Reward Increased To $54,000 In Case Of Dolphin Found Shot On Pensacola Beach
March 3, 2020
Authorities are stepping up their efforts to solve the case of two dolphins found shot on Florida beaches including one on Pensacola Beach.
Last week, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge experts recovered a dolphin with a bullet in its left side along Pensacola Beach. Florida late last week. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also discovered a dead dolphin off Naple late last week. The animal was fatally wounded from what appeared to be a bullet and/or a sharp object.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and agency partners are offering a reward of up to $54,000 for information on the recent dolphin deaths.
NOAA officials are seeking information from anyone who may have details about these incidents. Please call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. Tips may be left anonymously.
Harassing, hunting, killing or feeding wild dolphins, or attempting to do these activities is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can be prosecuted either civilly or criminally. They are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.
Walnut Hill Man In Murder, Attempted Murder Case Back In Jail After Bond Revoked
March 2, 2020
UPDATE 2:40 p.m. : Less than three hours after a NorthEscambia.com was published about the search for Christopher James Logan Stacey, he turned himself in and is back behind bars in the Escambia County Jail. He is charged with accessory to homicide and accessory to attempted homicide.
He had been released on bond in a 2018 murder case in which two people were shot and before being dumped in Alabama. An Escambia County Judge revoked his bond last week at the request of the State Attorney’s Office.
His father, Christopher Alan Stacey, 37, was indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting on Highway 164. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life without parole. Stacey’s ex-wife, 30-year old Jessica Nichole Thomas, was charged with accessory after the fact to homicide and accessory after the fact to attempted homicide. Alexis Ileene Shiffner-Cain, 21, were each charged with accessory to homicide and accessory to attempted homicide. All three remain jailed as they await trial.
Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore, and Troy Boutwell was found near the road after crawling from the truck, according to an arrest report. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and then airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile in critical condition at the time.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the three suspects and another individual in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the home’s living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resided with Thomas her at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resided in the home, the report states.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Suspects Christopher James Logan Stacey (left) and Christopher Alan Stacey (right) watch as investigators process a murder scene in Walnut Hill Sunday.
Above: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill.
Above: Deputies found a burning couch in the backyard of the Walnut Hill home.
Above: Florida investigators arrive at the scene on Deere Creek Road in Alabama.
Man Charged With Attempted Homicide After Shooting Sunday In Escambia County
March 2, 2020
A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting Sunday, March 1 in Escambia County.
Airon Carmack, 21, was charged with attempted homicide.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Detroit Boulevard and Redwing Drive for a shots fired call. They arrived on scene to find a male victim who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Two Presumptive Cases Of Coronavirus In Florida; Governor Calls For Public Health Emergency
March 2, 2020
Florida has its first two presumptive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Tampa Bay area, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday night as he ordered the health department to declare a public health emergency.
The first patient is an adult Manatee county resident without travel history to countries identified for restricted travel by the CDC. This person did seek health care, is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and implement testing of anyone who may develop COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
The second patient is an adult resident of Hillsborough county with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials.
“Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low,” the Florida Department of Health said in a statement.
“I have been working with federal partners and our Department of Health to ensure that communities are ready to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19.,” DeSantis said. “The dedicated professionals at our county health departments, as well as those working at local medical providers, are well equipped to address these and future cases.
“This is the scenario that we prepare for every day in public health. The Department is moving forward with the appropriate plans, and we are working directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local medical providers to ensure these individuals receive the proper treatment and that anyone who has come into contact with them is following the necessary protocols, limiting or stopping any further spread,” said Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees.
About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As a reminder, the Department always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The CDC does not recommend that asymptomatic, healthy people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
A person that experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their health care provider and local county health department (CHD) and mention their recent travel or close contact.
If a person has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, they should call ahead to a health care professional and the county health department. The health care professional will work with the Department to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19.
Century Felon Caught On Camera Pawning Gun, ECSO Says
March 2, 2020
A convicted felon from Century was caught on video pawning a firearm, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Cu-shion Adonis Mitchell, 30, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Mitchell provided her fingerprint, driver’s license, signed a pawn form in a transaction recorded on video and Cash American Pawn on Mobile Highway, according to an arrest report. The incident occurred in October 2018, and Mitchell was just arrested on an outstanding warrant.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Atmore Man Facing Drug Charges
March 2, 2020
An Atmore man is facing multiple drug charges after he was found with narcotics inside his vehicle in a bar parking lot at 4:30 a.m., according to Pensacola Police.
John Bradley James, 42, was charged with possession of a new legend drug without a prescription, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of a drug paraphernalia.
A Pensacola Police Department officer noticed a running Toyota Tundra backed up against a fence in the parking lot of a bar on Creighton Road. Inside, he found James in the driver’s seat attempting to hide a glass pipe containing methamphetamine, according to an arrest report.
Inside the vehicle, officers located a loaded .40 caliber pistol in a case, a .22 caliber revolver in a cse, a wallet that contained a small container with 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, syringes, another 31 grams of methamphetamine, and multiple pills including the controlled substance Tramadol, the report states. They also located a small container of an unknown white powdery substance that will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further testing.
James remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $56,500.
Gas Price Decline Expected Due To Economic Concerns
March 2, 2020
AAA Says Florida drivers may soon see significant savings at the gas pump. Stock market prices for crude oil and gasoline plummeted last week, amid concerns that the coronavirus will reduce global demand for products like jet fuel and gasoline.
“Crude price drops of this significance can reduce the value of retail gasoline by more than 20 cents,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s something that may not happen overnight, but if crude prices remain low, drivers could be pay much less at the pump by the end of this week.”
Florida gas prices declined 6 cents per gallon in the past week. The state average is $2.35 per gallon and falling.
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $2.34. In North Escambia Sunday night, the lowest price was $2.27 at a station in Cantonment.
Firefighters Battle Woods Fire North Of Flomaton
March 2, 2020
Firefighters from multiple departments battled a brush and woods fire off Wolf Log Road north of Flomaton Sunday afternoon.
The Flomaton, Lambeth, Friendship, Barnett Crossroads and Pineview volunteer fire departments and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue battled the nearly eight acre fire. There were no reports of injuries or structure damage.
Flomaton Fire Chief Stanton offered his thanks to a local resident that allowed the use of his bulldozer to help fight the fire (pictured below.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Brown Named Chamber Outstanding Student Of The Year
March 2, 2020
Keaton Brown from Northview High School was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for 2019-2020 by the Century Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Weekly Meeting Schedule
March 2, 2020
Here is a list of public meetings planned for this week in Escambia County:
Tuesday, March 3
Planning Board/Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board/Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Exam Review Committee – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, March 5
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Friday, March 6
Augmented Transit Unit 1395 Collective Bargaining Session – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place