Woman Crashes Into Wooded Area On Velor Road
January 4, 2021
One person was injured in a wreck near Oak Grove Monday afternoon.
An adult female driver lost control on Velor Road about 1.5 miles south of Highway 164 shortly after noon and crashed into a wooded area. The car plowed through a cedar tree and crashed into a pine tree. The car came to rest between three pine trees, make it difficult for the woman to exit the vehicle.
She was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car Found Washed Away, Mostly Submerged In Big Escambia Creek (With Photo Gallery)
January 4, 2021
A car was found washed away and mostly submerged in Big Escambia Creek near Century Sunday. There was no one inside.
The car apparently entered the water from the creek bank directly adjacent to the Fannie Road bridge before it was moved by the current nearly two-tenths of a mile downstream from the bridge.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue reached the vehicle using a boat and searched for occupants with a negative result.
A man stating he was the owner of the vehicle later arrived on scene and told NorthEscambia.com and law enforcement that the car had been stolen from his yard overnight.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
A front end loader was used to expand an existing dirt path to allow a wrecker to reach a sandbar near the vehicle.
In addition to Century firefighters, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Flomaton Police Department and Flomaton Fire Department responded. The Fannie Road bridge over Big Escambia Creek is located just outside Century, about a mile south of the Alabama state line.
Pictured top: A car was found mostly submerged in Big Escambia Creek near Century Sunday. Pictured in order below: Firefighters in a boat use an axe to make access into the vehicle to check for a possible victim. The vehicle submerged in Big Escambia Creek. The spot next to the bridge were officials believe the vehicle entered the water. A view from the Fannie Road bridge looking toward the car in far distance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
500 Escambia County Seniors Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations In First Large Scale Event
January 4, 2021
The first members of the general population in Escambia County received the COVID-19 vaccine Sunday. Vaccinations were given to about 500 preselected underserved adults 65 and older at the Brownsville Community Center.
It was part of a pilot program from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to test the most efficient way to distribute the vaccine. The adults receiving the Modenra vaccine were chosen in advance by the FDOH, and they will return for a required second dose on Sunday, January 31.
Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said Escambia County was chosen by the state to host a closed “point-of-distribution” known as a POD. That’s why residents were required to have a voucher to receive a vaccine Sunday. County leaders had six days to put their plan together and distribute the vouchers.
“It’s exciting that we were chosen to do this,” Gilmore said. “It’s a monumental task, but we were honored to be able to do this for the community and help the state of Florida out and show them if this is going to work.”
Florida residents age 65 and older are the first from the general public to receive the vaccine under and order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The health department in Escambia County has an online form for people age 65 and older to request an appointment to received the COVID-19 vaccine at a future time. For the appointment request form, click or tap here. Residents are asked not to call or walk into the health department for the COVID-19 vaccine. The form only asks for a name and phone number. The health department has not said when they will contact interested individuals 65 and older, or how an appointment can be requested without internet access.
Photos Rebekah Castor/WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 4, 2021
Ransom Middle School recently named their December Students of the Month. They are CeCe Campbell and Tristan Whitson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com. click to enlarge.
AAA: 2020 Florida Gas Prices Were The Lowest In 16 Years
January 4, 2021
Florida gas prices are off to their lowest start to a new year since 2019. The state average is currently $2.19 per gallon. Last year began with drivers paying nearly $2.50 per gallon. In 2019, drivers started the year paying around $2.16.
The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.15 at a station of Muscogee Road, while a low of $2.05 could be found at two Pensacola warehouse clubs.
“Florida drivers saw big swings at the pump last year, primarily because the pandemic caused lower fuel demand both nationwide and around the globe,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
- Florida’s highest daily average price in 2020 was $2.56 per gallon. That was 24 cents per gallon less than the highest price in 2019.
- Florida’s lowest daily average price in 2020 was $2.176 per gallon. That was 36 cents per gallon less than the lowest price in 2019.
Gas prices for the entire year of 2020 averaged $2.11 per gallon. That’s the lowest annual average price in 16 years. The annual average price in recent years was $2.49 in 2019, $2.65 in 2018, and $2.37 in 2017.
“Although the fuel market remains optimistic about the long term recovery of fuel demand, thanks to the coronavirus vaccine; the shot term future of prices at the pump will likely continue to be hampered by reports of rising cases of Covid-19,” Jenkins continued.
Florida gas prices have hovered around $2.20 per gallon for the past 20 days. Crude oil prices have held steady during that same period. The state average price for gasoline is 4 cents more than a month ago, yet 31 cents less than this time last year.
Photos: A Couple Of New Outdoor Spots To Enjoy A Good Book At The Century Library
January 4, 2021
Visitors to the Century Branch Library will soon have a couple of new spots to sit and enjoy a good book. A new bench and picnic table have been installed outside the library. There are also sidewalk improvements and an improved bicycle rack are on the way.
The Escambia County Commission approved the improvements last January.
Pictured: Improvements as seen outside the Century Branch Library on Sunday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Crashes Into Mercedes Parked In Driveway Of Pine Forest Road Home
January 3, 2021
A driver crashed into a car parked just outside a Cantonment home early Sunday morning.
It happened on Pine Forest Road just north of West Roberts Road. The driver, described as an older female, crashed into a Mercedes 300 SD parked in the driveway of the home. Her injuries were not believed to be severe.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
The house was not damaged. The Merecdes was for sale.
Reader submitted photo by Justyn DuLac for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overall Crime Rate Falls 9.4% In Escambia County, FDLE Says
January 3, 2021
The overall crime index in Escambia County dropped 9.4% during the first six months of 2020 compared to the previous year, according to new data just released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
While the overall crime rate decreased, crimes such as murders, rapes, robberies and vehicle thefts increased. Aggravated assaults, burglaries and larcenies decreased.
The countywide report covers crimes investigated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department and other agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol, University of West Florida Police Department, and Pensacola State Police Department.
The number of reported murders during the period increased in Escambia County from 11 to 16, rapes from 91 to 94, robberies from 159 to 180, and motor vehicle thefts from 290 to 353. The number of aggravated assaults (including aggravated stalking) dropped from 625 to 552, burglaries decreased from 912 to 767 and larcenies dipped from 3,222 to 2,848.
During the first half of 2020, 35.6% of crimes in Escambia County were cleared, compare to 33.2% in 2019.
The report shows that crime is down across Florida, with crime volume dropping 11.7%, or 31,348 fewer reported index crimes, compared to the first six months of 2019.
Cantonment Man Facing Narcotics Charges After Running From Deputy
January 3, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing multiple narcotics charges after running from a deputy during an incident last year.
Roderick Vernell Lewis, 35, was recently arrested on outstanding warrants for resisting arrest without violence, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, possession of heroin with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.
On June 7, 2019, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ruberia Avenue where a woman said she found her vehicle and the man that failed to return it.
A deputy observed Lewis standing with a large chain. He followed orders to put down the chain, and then ran from the deputy, according to an arrest report. The deputy chased Lewis through several backyards before finding him lying face down under a bush. Lewis refused commands to show his hands, forcing the deputy to draw his service weapon. After multiple commands, Lewis complied.
According to the ECSO, Lewis was observed removing a plastic bag from his pocket and begin digging in the dirt.
After Lewis taken into custody, deputies recovered the plastic bag containing multiple types of narcotics that had been buried in the dirt. The narcotics in the bag tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and heroin.
Deputies determined no charges were warranted in connection with the original complaint involving a car that was not returned.
Roderick remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $26,500.
DeSantis Appoints Four To PSC Board Of Trustees
January 3, 2021
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the appointment of Kevin Lacz, Marjorie Moore, Troy Tippett and Julian MacQueen to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.
Kevin Lacz
Lacz, of Gulf Breeze, is a Physician’s Assistant with Regenesis and former Navy SEAL who served two tours of duty in Iraq, where his actions earned him a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat V, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He started Hunting for Healing and has served on the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees since 2015. Lacz earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and his master of medical science from Wake Forest University.
Marjorie Moore
Moore, of Pensacola, is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. She has volunteered her time with Baptist Health Care, Manna Food Pantry, Favor House, Council on Aging of West Florida and the PACE Center for Girls. Moore earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia.
Troy Tippett
Dr. Tippett, of Pensacola, is a Neurosurgeon, Medical Director and Owner of The Neurosurgical Group. He served in and received Honorable Discharges from the United States Air Force and United States Army Reserve. Tippett has been involved with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Neurosurgical Education and Research Foundation, Florida Medical Association and the Florida Neurosurgical Society. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and his doctor of medicine from the University of Tennessee.
Julian MacQueen
MacQueen, of Gulf Breeze, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Innisfree Hotels. He has been recognized as the 2012 Business Leader of the Year by the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the Hotelier Hall of Fame by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. MacQueen has also volunteered his time with Take Stock in Children, Sacred Heart Hospital, Independence for the Blind of Northwest Florida and From the Ground Up Community Garden. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.