Summer Fun: Brand New Playground At Barrineau Park Community Center
June 13, 2019
A brand new playground has been installed and is ready for summer fun at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The community center is located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road [Map]. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Felony Battery By Strangulation
June 13, 2019
A Century man was charged after allegedly choking his ex-wife.
Lawrence Scott Hamilton, 33, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony domestic battery by strangulation and aggravated battery. He was released on a $7,500 bond.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she and her ex-husband of 13 years had recently gotten back together again and have been residing as a family unit. She told deputies she had spent the night at a friend’s house, but when she returned home Hamilton did not believe her and became increasingly violent.
He threw a cell phone at the victim, causing an injury before he grabbed her by the throat and choked her, according to arrest report. She told deputies Hamilton stated “I should just kill you now” the report states.
After the incident de-escalated, Hamilton transported the victim to Jay Hospital. She was transported from there to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by ambulance for treatment.
Escambia Deputies, Escambia Fire, Pensacola PD Going On Strike, And It’s All About Doughnuts
June 13, 2019
The Pensacola Police Department (PPD), Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) and Pensacola Fire Department (PFD) are going on strike against their beloved doughnuts Wednesday, June 26 through Friday, June 28 to support Manna. During the doughnut strike, first responders have vowed not to devour a single doughnut until 20,000 pounds of food has been donated to fight hunger in the local area, the equivalent of 26,600 meals.
Each day of the strike, members of PPD, ECSO and PFD will be at grocery locations in Escambia County from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect donations from the public. To view the grocery locations for each day of the strike, please visit www.mannahelps.org. Members of the public may also support the first responders by dropping off food donations to Manna, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the strike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“One in five children go to bed hungry in our community. The support of our local first responders is critical during the summer months, when children are out of school and the need for assistance increases,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “They are truly our heroes!”
Once the goal has been reached, our local first responders will return to shamelessly devouring the glazed goodness that all first responders know and love.
Manna is a local, grassroots non-profit dedicated to fighting hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Their mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger.
ECUA Helps Prep Local 4-H Students Headed To Legislative Program
June 13, 2019
Escambia County 4-H members were busy this week preparing for a mock legislative program in Tallahassee.
Annually, 4-H high schools members from Escambia County join other 4-H members in Tallahassee to develop their debating, analyzing legislation, and public speaking skills through a mock legislature program at the state capitol. This year’s program is scheduled for June 24-28.
This civic education event allows students to write bills, act as lobbyists, pass the bills through various committees and debate the potential laws on the state house and/or senate floor as acting representatives and senators. This exercise provides the 4-H’ers an opportunity to debate issues and experience the legislative process firsthand.
In preparation for the week of mock legislature, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) hosted the students on Tuesday, June 11, in the ECUA board room, allowing the students to practice their legislative skills in a governmental chamber environment. The training prepared the students for the upcoming 4-H Legislature and gain an understanding of board proceedings similar to legislative committees that are conducted in organizations in all forms of government and private corporate enterprise.
The local students have participated in an intensive five-part training program, which was directed by 4-H agents and adult volunteers, who contributed their knowledge of parliamentary procedure, research, debate, the art of persuasion, and formal presentation in committee and chamber sessions.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Jay
June 13, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Jay.
Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have ahunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Courses will be held:
June 19 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & June 29 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
June 26 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & June 29 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
Gonzalez Utilities Lifts Boil Water Notice In Tate Road Area
June 12, 2019
Wednesday afternoon, Gonzalez Utilities lifted a boil water notice that had been in place since Friday, June 7.
The boil water notice has been in effect for the Tate Road, Archer Road, Petty Drive and Woodfield Drive area due to a water main break on Tate Road.
Two Bikers From Century Critically Injured In Highway 29 Crash
June 12, 2019
Two bikers from Century critically injured in a crash Tuesday evening on Highway 29 near McDavid.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 49-year old Susan Nichols was on a 2016 moped traveling north on Highway 29 at Whirlpool Road when she made an improper lane change about 7:07 p.m. Her moped entered the inside lane and collided with a northbound Harley Davidson motorcycle. Nichols and 45-year old James Cooko of Century were both ejected into the median.
The moped came to rest in Highway 29 just north of the crash location, while the Harley continued north for several hundred feet after Cooko was ejected.
Both bikers were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in separate medical helicopters. The FHP said they were not wearing helmets.
For additional photos, click here.
Highway 29 northbound remained closed until about 10:30 p.m. There were no other vehicles involved in the wreck.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Lifeguard Ambulance, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, LifeFlight and ShandsCair responded to the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged In Armed Disturbance
June 12, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged in connection with an armed disturbance in a local neighborhood.
Jarrian Jamal Purifoy, 32, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On May 22, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of Booker Avenue and Robinson Street in Cantonment where witness reporting hearing several shots fired. The witness told deputies that Purifoy pointed a gun at him and told him to get back before running into the woods.
Another witness told deputies he heard several shots before he saw a man later identified as Purifoy run through his yard with a pistol, according to an arrest report. Purifoy allegedly pointed the gun at a table where two men were playing dominoes.
One of the witnesses positively identified Purifoy from a photo lineup, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Purifoy was arrested this week and remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $100,000.
‘Tinkering With Rockets’ Next Three Saturdays At The Molino Library
June 12, 2019
Children and teens can learn about “Tinkering with Rockets” the next three weekends at the Molino Branch Library.
Attendees can explore the building of rockets each week, starting with the simplest paper rockets and working up to ignition rockets. The library will provide all the resources necessary.
The programs that Molino Branch Library will be held:
• Saturday, June 15, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Saturday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Saturday, June 29, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
DeSantis Signs Bill Allowing For Drug Importation From Canada, Other Countries
June 12, 2019
Florida residents could gain access to cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and other countries under legislation signed Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis, if the federal government gives it the go ahead.
The bill establishes two programs – the Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program (CPDI Program) and the International Prescription Drug Importation Program (IPDI Program) – to safely import federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription drugs into the state for the benefit of consumers and public programs.
“Floridians have been paying inexcusably high prices for prescription drugs for far too long and today, we are taking action,” said DeSantis. “I thank President Galvano, Speaker Oliva and the bill sponsors for this innovative legislation that empowers Florida to lead the way toward affordable prescription drugs. We are ready to work with President Trump and his team to make access to affordable prescription drugs from Canada a reality in our state. Floridians don’t need more bureaucratic delays, they need Washington to follow suit and get this done.”
The bill outlines the importation process, safety standards, drug distribution requirements and penalties for violations of program requirements. Both programs also establish eligibility criteria for the types of prescription drugs which may be imported and the entities that may export or import prescription drugs.
The bill requires both programs to seek federal approval or cooperation prior to importing prescription drugs. DeSantis said his administration is currently working closely with the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to submit its plan for the importation of prescription drugs for their consideration.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
