Truck Overturns, 1,576 Lose Power, Driver Ticketed
October 12, 2017
A truck hauling plastic pellets overturned Wednesday afternoon on Old Chemstrand Road, resulting in a temporary road closure and over 1,500 Gulf Power customers without power.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 58-year old Joseph Henderson of Ponce De Leon, FL, was westbound on Old Chemstrand Road when he ran off the road and into the ditch. The 2013 Mack truck overturned, colliding with a power pole and then a large tree.
Gulf Power turning off a portion of the power grid serving as many as 1,576 customers in the Cantonment area, including Tate High School, as a safety precaution. Many of those customers were restored quickly, while a few hundred were without power until the pole was repaired.
Henderson received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital. He was ticketed for careless driving by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Using New Device To Fight Mosquitoes
October 12, 2017
Imagine enjoying your favorite sporting event or a day at the park without constantly swatting away pesky mosquitoes. The City of Pensacola and Escambia County are partnering with Gulf Power on a project that could make those outdoor events more pleasurable.
In perhaps one of its most buzz-worthy projects, Gulf Power is working with the makers of DynaTrap® to test an innovative mosquito control prototype in a pilot project with the city and county to help control the mosquito populations in those areas tested. The traps mount to outdoor dedicated lighting poles and other structures.
The mosquito control prototypes will be tested in several public locations around the community such as the Southwest Sports Complex, the Escambia County Equestrian Center, Maritime Park, Bayview Park and Roger Scott Sports Complex.
“Mosquitoes can cause itchy bites and even spread dangerous diseases, and this high-tech trap offers an alternative to chemical pesticides,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. “The goal of the new pilot project with the city and county is to develop an easy and effective mosquito-control measure.”
DynaTrap is a technology-driven indoor/outdoor insect trap that protects against mosquitoes. Unlike other bug prevention solutions, DynaTrap is chemical- and pesticide-free and environmentally friendly. The device uses UV light and carbon dioxide to attract mosquitos. In this innovative prototype, mosquitoes are drawn to the device and the mosquitos are vacuumed in and eliminated.
“Escambia County mosquito control uses larvicide to kill mosquitos before they fly and adulticide fog as needed.” said Day. “While still an effective program of controlling the mosquito population, there are times that mosquitos may be at a nuisance level until our staff can treat the area.”
This continuous treatment technology, Day said, is anticipated to maintain mosquito populations at very low levels in the public spaces where they are employed.
Bill Kimball, the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department superintendent said he sees many benefits to participating in the mosquito control pilot project.
“We believe that mosquito control is desirable to protect public health, the environment and as a way to improve the overall quality of life,” he said. “Our hope is, this will improve the overall user experience in these parks especially during early evening hours when mosquitoes are more prevalent.”
Waring Road To Close Friday
October 12, 2017
Waring Road between Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will experience road closures and detours beginning Friday, Oct. 13. Construction will consist of water and sanitary sewer system upgrades.
The closures/detours are expected to remain in effect for approximately one week. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Friday, Oct. 20.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.
ECSO: Burglar Hit Escambia Church As Hurricane Nate Approached
October 12, 2017
During Hurricane Nate, a burglar struck an Escambia County church.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the man burglarized the Miracle Faith Center on North Palafox Street on Saturday. Anyone that recognizes the man is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-9620.
Smokey Bear, Forest Service Teach Fire Safety At Molino Library Story Time
October 12, 2017
Smokey Bear and the Florida Forest Service visited Story Time at the Molino Branch Library on Wednesday. They taught the children the importance of forest fire prevention. Preschool story time is held every Wednesday at 10:30 at the Molino Branch Library. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced For DUI In February Wreck
October 11, 2017
A Cantonment man has been sentenced on a DUI charge related to a single vehicle wreck last February.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 43-year old Daniel Goodale lost control on Jacks Branch Road near Old Bridge Road, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert about 12:15 a.m on February 26. Officials said his 2003 Nissan Altima then went airborne for almost 100 feet before crashing into a ditch. Goodale was trapped in the vehicle after it came to rest on its side. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and free him from the wreckage.
Goodale pleaded no contest to DUI 0.15 or higher. He was sentenced to 12 months supervised probation, ordered to pay fines and court costs of $1,456 and attend DUI school. His driver’s license was also revoked for six months.
NorthEscambia.com file photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Gets 20 Years For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery
October 11, 2017
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced that Iesha McGaster has been sentened by Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser to 20 years in state prison. McGaster entered a plea of no contest on May 8, 2017 to armed kidnapping with a weapon with the intent to commit a felony, carjacking with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery.
In the early morning hours of March 7, 2016, the victim went to McGaster’s residence in Foley to loan her money. When he arrived, he was attacked and yied up by co-defendant Corey Bowick, Carlton Lamar and McGaster. Ultimately, he was forced into his own vehicle and driven to Pensacola to get money from his place of employment. While traveling in Pensacola, the victim jumped out of the moving car on Pace Boulevard when he saw a law enforcement vehicle parked in Town and Country Plaza.
The defendants were arrested shortly thereafter on Fairfield Drive.
Bowick was previously sentenced to 20 years in state prison followed by 10 years state probation by Judge Dannheisser, and Carlton Lamar was previously sentenced to 15 years state prison to be followed by five years state probation.
Since there is no parole in Florida, McGaster, Bowick and Lamar will be required to serve 85 percent of their prison sentence.
Cat Country 98.7 Named CMA Station Of The Year
October 11, 2017
Pensacola’s locally-owned country radio station, CatCountry 98.7, has been named 2017 Radio Station of the Year by the Country Music Association (CMA).
Keith Urban called morning show hosts Brent and Candy to announce the win Tuesday. This is the first time Cat Country 98.7 has won the coveted CMA Station of the Year award.
CatCountry 98.7 personalities Brent and Candy were also nominated by the CMA for the 2017 Radio Personalities of the Year for The Cat Pak Morning Show. Brent & Candy’s CatPak Morning Show is “Live & Local” 5-10 a.m. Monday-Friday on CatCountry 98.7 and on www.CatCountry987.com.
The CMA Awards will air on WEAR ABC 3 on November at 7 p.m. Brent and Candy will be broadcasting live from Nashville in the days leading up to the awards show.
“This incredible honor and recognition from the Country Music Association is a direct reflection on our community. Every part of our submission to the CMA has something to do with you. CatCountry 98.7 is so proud to be locally owned and operated by Dave and Mary Hoxeng. It is our privilege to serve in times of need and times of joy. You are our family and to be recognized as such on a national level is a great and heartfelt honor,” Brent Lane.
ECUA: Yard Waste Collections Increase, Some Pickups Late Due To Nate
October 11, 2017
Due to increased volumes of yard debris following Hurricane Nate, ECUA yard waste collections in Escambia County may run behind normal schedules throughout this week. All routes/collections will be completed but some customers may have their yard waste collection later in the day than they normally do, or their yard waste may be collected on the following day. All collections will be completed by the end of the day on Saturday. Yard waste, as defined by the ECUA Sanitation Program, includes leaves, pine straw, grass clippings and small prunings.
To help ensure collections are completed as promptly as possible residents are asked to:
- Not use their garbage or recycling can for yard waste. Yard waste is collected separately from household garbage and recyclables so it can be composted.
- Place bagged, bundled, or canned yard waste within two feet of the curb and away from the street/road.
- Contain small yard waste, leaves, pine straw and grass clippings in standard garbage containers or bags (preferably compostable) that do not exceed 32 gallons in size or weigh more than 40 pounds when full. The ECUA will collect up to 20 yard trash bags or cans each week.
- Cut limbs should not exceed six feet in length or 40 pounds in weight, and must be bundled in two piles of no more than two 6’ W x 6’ D x 6’ H.
- Ensure that yard waste is placed by the curb for collection by 5:30 a.m. on the normal collection day.
Customers are asked to call ECUA Customer Service at 476-0480 if their yard waste has not been collected by the end of the day following their regular collection day.
Local Football Playoff Point Standings Released
October 11, 2017
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released current projected football playoff point standings for local schools.
Bottom Line for North Escambia Schools: Tate is second in District 1-Class 6A. The Northview Chiefs are currently next to last in Region 1-Class 1A (not in a playoff spot).
District 1-Class 6A
Escambia 4-2 1-0 36.67
Tate 4-1 1-0 35.20
Pine Forest 2-3 0-1 36.40
Washington 2-4 1-0 30.67
District 2-Class 6A
Navarre 5-1 1-0 36.17
Gulf Breeze 5-1 1-0 34.83
Milton 2-4 0-1 31.67
Pace 1-4 0-1 24.80
District 1- Class 5A
West Florida 5-1 1-0 42.50
Pensacola 2-4 1-0 27.00
Mosley 4-3 1-1 34.29
Arnold 3-3 1-1 29.00
Bay 1-5 0-2 27.00
Region 1-1A
Baker 6-0 39.33
Holmes County 4-2 37.00
Bozeman 3-3 34.50
Vernon 2-3 32.80
Jay 2-4 32.50
Freeport 3-4 30.43
Northview 1-6 27.71
Graceville 0-5 26.80
Beginning this season, district play has been eliminated in Classes 1A-4A, with teams making the playoffs based on a points system. Classes 5A-8A retain districts, with the district champion receiving an automatic playoff bid.
For Classes 1A-4A, no region or district play is required, with each school controlling its own schedule. Four teams from each region (16 total statewide) will make the playoffs based on the new points system.
District play for Class 5A-8A remains, with 32 teams qualifying for the playoffs in each class. District champions will receive an automatic bid to the playoff and will receive a 1-4 seed based on the new points system. Four wild cards will be taken from each region based on points following the conclusion of Week 11.
For more information on the points system, click the graphic at the bottom of the story to enlarge and click here for a informative pdf.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.