Local Students Selected To Receive Coveted State FFA Degree
June 11, 2020
Fifteen Escambia and Santa Rosa County FFA members have been selected to receive the coveted State FFA Degree.
The State FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the Florida FFA Association. Each applicant will be recognized during the 2020 Florida FFA Celebration.
Local 2020 State FFA Degree recipients are:
Tate High School
- Grant Robert Gill
- Myles Dillan Harrelson
- Raven Hollis
- Olivia Helen Little
- Madison Elizabeth Lucio
- Gabriel Joseph Pfeuffer-Ferguson
- Ronnie Alexander Plenkers
- Hannah Lee Rogers
- Lindsay Lavelle Von Stein
- Zoe Sunshine Williams
West Florida High School
- Connor Ballard
- Tamara Barnes
- Rainy Ellis
Jay High School
- Logan Ryan Cooley
- Travis Stewart Godwin
The 2020 Florida FFA Celebration will be held June 23-26 online only.
Century Man Facing Battery, Drug Charges After Disturbance With His Brother
June 10, 2020
A Century man is facing battery and drug charges over a disturbance involving his brother.
Aaron Tyrone Madison, Jr., 35, was charged with battery, battery by strangulation and possession of a controlled substance.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard. The individuals involved in the disturbance had left the store and gone to a home nearby on State Line Road. Deputies arrived at the home and observed Madison in a physical altercation with his brother. The brother and several others were yelling at Madison to leave but he instead tried to walk to the rear of the property, according to an arrest report.
When the deputy approached Madison, he observed a clear plastic baggie in his hand and another bag was later found in his pocket. The substance in the bags was believed to be bath salts and will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.
A female at the home stated Madison grabbed his brother around the throat until he passed out and grabbed her by the hair and “slung” her before punching her two times in the cheek.
Madison was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
FHSAA Approves Rule Allowing Football Players To Play Varsity And JV Games Each Week
June 10, 2020
Beginning this season, high school football players in Florida may be allowed to play in varsity and junior varsity games during the same week.
The Florida High School Athletic Association voted Tuesday for a new policy that will waive the one game per week policy and allow players to participate in six quarters per week.
It’s not automatic; each individual school must apply by the Monday of week three of the regular season in order to use the new six-quarter rule. Before approval, the FHSAA football administrator will consider program history along with current and past roster size of the school.
Many smaller schools across the state fail to consistently play junior varsity games for fear of not having enough back up players for their varsity games. That, according to the FHSAA, limits participation and development for players that are not ready to play at the varsity level.
“These lost opportunities to play make it harder to develop younger players and makes it harder to keep 9th and 10th graders engaged in the sport,” FHSAA said.
Pictured: Baker at Northview, September 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Friday In Cottage Hill. Get Rid Of Yard Debris, Junk For Free.
June 10, 2020
Residents of Cottage Hill will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge on Friday during the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The general cleanup area is east of North Highway 95A and north of Eden Lane. Click or tap the map above for the details of the cleanup area.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Convicted Escambia County Sex Offender Gets 50 Years For Probation Violation
June 10, 2020
A convicted sex offender will spend the next five decades in prison for violating his probation.
Charlie Morgan Smith, 40, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison to be followed by a lifetime of probation.
On October 19, 2000, an 18-year old female was leaving Walmart on Mobile Highway when she was forced into her vehicle by Smith. He threatened her with a semi-automatic weapon, took $115 from her, and forced her to drive to a wooded area where he sexually assaulted her. He was convicted and forced to register as a sexual predator.
On October 23, 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a weapon, kidnapping, and robbery with a gun. Smith was sentenced to 22 years in state prison followed by three years on probation. He was released from prison on July 3, 2019, placed on probation and forced to register as a sexual predator.
He absconded from probation in December 2019. In February of 2020, he was arrested for stealing from Walmart. Upon search of his bag, ammunition was also located. He was charged with possession of ammunition by convicted felon and petit theft.
On June 9, Smith pleaded guilty to violation of probation an possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and petit theft. Judge Coleman Robinson sentenced him to 50 years in state prison on the violation of probation charge and 15 years in state prison on the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon to run concurrently.
Atmore Man Was Alabama’s First-Ever ‘Missing and Endangered Person Alert’. He Was Quickly Found Safe.
June 10, 2020
When an 81-year old man with dementia left his home late Sunday afternoon near Atmore, a missing person report was filed with the Atmore Police Department, and local officers began to search.
And a short time later, Alabama issued its first-ever “Missing and Endangered Person Alert”. Within minutes, NorthEscambia.com and other media across Alabama and beyond shared the missing person information for Verbin. L Kemp. About an hour after the alert, Kemp was located on Lowery Landing Road near the Appleton community in northern Escambia County, Alabama.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law an expanded version of Alabama’s Missing Senior Alert, changing the name to the Missing and Endangered Person Alert, effective June 1.
Previously, the Missing Senior Alert was issued for missing citizens with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and at risk of bodily harm or death. The newly expanded alert also includes individuals ages 18 and older who have a mental or physical disability and who are at risk of bodily harm or death.
“In the past, our Alabama Fusion Center has faced the challenge of how to alert the public when a missing individual is too old to meet the criteria for an AMBER or Emergency Missing Child Alert and too young to meet the criteria for a Missing Senior Alert,” Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor said. “We appreciate Governor Ivey and the Llegislature’s support in working with us to ensure some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals who are reported missing are found as quickly as possible.”
According to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, wandering is a danger for 60 percent of those living with Alzheimer’s. The organization recognizes the need to include anyone ages 18 and older who has a mental or physical disability and who is at risk of bodily harm or death in the state’s new Missing and Endangered Person Alert.
The new Missing and Endangered Person alert is one of four alerts in Alabama. The other alerts are:
- AMBER Alert: for a child ages 17 and younger who has been abducted and is believed to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death
- Emergency Missing Child Alert: for a child ages 17 and younger who is missing (not abducted) and believed to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death
- Blue Alert: for a peace officer who is missing, injured or killed and the at-large suspect is believed to be a serious threat to the public
Pictured: Verbin Kemp. Photo below is from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; the photo above was provide to NorthEscambia.com by family.
42-Year Old Cold Case Murder Solved; Real Estate Agent’s Body Was Found At Cantonment Home
June 9, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has solved the 42-year old cold case murder of a real estate agent found dead at an empty home in Cantonment.
On April 7, 1978, the body of 47-year-old Carolyn Cox Rose was discovered in a house in the Pine Forest Hills subdivision off Highway 297A. Rose, who was vice president of Better Homes Realty, received a call to show the empty home. When she did not return, coworkers went to the home to check on her and discovered her body.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators launched a full investigation, several suspects were interviewed and investigated thoroughly. DNA evidence was collected on scene, but lack of technology made it impossible to use for an arrest.
As DNA technology advanced, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator Kevin Coxwell partnered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Parabon NanoLab. Their research revealed Julius William Hill Jr. as Rose’s killer.
In 2007, Hill died in the Victorville United States Penitentiary in California, while serving a 30-year sentence for two different bank robberies.
“We are extending our heartfelt sympathy to the family and descendants of Mrs. Rose. While nothing fills the void of a lost loved one we can at least finally bring closure in knowing justice was served,” Escambia County Sheriff’s David Morgan said.
Semi Truck Hauling Frozen Chicken Overturns On I-10 Bridge
June 9, 2020
A semi-truck hauling frozen chicken overturned on an I-10 bridge Tuesday morning.
The crash happened on the bridge over the Perdido River at the Florida/Alabama state line, just inside Alabama. There were no injuries reported.
Emergency crews from both states responded. Alabama State Troopers are investigating the crash that closed eastbound I-10.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boutwell Resigns From Town Council To Run For Century Mayor: Incumbent Hawkins Prefiles
June 9, 2020
Ben Boutwell resigned from the Century Town Council Monday and qualified to run for mayor. Henry Hawkins, the incumbent mayor, prefiled Monday to seek reelection.
Under Century’s charter, the existing council is responsible for filling the immediate vacancy on the council until a successor is elected. Candidate qualifying is currently underway for state and local offices, including the Town of Century. Anyone wishing to run for the vacant Seat 3 must qualify no later than noon on Friday, June 12. The office of mayor and council seats 1 and 2 are also on the ballot.
Candidates may qualify at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office in Pensacola during regular business hours, until qualifying closes at noon on Friday. In addition, a member of the supervisor of elections staff will be at Century Town Hall on Wednesday, June 10 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to receive and process paperwork for candidates wishing to qualify for office.
Pictured: Ben Boutwell (above) and Henry Hawkins. NorthEscambia.com photos. Pictured inset: Boutwell’s resignation letter. Click to enlarge.
International Paper Accepting Applications For $65K In Community Grants (With List Of Last Year’s Winners)
June 9, 2020
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $65,000 in grants in 2020.
Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com through Monday, July 6. In 2019, the foundation awarded $65,000 in grants to area non-profit organizations (list is below).
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measureable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available at www.ipgiving.com.
Application Process & Procedures
An eligible non-profit organization with a program in an area that the foundation supports must apply online by visiting http://www.ipgiving.com. Applications are routed to the local IP facility and must be completed in its entirety to be considered. If you have questions about the grant guidelines or process, contact Whitney Fike at (850) 968-3076 or via email at whitney.fike@ipaper.com.
Local International Paper Foundation grant award winners in 2019 were:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids For Camp Summer Learning Lab
- Bright Bridge Ministries – Cold Storage, Warm Hearts
- Capstone Adaptive Learning – Tell Me Early Learning Literacy Program
- Council On Aging Of West Florida – Ways To Go Green Project
- Creative Learning Academy – Strengthening Literacy by Empowering Young Readers
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Pollinators Promote Sustainability and Hydroponics
- Escambia County 4-H Foundation – Escambia County 4-H Team Challenge Course
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation – Grants for Excellence
- Every Child A Reader – Books for the Break
- Feeding The Gulf Coast – Weekend Backpacks for Children at Carver Park
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House – Getting Families Back Together
- Institute For Human And Machine Cognition (IHMC) – Hands-On Science Saturday
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Leveled Readers Lead The Way to Literacy
- Kingsfield Elementary – Flocabulary for Fundamental Fabulous Readers
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative
- Molino Park Elementary School – Classroom Literacy Leap
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center – Light Boxes and Educational Displays
- Pace Band Boosters – Pace Band Polish and Shine
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Inaugural Preparatory Choir
- Pensacola Little Theatre – Teaching an Old Dog New (Dramatic) Tricks
- Pensacola Mess Hall – Questioning Corner
- Pensacola State College Foundation – PSC Milton Campus Food Pantry
- Chain Reaction – Teens Impacting Literacy and Learning
- Quintette Community Park Association – Senior Citizen and Youth Programs
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Northwest Florida – Home for Dinner Program
- Studer Community Institute – Brain Bags
- The Arc Gateway – Tools For Developmental Screening: Helping All Children Be Ready for Kindergarten
- United Way of West Florida – Born Learning Trail
- University of West Florida Foundation – Argo Pantry, Community Garden, National Writing Project and B.E.S.T. Robotics Competition
Pictured: 2019 IP grant recipients Ernest Ward Middle School (top), Molino Park Elementary School (below), Feeding the Gulf Coast (second below), Escambia County 4-H Foundation (third below) and the Ronald McDonald House (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
