Locals React To State Of The Union Address
January 31, 2018
Local residents had a favorable response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Monday night.
Here are some reader comments to an informal NorthEscambia.com Facebook question “What did you think of the State of the Union Address?”
- Lisa Franklin, Walnut Hill — He did a fantastic job! Proud of him!
- Pamela Cohron, Milton — Proud to be an American under a strong enthusiastic president that really believes in the people of this country. America the Great!!
- Jessica Ingram, Walnut Hill -Fantastic, Trump is bringing jobs back and cutting taxes. Keeping his word to the American people. Now if the Democrats and Republicans can get on board with what the people need.
- Michele Dixon , Century — He is an excellent leader. Our president of the United States makes me proud to be an American!
- Lindsay Cameron, Pensacola — Didn’t watch it, don’t care, that’s what I thought about it.
- Willene Bryan, Century — I think it was a great speech. He spoke of everything that has taken place sense he got in office which is great and the plans of what he wants to do for our country. I pray that he gets all the backing he needs to do everything he wants to make America Great Again. He was awesome.
- Randy Bell — Something for both sides to applaud.
- Sandy Campbell, Pensacola — Fake News. There were so many lies in it I almost turned it off. I didn’t because I wanted to see how far he would go. He was campaigning not being a president. I am proud of the Democrats that did not attend and the ones who did who quickly left after the farce.
- Micheal Lenhart — It was better than anything Bernie or Hillary would have had to say, particularly with respect to the economy. Before anyone throws a partisan insult, I voted for Gary, so there’s that.
- Laura Cauley – I thought he was amazing! The democrats on the other hand, the rude ones, should be ashamed of themselves. And all those sour faces Nancy Pelosi was making, I hope she’s embarrassed!
- Scott Gilley, Cantonment — The SOTU was a personal and inspirational series of stories woven with principles and plans of triumph for Americans and the Nation’s of the world.
- Donna Burkemo, Pace — Loved every word of his speech. He doing what the American voter wanted him to do.
- Debbie Ballard — Outstanding! Very seldom did you hear “I” it was always “we, us, and the people” also pretty comical watching the liberal democrats pout and Nancy chew her cud!
- Cucka Stamoulis, Pensacola — Love our president making America first …great job in spite of sour grape democrats lack of reaction
- Sarah Alfred – Love our president making America first …great job in spite of sour grape democrats lack of reaction.
- James Virgin — Very inspirational. Much respect to our president. I hope our country goes in the direction he says it will. It will span across our future.
- Robert Boothe, Pensacola — What a GREAT speech. I’m proud of how far our President has brought our country in a year. Shame on the disrespectful democrats. They stand for nothing but obstruct.
- Stephanie Carlisle — I think it was an awesome speech and that everyone should respect him and feel privileged to live in this great country.
- Sheila Harrison –Great Speech!! He touched on a lot of very important issues, he honored his guests an the things they’ve battled over the past year, and recognized even the smallest of individuals, a young boy who showed compassion for this country by making sure flags were placed in a cemetery filled with veterans, Mr. President, you did an outstanding job..Keep America greater than the day before.
- Tommy Hagren — I liked that he kept the tone both solemn and still inspirational. He didnt put democrats on the spot to look bad, he didnt put republicans on too high of a pedestal. The president didnt toot his own horn alot and kept to the message he wanted to convey. America is coming back, bigger, stronger, greater than ever and the rest of the world is on notice…Gitmo is open for business.
Pictured top: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz takes a selfie with President Donald Trump following Monday’s night’s State of the Union address.
Lions Club Eyeglass Donations Accepted at Tax Collector Offices
January 31, 2018
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s office is partnering with the Lions Club to change lives, one pair of glasses at a time.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford announced that all four Escambia County Tax Collector offices are drop off locations for prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames.
In just about any home, a person can find a pair of glasses no longer being used. That same pair of glasses may change someone else’s life.
“It can be a catch 22,” Lunsford said. “Someone needs a driver license to be able to get a job but does not have a pair of glasses to be able to pass the vision test. By donating your unused glasses, you can help a person find gainful employment. Your donation of unused glasses can help provide our community with more opportunities to grow and thrive.”
Citizens can drop off their glasses through the drive thru or night drop boxes, in the drop box located in the lobby of each office or give the glasses to any tax collector employee. Offices are located downtown, Marcus Pointe, Molino and Warrington.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates ‘Winter Wonderland’ For Literacy Week
January 31, 2018
Bratt Elementary School celebrated a “Winter Wonderland” For Literacy Week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update In Photos: I-10, Highway 29 Interchange Project
January 31, 2018
Here’s an update on the work at at the I-10 – Highway 29 interchange project currently underway. Scroll down…information is below each photo from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Above: A view of I-10 eastbound near U.S. 29 in Pensacola, the team completed the new wider I-10 eastbound bridge (center) and wider roadway last fall. Since then, the left-hand merge from U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound has been eliminated. Drivers now have a standard right-side merge from U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound.
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Above: Now, the team is preparing the new Exit 10 (I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north and south) for its “grand opening.” Once opened, drivers on I-10 westbound destined for U.S. 29 north (Cantonment) and south (Pensacola) will use the new Exit 10 (where the current Exit 10B to Cantonment is located).
Above: An aerial view looking north on U.S. 29. Once Exit 10 is open, traffic destined for U.S. 29 north will merge onto U.S. 29 (top) and traffic destined for U.S. 29 south will use the new exit ramp and traffic signal (middle).
After the new Exit 10 opens, the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south ramp (depicted in this picture) will be closed and removed. The closure represents the final phase of work for this construction project. For now, lane closures, on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange, will continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. Please drive carefully and refrain from texting while driving.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Donuts For Dads (With Photo Gallery)
January 31, 2018
There were plenty of dads at Molino Park Elementary School Monday morning as the PTA held its annual Donuts with Dads event. Donuts with Dads gives dads a chance to stop by and be involved with their children and find out the latest school information.
Photos by Kristi Barbour and Molino Park PTA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Approves Playoff Series Changes For 1A-4A Teams
January 31, 2018
The Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors has unanimously approved a playoff change for 1A-4A high school football, including Northview and Jay High schools.
Six teams will now qualify for state series play from each region in class 1A-4A beginning with the 2018 season.
The first and second seeds will receive a bye to the second round. In the first round, the third seed team will host the sixth seed and the fourth seed will host the fifth seed.
Previously four teams from each region qualify for the playoffs. There was no district play, forcing teams to often play much tougher schedules. This change will allow the top 50 percent of each region to have a real playoff. Allowing the third and fourth seed to teams to host a playoff game will also earn more revenue for those schools.
The bye week before the state championships will eliminated for 1A-4A with the additional of the extra playoff round.
Pictured: Action from last year’s 1A Northview at Jay game. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mary Louise Salter Sheffield
January 31, 2018
Mary Louise (Salter) Sheffield was born on May 1, 1939, in Mobile, Alabama. She entered into rest on January 27, 2018, at her home with family by her side. She was 78 years old.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Exie Lee Thompson; father, Warner Salter; sisters, Marie Holmes, Wanda Corner, and Evelyn Alford; brothers, Warner Salter, Jr. and Billy Coursey; and her son, Michael Sheffield.
She is survived by her husband, Wesley Lavon Sheffield,; daughter, Phyllis (Mike) Freisinger; son, Steven Sheffield; granddaughter, Heather Sheffield; grandson, Bradley (Samantha) Pitts; six great-granddaughters; one great-grandson;
brother, James (Kathy) Coursey; and sisters, Loanna Lyons, Patsy (Richard) Belinoski, and Diane Wood.
Louise worked at Monsanto for a few years, but her greatest achievement was homemaker most of her life and loved taking care of her husband, kids, and grandkids teaching them to love along the way.
Visitation for Louise will be at Faith Chapel North on Friday, February 2, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Faith Chapel North Saturday, February 3, 2018, starting at 11 a.m.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Regency Hospice for all the care provided over the past 18 months. Special thanks to Elizabeth Fayard for all the support and Patty Bossa for going above and beyond her job duties to comfort the family in our time of need.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Details Revealed In Escambia Fire Harassment Case
January 30, 2018
An Escambia County investigation into Escambia Fire Rescue has led to the county fire chief being relieved of his duties, the dismissal of a firefighter and a reprimand for a lieutenant.
Chief Patrick Grace was relieved of his duties as of Monday, and his last official day on the county payroll will be April 29. Fire Lieutenant Joseph Martin received a letter of reprimand, and firefighter Christopher Watson was dismissed.
Based upon a complaint by a female career firefighter, multifaceted investigation was launched by county leadership that has spanned the last several months. The allegations brought forth were broad in scope.
“While Chief Grace was not the focus of the investigation, it was concluded that a change in leadership, department direction and culture is needed. A national search for a replacement will be conducted to fill the position. Deputy Chief Paul Williams has been designated as interim chief.” the county said in a prepared statement.
Escambia Fire Rescue is a combination fire service with both paid career firefighters and volunteers. All of the sexual harassment allegations reportedly involve career firefighters, not volunteers.
The female firefighter was a certified “Firefighter II” which requires a minimum of 360 hours of training, is a certified Fire EMT, is a registered nurse and worked in the Auburn Fire Division for four years. She also hold a degree from Auburn University.
NorthEscambia.com has obtained a detailed personal journal kept by the female firefighter in which she detailed a culture of verbal, physical and sexual harassment within the fire department. The journal was a part of the county’s investigation. Readers should be warned that the personal journal contains numerous sexual references and terms, racial slurs and other details that may be disturbing. Additionally, it should be noted that the document is a personal journal and the allegations it contains have not necessarily been substantiated. Click here to read the journal (pdf).
She also told an internal affairs investigator that she reported several incidents that “were a little over the line” to her lieutenant.
“It started before I even was hired with Escambia County. I noticed it seemed the firefighters had not been around a female firefighter in the career aspect before. Um, so I noticed that there were things that were a little over the line,” she said.
“I was reporting the different incidents to my lieutenant, and letting other people know what was going on. Things were not being handled. I eventually got it to my battalion chief- I would just be moved to other stations, she said.
“I didn’t want to handle it anymore, I decided I just was gonna go to the Fire Chief That’s when the Fire Chief decided not to meet with me, and he decided to meet with my (redacted name) intead That’s when they got the information that was in this journal. They said that they were going to take it seriously, and things were going to change. Um, my new battalion chief kept coming out and checking on me almost every other shift, and then a complaint was made against me saying I was exposing myself to the other guys, and an investigation was going to be made. At that time, I knew that was bogus, and I then decided to take it further and made an appointment with the County Administrator to let them know what was going on, and they put me on administrative leave and started the investigation.”
She said Watson started a “big rumor” that she was having sexual relations with a married doctor at a local hospital and was fired. She said Watson told her that females should not work as firefighters and should not serve in the military.
The female firefighter wrote that during a training exercise, Watson grabbed another male firefighter, stared at her, and said “You want to play the Rape Game?”
During an off-duty fight at the Tin Cow restaurant in Pace, Watson allegedly broke the jaw of fellow firefighter Lt. Joseph Martin. Martin was off work for six weeks recovering.
The county alleged that Watson violated a county policy that says “Gross misconduct which reflects very unfavorably upon the image and ethics of the County as an employer, whether on or off duty.”
The investigator found that Watson was guilty of verbal harassment for inappropriatep remarks, physical harassment for unwanted touching, and sexual harassment for the “Rape Game” incident.
Watson responded to the allegations in an letter to the county administrator.
“I have never knowingly created an atmosphere in which to discriminate against anyone based on their gender or sex…There have been times that I have expressed an opinion that no person: male or female, be allowed to perform this job if they are not physically capable of performing at the highest tier.”
As for the “Rape Game” comment, he admitted making the remark, but said, “This comment in no way shape or form was intended to intimidate or harass any individual, nor do I believe it represents my beliefs or character.”
The county’s investigation is continuing.
Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Century Coin Laundry, Fleeing With Change In Plastic Pumpkin
January 30, 2018
A man that robbed a Century laundromat and made his getaway with the loot in a plastic Halloween pumpkin is headed to prison.
William Edward Perry, Jr. was sentence to 20 years in state prison by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender. That means Perry, 57, will serve the first 15 years of his sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum.
He was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a weapon.
On April 21, 2016, Perry entered Century Laundry and Self Storage and committed a robbery. The victim, who was about 70-years old, was the store manager and was alone in the store when Perry entered. The victim was taking money out of the washers and dryers when Perry came up behind her and took the plastic Halloween bucket of money.
The pumpkin bucket contained approximately $300 in coins. Perry put his hand in her face, told her to get back, and to go sit down behind the counter. Perry then demanded she give him the keys to the store. When the victim refused, Perry fled the scene without the keys but with the money in the pumpkin bucket.
The victim later identified Perry from a photo lineup.
Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes in May 2016. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department. Those charges were later dismissed.
Perry’s criminal record includes escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Fire Weather Watch In Effect, Sunny Skies Today
January 30, 2018
There is a fire weather watch in effect Tuesday afternoon due to a long duration of low humidity and windy conditions; outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.