Former FSU Football Player From Cantonment Facing Gun, Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
October 6, 2022
A former Florida State football player from Cantonment is facing multiple drug and firearm charges after a traffic stop.
Delvin Devante Purifoy, 28, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of opioid (oxycontin) with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon while in the commission of a second degree felony. All of the charges are felonies, with exception of the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia count.
The Pensacola Police Department stopped Purifoy on Pace Boulevard for a window tint violation and a recently expired tag. He told police that he had just left the Black Diamond bottle club of on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
An officer observed a “medium size bag” of marijuana located in plain view in the center console of the Kia Optima, leading to a probable cause vehicle search, according to a PPD report.
According to a Pensacola Police Department report, officers located items that included:
- a bag of marijuana under two of Purifoy’s phones
- two oxycodone pills on top of Purifoy’s social security card and multiple bank cards
- a “Girl Power” backpack containing multiple bags and multiple boxes of sandwich bags with marijuana residue
- a bag with 29 grams of methamphetamine
- a bag with 18 grams of marijuana
- 10 grams of crack cocaine
- a semi-automatic pistol inside a red and black FSU #45 backpack
- multiple clear bags with residue throughout the vehicle
- a clear back “with a small but usable” amount of methamphetamine
- a vacuum sealed one pound sized bag with marijuana residue
- a glass jar with marijuana residue
- $780 in $20 bills
When asked by an officer about his “#45″ tattoo, Purifoy told police that he played for Florida State University during the 2014-2018 seasons and 45 was his jersey number.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $76,000 bond.
Speed Limit Reduced On Nine Mile From Chemstrand To Baldridge
October 6, 2022
The speed limit has been lowered on a portion of East Nine Mile Road, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The speed limit was reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph on East Nine Mile Road from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive (near Target) as construction crews temporarily closed the bicycle lanes. The bike lane closure and speed limit reduction will continue until a construction project is completed.
The $7.2 million Florida Department of Transportation project aims to improve safety on a 2.3 mile segment of East Nine Mile Road. It includes widening the turn lanes to include 5-foot bicycle lanes in each direction, pedestrian and traffic signal upgrades, minor guardrail, drainage improvements, and milling and resurfacing of turn lanes and bicycle lanes.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
October 6, 2022
Ransom Middle School recently named their Students of the Month for August. They are Drew Crutchfield and Addyson Estes, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Now What? Century Council Member Has Resigned And No One Is Running For Two Seats
October 6, 2022
Seat 3 on the Century Town Council is now vacant and will remain vacant until the start of a new term in January, at which time the council seat will remain, well, vacant, albeit for just a little while before a temporary appointee is named that might be forced to vacate the seat in a few weeks after an election to fill the vacancy for the next four years.
Confused? So was the town council this week as they tried to sort it all out.
On September 27, Seat 3 councilman Leonard White resigned just hours before a budget meeting, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institution.
That obviously leaves Seat 3, one of five seats on the council, vacant. Because there are less than six months remaining in White’s term, the town’s charter indicates that a replacement can’t be appointed unless the council loses additional members and their quorum.
Seat 3 held by White, Seat 4 currently held by James Smith, Jr., and Seat 5 held by Sandra McMurray Jackson were up for election this year. Jackson was the only candidate to qualify for Seat 5, so she was reelected automatically. No one qualified for Seat 3 or 4.
At their first meeting in January, the council will swear in Jackson and appoint temporary members for Seats 3 and 4. Then, a special election will be held within 60 to 90 days later for two members to finish the remainder of the four year terms.
At this week’s council meeting, current council members Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr. and Dynette Lewis expressed concerns about making sure they have a quorum of three present at every meeting for the rest of the year in order to conduct town business.
Smith was not present at the meeting where Gomez stated that another council member might resign soon.
“We may have the same thing happen again prior to the end of this year,” Gomez said. ” I mean if you understand what I’m saying that could be, that it’s a possibility that might even happen. You following me?”
When asked if he plans to resign, Gomez quickly said no but alluded to his feelings that Smith might resign.
The council will seek any opinion from the town attorney on the steps that are taking. They are also searching for two people to appoint to the council in January; interested citizens can contact town hall or council members Gomez, Jackson or Lewis.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council members Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr., and Dynette Lewis at a meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny, High In The Middle 80s For Thursday
October 6, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 85.
Reward Upped To $15,000 In Fatal Bellview Ballpark Double Shooting
October 6, 2022
A $15,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to an arrest in last Saturday’s fatal double shooting during youth football at Bellview Ballpark.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is adding $10,000 from an anonymous donor to a $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward.
The ECSO has issued a plea for information from the public, including any videos or photos from the game, both before, during and after the “targeted” shooting. So far, investigators have already received “some “videos and photos.
The shooting happened after an altercation with as many as six other people and the two victims. At least two of the suspects left the ballpark and returned wearing masks. There was an exchange of gunfire, the sheriff said, between the victims and the suspects. Four to six people fled the scene in a vehicle.
The shooting left 22-year old Kaderrick Teamer dead near the football field sidelines, and another man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Anyone with information, photos or videos is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The Bellview Athletic Park is located just west of Longleaf Elementary School and Pine Forest High School.
Pictured: Escambia County EMS at the scene of a shooting Saturday at the Bellview Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Sample Ballots Are In The Mail
October 6, 2022
Sample ballots for the November 8 general election are being mailed to Escambia County voters this week. The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on Election Day. A sample ballot is also available at EscambiaVotes.gov. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mary Gene Conway
October 6, 2022
Mrs. Mary Gene Conway, age 91, passed away, Monday, October 3, 2022 in Atmore, AL. She resided in Canoe for most of her life where she opened her home as a sitter for many children throughout the years. Mrs. Conway considered them to be part of her family.
Mrs. Conway enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and watching them play sports. She enjoyed watching Alabama Football and the Atlanta Braves. She also loved catching and eating White Perch.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James “John” Conway; her son, Douglas Conway; her
parents, Otis and Jessie Ray; six brothers, Arthor Lee Ray, Johnnie Frank Ray, Marvin Ray, Willis Ray, Sam Ray, Milton Ray, and sister, Lettie Jane (Ray) Childress.
She is survived by her son, James (Mary) Conway, of Molino, FL; two daughters, Wanda Lee, of ColeRain, NC and Linda Conway, of Stockton, AL; thirteen grandchildren, Becky (James) Faberman, Robin Kyzer, Zack (Jessie) Conway, Shannon Riley, AJ DeLancey, Kristy (Jason) Hane, Katelynn (Bruce) Wise, Jason (Beth) Thomas, Amber (Josh) Sheffield, AnnahMarie (Bo) White, Johnathon (Diana) Conway, Ashley (Adam) Edwards, David (Stephanie) Harris, and thirty-five Great Grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. William Armstrong officiating.
Burial will follow at Sardis Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be David Harris, Chase Harris, Landon Harris, James Lyles, Bill Faberman, Josh Sheffield, and Deric Kyzer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Lee Ray and Mike Helmes.
Mary Jane Flowers
October 6, 2022
Mary Jane Flowers, Nana to her grandchildren for the last 20 years, passed away on September 30, 2022 at the age of 72. She was born in Travelors Rest, South Carolina to the late Cecil Brown and Dorthea Ard Brown. Mary worked in the insurance business for over 25 years. She was a faithful member of Pace Assembly of God Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and brothers-in-law, Jack McDuffie and Bill Byars.
Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, James L. Flowers; daughter, Melissa (Jason) Comans; grandchildren, Jay Comans and Joel Comans; sisters, Doris McDuffie and Sarah Byars; and several extended family members.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Randall Hamil and Bro. Darrell Eubanks officiating.
The family will receive friends at 10AM prior to services.
Burial will be held at 2PM on Friday, October 7, 2022 in Evergreen Memory Gardens, Panama City, Florida.
Tate Volleyball Receives Academic Award From Marines, Coaches Association
October 6, 2022
The Tate High School Volleyball team recently received an award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the United States Marines.
The Aggies, led by Javier Rivera, received the 2022 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award.
The award has honored teams for 30 years for matching their dedication to volleyball with excellence in the classroom.
For a photo gallery from a Tate volleyball game against Gulf Breeze, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.