Sweet Treats At The Library; Santa To Visit Century And Molino Branches
December 11, 2015
‘Tis the season for Christmas programs at area library branches.
The Molino Branch Library recently held a Holiday Candy program where patrons learned to make a simple candy recipe.
Santa will make a special appearance at the Molino Branch Library on Monday, December 14 at 6 p.m., and Santa will visit the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, December 15 at 5 p.m.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power, Other Utilities Pour Money Into Solar Initiative
December 11, 2015
Four major electric utilities continued pouring money last month into a proposed solar-energy ballot initiative, as backers race to try to qualify for the November 2016 ballot.
The group known as “Consumers for Smart Solar” raised $2,135,010 during the month, bringing its total to more than $5.9 million since July, according to a new finance report. It also spent about $2.23 million in November and had slightly less than $35,000 in cash on hand as of Nov. 30. The initiative has drawn heavy support from the utility industry.
In November, Duke Energy contributed $650,000 to the group; Florida Power & Light contributed $450,000; Tampa Electric Co. contributed $285,000; and Gulf Power contributed $260,000, the report shows.
Backers of the initiative need to submit 683,149 valid petition signatures to the state by Feb. 1 and had submitted 359,594 as of Thursday afternoon. They also need the Florida Supreme Court to sign off on the proposed ballot wording.
Consumers for Smart Solar is competing with a rival solar-energy initiative backed by a group known as “Floridians for Solar Choice.” That group’s updated finance numbers had not been posted to the state Division of Elections website late Thursday afternoon.
by The News Service of Florida
Tip Leads To Narcotics Arrest
December 11, 2015
Escambia Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators have arrested 35-year-old Lamarion Williams following a lead that he was in possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.
A search warrant was execyted at an apartment located in the 8400 block of Old Spanish Trail Road. During the course of the search, investigators discovered a quantity of cocaine and marijuana in Williams’ sweatshirt pocket as well as a digital scale containing drug residue.
They also discovered and seized approximately $11,000 in cash.
Since Williams was unable to provide documentation of any lawful means of gainful employment, investigators had reason to believe that the money was all proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics.
Williams was transported to the Escambia County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held with bond set at $11,000.
Cantonment Man Charged With Threatening Texts To Girlfriend, Killing Her Dog
December 10, 2015
A Cantonment man has been charged with sending threatening texts to his girlfriend and her family, and killing her dog.
Jaymon Brown-Walker, 18, was living with his girlfriend and her family in Cantonment.
Brown-Walker allegedly sent texts to his 18-year old girlfriend while she and family members were at the movies. The texts were sent through a service that displayed a phone number his girlfriend did not recognize.
In multiple texts over a one hour and 40 minute period, he allegedly said he had been watching her for weeks, threatened to kill her and threatened to rape the victim, her mother and her little sister. He also advised he was in her backyard, along with texts that said he was in the movie theater.
At the family home, the family’s dog was discovered outside with a severe laceration across its back and a stab wound to the abdomen. The dog did not survive.
Deputies were able to serve a search warrant on the company providing the texting service to obtain Brown-Walker identity. He was charged with felony aggravated stalking and animal cruelty.
Traffic: Paving Operations Planned For Nine Mile Near Navy Federal
December 10, 2015
East and westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road will encounter lane closures west of Interstate 10, near Heritage Oaks Drive and Navy Federal Credit Union, in Escambia County from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, December 13, as crews perform construction activities. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. If temperatures fall below 50 degrees during nighttime hours, paving operations will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 12, and Sunday December 13.
No Serious Injuries When Driver Flips SUV Into Building
December 10, 2015
One person was injured when a SUV flipped into a building Wednesday evening.
The driver of Ford Expedition lost control in the 10000 block of Chemstrand Road and overturned into the parking lot of Southern Bingo. The SUV caused minor damage to the building. There was not word on the condition of the driver, but their injuries were not considered life threatening.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 20 Years For Beating Baby
December 10, 2015
A Santa Rosa County man is headed to prison for the next two decades for beating a baby.
Joseph Shawn Walker, 28, of Milton, was convicted of a aggravated child abuse and sentencedto 20 years in state prison followed by five year probation by Judge John F. Simon.
On June 3, 2014, Walker committed acts of physical abuse against a six-month old child. Walker fractured the baby’s skull, caused extensive bruising to both sides of her head and the orbits of both eyes, as well bruising to her lip, jaw, ears, chest and abdomen.
Walker initially told Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators that the child was injured when a baby swing fell on her. However, Walker later admitted that he struck the child and injured her when he became irate because she was irritable. The child has improved and is continuing to receive physical therapy as a result of the injuries she sustained.
Two Children Drink Acid At Meth House; Two Arrested
December 10, 2015
Two young children are recovering in the hospital after ingesting acid from a Santa Rosa County meth lab.
A three-year old and another young child were transported to an area hospital with injuries related to the ingestion of a liquid, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. They said the chemical was consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
A search warrant was executed at their home on Fleetwood Drive, with deputies recovering numerous items that indicated meth was being produced.
Amber Nicole Cooley, 24, and Kyle Joseph Cooley 27,. were charged with child neglect with great bodily harm, manufacture of methamphetamines with children present, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug equipment and possession of listed chemicals. Both are being held without bond.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has not released the condition of the children.
Chamber Announced Legislative Priorities At Annual Luncheon
December 10, 2015
The Greater Pensacola Chamber – along with the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Santa Rosa County Legislative Coalition – held its Legislative Luncheon in front of 250 community, business, state and regional representatives in downtown Pensacola Wednesday.
The Greater Pensacola Chamber released its priorities for the 2016 legislative year, which are broken into three categories: Creating a Better Business Environment, Cutting the Cost of Doing Business and Hometown Heroes.
1. To help create a better business environment, the Greater Pensacola Chamber recommends that state and local government officials act diligently when making economic development decisions and to streamline permitting and regulatory processes that sometimes hinder business opportunities. The Chamber also asks the Florida Legislature to be prepared to respond to any adverse judicial decision that might cause workers’ compensation rates in Florida to rise.
2. The Greater Pensacola Chamber endorses the entirety of Governor Rick Scott’s $1 billion tax cut proposal. Specifically, the Chamber calls for a 1 percent cut in the Florida Business Rent Tax, as well as elimination of the Income Tax on Manufacturing and Retail Businesses and the Sales Tax on Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment. The Chamber also fully supports the proposed increase in the amount of income exempt from the Florida Corporate Income Tax from $50,000 to $75,000.
3. To help improve the lives of our hometown heroes, the Greater Pensacola Chamber announces its support for two pieces of pro-veteran legislation. The Chamber urges the passage of HB 269, which would require the Florida Department of Children and Families to establish the Florida Combat Veterans Care Coordination Program. This program would provide combat veterans and their families with behavioral healthcare referral and care coordination services. The Chamber also supports SB 404, which would create the Veterans Employment Small Business Grant Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program would offer small businesses in Florida a one-time grant of $3,000 for each veteran hired, or $5,000 for each disabled veteran hired.
“The Greater Pensacola Chamber supports these common sense proposals that will help grow our local businesses while creating a better quality of life for our hometown heroes,” said Todd Thomson, Executive Director of Public Affairs for the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
Pictured top: Rep. Clay Ingram kicks offs questions with the Legislative Delegation. Pictured below: The chamber luncheon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Students Enjoy Story Time At Century Library; Santa Visits Next Week
December 10, 2015
Kindergarten students from Byrneville Elementary School visited the Century Branch Library for a special Christmas story time. They also had the opportunity to learn about the parts of a book, and enjoy the different parts of the library. Santa will make a special appearance at the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, December 15 at 5 p.m. Santa will also be at the Molino Branch Library on Monday, December 14 at 6 p.m. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.