Escambia Motorcyclist Rear Ends Tow Truck, Dies In Santa Rosa Crash
August 28, 2021
An Escambia County motorcyclist died in wreck Friday afternoon in Santa Rosa County east of Harold.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 33-year old man was traveling east on Highway 90 approaching Starrider Trail directly behind a tow truck about 12:25 p.m. The tow truck slowed to turn into a private driveway.
“The motorcycle collided with the right rear area of the tow truck causing fatal injuries to the motorcycle operator,” according to FHP.
The tow truck driver, a 28-year old man from Pace, was not injured. FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Tate Aggies Beat The PHS Tigers
August 28, 2021
The Tate Aggies opened their season with a 9-0 win over the Pensacola High Tigers Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The game was scoreless until 6:20 in the fourth quarter when senior Zane Repine sacked the Tigers quarterback deep in the end zone for safety, putting the Aggies up 2-0. The Aggies scored again with 2:36 to go in the fourth on a handoff to senior Warren Henke
The Tate Aggies (1-0) will host the Gulf Breeze Dolphins (1-0) next Friday night. Gulf Breeze is coming off a 35-20 win over Pensacola Catholic.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Area High School Football Scores
August 28, 2021
Here Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores
FLORIDA
- Flomaton 38, Northview 14 [Details, photo gallery...]
- Tate 9, Pensacola High 0 [Details, photo gallery...]
- South Walton 42, Jay 6
- Gulf Breeze 28, Catholic 20
- University Christian 37, Washington 27
- Crestview 27, Milton 14
- Navarre 28, Fort Walton 6
- Choctaw 41, Pace 35 (Thursday p.m.)
- Escambia at West Florida (Canceled/COVID concerns)
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 36, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- Escambia Academy 59, Glenwood 47
Pictured: Northview’s student section supports their Chiefs Friday night in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Reports 3,067 New COVID-19 Cases, 367 Hospitalizations
August 28, 2021
There were 3,067 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 367 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 45,904 (+3,067)
Positivity rate last week: 25.1%
Current total hospitalizations: 367
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 356
Under age 18 hospitalized: 11
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 140,187
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 49.4%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 40.1%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 26,301 (+2,101)
Positivity rate last week: 28.3%
People vaccinated: 81,486
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 51%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,179,714 (+151,749)
Case positivity rate: 20.3%
Deaths: 43,979 (+389)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided.
Lawmakers To Seek Funding For Elevated Walkway Over Nine Mile Road At Beulah Middle School
August 27, 2021
Local leaders plan to work together to seek funding for a walkway over Nine Mile Road at Beulah Middle School.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County School Board Member Kevin Adams are set to make the official announcement on Monday.
“This will be my main priority, garnering funding for this overpass, as I enter the next legislative session in January,” Salzman said.
They plan to seek funding for the design and construction of the elevated walkway and work for increased pedestrian access and connectivity in the growing community via expanded sidewalk construction on the north and south side of Nine Mile Road near the school.
“I am interested in dramatically expanding the amount of sidewalks in my growing district and will be bringing a plan to do this to this press conference on Monday, including a commitment of up to $500,000 in D1 lost funding to support the effort,” Bergosh said.
Adams added, “I look forward to making this school and this surrounding area a model for safe walking conditions for our students by working closely with my elected counterparts on the county commission and in the state house — together we can make this much better for everyone.”
Escambia Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Money Laundering
August 27, 2021
The owner of an Escambia County insurance agency has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering offenses as the FBI seeks more potential victims.
John Michael Thomas, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to selling fraudulent insurance policies to his clients in exchange for approximately $4.8 million in insurance premium payments.
Court documents reflect that between September 2013 and February 2021, Thomas operated an insurance business known as Thomas Insurance, LLC. and defrauded customers through a type of insurance fraud known as premium diversion. Thomas executed this scheme by collecting insurance premiums from customers and keeping the funds for personal use instead of producing insurance policies. To conceal his acts, Thomas gave the customers fraudulent documents referencing insurance policies that did not exist.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud. W
Thomas’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 29 at the United States District Courthouse in Pensacola before District Judge T.K. Wetherell. Thomas faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for wire fraud, a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment for money laundering, and a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for money laundering to conceal proceeds of specified unlawful activity.
Work is ongoing to ensure all alleged victims are identified. If you are a client of Thomas Insurance, LLC. and wish to speak to an investigating agent regarding your policy, you are asked to contact FBI Jacksonville at (904) 248-7000 or email FLinsurancefraud@fbi.gov, and reference “Thomas Insurance.” An FBI representative will respond with additional instructions.
I-10 Wrong Way Driver Enters Plea To DUI Manslaughter, DUI Bodily Injury
August 27, 2021
A wrong-way driver entered plea for the death of a man on I-10 in Escambia County early the morning of June 20, 2020.
Theresa Bernadette King entered a no contest plea to DUI manslaughter and DUI causing serious bodily injury. King, age 47 of McKinney, Texas, remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond awaiting a sentencing hearing on October 28.
The Florida Highway Patrol said King was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when her SUV collided head on with a sedan driven by a 25-year old male from Theodore, Alabama. The vehicles collided head on about 1:30 a.m. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in sedan, a 34-year old male from Theodore, was extricated and transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
Prosecutors said an open bottle of wine was located on the floorboard of King’s vehicle. Her blood alcohol level was 0.132, well above the legal limit of 0.08. Additionally, prosecutors said the prescription drug alprazolam (Xanax) was found in her system.
King faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M-Braves Postpone Remainder Of Series Against Blue Wahoos
August 27, 2021
The Mississippi Braves have postponed their series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The M-Braves said the following in a released statement:
“As we continue testing and contact tracing for members of our organization, we have postponed our games against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through Sunday. We will continue to use caution, follow health and safety protocols, and listen to medical experts.”
There were no additional details provided.
ECUA Bulk Waste Collections Are Back
August 27, 2021
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority bulk waste collections are back to their regular weekly schedule.
On August 18, ECUA had suspended all bulk waste collections for one week due a driver shortage.
Bulk waste includes items such as couches, mattresses, desks and chairs.
ECSO: Escambia County’s Biggest Ever Marijuana Distributor Arrested, About $2 Million In Assets Seized
August 26, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County.
Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one federal count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Additional charges are expected to be forthcoming against Vo, and more arrests are possible, according to Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody.
A four-month investigation led to the August 19 service of search warrants at nine locations in Escambia County and two in Santa Rosa County in an operation that was centered around a home in the 7400 block of Klondike Road.
Local and federal investigators seized:
- 2,156 pounds of the “highest grade” marijuana
- 24 pounds of spice
- 18 pounds of THC
- 32 firearms
- 12 vehicles (two of which were stolen)
- $820,000 in cash
- $150,000 worth of gold bars
- $750,000 worth of jewelry
- a tractor
- a ski boat
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons described it as the largest asset seizure in the history of Escambia County as photos were displayed during a news conference. The photos showed some of the seized items, including a suitcase containing about a half million dollars, a safe containing weapons, an Audi and a Porsche.
“This is a major drug dealer that has major ties throughout the country,” Simmons said during a Thursday afternoon press conference. “This was a major player in Northwest Florida.”
The sheriff said the investigation began after a series of violent crimes in Escambia County.
“When you deal marijuana at this level, violence will ensue,” he said.
““The days of living large or fancy car driving, speed boat driving, community damaging is over. Your Ric Flair days are over,” Simmons said.
The investigation was conducted by agencies including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pensacola Police Department.
