Appeals Court Upholds Conviction Of Man That Robbed Century Coin Laundry, Fled With Loot In Plastic Pumpkin
July 21, 2019
An appeals court has upheld the conviction of a Century man that robbed a Century laundromat and made his getaway with the loot in a plastic Halloween pumpkin.
In January 2018, William Edward Perry, Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in state prison by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender. That means Perry will be required to serve the first 15 years of his sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum.
Perry, now 58, appealed, but the Florida First District Court of Appeal last week upheld the sentence.
He was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a weapon.
On April 21, 2016, Perry entered Century Laundry and Self Storage and committed a robbery. The victim, who was about 70-years old, was the store manager and was alone in the store when Perry entered. The victim was taking money out of the washers and dryers when Perry came up behind her and took the plastic Halloween bucket of money.
The pumpkin bucket contained approximately $300 in coins. Perry put his hand in her face, told her to get back, and to go sit down behind the counter. Perry then demanded she give him the keys to the store. When the victim refused, Perry fled the scene without the keys but with the money in the pumpkin bucket.
The victim later identified Perry from a photo lineup.
Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes in May 2016. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department. Those charges were later dismissed.
Perry’s criminal record includes escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
He is currently served out his sentence at the Suwannee Correctional Institution in Live Oak. He is currently set for release in 2036.
Florida To Require Mental Health Instruction In Grades 9-12
July 21, 2019
Florida will require every public school in the state to provide students with at least five hours of mental health instruction beginning in the sixth grade under a mandate that was approved by the state Board of Education.
The state will now require school districts to annually provide a minimum of five hours of instruction to grades 6-12 students related to youth mental health awareness and assistance. The instruction must include awareness an of signs and symptoms, the process of seeking help for themselves or others and what to do or say to peers struggling with mental health disorders. Students will also be made aware of resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
In May, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced Hope for Healing Florida, a new multi-agency mental health and substance abuse campaign. The Hope for Healing Floridacampaign will leverage, in part, the resources of private sector partners to produce and distribute mental health and substance abuse resource materials throughout the state at no cost to taxpayers. Those resources will help guide families in need to meaningful help in a timely fashion.
“Ron and I have traveled the state and have heard from many families who voice concern about the struggles that adversely affect so many of our children,” Casey DeSantis said. We know that 50 percent of all mental illness cases begin by age 14, so we are being proactive in our commitment to provide our kids with the necessary tools to see them through their successes and challenges. Providing mental health instruction is another important step forward in supporting our families.”
Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said, “This is just the beginning. It’s no secret that mental illness robs students of the ability to reach their full potential, and we are joining forces to combat this disease and give our students the tools they need to thrive. We are going to reinvent school-based mental health awareness in Florida, and we will be the number one state in the nation in terms of mental health outreach and school safety.”
Northview’s Stadium Prepped For Football Season With Help From EREC, Century Correctional
July 21, 2019
Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High School got a good cleaning Saturday in preparation for the upcoming football season.
The Northview Quarterback Club had help from Escambia River Electric Cooperative and inmates from the Century Correctional Institution (no students were on campus at the time).
The Chiefs hit the road August 16 for a kickoff classic game at Baker. They will be at home to open the regular season on August 23 against Lighthouse Christian.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fourth Annual Barrineau Park Elementary Reunion Held (With Gallery)
July 21, 2019
The Fourth Annual Barrineau Park Elementary School Reunion was held Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The reunion was for anyone that attended the school from its origin in 1938 until its closure in 2003. Attendees enjoyed lunch, live entertainment and plenty of fellowship.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Barry Nominates Peters To Santa Rosa Island Authority
July 21, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has approved District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry’s nomination of Gary “Bubba” Peters of Cantonment to the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
Peters has worked in the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office for the past 16 years, rising through the ranks from a student position to chief deputy.
He holds an MBA in Business Administration from the University of West Florida,
DeSantis, Pence Mark 50th Anniversary Of Apollo 11 Mission
July 21, 2019
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined Vice President Mike Pence and NASA officials Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that launched from Florida at the Kennedy Space Center in Meritt Island.
The governor and vice President were joined by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and distinguished members of Congress.
Speaking before the crowd at the Neil Armstrong Operational Building, Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s legacy and prominent role in the aerospace industry:
“It’s a pleasure to be here with Vice President Pence and welcome so many esteemed representatives of the space industry from across the private and public sector to commemorate such a historic event,” said DeSantis. “Since the launch of the historic Apollo 11 mission 50 years ago, Florida has used its talents, resources, and manpower to establish and uphold our role as a global leader in space exploration and commerce. Florida will continue to be on the cutting edge of space technology for years to come.”
Earlier this week, the Governor issued a proclamation observing July 16-20, 2019, as Florida’s Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Monday Deadline To Register To Tate Men’s Soccer Camp
July 21, 2019
Monday is the deadline to register for the 2019 Tate High School Men’s Soccer Camp in order to receive a camp t-shirt.
The camp is for all returning Tate players and all aspiring players for the 2019-2020 varsity and junior varsity teams. Camp will be held July 26-28 from 8 a.m. until noon as Ashton Brosnaham Park. The cost is $100.
For a registration form, click here.
No Arrests After Man Shot In Cantonment By His Wife’s Ex-Husband
July 21, 2019
UPDATE: Saturday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said there have been no arrests in this case. The ECSO incorrectly released information earlier in the day that a suspect had been arrested. The ECSO later retracted that statement and said a man was questioned, but he was not charged.
One man was shot in Cantonment Saturday afternoon, and another man was taken into custody.
The shooting happened about 12:45 p.m. in the 600 block of Hanley Downs Drive, just off West Kingsfield Road.
According to Sgt. Melanie Peterson of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a man arrived at the home of his ex-wife and shot her current husband. Peterson said the the victim’s wounds were not considered life threatening.
Further details will be posted when available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
County Bans Big Trucks On Stefani, Pine Forest Roads
July 20, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has voted to restrict truck traffic on Stefani Road and West Ten Mile Road.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry brought the recommendation to the board. He said the prohibition will serve to keep truck traffic in the area on Pine Forest and Nine Mile Roads.
The prohibition is on vehicles over 10,500 pounds gross weight.
In February 2018, the commissioner imposed the truck prohibition on several other roadways in the Cantonment and Ensley areas:
- River Annex Road, from Muscogee Road To Jacks Branch Road
- Nine and One Half Mile Road, from Pine Forest Road to US Highway 29
- Ten Mile Road, from Edendale Lane to Stefani Road
- Edendale Lane, from Ten Mile Road to Nine and One Half Mile Road
- Ashland Avenue, from Ten Mile Road to Nine Mile Road
- Bowman Avenue, from Ten Mile Road to Nine Mile Road
- Cove Avenue, from Ten Mile Road to Nine Mile Road
- Fowler Avenue, from Nine and One Half Mile Road to Nine Mile Road
The truck ban does not include trucks servicing or having business within the area.
Number Of Unemployed Increases In Escambia, Santa Rosa
July 20, 2019
The latest job numbers released by the state Friday show an increase in the unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment increased from 3.0 percent in May to 3.5 percent in June. There were 5,214 people were reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 3.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate increased from 2.8 percent in May to 3.4 percent in June. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,748 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 3.6 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in June 2019, unchanged from the May 2019 rate, and down 0.2 percentage point from a year ago. The national unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in June.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.