Santa Rosa Sheriff Introduces New Smartphone App
December 18, 2012
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall announced today that his office has launched a smartphone app that allows the office to communicate much more effectively with the community. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office app is a free download for users and is available for both iPhone and Android smart devices.
Users of the app will have access to real-time detention center information with mug shots, charges and offender information. The app is fully integrated with VINE® (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), which allows crime victims to be notified about the custody status of their offender. The app also includes warrants, lists of non-custodial parents and most-wanted criminals, news, the facility location, the sheriff’s office directory and much more.
“The most beneficial and significant feature of this app is that it lets us get important information right to people’s fingertips,” said Sheriff Hall “The app greatly improves our ability to serve the public, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re thrilled that we can provide this to the community.”
Information that can be pushed right to a user’s smartphone includes Amber Alerts (including photos of missing persons), news about escapees and manhunts, weather warnings and other local emergencies.
“We know that more and more people are getting the information they need from their smartphones,” said Sheriff Hall. “We want to make sure we’re using the latest communication technology to keep the public informed, and this app lets us do that.”
Download here for iPhone:
http://www.itunes.com/app/FLSantaRosaSO
Download here for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appriss.flsantarosaso
Main Library Branch Is Closed
December 18, 2012
The Main Branch of the West Florida Librar has closed until early next year as crews wrap up the second phase of a library expansion.
The Main Library, located at 200 West Gregory Street, will be closed through January 7.
The library’s new 51,000 square foot Main Library will feature a wave themed area for children and teens, access to more public computers, community meeting rooms, increased parking, a Friends of the Library bookstore, and a coffee shop.
The project is funded through $6 million in local option sales tax, a $606,500 U.S. Department of Energy grant, and $1 million left over from the construction of WFPL’s Tryon Branch Library on Langley Avenue which came in under budget. The Friends of the Pensacola Public Library contributed $100,000.
Escambia Outlines RESTORE Advisory Committee Selection Committee
December 18, 2012
On October 18, 2012, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners established the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to develop a plan, take public input and set the final goals for the community’s use of RESTORE funds. The Committee will review projects and submit recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. The Committee will consist of nine members who are residents of Escambia County, with committee members individually representing the financial industry, the business community, transportation, government, the City of Pensacola, local environmental advocacy organizations, citizens-at-large, and two unrestricted at-large positions to be determined by Board approval.
The environmental committee representative will be selected by consensus of the local advocacy organizations who have been asked to nominate one person to represent the environmental segment. The Escambia County Community and Environment Department is hosting a meeting January 7, 2013, at the County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, to facilitate the selection process.
Early nominations can be made by submitting the person’s name and a short bio to Keith Wilkins at the address below before January 2, 2013. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the selection meeting January 7, 2013. If a single selection cannot be determined by consensus, the final individuals will be asked to submit resumes to the Community and Environment Department by 5 p.m. on January 11, 2013 with the names submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for final selection. The final selection of all candidates will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting January 17, 2013. For further information or to make a nomination, please contact Pat Chunn or Keith Wilkins at 595-4988, kwilkins@myescambia.com or 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32502.
IP Cantonment Mill Gives Back To Neighbors In Need
December 18, 2012
The International Paper Pensacola Mill is once again spreading a little holiday help to its neighbors that live next to the Cantonment facility. Joe Mack, who works in the mill’s woodyard, spends every late December delivering frozen turkeys and gift certificates to members of the surrounding community who could use a little bit of help paying for Christmas dinner.
This year, Mack was armed with $750 in gift certificates and more than a twenty-five turkeys as he drove out of the mill’s Gate 5. Some of the donations are dropped off at the Council on Aging’s Cantonment location, which is about a mile from the mill, but Mack also delivers the gifts to homes of longtime residents he knows could use a little help. Turkeys and gift certificates are also distributed to approximately a dozen Cantonment families through the Health and Hope Clinic.
“The Pensacola Mill is a standing feature in Cantonment starting as the Florida Pulp and Paper Company in 1941,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager. “Cantonment has had to weather the changes in the economy just like every other community. We are humbled to be able to give back in this small way to those neighbors who have shown so much loyalty to the mill — many with generations of family members who have worked here.”
Each year, IP provides more than $10 million to support thousands of charitable organizations in the communities where their employees live and work. Company contributions and Foundation grants are a significant part of our giving strategy, as IP strives to be the best socially responsible corporate neighbor in the communities where employees live and work.
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013. The application deadline is January 11, 2013. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Body Found In Wooded Area Near High School
December 17, 2012
An investigation is underway after a body was found in a wooded area this morning near Pensacola Catholic High School.
The body of 28-year old Alfred L. Waslton was located about 8:50 a.m. near Wentworth Street and Maxwell Street. A person told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that they were walking through the woods where they located the body and then contacted law enforcement.
More details have not been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the body is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
McDavid Man Airlifted After Water Moccasin Bite
December 17, 2012
A McDavid man was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital Sunday after reportedly being bitten by a poisonous water moccasin.
First responders were on the scene within minutes in the 1400 block of North Century Boulevard where the 64-year old man had been bitten on the thigh. He was transported by ambulance to the McDavid Fire Department and airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by LifeFlight helicopter.
There was no update available on the man’s condition, and his identity has not been released.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Police Shoot Armed Robbery Suspect
December 17, 2012
Two Pensacola Police officers are on paid administrative leave after they shot an armed robbery suspect who pointed a gun at them about 2:30 Sunday morning.
Melvin Coley, 30, of Pensacola was in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Travel Inn at 1801 West Cervantes Street after visiting a friend when he was approached by a man later identified as Timothy Lowe, 28, of Pensacola.
The two men began arguing over drugs, Lowe produced a handgun, and shot multiple times into the car at Coley, hitting him in the leg.
PPD officers Matt Coverdale and Jeremy Pillow, who were on patrol nearby, heard the gunshots and responded to the area. When the officers arrived at the parking lot, they saw Lowe holding a handgun. When Lowe saw the officers, he turned the gun toward them.
Both officers fired and Lowe was hit in the leg. Lowe dropped the gun and ran but was captured by Coverdale after a foot pursuit. Pillow stayed with Coley while Coverdale chased the suspect. Lowe and Coley were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.
Lowe was charged with aggravated battery, assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, armed robbery, and resisting an officer with violence.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure.
One Injury In Highway 297A Crash
December 17, 2012
Three Cantonment residents were involved in a two vehicle crash Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 22-year old Courtney S. Brown of Cantonment was northbound on Highway 297A at Sandicrest Lane in a 2006 Nissan Sentra when she ran off the road, over corrected and crossed into the southbound lane. She collided with a southbound Subaru Forester driven by 38-year old Jeremy Holcombe of Cantonment in the 5:31 p.m. crash.
Brown received minor injuries in the wreck and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Holcombe and his passenger, 11-year old Benjamin Holcombe, were not injured.
Brown was cited for failure to drive in a single lane by the FHP.
Portion Of Molino Park Elementary To Get New Roof
December 17, 2012
A portion of Molino Park Elementary School is slated to be re-roofed.
The Escambia County School Board is scheduled to approve a $374,075 contract with Edwards Roofing of Pensacola for the project, with funding from the half cents sales tax. The new roof will include a standard 15-year warranty.
Longtime Dogwood Park Pastor Passes Away
December 17, 2012
Glenn Eddie Milstead, a longtime Baptist minister, has passed away. He was 62.
Milstead was instrumental in establishing the Dogwood Park Baptist Church where he served as pastor for over 25 years. He held a bachelors degree in theology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served three years in the US Army as a salvage diver.
He is survived by his parents, Blue and June Milstead, his wife of 44 years, Sharon, and numerous children and grandchildren.
Funeral services for Glenn Eddie Milstead will be held Tuesday, December 18 at Dogwood Park Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 a t 5 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
For the complete obituary, click here.