The Florida Highway Patrol says a Santa Rosa Beach motorcyclist was critically injured after he hit a buzzard. Troopers say 47-year-old Dominic Brewer was driving on Black Creek Highway Sunday evening when a buzzard flew into the path of the motorcycle causing Brewer to lose control and go off the roadway. Brewer was taken to…… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2018
MOBILE COUNTY DEPUTY INVESTIGATED
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office says it has opened an internal investigation after an open beer bottle was seen in a deputy’s patrol car. Sheriff Sam Cochran identified the deputy as Sergeant Joe Mahoney, a 15-year veteran. Cochran says Mahoney admitted while doing work around the house Friday, he drove to Lowe’s to get a…… MORE
FLORIDA OPIOID LAW
Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill intended to help prevent people from becoming addicted to opioids. Among other provisions the bill would limit doctors to writing prescriptions for three-day supplies, although they can prescribe up to seven-days if medically necessary. Cancer patients, people who are terminally ill, and those who suffer from major…… MORE
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SECURITY
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas says starting today armed security will be provided at all elementary schools in Escambia County. Additionally, full-time school resource officers have returned to Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools. The district will work with the Escambia County Sheriff and the City of the Pensacola Police Department, as well…… MORE
COUNTY-NAVY LAND SWAP
The Pensacola News Journal is reporting the Escambia County Commission will award an 8-million-dollar contract to Panhandle Grading and Paving to complete the final phase of construction on the new 600-acre helicopter training field in Santa Rosa County. Initial estimates for the project were about 5 million dollars. Current estimates exceed 17 million dollars. Commission…… MORE
OKALOOSA COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT
The Okaloosa County grand jury that has been investigating the school district about child abuse cases did not file criminal charges against School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson, but it did request that the State Attorney’s Office continue to investigate her. State Attorney Bill Eddins said he will abide by the grand jury’s recommendation. Jurors expressed…… MORE
ESCAMBIA DEPUTY CITED FOR TRAFFIC CRASH
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy received a traffic citation for failing to stop at a red light and causing an early morning collision at Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive. Troopers say Deputy Benjamin Dunlap was heading to a disturbance call in an unmarked patrol vehicle on Pace Boulevard approaching Fairfield Drive Saturday morning around 5:45…… MORE
WINN-DIXIE BANKRUPT
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn Dixie has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company said it will close 94 under-performing stores, none of which are in Escambia County. The closure list includes 10 stores in Alabama, including Mobile and Monroeville. The company says it will continue to operate 582 stores.… MORE
GULF POWER AND WIND ENERGY
You might be surprised to learn that Gulf Power is the leading purchaser of wind energy in Florida. Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson, said 11 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix come from six renewable energy sources including wind farms and three solar farms that make up the Gulf Coast Solar Centers, which consist of…… MORE
SHERIFF’S BUDGET AGREEMENT
It appears the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and the Escambia County Commission have reached a preliminary budget settlement. The Pensacola News Journal is reporting that Commissioners have approved a four-year agreement that will implement a pay plan for deputies, increase the sheriff’s budget by 1 million dollars this year and pay the Sheriff’s Office 2.6…… MORE
