FHP Pursuit Ends With Six-Vehicle Crash, Two Arrests
September 23, 2024
Two suspects were arrested on multiple charges after a Florida Highway Patrol pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into five other vehicles Saturday afternoon.
The crash occurred on North 12th Avenue south of East Jordan Street about 2:15 p.m. in Escambia County.
FHP said a Blue Nissan Altima was fleeing from a traffic stop when it collided with five other vehicles and other property. There were no serious injuries in the crash.
The driver, 25-year-old Antione Lamar Smith (pictured bottom right) was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and trafficking in fentanyl. The passenger, 21-year-old Tariq Jameel Watson (pictured bottom left) was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and trafficking in fentanyl.
Smith remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Watson was jailed with bond set at $57,500.
This was one of two FHP pursuits that ended in a traffic crash over the weekend in Escambia County. Click here for details on the other incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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September 23, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway) Pensacola Seafood Festival from Tarragona Street to 9th Avenue – Motorists will encounter a road closure starting 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 through 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 for the Pensacola Seafood Festival.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Sept. 22:
- The I-10 eastbound on-ramp detour at the U.S. 29 interchange has been rescheduled to open the week of Sept. 22 and will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- Sunday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 26, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction– Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Tuesday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 26, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary detour.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 is shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through fall 2024. Signs are in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Brent Lane and West Scott Street, Sunday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) Coring Operations at North 12th Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 23 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for coring operations.
- U.S. 90 Routine Maintenance from North Baylen Street to North Spring Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole rehabilitation.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to County Road (C.R.) 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept. 27 as crews install rumble strips and place thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Sept. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Sept. 22, through Friday, Sept. 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Tuesday In Walnut Hill
September 23, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in in Walnut Hill on Tuesday.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the Walnut Hill Community Center on September 24 from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the “Ruritan Building”, is at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the fire department.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center on June 11. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady as Oil Prices Rise
September 23, 2024
Florida gas prices averaged $3.13 per gallon on Sunday, according to AAA. The state average increased 6 cents at the beginning of the week, then sank back down to $3.13 by the weekend.
“Crude oil and gasoline futures rose last week, cooling off the downward trend of prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price gains are being attributed to optimism that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut would boost the global economy and energy demand.”
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.84. The low price in North Escambia was $2.69 at several gas stations in Cantonment, while $2.67 could be found on Burgess Road in Pensacola along with $2.69 at multiple locations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Chase Ends With Crash And Arrest
September 23, 2024
A Florida Highway Patrol chase Sunday in Escambia County ended with a crash and an arrest.
Dante Jamon Walker, 24, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and no driver’s license.
An FHP trooper was conducting traffic enforcement on Fairfield Drive in the area of Stanford Road when he observed a black Jeep Wagoneer operating in reckless manner. The trooper activated his emergency equipment in order to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.
FHP said Walker rapidly accelerated and fled from the trooper. The pursuit continued for a short distance until Walker crashed into an oak tree estimated to be 100 years old on Cherokee Trail. He was taken into custody uninjured without further incident.
A passenger fled on foot and had not been located as of Sunday night.
This was one of two FHP pursuits that ended in a traffic crash over the weekend in Escambia County. Click here for details on the other incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supervisor of Elections: Century Charter Changes Will Remain On November Ballot
September 22, 2024
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office is moving forward with vote-by-mail and sample ballots with Town of Century charter amendment questions for voters that live in the town limits.
As we previously reported, the Century Town Council Tuesday night gave final approval to three charter amendments for the November 5, 2024, general election ballot. The town submitted the charter questions to be placed on the ballot without a final approval, and the ballots were printed.
The town council gave first approval in July to the three ordinances to place the items on the ballot, but did not give a secord required approval until September 17 — nearly a month after emailing the ballot questions to the SOE office.
Bender requested final, signed copies of the ordinance setting the ballot amendments after they received a second approval at a town council meeting he attended last Tuesday night.
“The language in the ordinances did match what was previously submitted and placed on the ballot,” Bender said Friday afternoon. “The charter questions will remain on the ballot for voters in the Town of Century.”
He noted that his office did make some minor changes to the required Spanish language version of the ballot questions. “We did make some changes to accents and a few words, but the English version remained the same.”
What are the three chanter questions on the ballot?
The exact ballot questions for voters were not actually approved Tuesday night.
The SOE face a deadline of September 21 to send vote-by-mail ballots to “Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act” (UOCAVA) voters, according to the Florida Division of Elections. But the Century precinct has no uniformed or overseas voters. The deadline period to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters is September 26, 2024 – October 3, 2024.
The ballot questions that were submitted without were as follows:
Question 1:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING FOR TOWN PURCHASING TO BE GOVERNED BY COUNCIL-APPROVED PURCHASING POLICIES
Amending the Town of Century Charter to remove specific bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditure requirements and procedures from the Charter, and provide that Town bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditures will be governed by Town ordinances, policies, and procedures adopted by the Town Council. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
Question 2:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT CONCERNING MAYOR’S EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY
Amending the Town of Century Charter to expand the Mayor’s powers to select, appoint, suspend, and remove town employees and appointive administrative officers, by limiting the requirement for Council approval of such actions solely to the selection, appointment, suspension, or removal of the Town Clerk, Town Attorney, and Town Manager. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
Question 3:
TOWN CHARTER CLEANUP AMENDMENT
Amending the Town of Century Charter to correct scriveners and codification errors, and to conform charter provisions to the requirements of the Florida Election Code. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
NorthEscambia.com will provide more coverage before the election on the specifics of each ballot question.
Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender and Chief Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel sit quietly in the back of the room at a Tuesday night Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Employee Of The Month
September 22, 2024
New for this year, Ernest Ward Middle School is now naming an employee of the month. The August Employee of the Month is Wesley Stafford, information technology. He is pictured left with the Ernest Ward August Students of the Month and Principal Tyvanna Boulanger. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School To Hold Junior Parent Night
September 22, 2024
Tate High School will be hosting a Junior Parent Night this week.
The event will be held Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This event is designed to provide parents and guardians of junior students with essential information regarding graduation requirements and upcoming opportunities.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
More Details Released: Cantonment Man Charged With Shooting His Brother In The Quintette Community
September 22, 2024
We are learning more about what deputies say happened during an incident last weekend that left one brother shot and another brother charged with attempted murder.
Horace Brown, Jr., was charged with attempted second degree murder and violating a domestic violence injunction by possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition following the incident reported around 1:50 p.m. in the 2800 block of Highway 95, just north of Quinette Road.
Shortly after the incident, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Brown claimed he shot his brother to intervene in an altercation where the brother was allegedly hitting their mother.
According to a recently released arrest report, Brown was in his recording studio, located in a shed in the backyard of the family’s mobile home. He told deputies that his brother has a history of mental issues that cause him to him to have violent outbursts. He told deputies that he heard his mother and brother in a loud altercation inside the resident.
“He ran into the residence and stated that his mother was being attacked and that he ‘boom boom boom boom’ indicating that he shot (the victim),” the ECSO report states. Brown refused to speak further without an attorney present.”
Investigators responded to Sacred Heart Hospital but were unable to speak to the victim because he was undergoing surgery.
The mother told deputies that both brothers are her children and all live together at the residence. She said that the victim became upset, and she told him to go outside to cool off, the report states, and she went outside onto the porch where he punched her in the face. After she was allegedly punched in the face, they went back inside the residence to the kitchen.
She said that a few minutes later, Brown entered the back door, pulled a firearm, and pointed it at the victim, according to investigators. The mother yelled several times for Brown not to shoot his brother before one shot was fired.
The mother stated that Brown “did not need to do that, and at no point was she in fear for her life due to the attack by (the victim)”, the report says. She stated, “that the initial battery between her and (the victim) was separate incident from when Brown, Jr. shot (the victim) as where was no continuation of the initial altercation.”
In 2005, Brown had been served with a permanent domestic violence injunction that contained a condition that he was never to possess firearms or ammunition.”
Investigators located two projectiles and one shell casing in the kitchen of the home.
Brown has entered a not guilty plea in the case through his public defender and is due back in court next month.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Underway For Tri-City Children’s Choir
September 22, 2024
Young singers in the Century, Jay, Flomaton, and surrounding areas in grades 1-6 are invited to join the Tri-City Children’s Choir, a program of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
Weekly rehearsals begin on October 10 from 4-5 p.m. at the First Pentecostal Church Century Campus at 8451 North Century Boulevard
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify, with rates as low as $25 per month.
To learn more and register, visit www.TriCityChoir.org or contact program director Holley Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Holly Driver has more than 15 years experience in music lessons, including piano. She grew up playing and singing at First Pentecostal Century and has taught in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years. She also served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years during which the choir grew under her direction and leadership.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
