Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On I-10
July 26, 2021
A small plane made an emergency landing on I-10 near Milton Sunday evening after the pilot ran out of fuel.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol they observed the single engine plane circle around before landing on the interstate. Troopers arrived to find the plane safely on the shoulder of the roadway and the pilot unharmed.
“It’s not every day we respond to an airplane on the interstate,” said FHP Lt. Jason King.
The pilot made his own arrangement to have the plane removed from I-10.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the emergency landing.
Photos courtesy Florida Highway Patrol for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Story Time Returns This Week To West Florida Libraries
July 26, 2021
Family story time has returned to the branches of the West Florida Public Libraries.
With exciting stories, songs and movement, the program is suggested for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but it is open to everyone.
The schedule is as follows:
- Century Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Molino Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Tryon Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29
- Pensacola Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Southwest Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 27
Big Changes Upcoming To Ambulance, Medical Helicopter Coverage In Escambia, Alabama
July 26, 2021
Several big changes to ambulance and medical helicopter services are upcoming for Escambia County, Alabama.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority (ECHCA) has reached an agreement with MedStar to provide comprehensive 24/7 ground ambulance coverage for the greater Atmore market, replacing ASAP EMS.
MedStar currently provides ground ambulance services for the Flomaton area, but D.W. McMillan EMS will assume responsibility for providing ground ambulance service in the greater Flomaton area.
ECHCA has also contracted with MedStar to provide medical helicopter service to all of Escambia County, Alabama. MedStar’s Air Care 2 helicopter is currently based at Atmore Community Hospital.
As NorthEscambia.com reported Saturday, Air Care 2 from Atmore will also respond to North Escambia in Florida under a new “first call agreement” between the operator of ShandsCair and Escambia County, Florida.
Pictured: MedStar’s Air Care 2 from Atmore responds to a traffic crash in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Gradually Decline
July 26, 2021
Florida gas prices have gradually declined, falling a total of 4 cents during the past two weeks.
After reaching a 2021 high of $3.01 earlier this month, drivers are now paying an average price of $2.97 per gallon across Florida.
The average price per gallon was $3.01 in Escambia County, down a penny from a week ago. A low of $2.85 could be found in North Escambia Sunday night at station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Two stations on East Nine Mile Road were at $2.79 per gallon.
“Gas prices may not move much this week, as futures prices finished slightly above a week ago,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Concerns about the Delta variant significantly impacted the crude oil market last week, causing oil prices to drop 8% on Monday. However, crude rebounded by the end of the week, on the belief that the spread would not significantly impact the recovery in global fuel demand.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Fourth Inning Sinks Wahoos In 11-3 Blowout Loss To The Biscuits
July 26, 2021
Montgomery scored six times in the bottom of the fourth and handed Pensacola an 11-3 loss on Sunday at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.
Leading 3-2, Justin Evans (L, 0-1) struggled in his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos. The righty walked the first two batters he faced before misplaying a sacrifice bunt attempt, which loaded the bases. After a strikeout of Michael Smith, Evans walked in two runs before surrendering a bases-loaded double to Jonathan Aranda to put Montgomery up 8-3. The Biscuits added three more in the bottom of the eighth, giving them 11 total runs on the night.
Will Stewart, who made his second start this series, allowed two runs in three innings before departing the game after only throwing 58 pitches. Those 58 pitches are the fewest he’s thrown in an outing since he threw 69 pitches against the Birmingham Barons on June 27th. It is unclear whether or not his departure was injury related.
Pensacola showed their moxie in the top of the fourth, when trailing 2-0 they scored three times to take the lead. After a lead-off double from JJ Bleday, Chris Chinea was hit by a Cristofer Ogando fastball. That set up J.D. Osborne, who crushed a no-doubter to deep left for his second homer of the series and his third of the year. Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the lead did not last long, as the Biscuits scored six times in the bottom of the frame.
Pensacola, having lost five of six to the Biscuits, will head home in preparation of a six-game set against the Mississippi Braves beginning Tuesday. Coincidentally, the M-Braves are fresh off a six-game sweep at the hands of the Biloxi Shuckers.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Defrauding Customers Out Of $80,000
July 26, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for stealing from his customers.
Circuit Court Judge Jennie Kinsey sentenced Robert James Stoll, 42, to 10 years in State Prison followed by 20 years probation for organized fraud.
A joint investigation by the Florida Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Attorney determined that over the course of a year and a half, Stoll used two businesses — Flawless Flooring & Cabinets and Pensacola Discounted Cabinets — to steal over $80,000 from 16 of his customers.
Stoll took thousands of dollars from each victim while failing to perform the work for which he was paid. Among the 16 victims were nine elderly persons and three disabled persons, including a disabled veteran. Several of the
victims testified at the sentencing hearing and requested Stoll be sentenced to state prison in order to prevent from victimizing other members of the public.
“The defendant’s criminal conduct negatively impacted several members of our community and the Office of the State Attorney believes incarceration and supervision are warranted to protect the citizens of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida,” Assistant State Attorney Hannah Nowalk argued.
Hazardous Materials Cleanup Continues At Site Of McDavid Train Derailment
July 25, 2021
The environmental cleanup is continuing after a train derailment involving hazardous materials last week in McDavid.
Twenty-five cars of a southbound CSX train derailed in a heavily wooded area a mile north of the West Fraser Sawmill about 10:35 p.m. the night of July 19. Several tanker and hopper cars were among those scattered about the tracks during the derailment.
According to the Florida Department of Environment Management, two of the cars were carrying ammonium nitrate and molten sulfur, both hazardous materials.
“None has been released and it remains safely contained within the cars. A small amount of limestone gravel and (nonhazardous) methionine, however, has spilled,” FDEP Press Secretary Alexandra Kuchta told NorthEscambia.com in an email late Friday afternoon.
Three of the cars spilled limestone rock adjacent to the tracks., CSX confirmed to NorthEscambia.com.
“The incident site is currently stabilized and the responsible party will now move forward with the removal of the spilled materials and any necessary assessment and remediation due to the derailment. DEP will continue its stringent oversight to ensure any threats to the environment and human safety are quickly and effectively addressed,” Kuchta said.
The train engine came to a stop behind the sawmill, but due to the remote area of the site with no nearby roads, it took first responders about 45 minutes to locate and reach the area of derailment using a UTV and four-wheel drive vehicles on dirt hunting camp roads.
Escambia County interim Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, who is also the volunteer chief of the McDavid Station of Fire Rescue, was the first to reach the site on foot Monday night. He described the site as a “total pileup” with railcars on top of one another and tracks that were destroyed.
The Escambia Fire Rescue Hazmat team conducted a visual inspection of the derailment Monday night and then utilized monitoring equipment to take air samples and determine that there was no immediate public health threat.
CSX said the train was headed from Nashville to Pensacola. The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
There were no injuries reported.
The derailment was just north of the site of a January 28, 2014, derailment during a rare North Escambia ice storm. As much as 30,000 gallons of corrosive acid spilled into Fletcher Creek during that incident, leading to a lengthy environmental cleanup.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Created For Volunteer Firefighter In Need Of Kidney Transplant
July 25, 2021
Last week, we introduced you to a local volunteer firefighter in need of an immediate kidney translate and told you how to donate to the Cody Green Transplant Fundraiser on Facebook.
After numerous people asked about making donations some other way than Facebook, a GoFundMe account was created. To donate on GoFundMe, click or tap here.
Cody Green and his wife Sarah have a two-year old son. Cody is a Florida Forest Service wildland firefighter, and he is a volunteer firefighter at the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Cody suffers from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a serious condition in which scar tissue develops in parts of the kidney, and it can lead to full kidney failure.
About a year and a half ago he was at 40% kidney function, and doctors thought he would be able to live without dialysis or need of transplant until he was older in his 40s or 50s. But about six months ago he had only 15% kidney function left and within two months was at just 7%.
Ray’s Chapel Donates School Supplies To Byrneville Elementary School
July 25, 2021
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church recently donated school supplies for students at Byrneville Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center Back From Condo Collapse
July 25, 2021
Escambia County’s mobile command center is back from the Surfside, Florida, condo collapse near Miami.
The command center, nicknamed “THOR” was requested by the state in late June to use as a command post during the search and recovery efforts.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and has dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Pictured: Escambia County’s mobile command center “THOR” in use at the the Surfside condo collapse. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
