Escambia Sheriff’s TAC Team Dismantled
April 25, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office TAC Team has been dismantled.
The TAC team often worked with the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force to arrest felony suspects, and the group targeted high crime areas of the county.
According to Sheriff David Morgan, members of the TAC team were reassigned to areas that included patrol and investigations.
“In the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s continuing efforts to improve our process it has been determined that it is statistically not feasible to maintain the TAC team. Due to critical shortages in Patrol and Investigations, these officers will be reassigned,” Morgan said in a prepared statement.
Driver Wraps Truck Around Utility Pole In Beulah
April 25, 2014
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident Thursday evening on Beulah Road.
The accident was reported near the intersection of Peartree Drive about 7:18 p.m. The driver of a pickup truck lost control and struck a utility pole. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the driver’s name, have not yet been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this crash on Beulah Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Beat Chiles In Regional Play
April 25, 2014
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Tallahassee Chiles 7-3 Thursday night in regional softball playoff action. With the win, the Lady Aggies advanced to the Region 1-7A semifinals on Tuesday as they host Navarre.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Timothy Dunsford.
Florida Senate Approves Higher Speed Limits
April 25, 2014
The Senate approved a measure Thursday that could increase the posted speed to 75 mph on certain stretches of state roads, where motorists would be allowed to push the lead to 80 mph with little fear of getting a ticket.
Despite concerns expressed by some lawmakers about safety and the potential impact on tourists and seniors, senators voted 27-11 to support the measure (SB 392), which directs the Florida Department of Transportation to determine whether to increase the minimum and maximum speed limits on all divided highways that have at least four lanes.
“We’re not talking about raising the speed limits to 90 (mph) or 95, we’re talking about the potential to raise the speed limit a mere 5 miles per hour,” said Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat who sponsored the bill. “I would suggest to you, ladies and gentlemen, that 5 miles per hour clearly is not going to cause any difference in safety of our constituents in the state of Florida.”
But Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, argued that allowing speeds to be increased could become problematic for many of the state’s seniors and tourists who aren’t used to the higher speeds.
“Slow down, Senate,” Joyner said. “Let’s not increase the speed. This is a safety issue. The faster you go, the more lives are in peril, and you don’t get there but maybe 10 seconds, or more, faster than the person driving the speed limit.”
The Senate action could put the pedal to the metal on the House companion (HB 761), which has yet to appear on the floor since clearing the second of its two scheduled committee appearances on April 11.
The result of the transportation studies could be that Florida joins Maine and 16 western states is posting maximum speeds at 75 mph or higher.
The 75 mph limit is a speed many motorists already drive on the highway, as Florida law allows for a warning to those traveling less than 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said increasing the maximum and minimum speed limit will only “encourage all drivers to drive faster, whether they want to or not.”
“We’re a tourist state and we want people to slow down and not speed up,” Gibson said. “Just because we can increase the speeds in certain areas doesn’t mean we should.”
St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, the other sponsor of the bill, defended the proposal as simply allowing state engineers to determine the safe speeds on rural stretches of roads.
The bill could eventually allow state transportation officials to increase speed limits on Florida’s “limited access highways” to 75 mph and raise the maximum posted limits on divided four-lane highways in sparsely-populated rural areas from 65 mph to 70 mph. The transportation department could hike speeds to 60 mph on other roads they deem safe. And the agency would also have the authority to set minimum speeds on certain highways.
The proposal, opposed by AAA, was not requested by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad.
Prasad has said his agency would only conduct the speed studies in select areas where conditions may warrant an increase.
Florida’s highways have had a 70 mph maximum since 1996, the last time the speed limit was reviewed.
In other states, higher speed limits have resulted in more deaths from speeding accidents because drivers’ reaction times are reduced, and the severity of injuries is intensified, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
West Florida Jaguars Claim District 1-4A Title Over Catholic
April 25, 2014
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Catholic Crusaders Thursday night to claim the District 1-4A championship.
West Florida (14-12) earned home field advantage, hosting Taylor County at 6 p.m. next Thursday, while Catholic will hit the road to play Tallahassee Godby at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Region 1-4A quarterfinals.
Ashton Linton pitched the win for the Jaguars, allowing two runs, seven hits and striking out one in seven innings at the plate.
For West Florida: Joey Baker 2-3, RBI; Dakota Milstead 1-4, RBI; R.J. Lewis 2-2, double, run; Chad Simmons 1-4; Kyle Harrison 1-4; James Antoine 1-4; Branson McCombs 1-3; Nick Henderson 1-3, 2 runs.
Reader submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Chipley Downs Northview For District 3-1A Title
April 25, 2014
Chipley took the District 3-1A baseball title Thursday night with a 6-2 win over the Northview Chiefs.
The Chiefs are still alive headed into the regionals, but the loss will cost them the home field advantage as they hit the road next Thursday against a to be announced team.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Drop Third Straight
April 25, 2014
A sellout crowd turned out at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Thursday night as the Blue Wahoos honored two-time Master’s champ Bubba Watson. Once the celebration was short lived as the Blue Wahoos dropped the first game of the series 11-9 to the visiting Mississippi Braves. The Wahoos (8-13) had a season-high five errors, which led to six unearned runs for the Braves (8-13).
RHP Carlos Contreras started for the Wahoos but had to leave the game due to an injury after just 1.2 innings of work. RHP Mikey O’Brien (0-2) came on in relief of Contreras and pitched 2.0 innings while allowing 5 R/3ER. RHP Brooks Pinckard made his first appearance with the Blue Wahoos this season and pitched 1.1 innings in relief.
Left fielder Donald Lutz led the way for the Wahoos. Lutz went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and two doubles. Lutz’s fifth home run of the season tied teammate Rey Navarro for the league lead. Brian Anderson hit his third home run of the season just two batters after Lutz in the bottom of the sixth. Travis Mattair continued his hot streak with a 2-for-5 night with two RBI and a double. Yorman Rodriguez extended his hit-streak to nine games, which is a team best this season. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Friday at PapaJohns.com.
Braves’ RHP Ryan Weber got the surprise start Thursday evening and went just 2.0 innings while giving up eight hits and 5 R/ER. John Cornely (2-0) pitched well and earned the win in relief for the Braves; he went 3.2 innings and gave up 2 R/ER with four strikeouts. RHP Shae Simmons earned his fifth save of the season and struck out five batters through 2.0 innings.
Emerson Landoni and Elmer Reyes had two RBI each for the Braves. Seth Loman had a 4-for-6 night with a couple of doubles. Former Wahoo Matt Kennelly went 0-for-1 but had four walks and scored two runs.
The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Corcino (1-2, 4.35) to the mound on Friday. The Braves will send Major League rehabber Mike Minor (0-1, 13.50) to the bump to oppose Corcino.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured top and bottom: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost to the Mississippi Braves Thursday. Pictured inset: The first pitch was tossed by two-time Master’s champ Bubba Watson. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Close Call: Range Rover Vs. 18-Wheeler
April 24, 2014
It was an extremely close call for a driver just outside Flomaton Thursday morning.
Exact details on how the accident happened have not yet been released, but the driver’s side of a Range Rover came to rest under the trailer of an 18-wheeler. There were only minor injuries in the accident at Fannie Road and Highway 31.
The accident remains under investigation.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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No Injuries In Highway 29 Rollover Accident
April 24, 2014
There were no injuries reported in a single vehicle rollover accident about 6:30 Thursday morning on Highway 29 near Quintette Road. The pickup truck involved came to rest on its side in the median of Highway 29. Photo byRamona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overall Crime Down In Escambia, Across Florida
April 24, 2014
New data released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows overall crime down in Escambia County and Florida’s crime rate at the lowest point in decades.
Florida’s crime rate dropped 4.7 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, putting Florida at a 43-year crime low. In Escambia County, overall crime was down 6.1 percent during the year.
Murders were up from 22 in 2012 to 26 in 2013, and motor vehicle thefts also increased in Escambia County, according to the FDLE data. All other major crime categories — forcible rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and larcenies — saw a decrease from 2012 to 2013.
The Escambia County data includes crimes investigated not only the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but also the Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police, Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies.
Across Florida, the total number of crimes fell 3.8 percent from last year which translates into 27,380 fewer crimes in 2013. The number of violent crimes was also down 2.4 percent.Murder is down 3.9 percent, forcible sex offenses and robbery each declined 2.8 percent and aggravated assault is down 2.1 percent.
“Today we have more good news for families. Even while Florida’s population grows, the total number of crimes continues to drop, which is a testament to our brave men and women who serve in our communities each and every day. Florida is now at a 43-year crime low. Our lower crime rate means that not only are our families and communities safer, but Florida is in a better position to create more opportunities for Floridians. This drop in crime shows everyone that Florida really is the best place to raise a family,” Gov. Rick Scott said.