Escambia Emergency Dispatchers Celebrate Decades Of Service
December 12, 2024
Escambia County Emergency Communications celebrated several employee milestones in 2024, recognizing eight employees’ years of service to the county.
30 Years of Service
- Melanie McGlothren
- David Milliron
- Sandra Zani
20 Years of Service
- Christy Buscaino
- Shanae Dunn
- Robin Payne
10 Years of Service
- Heather Bell
- Jennifer Hurd
“I am truly thankful for each of these individuals,” Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton said. “Not only are they exceptional employees, but they are also wonderful people who genuinely care about their team members, first responders and the community. They serve admirably with little recognition and have made countless impacts on the lives of others. The full extent of their work may never be known, but their efforts have touched countless lives and truly make a difference.”
The emergency dispatchers combined gave over 170 years of serving Escambia County as the first voice on-scene.
Escambia County Program That Provides Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out Reaches Milestone
December 12, 2024
An Escambia County program that offers transportation assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking to reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks has reached a milestone.
The voluntary “Real Change Project Reconnect” has now assisted 100 individuals since it was launched in February with a goal of reducing homelessness in Escambia County and offering resources to those wanting to travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
Joseph “J.J.” Johns, Jr. was the 100th person to receive assistance through Project Reconnect, using the program to get a bus ticket to San Antonio, Texas in hopes of a fresh start. Johns said he has experienced homelessness the entire year he’s been in Pensacola, and he is looking forward to new opportunities in Texas.
“I’m just hoping for employment and somewhere I can basically start over and get a secure place to live,” said Johns, who has a shelter waiting for him in San Antonio. “The goal is to find employment opportunities where I can work a job and save money and find a place to live, and hopefully a career.”
Without the Project Reconnect program, Johns said there is no way he’d be able to afford the bus ticket to San Antonio.
“Without this, I’d be out there in the rain,” Johns said. “This would not be anything I could do on my own.”
Real Change Project Reconnect is funded by Escambia County and facilitated by Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. Through the program, eligible individuals and families are provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
Kathleen Schuster, who manages applications for Project Reconnect as the Director of Tender Hearts Caring Hands at Ministry Village, said she’s excited about the number of people who have been helped through the program.
I think it’s fantastic, especially giving them the opportunity to go home,” Schuster said. “Because they’re just stuck. Most of them are stuck. If they have the money to buy a bus ticket, they probably need that money more just to survive on the streets. So this gives them the opportunity to get where they need to go.”
Ministry Village at Olive also provides participants a meal, hot shower, and a snack bag to take with them on their trip.
Schuster emphasized that the goal of the program isn’t to remove people who are experiencing homelessness in the area, but to help them connect with opportunities and resources.
“We’re trying to get them back to a place where they can have a fresh start,” Schuster said. “We know where they’re going, they’ve been contacted, so all of these people aren’t just being sent somewhere to be in the same situation they’re in now. It’s a step up.”
Drayton Smith, Executive Director of Ministry Village at Olive, added that some individuals end up stuck in an area they don’t want to be through no fault of their own, often due to empty promises for jobs or housing.
“The people that are coming want to do better for themselves,” Smith said. “They’re looking for a helping hand — not a hand out, but a hand up.”
Currently, approximately $17,382 of the $30,000 allocated for the program has been spent for the 100 individuals who have received assistance so far. Escambia County Governmental Liaison Liz Kissel, who manages the program for the county, said there are plans to continue funding the program due to its success.
The following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
Tate High’s Blakely Campbell Signs To Play Softball At University of Mobile
December 12, 2024
Tate High School’s Blakely Campbell signed Wednesday to play softball for the University of Mobile Rams. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 20 Years For 2022 DUI Crash That Killed Escambia County Deputy
December 11, 2024
Wednesday, a man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for he fatal DUI crash that claimed the life of an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy in October 2022.
Tristen Cole Parker pleaded guilty last month to DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended license and DUI causing bodily harm. There was no plea deal, and he received the maximum sentence. His sentence included 15 years for the DUI manslaughter followed consecutively by five years for DUI causing serious bodily injury for a total of 20 years.
Parker failed to stop at a stop sign, and his bucket truck struck an oncoming silver Jeep driven by the deputy.
Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment and his 15-year-old daughter Lauren were traveling from Troy, Alabama, when the crash occurred on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida, at 8:40 p.m. on October 15, 2022.
Ray was pronounced deceased at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to an area hospital. The 2012 white Dodge bucket truck driven by Parker overturned multiple times, destroying utility poles before coming to rest in a field in the southwest corner of the intersection.
“There were beer cans near the passenger door of the Dodge truck that were in the pickup and thrown while overturning,” the investigating trooper wrote in an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
“When the witness rolled up on the crash, Tristen Cole Parker had self-extricated from his vehicle but identified himself as the sole occupant and operator of the suspect vehicle,” the report states. “While being treated on scene by Okaloosa County Fireman Paramedic (redacted), Tristen Cole Parker admitted to consuming 3 to 4 alcohol beverages prior to the collision. (The paramedic) also smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Tristan Cole Parker while he was speaking.”
Parker was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
“During conversation with Tristen Cole Parker, Mr. Parker spontaneously uttered to (the trooper) that he had 2 or 3 ‘beers’ prior to the collision’,” the report continues. Despite initial consent for a voluntary blood draw, Parker refused to provide the blood sample when hospital staff arrived in his room.
An FHP traffic homicide investigator also noted that Parker had bulged eyes, slurred speech, a dry mouth, thick tongue, flushed face and smelled of alcohol in the emergency room. The investigator said Parker had labored breathing, slow deliberate movements and repeated himself.
FHP said Parker’s certified driving record from Texas showed multiple convictions for driving with suspended license in that state.
Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He had been assigned to courthouse security for over a decade.
Hattie Marie McGary, Who Captured The Soul Of Cantonment, Passes Away
December 11, 2024
The community is mourning the loss of a special lady that captured the soul of Cantonment.
Hattie Marie McGary, the owner of the soul food restaurant Harrie Marie’s Cafe has passed away. She was 80.
Hattie, who loved her family and community, loved sharing her lifelong love of cooking. She spent 36 years working for the Escambia County School Food Services Department, starting as a dishwasher in 1971. But then a manager realized Hattie could cook, and that was what she did for the kids for 30 years until her retirement as an assistant manager.
Hattie Marie’s Cafe on Louis Street was all about community, serving soul food prepared with an extra sprinkling of love.
Beef tips, beef brisket, smoked ribs and chicken, fried and smothered pork chops, fried and baked chicken, collard greens, green beans, cornbread dressing, yams, mac and cheese, rice, mash potatoes, and potato salad were on the menu last Sunday. And what’s Sunday dinner without dessert? That was pound cake, strawberry shortcake, and sweet potato pie. All served with the heart and soul of Hattie Marie McGary.
Funeral services have not yet been announced. As for the cafe, they will be closed for a few weeks with planned reopening on Sunday, January 5.
Cantonment Man Charged After Alleged Armed Confrontation With Several Older Adults
December 11, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges following an alleged incident involving a firearm and physical altercations with several older adults.
David Alan Arnette, 66, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a person over age 65, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, one count of battery on a person on a person over age 65, and one count of battery.
Arnette allegedly entered a residence, pulled a handgun out of pocket and pointing it at a 63-year-old woman, a 71-year-old man and a 74-year-old man and saying, “and you should die”, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said he then pushed the 74-year-old man to the ground before pushing a 62-year-old woman when she tried to de-escalate the situation.
The 74-year-old told deputies that he was playing pool with his friends when Arnette entered the residence and threw down power tools angerly and stated that the tools were stolen. According to an arrest report, he then pulled a handgun as the situation escalated.
Arnette remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $14,000.
Santa Visits Century Library, Plans Other Library Stops (With Gallery)
December 11, 2024
Santa stopped at the Century Branch Library Tuesday evening.
After a couple of special stories from Santa, children were able to take photos with Santa and share their Christmas wish lists. From dolls, to trampolines to video games, Santa heard a variety of wishes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Santa has several other visits planned to other West Florida Public Library locations.
Molino Library
- Thursday, December 19, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Bellview Library
- Tuesday, December 17, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Tryon Library
- Thursday, December 19, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, December 18, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, December 21, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Southwest Library
- Friday, December 20, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Westside Library
- Thursday, December 12, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ascend Cares Spreads Joy With Presents For All At Escambia Westgate School
December 11, 2024
The students at Escambia Westgate School were the recipients of holiday cheer thanks to presents for all from Ascend Cares.
Ascend Cares recently delivered Christmas presents to every student at Escambia Westgate. The students received a present from their wish list delivered by Santa, and the Grinch also visited with students. The gifts were funded by the Ascend Cares Foundation, which is supported by employee donations.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Escambia County Fires Add Red Bulbs To Fire Safety Wreath
December 11, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed three more red bulbs in their fire safety wreath to represent residential structure fires that displaced residents.
At 10:42 p.m. on Saturday, the Cantonment, Ensley, Brent, Bellview and Osceola fire stations responded to a residential structure fire in the 10000 block of Bowman Avenue of 10 Mile Road. Firefighters arrived to find a working fire that had extended to the attic of the single-story home. During the primary search of the home, two dogs were rescued by ECFR firefighters; however, one pot-bellied pig was discovered deceased due to the fire. The American Red Cross assisted the displaced occupants. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined the fire was accidental and electrical in nature.
On Saturday, an accidental fire that started on the exterior of a single-story multi-residential home on Mobile Highway displaced occupants.
Also last week, a fifth-wheel camper used as primary residence near Hill Drive in Brent injured one person that was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The fire cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson.
the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign. Five-foot wreaths are on display at locations that included 21 county fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure 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 and commercial buildings.
Pictured: A Saturday night fire on Bowman Avenue. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Lacy Wilson Signs To Play Softball With Huntingdon College
December 11, 2024
Tate High School’s Lacey Wilson signed on Tuesday play softball for Huntingdon College
For more photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
