Man Receives Serious Burns After Lighting Fire With Gas
April 17, 2019
A man is recovering from serious burns he received while using gasoline to light a fire.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the 50 block of Main Street in McDavid about 7 p.m. Monday. They found an adult male with burns he received from lighting a fire with gas, according to Escambia County. The fire was out when firefighters arrived.
The man was airlifted as a “trauma alert” to USA Hospital in Mobile.
File photo.
FHP Seeks Highway 29 Hit And Run Driver In White Crown Victoria
April 17, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver involved in a hit and run Tuesday afternoon on Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road.
The FHP said the driver of a white Ford Crown Victoria failed to stop before hitting a vehicle that was stopped for a red light. The Crown Victoria rear-ended a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander driver by 37-year old Sabrina Youtzy of Cantonment. The force of the collision pushed the Uplander into a 2017 Mitsubishi driven by 50-year old Vicki Ortega of Cantonment.
After the crash, the driver of the Crown Victoria pulled over, exited her vehicle and asked if everyone was OK before fleeing the scene south on Highway 29, according to the FHP. The hit and run driver was described as a black female, about 150 pounds, 5-foot 5 inches tall with short hair.
Youtzy, a toddler in Youtzy’s vehicle, Ortega and a 5-year old passenger in Ortega’s vehicle were not injured.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper Constance Knowles at at (850) 484-5000 or email constanceknowles@flhsmv.gov.
File photo.
North Escambia Farmer Directs $2,500 Donation To Escambia 4-H Foundation
April 17, 2019
Northview Escambia farmer Gary Purvis has directed $2,500 to the Escambia County 4-H Foundation through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Bayer Fund.
Celebrating its 10th year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support nonprofit organizations strengthening rural communities. The program offers farmers the chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. It has awarded more than $33 million to over 8,000 nonprofits across rural America.
Interim Escambia County Administrator Lovoy Resigns
April 16, 2019
Interim Escambia County Administrator Amy Lovoy has resigned, saying it’s hard to work in an environment filled with “allegations of any variety” that can ruin a person before they can respond. She is the fourth top level administrator to step down from the county this month.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years with the County and will miss the incredibly hardworking and talented employees. They are of the finest caliber, and I have always admired all they accomplish every day,” Lovoy wrote in her letter of resignation Monday afternoon. She worked for the county for nearly 20 years.
“I find it difficult to continue performing my duties in a place where allegations of any variety can be made and reputations ruined before an individual is allowed to answer for the charges against them. Behind all the immediate distractions, I know the county is a better place than that,” Lovoy continued. Her last day on the job will be July 12.
Earlier this month, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert resigned. Public Safety Director Mike Weaver also stepped down after questions were raised about the county’s EMS department.
Lovoy was named acting interim administrator after the Jack Brown stepped down from the administrator post due to his wife’s health condition.
The county commission plans to interview the final candidates for administrator on April 29.
Pictured: Interim Escambia County Administrator Amy Lovoy during a county commission meeting last week.
72-Year Old Cantonment Man, Woman Facing Prostitution Charges
April 16, 2019
A Cantonment man and a Pensacola woman have been charged with prostitution by the Pensacola Police Department.
Vaughn Franklin Lowe, 72, was charged with purchasing the services of a prostitute, carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a suspended license. Melanie Anne Goodwin, 37, was charged with felony prostitution.
A Pensacola police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Lowe after it was spotted on a wooded service road near power substation in the area of “S” Street and Chase Street.
Lowe told the officer he was “just giving her a ride,” according to an arrest report, but recanted that statement when informed Goodwin has an “extensive” history of prostitution. Goodwin told police he paid Goodwin $20 for oral sex, the report states.
Lowe and Vaughn admitted to “several” previous encounters for cash, police said.
Inside the driver’s door pocket of Lowe’s F150, police reported finding a billy club, which lead to the concealed weapon charged. He was also cited for driving with a disqualified license, having an expired registration and failure to stop when exiting a private drive.
Lowe was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Goodwin remained jailed Monday with bond set at $5,000
Century Finds Hundreds Of Customers Are Not Being Billed For Utilities
April 16, 2019
The Town of Century has discovered hundreds of customers that are not being billed for utilities.
Century Gas Superintendent Wally Kellett told the told council Monday night that 268 customers are not being billed each month for some combination of services including gas, water and sewer. He said there may be a few duplicates in the 268 number, but there is still a “significant amount”.
“It’s a billing problem; it’s in the system somewhere,” Kellett said, adding that it has been an ongoing problem for a long period of time. “This didn’t happen overnight. I knew there were some issues, and we found them.”
Kellett, Town Clerk Kim Godwin and billing clerk Toni Simmons attended a two-day training on the town’s billing software last week in Texas and made the discovery. The training cost the town $4,000 plus travel expenses.
Kellett said that armed with new training and insights into the software, the town should see the billing bottom line improve.
In addition, he said a new gate station meter has now been installed to measure and verify the amount of gas received from the town’s supplier. A recent grand jury investigation found Century could not account for 40 percent of the natural gas purchased from their supplier.
The gas superintendent also told the council that a new natural gas meter has been installed at the Century Correctional Institution, and it will lead to additional revenue due to more accurate billing. Under a provision of the contract between the town and the Florida Department of Corrections, Kellett said the state will be back-billed for additional gas believed to have been used by the prison.
A grand jury investigation revealed Century’s gas fund lost $527,738 in the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. Their report indicated that there were between 500 and 600 total gas customers.
Pictured: Century Gas Superintendent Wally Kellett addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
First Asphalt Down On Nine Mile Road Widening West Of Beulah Road
April 16, 2019
A milestone of sorts was reached a few days ago as the first asphalt was placed for the widening of Nine Mile Road west of Beulah Road. The newly paved roadway will eventually become the eastbound travel lanes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Beat T.R. Miller; Tate Freshmen Top Navarre
April 16, 2019
SOFTBALL
Northview 14, T.R. Miller 1
Northview 8, T.R. Miller 6 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs defeated T.R. Miller 14-1 Monday night in Brewton.
Tori Herrington earned the win with 11 strikeouts while going 2-4 with one RBI at the plate
Also for Northview: Kaitlin Gafford 3-6, 2 RBI; Ashley Ragsdale 2-4, 1 RBI; Aubree Love 5-5, 4 RBI; Mikayla Jeneske 2-5, 2 RBI; Nevaeh Brown 1-1, 1 RBI; Heather Knowles 2-5, 2 RBI; Rylee Huskey 1-1, 1 RBI.
BASEBALL
Tate 7, Navarre 3
The Tate Freshmen Aggies beat Navarre Monday 7-3. The freshmen are now 10-0-1 on the year and will have a home game against West Florida on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Escambia County Senior Community And Media Specialist Lagarde Named City PIO
April 16, 2019
Escambia County Senior Community and Media Relations Specialist Kaycee Lagarde has been named the public information office for the City of Pensacola.
Lagarde has submitted her letter of resignation from the county effective May 17. Her first day with the city will be May 20.
Blue Wahoos Top The Biloxi Shuckers
April 16, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos once again rode dominant starting pitching and timely offense to another one-run victory as they defeated the Biloxi Shuckers 4-3 at MGM Park.
Pensacola’s offense supplied the talented right-hander with three runs in the top of the first inning, capped off by Brian Schales’s two-run home run off Marcos Diplan (L, 0-1) to put the visitors up 3-0. At one point the Wahoos led 4-0 after Mark Contreras’s RBI sac fly that scored Jimmy Kerrigan.
Alcala’s only hiccup came in the sixth inning when he surrendered a two-run double to Biloxi’s Patrick Leonard. Manager Ramon Borrego went to the bullpen immediately after and brought in Jovani Moran, who recorded the final out of the inning.
Biloxi added a third when C.J. Hinojosa belted a solo home run to open up the eighth inning. Moran tried to finish out the frame, but after issuing a four-pitch walk to Leonard, Borrego again went to his bullpen and asked Dusten Knight to record the final four outs of the game.
After a sensational catch on a line drive from Luis Aviles Jr to end the eighth, Knight retired the Shuckers in order, including striking out the final two batters. After striking out Trent Grisham, Knight performed his signature backflip before celebrating with his teammates.
The Wahoos improved their Southern League-best record to 8-3 while Biloxi fell to 5-6. Game two of the series continues Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. Top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol will start for the Wahoos and will be opposed by Trey Supak.