Florida Prisons Seek $90 Million To Fix ‘Critically Low’ Staffing, Reduce Shift Length
October 13, 2019
The Florida Department of Corrections is seeking an extra $90 million next year to fix “critically low” staffing levels at facilities statewide.
The department is asking for $60.6 million for targeted retention incentives and $29 million to cut daily shifts from 12 hours to 8.5 for corrections officers.
“Staffing at the department has reached critically low level, and many of the staff currently employed are extremely inexperienced,” the department said in legislative budget request. Florida recently reduced the minimum age fort corrections officers to 18 instead of the previous 19 years of age.
The agency says their goals for the upcoming legislative session are to reduce staff attrition and vacancy rates; reduce inmate violence, addiction, idleness and recidivism; curb rising health care costs; and address aging infrastructure including facilities, fleet and information technology.
Pictured: Inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
More Info Released On Jay Gas Station Robbery
October 13, 2019
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details on a gas station robbery Friday night in Jay.
The robbery occurred at the Exprezit! Exxon Station in the 3800 block of Highway 4 near Calfee Street.
Two men, believed to be unarmed, jumped over the counter and stole from the register before fleeing in a SUV. Both were wearing masks.
No additional description was available, and at last report there had been no arrests.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Crimestoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar Tuesday At Molino Library
October 13, 2019
A Cybersecurity Awareness for Everyone seminar will be offered Tuesday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library from 1-5 p.m.
The seminar offered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center broadly covers the entire range of cybersecurity issues. Topics include malicious software, social engineering, antivirus software, firewalls, passwords, email threats, frauds, and wired and wireless networks.
The free seminar is three hours of instruction followed by question and answer session.
Deborah Melton Named Escambia Westgate Teacher Of The Year
October 13, 2019
Deborah Melton has been named the teacher of the year at Escambia Westgate School. Outside the classroom, Melton coordinates and decorates for Westgate’s prom and works to provide students with the same experiences as their disabled peers. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Your Chance To Tour Florida’s Tree Farm Of The Year In McDavid
October 13, 2019
You have the chance to visit and tour the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year in McDavid.
The Russell Brothers farm on Highway 164 will be officially recognized during a program and tour that begins at 9 a.m. on October 25.
The Russell Brothers Farm near McDavid has been named the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year. Register for the free tour by calling the Florida Forestry Association at (850) 222-5646 before October 18. The farm is located at 2210 Russell Road, just off Highway 168 near North Highway 99.
For an earlier NorthEscambia.com story about the tree farm, click here.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Fall Carnival (With Photo Gallery)
October 13, 2019
The event featured a variety of carnival games, carnival food including popcorn and bake-off goodies, food vendors and a live auction.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
At Least Three Injured In Highway 29 Crash In Cantonment
October 12, 2019
At least one adult and two minors were injured in a two-vehicle crash Friday night in Cantonment.
The three were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries.
The wreck occurred on Highway 29 near Grocery Advantage.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional details. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Crashes South Walton’s Homecoming 53-20
October 12, 2019
If you plan on celebrating a special football night, don’t invite the Northview Chiefs to your house.
The Chiefs crashed homecoming for South Walton 53-20 Friday night. Also this season, they’ve crashed homecoming for Holmes County (34-22) and Senior Night for North Bay Haven (36-25).
Both Northview and South Walton were riding three game winning streaks heading into Friday night.
The Seahawks held a 14-6 lead in the first quarter, but the Chiefs mounted a comeback with a Jayden Jackson touchdown, 14-12. The Seahawks added another TD before Trent Peebles was in to make it 20-18, Seahawks.
In the final seconds of the half, quarterback Ben Wilson had nowhere to throw. He found his way in from 14 yards out time expired in the half. The Chiefs were up 25-20.
“We kind of were playing tight early on but I think all we needed was a defensive stop,” Northview Coach Derek Marshman said. “Once we got that defensive stop and had a little confidence, the defense didn’t give up another touchdown.”
The second half was all Northview, going on to the 53-20 win.
“Second half shutout offensively was offensive line. We had a lot of backs that had a lot of success tonight,” Marshman said. All of our backs were able to run the ball well because of our offensive line. They were the more physical team tonight and it showed.”
Northview (5-2) will be off next Friday night before hitting the road October 25 against the Chipley Tigers (currently 1-6). And by the way, it’s Senior Night for Chipley.
Photos by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Niceville Tops Tate 41-28
October 12, 2019
Niceville defeated the Tate Aggies 41-28 Friday night in Niceville.
Niceville was first on the board, taking a 7-0 lead in quarter one over the Aggies.
But the Aggies tied it up on a big defensive play when Tate’s Darion McShan stripped the ball from Niceville to return it 70-yards for a touchdown (pictured top). With the extra point through the uprights by Matt Johnson, it was a 7-7 ballgame.
Tate (1-6) will celebrate homecoming next Friday night as they host Washington.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Shift To Winter Staffing Levels
October 12, 2019
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will shift to winter staffing levels Monday, October 14, and the lifeguard towers will be taken off the beach until the 2020 lifeguard season. Lifeguards will maintain a presence on Pensacola Beach throughout the winter primarily via patrol vehicles.
After Monday there will be a lifeguard presence only at Casino Beach.