Molino Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
January 6, 2021
A Molino man has been charged after allegedly pointing a gun at a person inside his house.
Gordon Alexander Wright, 62, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery complaint to 6000 block of Highway 95A in Molino.
A victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he picked up an elderly female a gas station in Century. When arrived at her residence on Highway 95 near Highland Baptist Church in Molino, the woman told the victim that she was returning to his vehicle to retrieve her debit card so she could withdraw money to reimburse him for gas. They went to the store at the corner of Highway 95A and Molino Road, but she was unable to withdraw money.
When they returned to her residence, the victim said he saw what he believed to be his blue credit card and $20 in her right hand. The victim confronted her, and she invited him into the residence. Inside, Wright was sitting cross-legged on the floor pointing a handgun at him, according to an ECSO arrest report. Wright allegedly told him not to worry about his stuff and to get off his property.
When deputies arrived, Wright was sitting on a couch next to a shotgun and stated that he was not coming out, the report states. Deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident, noting that he appeared highly intoxicated. They located handgun on his person with a magazine and six rounds of ammunition, the report continues.
The female told deputies that she had a blue debit card belonging to Wright, and deputies confirmed that it was in his wallet. There were no items belonging to the victim found Wright’s possession or in the possession of the woman.
The female was not charged with any crime. Wright is not a convicted felon, so the weapons will be returned.
Wright was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Florida Carjacking Suspect Police Chase Ends With Crash In Flomaton
January 6, 2021
Escambia County (FL) deputies pursued a car jacking suspect into Alabama Tuesday night before performing a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit.
The deputies were pursuing a Ford pickup truck that was reportedly taken during a carjacking in Okaloosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol chased the vehicle through parts of Santa Rosa County before losing sight of the vehicle somewhere in the Cantonment area, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Amber Southard. Deputies in Century spotted the vehicle in the area of Highway 29 and East Highway 4 and gave chase. The pursuit crossed state lines into Flomaton.
Escambia County (FL) deputies performed a PIT maneuver — a tactical maneuver that causes a driver to lose control and stop — at the intersection of Sidney Manning Boulevard (Highway 29) and Poplar Street in Flomaton. The pickup truck came to rest in front of the Advance Auto Parts store, and the driver was taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as 22-year old Trevor William Faubel of Crestview, was arrested by Flomaton Police and charged with bringing stolen property into the State of Alabama, theft of property first degree and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson.
Faubel was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton to await a bond hearing on the Alabama charges and extradition back to Florida where he is expected to face multiple charges in Okaloosa and Escambia counties.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the end of the pursuit in Flomaton, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Wanted On Tennessee Charges Arrested After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
January 6, 2021
A Century woman wanted on multiple charges in Tennessee is behind bars after a traffic stop in Escambia County.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year old Amber Hixon Bradshaw was traveling “in excess of 90 mph” when a deputy stopped her vehicle on Highway 29 in the area of Mystic Springs Road.
A records check revealed Bradshaw had outstanding warrants from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for two counts of petit theft and failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bradshaw remained in the Escambia County Jail as a fugitive from justice awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.
Farmers, Forest Landowners Can Now Apply For Hurricane Sally FSA Emergency Assistance
January 6, 2021
Local farmers and forest landowners can now apply for additional Hurricane Sally assistance.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages eligible producers to apply for for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). Registration opened Monday and will continue through March 4.
The activation of the ECP and EFRP programs are for those with farmland and private forestland damaged by natural disasters in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. This assistance is in addition to FSA disaster loans through the Secretarial designations for Hurricane Sally-impacted producers in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, and other contiguous counties. Enrollment for ECP and EFRP will be facilitated by county FSA offices, as with loans and other disaster assistance programs.
“Farmers and producers in the Florida Panhandle have suffered serious natural disasters and setbacks the past few years, including major flooding and up to 100 percent crop losses from Hurricane Sally,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “With enrollment for additional federal disaster assistance opening today, I encourage all impacted producers to contact their county Farm Service Agency office and apply before the deadline, as they replant and rebuild in 2021.”
USDA has developed a disaster assistance discovery tool specifically targeted to rural and agricultural issues. The tool walks producers through five questions that generate personalized results identifying which USDA disaster assistance programs can help them recover from a natural disaster. USDA also encourages residents and small businesses in impact zones to contact USDA offices which meet their individual needs. Producers can find more information on programs and services at farmers.gov.
Pictured: Hurricane Sally damage in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Supervisor Of Elections David Stafford Sworn In For Fifth Term
January 6, 2021
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford was sworn in Tuesday for his fifth term.
The Honorable William H. Stafford, Jr. presided over the small ceremony with family members and staff at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Stafford was first elected as Escambia County supervisor of elections in November 2004. A graduate of the University of Florida, Stafford is a past president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections and the current legislative co-chair of the National Association of Election Officials.
Florida CFO Rallies Support In Pensacola To Limit COVID-19 Business Liability
January 6, 2021
Tuesday, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a ‘Rally at the Restaurant’ event at The Fish House in Pensacola to advocate for vital COVID-19 liability protections for Florida businesses.
Joined by state leaders, lawmakers and business owners, CFO Patronis encouraged Floridians to patronize and support local businesses and asked Legislators to work together to pass meaningful liability protections to get Florida’s economy back on its feet. Over the last several months, CFO Patronis has emphasized the need for COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and highlighted his three guiding principles to help shape legislation in the upcoming Legislative Session.
“I was proud to be joined in Pensacola today by local leaders and small business owners to Rally at the Restaurant at The Fish House and fight for vital COVID-19 liability protections for all Pensacola businesses. As a former small business owner myself, I’ve spent most of my life in the restaurant industry and I know how hard it is to make payroll on a good day, much less when hampered by the financial impacts of COVID-19,” Patronis said. “No doubt, unless we take action to protect our small businesses, we’ll see big problems: businesses will close, insurance rates will continue to grow, and critical services will get squeezed. I’m confident that we can pass meaningful liability protections and add Florida to the list of 21 other states that have enacted some sort of liability shields for businesses.”
Members of the local legislative delegation stood in support with Patronis.
Senator Doug Broxson said, “Covid 19 has created enormous pressure on our small businesses and restaurants. For any legal or governmental institution to take advantage of these hardworking individuals during this time is especially egregious. I am thankful that CFO Patronis, a business owner himself, understands these concerns and I stand with him in protecting these restaurants and their employees.”
Representative Michelle Salzman said, “I am proud to stand with CFO Patronis on this critical issue affecting our businesses. If Florida’s business owners are following the proper guidelines they should not have to live in fear of frivolous litigation. By passing these important protections, our business community will be able to reopen and operate in confidence.”
Representative Alex Andrade said, “I appreciate CFO Patronis’ commitment to provide common sense business liability protections. The pandemic has created a tremendous burden on our small business. Knowing that Florida’s elected officials are concerned and working to address inappropriate liability tactics will go a long way in our state’s economic recovery.”
Ascension Sacred Heart Opens New COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments. Here’s How To Sign Up Now.
January 5, 2021
Update: Ascension Sacred Heart’s website indicates all appointments are taken.
Ascension Sacred Heart plans to hold additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Thursday in Milton and Pensacola for local residents who are age 65 and older.
Both clinics are being organized in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and officials from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The clinics on Thursday are in addition to clinics to be held Wednesday.
The Pensacola clinic will take place in the gym of Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In Santa Rosa County, the vaccination clinic will be located in the basketball gym of Milton Community Center, 5329 Byrom Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The vaccinations must be scheduled in advance. Persons without an appointment will not be eligible to get the vaccine.
To schedule a vaccination online, click or tap here. The available times for the Pensacola clinics are listed first, followed by the available slots for the Milton site.
Ascension Sacred Heart does not have enough vaccine yet to meet the great demand for the vaccine in the community, but it will schedule more clinics as Florida’s supply of vaccine continues to grow.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a new executive order directing that the next priority group for vaccinations in Florida should be persons age 65 and older. The seniors group follows the first priority group, which is healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents an
UPDATE: Molino Library Closed For Cleaning After Positive COVID-19 Test
January 5, 2021
UPDATE: The Molino Branch Library was closed Tuesday for cleaning due to a positive COVID-19 test.
“It was temporarily closed due to someone testing positive for COVID-19,” said Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale. The library was expected to be reopen on Wednesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Semi Truck Overturns On Highway 29
January 5, 2021
There were no serious injuries reported when a semi-truck overturned Tuesday morning on Highway 29 just south of Bluff Springs Road.
The truck hauling paper products came to rest on its side in the median about 9:35 a.m.
The highway remained open both north and southbound, but drivers were urged to slow and use caution in the area.
Escambia County EMS and Escambia Fire Rescue responded. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons Sworn In; Commits To Reopening Molino Substation, Body Cameras
January 5, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons was sworn into office Tuesday morning.
“I will reinforce a commitment to service. We will be there when you need us,” Simmons said. “We will be there, and we will be brave. We will be courteous, and we will be compassionate.”
Simmons committed to reopening substations in Molino and Perdido and discuss the need for any other precinct in Escambia County. He will also place a request to use seized and forfeited funds be used for body cameras.
“We will work every day to be the sheriff’s office that you can be proud of. One that is courteous, one that is committed, one that is strong and professional, and one that is brave. A true reflection of the county that it serves,” Simmons said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
