Cantonment Woman Accused Of Merchandise Return Fraud
May 8, 2024
A Cantonment woman is facing charges after two alleged merchandise return fraud incidents at Walmart.
Kandis Sheree Thomas, 64, was charged with misdemeanor petit theft and felony organized scheme to defraud. She was released on a $2,800 bond.
A loss prevention associate at the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that on May 1 Thomas made a $327.38 purchase. She returned to the store a second time, selected the same items, went to customer service, and returned the unpurchased items for $327.38, according to an arrest report.
Thomas returned to the store on May 2, and used a receipt from a previous purchase to make a $50.46 return, the report continued.
As the loss prevention associate and the deputy spoke, Thomas provided $50 to the associate for repayment of the May 2 return, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas made numerous statements of guilt and made multiple apologies; the deputy noted in the arrest report.
She was charged with felony organized scheme to defraud “due to the systematic and ongoing course of conduct”, according to ECSO.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Is Saturday
May 8, 2024
Letter carriers to pick up tons of much-needed food donations at mailboxes across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this Saturday, May 11, as part of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Residents can participate by leaving non-perishable food donations at their mailboxes on Saturday for letter carriers to collect. Bags for the donations were previously delivered, but any bag can be used.
“People right here in our Northwest Florida community – your neighbors and mine – are struggling every day to put food on the table. They do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy healthy groceries for their families,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Pantries. “The Stamp Out Hunger food drive makes it possible for Manna and many of the area’s food pantries to feed thousands of children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals in need in the months to come.”
Suggested healthy, non-perishable food items include canned fruit in 100% juice, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), peanut butter, and/or dry beans. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.
Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries in both counties, helping to ensure that families in need have access to nutritious food. Locally collected food donations will assist individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
“We are grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and our community for their support through this annual food drive. As our largest single food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger is deeply impactful for our one in seven neighbors, including 1 in 5 children right here in Northwest Florida who face the challenge of hunger,” says Michael Ledger, President & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “Partnerships and community support like this food drive made it possible for Feeding the Gulf Coast to distribute more than 5.7 million meals into Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in 2023. As we continue to see an increase in hardworking families and individuals, children, and seniors facing hunger, we are hopeful there will be strong community support this year.”
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is in its 32nd year. It is the largest one-day food drive in the country. Last year Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected 190,853 pounds of food from generous residents, providing 219,862 healthy meals!
Layla Walker Reigns As Tate FFA Rodeo Queen
May 8, 2024
Layla Walker reigned as queen of the 33rd Annual Tate High School FFA Alumni Association Rodeo that took place last Friday and Saturday nights. Hannah Teague was first runner-up.
Other cowgirls competing for the rodeo queen title were Taylor Anderson, Makayla Godwin and Kryrie King.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com (below), click to enlarge.
Cox Inspirational Student Heroes Recognized From Each Escambia County School
May 8, 2024
The Escambia County Council on PTAs/PTSAs and Cox Communications recently held their annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards and ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year Awards in Escambia County. The two organizations came together this year to recognize 54 students who’ve overcome extreme hardships in their lives.
Escambia County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes/ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year for 2024 are:
- Aadan Adams – Ernest Ward Middle School
- Aldonjra Redmond – West Florida High School
- Alexander Tukes – Global Learning Academy
- Alisha Ullrich – Pine Forest High School
- Allyson Jones – Northview High School
- Amiyah Clark – Longleaf Elementary School
- Ariel Spencer – Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Autumn Marie Ladd – Beulah Middle School
- Brooklyn Wells – Escambia Westgate Center – Elementary School
- Cameryn Forrester – Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Charles Pugh – Ferry Pass Middle School
- Charlotte Smith – Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Colton Hernandez – Kingsfield Elementary School
- Daniel Bishop – Hellen Caro Elementary School
- David Stallworth – Bellview Middle School
- Davion Williams – Escambia Westgate Center – High School
- Diego Zepeda-Soto – Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Elijah Curry – Warrington Elementary School
- Elijah Tunstall – Sherwood Elementary School
- Emilia Jara-Pineda – Navy Point Elementary School
- Gavin Groff – Hope Horizon – Elementary School
- Grant Nunley – Jim Bailey Middle School
- Hannah Bertsinger – Brentwood Elementary School
- Issac Dillard – Ransom Middle School
- Jackson Shelnut – Tate High School
- James Thompson – Hope Horizon – Secondary Level
- Jaron Levi – Escambia High School
- Jasmine Long – Bellview Elementary School
- Jayden Webb – Holm Elementary School
- Jo’kavious Wilson – O.J. Semmes Elementary School
- Josiah Ray – Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Khia Ross-Celaius – West Pensacola Elementary School
- Lexi Knight – N.B. Cook Elementary School
- Lilyana Perdue – Escambia Westgate Center – Middle School
- Marcell Gibbs – Brown Barge Middle School
- Maria Lainez – Oakcrest Elementary School
- Mariah Matheny – Success Academy
- Matthew Gonzalez – Beulah Elementary School
- Meili Fernandez – Workman Middle School
- Narayia Toles – Cordova Park Elementary School
- Pedro “L.P.” Flores – Molino Park Elementary School
- Raphael Rios – Ensley Elementary School
- Reynaldo “Rey” Gonzalez – Washington High School
- Riley Machak-Cruz – Blue Angels Elementary School
- Robert “Weston” Spicer – Bratt Elementary School
- Robert Minter – Pensacola High School
- Saraya Johnson – Lipscomb Elementary School
- Sean Hammontree – Jim Allen Elementary School
- Terence Robinson – A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Te’vionnah Watson – Montclair Elementary School
- Treasure “Gracie” Boyer – McArthur Elementary School
- Za’Cyiah “Cyiah” Soglo – Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Zaylee Baker – Byrneville Elementary School
- Zialah Goble – C.A. Weis Elementary School
“It’s always an honor for us at Cox to applaud these students and celebrate what an inspiration they are to their peers and school staff,” said Cox Gulf Coast market vice president David Deliman. “They’ve overcome so many hardships in their young lives and still maintain a positive attitude. They’re true heroes and deserve their time in the spotlight.”
The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school, to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issue, difficult family situation, or other hardship, they did so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire others around them.
“The Escambia County Council of PTAs/PTSAs recognizes students who have, in many cases, overcome tremendous challenges while maintaining a positive attitude,” said Jennifer Harrison, president of the ECCPTA. “It’s our honor to recognize students who’ve seen significant improvement in various areas such as study habits, classroom behavior, interpersonal skills, or achievement of a specific academic or other relevant goal while overcoming a personal or family hardship or challenge.”
“We’re proud to partner with Cox Communications and the Escambia County Council of PTAs to recognize these inspiring students,” said Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Escambia County Public Schools is so grateful for our long-standing partnerships with Cox Communications and the PTAs, and the positive impact these partnerships have had in this community.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Tax Package With Sales Tax Holidays, Insurance Cuts
May 8, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed multiple tax holidays into law, which he says will provide $1.07 billion in tax relief for Floridians this year.
The tax package will help homeowners by providing a one-year exemption on taxes on residential property and flood insurance premiums. This is in addition to the $200 million that was signed last month for the My Safe Florida Home Program, bringing the total investment to the program to over $600 million since 2022. Since the governor signed reforms in 2022 and 2023, eight new companies have joined the homeowners insurance market in Florida. The success of these reforms is becoming increasingly clear in rate filings for insurers. In fact, 10 companies have filed a zero percent increase and 10 more have filed a rate decrease to take effect in 2024.
Additionally, this year’s tax cut package is a continuation of our annual tax holidays. These tax holidays include:
- Two Disaster Preparedness Holidays; June 1—14 and August 24—September 6, families can prepare for hurricane season with items like tarps, batteries, and flashlights, sales tax free.
- The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 29—August 11, families can save on pens, pencils, computers, clothing, and other school supplies.
- The Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday: September 1—7, Floridians can save on power tools, hand tools, toolboxes, and other items.
- The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday: July 1—31, Florida families can purchase summer items like pool floats, fishing supplies, and outdoor equipment, in addition to admissions to museums and state parks, sales tax free.
More information is in the graphic below.
Among other savings, the tax relief package also includes a sales tax credit for businesses that employ persons with disabilities. Additionally, the bill increases the cap for the Strong Families Tax Credit Program from $20 million to $40 million, which supports organizations focused on child welfare.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Foiled By Strong Pitching In Series Opener Against Barons
May 8, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
No team so far has been able to fully crack Birmingham Barons pitcher Drew Thorpe.
The Blue Wahoos were unable to do so, either.
Thorpe, rated the No. 3 prospect in the Chicago White Sox minor league system and ranked among the game’s top overall prospects, showed his command and calm Tuesday in his sixth start as the visiting Barons produced a 2-0 victory against the Blue Wahoos in a series-opening clash of the league’s two division leaders.
Thorpe (5-1) lowered his earned run average to 1.01 after allowing just two hits, two walks and striking out five in 5.2 innings. He was the New York Yankees’ second-round pick in 2022 after an All-American season at Cal-Poly where he set a school record with 149 strikeouts in a season.
He’s played a big role in the Barons’ (20-7) dominating first month of the schedule, which is by far the best record in the Southern League. The Blue Wahoos (15-13) entered with four wins in six road games last week against the Mississippi Braves.
A crowd of 3,682 at Blue Wahoos Stadium – the largest Tuesday crowd so far this season – again included a wide array of various dog breeds on Doggone Tuesday where people are allowed to bring their pups to the park.
The fans saw strong pitching and defense on both sides.
Neither team had a hit or a baserunner through three innings. Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez again excelled in his fifth start.
The only two pitches he didn’t locate exactly as desired left the ballpark.
After retiring the first two batters in the fourth inning, Barons catcher Edgar Quero blasted a fastball from Bermúdez over the left-center wall for the game’s first run.
In the fifth, the Barons’ Tim Elko led off with a moon shot over the left field wall on a well-timed connection on a changeup pitch.
That was the offense in the game. The Blue Wahoos bullpen had three relievers combine to pitch four scoreless innings the rest of the way.
Blue Wahoos newcomer Nathan Martorella, who joined the team Tuesday, had Pensacola’s first hit in the fourth inning with a two out double down the right field line. Martorella was part of a four-player trade of San Diego Padres prospects for Miami Marlins star Luis Arráez, a former Blue Wahoos player in 2019, who has won batting titles in the American and National League the past two seasons.
Martorella also had a hard out in the ninth inning, leading off with a ball driven deep to center that was caught.
The Blue Wahoos had their best scoring chance thwarted when Jacob Berry was thrown on in the sixth inning trying to score after tagging up from third on Cody Morissette’s fly ball to centerfielder Jacob Burke. But Burke’s one-bounce strike to the plate was a perfect throw to get Berry.
The Blue Wahoos had two baserunners for the only time in the sixth inning after singles by Jakob Marsee, who also was part of the Arráez trade, and Paul McIntosh. Martorella struck out on a high fastball from reliever Eric Adler to end the inning.
The second game of the series on Wednesday will feature an 11:05 a.m. start for the second Education Day of the season. The gates will open at 10 a.m. The broadcast will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Blue Wahoos.com/radio or the MILB app.
GAME NOTABLE
— This series-opening game Tuesday is one of 18 meetings – the most since the Blue Wahoos joined the Southern League – with the Barons. The Blue Wahoos will twice play in Birmingham this season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
PROMOTION: Education Day. The second of this season’s mid-day, matinee games will feature more than 2,000 area school children from schools in four different counties. Tickets are available for the general public as well.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion of Chemstrand Road And Area
May 7, 2024
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON MAY 9.
For the fourt time in recent weeks, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of Chemstrand Road and the surrounding area due to damage to a six-inch water main by a contractor working in the area.
Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- 8815 – 9254 Chemstrand Rd.
- 301 E. 9-Mile Rd.
- Holly Rd.
- Etta Rd.
- Greenbridge Rd.
- 101~200 Camden Rd.
- Beland Rd.
- Kokomo Rd.
- Bellington Rd.
- Arcadia Rd.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours, and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
This story will be updated when the notice is lifted.
State Conducts Random Inspection of Escambia County EMS. Here’s What They Found.
May 7, 2024
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) conducted a random inspection of Escambia County EMS recently, reviewing the department on multiple compliance topics.
EMS passed the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight’s Compliance Monitoring site survey with no deficiencies found, with the Bureau praising Escambia County EMS for its exemplary service and organization.
The inspection marked Escambia County EMS’s second state inspection since 2021, both of which were passed with zero deficiencies.
Escambia County EMS was reviewed on the following:
- Employee training records and certifications
- Compliance with controlled substance medication storage, how medications are distributed for use by EMS, and tracking of medication administration by EMS
- How EMS orders, stocks, distributes, and replaces medical equipment and supplies
- Random ambulances were selected for complete inventory inspection in compliance with state requirements
- Patient care records and storage of records
- Quality assurance and quality improvement measures with patient care and patient care reports
- Training and in-service records for all EMS employees
- Compliance with state requirements for medical direction
The inspector noted Escambia County EMS vehicles and records were “outstanding” and considered EMS a “role model of excellence as an EMS provider.”
“This is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition, and it speaks volumes of our team at EMS,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “These site surveys are held at random, meaning our facilities, ambulances, service and training records, and equipment must always be at their best. I’m thankful to our men and women at EMS and extend my congratulations for their outstanding work and dedication to the citizens of Escambia County
DEP Finds Century Using Pump Not Meant For Drinking Water To Supply Prison
May 7, 2024
The Florida Department Environmental Protection (DEP) has discovered that that a temporary pump being used to provide drinking water to the Century prison was not certified safe for drinking water.
In a warning letter to Mayor Luis Gomez on Monday, DEP said the temporary bypass pump on Tedder Road was not National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 61 certified as safe for drinking water as required by Florida Administrative Code.
“Violations of Florida Statutes or administrative rules may result in liability for damages and restoration, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties,” Elizabeth Mullins Orr, DEP Northwest District direct, wrote. “Please be advised that this Warning Letter is part of an agency investigation, preliminary to agency action.”
In May 2020, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the Century Correctional Institution failed. A permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system was completed in May 2020 to provide a dependable water supply to the prison.
The town later installed a diesel temporary bypass pump on Tedder Road next to the Century Fire Station to allow water to be pumped from wells in town to the prison. The was in operation for several months before DEP received a tip that alleged the pump serving the prison was not certified as a potable (drinking) water pump but instead may have been previously used to pump sewage.
DEP responded to the tip with a site visit on April 30 and inspected the pump, finding it to not meet drinking water standard.
NorthEscambia.com also received an anonymous tip regarding the pump on April 29. When we photographed the pump that day, flexible connection hoses were labeled as being for potable water, but there were no obvious certifications or drinking water markings visible on the pump.
Century has since removed the temporary diesel pump and installed an in-line electric pump.
Pictured: A diesel powered temporary bypass pump provided water to the Century Correctional Institution on April 29. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
McDavid Man Win $1 Million In 500X The Cash Scratch-off Game
May 7, 2024
On Monday, a McDavid man claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X The Cash game.
Mack Morris of McDavid purchased the winning scratch-off ticket Saturday at Kynette’s Place at 101 North Century Boulevard, across the McDavid Fire Station.
Kynette’s Place will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The $50 game 500X The Cash features a top prize of $25 million—the largest ever offered on a Florida scratch-off game. As of Monday, the Florida Lottery said two of two $25 million prizes have been claimed, but nearly 30 $1 million tickets remain unclaimed. Odds of winning $1 million in the game are 1 in 274,004.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.