New Chairman And Vice Chair For The Escambia County Commission
December 1, 2017
At Thursday evening’s meeting of the Escambia County Commission, new commission chairman and vice chairman assumed their roles.
As part of the annual board reorganization where commissioners’ board and committee appointments are updated, District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh was appointed to serve as chairman and District 3 Commissioner Lumon May was appointed to serve as vice chairman for the coming year.
Also Thursday, District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill was recognized for his year of leadership as chairman.
Pictured top: Escambia County Commissioners Luman May (left) Jeff Bergosh. Pictured inset: Commissioner Doug Underhill. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Inmate Death Under Investigation
December 1, 2017
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating an inmate death at the Century Correctional Institution, but so far new details have been released.
“I can confirm there was a fatality at that facility and FDLE is the lead investigative agency. At this time this is all the information I can provide,” Michelle Glady, director of communications for the Florida Department of Corrections told NorthEscambia.com late Wednesday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the prison about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, but details on that call were not available.
Additional information will be posted as it is released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECMS Atmore Remains Undefeated With Win Over Ernest Ward
December 1, 2017
The Escambia County Middle School Eagles of Atmore remained undefeated Thursday night with a win over Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
Boys
Escambia County (AL) 72, Ernest Ward 39
Girls
Escambia County 40, Ernest Ward 21
Ernest Ward Middle will travel to Pollard McCall on December 5 before ending their regular season at Perdido on December 7. Girls being play at 5:00 and boys at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign Begins
December 1, 2017
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, has launched its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign to run through December 31. The campaign is designed to promote fire safety during the month of December, with both departments hoping to reduce the number of fires during this time.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
In 2016, 12 bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths. Five of those fires were in the North Escambia area. Details and photos of each are below:
On December 26, 2016, fire destroyed a wood frame home on West Pond Street in Century.
Five people — three adults and two children. were displaced by a fire December 22, 2016, on Rawlings Drive at Greenbriar Boulvard. A clothes dryer in the laundry room was confirmed as the source of the fire, with flames spreading to the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the home. Damage was estimated at $50,000.
A fire on Luth Road in Molino on December 29, 2016, displaced a family. Crews arrived on scene to find an active fire in the attic, with light smoke showing from the 2 ½ story residential structure. Preliminary reports indicated the fire started from a fireplace chimney in the 5,500 square foot structure.
Fire destroyed a two story home in the 1200 block of West 9 ½ Mile Road on December 30, 2016. The fire was reported about 5:30 am. with heavy flames through the roof when firefighters arrived. Initial reports indicated the fire may have originated in the garage of the home. Two adults and two teenagers were displaced from the home.
A December 11, 2016, fire in the 8900 block of Mobile Highway in Beulah left four people without a home. One firefighter was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in stable condition for fatigue. T
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Florida Lawmakers Want To Make Soft Drinks Off Limits For Food Stamps
December 1, 2017
Two Republican state lawmakers this week filed proposals that call for barring the use of food stamps to buy soft drinks. Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, filed proposals (SM 1016 and HM 847) that would urge Congress to make soft drinks off limits in the aid program formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
The proposals, which will be considered during the 2018 legislative session, are non-binding “memorials” to Congress.
The proposals, in part, say soft drinks are “nutrient poor but rich in calories and can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health disorders including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.”
They said state and local governments have sought federal permission in the past to prevent SNAP benefits from being used to pay for soft drinks but have been rejected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a result, the memorials would ask Congress to take action on the issue.
by The News Service of Flroida
Two Facing Multiple Charges After Davisville Traffic Stop
November 30, 2017
Two North Escambia residents are facing multiple charges after numerous drugs, items of drug paraphernalia, weapons and ammunition were found in a vehicle at a Davisville convenience store.
Chad Andrew Giddins, age 41 of McDavid, remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $41,000, while 42-year old Tonya Ladora Foster of Cantonment was jailed with bond set at $20,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the area of West Highway 4 and Sandy Hollow Road near Davisville reported recognizing Giddins as the driver of a pickup truck. Knowing that Giddin had an outstanding warrant, the deputy turned around and caught up with the pickup on Highway 97 at a gas station at the intersection of Highway 97 and Nokomis Road.
The deputy advised Giddins that he was under arrest and grabbed him by the large camouflage jacket he was wearing. Giddins refused to place his hands behind his back, according to an arrest report, even when the deputy placed his taser on his back. The taser was never deployed. With no backup in the immediate area, the deputy requested assistance in handcuffing Giddins from a local farmer that was at the store. The deputy located a cigarette box containing two plastic bags of marijuana in Giddins’ pocket.
Another deputy arrived on scene at took a female passenger in the pickup into custody. According to the arrest report, Foster was observed pushing a black bag under the pickup. The bag reportedly contained two bags containing marijuana and eight small bags of methamphetamine.
Inside the truck, deputies found multiple pills with no marking that will be submitted to the FDLE crime lab for analysis, a loaded .17 caliber rifles and scope with a chambered round ready to fire, a sunglasses case with a a crack pipe, over 130 rounds of .22 caliber ammo, two 20 gauge shotgun shells, four meth pipes, 30 rounds of .17 caliber ammunition, at least two small bags of crystal methamphetamine, digital scales, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia.
Giddins was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
Foster was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a control substance , possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Giddins was also charged with fleeing and eluding pole with lights or siren activated, attaching a tag not assigned to the vehicle and driving with a suspended license for an earlier incident on November 2 in Walnut Hill. A deputy spotted Giddins in the Ernest Ward Middle school zone on Highway 97. The deputy followed his as he turned into a residence in the 700 block of North Highway 99. The deputy activated his lights and siren, but Giddins accelerated away,, around the residence and back onto North Highway 99, eluding the deputy.
Concealed Weapons Licenses Available Soon In Molino
November 30, 2017
Residents will soon be able to submit original applications and renewals of concealed weapon licenses in the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office in Molino beginning December 14.
“As an expansion of our partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, we are installing the equipment necessary for new applications and renewals those citizens interested in concealed weapon licenses,” Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said. “We are excited to be able to offer this additional location to our citizens in the coming weeks once the final system updates are complete.”
While renewal licenses will be printed in the office, new applications still will be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for final approval. The statutory turnaround time for this process is within 90 days.
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino Office is located at 6440 Highay 95-A North, Suite A, in the Molino Community Complex.
In addition to the regular license fees, the Escambia County Tax Collector will add a convenience fee of $22 for new applications or $12 for renewals as allowed by state statute. (Click here for a fee schedule.)
Appointments for concealed weapon license applications and renewals can be made here or by visiting EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
For additional information on concealed weapon licenses, please click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Three People Displaced By Walnut Hill House Fire
November 30, 2017
Three people were displaced when fire damaged a home near Walnut Hill late Wednesday night.
The fire was reported just before 11:30 p.m. in the 6800 block of Pine Forest Road, just north of Garrett Road. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the 1500 square foot wood frame home. The fire was quickly brought under control.
Initial reports indicated that the fire may have started in a window air conditioner.
The three adults living in the home were offered temporary assistance by the American Red Cross. One was evaluated on the scene by Escambia County EMS for a minor injury but not transported to a hospital. There were no other injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded to the call, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Tate Coach, Youth Leader Guilty Of Sexual Assault; Sentenced To Six Consecutive Life Terms
November 30, 2017
Former Tate High football coach and church youth leader Charlie Maybern Hamrick has been found guilty on six counts of child sexual assault and sentenced to six life sentences. The abuse incidents occurred at a Cantonment church and in the Tate High School locker room.
One life felony count of lewd and lascivious molestation was filed over a February 2016 incident at the Harvest Christian Center on Muscogee Road in Cantonment. The male victim, who was 12 or younger, told investigators at The Gulf Coast Kids House that a group of kids were playing hide and go seek outside at the church. The victim was in Hamrick’s lap as the “seeker’ while the other children went to hide. Hamrick placed his hand inside the victim’s pants and underwear and touched him inappropriately, the victim said. The abuse happened only one time and he and his family stopped attending the church a short time later.
Authorities said Hamrick was a leader of the “Royal Rangers” at the church.
Hamrick allegedly performed a physical exam on a student at Tate High School. A student told investigators that he had waited too long to do his physical to play football at Tate during August 2014. Hamrick allegedly took the student into his office in the locker room and felt around his midsection but never touched his genital area. The victim said Hamrick never said anything inappropriate to him and did not wear gloves during the exam.
Another Tate student alleged that Hamrick performed a physical exam on his so that he could play tennis. He allegedly told the boy’s mother that he was qualified to conduct the physical because he was a paramedic. The male student told investigators that Hamrick did the physical in the Tate locker room. Hamrick had him pull his pants down and performed a hernia exam, including contact with private areas. The victim said Hamrick never touch him inappropriately except during the physical exam.
And another student said he was attending football camp at Tate when Hamrick performed a hernia exam on him as part of a physical. He told investigators that Hamrick touched him for 4-5 minutes and it was unlike any exam he had experienced at a doctor’s office. The victim, who is currently an inmate at the Escambia County Jail, said Hamrick performed 10-15 “follow-up physicals” during the football season.
Hamrick was paid a supplement as a football coach at Tate High School from August 1, 2012, to September 14, 2015. He was not a teacher and did not have students under his watch in a classroom. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said previously that Hamrick passed all background checks at the time because he had not been charged with any crime.
Thousands Of Jars Collected During Peanut Butter Drive
November 30, 2017
Well over a ton of peanut butter was collected in Escambia County during the recent UF/IFAS Extension Annual Peanut Butter Challenge.
Escambia County residents donated 1,598 jars (2,495 lbs), while 744 jars (1161.8 lbs) were collected in Santa Rosa County.
In mid-December local peanut producers Rodney and Mike Helton will donate additional pallets full of peanut butter they purchased for the Escambia County challenge.
All of the peanut butter will be donated to local food pantries.
Pictured: A small portion of all the peanut butter donated by Escambia County residents. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.