Category Archives: Uncategorized

DISTRICT 1 MEDICAL EXAMINER DECISION

Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County commissioners say a decision on the reappointment of Doctor Andrea Minyard as District 1 Medical Examiner won’t come until later this summer. Commissioners and some Panhandle Sheriffs have questioned the quality of her service and how she spends her money. Santa Rosa County endorsed her reappointment, but Okaloosa County did…MORE

HIT-AND-RUN VICITM ID’d

The Florida Highway Patrol has released the name of a bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run in Okaloosa County over the weekend. Troopers said 42-year-old Chad Berridge was riding on the shoulder of Highway 98 near Pier Drive when he was hit from behind Sunday afternoon. The car was identified as a Honda Passport and was…MORE

FOUND BODY ON PENSACOLA BEACH

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a body was found yesterday morning in a car on Pensacola Beach parked along Fort Pickens Road. The car was near the Margaritaville Hotel and Major Andrew Hobbs, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, says the death does not appear to be suspicious. The medical examiner will determine the…MORE

TRAFFIC FATAL FOLLOW-UP

The Florida Highway Patrol said the two children from Pace, killed in a weekend traffic crash, were in a car struck by a drunk driver who had refused to stop for a Santa Rosa County deputy. 35-year-old Kailen Kelly, was southbound on Woodbine Road and collided with a northbound SUV driven by Melanie Harrell. A…MORE

JONES SWAMP WILDFIRE

Florida Division of Forestry crews are battling a wild fire near Gulf Beach Highway in the area of Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail. Crews from the Blackwater Forestry Center responded to the fire yesterday afternoon. Joy Tsubooka, a spokesperson with Escambia County, said undeveloped land is on fire. Forestry officials are using tractor…MORE

PANAMA CITY BEACH TRIPLE MURDER FOLLOW-UP

Panama City Beach Police have released more information about a weekend triple homicide at a hotel. 37-year-old Mark Stokes and 28-year-old Amanda Stokes of Enterprise, Alabama, and 30-year-old Kenneth Krause of Bonifay, were all found dead of gunshot wounds at the Hampton Inn. Police Chief Drew Whitman said Mark Stokes entered the hotel room his…MORE

PERDIDO BAY DROWNING

The body of a Lillian, Alabama woman was recovered from Perdido Bay by the Coast Guard early yesterday morning. 56-year-old Carolyn Blankenfeld, was with her husband, and was swimming in Perdido Bay on Sunday while her husband remained in the couple’s boat. Christopher Blankenfeld, told authorities he jumped in the water around 3pm when he…MORE

U.S. OIL PRICES SURGE

U.S. oil prices rose above $70-a-barrel yesterday for the first time since 2014, which will likely result in more expensive gasoline and consumer goods. Benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.01 to settle at $70.73 a barrel on the futures market in New York. Analysts said the recent rally in oil prices has been driven mostly by…MORE

COUNTY DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT SETTLED

The Escambia County Commission has voted to settle a claim by a female fighter that she was sexually harassed and discriminated against. She filed a discrimination claim against the Escambia County with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. An investigation into Escambia Fire Rescue that led to County Fire Chief Patrick Grace being relieved of his duties, one…MORE

COUNTY DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT SETTLED

The Escambia County Commission has voted to settle a claim by a female fighter that she was sexually harassed and discriminated against. She filed a discrimination claim against the Escambia County with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. An investigation into Escambia Fire Rescue that led to County Fire Chief Patrick Grace being relieved of his duties,…MORE

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