Accident Victim Located In Field, About 2.5 Hours After Highway 29 Wreck
September 22, 2022
An accident victim was located in a field about 2.5 hours after a wreck on Highway 29 in McDavid Wednesday night.
The adult male wrecked his vehicle on Highway 29 near Black Road, just north of Bogia Road. A passerby discovered the truck in a ditch with no one around about 8:45 p.m. Officials said the man called his wife and asked for help, but she lost contact with him. It was determined that he had apparently wandered into a wooded area.
First responders searched for the accident victim using a drone and a K-9 from the Century Correctional Institution.
The man was located about 11:25 p.m. He was evaluated by Escambia County EMS and refused transport to the hospital.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s also responded.
Salute To First Responders Honors Those That Serve
September 22, 2022
The third annual Salute to First Responders on Wednesday honored those that serve in Escambia County.
Those honored included:
- Ashley Baxley – Molino Forestry Station
- John Bartholomew – Pensacola Fire Department
- Stephen Boothe – Escambia County Fire Rescue
- Mark Carter – Escambia County Emergency Communications
- Houston Harvell – Escambia County EMS
- Brad Hattaway – Escambia County Emergency Management
- Alexander Johnson – Pensacola Beach Lifeguards
- Dianna McCreary – City of Pensacola Dispatchers
- Sean Patterson – Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- OB Pettit – Escambia Search and Rescue
- Keith Tourney – Pensacola Police Department
Additionally, retired Escambia County Fire Rescue captain Craig Ammons was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ammons served the citizens of Escambia County for 36 years as a first responder before retiring from the county in December 2021.
Pictured: Four Escambia County honorees following the Salute to First Responders at the Pensacola Bay Center. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Opioid Recovery Program Launch Announced In Escambia County
September 22, 2022
The launch of the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) program was officially announced in Escambia County on Wednesday.
As of this week, Escambia County EMS had responded to 1,525 overdoses since January 1.
Escambia County is one of just seven counties in the state to be included in the first phase of the project that we first reported in August.
The CORE project is the first of its kind in the U.S. It is a comprehensive approach that expands every aspect of overdose response and treats all primary and secondary impacts of substance use disorder.
The program launch announcement was made by Florida Department of Health-Escambia Administrator Marie Mott, alongside Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families Shevaun Harris, FDOH Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Kenneth Scheppke, Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender. Escambia County EMS Chief David Torsell, and CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida Chandra Smiley.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Woman Charged With Multiple Attempted Murder Counts After Parking Dispute
September 22, 2022
For the third time this month, the Atmore Police Department has made an attempted murder arrest. And this time, it started with a disturbance over a parking space that ended with shots fired.
Police said 37-year old Brandie Renee Patterson began to argue with her neighbor and several of the neighbor’s friends over parking.
“Patterson ran into her apartment, retrieved her handgun, ran back outside and fired several times at the victims. Patterson went into her apartment,” said Sgt. Darrell McMann. Officers reported recovering a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Patterson, aka Brandie Webb, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on “multiple counts” of attempted murder, police said.
Earlier this month, 34-year old Norman Collins Lambert was charged with two counts of attempted murder of an Atmore firefighter and police officer after allegedly driving at them at a mobile home fire scene.
And, in an unrelated incident, 31-year old Eric Montrey Frye was charged with several counts of attempted murder after he reportedly drove past a residence on Curtis Street and fired twice.
Reminder: Expect Lane Closures During Resurfacing Of Highway 95A From Molino To Cantonment
September 22, 2022
Drivers can continue to expect daily lane closures from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Highway 95A as it is resurfaced.
Highway 95A is being milled and resurfaced by contractor Roads, Inc. from Highway 29 in Molino to the intersection with Highway 29 and Morris Avenue in Cantonment. The 9.16 mile, $2.1 million project will also include the shoulders and turn lanes.
Paving near Jim Allen Elementary on the southern end of the project is planned for Saturday, October 1 to not interfere with school traffic.
Weather permitting, the resurfacing should be completed by October 7. About two weeks later, final thermoplastic striping will be installed over the temporary paint striping.
Pictured: Crews work on the resurfacing of Highway 95A near Highway 196 on Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse After False Snapchat Post, ECSO Says
September 22, 2022
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly abusing a child and an adult female following a false Snapchat post.
Winslow Cornelius Russell, 56, was charged with felony domestic violence related cruelty towards a child and misdemeanor domestic violence battery against an adult.
The child allegedly posted a photograph of an injury to his arm on Snapchat with the caption “This is what happens when (redacted) is mad at you and shoots you with a nail gun”. Deputies were told the injuries happened when the child scratched his arm while building a chicken coop.
The adult victim said Russell grabbed the child by his hair, but the child did not appear to be in pain, according to an arrest report. She stated that she threw her phone at Russell to get him to stop. Russell then picked up the phone and “mashed the phone in her face hitting her on the forehead and bridge of her nose with the phone”, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office , the child stated that he made a post on Snapchat involving Russell that was not true. The child continued to say that Russell grabbed him by the hair for about five seconds, which was unwanted touching, but it did not hurt him and did not cause any injuries.
The case was referred to the Florida Department of Children and Families for investigation.
Russell exercised his right to remain silent and did not answer law enforcement questions, the report states.
Update: Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Cottage Hill Water Works Customers On Williams Ditch Road
September 21, 2022
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded on September 21 follow the satisfactory completion of a bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe to drink.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Williams Ditch Road due a water main break just over a week ago and continued repairs in the area.
A boil water notice was issued for William Ditch Road on September 12 after the water main break and rescinded on September 13. But the water company said new repair work led to the reissuance of a boil water notice on Monday, September 19.
Cottage Hill Water Works advises residents of the area that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
If you have any questions call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the notice is rescinded.
Divided Escambia School Board Votes To Not Discuss Superintendent’s Contract
September 21, 2022
The Escambia County School Board killed any discussion about terminating Superintendent Tim Smith’s contract Tuesday evening.
An agenda item to discuss Smith’s contract was added to the agenda on Monday, but the board approved the agenda with the exception of the contract.
“I would like to ask for the just cause for adding the item under the board action,” board member Patty Hightower asked, without specifically saying anything about the subject matter of the item — the discussion of Smith’s contract. When asked which item, she referred to it as “the last minute addition that came less than 24 hours before this meeting”, again with mentioning the actual subject matter.
“And you were the one that made that decision, Mr. Chair,” Hightower said to board chairman Kevin Adams.
“I did, I did,” Adams said.
“What was the immediacy of the issue?” she said.
“What I am going to do is chair, and what I have done is chair,” Adams responded. “I’m not going to stop anybody that wants to discuss about the item. That’s not my position…As chair, if you come to me and say you want to add something, I don’t feel like it’s my responsibility to say no to you.”
“I think that the lateness of the add, the lack of communication, less than 24 hours — I was completely caught blindsided. People calling me, asking me. They knew. I didn’t know,” District 5 member Bill Slayton said, adding that he felt it was an error on the part of Adams. and Fetsko.
Dr. Laura Edler asked, “I too would like to know, what was the urgency to put that on the agenda at the 13th hour?”
The board’s attorney told Adams that it was his decision whether or not the discussion remained on the agenda.
“I’m OK with leaving it on,” Adams replied.
Slayton then made a motion to approve the agenda, minus the discussion item on Smith’s contract. A second was made by Edler.
Fetsko, who asked for the contract discussion to be added to the agenda, said, “I am listening to the majority of the board at this time.”
The motion to approve the agenda without the superintendent contract discussion, passed 3-2 with Adams and Fetsko voted against (which would have continued with the discussion).
The board did not discuss if Smith’s contract might be part of a future meeting.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent, and Smith took office in November 2020.
Escambia Approves Static Millage Rate, Defined As A Tax Increase, And $654.5 Million Budget
September 21, 2022
The Escambia County Commission Tuesday evening gave final approval to a static property tax rate for next fiscal year, which is defined by the state as a tax increase.
The final aggregate millage rate is 7.4679, which is not an increased millage rate but is a 13.20% increase over the rolled back rate of 6.5969 mills.
The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and was advertised as such.
The county also adopted a budget of almost $654.5 million for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1. The new budget is 15.17% more than the current-year’s $568.26 million.
To read the budget summary, click or tap here.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
September 21, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for November 2, December 20, February 1 and May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
