Escambia Commissioners Receive Three Face Mask Mandate Options. One Is All Talk; One Carries Criminal Penalties.
July 29, 2020
Three mask mandate options have been drafted for consideration by the Escambia County Commission at their next regular meeting on August 6.
One is no more than a strong request with no penalties. Violators of one can received a noncriminal citation, while violating one option would be a second degree misdemeanor criminal offense.
The options were drafted by County Attorney Alison Rogers for the commission.
“What you have here are three different concepts,” Rogers said in her email as she provided the following options:
- An emergency order requiring individuals to wear masks pursuant to your state of local emergency. This takes three votes and a violation of an emergency order is a second degree misdemeanor per state law.
- A resolution strongly encouraging the use of masks. This takes three votes and has no penalty for failure to comply.
- An emergency ordinance requiring businesses to post mask wearing requirements and individuals in businesses to wear masks. It provides for noncriminal citations for enforcement. An emergency ordinance requires four (4) votes. The same ordinance could be advertised and scheduled for public hearing at a later meeting and would only require three (3) votes.
The commission can vote to approve any variation of the three options, and they also have the option of doing nothing.
Cantonment Man Indicted For First Degree Murder For Killing His Navy Wife In 2001 During Adulterous Affair
July 29, 2020
A Cantonment man has been indicted for the murder of his wife nearly 19 year ago.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted Gregory Paul Malarik, 57, for first degree premeditated murder with a firearm.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malarik for the 2001 murder of his wife, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik. Gregory Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The body of Sherri Lynn Malarik was found September 22, 2001, at about 8 a.m. inside a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie and Movie Gallery at 1550 South Highway 29, less than three miles from the couple’s home. She was found by family members who are not named in the report.
An autopsy found that she was murdered – shot twice in the head with a .25 caliber handgun. She was found in the floorboard of the van. Forensic evidence indicated that she was shot while seated in the passenger seat.
The investigation revealed he was engaged in an extramarital affair with Jennifer Spohn who, at that time, was his co-worker. Spohn later disclosed that he wanted to end the marriage but, having previously been married, did not want to go through another divorce proceeding. She related a conversation in which Gregory Malarick suggested he should just kill Sherri.
Investigators said they believed Gregory Malarik drove Sherri Malarik to the Winn Dixie in the minivan. Gregory told Sphon to meet him later that evening at the Winn Dixie to pick him up. When Spohn arrived at Winn Dixie at the appointed time, Gregory was there with the van, got into her vehicle, and told her to drive normally. Once out on Highway 29, Gregory discarded what appeared to be a long-haired wig. Spohn then dropped Gregory off at the marital residence.
Swabs taken from his hands the day of the murder were positive for gunshot residue, and pants believed to have been worn the night of the murder were found to have gunpowder in the left front pocket, the report states.
In 2017, a NCIS investigator examined phone records from the Malarik residence from the night of September 21, 2001. He found that multiple calls were made at 6:29 p.m., 7:59 p.m., 8 p.m. at 8:47 p.m. “This provided two periods of time sufficient for Malarik to have committed the homicide, transported (Sherri) Malarik’s body to Winn Dixie, and returned home,” the report states.
Multiple children in the home were interviewed in 2001 and have since been re-interviewed. All provided statements generally consistent with a timeframe provided by Gregory Malarik. However, one child said that Gregory Malarik called Sherri Malarik into the backyard on September 21, 2001. Shortly after seeing her go in the backyard, the child said they heard a “pop” similar to a firecracker. Gregory Malarik then immediately walked back inside, showered and changed clothes, the report states, before leaving for 10 to 15 minutes. That was sufficient time, the investigation found, to drive the victim to Winn Dixie.
The .25 caliber handgun used in the murder was never recovered, but the investigation revealed Gregory Malarik owned such a weapon at the time of the homicide.
The arrest report states that emails recovered show Gregory Malarik and his mistress had discussed “how to trick a polygraph” as early July 31, 2001.
An email from Sherri Malarik to her sister stated: “I believe that there is spiritual warfare going on in my home and Greg just can’t see it…He is simply upset because he feel that I put other people before him when I listed to the possibility of masonry being something other than it seems…He feels as if I betrayed him. Please keep us in your prayers…we need all the help we can get.”
Spohn was re-interviewed in May 7, 2002, and gave a similar account to her 2001 statements. Spohn was interviewed again on March 6, 2020, during which she gave testimony that was inconsistent with her original statement, the arrest report states, leading investigators to believe her original statement about returning a lawn mower was a cover story. Those statements were redacted. Investigators believe she assisted in the homicide and the destruction of evidence which had been preplanned, possibility for several months as indicated by emails.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Child Abuse After Girl’s Uber Ride Costs More During COVID-19
July 29, 2020
A Cantonment woman was charged with allegedly abusing a child because her Uber ride to work cost more due to COVID-19.
Darlene Denise Smith, 55, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony third degree child abuse and felony obstructing justice for preventing communication to a law enforcement officer. She was later released on a $2,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in a neighborhood off Old Chemstrand Road. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find the victim crying and shaking on the front porch. The age of the victim was not listed in the arrest report, but she was listed as a relative of Smith.
She told deputies that Smith was angry that the child’s Uber ride to work cost more than normal due to COVID-19. She said she attempted to explain the difference to Smith, but her anger escalated to the point of grabbing her, scratching her neck and chest. She then pushed the child onto a bed, got on top of her and punched her several times with a closed fist, according to an arrest report.
The victim said she called 911, but Smith grabbed the phone and hung up the call before reaching a dispatcher, the report states.
Deputies noted in their report that the victim suffered numerous cuts and scratches. She refused Escambia County EMS.
Escambia County Now Offer Free Hand Sanitizer Along With Free Masks
July 29, 2020
Escambia County is now offering 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in addition to face masks as part of the public health campaign, “Mask Up, Escambia!”
The campaign, which began July 1, is focused on informing residents and visitors that masks are recommended by the CDC to protect others. In addition to a 2 ounce hand sanitizer bottle, the public may continue to pick up a free mask while supplies last.
The county offered 27,000 free masks to residents throughout the public health campaign and still has supply at the following locations:
- West Florida Libraries Monday through Friday 2-6 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library
- Century Branch Library
- Tryon Branch Library
- Pensacola Library
- Genealogy Branch Library
- Southwest Branch Library
- Westside Branch Library
- Escambia County Extension, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road
- Brownsville Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3200 W. De Soto St.
- Ebonwood Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3511 W. Scott St.
- Pensacola Beach, Tower 4 at Casino Beach or ask a lifeguard
“Escambia County is pleased to be able to offer free hand sanitizer in addition to a free mask for the public during this unprecedented time,” said Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore. “Unfortunately, it sounds like COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon we are urging the public to continue to focus on staying clean to stay healthy. The county has supplies, and we are doing everything in our power to encourage the public to ‘Mask Up’ and stay clean.”
First Century Prison Inmate Is COVID-19 Positive, 265 Inmates Held In Medical Quarantine
July 29, 2020
The first positive inmate COVID-19 case at Century Correctional Institution has been reported by the Florida Department of Corrections. A total of 16 correctional staffers have also tested positive.
There have been 14 other inmates tested since the start of the pandemic. Ten were negative and four are awaiting results. As of Tuesday, there were two inmates held in medical isolation and 265 in medical quarantine, according to FDC.
Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Showers And Storms Likely For Wednesday
July 29, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Broxson, Barry Encourage Citizens To Pledge To Donate Blood
July 29, 2020
Senator Doug Broxson and Escambia County are continuing to urge local residents to pledge to donate blood, especially if they are a recovered COVID-19 patient.
“Make a pledge to give blood, it is our current best hope of preventing the most vulnerable from dying,” Broxson said, “and keeping an open economy for the rest of us.”
A couple of weeks ago, Broxson appeared before the Escambia County Commission asking for them and their constituents to pledge to donate blood.
“This is a wonderful way to help support our community during this unprecedented time. I want to personally thank Senator Doug Broxson for for his leadership and for bringing Escambia County this pledge to support,” Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “I am certain the pledge will generate many more units of donated blood and plasma in the near future, thereby saving many additional lives. I am also so proud of the participation of Escambia County employees today. One Blood had 38 total slots for donating today, and all 38 slots were filled before the bus even arrived early this morning.”
Blood and plasma donors at OneBlood must be in good health (free of allergy, flu, cold and nausea symptoms for at least three days), 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be well-hydrated, eat a healthy meal within four hours before donating, and bring a form of ID.
OneBlood donation centers are located at 1999 East Nine Mile Road and 2209 North Ninth Avenue. Click here to locate upcoming blood drives near you.
OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the FDAand will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Appointments to donate are required at the donation centers, and masks are required.
Donors must be symptom free for 14 days.
Five Indicted On Murder Charges In Four Different Deaths
July 29, 2020
An Escambia County Grand Jury has returned murder indictments against five people in four different death cases.
Cantonment Adulterous Affair Murder
Gregory Paul Malarik, 57, was indicted on a charge of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm for the death of his wife. He was allegedly involved in an adulterous affair at the time of the murder. Read the complete story by clicking or tapping here.
Homeless Couple Accused Of Murder
Cody Jay Harrimon and Eugina Lynn Martorelli were indicted for the first degree premeditated murder of 62-year old Cheryl Lynn Cain of Pensacola.
Cain was murdered inside her home in the 5000 block of Yacht Harbor Drive on or about April 13, 2020.
After the murder, Harrimon and Martorelli drove the victim’s stolen car to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they were subsequently apprehended. At the time of their arrest, the couple were in the possession of the victim’s car, her car keys, her driver’s license and her bank card. The grand jury elevated the homicide charge from second degree murder to first degree premeditated murder. Harrimon and Martorelli also face charges of grand theft, grand theft auto, and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.
On April 24, ECSO investigators along with the help of the Tulsa Police Fugitives Warrants Task Force out of Oklahoma arrested Harrimon and Martorelli. Both suspects were taken into to custody without incident at a hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma..
2003 Cold Case Murder
David Dale was indicted for the first degree premeditated murder of Marcus Virgin.
Virgin was reported missing in 2003. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continued to work the case for 17 years before DNA evidence was developed which linked the crime scene to blood belonging to the victim.
Triple Shooting With One Death
Caleb Gabriel Gladdon, 20, was indicted on charges of first degree premeditated or felony murder with a firearm and two counts of attempted first degree premeditated or felony murder with a firearm.
One March 19, 2020, Gladdon walked into a home on North 61st Avenue, proceeded to the back of the house, and fired several shots from a 9mm handgun into a bedroom. One shot killed 20-year old Jamijah McGee on the bed. Another round hit Evonne Save, McGee’s girlfriend.
On his way out of the house, Gladdon also shot Eddie Johnson, McGee’s cousin. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence and a furniture store on Mobile Highway shows a man, meeting Gladdon’s description and attire, running from the area at the time of the shooting. Gladdon was positively identified by both surviving witnesses.
The murder charge carries a maximum penalty of either death or life in state prison without parole.
Six New COVID-19 Deaths, 248 Additional Cases Reported Tuesday in Escambia, Santa Rosa
July 28, 2020
Six additional COVID-19 deaths and 248 new cases were reported Tuesday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by the Florida Department of Health.
Te Escambia County deaths were a 57-year old man, 78-year old woman and 84-year old man. The fatalities in Santa Rosa County were a 45-year old man, 71-yer old woman and an 83-year old man. Three of the six were long-term care facility residents.
Escambia County cases increased to 7,250. An additional 156 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 2,945.
Of the 761 tests results returned on Monday in Escambia County, 10.6% were positive, and 22.1% were positive from 561 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 12.1%.
There were 238 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Tuesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 85 deaths in Escambia County, 53 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 22 deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and three in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 441,977 cases including 436,867 Florida residents. There have been 24,917 hospitalizations* and 6,117 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 — 7,250 (+92 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 793
Pensacola — 5,669 (+82)
Cantonment — 525 (+8)
Molino— 80
Century — 53 (+4)
McDavid — 33
Bellview — 10
Gonzalez — 6
Walnut Hill — 8
Perdido Key — 4
Current hospitalizations: 238 (+1)
Deaths — 85 (+3)
Male — 2,830
Female — 3,494
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 2,945 (+156 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 23
Milton — 1,556 (+129)
Gulf Breeze — 471 (+10)
Navarre — 370 (+4)
Pace — 225 (+2)
Jay — 85 (+1)
Bagdad — 4
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 145*
Deaths — 22 (+3)
Male — 1,655
Female — 1,247
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 38
Florida cases:
Total cases — 441.977
Florida residents — 436,867
Deaths — 6,117
Hospitalizations — 24,917*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals 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. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
Traditional, Remote Learning Or Virtual School? Here Are The Choices Made For Each Escambia School
July 28, 2020
Escambia County parents were asked to choose from three options for their child’s education when students return to class in August.
Across the school district, here’s what parents picked (definitions of each are at the end of the article):
- Traditional learning: 12,463 (34%)
- Remote Learning: 11,559 (31%)
- Virtual School: 3,481 (9%)
- Unknown: 9,753 (26%)
And here are the choices made by school:
Byrneville and Pensacola Beach elementary schools were not included in this data release because they are charter schools.
The district is attempting to contact the parents that did not make a choice by the July 20 deadline (listed as “Unknown” above). Parents can also call their child’s school to make a change in their selection.
The three options, in more detail, are:
Traditional -
This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.
Remote Learning -
The remote learning model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times. The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school.
Virtual School -
The virtual model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.