Kitchen Fire Erupts At Apartment – While Firefighters Were Fighting Kitchen Fire Across Street
March 16, 2018
While firefighters were fighting one apartment kitchen fire Thursday afternoon, another kitchen fire broke out at a second apartment across the street.
The first kitchen fire was in the 500 block of Martin Luther King Drive, taking about 15 to 20 minutes to bring it under control.
As firefighters from the Flomaton Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were fighting the first kitchen fire, they receive a report of another kitchen fire across the street.
One person was transported to Jay Hospital for smoke inhalation.
Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Flomaton Police Department also responded.
Escambia Sheriff, Commission Reach Preliminary Budget Agreement
March 15, 2018
For an update to this story, click here.
The Escambia County Commission and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan have reached a preliminary budget settlement, months after Morgan appealed his budget to Gov. Rick Scott.
Under the four-year agreement, Morgan will receive an extra $1 million for the current fiscal year that ends September 30. The commission will increase Morgan’s budget by an additional $2.6 million in the next two fiscal years, and $2.9 million in the final year. The funds will be for benefits and raises for the implementation of a pay plan.
Beginning April 1, 2018, the BOCC will reduce budgets for discretionary outside agencies by 50 percent, except for Pathways for Change and Community Health Northwest Florida (formerly Escambia Community Clinics). In fiscal years 2019-2021, funding for outside agencies in the general fund will not exceed $734,374. These funds will be used for the implementation of the sheriff’s pay plan.
Discretionary funds for each commissioner, previously at $50,000 each, will be cut by half to $125,000 total ($25,000 each) for the next three years, with $125,000 going to the sheriff’s budget each year.
Under the agreement, Morgan agreed that 50 percent of Law Enforcement Trust fund monies will go toward funding school resource officers. If that is not possible, the remainder can be used to offset other ECSO general fund expenditures as allowed by law.
Commissioners Steven Barry and Lumon May voted against the agreement.
Morgan asked for over $2 million when he appealed his budget to Scott last October to help with pay compression issues.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott and Escambia County David Morgan during a meeting October 5, 2017, at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center concerning then Tropical Storm Nate. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Two For Questioning In Tuesday Cantonment Shooting
March 15, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking two people for questioning only in a shooting Tuesday on Well Line Road in Cantonment.
Deputies want to talk to 22-year old Seth Fuller and 30-year old Summer Campbell.
An adult male was shot about 3:45 p.m. at a home in the 400 block of Well Line Road, near Lakeview Avenue.
“It appears he was involved is some type of drug transaction,” Major Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said shortly after the shooting. “Deputies on scene were working to determine a possible suspect.”
The victim was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Fuller of Campbell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. They are wanted for questioning only and have not been named suspects in the case.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Wreck Involving Century’s Mayor
March 15, 2018
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins was uninjured in two-vehicle crash Wednesday near Gonzalez that sent his passenger to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 17-year old Andrew Anderson of Crestview was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and trailer south on Highway 95A at Roberts Road when he turned in front of a northbound 2008 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Hawkins.
Anderson and Hawkins were uninjured in 12:54 p.m. crash. Hawkin’s passenger, 57-year old Maxine Simpson of Century, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital, according to troopers.
Anderson was cited by the FHP for failing to yield right of way to oncoming traffic when making a left turn.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Gets Life In Prison For 2016 Murder
March 15, 2018
A Cantonment man will spend the rest of his life in state prison for a 2016 murder.
An Escambia County jury previosly found 21-year-old Marquis Derrell Bryant guilty of second degree murder. The life sentence was handed down Wednesday by Circuit Judge Scott Duncan.
Bryant shot 29-year old Alphonso Leon Griffin, who was found in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Sheppard Street in Cantonment just after 9 p.m. on July 23, 2016. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later passed away.
Bryant was previously sentenced to five years in state prison for a bribery charge. He offered to pay a law enforcement officer to let him go in connection with the arrest in the murder case.
Bryant was captured by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office just five days before the shooting, but not placed under arrest.
On Sunday, July 17, 2016, Bryant allegedly stole a classic Ford Mustang. On Monday, July 18, 2016, deputies spotted Bryant in the stolen 1965 Mustang at 3:47 p.m. near Hicks Street and Muscogee Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, Bryant refused.
The deputy followed the vehicle, not exceeding the speed limit. Bryant opened the driver’s side door while the vehicle was still in motion. He then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.
The Sheriff’s Office said Bryant was located by a K-9 a short time later.
Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said at the time that deputies suspected that Bryant ingested some type of narcotics before being captured. He was transported to a local hospital for medical care. Hobbs declined to say which day Bryant was released from the hospital, citing medical privacy laws.
Hobbs said deputies submitted a grand theft auto warrant for judicial review. At the time of the murder, the warrant had not yet been signed by a judge.
Florida Senator Rubio Files Bills For Year Round Daylight Saving Time
March 15, 2018
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio backed state legislators Wednesday by filing separate bills aimed at keeping Florida — and the nation — on daylight-saving time throughout the year.
The Legislature during this year’s session approved a bill that calls for year-round daylight-saving time in Florida. The change, if supported by Gov. Rick Scott, ultimately would require congressional approval.
“Reflecting the will of the Sunshine State, I proudly introduce these bills that would approve Florida’s will and, if made nationally, would also ensure Florida is not out of sync with the rest of the nation,” Rubio said in a prepared statement Wednesday.
A news release from Rubio’s office pointed to several potential benefits from the change, including that additional daylight in evenings could reduce car crashes, help lead to more physical activity that would reduce childhood obesity and reduce the number of robberies.
The Florida PTA Legislative Committee, meanwhile, tweeted opposition to the proposal because of how the change would affect students.
“It’s not the will of the PTA as it will negatively impact the safety of our children in the morning,” the committee tweeted Wednesday. “We don’t need more children standing in the dark waiting for a bus.”
The idea of year-round daylight-saving time has been promoted as a way to help the state’s tourism industry, as people would be able to stay out later with the additional sunlight. Hawaii and most of Arizona currently don’t participate in switching from standard time to daylight-saving time and back. They stay on standard time throughout the year.
Daylight-saving time started Sunday and is scheduled to end this year on November 4.
by The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Teens For Christ Members Remember School Shooting, Violence Members
March 15, 2018
Wednesday morning, Teens for Christ members at Ernest Ward Middle School remembered the school shooting victims from Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. The event before school honored not only the 17 school shooting victims at Parkland, but all victims of violence in the United States.
“At lot of us get scared,” student Kara Hawkins of when a school shooting occurs. “There is a lot of anger and fear and sadness. A lot of people want to make it like a big conflict and talk about gun rights and all that, but what we really need to be doing is praying and just giving this world back to God. And saying ‘God it is in your hands’. We can’t control what is happening.”
“In the Bible….God says ‘do not fear’ 365 times. If it’s telling you do not fear everyday, ten you need to know you don’t need to be fearing. He has it all under control,” Hawkins told about 125 students on the front lawn of the school.
Betty Coon, Teens for Christ faculty sponsor, rang a bell 17 times – once for each of the 17 Parkland victims.
The ceremony was planned weeks ago and was not part of the “National Walkout Day” movement, according to Ronnie Gill, EWMS Teens for Christ volunteer sponsor.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Presents Story Time To Century Camp Fire Kids
March 15, 2018
The first story time with Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Unit was held Wednesday at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center.
The children heard a great story while learning about what is hot and what is not, and learning about how to get out and stay out of a house in the event of a fire.
Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Unit is offering free story time sessions for Escambia County preschoolers and kindergarteners, furthering ECFR’s goal of educating local youth about practicing fire safety at home.
Firefighters are available to come to schools, day cares and preschools to read the children’s book “No Dragons for Tea,” which shows kids that learning about fire safety doesn’t have to be scary. The goal of the program is to reach children at a young age while promoting learning through reading.
To schedule a story time, contact ECFR’s Fire Prevention Unit at (850) 471-6525. One week’s notice prior to the requested date is needed, subject to scheduling availability.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
#MSDSTRONG: Tate High Students Show Support For School Shooting Victims
March 15, 2018
Students at Tate High School High School stood with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday and remembered the 17 lives lost in the February shooting at the Parkland, FL school. The Tate students wore maroon, black and gray. They also wrote the hashtag #MSDSTRONG on their hands to support the cause as a student body. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Sawmill Pageant Final Registration Set, Poster Contest Winners Named
March 15, 2018
Poster contest winners have been named in advance of Saturday’s final registration event for the annual Century Sawmill Pageant.
First place winner in the Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest was Amber Gilman, while second place was awarded to Kinzie Rackard. Both received cash prizes.
The remaining registration date is Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Southern Treasures Florist across from Whataburger in Century. The registration deadline will be March 23 by 5 p.m. For a printable registration form and more information, click here.
The pageant is for girls age 0 and up through high school students. There will be a $250 scholarship awarded to both the middle and high school division overall queens.
Pictured top: Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest winners Amber Gilman and Kinzie Rackard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.