Man Allegedly Threatened To Blow Up Courthouse, Kill Everyone Inside
April 9, 2019
An Escambia County man has been charged with allegedly threatening to bomb the county courthouse and kill everyone inside.
Joshua Michael Hanson, 38, was charged with a felony, and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Hanson told an assistant state attorney “I’m going to kill everyone and I am going to bomb this place” while in the foyer of a courtroom, according to arrest report.
As Hanson was escorted from the courtroom foyer, he began hyperventilating and crying hysterically. He waived treatment by Escambia County EMS.
According to court records, Hanson was in court for a plea hearing on a charge of violating a stalking injunction.
Northview Senior Bryant Offered Troy University Fishing Scholarship
April 9, 2019
Northview High School senior Jacob Bryant has been offered a fishing scholarship by Troy University. He is currently a member of the Panhandle Youth Anglers and plays varsity baseball for the Chiefs. . He recently won “biggest fish” at a state qualifier at Lake Talquin. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USPS Forcing All Walnut Hill P.O. Box Holders To Change Addresses
April 8, 2019
Updated: One week after our request for more information, the USPS has responded. The story below has been updated.
Post office box holders in Walnut Hill are being forced to change their mailing addresses with very little advance notice.
There are about five dozen post office boxes in the 32568 Walnut Hill ZIP code. They are located inside Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s office next to Ernest Ward Middle School.
In late March, boxholders received a “Notification of Mailing Address Change” from Ramona Hunter at the Century Post Office stating that their addresses will change on April 15. Instead of the “Post Office Box (insert number), Walnut Hill, FL 32568″ address that many customers have used for over two decades, addresses will become “PMB (insert number) 4950 Highway 99A, Ste 1, Walnut Hill, FL,” which is the physical location of the post office. [Read USPS instruction letter ...]
“PMB” is the abbreviation for “private mailbox.”
If customers do not complete a change of address form by April 15, their mail will be returned to the sender, according to Twana Barber, spokesperson for the USPS.
“Our goal is to deliver all mail to our customers as efficiently as possible. Customers who complete a COA will have their mail forwarded from the old P.O. Box address to the new PMB address for a period of one year. Mail addressed to the old P.O. Box address, for customers who do not submit a COA, will be returned to sender, effective April 15, 2019. This is why it is so critical that customers complete PS Form 3575 to prevent service disruptions,” Barber said.
“EREC has recently been informed that during a USPS audit, it was discovered that EREC’s contract was incorrectly set up by the USPS and would need to be updated to a new contract postal unit model,” said Nick Jackson, vice president of energy and member services for EREC. “Under the new model, post office box holders will have to change their address to a longer contract postal unit address. EREC contacted the regional management office for any alternative options that EREC could provide in an effort to prevent this inconvenience to members. However, federal guidelines require this change be made. The Century postmaster notified EREC that all changes must be made by April 15.”
EREC said the member-owned cooperative does not operate the post office for profit but as a community service.
“In 1999, EREC planned to open a satellite office in Escambia County in Walnut Hill. At that same time, residents of Walnut Hill, who had worked hard to get their own post office for their community, were looking at its eminent closure by the U. S. Postal Service due to low volume,” Jackson said. “EREC stepped up and agreed to operate as the post office as a contract station to keep it from closing. EREC would operate the post office and its own satellite facility from the same building using EREC representatives to operate both businesses in an effort to serve the needs of the local community.”
Because the post office boxes are becoming private mailboxes, customers are required to submit two forms to the USPS by April 15. A normal change of address form, and a PS Form 1583 “Application for Delivery of Mail through Agent” must be completed before April 15. The mail agent form must be delivered in person to the Walnut Hill post office with two forms of valid identification.
Customers will also need to update items printed with the post office numbers such as checks and stationary.
The changes do not apply to street addresses.
Pictured: Post office boxes in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced After Pleading To Reduced Battery Charge
April 8, 2019
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to 12 months probation after being accused of hitting a man in the head with a pipe during an argument
Jeremiah John Fontaine, 21, was originally charged with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon but pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor battery.
Fontaine told deputies that he remembered getting into a big argument which led to a physical altercation before he left the scene, according to an arrest report, but he did not mean to kill or harm anyone.
He also received 50 hours community service.
FDOT: Weekly Construction Traffic Delay List
April 8, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 7 through Saturday, April 13.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 7 through Sunday, April 14:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 (North Davis Highway) and State Road (S.R.) 10A (Scenic Highway) Utility Work- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday, April 6 on North Davis Highway and Scenic Highway in Pensacola at the following locations as crews trim trees around utility lines:
- North Davis Highway: Northbound from south of Scenic Highway to Airport Boulevard
- Scenic Highway: Westbound from I-10 to North Davis Highway
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection- Operations may require intermittent lane closures near the intersection the week of Sunday, April 7. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- U.S. 98 Resurfacing from S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) to west of S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway)- Work activities will begin the week of Monday, April 8. The $1.4 million improvement project will include milling and resurfacing the roadway, widening turn lanes, guardrail enhancements, drainage improvements and new signs and pavement markings.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance On-Ramp to I-10 Westbound/I-110 Southbound- The outside, right lane from southbound Davis Highway to I-10 westbound/I-110 southbound will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, April 8 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 as crews make guardrail repairs.
- S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) Utility Operations from Wynnehurst Drive to Fisher Street- There will be intermittent lane restrictions between Wynnehurst Drive and Fisher Street from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10 as crews trim trees around power lines.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29- There will be alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 through Friday, April 12 as crews perform asphalt testing. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews continue to construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities have begun. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday until Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 7 through Sunday, April 14:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, April 7:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 7 through Friday, April 12 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- · S.R. 87 South in Navarre Utility Operations between River Road and East Bay Boulevard- There will be intermittent lane closures between River Road and East Bay Boulevard from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 as crews trim trees around power lines.
- · U.S. 98 Utility Operations from Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County east to Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County- Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa RosaCounty and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 8 through Thursday, April 18 as Pike Electric performs routine maintenance on power lines.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Gas Prices Slip A Little, But Could Easily Head Back Up
April 8, 2019
Florida gas prices declined an average of four cents last week. However, the state average could easily rise this week, due to recent gains in wholesale gasoline.
Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.71 per gallon at the pump. Sunday’s state average is 24 cents more than a month ago, and 9 cents more than this time last year. The Florida average remains 21 cents below than last year’s high, and 5 cents less than the highest daily average price so far this year.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.65, up from $2.40 a month ago.
“Florida drivers got a break from rising gas prices last week, but there could be a small uptick in the coming days,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Rising demand and refinery issues are keeping upward pressure on gas prices. It could be another couple of weeks before refineries return to full strength, and pump prices level out.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Wahoos Fall To BayBears 2-1 In Extra Innings
April 8, 2019
Griffin Jax continued the season-opening mastery by Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitchers, but Sunday became the first without a desired ending.
The Mobile BayBears got a walk-off hit from Roberto Pena in the 11th inning for a 2-1 victory to end the Blue Wahoos (3-1) perfect start at Mobile’s Hank Aaron Stadium.
The final score was Mobile’s first time in the lead the entire weekend.
“The offense unfortunately was not good,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego after the game. “We had a couple chances with runners in scoring position, but didn’t do any damage. But you know, that’s baseball. We have been playing really good.”
This was the second extra-inning game of the series. Under the minor league rules adopted before the 2018 season, all extra inning, regular-season games begin with a runner on second base. The Blue Wahoos twice stranded their runner on third in the 10th and 11th.
Well before the game reached that point, Jax, an Air Force Academy graduate, had kept the BayBears in check with his array of breaking stuff and grit. He stranded baserunners in all five innings he worked, before exiting with a 1-0 lead.
It’s been four games with four terrific lines for the Blue Wahoos’ starters. They have combined for a 0.45 earned run average, allowing just one run in 20.0 innings. The foursome recorded 26 strikeouts. They’ve allowed just one run and 12 hits in four games.
“I’m just so happy right now with the pitching staff, especially the starters,” Borrego said. “Griffin was great. He gave us a really solid outing, but unfortunately we didn’t back it up with offense.”
After the Blue Wahoos missed a scoring chance in the ninth, reliever Dusten Knight, who got the extra-inning save Friday night, returned to throw a pair of scoreless innings. He retired Mobile in order in the ninth, then worked out of a bases-loaded, one out situation in the 10th with a strikeout and a ground out to force another inning.
The Blue Wahoos scratched across their only run in the fifth after an infield single from Drew Maggi, who went to second on an error, moved to third on a ground out, and beat a throw to the plate on a fielder’s choice grounder.
Unlike the past four games, the Blue Wahoos did not manage an extra base hit and finished with only four hits in the game.
Even after the loss, Borrego was positive about the team’s outlook and 3-1 start.
“This weekend has been fantastic for us,” Borrego said. “It is our first year in Pensacola and so far I like how our guys compete…pitching, offense, defense. When we match all that together you will have a really good game.”
Right hander Sean Poppen will try to complete the trend in the series finale Monday night at 6:35 PM in Mobile. After that, the focus will turn to Wednesday’s highly anticipated home opener against Jacksonville at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Looking ahead for the Blue Wahoos, they will have an off day on Tuesday before their home-opening debut Wednesday at 6:35 PM in Blue Wahoos Stadium against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. It will begin a new era in Hoosville as the Minnesota Twins affiliate.
Pictured: Griffin Jax on the mound for the Wahoos. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Century Sawmill Pageant Winners Announced
April 8, 2019
The 27th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant was held Saturday, sponsored by the Century Lions Club. All proceeds are used to benefit vision services for needy children in the Tri-County area.
Pictured above is Overall Century Sawmill High School Queen and scholarship winner Jillian Thornton.
Other winners were (scroll down):
Baby Miss (0-23 months) (L-R) 2nd-Megan Marie Marn; Queen–Carson Faye Bell; 1st–Aubrey Steadham; and 3rd–Tatum Harper Boutwell. (Fashion–Aubrey Steadham; Photogenic–Megan Marn; Casual–Scarlett Rowland.)
Toddler Miss (2-3 years) (L-R) 3rd–Jordyn Seales; 1st–Brystol Noelle Purvis; Queen–Millie Doris Futral; 2nd–Kaisley Hamilton. (Fashion–Kaisley Hamilton; Photogenic–Brystol Purvis; Casual–Kaisley Hamilton).
Little Miss (4-5 years) (L-R) 3rd–Lyla Rolin; Queen–Jenna Reese Pritchett; 1st–Mallory Jane Marn; and 2nd–Marley Schoonover. (Fashion–Jenna Pritchett; Photogenic–Jenna Pritchett; Casual–Lyla Rolin.)
Little Junior Miss (6-7 years) (L-R) 2nd–Willow Cole; Queen–Karsyn Paige Davis; 1st–Kadahlyn Salter; and 3rd–Laurel Anne Wadkins. (Fashion-Karsyn Davis; Photogenic–Kadahlyn Salter; Casual–Karsyn Davis).
Young Junior Miss (8-10 years) (L-R) 3rd–Lyla Calloway; 2nd–Carly Reid Pritchett; Queen–Khloe Taylor; and 1st–Lexie Smith. (Fashion–Carly Pritchett; Photogenic–Carly Pritchett; Casual–Khloe Hamilton; Miss Congeniality–Lyla Calloway).
Junior Miss (11-13 years) (L-R) 1st–Ali Thornton; Queen–Leah Smith; 3rd–Morgan Hicks; and 2nd–Heather Flowers. (Fashion–Leah Smith; Photogenic–Leah Smith; Casual–Leah Smith).
Teen Miss (14 years-12th grade) (L-R) 3rd–Sierra Massey; 2nd–Cloe Smith; Queen–Jillian Thornton; 1st–Skylar Crawford. (Fashion– Jillian Thornton; Photogenic–Jillian Thornton; Casual–Jillian Thornton).
Photos by Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crash Shuts Down Pine Forest Road
April 7, 2019
At least one person was reported injured in a two-vehicle crash in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
The crash happened about 3:10 p.m. on Pine Forest Road near Amanda Lane, about a mile north of Nine Mile Road. The roadway was complete blocked by the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Escambia County EMS, Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gunfire Erupts During Fight At Crowded Football Game In Century (With Video Of Shooting)
April 7, 2019
Gunfire erupted during a melee at a crowded minor league football game in Century Saturday night.
At least three shots were fired on the football field but no injuries were reported, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The T.C. Venom had just lost 33-6 to the Greater Pensacola Jets at Anthony Pleasant Park on East Highway 4. As the game ended, players from both teams started fighting. In a video obtained exclusively by NorthEscambia.com, players can be seen fighting as fans enter the field. Suddenly, just off camera, at least three gunshots can be heard in rapid succession.
(Shooting can be heard at about 37 seconds into the video below. Story continues below video.)
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed three shell casings were recovered on the football field.
Multiple witnesses told NorthEscambia.com that the gunman did not have a shirt on but was wearing the team uniform pants of the Jets. The male jumped the fence and ran toward a nearby wood line, possibly toward a foot bridge that leads to the adjacent Showalter Park.
There were no arrests made. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
It was estimated that somewhere between 200 and 400 people were at the game.
Escambia County EMS responded to the park following the incident for a person experiencing a medical emergency, but that person was reportedly not injured in the fight or gunfire.
This was the third game in Century for the T.C. Venom, the newest team in the Amateur to Professional Development Football League (AFDFL). The “T.C.” in T.C. Venom is stands for “Tri-County.”
The APDFL is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of adult minor league football teams throughout the Southeast, according to their website. Players are between the ages of 18 and 30 looking to obtain a second chance of reaching their college or professional football dreams. The APDFL provides these athletes a place to improve their football skills and a platform to showcase their talents by attracting scouts from the collegiate and professional levels.
Pictured top: A fight erupted on the field following a minor league football game in Century Saturday night. Pictured top inset: A player was down after the gunfire rang out, but there were no reports of any injuries. Pictured below: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigates. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
