Dozens Take Advantage Of Mobile Drivers License Services
November 7, 2019
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was pleased with the turnout for the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office in Century this week.
There were 35 people that took advantage of the available of the mobile services at an event that was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
There were 35 people that stopped by, including 12 drivers license transactions, six identification cards, seven motor vehicle transactions and one voter registration.
The mobile united is slated to return to Century early next year.
FLOW is a stand-alone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver’s license, obtain a replacement driver’s license, conversion or reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver’s license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Pictured: Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) provided motorist services such as driver’s license renewals in Century this week. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Electronic Tickets On Sale Now For Jay At Northview Playoff Game
November 7, 2019
Electronic ticketing is available for Friday night’s Jay at Northview round one Region 1-1A playoff game. Tickets can be purchased now online, and purchaser must have their for gate admission. Paper tickets will not be issued.
To purchase tickets, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash In Molino
November 6, 2019
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash late Wednesday morning in Molino.
The crash happened about 11 .am. on Highway 29 near Jimmy’s Grill. Two people were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS, and two others refused treatment.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Mourns Loss Of Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain Bradshaw
November 6, 2019
Escambia County is mourning the loss of Dwain S. Bradshaw, 41, a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. He was killed this morning while on scene responding to a multi-vehicle accident on the Muscogee Bridge.
“The Escambia County family lost a true hero and dedicated public servant today,” County Administrator Janice Gilley said. “Our hearts go out to Dwain Bradshaw’s family, loved ones, and all of the men and women of Escambia County Fire Rescue who are grieving the loss of their colleague and friend. I, along with the Board of County Commissioners, ask that you please keep all first responders in your prayers as they continue to selflessly risk their lives every day to protect and serve the public.”
Bradshaw was on scene at a fatal motorcycle crash early this morning near the Florida/Alabama state line when he was struck by a log truck. He was transported by Life Flight to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“I’d like to express my sincerest condolences to the family of Dwain Bradshaw as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This is a tremendous loss for the Beulah community and all of Escambia County, and we will continue to pray for healing and strength for everyone who knew and loved Dwain.”
Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said Bradshaw had been volunteering with Escambia County Fire Rescue since the late 1990s, but his experience expands beyond fire rescue, having served in law enforcement and in the military, most recently in the Mississippi Air National Guard. Bradshaw also served as a Department of Defense Firefighter onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Bradshaw taught many volunteer training classes for Escambia County Fire Rescue, where Williams said his outgoing personality and extensive knowledge made him well-liked by his students.
“He was one of the main ones that the volunteers liked as an instructor, so he taught quite a few classes for us here in the county,” Williams said. “He was just a really good instructor, and he was able to articulate the information very well.”
Williams said Bradshaw was preparing to step in as the District Chief for the Beulah station next year after the retirement of the current chief. He said the entire department is feeling the loss.
“The grief from the loss, it’ll be felt throughout the department,” Williams said.
For more information about the traffic crash, click here.
I-110 Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Motorcyclist
November 6, 2019
A motorcycle crash early Wednesday morning claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
Jeremiah D. Jenson, 25, was traveling north on I-110 about 12 a.m. when he exited at Fairfield Drive and failed to negotiate a sweeping right-hand curve on the exit ramp and was ejected from his Harley Davidson Road King, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jenson was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Fire Chief Passes Away After Being Hit By Log Truck At Fatal Motorcycle Crash Scene
November 6, 2019
Alabama troopers have released details on two separate traffic crashes at the same location early Wednesday morning that claimed the life of an Escambia Fire Rescue volunteer station chief and a motorcyclist.
The fire chief has been identified as 41-year old Dwain S. Bradshaw. He was the district chief at the Bellview Fire Station and the assistant chief at the Beulah Fire Station.
Bradshaw was among those that responded to a 3:50 a.m. crash at the Muscogee Bridge across the Perdido River at the state line.
In the first crash, 52-year old Patrick Bankester of Bay Minette was traveling east on Highway 112 just across the bridge in Baldwin County. His 2011 International semi was struck by a westbound 2017 Yamaha motorcycle. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash but has not yet been identified. Bankester was not injured.
In the second crash, Clifton Harrison, age 59 of Mobile, was traveling east on Highway 112 in a loaded 1999 Freightliner log truck (pictured below). Alabama State Troopers said he struck two unoccupied vehicles — a 2007 Peterbilt and a 2011 Dodge truck — before leaving the roadway and striking Bradshaw. The log truck came to rest off the roadway on its side.
Bradshaw was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Troopers have not released any further information about the two crashes.
The bridge spans between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 112 in Baldwin County, Alabama. The roadway remained closed into Wednesday evening.
Pictured top: The flag was lowered to half-staff Wednesday morning at the Beulah Fire Station. Pictured first below: The log truck that struck the firefighter. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Assaulting His Fiancee
November 6, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged with assaulting his fiancee.
Christopher Aaron Gassman, 29, was charged with battery, battery by strangulation and assault.
He is accused of grabbing the hair of his live-in fiancee, bashing her head into a sink and floor multiple times, choking her, and threatening to kill her, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
As Gassman chased the woman, he was tackled by another person in the house and a second person held him down until deputies arrived, the report states.
The arresting deputy reported that Gassman was heavily intoxicated and unable to walk in a straight line after the incident. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Century Delays Fix On Property Tax Increase That Violated State Law
November 6, 2019
The Town of Century held a meeting Monday night to correct a state law violation in the way they approved a property tax increase, and they instead voted to delay the fix for two weeks.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) the tax rate adopted by the council was too high to be approved by any less than two-thirds of the council members. When the rate increase was approved at a meeting September 23, only three council members — Ann Brooks, Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson — voted in favor, while James Smith and Ben Boutwell did not attend the meeting.
According to a certified letter from DOR, the millage rate adopted was between 100 and 110% of the maximum millage rate, requiring the two-thirds vote.
The DOR gave Century three choices: re-advertise and hold a new final hearing where the council approves the increase by a two-thirds or greater vote, re-advertise and adopt a lower millage rate, or have the DOR withhold all half cent sales tax funds from Century for 12 months.
Monday night, the council voted 5-0 to recess the meeting, on the advice of the DOR according to Town Clerk Kim Godwin, to correctly advertise a redo of both a budget and a tax increase meeting as required.
The meeting will resume in two weeks for proper consideration of the property tax rate.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
PSC Announces A New Area Code For Northwest Florida
November 6, 2019
The Florida Public Service Commission has announced the new area code for Northwest Florida.
That new area code is 448.
The current 850 area code is running out of available phone numbers, and state regulators on Tuesday approved the addition of the 448 area code to alleviate the number crunch.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees area code planning across the nation, said the 850 area code will run out of available phone numbers in the first quarter of 2022. The additional area code would be expected to provide enough available phone numbers until 2049.
The new area code would cover the same area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The PSC says the new 448 area code should begin working in mid 2021, at which time all local calls will require 10-digit dialing.
All existing customers will retain the 850 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers, according to the PSC.
Rabies Alert Issued For West Pensacola; Health Dept. Says Be Aware Countywide
November 6, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a rabies advisory for the West Pensacola area of Escambia County. This advisory is in response to a positive result for rabies, in a raccoon, which was tested on November 3, 2019.
Health officials are advising all residents and visitors in Escambia county to be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Escambia County. Advisories are designed to increase awareness to the public, and they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named in the advisory.
An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and humans should avoid all wildlife contact, especially with raccoons, bats, and foxes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is usually fatal to warm-blooded animals and to humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment, started soon after exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
- Vaccinate pets against rabies and keep vaccinations up to date.
- Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
- Call animal control services to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
- Bring in pet food at night and secure trash cans with fasteners, or place trash containers in the garage, so they do not attract wild or stray animals.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at 850-595-6700.