‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive Is Saturday
May 10, 2019
On Saturday, the letter carriers of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will join forces to help Stamp Our Hunger. In its 27th year, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual food drive has grown to be the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table.
In the last 27 years, communities across the nation have donated 1.67 billion pounds of food. Last year’s food drive netted 71.6 million pounds of food to help feed those in need. Locally, organizations received nearly 125,000 pounds of food from the drive.
“Stamp Out Hunger is the most important food drive for many food pantries in the area,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “The food collected by the letter carriers is critical to our ability to feed our neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Every donation helps ensure the immediate needs of the hungry can be met in the coming months.”
A donation of just one dozen cans provides three days’ worth of food, or nine meals for neighbors in need. Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishable food items, such as canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit in 100% juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, grits, whole grain cereal), canned vegetables, peanut butter, rice, and/or dry beans next to their mailbox prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 11.
Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including Manna Food Pantries and Feeding the Gulf Coast.
“We are so thankful to the NALC and our community for their support in this food drive. This food will greatly help our one in six neighbors struggling with hunger,” said Cathy Pope, President and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. In Escambia County, one in five individuals are food insecure.
None Of Rep. Mike Hill’s Bills Pass The Florida House
May 10, 2019
None of the bills sponsored by State Rep. Mike Hill passed the Florida House this session.
Hill, who represents North Escambia, sponsored nine bills.
A tobacco products bill would have prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products, including products used in e-cigarettes, in retail location unless people under 18 where not allowed in the buildings. The bill was reported unfavorable by Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee.
Hill’s firearms bill was withdrawn prior to introduction. It would have repealed all of the gun control measures that were passed after the Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School massacre.
Seven other bills by Hill were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration – including bills prohibiting abortions if a fetal heartbeat was detected, requiring the notification of parents in advance of classes that would include sex education, and protecting war memorials and monuments, including Civil War monuments.
A bill that would have provided $4.1 million to pave parking lots and roads at Pensacola State College also failed.
Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Inmate
May 10, 2019
A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution, according to information just released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Last week, inmate Ricardo Glasco assaulted an officer. according to the FDC. At about 10:10 p.m., Glasco became combative and staff responded appropriately. While the inmate was being subdued, he tackled an officer to the ground. Medical staff examined the officer and noted injuries.
The FDC said Glasco will receive a disciplinary report for the assault.
Glasco remains at Century CI serving an 11 year sentence for numerous drug and weapon convictions in 2012 from Brevard County.
David Parente
May 10, 2019
On May 2, 2019, David was called to be with our Lord. David was born on October 28, 1986, in Pensacola, Florida. David comes from a huge Portuguese family and leaves behind a beautiful daughter; his mini-me, Emmerie Jane. Anyone who knew David, knew his infectious cheese-smile, knew he always had a fresh haircut, a joke flying out of his mouth and would be the life of any party, along with his brother Michael. His heart was bigger than life and he will be
missed dearly.
David is preceded in death by his mother, Carla Parente; grandparents, Luis and Juliette Parente; Nanny (great grandmother), Bertha Buckley; grandparents, Quinto and Maureen Carloni; uncle, Marc Carloni; and nephew, Matthew
Crutchfield, Jr.
He is survived by his daughter, Emmerie Parente; dad, Albano (Tanya) Parente; sister, Michelle (Matt) Parente Crutchfield; brothers, Michael Parente and Joseph (Grace) Parente; niece, Ansleigh Crutchfield; nephew, Tristan Parente; and many aunts, uncles and many, many cousins.
A visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North on Monday, May 13, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. with burial following at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Michael Parente, Joseph Parente, Matt Crutchfield, Chris Calloway, Brandon Heckman, Sean Scharfenstine, Justin Redding and Brandon Rhyne.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with arrangements.
Roger Glenn Dockens
May 10, 2019
Roger Glenn Dockens, age 19, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, in Bratt, Florida.
Roger was a native of Pensacola, FL and had resided in Bratt, FL for most of his life. He was a member of the Bratt First Baptist Church and former student at Northview High School. He is preceded in death by his mother, Amanda Sue Dockens.
He is survived by his father, Rodney G. Dockens of Bratt, FL; maternal grandparents, Joe (Soksu) Snyder of Martin, KY; paternal grandparents, Roger Glenn Dockens, Sr. of Bratt, FL and Ethel Jannice Dockens of Milton, FL and two brothers, Joseph Cabrera of Martin, KY and Colton Tyler Dockens of Bratt, FL.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Bratt First Baptist Church.
Burial was at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jim Lawson, Dewayne Conner, Chris Edwards, Ryan Godwin, Max Odom and Josh Long.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Vickie Leigh Hartzog
May 10, 2019
Child of God, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and so many more are just a few of the roles she treasured the most in her life. Vickie was one of the most selfless individuals anybody would meet. She had a heart of gold and a demeanor to match. She loved worshiping God, adored her husband Steve, treasured her daughter Brittany, and loved her grandkids, Peyton and Abby as if they were her own. Next to God, family was her all.
She was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith country, and had an accent to match. She was an outstanding cook with a strong stubbornness thanks to her British/English roots and her parents, James and Betty. Her brothers, Pete and Stan were her rocks when their parents passed away and Pete’s wife, Susan and Stan’s wife, Donna were her sisters.
She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Ben and Teri (Andrew) and Chris (Rebekah); and great-nieces and nephews, Skylar, Braxton, Emi, Bryson, and Cooper.
Vickie received an associate’s degree from Pensacola Junior College but spent most of her days as a homemaker and helpmate to her husband Steve. She loved working in her yard, creating things, cooking for her loved ones, Almond Joy candy and blue was her favorite color. She was also a huge Texas Longhorns fan and she would say, “Hook Em!” with her hand held high. Her presence is greatly missed but she will never be forgotten.
Although deeply saddened, those who loved her and cared for her will never forget the smile she had on her face and how it showed in her eyes. May she always be happy and the peace of God be with you all.
A funeral service was held on Friday, May 10, 2019, at Family-Funeral & Cremation in Pensacola, Florida.
Interment immediately followed the service at Cottage Hill Assembly of God Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Ombudsman Presents Public Safety Report To Escambia Commission
May 9, 2019
An ombudsman report into Escambia County Public Safety was presented to the Escambia County Commission Thursday morning.
Janice Kilgore began work on the report on April 17 and interviewed over 50 people including public safety employees, county administration and volunteer fire chiefs.
Her findings dealt mostly with issues like funding and staffing and did not include the state investigation into possible wrongdoings with Escambia EMS since that inquiry has not concluded.
Kilgore said the union vote of no confidence on now-resigned public safety director Mike Weaver was because Weaver was not adequately representing the department to the county and its citizens.
“No just one person caused this problem, and no just one person can fix this problem,” she said.
Kilgore said 8 to 10-year old policies and a lack of funding are major talking points that need to be addressed.
Her report said the county needs to improve coordination between fire and EMS divisions, use the workforce more effectively and improve training. There has been no medical training since October 2018, a public safety fire training facility is needed and training needs to be more skills based and hands on.
Kilgore’s report also found a multi-year vehicle replacement program is needed, EMS coverage in North Escambia needs to be improved and the department’s public image needs addressing.
Commissioners said many of the issues will need to be addressed during the preparation of the county’s next budget.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy appointed Kilgore as an ombudsman after Weaver’s resignation. She worked for the county for 36 years, moving from a clerk for the Santa Rosa Island Authority to county Emergency Preparedness head. She was named Public Safety director when the position was created in 1997.
Coughlin Named Acting County Administrator Until July 1
May 9, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has voted to appoint Matt Coughlin as acting county administrator for a few weeks.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy departs today, May 9, and Janice Gilley won’t begin as the new administrator until July 1.
Coughlin, who had already submitted his resignation, has agreed to change his departure date and serve as the acting administrator until July 1.
In his resignation letter, Coughlin thanked former County Administrator Jack Brown, Interim Administrator Amy Lovoy, County Attorney Alison Rogers and department directors before writing “Regrettably, today in Escambia County there is neither the ability or willingness to rise to the occasion and lead together. Rather, those with the capability to help reverse this downward progression have resorted to tribalism. Its effects are pervasive and wide ranging. Unfortunately, along the way, our mission has become a failure and our citizens have become the casualty.”
In addition to Coughlin and Lovoy, Public Safety Director Mike Weaver, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert have all resigned in recent weeks.
Century Man Charged With Mistreating Nine Dogs
May 9, 2019
A Century man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges.
Melvin Manuel, 34, was charged with nine counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to his residence on Hilltop Road where they found nine dogs being kept improperly on chains and in pens filled with feces and urine, according their report. All of the available water on the property was filled with algae and non-potable.
The dogs had fresh wounds and scars and were unlicensed and unvaccinated, according to court documents.
The ribs and spines of two dogs were visible from a distance, and a puppy was in a pen filled with feces and urine, animal control reported.
All of the dogs were seized and taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Reimagine Event Saturday In Gonzalez – Free Food, Free Clothes And Much More
May 9, 2019
An outreach will be held Saturday in Gonzalez to help those less fortunate.
Reimage Spring will be held Saturday rom 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Ascend Park at 3000 Old Chemstrand Road.
The faith-based event will include a 15,000 pound food giveaway, free clothing, free lunch, free haircuts, children’s activities, free blood pressure and health screenings, free baby diapers, free toys and much more.
Everything at the event is free.
Reimagine Springis a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations.
Pictured: Scenes from a previous Reimagine event last year in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
