ECSO Seeks Woman For Questioning Only In Ensley Homicide
August 8, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a woman wanted for questioning only in reference to homicide that occurred on Walnut Avenue in Ensley early Monday morning.
Investigators say they want to talk to 46-year old Amber Dawn Meadows, but there are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Walnut Hill Avenue is north of West Detroit Boulevard, four blocks west of Pensacola Boulevard.
Man Reportedly Struck By Lightning In Dogwood Park
August 8, 2022
A man was reportedly injured after being struck by lightning Monday afternoon in Dogwood Park, north of Molino.
It happened about 1:20 p.m. at a home on Parker Lane off Highway 97, just over a mile north of the Dogwood Park Baptist Church.
The man was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
The approximate location of the lightning strike is marked on the radar image above from about the time of the incident.
Toddler Airlifted To The Hospital After Reported Near-Drowning In Molino
August 8, 2022
A toddler was airlifted to the hospital after a near-drowning in Molino Sunday afternoon.
The toddler was reportedly found in a pool at a home on Chalker Road. The child was awake and breathing when deputies arrived, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The toddler was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter from the nearby Escambia County 4-H property to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Additional details were not made available.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Pictured: A toddler was airlifted by LifeFlight from the Escambia County 4-H property in Molino Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Mayor: Verizon, T-Mobile To Join AT&T On New Cell Tower
August 8, 2022
Century should have much improved cell service from the nation’s three largest carriers within the next several months.
AT&T went live on a new tower in town at the first of the year, and the mayor previously announced that T-Mobile is coming to the structure.
Recently, Mayor Ben Boutwell said he has been informed that Verizon will also collocate on the tower in the coming months.
In 2021, the Century Town Council approved a five-year lease with options out to 40 years with Diamond Towers for a tower with AT&T service on a parcel of land in the town’s Anthony Pleasant Park off West Highway 4. It’s a small area tucked away essentially at the back of the park.
Diamond Towers had leased the property at $1,000 for a year. When AT&T was added to the towner, the payment automatically increased to $1,500 per month for at least five years under the terms of the contract. There will be another $500 per month due for any additional cellular providers collocated on the tower in the future. There are annual options for slight increases.
Prior to AT&T service being activated, there was generally poor cellular service in Century regardless of carrier.
Pictured: This tower at Anthony Pleasant Park in Century provides AT&T service now, with officials saying T-Mobile and Verizon will collocate. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vernon High Head Football Coach Killed In Tragic Boating Accident
August 8, 2022
Trey Pike, Vernon High School athletic director and football coach, was killed in a boating accident over the weekend.
Pike’s 21-foot boat struck an electrical tower abutment in North Bay, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The boat was discovered early Sunday morning, but it was not known if the accident occurred late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
There were no other passengers on the boat.
Pike was just recently named as the new head coach of the Vernon Yellow Jackets. He had served two years as an assistant coach at Vernon after teaching and coaching at Holmes County High and an Asheville, Alabama, school.
The accident happened in North Bay, near the Highway 77 Bailey Bridge at Lynn Haven — nearly 30 miles south of Vernon.
Photo: Trey Pike, Vernon High School athletic director and football coach, was killed in a boating accident over the weekend.. Photo courtesy Vernon High School Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices At Their Lowest Since Early March
August 8, 2022
Florida gas prices fell for the eighth consecutive week, declining 14 cents from a week ago. The state average is now $3.79 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 4th.
The state average has now declined a total of $1.10 per gallon since setting a new record high of $4.89 on June 13th. The average cost for a fill-up is now $57 for a 15-gallon tank. That’s $16.50 less than what drivers paid two months ago.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.68. A North Escambia low of $3.56 could be found at two Cantonment stations, while Pensacola bottomed out at $3.28.
“Falling oil prices and drooping gasoline demand has paved the way for the recent pump price plunge,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The downturn should continue this week, after another round of big losses in both oil and gasoline futures markets.”
UWF Football Serves Up Meals At Waterfront Rescue Mission
August 8, 2022
The University of West Florida football team spent time recently giving back at the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Team members washed dishes, helped prepare food, served breakfast and lunch, and spent time fellowshipping with Waterfront clients.
The UWF football season kicks off September 3 as they host Warner.
Photos for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Personnel To Read Their Favorite Books At The Library Tuesday, National Book Lover’s Day
August 8, 2022
Tuesday is National Book Lover’s Day, and the West Florida Public Libraries are celebrating with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
ECSO representatives will be reading their favorite books to the public at libraries across Escambia County.
Here is schedule:
- Century Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Molino Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Pensacola Library — 10:30 a.m.
- Southwest Library — 10:30 a.m and 2 p.m.
- Tryon Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Westside Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At the Tryon and Westside libraries, the 10:30 a.m. reading will replace the regular storytime event.
Biscuits Top The Wahoos 7-6 In Series Finale
August 8, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered another late loss to the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon, falling in their series finale 7-6.
Demetrius Sims had Pensacola’s first five-RBI game of the season, going 3-for-4 with a homer and a double, but the Blue Wahoos surrendered three runs in the bottom of the eighth as they dropped five of six in their weeklong road trip.
Montgomery jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against starter A.J. Ladwig, as Brett Wisely hit a leadoff homer in the first and Jordan Qsar and Roberto Alvarez hit back-to-back RBI triples in the second. Nasim Nuñez countered with an RBI single in the third to put the Blue Wahoos on the board, and Sims blasted a three-run homer in the fourth to put Pensacola in front 4-3.
Erik Ostberg hit a game-tying homer in the fifth to even things up 4-4, but Sims delivered again with an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth to give the Blue Wahoos a 6-4 edge. Effective relief from Josh Simpson after Ladwig’s departure preserved the lead until the bottom of the eighth.
In his second Double-A appearance of the season, Tyler Mitzel (L, 0-1) got the first two outs of the eighth inning without incident. But a walk to Niko Hulsizer was followed by a game-tying home run to Ronny Simon, and Ostberg delivered the go-ahead RBI double three batters later to put Montgomery ahead for good. Alan Strong (W, 1-0) pitched the final two innings for the Biscuits to lock down the win.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
August 7, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. All other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime traffic impacts on and near the Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. next week.
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- Alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13 as crews use lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Vehicle pacing operations Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 as crews install overhead signage for the new bridge. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed.
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- Bayfront Parkway westbound ramp and the 17th Avenue westbound ramp will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 11 for the installation of overhead signs. Drivers will be detoured to Gregory Street during this time.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews adjust manholes and pedestrian fencing.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights as crews clean the roadway and place high friction surface treatments on the following ramps:
- Davis Highway ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 for placement of a watermain.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow crews to place base material for construction of new paved shoulders
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures just east of U.S. 90 Thursday, Aug. 11 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for a routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Exit 5 (U.S. 90) and Exit 22 (Avalon Boulevard) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
- I-110 Routine Utility Maintenance from I-10 to Mile Marker 6 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime traffic impacts on and near the Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. next week.
- Alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13 as crews will use lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Vehicle pacing operations Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 as crews install overhead signage for the new bridge. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed.
- Bayfront Parkway westbound ramp and the 17th Avenue westbound ramp will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 11 for the installation of overhead signs. Drivers will be detoured to Gregory Street during this time.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Aug. 7 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Eastbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from Whisper Bay Boulevard to College Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities in the median.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.