Ombudsman Presents Public Safety Report To Escambia Commission
May 9, 2019
An ombudsman report into Escambia County Public Safety was presented to the Escambia County Commission Thursday morning.
Janice Kilgore began work on the report on April 17 and interviewed over 50 people including public safety employees, county administration and volunteer fire chiefs.
Her findings dealt mostly with issues like funding and staffing and did not include the state investigation into possible wrongdoings with Escambia EMS since that inquiry has not concluded.
Kilgore said the union vote of no confidence on now-resigned public safety director Mike Weaver was because Weaver was not adequately representing the department to the county and its citizens.
“No just one person caused this problem, and no just one person can fix this problem,” she said.
Kilgore said 8 to 10-year old policies and a lack of funding are major talking points that need to be addressed.
Her report said the county needs to improve coordination between fire and EMS divisions, use the workforce more effectively and improve training. There has been no medical training since October 2018, a public safety fire training facility is needed and training needs to be more skills based and hands on.
Kilgore’s report also found a multi-year vehicle replacement program is needed, EMS coverage in North Escambia needs to be improved and the department’s public image needs addressing.
Commissioners said many of the issues will need to be addressed during the preparation of the county’s next budget.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy appointed Kilgore as an ombudsman after Weaver’s resignation. She worked for the county for 36 years, moving from a clerk for the Santa Rosa Island Authority to county Emergency Preparedness head. She was named Public Safety director when the position was created in 1997.
Coughlin Named Acting County Administrator Until July 1
May 9, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has voted to appoint Matt Coughlin as acting county administrator for a few weeks.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy departs today, May 9, and Janice Gilley won’t begin as the new administrator until July 1.
Coughlin, who had already submitted his resignation, has agreed to change his departure date and serve as the acting administrator until July 1.
In his resignation letter, Coughlin thanked former County Administrator Jack Brown, Interim Administrator Amy Lovoy, County Attorney Alison Rogers and department directors before writing “Regrettably, today in Escambia County there is neither the ability or willingness to rise to the occasion and lead together. Rather, those with the capability to help reverse this downward progression have resorted to tribalism. Its effects are pervasive and wide ranging. Unfortunately, along the way, our mission has become a failure and our citizens have become the casualty.”
In addition to Coughlin and Lovoy, Public Safety Director Mike Weaver, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert have all resigned in recent weeks.
Century Man Charged With Mistreating Nine Dogs
May 9, 2019
A Century man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges.
Melvin Manuel, 34, was charged with nine counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to his residence on Hilltop Road where they found nine dogs being kept improperly on chains and in pens filled with feces and urine, according their report. All of the available water on the property was filled with algae and non-potable.
The dogs had fresh wounds and scars and were unlicensed and unvaccinated, according to court documents.
The ribs and spines of two dogs were visible from a distance, and a puppy was in a pen filled with feces and urine, animal control reported.
All of the dogs were seized and taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Century Man Charged With Battery Of His Mother And Grandmother
May 9, 2019
A Century man has been charged with the alleged battery of his mother and his 79-year old grandmother.
Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 33, was charged with felony battery of a person 65-years of age or older and misdemeanor battery.
The victim told deputies Bethea grabbed her by her face and twisted it, according to arrest report. She said she and Bethea were arguing when he grabbed her, and then shove his mother when she attempted to intervene. The grandmother stated to deputies that she believed Bethea was using drugs again, the report states.
Bethea, according to his arrest report, told deputies that he did not batter either person, and they suffer from mental issues.
Bethea was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Escambia County Holds Hurricane Prep Exercise
May 9, 2019
Escambia County took part in a statewide hurricane exercise Wednesday, practicing Florida’s emergency plans and procedures for a potential hurricane making landfall in the state in preparation for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Bill To Arm Teachers; Escambia Hiring Armed Security Officers Instead
May 9, 2019
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that would allow Florida school districts to arm teachers.
The measure is an extension of the guardian program that created after the Parkland massacre in 2018. Some employees, but not teachers, were allowed to carry guns on school property after receiving proper training.
The new law signed Wednesday will allow classroom teachers to also carry weapons but only with approval by local school boards.
Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has said he has no intent to arm teachers. Instead, the Escambia County School District is hiring its own force of campus security officers (CSO) to protect elementary school beginning with the next school years. Middle and high schools will continue to have school resource officers, which are Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
“The district will be working with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to ensure high quality individuals with the appropriate skills, temperament and abilities are selected,” Thomas said when the program was announced.
The CSOs will have no law enforcement authority, except to the extent necessary to prevent or abate an active assailant incident”, according to the district. The district has tried using off-duty law enforcement officers in elementary schools this school year, but that has proved difficult to provide full coverage.
“We are hoping retired military and retired law enforcement officers, who have maintained their weapons’ permits and skills, will see this opportunity as a new way to continue to serve our community and protect our students,” said Thomas.
Funding for ongoing salary of the CSOs will come from dedicated “Safe Schools Categorical” funding which is separate from instructional or teacher salary funding. The district will not hire more CSOs than it can afford under this separate funding mechanism.
The CSOs will not be placed charter schools such as Byrneville Elementary School or the Beulah Academy of Science at the district’s expense. However, the CSOs will be made available to charter schools if they choose to pay for them.
Campus Security Officers will be required to also complete the fingerprinting and drug screening requirement that ECSD requires of all school district employees prior to being placed in a school. Those selected will have a starting salary at $30,600, plus benefits, for a 10 month position.
Highway 29 Lane Restrictions Planned From 9 1/2 Mile To I-10
May 9, 2019
Northbound Highway 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 mile Road may have intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, May 11 as crews prepare to shift traffic to the newly constructed northbound lanes. This will allow crews to begin new construction of the future southbound roadway.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Lady Aggies Top Navarre By One In Regional Semifinals
May 9, 2019
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Navarre 1-0 Wednesday night in Region 1-7A semifinals.
The only score of the game came in the sixth inning when Shelby McLean was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Gabby Locke.
Avery Beauchanie allowed two hits and no runs while striking out two in seven innings for the Lady Aggies.
Libby Locke and Gabby Locke were both 2-3 at the plate to lead Tate.
The Lady Aggies advance to face Niceville next Tuesday night in Niceville.
Pictured: Shelby McLean was hit by a pitch Wednesday night to score Tate’s only run Wednesday night. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Cheerleaders Receive State Championship Rings
May 9, 2019
The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders received their state championship rings Wednesday.
The Aggie cheerleaders won the Florida High School Athletic Association Region Small Coed Championship in late January. They went on took take fifth place in the nation in their division Sunday night at UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando.
The Tate Aggie state championship 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.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Tops Tate 6-0 In District Semifinal
May 9, 2019
The Pine Forest Eagles defeated the Tate Aggies 6-0 Wednesday night in the District 1-7A baseball semifinals.
Tekoah Roby earned the win for Pine Forest allowing two hits and no runs while striking out 11 over seven innings.
Christian Munoz went 3-3 at the plate and Keith Robbins went 2-2 to lead the Eagles.
Cole Fryman allowed six hits and three hits over three innings while striking out five for the Aggies. Brantley Culbertson entered the game to pitch two innings and Jace Dunsford threw one.
Hunter McClean and Raymond Lafleur had one hit each for Tate.
Also Wednesday, Escambia beat Pace 5-2.
Escambia and Pine Forest will face off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington High School for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.