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Time Running Out For Nonprofits To Apply For United Way Certification

Time is running out for local nonprofits to apply for agency certification from United Way of West Florida. The deadline for applications is October 21 at 5 p.m.

Applications are open to nonprofit organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Becoming a certified partner agency is required for any organization planning to apply for funding from United Way of West Florida in January of 2023. Agencies must reapply for certification every year. Certification does not guarantee funding.

Agencies not seeking funding from United Way can also benefit from certification, according to the organization. It confirms that an organization has been thoroughly vetted and meets United Way of West Florida’s standards for transparency, financial health, and governance.

Agencies can find more information online at uwwf.org/agency-certification.

Report Details Allegations Against Suspected Drunk Driver That Killed Escambia Deputy

A Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by NorthEscambia.com details the allegations against a suspected drunk driver that struck and killed an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy Saturday night while critically injuring his teenage daughter.

Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment and his 15-year old daughter were traveling from Troy, Alabama, when the crash occurred on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida, at 8:40 p.m.

Tristen Cole Parker, 26, failed to stop at a stop sign, and his bucket truck struck an oncoming silver Jeep driven by Ray.

Parker was charged with negligent DUI vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and driving with a suspended license habitual offender.

Ray was pronounced deceased at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to an area hospital. The 2012 white Dodge bucket truck driven by Parker overturned multiple times, destroying utility poles before coming to rest in a field in the southwest corner of the intersection.

“There were beer cans near the passenger door of the Dodge truck that were in the pickup and thrown while overturning,” the investigating trooper wrote in the report.

“When the witness rolled up on the crash, Tristen Cole Parker had self-extricated from his vehicle but identified himself as the sole occupant and operator of the suspect vehicle,” the report states. “While being treated on scene by Okaloosa County Fireman Paramedic (redacted), Tristen Cole Parker admitted to consuming 3 to 4 alcohol beverages prior to the collision. (The paramedic) also smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Tristan Cole Parker while he was speaking.”

Parker was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

“During conversation with Tristen Cole Parker, Mr. Parker spontaneously uttered to (the trooper) that he had 2 or 3 ‘beers’ prior to the collision’,” the report continues. Despite initial consent for a voluntary blood draw, Parker refused to provide the blood sample when hospital staff arrived in his room.

A FHP traffic homicide investigator also noted that Parker had bulged eyes, slurred speech, a dry mouth, thick tongue, flushed face and smelled of alcohol in the emergency room. The investigator said Parker had labored breathing, slow deliberate movements and repeated himself.

FHP said Parker’s certified driving record from Texas showed multiple convictions for driving with suspended license in that state.

Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He had been assigned to courthouse security for over a decade.

A Year Later, Emergency Rental Assistance Still Available For Escambia County Residents

Escambia County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 can still apply for help from the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The program opened a year ago.

The application portal is now open and available clicking or tapping here. Call (850) 403-6044 to make an appointment for in-person assistance, or see a list of libraries below.

Emergency rental assistance may be provided to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:

• Have been financially impacted by COVID-19;
• Have total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
• Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
• Have not received any other rental assistance for the requested months

Both the renter and the landlord must submit an application through the portal. Reimbursement will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. View eligibility requirements and see if you qualify here.

The program can cover up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County. Additional details for rental assistance for landlords and renters can be found at MyEscambia.com/erap.

Escambia County has received the following allocations:

• $9,611,771 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act
• $7,605,344 from the American Rescue Plan

Escambia County ERAP Policies and Procedures are in alignment with the U.S Treasury Department’s guidelines (full policies and procedures).

Email ERAP@myescambia.zendesk.com or call (850) 403-6044 with any questions.

Now That It Feels Like Fall, It’s Time To Visit Cantonment Pumpkin Patch

Now that it feels like fall, it’s good time to visit the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment.

Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.

The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Off-Duty ECSO Deputy From Cantonment Killed By Alleged DUI Driver Near Laurel Hill

An off-duty Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy died and his daughter were seriously injured when their SUV was hit by an alleged drunk driver in Okaloosa County Saturday night.

Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment and his 15-year old daughter were traveling from Troy, Alabama, when the crash occurred on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida.

Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He has been assigned to courthouse security for over 10 years.

“We ask that our community joins us in continued prayers for his family and friends during this difficult time,” the ECSO said in a statement.

A 26-year old man from the Dallas area, Tristen Cole Parker, failed to stop at a stop sign, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Parker’s pickup truck traveled from Robinson Road into the intersection and collided with the side of the SUV driven by Ray.

Ray was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash at 8:37 p.m. Saturday. His daughter was airlifted to an area hospital in serious condition.

Parker was transported by ambulance to the hospital with minor injuries. He is charged with negligent DUI vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and driving with a suspended license habitual offender. He was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail without bond.

IMPACT 100 Awards Over $1.1 Million In Grants To 11 Community Groups

IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization, announced 11 grant recipients on Sunday that will each receive a grant of  $103,820. That brings the total grants awarded by the women’s philanthropic organization to over $15 million for 142 projects.

The grant recipients are:

ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY

• Pensacola Little Theatre Inc. – It Starts with Art: Building the Foundation of Arts Education at Pensacola Little Theatre
• Santa Rosa Community Theatre Inc. – Provide a State-of-the-Art Theatre for Santa Rosa County

EDUCATION

• Central Gulf Coast CDF Freedom Schools – Something Inside So Strong
• General Daniel Chappie James Flight Academy, Inc – Outfit New Facility with Equipment and Other Furnishings

ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION

• Keep Pensacola Beautiful, Inc. – KPB Covers More Ground
• Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Inc. – From Hatchlings to Adults, Come Join Us on Our Journey

FAMILY

• Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc. – Parent University: Bridging Resources and Community Needs
• Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – Community Land Trust – Affordable Housing in Perpetuity

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• District One Medical Examiner Support, Inc. – Family Advocacy Representative – providing support to Family, Community, and Staff
• Feeding the Gulf Coast – Feeding the Future
• Healing Paws for Warriors, Inc. – Save a Veteran, Rescue a Dog: Mobile Unit

“IMPACT members were able to choose to meet at either in-person Focus Area Committees or virtual Focus Area Committees,” said Roz Leahy, president of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. “Again, this year, hundreds of IMPACT 100 members participated in the process to review each grant application, conduct site visits to all applicants, and select finalists from each Focus Area Committee. We are so thankful for our members who participated and to our volunteer board. Their dedication enables IMPACT 100 to continue serving the community we love.”

With 1,142 members this year, IMPACT 100 was able to award $103,820 each to eleven nonprofit organizations in our community for a total impact of $1,142,020.

Atmore Police Seeking Man Who Robbed Downtown Main Street Business

The Atmore Police Department is investigating the robbery of a downtown business.

The man robbed New York Fashions on North Main Street near the Atmore Chamber of Commerce.

“The victim was found by a customer who immediately called 911. Responding officers arrived on the scene and contacted the victim inside the business with a head wound. It appeared the suspect attempted to restrain the victim but was unsuccessful,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said Sunday afternoon.

The victim was treated for his injuries and released.

“Investigators are following up on leads and checking with nearby businesses for any video footage of the suspect,” McMann added.

The suspect was described as a black male approximately 6-foot 3-inches with a medium build. He was wearing a lighter-colored shirt size XL, dark-colored pants, casual style shoes that may have been gray, and a black face mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
• West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the irrigation system and landscaping. In addition, the seven mid-block crossing signals will be activated on Cervantes Street.
• Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Sunday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.

• I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 20 as crews install thermoplastic pavement markings:
  • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
  • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
  • I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
  • Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
  • I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.

• Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter the following lane closures Sunday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
  • Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operation from Innerarity Point Road to Bauer Road as crews mill and pave the roadway.
  • Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operations between Doug Ford Road and Bauer Road as crews perform shoulder widening and drainage work.

• ·         Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:

• • Daytime single lane closures on the Bayou Chico Bridge as crews remove and replace the striping on the bridge. The closures will be in place several days until the work is complete. 
  • Alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 20. The closures will allow crews to work on the manholes and place thermoplastic striping on the roadway.

• East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
• Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Sunday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 14 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for construction operations.
• North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is slated to open next week. Four travel lanes, two in each direction, will be open when traffic is placed in final configuration Tuesday, Oct. 18. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews continue to place the final layer or “friction course” of asphalt and perform final work activities.
• Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29), from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to north of I-10 – Traffic has been slightly shifted to the outside in both directions. The traffic shift will be in place for several weeks as crews repair the median barrier wall.
• West Garden Street (U.S. 98) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance near G Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. for utility maintenance.
• I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, Oct. 17 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

• Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
• U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews will temporarily shift eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River Wednesday, Oct. 19. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
• I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Oct. 21 for construction activities.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
  • Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
• S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Inspection over Yellow River – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures south of I-10 Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge inspection.
• S.R. 4 Roadway Maintenance East of Magaha Road in Jay – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Oct. 21 for paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorist will encounter intermittent outside westbound lane closures Saturday, Oct. 22 through Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Florida Gas Prices Climb 7 Cents On Average In The Last Week

Florida gas prices averaged $3.40 a gallon on Sunday. That’s 7 cents per gallon more than a week ago, 22 cents more than this time last year, yet 3 cents less than last month.

The average in Escambia County was $3.25. Sunday night, a low of $3.22 could be found in Cantonment, while Pensacola was as low $3.03 on Nine Mile Road.

“Drivers faced another round of rising gas prices last week, as retail prices at the pump continued to adjust to the big jump in oil prices which occurred more than a week ago,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The 17% oil price hike was largely in response to OPEC’s announcement that it would cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day in effort to raise oil prices. The resulting gas price hike effectively erased any discounts created by the state gas tax holiday. Fortunately, oil prices took a step back last week, which should ease upward pressure at the pump.”

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Woman Shot In The Face In Cantonment, Suspect Later Shot Himself, ECSO Says

A woman was shot in the face and the suspect died after being found with a gunshot wound early Sunday morning in Cantonment.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unknown problem at 12:45 Sunday morning  on Fishhook Lane, near the Perdido River west of Jacks Branch Road.

According to ECSO Sgt. Melony Peterson, the victim reported that she was shot in the face and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is expected to recover.

Peterson said she had gotten into an argument with a man believed to be her cousin.

About an hour later, the adult male suspect shot himself near the original crime scene and was transported to an area hospital where he later died, according to the ECSO.

The incident remained under investigation and further details were not immediately known.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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