Visitors Barred From Florida Prisons Until At Least June 28
June 11, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic visitation suspension at Florida prisons has been extended until at least June 28, the Florida Department of Corrections announced Wednesday.
“The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation,” the FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time.
Pensacola Beach Air Show Will Have New Four-Day Format
June 11, 2020
The Pensacola Beach Air Show will go on this year in a new four-day format July 8-11.
After multiple meetings between the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) staff and air show performers, the staff proposes the SRIA continue planning the 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show in July.
The air show program this year is built around social distancing in observance of the CDC recommendations for the COVID-19 virus.
The program will be a four-day event, and each day will have similar flight maneuvers. This expanded schedule will give the public four different opportunities to view the performances at least once.
The event’s footprint has been expanded substantially and there will be no center point in this year’s performance, to comply with CDC recommendations.
Aerial displays along the beach are scheduled to begin before noon each day.
SRIA staff and performers, including the Blue Angels, are still refining exact times and geographical locations that will include both Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
SRSO: Jay Woman Harassed Air Force Recruiter, Claimed To Be ISIS Terrorist
June 11, 2020
A Jay woman allegedly made dozens of harassing phone calls to an U.S. Air Force Recruiter, making threats and claiming to be a terrorist and a member of ISIS.
Margarette Ann Diamond, 24, was charged with harassing communication and was released on a $500 bond.
Diamond called the recruiter’s office 38 times and left several “vulgar” and “belittling” messages, according to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office report, along with a message that stated, “I’m a terrorist now”. Some of the voicemail messages included the words “kill” and “die”, the report states.
According to a U.S. Air Force investigator, Diamond left additional voice mails that continued to belittle the recruiter and stated, “You’re [expletive] going to die”.
The phone number used in the messages was positively linked to Diamond, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia County Judge Appointed To Florida’s First Circuit Court
June 11, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed local judge Jennifer J. Frydrychowicz to the First Circuit Court.
Frydrychowicz, of Pensacola, has been an Escambia County Judge since 2014. She previously served as an assistant state attorney in the First Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law.
Frydrychowiz fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael Allen.
CareerSource Escarosa Names New CEO
June 11, 2020
Marcus L. McBride, PhD has been name the new CEO of CareerSource Escarosa.
“Many years ago, I had an opportunity to work with families who faced an array of problems largely due to socioeconomic variables,”McBride said. “It was during that time when I developed a passion for helping others develop further, earn a livable wage, and live their best life. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve the residents and businesses in Northwest Florida.”
McBride is joining CareerSource Escarosa with a diverse background in the non-profit sector, most recently serving as the director of education and training for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, a $38
million non-profit agency that operates workforce development and career centers for individuals across 50 counties in Georgia and Alabama. Previously, he served as the vice president of operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley.
He will assume full leadership of CareerSource Escarosa on June 29.
McBride is replacing the retiring Sheryl Rehberg, who joined CareerSource Escarosa in 2017.
Local Students Selected To Receive Coveted State FFA Degree
June 11, 2020
Fifteen Escambia and Santa Rosa County FFA members have been selected to receive the coveted State FFA Degree.
The State FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the Florida FFA Association. Each applicant will be recognized during the 2020 Florida FFA Celebration.
Local 2020 State FFA Degree recipients are:
Tate High School
- Grant Robert Gill
- Myles Dillan Harrelson
- Raven Hollis
- Olivia Helen Little
- Madison Elizabeth Lucio
- Gabriel Joseph Pfeuffer-Ferguson
- Ronnie Alexander Plenkers
- Hannah Lee Rogers
- Lindsay Lavelle Von Stein
- Zoe Sunshine Williams
West Florida High School
- Connor Ballard
- Tamara Barnes
- Rainy Ellis
Jay High School
- Logan Ryan Cooley
- Travis Stewart Godwin
The 2020 Florida FFA Celebration will be held June 23-26 online only.
Century Man Facing Battery, Drug Charges After Disturbance With His Brother
June 10, 2020
A Century man is facing battery and drug charges over a disturbance involving his brother.
Aaron Tyrone Madison, Jr., 35, was charged with battery, battery by strangulation and possession of a controlled substance.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard. The individuals involved in the disturbance had left the store and gone to a home nearby on State Line Road. Deputies arrived at the home and observed Madison in a physical altercation with his brother. The brother and several others were yelling at Madison to leave but he instead tried to walk to the rear of the property, according to an arrest report.
When the deputy approached Madison, he observed a clear plastic baggie in his hand and another bag was later found in his pocket. The substance in the bags was believed to be bath salts and will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.
A female at the home stated Madison grabbed his brother around the throat until he passed out and grabbed her by the hair and “slung” her before punching her two times in the cheek.
Madison was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
FHSAA Approves Rule Allowing Football Players To Play Varsity And JV Games Each Week
June 10, 2020
Beginning this season, high school football players in Florida may be allowed to play in varsity and junior varsity games during the same week.
The Florida High School Athletic Association voted Tuesday for a new policy that will waive the one game per week policy and allow players to participate in six quarters per week.
It’s not automatic; each individual school must apply by the Monday of week three of the regular season in order to use the new six-quarter rule. Before approval, the FHSAA football administrator will consider program history along with current and past roster size of the school.
Many smaller schools across the state fail to consistently play junior varsity games for fear of not having enough back up players for their varsity games. That, according to the FHSAA, limits participation and development for players that are not ready to play at the varsity level.
“These lost opportunities to play make it harder to develop younger players and makes it harder to keep 9th and 10th graders engaged in the sport,” FHSAA said.
Pictured: Baker at Northview, September 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Friday In Cottage Hill. Get Rid Of Yard Debris, Junk For Free.
June 10, 2020
Residents of Cottage Hill will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge on Friday during the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The general cleanup area is east of North Highway 95A and north of Eden Lane. Click or tap the map above for the details of the cleanup area.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Convicted Escambia County Sex Offender Gets 50 Years For Probation Violation
June 10, 2020
A convicted sex offender will spend the next five decades in prison for violating his probation.
Charlie Morgan Smith, 40, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison to be followed by a lifetime of probation.
On October 19, 2000, an 18-year old female was leaving Walmart on Mobile Highway when she was forced into her vehicle by Smith. He threatened her with a semi-automatic weapon, took $115 from her, and forced her to drive to a wooded area where he sexually assaulted her. He was convicted and forced to register as a sexual predator.
On October 23, 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a weapon, kidnapping, and robbery with a gun. Smith was sentenced to 22 years in state prison followed by three years on probation. He was released from prison on July 3, 2019, placed on probation and forced to register as a sexual predator.
He absconded from probation in December 2019. In February of 2020, he was arrested for stealing from Walmart. Upon search of his bag, ammunition was also located. He was charged with possession of ammunition by convicted felon and petit theft.
On June 9, Smith pleaded guilty to violation of probation an possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and petit theft. Judge Coleman Robinson sentenced him to 50 years in state prison on the violation of probation charge and 15 years in state prison on the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon to run concurrently.