Mental Health Task Force To Kick Off ‘Take 5′ Minutes For Yourself Campaign
March 30, 2022
The Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida is preparing to kick off the second quarter of a yearlong awareness campaign, continuing the Task Force’s goal to raise awareness about mental health while encouraging community support for each other.
The Task Force has released additional free, shareable materials for the second quarter, which focuses on taking care of yourself. The “Take 5” campaign kicks off Friday, April 1 and reminds people to take five minutes to themselves when they need it. This could be taking a walk, stepping away from your computer, listening to your favorite song, or simply taking slow, deep breaths – whatever lightens your mood.
The “Take 5” campaign follows the Task Force’s first quarter “Ask 5” campaign, which reminded people to take a moment to ask five people if they’re ok.
“After focusing the first quarter of the year on taking care of others and checking in to see if they’re ok, I’m excited to highlight the importance of self-care,” said State Rep. Michelle Salzman, who has spearheaded the Mental Health Task Force. “Self-care is vital to a person’s mental health and well-being, and we too often put ourselves last while focusing on our families, friends, careers, and the many demands of our everyday lives. We hope everyone will share this message and encourage each other to ‘Take 5’ when you need it.”
The new social media materials for the second quarter are available on the Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida’s website. The materials are free and available to anyone, but organizations and individuals are also encouraged to take the mental health pledge to action to commit to making a positive impact on the mental health and wellness of your workplace.
Penton, Kelly Homer As Tate Shuts Out West Florida; Miller Tops Northview Softball
March 30, 2022
BASEBALL
Tate 15, West Florida 0
The Tate Aggies shut out the West Florida Jaguars 15-0 Tuesday night.
Ethan McAnally earned the win for Tate, going three innings with no runs, no hits and six strikeouts. Colen Swiets pitched one inning in relief, allowing one hit, not runs and striking out one.
Cade Kelly and Jackson Penton both had home runs for the Aggies. Penton was 3-3 with two runs and six RBIs to the lead Tate at bat.
For more photos, click to tap here.
SOFTBALL
T.R. Miller 11, Northview 8
Jamison Gillman gave up nine runs on four hits while striking out nine in six innings. Aubrey Stuckey tossed one inning in relief allowing two runs, not hits and striking out one.
Stuckey, Peyton Gilchrist, and Kayla Dixon had two hits each to lead Northview.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies shut out West Florida 15-0 Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Threat Level Increased: Severe Thunderstorms Likely For Wednesday Night
March 29, 2022
A significant severe outbreak is expected across our area with damaging straight line winds up to 80 mph and several fast moving tornadoes possible, some could be strong.
The threat level has been updated to a (locally) rare 4 out of 5.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 63. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
More Details Released In Case Of Molino Man Facing Multiple Child Porn Charges
March 29, 2022
Court documents are offering new details about multiple child porn charges brought by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement against a 76-year old Molino man.
William David Pettus of 3101 Crabtree Church Road was charged with 25 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material on Saturday.
The investigation began last August after agents identified child sexual abuse material being shared from a computer in Escambia County. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Pettus’ residence in February. Forensic examinations of his electronic devices uncovered evidence of videos featuring children being abused, according to FDLE.
In documents obtained Monday by NorthEscambia.com, a FDLE special agent said an IP address belonging to Pettus was used to share files of known pornography between August 3, 2021, and again between January 23 and January 24, 2022. A search warrant was served at Pettus’ home at 3101 Crabtree Church Road.
“William Pettus identified the two desktop computers in his office were his and that his wife did not use computers, an arrest warrant states.
According to FDLE, 25 child pornographic images of male and female children as young as three were recovered from Pettus’ desktop computer, CDs, and external hard drives.
Most of Pettus’ statements to investigators were redacted from the warrant affidavit.
Pettus was released from the Escambia County Jail Saturday afternoon on a $50,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest on an FDLE arrest warrant. ESCO and Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the case.
Man Charged With Multiple Weapons Offenses After Highway 97 Traffic Stop
March 29, 2022
A convicted felon from Jay is facing weapons charges after Highway 97 traffic stop in Davisville.
Curtis Alan Amerson, 63, was charged with four counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted Florida felon for having three firearms and a case hold ammunition in his vehicle.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance on Highway 97 for a possible warrant service. Amerson was sitting at the address in a white GMC Hummer, and deputies reported that they could plainly see two firearms between the front passenger seat and center console, an arrest report states.
While deputies were waiting for the results of a criminal history check on Amerson, he drove north on Highway 97. Deputies stopped his vehicle at the Piggly Wiggly because his license plate was obscured by a rear carrier. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he was detained due to a 1999 felony conviction.
Inside the vehicle, deputies located a double barrel 12-guage shotgun loaded with two rounds, a .22 caliber rifle with 14 rounds including one in the chamber, a .22 caliber pistol with nine rounds including one in the chamber, and a case containing 13 additional shotgun shells, according to an arrest report.
Amerson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Committee Nears Completion Of Governmental Rewrite For Century
March 29, 2022
The Century Charter Review Committee has almost completed a rewrite of the document that governs the town.
The committee is tasked with updating the charter — the document that legally establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The committee has met periodically since October 2019.
Now, the committee is the last stages of completing their work.
There is an almost final draft, and members will propose any minor changes by April 4 with a vote about two weeks later. If the committee approves their creation, the new charter would go to the Century Town Council for approval and placement on the ballot.
Consultant Buz Eddy said the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office reached out after reading a story about Century’s charter review efforts on NorthEscambia.com. He said in order to make the August ballot, work would need to be completed by June, or August for the November ballot.
Pictured top: Consultant Buz Eddy speaks to the Century Charter Review Committee as chairperson Mary Bourgeois listens. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 29, 2022
The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce with an escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. An additional leg of the torch run Monday traveled from the ESCO to Bartram Park in Pensacola with the ECSO, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Pensacola Police taking part.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics on a foggy Monday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Wanted West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
March 29, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Freshmen Drop Navarre; T.R. Miller Tops Northview
March 29, 2022
Tate 11, Navarre 2 (Freshmen)
The Tate High School Aggie Freshmen defeated Navarre 11-2 on Monday.
Nathan Ozuna got the win Tate, lasting three innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out seven. Brodie Rhodes tossed three innings in relief, giving up hit and no runs while striking out five.
Taite Davis led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-4 with two runs and an RBI. Kaleb Posta, Ozuna and Trevor Land had two hits each for Tate.
T.R. Miller 6, Northview 5
The Northview Chiefs fell short of T.R. Miller 6-5 Monday in Bratt.
Cason Burkett allowing five run on six hits and struck out six for the Chiefs. Jamarkus Jefferson pitched two, allowing one run on one hit and striking out five.
Rustin Pope was 3-4 at the plate to lead Northview. Jefferson and Kaden Odom added two hits each, and Burkett had one.
Applications Open for 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program
March 29, 2022
Escambia County is seeking youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer through the Escambia County Youth Employment Program. Applications are due Friday, April 15 by 3 p.m.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECYEP will be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, approximately 100 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be age 16-24
- Must submit complete application packet by prescribed deadline.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, FL at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes.
- Must complete post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must be between the age of 16 years old and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must show proof of identify (state issued driver’s license or state ID card).
- Must show proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must submit completed application with all supporting required documentation to be considered
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
Applications can be completed either electronically or by hand. Click here for an electronic application. Click here to print the application PDF.
Applications can also be picked up during normal business hours at Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services Department, 221 Palafox Place or Brownsville Community Center, 3200 West Desoto St. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. Please submit your application via email to Carla Thompson at cmthompson@myescambia.com.
For additional information, please call (850) 595-3123.