Case Dropped Against Man Charged With Abuse Of Wheelchair Bound Amputee
September 21, 2019
A case has been dropped against a Cantonment man charged with attacking a wheelchair bound amputee.
Brian Christopher Holtman, 34, was charged with felony abuse of an elderly or disabled person in March 2019. According to court documents, the charge was dropped because the victim declined to prosecute.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim said he was arguing with Holtman over financial issues when Holtman became upset and physically attacked him as they traveled along Plantation Road. The victim refused medical treatment.
Friday Night Finals
September 21, 2019
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Holmes County 22 [Photos, details...]
- Crestview 47, Tate 7 [Photos, details...]
- Escambia Academy 38, Jay 20
- Pine Forest 24, Navarre 6
- Catholic 35, Pensacola High 12
- Washington 34, Mosley 27
- Escambia 42, Gulf Breeze 0
- Pace 17, Fort Walton Beach 3
- Milton, 37 Choctawhatchee 21
- West Florida – OPEN
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 38 Jay 20
- W.S. Neal 27, Escambia Co. 7
- Bayside Academy 30, T.R. Miller 29
- Flomaton 53, St. Michael 21 (Thursday – click for details)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Applications Accepted For Florida Urban and Community Forestry Grant Programs
September 21, 2019
The Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2019 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and the 2019 Managing Community Forests Grant Program. Both programs are supported through the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program which provides funding to local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribal governments and nonprofit groups for urban forestry projects within their communities.
“Urban forestry accounts for over 80,000 jobs and contributes more than $8 billion to Florida’s economy,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Now is the time for our cities and towns to take advantage of these opportunities to more actively manage the urban forests in their communities.”
“Urban forests provide a multitude of environmental and health benefits,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Restoring and sustaining these forests is vital to protecting and improving the livability of Florida’s communities and the quality of life of our residents.”
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is part of Florida’s ongoing initiative to increase and protect existing tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties. This year, projects will focus on promoting storm preparedness and storm recovery assistance. Qualified participants may apply for up to $20,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 25, 2019.
The Managing Community Forests Grant Program is a new opportunity aiming to help communities develop an urban forestry management program. The program includes funding up to $55,000 for three projects over a three-year period and is designed for communities with a population between 10,000 and 100,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 24, 2019.
To submit a proposal or learn more in Escambia County, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov.
Murder Suspect Arrested; Second Man Wanted For Questioning
September 20, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a homicide suspect and is looking for a second person for questioning in a murder Friday afternoon in Brownsville.
Gregory Wayne Clark (pictured below) was arrested in connection with a homicide that took place on Mobile Highway at Shoemaker Street about 2 p.m. Friday. He is charged with homicide and aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony.
The ECSO is still searching for Tony Darius Goodwin (pictured above) for questioning only in the case. Deputies said he should not be approached; anyone that knows his whereabouts should call 911 immediately.
The victim was found a short distance from the shooting location at Trisha’s One Stop on Mobile Highway and Green Street. The ECSO released the surveillance photo below from near the scene. They believe Clark and Goodwin were in the truck.
Health Advisory For Pensacola Beach Near Pier: Stay Out Of The Water Due To Bacteria
September 20, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory for Casino Beach near the Pensacola Beach Pier advising people to stay out of the water to avoid getting sick.
The warning was issued after testing showed a high level of enterococci bacteria.
“Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,” says Escambia CHD Director Dr. John Lanza. “Water samples gathered at these sites had a levels of enterococci bacteria which exceeds the recommended threshold. We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice.”3
The bacteriological sampling occurred during water quality monitoring activities, and the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.
The health department will lift the advisory only when additional testing shows the water to be safe.
Fire Destroys Storage Shed, Damages Mobile Home
September 20, 2019
Fire destroyed a storage shed and damaged the exterior of a mobile home on Quintette Road Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze shortly after 1:00 in the 200 block of West Quintette Road to find the shed fully involved in fire. The heat from the fire melted siding on the side of a nearby mobile home, but quick action by firefighters prevented further damage to the residence.
There was no word on the cause of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The Cantonment, Molino Ensley, Beulah and Belleview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Home Run: Volunteers Complete 2,400 Hours Of Work To Repair Miracle League Field
September 20, 2019
Volunteers hit a home run inhelp the Miracle League of Pensacola make repairs to one of their fields over the past month.
Over 250 volunteers worked for over 2,400 combined hours to repair the damaged field for the fall season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface for special needs players. Some of those tiles buckled, prompting the painstaking repair process.
All of the tiles had to be removed, pressure washed and replaced one by one.
Pictured: The top photo and first two photos below show the completion of work on the Miracle League Field on Nine Mile Road. The remaining photos below show the scope of work as repairs were underway. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Haas Center Analysis Looks At Possible Hotel, Mixed Use Development In Century
September 20, 2019
A University of West Florida Haas Center has completed a market analysis of the immediate Century area.
The analysis looked at the former Alger Sullivan mill property as a possible location for a mixed use development. Standard guidelines suggest that mixed use development that regions like the Century area may struggle to support such a development. However, there are indications that there is unmet retail demand within the region and the household income for potential spending growth that might support mixed use development, the Haas Center report stated.
The Haas Center also found that a small, well-run bed and breakfast with reasonable development costs could be feasible within the town, but a hotel or motel would likely not be feasible beyond perhaps a small budget facility.
“Small towns often must be more creative with their efforts as the sort of business growth that naturally happens with population growth does not happen for them. While small towns can attract big industry, they often instead must grow it themselves. Small towns are also more reliant on attracting visitor spending from outside of their community in order to grow their economy,” the study states.
In order to be successful, a small town must cooperate, rather than always compete, with neighboring communities when there are mutual benefits to be had, the study found. Flomaton and Century effectively make up a single trade area.
The Haas Center also noted that since it is a farther drive to business districts further south in Escambia County, FL, Century is often more linked to towns like Atmore and Brewton.
The analysis was funded by the Escambia County Commission.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Minor Injuries In Century Single Vehicle Wreck
September 20, 2019
One person was injured in a single vehicle wreck in Century Thursday night.
The vehicle collided with a small tree on East Highway 4 near Freedom Road about 8:30 p.m. The driver was transported with minor injuries to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Golf ‘B’ Team Defeats West Florida, Pine Forest
September 20, 2019
The Tate High School Boys Golf “B” team defeated West Florida and Pine Forest at Scenic Hills scoring 207 over nine holes. Caleb Banks posted the lowest score of the match 46.
This was this squads first match of the season.
Tate Scores (top four used for team total):
Caleb Banks 46
Peyton Caslow 51
Kyle Clifton 54
Jacob Greeson 56
Trip McMann 59