Narcotics Search Finds Drugs, Stolen Gun At Home Next To John R. Jones Park, Four Charged
November 21, 2020
Four people were arrested after a search warrant was executed at a home directly next to the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex on Nine Mile Road.
Tony Darlus Goodwin, 59; Jason Wayne Quick, 31; Michele Vincenzo Aiello, 32; and John Henry Croxdale, 57, were all arrested on narcotics related charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served a search warrant in the 300 block of Holly Street. Inside the home, deputies discovered 92 grams of heroin, 219 grams of methamphetamine, 132 grams of marijuana, 3.5 grams of cocaine, 5.3 grams of psilocybin, a firearm that was reported as stolen in 1989, and more than $6,000 in cash, according to the ECSO.
Vernon Defeats Northview In Regional Semifinals (With Photo Gallery)
November 21, 2020
The Vernon Yellow Jackets defeated the Northview Chiefs 34-19 Friday night in the 1A regional semifinals.
“It was not what we were looking for. We had some chances, and it got kind of close, but we just squandered opportunities,” first year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “When you get a team like Vernon close like that….you’ve got to take advantage of that. We just let it slip away.”
The Northview Chiefs finished their pandemic shortened season at 7-2 overall.
Not exactly where Summerford wanted to be on a November night, but he said he would like back at the season knowing his Chiefs learned a little more than football this year.
“What we are trying to instill is the Northview way. We are going to take care of ourselves. I tell them all the time there is a lot more than just football, he said. “That’s what we are trying to build here. I think if we can get that going, that mentality that we are going to do the right thing all the time, the football will take care of itself eventually.”
“We’ll get there. We’ll get there, no doubt.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Falls Short In AISA State Championship Game
November 21, 2020
The Escambia Academy Cougars came up short Friday night in the AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The Cougars lost 36-34 to Chambers Academy of LaFayette, Alabama.
Bubba Nettles had five touchdowns for the Cougars and had 222 total rushing yards.
The Escambia Academy Cougars finished their season at 10-2..
Pictured: The Escambia Academy Cougars caeme up short inthe AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Photos by Andrew Garner/The Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Out Of The Running To Be The Future Home Of U.S. Space Command
November 21, 2020
Pensacola is out of the running to be home to the new headquarters for U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).
Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida, will be one of six locations to participate in the next phase of the process. Brevard joins Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska as finalists.
Pensacola was one of Florida’s communities that applied to be home of Space Command Headquarters. Pensacola made it to the evaluation phase, and in August, replied to questionnaires from the Air Force to assess each Pnesacola’s ability to host, employ and sustain the headquarters of USSPACECOM.
In August of 2019, U.S. Space Command was established as the military’s 11th unified combatant command. The Air Force has said that it expects to announce a final site next year, but that it could take up to six years to construct new facilities. During that time, USSPACECOM will remain provisionally headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Pictured: Downtown Pensacola, with an added U.S. Space Command logo. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Friday Night High School Football Playoff Scores
November 21, 2020
Here are high school football playoff scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
1A Region Semifinal
- Story, photos…]
- Baker 34, Freeport 22
3A Region Semifinal
- Florida University HS, 34, Pensacola Catholic 27
5A Quarterfinal
- Tallahassee Rickards 38, West Florida 16
- Pine Forest 21, Suwannee 20
6A Quarterfinal
- St. Augustine 48, Escambia 27
- Pace 23, Jacksonville Lee 21
7A Quarterfinal
- Buchholz 35, Navarre 21
- Niceville 42, Leon 0
ALABAMA
AISA Class 2A Championship
- Chambers Academy 36, Escambia Academy 34 [Story, photos...]
Here’s How Escambia County Has Spent CARES Act Funds So Far; Thousands Of Applications Waiting For Approval
November 20, 2020
The Escambia County Commissioner initially set aside $3.5 million in CARES Act funds to be distributed directly to Escambia County residents in the form of direct payments. The commission later increased the amount of available funds to $16.5 million and the individual grant’s amount from $2,000 to $3,000.
According to Deputy County Administrator Chips Kirschenfeld, more than 4,900 grant applications are in the final approval stages before funding. Once these grants have been funded, an additional 600 will be approved for funding from the remaining applications. Kirschenfeld said that the county would be able to utilize all $16.5 million earmarked for this program.
Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services Department, said that approvals are continuing and anticipates the completion of the approval process for the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant by the first week of December.
“We are working feverishly to finalize all of the applications and get the money in the hands of our citizens,” Long said. “We know this is important to those who applied, but we must do our diligence in making sure that these grants are distributed accurately. We ask that the applicants be patient and wait for a response before contacting our office. That will help us process all of the applications and get this money into the hands of our residents faster.”
Assistant County Administrator Debbie Bowers indicated that the Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant program was continuing, with more than 80 applicants still needing review.
The grant programs are a good portion of the CARES Act funding that the county has at its disposal to assist with additional expenses or hardships related to COVID-19. In all, $18.7 million of $57.2 million is dedicated to county residents or businesses.
Along with the grants, in its continuing efforts to assist the community, Escambia County also agreed to distribute $3.65 million in funding initiatives for its citizens. Nearly $2.4 million is allocated to the Escambia Serves program, and the county has apportioned $1.25 million for rapid testing programs.
The Escambia Serves programs benefit county residents through the Feeding the Gulf Coast. Escambia County has also dedicated monies to establish and boost broadband internet service at its parks and community centers, allowing its residents to access the internet at socially distanced locations throughout the county.
Community Health Northwest Florida and Ascension Sacred Heart will be receiving $1.25 million in funding for rapid testing. Rapid testing is essential because it provides potentially infected individuals access to results much quicker so they can reliably begin the quarantine process much sooner.
The county initially received 25% percent of CARES Act money upfront from the federal government by way of the State of Florida. It has until Dec. 3 to encumber the remaining expenses.
To finalize its expenditure plan to submit to the state, the Board eliminated the FEMA Reimbursement category and reassigned more than $60,000 to the COVID Operations and Oversight category. The Board also increased the total funding for the COVID Operations and Oversight category to $400,000 to account for additional staffing needed to complete the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant program.
The Board also authorized additional expenses to be paid by CARES Act funding:
- A budget of up to $250,000 for the OpenGov Software Service Agreement, allowing for remote budget management
- Expenses for the medical examiner’s office of $107,195.88 in COVID-19 related costs and $51,454.02 in salary
- The implementation of a Human Resource Information System for the Clerk of Court and the county
- An increase in inmate transportation services by Escambia County Sheriff from $23 to $28 per hour
- Coronavirus relief aid in the amount of $2,204,714.40 for the City of Pensacola
- Increase COVID-19 Operations and Oversight to $400,000
In all, the Board ratified the spending categories for the $57.3 million in CARES Act funding. In total, $30.3 million is allocated to Public Health and Safety, $19.6 million to resident and business grant programs, $3.4 million to Government Response and Compliance, $2.3 million to Escambia Serves programs, $1.25 million to Rapid Testing and $400,000 to COVID-19 Operations and Oversight.
Molino Convicted Felon Charged After Allegedly Pawning Shotgun
November 20, 2020
A convicted felon from Molino was arrested after allegedly pawning a shotgun.
Alexander George Deloach, 24, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, DeLoach pawned a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun at Cash America Pawn on Nine Mile Road for $100. Surveillance video showed Deloach enter the store with the shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle before exiting the store with the rifle. A pawn shop employee told deputies that they would not take the rusted rifle due to its poor condition.
The fingerprint on the pawn ticket was that of Deloach, according to an arrest report.
Court records show Deloach has a previous felony conviction for fleeing and eluding from law enforcement.
Deloach was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Bratt Elementary’s Emily Tullis Named School District’s Stellar Employee Of The Month
November 20, 2020
Emily Tullis of Bratt Elementary School was name the Escambia County School District’s Stellar Employee of the Month for November. Tullis is the data specialist at Bratt Elementary and has been with the school district for 16 years. She is pictured above with Superintendent Timothy Smith and below with Bratt Principal Karen Hall at an Escambia County School Board meeting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Prepares To Begin Driving Piles For Pensacola Bay Bridge Repair
November 20, 2020
As demolition progresses on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is preparing to begin driving piles, concrete posts that are driven into the ground to act as a leg or support for the new bridge, the first week of December.
The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams continues in preparation for reconstruction. The inventory of concrete piles and beams continues to increase with production coming from the Pensacola precast yard and a facility in Tampa.
Over the past several weeks, the department conducted extensive research to find additional mobility options that would provide the most benefit to the impacted communities. After gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a people-moving ferry, FDOT has determined that option would not be feasible or provide the maximum assistance possible for the region. FDOT remains committed to working with local communities while also providing residents and visitors a free, temporary bus route to help transport passengers between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze through Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT).
To date, FDOT has:
- Mobilized multiple contractors working around the clock to facilitate construction and minimize impacts to the existing structure.
- Approved multiple construction design plans and is reviewing additional design plans for the permanent repairs that address the reconstruction of spans for the bridge and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge at the same condition as expected for new construction.
- Widened 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange and widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes to improve travel time on the detour route.
- Met with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Sunday, December 13.
Man Charged In Vehicle Title Scam; FHP Executes Search Warrant In Cottage Hill
November 19, 2020
A Cantonment man was arrested in a vehicle title scheme after a search warrant was executed this week at his Cottage Hill home.
Lawrence Trevon Lee, Jr., age 24, was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence with felony fraud for obtaining goods etc. with a an invalid vehicle title, felony fraud for possession similitude of a driver’s license and felony fraud swindle for obtaining property between $20,000 and $50,000.
Lee allegedly financed a Mercedes-Benz C-Class using a false social security number in February 2020 but never made a payment before engaging in the title washing scheme.
In May, the finance company received contact from a towing and recovery company claiming a towing lien. A third party claimed he purchased the vehicle from a towing company in Alabama after it was allegedly found abandoned without an engine an other parts. He offered to release the vehicle back to the finance company for $4.500. That person, according to FHP, was Lee pretending to be someone else.
An attorney for the finance company contacted authorities, believing they were victims of a vehicle title scheme amounting to $30,000 plus finance charges.
A Florida Highway Patrol investigator found a picture of Lee with the Mercedes CL300 on his Facebook page. The photo was taken in front of the house he occupied on Soft Point Drive in Cottage Hill.
The investigator wrote in his report that the towing company filed a fraudulent tow and title storage application with the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office. According to the FHP report, an individual at the towing company is currently under investigation for multiple fraudulent title applications.
Two other “lien washes” involving Lee and the man at the towing company were discovered by the FHP investigator, the report states.
This week, the Florida Highway Patrol served a search warrant at the home on Soft Point Drive with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies. The search warrant produced evidence further linking Lee to the title scheme, his arrest report states.
Lee was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Additional arrests are expected in the case.
Pictured: The Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies execute a search warrant at a home on Soft Point Drive in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
