Gonzalez Farm Share Thanksgiving Food Distribution Planned For November 12
October 19, 2022
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a Thanksgiving food distribution on Saturday, November 12 in Gonzalez.
The event begins at 8 a.m. and will continue while supplies last (minimum of 300 families) at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
“Feeding the community has been one of our office’s top priorities. The north end of our county has many unique challenges, one being the lack of access to community-based resources. Providing a Thanksgiving meal to our families will be a much-needed blessing this holiday season,” Salzman said.
The food distribution will include fresh food from Farm Share, a donated whole chicken from The Butcher Shoppe, and the traditional holiday sides such as cranberry sauce, corn, stuffing, green beans and more.
The distribution is made possible by partners including Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Florida Power & Light, International Paper, Tyler Kercher with State Farm, Aaron Erskine, A Foundation for Hope and more.
This Thanksgiving food distribution site will be drive-thru with a designated space for walk-up. Vehicles may line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. To volunteer, call volunteer coordinator Jennifer Harrison at (850) 741-6024 or email Jennifer.Harrison@myfloridahouse.gov.
Pictured: A Farm Share food distribution on July 30 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Searching For Armed Bank Robbery Suspect In Escambia County
October 18, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an armed robbery suspect that held up a bank Tuesday afternoon.
The robbery occurred at the Hancock Whitney Bank on Creighton Road, near North Davis Highway, shortly before 3 p.m.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia, Florida, Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested In Atmore In Domestic Violence Incident
October 18, 2022
An Escambia County, Florida, attempted murder suspect was arrested Tuesday in Atmore on a domestic violence charge.
Atmore Police responded to the 100 block of Marshall Avenue Tuesday morning where a woman told them that her boyfriend, 38-year old Jason Wayne Coleman of Pensacola, struck her and grabbed her by the neck. Officers said she suffered scratches on her neck and arms.
After Coleman was taken into custody, officers found that he was wanted for attempted murder by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
According to ECSO, Coleman has an outstanding warrant for attempted murder for a September 25 shooting on Rampart Way. An adult male was found outside a home with a single gunshot wound about 2:30 a.m. The victim in that shooting survived.
Coleman was charged by Atmore Police with domestic violence third degree and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center as a fugitive from justice pending an extradition hearing on the attempted murder charge.
Time Running Out For Nonprofits To Apply For United Way Certification
October 18, 2022
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
October 18, 2022
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
October 18, 2022
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.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Now That It Feels Like Fall, It’s Time To Visit Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
October 18, 2022
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
October 17, 2022
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
October 17, 2022
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
October 17, 2022
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.