Escambia County Mourns Cantonment Man Killed In Tree-Cutting Accident
March 1, 2024
Escambia County has identified the Public Works employee killed in a trimming accident as 58-year-old David Owen of Cantonment.
Owen had worked for Escambia County for nearly 25 years.
“David Owe is the type of guy you’re never going to replace,” said his supervisor, Randy Brasch. “There’s not another David Owen out there. They don’t make them like him anymore.”
The accident happened about 9 a.m. at Detroit Boulevard and Cove Avenue. The crew member was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Deputies discovered that county workers were cutting a tree when the tree swung and struck the boom arm,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “This knocked a 59-year-old male employee from the bucket to the ground. He was pronounced deceased by EMS.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that no harness or helmet was being worn during the accident, according to investigators.
Owen was an Equipment Operator III for Escambia County’s Public Works Department, a job he took great pride in, according to those who worked with him every day. The county said he would often arrive at work as early as 3:30 a.m. to ensure that he had time to enjoy his morning coffee and get ready for the workday, including starting up his coworkers’ computers and making sure their vehicles and keys were ready to go.
Owen had served as an equipment operator with the county since he was hired in April 1999.
“David would help anybody,” Brasch said. “Everybody in Cantonment probably knew David Owen and his black GMC truck. If David had $10 in his pocket and you needed $10, he would give it to you. He had a big heart. David would do without to help others.”
Floyd Heist worked alongside Owen for more than 20 years as an Equipment Operator IV, where they spent most days together cutting and trimming trees, driving around the county completing work orders, and just talking about the highs and lows of life as they worked.
“David and I were together 99% of the time,” Heist said. “We were like brothers.”
Just like brothers, Heist said they gave each other a hard time over little things – whether it was Owen’s small frame, cold-natured tendencies, obsession with tinkering with old trucks, or his daily breakfast of honey roasted peanuts, a Little Debbie snack cake, and a Code Red Mountain Dew.
Heist said he and Owen built a mutual trust and strong friendship over the years, and he wouldn’t have traded Owen as his partner for anyone else.
“He was a good friend,” Heist said. “He would take his shirt right off his back and give it to anybody.”
Owen had a keen eye and an incredible memory when it came to trees, Heist said, and he would often file away trees or potentially problematic limbs in his “Rolodex” to be addressed as needed.
“That man could spot trees on his day off, and when we didn’t have work orders, we would go back and he would remember them,” Heist said. “He’d be driving down the road and see a tree and file it away.”
As an extremely hard worker who loved his job, Heist said Owen hated rainy days that slowed down their work. He would get bored easily, never wanting to take a break or have a slow day.
“He was a worker that wanted to work 24/7, because cutting trees was what he enjoyed doing,” Heist said.
When he wasn’t working, Owen enjoyed tinkering with old trucks, often visiting the junkyard on the weekends to get parts for his next project. Owen also loved spending time with his grandchildren and family, especially his mother, who he visited daily.
“David Owen is already incredibly missed by his Escambia County family, and we join his family and loved ones in mourning and remembering what a special person he was,” County Administrator Wes Moreno said. “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragic loss, and we will continue to support our employees who were close to David as we grieve together. David was a special person who will be remembered fondly for many years to come.”
A visitation for David Owen will be held Thursday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to noon at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, 1985 W. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola, followed by a funeral service from noon to 1 p.m. An interment will occur from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Century Man Arrested Twice In The Same Day Tased, Charged With Resisting, Battery On Deputy
March 1, 2024
A Century man arrested twice in te same day for driving as a habitual traffic offender has also been charged with resisting and battery on an Escambia County deputy.
Christopher Angelo Phifer, 52, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning on charges of driving with a suspended license and failure to register a motor vehicle. He was released from jail on a $650 bond at 5:17 p.m.
At about 7:42 p.m. Wednesday, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy in a marked vehicle spotted Phifer driving a Ford Ranger on Pond Street in Century without a tag — the same vehicle as involved in the morning incident. The deputy conducted a traffic stop.
As the deputy attempted to detain Phifer, he pulled away from the deputy and pushed him away, according to an arrest report. The deputy took Phifer to the ground, but he escaped and ran westbound on Pond Street. The deputy gave loud verbal commands to stop before using his Taser on Phifer. He was placed under arrest without further incident.
The report states no illegal items were found when the Ranger was searched.
Phifer was booked back into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night, this time without bond. Phifer was charged with driving as a habitual offender, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
The Night The Lights Went Out In Bratt: Northview Varsity Postponed, JV Defeats JUB
March 1, 2024
On the night the lights went out in Bratt, the Northview junior varsity Chiefs defeated J.U. Blacksher of Uriah, Alabama, 15-1 and the varsity game was postponed due to a lighting failure.
Varsity (Postponed)
J.U. Blacksher was up 3-2 over the Northview Chiefs in the first inning Thursday night in Bratt when the lights went out for an unknown reason. The game was postponed when no one was able to get the field lights back on.
Jackson Bridges pitched that first inning for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and three runs while striking out two and walking one.
Grayden Sheffield and Wyatt Scruggs both recorded hits for the Chiefs.
Northview 15, J.U. Blacksher 1 (JV)
The Northview junior varsity chiefs beat J.U. Blacksher 15-1 on a chilly afternoon in Bratt.
For more JV photos, click or tap here.
Gabe Harrison earned the win for Northview JV, giving up no hits and one run in four innings, striking out nine and walking one.
Harrison and Strawbridge had two hits and two RBIs each for the JV Chiefs. Nate Jones went 1-1 with three RBIs. Luke Chavers, and Tyler Gilmore both added a hit.
Pictured: Northview JV beat J.U. Blacksher 15-1 on a chilly afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hope Linton Named Byrneville Elementary School Teacher of the Year
March 1, 2024
Hope Linton has been named the Byrneville Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Pace 8-6
March 1, 2024
Tate 8, Pace 6 (Varsity)
The Tate Aggies defeated Pace 8-6 Thursday night at Tate.
Zane Warrington earned the Aggies’ win on the mound, giving up three hits and four runs in four innings while striking out one and walking one. Gabe Patterson started for Tate, surrendering one hit and two runs in three innings, striking out seven and walking three.
Conner Hassell went 3-4 with 2 RBIs for Tate. Madox Land, Bray Touchstone, Clif Quiggins, and Nate Ozuna each added a hit. Ozuna was 1-3 on the night with three RBIs.una each added a hit. Ozuna was 1-3 pm the night with three RBIs.
Tate improved to 3-0 on the young season while Pace dropped to 0-4.
Up next, Tate will travel to Navarre on March 5.
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Both Defeat Escambia 7-0
March 1, 2024
Tate 7, Escambia 0 (Boys)
Tate 7, Escambia 0 (Girls)
Tate High School boys and girls tennis teams both defeated the Escambia Gators 7-0 Thursday afternoon
Up next, Tate will be at Washington on March 5.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Students Create Winning Bookmarks For Literacy Week
March 1, 2024
Every good book needs a good bookmark.
The students at Jim Allen Elementary created bookmarks during a Literacy Week contest, and those judged the best in the school were printed. Every student at Jim Allen received one to take home.
For more photos of the winners and the winning bookmarks, click here.
The winere were:
- Isabella Ortiz-Johnson – 1st grade
- Cataleena Holdener – 2nd grade
- Jayce Austin – 3rd grade
- Dylann Benjamin – 3rd grade
- Aubrey Moore – 3rd grade
- Aspen Neels – 3rd grade
- Abigail Webster – 3rd grade
- Lizzie Garrison – 4th grade
- Paisley Hurley – 4th grade
- Kyson Beck – 5th grade
- Phillip Dockery – 5th grade
- Lillian Floyd – 5th grade
- Kelsey Nance – 5th grade
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Resdinded For Quintette Road
February 29, 2024
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded Saturday morning, March 2.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Quintette Road from Stacey Road west to Highway 29 and south to 1985 Highway 29.
Scheduled system upgrades took place along Quintette Road that resulted in a disruption of water service.
Therefore, as a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative, bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility at (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
Search Underway For Escaped Prisoner
February 29, 2024
A search is underway for an escaped inmate in Escambia County.
Florida Department of Corrections inmate Korey Robert Culver, 32, Pensacola Community Release Center facility on L Street about 3:48 a.m. Wednesday.
He is wanted for battery on a law enforcement officer and escaping, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said.
FDC records show Culver was serving a year sentence out of Okaloosa County for robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
ECSO: Deputies Located Drugs And Deer Carcass After Traffic Stop Of Cantonment Man
February 29, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after deputies determined he had drugs and a deer carcass following a traffic stop, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Leonard Van Kirksey, 49, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, knowingly driving with a suspended license, and possession of a freshly harvested deer during closed season.
An Escambia County deputy pulled Kirksey over on Memphis Avenue after a records check on the vehicle tag indicated Kirksey has no driver’s license.
AN ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, according to an arrest report. A subsequent search located a broken glass pipe, a grinder with marijuana, methamphetamine and a fresh deer carcass and a crossbow, the report continues.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission responded to take possession of the deer carcass and crossbow.
Kirksey was released from jail on a $7,000 bond.