Fire Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant; Florida Residents Alerted
January 6, 2023
Firefighters are battled a fire for hours Friday at an Atmore sulfur plant.
A warehouse building at Tiger-Sul Products on Highway 31 just west of the Atmore Country Club collapsed in the fire The building is was not the main plant.
No railroad tanker cars were involved in the blaze, but reports from the scene were that sulfur was burning and hot sulfur was flowing downhill away from the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Fire stations from the Atmore area responded, including Poarch Creek and Nokomis.
Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue responded with a hazardous materials team, and Escambia County, Florida, residents within five miles of the state line just south of the plant received an emergency alert via their cell phones about the fire. Florida residents were not advised to shelter in place at this time. Air monitoring equipment from Escambia County, Florida, was also used, and an ECFR hazardous materials response team staged at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Highway 31 in Atmore has since reopened.
NorthEcambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Winner Collects $57K For Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Cantonment
January 6, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket in Cantonment just before Christmas.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $51,638.17 in the December 23 drawing was claimed by James Donald Guilford of Cantonment. He bought the winning ticket at The Mill Bar and Package on Highway 29. Other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Sanford and Ocala.
The 269 tickets matching four numbers won $123.50 each. Another 8,732 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10.50 each, and 88,006 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The December 23 winning numbers were 4-15-23-24-29.
Escambia Receives Share Of $13 Million Auto Parts Price Fixing Settlement
January 6, 2023
Escambia County has received its share of Florida’s $13 million settlement in price fixing claims against major automotive parts manufacturers.
The county received $33,473.92 after the funds were divided between over 80 local governments affected by the companies’ practices.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said the funds came after an investigation of more than 60 manufacturers, including Hitachi, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric. The investigation into the companies’ conduct found evidence of the manufacturers fixing prices and rigging contract bids. As a result of the companies’ actions, public entities paid more for vehicles needed for public services, including police cruisers.
“These automotive parts manufacturers set high prices and rigged contract bids, causing local and our state governments to spend more for vehicles needed for essential public services, like police cruisers. I’m proud to announce the conclusion of our investigation into these companies’ conduct and secure more than $13 million for the entities around the state that were affected,” Moody said.
The investigation found evidence that the conduct of approximately 60 companies likely violated antitrust laws. The companies, including major suppliers of automotive parts, engaged in activities that increased the price of many items, including lamps, radiators, air conditioning systems and air bags. As a result of this conduct, Florida public entities paid more for the vehicles needed to perform necessary public services, like police cruisers.
According to Moody, companies investigated include: Aisan Industry Co., Aisin Seiki, Alpha Corporation, Alps, Autoliv, Bosch, Bridgestone Corp., Brose Schliebsysteme, Calsonic, Chiyoda, Continental, Corning International, Delphi, Denso, Diamond Electric, Eberspacher, Faurecia SA, Fujikura, Furukawa, G.S. Electech, Green Tokai, Hitachi, Hitachi Metals, Inoac, JTEKT Corp, Keihin, Kiekert AG, Koito Mfg, KYB, Lear, Leoni, MAHLE Behr GmbH, Maruyasu Industries Co., Meritor, Mikuni, Mitsuba Corp, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Ind., Nachi-Fujikoshi, NGK Insulators, NGK Spark Plug, Nippon Seiki, Nishikawa Rubber, NSK Ltd., NTN, Omron, Panasonic Corp., Sanden, Sanoh Industrial Co., Schaeffler, Showa Corp, SKF, Stanley Electric, Sumitomo, Sumitomo Riko, T.Rad, Tenneco, Tokai Rika Co., Toyo Denso, Toyo Tire & Rubber, Toyoda Gosei, TRW, Usui Kokusai Sangyo, Valeo Japan Co., Yamada, Yamashita Rubber and Yazaki.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Going Cashless For 2023
January 6, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Thursday that Blue Wahoos Stadium will join ballparks and stadiums across the nation as a cashless venue during the 2023 Minor League Baseball season and at all future team events at the ballpark.
The transition to cashless payments at Blue Wahoos Stadium brings the ballpark in alignment with Major League Baseball stadiums across the country, joining 29 MLB teams with cashless stadium experiences including Pensacola’s affiliate, the Miami Marlins.
“Blue Wahoos Stadium will join stadiums and ballparks across the country in transitioning to a cashless experience, creating a faster, more efficient, and more secure payment system for fans,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Being cashless will help cut down on lines at concessions and the box office by making transactions quicker and offer added security for fans.”
Credit, debit, and gift cards will be accepted at all locations inside Blue Wahoos Stadium including the box office, Bait & Tackle Team Store, and concessions. Select locations will also process mobile tap-to-pay payments. The StadiumDrop app will remain available to fans, allowing them to order food and beverages for delivery directly to their seat.
Fans with cash will be able to exchange it for a stadium gift card at the Bait & Tackle Shop and box office at the ballpark.
Opening day for the Blue Wahoos is April 7.
Man Charged After Shooting At Two Women Outside Bingo Hall, ECSO Says
January 5, 2023
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting at two women outside a bingo hall Wednesday night.
Lee David Wilkerson, 38, was standing outside of Bingo Paradise on Mobile Highway when two females tried to enter. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office became involved in an altercation at the entrance of the building. During the altercation, he retrieved a firearm from his side and hit one female victim in the head with it. He then began shooting in their direction and continued to fire into the parking lot as the victims fled, deputies said.
ECSO said Wilkerson then tossed the firearm in a nearby dumpster, but not his meth. As Wilkerson tried to enter the building, two citizens who had witnessed the altercation pulled their concealed weapons, holding Wilkerson until deputies arrived.
Wilkerson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, firing a weapon in public, use or display of a firearm during a felony, aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, and trafficking methamphetamine.
The firearm used was located by deputies in the nearby dumpster (pictured bottom).
Officials Urging Residents To Check FCC Broadband Map Accuracy At Their Location
January 5, 2023
Officials are encouraging residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to review a new FCC national broadband map to see if it is accurate for their location.
Residents in both counties are asked to submit challenges if they notice any inaccuracies such as location or available internet service providers listed for their location. Accurate information is important because the federal government will use the map to determine how much funding each county will receive for broadband expansion opportunities.
Challenges to the FCC broadband map are due by Friday, January 13. View the map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home.
Escambia County said people without a fixed or mobile broadband connection are especially encouraged to participate. A mobile phone, a friend or family member’s computer, or a public access site can be used to enter a home address, review, and if needed, challenge the FCC’s national broadband map.
Santa Rosa County will host a drop-in open house from 5:30 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10 at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton. Staff will be available to answer questions, go over the broadband map and demonstrate how to submit a challenge.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has also joined the push to make sure the map is correct locally. EREC serves members in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and the cooperative responded to an Escambia County request for proposal to provide fiber internet in North Escambia.
To learn more about the new FCC broadband map and how to submit a challenge, visit www.fcc.gov/BroadbandData/consumers.
Longtime Cantonment Businessman, Lumberyard Owner Pittman Passes Away
January 5, 2023
The Cantonment community is mourning the loss a of longtime local businessman.
Larry Ozell Pittman, 74, passed away on December 31.
Pittman and his wife of 56 years Janice were the owners of Pittman’s Cantonment Building Materials. They opened their first lumberyard in 1972 and were in the lumber business for 50 years.
“Larry had a passion for lumber and building; whatever he built would certainly stand the test of time. He loved people and was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone. He was not afraid to tackle any project, no matter how large it was,” his obituary says.
Pittman is survived by his wife Janice Pittman, daughter Ashley Johnson and numerous other relatives.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 5 at 1 p.m. following a noon visitation at Faith Chapel North.
For the complete obituary, click or tap here.
Walnut Hill Suspect Charged With Domestic Violence, Battery On Deputy
January 5, 2023
A Walnut Hill man is facing charges for domestic violence and battery on a sheriff’s deputy.
Noelle Alicia Spence, 45, was charged with simple assault, false imprisonment, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. All of the charges are felonies, except simple assault, which is a misdemeanor.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance on Spence Road off Pineville Road where witnesses told deputies that Spence had jumped on the victim.
When deputies attempted to place Spence in handcuffs, he began to pull away before two deputies were able to get control of him, a report states.
“Spence hip checked me pushing me backwards into a door and tried to escape custody. I was able to subdue Noelle Spence and take him to the ground,” a deputy wrote in his report, noting that Spence “is a biological male that is in transition”.
The victim told deputies that Spence was “talking crazy” as he threatened to kill the victim while she was trapped in her room, according to an ECSO arrest report. The victim tried to call for help, but Spence grabbed her phone before making threats to do violence and kill her, the report continues.
Spence remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $16,000.
It Was Christmas Morning. They Didn’t Know Their House Was Burning Above Them.
January 5, 2023
A Cantonment family did not know their house was on fire Christmas morning, until the fire department pulled up and knocked at the door.
Smoke was showing from the roof of the home in the 700 block of West Roberts Road when Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived about 7 a.m.
“My fiancé, stepson, and I woke up on Christmas morning to firefighters banging on our front door, telling us to get out. There was a fire in our attic that was started due to an electrical issue,” said Connar Moore
ECFR said smoke detectors did not alert the family because the fire was in the attack. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in just a few minutes, but the family was displaced until repairs can be made.
“It began over the master bedroom and was slowly moving via the insulation. Luckily, no one was hurt, and we were able to find and recover our cats,” Moore said. “The house is still standing, but there is a mix of fire, water, and smoke damage to the roof, the attic, the rafters, the master bedroom, the hallway, and one of the offices.”
According to Claudia Curiel, GoFundMe’s regional spokesperson, Moore organized a fundraiser to help the family get back on their feet.
“Any amount you can donate can help us get back on our feet and find somewhere to stay while we work to repair our home,” Moore said.
ECSO Seeks Suspect In Multiple Armed Robberies
January 5, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect wanted in connection with multiple armed robberies.
The ECSO said the suspect hit several convenience stores throughout Escambia County between November 10. 2022, and January 3, 2023.
The individual has been dressed in dark clothing, wearing a dark mask, and carrying a silver and black handgun.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Photos: ECSO, click to enlarge.