Every Friday Morning, 11 UWF Students Head To Prison
March 31, 2022
Every Friday at 8 a.m., 11 University of West Florida students show up for class at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. Once inside, they are joined by their classmates: 13 incarcerated individuals.
The students are the first cohort enrolled in the Spring 2022 Inside-Out Exchange course led by Jennifer Brinkley, J.D., assistant professor of legal studies, and Dr. Nicole Niebuhr, assistant professor in the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice. The course, Contemporary Social Justice Issues, addresses the creation of social justice policy and its impacts on society.
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program® is an international initiative that encourages dialogue and education among incarcerated individuals and university students. UWF currently offers the first and only course in the region.
“Prisons are often looking for educational course offerings and, in my experience, incarcerated individuals are very eager to participate in an intellectual pursuit,” Brinkley said. “This type of collaboration brings so much joy to everyone involved, and it’s important for communities to invest in programs that help with re-entry, as incarcerated individuals will be joining our communities again at the end of their sentence. I am proud that UWF has been willing to step in and provide educational programming for incarcerated individuals, and to allow UWF students to be a part of this important endeavor.”
Brinkley and Niebuhr underwent a rigorous, 40-hour training course in early 2021 to gain eligibility for instructing an Inside-Out course, and joined forces to co-teach the first offering in the Spring 2022 semester.
Kayla Reid, a criminal justice graduate student, said she joined the course to participate in the unique opportunity to hear new perspectives within the criminal justice system and to expand her classroom learning through conversations with those who have lived the experience.
“Hearing the perspectives of individuals who are currently incarcerated is important,” Reid said. “I’m appreciating the discussions, and I believe the class is a good human experience. They come into class through one door, we come in another, but we all get to sit as students together.”
Sarah Goldberg, junior legal studies major, said the course provided an irresistible opportunity to pursue her interest in the prison system and prison reform topics.
“The most impactful part of the course so far has been the dismantling of my implicit bias,” she said. “Incarcerated people have been so ‘othered’ by society that we are taught to view them as inferior in every sense of the word. Having meaningful, important, eye-opening conversations with the inside-out students fosters a sense of understanding and connection you wouldn’t expect to have with someone whose life looks so different from your own. It’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Miracle League Of Pensacola Still Needs Buddies For The Spring Season
March 31, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola is still looking for volunteers to serve as buddies during the current spring season.
Buddies can volunteer for one or two games or for the rest of the season. Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.
To volunteer or for more information, call Volunteer Director Mike Norre at (850) 384-3489.
Store Clerk Doused With Gas, Set On Fire In Escambia County
March 31, 2022
An Escambia County convenience store clerk was doused with gasoline and set on fire Wednesday afternoon at a Circle K on W Street at Massachusetts Avenue.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year old Betty McFadden was told not to panhandle earlier in the day outside the service station. She left, retrieved a gas can, and panhandled for the gas before going inside.
McFadden then “followed that employee and started throwing matches on that employee and caught the employee on fire, then calmly walked out of the store,” Simmons said.
The sheriff said the employee has life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
A second employee was burned while attempting to help the victim.
A K-9 unit tracked down and arrested McFadden. She has been charged with attempted murder. According to the Escambia County Jail, she is homeless.
Man, 78, Struck And Killed By RV Being Moved In His Driveway
March 30, 2022
A woman struck and killed a man with a RV Wednesday afternoon in their driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 76-year old woman was moving the RV forward in the driveway of a home on Floyd Drive. A 78-year old man was between the motor home and a parked Lincoln SUV at the time. He as hit and pinned between the two vehicles.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS.
Troopers are continuing to investigate.
Floyd Drive is located off Inda Avenue, east of Pine Forest Road.
Severe Weather Expected Tonight; Gusty Winds Before The Storms
March 30, 2022
A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 A.M.
Severe weather is expected tonight across the North Escambia area with a rare 4 out of 5 chance.
A potent squall line is expected to move through the area through Wednesday night. Damaging winds in excess of 80 mph will be possible along with several fast moving tornadoes (some could be strong EF2 or greater). According to the National Weather Service, 80 mph winds can easily produce damage comparable to a tornado.
A wind advisory is in effect in advance of the storms. Sustained winds of 25-35mph with frequent gusts up to 50-55mph are expected. Loose articles should be secured and extreme caution will need to be taken on area bridges and overpasses. This is especially true for high profile vehicles and trailers. Over marine zones, a gale warning remains in effect.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 7pm and 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 63. Windy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Reminder: After School Activities, Sports Canceled In Escambia And Santa Rosa On Wednesday
March 30, 2022
The Escambia and Santa Rosa school districts have canceled all sports and extracurricular activities for Wednesday.
School will be in session as usual on Wednesday, and school is set to resume on Thursday in both counties. The greatest weather threat is during the evening hours on Wednesday, not during school hours.
After school activities are also canceled for schools in Escambia County, Alabama.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Using Gun To Threaten Juvenile On A Bicycle
March 30, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly using a gun to threaten a juvenile.
Jarrian Jamal Purifoy, 34, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Purifoy allegedly pulled a gun on a juvenile riding a bicycle in the area of Sheppard and Lincoln streets in Cantonment and threatened to shoot up his house, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
When located by deputies, Purifoy claimed he had been home all day and was waiting on a ride from his mom, and he denied driving a vehicle in which a deputy had seen him earlier, according to an arrest report.
Purifoy was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Here Are All The Winners From The GCA & NRYO Livestock Show
March 30, 2022
The Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show was held Friday and Saturday in Molino.
Youth exhibited chickens, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats and cows. In addition to showing their animals in the show ring, youth were quizzed on their knowledge of their projects. In the show ring youth competed in two types of classes, one focused on the youth, which is known as showmanship, and the other focused on the animal in either a breed or weight class. Over the past few months and even years, these youth have poured countless hours into working and preparing these animals.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Winners were as follows:
Black Angus / Registered
1st – Brooke Hoomes
2nd – Ella Gilmore
Grand Champion Black Angus – Brooke Hoomes
Reserve Champion Black Angus – Ella Gilmore
Brahman / Registered
1st - Tucker Padgett
Grand Champion Brahman Tucker Padgett
Brangus / Registered
1st – Abbie Jane Trejo
2nd - Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd – Jack Trejo
Grand Champion Brangus – Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion Brangus – Charlotte Rease Trejo
British White / Registered
Class 1
1st – Landen Smith
2nd – Austin Manning
3rd – Channing Smith
Class 2
1st – Sarah Alexander
Class 3: registered cow calf pair British White
1st – Sarah Alexander
Grand Champion British White – Sarah Alexander
Reserve Champion British White – Sarah Alexander
Shorthorn / Registered
1st Jessie Joyner
Grand Champion Shorthorn Jessie Joyner
AOB Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Mallory Mahoney
2nd Mallory Mahoney
Class 2
1st Abbie Jane Trejo
Class 3
1st Tucker Padgett
Grand Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Tucker Padgett
Commercial Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Maevree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Class 2
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Wyatt Allen
3rd Malarie Cooper
Class 3
1st James McELhaney
Grand Champion Commercial Breeding James McElhaney
Reserve Champion Commercial Breeding Mallory Cooper
Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – James McElhaney
Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – Abbie Jane
Breeding Heifer Showmanship
Jr Showmanship
1st Charlotte Rease Trejo
2nd Mallory Mahoney
3rd Malarie Cooper
Intermediate Showmanship
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Jessie Joyner
3rd Abbie Jane Trejo
Senior Showmanship
1st James McElhaney
2nd Brooke Hoomes
Market Hog Show
Class 1/Ultralight
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Tate Chapter FFA
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 2/Light
1st Addie Manning
2nd Ellison Miller
3rd Dawson Guy
Class 3/Middle
1st Mavree McElhaney
2nd Allen Bridgers
3rd Sydney Gilmore
Class 4/Heavyweight
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Wyatt Allen
Class 5/Ultraheavyweight
1st Black Beauty
Market Hog Grand Champion – Maevree McElhaney
Market Hog Reserve Champion - Weston Simmons
Market Hog Showmanship
Senior
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Maevree McElhaney
3rd Josh Nichols
Intermediate
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Addie Manning
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Junior
1st Ella Gilmore
2nd Sydney Gilmore
3rd Weston Simmons
Market Steer Show
Class 1:
1st Mackenzie Sims
2nd Brooke Hoomes
3rd Jessie Joyner
Class 2:
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Mary Oliver
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 3
1st MaeVree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Makayla Plato
Class 4
1st James McElhaney
2nd Malarie Cooper
3rd Grace Oliver
Market Steer Grand Champion James McElhaney
Market Steer Reserve Champion Maevree McElhaney
Market Steer Showmanship
Jr.
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Grace Oliver
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Jessie Joyner
Senior
1st James McElhaney
Mackenzie Sims
Maevree McElhaney
Market Goat
1st Rylie Gibbs
Grand Champion Market Goat Rylie Gibbs
Breeding Goat Show
Class 1: 0-6 months
1st Ona Spinks
2nd Hunter Chance
Class 2: 6-12 months
1st Estella Perea
Class 3: 12-18 months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 4: 18 plus months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 5: Breeding Doe w/kid at side
1st Rylie Gibbs
Grand Champion Breeding Doe Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Breeding Doe Rylie Gibbs
Goat Showmanship
Junior
1st Rylie Gibbs
Intermediate
1st Hunter Chance
2nd Ona Spinks
3rd Estella Pere
Senior
1st Andrew Fendley
Dairy Goat Show
Class 1: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Jessie Joyner
Class 2: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Addison Soderlind
2nd Addisyn Ward
Class 3: Nigerian Dwarf
1st Buttercup
Grand Champion Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat - Channing Smith
Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf - Addison Soderline
Class 1:Nubian Dairy Goat
1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee
3rd Hunter Chance
Class 2: Nubian
1st Gabbie Camp
2nd Cheyenne Taft
Class 3: Nubian
1st Bella Trivison
2nd Andrew Fendley
3rd Carmen Garcia
Grand Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Bella Trivison
Grand Champion Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Channing Smith
Dairy Goat Showmanship
Jr. 1st Channing Smith
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Addison Soderlind
3rd Bella Trivison
Senior 1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee
Market Lamb Show
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
2nd Andrew Manning
Grand Champion Market Lamb Austin Manning
Reserve Champion Market Lamb Andrew Manning
Breeding Sheep
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
Class 2: 1st Andrew Manning
2nd Andrew Manning
3rd Austin Manning
Grand Champion Breeding Sheep Andrew Manning
Reserve Champion Breeding Sheep Austin Manning
Sheep Showmanship
1st Andrew Manning
2nd Austin Manning
Preview Steer
Class 1
1st Hannah Jerkins
2nd Austin Manning
Class 2
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Ella Gilmore
Class 3
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Class 4
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd A.T. Bridgers
3rd Leah Rutherford
Class 5
1st James McElhaney
2nd Jack Trejo
3rd Charlotte Trejo
Grand Champion Preview Steer Payton Fuqua
Reserve Champion Preview Steer James McElhaney
Preview Steer Showmanship
Jr
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Intermediate
1st Jack Trejo
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Tucker Padgett
Senior
1st Leah Rutherford
2nd James Mcelhaney
3rd Maevree McElhaney
Rabbit Show Results
Best in Show – Estella Perea
Best Opposite Sex – Tucker Padgett
Rabbit Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (8-10) 1 Weston Simmons
Intermediate Showmanship (11-13) 1 Tucker Padgett
2 Estella Perea
3 Alyson Hoover
Poultry Show
Best of Show – Skylah Miles – Buff Polish
Reserve Best of Show – Avery Weekley, Lavender Orpington
Showmanship
Poultry Showmanship
Jr.
1st Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Bella
2nd Bristol
3rd Estella Perea
Senior
1st Skylah
2nd Phoenix
3rd Christian
Chick Chain
Chick Chain Showmanship
Jr.
1st Lainey Dunsford
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Kennedy Ard
3rd Matt Dunlap
Senior
1st Gracie Meredith
2nd Raimi Joseph
3rd Wyatt Allen
Chick Chain Show
Black Australorps
Grand Champion Pen 1st Dash Reeves
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Wyatt Allen
Buff Orpingtons
Grand Champion Pen 1st Jessie Joyner
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Matt Dunlap
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Spring Fling Youth Summit Is Saturday At Carver Park
March 30, 2022
The Annual Spring Fling Youth Summit will be held this Saturday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
There will be free prizes, free food, music, arts and crafts, sports competition, educational and career information (grades 5-12), and lots of fun for grades kindergarten through high school.
The Spring Fling Youth Summit is sponsored by Ascend Performance Materials, IP, and the Escambia County CRA and is hosted by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
For more information or to register, contact Mary Holley-Lewis at (850) 346-2797 or any member of the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
Carver Park is located at 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Health Department Suspends COVID-19 Testing
March 30, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will close their COVID-19 testing as of Friday due to a decline in demand.
“Individuals should continue to watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, keep your distance from others, be evaluated by your health care provider, and get tests,” the health department said in a statement.
FDOH-Escambia continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible persons by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Call (850) 595-6554 to schedule an appointment.