EREC Sends Bunk, Shower Trailers For Hurricane Michael Restoration
October 12, 2018
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is pitching in to help neighboring cooperatives recover from Hurricane Michael.
EREC sent three bunk trailers and a shower trailer to Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in Southport and two bunk trailers to West Florida Electric Cooperative in Graceville. These cooperatives received significant damage in Hurricane Michael’s devastating path through Florida. The trailers will be used by electric co-op crewmen during power restoration.
One of the biggest challenges facing electric utilities during power restoration after disasters such as hurricanes is lodging. “It is difficult at best to find housing for hundreds or even thousands of workers in an area whose infrastructure has been devastated. For this purpose, EREC acquired trailers and renovated them into bunk housing,” said Clay Campbell, EREC General Manager/CEO.
EREC’s five bunk trailers will sleep 33 people each, and the shower trailer has 10 showers and sinks. The trailers are self-contained, each equipped with its own generator. The sleeper trailers have central heat/air and individual lockers for each occupant. Each bunk has overhead lighting and electrical outlets for cell phone charging. The bottom row of bunks has nighttime floor lighting as well.
Pictured top: EREC’s Lee Acree, Philip Gandy and Danny Duncan will mobilize the trailers for use by line workers assisting with power restoration. Pictured inset: The trailers roll out of EREC in Jay. Pictured below: Inside on of the trailers. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Dept. Of Corrections Cancels All Weekend Visitations
October 12, 2018
The Florida Department of Corrections has canceled weekend visitation at all facilities in the state.
Due to the response following Hurricane Michael and “in an abundance of caution” the FDC canceled weekend visitation for all facilities statewide for Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14. This cancellation includes all major institutions, work camps, work release centers and annex facilities.
“The secure operation of our correctional institutions is the Department’s chief priority. Additional staff from throughout the state are responding to affected facilities in the panhandle. This proactive cancellation will allow staffing flexibility to assist in returning institutions back to normal operations.,” the FDC said in a release.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash
October 11, 2018
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash at Madrid and Muscogee Roads in Cantonment Thursday afternoon.
A Dodge Ram pickup apparently collided with a flatbed 18-wheeler hauling sod. The truck then overturned into a ditch.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Trump Signs Major Disaster Declaration For Hurricane Area
October 11, 2018
President Donald Trump on Thursday approved a major disaster declaration that will help provide assistance to 14 Florida counties that were hammered Wednesday by Hurricane Michael. The declaration, sought by Gov. Rick Scott and other state leaders, will offer assistance to individuals and households in Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor and Wakulla counties. It also will offer assistance for emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
Armed Home Invasion In Century Under Investigation
October 11, 2018
An armed home invasion in Century Wednesday night is under investigation.
The victim on Lake Street told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that three black males entered his residence about 10:15 p.m. and struck him in the head with a silver revolver. They allegedly took a large amount of cash.
The suspects fled in a silver in color four-door passenger car with tinted windows. The victim and his girlfriend told deputies that they did not know the suspects. A more detailed description was not available.
The victim was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but not transported to the hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
I-10 Now Open In Hurricane Damage Zone
October 11, 2018
I-10 is now completely open through the Florida Panhandle. Earlier today, I-10 was closed from the Defuniak Springs/Freeport exit (mile marker 85) to the Chattahoochee/Lake Seminole exit (mile marker 166) due to hazardous conditions caused by Hurricane Michael.
Pictured: The FHP works to clear road debris Thursday morning. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Accident Claims Life Of Motorcyclist
October 11, 2018
An accident Wednesday night claimed the life of an Escambia County motorcyclist.
Matthew B. Langham, 40, was traveling east on Mobile Highway near Beulah Road about 8:50 p.m. when he ran off the roadway and onto the shoulder, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. His 1989 Yamaha reentered the roadway and overturned, ejecting him.
Langham was later pronounced deceased at Baptist Hospital.
Escambia Fire, EMS And Sheriff Units To Help With Hurricane Recovery
October 11, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office along with teams from Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County Fire Rescue, and Escambia County EMS, departed this morning for the Panama City Beach area to help the residents of Bay County recover from the effects of Hurricane Michael. The ECSO sent a team of 25 with a communications tower, logistics trailers, restrooms, cooking facilities, chainsaws, water, ice, food, and all the equipment they need to be self-sufficient so they can do whatever is asked of them.
Our ECSO team can stay in place for up to 14 days if assistance is still needed beyond two weeks another team could replace them.
Escambia Fire Rescue and EMS crews and a 25-member team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office pulled out Thursday morning to help the victims of Hurricane Michael. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s Vehicle Hit By Gunfire During Wild 10 Mile Long Pursuit
October 11, 2018
Shots hit a deputy’s vehicle after gunfire erupted during a wild 10-mile long police pursuit early Sunday morning through Pensacola. The deputy’s vehicle was struck by gunfire at least twice during the pursuit that ended on Nine Mile Road. There were no injuries reported.
Christopher Michael Chancey, age 29 of Ten Mile Road, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of firing a weapon from a vehicle, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license. Brittany Wagner was charged with four counts of accessory before the fact aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
A deputy attempted to stop a 2003 Dodge Dakota driven by Chancey at the intersection of Jackson Street and Old Corry Field Road after an improper lane change. The vehicle accelerated away, passing other vehicles in no passing zones. The deputy turned off his emergency lights and discontinued the attempted traffic stop.
A second deputy observed the vehicle slide out of a parking lot and turn northbound on New Warrington Road at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted a traffic stop as someone fired a weapon at him from the vehicle. The deputy reported seeing the muzzle flash and hearing the gunfire, at which time he swerved his patrol vehicle to avoid being shot. Multiple deputies joined in the chase.
At Fairfield Drive and South Dakota Street, additional shots were fired at deputies. Chancery then turned on W Street and then onto Pensacola Boulevard. On Pensacola Boulevard, the vehicle continued northbound in the southbound lanes. Deputies continue to purse the vehicle as it turned eastbound onto Nine Mile Road.
At the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Old Palafox, a deputy ended the chase by using the PIT-maneuver. The driver, later identified as Chancey, ran from truck. He was taken into custody at gunpoint.
A search of the vehicle revealed numerous bullet holes in the rear glass of the vehicle and a hole in the tailgate. A 9mm hangun was found on the ground outside the driver’s door of the pickup with an empty magazine and chamber. A second unloaded 9mm magazine was on the driver’s seat.
The passenger, Wagner, told deputies that they had left a party in Brownsville and got into an argument. She said Chancey accelerated away from deputies and fired several shots. Wagner said she handed Chancey a backpack that she knew to contain a firearm during the pursuit.
Chancey remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $526,000. Wagner was held with bond set at $400,000.
Chase images are from a low quality reader submitted video by Grant Vinson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Serves As Pet Friendly Shelter During Michael
October 11, 2018
Molino Park Elementary School served as a pet friendly shelter during Hurricane Michael.
The shelter housed about 30 people and just over a dozen pets, according to information provided by Escambia County.
In the pet friendly shelter, owners provide their pet’s food, water, bedding, medications, collar with ID tag, familiar items like toys, crate, leash and proof of vaccinations. They are required to stay in an adjacent building.
For the protection of people and other pets at the shelter, animals brought in without proof of current vaccinations are vaccinated by Escambia County Shelter staff.
The animals were kept in kennels on heavy duty plastic with plastic on the walls. The entire area was cleaned and disinfected after the shelter closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Pictured: Pet sheltered during Hurricane Michael at Molino Park Elementary on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
