Cantonment Man Wanted By U.S. Marshals Charged With Fleeing Deputies
August 22, 2023
A Cantonment man wanted by U.S. Marshals was arrested with drugs after trying to flee from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Deputies attempted to stop a Chevrolet four-door sedan driven by 31-year old James Lee Purifoy, Jr., in the area of Dudley Avenue and Willis Street. Purifoy fled at a high rate of speed, and the pursuit was terminated in a residential neighborhood for safety, according to the ECSO.
Deputies followed and observed the vehicle stop in the front yard of a home on Willis Street. Purifoy was detained and spontaneously stated he fled because he has federal warrants, an arrest report states. Deputies located a clear plastic bag containing seven grams of marijuana in his front shorts pocket.
Purifoy was charged with fleeing or eluding law enforcement with lights and sirens activated, knowingly driving a motor vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended second or subsequent offense and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with a hold from the U.S. Marshals.
The ECSO report does not specify the nature of the federal charges.
ECUA To Vote On 9.5% Sanitation Rate Increase With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% Hike For Water And Sewer
August 21, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities will vote Tuesday on a proposed 9.5% rate increase for all sanitation customers and 5% for water and sewer.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
The 9.5% increase will raise the rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and include an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
ECUA is also raising rates on seven entities outside Escambia County — like Foley, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County — from their current $15-$45 per ton for recyclables to a flat $60 per ton due to high contamination levels.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board will consider an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
The rate increases will return to the ECUA board Tuesday at 3 p.m. for a final vote.
Kickoff Classic Bonus Photos: Northview, Ernest Ward Cheerleaders
August 21, 2023
The Northview Chiefs and the Ernest Ward Middle Eagles took on Baker Friday night in a kickoff classic.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders from NHS and EWMS, click here.
For a game action story and photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Longtime Santa Rosa Commissioner Don Salter Passes Away
August 21, 2023
Former Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter passed away Sunday morning.
Salter was born in Jay in 1947.
He attended Troy State University and graduated with a master of science degree in management. After graduating, Salter proudly served his country as a United States Army paratrooper from 1965 to 1968. His last 15 months in Vietnam were served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a combat platoon sergeant where he was awarded the bronze star medal.
Upon leaving the Army, Salter started his career with the Gulf Power Company where he quickly moved up to serve as the Santa Rosa County District Manager. He retired from Gulf Power in 2000 after 32 years of service.
After retiring he decided to run for county commissioner to continue serving the county he loved. He was first elected in November 2000 and then re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. He served as chairman in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2020.
As a county commissioner, Salter was instrumental in economic development, agriculture, military and veteran affairs. He worked for many years protecting and enhancing military installations, especially NAS Whiting Field.
Over a span of more than 20 years, Salter was involved in many community organizations. He was the founder of the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Plaza. He also served as chairman of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight, the Santa Rosa Initiative Committee and the Santa Rosa Military Advisory Council.
Salter received many leadership awards including the Community Leader of the Year Award, Santa Rosa County Hall of Fame Award, Santa Rosa County Man of the Year Award, Spirit of Santa Rosa Award, Friend of Agriculture for Santa Rosa County, and the Business Leader of the Year Award, among others.
In 2022, Don Salter Boulevard leading into the Whiting Aviation Park was named in his honor.
Century Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
August 21, 2023
A Century man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
Jeffie Dewitt Morris, 50, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Atmore Police Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Morris for any equipment violation.
“The officer noticed some strange behavior during their interaction,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said. An Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy stopped to assist, and his K-9 alerted on a vehicle.
A subsequent search located located a green leafy substance that was identified by Morris as synthetic cannabis (Spice), multiple blunts containing a green leafy substance that field tested positive for marijuana, a spoon with a crystal-like residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, and a glass pipe with a crystal-like residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police. He was also cited for improper lights.
Morris was released on bond from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $18K Sold In Beulah
August 21, 2023
Someone is over $18,000 richer after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Beulah.
The ticket sold at the SP Food Mart at West Nine Mile Road and Bridlewood Road was one of three winning tickets in Sunday’s midday drawing and is worth $18,317.59. The two other winning tickets were sold in Miami.
Sunday’s midday winning numbers were 7-15-18-24-26.
Florida Gas Prices Move Lower After Setting A New 2023 High
August 21, 2023
Florida gas prices increased as projected last week. The state average jumped 11 cents per gallon, reaching a new 2023 high of $3.85 per gallon on Thursday.
But pump prices are moving lower again. The state average declined four cents over the past four days. Sunday’s state average was $3.82 per gallon — that’s 27 cents per gallon more than what drivers paid this time last year.
North Escambia gas prices were as low as $3.35 Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, an East Nine Mile Road station was at $3.27.
“The volatility in prices at the pump will likely continue throughout the next couple of months, now that the tropics are beginning to heat up,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices typically increase if a tropical system threatens refineries along the Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi coastlines. These refineries are the primary supplier of gasoline for Florida. The extent of the price hike varies, depending on the severity of the storm and extent of any damages sustained by the refineries or supply chain.”
Berry, Blue Wahoos Hold On To Beat Biscuits In Finale
August 21, 2023
Luarbert Arias brought his hands together, signaled skyward from the mound and showed gratitude.
The crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium breathed the same sigh of relief.
Arias got the final two outs from a tenuous situation as the Blue Wahoos held on for an 8-7 victory Sunday against the Montgomery Biscuits to end the homestand and weekend with a good vibe.
What seemed a formality, having an 8-4 lead and top closer Jefry Yan pitching in the ninth, turned uneasy after Yan loaded the bases, then gave up a three-run double with one out that suddenly put the trying run a base hit away.
Arias entered, made big pitches, and recorded his first save.
That made for a happy finish on Family Sunday, where children followed by running the bases and playing catch in the outfield in a sponsorship from WKRG News5.
It was the Blue Wahoos’ second win in three games after dropping the first three games of the series against Montgomery, matching a team-record nine-game losing streak.
Sunday brought some good signs.
The Blue Wahoos racked up 14 hits, including a 3-for-4 day from centerfielder Victor Mesa Jr., who had recently been struggling at the plate.
The biggest production again belonged to Jacob Berry. The Miami Marlins’ top pick in 2022 has enjoyed hitting in Blue Wahoos Stadium. Further evidence was shown Sunday by his 3-for-4 day with three RBI. The former LSU star drove in the Blue Wahoos’ first run with a first-inning single, then followed with a two-run single for a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
The Biscuits twice tied the game in the fourth and fifth innings.
Berry was then part of a pivotal seventh inning rally where the Blue Wahoos got creative and got some help.
With the game tied 4-4, Dalvy Rosario led off win a single. Nasim Nuñez then popped a bunt over the head of Biscuits charging third baseman Junior Caminero, the team’s top player. Berry followed with a perfect bunt single to load the bases.
The Blue Wahoos then benefitted from a pair of run-scoring wild pitches uncorked by reliever Nelson Alvarez. Paul McIntosh then provided a 7-4 lead with an RBI single.
In the eighth inning, Cody Morissette led off with a home run blast into the right field berm. That bomb became the game-winning hit. Morrisette was among five Blue Wahoos players with multiple hits. Nuñez and Rosario were the other two.
Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez worked five innings and yielded four runs. Josan Méndez and Matt Pushard followed with three scoreless innings that became pivotal. Pushard was one of three Blue Wahoos players who participated Saturday in a community service project with Feeding the Gulf Coast, helping pack food box and the non-profit organization’s location in Milton.
There are now 24 games left in the regular season, including two more six-game homestands. They will get a respite Monday before a short road trip to Biloxi, Mississippi for a six-game series against the Shuckers on Tuesday. The Shuckers hold a two-game lead on Montgomery in the second half Southern League South Division race.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Nearly $1 Million FEMA-Funded Drainage Project Underway In Century
August 20, 2023
A nearly $1 million major drainage project funded by FEMA through Escambia County is underway in Century.
The Front Street Drainage Repairs FEMA Project is designed to replace and improve a failing stormwater drainage outfall system located on private property by routing around it. Improvements consist of a new stormwater system, roadway improvements, concrete curbs, valley gutters, and ditch-bottom inlets.
During Hurricane Sally in 2020, flooding “supercharged” the existing drainage system in Century, overtopping Front Street at flooding yards on Front Street and Jefferson Avenue, according to the county. An existing 18-inch concrete pipe cracked, and an existing six-inch cast iron pipe became plugged with debris.
The lowest and responsible bid received for the project was $993,312.98, to Chavers Construction.
According to Escambia County, it is anticipated that $943,647.33 (95%) of the entire cost, will be reimbursed by FEMA and the State of Florida, and Escambia County would be responsible for the remaining 5% of the entire cost, or $49,665.65.
The project is set for completion in February 2024. Portions of Front Street, Jefferson Avenue and Church Street are closed and detoured during the construction.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate And Washington To Play In Wahoos Stadium’s First Ever Regular Season Prep Football Game
August 20, 2023
The Tate Aggies and Washington Wildcats have inked a deal to face off in the first-ever regular season high school football game to be played at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The inaugural First City Bowl prep football game will be played Friday night November 3.
During the second inning of Saturday’s Wahoo game, Tate head coach Rhett Summerford and Washington head coach Ryan Onkka participated in a short signing ceremony on the field.
“What a great environment it’s going to be,” Summerford said about playing on the waterfront in Wahoos Stadium.
The Wahoos plan to make the First City Bowl and annual event.
Photos by Maryjane Gardner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
