Walnut Hill Man Charged With Felony Theft From A Church
March 24, 2019
A Walnut Hill man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing audio equipment from a church and then pawning it.
Aaron Lucas Davis, 24, was charged with two counts of grand theft and one count of dealing in stolen property.
The Cokesbury United Methodist Church on North 9th Avenue reported two subwoofers, two monitor speakers and an amplifier were taken during two incidents two weeks apart. The total value of the items was about $2,400. Davis, a church employee, was caught on surveillance video removing the equipment, according to a Pensacola Police Department report.
Davis allegedly pawned the five pieces of equipment for $75 each, the report states. He was released from the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
No Winner In Powerball Drawing, Prize Now Up To $750 Million
March 24, 2019
The prize is growing even bigger after there was no winner in Saturday’s Powerball drawing.
The next drawing Wednesday is now estimated at $750 million, according to Powerball. The winner can choose a cash option of $465.5 million.
The winning numbers in Saturday night’s drawing were 24, 25, 52, 60, and 66 and the Powerball was 5.
Local Unemployment Rate Drops
March 24, 2019
The latest job numbers released by the state show a decrease in the unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 4 percent in January to 3.5 percent in February. There were 5,069 people were reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 3.9 percent. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the were leisure and hospitality with 1,100 new jobs and education and health services with 1,000 new jobs. In February, Pensacola had 6,078 job openings and of those, 1,783 were for high-skill, high-wage STEM jobs.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8 percent in January to 3.2 percent in February. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,600 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 3.6 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in February 2019, a 0.1 percentage point increase from the January 2019 rate, and down 0.4 percentage point from a year ago. There were 357,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,343,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in February.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
TC Venom Falls To Birmingham In Century Home Opener
March 24, 2019
The T.C. Venom minor league football team opened home play with a hard-fought 35-28 loss to the Birmingham Steel City Raptors Saturday night in Century.
The Venom struck first with 11:26 on the clock in the first to take a 7-0 lead on home turf at Anthony Pleasant Park.
With 9:25 on the clock in the second, the Raptors were up 13-7. But with 2:25 to go in the half, the Venom hit again for 14-13 that quickly reversed to 21-14 lead about a minute later.
In the third, the Venom capitalized on an interception to score on the ensuing drive. With a good two-point conversion, the Venom were back on top 22-21.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, oddly with no time off the clock, the Raptors scored to go back on top 28-22. At the 11:05 mark in the fourth, the Venom tied it up, but the Raptors went back on top for the win with 1:55 to go in the game.
The Venom will home the next two Saturday nights at 7:00, hosting the New Orleans Crescent City Kings on March 30 and the Greater Pensacola Jets on April 6. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and over.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Orchestra Earns Excellent Rating At District MPA
March 24, 2019
The members of Ransom Middle School Orchestra III earned an overall excellent rating at the annual District MPA. In the sight-reading room, the Ransom Orchestra’s work earned them a perfect score. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Warns Cool, Dry Weather Increases Fire Risk
March 24, 2019
The Florida Forest Service is warning of an increased wildfire reside due to recent cool, dry weather.
As northwest Florida is starting to reach the peak of its year-round wildfire season, officials with the Florida Forest Service are asking residents to be careful if they choose to burn yard debris.
“This cold front has brought cooler temperatures and lower humidity into the area,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “That combination can dry vegetation out very quickly and allow fire to spread despite the fact we have had rain recently.”
There are no burn bans in effect in our area but residents must still follow certain requirements: Burning piles of yard debris less than 8 feet in diameter is allowed if it is 25 feet from and wooded area or combustible structure, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied dwellings. (See graphic at page bottom.)
Piles greater than eight feet require a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service and must meet more stringent standards. For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at (850) 957-5701.
Pictured: A wildfire last May on Highway 29 in McDavid just south of Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Train Hits Vehicle On Kingsfield Road
March 23, 2019
A Cantonment man’s vehicle was struck by a train Friday night on Kingsfield Road.
About 7:30 p.m., 66-year old Hugh Fones was traveling north on Highway 95A when he turned his Toyota Highlander east on Kingsfield Road at the railroad crossing as a northbound CSX approached. The railroad crossing arms were coming down at the time, and the crossing bar came down on the top of the roof of his vehicle as he came to a stop, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The conductor and engineer were unable to slow the train, and the left side of the train collided with the front of the Highlander. The train continued north and came to a controlled stop about one mile north of the collision.
There were no injuries reported.
Fones was cited by the FHP for driving around, under or through a railroad crossing.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Former Pensacola NAS Commander Named New Navy Federal Boss In Pensacola
March 23, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union president/CEO Mary McDuffie announced today that Keith Hoskins has been hired to serve as senior vice president of the credit union’s Greater Pensacola Operations.
Captain Hoskins (USN Retired) has a distinguished military career, serving 27 years in the United States Navy. Hoskins’ military experience includes serving as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola; member of the Navy’s flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels; and commanding officer of Strike Force Squadron 15. Most recently, Hoskins served as the general manager of Gulf Power’s western district.
“Keith is a talented and committed leader,” said Mary McDuffie, president/CEO of Navy Federal. “He understands our mission of serving members. He also understands that the mission begins with supporting our employees, providing those with the tools they need to grow their careers and empowering them to improve our operations.”
Hoskins will lead an operation site of more than 7,500 team members. Navy Federal is on track to reach its commitment of employing 10,000 people in the Pensacola/Escambia County community by 2026.
“I have been a Navy Federal member for 21 years and I am proud and humbled to now have the opportunity to serve as the lead executive for Navy Federal’s Pensacola campus,” Hoskins said. “We have a talented team who is committed to helping our members and making a positive difference in the Pensacola community. I look forward to continue to build upon the foundation of success that Debbie Calder and the entire team have built.”
Hoskins replaces Debbie Calder, who oversaw the growth of Greater Pensacola Operations for 12 years before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer and relocating to Navy Federal’s headquarters in Northern Virginia in January.
Mobile Bank Robbery Suspect Captured After Pursuit Ends Near Highway 29
March 23, 2019
A Mobile bank robbery suspect was arrested after a chase that ended in just off Highway 29 in Escambia County.
About 10:58 p.m. Thursday the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office alerted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that they were pursuing a vehicle occupied by a bank robbery suspect. The vehicle exited I-10 at Nine Mile Road.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Karen Riley, drove across Highway 29 to a dead end on East 9 1/2 Mile Road where the two suspects left the car and tried to flee on foot. They were captured by Baldwin County deputies.
Both Samuel Dickey and Riley were charged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with destruction of evidence and resisting arrest without violence. Riley was charged with fleeing and eluding.
Dickey is expected to face charges for the robbery of the Woodforest Bank inside a Walmart store at I-65 in Mobile on Thursday.
Man Accused Of DUI Manslaughter In Deaths Of Siblings Wants Lower Bond
March 23, 2019
The man accused of killing two siblings in a driving under the influence crash is trying to get his bond reduced because his family can’t afford it.
Hunter Black is accused of killing 15-year-old Sean Banks and 22-year-old Antoinette McCoy in January in an early morning crash on Kingsfield Road.
Black is currently facing two of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
He’s being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1 million. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report showed there was no alcohol found in Black’s system, but it was positive for Xanax and chemicals that can be linked to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
In a court filing this week, Black’s attorney says he lacks the financial means to post the bond. The attorney also said Black lives in Cantonment “with his family and has resided in the area for his entire life,” and other grounds will argued orally.
A hearing date on the motion has not yet been set.