Barry Raises About $60K For Commission Campaign, Challenger Goins Raises $0
August 15, 2019
In the 2020 race for Escambia County Commission District 5, incumbent Republican Steven Barry has raised nearly $60,000 for his campaign, while his Democratic challenger has not raised a dime.
According to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, Barry has brought in $59,800, while Barbara Goins has collected no contributions whatsoever.
All of Barry’s contributions have been cash except a $2,000 in-kind contribution to himself and $1,950 in food for campaign events.
Man Charged With Homicide After Body Found Behind Hair Salon
August 15, 2019
A man has been charged with homicide in connection with a body found behind an Escambia County business Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donald Gene Barbee, 49, for homicide. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 5:09 p.m. Wednesday.
A body was located behind a hair salon in the 100 block of Beverly Parkway shortly before 8 a.m. Information about the victim and the cause of death have not been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information on the case is to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Photos: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Photos: Hornet Nest In ‘Shocking’ Location Near Lake Stone
August 15, 2019
A hornet nest is located under a power transformer at the entrance to Lake Stone on Highway 4 west of Century.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has noted the location so their lineworkers are aware of the nest in the event they need to make repairs around the pole.
Such a nest usually contains 400-500 hornets, according to the UF/IFAS Extension Service. They will all die off except for the queen this winter. The queen will nest through the winter in another location, and she will establish a new colony next year. The old nest will not be reused.
Hornets typically do not sting unless threatened, according to UF/IFAS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Bar Finds ‘No Probable Cause’ That Gaetz Tweet Violated Rules Of Conduct
August 15, 2019
The Florida Bar has found “no probable cause” that U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz violated their rules of conduct in a tweet earlier this year about Michael Cohen.
In the February tweet (pictured below), Gaetz accused Michael Cohen of infidelity just before President Donald Trump’s former attorney testified before Congress. Gaetz said at the time that the complaint to the Florida Bar was “frivolous”.
“The Florida Bar has informed me that the Grievance Committee found “No Probable Cause” that I violated the rules of my profession., Gaetz said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon. “they are taking no disciplinary action against me & are sending a letter of advice. I thank the Bar committee members for their sound judgment.”
The Florida Bar will officially issue a “letter of advice” to Gaetz on Friday. The contents of the letter will not be public record until that time.
Tate Helmets Sporting New Logo Decals For Friday Night’s Kickoff Classic
August 15, 2019
The Tate Aggies will be sporting helmets with fresh new logo decals under the Friday night lights this season.
Robin Foster, Kevin Wilson and Shannon Wilson worked to place the new decals on the helmets before the start of the season.
The Aggies head to Pace Friday night for a kickoff classic game against the Pace Patriots.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 15, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending July 25 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey received information that an individual posted a video on social media of him posing with six cobia on his vessel. The limit for cobia is two per vessel. Officer Pettey identified the subject and met and interviewed him. The subject admitted to possessing the six cobia on his vessel. Two of the cobia were also obviously undersized. Officer Pettey obtained a warrant on the individual for the two violations.
Officer Specialist Clark checked an individual selling mullet along the road side in Pensacola. The individual did not possess the license and was cited for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
(No report was received from Santa Rosa County.)
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Update: Pilot Identified In Tuesday Plane Crash; Crash Site Was In Escambia County
August 14, 2019
A report says yesterday’s plane crash along the Escambia River was actually in North Escambia, and the name of the pilot has been released.
The pilot has been identified as 26-year old Scott J. Nee by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter as a trauma alert, and at last report was listed in critical condition.
The plane was located by the Jay Fire Department and Lifeguard ambulance personnel after deploying their boat on the Escambia River from Therrell Land on Oil Plant Road in Santa Rosa County. The single engine Cessna was found on a sandbar south of Oil Plant Road. The plane was on the west side of the river, which is in Escambia County.
Nee was located still inside the cockpit of the upside down plane, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. The report lists his address as Woodbury, MN.
The plane’s owner, Freddie McCall, Jr. of Brewton, responded and turned off the plane’s location transponder. He told officials that Nee’s family had been notified of the crash.
The plane was a 1969 Cessna Model 172K.
The Allentown, Berrydale and Muson volunteer fire departments and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Robbery
August 14, 2019
A Cantonment man is facing two felony charges, including robbery.
Brandon Keon Fryson, 36, was charged with robbery by sudden snatching and obstructing justice by preventing a communication to law enforcement.
Fryson allegedly went to the victim’s home on West Over Avenue in Escambia County and got into an argument with her. She told deputies she was going to call law enforcement, but Fryson grabbed her LG cell phone and her cordless home phone, according to an arrest report.
The report states Fryson ran outside and around the corner of the building to get on his bicycle. The victim called law enforcement from a neighbor’s phone.
The combined value of the two phones was estimated at $50.
Fryson remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $10,000.
John The Owl, Beloved Roy Hyatt Environmental Ambassador, Passes Away
August 14, 2019
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment is mourning the loss of an owl that had lived at the center for 13 years, serving as an ambassador and often the star of the show at educational programs.
John, the Eastern screech owl, passed away quietly and peacefully Monday at about 16- years old.
John was hit by a car 13 years ago. He was taken to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida where they were able to save him, but they were unable to repair the damage the impact had on the vision in his left eye. This made it impossible for him to be released into the wild, according to the environmental center.
After his accident and rehabilitation, John came to live at Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. He became a much loved ambassador helping to educate thousands and thousands of children and adults about birds of prey, owls, and specifically Eastern screech owls.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Worker Suffers From Heat Exhaustion In McDavid
August 14, 2019
A man working in McDavid suffered a heat-related illness and was taken to the hospital Tuesday.
Escambia County EMS and the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the area of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church on West Bogia Road where the man had reportedly been working as a surveyor.
An Escambia County spokesperson said the man was transported non-emergency to Jay Hospital.
The heat index on Tuesday was forecast to reach as high as 115 degrees, and a heat advisory was in effect.
According to the National Weather Service:
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat stress illnesses are possible. Heat indices this high can cause even the most physically fit to succumb to heat exhaustion or, even worse, deadly heat stroke. Persons planning on being outdoors for an extended time are urged to consume plenty of liquids — especially water, wear light colored and loose fitting clothing, and to take frequent breaks from the heat in an air-conditioned room.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.