Cantonment Man Guilty In Hit And Run That Killed One Juvenile, Injured Another
July 9, 2021
A Cantonment man was convicted Thursday in connection hitting two juveniles with his SUV last year on Quintette Road, killing one of them.
Robert William Etheridge II, 59, was found guilty of one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 13.
About 8 p.m. on April 6, 2020, 12-year old Hailey Locke and 13-year old Rylee Simmons, both students at Ransom Middle School, were on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by Etheridge. Troopers said he fled the scene and called the FHP about 24 minutes later to say he thought he had hit a deer.
The windshield was cracked in the crash, but not enough to obscure the driver’s view, according to an arrest report. The area in which the collision occurred was lit with multiple overhead lights, the weather was clear and there was a full moon, FHP said.
When law enforcement responded to his home, Etheridge showed signs of intoxication. The jury determined by their verdict that Etheridge knew, or should have known, that he had collided with people and left the scene of the crash.
Rylee was removed from a life support a little over a week later after his organs were donated.
Pictured top: Rylee Simmons, 13. Photo provided by family for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: The crash scene on April 6, 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Cantonment Man Charged With Breaking Into Woman’s Home, Barricading Himself Inside
July 9, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and barricading himself inside a bedroom.
Christopher James Adams, 23, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on felony charges of robbery, burglary, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief with property damage. He was also charged with a probation violation.
The woman gave Adams a ride, and he tried to take her purse in order to get her house keys, according to an arrest report. After he was unsuccessful, he broke the glass on her backdoor and went inside.
Responding Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies entered the home and found Adams barricaded inside a bedroom with a razorblade, according to the arrest report. They were forced to tase Adams before taking him into custody.
Adams remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Alicia N. Holland
July 9, 2021
Alicia N. Holland, age 28, of Pensacola, FL,, passed away on July 7, 2021, in Pensacola. She was born on December 15, 1992, in Pensacola to David Holland and Marcie Andrews. She was a member of the class of 2011 at Northview High School.
She is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Joyce Fralick Benefield and Leila Parker; her father, David Holland; her aunt, Donna Peebles and her cousin, Jarrod Peebles.
She is survived by her mother, Marcie Andrews of Little Rock, AR; her children, Landon, Leah and Laila; their grandparents, Charles and JoAnn Peterson; her sisters, Ashley Holland of Atmore, AL and Amber (Jody) Levins of Byrneville, FL; her aunts, Tammy Harper of Pensacola, FL and Anita (Miguel) Sanchez of Duluth, GA; her uncles, Jerry Holland of Pensacola, FL, Jim Holland of Pensacola, FL, Michael Holland of Pensacola, FL and Ron (Dana) Holland of King George, VA; her nieces and nephews, Kolby, Kaleb, Carter, Carsen, Conner, Gracie, Jonah, Ellie and Lillie and her cousins, Jason, Nick, Dustin, Olivia, Anna, Jessica, Katie, Parker and Riley.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Grove, FL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2021m, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
ReEntry Alliance To Provide Local Landlords Cash Incentives For Permanent Housing
July 9, 2021
ReEntry Alliance Pensacola, Inc. (REAP) was recently selected as a Rapid ReHousing (RRH) service provider and awarded over $200,000 from Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc. This funding is part of the $3.5 million Emergency Shelter Grant Cares Act CV2 Funding provided by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Family, Office of Homelessness.
The new REAP RHH program will serve 100 people by preventing them from becoming homeless or by finding permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness over the next 12 months, to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
REAP will work in collaboration with Opening Doors of Northwest Florida and other local Continuum of Care service providers along with local private landlords and homes, duplex, apartment, and mobile home property management companies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We are happy to be able to offer this needed housing assistance program to the community, especially those who have been negatively affected by the COVID 19 pandemic here in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said Vinnie Whibbs, executive director of REAP.
Rick Dye will head up the new RRH and Landlord Incentive Program as director. The program will provide case management, rapid rehousing, and temporary financial assistance to 100 clients who have been impacted by COVID-19 and now find themselves homeless, or soon-to-be-homeless. Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to medical and indoor sleeping facilities, people experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to COVID-19 and at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
“REAP is proud to be a part of the community’s initiatives to reduce homelessness in the two-county area by providing this Rapid ReHousing response service,” said Dye.
Working through Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc., Escambia and Santa Rosa counties utilized various federal funds, including significant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to go toward reducing the number of local citizens who experience homelessness. Working together, the various cities and two counties are making the single largest investment in addressing homelessness and homeless prevention in each county’s history.
“We must take care of the most vulnerable among us during this time. The COVID-19 crisis has put many people’s living situations at an increased risk of becoming homeless due to a temporary loss of employment during the various local business shutdowns,” said John Johnson, executive director, Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc. “REAP stands by the Housing First Initiative to help eligible people improve their lives when re-entering normal community life after an extended time of personal disorder.”
REAP will expand its current housing services to include those in the community who are in need of permanent housing due to loss of job or sickness during the pandemic but who have been re-hired and can prove to participating landlords a stable, reliable monthly income. Many of those negatively affected by COVID-19 have damaged their credit ratings and need the assistance REAP can provide in working with area landlords and property managers on their behalf.
Local rental property landlords and managers will have a crucial role to play in solving and preventing homelessness in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. As an incentive to local landlords and rental property managers, REAP is offering:
1). Cash bonuses paid to landlords who sign on as Community Partners equal to one or two months of rent, depending on the number of bedrooms in the rental home, or
2). Security deposits up to three times the monthly rent cost.
In addition to those landlord and property manager incentives, REAP will also provide housing assistance services to eligible individual participants, if needed, to reassure landlords of their rent worthiness, of the following:
1). Short-term (up to three months) rental assistance and may include up to six months of arrears, including rental application fees charged by owner to all applicants.
2). Security deposits not to exceed two month’s rental payments.
3). Utility deposits.
4). Utility payments for gas, electric, water, and sewer (up to three months including up to six months arrearage.)
5). Moving cost assistance (including short term storage not to exceed three months.)
6). Housing Search and Placement Services to assist participants in locating and obtaining permanent housing.
7). Case Management Services to include initial assessments and re-evaluations, housing stability planning, and arranging, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of services to facilitate housing stability.
8). Legal and Mediation Services required to resolve a legal problem that prohibits the household to obtain or maintain permanent housing.
9). Credit Repair Services to assist with skills related to household budgeting, money management and resolving personal credit problems.
Landlords and property managers interested in participating in the REAP Rapid ReHousing Program/Landlord Incentive Program can contact Rick Dye at rickdye73@gmail.com or Juliana Regis, Leasing Agent, at 850-332-6677 or call the REAP Landlord Incentive Program’s hotline at 850-832-3014.
Ann Hurd Philen
July 9, 2021
November 17, 1945 – July 8, 2021
Ann Hurd Philen was a beloved wife and mother.
She enjoyed traveling the country with Ron in their RV, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Ann worked for the Escambia County School System for 29 years at West Pensacola Elementary and Tate High School. She continued to volunteer for Reading Is Fundamental through the Retired Educator’s Association.
Ann was a founding member of Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church and was active in various ministries over the years.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald; her children, Jane, Robert, and Carlos; and her grandchildren, Trey and Ruby.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:00 pm at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends at 12:00 pm at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Monica’s Episcopal Church.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL, is entrusted with arrangements.
Julian Terry Smith
July 9, 2021
On Wednesday July 7, 2021, Julian Terry Smith, a disciple of Jesus, passed away at the age of 80. He was born on March 6, 1941, in Bainbridge Georgia. Julian was a kind man full of love for the Lord and love for his family. He moved to Pensacola in 1963 to work in the family business at Smith Plumbing & Heating before starting his own company, Florida Air in 1983.
Julian was a wonderful son, father, husband, brother, and uncle. He was never too busy to listen to a problem or to help out a stranger. His family celebrates the life he lived with thanksgiving and praise that he is in a better place.
Julian was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Emma Smith, and wife Betty Braswell Smith, brothers Sam, Willis, and Hubert Smith.
He is survived by brother Leonard and wife Bobbie Sellars Smith, children Terry Lee (Tammy) Smith, daughter Lisa Smith (Brett) Korade as well as his grandchildren Justin (Whitney) Smith, Ashley (Wesley) Carter, Evan and Matthew Korade, Gage and Gracie Sellars and Taylor Folsom. His great grandchildren include Gentry and Presley Carter and Marley and Rory Smith and well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Julian had a passion for fishing, spending time with family and Southern Gospel music. He made a difference in our lives and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 14, 2021, at Faith Chapel North 1000 S. Hwy 29 Cantonment, FL 32533. Friends and family can pay their respect from 2pm-3pm and Service will begin at 3pm. Burial will be at Farm Hill United Methodist Church located at 1251 Muscogee Rd, Cantonment, FL 32533.
M-Braves Take Two, Wahoos Drop Third Straight
July 9, 2021
The Mississippi Braves (35-22) used two separate penultimate-inning rallies to win both games against Pensacola (33-24) on Thursday at Trustmark Park.
The first game was the resumption of Wednesday’s suspended game, that began 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. There was no offense until the bottom of the eighth inning when the M-Braves cashed in on a pair of leadoff walks. After a sac bunt from Wendell Rijo, Braden Shewmake lined a base hit into center off Dylan Bice (L, 1-3) to put the M-Braves up 3-2.
Will Latcham (W, 2-1)—who pitched in the eighth—worked a scoreless ninth inning to give the M-Braves an early win to start the evening. Even though eight of Pensacola’s nine starters had a base hit, the Wahoos ultimately left nine men on base in the one-run loss. Pensacola is now 15-8 in one-run games this season.
In the second game of the night, Jeff Lindgren (L, 2-5) took the mound for the Wahoos and pitched well through the first five innings of the game. It was a back-and-forth affair between the two sides as the Wahoos led for most of the night. Riley Mahan laced a two-out, two-run double in the top of the first inning to put Pensacola ahead 2-0.
The seesaw battle soon continued. Mississippi scored once in the second to cut Pensacola’s lead down to 2-1. Both teams scored once in the third and the Wahoos tacked on another run in the top of the fourth to make it 4-2.
Things began to unravel in the fifth. With Lindgren still on the mound, Shea Langeliers hit a home run that initially looked just foul, despite being ruled a homer by the third base umpire. The manager of the Wahoos, Kevin Randel, and several of the players questioned the umpire and despite a umpire’s conference between all three officials, the call stood. One pitch later, pitching coach Tim Norton was ejected, clearly still baffled by the ruling of a fair ball.
After the ejection, Lindgren elevated his game, striking out the next two batters and taking the Wahoos to the top of sixth with a 4-3 lead.
However, in the bottom of the sixth, the M-Braves scored six times to stun the Wahoos and ultimately put the game out of reach. After a soft come-backer for the first out, the next six M-Braves all reached base safely. Lindgren allowed a walk and single before a wild pitch set up the M-Braves with two runners in scoring position. Lindgren then allowed a two-run base hit to Justin Dean to put Mississippi up 5-4.
Jose Mesa Jr replaced Lindgren and allowed back-to-back walked before striking out Wendell Rijo (who had homered earlier in the game against Lindgren). With two outs, Jefrey Ramos tripled to bring home two more and put the M-Braves up 9-4. Pensacola scored once in the top of the seventh but ultimately fell 9-5.
The Wahoos now sit two games out of first place and are in jeopardy of losing their third series of the year. LHP Will Stewart (3-4, 4.53) will take the mound for the Blue Wahoos and he will be opposed by RHP AJ Puckett (1-4, 3.15).
Suspect Arrested After Standoff, Charged With Assaulting Law Enforcement Officer
July 8, 2021
A suspect has been arrested after a standoff with law enforcement in Escambia County Thursday morning, and he is charged with assaulting a state trooper.
About 9:45 a.m., a Florida Highway Patrol sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcyclist in the area of Mobile Highway and Massachusetts Avenue, for multiple traffic violations. Although the traffic stop was unsuccessful, the sergeant was able to locate the motorcycle at an apartment complex at 2702 Massachusetts Avenue.
The trooper attempted to make contact with the rider and was unsuccessful. The motorcyclist barricaded himself in the apartment, leading to multiple units from the Florida Highway Patrol and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to
responded to the scene.
At approximately 11:03 a.m., 32-year-old James Marvin Smith, Jr. was taken into custody without further incident. Smith was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, and fleeing and eluding.
Man Charged With Shooting At Vehicle Driven By His Child’s Mother On Highway 97 In Cantonment
July 8, 2021
A man allegedly shot at a vehicle driven by the mother of his child as she drove along County Road 97, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph Patrick Gartman, 30, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies she was driving to her home in Cantonment when she observed Gartman walking in the area of Highway 97 and Kingsfield Road. She stated she and Gartman had been arguing, so she attempted to turn around to avoid him.
As she turned her vehicle around, she saw Gartman run toward her car, pull out a handgun and fire, according to an arrest report. His shot missed, and she fled the area, calling law enforcement. A witness told deputies that she was driving north on Highway 97 when she observed a white male with a red toolbox run toward a vehicle and fire a shot.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy located Gartman walking in the area of Highway 87 and Tobias Road. According to an arrest report, he said he yelled at the victim when he saw her driving, but he had not been in possession of a firearm all day.
A cloth firearm holster was located in Gartman’s waistband, and his red tool bag contained a 9 mm handgun and two Xanax pills, according to ECSO.
Gartman remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $21,000.
Century Trying Again To Hire Two; Council Has Rejected The Mayor’s Choices Twice, Accused Him Of Charter Violation
July 8, 2021
Century’s attempt to hire two employees has dragged on for months, and now they are going to try again. The problem has not been a lack of applications, but a lack of agreement between the mayor and council.
It has been a process that started in early February and has seen the council reject the mayor’s choices twice, a somewhat awkward meeting where a female applicant was twice called a “beautiful woman” by the council president, and allegations by council members that the mayor violated the town charter.
This week, councilman James Smith said the town needed to get back on track to hire the two employees, saying it was only fair to advertise again and toss previous applications. The positions will be posted for 30 days.
Here’s the process so far:
February 2
The town submitted the advertisement for the position to NorthEscambia.com and others for publication.
The Century Town Council rejected two employees hired by the mayor because they say he violated the town’s charter. After the town received five applications for an entry-level service worker in the street department and 50 applications for a citizen services clerk office position, Mayor Ben Boutwell and staff members made their selections and offered jobs to two people. The service worker was already on the job, and the clerk was set to start a few days later.
The service worker the mayor hired had nine years experience as millwright at a lumber mill, five years in maintenance at a chemical plant, and six years in home construction. The office worker selected by Boutwell had almost 20 years experience at an area bank as a bookkeeper, loan assistance, teller and accounts payable clerk, and holds an associate degree from Pensacola Junior College.
Council president Luis Gomez said the two were not hired in accordance with the town charter. The charter states that the mayor will present his employee selections to the town council to be approved or denied. The council can only vote yes or no on the mayor’s choice; the charter does not give the council any authority to hire anyone not recommended by the mayor.
At that March 15 meeting, the council voted 3-2 to restart the process and advertise the positions again. Council members James Smith and Sandra McMurray Jackson in opposition.
The council again rejected Boutwell’s request to hire the same two applicants.
Gomez said he had personally contacted the references listed by the service worker applicant and had found he was terminated for just cause and was not eligible for rehired by a former employer. Gomez made additional disparaging comments about the individual.
The council provided no next step for the hiring process.
The applicant recommended by the mayor and rejected by the council for an entry level window citizens services clerk attended a council meeting wanting to know the status of the job. Gomez told her that he would never consider her for the job, and in a verbal exchange twice referred to her as a “beautiful woman.”
Gomez said he regretted that the woman was essentially caught in the rift between the council and mayor because her application was received last November but the position was not advertised until early February. “What I’m saying is I hate this beautiful woman is tied up in the middle of all this,” he said.
“I know you are a beautiful person. I would love to have lunch with you, even buy you lunch because I know you’re a beautiful person and probably have a beautiful family,” Gomez told Daniel. “But this is business. And please don’t take it personal.”