Local First Responders Going On Donut Strike For Manna
June 18, 2024
Local law enforcement and fire departments are going on strike later this month — once again teaming up again to fight hunger for the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.
The brave men and women are going on strike against the doughnuts from Wednesday, June 26 through Friday, June 28 to encourage the community to fight local hunger by supporting Manna. They won’t give in until truckloads of nutritious food have been donated to the cause.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations. A list of donation sites will be published just before the event here on NorthEscambia.com.
Food donations and financial gifts to Manna may also be dropped off at their headquarters, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the week of the Strike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Because the cost of food and other essentials is rising, Manna is experiencing even greater demand than is typical in the summer months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “At the same time, food donations are down, as everybody feels the pinch on their budgets. Every day, our first responders see children and families who are struggling — and we are so grateful for their efforts to impact change.”
This is the seventh year of the Donut Strike and so far, the pastry protest has raised more than 160,000 healthy meals to help fight hunger in our communities.
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
Pictured: Donations were collected in 2023 for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Charged With Attempted Murder Of Another Juvenile In Atmore
June 18, 2024
A juvenile has been charged with shooting another juvenile in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department said Monday that officers responded to the 300 block of Everette Street in reference to a shots fired complaint about 5:35 p.m. last Friday.
While enroute to the scene, officers were notified that a juvenile had been shot and was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. APD said the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
On Saturday, a juvenile suspect was arrested without incident in Baldwin County and charged with attempted murder.\\
The Atmore Police Department has not released the names of the juveniles.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Veterans Town Hall Set For Thursday
June 18, 2024
A Veterans Town Hall will be held Thursday in Pensacola.
The event will take place at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
VA leadership and staff will be available at 11 a.m. until noon to answer questions and provide VA health care and benefit resources. The meeting portion of the town hall will begin at noon and will begin with a question and answer opportunity for veterans.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to register here.
Driver’s License, Tax Collector Services Available Thursday In Century
June 18, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on Thursday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
Pictured: MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center last week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The Chosen 12U Wins Montgomery Tournament
June 18, 2024
The Chosen 12U softball team went undefeated to take first place in a weekend tournament in Montgomery. The victories included a nail-biting squeeze bunt in extra innings for the semi-final victory and a 3-2 thriller in the championship game. The Chosen 12U softball team is home-based in Century with players from Century and the surrounding area. The Chosen team was founded last year in support of one of the player’s mother battling breast cancer. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Pensacola Employee Scholarships Awarded
June 18, 2024
The I.P. Pensacola Employees Scholarship Foundation recently announced the recipients of its annual college scholarships. This year, two outstanding high school seniors have been awarded scholarships to support their higher education pursuits.
The foundation awarded two scholarships of $1,000 each to Maggie Godwin who will attend the University of West Florida and Ashlyn Greeson who will attend Auburn University.
“We are delighted to support the educational aspirations of our employees’ children by awarding these scholarships,” said Laura Osborne, president of the I.P. Employees Scholarship Foundation. “Investing in their future not only honors the dedication of our workforce, but also strengthens our community.”
For more than 40 years, these scholarships have been awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence. Eligibility criteria include being a child of a current or retired employee of the International Paper Pensacola Mill, acceptance into an accredited institution of higher learning, and submission of an application accompanied by a qualifying ACT score.
Pictured: Scholarship winners Maggie Godwin (left) and Ashlyn Greeson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon Charged With Death Of His Wife
June 17, 2024
A Santa Rosa County plastic surgeon has been charged with the death of his wife last November following a procedure.
Ben Brown, 41. surrendered at the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday morning on a charge of second-degree felony homicide – manslaughter by culpable negligence.
His wife, 33-year-old Hillary Brown, died a week after a procedure at her husband’s Restore Plastic Surgery office in Gulf Breeze. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into her death at the time.
On May 12, the medical examiner ruled Hillary Brown’s cause of death as “complications following lidocaine toxicity.” In early May, the Florida Department of Health issued an immediate restriction to Dr. Ben Brown’s medical license.
An arrest report state Hillary Brown was scheduled to undergo several procedures, including liposuction, lip injections and ear adjustments, and Dr. Brown documented that she took valium, tramadol, Zofran, and other substances. The report states she assisted in her own procedure by suturing the skin back together.
The report states Dr. Brown continued injecting lidocaine and xylocaine in Hillary’s face. Soon after, she became unresponsive and began to have a seizure, according to the report. An investigation found that a medical assistant asked Dr. Brown multiple times if they should call 911, but he replied “no” or “wait”. The call to 911 was eventually made, and Hillary Brown was transported to the hospital. She never regained consciousness and died a week later, according to the report.
The medical examiner found Hillary Brown “did not overdose by means of self-administered substances”.
The arrest report states, “In conclusion, witness interviews all corroborated that when the victim began to show signs of overdose, Brown continues injecting unknown amounts of lidocaine and did not stop until the victim went into a seizure and cardiac arrest. When this occurred, Brown delayed the reporting of the incident to 911 and used his status as a doctor to do so, when it is required by law. Brown showed a history of allowing unsafe practice to occur and took no precautions for the well being of human life, even after an incident where he could not wake the victim during a procedure in January 2023.”
Driver, 82, Killed In Traffic Crash Northeast Of Jay
June 17, 2024
An 82-year-old Alabama woman was killed in a crash after pulling into the path of a truck Monday afternoon in northern Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman from Castleberry, Alabama, was exiting the parking lot of the Sanhandle Lotto store on Highway 87 just south of the Florida-Alabama state line, about eight miles northeast of Jay. Troopers said she failed to see a tractor-trailer and pulled out in front of it. The truck struck the left side of man’s car, sending it spinning off the roadway.
The 61-year-old truck driver was not injured.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Portion Of Highway 297A And Area
June 17, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON JUNE 19.
Due to a broken 12-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of Highway 297A and the surrounding area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- 2548 – 2611 Hwy 297A.,
- 411 – 441 Pinebrook Cir.,
- 2636 – 2741 Pleasant Valley Dr.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Gulf Coast Recreation Classic Is This Week At John R. Jones Ballpark
June 17, 2024
Escambia County Parks and Recreation is hosting the 2024 Gulf Coast Recreation Classic this week at the John R. Jones Ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
The first games are on Monday and will continue through Saturday.
Game times Monday through Friday are 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:15 p.m. Saturday games will begin at 9:30 a.m. Roger Scott Athletic Complex will host the 10U division games June 17-18 at 5:30 and 7:15 p.
There will 67 recreation-based all-star teams participating in the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Teams consist of youth baseball players ages 7-15. The tournament is open to the public at no charge. All spectators are welcome support the recreation all-stars.
Escambia County teams include players from Northwest Escambia Baseball, NEP Baseball, the Molino Recreation Association, and Perdido Baseball.
“We’re excited to host the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic for the third year in a row,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said. “I’m really proud of our staff for their hard work to make this event happen for our teams. I’d also like to thank our players and their families for their dedication to youth sports. This is a wonderful event for our community, and we look forward to welcoming everyone.”
Pictured: Northwest Escambia won the 10U 2023 championship the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic All-Star Tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.