One Person Rescued; Dog Killed In Ensley RV Fire
February 2, 2024
A resident was rescued but a dog died in a travel trailer fire Thursday in Ensley.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a mobile home structure fire at the 10 block of East Hood Drive about 5:40 a.m.
The travel trailer was about half involved in fire when they arrived. ECFR firefighters were able to rescue one patient who was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A dog was found deceased inside the structure, ECFR said.
The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes. The travel trailer was a total loss, but nearby structures were saved.
The Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
February 2, 2024
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for December. They are Synoma Perea and Carson Hindsman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Developer Revises $20 Million Offer For OLF-8 Property
February 2, 2024
Escambia County has received a revised non-binding offer for a portion of the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
The offer revises a previously received Letter of Intent (LOI) from Beulah Town Center, LLC.
The offered price remains the same at $20 million for 290 of the approximately 500 acres. The original offer received from Beulah Town Center partner Fred Hemmer last November was for 375 acres with additional options totaling up to an additional $12 million.
The revision:
- Reduces the due diligence time period from 12 months to 10.
- Increases the refundable deposit from $100,000 to $150,000
- Removes parcel 3 out of the options.
If the county does not develop light industrial properties as planned, Beulah Town Center is offering $3 million for 55 additional acres after four years and another $4 million for another 50 acres six years later.
Bratt Students Enjoy Pensacola Opera’s Little Red Riding Hood’s Most Unusual Day
February 2, 2024
Little Red Riding Hood is having a most unusual day.
Third and forth graders at Bratt Elementary School were able to enjoy a special performance Thursday from the Pensacola Opera.
Each season, the Pensacola Opera’s Jan Miller Studio Artists travel to over 40 schools and libraries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties performing a short opera production designed just for elementary age children.
There are three upcoming West Florida Library performance that are open to the public:
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
With Recent Rains, Our Drought Is Over (But Some Areas Are Abnormally Dry)
February 2, 2024
For several months, the entire area was in a drought. But with recent rains, only a small part of the North Escambia.com area is considered to be out of a drought but still abnormally dry.
The Walnut Hill, Davisville, Nokomis and Bratt areas in Escambia County in Florida, and most of Escambia County in Alabama were considered abnormally dry in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor issued this week. A week ago, the areas were considered to be in a moderate drought and in an extreme drought back in October 2023.
There is a 90% chance of more rain Saturday night and Sunday. Click here for the forest.
Man, 74, Gets 40 Years For Shotgun Slaying Of His 64-Year Old Companion In McDavid
February 1, 2024
A McDavid man has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison for the March 2022 murder of his live-in companion.
Frankie Milton Wilson, 74, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of the second degree murder of 64-year old Sonja Burch. Forty years was the minimum mandatory sentence.
The shooting happened at their home on Worley Road off Mystic Springs Road where they lived together as a couple but were not married. Burch was pronounced deceased with a single gunshot wound to the chest.
ECSO deputies arrived to find Burch deceased in the kitchen of the home and Wilson standing outside.
Wilson asked deputies to look at injuries to him caused by the victim. He showed deputies an obviously old superficial scratch on his stomach and another superficial scratch on his left arm, which was bandaged and blooded. He told deputies that the two injuries were from being attacked by Burch with a butter knife in the days prior to the murder.
A search warrant was executed at the home. Deputies recovered a .410 shotgun from Wilson’s room but did not locate a butter knife near Burch.
“Due to not locating the alleged butter knife, it is reasonable to believe that (the victim) was unarmed at the time she was shot by Frank Wilson,” an arrest report states.
Wilson made statements indicating that he “snapped” and shot the victim out of anger and complications with his blood pressure, according to the report.
One Person Seriously Injured In Quintette House Fire
February 1, 2024
One person was seriously injured in a house fire late Wednesday night in the Quintette community.
The fire in the 2600 block of North Highway 95A near Quintette Road was reported at 11:43 p.m. Ten units from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded with the first on scene reporting heavy fire on the front of the home.
One person was discovered inside the home and was rescued, according to ECFR. The injured individual was airlifted to the hospital by LifeFlight. An update on their condition was not available.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson.
Photosfor NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 5 Incumbent Kevin Stephens Pre-Files To Seek Reelection
February 1, 2024
Incumbent Kevin Stephens pre-filed Wednesday for District 5 ECUA board member as a Republican.
Stephens has served one term after defeating Larry Walker in 2020. Walker served on the ECUA board for nearly three decades – from 1988 to 2000 and 2004 to 2020.
Pictured: ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens speaks during a 2023 town hall in Cantonment hosted by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Officials Say ‘Gun’ Found At Bratt Elementary Was Just A Fake Or Toy
February 1, 2024
Officials say a ‘gun’ found last week at Bratt Elementary School was just a fake or toy.
“There was an Airsoft gun found,” Cody Strother, spokesperson for Escambia County Public Schools said Wednesday. “No danger to students or faculty.”
An Airsoft gun is generally considered a toy pellet gun, commonly shooting plastic spheres propelled by compressed air or springs.
“As a precaution, law enforcement was notified and responded to the student’s home for a safety/welfare check,” Strother said in a text message.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded and said it was determined to be a “fake gun”.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Reminder: Community Career, College And Job Fair Thursday Evening At Tate High School
February 1, 2024
A career, college, and job fair will be held Thursday evening at Tate High School.
The event will be held from 5:30 until 7:15 p.m. in the Fryman Gym.
Tate High School students, families and community members are encouraged to attend. Over 40 companies, colleges, and training programs are scheduled to attend and provide information about employment and training.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
