Deputies Searching For Wanted Cantonment Felon
September 6, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a wanted Cantonment man.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Anthony Antonio Purifoy Jr. has two active warrants for two counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He is a current or former resident of the 400 block of Robinson Street in Cantonment, according to county records.
If you see Anthony Purifoy Jr. or know his whereabouts, contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 6, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 31 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Environmental Investigator Hughes was contacted by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Manager and a Solid Waste Compliance Inspector to discuss a complaint involving ads placed online advertising clean fill materials that could be deposited on-site free of charge. An additional ad advertised the disposal of yard trash debris onsite for $20 per ton. The location of the complaint was determined to be private property in Escambia County. Investigator Hughes was informed the site location was not permitted by DEP to receive solid waste materials. During a two-week period, crew members of the commercial land clearing / tree trimming company disposed approximately 11 truckloads of yard trash debris and 3 loads of mulch from various job sites at the unpermitted facility. Investigator Hughes issued the property owner a written warning and a manager of the commercial land clearing / trimming company a notice to appear citation for disposing solid waste at an unpermitted facility.
Lieutenant Hahr was on foot patrol in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when he saw two men and a woman who appeared to be smoking cannabis. When he met them in the parking area, he smelled the odor of cannabis and addressed the group. One of the subjects attempted to discard a bundle of cannabis and methamphetamine. The man was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Captive Wildlife Investigator Nelson charged an individual for unlawful possession of a Class II serval without a permit and the unlawful importation of the serval into the state.
Officer Lewis responded to a complaint that a couple were smoking marijuana at a popular swimming area in the Blackwater State Forest. When he arrived, he spotted the couple in the parking area. After smelling the odor of cannabis, he found both to be in possession of cannabis and paraphernalia. Both were given notices to appear for the violations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Firemen Aid Three Adults, Two Babies In Distress On Perdido River
September 6, 2017
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue came to the aid of three adults and two babies who had been in a canoe on the Perdido River Tuesday afternoon. The group had ended up further downstream than intended and in distress, near the Muscogee Road bridge. There were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Drug Ring Leader Gets 20 Years After Wiretap Investigation
September 6, 2017
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for drug trafficking.
Alfred Hayes entered a no contest plea to conspiracy to traffic in heroin, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone and trafficking in methamphetamine. Hayes was sentenced by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 20 years in state prison to be followed by 10 years of probation.
The charges stem from a wiretap investigation from March to May of 2016 which identified an organization that distributed significant quantities of narcotics in Escambia County. Alfred Hayes was arrested on May 8, 2016, and was found to be in possession of one kilogram of methamphetamine and $32,000 in cash.
The investigation revealed that Alfred Hayes was the primary leader of a drug distribution ring in Escambia County.
Supreme Court Won’t Reconsider Slots Decision On Poarch Creek Gretna Track
September 6, 2017
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to reconsider a high-profile ruling that blocked a Poarch Creek Indian managed pari-mutuel facility in Gadsden County from offering slot machines.
Justices, as is common, did not explain their reasons for turning down a request by Gretna Racing for a rehearing. The decision was unanimous, though Justice Peggy Quince was recused.
Gretna Racing argued that it should be able to offer slot machines because Gadsden County voters approved allowing slots in a referendum. But the Supreme Court, in a May ruling, said the decision about allowing pari-mutuels to offer slot machines rests with the Legislature, not voters.
The case had broad implications because voters in seven other counties — Brevard, Duval, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington — also have approved allowing slot machines in referendums.
by The News Service of Florida
Tolls, Livestock Restrictions Lifted As Irma Threatens Florida
September 6, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday directed the Florida Department of Transportation to suspend tolls across the state as residents and tourists evacuate areas that could be in the path of powerful Hurricane Irma. Scott said he made the move to keep traffic flowing and that the suspension will continue for the “duration of the storm’s impacts to Florida.” Also Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced the suspension of rules on moving livestock and pets within the state. “By suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals, we can ensure that Floridians and visitors can quickly and safely move their pets and livestock out of harm’s way,” Putnam said in a prepared statement. Also, Putnam said Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi have waived requirements related to moving livestock and pets from Florida.
Three People, Including Toddler, Injured In Crash Near Barrineau Park
September 5, 2017
Three people, including a toddler, were injured in single vehicle crash Monday night near Barrineau Park.
The vehicle left the roadway about 9:15 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 196 and struck a large tree. Two adults, ages 27 and 79, and a 3-year old were transported by by ambulance to an area hospital with injuries that were no considered serious.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview, Escambia Academy Cheerleaders And Bands
September 5, 2017
Escambia Academy defeated the Northview Chiefs Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery of the cheerleaders and bands from both schools from Friday night, click here.
For a photo gallery of football action as Escambia Academy beat Northview, click here.
For a game recap story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Declares State Of Emergency For Entire State Of Florida
September 5, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday placed all of Florida under a state of emergency as the projected path of Hurricane Irma could take the powerful storm toward the southern tip of the state by the end of the week.
The declaration is intended to give local governments in all 67 counties time to prepare, the governor’s office said.
“Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared,” Scott said in a statement.
“Today, given these forecasts and the intensity of this storm, I have declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida to make certain that state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm,” he added.
Scott has been advising people the past couple of days — through Twitter — to prepare for the storm by visiting the Florida Department of Emergency Management’s disaster page: floridadisaster.org/getaplan/.
“Families should take time today to make sure you have a disaster plan and fully-stocked disaster supply kit,” Scott tweeted on Monday. “I am continuing to coordinate with emergency management officials as we monitor Hurricane Irma.”
As of 5 p.m. on Monday, the storm system, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, was located about 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands, which are about 1,400 miles east of South Florida.
The storm was moving towards the west at 13 mph.
The National Hurricane Center said Monday that while it’s too early to determine where the storm will go, “There is an increasing chance of seeing some impacts from Irma in the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys later this week and this weekend.”
Irma threatens Florida little more than a year after Hurricane Hermine made landfall in Northwest Florida. Hermine was the first hurricane to hit the state in more than a decade.
The new storm also threatens amid recovery efforts in Texas after the catastrophic Hurricane Harvey.
“In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared,” Scott said in Monday’s statement. “This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape.”
by The News Service of Florida
OneBlood Urging Donations As Hurricane Irma Looms
September 5, 2017
As all eyes are on Hurricane Irma, OneBlood, the local not-for-profit blood center serving Florida and the majority of the Southeast, says it must begin storm preparations now and is urging all eligible blood donors to donate before Irma potentially impacts its service area.
OneBlood says the current path of Hurricane Irma is too close for comfort and that now is the time to alert the public that an increase in donations is needed. The most critical time for blood donations is prior to any storm in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event.
Hurricanes can disrupt the blood supply for several days. This scenario unfolded in Texas after Hurricane Harvey devastated the area last week. Blood centers in the Lone Star state were unable to collect and OneBlood stepped in and sent several shipments of blood to help patients until the blood centers in Texas were able to resume operations.
This week, OneBlood has been called upon to assist the blood center in Puerto Rico and has already sent 100 units of blood to the island as they prepare for Irma’s arrival.
In order to ensure a ready blood supply OneBlood is urging all eligible blood donors to donate now. While all blood types are needed, there is an increased need for O Negative and O Positive blood as well as platelet and plasma donations.
OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to make blood donation part of their storm preparations and visit a donor center or Big Red Bus as soon as possible. For a list of OneBlood locations visit www.oneblood.org.
Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. To learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type visit oneblood.org.