Driver Receives Minor Injuries When Truck Rolls Over On Highway 29
June 30, 2023
One person received minor injuries in a crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The driver was northbound on Highway 29 just south of Bogia Road when he apparently lost control, over-corrected and struck a guardrail. The vehicle rolled over, struck a utility pole and caught fire.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Convicted Sex Offender Found Guilty On Federal Charges For Viewing Child Porn At His Business
June 30, 2023
A convicted sex offender has been convicted on federal charges for viewing child porn on a smart TV.
Following a three day trial, 58-year old Frank Paul Knight was found guilty of receiving and possessing images and videos of child pornography. Sentencing is currently set for September 25 at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Based on his prior child pornography convictions, Knight faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 40 years.
“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they no longer have the opportunity to exploit any child again. Due to their efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”
Between October 1, 2018, and October 12, 2022, Knight received, and attempted to receive, material containing child pornography. Also, between September 1, 2021, and October 12, 2022, Knight possessed, and attempted to possess, material containing child pornography. Knight is a previously convicted federal sex offender for similar crimes spanning 2002 – 2009. He served over six years in federal prison for those crimes but was released in 2015.
On October 5, 2022, one of the U.S. probation officers who was supervising Knight conducted a random check at Knight’s place of business and discovered electronic devices that had not been reported by Knight to his supervising officer.
On October 11, 2022, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the United States Probation Office seized additional electronic devices at Knight’s location that he also had not reported.
At that time, a smart TV was located in Knight’s personal living area within the business, which consisted of a small living room area and a connected bedroom. All the accounts on the Smart TV were logged in under Knight’s name and email address, and the browser history revealed child pornography websites had been recently accessed.
Investigators interviewed six of Knight’s employees. All of them stated they knew about Knight’s personal space, but none of them used the space or the television.
The electronic devices that were seized were analyzed by forensics examiners with the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous images and videos of child pornography were located on multiple seized devices. The devices all contained Knight’s login information, email accounts, credit card accounts, photographs, and other identifying information belonging to Knight. The devices also contained browser history searches and link files for child pornography dating back to 2018.
“This convicted felon once again showed no respect for the law by possessing child sexual abuse materials while on probation,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Thanks to the vigilance of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Probations Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, this repeat offender will now be behind bars, making our communities safer for our children.”
Escambia Man Gets Just Over 10 Years For Killing His Mother
June 30, 2023
A 19-year old Escambia County man has been sentenced to just over 10 years in state prison for killing his mother in April 2022.
David Allan Ohlson, 19, was originally charged with second degree murder. He took a plea deal, pleading no contest to manslaughter and was sentenced by Judge John Simon to 124.5 months with credit for 446 days served.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Princeton Drive for an “accidental shooting”, but they discovered it was actually a domestic incident.
Ohlson’s mother was found with a shotgun wound to her abdomen. She was transported to an area hospital where she later died.
Ohlson’s father told deputies he received a call from the woman around 12:30 a.m. saying Ohlson was acting out and “made mention of a gun,” according to an arrest report. The father said he arrived at the home a short time later and found Ohlson sitting cross-legged on the floor with a shotgun.
According to the report, Ohlson raised the gun and pointed it at the father before pointing it at his mother. The father said Ohlson then pulled the trigger and dropped the gun. The father picked it up, “secured it inside of his truck” and called 911.
Updated: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion Of East Kingsfield Road Area
June 30, 2023
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted on Sunday, July 2.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by ECUA for a portion of the East Kingsfield Road area after repairs were made to a broken eight-inch water main.
The notice is for the following area:
- East Kingsfield Rd., from Dueling Oaks Drive east to the end of Kingsfield Road
- Clear Creek Drive
- Sussex Lane
- Wakefield Drive
- Wakefield Lane
- Tecumseh Place
- Tecumseh Court
- Tecumseh Trail
- Wicker Hill Place
PWBNs are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure or concerns, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs. There was no loss of pressure and all sample results showed chlorine residuals within normal ranges.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA staff resolved the issue at the well and have flushed out the lines. Residents within the PBWN area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of residual discolored water as a result of the flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Incumbent District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry Pre-files To Seek Reelection
June 30, 2023
Incumbent Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry pre-filed Thursday to seek reelection.
“I am excited to seek reelection for Escambia County Commissioner, District 5. I understand the faith and confidence my friends, neighbors and constituents have placed in me by allowing me to represent them on the Board of Escambia County Commissioners,” Barry said.
“I’m truly proud of the unprecedented county financial resources that have been invested in District 5 in recent years. I will continue to work hard to keep the positive momentum we currently have, and I vow to keep projects moving in the right direction for the betterment of our community.”
Steven Barry is an independent certified financial planner and has operated his small business in District 5 for over 20 years. He and his wife Ellen are the proud parents of 7-year old Sloane and 3-year old Jack.
Monteverde Carves Up Biscuits In 9-1 Win
June 30, 2023
Patrick Monteverde earned his league-leading eighth win of the season on Thursday night, stifling the Montgomery Biscuits over 7.0 dominant innings in a 9-1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos victory.
Monteverde (W, 8-1) allowed only an unearned run on four singles as the lefty, bound for the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle next weekend, lowered his ERA to a league-best 1.93. In 26.0 innings against Montgomery this season, Monteverde has struck out 34 batters and allowed only one earned run.
After the Pensacola offense struggled through four hitless innings, Victor Mesa Jr. broke the ice with a three-run double against Victor Muñoz (L, 6-4) in the top of the fifth. The Blue Wahoos then put together five hits and six runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by run-scoring singles from Will Banfield, Norel González, Dalvy Rosario and Nasim Nuñez, as well as another RBI double from Mesa.
Montgomery’s lone run came in the fifth on an infield single, missed catch error and a double play grounder. Monteverde completed 7.0 innings for the fourth time in his career, and the third time already this season.
Zach McCambley and Jefry Yan combined to work the final two innings of relief for Pensacola, recording six outs without allowing a hit.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday
written by Erik Bremer
Deputies Seek Information On Suspect In Carver Park Shooting
June 29, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to identify a suspect in connection with a shooting last month at Carver Park.
Three people were shot and wounded during a “May Day” gathering the night of May 27 at the park on Webb Street in Cantonment.
Thursday afternoon, the ECSO released these photos of an individual seen walking in the park “with an AR style rifle”.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The shootings were reported in the area of Carver Park on Webb Street where a suspect opened fire into a crowd, striking the victims.
Hundreds of people had gathered that Saturday night in the area of the park and in the area of Muscogee Road and Highway 29 during the “May Day” event, according to witnesses. The ECSO said they estimated about 2,000 people were in attendance.
Highway 4 Bridge Set To Close July 10 For Replacement; 330 Day Detour Planned
June 29, 2023
Work is expected to begin next month to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, about halfway between Byrneville and Bratt, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. A detour is set to start Monday, July 10 and be in place for nearly a year.
The state budget included $3,837,105 to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A 330-day detour is planned from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The county said the road closure will reduce construction time and costs, minimize the purchase of rights-of-way or construction easements, and will minimize wetland impacts.
The portion of Highway 4 to be closed is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A smaller Highway 4 bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Fire Chief Submits Resignation
June 29, 2023
Escambia County Fire Chief Jason Catrambone has submitted his resignation.
Officials say he provided a 90-day notice in a resignation letter, but gave no real reason for his decision.
Catrambone took over the ECFR chief job on June 14, 2021, after previously serving as the fire chief for the City of Williston, North Dakota.
Escambia County is expected to next name an interim fire chief before beginning the search for permanent replacemen.
Update: What Pensacola Police Said Led To An Officer Fatally Shooting A Man In Cantonment
June 29, 2023
An officer-involved shooting is under investigation in Cantonment.
The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. on Durant Lane near South Highway 97, just north of West Kingsfield Road.
A Pensacola Police Police Department officer was investigating a hit and run accident about 2:30 p.m. at Ninth Avenue and Wright Street in the city. Police learned that the vehicle that fled the scene may have been at the home on Durant Lane in Cantonment.
“The officer went to the house and was confronted by a male individual in front of the home. Words were exchanged and a fight began between the male and the officer,” PPD PIO Mike Wood Said. “The officer fired his duty weapon and struck the man. The officer immediately called for an ambulance and additional officers.”
The man was pronounced deceased in or near the driveway in front of the home. The officer received minor injuries during the fight and was treated at a hospital.
For more photos, click or tap here.
As is standard procedure in officer involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall said, “This is an active investigation, and the Pensacola Police Department is cooperating with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office”. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves added “Any incident that results in the loss of life is something we take very seriously. I have complete confidence in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, and I know our Pensacola Police Department is fully cooperating to help ensure a thorough investigation can be completed.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies assisted at the scene following the shooting but were not involved in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
