EEOC Sues Hank’s Furniture For Religious Discrimination In Pensacola After Denied COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption
September 20, 2023
Arkansas-based Hank’s Furniture, Inc., a retail seller of home furniture with stores in four states, violated federal law by refusing to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of an assistant store manager in Pensacola and then firing her, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
According to the EEOC’s suit, in 2021, Hank’s Furniture implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. When Pensacola assistant store manager Kaitlyn M. O’Neal requested an accommodation exempting her from the requirement due to her Christian beliefs, her store manager and immediate supervisor informed her that the company would strip her of her management position if she refused to comply with the policy, no matter the reason. Despite her verbal and written requests for a religious accommodation, which the EEOC says Hank’s Furniture could have honored without undue hardship, the company denied her requests and terminated her employment.
This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits an employer from failing to accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs absent undue hardship. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola after its Mobile office completed an investigation and first attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its voluntary conciliation process. The EEOC seeks monetary damages for the terminated employee, including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief to prevent such unlawful conduct in the future.
“Federal law requires employers to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs if reasonable accommodation can be made without causing undue burden to the business,” said EEOC Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson.
Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District, said, “This suit should remind employers they must communicate with employees requesting accommodation for religious beliefs and try to accommodate those beliefs whenever reasonably possible. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Groff v. DeJoy is illustrative of this point.”
Partly Cloudy Tonight, Upper 60s
September 20, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
One Shot Outside Middle School In Escambia County
September 20, 2023
One person was shot outside a middle school in Escambia County Tuesday night.
About 8:30 p.m. shots were fired from a vehicle on Langley Avenue outside of Workman Middle School.
“Officers who were inside the school during a basketball game were alerted to the shooting and went outside to investigate. They located one adult male with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition,” Pensacola Police Department Officer Mike Wood said. “The school was placed in lockdown until officers could determine that it was safe for those inside to leave.”
PPD is currently looking for suspects and witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at (850 435-1900 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
Century CI K-9 Team Takes Second In Southeastern States Manhunt Trials
September 20, 2023
The Century Correctional Institution K-9 team placed second in the Multiple Leash Division at the Southeastern State Manhunt Field Trials hosted by the Escambia County Road Prison. Pictured from Century CI are (L-R) Lieutenant J. Booth, Sergeant C. King, Officers D. Patterson and J. deGraaf, Sergeants J. Sanders and D. Walker, Officer M. Wilson, and Warden K. Watkins. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hostetler’s Homers Lift Wahoos To 5-2 Championship Series Opening Win
September 20, 2023
Bennett Hostetler went 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened up the Southern League Division Series with a 5-2 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola needing just one more win to advance to the Southern League Championship Series in their pursuit of back-to-back league titles. The Blue Wahoos will host Game Two on Thursday, and if necessary will host Game Three on Friday.
Every Blue Wahoos run came on home runs in an offensive attack reminiscent of their regular season success. Jake Thompson opened up the scoring with a two-run blast off Montgomery starter Patrick Wicklander (L, 0-1) in the second inning, and Hostetler added a solo shot in the third for an early 3-0 lead.
Luis Palacios (W, 1-0) was his own worst enemy in the bottom of the third, committing a fielding error on the mound that opened the door for a Tanner Murray RBI double. The Pensacola starter then allowed a Kenny Piper solo homer in the fourth, trimming the lead to 3-2.
Hostetler delivered the final jolt of the night in the fifth, launching a two-run homer out to left field to put the momentum back in Pensacola’s favor. It marked the first multi-homer game in Blue Wahoos postseason history.
Palacios pitched into the sixth, handing the ball off to Zach Willeman to strand a runner at second base. Luarbert Arias dazzled with four strikeouts over 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, and Dylan Bice (S, 1) worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Needing just one more win to advance, the Blue Wahoos will have an off day on Wednesday before the best-of-three series turns back to Pensacola on Thursday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
September 19, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for Wednesday November 1, 2023 and Wednesday, February 7, 2024. There are also early-release dates immediately prior to Christmas Break and the last day school. Those additional dates for students’ early-release are Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below as provided by the school district. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
ELEMENTARY
Ensley ES — 11:35
Global Learning Academy — 11:35
L. D. McArthur ES — 11:35
Longleaf ES — 11:35
Montclair ES — 11:35
Navy Point ES — 11:35
Oakcrest ES — 11:35
O. J. Semmes ES — 11:35
Scenic Heights ES — 11:35
West Pensacola ES — 11:35
Hellen Caro ES — 11:35
Kingsfield ES — 11:35
Beulah ES — 12:00
Bratt ES — 12:00
Byrneville ES — 12:00
Molino Park ES — 12:00
Jim Allen ES — 12:00
Bellview ES — 12:20
Blue Angels ES — 12:20
Brentwood ES — 12:20
Cook ES — 12:20
Cordova Park ES — 12:20
Ferry Pass ES — 12:20
Holm ES — 12:20
Lincoln Park ES — 12:20
R. C. Lipscomb ES — 12:20
Myrtle Grove ES — 12:20
Pine Meadow ES — 12:20
Pleasant Grove ES — 12:20
Sherwood ES — 12:20
A. K. Suter ES — 12:20
Warrington ES — 12:20
C. A. Weis ES — 12:20
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Brown-Barge MS — 1:15
Ernest Ward MS — 1:35
Bailey MS — 2:10
Bellview MS — 2:10
Beulah MS — 2:10
Ferry Pass MS — 2:10
Ransom MS — 2:10
Warrington Preparatory Academy — 2:10
Workman MS — 2:10
HIGH SCHOOLS
West Florida HS — 1:00
Escambia HS — 1:20
Pensacola HS — 1:20
Pine Forest HS — 1:20
Tate HS — 1:20
Washington HS — 1:20
Northview HS — 1:10
OTHERS
Hope Horizon Lakeview Center — 12:00
Westgate Center — 12:20
District Extended — 12:00
KAPS K-5/ Achieve 6-12 — 2:10
Success Academy — 12:30
After Five Years, Walnut Hill Double Shooting Murder Suspect Going To Trial This Week
September 19, 2023
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK OR TAP HERE.
Over five years after a Walnut Hill murder, the one of four defendants is set for trial this week.
In June 2018, Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore. Troy Dewayne Boutwell was found in critical condition near the road after crawling from the truck but survived his injuries. They were shot nine miles away at a home on Highway 164 near Walnut Hill (pictured bottom), according to investigators.
Christopher Alan Stacey (pictured top) is set for trial this week. He is charged with first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree murder. Stacey later claimed the shootings were self defense.
Court motions and denied appeals from the Florida First District Court of Appeals delayed the trail, but all of Stacey’s self defense motions were eventually denied.
His ex-wife, Jessica Nicole Thomas, was charged with accessory after the fact to homicide and accessory after the fact to attempted homicide for the shooting at her home on Highway 164. Stacey’s son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, and Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain were both charged with accessory to homicide and accessory to attempted homicide. All three are awaiting sentencing.
The four defendants are in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the suspects in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the home’s living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat in a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resides with Thomas at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resides in the home, the report states.
Boutwell, the victim that survived the July 2018 shooting, was killed in a single vehicle wreck on March 13, 2021, on Highway 4A about three miles west of Century. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; there were no passengers in the vehicle. [Read more...]
Pictured below: Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son James Logan Stacey sat a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home. Pictured middle below: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill. Pictured bottom: Investigators say two men were shot inside this home on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Colonel David Ingram Completes FBI National Academy
September 19, 2023
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Colonel David Ingram has completed the 287th session of the FBI National Academy.
Ingram completed an intensive 10-week program focusing on communication, leadership, and fitness training led by FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees. The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities.
Ingram joins Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, Chief Tommi Lyter, and Chief Andy Hobbs as graduates of this prestigious law enforcement executive program.
“We continuously look for opportunities to improve our service to the community. Training and professionalism are paramount to this mission. We are proud of Colonel Ingram and are certain the training he received will make him an even better public servant,” Simmons said.
Great Fall Feeling Weather Continues Tonight
September 19, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 91.
Northview Chiefs Beat The Escambia Gators In Three Sets (With Gallery)
September 19, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Escambia Gators 3-2 in high school volleyball action Tuesday evening.
Northview won the match in Bratt in five sets, 13-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-12, 15-10.
With the win, Northview improves to 6-3.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
