International Paper Employees Target Period Poverty With Feminine Care Kit Donations
May 14, 2022
“Period poverty” is a term used to describe the struggle that many women and girls face because they lack access to adequate menstrual health management supplies and education, and it can have serious consequences. It’s an issue that leads to a number of problems like school truancy, reproductive issues, health risks and unnecessary shame.
Employee volunteers at the International Paper Pensacola Mill assembled more than 500 feminine care kits to fight period poverty. The local event benefited the Health and Hope Clinic and Pace Center for Girls.
“Volunteering to fill these care kits and learning about period poverty was a very fulfilling experience, and it helped broaden my perception of the community need that exists,” said Lee Anne Adams, IP Pensacola quality manager. “There is so much we can do as individuals and as a community united, and it is incumbent upon us to look for those instances and do all that we can to help those that are in need.”
IP employees provided hand written words of inspiration with each care package.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity to partner with International Paper and make an impact together for the underserved community,” said Sally Bergosh, Health and Hope Clinic executive director. “We are so much better united in finding opportunities to help better serve. Our patients will be forever grateful for these care gifts.”
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Cantonment Rotary Honors North Escambia Teachers Of The Year
May 14, 2022
The Cantonment Rotary Club honored Teachers of the Year from area schools at a luncheon this week.
Each Teacher of the Year from schools north of Nine Mile Road was honored. They are:
- Bratt Elementary — Mary Rackard
- Ernest Ward Middle — Katie Roley
- Escambia Westgate — Melissa Caldwell
- Jim Allen Elementary — Amanda Robar
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jessica Phelps
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Dustin Brenton
- McArthur Elementary — Lindsey Jeremiah
- Molino Park Elementary — Jessica Varner
- Northview High — Jeffrey Simpkins
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Tina Schlauder
- Ransom Middle — Angela Avery
- Tate High — Karl King
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Florida Motorcyclist Dies From Injuries Received In April Crash In Escambia, Alabama
May 14, 2022
A Milton man has passed away from injuries he received in an April motorcycle crash in Escambia County, Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said 52-year old Stephen K. Lodge of Milton was critically injured about 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 when the 2020 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating left the roadway and overturned on Cowpen Creek Road near Canoe.
Lodge was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on May 4, state troopers said on Friday.
Northview Chiefs Fall In Regional Final To Holmes County
May 14, 2022
The Northview Chiefs lost their 1A regional final game 6-3 to Holmes County Friday night in Bonifay.
Kaden Odom was on the hill for Northview, giving up six hits and four runs while striking out three in three and third innings. Josh Landis threw two and two-thirds innings allowing two hits, two runs and striking out two.
Jamarkus Jefferson and Luke Bridges both had two hits to lead the Chiefs at the plate. Odom, Landis and Wyatt Scruggs added one hit each.
The Northview Chiefs ended their season at 17-7.
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FWC Law Enforcement Report: Boating, Fishing Violations
May 14, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood was conducting resource inspections at Navy Point boat ramp. He observed a vessel return from fishing and conducted an inspection. Officer Allgood noticed a large red drum in the cooler of the vessel. He measured the fish, and it was oversized. He issued a resource citation to the individual and seized the fish.
Officer Long conducted a resource inspection on a charter vessel as it returned to shore. He found the operator of the vessel in possession of an undersized trigger fish. Officer Long issued a citation for the violation.
Officers Jeter and Cushing were on patrol in Bayou Chico. Officer Jeter conducted several marine fisheries inspections in the area. When Officer Jeter contacted the operator of one of the vessels returning to the ramp, he immediately indicated that he had an illegal greater amberjack on board. The subject also had several boating safety and registration violations. Officer Jeter issued a resource citation for the closed season greater amberjack as well as a registration infraction and several other warnings.
Officer Cushing conducted a resource inspection of a charter vessel that had just returned from a trip. As Officer Cushing greeted the captain, he was stepping off the vessel with a basket of vermilion snapper. Officer Cushing asked if there was any other fish on board and he said no. Officer Cushing found three more vermilion snapper in the ice box tucked in the corner. Two of three were undersized. A citation was issued for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was patrolling a boat ramp on Escambia River when he observed the recreation area had a catfish on the picnic table as well as empty beer cans and a fire. Shortly after, Officer Roberson observed a vessel pulling up to the boat ramp with four occupants. Officer Roberson contacted the individuals and asked about the catfish on the table. They admitted to catching the catfish. They stated they were bush hooking on the Escambia River and when asked what kind of bait they were using they admitted to using bream on the bush hooks. The vessel operator agreed to take Officer Roberson down the river where their bush hooks were located. Officer Roberson inspected their bush hooks and observed live bream being used as bait and the bush hooks were not displaying a name or address. Officer Roberson cited two of the individuals for using bream on bush hooks for bait.
Officer Lewis concluded an investigation on a vehicle that was dumped in Blackwater River State Forest and used as target practice in a clay pit. Officer Lewis was able to track down the responsible party for the vehicle and charged him for violation of the Florida Litter Law. The responsible party removed the vehicle from the forest. Officer Roberson assisted with the investigation.
Officer Lewis noticed a large amount of recreational activity in the Blackwater River State Forest primitive areas and directed his patrols to these areas. Officer Lewis subsequently issued five citations, and 18 warnings for various violations.
Wahoos Win Fourth Straight, Move Into First Place
May 14, 2022
Eury Pérez struck out nine more batters over 5.1 brilliant innings, Thomas Jones hit a late go-ahead home run, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos took sole possession of first place on Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos are 16-15, above the .500 mark for the first time this season, and have earned their first series victory with their longest winning streak of the year.
Pérez and Rocket City starter Sam Bachman locked horns, with both top pitching prospects showing off their dominant stuff. Bachman allowed only a walk over 4.0 hitless innings, and Rocket City managed only a fourth-inning single through the first five frames against Pérez.
In the top of the sixth, a leadoff walk from Bryce Teodosio was followed by a one-out RBI double from Jose Gomez to give Rocket City the game’s first run. Pérez departed, and Orlando Martinez laced an RBI single against Andrew Nardi (W, 2-2) to put the Trash Pandas ahead 2-0.
The Blue Wahoos answered back in the bottom of the sixth, as Jones was hit by a pitch and Victor Victor Mesa beat out an infield single for Pensacola’s first hit of the night. Troy Johnston and Jerar Encarnacion then hit back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game 2-2.
In the seventh, Bubba Hollins found his way aboard before a two-out, two-run homer from Jones against Eric Torres (L, 0-1) gave the Blue Wahoos a 4-2 lead. Josh Simpson and Eli Villalobos (S, 3) pitched the final two innings to seal Pensacola’s fourth win in a row.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Fiery Crash Near Flomaton Claims One Life, Critically Injures Another
May 13, 2022
A fiery single vehicle crash near Flomaton claimed one life early Friday morning and critically injured another.
The crash happened about 1:25 a.m. on Old Atmore Road about a quarter mile east of Tulip Road, just a few hundred feet north of the Alabama-Florida state line. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, overturned and burst into flames.
One person was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and airlifted to an area hospital. An adult occupant was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Alabama State Troopers are investigating and have not released further information. The Flomaton and Friendship fire stations, along with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, McMillan EMS, and Flomaton Police Department also responded.
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Escambia May Raise Sales Tax To Fund Fire Services, Replacing Property Assessment
May 13, 2022
Escambia County may increase the sales tax rate to fund fire services, rather than continuing the current system of an assessment for property owners.
During a discussion meeting Thursday morning, Commissioner Jeff Bergosh introduced the idea of boosting the sales tax rate by a half-penny or three-quarters of a penny.
The county’s budget office presented four options to pay for increased service costs in the form of varying the current fee property tax, which currently stands at $125 for most non-commercial property. Under the four proposals a new fire tax based upon property value would make up the difference needed to create at least $6 million in additional revenue to provide necessary funding and reduce subsidies from the general fund.
But under the sales tax avenue presented by Bergosh, the property assessment would go away.
“There are a lot of people struggling still, and I don’t want to raise their property taxes one penny,” Bergosh said. “And I won’t vote to do so.” He said a big part of the sales tax revenue would fall upon visitors that don’t live in Escambia County and don’t pay the fire tax, despite using emergency services.
Voters would be required to approve any sale tax increase, likely on the November ballot if the proposal moves forward.
“Let the citizens decide if this is important enough for them to pay an additional half cent sales tax,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said, adding that he would not support an increase on property owners. He said that as a voter, he would probably not support the sales tax, but as a commissioner he would be supportive of allowing the citizens to choose.
“Sales tax adversely affects poor people and poor consumers because they don’t own property; they rent,” Commissioner Lumon May said. “They are the greatest consumer because they spend and don’t save, and, unfortunately it is more of a burden on a low income person.”
“It’s the taxpaying property owner in Escambia County that always foots the bill. I kind of like spreading it around and making sure everyone pays,” Bergosh said.
Underhill said if he supports a tax, it would be in the form of sales tax because the consumer decides how aggressive their consumption, or spending, will be.
“People don’t decide their consumption based on their basic needs – food, shelter and essentials,” May said. “They have to eat; they have to buy the basic essentials to survive in the world. When you do apply that sales tax, it adversely affects someone who is trying to make ends meet.”
Preliminary projections show a half-cent sales tax would generate about $25 million for fire services in Escambia County after total funding is shared with the City of Pensacola.
There was no final decision on Thursday. In the coming days, county staff will run an analysis to provide more concrete numbers, and explore any legal issues. The commission will discuss fire services funding further at an upcoming meeting.
Under The Sea: Kingsfield Elementary Holds Art Night (Photo Gallery)
May 13, 2022
Kingsfield Elementary School held “Under the Sea Art Night” Thursday night. A large crowd enjoyed a night of face painting, dancing, bubbles, clay and more fun art projects an activities.
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Escambia Woman Hearing ‘Voices In Her Head’ Tried To Drown Her Cat, ECSO Says
May 13, 2022
An Escambia County woman claiming to hear voices in her head allegedly trying to drown a cat.
Briyona Morgan Jacobus , 18, is charged with felony inflicting serious pain, injury or death on an animal.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded after a witness said she witnessed Jacobus trying to drawn her cat in a bathtub. The woman ran in and tried to grab the cat so Jacobus would not kill it, and Jacobus stomped on the cat after it fell to the floor, according to an arrest report.
The woman was then able to get the cat away from Jacobus.
“I observed the cat to be barely breathing and soaking wet from being drowned in the bathtub,” and ECSO deputy wrote in their report.
Jacobus made incoherent statements about having voices in her head and being homicidal, the report states.
Escambia County Animal Control responded and observed petechial hemorrhaging in the cat’s eyes and found that the cat suffered a concussion. The cat was taken for further observation and treatment.