week drop at the pump. This could cause falling pump prices to plateau, or possibly inch higher in the coming weeks.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Week Starts Sunny; Thursday Is Our Rain Day
February 13, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 10 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 65. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Homebuilder D.R. Horton Offers $33 Million Cash For County’s OLF-8 Property On Nine Mile Road
February 12, 2023
A homebuilder has made a $33 million cash offer for the entire OLF-8 property owned by Escambia County.
Saturday, Escambia County commissioners received the offer for 540 acres on Nine Mile Road from D.R. Horton, including a promise $1 million to be held in escrow during an inspection period.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 helicopter field in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County at a total cost of about $18 million. A portion of the property was previously sold to Navy Federal to expand their campus.
“It’s a big deal for this area, and we will be nearly $20 million to the good,” Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told NorthEscambia.com on Saturday.
A design plan is in place for the property with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities. It allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
D.R. Horton said the company “intends to incorporate multiple commercial and residential uses into its future master plan. (D.R. Horton) intends to approach a third-party developer with regard to the development of the commercial parcels.”
“I say we consider it,” Bergosh said. “I want to hear from my counterparts at a meeting. With $6.5 million per district, you could do a lot of good stuff.”
The February 10 offer letter requests a response within 10 days.
Pictured: Images from the OLF-8 Master Plan accepted by the Escambia County Commission in June 2021.
Century Youth Learn About Robotics
February 12, 2023
Youth in Century were introduced to robotics during a program recently at the Wesley Chapel CME Church.
Last fall, we told you about how the Century Blackcats youth football program is looking to change their playbook from football to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education during the off season.
From Ozobots that can be programmed with colored lines to computer-coded Sphero Balls, the youth had a chance to try their hands at robotics.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Organizers hope to have STEM programs in place for the youth this summer.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inmate Serving Life Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
February 12, 2023
Inmate Ibraheem Jackson assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Jackson is serving a life sentence out of Broward County for a 2015 armed burglary, in addition to a long list of convictions for grand theft, burglary and related charges.
He was transferred after the assault to the Santa Rosa Annex.
Dry And Chilly Tonight, Low In The Mid 30s
February 12, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Low around 43. 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 54.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.