UPDATE: Man Claimed To Have A Bomb As He Robbed Publix Liquor Store
January 3, 2020
The Publix Liquor store at Nine Mile and University was robbed Thursday night by a man that said he had a bomb.
A black male wearing a red hoodie walked into the store and demanded money just before 9 p.m., according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andrew Hobbs. The suspect claimed to have a bomb, but never showed anything resembling a bomb to the cashier.
The cashier complied with his demands and the suspect fled the store.
A perimeter was established as deputies searched for the suspect. At last report, he remained at large. No bomb was located.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top and bottom: The Public Liquor store at University Town Center was robbed Thursday night. Pictured first below: Deputies search the area for a suspect. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Florida Department Of Corrections Announces $1,000 Hiring Bonuses
January 3, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced $1,000 hiring bonuses for new hires at several institutions statewide, including the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton.
Applicants who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is available through the program.
The bonus program does not include the Century Correctional Institution.
Certified new hires are eligible to receive bonuses at the following institutions:
- Apalachee Correctional Institution (Sneads)
- Calhoun Correctional Institution (Blountstown)
- Columbia Correctional Institution (Lake City)
- Cross City Correctional Institution (Cross City)
- Dade Correctional Institution (Florida City)
- Franklin Correctional Institution (Carrabelle)
- Florida State Prison (Raiford)
- Gulf Correctional Institution (Wewahitchka)
- Hamilton Correctional Institution (Jasper)
- Hardee Correctional Institution (Bowling Green)
- Liberty Correctional institution (Bristol)
- Madison Correctional Institution (Madison)
- Martin Correctional Institution (Indiantown)
- Mayo Correction Institution (Mayo)
- New River Correctional Institution (Raiford)
- Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)
- Okeechobee Correctional Institution (Okeechobee)
- Reception and Medical Center (Lake Butler)
- Santa Rosa Correctional Institution (Milton)
- South Florida Reception Center (Doral)
- Suwannee Correctional Institution (Live Oak)
- Taylor Correctional Institution (Perry)
- Tomoka Correctional institution (Daytona Beach)
- Union Correctional Institution (Raiford)
- Wakulla Correctional Institution (Crawfordville)
- Walton Correctional Institution (De Funiak Springs)
For more information regarding a career with the Florida Department of Corrections, visit FLDOCjobs.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Bratt Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 3, 2020
Bratt Elementary School has named Students of the Month for December. They are:
Pre-K
- Suzi Pope
- Emerson Salter
Kindergarten
- Christian Madison
- Avannah Anthony
- Aayden Johnson
- Hendrix Ward
First Grade
- Maverick Kelson
- Cory Stetson
- Weston Spicer
- Emma Kate Norton
Second Grade
- Bentley Lowery
- Walker Morris
- Linley Dunn
- Aislynn Tomerlin
Third Grade
- Maybree Johnson
- Mason Helton
- Nathan Gilmore
- Kelashia Randle
Fourth Grade
- Brody Hall
- Camden Jacobson
- Billy Zhang
- Wyatt Spence
Fifth Grade
- Kylee Langham
- Wesley Lambeth
- Kaylee Long
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Rear End Crash Involving ECUA Truck
January 2, 2020
A driver was injured in a rear-end collision with an ECUA work truck Thursday morning in Cantonment.
The crash happened on Highway 297A near the Bentley Oaks Estates subdivision when the driver of a passenger car collided with the rear of an ECUA truck. One person was transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS for treatment of their injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released additional information as they investigate.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Minimum Wage In Florida Increased With The New Year
January 2, 2020
Florida’s minimum wage increased a dime per hour on January 1, from $8.46 to $8.56.
An eight hour work day at minimum wage, not including taxes, will now net $68.48 for a worker, up from $67.68.
Tipped workers will also saw a small increase to $5.54 per hour, up from $5.44.
Florida voters will have a chance to further increase the minimum wage later this year. If 60% of voters approve a constitutional amendment on the November ballot, the minimum wage will jump to $10 an hour on September 30, 2021, and increase by $1 per hour each year until topping out at $15 an hour on September 30, 2026.
Meet Kaliya, Escambia County’s First Baby Of The New Year
January 2, 2020
Escambia County’s first baby of the new year, and the decade, was born just six minutes after midnight Wednesday.
Kaliya was born at 12:06 a.m. on New Year’s Day at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. She weighed in at eight pounds, 15 ounces.
Kaliya and her parents, Jessica Howard and Danny Nichols, are all doing just fine.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 2, 2020
Ransom Middle School has named their winter Students of the Month for December and January. They are Sofia Martinez and Jackson Shelnut. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Your GED In 2020 At The Molino Library
January 2, 2020
Area residents can obtain their GED during the new year in Molino.
Ged classes will be held at the Molino Community Center every Monday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. beginning January 9. This is an open enrollment program, so students may enroll anytime during the semester.
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each individual student’s academic level. Tuition is $30 per semester.
Contact Patricia Harrison at George Stone at (850) 941-6200 ext. 2361 for more information. Visit georgestonecenter.com to register.
What Will The Price Of Gas Be In 2020? AAA Offers Predictions
January 2, 2020
AAA is offering their projections for gas prices in 2020.
“Looking forward, gas prices in 2020 are likely to follow a similar trend as in 2019; with price hikes in the spring, then a steady decline through the fall,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Looking at futures prices, Florida gasoline could average around $2.50 per gallon in the first quarter, then jump 20-30 cents in the spring as refiners conduct seasonal maintenance and switch to summer gasoline. From there, gas prices decline slowly from July-September, then more rapidly through the end of the year. Based on current projections, Florida’s state average could finish 2020 in the $2.30 price range.”
Gas prices in 2019 averaged less than the year before. Prices at the pump averaged nearly $2.50 per gallon in 2019. That’s 15 cents per gallon less than the annual average in 2018, but 13 cents more than what drivers paid in 2017.
As of Wednesday, the average price per gallon was $2.45 across Florida, $2.50 in Escambia County and $2.43 in Cantonment.
Escambia County Had 13 House Fires In December 2019. That’s Nearly Twice As Many As 2018.
January 2, 2020
There were nearly twice as many residential fires in Escambia County during December 2019 than during December 2018.
The county tracks fires during December for the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign, which places one red bulb per fire on large wreaths at fire stations across the county. There were 13 reb bulbs representing 13 residential fires during December 2019. The 2018 campaign concluded with seven red bulbs.
One of the 13 fires during December 2019 was in North Escambia. A predawn fire destroyed a Byrneville home in the 1500 block of West Highway 4 on December 12. Everyone in the home escaped without injury due to working smoke alarms and a dog alerting the family.
There were no injuries or deaths reported during the campaign.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured above: The “Keep the Wreath Green” wreath during December at the McDavid Fire Station. Pictured below: A residential fire early the morning of December 12 in Byrneville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
