ECUA Honors Barry Tweedie For Devotion To Free Speech, Exchange Of Ideas
April 22, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Board and the ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) honored the late Barry Tweedie this week by dedicating the podium in the ECUA boardroom in his name.
Tweedie passed away on January 4, 2021, at the age of 68. He is a former member of the CAC and was actively involved with ECUA. He faithfully attended meetings and provided his insights into the management of water, wastewater, and sanitation systems over the course of many years.
“We dedicate this podium to Barry Tweedie, to honor his devotion to free speech and enthusiasm for the honest exchange of ideas in shaping policy,” a plaque placed on the podium states.
“This would mean so much to him if he was here,” his wife Paula Tweedie said. “Y’all meant so much to him; you enriched his life so much. To have something dedicated to him, not only just as a token, but something that is lifelong, that will remain here. That would mean so much to him.”
“Barry was one of the outstanding citizens,” former ECUA board member Larry Walker said. Tweedie ran unsuccessfully against Walker multiple times for the District 5 ECUA seat.
“America has precious few of those types of citizens. At ECUA over the past 25 or so years, Barry was really the only one,” Walker said. “He was the only citizen that faithfully came to our board meetings and our committee meetings. He was just as informed as any member of the CAC ever was. He was a wonderful citizen. ECUA is a lessor organization because of his loss. I appreciated him very much always, and I do to this day. Let’s all try remember that we all need to be good citizens in the Barry Tweedie mold.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County COVID-19 Daily Hospitalizations Remained Below 35 For Past Month
April 22, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 hospitalizations remained below 35 each day during the past month.
The number of people hospitalized due to the virus on Wednesday was 32, after a low of 20 over the last month. In mid-January, the number reached a high of 291.
“We are glad to see these numbers coming down for our community and for our hospitals,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said.”Please continue to take preventative actions, including wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and staying home if you are sick.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.
Escambia Man Charged With Attempted Homicide
April 21, 2021
An Escambia County man has been charged in connection with a shooting last week.
Robert Michael Mosley, 22, was charged with attempted homicide, use or display of a firearm during a felony, two counts of possession of a weapon by convicted felon, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
On April 14, the Escambia County Sheriff’s office responded to a shots fired disturbance on the 1200 block of West Maxwell Street. A short time later, a shooting victim was dropped off at Baptist Hospital. ECSO investigators determined that Mosley shot the victim during an argument.
Mosley is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
For The Third Time In A Month, Eight-Time Convicted Felon From Molino Arrested For Drug Trafficking
April 21, 2021
For the third time in a month, an eight-time convicted felon from Molino has been arrested on multiple drug trafficking charges.
Damion Tobias Bryant, 39, was free on bonds totaling nearly a half-million dollars when arrested Monday by the Pensacola Police Department for trafficking methamphetamine over 14 grams, trafficking fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.
This time, Bryant is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
“He is charged with a large number of very serious crimes,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said. “If convicted on the more serious charges (trafficking), the least he would looking at is a minimum of 25 years to be served day by day.”
“If he is convicted on multiple offenses, it could be virtually a life sentence if he receives multiple sentences to be served consecutively,” Marcille added.
April 19 Arrest
A Pensacola police officer observed a Honda Pilot run a stop sign at Tide and Audubon drives, just off Creighton Road. The officer observed a large clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in front passenger seat and called for a K-9.
Inside the vehicle, officers found 19 grams of methamphetamine in clear plastic bags, 24 bars of Xanax, 108.5 grams of fentanyl, and a small glass pipes with residue, according to an arrest report. Bryant had $974.50 in cash rolled in different denominations, the report continued.
April 1 Arrest
On April 1, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a Ford F-150 Bryant was driving near Yonge and “T” streets.
K-9 searched the truck and located 1.3 grams of MDMA, 31 grams of heroin, one gram of marijuana, 98.5 grams of fentanyl, glass smoking pipes, a loaded Ak-47 with a round in the chamber and more than $1,300 in cash, according to the ECSO.
Bryant was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, trafficking in heroin, trafficking in fentanyl, carrying a concealed firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $242,000 bond.
March 19 Arrest
On March 19, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in the 3900 block of Barrancas Avenue. Two people, Damion Tobias Bryant of Molino 32-year old Kiersten Marie Heusohn of Pensacola, were inside the room at the time, an arrest report states.
According to investigators, Bryant possessed approximately 267.8 grams of methamphetamine, 37.37 grams of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, 12.1 grams of synthetic marijuana, 22 grams of marijuana, 265 whole and 37 partial Alprazolam pills and two oxycodone pills.
In addition, deputies reported finding $1,475 in cash in the room and a .45 caliber pistol in a pool.
Bryant was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in heroin, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, destruction of evidence, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $240,000 bond.
Heusohn was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic heroin and destruction of evidence. She was released from jail on a $102,500 bond.
Pictured: Damion Tobias Bryant was in possession of 1.3 grams of MDMA, 31 grams of heroin, one gram of marijuana, 98.5 grams of fentanyl, glass smoking pipes, a loaded Ak-47 with a round in the chamber and more than $1,300 in cash after a traffic stop, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Drama Production Has Not Been Canceled, But Will Be Different Due To COVID-19 Protocols
April 21, 2021
Dozens of people contacted NorthEscambia.com Tuesday after receiving word that this week’s scheduled Tate High School drama performance been canceled at the eleventh hour due to the pandemic. Many expressed anger that the show would not go on while sporting events are allowed to continue.
We reached out to Escambia County School Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith and Tate High School Principal Rick Shackle for answers.
“I think there was confusion at the school over a drama production,” Smith said Tuesday afternoon.” “There has been no change whatsoever to (COVID-19) protocols that have been in place all year.”
Shackle said events were scheduled at Tate earlier this school year with the hopes that they could take place as normal, but the pandemic protocols never changed.
“We have things on the calendar that allow students to work toward them,” the principal said. “As far as the play goes, the drama department was fully aware from that beginning that it might not take place with an audience.”
The spring show with shorts “Hamlette” and “Mmmbeth”, based on the works of Shakespeare, will go on without an audience and will be streamed online Saturday night. Complete details, including any cost and time, were still be worked out Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s not an everything is back to normal, but it’s a win-win for the students and the parents,” Shackle said. “It’s especially important for the seniors.”
“These protocols have been in place, and I understand people are just ready to be done with them. I get that,” Smith said. “We are all tired of the pandemic. It’s been very difficult for seniors to miss proms and all of their senior activities. People have held their own events and done their own things with their friends. But at school, we have worked with the health department and have just done the best we can for the health and safety of our students and staff members.”
The superintendent said athletic events have continued with in-person fans due to contractual obligations with the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Shackle said Tate High School is also working on plans to also steam upcoming band and chorus events.
Parents from both Northview and Tate high schools held two separate “proms” this past Saturday night for students, but they were private events unaffiliated with the schools or district.
File photo.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Wreck
April 21, 2021
There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle crash on Highway 97 north of Dogwood Park Tuesday night.
The crash happened about 8 p.m. on Highway 97 near Hendricks Lane, north of White Ash Road. The front passenger side of a SUV and the side of a passenger sedan collided, sending both vehicles off the roadway.
Everyone involved initially refused transport to the hospital, but one person requested that Escambia County EMS return to the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the crash occurred. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Baseball Celebrates Senior Night With Win Over Washington, Honors Memory Of Sean Banks
April 21, 2021
The Tate Aggies celebrated Senior Night with a 13-4 win over Washington High Tuesday.
Before the game the Aggies honored the memory of Sean Banks, who was killed in a January 2019 wreck. Banks would have graduated with the Tate Class of 2021. Sean’s mother, Davisa Banks, was presented with flowers as were the other senior moms, and she stood in Sean’s place in a senior player photo.
Other seniors honored Tuesday night were: Dalton Bowen, Jadon Fryman, Dylan Godwin, Jordan Jarman, Zak Licastro, Joseph Pusateri and Tanner Rouchon.
For a Tate Baseball Senior Night and game action photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Tate High School baseball seniors (L-R) Jordan Jarman, Joseph Pusateri, Dalton Bowen, Zak Licastro, Davis Banks honoring the memory of her late son Sean Banks, Dylan Godwin, Jadon Fryman and Tanner Rouchon. Pictured below: Tate defeated Washington Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Want A Goat? Sheriff Chip Simmons Will Sell You One Thursday
April 21, 2021
Need a goat? Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons will be happy to sell you one.
In March, the goat was found wandering in the area of Quail Hollow Boulevard north of Nine Mile Road. A deputy gave the goat a ride to the sheriff’s office where it was fed and given a “place to crash”, according to the EcSO. No one claimed the goat.
The goat will be sold to the highest bidder at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 22 in a sheriff’s livestock sale. The sale will be held at Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Substation at 5844 North Highway 29 in Molino.
For more information, call (850) 436- 9477.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart Adds New COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Dates
April 21, 2021
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart will offer additional opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine on April 26 and April 27 in the gym at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ascension Sacred Heart added the two vaccination clinics in anticipation that more clinics might be needed to offset the government’s pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- On April 26, Ascension Sacred Heart will provide up to 800 doses of the Moderna vaccine to Florida residents 18 and older.
- On April 27, the clinic at Olive Baptist Church will provide up to 800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 16 and older.
Online appointments can be made at www.GetSacredHeartCare.com. The clinics will offer either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which require two shots about 3-4 weeks apart.
Century Council Forced To Cancel Meeting After Three Members Are No Shows
April 20, 2021
The Century Town Council was unable to conduct business Monday night after three members skipped their meeting.
Council president Luis Gomez, Jr. and Seat One member Dynette Lewis were present Monday night, but three members must be present for a quorum. James Smith, Jr. Leonard White and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were not present. No reason was given for their absences, but NorthEscambia.com later learned that Jackson was ill.
“I apologize when the public and the press has more initiative to come out then the council,” Gomez said. “There’s nothing I can do. Everybody is an adult, you know. I can’t make anybody do anything, but I am going to address it.”
The council was set to consider several important issues Monday night, including franchise fee increases for Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative, new members and meetings for the Charter Review Committee, consideration of two new employees recommended by the mayor, repairs to a town owned building in the industrial park, paying bills and other items.
Gomez and Lewis did allow a few members of the public to speak before the meeting was adjourned.
In early April, only Gomez and Smith attended meeting in which the council was to sit at the Community Redevelopment Agency, leading to a cancellation of that meeting. White and Jackson also missed the April 5 council meeting.
Pictured: Luis Gomez, Jr. and Dynette Lewis were the only council members to attend a Monday night meeting of the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.