Santa Rosa Man Gets Life In Prison For Sexual Battery Of Juvenile
September 18, 2021
A 63-year old Santa Rosa County man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a juvenile male.
Leonard Starke was convicted by a jury of sexual battery on a victim helpless to resist. Prosecutors said on July 15, 2021, Starke gave alcohol to the minor and committed sexual battery on him while he was asleep.
As a prison releasee reoffender, Starke was sentenced to a mandatory life in prison.
“The Office of the State Attorney recognizes that the protection of our youth is paramount to the safety and security of our community,” State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said in a news release.
Escambia County Ratifies New Contracts With Firefighters And Corrections Officers
September 17, 2021
Escambia County has ratified new contracts with the firefighters’ union and corrections officers’ union. In addition, the board approved the purchase of five new trucks for fire services.
Firefighters Contract
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve the contract with the Escambia County Professional Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 4131. The last collective bargaining agreement expired three years ago and had been in negotiations since.
For information on the new trucks, and to learn which stations will get them, click or tap here.
“The men and women of Escambia County’s fire service put their lives on the line every day for the safety of our community,” said Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno. “These negotiations focused on recruitment and retention efforts, which included an increase in wages. The Board of County Commissioners thank these employees for their dedication to protecting our community.”
“We are grateful to the County Board of Commissioners for their willingness to work together to address serious issues affecting our County and the Fire Fighters that protect it,” said Lt. Nick Gradia, president of the Escambia County Professional Firefighters. ”
“By addressing Fire Fighter wage disparities and Fire Equipment deficiencies, Escambia County has demonstrated a willingness to address the needs of the department in order to provide a top-notch Fire and Rescue service to the Citizens we serve,” Gradia said in a written statement.
The base rate for each bargaining unit classification will be as follows:
- Fire Fighter – 24 (Pay Grade A4) $12.99 ;Estimated Annual Salary: $41,698
- Fire Fighter – 9 (Pay Grade A4) $16.80; Estimated Annual Salary: $41,278
- Fire Lieutenant – 24 (Pay Grade B1) $17.41; Estimated Annual Salary: $55,886
- Fire Lieutenant – 9 (Pay Grade B1) $22.52; Estimated Annual Salary: $55,332
- Fire Captain – 24 (Pay Grade B4) $19.75; Estimated Annual Salary: $63,397
- Fire Captain – 9 (Pay Grade B4) $25.55; Estimated Annual Salary: $62,776
- Battalion Chief – 24 (Pay Grade B8) $24.49; Estimated Annual Salary $75,527
- Battalion Chief – 9 (Pay Grade B8) $30.45; Estimated Annual Salary $74,816
The pay rate for all current incumbents in each bargaining unit classification will be placed at the step closest to their current rate in the specified pay grade on the BCC Pay Scale without incurring a decrease in pay rate. In addition, a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will be applied to each employee’s rate.
Employees covered by this agreement will be eligible to receive any across-the-board or COLA wage rate increase that may be approved by the BCC and provided to all other county employees.
After being placed on the BCC Pay Scale in the respective pay grade, fire fighters will receive an increase as follows:
- Fire Fighter – less than 1 year (Pay Grade A4) Pay Step B
- Fire Fighter – 1-3 years (Pay Grade A4) +2% increase
- Fire Fighter – 4-6 years (Pay Grade A4) +4% increase
- Fire Fighter – 7+ years (Pay Grade A4) +6% increase
Escambia Fire Rescue operates as a combination department with both volunteer and career firefighters. Career personnel staff 13 fire stations, including Cantonment, 24 hours a day. Century is staffed by career firefighters from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and operates with volunteers the remainder of the time. Other North Escambia area stations — Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Beulah — are strictly volunteer.
Police Benevolent Association Ratify Union Contract
The Escambia County Commission and the Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (FPBA), representing the certified officers with the corrections department agreed upon a new three-year contract on Thursday.
We are extremely pleased with the positive outcome of the contract negotiation for certified officers in the Corrections Department,” said Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno. “As part of the negotiations, the county focused on recruitment and retention efforts, which included conducting analysis on high vacancy positions and wages. These men and women dedicate their time to improve lives, and their service is greatly appreciated by the county.”
Effective upon the first full pay cycle following the effective date of this agreement, the pay grade and hourly base rate for each bargaining unit classification will be as follows:
- Corrections Officers – Trainees $15.79
- Corrections Officers $17.41
- Corrections Sergeant $20.15
- Corrections Lieutenant $24.49
Effective upon the first full pay cycle following the effective date of this agreement, current incumbents in each bargaining unit classification will be reassigned to the appropriate pay grade on the BCC pay scale at the pay step closest to the employee’s current rate without incurring a decrease in pay. After being reassigned to the appropriate pay grade and pay step, the hourly rate for current incumbents in each bargaining unit classification will be increased as follows:
- Corrections Officers – less than 1 year (Pay Step B)
- Corrections Officers – 1-3 years (+ 2% increase)
- Corrections Officers – 4-6 years (+ 4% increase)
- Corrections Officers 7+ years (+ 6% increase)
- Sergeants – less than 1 year (Pay Step B)
- Sergeants – 1-3 years (+ 2% increase)
- Sergeants – 4-6 years (+ 4% increase)
- Sergeants – 7 + years (+ 6% increase)
- Lieutenants – less than 1 year (Pay Step B)
- Lieutenants – 1-3 years (+ 2% increase)
- Lieutenants – 4-6 years (+ 4% increase)
- Lieutenants – 7+ years (+ 6% increase)
Pictured: Escambia County firefighters responded to numerous types of incidents in addition to fires, like this vehicle crash on Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Angels Go Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September 17, 2021
The Blue Angels went gold this week to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
In a show of support, members of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, visited patients and staff at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart Hospital. The team wore their 75th-anniversary gold flight suits to match and honor the colors of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Escambia Approves Purchase Of Five New Fire Vehicles; Here’s Where They Will Go.
September 17, 2021
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday approved the purchase of five new vehicles for Escambia Fire Rescue, along with four new ambulance chassis.
A $2,415,313.38 purchase from Rev Group will include a e 2022 E-One Typhoon Custom Chassis HR100 ladder truck for $1,066,660 that will be placed at the Osceola Fire Station on Massachusetts Avenue. The county is purchasing a 2022 E-One Typhoon Custom Chassis Pumper Vehicle for $657,047.84 and a 2022 E-One Typhoon Custom Chassis e-MAX Pumper Rescue Vehicle. Those apparatus will go to the McDavid and Ferry Pass fire stations.
The new fire trucks will replace old and worn out apparatus.
The BOCC approved the purchase of two 2022 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4×4 pickup trucks at $78,636 each ($152,272 total) to replace two beach water rescue trucks that will be disposed of at auction. Two older battalion chief vehicles will be rolled down for beach water rescue, and the new trucks will go the battalion chiefs.
In 2020, Escambia County placed four new fire engines into service for just over $2 million to replace aging trucks in Molino, Ensley, Myrtle Grove and Pleasant Grove.
With that 2020 purchase, a new rescue engine replaced a 2003 truck at the Molino Fire Station, and a second rescue engine replaced a 2011 models at the Ensley Fire Station. A standard engine replaced 2004 model at the Myrtle Grove Fire Station, and a squad engine replaced a 2002 rescue engine at the Pleasant Grove Fire Station.
The commission also approved the purchase of four new Ward International ambulance chassis for $338,000 that will be part of four remounts to be completed after October 1.
Pictured: Four new fire trucks purchased by Escambia County in 2020. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Cantonment Man Charged With Armed Burglary, Aggravated Battery With A Deadly Weapon
September 17, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly tasing a woman at a Pensacola Boulevard store.
Christopher James Morel, 35, was charged with felony armed burglary and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from jail on a $50,000 bond.
Morel was driving his truck and allegedly almost struck another vehicle in the parking lot of La Mexicana Supermarket. The driver of that second vehicle told deputies that she yelled at him.
Morel got of out his vehicle before diving into the victim’s passenger side window and tasing her arm, according to an arrest report.
Surveillance video showed most of the incident, the report states.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
September 17, 2021
Ransom Middle School has named their August students of the month. They are Garrett Groff and Jordyn Banks. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Police: Murder Victim’s Body May Be In North Escambia Area; Suspect Arrested
September 16, 2021
The Pensacola Police Department believes the body of a murder victim may be somewhere in the North Escambia area, and they are asking for information from anyone that may have seen the suspect’s vehicle .
On Sunday, September 12, Latonya Antionette Baxter, 40, of the 100 block of Warwick Avenue in Pensacola was reported as missing to Pensacola Police by her daughter. Baxter had been missing for two days. Investigators looked around Baxter’s home, who she shared with her daughter and a roommate, 38-year old Giles Curt Jones. Investigators located blood in Baxter’s bedroom and other locations on the property, as well as in a vehicle belonging to Jones.
Investigators were able to obtain a cell phone that belongs to Jones, and on that phone was a photograph of Baxter, who was deceased with obvious signs of trauma. That photograph was taken at 1:54 pm on Saturday, September 11, and likely taken somewhere in the North Escambia area.
The vehicle belonging to Jones was confirmed to be northbound on Highway 29 at Highway 4 in Century around noon Saturday, and the vehicle passed the same location southbound about 3 p.m. The vehicle was a gray 2009 Nissan Maxima with Florida tag #45BAFU.
The body has not been located, and Pensacola Police spokesman Mike Wood told NorthEscambia.com that authorities believe the body may be somewhere in the Century area or just across the state line in Alabama.
Jones was arrested late Wednesday afternoon at the Pensacola Greyhound bus station and charged with premeditated first degree murder, which is capital felony.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
First Escambia County COVID-19 Death Report Issued Since June; Hospitalizations Decline
September 16, 2021
For the first time since June, we have some information about the number of COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County.
The CDC is now reporting weekly county by county COVID-19 death information for Florida — over three months since the Florida Department of Health ceased death reports.
The new data released Wednesday shows 26 people died from COVID-19 in the past seven days in Escambia County, and 24 died in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia County commissioners and media organizations, including NorthEscambia.com, have asked for death reports from state officials for months.
COVID-19 hospitalizations are continuing to decline in Escambia County, now at their lowest level since early August. There were 236 COVID-19 patients in the hospital Wednesday, six of those under age 18. Two weeks ago, there were 344 hospitalizations.
District 5 Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Day Postponed One Week
September 16, 2021
A cleanup set for Friday has been postponed one week due to weather.
Residents of a portion of Cantonment and Farm Hill can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup on Friday, September 24.
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 of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
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.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- 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 cleanup 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.
Since 2016, more than 3,509 tons (7,018,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department and Keep Pensacola Beautiful. During the cleanups, county staff handle issues such as roaming dogs and cats, unsafe structures, tree trimming, right of way mowing, street sweeping, household hazardous waste recycling and more.
Suspect Apprehended Wednesday Night After Multi-Agency Manhunt In Flomaton
September 16, 2021
A Flomaton man was arrested Wednesday night after a multi-hour manhunt involving several agencies.
Just after 6 p.m., officers from the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Department of Corrections, and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force attempted to locate Hunter Luke Leino on outstanding Flomaton warrants.
Leino was later located and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center on charges that included theft of property in the first degree, burglary in the third degree, three counts of theft of property in the fourth degree, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing and attempting to elude.
Flomaton Police said Leino had fled from officers previously in the past few weeks. Police said the arrest will close multiple cases.