Man Busts Into Former Girlfriend’s Apartment, Threatens To Kill new Boyfriend
December 19, 2011
An Atmore man just released from jail is back behind bars after allegedly busting into his former’s girlfriend’s apartment where he found her and her new boyfriend.
According to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey Lee Barron, 40, of Horner Street, was charged with two counts of simple assault with the threat to do violence, aggravated stalking, criminal mischief with property damage and burglary of an occupied dwelling.
When deputies responded to a disturbance call on Gordon Avenue, they found Barron in the street outside the residence acting extremely nervous. He said that he had come over to see his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child, and knocked on the door. He said he gave her a different name at the door, hoping to surprise his girlfriend to get a kiss.
The girlfriend told deputies that she had no idea that Barron was out of jail — released after allegedly burglarizing her home once before. She said he charged through the door, attacked her new boyfriend and threatened to kill her. A physical confrontation followed, according to an arrest report. The new boyfriend then ran down the street from the home, with Barron allegedly giving chase and trying to run over him with his Ford Mustang.
Barron then returned to the apartment and once again tried to enter and yelled threats to kill his former girlfriend, according to the arrest report.
Escambia Set For First Wave Of Gulf Restoration Funding
December 19, 2011
A pair of Escambia County efforts totaling $5 million will be among $57 million in projects included in the first wave of restoration endeavors throughout the Gulf in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Of the $5 million received in the first phase of grant awards, $4.4 million will provide matching funds for four boat ramp projects in Escambia County and $585,898 toward beach dune restoration on 20 acres.
The initial slate of efforts is part of $1 billion in payments agreed to by BP as part of the National Resource Damage Assessment under the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 1990.
By The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Employees Donate Bikes, Cash For Christmas
December 19, 2011
Gulf Power Company employees are helping Santa out this year by donating hundreds of toys, clothing and other gifts to the 2011 Communities Caring at Christmas campaign.
The annual gift drive included an employee donation of over $10,000 as well as almost 150 new bicycles and helmets bought and assembled by the utility’s employees.
“We know this holiday season may be difficult for many of our citizens so Communities Caring at Christmas is a great way to directly help those in need,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power’s manager of Public Affairs. “Every year our employees reach into their own pockets to help make sure as many children as possible have a great Christmas.”
Communities Caring at Christmas provides new toys, clothing and daily living needs for low income as well as abused, neglected and abandoned children living in foster care in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
A Christmas Gift: Teen With Leukemia Uses Her One Wish To Help Others
December 19, 2011
Leukemia patient Sarah Kelly, an Escambia County teen, was recently granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rather than choose most anything she wanted as a wish for herself, she decided to go on a shopping spree and purchase items needed for the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola.
Sarah said she understands what children and families like her own go through first hand, and she was hoping to bring some happiness to those in need this Christmas season.
Sunday, Sarah began her day at her favorite restaurant — Carrabba’s Italian Grill. She then made her way to the Wal-Mart on Creighton Boulevard who provided a $100 gift card to help out with her purchases. She also visited the Lowe’s on Airport Boulevard where she received additional discounts and her very own check-out lane.
Escambia County Goes High Tech To Determine Road Pavement Priorities
December 18, 2011
Escambia County is working on a high-tech mapping project that will help officials determine which roads need to be repaved first.
Escambia County has entered into a $228,498 contract with Transmap Corporation to map about 1,300 miles of already paved roadways. The results will allow Escambia County to rank each roadway by condition so that a paving priority can be determined.
The maps will include a 360-degree view of all roadways and right of ways, including images from a dedicated pavement camera showing every inch of pavement in the county. The end result will be loaded into a pavement management database that will show, among other details, the condition of pavement by roadway.
Pictured top: A mapping vehicle from Transmap Corporation maps Highway 99 north of Crabtree Church Road recently. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Santa Trades Sleigh For Fire Truck To Visit McDavid Area Children
December 18, 2011
Santa Claus traded in his sleigh Saturday for a big red fire truck as he visited boys and girls across the McDavid Fire Department district. The Jolly Old Elf stopped at children’s homes, visiting with children and listening carefully to those last minute Christmas wishes.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department has provided the Santa escorts for about 20 years.
Pictured above and below: Santa Claus visited with children around McDavid Saturday thanks to the McDavid Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos by Mandi Kinley, click to enlarge.
One Dead, One Injured In Shooting Near Baptist Hospital
December 18, 2011
One person is dead and another is critically injured after they were shot Saturday night near Baptist Hospital.
The incident occurred in the 1200 block of West Moreno Street about 7:15 p.m. Pensacola Police Department detective James Reese said one person died at the scene and one was transported to Baptist Hospital. Names are not yet being released pending notification of next of kin.
Reese said a white vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Suburban or similar model, was seen leaving the area westbound on Moreno Street following the shooting.
A motive for the shootings remains under investigation. Additional details will be released when they become available.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact Detective James Reese at (850) 435-1976 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Oh Holy Night: Byrneville Church Displays Manger Scene
December 18, 2011
The annual manger scene display at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God in Byrneville is available for viewing nightly. The church is located at 2311 Highway 4A, just south of Highway 168. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Do you have great Christmas light display photos? Email news@northescambia.com to share.
Sunny Monday, Rain By Tuesday
December 18, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Calm winds.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Christmas Day: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Now’s The Time To Check Your Voter Registration
December 18, 2011
Voters have just a few more days to update their registration information for the January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary. January 3 is the last day to register to vote or to change party affiliation.
New registration must be completed on or before January 3 at 5 p.m. to be effective for the first election of 2012.
To check registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered?.
Now is also the time for voters to request an absentee ballot and update record sand signatures. For an absentee ballot, visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or email the elections office. Early voting begins January 21 at four locations throughout Escambia County. While only Republicans will be eligible to vote in that party’s Presidential Preference Primary, all voters, regardless of party affiliation, will be able to vote on the countywide referendum that will appear on the ballot.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their records:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Mail the completed application no later than January 3 to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, second floor, in downtown Pensacola. Or, call 850-595-3900 or email the Elections Office, soe@escambiavotes.com, to have a form mailed to you.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, second floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available at many locations throughout the county. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com, call or email the Elections Office.