Flomaton Police Find Man With Meth, Possible Explosive Device In Store Parking Lot
March 31, 2022
A man was found in the parking lot of a Flomaton business early Thursday morning with methamphetamine and a possible explosive device, according to police.
The Flomaton Police Department checked a vehicle parked in front of the We Care Thrift Store.
The occupant, 32-year old Andrew Robert Howell, was in possession of a crystal-like substance identified as methamphetamine and had an outstanding warrant from another state, according to police.
“Also inside of the car was an item/device that was electrical taped and had a protruding fuse. It was more/less the size of a potato,” Flomaton Police said in a statement.
An investigation into the device is continuing with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Bomb Squad assisting the Flomaton Police Department.
Howell was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on charges of possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and as a fugitive from justice.
Storms Dump Hail; Strong Winds Cause Minor Damage
March 31, 2022
A line of strong storms dropped hail, and strong winds caused minor damage in Escambia County early Thursday morning.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos (below) showed minor damage to an awning at a home near the intersection of Kingsfield and Chemstrand Roads, and tree limbs were reported down in the Cantonment area.
The trailer of an 18-wheeler was left hanging over Escambia Bay as severe weather moved through the area early Thursday morning. Click here for details and photos.
Hail fell across a large swath from Beulah in Escambia County and into Santa Rosa County.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported up to about 500 customers without power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Florida Power & Light reported up to about 300 out in Escambia County and nearly 2,000 without power in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to scattered reports of power lines down across the county, including Highway 168 near Wiggins Road near Bratt.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Truck Left Hanging Off Escambia Bay Bridge During Tornado Warning
March 31, 2022
The trailer of an 18-wheeler crashed and was left hanging over Escambia Bay as severe weather moved through the area early Thursday morning.
The semi was reportedly rolled onto its side on eastbound I-10 over Escambia Bay, with the trailer left hanging over the guardrail.
Two people and two dogs were reportedly rescued from the cab and were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. Firefighters were able to remove the windshield to extricate the occupants.
There were high winds and a tornado warning at the time of the crash. As of early Thursday morning, a tornado had not been confirmed by the National Weather Service.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Power & Light Warning Siren Surprises Local Residents
March 31, 2022
Florida Power & Light has confirmed that they were responsible for a loud siren and voice warning heard across portions of the area Wednesday afternoon.
FP&L confirmed a siren test was conducted about 2:15 p.m. and lasted less than 20 minutes at the Gulf Clean Energy Center (formerly known as Plant Crist).
“We understand that some of our customers and nearby residents may have heard these sirens. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” FPL spokesperson Marshall Hastings told NorthEscambia.com.
Once we received numerous reports of the warning sirens, mostly from Cantonment to Ferry Pass and Pace, we were able to quickly confirm that it was not originating from International Paper or Ascend Performance Materials. There was a regular warning system test at International Paper about 1 p.m. Thursday, some hour and 15 minutes earlier.
We reached out to FP&L and received the final response about several hours later.
FP&L said they plan to conduct future tests, but a schedule is not yet available.
“These tests are done periodically throughout the year. The company will provide a notification prior to the next one,” Hastings said.
Pictured: The entrance to the Gulf Clean Energy Center (formerly known as Plant Crist) as seen Tuesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Every Friday Morning, 11 UWF Students Head To Prison
March 31, 2022
Every Friday at 8 a.m., 11 University of West Florida students show up for class at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. Once inside, they are joined by their classmates: 13 incarcerated individuals.
The students are the first cohort enrolled in the Spring 2022 Inside-Out Exchange course led by Jennifer Brinkley, J.D., assistant professor of legal studies, and Dr. Nicole Niebuhr, assistant professor in the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice. The course, Contemporary Social Justice Issues, addresses the creation of social justice policy and its impacts on society.
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program® is an international initiative that encourages dialogue and education among incarcerated individuals and university students. UWF currently offers the first and only course in the region.
“Prisons are often looking for educational course offerings and, in my experience, incarcerated individuals are very eager to participate in an intellectual pursuit,” Brinkley said. “This type of collaboration brings so much joy to everyone involved, and it’s important for communities to invest in programs that help with re-entry, as incarcerated individuals will be joining our communities again at the end of their sentence. I am proud that UWF has been willing to step in and provide educational programming for incarcerated individuals, and to allow UWF students to be a part of this important endeavor.”
Brinkley and Niebuhr underwent a rigorous, 40-hour training course in early 2021 to gain eligibility for instructing an Inside-Out course, and joined forces to co-teach the first offering in the Spring 2022 semester.
Kayla Reid, a criminal justice graduate student, said she joined the course to participate in the unique opportunity to hear new perspectives within the criminal justice system and to expand her classroom learning through conversations with those who have lived the experience.
“Hearing the perspectives of individuals who are currently incarcerated is important,” Reid said. “I’m appreciating the discussions, and I believe the class is a good human experience. They come into class through one door, we come in another, but we all get to sit as students together.”
Sarah Goldberg, junior legal studies major, said the course provided an irresistible opportunity to pursue her interest in the prison system and prison reform topics.
“The most impactful part of the course so far has been the dismantling of my implicit bias,” she said. “Incarcerated people have been so ‘othered’ by society that we are taught to view them as inferior in every sense of the word. Having meaningful, important, eye-opening conversations with the inside-out students fosters a sense of understanding and connection you wouldn’t expect to have with someone whose life looks so different from your own. It’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Miracle League Of Pensacola Still Needs Buddies For The Spring Season
March 31, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola is still looking for volunteers to serve as buddies during the current spring season.
Buddies can volunteer for one or two games or for the rest of the season. Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.
To volunteer or for more information, call Volunteer Director Mike Norre at (850) 384-3489.
Store Clerk Doused With Gas, Set On Fire In Escambia County
March 31, 2022
An Escambia County convenience store clerk was doused with gasoline and set on fire Wednesday afternoon at a Circle K on W Street at Massachusetts Avenue.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year old Betty McFadden was told not to panhandle earlier in the day outside the service station. She left, retrieved a gas can, and panhandled for the gas before going inside.
McFadden then “followed that employee and started throwing matches on that employee and caught the employee on fire, then calmly walked out of the store,” Simmons said.
The sheriff said the employee has life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
A second employee was burned while attempting to help the victim.
A K-9 unit tracked down and arrested McFadden. She has been charged with attempted murder. According to the Escambia County Jail, she is homeless.
Man, 78, Struck And Killed By RV Being Moved In His Driveway
March 30, 2022
A woman struck and killed a man with a RV Wednesday afternoon in their driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 76-year old woman was moving the RV forward in the driveway of a home on Floyd Drive. A 78-year old man was between the motor home and a parked Lincoln SUV at the time. He as hit and pinned between the two vehicles.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS.
Troopers are continuing to investigate.
Floyd Drive is located off Inda Avenue, east of Pine Forest Road.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Using Gun To Threaten Juvenile On A Bicycle
March 30, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly using a gun to threaten a juvenile.
Jarrian Jamal Purifoy, 34, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Purifoy allegedly pulled a gun on a juvenile riding a bicycle in the area of Sheppard and Lincoln streets in Cantonment and threatened to shoot up his house, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
When located by deputies, Purifoy claimed he had been home all day and was waiting on a ride from his mom, and he denied driving a vehicle in which a deputy had seen him earlier, according to an arrest report.
Purifoy was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Here Are All The Winners From The GCA & NRYO Livestock Show
March 30, 2022
The Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show was held Friday and Saturday in Molino.
Youth exhibited chickens, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats and cows. In addition to showing their animals in the show ring, youth were quizzed on their knowledge of their projects. In the show ring youth competed in two types of classes, one focused on the youth, which is known as showmanship, and the other focused on the animal in either a breed or weight class. Over the past few months and even years, these youth have poured countless hours into working and preparing these animals.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Winners were as follows:
Black Angus / Registered
1st – Brooke Hoomes
2nd – Ella Gilmore
Grand Champion Black Angus – Brooke Hoomes
Reserve Champion Black Angus – Ella Gilmore
Brahman / Registered
1st - Tucker Padgett
Grand Champion Brahman Tucker Padgett
Brangus / Registered
1st – Abbie Jane Trejo
2nd - Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd – Jack Trejo
Grand Champion Brangus – Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion Brangus – Charlotte Rease Trejo
British White / Registered
Class 1
1st – Landen Smith
2nd – Austin Manning
3rd – Channing Smith
Class 2
1st – Sarah Alexander
Class 3: registered cow calf pair British White
1st – Sarah Alexander
Grand Champion British White – Sarah Alexander
Reserve Champion British White – Sarah Alexander
Shorthorn / Registered
1st Jessie Joyner
Grand Champion Shorthorn Jessie Joyner
AOB Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Mallory Mahoney
2nd Mallory Mahoney
Class 2
1st Abbie Jane Trejo
Class 3
1st Tucker Padgett
Grand Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Abbie Jane Trejo
Reserve Champion AOB Breeding Heifer Tucker Padgett
Commercial Breeding Heifer
Class 1
1st Maevree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Class 2
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Wyatt Allen
3rd Malarie Cooper
Class 3
1st James McELhaney
Grand Champion Commercial Breeding James McElhaney
Reserve Champion Commercial Breeding Mallory Cooper
Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – James McElhaney
Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – Abbie Jane
Breeding Heifer Showmanship
Jr Showmanship
1st Charlotte Rease Trejo
2nd Mallory Mahoney
3rd Malarie Cooper
Intermediate Showmanship
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Jessie Joyner
3rd Abbie Jane Trejo
Senior Showmanship
1st James McElhaney
2nd Brooke Hoomes
Market Hog Show
Class 1/Ultralight
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Tate Chapter FFA
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 2/Light
1st Addie Manning
2nd Ellison Miller
3rd Dawson Guy
Class 3/Middle
1st Mavree McElhaney
2nd Allen Bridgers
3rd Sydney Gilmore
Class 4/Heavyweight
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Wyatt Allen
Class 5/Ultraheavyweight
1st Black Beauty
Market Hog Grand Champion – Maevree McElhaney
Market Hog Reserve Champion - Weston Simmons
Market Hog Showmanship
Senior
1st Lilly Warne
2nd Maevree McElhaney
3rd Josh Nichols
Intermediate
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Addie Manning
3rd A.T. Bridgers
Junior
1st Ella Gilmore
2nd Sydney Gilmore
3rd Weston Simmons
Market Steer Show
Class 1:
1st Mackenzie Sims
2nd Brooke Hoomes
3rd Jessie Joyner
Class 2:
1st Weston Simmons
2nd Mary Oliver
3rd Josh Nichols
Class 3
1st MaeVree McElhaney
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Makayla Plato
Class 4
1st James McElhaney
2nd Malarie Cooper
3rd Grace Oliver
Market Steer Grand Champion James McElhaney
Market Steer Reserve Champion Maevree McElhaney
Market Steer Showmanship
Jr.
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Grace Oliver
2nd Tucker Padgett
3rd Jessie Joyner
Senior
1st James McElhaney
Mackenzie Sims
Maevree McElhaney
Market Goat
1st Rylie Gibbs
Grand Champion Market Goat Rylie Gibbs
Breeding Goat Show
Class 1: 0-6 months
1st Ona Spinks
2nd Hunter Chance
Class 2: 6-12 months
1st Estella Perea
Class 3: 12-18 months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 4: 18 plus months
1st Andrew Fendley
Class 5: Breeding Doe w/kid at side
1st Rylie Gibbs
Grand Champion Breeding Doe Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Breeding Doe Rylie Gibbs
Goat Showmanship
Junior
1st Rylie Gibbs
Intermediate
1st Hunter Chance
2nd Ona Spinks
3rd Estella Pere
Senior
1st Andrew Fendley
Dairy Goat Show
Class 1: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Jessie Joyner
Class 2: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
1st Addison Soderlind
2nd Addisyn Ward
Class 3: Nigerian Dwarf
1st Buttercup
Grand Champion Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat - Channing Smith
Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf - Addison Soderline
Class 1:Nubian Dairy Goat
1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee
3rd Hunter Chance
Class 2: Nubian
1st Gabbie Camp
2nd Cheyenne Taft
Class 3: Nubian
1st Bella Trivison
2nd Andrew Fendley
3rd Carmen Garcia
Grand Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Nubian Dairy Goat Bella Trivison
Grand Champion Dairy Goat Andrew Fendley
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Channing Smith
Dairy Goat Showmanship
Jr. 1st Channing Smith
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Addison Soderlind
3rd Bella Trivison
Senior 1st Andrew Fendley
2nd Amanda McGee
Market Lamb Show
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
2nd Andrew Manning
Grand Champion Market Lamb Austin Manning
Reserve Champion Market Lamb Andrew Manning
Breeding Sheep
Class 1: 1st Austin Manning
Class 2: 1st Andrew Manning
2nd Andrew Manning
3rd Austin Manning
Grand Champion Breeding Sheep Andrew Manning
Reserve Champion Breeding Sheep Austin Manning
Sheep Showmanship
1st Andrew Manning
2nd Austin Manning
Preview Steer
Class 1
1st Hannah Jerkins
2nd Austin Manning
Class 2
1st Tucker Padgett
2nd Ella Gilmore
Class 3
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Class 4
1st Payton Fuqua
2nd A.T. Bridgers
3rd Leah Rutherford
Class 5
1st James McElhaney
2nd Jack Trejo
3rd Charlotte Trejo
Grand Champion Preview Steer Payton Fuqua
Reserve Champion Preview Steer James McElhaney
Preview Steer Showmanship
Jr
1st Malarie Cooper
2nd Charlotte Rease Trejo
3rd Ella Gilmore
Intermediate
1st Jack Trejo
2nd Abbie Jane Trejo
3rd Tucker Padgett
Senior
1st Leah Rutherford
2nd James Mcelhaney
3rd Maevree McElhaney
Rabbit Show Results
Best in Show – Estella Perea
Best Opposite Sex – Tucker Padgett
Rabbit Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (8-10) 1 Weston Simmons
Intermediate Showmanship (11-13) 1 Tucker Padgett
2 Estella Perea
3 Alyson Hoover
Poultry Show
Best of Show – Skylah Miles – Buff Polish
Reserve Best of Show – Avery Weekley, Lavender Orpington
Showmanship
Poultry Showmanship
Jr.
1st Weston Simmons
Intermediate
1st Bella
2nd Bristol
3rd Estella Perea
Senior
1st Skylah
2nd Phoenix
3rd Christian
Chick Chain
Chick Chain Showmanship
Jr.
1st Lainey Dunsford
Intermediate
1st Jessie Joyner
2nd Kennedy Ard
3rd Matt Dunlap
Senior
1st Gracie Meredith
2nd Raimi Joseph
3rd Wyatt Allen
Chick Chain Show
Black Australorps
Grand Champion Pen 1st Dash Reeves
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Wyatt Allen
Buff Orpingtons
Grand Champion Pen 1st Jessie Joyner
Reserve Champion Pen 2nd Matt Dunlap
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
