Dozens Of Shots Fired Between Bikers, Man At Nine Mile Road Gas Station (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting incident at a Nine Mile Road gas station Sunday afternoon.
Multiple shots were fired between a group of bikers and a man about 4 p.m., according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was described only a black male wearing a plaid shirt that was driving a new model white Honda Civic with custom black rims.
No one was reported to be injured in the incident, but several motorcycles were hit by the gunfire.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
The ECSO said the gunfire erupted after some sort of altercation between the man the group of bikers.
Dozens of shell casings were scattered across the parking lot of the Circle K on Nine Mile Road at I-10. Evidence markers numbered into the 40s marked shell casings and other evidence across about 175 feet of the parking lot. Most of the markers were next to shell casings, while others marked two $1 bills and a credit card.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kingsfield Elementary Teachers Get Pied In The Face For Relay For Life (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2021
Kingsfield Elementary School students recently had a chance to pie their teachers in the face.
It was all part of an annual fundraiser for Relay for Life, and they collected $1,101.37, twice as much as last year.
“We took nominations for teachers who wanted to be pied. Throughout the week students brought in money to add to the jars for the teacher they wanted pied,” said Kenli Rowe, a fundraising project coordinator and proud recipient of a pie plate full of whipped cream.
“We had daily totals and at the end of the event the top 5 teachers would be pied. But. in reality, most of the teachers who had volunteered took a seat and got pied anyway! This has been an annual event for Relay each year since the school opened and the kids, and the teachers, look forward to it,” Rowe said.
The top five classes were
- Hope Tourney, first grade, $202.77, Kenli Rowe, fourth grade $202.77 (tie)
- Whitney Hager, fourth grade, $121.82
- Melissa Venable, kindergarten, $110.43
- Stephanie Harris, kindergarten, $100.77
- Ashley Raia, third grade, $63.59
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Crash In Cantonment Injures At Least One Person
March 22, 2021
At least one person was injured a in a wreck in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
The crash happened on Highway 29 at Woodland Street about 4:20 p.m., near the Cantonment Fire Station.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Submitted photos by Melody Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Vaccine Eligibility Age Drops To 50 Today; Next Step, DeSantis Said, Is Everyone Else
March 22, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to people age 50 and over beginning Monday in Florida, and the governor expects to continue expanding eligibility to Floridians in the next few weeks.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an order Friday lowering the vaccination eligibility age.
“We’re excited about the progress,” DeSantis said. “I think the demand is softened enough that opening up to 50-plus will be good.
The next step, he said will be to open vaccines up to anyone that wants one.
“I can’t tell you when exactly that will happen, but I can tell you it will definitely be before May 1. That’s not even a question, so stay tuned on that,” DeSantis said.
Florida Gas Prices The Highest Average In Three Years; Cantonment Stations Among Lowest In State
March 22, 2021
For the first time in three years, Florida gas prices are averaging more than $2.90 per gallon, up five cents over the last week at $2.91.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.88, the lowest metro average in the state.
A low of $2.62 could be found in North Escambia Sunday night at two stations on Highway 29 at Muscogee Road in Cantonment. The lowest price to be found in the Pensacola metro was $2.69 at two warehouse clubs.
“The good news for motorists is that gas prices could soon begin to slip lower,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Weekly EIA data suggests that refinery operations are improving and gasoline supplies are increasing. Wholesale gasoline prices dropped nearly 20 cents last week. It’s unlikely that drivers will see such a dramatic swing at the pump, but it’s an indication that lower prices should be on the way.”
Pictured. Regular unleaded gas was $2.62 a gallon Sunday evening at this station on Highway 29 at Muscogee Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Seeks Input On Widening Beulah Road, New I-10 Interchange Near West Kingsfield
March 21, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a nearly $152 million plan to widen Beulah Road to four lanes and construct a new I-10 interchange with a connection to West Kingsfield Road..
The proposal includes:
- A new I-10 interchange in the area of Beulah Road.
- Widen I-10 to six lanes from the Florida/Alabama state line to the Pensacola Weigh station.
- Widen Beulah Road to four lanes from West Nine Mile Road to Isaacs Lane to I-10, connecting to West Kingsfield Road.
- New traffic signals would be added at the new I-10 interchange, Frank Reeder Road and West Kingsfield Road.
The improved Beulah Road would include not only two lanes in each direction, but also a 12-foot bicycle and pedestrian lane (see cross section below). FDOT has determined that four residences will need to be relocated.
The total cost estimate stands at $151.7 million — that’s $5.9 million for design, $16.1 million for right of way acquisition, and $129.7 million for construction.
If the process is fully funded, it could take another five years to complete the project.
The plans can be viewed, and comments can be submitted, by clicking or tapping here.
NorthEscambia.com graphics derived from FDOT data.
Above: A new Beulah Road interchange on I-10 with a connector to West Kingsfield Road.
Above: Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road.
Man Wanted In Connection With Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts
March 21, 2021
UPDATE: THIS SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED. CLICK FOR DETAILS.
Authorities are searching for a man in connection with several catalytic converter thefts.
Brett Andrew Bass, 33, is wanted for criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, possession with burglary tools with intent to use and grand theft. Bass is about 5-foot, 6-inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Any with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
“While our Investigators are working hard to get these cases solved, this arrest would get a big piece of the puzzle off the street,” the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said.
Molino 4-H Member Falls In Love With An Animal. And A Way Of Life.
March 21, 2021
submitted by Scott Angle, UF/IFAS
An 1,100-pound heifer can be a little intimidating even if you’re not a 60-pound fourth-grader. Fear was no match for Tucker Padgett’s fascination, though, when the middle-schooler tending to the animal invited her to jump into the pen to help.
Tucker was at a Santa Rosa County Fair 4-H prep meeting with her goats. UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County 4-H agent Aly Schortinghouse had a hunch that Tucker would find interest in cows, so she had arranged for Tucker’s visit to the pen.
It went way beyond interest. Tucker, who’s now a seventh-grader who lives in Molino, says she fell in love that day, with an animal and a way of life. The Black Angus named Blake Shelton kissed her. Tucker reciprocated with a fistful of Jolly Ranchers. That night she went home and told her parents she wanted a calf.
The next test was faith. Tucker sold 40 goats and many of her chicks to raise the money to buy a calf from Barnes Feed Store. For a 10-year-old, that’s betting the farm.
She named the heifer Baby and worked for months to grow her. She brushed, cleaned, halter-trained and arranged for veterinary checkups. Tucker and Baby went to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama—county fairs and jackpot shows. Baby herself turned out to be a jackpot, as she and Tucker earned nearly $5,000 in premiums
Tucker is now a 13-year-old with eight cows and intends to breed them to grow the herd. While she’s still fond of Baby, she’s not sentimental. Baby’s not a pet, she’s a producer. Tucker is learning about artificial insemination, selecting the bulls to breed her heifers, and arranging for professional techs to impregnate the animals.
The growing herd got the attention of neighbors who moved into Tucker’s neighborhood in Molino a year ago. Hunter, 14, started asking questions and developing an interest in beef cattle. His sister Morgan, 12, wants to know more about dairy cows.
Hunter and Morgan haven’t committed to an animal yet, but they’re learning from a young master, showing up at the barn at 6 p.m. every night where Tucker is teaching them to wash, brush, treat for hair growth, clip, tie and walk the animals.
Tucker is a member of the JFCA and the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association. She has addressed meetings of both associations to share her story.
It’s a classic UF/IFAS Extension 4-H story. It’s how a 4-H agent put opportunity in front of a kid, changed her life, and set her on a course to become a leader. The early signs are there in the hours Tucker now spends daily not only tending to her animals but extending that opportunity to others of her generation.
Pictured top: Tucker Padgett with J. Scott Angle, the University of Florida’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, during the UF/IFAS leader’s visit to the area in December 2020. Pictured inset: Tucker Padgett with her calf, Baby. The pair has gone to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama, earning nearly $5,000 in premiums. Photos UF?IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Here Are The Road Construction Trouble Spots For The Week
March 21, 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:
- Mobile Highway (State Road (S.R.) 10A) Utility Operations East of Beulah Road (S.R. 99) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions east of Beulah Road from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 22 as crews perform utility operations.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) 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 and adjacent boat launch remains accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, 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 remains closed.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – 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.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The north and southbound left lanes of Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek will be closed as bridge replacement work begins. The right lanes will remain open. Traffic is expected to continue in this configuration through late April.
- Routine Bridge Maintenance in Pensacola – Traffic will encounter lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the following locations on the following dates:
- Westbound intermittent lane closures on I-10 over Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Wednesday, March 24
- Northbound intermittent lane closures on County Road 95 over I-10 Thursday, March 25
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Tree Trimming from Gulf Breeze to the beginning of National Seashore and to the beginning of Bob Sikes Bridge – Motorists will continue to encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, March 26 as crews trim trees over the roadways and in medians. Operations will begin on the east end working westward toward Gulf Breeze.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North, and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions through 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.
Deputy Justified In Fatal Shooting Of Suspect In Cottage Hill, Investigation Finds
March 20, 2021
The fatal shooting of a man in Cottage Hill last November by a deputy has been ruled justified by the State Attorney’s Office.
Jacob Joseph Settle, 40, was killed in the November 14, 2020, incident.
Two deputies attempted to serve a warrant at 2242 Handy Road on Settle for driving with a suspended license and a felony warrant on his wife, Sophronia Whitehead, for failure to appear. One of the deputies fired two rounds from his weapon, striking Settle in the left shoulder, right chest and right shoulder. Settle was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the deputy received an abrasion to his left leg.
Deputies found Settle and Whitehead inside a truck in the backyard of the home. Settle shouted obscenities at the deputies. Settle put the truck in reverse, almost hitting a deputy, before putting it in drive and trying to run over another deputy, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The second deputy told FDLE he did not shoot from the passenger side of the vehicle because he did want to risk Whitehead’s life and it would have been crossfire on the other deputy.
Deputies continued lifesaving efforts until additional units arrived on scene and Settle was pronounced deceased.
The deputy that fired his weapon told FDLE that he was trapped due to a porch and items in the backyard a the vehicle drove toward him.
“I did not have any means of escape,” the deputy told investigators, adding that was in fear for his life.
Whitehead told FDLE that she was sleeping inside the residence when Settle tapped on the window and wanted her to come outside and ride with him in his truck. She stated that she did not like riding with Settle because she didn’t like him “running from the law,” the report states.
She said they attempted to hide in the truck when they saw the deputies approaching.
“Jake fired the [expletive] truck up, I don’t know why” and put the truck in gear, Whitehead said. She claimed that Settle never moved the truck, and the deputies shot Settle.
“We have determined that the facts do not establish probable cause to believe that (the deputy) committed a criminal violation and therefore no further action will be taken by this office,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille wrote in his findings.
Pictured: The scene on Handy Road following an officer involved shooting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
