IP: Supposed Noose Found At Mill In Cantonment Was Just A Rope Used To Hold Cables
July 4, 2020
International Paper has determined that a supposed noose found at their mill in Cantonment last month was not a noose but simply a rope used in the industrial setting.
A third party investigative team found the rope was used to hold up cables but had been knocked down by a storm.
“The team discovered photographs from as far back as 2012 that showed the rope was used to elevate cables that were knocked to the ground by a storm,” IP Director of Marketing Thomas Ryan told NorthEscambia.com in an email. “The team ultimately found no evidence of racist conduct or intent. The company remains committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce and a workplace where all employees feel welcomed and able to contribute their best every day.”
He said more than 60 employees and contractors were interviewed during the investigation.
“The knot on the end of the rope was a ‘heaving line knot’, typically used to add weight so it could be thrown. The loop and the heaving line knot were not attached, and therefore, it was determined not to be a noose,” IP found. A graphic provided by IP is below.
In a statement issued in June after the rope was alleged by some to be a noose, IP said in a statement to NorthEscambia.com, “We do not tolerate threatening acts, racism, or bigotry. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where individuals feel valued and engaged and have the opportunity to contribute their best every day.”
Pictured top: The original reader submitted image from June. Pictured below: Graphic submitted July 3 by IP. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
LEO Wives Hang ‘Hearts For Heroes’ At Escambia, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices
July 4, 2020
The Northwest Florida LEO Wives hung “hearts for heroes” at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office to show their support and appreciation. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Employee Positive For COVID-19; Fire Department ‘Professionally Disinfected’
July 4, 2020
Flomaton confirmed Friday that a town employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and mandatory face masking has been ordered for town employees and volunteers.
In a statement, Flomaton said they learned the employee had become ill on Tuesday, June 30, and the employee was placed on paid leave and sent home to quarantine. A release from the town does not identity the department in which the person worked, but it does note that “after the exposure the fire department was professionally disinfected”.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant has directed the mandatory use of face masks in most circumstances by town employees and volunteers, including the fire department, “when two or more persons are present”.
All municipal buildings are being disinfected and are closed to visitors. A drive-thru window is open normal business hours for court or utility payments, which can also be made online.
The Alabama Department of Health is expected to do contact tracing and make any needed notifications to persons that may have been exposed to the infected employee.
Photo Archive: Local Fireworks Shows
July 4, 2020
Happy Fourth of July!
Since most public fireworks shows in the area are canceled or postponed, we decided to share a little fireworks show of our own from the NorthEscambia.com photo archives for you to enjoy.
Here’s a look back at several local fireworks shows:
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP, DEA Make Big Escambia Drug Bust, Recover Fentanyl, Over 2.5 Pounds Of Meth, Heroin And Cocaine
July 4, 2020
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a large drug bust in Escambia County, the FHP announced Friday night.
Troopers with the FHP Criminal Interdiction United conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Buick LaSabre near the intersection of Nashville Avenue and Michigan Avenue for a traffic violation.
After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle driver Bryant Marsh, 61, was searched. Troopers located 56.5 grams of methamphetamine in the cargo pocket of his pants.
Inside the vehicle, troopers located 12.9 grams of crack cocaine and .25 grams of fentanyl. Due to the amount of the narcotics, troopers contacted the DEA.
A subsequent search of Marsh’s residence was conducted. In total, 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine, 1⁄2 pound of heroin, 1.1 pounds of cocaine, 160 grams of pharmaceuticals, and 1 gram of fentanyl were seized.
FHP said a loaded handgun reported stolen in Escambia County was also found in his residence.
No Mask Mandate: County Launches ‘Mask Up, Escambia!’ Ad Campaign, Distributing Free Masks
July 3, 2020
Escambia County has launched a public health campaign urging residents and visitors to follow CDC guidelines, and the county is distributing tens of thousands of face masks for free.
The “Mask Up, Escambia!” campaign will include online, TV, billboard, and other advertising, along with social media efforts, a postal mailer to residents and the face mask distribution. It’s all being funded by the CARES Act, which provided money for local governments to deal with COVID-19 impacts.
The county stopped short of implementing a mask mandate like the City of Pensacola, but the commission did unanimously vote Thursday night to encourage citizens to follow CDC guidelines including the wearing of masks, social distancing and proper hand washing.
Free reusable cloth masks are available to Escambia County citizens at the following locations while supplies last:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road
- Molino Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Century Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Pensacola Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Tryon Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Genealogy Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Southwest Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Brownsville Community Center 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Ebonwood Community Center 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Note that all of the locations above are closed Friday, July 3 due to the Independence Day holiday.
In addition, disposable paper masks will be available on Pensacola Beach at lifeguard Tower 4 or directly from any lifeguard.
United Way ‘Born Learning Trail’ Opens In Jay. The Next One Will Be In Century.
July 3, 2020
The first of five Born Learning Trails was opened this week in Jay at the newly renovated Bray-Hendricks Park.. The next one will be in Century.
The Jay Born Learning Trail was made possible through a partnership between the early Learning Coalition, International Paper, the Town of Jay and the United Way of West Florida.
The Born Learning Trail, a United Way Worldwide initiative since 2005, is a series of 10 signs with activities painted on a park trail that offer fun, interactive learning activities for young children and their families. It helps parents, caregivers, and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or while playing at a park.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
The next local Born Learning Trail will be installed at Showalter Park in Century, according to Naomi Kjer, market manager for the United Way of West Florida. She said the plans are confirmed and approved. The installation was delayed due to COVID-19, but should happen in near future.
After Century, three more trails will be announced for locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia County Man On 20 Child Porn Counts
July 3, 2020
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested an Escambia County man Thursday on multiple child pornography charges.
William Gray, age 44 of Turkey Road, was charged with 20 counts of promotion of child pornography.
FDLE agents, with assistance from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, served a search warrant at Gray’s home and found numerous digital images and videos of child pornography, according to FDLE.
Gray’s remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $400,000.
Escambia Ballots For Military And Overseas Voters On The Way; Not All Voters Eligible For Primary Ballot
July 3, 2020
The first vote-by-mail ballots for the August 18 primary election were sent to military and overseas voters Thursday. The mailing of civilian ballots will begin next week to those who requested them. Federal and state laws require military and overseas ballots voters to be sent no later than 45 days prior to a federal election. Florida law establishes a window for mailing civilian ballots between 40 and 33 days prior to election day.
However, not all registered voters in Escambia County are eligible to receive a ballot in the primary election, as a result of Florida’s closed primary system and Escambia County’s single-member districts. This impacts nearly 50,000 of Escambia County’s 223,000 registered voters in the primary election.
All registered Republican voters are eligible in at least one contest due to the countywide primary for the U.S. House of Representatives nomination. Registered Democrats, No Party Affiliation voters, and minor party voters in some but not all precincts are eligible, depending on the district in which they are registered.
Registered Democratic voters in the following precincts do not have any contests in which they are eligible to vote in the primary, and as a result will not be issued a ballot:
- 1, 3, 15, 24, 30, 35, 40, 41, 42, 46, 49, 50, 54, 58, 64, 67, 71, 72.1, 77, 82, 83, 94, 97, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110.1
Voters in the following precincts with No Party Affiliation or registered in a minor party do not have any contests in which they are eligible to vote in the primary, and as a result will not be issued a ballot:
- 1, 3, 15, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 58, 60, 63, 64, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 77, 80, 82, 83, 90, 91, 94, 97, 98, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 113
Any Florida voter can choose to vote by mail. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.com/vote-by-mail or call us at (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is August 8.
The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation before the August 18 Primary Election is July 20. Visit EscambiaVotes.com/register-to-vote for more information. A sample ballot will be mailed to all registered voters prior to the start of early voting and will be posted at EscambiaVotes.com. Voters with questions about their eligibility should call (850) 595-3900 or visit EscambiaVotes.com/am-i-registered for more information.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns
July 2, 2020
The 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show originally scheduled for July 8-11 has been canceled. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels team informed the Santa Rosa Island Authority of their decision to cancel their performance late Thursday afternoon.
“After much discussion and consideration regarding the current rise in COVID cases in our hometown, we have come to the conclusion that canceling our flights during the Pensacola Beach air show is the only way we can ensure the safety of our community we love so much,” the Blue Angels said in a statement.
“Each year we look forward to the opportunity to fly for our friends, family and neighbors here in Pensacola. This was not an easy decision to make. Unfortunately, we are navigating very uncertain and unpredictable times. We felt this was the necessary decision to make in effort to keep our community safe.”
Plans had called for the airshow viewing area to be significantly expanded from Pensacola Beach to Orange Beach.
Next year’s show is scheduled for July 9-10.