No Serious Injuries In Bratt Rollover Crash
December 20, 2024
There were no serious injuries in a rollover crash Friday morning in Bratt.
The crash happened about 8:25 a.m. at West Highway 4 and North Pine Barren Road, just east of Northview High School.
The adult female driver of a Chevrolet Equinox that overturned into a ditch was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. The diver of the other vehicle, a Honda sedan, was not injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s First Wawa Store Now Open; Four More Planned
December 20, 2024
Escambia County’s first Wawa opened Thursday morning.
A ribbon cutting was held for the new store at Ransley Station on Pine Forest Road just north of I-10.
“We are excited to end 2024 with marking a significant milestone of opening our first store in Pensacola to fulfill lives of our friends and neighbors,” said Joe Collins, director of store operations for Wawa. “We look forward to bringing our unique brand of fresh food, beverages and convenience to the Panhandle to further our commitment to providing our new friends and neighbors with not only a new level of convenience but a strong, committed community partner.”
Four Wawa more stores are currently planned for Escambia County:
1. Nine Mile Road, Beulah
Plans were approved were October 2023 for a 6,119 square feet location at the corner of Beulah Road and Nine Mile Road. Work is currently underway on the 17.36 acre parcel across Nine Mile Road from Publix.
2. Highway 98
A Wawa store was approved by the county in May for 9262 West Highway 98 at Blue Angel Parkway.
3. North Davis Highway
The Escambia County Development Review Committee approved plan in June for another planned WaWas at 8503 North Davis Highway, near Johnson Avenue and HCA West Florida Hospital.
4. Pensacola Boulevard
A WaWa is planned for 6650 Pensacola Boulevard near W Street.
Photos courtesy WEAR 3 and Wawa for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing, Striking Officer With Four-Wheeler
December 20, 2024
An Atmore man is facing charges after fleeing on a four-wheeler before hitting an officer.
The Atmore Police Department said an officer was driving on Sunset Drive when he was met by a four-wheeler traveling in the opposite direct. He turned his marked police vehicle around and attempted a traffic stop in response to ongoing citizen complaints about four-wheelers being driver recklessly on the roadway.
Police said the operator of the four-wheeler, later identified as Dallas Owens age 18 of Atmore, accelerated at a high rate of speed through traffic upon the officer activating the emergency blue lights. The officer decided not to
pursue Owens due to the inherent danger of pursuing a four-wheeler.
A few minutes later additional officers observed Owens stopped off the roadway next to Brushy Creek. As the officers approached Owens on foot they began giving him verbal commands. Owens ignored them and
got back onto the four-wheeler and drove toward one of the officers, according to police. The four-wheeler struck the officer.
Owens was removed from the four-wheeler and taken into custody. The officer received minor injuries.
Owens was charged with assault second degree, resisting arrest, reckless driving and attempting to elude.
FHP Charges Molino Man With DUI After Traffic Crash
December 20, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has charged a Molino man with DUI after a traffic crash in Pensacola on Wednesday.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, 45, was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and refusal to submit. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Flowers was involved in a three-vehicle crash about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday on Brent Lane just west of Davis Highway. Flowers told troopers her sewered in an attempt to avoid a vehicle that swerved toward him. Flowers’ Kia Sorrento collided with two stopped vehicles, according to the FHP report.
“Mr. Flowers’ speech was slurred and intelligible. He seemed confused by my questions and was fumbling with his vehicle paperwork. He seemed tired and lethargic,” trooper wrote in the report.
The report states that he was unable to properly perform field sobriety exercises. He provided a breath sample that registered no alcohol level and”appeared to doze off”,” FHP said, before refusing to provide a urine sample for analysis.
FHP said Flowers’ license was suspended in June with three prior driving while suspended convictions and one prior suspension for refusal.
Santa Visits Molino Library (With Photo Gallery)
December 20, 2024
Children were able to take photos with Santa and share their Christmas wish lists at the Molino Library Thursday evening. From dolls, to monster trucks s to basketballs and footballs, Santa heard a variety of wishes.
What do you want for Christmas?” Santa asked little girl.
“Toys!” she exclaimed.
“That’s a really good thing,” Santa replied. “I make those.”
A one of Santa’s favorite wishes?
“I want a dog bone for my dog,” one little boy said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Aggie Ronnie Douglas Named New Head Coach At Milton
December 20, 2024
Former Tate Aggies football head coach Ronnie Douglas has been named the new head coach for the Milton Panthers.
“With a proven track record of revitalizing struggling football programs, Coach Douglas is poised to bring a new era of success to Milton High School,” the school said Thursday.
Douglas has resigned from Tate in 2015 and after two seasons as head football coach to spend more time on his carwash business. He led the Aggies on two trips to the playoffs in his two seasons with a 8-3 record in his first season and a 9-3 record in his second season. The back-to-back play off appearances were the first for the Tate Aggies since the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Before Douglas, the Aggies won a four total games during three seasons.
He took over the Pine Forest High School football program in 2020 before resigning in 2022. He was 28-8 over three seasons at Pine Forest.
“Coach Douglas arrives with a wealth of experience, having previously turned around multiple underperforming teams into competitive powerhouses,” Milton High said in a press release. “His strategic vision, dedication to player development, and commitment to building winning cultures make him an exceptional choice for Milton High School. With a focus on strong fundamentals, teamwork, and community engagement, Coach Douglas is set to inspire both players and fans alike. We are excited to welcome Coach Ronnie Douglas to the Panther family. His impressive history of transforming football programs is exactly what we need as we look to elevate our program to new heights. We believe that Coach Douglas will not only drive our athletes to excel on the field but also help them grow as individuals off the field.”
Milton High was 0-10 this past season and is a combined 6-24 since 2022.
FloridaHighSchoolFootball.com also named Douglas as the All-Panhandle Coach of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS CORE Program Marks 200th Opioid Recovery Patient
December 20, 2024
Escambia County EMS has reach a milestone in in its Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort program. The CORE program has successfully assisted its 200th patient in its mission to combat the opioid crisis and provide comprehensive care to individuals battling opioid addiction.
CORE is a state-funded addiction recovery program that expanded to Escambia County in late 2022, with the county accepting its first CORE patient in February 2023.
Since its inception, the CORE program has worked to offer personalized, non-judgmental support to individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. This program focuses on providing immediate medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery support to help patients through the recovery process.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 200th patient milestone, which represents the dedication and compassion of our EMS team and the resilience of the individuals we serve,” said Joey Kerman, Supervisor of Escambia County EMS CORE program. “This accomplishment highlights the success of our Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort, and we are committed to continuing this vital work to ensure that those struggling with addiction receive the support they need to reclaim their lives.”
The CORE program combines EMS response with community resources, including addiction counseling, mental health support, and recovery services, to give patients the tools and services they need to overcome addiction. By intervening at critical moments and connecting individuals with resources, CORE aims to help to break the cycle of addiction and offers a pathway to recovery.
“I’m incredibly proud of our CORE team for reaching this milestone and continuing to help so many individuals in our community who are struggling with opioid addiction,” Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “The opioid crisis is impacting our community and many others across the nation, but through this program, lives are truly being changed for the better in Escambia County.”
The CORE program is made possible by community partnerships including Community Health Northwest Florida and Lakeview Center.
“We believe in the power of community, and CORE is not just about emergency response, but also about providing long-term care and support,” Kerman said. “This milestone of 200 patients helped reflects the collective efforts of our EMS team, local partners, and the community as a whole.”
For more information about the CORE program, please MyEscambia.com/CORE, or contact CORE at (850) 477-HELP or (850) 377-4965.
Here’s Your Sign: Century Approves New $35,000 Electronic Message Center
December 19, 2024
The Town of Century is purchasing a new $35,000 sign to be placed outside the town hall and library.
The town council voted this week to approve the purchase from Plastic Arts Signs in Pensacola for the new sign, which includes an electronic message center. According to an agenda item by Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., the sign will “enhance community visibility and branding” with a more modern design than the town’s current brick and non-functioning electronic sign. The existing brick sign will be removed.
Gomez said the town has been in discussions with the West Florida Public Libraries, a system owned and operated by Escambia County, about potential cost sharing for the sign. The county nor the library system have yet approved any funding for the project.
Century received a second quote on the project from Built Rite Signs for $68,000.
In the town council’s agenda pack, council members received the conceptual image below. However, the agenda nor Gomez were clear which company provided the design image.
Early last month, the town spent over $11,000 for parking lot sealant, striping and parking lot signage (such as handicap signs, not the roadside marquee sign) replacement.
The parking lot project and the sign will be funded with American Rescue Plan funds.
Pictured top: Signage outside the Century Town Hall and Escambia County’s library as seen Tuesday night. The electronic sign has not functioned in a long time. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Collect 14,540 Pounds Of Food For Manna
December 19, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools collected 14,540 pounds of food — the equivalent of 16,837 meals — for Manna Food Pantries.
The food was collected during the district’s holiday food drive to feed neighbors in need in the winter months, when donations tend to slow.
Escambia County Public Schools, through donations of food and funds over the years, has provided more than 190,000 meals for neighbors in need.
Pictured: Students at Jim Allen Elementary school contributed a pallet of food to the Escambia County Public Schools 14,540 pounds of food for Manna Food Pantries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Active Duty Marine Charged With Murder Of Missing Escambia County Woman
December 19, 2024
An active duty U.S. Marine has been charged with murdering a woman missing from Escambia County whose body was found Wednesday in Mobile, Alabama.
Willie Richard Ellington, a 20-year old active duty marine serving on NAS Pensacola is charged with first degree murder and possession of child pornography. He was arrested in Opelika, Alabama.
Last Saturday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing person, 26-year-old Tshey Ronaie Bennett, who was last seen December 13 in the 300 block of Plantation Road. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, investigators have been working the case as a potential homicide.
Bennett’s body was located Wednesday in a pond located in an abandoned neighborhood in Mobile.
Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Tshey Bennett was working as an escort and had met the suspect at the Sweet Dreams Inn at the time of her disappearance,” the ECSO said.