Cantonment Man Charged With Domestic Battery By Strangulation
March 22, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly attacking a young man during a domestic disturbance.
Kristopher Karl Jernigan, 43, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and violation of a domestic violence injunction after the incident earlier this month.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a family disturbance on Handy Road.
Jernigan allegedly put his hands around the throat of the 18-year old male relative after pushing him against a wall. Deputies reported the victim had a red mark around this throat but was otherwise uninjured.
Jernigan remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $34,500.
Doing It Again At Carver Park: Donate Food On Monday For Distribution To School Kids Tuesday
March 22, 2020
The Cantonment Improvement Committee is once again asking the community to step up to help school-age children that need a meal during the school closures.
Dozens and dozens of people and businesses responded a week ago, and they are going it again.
The CIC will be accepting food donations and bagging them on Monday beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street in Cantonment. Those volunteering to bag food should be prepared to have a temperature check, practice social distancing and other CDC guidelines.
“I am humbled by your charity and giving heart. May God bless each of you,” CIC’s Mary Holley-Lewis said. “So many children are not going hungry because of your big hearts.”
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at Carver Park Park. To receive food, remain in your vehicle, line up facing north on Webb Street and the food will be delivered to your vehicle. Children must be present.
For more information, call Holley-Lewis at (850) 346-2797.
Over 200 kids received about a week’s worth of food during the event last week.
FWC, Northwest Florida Water Management District Closing Campgrounds And Recreational Facilities
March 22, 2020
The Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are closing recreational facilities and campgrounds on Monday, March 23.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District
The Northwest Florida Water Management District is closing each of its reservation campsites and developed recreation areas beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, for the next 60 days. This includes picnic areas, swimming areas, and other developed recreation sites.
Hiking trails, bike trails, equestrian trails, and boat ramps will remain open for individual use, but users may not congregate at or use associated shared facilities (e.g. picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, etc.) Individuals must maintain appropriate distances from other users while using trails and launching and retrieving boats and paddle craft.
Until further notice, hunting and other disbursed recreation activities are allowed on all District-owned Wildlife Management Areas in accordance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules for these areas.
Individuals on District lands are expected to abide by current health guidelines implemented by the federal and/or state government for prevention of COVID-19 transmission, and in accordance with FWC regulations.
Wildlife Management Areas where disbursed (backcountry) camping is allowed include: Escambia River WMA, Choctawhatchee River/Holmes Creek WMA, and the District-owned portions of the Yellow River WMA, Apalachicola WMA, and Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA).
FWC Campgrounds
The FWC is closing all designated campgrounds on the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system for a minimum of 30 days beginning Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Also, permits for camping after Monday, March 23 will be canceled. On areas where it is currently allowed, dispersed wilderness camping (camping outside of designated campgrounds or where no permit is required) will continue to be allowed, but only for groups of less than 10 people.
Pictured: The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Pipes Landing on the Perdido River off Jacks Branch Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Cantonment Crash
March 22, 2020
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash in Cantonment.
Curtis Evangelista, 36, was traveling south on Highway 297A when he lost control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle while turning onto Bentley Oaks Drive about 6 p.m. Friday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The side of the motorcycle collided with a curb in the median divider of Bentley Oaks.
Evangelista was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
File photo.
Escambia Clerk of the Circuit Court And Comptroller Announces Changes Due To COVID-19
March 22, 2020
Escambia County Clerk of the Court Pam Childers released the following information:
In an effort to balance the safety of our personnel and the community while providing critical functions and court services, the following information regarding changes to the Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller services are below.
Per court order, the MC Blanchard and Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Building remain open, at this time, but have limited public access. The Clerk’s office will continue to process emergency court services:
- Petitions for Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence or Stalking Injunctions
- Baker Act petitions
- Marchman Act petitions
- Vulnerable Adult petitions
- Adult Protective Services petitions
- Emergency guardianship appointment
- Family Law and Dependency cases in which the imminent safety of children is at issue
To make payments and access other services, please visit our website at escambiaclerk.com.
The following Clerk’s offices will be closed effective March 23 until at least March 30:
- Traffic Office, MC Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 W. Government St.
- Marriage Office, MC Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 W. Government St.
- Clerk’s Official Records, Finance and Clerk to the Board Offices located at 221 Palafox Place
- Century Courthouse office
- The Public Records Center, 120 E. Blount St.
The following services will be suspended until at least March 30:
- Marriage licenses
- Passports
Traffic Crash Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
March 21, 2020
A crash Friday claimed the life of an Escambia County woman.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 60-year old Wanda Lou Celli pulled her Toyota Matrix from a stop sign on Webb Lane into the path of a Jeep Wrangler traveling on Mobile Highway. Cellie was transported to Baptist Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.
The driver of the Jeep, 82-year old Ray McCulley of Pensacola, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
No charges were immediately filed as the investigation continues.
Pedestrian Critical After Being Hit Friday Night Along Highway 29
March 21, 2020
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and critically injured Friday night.
It happened about 8 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 29 and Tate School Road.
The victim was transported to a local hospital as a “trauma alert.” Their name and update on their condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
High Speed Internet Will Be Available To Students At Escambia Libraries, Community Centers
March 21, 2020
As the Escambia County School systems moves toward the start of virtual instruction on April 1, Escambia County is making libraries and community centers available for students.
Students without an adequate internet connection at home will be able to use the high speed internet at county libraries and community centers.
It some instances the internet access may only be able outside community centers. If the community center buildings are opened, or in the libraries, CDC recommendations will be followed for cleaning and distancing.
Details on exactly how the program will work will be finalized and published prior to April 1, the date Escambia County students begin online classes.
“When we learned from Superintendent Thomas that the District needed help with a solution for children who lived in areas with limited internet access…we wanted to step up and partner with them immediately,” said Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry. “We will work with the District to provide direct assistance so children are able to complete their school work and to learn remotely wherever they possibly can. Our Escambia County community centers and libraries offer the availability of high speed internet connectivity and plenty of space for students to spread out and continue to further their education. We will also be focusing on enhancing and even adding infrastructure to existing facilities and areas in the attempt to improve the positive impact we can have in the partnership.”
Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said, “For our education continuity plan to work, to truly help our students stay engaged in their learning during the pandemic interruption, it will take teamwork between our teachers, support staff, students and their families. For some of those families, a lack of internet connectivity is a roadblock to their students’ success. Although, our instructional plan provides for the use of books and paper packets, the most robust instruction will occur through virtual sources. The connectivity provided throughout the county will allow these students access to their lessons over the internet enhancing their opportunity for greater academic success.”
“It is this kind of community support, during any kind of crisis we have experienced, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, the freeze and now a pandemic, that makes Escambia County an outstanding place for all of us to live and work. Thank you Commissioner Barry for your leadership and please express the school district’s gratitude to the other Commissioners and let the staff members who will be helping our students know that they are making a difference in a difficult time,” Thomas added.
Santa Rosa’s Third COVID-19 Case In A Teenager; Still One Confirmed Case In Escambia
March 21, 2020
A teenager is the third confirmed case of coronavirus in Santa Rosa County.
It is not traveled related, according to an update from the Florida Department of Health, and the 17-year old male did not have contact with a previously known case.
Santa Rosa County’s first case was announced March 5. The 71-year old man traveled to Egypt, Israel and Jordan. He died at Baptist Hospital In Pensacola. A 48-year old male with a travel history to the United Kingdom was the county’s second case.
The number of cases in Escambia County remained at one, a 53-year old male that traveled to France.
Meals For Kids Available Next Week At West Florida Library Locations
March 21, 2020
Escambia County West Florida Public Libraries are partnering with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide free curbside pickup meals for youth ages 18 and under at all library branch locations, Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning Monday, March 23.
The meals will include lunch and a snack, and meals will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Meals will be available for pickup only at the locations listed below Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- 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