Century Man Charged With Pepper-Spraying Two Deputies And His Mother
June 24, 2021
A Century man is facing multiple charges after allegedly pepper-spraying two deputies and his mother.
Johnathon Robert Baldwin, 21, was charged with two counts of felony battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of felony resisting arrest and one county of battery in a domestic violence situation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices responded to the Century Park Apartments on 2nd Street where Baldwin had reportedly sprayed his mother with pepper spray and was possible armed with a knife, bow and arrow, or a pellet gun.
The victim told deputies that Baldwin is schizophrenic and was in possession of pepper spray he had ordered on the internet because dead people speak to him and he was afraid of “the purge”. She stated she had removed several canisters of pepper spray from his room before he pulled a can of pepper spray out of his pocket and sprayed across the front of her body, including part of her face. She was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS.
When deputies arrived and entered the apartment, Baldwin was standing with one hand hidden. Deputies gave him several commands to show his hands before he ran at two deputies in an aggressive manner, raised his right hand and pepper-sprayed both, according to an arrest report. He then retreated to a bedroom and slammed the door. A deputy kicked the door open.
Two deputies attempted to take Baldwin into custody, but he pulled away and pepper-sprayed both deputies in their faces and eyes, the report states. With deputies fearing that Baldwin might have other weapons within his reach, he was tased and taken into custody.
Deputies learned Baldwin had overdosed on an antipsychotic drug, and he was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital for treatment.
He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
Amateur Radio Field Day Is This Weekend, And You’re Invited
June 24, 2021
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will hold their annual field day this weekend at Ashton Brosnaham Park, during “Amateur Radio Week” in Escambia County.
ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Field Day is an opportunity for thousands of amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people. Licensed radio operators, often called “hams,” spend the weekend practicing community outreach, emergency preparedness and technical skills.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications are disabled and during local events like triathlons, bikeathons, parades or wherever real time communications are needed.
The public is invited to stop by anytime during the 24-hour event from 1 p.m. Saturday, June 26, to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive (just off East 10 Mile Road).
The Escambia County Commission recently proclaimed June 21-27 as “Amateur Radio Week” in the county.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Want A Smoked Boston Butt For The Fourth? Order Now From Tate Or Northview Football
June 24, 2021
Both the Tate and Northview quarterback clubs are selling smoked Boston butts will delivery in time for the Fourth of July with proceeds benefiting the Aggies or the Chiefs.
The Tate High Quarterback Club is selling Boston butts to be picked up July 3 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Aggie Shack. The Boston butts are $40 and can be ordered before July 1 by clicking or tapping here.
The Northview Quarterback Club is selling Boston butts for $40 each. Payment can be made via Venmo @northviewhs-chiefs. They can be picked up July 2 at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt from 4-7 p.m.
(Editor’s note: These are independent fundraisers. You’ll need to choose which school to order from and support, or order from both!)
Century Council Backs Off City Manager Job Review, Opts To Extend The Process
June 24, 2021
The Century Town Council this week declined to conduct a performance review as scheduled for their interim city manager, instead opting to table it for a future date after a workshop and individual meetings.
The council was set to review the performance of Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather, but backed out of the schedule agenda item. Council members were to have submitted written evaluation forms to he town clerk, but all five failed to do so.
“I don’t see it as fair to him or the council tonight,” Council President Luis Gomez said, adding that he though the generic evaluation form was inappropriate for a city manager position.
“If we jump the gun and start having discussions tonight, it wouldn’t be fair to Mr. Prather because there’s issues in the contract that need to be discussed further. There’s some language still in the contract that should have been changed in December of last year,” Gomez said. He said the contract language is not a “big problem”, but offered no specifics.
Instead, Gomez proposed a council workshop to discuss the “future endeavors of the city manager”, but he said he did not want Prather at the meeting.
“Then each council member, that night, if they have any gripes or any praises, put it in writing or any expectations of the position of city manager, but his record is going to all be on the table,” Gomez continued. He said council members could individually meet with Prather, and those written reviews would be presented to the mayor and Prather before a another council meeting for public review.
The council has not set a date for a workshop meeting to begin the process.
Prather was hired in December 2019, and his contract was extended for a year in December 2020. He is paid $1,200 a week ($40 per hour) to work 30 hours on a schedule of his choosing. He is also paid a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but receives no other benefits.
His contract specifies that the mayor and town council will meet with him “at least every three months for the purpose of defining goals and performance objective”.
Pictured: Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Another Round Of Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
June 24, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
State To Hold COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Friday In Walnut Hill
June 24, 2021
The Florida Department of Emergency Management will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
The Johnson & Johnson one-shot and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available.
The Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97, near the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Florida residents are eligible for the free vaccine; a proof of residency must be provided.
Pictured: A previous COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Walk-off Homer Deflates Blue Wahoos, Birmingham Barons Win 7-6
June 24, 2021
After picking up three walk-off wins last week, Pensacola falls 7-6 to Birmingham in walk-off fashion on Wednesday night.
With the game tied a 6-6, Micker Adolfo launched a 0-2 fastball into the right field bullpen to give the Barons a 7-6 win at Regions Field on Wednesday.
Alberto Guerrero (L, 1-1) was brought into the ninth inning after the Wahoos tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After inducing a flout from Zack Granite, Guerrero tried to throw an 0-2 heater above the zone that unfortunately found the heart of the plate before Adolfo turned it into a game winning homer. Adolfo is now tied for the league-lead in homers with 11 this season.
For the Wahoos it was a game that slipped away earlier than the ninth. Pensacola led 5-0 after two innings having scored thrice in the first and twice more in the second. After Jerar Encarnacion was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the first, Lazaro Alonso line a two-run single to make it 3-0.
In the second inning, the Wahoos had runners at second and third with two outs before JJ Bleday lined a two run single to left center to make it 5-0.
In the early going, that offense seemed to be plenty for Max Meyer, who cruised through three innings to begin the game. However, the righty ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Barons strung together four, two-out hits before the inning ended. After Jameson Fisher hit a two-run triple to get the Barons on the board, Laz Rivers hit a two-run homer to make it 5-4.
The Wahoos saw their lead disappear in the bottom of the seventh after a defensive miscue. With the bases loaded and one out, Zack Leban forced Carlos Perez to hit what appeared to be an inning-ending double play ball. However, after the flip to second was successful for the forecourt, Riley Mahan’s throw to first sailed over the head of Alonso, which brought home two runs.
Pensacola would tied the game in the bottom of the eight after stringing together three consecutive singles of their own, capped off by Devin Hairston’s RBI single to center.
Blake Battenfield did not factor in the decision for the Barons, despite having one of his shortest outings of the season. Prior to the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Perez (W, 2-0) retired the Wahoos in order to setup the Barons in the bottom of the ninth.
The series between Birmingham and Pensacola continues on Thursday. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Edward Cabrera (0-0, 2.08) to the mound for his second start with the Wahoos while the Barons will send LHP John Parke (1-2, 4.20) to oppose him.
by Chris Garagiola, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
One Injured In Crash Near Tate High School
June 23, 2021
One person was injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon near Tate High School.
The vehicle came to rest in a ditch on Tate Road at East Kingsfield Road following the crash about 3:10 p.m. The injured person was transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Seven People Injured In Crash Involving ECAT Bus
June 23, 2021
Seven people were injured in a multiple vehicle crash involving an Escambia County Area Transit bus Wednesday morning.
The crash about 8:40 a.m. in the area of on East Fairfield Drive near Davis Highway, near the Pensacola Village Apartments. The wreck also involved a passenger van.
No one on the bus was injured, but seven people from other vehicles were transported to area hospital with minor injuries, according to Escambia County.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local First Responders Are On A Doughnut Strike For Manna. Here’s How To Help.
June 23, 2021
Law enforcement agencies and fire departments in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are on strike through Friday — from doughnuts.
The first responders have vowed not to devour a single doughnut until they finish work on their goal to collect 30,000 pounds of food for Manna food pantries.
First responders will be accepting grocery donations from the public as follows:
Thursday, June 24 | 3 to 6 p.m.
- Winn-Dixie, 4751 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola
- Winn-Dixie, 7135 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola
- Publix, 2180 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Publix, 9251 University Parkway, Pensacola
- Walmart Neighborhood Market, 334 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 3319 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Walmart Super Center, 3767 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix, 5580 Woodbine Road, Pace (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Friday, June 25 | 3 to 6 p.m.
- Walmart, 2650 Creighton Road, Pensacola
- Sam’s Club, 1250 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola
- Publix, 8684 Beulah Road, Pensacola
- Publix, 852 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Publix, 1430 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 3319 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Walmart Super Center, 3767 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix, 5580 Woodbine Road, Pace (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
The items Manna currently needs most are:
- Oatmeal (boxes of individual packets)
- Chicken and tuna (pouches and canned)
- Peanut butter (1 lb. jars and individual cups)
- Vegetables (carrots, spinach, mixed vegetables; canned and peel-off plastic tops)
- Fruit in 100% juice (canned and peel-off plastic tops)
- Microwaveable dinners (like Hormel Compleats)
Participating agencies are Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.