Two Killed In East Kingsfield Crash; Cantonment Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter
January 12, 2019
Two people were killed in a crash early Saturday morning on East Kingsfield Road, and a Cantonment man has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 24-year old Hunter Russell Black was traveling west on Kingsfield Road near Kingslake Drive in a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu when he crossed the centerline and into the path of a 2001 Mitsubishi driven by 22-year old Antoinette Marie McCoy of Pensacola. McCoy attempted to avoid the collision but was hit head-on.
It took firefighters about 30 minutes of extensive extrication to free McCoy and her passenger, 15-year old Sean Alexander Banks of Pensacola, from their overturned vehicle. McCoy was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital and Banks was transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS. Both were later pronounced deceased from their injuries.
Black was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He was released early Sunday morning on a $25,000 bond.
Banks was a sophomore at Tate High School. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Behind Bars: ECSO Nabs Man On The Run Since November Molino Manhunt
January 12, 2019
A man Cantonment man that was the focus of a manhunt two months ago in Molino is now behind bars.
Colby Chase Myrick, 27, was taken into custody in the area of Massachusetts Avenue Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after he was featured in a NorthEscambia.com story about his outstanding warrants.
Myrick is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, vehicle theft, damage to property, larceny and a probation violation. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
On November 12, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant got behind a white pickup truck pulling a utility trailer with no tag. Before the deputy initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle pulled into the yard of a residence on Molino Road just east of Nicholson Drive. A few minutes later, the resident called the Sheriff’s Office to report that a male had ran from the truck toward a wooded area.
Deputies responded and a female that was in the vehicle identified the male as Myrick.
Escambia County deputies and a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution searched the area south of Molino Road and east of Highway 95A for several hours. Their search continued well into the afternoon and progressed at least as far south as Meharg Road.
During the search, deputies located a gun in the woods that they believe Myrick left behind, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Heath Jackson Sworn In As First Republican Sheriff In Escambia County, AL
January 12, 2019
Heath Jackson was sworn in Friday afternoon as the first-ever Republican sheriff in Escambia County, AL.
Immediately after taking the oath of office, he swore in the deputies of Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“This is a path we chose years and years ago. When we chose that path, we knew it was something we wanted to do one day. We didn’t know if we would ever get there, but we were going to fight as hard as we could to make that happen,” Jackson told a standing room only audience in the main courtroom at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton as he thanked numerous supporters and mentors.
A visibly emotional Jackson spoke about his family. A family, he said, that worked “to make sure that the last name that we carried meant something. I appreciate that from them.”
“The guys and gals of the Sheriff’s Office are hard workers,” Jackson said. “And they have done more in the past 30 days to help me than they will ever know that they have done.”
Jackson also thanked outgoing Sheriff Grover Smith for his service.
Before his election, Jackson was a sergeant at the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and served as the team leader of agency’s Hostage Negotiations Team.
The T.R. Miller High School graduate’s nearly two decades of law enforcement experience includes service with the Brewton Police Department, the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Alabama. At the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, he also worked in the Narcotics Division, the Robbery/Homicide Division and the Public Information Office.
He is a native of Brewton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Early Morning Mobile Home Fire
January 12, 2019
Firefighters responded to a Saturday morning kitchen fire on old Atmore Road about three miles west of Flomaton.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the mobile home. There were no injuries reported in the fire about 7 a.m.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Wawbeek Volunteer Fire Department, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, MedStar EMS, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and others responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Nine Mile At Highway 29 Rollover Crash
January 12, 2019
There were no injuries reported in a two vehicle rollover crash Friday afternoon about 4:15 p.m. on Nine Mile Road at the southbound ramp from Highway 29. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
High School Hoops Scores
January 12, 2019
Friday night high school basketball scores:
BOYS
Baker 54 Northview 46
– For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 67, Niceville 36
– Caleb Young and J. Qualls led Tate with 18 points. Love Bettis was also in the double digits with 13.
Pine Forest 77, Escambia 73
Washington 69, Pensacola High 41
Escambia County (AL) 69, Baldwin County 54
Baker 32 Northview 27 JV
GIRLS
Northview 44 Baker 40
Escambia County (AL) 40, Baldwin County 32
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Ban Proposed In Florida House
January 12, 2019
With the idea getting support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a House Republican has filed a proposal to ban the oil- and gas-drilling process known as “fracking” in Florida. Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, filed the bill on Thursday, the same day DeSantis released a series of environmental proposals that included opposition to fracking.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed a similar proposal (SB 146) last month to try to ban fracking.
The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5. Environmental groups and some lawmakers have long wanted to block potential fracking in Florida, but legislation has not passed.
During the 2018 session, a Senate version was approved by two committees, while a House version was never heard.
Fracking, in part, involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released. While supporters say fracking increases production and holds down energy costs, opponents argue it threatens water supplies and can cause environmental damage.
Escambia Planning Board Approves New General Retail Store Fronting Muscogee Road
January 11, 2019
The Escambia County Planning Board has approved rezoning for a new general retail store for Cantonment.
The rezoning proposal will now go before the Escambia County Commission on February 7. It must be approved before any permits are issued.
Terramore Development, as agent for owners Steven and Carrin Buttrick, are seeking to rezone a portion of the property at 149 Highway 97 South from low density residential to a commercial district. The parcel is at the intersection of Highway 97 and Muscogee Road, with most of the frontage on Muscogee Road.
Cantonment resident Josh Womack told the Planning Board that he does not want the business to be another “big box” store like the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Neal Road in Cantonment. Instead, he said, he wants something more attractive as the surrounding community seeks to recover from its blighted status.
“I want it to be a beautiful area, because Cantonment is my home,” Womack said. “I want it attractive, and a really would like to make sure that we have it on the record that somebody is concerned about the look of this area.”
The rezoning application does not reveal what business might be opened at the location. But according to their website, Terramore Development of Thomasville, GA, is “a preferred developer for Dollar General along with developing for other national tenants such as Publix Supermarkets, Vitamin Shoppe, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle and AT&T” in the southeastern United States.
Pictured top: Looking from Muscogee Road toward the property. Pictured below: The red outline indicates an area developer wants rezoned for a new retail development. Pictured below: The development was approved by the Escambia County Planning Board.
Escambia Firefighter’s Union President Says Department Needs More Funding
January 11, 2019
Thursday, the president of the Escambia County Professional Firefighters union told the Escambia County Commission that there are Escambia County Fire Rescue funding issues that need to be addressed.
“What are we going to do about the financial problems of the fire department? How are we going to maintain funding and stop eating ourselves from within and continue to grow? We are we going to do to empower the fire chief that we brought in from outside the area to fix this place, so to speak, and help us grow and become the department of the 21st century that we’ve all boasted that we want it to be,” Nick Gradia asked commissioners during a public forum meeting.
“It seems like until it is an emergency, it’s a crisis, until four kids die in a house fire….then we will decide to fix a problem. We are sick and tired of it. Sick and tire of it. So I’d like an answer.”
Gradia said he sent letter to each commissioner about two week ago outlining the problems, but he says the commission has not responded.
He said there is a definite problem with firefighter recruitment and retention due to pay constraints.
Due to ongoing collective bargaining talks between the firefighters and the county, commissioners were limited in the responses they could provide to Gradia in reference to salaries. Commissioners held an executive session Thursday morning to discuss firefighter pay.
Alison Rogers, county attorney, reminded commissioners during Thursday’s public forum meeting that were not allowed to negotiate in any manner outside the bargaining process.
“Speaking for myself, we are very concerned about all of our public safety employees, and so those issues will be addressed,” BOCC Chairman Lumon May said.
“I brought 30 guys here today,” Gradia said. “These folks are worried about their jobs. They are worried about their futures.
Pictured: Escambia County Professional Firefighters President Nick Gradia addresses the Escambia County Commission during a public forum Thursday with about 30 firefighters in the audience. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Cancels Personnel Policy Workshop
January 11, 2019
The Town of Century canceled a personnel policy workshop that had been planned for Thursday afternoon. No reason for he cancellation was provided in an email sent Thursday afternoon to council members and the media. There was no date provided for a rescheduled meeting.
NorthEscambia.com photo.