Man Charged With Buying Meth From Undercover Officers
July 20, 2018
A man was arrested after allegedly buying meth from undercover officers in Escambia County.
Officials said William Wilder bought approximately 15.6 grams of methamphetamine from undercover officers during an operation conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and ATF.
He was charged with first degree felony methamphetamine trafficking. He remained in jail with bond set at $50,000.
Another Man Arrested For Helping Deadly Hit And Run Suspect Avoid Capture
July 19, 2018
Pensacola Police have arrested a man for helping a deadly hit and run suspect avoid capture.
Ali Rashaan Freeman, 39, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact, a second degree felony, for assisting Markquise DeShawn Wallace avoid capture.
Wallace has an active warrant for a deadly hit and run which occurred on June 6 on Cervantes Street.
PPD said Freeman assisted Wallace in avoiding capture and assisted him with hiding evidence by going with Wallace the day after the crash to purchase a cargo trailer in order to conceal and move the white Dodge Challenger that Wallace was driving when he struck three pedestrians, killing two of them.
Wallace also told Freeman that he (Wallace) was the person who struck the people at M and Cervantes Street. Freeman never came forward with that information.
Detectives are still searching for Wallace, following leads both within the community and out of state. The investigation involving others who have assisted Wallace is continuing with more arrests anticipated.
Tadrian Rushing, 20, was previously charged by Pensacola Police with being an accessory after the fact, a second degree felony, for assisting Wallace avoid capture.
Three people were crossing Cervantes Street near M Street when they were hit by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Neariaah Ikerria Williams, age 8 months, and a family friend, 28-year-old Nephateria Monique Williams, died. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Quineka Tyon Baldwin, was injured.
Anyone with information on the crash or Wallace is asked to call 911, the Pensacola Police Department, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Legally Blind Century Man Raising Money To See Again With High Tech Glasses
July 19, 2018
“I experienced a miracle.”
That’s how Eddie Hammond of Century described trying on a pair of eSight glasses a few days. Eddie is legally blind, but the glasses gave him a chance to see again.
The eSight glasses are high tech, engineered to aid the visually impaired to see. The life-changing technology uses a high quality camera to projects a live feed onto two small screens in front of the wearer’s eyes.
And for 57-year old Eddie Hammond, they worked.
When Eddie was 12, he suffered an eye injury that caused vision problems in his left eye. A few years later, the same problem struck his right eye. He served his community for 33 years with the Town of Century. But he was forced to retire due to his vision.
Four years ago, he experienced retinal detachment that left him totally blind in his right eye. Coupled with very poor vision in his left eye, Hammond was plunged into a blurry world.
“I can only see the world around me in a blur of shapes, colors and motion,” he said. Until last week, when the eSight glasses allowed him to see clearly.
But Eddie could not bring the glasses home — he can’t afford the $10,000 price tag that’s not covered by insurance.
He learned of the eSight glasses after a news story about a a legally blind Beulah Academy of Science Middle School student. His classmates raised nearly $10,000 in just a few weeks to purchase a special pair of eSight glasses to allow him too see clearly again. [Read story...]
Now Eddie is hoping North Escambia area residents will help him see again.
“I am reaching out to ask if you can help give me the gift of sight. eSight will allow me to actually see, and any contribution from you would truly change my life,” he said.
“These glasses would benefit every aspect of my life. They would help me to regain my independence, see my grandchildren and to live a better life.”
Donations towards Eddie Hammon’s eSight glasses can be made to the “Edward R. Hammond Benefit Account” at any location of United Bank, or online at eSight.
Pictured top: Eddie Hammond of Century stands on his porch, staring out into a blurry world. Pictured inset: Eddie Hammond hopes the community will help him pay for special glasses that will allow him to see again. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Rescue Woman, Service Dog After Crash Into Barrineau Park Woods
July 19, 2018
Firefighters rescued a woman in her 70’s and her service dog from deep in a wooded area following a wreck in Barrineau Park late Wednesday night.
The woman’s vehicle came to rest about 40 feet into the woods at South Highway 99 and Highway 196. She was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS, while firefighters from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue stayed with the service dog until family members arrived.
Injuries to the woman and her dog were not considered life threatening.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Drops Budget Workshop Over Missed Public Notice
July 19, 2018
The Town of Century has dropped a budget workshop planned for today after public notice issues were raised.
At council meetings on July 2 and July 16, it was noted that a budget workshop would be set for today, July 19. By Wednesday, no public notice had been posted or sent to the media for publication.
In an email Wednesday morning to council members and Mayor Henry Hawkins, Town Clerk Kim Godwin stated that “The Government in the Sunshine Manual” states 24 hours notice is needed and posting of the notice by 4 p.m. would satisfy requirements.
However, the 2018 edition of Florida’s “Government in the Sunshine Manual” states, “Except in the case of emergency or special meetings, notice should be provided at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Emergency sessions should be afforded the most appropriate and effective notice under the circumstances.”
The Sunshine Manual states that special meetings should have no less than 24 and “preferably” at least 72 hours notice to the public.
The manual also notes that press releases and contact with the local news media “is highly effective in providing notice of upcoming meetings.” NorthEscambia.com publishes those notices at no charge to the Town of Century as a public service.
In 2016, four members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force, which served at the pleasure of the council, were charged by the State Attorney’s Office with violating the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law. The town was notified at that time in writing by Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille of the public notice requirements as set forth by Florida law.
Highway 113 Crash Near I-65 Claims One Life
July 19, 2018
A two vehicle crash Wednesday night north of Flomaton has claimed the life of an Illinois man.
Alabama State Troopers said 54-year old John A. Janis of Brookfield, IL, was driving a 2007 Buick Lucerne that collided with a 2003 GMC Sierra driven by 18-year old Hunter A. Majors of Brewton. The accident happened on Highway 113 near the I-65 Flomaton exit.
Janis was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he later died.
John Majors, 54, was a passenger in Majors’ vehicle and was transported by ambulance to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton. Three other people were transported to McMillan with non life-threatening injuries.
The GMC Sierra caught fire after the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Elementary School Reunion Set For Saturday
July 19, 2018
The Third Annual Barrineau Park Elementary School Reunion and Open House is coming up Saturday from 11 am. until 3 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The reunion is for anyone that attended the school from its origin in 1938 until its closure in 2003. Attendees should bring a covered dish for a potluck lunch.
The event will include live music from the Southern Revival Band.
Grand Jury Report Remains Secret On Allegations Involving ECUA
July 19, 2018
An Escambia County grand jury has completed its review into complaints and allegations involving the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
The grand jury has returned a report, but that report has not been released. It has been sealed by the court and will remain secret for now.
“All matters contained in this report are required to remain secret until released by the Court,” a press release from the State Attorney’s Office said. “For these reasons no further information may be provided by this office regarding this matter.”
Florida Department Of Corrections Announces $1,000 Hiring Bonuses
July 19, 2018
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced $1,000 hiring bonuses for new hires at several institutions statewide, including the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton.
Applicants who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is available through the program.
The bonus program does not include the Century Correctional Institution.
Certified new hires are eligible to receive bonuses at the following institutions:
- Columbia Correctional Institution, Lake City
- Cross City Correctional Institution, Cross City
- Franklin Correctional Institution, Carrabelle
- Florida State Prison, Raiford
- Gulf Correctional Institution, Wewahitchka
- Hamilton Correctional Institution, Jasper
- Hardee Correctional Institution, Bowling Green
- Martin Correctional Institution, Indiantown
- Mayo Correctional Institution, Mayo
- Northwest Florida Reception Center, Chipley
- Okeechobee Correctional Institution, Okeechobee
- Reception and Medical Center, Lake Butler
- Santa Rosa Correctional Institution, Milton
- Suwannee Correctional Institution, Live Oak
- Taylor Correctional Institution, Perry
- Union Correctional Institution, Raiford
- Wakulla Correctional Institution, Crawfordville
For more information regarding a career with the Florida Department of Corrections, visit FLDOCjobs.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Surge Past Jacksonville In Series Opener, 11-3
July 19, 2018
Pensacola lit up the Shrimp in an 11-3 victory Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With Pensacola behind 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Chris Okey belted a two-run homer to give the Wahoos a 4-3 lead. The Wahoos would catch fire against Jacksonville’s relief pitcher Kyle Keller in the bottom of the eighth inning, eradicating the Shrimp’s chances of a possible comeback. Shed Long doubled home TJ Friedl to increase the Wahoos lead to 5-3. Luis Gonzalez singled to center field that scored both Mitch Nay and Long to extend the Wahoos lead to 7-3. Pinch-hitter Narciso Crook hit a sac fly that plated home Aristides Aquino to make the score 8-3. The straw that finally broke Jacksonville’s back was Jose Siri’s three-run homer, his second of the game, that gave Pensacola the winning score of 11-3.
Southpaw Seth Varner (W, 5-1) turned in another excellent outing for the Blue Wahoos. The Cincinnati-native pitched seven innings and allowed three runs (one earned), one walk, and struck out four. Since joining the starting rotation on May 25, Varner is 5-1 in nine starts. His 1.86 ERA is the lowest in the Southern League since that date.
The bullpen kept the Shrimp in check. Carlos Navas pitched a scoreless eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Alex Powers closed out the game, retiring the last three batters in order, to secure the Wahoos victory.
The Wahoos will look to continue their hot streak in Thursday night’s game. Right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (7-8, 4.67) will start for the Wahoos, and RHP Max Duval (2-9, 7.11) will take the hill for the Shrimp.