Florida Lottery Warns Of Scam Targeting The Elderly
June 12, 2020
The Florida Lottery is warning citizens of a lottery scam making its rounds across the country targeting the elderly. The scammers inform the recipients that they’ve won a lottery prize but must send a check in order to verify banking information and receive their prize.
The Florida Lottery does not contact players to inform them that they have won a prize unless they have entered a promotional game or second chance drawing on the official Florida Lottery website or social media pages.
The following are important tips from the Florida Lottery:
Never pay money to collect a prize.
Never give your credit card number(s) or personal information over the telephone to anyone promising Lottery cash prizes or memberships.
Never redeem a Lottery ticket for a stranger.
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to claim a Florida Lottery prize.
McDavid Man Charged With Shooting At A Man He Thought Was Trespassing
June 11, 2020
A McDavid man was arrested after allegedly firing a rifle at a man he believed had trespassed on his property.
Samuel Oscar Macks, 56, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for firing at the man and discharging a firearm in public by shooting beside a county road and close to homes.
Macks told deputies he heard a noise near a shed on his property and saw a vehicle on the side of the road. He followed the vehicle as it drove away and caught up with it near the end of Elsie Davis Road. He found a man sitting on an ATV and confronted him about attempting to enter his property as he believed he had done in the past, according to an arrest report.
The victim told deputies he was sitting near his residence adding oil to his ATV when Macks approached him and accused him of stealing from his property. The victim said Macks retrieved a .22 caliber rifle from his car, threatened him and fired several shots. A witness reported hearing five shots.
It was noted in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report that the ATV was leaking oil in the road consistent with the victim’s statement. When Mack’s vehicle was searched, deputies found a case of 61 Remington .22 caliber rounds in the passenger seat and a single .22 caliber long round on the driver’s seat, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Macks’ first statement to deputies was redacted from the arrest report, but it states he later changed his statement to say he had returned to his residence and was no where near the victim.
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.
