New $1.9 Million Highway 168 Bridge In Bratt Set To Open Saturday
January 31, 2020
Work on a new bridge on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99 in Bratt is complete, and the bridge over an unnamed branch is set to open to traffic sometime on Saturday, weather permitting.
The $1.9 million Florida Department of Transportation project includes two, 12-foot travel lanes with 6-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier wall. The project also included resurfacing the bridge approaches, new guardrail, drainage improvements, new pavement markings, and enhanced signage.
Work on the project began in mid-April 2019 to replace a structural deficient bridge with wooden supports that was constructed in 1967.
Once the new bridge is open, crews will begin removing a temporary bridge that was in place during construction. During that process, drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for workers and heavy trucks entering and exiting the roadway.
Editor’s note: The opening date has been updated to Saturday, February 1. It was originally set for Friday.
Pictured above and below: Work to complete a new bridge on Highway 168 in Bratt was coming to a close late Thursday afternoon. Pictured second below: A temporary bridge in place during construct will be removed. Pictured bottom: The new bridge replaces a structurally deficient bridge that was constructed in 1967. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Gets 24 Years For Double Fatal Easter Sunday Wreck
January 31, 2020
An Escambia County woman was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a double fatal Easter Sunday wreck that claimed the life of a father and son.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Marie Ann Simpkins previously pleaded no contest and accepted responsibility for two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing property damage, DUI With a minor in the vehicle, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Simpkins caused a traffic crash April 21, 2019, in the intersection of Fairfield Drive and W Street in Pensacola which claimed the lives of 49-year old Randy Riley and his son, 22-year old Nelson Riley. Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries. Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Prior to the crash, concerned motorists observed Simpkins driving in an unpredictable and reckless manner on Fairfield Drive The motorists had called 911 to report their concerns when the defendant ran the red light at the intersection at W Street causing the collision.
Simpkins’ son and 2-year-old grandson were occupants of her vehicle at the time of the crash. A small amount of cannabis was found in her belongings. A legal blood draw revealed Simpkins was under the influence of hydrocodone, citalopram, trazodone and tramadol at the time of the crash.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 31, 2020
Tate High School recently named students of the month for December They are Anna Moulds and David Wells, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cybercrime Costs Nearly Double In Florida. Here’s Help To Stay Safe.
January 31, 2020
Cybercrime costs in Florida nearly doubled between 2015 and 2018, according to a new Florida Atlantic University analysis of FBI data.
With international criminals taking advantage of the global nature of the Internet, researchers report that cyberscams cost Florida victims more than $7400 on average in 2018, with total losses exceeding $178 million.
The best defense against these borderless criminals is getting educated on their methods and how to avoid falling victim to their scams, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. For more on online risks, email scams, cybersecurity, and ways to help keep you and your family safe from digital delinquents, visit www.secureflorida.org.
Overturned Log Truck Trailer Downs Power Lines On Muscogee Road
January 30, 2020
An single vehicle crash involving a log truck brought down power lines and shut down Muscogee Road Thursday night.
The truck traveled off Muscogee Road near Madrid Road about 6:15 p.m. and struck a power pole. The power pole was snapped and power lines came down in the area. The truck driver was not injured.
Muscogee Road was closed while Gulf Power worked to make repairs. Gulf Power reported 15 customers on Rittenberry Road lost power.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Names Man Killed In W Street Crash That Critically Injured Century Man, Pensacola Woman
January 30, 2020
Thursday, the Florida Highway Patrol identified the Escambia County man killed in a January 23 wreck on W Street at Marcus Pointe Boulevard.
Tyrone Deonta Wilkins, 27, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was a passenger in a Toyota van driven by 36-year old Ava Stoudemire of Pensacola. She attempted to turn her Toyota van onto Marcus Pointe Boulevard but failed to negotiate the turn and collided with a semi-truck before rotating into a box truck, both of which were traveling south on North W Street.
Stoudemire and the front seat passenger, 34-year old Gregory Matthews of Century, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. The drivers of the trucks were not injured.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
ECSO: Drug Deal Goes Bad; Molino Man Drags Girl With His Pickup Truck
January 30, 2020
A $30 drug deal gone bad ended with a Molino man in jail after he allegedly dragged a girl with his pickup truck.
Trevor Hayes Ross, 20, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse and robbery by sudden snatching.
The underage female met with Ross after arranging by phone to purchase marijuana from Ross. After they met, Ross handed her a cigarillo packet that she presumed contained the agreed upon quantity of marijuana. But when she opened the package, she found it to be empty, according to an arrest report.
Ross reached out of his truck and snatched $30 in cash from the girl. She tried get the cash back, but Ross started to drive away as she hung onto his GMC Sierra pickup, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
She told deputies she was unable to let go and was dragged as he continued to accelerate, the report states. During the incident, she dropped her iPhone inside the cab of the truck. She then lost her grip and rolled on asphalt, sustaining multiple injuries. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the truck at the Family Dollar at Blue Angel Parkway and Pine Forest Road by using the Find My Iphone app. The ECSO also received a call about the truck driving erratically. They were able to located the truck and take Ross into custody. The girl’s iPhone was located inside the truck.
Ross remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $52,500.
Molino Man Arrested With 1.5 Pounds Of Meth In Undercover Drug Bust
January 30, 2020
A Molino man was charged after being busted in an undercover drug operation with nearly a pound and a half of meth.
Johnnie Antawn Lee, Jr. was booked into the Escambia County Jail for felony trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lee arrived at agreed upon location and knocked on the front door of the residence. He was let inside and immediately detained by awaiting members of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
During a search of the Gucci bag Lee was wearing across his chest, deputies located 658.8 grams (1.45 pounds) of meth and a digital scale, according to an arrest report. Deputies also seized $1,959 in currency from Lee.
Lee was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,250 bond.
Company Files Suit Against Century Over Unpaid $19K Bill
January 30, 2020
A consulting company has filed suit against the Town of Century over an unpaid invoice that totals over $19,000.
In 2008, City Services, Inc. (CSI) entered into a contract with the town to provide consulting, maintenance and repair services to the town’s natural gas system. The town contracted with the company for an annual natural gas leak survey, pipeline evaluations, testing, rate reviews and other services. Without a timely termination notice, the agreement renewed annually.
According to a City Services bill dated January 8, 2020, the town fell behind on their $1,200 per month bill in October 2018 and last made a payment in December 2018. The bill has continued to accrue and with finance charges stands at $19,287.19.
In their lawsuit against the town, CSI claims they provided services to the town, but the town did not pay and did not object to the invoices. CSI is seeking $19,287.19 plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.
At a recent meeting, the town council voted to have town attorney Matt Dannheisser attempt to settle the lawsuit for a lesser amount. Council President Ann Brooks said an email from Dannheisser to the council suggested the town might settle if the town was unable to produce “documentation”. Mayor Henry Hawkins told the council that the documentation had not been found.
The town denied a NorthEscambia.com public records request for the email, citing state statute that allows the exemption since the email discussed by the council dealt with the pending litigation. The town did not respond whatsoever to a November 27 public records request for a copy of the “most recent statement and/or past due notice showing amount owed to City Services”, but NorthEscambia.com otherwise obtained a copy of that bill.
Cantonment Man Charged For Fleeing Traffic Stop Before Causing Wreck
January 30, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing several charges after allegedly refusing to stop his vehicle for deputies before causing a wreck Tuesday evening.
Kendrick Lamar Gross, 20, was charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance (Oxycontin) without a prescription, destroying evidence and operating a motor vehicle without a license. According to the ECSO, Gross attempted to hide narcotics in the woodline next to his wrecked car (pictured below).
Gross was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on a $17,000 bond.
A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a sedan driven by Gross, but he fled, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy did not directly pursue the vehicle but did locate the crash a short time later.
Four people including two minors in the SUV were injured, along with a passenger in the car. All five were transported by Escambia County EMS to the hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released further details on the traffic crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
