We May Now Know Why Mysterious Seeds Arriving In The Mail From China; Florida Is Warning Don’t Plant Them
July 28, 2020
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. And we may now know why they are showing up in mailboxes across the country.
As of Tuesday, FDACS has received at least 631 reports from Florida residents, including some in Escambia County, reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
The USDA said Tuesday that the seeds to be part of a “brushing” scam.
“At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” the USDA said in a statement.
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Alabama, Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Utah.
Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Free Produce Box Giveaway Wednesday At Highland Baptist In Molino
July 28, 2020
A free produce distribution will be held again this Wednesday afternoon, July 29 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle, rain or shine. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
For more information call (850) 587-5174.
Inmate Found Dead In The Escambia County (AL) Jail
July 28, 2020
An inmate was found dead in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton last Thursday.
The inmate, whose name has not been released, was found to be unresponsive during a cell check by staff.
“The elderly inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene from what appeared to be natural causes,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said Monday afternoon.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating, which is normal protocol for all in-custody deaths, Jackson said.
Community Health COVID-19 Testing Wednesday In Cantonment For Any Age
July 28, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida will provide COVID-19 testing Wednesday in Cantonment.
The drive-thru testing will be available Wednesday, July 29 from 9 a.m. until noon at Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29. Community Health plans to hold the testing each Wednesday until further notice.
The testing is for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last. Participants should bring a photo identification and an insurance card (if insured).
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Vehicle Theft, Using Stolen Credit Cards, Business Burglary And Destroying Mailboxes
July 27, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing a list of charges for allegedly stealing a vehicle, using stolen credit cards, burglarizing a business, and purposefully running over several mailboxes.
Jake Hamilton Bray, 18 was recently charged with:
- felony fraudulent use of a credit card for allegedly using a stolen credit card and attempting to charge at total of $494.05 in two transactions at Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard.
- grand theft of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and petit theft for allegedly stealing a 2004 Jeep Cherokee from DeSoto Road in Cantonment. The victim saw her Jeep a few days later and followed it to Britt Road where three unknown males exited and ran into the woods. One of the suspects told deputies they used the jeep to run over some 15-20 mailboxes in a neighborhood off Chemstrand Road. The victim claimed the vehicle suffered over $7,000 in damage and items including an Igloo color, bluetooth speaker and keys were not recovered.
- felony burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief over $1,000 for a burglary at The Chemstrand Quickstop at 10401 Chemstrand Road. On June 18, deputies responded to an alarm at the business and found that a brick had been thrown through a window and about $2,000 worth of cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes were taken. The stolen Jeep was reportedly driven to the store.
- burglary of a Ford Edge at the Thousand Oak Apartments on Chemstrand Road where a wallet was taken from the center console. The wallet contained items that included debit and credit cards. A total of $68.68 was charged to the cards including $17.50 at the Whataburger in Cantonment, according to the arrest report.
- three counts of criminal mischief for purposely running off the road and crashing into two mailboxes in the 3000 block of Chemstrand Road and additional mailboxes on Orby Street. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office took reports on the destruction or damage of four mailboxes on East Kingsfield Road, two on Goldenrod Road, two on Boulder Creek Drive, two on Orby Street, and two others located on Dye and Ray streets on June 24.
In June, Bray was arrested other charged including at least five counts of burglary, three counts of larceny, vehicle theft and criminal mischief with property damage.
The arrest reports indicate at least two other suspects were charged, but their names were redacted either because they are juveniles or have not yet been arrested.
Pineville Road Bridge Reopens With Increased Weight Limit
July 27, 2020
A bridge on South Pineville Road has reopened with a weight limit almost twice what it was before.
South Pineville Road at Jackson Springs Branch was closed in June for repairs on the wooden support bridge. As a result of the rehabilitation, the weight limit on the bridge was increased from 13 tons to 23 tons, according to Escambia County Public Works Director Joy Jones.
The bridge was first constructed in 1966.
NorthEscambia.com graphic and submitted photo, click or tap to enlarge.
One Airlifted After Head-on Crash In Atmore
July 27, 2020
At least one person was critically injured in head-on crash Sunday afternoon in Atmore.
The collision between a Jeep and Dodge Ram 1500 happened just after 3 p.m. on Highway 31 near the Atmore Country Club. One driver was airlifted to the hospital after the crash.
At least three children age 6 or younger were reportedly not seriously injured. Further details were not released as authorities continued their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Drivers See A Slight Decline In Gas Prices
July 27, 2020
Florida drivers on average saw a slight decline in prices at the pump over the last week.
The state average now stands at $2.06, while Escambia County drivers were paying an average of $2.08 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
In Cantonment Sunday night, one station was as low as $1.96, while in Pensacola a low of $1.88 could be found at at least six stations including Nine Mile Road and Pensacola Boulevard.
To date, the average price for the month of July is $2.09 per gallon. Although that’s 12 cents per gallon more than the monthly average in June, it’s the lowest monthly average for July in 16 years.
“Pump prices are holding relatively steady after a somewhat uneventful week in the oil and gasoline market,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices throughout the rest of the summer will continue to be influenced by COVID-19’s impact on demand, and the hurricane season’s potential to impact supply. Over the weekend, Hurricane Hanna made landfall in Texas, but stayed south of the region’s critical oil and gasoline infrastructure. A direct hit to the state’s southeastern coast could adversely effect the supply chain, leading to higher prices at the pump. For now, drivers should expect pump prices to be relatively stable this week.”
Winn Dixie Joins Long List Of Retailers Requiring Face Masks
July 27, 2020
As of Monday, Winn Dixie has joined a growing list of national and regional retailers requiring face coverings in their stores.
Face masks are now required at:
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
- Publix
- Lowe’s
- BJ’s Wholesale
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kohl’s
- PetSmart
- Target
- Home Depot
- McDonald’s
- AT&T
- Best Buy
- Verizon
- Starbucks
- PetSmart
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Winn Dixie
Southeast Grocers, parent company of Winn Dixie, first said they would not require shoppers to wear face coverings but reversed course.
Face masks are also required at all businesses within the city limits of Pensacola and across the state of Alabama.
Pictured: Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Man Facing Battery And Child Abuse Charges
July 26, 2020
A Century man stands accused battery and child abuse, after a dispute over text messages between one of the victims and another man.
Tarail Antawn Odom, 39, was charged with two counts of battery and one felony count of child abuse.
One of the victims told deputies she was looking through her cell phone in her bedroom when Odom entered the room and began looking through her phone. She said he found text messages between her and another male before the incident escalated.
He allegedly physically assaulted the three victims — two adults and one under the age of 18 — shoving and striking them, and throwing one of them across the floor.
Odom was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.