A Look At Safety Concerns About Highway 29, Highway 196 Intersection
June 13, 2024
Safety concerns are once again being raised after another serious crash Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino.
In the past 10 years, there have been 66 crashes at or near the intersection, according to data provided to NorthEscambia.com by the Florida Highway Patrol. Of those, three were fatal and three more left individuals with incapacitating injuries. There were 17 other injuries and 32 people were not injured. FHP said alcohol contributed to three of the wrecks.
Tuesday’s crash injured a 17-year-old teen and a 50-year-old, but they are expected to be okay. Details have not been released by troopers as their investigation continues.
On January 26 of this year, 17-year-old Tate High School student Bradley Ellertson died when a semi-truck and a Kia Soul collided at the intersection. FHP said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year-old female from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she ran the stop sign at Highway 29 and collided with the oncoming semi-truck.
Overall control of safety measures at the intersection falls with the Florida Department of Transportation due to Highway 29. However, Highway 196 is a county road.
“There have been a number of serious accidents,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said.
Barry said the January crash that killed Ellertson prompted him and the county to ask FDOT to evaluate the intersection for any safety improvements, including any need for a traffic light. He said previous state studies have shown a traffic light was not appropriate.
In the meantime, Barry said the county will install flashing LED lights on the Highway 196 stop signs to improve driver attention. Barry has coordinated the installation of additional lighting with Florida Power & Light, and those lights are expected to be installed in mid to late July after delayed materials are delivered.
“The county is working with our partners to do everything under our control to improve safety at the intersection,” the commissioner added.
Pictured top: Data shows the crashes at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino over the last 10 years. Also pictured: A Tuesday crash at the intersection. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Library To Close During Community Center Renovation
June 13, 2024
The Jay Library will be closed beginning Monday, June 17, due to the Linda Carden Community Center renovation.
The summer reading program will continue to take place at Jay City Hall. All other programs are cancelled until further notice.
A library van will be in the Jay City Hall parking lot from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. New books as well as patron holds will be available for pick up during that time. Patrons who need access to a computer are encouraged to visit the Milton or Pace Libraries.
File photo.
Century Woman Charged With Defrauding Credit Union Of More Than $79,000
June 13, 2024
A Century woman is accused of defrauding a credit union of over $79,000.
Kymberlee Kay Victor, 24, was charged with felony fraud and felony grand theft.
Victor allegedly made multiple transfers from an account at Wells Fargo to Gulf Winds Credit Union beginning in February’s 2024. After the first transfers of just under $10,000 each, Gulf Winds reached out to Victor for verbal verification and she told them she was purchasing a vehicle, according to an arrest report. Multiple additional transfers just under $10,000 each were not flagged by the Gulf Winds system due to the activity being consistent with the same device always signing in, the report continues.
Beginning in March, transfers were returned due to a stop payment and closed account, the ECSO said.
Victor received a total of $89,000 from 10 transfer deposits to Gulf Windss, and the funds were spent through debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and cash withdrawals at different Gulf Winds branches, the arrest report states. Investigators said Gulf Winds provided video surveillance of Victor’s cash withdrawals at their branches.
Gulf Winds told investigators that she made a total of $89,329 in deposits, withdrawing $79,309.75 for the account, which was the total loss to the credit union.
The ECSO report notes that shortly after the transactions, Victor posted on a GoFundMe page asking for financial assistance following a house fire, claiming that she lost her home and everything in it.
Escambia County Fire Rescue determined the fire started a nearby shed before spreading and causing heavy damage to a mobile home on White’s Lane (pictured below). ECFR said the shed was a total loss, and the mobile home will need extensive repairs. Victor has not been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the fire.
Victor was released Thursday night Escambia County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Candidates That Qualified On Wednesday To Run In 2024
June 13, 2024
Candidate qualifying continues Wednesday.
Several candidates also qualified on Monday and Tuesday. Qualifying for the 2024 Primary and General Elections will run until Noon, Friday, June 14, 2024.
The following local candidates had qualified for the 2024 ballot in Escambia County on Wednesday.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections – (Partisan)
- Robert Bender (REP)
Escambia County Tax Collector – (Partisan)
- Scott Lunsford (REP)
Escambia County Clerk of Court – (Partisan)
- Pam Childers (REP)
Escambia County Sheriff – (Partisan)
- Chip W. Simmons (REP)
Escambia County Commissioner – (Partisan)
- District 1 – Steven Stroberger (REP)
- District 1 – Jeff Bergosh (REP)
- District 4 – Ashlee Hofberger (REP)
- District 4 – Ron Helms (DEM)
- District 4 – Buck Mitchell (REP)
- District 5 – Steven Barry (REP)
Emerald Coast Utility Authority – (Partisan)
- District 1 – Vicki Campbell (REP)
- District 1 – Jim Faxlanger (REP)
- District 3 – Chase “Andy” Romagnano (DEM)
- District 3 – Larry Williams (DEM)
Escambia County School Board – (Nonpartisan)
- District 4 – Carissa Bergosh
- District 4 – Brian Ranelli
- District 5 – Thomas Harrell
- District 5 – Joshua Luther
- District 5 – Jim “Andy” Taylor
Pensacola City Council – (Nonpartisan)
- District 1 – Jennifer M. Brahier
- District 1 – Edward “Phil” Nickinson IV
- District 3 – Casey Jones
- District 7 – Delarian Wiggins
Late Rally Not Enough As Wahoos Fall 4-3 To Barons
June 13, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, falling 4-3 to the Birmingham Barons.
The Blue Wahoos didn’t manage a baserunner from the third inning until the ninth, as Barons starter Tyler Schweitzer (W, 1-0) was dominant in his Double-A debut. Paul McIntosh drew Pensacola to within a run with a ninth-inning two-run homer, but Jacob Berry’s double was left aboard as the late rally came up short.
Pending the results of Wednesday night’s game between the Montgomery Biscuits and Chattanooga Lookouts, the Blue Wahoos are tied with the Biscuits in the first half South Division race with 10 games to play.
The Blue Wahoos strung together singles from Berry and Nathan Martorella in the second inning to mount a rally. Though they didn’t cash in with a run-scoring hit, Berry crossed the plate on a wild pitch to take a 1-0 lead.
Evan Fitterer worked in and out of trouble in his start for the Blue Wahoos, tying a career high with nine strikeouts over 5.0 solid innings. The Barons left six men in scoring position against Fitterer, who allowed an RBI double to Jacob Gonzalez in the fifth and departed in a 1-1 tie game.
Zach McCambley (L, 0-1) worked a perfect sixth inning of relief, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Two leadoff walks started the inning, and a McIntosh passed ball allowed Alsander Womack to score the go-ahead run. RBI singles from Gonzalez and Brooks Baldwin gave Birmingham a 4-1 lead.
McIntosh homered in the ninth to mark Pensacola’s first hit since the second inning. Berry followed with a one-out double, but Eric Adler (S, 2) retired both Martorella and Cody Morissette with the tying run at second to finish off Birmingham’s 4-3 victory.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Thursday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Recognizes Outgoing President Craig Exner
June 13, 2024
This week, the Barrineau Park Historical Society recognized outgoing president Craig Exner.
Exner was the group’s president for the last 14 years and served for a total of 24 years.
He was presented with an award by club member Don Dixon, Jr.
Exner said that it was a labor of love to be able to serve in such a worthwhile organization. He will still be active but as newly elected president Lynn Welch leads the historical society.
Photos: Incoming Northview Seniors Paint Their Parking Spaces
June 13, 2024
Members of the Northview High School Class of 2025 had a chance to paint and personalize their parking spaces Tuesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Multiple People Injured In Highway 196, Highway 29 Crash
June 12, 2024
Multiple people were injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday evening near Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash involving a 2002 Honda driving by a 17-year-old male and a 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 50-year old male happened just before 7 p.m. at Highway 196 and Highway 29. Both vehicles came to rest on HIghway 196 with the car upright and the pickup truck on its side.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Present $25K From Strike Out Cancer Game, Surpassing $200,000 For The Fight Against Cancer
June 12, 2024
The Tate Lady Aggies softball team presented a check for over $25,000 to the American Cancer Society on Tuesday.
The Lady Aggies, along with the West Florida Lady Jaguars, raised the $25,185.28 during the 2024 Strike Out Cancer Game hosted by Tate last spring.
For a Strike Out Cancer photo gallery fro April 2024, click here.
The first year, they raised $2,550 and didn’t know if they would ever beat that mark.
Now 14 years later, the game has now raised over $200,000 for cancer awareness and research.
Also Tuesday, the Lady Aggies took on Navarre in summer softball action. Click here for more.
Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Large Quantity Of Drugs, Contraband Found Near Century Prison; Investigation Underway
June 12, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a duffle type bag containing a large quantity of drugs and other contraband was discovered near the Century prison on Monday.
According to the ECSO, the bag was found along a roadway off Century Correctional Institution property during a routine perimeter sweep by a CCI team.
The sheriff’s office said the bag contained 548 grams of methamphetamine, 172 grams of marijuana, 100 Suboxone strips, 22 cellphones, 14 cellphone SIM cards, and other tobacco products.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.