DeSantis Extends Florida Eviction Moratorium
July 30, 2020
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday evening that extends the moratorium on evictions to 12:01 a.m. on September 1.
“I hereby suspend and toll any statute providing for final action at the conclusion of a mortgage foreclosure proceeding under Florida law solely when the proceeding arises from non-payment of mortgage by a single-family mortgagor adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency,” DeSantis said in his order.
The action is intended to provide relief for thousands of Florida residents that remain unemployed or otherwise are suffering economically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The eviction moratorium first went into effect on April 2 during Florida’s economic shutdown. This was the fourth extension.
Returning to UWF: Mandatory Daily COVID-19 Pre-Screening
July 30, 2020
The UWF Fall 2020 Returning to UWF Plan includes important information about students’ health and wellness, and the prevention of COVID-19. In order to make UWF a safer and healthier environment, students and employees are required to take a daily pre-screening.
The pre-screening is a brief set of questions. It can be found in MyUWF by searching “pre-screening” and will also be emailed on a daily basis to students, faculty and staff.
STUDENTS
All students must fill out the Daily COVID-19 Pre-Screening on a daily basis if they are:
- Visiting campus (every day they visit)
- Living on-campus and leaving their residence hall room (every day they leave their residence hall room)
- Students must fill out the Pre-Screening prior to visiting the location.
Students without access to technology to fill out the screening should contact Student Health Services at 850.474.2172 or the Dean of Students Office at 850.474.2384 to complete the screening questionnaire over the phone.
EMPLOYEES
Effective immediately, all employees (faculty, staff and OPS) regardless of remote or on-site must fill out the Daily COVID-19 Pre-Screening on a daily basis on every working day. Employees must fill out the Pre-Screening prior to visiting the location.
Exemptions:
- Employees considered permanent remote work as part of their job description. If permanent remote employees plan to visit a UWF location, they must also fill out the Daily COVID-19 Pre-Screening.
- Employees taking annual leave. These employees must resume when their annual leave is completed.
- Employees that are currently quarantined or isolated and have already notified Human Resources. These employees must resume when their quarantine or isolation period is complete.
- If employees are unable to access a computer or mobile device prior to work, the pre-screening must be completed prior to entering a UWF building via the official paper form.
Two Cantonment Residents Arrested On Multiple Child Pornography Charges
July 29, 2020
Two Cantonment residents were arrested on multiple child pornography Tuesday after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about 5,208 uploaded child porn images.
Ian Christopher Lopez, 34, was charged with 20 counts of promotion of certain images of child pornography and booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000. Patrick Taylor Wynn, 29, was also charged with 20 counts of promotion of certain images of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Wynn’s bond was set at $306,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office receive a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding 5,208 upload files of apparent child pornography. The user account information, including the username “John Appleseed”, user id, email and IP address were provided.
The IP address was traced to an address in the 4000 block of Pebble Creek Drive, where the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Tuesday.
A resident of the home described Wynn and Lopez as partners that had recently moved to 3061 Wiggins Lane in Cantonment. Deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at that address Tuesday. Lopez told deputies that he and Wynn “were in an on and off homosexual relationship for approximately 10 years”. He said they were no longer in that relationship but continued to live together with seperate rooms in the house.
Wynn told deputies that he viewed adult pornography, but when questioned further he requested an attorney, according to an arrest report.
Deputies found a thumb drive in a master bathroom connected to Lopez’s room that contained at least 20 images of obvious child pornography, the report states. A SD card containing at least 20 child porn videos, a thumb drive with 20 more child porn videos, and portable hard drive with three child pron videos were located in Wynn’s bedroom, the arrest report states.
The videos pertained to male children between about five and 15-years old engaged in sexual activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Also in Wynn’s bedroom, the ECSO reported they found a pipe and crystal methamphetamine.
A preliminary digital forensics examination conducted on Wynn’s iPhone found an account matching the reported storage account containing 5,208 child pornography images, the ECSO said.
Alabama Mask Order Extended; Masks Must Be Worn In Schools
July 29, 2020
Alabama’s mask order has been extended another month, and the governor has ordered that masks must be work in all but the lowest grades in the state’s schools.
In a Wednesday press conference, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the state’s mask order, which was set to expire on Friday, has been extended through August 31 at 5 p.m.
The updated “Safer at Home” order also requires masks “where possible” in schools and colleges for employees and students in second grade and above.
“These decisions are not easy and they are certainly not fun and there’s no way in the world you’re going to make everybody happy 100% of the time,” Ivey said. “Because no one enjoys wearing a mask…I believe we are making progress in this arena. We must remain vigilant if we’re going to get our kids back in school and keep our economy open.”
Ivey also encouraged school to move forward with phased openings of in-classroom learning.
“We need to do everything we can to get our students back in the classroom,” she said.
In addition to colleges and school, the mask order mandates that people wear a mask in public “when interacting within six feet” of people from different households, including:
- an indoor space open to the public
- a vehicle operated by a transportation service
- an outdoor space where 10 or more people are gathered.
Further details are below, click or tap to enlarge.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioners Receive Three Face Mask Mandate Options. One Is All Talk; One Carries Criminal Penalties.
July 29, 2020
Three mask mandate options have been drafted for consideration by the Escambia County Commission at their next regular meeting on August 6.
One is no more than a strong request with no penalties. Violators of one can received a noncriminal citation, while violating one option would be a second degree misdemeanor criminal offense.
The options were drafted by County Attorney Alison Rogers for the commission.
“What you have here are three different concepts,” Rogers said in her email as she provided the following options:
- An emergency order requiring individuals to wear masks pursuant to your state of local emergency. This takes three votes and a violation of an emergency order is a second degree misdemeanor per state law.
- A resolution strongly encouraging the use of masks. This takes three votes and has no penalty for failure to comply.
- An emergency ordinance requiring businesses to post mask wearing requirements and individuals in businesses to wear masks. It provides for noncriminal citations for enforcement. An emergency ordinance requires four (4) votes. The same ordinance could be advertised and scheduled for public hearing at a later meeting and would only require three (3) votes.
The commission can vote to approve any variation of the three options, and they also have the option of doing nothing.
Cantonment Man Indicted For First Degree Murder For Killing His Navy Wife In 2001 During Adulterous Affair
July 29, 2020
A Cantonment man has been indicted for the murder of his wife nearly 19 year ago.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted Gregory Paul Malarik, 57, for first degree premeditated murder with a firearm.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malarik for the 2001 murder of his wife, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik. Gregory Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The body of Sherri Lynn Malarik was found September 22, 2001, at about 8 a.m. inside a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie and Movie Gallery at 1550 South Highway 29, less than three miles from the couple’s home. She was found by family members who are not named in the report.
An autopsy found that she was murdered – shot twice in the head with a .25 caliber handgun. She was found in the floorboard of the van. Forensic evidence indicated that she was shot while seated in the passenger seat.
The investigation revealed he was engaged in an extramarital affair with Jennifer Spohn who, at that time, was his co-worker. Spohn later disclosed that he wanted to end the marriage but, having previously been married, did not want to go through another divorce proceeding. She related a conversation in which Gregory Malarick suggested he should just kill Sherri.
Investigators said they believed Gregory Malarik drove Sherri Malarik to the Winn Dixie in the minivan. Gregory told Sphon to meet him later that evening at the Winn Dixie to pick him up. When Spohn arrived at Winn Dixie at the appointed time, Gregory was there with the van, got into her vehicle, and told her to drive normally. Once out on Highway 29, Gregory discarded what appeared to be a long-haired wig. Spohn then dropped Gregory off at the marital residence.
Swabs taken from his hands the day of the murder were positive for gunshot residue, and pants believed to have been worn the night of the murder were found to have gunpowder in the left front pocket, the report states.
In 2017, a NCIS investigator examined phone records from the Malarik residence from the night of September 21, 2001. He found that multiple calls were made at 6:29 p.m., 7:59 p.m., 8 p.m. at 8:47 p.m. “This provided two periods of time sufficient for Malarik to have committed the homicide, transported (Sherri) Malarik’s body to Winn Dixie, and returned home,” the report states.
Multiple children in the home were interviewed in 2001 and have since been re-interviewed. All provided statements generally consistent with a timeframe provided by Gregory Malarik. However, one child said that Gregory Malarik called Sherri Malarik into the backyard on September 21, 2001. Shortly after seeing her go in the backyard, the child said they heard a “pop” similar to a firecracker. Gregory Malarik then immediately walked back inside, showered and changed clothes, the report states, before leaving for 10 to 15 minutes. That was sufficient time, the investigation found, to drive the victim to Winn Dixie.
The .25 caliber handgun used in the murder was never recovered, but the investigation revealed Gregory Malarik owned such a weapon at the time of the homicide.
The arrest report states that emails recovered show Gregory Malarik and his mistress had discussed “how to trick a polygraph” as early July 31, 2001.
An email from Sherri Malarik to her sister stated: “I believe that there is spiritual warfare going on in my home and Greg just can’t see it…He is simply upset because he feel that I put other people before him when I listed to the possibility of masonry being something other than it seems…He feels as if I betrayed him. Please keep us in your prayers…we need all the help we can get.”
Spohn was re-interviewed in May 7, 2002, and gave a similar account to her 2001 statements. Spohn was interviewed again on March 6, 2020, during which she gave testimony that was inconsistent with her original statement, the arrest report states, leading investigators to believe her original statement about returning a lawn mower was a cover story. Those statements were redacted. Investigators believe she assisted in the homicide and the destruction of evidence which had been preplanned, possibility for several months as indicated by emails.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Child Abuse After Girl’s Uber Ride Costs More During COVID-19
July 29, 2020
A Cantonment woman was charged with allegedly abusing a child because her Uber ride to work cost more due to COVID-19.
Darlene Denise Smith, 55, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony third degree child abuse and felony obstructing justice for preventing communication to a law enforcement officer. She was later released on a $2,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in a neighborhood off Old Chemstrand Road. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find the victim crying and shaking on the front porch. The age of the victim was not listed in the arrest report, but she was listed as a relative of Smith.
She told deputies that Smith was angry that the child’s Uber ride to work cost more than normal due to COVID-19. She said she attempted to explain the difference to Smith, but her anger escalated to the point of grabbing her, scratching her neck and chest. She then pushed the child onto a bed, got on top of her and punched her several times with a closed fist, according to an arrest report.
The victim said she called 911, but Smith grabbed the phone and hung up the call before reaching a dispatcher, the report states.
Deputies noted in their report that the victim suffered numerous cuts and scratches. She refused Escambia County EMS.
Escambia County Now Offer Free Hand Sanitizer Along With Free Masks
July 29, 2020
Escambia County is now offering 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in addition to face masks as part of the public health campaign, “Mask Up, Escambia!”
The campaign, which began July 1, is focused on informing residents and visitors that masks are recommended by the CDC to protect others. In addition to a 2 ounce hand sanitizer bottle, the public may continue to pick up a free mask while supplies last.
The county offered 27,000 free masks to residents throughout the public health campaign and still has supply at the following locations:
- West Florida Libraries Monday through Friday 2-6 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library
- Century Branch Library
- Tryon Branch Library
- Pensacola Library
- Genealogy Branch Library
- Southwest Branch Library
- Westside Branch Library
- Escambia County Extension, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road
- Brownsville Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3200 W. De Soto St.
- Ebonwood Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3511 W. Scott St.
- Pensacola Beach, Tower 4 at Casino Beach or ask a lifeguard
“Escambia County is pleased to be able to offer free hand sanitizer in addition to a free mask for the public during this unprecedented time,” said Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore. “Unfortunately, it sounds like COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon we are urging the public to continue to focus on staying clean to stay healthy. The county has supplies, and we are doing everything in our power to encourage the public to ‘Mask Up’ and stay clean.”
First Century Prison Inmate Is COVID-19 Positive, 265 Inmates Held In Medical Quarantine
July 29, 2020
The first positive inmate COVID-19 case at Century Correctional Institution has been reported by the Florida Department of Corrections. A total of 16 correctional staffers have also tested positive.
There have been 14 other inmates tested since the start of the pandemic. Ten were negative and four are awaiting results. As of Tuesday, there were two inmates held in medical isolation and 265 in medical quarantine, according to FDC.
Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Broxson, Barry Encourage Citizens To Pledge To Donate Blood
July 29, 2020
Senator Doug Broxson and Escambia County are continuing to urge local residents to pledge to donate blood, especially if they are a recovered COVID-19 patient.
“Make a pledge to give blood, it is our current best hope of preventing the most vulnerable from dying,” Broxson said, “and keeping an open economy for the rest of us.”
A couple of weeks ago, Broxson appeared before the Escambia County Commission asking for them and their constituents to pledge to donate blood.
“This is a wonderful way to help support our community during this unprecedented time. I want to personally thank Senator Doug Broxson for for his leadership and for bringing Escambia County this pledge to support,” Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “I am certain the pledge will generate many more units of donated blood and plasma in the near future, thereby saving many additional lives. I am also so proud of the participation of Escambia County employees today. One Blood had 38 total slots for donating today, and all 38 slots were filled before the bus even arrived early this morning.”
Blood and plasma donors at OneBlood must be in good health (free of allergy, flu, cold and nausea symptoms for at least three days), 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be well-hydrated, eat a healthy meal within four hours before donating, and bring a form of ID.
OneBlood donation centers are located at 1999 East Nine Mile Road and 2209 North Ninth Avenue. Click here to locate upcoming blood drives near you.
OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the FDAand will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Appointments to donate are required at the donation centers, and masks are required.
Donors must be symptom free for 14 days.
