Retiring Old Glory: American Legion Post, Northview NJROTC Hold Flag Ceremony
March 8, 2022
The Northview High School NJROTC recently participated in a cooperative flag retirement with the Billy Glenn Rushing Post 90 of the American Legion in Atmore. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Of Pensacola Needs Buddies For The Spring Season
March 8, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola is looking for volunteers to serve as buddies during the spring season.
Buddies can volunteer for one or two games or the entire season. Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.
To volunteer or for more information, call Volunteer Director Mike Norre at (850) 384-3489.
FDLE Charges Two Bank Employees With Fraud, Identity Theft
March 8, 2022
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested two bank employees in Escambia County for fraud and identity theft.
Tiwuan Williams, 26, and Stephon Pugh-Davis, 27, for scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The investigation began in June 2021 when a local financial institution reported suspected internal fraud being committed by employees Williams and Pugh-Davis.
Agents discovered that Williams recruited other employees, including Pugh-Davis, to provide him with customer account details in order to facilitate fraudulent transfers into money mule accounts. A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
The investigation showed that Williams attempted to facilitate the transfer of more than $165,000 through more than 30 victim accounts, while Pugh-Davis assisted with more than 20 of the fraudulent transfers, according to FDLE.
Williams was arrested on March 4, while Pugh-Davis was arrested Monday morning. Each was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a $300,000 bond.
FDLE did not identify the financial institution involved.
Florida Now Has An Official State Dessert. And It Is…
March 8, 2022
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Senate bill designating an official state dessert.
The bill was signed by DeSantis during a ceremony Monday in Plant City, Florida.
Florida’s new official state dessert is strawberry shortcake with natural Florida dairy topping. The official designation is a tribute to Florida strawberry farmers who produce 75% of the winter strawberry crop in the United States.
“Signing this bill at the Strawberry Festival is one way that we are supporting our Florida strawberry farmers and is a tribute to the more than 10,000 acres of strawberries that are grown in the greater Plant City area,” said DeSantis.
“As a fifth generation Floridian and a native of Plant City, I am delighted and proud that our Governor and the Legislature are making Strawberry Shortcake the official state dessert,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I hope everyone tries a bite of Strawberry Shortcake in celebration.”
And what about key lime pie? That’s the official state pie.
New Ordinance Requires County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
March 7, 2022
Escambia County has approved an ordinance that requires county employees to resign before running for the county commission.
The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats. On a motion from Commissioner Doug Underhill, the ordinance passed 5-0.
The ordinance applies to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.
Free Soup Day Held At Century Park
March 7, 2022
St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church held a Free Soup Day, Saturday at Nadine McCaw Park in Century. There was free cooked soup, crackers and soda for everyone in attendance. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Annual Heart Run
March 7, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run last Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Rolls Over On Jacks Branch Road
March 7, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a rollover wreck late Sunday afternoon on Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment
The driver of a Lexus lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned near Green Tree Circle, about a mile off Muscogee Road. The vehicle came to rest upright.
The Florida Highway Patrol website listed the wreck as a hit and run crash, but there were no further details provided.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Fatal Hit And Run Crash Suspect
March 7, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that fled a fatal crash Saturday night off Navy Boulevard.
A 68-year old man was walking eastbound upon the westbound travel lane of Patton Drive when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The vehicle fled the scene, heading eastbound on Patton Drive toward Navy Boulevard. Troopers said the suspect vehicle is possibly an older model with front end damage to a glass headlight. No further description is known.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Florida Gas Prices Race Toward Record Highs
March 7, 2022
Florida gas prices skyrocketed last week to the highest levels in a decade. Prices at the pump rose an average of 44 cents per gallon in the last five days, reaching an average price of $3.97 on Sunday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.98. To date, the highest ever average price in Escambia County was $4.03 in July 2008.
A North Escambia low of $3.99 could be found at two locations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Several North Escambia stations moved past $4 per gallon on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, more price hikes are on the way and drivers may soon begin to see record high prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are being dragged higher by sky high oil prices, which are surging in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Sanctions and regulations against Russia has limited its ability to sell its oil on the global market, thus intensifying global supply concerns in what was already a very tight market due to the pandemic.”
The U.S. price of oil surged 26% last week, rising a little more than $24 per barrel. An increase of that magnitude translates to a 60 cent increase at the pump. So far, the state average has increased 44 cents since last week, which means another 10-15 cent hike is possible. If that happens, the state average would eventually surpass the previous all-time high, moving toward around $4.12 per gallon. The current record high price for regular unleaded gasoline in Florida is $4.08 per gallon, which was set on July 16, 2008.
On Sunday, the national average price for gasoline reached $4 a gallon for the first time since July 2008.