Second Arrest Made In 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
June 30, 2020
A second person has been arrested in the 2003 murder of Marcus Virgin.
Keishaun Irby is now charged with homicide.
David Dale was arrested for his part in the murder back in May, previously admitting to taking part in the murder on May 9, 2003. He named Irby as an accomplice that supplied a vehicle and the firearm to commit the murder.
“Recent advances in DNA technology, as well as renewed efforts by the ECSO Cold Case Unit, Intelligence Unit and Crime Scene Units, made it possible to bring this case to a closure by arresting both of the parties responsible,” according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time
Irby is currently a federal inmate and will be transported back to Escambia County for court sometime in the near future.
Visitors Barred From Florida Prisons Until At Least July 15
June 30, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic visitation suspension at Florida prisons has been extended again, the Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday.
The visitor ban is in effect this time until at least July 15.
“The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts,” the FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time
As of Monday, 24 inmates have died from the virus, 1,963 have tested positive and 438 corrections staff have been infected, according to the agency.
Margarita M. Mezey
June 30, 2020
Margarita M. Mezey, 92, of Cantonment, FL passed away June 27, 2020 at her home in Cantonment, FL.
Mrs. Mezey was born in Monterrey, Mexico and worked for the Red Cross until she retired. She then volunteered at West Florida Hospital until the age of 89 – that was her passion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Basiil Mezey. Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Steve) Minton; one son, Jose Mezey; three granddaughters, Caitlin (Nick) Mezey Marlow, Christa Minton and Stephanie (Jamie) Franklin; grandson, Tyler Mezey; and nine great grandchildren.
The family suggest to those who desire, memorials be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Shriners Hospital or the Humane Society.
Monday: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Up By 42, Santa Rosa By 14
June 29, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Escambia County COVID-19 cases were up by 42 on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County cases increased to 1,702. Santa Rosa cases were up by 14 to 482. No new deaths were were reported in either county.
Of the 44 deaths in Escambia County, 34 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 146,341 cases including 143,805 Florida residents. There have been 14,354 hospitalizations* and 3,447 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 1,702 (+42 since Sunday)
Pensacola — 1,258
Cantonment — 95
Molino— 17
Century — 10
Bellview — 6
McDavid — 3
Walnut Hill — 1
Perdido Key — 1
Hospitalizations: 89*
Deaths — 44
Male — 618
Female — 805
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 482 (+14 since Sunday)
Milton — 235
Navarre — 82
Gulf Breeze — 77
Pace — 43
Jay — 5
Residents: 129
Nonresidents — 1
Hospitalizations — 29*
Deaths — 9
Male — 276
Female — 199
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 98
Florida cases:
Total cases — 146,341
Florida residents — 143,805
Deaths — 3,447
Hospitalizations — 14,354
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Speaking In Pensacola, DeSantis Addresses Rising COVID-19 Cases, Especially Among Younger Adults
June 29, 2020
Speaking in Pensacola Sunday, Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the rising rate of COVID-19 among younger adults.
In May through June, the rate of positive COVID-19 cases across all demographics was in a stable two to three percent range, but in it has recently soared to 10 to 12 percent, with the largest case increases in young adults.
“That positive increase is really being driven by a big increase over the last three weeks in individuals testing positive throughout the state of Florida in younger age groups, particularly 18 to 44,” DeSantis said. “And if you look at that 25 to 44 age group, that is now by far the leading age group for positive tests in the state of Florida, and that’s something that is pretty new.”
MORE INFO: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Jump 38.6% In One Week, Positivity Rate Rises
He attributed the increase among younger Floridians to socializing.
“Basically, I think from talking to folks, this is basically socializing”” he said. “You have graduation parties, you’re going out and doing different things and in certain environments that is going to be conducive to transmitting the virus.”
“It’s important to identify who may be carrying this so even if they aren’t significantly ill from this, that they don’t pass it to somebody else, who may end up being more vulnerable to serious illness,” DeSantis said during a press conference Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Numbers: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Jump 38.6% In One Week, Positivity Rate Rises
June 29, 2020
Here’s a quick look at Escambia County COVID-19 data:
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County jumped 38.6% in one week as the rate of positive tests also increased.
From Sunday, June 21 to Sunday, June 28, the number of confirmed tests in Escambia County increased from 1,198 to 1,660.
In the week prior to June 21, there were 3,652 total tests with 164 positives, a positivity rate of 4.5%.
In the week prior to June 28, there were 4,448 total tests with 447 positives, a positivity rate of 10%. These weekly numbers exclude people who have previously tested positive.
During the time period, cases increased by 46.1% in Pensacola, up 386 to 1,660; and increased by 40.9% in Cantonment, up 27 to 93.
RELATED: Speaking In Pensacola, DeSantis Addresses Rising COVID-19 Cases
Libraries Served 2,000 Free Meals For Kids Last Week. Here’s How The Program Works.
June 29, 2020
West Florida Libraries served just over 2,000 free curbside meals for youth 18 and under last week in conjunction with Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Meals are available for pickup at all WFPL library locations on Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Library locations are:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
The meal includes lunch. Meals are available on a first come, first served basis. Youth ages 18 and under must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
“All of our employees have a passion for the community we serve and without feeding the body, a child cannot feed their mind,” Todd Humble, Library Services director said. “We are proud to have been recognized as the leading provider of meals in the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast region that Feeding the Gulf Coast services.”
Hot, Muggy And A Chance Of Afternoon Showers
June 29, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases More Than Double In Two Weeks; Drive-Thru Testing Offered
June 29, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, have more than doubled in the past two weeks, according to data Sunday night from the Alabama Department of Health.
There have been 216 confirmed confirmed cases, with 107 of those reported from 599 tests in the the last 14 days for a positivity rate of near 18%.
There have been six confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the county.
The Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority reports 92 positive cases from 772 tests at Atmore Community Hospital and 20 cases from 406 tests at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton in data released Friday.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Department is offering drive thru COVID-19 testing at the following locations:
- Brewton: June 29 and every Monday in July, 9-11 a.m.. Call (251) 867-5765 to schedule an appointment.
- Atmore: June 29 and every Monday in July, 1-3 p.m.. Call (251) 368-9188 to schedule an appointment.
Get Rid Of Yard Debris, Junk For Free During Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup July 10
June 29, 2020
Residents of the Cantonment and Farm Hill areas will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Friday, July 10 during a neighborhood cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area cam participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the area will not be collected. The general cleanup area is east of Jack’s Branch Road and north of Pine Lane Drive. Click or tap the map above to enlarge.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids