Woman With Rifle Exchanges Gunfire With FHP Troopers
March 24, 2021
A 43-year old woman who had possibly overdosed on drugs exchanged gunfire with Florida Highway Patrol troopers Tuesday evening before being taken into custody.
The incident began to unfold about 6 p.m. as a FHP trooper was conducting a traffic crash investigation in the area of Chemstrand Road and Ten Mile Road. A partially clothed woman approached the trooper and “voiced her concern of overdosing on drugs”, FHP Lt. Jason King said.
The trooper called for Escambia County EMS to evaluate the woman as she began to walk across the roadway, around a corner and out of sight.
As the trooper approached what appeared to be an unoccupied silver Chevrolet truck, the female subject sat up and presented a rifle, pointing it in the direction of the trooper,” King said. “An exchange of gunfire began as two more troopers and two Escambia County deputies arrived on scene.”
“At least one other trooper became engaged in the gunfire,” King added.
No one was injured by the gunfire. King said the woman was taken into custody and transported to Baptist Hospital for medical evaluation “prior to any arrest made or charges placed against her”.
The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence. The woman’s name has not been released.
Pictured: The scene at Chemstrand Road and 10 Mile Road shortly after a woman reportedly fired a weapon at law enforcement. Photos by Latino Media Gulf Coast and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After 18 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee
March 24, 2021
Wednesday marked 18 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home, the apparent victim of foul play.
The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.
Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.
At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.
Melinda’s vehicle was found parked near the house with her keys locked inside. Her purse and cellular phone were inside the residence. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance.
Over the years, there have been several searches for Melinda’s body or clues into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
In March 2009, authorities searched an area off Perry Lane in Wawbeek for clues in Melinda’s disappearance. Perry Lane is about a mile north of Highway 31 off Sardis Church Road near Old Atmore Road. The location is about three miles north of the Florida/Alabama line . On the last day of January 2009, authorities searched a water-filled gravel pit off Jack Springs Roads near the Judson Cemetery between Atmore and Poarch. All of the searches have turned up empty.
In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.
Anyone with information on McGhee’s disappearance is asked to call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741 or their local law enforcement agency.
It’s Now Been A Year Since The First COVID-19 Case Was Reported In North Escambia
March 24, 2021
It’s now been a year since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in North Escambia.
On March 24, 2020, three of the nine COVID-19 positives in Escambia County were announced as being from Cantonment, eight days after the first case was reported in Escambia County. A local state of emergency had been declared, and parents had learned during Spring Break that their children would not be going back to in-person class in the Escambia County School District.
It would be about two weeks before additional positive cases were reported across North Escambia.
On April 1, 2020, the first COVID-19 case in Century was reported. There were 96 total cases in Escambia County at the time, including 15 in Cantonment and 66 in Pensacola.
The first Molino case was reported April 5. The first positives in Walnut Hill and McDavid were reported April 6.
Winning $68K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
March 24, 2021
Someone is over $68,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Nine Mile Road convenience store.
The ticket sold at the Nine Mile Raceway near Lowe’s was one of three winning tickets sold for Tuesday night’s drawing and is worth $68,177.06. Other winning tickets were sold in Punta Gorda and Miami.
The 375 tickets matching four numbers won $87.50 each. Another 10,063 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 92616 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Tuesday’s winning numbers were 11-21-22-23-25.
DeSantis Says COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Available To All Adult Floridians ‘Way Before’ May 1
March 24, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in Pensacola that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all adult Floridians “way before” May 1.
Florida residents age 50 and older are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and the President Joe Biden administration wants that expanded to all adults by May.
“I can tell you that in Florida, that’s going to happen way before May 1,” DeSantis said. “So stay tuned on that and we’ll make sure that everyone knows that.”
The governor said over three million seniors in the state have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and the overall pace of the demand among seniors has declined.
“The demand was more intense at the beginning of January than it is right now” DeSantis said. “But if the demand continues to be manageable, we want to lower the age again at the appropriate time. I don’t have an announcement on that yet, but we’re monitoring it.”
“We’re going to get to a point where this is just going to be available to everyone. I think that’s going to happen relatively soon,” DeSantis said.
The governor’s comments came during a press conference at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola as he announced 2,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine were available at the location through Thursday. [Read more ...]
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses COVID-19 vaccine available in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis: 2,000 Doses Of J&J Vaccine Available At Pensacola Church
March 23, 2021
An additional 2,000 doses of the one shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are now available in Pensacola.
The walk-in vaccine distribution site for adults age 50 and over is at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church at 201 West Leonard Street (just west of North Palafox Street).
Speaking Tuesday morning at the church, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the one shot vaccine will be available over a three-day period.
“The great thing about this site,” DeSantis said. “People go through, they get the shot, you don’t have to worry about it after that. You don’t have to come back.”
Adults 50 years and older can walk-in without an appointment, or schedule an appointment for Wednesday, March 24 or Thursday, March 25 at myvaccine.fl.gov.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 23, 2021
The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce. An addition leg of the torch run Monday traveled from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Bartram Park in Pensacola
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics Monday morning in Century and Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Now Hiring For Paid, Entry Level Firefighting Cadet Program
March 23, 2021
Escambia County has created a paid entry level firefighting position for fire cadets. While attending the fire academy, cadets will receive on-the-job training, a salary and a full range of county benefits including health insurance.
Cadets will attend fire academy classes and other formal training programs to prepare them for state certification as a career firefighter. This also includes participating in fire training drills and observing emergency and non-emergency responses.
“There are a lot of great opportunities with ECFR right now,” said Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We’re looking for volunteer and career firefighters. The cadet program provides a path to get training and receive compensation and benefits. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Fire cadets are allotted one year from time of employment to complete minimum standard training and obtain the required Firefighter II certification with the State of Florida. Incumbents promote from cadet to firefighter upon completion of the course and passing the state test.
Applicants must be age 18 or older and possess a valid driver’s license.
The annual salary for the position is $20,800.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FDOH Announces This Week’s Escambia County Vaccine Distribution Plan
March 23, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) has announced this week’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for Escambia County.
FDOH-Escambia was notified they would be receiving an allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for the week of March 22, 2021. We are coordinating with community partners on distribution efforts.
In partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care and East Hill Pharmacy, FDOH-Escambia is distributing vaccine in Escambia County. FDOH-Escambia’s total allocation will be distributed accordingly:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 800 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 800 doses
- East Hill Pharmacy: 200 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 700 doses
Some appointments will be scheduled using the statewide pre-registration system. FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting individuals to schedule appointments.
Vaccine recipients must bring proof of eligibility for one of the priority groups :
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Persons 50 years of age and older;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
- Medically vulnerable as determined by a physician with a completed form.
FDOH-Escambia is using the statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Escambia County residents should use the statewide pre-registration system to sign up. Residents can call the toll-free line at, 866-201-1025 or preregister online at myvaccine.fl.gov.
Tate Aggies Tennis Boys And Girls Beat Escambia
March 23, 2021
Tate High Aggies tennis defeated Escambia High Monday.
Tate Aggies Boys Tennis extended their district record to 5-1 with their 7-0 victory over Escambia. Aggies Girls tennis improveD to 3-2 in the district as they also swept Escambia 7-0.