Flomaton Police Department’s K-9 Boo Passes Away
February 4, 2023
Flomaton Police Department’s K-9 Boo passed away Friday.
Boo was rushed to an emergency veterinarian after suffering sudden health complications. She passed away with her handler and family by her side.
K-9 Boo was a National Narcotic Detector Dog Association certified narcotics dog who also excelled in human tracking, according to Police Chief Johnny Wilson. She served with the Flomaton Police Department for over 2 years with her K-9 Handler Cpl. Charles Land, recording many successful narcotic seizures leading to dozens of arrests, and had many successful tracks.
“Hero’s don’t die, especially ones like Boo. She was loved by many, and will live on eternalized in the hearts of others,” Land wrote in a tribute. “I appreciate you all the for the kind texts and calls. K9 Boo was the best partner anyone could have and there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t know that. For over two years we patrolled and protected the town of Flomaton and never once did she hesitate to collar up and jump into the patrol car, no matter the hour or what we had going on she was always ready to ride. She was many things, a hero, a consequence, a friend, a partner, but most of all she was family, MY family. There wasn’t a day that went by that she was not loved unconditionally.
“K9 Boo, EOW 02/03/2023. You have earned your wings sweet girl. You can can rest easy now, I have it from here.”
“Thank you for your faithful, and dedicated service to the Flomaton Police Department K9 Boo, You will be missed by many,” Wilson said.
Fire, Explosion With Partial Collapse At Fortis Institute
February 4, 2023
An explosion tore through the Fortis Institute on East Olive Road at North 9th Avenue Friday afternoon.
The explosion was reported about 1:40 p.m. and left the building with partial collapse and a small fire. Multiple windows were also shattered.
Four patients were evaluated, but none were transported by Escambia County EMS.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the incident.
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.