Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For Attempted Murder
June 29, 2016
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for attempted murder.
Roger Marion Lofton was sentenced Tuesday by Circuit Judge Scott Duncan to 30 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender. Has was previously convicted of second degree murder by an Escambia County jury.
On May 17, 2015, Roger Lofton shot Richard Anthony Booth multiple times at a residence on Bayliss Court. Booth suffered gunshot wounds to his chin and his left arm.Lofton fled the area and was arrested two days later in Bonifay.
Ron Paul Endorses North Escambia Native Rebekah Bydlak For Congress
June 29, 2016
North Escambia native Rebekah Johansen Bydlak has been endorsed by former presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
“I am pleased to endorse Rebekah Bydlak for Congress,” Paul said, “Rebekah’s commitment to, and experience in advancing, the principles of liberty show that she is the type of leader the GOP, Florida, and the country need.”
“I am thrilled and honored to be endorsed by the godfather of the Tea Party,” Bydlak said, “Ron Paul’s name has become synonymous with the defense of the Constitution and reducing the size of government.”
“For years, he fought the good fight in Washington D.C. against career politicians and unconstitutional government overreach, and I am proud to have his support,” she added.
Bydlak would make history if she is successful in the August 30 Republican primary as the first female to represent Florida’s 1st District and youngest-ever elected woman in Congress.
Bydlak, a Cantonment resident and native of McDavid in North Escambia, is a former Florida state chair of Young Americans for Liberty, the youth organization that began as an outgrowth of Paul’s 2008 presidential bid. She has also served as director of outreach for the Coalition to Reduce Spending, an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing spending and debt.
She is a graduate of Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She holds a master’s degree in political science and public administration from UWF.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Opens New Municipal Complex (With Gallery)
June 29, 2016
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the new Flomaton Municipal Complex, replacing a city hall building that was overrun with mold.
About two years ago, the then-town hall was closed due to mold, and offices such as the town clerk, police department, and utilities scattered to other locations around town.
“We are extremely proud of this new facility,” Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said.
The new building is located on Ringold Stret at the site of the old town hall. The modern building cost the town about a half million dollars.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Escape Serious Injury In Backwoods Road Crash
June 29, 2016
There were no serious injuries when two vehicles wrecked Tuesday evening on Backwoods Road near Century. A pickup truck and a passenger car collided about 7:10 p.m. in a curve on the dirt road. The driver of the pickup, the driver of the car and a passenger in the car all refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Details have not been released.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
MESS Hall Presents Science In The Summer Programs At The Library
June 29, 2016
The Pensacola MESS Hall presented four weeks of Science in the Summer programs at each branch of the West Florida Library. Student learned about electricity and magnetism through hands-on activities and experiments like building an electrical circuit and observing the affects of magnets on different materials.
The Pensacola MESS Hall is a hands on science museum located in downtown Pensacola. Visitors enjoy exploring math, engineering, science, and stuff with an ever-changing menu of mess kits, activities and exhibits
Pictured: The final Pensacola MESS HALL Science in the Summer program Tuesday evening at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Confirms First Zika Related Birth
June 29, 2016
Florida has its first confirmed case of an infant born with Zika-related microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development.
The Florida Department of Health announced Tuesday that the mother had contracted the mosquito-borne virus while in Haiti. The mother traveled to Florida to give birth, officials said.
Gov. Rick Scott, who met with health officials in Palm Beach County on Tuesday, used the news of the state’s first Zika-related birth to press the federal government for more support. Scott planned to attend a second roundtable discussion regarding Zika at the Duval County Department of Health in Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon.
“Now that a baby has been born in our state with adverse impacts from Zika, it is clear that every available resource is needed to prevent local transmissions in our state,” Scott said in a press release. According to state health officials, babies with microcephaly often have a range of problems including developmental delay, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, hearing loss and vision problems.
Scott on Tuesday also asked the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to host a conference call with Florida health care professionals to discuss the neurological impacts of Zika and how the virus impacts new and expecting moms.
Last week, Scott issued an executive order to pump $26.2 million into the fight against the Zika virus. Scott directed state Surgeon General Celeste Philip to oversee distribution of the money to county health departments, local mosquito districts and laboratories for training, mosquito surveillance, and the purchase of Zika prevention kits from the CDC. Scott asked President Barack Obama on June 1 to use his presidential authority to release federal funds to fight Zika.
The president sought $1.9 billion in Zika-related funding from Congress, but the House and Senate have been divided on how much to allocate to combat the disease. The House, which initially offered $622 million, on Thursday approved a measure matching the Senate’s $1.1 billion funding proposal.
But Democrats and the White House appeared to balk at the House plan, which included provisions unrelated to fighting Zika.
by The News Service of Florida
Library Accepting Blood Donations For Fines
June 29, 2016
The West Florida Public Libraries is now accept blood in lieu of library fines.
The library will waive fines up to $50 for participating patron in exchange for the cardholder donating blood, or making a good-faith effort to donate, at blood drives held at the West Florida Public Libraries. A blood drive was held Tuesday at the main library; blood drives will be held once at each library branch during the next year.
The blood donation credit will only apply to fines, not replacement charges for lost materials. If a patron wishes to donate their credit to another individual or family, the library will honor this request. But library patrons will not be allowed to accumulate credit on their account.
A blood drive at a different library location every two months, rotating to each of the library branches in Escambia County. Donors will also receive a free t-shirt and a special edit “I Blood for Books” library card.
Pictured: The first blood drive in lieu of library fines was held Tuesday at the Main Library in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Wreck Involving TV News Crew
June 29, 2016
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Tuesday on Highway 29 at Byrneville Road.
A woman reportedly pulled her vehicle from Byrnevlle Road into the path of a vehicle occupied by a TV news crew that was northbound on Highway 29. The TV station vehicle was struck in the side rear, causing the driver to lose control, leave the roadway and strike a culvert before the vehicle went airborne for a short distance.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not yet been released.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Janie Vernon St. Clair
June 29, 2016
Janie Vernon St. Clair, 92, of Pensacola, was called home June 27, 2016. She was born April 15, 1924, to the late Rual and Martha Vernon, in McDowell, WV. Janie was a long time member of Olive Baptist Church and a proud homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Clarence Henry St. Clair, Sr.; a son, Clarence “Buster” St. Clair; her parents; and a brother and sister.
She is survived by her grandson, Jerry Nash (Cristy); great-grandson, Justin Nash; great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Brennan; special family members, Jack and Linda Nash and her nieces, church family and close friends.
Visitation will be Friday, July 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating.
There will be a graveside committal service at Mountain View Cemetery in Roanoke, VA, on Friday, July 8, 2016, at 10 a.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Police Issue Warning After Smashing Window To Save Puppy From Hot Car
June 28, 2016
The Pensacola Police Department has issued a warning about leaving pets in a hot vehicle, after smashing a window to save a puppy.
“Don’t. Just don’t. If you leave your dog in a hot car and that dog is suffering, we will do whatever we have to do to free him. Or her. Doesn’t matter, we like both kinds of dogs. We will drive your pooch to the caring folks at the Escambia County Animal Shelter and we will drop you off with the caring folks at the Escambia County Detention Facility. You will both receive attention, food, and shelter, albeit different kinds. So, don’t,” the PPD posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon, along with the two photos on this page.
Photos courtesy Pensacola Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
