Escambia Fire Rescue Lieutenant Terrell Jackson, 38, Passes Away
January 10, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue is mourning the passing of Lt. Terrell Jackson. He passed away after experiencing a medical emergency on Monday. He was 38-years old.
Lt. Jackson began his career with ECFR as a volunteer firefighter in 2007 with the Ferry Pass Volunteer Fire Department. On July 18, 2013, Jackson became a fulltime firefighter. As a career firefighter, he demonstrated a dedicated work ethic and compassion that led to his promotion to lieutenant on October 2, 2021.
As a lieutenant, Jackson continued to show his dedication and passion for the job as he mentored firefighters and worked as the company officer on several different assignments. He has been described as a “firefighter’s firefighter” and has always led through his actions.
“Lt. Jackson has been a long-time member of the ECFR family and not only served his community but also served his country,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “I pray that his family, friends, and brother and sister firefighters can find peace in knowing his legacy and memory will live on.”
“Lt. Jackson was the truest definition of a public servant as a Navy veteran and a firefighter,” said Fire Chief Jason Catrambone. “His life was one of a servant to all around him. He will be remembered and missed.”
Escambia County Fire Rescue is asking everyone to keep his family and the fire department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
No Serious Injuries When Highway 97 Driver Crashes Head-on Into Tree
January 10, 2023
There were no serious injuries in a rollover crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 near Davisville.
The driver was northbound on Highway 97 when she lost control about 3:30 p.m. near Highway 4. Her vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree head-on, and overturned onto its side.
She was transported by Atmore Ambulance to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Updated: Man Wanted After Allegedly Fleeing From High Speed Chase
January 10, 2023
Authorities are looking for a local man following a high speed chase Sunday afternoon.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office said 34-year old George Logan Tollison led their deputies on a high speed pursuit from Alabama into Escambia County, Florida, on Sunday, but he managed to get away.
“During the pursuit, Tollison had no regard for the safety of the public nor the deputies,” BCSO said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a tip that Tollison was driving a red Ford F150 pickup truck, and that he had outstanding warrants from Baldwin County, Alabama. According to ECSO, deputies located Tollison outside the truck on Schaag Road. He jumped into the truck and fled, with deputies giving chase toward Highway 196.
“He was driving at an extremely high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic,” ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis said. Deputies called off the chase in the interest of public safety.
Lewis said an arrest warrant for fleeing and eluding has been issued for Tollison in Escambia County, and he is wanted on a probation violation and grand theft. Baldwin County has warrants for Tollison on attempting to elude charges.
BCSO said Tollison is known to frequent Molino, Clear Springs in Baldwin County and the Peterman area in Monroe County, Alabama.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 937-0202, or their local law enforcement agency.
Suspect George Logan Tollison is pictured in a late 2020 mugshot.
Pamela Trice Named Bratt Elementary School’s Teacher Of The Year
January 10, 2023
Pamela Trice was named the Bratt Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She teaches first grade.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Established Foreign Manufacturing Company Set To Visit Century This Week To Discuss Building Lease
January 10, 2023
A 50-year old foreign company with established American customers is expected to visit Century this week in advance of negotiating a lease on a town-owned building in the industrial park.
We first reported last week about the company that is looking to set up their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry.
Company officials will be in Century this week to meet individually with each town council member and look at any potential upgrades to the 40,000 square foot building. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The building has sat empty since then.
According to the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, the company plans to hire five people initially, with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola area. The company hopes to begin warehouse operations by the end of February with a forthcoming expansion into manufacturing.
Last week, the town council voted 3-1 to allow the mayor to negotiate a lease, subject to final council approval. The company is offering a lease amount equal to a recent appraisal — $94,000 annually or $7,833 monthly — with the company paying for insurance, taxes and maintenance with a minimum five-year term.
Council President Luis Gomez, Jr. voted and spoke out against the idea, saying the number of jobs was “nothing for the town of Century”, saying the town should not negotiate with “somebody who comes in here under the cover of night” and “under the cover of a backroom deal negotiated by somebody else”.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FPL Donates $10K To Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
January 10, 2023
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment has received a $10,000 donation from Florida Power & Light through its charitable arm, NextEra Energy Foundation.
The donation will be used to promote environmental education to students and teachers in the Escambia County Public Schools. This includes elementary students, teacher training, clubs such as FFA, Science Honor Society, and others.
The funds from this donation will allow the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center to build new standards-based curriculum, enhance current standards-based programs, identify and remove invasive plants, provide habitat restoration, as well as improve current exhibits.
Through participation in these programs, students will explore the environment, come to understand environmental issues, and engage in problem solving, which will ultimately help them to develop a better understanding of environmental issues.
Buffalo Rock To Bring Up To 400 New Jobs To Santa Rosa County
January 10, 2023
Iconic beverage company Buffalo Rock will purchase 47 acres to build a new distribution facility at Santa Rosa County’s Northwest Florida Industrial Park @I-10.
The project is expected to bring 350-400 new jobs to the area – 150-200 that will be created here, and 200 that will be relocated here from other areas.
Buffalo Rock is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama where 85% of its products are manufactured. The company sells more than a billion containers of product each year.
“This is a very exciting time for our team, and a testament to our longstanding commitment to the region,” said Buffalo Rock Regional Vice President – Gulf Region John Isbell. “The retail landscape is growing, and this investment will position us to better meet demand. Additionally, our employee-partners will experience a first-class workplace with modern amenities. We recognize their positive experience is vital in best serving our customers, and the environment in which they work plays a significant role.”
“I’m excited to see that Buffalo Rock is making such a big investment in Santa Rosa County,” said Colten Wright, chairman of the Santa Rosa County Commission, who leads the board’s economic development efforts. “They will be the anchor and flagship company of our I-10 Industrial Park. Buffalo Rock bringing nearly 400 employees at wages higher than our area average, means they believe in Santa Rosa County and understand all that we have to offer. They will likely be the first of many companies flocking to our area.”
Groundbreaking on the project is expected in May 2023.
No Injuries Reported In Semi, Pickup Crash On Highway 95A
January 9, 2023
There were no injuries reported in a Monday afternoon crash involving a semi-truck and a king cab pickup truck.
The crash happened about 1:50 p.m. on Highway 95A, just south of East Roberts Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Wanted For Causing Highway 97 Wreck, Robbing Victim At Gunpoint
January 9, 2023
Authorities have identified a suspect that caused a wreck and then robbed a victim at gunpoint on Highway 97 in Davisville about two weeks ago.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 45-year Edward Jerome Butler Jr. followed a vehicle and caused a traffic crash in the 11000 block of Highway 97, near the Piggly Wiggly, just before 6 p.m. on December 27. After the wreck, deputies say Butler robbed the victim at gunpoint taking cash, a firearm, and other property from the victim and the victim’s vehicle. Butler then used the victim’s credit/debit card to withdraw money.
Butler is wanted for battery, aggravated assault, larceny, grand theft of a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and fraud (illegal use of a credit card). Butler is considered armed and dangerous, according to the ECSO.
He was seen driving the white sedan pictured during the armed robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Editor’s note: The mugshot above of Edward Jerome Butler Jr. is from a 2017 arrest.
The Air We Breathe: Escambia Fire Turns To High Tech Equipment, Wireless Alerts During Sulfur Plant Fire
January 9, 2023
While a fire burned at an Atmore sulfur plant Friday, a hazardous materials team and other resources from Escambia County (Florida) Fire Rescue responded.
Light winds pushed the smoke plume to the south, toward Florida.
Escambia, Florida, firefighters used specialized equipment to test the air quality in Florida south of the Tiger Sul plant, which is located in Atmore Industrial Park about 1.5 miles north of the Alabama-Florida state line. There were no problems found.
According to Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins, Florida residents within five miles received an emergency alert on their cell phones. The alert advised of the situation, but there was no shelter in place order issued.
The alerts were sent using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) program created by FEMA. IPAWS allows federal, state or local authorities to send geographically-targeted wireless emergency alerts (WEA) — much like amber alerts and tornado warnings sent to phones.
ECFR’s monitoring equipment was also used on-site at the plant fire and in Alabama near the fire. Once the fire was under control, there were no significant dangerous gasses detected.
RELATED STORY: Fire Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant; Florida Residents Alerted
Pictured: An Escambia County (Florida) Fire Rescue hazardous materials team stagged at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville, just yards from Atmore, during a sulfur plant fire Friday. They used specialized equipment to test the air quality. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
