Jay’s State Championship Hopes Dashed By Port St. Joe
February 20, 2019
The Jay Lady Royals’ hopes for a state championship were dashed Tuesday night on the road.
Port St. Joe defeated Jay 50-43 in the Region 1-1A finals.
The Royals ended their season at 25-3, a week after their first playoff win in 23 years.
File photo.
School Board Honors Champion Tate And West Florida Cheerleaders
February 20, 2019
The Escambia County School Board honored the Tate and West Florida high school cheerleaders Tuesday night.
The Aggie cheerleaders won the Florida High School Athletic Association Region Small Coed Championship. They are the first squad from Tate High School or Escambia County to take first place in their division since Pine Forest won that honor in the 80s, according to the Escambia County School District. They are also the first Escambia district squad to win since cheerleading was recognized as a sport and included in the FHSAA competitions.
Tate also placed fifth in national competition.
The Tate Aggie cheerleaders are Kyndell Ammons, Morgan Austin, Jonah Cass, Bailey Carter, Shelby Fleming, Isabella Floyd, Kensley Foley Hagyn Helton, Payton Herring, Madeline Hughes, Erin Johnson, Elena Lucci, Abi Manoso, Keaden Martin, Kyndal Milsted, Ashlyn NeSmith, Madelyn Ray, Emma Romero, Payton Simmons, Ariyana Wyatt, Krysanne Hagen – co-captain, Emilee Potter – co-captain, and Kennedy Bellard – captain. This year’s head coach is Morgan White and the assistant coach is Annie Wiggins.
The West Florida High School cheer squad placed second in the state. West Florida cheerleaders are Alyssa Albertson, Sarah Albertson Taylor Bailey, Lanie Brown. Chloe Claxton, Madison Couture, Chloe Douglas, Amanda Klemm, Saniyah Marioneaux, Jazmine Olsen, Haley Pratt, Erica Ragsdale, Nadiya Reeves, Zaniya Royster, Kalista Russell, Kaylin Russell Alexis Shaw, Alyssa Tran, Savannah Young, Destiney Larkins — co-captain, Jada Lee – captain, and coach is Stacie Hammer.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Prison Inmates Sue State In Digital Music Dispute
February 20, 2019
Florida inmates are accusing state corrections officials of effectively stealing millions of dollars’ worth of digital music and books to benefit a new contractor.
Attorneys with the Social Justice Law Collective and the Florida Justice Institute filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in Tallahassee, alleging a Department of Corrections program is unconstitutional because it doesn’t allow inmates to access more than $11 million worth of music bought for music players the agency has now banned.
The department in 2011 started allowing inmates in some facilities to purchase and download digital content to MP3 and MP4 players made specifically for prisoners, according to the lawsuit. About three years later, the department expanded the program and contracted with a company that had already been running the program, Keefe Commissary Network, LLC, doing business as “Access Corrections,” to take it statewide.
Prisoners could buy digital media players for $99.95 or $119.95, accessories for the players, and songs or files for $1.70 each. Prisoners were also required to purchase blocks of “prepaid media credits,” which required them to buy a minimum of five files or songs for $8.50.
Inmates used the “prepaid credits” at kiosks, where they could transfer their files to a cloud-based library. They could also use the kiosks, located inside the prisons, to transfer files from the cloud to digital players. Inmates had to connect their players to a kiosk every 30 days, for security purposes, or the device would be disabled, and they weren’t allowed to have players or files that weren’t purchased through the program.
The department, according to the lawsuit, “published numerous advertisements,” posted throughout prisons, “touting the qualities of the digital media players” and promising prisoners, “once music is purchased, you’ll always own it!”
The department also repeatedly told prisoners they could delete and re-order media files they had already purchased, at no additional cost.
But, the lawsuit alleges, corrections officials never told inmates the digital files would only be available during the contract with Access Corrections.
“Based in no small part on the belief by FDOC prisoners that any purchases they made through the Digital Music Player Program could be accessed for the duration of their incarceration with the FDOC, the Digital Music Player Program was a financial success for the FDOC,” the inmates’ lawyers wrote in the 27-page complaint.
From 2011 to 2017, the agency received about $1.4 million in commissions from the $11.3 million in sales during the six years the program was in effect, the lawsuit says.
In 2017, the department ended its contract with Access Corrections and entered into a contract with a new vendor, Jpay Inc.
Department spokeswoman Michelle Glady said the agency is not receiving any commissions from its multi-media contract with Jpay. The department receives commissions from Jpay through a separate contract for inmate banking services, she said.
Under the Jpay “Multimedia Tablet Program,” inmates can purchase tablets for $79.99 or $129.99 and download digital files.
In January 2018, after the tablet program was launched, the agency cut off access to prisoners’ cloud-based libraries and forced all inmates to surrender their digital media players when they received tablets. The agency set a deadline of Jan. 23, 2019, for inmates who didn’t want to participate in the tablet program to give up their digital players. The department allowed prisoners to send the old players to Access Corrections and pay $24.95 to have the players sent to people outside the prisons or have the files burned onto CDs and mailed to someone.
To encourage inmates to participate in the new program, agency officials offered a 50 percent discount on the tablets during the first 60 days and gave the tablets or sold them at a reduced cost to prisoners who had participated in the old program. They were also supposed to receive a $10 credit — regardless of the number of digital media files an inmate had purchased — within two weeks of placing their tablet orders. Inmates who were in the old program also receive a $25 annual allowance to buy files for their tablets, according to the corrections department.
Since the new program went into effect, “prisoners have written hundreds of grievances and administrative appeals complaining about the arbitrary confiscation of their property without compensation,” but the agency has denied the appeals, lawyers for the inmates wrote.
In response to the grievances and appeals, the agency “developed standard response language” acknowledging the “significant investment” prisoners and their families made in the old program but denied the appeals and continued to move forward with the tablet program, the lawsuit said.
Prisoners also can use the tablets to send emails, short videos or pictures, or for educational courses.
The lawyers filed the suit on behalf of William Demler, who was housed at the Hamilton Correctional Institution when he bought a digital media player for $99.95 in 2012 and who subsequently spent $569.50 to purchase 335 files. It also was filed on behalf of hundreds of other unnamed inmates.
Demler gave up his player in exchange for a free tablet in October, but he “was completely deprived of the use and enjoyment of all of his lawfully purchased songs and digital media files,” his lawyers wrote.
“The money he had invested in his digital media files has been effectively stolen from him,” the 27-page complaint reads.
The lawyers are seeking class-action status and allege that the taking of the digital media files “without just compensation” is unconstitutional. The lawyers also argue the new tablet program “is arbitrary and capricious, does not bear a substantial relation to the public health, safety, morals or welfare, has no rational basis, was undertaken for an improper motive, and is therefore an invalid exercise of police power,” and is an unconstitutional violation of rights to due process.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Moose, The Famous East Hill Publix Cat, Hit And Killed By Vehicle
February 20, 2019
Escambia County is mourning the loss of Moose, the “World Famous” East Hill Publix Cat.
Moose spent his days at the East Hill Publix in Pensacola, and headed to his owners’ home at night. The feline with thousands of followers on his very own Facebook page was last seen at the store on Saturday.
His owners said Tuesday night that it appears he was hit and killed by a car on Cervantes Street. A short time later, the Graffiti Bridge was painted in his honor.
“He was a free spirit that could not be confined,” his family wrote Tuesday night on Facebook. “He brought so much joy to us and the community. Thanks to everyone who love on him and gave him pets every day. You all made Moose a very happy kitty. He truly lived his best life.”
“And in the end it’s not the years in your life that counts; it’s the life in your years.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Central Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For About 365 Customers
February 19, 2019
Central Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for about 365 customers through at least Thursday afternoon.
The boil water notice is due to a broken water main discovered about 10:30 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of North Century Boulevard.
Complete details are in the image below, click to enlarge.
Drug, Weapons, Child Neglect And Animal Cruelty Charges Filed After Drug Raid
February 19, 2019
Five people, including a Cantonment woman, are facing a variety of charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
- Brandi Nichole Bell, 19, Cantonment, was charged with child neglect and animal cruelty. She was released on a $3,000 bond.
- Brittany Michelle Chaney, 32, Pensacola, was charged with possession of cocaine. She was held without bond as a fugitive without justice due to an outstanding warrant from Escambia County, AL.
- Dillon Eddins, 22, Pensacola, was charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, child neglect, animal cruelty and maintaining a public nuisance residence. He was released on a $116,000 bond.
- Scott Kelly Eddins, 47, Pensacola, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana. He was released on a $3,000 bond.
- Jesse Allen Geoghahan, 22, Pensacola, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was jailed with bond set at $30,000.
Deputies located a quantity of marijuana, spice, Tramadol pills, ecstasy, methadone, crack cocaine, a total of $2,422 in cash, and drug paraphernalia throughout the house and vehicles. A dozen weapons including an AK-47, a sawed-off shotgun, rifles and handguns were also recovered.
A 1-year old child inside the residence was turned over to the Department of Children and Families.
Investigators said Geoghahan was sitting on a couch with a loaded semi-automatic handgun inches as they entered the residence.
Two dogs belonging to Bell and Dillon Eddins were found inside the home. One dog was “clearly” dehydrated, emaciated and was not being properly kept, according to an arrest report. Both dogs were seized and an Escambia County Animal Control investigation is continuing.
Deputies also found cocaine in Chaney’s purse, the report states.
The location of the home where the search warrant was executed was redacted from arrest reports.
Century Council Breaks Impasse And Hires Billing Clerk
February 19, 2019
The Century Town Council broke their impasse Monday night over the hiring of a billing clerk.
The council voted 3-2 to promote Netanya “Toni” Simmons as recommended by Mayor Henry Hawkins and increase her salary from $9.80 to $12 per hour. The council publicly interviewed Simmons during their regular meeting. She was only candidate interviewed by the council as advised by the town lawyer.
Hawkins first recommended to promote Simmons from within at the council’s January 28 meeting. Council president Ann Brooks, who represented the council at the interviews of several candidates back in January, said that she did not believe she was the best candidate. The council voted to interview Simmons and three other candidates.
On February 4, Brooks cited an emailed opinion from Matt Danheisser, town attorney, stating that the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council could not direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor. Four council members split 2-2 on a motion not to promote Simmons, and 2-2 on a motion in the affirmative. Each time, Brooks and Ben Boutwell voted against Simmons, while Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were in her favor. Council member James Smith was absent, causing the council to deadlock and instead decide to interview Simmons.
Monday night, Gomez, Jackson and Smith voted in favor of the promotion, and Boutwell and Brooks voted against. Gomez participated by phone for medical reasons.
According to her application, Simmons has worked with the town for just over a year as a clerk tech. She was previously employed for six months as a cashier at Odom’s Bar and Package, and six months as a desk clerk at Performance Tire & Wheel in Brewton. She is certified in Office, PowerPoint and Excel.
The previous billing clerk, Angela Suggs, resigned her position after seven years. The position is responsible for billing about $1.6 million in water, sewer and natural gas revenue each year.
Pictured: The Century Town Council interviews town employee Toni Simmons before promoting her to billing clerk during their Monday night meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate FFA Horse And Livestock Teams Compete
February 19, 2019
The horse judging and livestock teams from the Northview High FFA and Tate High FFA competed recently for a chance to advance to the state finals.
Northview’s horse judging team placed 12th out of 58 teams during the state preliminaries at the Florida State Fair in Tampa and will advance to the state finals in Gainesville in April. Team members are Olivia Porter, Autumn Williams, Destiny Cleckler and Brooke Doolittle.
Northview’s livestock team placed 40th out of 79 teams. Team members are Raeleigh Woodfin, Kelley Merchant, Stewart Woodfin and Amber Gilman.
Competing for Tate’s livestock judging teams were Kylar Smith, Keaton Fuqua, Laura Alexander, Raven Hollis, Lindsay Von Stein and coach Melissa Gibbs.
Tate’s horse judging team also took part. Team members are Jessica Conti, Hannah Thorne, Emily Freeman, Katherine Cavanaugh and coach Erin Lawall.
Pictured top: Northview’s horse judge team. Pictured below: Tate horse judging team. Pictured bottom: Tate’s livestock team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 19, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Kinzy Cutler and Cade Weaver as Students of the Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Little Rain Today, Maybe A Storm Tomorrow
February 19, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 66 by 4 a.m. Southeast wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.