Escambia Woman Charged In Double Fatal Crash
February 4, 2023
A 19-year old Escambia County woman was arrested Friday in connection with a double-fatal head-on wreck in January 2022.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Sara Nicole Hudson, 19, is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of driving with a suspended license causing death and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
FHP said Hudson was traveling on Sorrento Road on January 16, 2022, when she crossed into the incoming lane at a high rate of speed. She crashed into a 2002 Toyota Tundra driven by Deborah Lee Winslett of Milton. Winslett and Hudson’s passenger, Christopher Lee Mills of Pensacola, were both killed.
Hudson’s bond was set at $230,000.
Photos: Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ Tate High School
February 4, 2023
The Tate High School Drama Department’s presented the Disney’s The Little Mermaid Thursday through Saturday nights.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Rollover Crash Discovered Friday Morning
February 3, 2023
There was no immediate word on any injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash discovered Friday morning in Molino.
The vehicle was found with no one around on Highway 95A near Cantering Hills Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WaWa Coming To Nine Mile Road In Beulah, Also Highway 98
February 3, 2023
Wawa convenience stores are coming to Beulah and one other Escambia County location, and there are plans for additional stores.
At a preview event Thursday, Wawa announced locations for West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road and on HIghway 98 at North Blue Angel Parkway. Construction is planned for this year.
Wawa said there are three or four additional locations in Escambia County still under consideration, with a goal of 6-10 locations by 2025.
Last April, Wawa announced they were actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
In 2022, Wawa marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and opened its 250th store in Florida last year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County
February 3, 2023
Thursday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced $144 million in rewards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities, including over $3 million in projects for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Speaking in Milton, DeSantis announced:
- Town of Jay; Fidelis, Berrydale, Cobbtown, and Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, ($2,363,937) — to deploy 103.7 miles of new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 791 unserved locations within Santa Rosa County with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The funds will go to a Charter Communications project.
- Escambia County ($802,489) — to deploy 24.8 miles on new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 206 unserved locations within Escambia County with minimum download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.
“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”
“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education, and healthcare. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded today will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the Governor’s vision for a connected economy.”
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities.
Benefit To Help Daughter Of Escambia Deputy Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver
February 3, 2023
A fundraiser and benefit concert will be held later this month for the family of an Escambia County deputy killed by an alleged drunk driver last October.
Off-duty Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment was killed in the crash that seriously injured his 15-year old daughter Lauren on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida. Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He has been assigned to courthouse security for over 10 years.
The benefit will begin at 1 p.m. on February 25 at the AmVets FL Post 292 on Dog Track Road in Pensacola.
Proceeds will assist the family in offsetting the cost of long-term health care for Lauren Ray.
Call LeAnn (850) 554-7764 or Eddie Namyslowski at (901) 690-5638 for more information.
$1.7 Million Replacement Of Dawson Road Bridge Begins
February 3, 2023
A $1.7 million bridge replacement project on Dawson Road just south of Century is now underway.
The Florida Department of Transportation will pick up about $1.2 million of the cost, while Escambia County will be responsible for the rest of the cost for the bridge over Pritchett Mill Creek.
The current county-owned wooden-support bridge was constructed in 1965. It will be replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project will also include replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The bridge work is being coordinated with utility companies due to a 3-inch water main and a 3/4 inch Town of Century gas main.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop
February 3, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of fleeing from deputies attempting a traffic stop.
Skyler Anthony Kauffman, 19, was charged with fleeing and eluding.
A deputy tried to stop Kauffman on Pensacola Boulevard near Walmart for no tag on his Dodge Challenger. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Challenger made a u-turn, entered the Walmart parking lot and accelerated to a high rate of speed, according to an arrest report. The deputy discontinued the attempted traffic stop.
A few minutes later, deputies located his Dodge Challenger with front end damage in a ditch on 9 1/2 Mile Road and Palafox Street. Kauffman was placed under arrest.
Kauffman remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,000.
New FPL Solar Farm In McDavid Is Now Online. It’s The Second Of Three In North Escambia.
February 2, 2023
The new Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday.
FPL brought nine other solar farms online Wednesday across the state, including the Blackwater River Solar Energy Center in Santa Rosa County.
The new First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads, has more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with a planned output of 75 megawatts — enough to power about 15,000 homes. It is the second of three FPL solar farms in North Escambia.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March. It produces enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is planned for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will also generate about 75 megawatts. At last report, construction was expected to commence in the summer.
Pictured: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Left Her Elderly Father Alone With No Food Or Water For Days, ECSO Says
February 2, 2023
A Flomaton woman is charged with leaving her elderly father alone in an unkept home near McDavid with no access to food or water for days.
Tiffany June Quebedeaux, 40, was charged with felony neglect of an elderly person.
The sheriff’s office said the 82-year old man was found on a dirty mattress in the bedroom of his trailer on North Pine Barren Road after a family friend contacted authorities.
“I observed the residence to be falling apart,” a responding Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy wrote in his report. “I observed multiple holes in the floor, some being large enough to fall through. I observed multiple pieces of fruits and vegetables around the kitchen all containing mold. I observed cooking pots with food left inside that were covered in mold. I observed dirty clothes and trash to be all over the floor throughout the trailer.”
“I observed (the victim) to have multiple injuries to his arms and to have extremely outgrown nails and hair,” the report continued. The victim’s “bedroom was also covered in dirty clothes and trash. I also detected a strong odor of rotten food and body odor throughout the residence”
The victim told deputies that had been lying in the same spot in bed for four to five days. He stated that Quebedeaux was responsible for his care, but he had not seen her for about five days when she left with his wallet and cellphone, the arrest report states.
The victim said he was forced to fall out of bed and crawl on the floor to the kitchen for food and water. He said he had no way to pay for anything or call for help.
The deputy noted that there was no fresh or edible food or any water in the area around the victim. There were no walking aides or phones the victim could use to call EMS or use to get himself to the bathroom, according to the report.
A 5-gallon bucket was left for the victim, and it was about half full of urine and feces, the report continues. The deputy noted there was no concrete evidence that Quebedeaux took the wallet or money, but the investigation is continuing.
The Florida Department of Children and Families was also contacted, and the state agency has opened an investigation, according to the ECSO.
Deputies were unsuccessful to contact Quebedeaux by phone or at a residence on Creamer Road, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was released Wednesday night on a $2,500 bond