Molino Utilities Locates Owner Of Santa Photo Found In Drop Box
December 7, 2021
UPDATE: The owner of this photo has been located.
Molino Utilities is hoping to find the owner of this Santa photo.
The photo was found Monday morning in the drop box at Molino Utilities, and they are hoping to return it.
Call Molino Utilities at (850) 587-5538 or stop by at 1640 Molino Road if you have any information.
Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Federal Mask Mandate Extension Includes ECAT Buses
December 7, 2021
A federal public transportation mask mandate has been extended until March 18, 2022, and Escambia County Area Transit will be following the guidelines.
ECAT will continue to require face masks on all buses and in indoor bus terminals and other transportation hubs. ECAT has provided free face masks to patrons since June 1 and will continue to do so.
“ECAT understands that this is a trying time for everyone,” said ECAT Interim Director Rodriques Kimbrough. “We want to thank our citizens in advance for following our guidelines. Mask mandates are for the safety of our ridership as well as our bus operators and staff. By following the mask mandates, we can continue to provide a safe and enjoyable ride experience for our community.”
The federal mandate exempts the following:
- A child under the age of 2 years;
- A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability;
- A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations.
If a passenger meets one of the above requirements that prevents wearing of a mask, they can notify the bus operator.
FDLE Breaks Ground On New Pensacola Regional Operations Center
December 7, 2021
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement held a groundbreaking Monday on the Pensacola Regional Operations Center (PROC) James T. Moore Building.
“This new building will give us the space we need to grow in both investigations and forensics, allowing PROC to better serve the needs of our local law enforcement communities and those statewide,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams.
Construction will begin on the 6.8-acre campus in Marcus Pointe Commerce Park in January. The building is expected to be completed next December, with a projected February 1, 2023, move-in date.
The state’s budget includes $1.4 million in funding to begin the project. FDLE secured a 25-year private lease agreement for a nearly 78,000 square-foot facility, enabling PROC to accommodate current and future workloads.
FDLE has been working toward a new building since 2004, after Hurricane Ivan struck the Pensacola area, causing significant damage to PROC’s building. FDLE moved into the current Pensacola facility, a converted school with limited space, in 1994.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Located In Sunday’s Fatal Hit And Run In Beulah
December 6, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol has located the vehicle involved in a deadly hit and run Sunday afternoon in Beulah. The dark blue Chevrolet Malibu was found off Bridlewood Road north of Frank Reeder Road Monday morning.
“The damage was consistent with the pedestrian fatal crash,” FHP Lt. Jason King told NorthEscambia.com.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the car was recently reported stolen, but they are not yet saying exactly when.
A 70-year old man was struck and killed shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday as he walked next to Mobile Highway near Ferlon Avenue, about one-third of mile west of Beulah Road. The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu ran off the road and hit the man, according to FHP. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers said the driver may have been a black male who may have pulled over after the crash. The car then continued west on Mobile Highway.
The Malibu was located about 2.5 miles from the crash site.
Anyone with information on the crash or driver is still asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 4333-STOP or the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP.
Exclusive photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Residents Left Without A Home After Quintette Fire
December 6, 2021
Fire heavily damaged a double wide mobile home in the Quintette community Monday morning
The American Red Cross is assisting residents left without a home by the blaze. There were no injuries reported.
The fire was reported about 11:20 a.m. on St. Matthews Lane, near Quintette Park. The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Bellview and Ferry Pace stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Pace Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among those responding.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
From a photo gallery that shows the progression of the fire from before firefighters arrived on scene, click or tap here.
Pictured above: Fire in a Quintette mobile home Monday morning. Pictured below: The fire before and as firefighters arrive on scene. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Van Burns At Cantonment Gas Station
December 6, 2021
Firefighters battled a van fire Sunday night at Cantonment gas station.
The fire was reported about 5:40 p.m. at the Circle K at 2200 South Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road. The Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue quickly extinguished the engine compartment fire in the Chrysler van. The van burned near, but not under, the canopy with the gas pumps.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash Near Paper Mill
December 6, 2021
There were no serious injuries reported in a crash Sunday night near the paper mill in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 9:25 p.m. on Highway 29 near South Highway 95A. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway in a deep ditch in a wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Varsity And JV Cheerleaders Earn Bids To Nationals
December 6, 2021
The Tate High School varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders are headed to nationals.
The varsity squad placed first out of 16 teams during a Saturday traditional division competition, actually received two bids to nationals. The junior varsity gameday competition team placed second and earned a bid to nationals during the Central Florida Regional Qualifier in Tampa.
Pictured: The Tate High School varsity (top) and junior varsity (shown below) cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Paramedic John Penrose Retires After 30 Years Of Service
December 6, 2021
Escambia County recently recognized paramedic John M. Penrose who retired after 30 years of service.
Penrose began his career with Escambia County Emergency Medical Services January 31, 1991, as a relief EMT, progressing to relief paramedic, paramedic field training officer and EMS shift training officer.
Throughout Penrose’s years with Escambia County, he worked on many projects and events to promote safety and education for citizens and visitors. He represented Public Safety throughout the community with his excellent skills and service. He worked during numerous emergency activations, as well as other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.
“We are losing a generation of paramedic that we can never get back,” said Escambia County Emergency Medical Services Chief David Torsell. “I feel John has been such an integral part of our operations. We are where we are, and we continue to move forward in the direction we’re going because of people like John. He has spent the majority of his life in the service of others. I’m very proud to say that I’ve had the opportunity to know and work with John.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are Falling After Crude Price Plunge
December 6, 2021
Florida gas prices are slowly adjusting to the recent crude oil price plunge. Sunday’s state average has slipped to $3.30 per gallon, after declining 4 cents during the past week. That downward trend is likely to continue this week, unless oil prices suddenly rebound.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was $3.22. A low of $3.08 could be found at two Cantonment stations, while several Pensacola stations were under $3.
Crude oil prices plummeted after Thanksgiving, on concerns about how the omicron variant could impact global fuel demand. The price of US crude dropped 13% after Thanksgiving and remained down all last week. Friday’s closing price of $66.26 per barrel is 15% below the price on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It’s also 21% below the 2021 high of $84.15/b – which was recorded nearly four weeks ago.
“An oil price drop of that magnitude, if sustained, could potentially drive the state average back below $3 a gallon,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But it won’t happen overnight. Florida pump prices are falling at a rate of 1-cent a day. Unless that rate accelerates, it could take a few more weeks before pump prices fully adjust.”