Trio Wins Ernest Ward Talent Show
March 21, 2015
The trio of (pictured L-R) Madison Sherouse, Jaylon North and Seth Killiam one first place in the annual Ernest Ward Middle School Talent Show Friday night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Judge Sets Hearing In Medical Marijuana Debate
March 21, 2015
Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth McArthur has scheduled an April 14 hearing in a legal challenge to a proposed regulatory framework for the state’s new medical-marijuana industry, according to a document posted on the state Division of Administrative Hearings website.
The case challenges a proposed Department of Health rule for carrying out a 2014 law that would make available a limited type of medical marijuana. A Jacksonville attorney filed the challenge on behalf of 4-year-old Dahlia Barnhart, who has an inoperable brain tumor.
The challenge alleges that the department did not follow the law in drawing up the rule, in part taking issue with the way the department proposes selecting five “dispensing organizations,” which would grow, process and dispense the cannabis.
In November, another administrative law judge rejected the department’s first attempt at a rule to carry out the law, which allows a type of marijuana that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD.
Longtime Century Employee Eddie Hammond Retires
March 21, 2015
A longtime Town of Century employee has retired. Most recently gas department supervisor, Eddie Hammond had 33 years of service. Hammond says he plans to “fish a little” now that he has retired. Town of Century employees held a luncheon in Hammond’s honor Friday to say goodbye. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Busted For Meth, Over $10K In Meth, Firearms, Cash Seized
March 21, 2015
A confidential tip led Pensacola Police to the arrests of two people and the seizure of more than $10,000 worth of methamphetamine plus firearms and cash.
William Richard Lucas, 46, was charged trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, possession of a chemical used in manufacturing methamphetamine, and driving with a suspended/revoked license. April Sherri Vasquez, 35, was also charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, possession of a chemical used in manufacturing methamphetamine, and not having a vehicle registration.
The suspects were arrested after Vice and Narcotics officers served a search warrant at their residence. As officers were conducting surveillance on the residence prior to the arrests, they saw Vasquez carry a bin outside and place it in a pickup truck. Inside the container, officers found three plastic bags of crystal methamphetamine with a total weight of approximately 80.5 grams; an unopened box of Sudafed, which is a listed chemical in production of meth; multiple pipes used for smoking meth; syringes; and a plastic bottle containing one ounce of a liquid that contained meth.
Pensacola Police Sgt. Marvin Miller said a five-year-old child was in the truck when Vasquez tried to leave the scene with the bin that contained drugs and drug paraphernalia. Among items found inside the residence were cash in a safe, a digital scale, additional pipes used to smoke meth, small empty plastic bags associated with the sale of meth, six firearms, and ammunition.
Lucas was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $60,750 bond, while remained jailed with bond set at $79,000.
The suspects had been under surveillance for approximately a month, Miller said.
EA’s Brooks Signs With Huntingdon College
March 21, 2015
Escambia Academy senior running back Gordon Brooks, Jr. signed Friday morning with Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Brooks was a member of the 2014 Escambia Academy AISA state champion team, the first in the school’s history. Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extension Service Hosts Food Plot Meeting
March 21, 2015
The Escambia County Extension Service held a wildlife food plot meeting Friday afternoon at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay. The free event showcased 18 different test plots that ranged in material from clover to wheat. Dr. Ann Blount, UF/IFAS Forage breeder, shared her experiences with various forages and the keys to getting the maximum production out of a plot.
Pictured: Dr. Ann Blount suggests using excluder cages when planting wildlife food plots to determine use of forage. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Impact 100 Sets Membership Record, To Give Record Grants
March 20, 2015
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area announced Thursday that their membership drive has concluded with a record 1,060 members. That will allow the local women’s philanthropy group to award 10 grants of $106,000 each to nonprofits agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this October.
This will be the 12th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local nonprofit agencies. Since the inception of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area in 2004, the organization has awarded 57 grants to 48 different nonprofit agencies for a totaling over $6.175 million.
“We are thrilled to have such a tremendous response from our community and we can’t wait to see what innovative projects the nonprofit agencies submit this year,”said Cyndi Warren, president of IMPACT 100. “Thanks to every one of our members, the Pensacola Bay Area shines once again as the largest Impact 100 organization in the world.”
Two grants will be awarded in each of the following five focus areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
Non-profit organizations interested in applying for a grant are invited to attend this year’s Nonprofit Education Workshop with guest speaker Keisha A. Rivers Shorty of The KARS Group/The KARS Institute. She will present “Crafting Proposals That Work: “Building Relationships Through The Art of The Ask” at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St. on Thursday, April 16 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. All non-profit organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties are invited to learn about the grant process, get tips to writing a more successful grant, be inspired to dream big and create a winning project. Letters of Intent to Apply for a grant are due April 30. Grant Applications must be submitted by June 26.
Highway 29 Crash Claims Cantonment Woman’s Life; Two Others Seriously Injured
March 20, 2015
A Highway 29 traffic accident Thursday afternoon just south of International Paper claimed the life of a Cantonment woman.
The victim was identified as 60-year old Penny Nellums. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Nellums was northbound on Highway 29 when she failed to maintain her lane and traveled into the outside lane where she collided with a 2009 GMC Sierra pickup driven by 46-year old Fred Carnley of Molino. As a result of the collision, Nellums’ 1999 Saturn SL 2 traveled across the center grassy median and directly into the path of two other vehicles.
Her Saturn struck a 2014 Lincoln MKX driven by 57-year old Sharon Holland of Georgia and a 2009 Freightliner box truck driven by 67-year old David Nettles of Pensacola.
Nellums was transported to West Florida Hospital where she passed away at the result of her injuries. Holland and her passenger, 65-year old Kathryn Robinson of Georgia, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Nettles and Carnley were not injured.
Nellums was a substitute teacher in the Escambia County School District.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Highland Baptist Hosting Wild Game Dinner, Fish Fry
March 20, 2015
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will host its Wild Game Dinner and Fish Fry this Saturday night.
Guest speaker will be Tim Pernie, a retired Marine and avid outdoosrman.
The menu will include a variety of venison dishes and fried fish, plus sides of baked beans, coleslaw and desserts. Trophy mounts will be on display during the event.
The dinners takes place at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m., at the Highland Baptist fellowship hall at 6240Highway 95A in Molino. Admission is free, but there is a suggested $5 donation. For more information, call the church office at (850) 587-5174.
Cantonment Man Charged With $17K Tool Burglary
March 20, 2015
A Cantonment man has been charged with burglarizing his former employer the day after he was fired.
Wesley Shane Wallis, 42, was charged with two counts burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage.
The owner of a cabinet company on Interstate Circle in Escambia County reported that tools worth $17,697.25 were stolen from his business overnight on April 26, 2014, which was the night after Wallis was terminated. Deputies attempted to contact Wallis to question him, but they were unsuccessful until November 13, 2014, at which time Wallis denied any connection to the burglary.
During December 8, 2014, two large plastic bins filled with tools engraved with the cabinet company’s name were found on undeveloped property in Santa Rosa County. Deputies discovered the property belonged to Wallis, and they later found fingerprints belonging to Wallis on tape inside the bins. A warrant for his arrest was issued in February 2015.
Wallace was arrested and booked into the Escambia County Jail this week and released on a $35,000 bond.