Escambia County Screening 911 Calls As Part Of Coronavirus Prep; Asking Some To ‘Self-Isolate’
March 5, 2020
Escambia County is screening 911 calls for possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, and encouraging those that may have had contact with the virus to “self-isolate” until cleared by the health department to go to a medical facility.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the county said they are staying in contact with the health department and local hospitals about the virus.
“The county is screening 9-1-1 calls. During medical calls, dispatchers are asking if flu-like symptoms are present, and what the patient’s recent travel history entails,” the statement said.
The Escambia County statement also said:
- “In coordination with Escambia County Health Director, if you have traveled to an area that the CDC has issued a Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 Travel Health Notice, or have been in close contact with an individual that has traveled to such an area, who develops symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing within 14 days of such travel, immediately contact the Florida Department of Health and self-isolate until cleared by the FDOH.”
- “If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact the FDOH Call Center (866-779-6121) or FDOH-Escambia’s number (850-595-6500) prior to traveling to any physician’s office, emergency department, hospital, or urgent care center, to ensure proper protective measures are taken to prevent further risk of spread to others. If possible, also review your signs, symptoms and travel history with your physician over the phone. Your physician will evaluate you for other possible causes of respiratory illness and also contact the county health department to access COVID-19 testing. If you are without health insurance or a health care provider, please contact your county health department so the health department can coordinate your medical evaluation and testing.”
The county will follow the “Escambia County Pandemic Influenza Emergency Plan” if need, and a flier about COVID-19 will be posted in public buildings. Fire and EMS first responders have appropriate personal protective equipment, and the fleet maintenance department is working to make sure all services vehicles are disinfected daily.
To view the Escambia County Coronavirus information flyer, click here.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Century Mayor Has Returned To Work After Hospitalization
March 5, 2020
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins is improving after his hospitalization earlier this year and has returned to work.
Hawkins was admitted to the hospital on January 22 and spent time in intensive care with flu symptoms along with blood sugar and kidney problems, according to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather. All total, he spend about three weeks in the hospital.
At a town council meeting earlier this week, Prather said Hawkins had returned to work, usually for a few hours on Mondays and Fridays. The position of mayor in Century is a part-time job with no set hours.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
March 5, 2020
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for January. They are Ana Sanchez-Morales and Kai Burnett-Burrows. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Breaking Mom’s TV, Stealing Her Vehicle
March 5, 2020
A Century man has been charged with allegedly breaking his mom’s television and stealing her vehicle.
Darryl Thomas Frazier, 32, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $7,500.
Frazier’s mother reported that he punched her flat screen television and threw it on the floor, punched the headboard of her bed and took her vehicle without permission while saying “that he was going to Pizza Hut in Flomaton, Alabama, to meet some friends,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The mother had a friend drive her to Pizza Hut in Flomaton where she observed her vehicle but did not want to confront Frazier due to his violent tendencies.
Deputies later located the mother’s vehicle and Frazier at the community center on Pond Street in Century.
Frazier told deputies that his mother allowed him to use the vehicle, and that he fell on her television with his buttocks when he tripped. Deputies noted in their report that Frazier’s hand had numerous small cuts that were bleeding and appeared to be caused by glass. He was placed under arrest.
Beulah Academy Of Science Wins Escambia County Middle School Volleyball Championships
March 5, 2020
Beulah Academy of Science won both the varsity and junior varsity Escambia County middle school volleyball championships Wednesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.
Four Convicted In Federal Dogfighting Case
March 5, 2020
A federal jury has convicted Shane Patrick Sprague, 35, of Pensacola of felony conspiracy to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Co-defendants James “Tommy” Peek, 67, and Haley Cook Murph, 24, both of Milton, and David Lee Moser, 36, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, had previously pleaded guilty to seven federal felonies for their involvement with Sprague and others in a dogfighting operation centered in Pensacola. The jury acquitted co-defendant Derek Jedidiah Golson, 38, also of Pensacola.
Evidence at trial, along with admissions made by the pleading defendants in conjunction with their plea agreements, established that Sprague operated C Wood Kennels, a dogfighting operation that arranged dogfights and trafficked in fighting dogs with Moser and others outside of Florida. Moser admitted that he and Sprague agreed to fight their dogs against one another and to prepare a dog for a dogfight, and that they had discussed concealing evidence that one of Moser’s dogs had killed another dog.
Murph pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, traveling to Steele, Alabama, to purchase a fighting dog from a known dogfighter, and possessing that dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture. Peek pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, delivering a dog to defendant Sprague for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture, and possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture. Moser pleaded guilty to conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Each of the eight counts of conviction in the case carries a maximum of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000.
Peek was one of the sources of supply of fighting dogs to C Wood Kennels. He admitted to having sold dogs to Sprague, believing that the dogs would be used for fighting purposes. He also admitted to having sold a dog to an undercover agent after making representations about the fighting “bloodlines” as well as prior and upcoming dogfights of some of the dogs on his yard.
Murph’s role was that of a makeshift “veterinarian” for C Wood Kennels. Although Murph at no time possessed a veterinary license, she admitted to offering and performing veterinary and surgical procedures on dogs belonging to members of the conspiracy, including by treating dogs injured in a dogfight and by surgically removing dogs’ ears, including for the purpose of dogfighting. Two dogs in her “care” died from their fighting injuries. Murph also admitted to supplying a “bait” animal to test the fighting abilities of one of the co-defendant’s dogs. Finally, Murph admitted to traveling to Alabama on two occasions to receive dogs from a known dogfighter, and to keeping one of the dogs for herself for the purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
“These barbaric acts of animal cruelty have no place in a civilized society, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue and prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida. “Societies are measured in part by how well they treat their domestic animals, and these defendants failed that test miserably – and now will pay the consequences.”
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms and gambling,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jason M. Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Love and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy prosecuted the case. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General.
Pictured: Law enforcement and the ASPCA conducted an operation in the 7000 block of Beulah Road in July 2018. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Weightlifting Tops Milton And Jay
March 5, 2020
The Northview Boys Weightlifting team traveled to Milton on Wednesday afternoon to lift against the Milton Panthers and Jay Royals.
The Chiefs came out victorious with a total of 53 points. Milton finished 2nd with 47, while Jay finished 3rd with 4 points.
Individually, Northview had lifters win 5 of the 10 weight classes. The following won their respective class:
- Dustin Santinelli – 129-lb. class
- Colton Dockens – 154-lb. class
- Aunterio Minor – 199-lb. class
- Jacob Hawkins – 219-lb. class
- Jojo Parker – 238-lb. class
Also placing for the Chiefs were:
- 119-lb. class: Jacob Daw (2nd); Garrett Bodiker (3rd)
- 139-lb. class: Case Bradley (2nd); Jonathon McCarthy (3rd)
- 169-lb. class: Mekhi White (2nd); Blake Yoder (3rd)
- 183-lb. class: A’hzavion Gregory (3rd); Jacob Houston (4th)
- 199-lb. class: William Swearengin (2nd)
- 219-lb. class: Trevor Scott (3rd)
- 238-lb. class: Travis Nelson (4th)
- UNL class: Cameron Findley (2nd); Garrick Davis (4th)
The Chiefs return to action next Wednesday, as they travel to Baker for a dual meet.
File photo.
Clouds, Low In The Mid 40s Tonight
March 5, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Clouds, with a temperature around 61. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 45. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
ECSO: Cantonment Woman Left Boy Home Alone Without Food, Water Or Electricity For Nine Days
March 4, 2020
A Cantonment woman has been arrested for allegedly leaving a boy home alone in squalor without adequate food, running water or electricity for nine days.
Autumn Lee Beede, 39, was charged with felony child neglect. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
After receiving a tip, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home on February 14 for a wellness check.
“The heavy odor of fecal matter filled the house,” the deputy wrote in his report.
The boy told deputies that an adult male had been living in the home until he was arrested February 5. He said the electricity and water had been cut off for non-payment for about a month. The boy said he had to go to a a friend or a neighbor to get basic necessities like food and water.
According to an arrest report, the boy said he had not seen Beede since December 23, but she had left some pastries on the porch on the morning of February 14. He said he did not see her, but was only told by a friend that it was Beede. The boy also stated that he was no longer enrolled in school, but was previously enrolled in Florida Virtual School.
The boy’s age, relationship to Beede, and the address of the home were redacted from the arrest report.
Pensacola To Host Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championships; Barry Says $3 Million Annual Benefit To Escambia County
March 4, 2020
The Sun Belt Conference announced today that the Pensacola will host the 2021-25 Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
“These championship events will have an economic impact of nearly $3 million annually to our area with more than 8,500 fans and visitors expected to attend,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and Chairman Steven Barry said. “This experience will support more than 600 jobs directly. Commissioner Lumon May was the board member taking part in the majority of the conversations with the Bay Center and Sun Belt leadership, and I’d like to make sure he is recognized for his efforts.”
Over the five-year agreement, the conference is set to return to 12-team formats for both men’s and women’s tournaments. The 2021 Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships are scheduled for March 5-8 with first-round and second-round games played simultaneously at the Pensacola Bay Center and Hartsell Arena on the campus of Pensacola State College and semifinal and championship games played at the Bay Center. Both championship games are slated for live coverage with the women’s final on ESPNU and the men’s final on ESPN or ESPN2.
“To build on the rich basketball history across our men’s and women’s programs in the Sun Belt, it was important to find a home for our championships where we could grow and create new traditions for our entire membership,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill. “Pensacola is an energized community that has embraced our conference and already is a premier destination for Sun Belt fans and alumni.”
“We are excited to roll out the red carpet for the entire Sun Belt family and create memorable championship experiences for all,” said Pensacola Sports President/CEO Ray Palmer. “With the staggering number of world-class athletes and champions who call Pensacola home, hosting the Sun Belt Basketball Championships is a great opportunity to showcase our City of Champions.”
The conference is taking its men’s championship to the Sunshine State for the first time, while the women’s championship makes a return for the first time since the 1988 tournament was played at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla.
Pensacola was selected from a bid process managed by the Sun Belt office and a review process voted on and approved by the league’s presidents and chancellors and directors of athletics.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
