Alabama Police Chase Ends In Florida With Fire, Kidnapping Arrest
February 8, 2021
A stolen vehicle and police chase out of Atmore ended with a fire and a kidnapping arrest in Florida Sunday night.
Brandon Kieth Sheppard, 18, was charged with two felony counts of false imprisonment (kidnapping), one count of a felony false imprisonment (kidnapping) domestic violence related, one felony count of resisting arrest with violence, one count of resisting arrest without violence and possession of a stolen vehicle in Escambia County, Florida. He remained in the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola without bond.
Sheppard allegedly stole a pickup truck from an Atmore gas station Sunday night and later picked up three girls from an Atmore motel. They were unaware the truck was stolen, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks. Atmore Police spotted the truck on Florida Highway in Alabama and gave chase onto Florida continuing at a high rate of speed for several miles in both Florida and Alabama.
The truck slowed and one of the the girls jumped from the truck near Hollingsworth Road in Nokomis (FL).
During the pursuit, Sheppard drove into a Florida field off Jones Road along the state line in Nokomis.
Sheppard refused to exit the vehicle and was holding the two teens against their will, according to the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’ Office. After several minutes passed, the two females exited the truck and ran toward officers unharmed, Brooks said.
“He continued to try to accelerate there in the field but was stuck in the mud and going nowhere,” said Amber Southard, ECSO spokesperson. After trying to get the vehicle out of the mud for about 45 minutes, the pickup truck began to smoke and eventually caught fire.
Sheppard exited the truck and tried to flee on foot but was captured by deputies, Southard said.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze about 9:20 p.m.
Once released in Florida, Sheppard is expected to face a charge of theft of property first degree in Alabama.
Sheppard provided a residential address in Gilbert, South Carolina, at the time of his address.
Here Is Escambia County’s Vaccine Distribution Plan For The Week, And How To Register
February 8, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has announced this week’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
Vaccines allocated by the state are being distributed through county health departments, which are receiving an allocation based on their county’s percentage of Florida’s over-65 population. FDOH-Escambia received an allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for the week.
The doses will be distributed as follows:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 500 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 500 doses
- Community Health Northwest Florida: 800 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 500 doses
- West Florida Hospital: 200 doses
Some appointments will be scheduled using the statewide preregistration system. FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting individuals to schedule appointments, do not contact the providers directly for these appointments.
To register, Escambia County residents age 65 and over can call the state preregistration number at (866) 201-1025 or register online at myvaccine.fl.gov. The state has established a help line at (833) 959-0217 for those who need to make changes to their original preregistration.
Residents who previously completed FDOH-Escambia’s online interest form do not need to call or email to confirm their registration. Those registrations have been transferred to the new state system.
ECUA Replacing Over 15,000 Blue Cans In North Escambia
February 8, 2021
Are you an ECUA customer with a blue garbage can? If so, it’s time for a replacement can.
On Tuesday, ECUA will begin replacing the over 15,000 blue cans still being using in North Escambia. The cans were a part of the Allied Waste service area that ECUA took over in January 2009.
It is expected to take three or four weeks to complete the can switch. ECUA customers are asked to leave their cans out at the curb after this week’s pick up as crews will be working each day to expedite the replacement process. Cans that already have the ECUA logo are not included in this effort.
ECUA customers will not be charged for their new can.
The replacement cans are not a new expenditure for ECUA. The cans were used for ECUA service in Santa Rosa County, which came to an end on December 31. 2020.
NorthEscambia.com file graphic.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
February 8, 2021
Ransom Middle School has named their January Students of the Month. They are seventh grader Alinson Crawford and eighth grader Ellen Rigby. Photos for NorthEscambia.com. click to enlarge.
Cooking Fire Damages Duplex
February 8, 2021
A weekend cooking fire damaged a duplex just off Nine Mile Road.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire Saturday night in the 8600 block of Jernigan Road. Firefighters arrived to find everyone outside and smoke showing from the front door of the one of the apartments.
The fire was quickly extinguished. The blaze caused heavy damage to one kitchen and smoke damage throughout.’
The American Red Cross is assisting the individuals displaced by the fire.
Florida Gas Prices Increase Over The Last Week
February 8, 2021
Florida gas prices took a jump last week, rising an average of 11 cents, according to AAA.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.49 per gallon.
The average price per gallon was $2.40 in Escambia County, six cents more than last week. Sunday night’s low price in North Escambia was $2.33 at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a low of $2.25 could be found on North Palafox Street in Pensacola.
Prices at the pump are now the most expensive in more than a year. The state average is now the highest since January 2020. During that time, the price of crude was sitting at the same level it is now.
Crude oil prices have also bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The price for U.S. crude rose to nearly $57 per barrel on Friday; the most expensive oil price since January 2020. Friday’s settlement of $56.85/b is $4 per barrel more than the week before. A 9% shift like that would typically lead to a 10 cent shift at the pump, as a higher oil price raises the cost for producing gasoline.
Fire Destroys Escambia County Home, Damages Nearby Family Dollar
February 7, 2021
A late night fire destroyed a house and damaged part of a shopping center on Davis Highway.
At 11:14 p.m., Escambia Fire Rescue originally answered the call of a small outside fire report in the 2200 block of Little Lane, just behind the Family Dollar on North Davis Highway. Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved house just feet away from the shopping center.
Additional fire units were immediately dispatched. The fire was brought under control ata 12:11 a.m.
The commercial building sustained heat damage to the exterior and slight water damage to the interior.
There were no injuries reported.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Century Making $1.3 Million Legislative Request To Replace Water Meters
February 7, 2021
Century seeking $1.3 million in funding from the Florida Legislature to replace water meters.
The funds would replace about 825 water meters with remotely readable radio-enabled units.
According to the town, water meters are failing and service connections are leaking. Replacing the meters and repairing leaky connections will improve water quality by eliminating lead connections and joints.
A funding request submitted by the town indicates existing meters were installed in 2006 and are now 15 years old. (The meters are actually 10 years old, purchased in 2010 and installed in 2011, according NorthEscambia.com. It expected the town will update their funding request.)
The system that allows the current meters to be read remotely has failed, and the vendor has gone out of business.
The town has also requested funding to rehabilitate water wells.
Century’s requests to the Legislature have received support from the local legislative delegation, Escambia County, and the Florida Rural Water Association.
Pictured: Century Town Hall. NorthEscmabia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Reopens Perdido Precinct; Molino Is Next
February 7, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons made good on a campaign promise when h cut a green ribbon Saturday to reopen the ECSO precinct in Perdido, and Molino is next on his list.
“Law enforcement and community engagement begins at the neighborhood level,” Simmons said Saturday. Deputies are now stationed at the precinct for the first time since 2016.
The Molino Precinct ribbon will be held Saturday, February 20 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served, and the public is encouraged to attend.
Following his swearing in on January 5, Simmons told NorthEscambia.com that he would reopen the Perdido and Molino precincts. Other precincts may open in the future in Beulah, Myrtle Grove and Brownsville.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
February 7, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route. The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Traffic impacts for the week of Sunday, Feb. 7 include:
- Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 8.
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Double Bridge Run from Pensacola Bay Bridge to Gulf Breeze – Motorists will encounter a lane closure from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the Pensacola Double Bridge Run.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (State Road (S.R.) 297) to U.S. 29 -Drivers will experience intermittent traffic stoppages at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 and Monday, Feb. 8 as crews pave the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic. Additionally, the Nine Mile Road westbound right turn lane to access Pine Forest Road will be closed during these same hours as crews reconstruct the turn lane.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 8.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the pond s, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new concrete median barrier wall is under construction on Highway 29 at I-10. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.