ECSO Seeks Two For Questioning About Murder Of 16-Year Old
January 21, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two men for questioning only about the murder of a 16-year old in late December.
Investigators want to question Andetrius Mershon Bivins and Trenton Dominic Capri Newkirk, both age 20, about the December 29 homicide of Jeffrey Kennell, Jr. at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia Legislative Delegation Supports Term Limits For ECUA Board Members
January 21, 2021
A bill that will impose term limits on members of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has been endorsed by the Escambia County Legislative Delegation.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, now serving her first term in the Florida House, proposed the bill and has received the support of delegation members Sen. Doug Broxson and Rep. Alex Andrade,. That almost ensures that it will pass the Legislature and become law this year; local bills impacting local areas usually pass without any opposition.
The bill will limit ECUA board members to three, four-year terms.
Salzman set out to rewrite that legislative act that gives ECUA its authority after a 2018 grand jury investigation that was not made public until September 2020.
“I’m not trying to create a political issue or red tape, but we just need to make sure we don’t make those mistakes again. If we don’t see a positive change, we can do more or consider dissolving the entity altogether if that is best for the citizens,” Salzman told NorthEscambia.com last month. “The current way the special act is written, there is no authority over the five board members, no way to hold them accountable for how they operate.”
While she did not specifically mention him, Larry Walker served on the ECUA board representing District 5 for nearly three decades — from 1988 to 2000 and 2004 until his defeat by political newcomer Kevin Stephens in 2020.
Salzman first called for an oversight board appointed by the Escambia County Commission and Pensacola City Council, but backed upon from that proposal.
“We don’t need to remove the whole reason ECUA is there; we don’t need to take all of their authority away from them,” Salzman said.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Library To Be Closed Most Of February For Remodel
January 21, 2021
The Century Branch Library will be closed for three weeks in February for an extensive interior remodel.
The remodel will feature an expansion of the children’s area by reducing on-site storage. There will also be improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility, an improved adult reading area, new carpet, new paint, new lighting and new furnishings.
An additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle area and tables have already been added outside the library.
While the library will be closed, Feeding the Gulf Coast youth meals will be available for the week each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Library materials that have been reserved through the library’s website will also be available each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Borrowed items can be returned during the closure by using the outdoor book drop on the south side of the building.
Pictured: Some of the outside improvements at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Jailed After FDLE K-9 Sniffs Out Devices Containing Child Porn
January 21, 2021
An Escambia County man is jailed after a K-9 sniffed out electronic devices containing child pornography during the execution of a search warrant Wednesday.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a child pornography search warrant at a home in the 2700 block of Godwin Lane.
With the assistance of FDLE Agent Stephanie Cassidy and her K-9 “Maple,” deputies were able to locate an electronic storage devices containing child pornography at the home. Cassidy trained Maple to sniff out anything that can digitally store information like USB drives, hidden cameras, computers, thumb drives, cellphones, CDs and DVDs.
ECSO’s lead investigator Suzanne Pollack arrested 26 -year old Aaron Michael Rogers, charging him with 13 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of transmission of child pornography. Rogers was booked in the Escambia County Jail with a $132,500 bond.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway In Molino This Saturday
January 21, 2021
UF IFAS Extension and the Escambia County Natural Resources Department will hold a drive-through tree giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m., or until supplies last, this Saturday in Molino.
The event will be held at the Escambia County 4-H Camp and Livestock Facility located at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino. The giveaway begins promptly at 9 a.m., and attendees will need to follow instructions from volunteers related to entry and route. To keep everyone healthy, attendees will be asked to stay in their vehicles and wear a mask when approached by volunteers. Each vehicle will receive two free native 1 gallon trees. Species available include overcup oak, willow oak, sweetgum and Savannah holly.
Participants and anyone interested in tree care are encouraged to watch a free online seminar at noon on January 21 entitled, “Tree Planting: More than Digging a Hole,” to learn proper tree planting and care techniques. The presentation will go over the types of trees being given away, as well. Registration for the webinar can be found at: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gfLeX5SRpGCvJmbD_Qo0w
Arbor Day Mail Art Contest
Escambia County Extension will also host their 4th annual Arbor Day Mail Art Contest this year. To participate, mail a drawing, painting, photograph or mixed media artwork with the theme, “Renew, Regrow, and Reforest” to Arbor Day Art Contest c/o Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Please include your name, age, and contact information on the back of your artwork. Contest entries must arrive by mail or be dropped off by January 25.
First place winners of the art contest will receive prizes including a seven-gallon tree, a shovel and a tree book. Second place winners will receive a tree book and third place winners will receive gardening supplies. Categories include children (12-under), teen (13-18) and adult (over 18). Winners will be announced via Facebook Live on January 29, and prizes given out by appointment. Resource Management Services provided support for the art contest.
File photo.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Set New Record This Week
January 21, 2021
The number of daily local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached new record this week.
There were 284 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Monday. The number was 261 on Wednesday.
During a summer surge, local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of 246 on July 20.
According to Escambia County, there were 19 adult ICU beds available in Escambia County Wednesday night — none at Baptist, five at West Florida and 14 at Sacred Heart.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
Escambia County Man Arrested On Charges Related To U.S. Capitol Attack
January 20, 2021
An Escambia County man has been arrested for his alleged role in mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Jesus D. Rivera, 37, was taken into custody at his residence Wednesday morning for his alleged role in the riot and siege at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the Jacksonville Field Office of the FBI.
Rivera is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol buildings or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol buildings.
According to federal court documents, Rivera uploaded to his Facebook account a five minute video showing a crowd of individuals in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Approximately 13 seconds into the video, Rivera changed the direction
of the camera toward the individual recording the video and Rivera’s face is clearly visible. The video ends with the individual recording the footage, Rivera, beginning to climb out of a window.
Rivera uploaded two other videos to Facebook that allegedly show Rivera approaching the U.S. Capitol and then on the U.S. Capitol grounds surrounded by individuals demonstrating or protesting. In the videos, Rivera states, “record numbers here in DC.”. Rivera late states, “hey guys, if you are on here, share this live because I am about to take my ass to the middle of the state Capitol and see what’s going on, where they are trying to jump in.”
Rivera’s Facebook account has since been deleted.
Pictured: Screenshots from Facebook videos that allegedly show suspect Jesus D. Rivera of Pensacola inside the U.S. Capitol and on the Capitol grounds. Pictured inset: Rivera’s driver’s license photo.
500 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Made Available ForThursday In Molino
January 20, 2021
UPDATE: All available appointments were taken within minutes of NorthEscambia.com posting this story.
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart plans to hold another COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday at the Molino Community Center.
The vaccination team from Ascension Sacred Heart will vaccinate approximately 500 people aged 65 and older.
Vaccinations are by appointment only and walk-up visitors will not be accepted. Vaccinations must be scheduled online by visiting www.getsacredheartcare.com. Appointments were available at the time of publication.
The State of Florida has not received nearly enough vaccine to provide the shots to the 4.5 million residents of the state who are 65 and older. Ascension Sacred Heart has stepped up to support the community, the state, and the Florida Department of Health in distributing vaccines as it becomes available.
Ascension Medical Group has vaccinated more than 8,000 seniors in Northwest Florida. Scheduled appointments have filled very quickly in clinics held so far due to the strong demand for the new vaccines. Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled by Ascension Medical Group and the Department of Health as more is supplied to the state.
Century Council Can’t Agree To Allow 300 Foot Cell Tower By Showalter Park Or The Library
January 20, 2021
The Century Town Council could not reach a consensus Tuesday night to allow a new 300-foot tall cell tower to be built next to the library or near Showalter Park.
Two parcels owned by the town were under consideration for the tower site:
- A 0.698 acre lot directly south of the Century Branch Library. The tower would be located less than 50 feet from the library property, which is owned by Escambia County.
- A 0.68 acre area located on the northeast corner of the town’s maintenance building property on Alger Road, just across the railroad tracks from the playground at Showalter Park.
“I would not want a tower in my neighborhood,” council member Sandra McMurray Jackson said. “They don’t want it on Alger Road … I’m going to respect those residents.” She said Alger Road residents were concerned about possible ill effects to their health, and she said there would be no changing their minds.
Council President Luis Gomez said he did not think the tower belonged along Highway 29, between the library and a commercial building he owns. He said that while he personally does not want it located on Highway 29, it is important to consider that someone might want to locate a business on the property in the future.
“We need cellphone service in Century,” Gomez said. “No one wants to put a business in Century with the stagnant service we have.”
A motion by council member James Smith to locate the tower at the town’s shop on Alger Road and a motion by Jackson to locate it on Highway 29 both failed to reach a vote due to a lack of seconds.
Diamond Towers had requested a variance to the required 200 foot setback requirement for the tower. At 300 feet, the tower would be about the equivalent of a 30 story building, according to interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
If the council had approved, Diamond Towers would have leased one of the two properties at $1,000 total for one year with an optional extension for one more year at $1,000. Once a tower was constructed, Diamond’s lease would have increased to $1,500 per month for at least five years, with another $500 per month due for additional cellular providers collocated on the tower.
Pictured: This lot next to the Century Branch Library was one of two locations under consideration for a 300-foot tall cell tower. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Announces Top Five Teachers Of The Year
January 20, 2021
The Escambia County School District has named the Top 5 Teachers of the Year.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- Rochelle Carmichael — Workman Middle School
- Stephanie Connors — Washington High School
- Briana McCreary — Montclair Elementary
- Heather McWethy — A.K. Suter Elementary
- Mercedes Musto — Alternative Education
An overall Teacher of the Year will be announced January 29 during the Golden Apple award ceremony.