FIRE MUSEUM 2-26-16 Pensacola’s newest museum is located at Fire Station Number One on East Cervantes Street. It includes old pictures, relics and equipment from Pensacola firefighters. Captain Jason Weidlick anyone who had relatives that worked in the Pensacola Fire Department and have pictures or other items that they would like to donate may contact the Fire. He said said families and school classes are welcome to stop by the station for tours.
SR COUNTY TRAFFIC CRASH 2-26-16 The Florida Highway Patrol said a dump truck collided with a vehicle on Highway 399 in Santa Rosa County yesterday. Apparently the truck lost control after blowing a tire and crashed into the vehicle near Harvell’s Crossing Subdivision on highway 399. Troopers say two teenagers were pinned inside and were airlifted to a local hospital. A third teenager was reportedly walking around after the crash. No names have been released and the investigation is continuing.
BACKYARD GUN RANGE LAW 2-26-16 Governor Rick Scott signed into law the “backyard range” bill, which is intended to restrict shooting firearms in residential areas. Target shooting or celebratory shooting, in residential areas with a density of one or more dwelling units per acre will now be a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The law goes into effect immediately.
SEX OFFENDER ARREST 2-26-16 The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a 27-year-old Niceville man – who is also a registered sex offender – for trying to solicit a minor for sex through the internet. John Hood, was arrested Wednesday at his home as part of “Operation Wolf Hunter.” The Sheriff’s Department along with the North Florida Internet Crimes against Children Task Force conducted an undercover operation, during which Hood contacted two undercover investigators who identified themselves as juvenile females. Hood said he wanted to have sex with them and sent explicit pictures. He is charged with using a computer to solicit a minor and obscene communication to a minor via computer.
TORNADOS 2-26-16 The two EF-3 tornados that struck Escambia County a week apart are rare occurrences. The National Weather Service says prior to 2016 there were only three F-3 tornadoes recorded in Escambia County – in 1971, 1967 and 1956. The Tuesday night tornado touched down between Washington High School and Creighton Road and reached its peak intensity over the Moorings apartments. The tornado was 300 yards wide, traveled 8 miles, and had peak winds of 155mph.
TAMARA FOUNTAIN LETTER 8-11-15 The city of Pensacola’s Chief Operating Officer, Tamara Fountain, who resigned from her position after questions were raised about her academic credentials, said in a letter to the Pensacola City Council that local media and bloggers bullied public employees and public officials. She said as a wife and a mother it was too much to ask of her family. Fountain ran the Port of Pensacola, Pensacola Energy, and Pensacola International Airport. Mayor Ashton Hayward had said she had an undergraduate degree from Florida State and an MBA from the University of West Florida, but Fountain had only an undergraduate degree from the University of West Florida. City Administrator Eric Olson and Chief Financial Officer Dick Barker will take over her duties.
PERSON OF INTEREST SOUGHT 8-11-15 Deputies are still searching for a woman who may have more information about a deadly shooting in Escambia County. They want to speak with D’erica Goldsmith,18, about the shooting on West Lakeview Avenue. Deputies located Aaron Simmons Monday afternoon, who was also wanted for questioning. The victim, identified as Eugenio Lopez, was shot several times Saturday and later died at a hospital.
Woman still wanted for questioning in Lakeview murder
FDLE AGENT DEMOTED 8-11-15 Jeff Duncan, former assistant special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Pensacola office, has been demoted for violating the agency’s codes of conduct. An internal investigation found evidence that Duncan “made frequent and pervasive inappropriate, derogatory or offensive comments” in the presence of employees, as well as offered to provide two FDLE agents with a “possible means for cheating” on a training quiz. Agency personnel said that Duncan had referred to an employee as “trailer trash”, insinuated that two employees were having intercourse on duty, and regularly ridiculed an employee for being overweight. Duncan said his remarks were intended to be light-hearted.
DERAILMENT 8-11-15 CSX Railroad officials say at least five railroad cars derailed near the intersection of Palafox Street and Fairfield Drive, just south of the CSX train depot yesterday afternoon. No cars were overturned and it was not known what the tanker cars were carrying, but workers on the scene are not wearing emergency garments and the surrounding neighborhood has not been evacuated.
SPORTS
The Wahoos have one more home game with the Birmingham Barons before hitting the road again.
