Rudolph “Rudy” Emory Bridges
August 4, 2022
Rudy Bridges, a resident of Cantonment, Florida, after an extended illness, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, August 1, 2022.
He was born on September 23, 1952 in Jacksonville, Florida. He spent his childhood fishing the waters of Ammonia Lake and Apalachicola River and hunting the area around Blountstown, Florida. He made a lifelong career providing for his family as an electrician, which took him many places throughout the U.S. It wasn’t unusual to find Rudy playing his guitar, tinkering with something, reading a book, or hunting but most of his free time was spent fishing and he didn’t leave many puddles big enough to hold a fish unexplored.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Lionel Bridges and Helen Jo Ganey, son, Jeremy Bridges, and granddaughter, Bristol Lynn English.
To carry his memory and selfless spirit forward, he is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diane, sons, Kenneth & Rebecca Bass, Kevin & Shelly Bass, daughters, Valerie (Bridges) & Tony English, Brittany (Bridges) & Micheal Harris, sister, Christine (Bridges) & Randy Cash, brother, Darrin & Adonna Bridges, three nephews, a niece, and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North followed by internment at Pensacola Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be prior to service from 10-11 a.m.. Pallbearers will be Kevin Bass, Darrin Bridges, Bradley Bridges, Alex Chambers, Ben Price and Kyle Salter. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Bass, Tony English, Micheal Harris and Jody Chambers.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pensacola Covenant Hospice.
FDLE Investigating Death Of Inmate From Escambia County At Blackwater Correctional
August 3, 2022
The death of an inmate from Escambia County is under investigation at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Milton.
Andrew Alexander Thompson, 35, died on July 27, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. A cause of the death has not been released due to an ongoing investigation by FDLE and the Office of Inspector General.
Thompson was sentenced in March to 45 years in prison on 12 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of sexual activity involving animals.
The charges stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. During the execution of a search warrant at Thompson’s home, law enforcement found multiple hard drives, a phone, and a computer that contained child pornography. It was later determined that the he possessed over 2,000 images and videos of child pornography.
During the course of the investigation, it was found that Thompson recorded himself participating in sexual activity with a dog in the home.
After the trial, prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer stated, “Based off of everything discovered during this investigation, this defendant posed a serious danger to the community. This sentence was needed to protect and prevent the continued victimization of children.”
Blackwater is a private prison under contract with the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), according to Deputy Communications Director Molly Best with FDC
“We can confirm that an inmate died at Blackwater River Correctional Facility on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 and the incident is under investigation by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) with assistance from the Office of Inspector General,” Debbie Hall with DMS stated in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
One Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash Early Wednesday Morning
August 3, 2022
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash early Wednesday morning in Walnut Hill.
A pickup truck left the roadway and overturned in a ditch on Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99 about 3:30 a.m.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Heavily Damages McDavid Home
August 3, 2022
Fire heavily damaged a home in McDavid early Wednesday morning.
The fire was reported about 4:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of North Century Boulevard, about 1.5 miles north of the McDavid Fire Station.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames from a window and heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the home. The occupant of the home was able to escape the fire without serious injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Northbound Highway 29 was completely closed for about an hour as firefighters worked.
The McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Hitting Woman With Bar Stool, Punching Her
August 3, 2022
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly hitting a woman in the head with a bar stool and punching her.
Dimitiri DyShawn Bryant, 43, was charged with felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she was working in a food trailer on Highway 29 when she heard a door open. When she turned around, Bryant threw a wooden bar stool, hitting her in the head before punching her in the face and ripping hair from her head, according to an arrest report.
A deputy noted that had injuries consistent with her allegations, and hair was on the floor of the food trailer. Bryant is the son of the food trailer owner and had dated the victim in the past, the report notes.
In an unrelated incident involving a second victim, Bryant was charged with battery after he allegedly grabbed a woman and held her down against her will at a residence on Moreno Court. He also punched her in the face, and bit her on the chest and arm, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Bryant was released on a $2,000 bond.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Again
August 3, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Century Spends Large Chunk Of American Rescue Plan Funds On Sewer Equipment
August 3, 2022
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to spend a large portion of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds they’ve received so far on wastewater equipment.
For an even $200,000, Century will buy a vacuum trailer, bypass pump, a water pump and a “jetter trailer” with sewer machine and camera system. A jetter trailer uses high pressure water to clear sewage blockages.
Century has received $462,287.83 in APRA funds to date, and a second payment of the same amount is being processed.
The funding is fairly significant for the town. Century has a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, with a large part of that coming from grants.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Woman, 72, Convicted Of Shooting Neighbor Six Times
August 3, 2022
A 72-year old Escambia County woman has been convicted of attempted second degree murder.
Yagaunda Grace Buschbaum shot her neighbor six times at Myrtle Grove Villas on Lillian Highway. He survived critical injuries.
Three days before the shooting, Buschbaum made a false complaint of burglary against the victim, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. On the night of the shooting, she called law enforcement to come serve the warrant. Before law enforcement arrived, Buschbaum lured the victim closer to the back door of her apartment under the pretense of giving him a gift, then shot him six times and claimed he was trying to break into her apartment.
“Buschbaum had developed romantic feelings for him and he believes wanted a relationship with him, but he had zero interest,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. She allegedly tried to kiss him, but he was forced to physically stop her.
Buschbaum will be sentenced in late November. She faces up to life in prison and must serve a mandatory minimum of 25 years.
Dozens Receive Driver’s License Services In Century, Mobile Unit To Return
August 3, 2022
Despite heavy rain, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was pleased with the turnout for the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office in Century on Tuesday.
The event was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
There were nine driver’s license and four identification transactions process Tuesday. In addition there were 24 tags processed, with others to be completed on Wednesday.
Lunsford said the FLOW mobile will return to Century later this year.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Groundbreaking Held For New Skatepark
August 3, 2022
The City of Pensacola broke ground Tuesday for a new skatepark.
The Blake Doyle Skatepark at Hollice T. Williams Park will include about 25,000 square feet of skateable surface area for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The skatepark will feature a beginner area, multilevel skate plaza, and two skate bowls, along with an additional 5,700 square feet of surrounding sidewalk and gathering areas.
“I know there are so many people in our community who have been waiting for this day,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “I’m incredibly excited to see the Blake Doyle Skatepark project take this monumental step toward becoming a reality, and I’d like to thank everyone who worked together to make this happen. I look forward to providing our skating community a dedicated place to skate right here in the City of Pensacola.”
Additional improvements through the project will include stadium seating, sidewalks, concrete gathering areas and artificial turf areas, benches, multi-colored concrete, trash cans and a small stage area.
Construction of the Blake Doyle Skatepark is expected to be completed in summer 2023, weather permitting.
