Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison Shooting Another Man In The Face
April 8, 2022
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for shooting another man in the face in 2019.
In February, Jamal Eric Boyer was convicted of attempted second degree murder by an Escambia County jury.
Boyer was sentenced to life under Florida’s 10-20-Life law. He also qualified as a prison release offender because he was released from prison less than seven weeks before the shooting. The life sentence must be served day-for-day as a mandatory minimum sentence.
On June 3, 2019, Jamal Boyer discharged four rounds from a .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm out of the passenger side of a black Nissan at another motor vehicle on Navy Boulevard near the intersection with Pace Boulevard. One of the shots went through the windshield to strike the victim in the face. The bullet traveled through the victim’s front teeth and tongue to become lodged in the back of his throat. He was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle looking at his cell phone when he was struck. The victim survived after the bullet was surgically removed.
Century Man Charged With Burglary Of Vacant Home
April 7, 2022
A Century man has been charged with a recent burglary.
James Daniel Arrington, 48, was charged with felony burglary, and misdemeanor criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Arrington is accused of burglarizing a vacant residence on East Highway 4 in Century. After receiving a tip that Arrington was dropped off a short distance from the residence with a duffel bag, a relative of the property owner found Arrington inside the home, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
The report states the front door of the home was covered with a piece of tin that was removed during the burglary and a window was damaged when Arrington fled the residence.
“It should be noted that Arrington has been the suspect in several recent theft complaints in Century,” the ECSO report states.
When Arrington was arrested a few days later at his residence, a glass smoking pipe with methamphetamine residue was found in his pants pocket, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Arrington denied any involvement in the burglary, telling deputies that he was at the Atmore casino at the time.
$1.5 Million Project To Improve I-10 And I-110 Interchange Safety Begins Soon
April 7, 2022
Construction is set to begin later this month on $1.5 million in safety improvements at the I-10/I-110 interchange in Escambia County.
Planned in improvements include:
- Milling and resurfacing all ramps to improve ride quality.
- Applying an anti-skid surface on all ramps.
- Adding audible edge lines to alert drivers of the edge of the roadway along all ramps.
- Installing raised rumble strip sets across the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- Reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- Additional work will include improvements for the guardrail, signage, and pavement marking
Lane closures will be allowed from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Work is expected to be completed by Fall 2022.
Escambia County Woman Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize, Plans To Pay Off Her Mom’s House
April 7, 2022
An Escambia County woman has claimed a $1 million Florida Lottery scratch-off prize, and she says she plans to pay off her mother’s house.
Tenesia Hollins, 41, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $820,000.
When asked what she plans to do with her winnings, Hollins said that the first thing she wants to do is pay off her mother’s house.
“She’s done so much for me growing up, this is the least I can do for her,” Hollins shared.
Hollins purchased her winning ticket from Winn Dixie on Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Hollins won on the new $50 game called “500X The Cash”, which offers a top prize of $25 million.
Cantonment Tree ID Trail Receives New Additions At Extension Office
April 7, 2022
A tree identification trail in Cantonment has received some new additions.
The Florida Forest Service donated nine trees for the trail at the Escambia County Extension office on Stefani Road.
Each tree was in a three or seven gallon pot and included river birch, American beech, loblolly bay, spruce pine, water hickory, winged elm, sand pine, Florida maple, and sassafras. Approximately 35 species native to Florida have been planted along this trail in the past three years. Additional species already growing prior to trail installation can be seen on Extension property on the disc golf course, along the trail, and in the gardens.
Having this large variety of trees in one place essentially gives Escambia County its own arboretum highlighting Florida native species. The trail has been used to teach tree identification classes to both FFA and 4-H groups preparing for forestry competitions. Each tree is labeled, so people explore the many different species of trees that can grow in Northwest Florida. It is a great resource for arborists or landscapers brushing up on their skills, homeowners looking for ideas for trees to plant in their yards, or outdoor enthusiasts who want to know what they are looking at when engaging in their favorite outdoor activity.
The trail is part of a larger outdoor education and recreation project located at the Escambia Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road. It includes a nearly one-mile walking trail loop, nine-hole disc golf course, and the tree trail. The publicly accessible walking trail was built and funded by Escambia County in 2018. O
nce the trail was in place, new trees were planted to provide shade and education. Funding for the original tree plantings and signage were provided by a grant from International Paper, while the design and installation of the disc golf course were funded by the Escambia County 4-H Foundation.
The popular facility is open to members of the public during daylight hours.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Fall To Pace
April 7, 2022
The Northview Chiefs fell to Pace 14-6 Wednesday night in Pace.
Northview’s Aubrey Stuckey allowed seven hits and six runs in four innings while striking out one. Jamison Gilman went for one inning, allowing four runs and one hit and striking out one. Alexis Barnhill went for one inning, giving up four runs, four hits and striking out one.
Kayla Dixon hit a home run for the Chiefs in the fifth inning.
Gilman led the Chiefs at the plate, going 3-4, and Emma Gilmore was 2-4. Stuckey, Dixon, Peyton Gilchrist, Kailyn Watson and Makayla Golson added one hit each.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29, Molino Road Wreck
April 6, 2022
There were no serious injuries reported in a crash involving two pickup trucks about 5:00 Wednesday afternoon at Highway 29 and Molino Road.
Escambia County EMS responded, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Multiple Vehicle And Vending Machine Burglaries
April 6, 2022
A Cantonment man has now been charged with breaking into several coin operated vending machines throughout Escambia County October 2021 and March 2022.
Christopher Brian Gentry, 51, was charged with six counts of maliciously damaging a coin-operated machine, four counts of burglary of a business, eight counts of criminal mischief, and six counts of petit theft.
On October 15, 2021, Gentry allegedly damaged three soft drink vending machines outside of the Grocery Advantage store on North Davis Highway.
A few days later, Gentry allegedly pried open the cash panel on an ice vending machine in the 4000 block of East Olive Road and took approximately $650 while causing $1,650 in damage. Blood was discovered on jagged metal and samples were taken for DNA evidence. The DNA was matched tos Gentry, according to an arrest report.
In January 2022, Gentry was charged with nine counts of felony burglary, grant theft of a motor vehicle, burglary of an unoccupied structure, and criminal mischief property damage. He is accused of burglarizing several Escambia County Parks and Recreation vehicles at their East Nine Mile Road complex and stealing multiple items.
Wednesday morning, Gentry remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $285,500.
Escambia County Calling For State Review Of FPL’s Rates; Century Set To Do The Same
April 6, 2022
Escambia County is set this week to finalize a letter to the Florida Public Service Commission asking them to reconsider Florida Power & Light’s rate structure, and the Town of Century may join other local governments in sending a letter of their own.
Last month, the Escambia County Commission voted to have Chairman Jeff Bergosh draft a letter to the PCS, and that letter will be up for final approval, revisions or disapproval at Thursday’s board meeting. The Century Town Council was set to vote Tuesday night on sending a similar letter, but their meeting was canceled due to weather concerns.
“Over the last several months we have been inundated with angry complaints from our constituents who have pleaded with us to help them get answers as to why their Florida Power and Light bills have increased so dramatically (in some cases more than doubling month over month),” Bergosh states in the opening of the BOCC’s draft letter.
Bergosh asks the PSC to conduct a new FPL rate public hearing and hold it in Escambia County because it’s the largest population center in the Florida Panhandle.
The letter asks for answers on five key points:
- Why are our citizens being socially engineered to conserve- by having their rates increase once usage exceeds 1000 Kilowatt hours per month? Why is this being allowed and condoned/encouraged by the PSC?
- Why are other energy sources/fuel commodities for electricity generation being excluded in favor of Natural Gas which has seen tremendous price increases—the costs of which are being burdened fully by ratepayers? Why is this being allowed and condoned by the PSC.
- Why are our citizens apparently paying the highest rate per 1000 Kilowatt hours billed (residential) in the entire state of Florida?
- Why does the PSC consider these rates fair and reasonable given this current economic environment?
- Why is FPL Northwest Florida cutting customers’ power off early and not giving customers until 5:00 PM to pay bills that are late? (I have heard that customers’ power is being shut off before 5:00 PM on the last day to pay a late bill, when previously if a customer paid before 5:00 PM the power would not be cut off.)
To read the complete proposed letter from the Escambia BOCC to the PSC, click or tap here.
The Century Town Council will consider drafting a letter to the PSC at their April 19 meeting. Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton and Crestview have already sent similar letters to the state.
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.
Ascend Investing $80 Million In Cantonment Plant; Virtual Community Meeting Planned
April 6, 2022
Ascend Performance Materials is investing over $80 million in improvements at their Cantonment plant, and a virtual meeting is planned for Thursday to provide more information to the community surrounding the facility.
“These investments represent our commitment to safety and reliability in the community,” Ascend said in a statement emailed to NorthEscambia.com.
Nearby residents will notice increased activity at the plant, including numerous vehicles parked at the water tower at the intersection of Old Chemstrand and Chemstrand Roads and at the plant’s park area.
The turnaround will be completed in early May. During the event, shift changes are scheduled from 5-7 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. to minimize traffic impacts, the company said.
A virtual community meeting will be held on April 7 at 6:00 p.m. Details below
WHAT: Ascend Virtual Community Meeting
WHEN: April 7, 2022, 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: ascendmaterials.com/PNSCommunityMeeting
NorthEscambia.com file photo.