Here’s What FDLE Uncovered About Eavesdropping Device Found In Escambia County Administrator’s Office
January 23, 2021
We are learning more about an eavesdropping device — an illegal hidden camera — found in the office of Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley last year.
Gilley said she requested that her office be swept for a bugs after details of a private conversation were leaked to the public. The device, which had both audio and video capabilities, was found after a confidential informant contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement “requesting assistance with a possible insider threat case at a county office,” according to a FDLE investigative report.
On August 7, a FDLE special agent and a K-9 performed a search, finding a Vivitar Versa Magnetic Camera inside a fake plant in a conference room. The camera was turned on and appeared to be recording when it was located, according to the FDLE.
The camera’s SD card was empty.
According to the report, the camera is sold at Walmart stores, “appearing to be exclusively online” and connects wirelessly to a phone or device when it is recording.
FDLE placed the camera back in the fake plant in an attempt to capture someone retrieving the camera.
Agents then conducted an in-depth electronic sweep, and no other suspicious devices were located. FDLE searched the building again for suspicious devices on September 15 and found nothing.
The State Attorney’s Office subpoenaed Walmart records and found that three of the cameras were sold online in Florida between February 1, 2020, and August 1, 2020.
“Analytical research was completed on the subpoena results and no customer was linked to the undisclosed business or any of their employees,” the FDLE report stated.
Twelve New COVID-19 Deaths, Another 326 Cases Reported In Escambia County
January 23, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 12 additional COVID-19 deaths and 326 new cases reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 28,757 (+326)
Non-Florida residents: 3,034
Recovered: 22,956*
Total deaths: 484 (+)
Long-term care facility deaths : 205 (+4)
Current hospitalizations: 252 (-12)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,392
Percent positive reported last day: 17.9%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.4%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 21,266 (+303)
Cantonment: 2,594 (+41)
Century: 1,103 (+4)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 372 (+7)
McDavid: 175 (+1)
Bellview: 48 (+2)
Walnut Hill: 47
Perdido Key: 20
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 14,421 (+160)
Non-Florida residents: 182
Total deaths: 199 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths: 62 (+3)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 663*
Number of tests reported last day: 412
Percent positive reported last day: 27.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,963 (+183)
Navarre: 2,893 (+45)
Gulf Breeze: 2,670 (+73)
Pace: 1,158 (+12)
Jay: 442 (+10)
Bagdad: 30
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,627,603
Florida residents: 1,597,849
Deaths: 25,5011
Hospitalizations: 69,735*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Betty “Jo” Bexley
January 23, 2021
Mrs. Betty “Jo” Bexley, age 61, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at her home in Irvington, Alabama.
Mrs. Bexley was a native of Mobile, AL, former resident of Atmore, AL and had resided in Irvington, AL for the past 20 years. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved to cook and take care of her family and friends. She was of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Genese McCraney; two brothers, Doug McCraney and Jerry McCraney and grandson, Seth Garrett.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert W. Bexley of Irvington, AL; three sons, Chris (Pam) Garrett of Irvington, AL, J.J. Bexley of Irvington, AL and Sebasten “Bobo” Bexley of Irvington, AL; three step-sons, Jeremy Bexley of Mobile, AL, Michael Bexley of Mobile, AL and Matthew (Judy) Bexley of Mobile, AL; one daughter, Sabrina Garrett of Atmore, AL; five sisters, Ann (Wayne) Waddell of Philadelphia, MS, Bobbie (Billy) Walker of Semmes, AL, Rita Ikner (Ricky) of Frisco City, AL, Debbie Fullbright of Atmore, AL and Jan Powell of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren, Mikey Mason, Kari Mason, Makayla Garrett, C.J. Garrett, Kyle Garrett, Abigail Bexley, Robert Thomas Bexley and Zadie Bexley; two great grandchildren, Aidan Caraway and Micah Mason and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Earl Harrison officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Garrett, Michael Bexley, Matthew Bexley, Dylan Caraway, Keith Fullbright and D.J. Carter.
BOCC Agrees With Sheriff’s Request For Body Cameras, But They’re Not Sure How To Fund Them
January 22, 2021
Newly-elected Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons asked the Escambia County Commission on Thursday for the funds to purchase body cameras for his deputies, following through on a campaign pledge.
Simmons is requesting the commission allocate $912,727 for the purchase of 268 body cameras, with the money coming from what was CARES Act funds.
“Every day that we do not have body cameras, there’s one thing that could take place that could come up and embarrass the Sheriff’s Office, could embarrass the county,” Simmons said. “I just think that this is that important — too important for us to delay it.”
The county had until December 31, 2020, to use $57 million from the CARES Act. In order to beat the deadline, the county put $25 million into a “Public Health and Safety Payroll” account to use for Public Safety Department expenses. Because the $25 million will be used to reimburse normal payroll expenses, the $25 million will go into the general fund for other CARES Act expenses.
Each county commissioner has expressed support for the body cameras, but they are not yet convinced it should come from the $25 million. Commissioner Robert Bender stated that he was told the body cameras would not have otherwise been eligible for CARES Act funding.
“I support the sheriff’s department getting cameras, but to use this money for something other CARES related expenses at this time, in the middle of the pandemic, might be putting the cart before the horse a little bit,” Bender said. “We still having testing and vaccinations to do. I think we need to be mindful of how we spend that money.”
“I want our law enforcement to have the protection of cameras,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “I think it is a totally appropriate CARES Act spend. I think it’s something, I applaud you for bringing this forward.”
“I understand it (the $25 million from CARES Act) was moved based on a deadline of December 31 to the general fund to cover for payroll, payroll that was already funded,” Simmons told commissioners. “So this is no longer CARES Act…these are millions of dollars that Escambia County has to decide what’s the best use for those. Some is CARES, some is items like this. My request is consider this as a higher priority as I do to go ahead and get these body cameras.”
Commissioner Steven Barry said he was not against using the funds that originated from the CARES ACT for the cameras, but he questioned the timing of the funding request and the ongoing expenses for operating the system.
“I like the idea. I didn’t think it should be on the agenda for today. I think you will find board support for this moving forward with this in the appropriate time,” Barry said. “It’s not been something that has been a priority to the office (the ECSO) previously.”
“This is money that’s available, that I understand is available, and it sounds like is available. And I think it’s high priority, so I felt like it was something I could ask for,” the sheriff said. “I understand your point about maybe not today, but I’m not one that waits. Again, I’ve been the sheriff for two weeks now, and I think that body cameras and transparency is that important. And that’s why I’m here.”
“I’m going to be supportive of body cameras,” Commissioner Lumon May told the sheriff. “This is something that is important, and it’s critical to you in your operations. Once we get that money at the end of February, this will be a top priority for me because you said it is top priority for the safety of the officers and for the safety of our citizens.”
Simmons said he had money in his current overtime budget to fund five employees to process the body camera video footage and maintain the system. But he said he would need to work on a permanent funding solution from the next fiscal year’s budget.
The commission is expected to return to the body camera funding discussion in March after county staff provides further research.
“Quit frankly, I am not going to wait forever,” Simmons said.
Showers Ending Tonight
January 22, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Escambia May Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
January 22, 2021
Escambia County may soon allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday morning across the entire county.
There is currently an ordinance banning retail alcohol sale on Sunday between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he will bring and ordinance to a vote to allow countywide Sunday alcohol sales after 7 a.m.
File photo.
Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $1 Billion For Tonight’s Drawing
January 22, 2021
Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is the second largest in the game’s history — closing in on $1 billion.
The jackpot has been rolling since September 18, 2020, resulting in an estimated $970 million jackpot for the Friday, January 22 drawing.
Jackpot prize winners have the option to receive their winnings in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $716.3 million. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days of the winning jackpot draw to receive the cash option. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
The drawing is at 10 p.m. CST, but tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m.
Escambia County Public Schools Foundation And UWF Launch Free Virtual Workshops For Families
January 22, 2021
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has partnered with the University of West Florida to offer six workshops to help parents support their student and their teachers.
“We are excited to partner with the University of West Florida,” said Kristie Kelly, executive director at the Foundation. “Their faculty will share strategies to support your student’s success in face-to-face, virtual and blended learning environments.
“We are also grateful for the grant funding provided by Wells Fargo & Company — an American multinational financial services provider.”
The virtual sessions in this series, entitled “Supporting Your Student,” will be on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in February through April. Each session begins at 5 p.m. with a 30-minute workshop followed by 15 minutes for questions from parents. UWF faculty from the departments of teacher education and educational leadership and instructional design and technology are presenting the workshops.
“As a result of the pandemic, parents have suddenly found themselves thrust in the role of teacher without any formal training,” said Dr. John Pecore, professor and associate chair of teacher education and educational leadership. “It has created a tremendous need that our faculty expertise can support. We are excited to offer this service to the community.”
Preregistration is required. Email foundation@ecsdfl.us for more information and to sign up for one or more workshops.
The dates, topics and presenters are listed below. A ZOOM link will be sent to those who have preregistered. A reminder will also be emailed on the day of each workshop.
Feb. 9 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Communicating Regularly with Teachers
Presenters: Dr. Aneta Walker, Dr. James Dickson and Dr. Amany Habib
Feb. 23 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Setting Clear Expectations and Goals
Presenters: Dr. Elizabeth Bemiss and Dr. Kathleen Heubach
March 9 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Establishing Routines and Systems to Stay Organized
Presenter: Dr. Tim Morse and Dr. Holley Handley
March 23 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Encouraging and Motivating for Success
Presenters: Dr. Nguyen Nguyen and Dr. Jennifer Mesa
April 13 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Creating a Positive Environment for At-home Learning
Presenters: Dr. John Pecore, Dr. Melanie DiLoreto and Dr. Minkyoung Kim
April 27 from 5—5:45 p.m.
Addressing the Unique Challenges of Children with Special Needs
Presenters: Dr. Keri Fogle and Dr. Shim Lew
FDOT: All Hands On Deck To Complete Pensacola Bay Bridge Repair By March
January 22, 2021
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With concrete poured for the first new bridge deck, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its contractors are increasing all the necessary efforts to repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge by March 2021.
An additional piling driving crew has been added to ensure pile driving efforts remain on schedule. These crews are tasked with moving the pile driving template, working on pier removal, clearing the bottom of the bay from any debris, and driving piles into the bay floor utilizing a 20,000-pound diesel-powered hammer.
Pile driving work will occur seven-days-a-week and while there are no direct traffic impacts, persons nearby may detect noise and the possibility of vibration.
The current numbers on the demolition and repair activities to date include:
- Eight fully damaged spans removed.
- 13 partial damaged spans removed.
- 21 damaged pedestrian path beams removed.
- 66 damaged I-beams removed with eight replaced.
- Five damaged trophy pieces removed.
- 30 replacement piles driven.
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 Thursday, February 11. Commuters can also use the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
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.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ivey Extends Alabama’s Mask Mandate Into March
January 22, 2021
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has extended the state’s mask mandate that was set to expire on Friday.
Individuals in Alabama are required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people through March 5. The “Safer at Home” order has been in place since July.
Ivey’s announcement came during a press conference Thursday in Montgomery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.