Flomaton Police Lieutenant Arrested In Molino For Drug Trafficking; Will Face Alabama Charge
December 8, 2020
A Flomaton Police Department lieutenant was arrested for drug trafficking Monday in Molino after a investigation involving law enforcement from two states and the DEA.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, SWAT team and Patrol Division arrested 36-year old Isaac R. Lopez for attempting to purchase methamphetamine to sell, investigators said.
The ECSO received information that Lopez was trafficking methamphetamines and set up an operation to catch him in the act, according to the agency.
“The takedown was in the 5800 block of North Highway 29,” Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Commander Robert Quinata told NorthEscambia.com. “There is still a lot of this under investigation.”
Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for two ounces of methamphetamine from an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigator by phone and text messages, according to an arrest report. The report states he arrived a predetermined location in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer.
Quinata said Lopez was not on duty and not in his agency issued vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Lopez. was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He was booked in to the Escambia County (FL) Jail without bond.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said Lopez is expected to face a felony charge in Alabama for user of official position or office for personal gain because Lopez used his Flomaton Police Department issued cellphone.
“He used his city cell phone to orchestrate it,” Jackson said. “We believe he was going to come back to Alabama and distribute the meth on this end.”
“Our investigation is ongoing and we will continue to follow any leads that might come out of it,” Jackson said. “We hold law enforcement to a higher standard…We will police our own people as we do the community.”
Jackson noted the does not currently believe any other Flomaton Police officers were involved.
The arrest came as the result of a partnership between the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson said Lopez’s termination is currently in process..
“Peace officers are to be held to the highest standards and will continue to be held as such,” Thompson said. “Actions like these will not be tolerated.”
Public Picks Favorite Of Four Concept Plans For OLF-8 Development In Beulah
December 7, 2020
The public has picked their favorite initial concept design plan for OLF-8 in Beulah.
The OLF8 Master Plan project is an Escambia County-driven initiative to turn the empty helicopter field by Navy Federal Credit Union Campus into a thriving asset for the community. The project team, led by DPZ CoDesign, was selected by the Escambia County Commissioners to create a plan to maximize the opportunities for jobs and community uses on this 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road.
After hundreds of survey responses, comments, stakeholder meetings, and seven public virtual meetings, the public had the chance in October to vote on the four concepts.
There were a total of 271 votes cast. The plan receiving the most first place votes was The Village Plan (94 votes) followed by The Market Plan (78 votes), The Commerce Plan (51 votes) and the The Greenway Plan (48 votes).
The design firm will present their findings Monday to the Escambia County Planning Board, and Tuesday to Escambia County Commission during a 9 a.m. Committee of the Whole meeting. A final decision is not expected this week, and the final plan may be different that any of the four initial designs.
There are certain common ideas weaved in all the plans. The differences between the plans are primarily in the amount of land devoted to each use (residential, commerce, retail, recreation, civic, etc), the intensity and diversity of development, and the character and design of the site.
Each of the four plans are detailed below:
The Commerce Plan
This is the plan that develops the site exclusively for a commerce park, life-style center (for the downtown) and recreational amenities. There are no residential housing in this plan.
- Organization – A lifestyle center of retail shops along pedestrian-oriented streets is located near 9-Mile Rd, and commerce park uses are located north nearer to Frank Reeder, where the site is relatively flat.
- Marketability – This plan far exceeds market capacity for commerce park uses; but one can see where the plan may be reduced or provide for development opportunity into the future for other uses.
- Walkability – Creates walkable streets where possible, particularly in the southern lifestyle center and the office center spine. Otherwise, the commerce format is not easily compatible with walkability. A diversity of commerce and industrial type buildings are suggested here.
- Transportation – The street grid is well organized, however due to the lack of housing each job and business will create a significant amount of car traffic at peak hours along 9 mile and Frank Reeder.
- Environment – The plan preserves open space along the edges, but the format requires substantial surface parking which results in excess water run-off.
- Edges – Edges to the north, west, and south remain open with trails. To the east the edge includes a few future street connections near 9-Mile Rd but does not buffer further north where substantial tree stands border the site’s edge.
- Innovation – Flexibility in the block structure is the key innovation, where the plan could adjust to accommodate other uses.
The Market Plan
This is the plan that develops the site according to the results of the marketability study. Absent community input, this is what we would call the highest and best use plan which would yield the highest return on investment.
- Organization – A mixed-use neighborhood center, with a retail loop, is anchored to the south end of the OLF8 site with access from 9-mile road. The rest of the plan is developed as residential neighborhoods, each with a possible distinct character, centered on a central green. A 70-acre site, along the west side is reserved for a commerce park.
- Marketability – It meets the mix of residential, retail, office, and light industrial uses identified by the Weitzman report.
- Walkability – The neighborhoods are laid out along narrow streets. In terms of transportation – a clear and connected grid of streets and trails are organized around the building blocks of each neighborhood. Wider streets separate one neighborhood from another.
- Environment – Preserves the current open space and treed area and expands on this by bringing greens deep into site through green fingers which turn into wide boulevards. Smaller scaled pocket parks are embedded in the various neighborhoods, ensuring everybody has close access to some form of open space within a 5-min walk.
- Edges – This plan preserves a buffer of 200 to 400 feet in width along Frank Reeder Road to reflect the current character on the north side of Frank Reeder Rd.
- Innovation – There are multiple scales of small farms ranging from 1 acre to 10 acres, to protect and celebrate the rural history of the area. A necklace of public amenities are anchored to the natural area on the west side of the site, which include, a micro-brewery located on a small lake, a boutique hotel across from the brewery, a children’s museum (similar to the ‘Mess Hall’), an elementary school, a community garden, with a functioning barn to harvest produce, a market building to sell the freshly grown produce, and finally a Children’s day care center, connected to Navy Federal.
The Greenway Plan
This is one of two hybrid plans with a more limited mix of uses than the marketability plan suggested could be accommodated on site.
- Organization – This plan is defined by a grid of greenways. The town center is located along 9-mile Rd with a mix of offices, shops, restaurants and some multi-family buildings. An eastern industrial commerce district is suggested with entrances of 9-mile Rd. It wraps around the north and NW corner along Frank Reeder which anticipates the 1-10 interchange at Beulah Rd. A central low-density residential neighborhood is proposed for the center, with 4 quadrants defined by large attached greens and a street of live-work units. A north-south main street spine and broad greenway ring road connect all 4.
- Marketability – The plan provides for a healthy mix of all market uses that are likely to be desired in this region and a flexible framework to make market adjustments as the project is built incrementally.
- Walkability – Each neighborhood is designed to have a quarter mile radius (5 min. walk) from center to edge. Amenities and Civic facilities are distributed throughout site, with plentiful array of green space. The broad greenway features shared walking trail for walkers, joggers and equestrian riders down the center.
- Transportation – Neighborhood structure provides centrally-located pick-up locations within 5 minute walks of each address for both regional bus transit or local shuttles.
- Environment – The Greenway system connects directly with the southwestern park. New stormwater ponds create a focal point for the retail and restaurant at the town center edges, and help manage the stormwater drainage needs of the site. The trail system, for both people and horses, continues into the large park in the southwest that incorporates the wetlands and existing tree stands with passive and active recreation, as well as civic uses and community farming.
- Edges – Bands of green space frame the entire site and are integrated into the Greenway system of this community. Roadways into the privately owned western properties are avoided and views screened, but future connections are not precluded. A connection to Navy Federal is anticipated on the east side.
- Innovation – A modular block structure offer incremental phasing and future flexibility. It is envisioned that this central neighborhood could remain open space initially, and then be phased incrementally as the demand arises.
The Village Plan
This is one of two hybrid plans, and is focused around Beulah’s agrarian and rural roots. It is the least developed of the 4 plans
- Organization – A commerce park is embedded along the eastern end of the site. A village center with shops, housing and office uses along pedestrian-oriented streets is located on the south end of the plan, along 9-mile Road, while a centralized agricultural or common green space serves as a key community feature, surrounded by quiet residential neighborhoods and amenities such as a winery and restaurant. The village boundaries transition into agriculture and then nature.
- Marketability – While potentially not at full market capacity for commerce or housing, this plan provides for a unique and active agrarian community experience. It is the plan with the least amount of residential proposed.
- Walkability – Mid-block shared streets, multi-use paths, destinations, scenic agrarian vistas and unique pedestrian experiences allow for useful and interesting daily walks in this plan.
- In terms of transportation – This plan aims at reducing the street network load and provides a diverse variety of options including an interconnected trail system accessible for equestrian, biking, walking and other active recreation and transportation uses.
- Environment – The wetlands and wooded areas remain intact in this plan with substantial land preserved for open space, agriculture and minimal impact recreational uses.
- Natural elements are also integrated within the village and open green spaces serve as stormwater retention ponds when needed.
- Edges – Except for the village center edge along 9 Mile road to the south, the site retains natural edges throughout, composed of wooded areas, agriculture, greenways and paths.
- Innovation – This plan takes on a traditional village concept where the village boundary is defined by farmstead and agrarian parcels while providing a flexible block structure within for a variety of uses.
Candlelight Vigils Honors Those Killed And Injured In NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack
December 7, 2020
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night on the first anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola. The vigil at Blue Wahoos Stadium honored the three sailors killed in the attack and those that were injured.
Those in attendance held their candles silently for 15 minutes, which was the amount of time from the first to the last gunshot in Building 633 the morning of December 6, 2019.
The attack claimed the lives of Ensign Joshua Watson, Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Cameron Walters. Their families and the families of those injured were honored with flowers during the community memorial ceremony.
“But as horrifying and awful as that morning was, I also took inspiration in the way we responded,” flight instructor Lt. Cmdr. Mason Hoyt said, “from the courageous and selfless acts of those present when the first bullets started to ring out, and those that rushed into harm’s way trying to help others.”
“This act of terror, of mass murder, was intended to frighten our community and our nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed,” Rep Michelle Salzman said. “Our community is strong; we are Pensacola strong.”
Photos courtesy Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vigel oragnizer Desire Patterson and commander of NAS Pensacola Capt. Timothy F. Kinsella Jr. hold up a plaque during the vigil for NAS Pensacola victims
60 Apply For The Escambia County Fire Chief Job
December 7, 2020
There were 60 people that applied to be the next Escambia County fire chief.
The job has been open for well over a year. The county’s last fire chief, Rusty Nail, was hired in April 2018 and submitted his resignation about a year later.
A selection is not expected until early 2021.
“They are reviewing applications and there will be several rounds of interview,” Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale said.
In alphabetical order, the 60 applicants for chief of Escambia Fire Rescue are:
- Michael A. Aaron
- Daniel Augustus Akerman
- William D. Austin, Jr.
- Michael Joseph Bailey
- Christopher L. Balassone
- William D. Beaty, Jr.
- Greg Benson
- James C. Bird
- Richard C. Bode
- Joshua E. Brown
- John G. Brubaker
- Roger Keith Burton
- Raymond W. Canafax
- Craig Carr
- Donald S. Collins
- Clinton Cooke
- Larry James Couch
- Thomas H. Croteau
- Richard Shannon Draper
- Walter G. Ebbert, IV
- Mark Ellis
- Ian Emmons
- William Ervin
- John P. Flick
- Christopher Michael Gerwick
- Jeremiah A. Gilley
- Joseph A. Glover
- Christopher L. Hatch
- James A. Hinton
- Walter H. Hower
- Trenton D. Kleinow
- Dale Kyrouac
- Joshua D. Luke
- Greg W. Main
- Jerry L. Marrison
- Brian D. Mayo
- Stephen W. McBride
- Robert McGilloway
- Robert D. Metzger
- Thomas J. Moran
- Michael C. Morton
- Michael P. Osman
- James Pribble
- John R. Schleicher
- Blain A. Schumacher
- Randall E. Sides
- Jeffery H. Sinclair
- Daniel R. Spillman
- Ellison L. Stearns
- James A. Stillwagon, II
- LeAnn Tacon
- James W. Tobin
- David M. Torsell
- William D. Vinyard
- Michael J. Vogel
- Jason G. Wallace
- Loren Shawn Whittington
- Robert L. Wirtz
- Maurice A. Witt
- Scott Wolfe
Florida Gas Prices Jump After Solid Gains In Oil Prices
December 7, 2020
Florida gas prices were up an average of 13 cents last week, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon in the state was up to $2.16 a gallon, still 38 cents less than this time last year.
Escambia County gas prices averaged a little less than the rest of the state at $2.13. In Cantonment, a low of $2.13 could be found on Muscogee Road Sunday night, will Pensacola prices bottomed out at $1.91 at a station on Airport Boulevard.
Oil prices remain the primary driver for prices at the pump. The price of crude reached a new 9-month high on Friday, settling at $46.26 per barrel. The price of US crude is now nearly 25% more than a month ago.
ECSO Looking For Missing, Endangered Woman Last Seen Two Weeks Ago
December 7, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing and endangered Cantonment woman.
Leslie Weaden, 19, was reported missing to the ECSO on December 6, but she was last seen two week ago in the 700 block of Ellington Street. She may be driving a red 2003 Ford Mustang with a missing bumper and Florida tag number LHUN11.
Anyone with information on Weaden’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436.-9620.
FDOT: Daily Paving Delays Highway 29 From Cantonment To Molino Again This Week
December 7, 2020
Drivers on Highway 29 can expect delays from Cantonment to Molino each day this week as contractors continue laying the final layer of asphalt.
There will be intermittent delays and lane closures between south of Muscogee Road to Highway 97 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The resurfacing work is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Northview High Graduate Shot And Killed In Jackson, Alabama
December 6, 2020
A Northview High School graduate was shot and killed in Jackson, Alabama, and his college roommate is charged with his death.
Daniel Lamar Merit, age 20 of Century, was in a vehicle with Gordon Marks, 20, Friday night in the area of the McDonald’s in Jackson when there was some sort of gun play, according to Jackson Police. Merit was killed when the gun went off. Authorities said alcohol was believed to be involved in the incident.
Marks, who owned the gun, was arrested and charged of manslaughter and possession of a weapon without a permit. He was booked into the Clarke County (AL) Jail.
Police described Marks and Merit as college roommates on break; Marks is from Jackson.
Merit was a 2019 graduate of Northview High School where he was a multi-sport athlete. Merit played football, basketball, advanced to state in track and placed in regional weightlifting for the Chiefs.
Pictured: Daniel Lamar Merit as he graduated from Northview High School in 2019. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Held In Walnut Hill
December 6, 2020
A 10,000 pound food giveaway will be held Saturday in Walnut Hill.
The drive-thru event was held by Justified Incarcerated Ministries, Pensacola Caring Hearts and Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The event was originally planned for the Walnut Hill Community Center, but was moved on Saturday to Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Slowdowns For The Week
December 6, 2020
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.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Dec. 6:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – There will be intermittent daytime westbound right turn lane closures the week of Monday, Dec. 7.
- U.S. 98 Temporary Road Closure from Palafox Street, West Garden Street, and East Garden Street – Motorists will encounter a temporary road closure from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 for an event.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect north and southbound closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 11 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Christmas Parade – Motorists will encounter minor traffic delays and temporary closures from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 for the annual Christmas parade. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- S.R. 4 and S.R. 89 Town of Jay Christmas Parade – Motorists will encounter minor traffic delays and temporary closures from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 for the annual Christmas parade. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 11, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements to accommodate additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.