ECUA Issues Boil Water Notice For Chemstrand Road Area
March 15, 2023
Due to a broken eight-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of the Chemstrand Road area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Chemstrand Rd. (Address Range: 8695-9131)
- Topeka Rd. (Address Range: 207-295)
- Kaylyn Rd. (Address Range: 211-293)
- Lost Oak Dr. (Address Range: 8914-8916)
- Barker St. (Address Range: 205 – 421)
- Crum Ave. (Address Range: 343 – 347)
- Sabrina Dr. (Address Range: 101-126)
- Polo Terrace (Address Range: 120-198)
- Derby Ln. (Address Range: 8803-8843)
The water main was broken by nearby construction activities, according to ECUA.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice 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 This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.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 crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, 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.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Century Looks For $13 Million To Renovate Old CHS Gym, Fix Bridges
March 14, 2023
Century is looking to seek $10 million to renovate an old gym and $3 million for bridge and drainage repairs.
The town is eligible to apply for state funding for the projects.
A $10 million grant award would be used to renovate or rebuild the old Century High School gymnasium for use as a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. Century High closed over 25 years ago; the 16,500 square foot building was constructed in 1960.
The town will also seek $3 million to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The funding, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding. through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
The town is currently soliciting public comment on the proposed projects by email to Kristina Wood at kwood@centuryflorida.us or by calling Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.The deadline is March 20. At 7 p.m. on March 21, a public hearing will be held at Century Town Hall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Deputies, No Driver’s License
March 14, 2023
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly failing to stop for deputies.
X’Zavian Mikel Davis, 21, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding from law enforcement and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle without a license.
According to an arrest report, deputies witnessed Davis failed to completely stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Erress Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Davis continued without stopping and accelerated away at a high rate of speed on Montclair Road, the report continues. Deputies called off the traffic stop.
Another deputy reported seeing three people run the vehicle as it later turned into a driveway on Sante Fe Circle, and all were taken into custody.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a vacuum sealed bag containing 272 grams of marijuana was inside the vehicle. Davis was not charged in connection with marijuana.
Davis was released from jail on a $11,000 bond.
ECSO Accepting Applications For Next Sheriff’s Blazer Academy
March 14, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will begin hosting the next Sheriff’s Blazer Academy in May.
The Sheriff’s Blazer Academy will immerse young men ages 13-15 in an environment that will provide mentoring and instruction on many topics such as courtesy, responsibility, empowerment, and respect. Each two-hour session will include roleplaying scenarios designed to develop the interpersonal skills and confidence building necessary for them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The Academy will provide dinner each night, transportation if needed, dress attire fitted to each student and a graduation ceremony.
The Sheriff’s Blazer Academy will accept 25 students per session, and completed applications should be sent to Delarian Wiggins at dcwiggins@escambiaso.com.
The Sheriff’s Office previously held an academy for young women.
Escambia Unemployment Rates Increases Slightly
March 14, 2023
The Escambia County unemployment increased slightly last month, according to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Florida’s unemployment rate of 2.6% remained lower than the national average for the 27th consecutive month, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The area unemployment rate increased to 2.7 percent over the year in January 2023, up 0.2 percentage point from 2.5 percent reported in December 2022. The area labor force increased by 4,740 over the year, a 2.0 percent increase.
The industry gaining the most jobs over the year locally was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
“Florida is number one in net migration, tourism, and new business formations because we have bucked the elites and forged our own path forward towards success,” said DeSantis. “We will continue to prioritize policies that support Florida families as they continue to face persistent inflation and national economic headwinds.”
FCA Presents Spirit Of Champions Awards For Cheerleading, Dance
March 14, 2023
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Spirit of Champions” awards for cheerleading and dance were presented recently. The winners were:.
Cheerleading
- Central — Brooklyn Martin
- East Hill — Abby Seelman
- Escambia — Leah Smith
- Gulf Breeze — Eleanor Caldwell
- Jay — Briana Dunsford
- Northview — Maggie Godwin
- Pensacola High — Jakheria Kelser
- Pensacola Catholic — Anna Petro
- Tate — Paige McKinney
- Washington — Laila Rose
- West Florida Tech — Envy Hunter
Dance
- Gulf Breeze — Priscilla Haradon
Tate Aggies Beat Norman North (OK) In Day One Of Aggies Classic
March 14, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat Norman North (OK) 5-1 on the first day of the Aggie Classic.
Drew Reaves allowed three hits and one run, striking out 13, in seven innings.
Brayden Touchstone Touchstone had a homer in the third inning, going 3-4 at the plate to lead the Aggies.
Tuesday,Tate will play Santa Fe South (OK) at 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Quintette, Stacey Roads
March 14, 2023
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded the afternoon of March 16 after a bacteriological survey showed the water is safe to drink.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for all of Quintette Road and a portion of Stacey Road.
According to the water utility, Florida Power & Light damaged a six-inch water main on Stacey Road. Residents in the area will experience a brief disruption of water service until the repair is complete.
The boil water notice includes Quintette Road, and all residents on Stacey Road to Quintette Lane going east just past Highway 95A, and all of Stacey Road to St. Matthews Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. For more information, customers should call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Witnesses Say Molino Wedding Reception Stabbing Victim Was The Aggressor, ECSO Report States
March 13, 2023
Multiple witnesses told authorities that a stabbing victim at a Molino wedding reception was the aggressor, and one man has been charged with the stabbing.
Deputies arrived to find the adult victim bleeding profusely on a bus parked in front of the private event venue in the 4300 block of Crabtree Church Road.
The victim, described as a man in his 60s, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after the incident just after 8 p.m.
Harold Alfonso Ramos-Feliz (pictured), age 53 of Ocala, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon on a $15,000 bond.
When Ramos-Feliz was taken into custody, he had a black folding knife with blood residue in his possession, according to the ECSO.
Witnesses told deputies that the victim was being aggressive toward Ramos-Feliz and other guests. The victim was being restrained by other guests and directed to the parking lot, according to an arrest report.
One witness told deputies he saw the victim causing problems with other guests when the victim approached him and punched him twice in the face. The man said he did not know the victim or know why he was attacked. He stated that he did not require medical attention and did not wish to pursue charges.
The owner of the wedding venue told deputies that the victim was causing problems with multiple guests. She said the victim “made threats that he has killed people and could kill someone as he is with the CIA”, an ECSO report states, and she demanded that he leave the property. She said the victim was then escorted outside by several of his relatives at which time the altercation with Ramos-Feliz and the stabbing occurred.
Ramos-Feliz’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report provided by the State Attorney’s Office.
The victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with serious injuries. An update on his condition was not available Monday.
Cold Case Symposium To Revisit Four Escambia Murders
March 13, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will hold a two-day cold case symposium this week as they seek to solve four murders, three of which are North Escambia related.
Anna Louise Brown, 38, was found dead on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino on April 30, 2017 (pictured above and inset). Brown, 38, was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered face down by the roadway. Investigators believe the murder was not a random act of violence, and they believe Brown knew the person that killed her. No suspect has been named by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home on January 2, 1981. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood. Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area where Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning in an area near Booker Street. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
Connie Annette Slaughter, 43, was found dead in the backyard of her home in the 400 block of East 10 Mile Road on the morning of December 10, 2010. She had been strangled to death.
Steven R. Davis was shot at a Winn Dixie at 400 North Navy Boulevard during the early morning hours of August 26, 1998. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his head and two to his back.
The symposium, to be held March 15-16, will enlist the expertise of retired certified law enforcement detectives in the area.
“We have a number of retired deputies and law enforcement professionals who have offered their expertise in the past,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “We look to take advantage of the years of experience these veteran law enforcement professionals bring. Just because someone is retired, doesn’t mean they have lost their experience and intuition. We hope that our current cold case investigators combined with volunteer experienced retirees can help close these cases and bring closure to the families.”
The ECSO considers a case to be cold when all leads have been exhausted without establishing probable cause for an arrest.
Anyone with information on any of the cases is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above: The body of Anna Louise Brown was found here on Gibson Road in Molino on April 30, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
