ECSO Seeks Person Of Interest After Body Found Near Pensacola Boulevard
May 30, 2020
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday that the individual pictured was located. No further information was provided.
The body of a 40-year old woman was found just off Pensacola Boulevard on May 23, and now the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man seen in surveillance photos.
The ECSO on Friday released photos of person they said is a person of interest in the death of 40-year old Melisa Tody. She was found found dead near the intersection of Pensacola Boulevard and Boone Street, not far from the Motel 6.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia (AL) COVID-19 Cases Are Up Nearly 50% In One Week, Eight New Patients In One Day
May 30, 2020
The total number of Escambia County, Alabama, COVID 19 cases are up by nearly 50% in just one week.
Positive cases surged by eight on Friday, for a total increase of 18 in the past week. The total number of cases in the county is now 57, up from 49 on Thursday and 39 a week ago. There have 1,140 total coronavirus tests administered in the county.
There have also been three fatalities in Escambia County.
As of Friday night, there were 17,031 cases across the Alabama out of 208,687 total tested. There have been 610 COVID-19 deaths in Alabama, with 1,818 cumulative hospitalizations.
The Alabama Department of Health now posts a number of “presumed recoveries”. That number stood at 9,355 Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Pickup Truck Left Hanging Over Kingsfield Road Bridge In Collision
May 29, 2020
A pickup truck came to rest hanging over a Cantonment bridge Friday afternoon.
The driver of a pickup lost control on the Kingsfield Road bridge over Eleven Mile Creek and collided with the guardrail on the opposite side of the bridge. The driver’s side wheels went over the guardrail.
There were no injuries reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Facing Charges After Failed Drug, Phone Drop Over Century Prison Fence
May 29, 2020
Two people are facing charges after a failed attempt to deliver drugs and phones over the fence to an inmate at Century Correctional Institution.
Robert Perry Hunt-Wilson, age 31 of Inverness, Florida, and Stephanie Norrell Clayborn, age 33 of Hernando, FL, were charged with felony possession of of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 600 block of Elsie Davis. They located a silver Nissan with Hunt-Wilson getting out of the driver’s seat. He told deputies that he and Clayborn had been walking a trail, and she walked off when they returned.
Inside the car, deputies found two large bundles wrapped in black electrical tape in the floorboard. Inside the first bundle, deputies found what appeared to be a bag of marijuana and five cell phones. Inside the second bundle, they found four phones, a pack of Newport cigarettes and ear buds. There were several clear plastic baggies in the glove compartment, and a smoking pipe and a bag of marijuana in the center console. Deputies also found a pair of night vision goggles in the backseat.
Hunt- Wilson told deputies he was along for the ride with Clayborn in an attempt to make $400 for delivering the bundles. He said he overheard Clayborn on the phone with a Century Correctional Institution inmate named “Bud” about dropping off the phones.
After being located in the woods, Clayborn told deputies they drove from south Florida to make a drop at the Century prison for inmate “Bud Thorn”. She said Hunt-Wilson attempted the drop by got scared when he heard a guard say he was about to do a perimeter check. She said the drop would have involved throwing the two bundles over the fence at a predetermined location.
Both had outstanding warrants in other states that would not extradite them from Florida.
Hunt-Wilson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,500 and Clayborn was jailed with bond set at $6,000.
Former Cantonment Fire Chief Honored
May 29, 2020
A firefighter walked down the long driveway playing bagpipes. He stopped short of a golf cart on the lawn, as firefighters walked over with a white helmet.
They were there to honor Johnell Smith who served with the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department from 1995 to 2008, including a couple of years as department chief. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a few months ago.
“As a token of appreciation for your years of service and the dedication that you put in for the fire service…we’d like to give you a token of our appreciation,” Molino District Chief Anthony Manning said as he presented a white chief’s hat to Smith. “We thank you for your service, sir. We thank your for all that you have done.”
“Thank you,” a tearful Smith said.
“…Everything that you have done for your community and the time that you have put in,” Manning continued.
The chief’s helmet presentation was made on behalf of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association, Escambia County Chief’s Association, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Escambia Fire Rescue.
Last Sunday, the community threw an early Father’s Day parade for Smith.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and Haley Smith, click to enlarge.
Tragic Four-Wheeler Accident Claims Life Of Young Boy In Flomaton
May 29, 2020
A tragic four-wheeler accident claimed the life of a young boy Thursday evening in Flomaton.
The four-wheeler reportedly overturned into pond or muddy area. The 6-year old boy was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Additional details have not been released as the investigation continues.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century’s Permanent System Interconnect To Century Prison Getting More Expensive
May 29, 2020
Water is now flowing through a permanent system interconnect under Tedder Road to the Century Correctional Institution.
The permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system was completed on Wednesday to provide a dependable water supply to the prison. The prison is no longer receiving water through an emergency fire hose connection across Tedder Road.
The fire hose remained in place through Friday morning as a precautionary measure.
“The system appears to be working correctly and Century, Central Water and D.O.C. staff will monitor the operating conditions going forward,” Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. Additional testing will be required on the prison’s water system in order to rescind an existing precautionary boil water notice.
Earlier in May, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison failed.
An emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road.
Last week, a temporary submersible electric pump was installed in Century’s well.
On May 10, the Florida Department of Corrections transferred at least 190 close custody inmates about of the Century prison due to the water situation. FDC has not said if they have been returned.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
John Reading Prefiles For Escambia Commission District 5 Seat
May 29, 2020
A Cantonment man that served on the Escambia County Commission more than two decades ago is seeking his old seat back.
John Reading prefiled Thursday as a Republican for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission. He served one term as the District 5 Escambia County commissioner before losing re-election in 1996.
Incumbent Steven Barry and Megan Walters are also seeking the seat as Republicans. Democrat Barbara Goins prefiled, but withdrew this week. Qualifying official ends at noon on June 12.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Is Underway. Here’s The Tax Free List.
May 29, 2020
Floridians can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Friday, May 29 and extends through Thursday, June 4.
The following items will be tax free:
For the complete, detailed information from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Man Charged With Manslaughter For Escambia County (FL) Woman’s Death In South Alabama Wreck
May 28, 2020
A Milton man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of an Escambia County woman in a single vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in Alabama.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency troopers responded to a single vehicle crash about 1:15 a.m.. near the 53 mile marker in I-10 in Baldwin County.
Hunter Andrew Richey, age 20 of Milton, was traveling west in a 2013 Dodge Dart when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year old Brittany Johnson Hans of Pensacola, was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. Troopers said she was not wearing a seat belt.
Alabama troopers have not provided details on the reason for the manslaughter charge.