DeSantis Asks Trumps For Increase In Hurricane Michael Recovery Aid
April 23, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis is requesting an increased federal cost share for Hurricane Michael recovery.
DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting an increase in the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for the remainder of Hurricane Michael recovery. This request follows NOAA’s announcement that Hurricane Michael has been upgraded to a category 5 hurricane – only the fourth category 5 storm to ever impact the United States and the first to impact Florida as a category 5 since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
“I am officially requesting an increase in federal funding for Hurricane Michael recovery from 75 to 90 percent,” said DeSantis. “Since my first full day in office when I visited Northwest Florida, it was clear that the efforts to rebuild and recover were far from over. An increase in the federal share will help Northwest Florida tremendously and I thank President Trump for his previous commitment to fully fund the first 45 days of recovery from this storm. I look forward to continuing to work with the President to ensure Northwest Florida completely recovers.”
“At the Division of Emergency Management, we recognized the devastation this storm caused and took action in January by putting in place new processes and procedures to get funding out as quickly as possible,” said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. “I applaud Governor DeSantis for providing leadership and requesting 90 percent federal funding on the same day that Hurricane Michael was upgraded to a Category 5. This increase in federal funding will provide critical savings to Panhandle communities during their recovery.”
Trump has the authority to issue a waiver and increase the federal cost share for hurricane recovery from the standard 75 percent to 90 percent prior to costs reaching the 90 percent threshold. With the recent upgrade of Hurricane Michael to a Category 5, as well as the tremendous amount of debris removal performed since the storm’s impact, the state estimates that this threshold will be met in the future. This change in the federal cost share would save the state and Northwest Florida communities hundreds of millions of dollars.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Home Invasion Robbery
April 23, 2019
An Escambia County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a home invasion robbery last year.
Damon Jermaine Forehand, Jr., was sentenced by Circuit Judge W. Joel Boles for home invasion robbery with a firearm and five years state prison for aggravated assault with a firearm as a prison releasee reoffender. There is no parole in Florida so he will actually serve the remainder of his life in prison.
On June 9, 2018, just after midnight, the victim was asleep in his bed with his wife. His newborn son was also in their room. Two other sons were asleep in their own bedroom. Two of the wife’s minor sisters were in the living room. The oldest sister saw three men approaching the house via a security system. Before she could get to her sister’s bedroom, the three men burst through the front door; all three were wearing masks and gloves and carrying a gun. Forehand was one of those men.
Forehand stayed in the living room with the girls. He also told another intruder to go to the dining room and get a box; the second intruder went into the dining room and eventually left the house with the box. The third intruder went to the victim’s bedroom and immediately shot him twice. He then hit the victim in the head with the gun then kicked him in the neck, all while asking, “Where’s it at?” The second intruder came to the bedroom, whispered something into the shooter’s ear, and then walked away. The shooter starting counting down. Before he got to one, he shot the victim several more times, as he was backing away from the room.
The victim later realized the box, which contained approximately four ounces of marijuana, was missing after the intruders left. He also recognized the defendant’s voice during the robbery. The defendant is his nephew. He was one of very few people who had been in the victim’s home since the victim moved in only a few months before the robbery. He was also the only person, other than the victim, who knew where the box was and what was in it.
Forehand has nine prior felony convictions. He is due in court next month in a separate home invasion robbery case.
Wahoos Come Back For 7-4 Win Over Mobile
April 23, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos overcame a rare deficit in a 7-4 win over the Mobile BayBears on Monday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Brian Schales led the team both offensively and defensively, going 3-4 with a triple, double, single, run batted in, and run scored as well as a collection of impressive defensive plays at third base.
The Blue Wahoos scored first for the 15th time in 18 games this season, using a lead off single by Luis Arraez and subsequent triple by Schales to go up 1-0.
The lead held until the fourth inning behind Twins top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol. The 20-year-old righty struggled with his control early, walking the first two batters of the game, but he responded with a pair of strikeouts and a pick off to get out of the first.
Graterol added two more strikeouts in the second, flashing 100 miles-per-hour on the radar gun multiple times. After a 1-2-3 third inning, he ran into trouble in the fourth. A one out walk was followed by singles by Bo Way and Roberto Pena and a home run by Brendan Sanger to make it 4-1 in Mobile’s favor.
The Pensacola offense wasted no time responding. In the home half of the inning, Caleb Hamilton dropped a double into centerfield and advanced to third on a single by Tanner English. Taylor Grzelakowski poked a single into left to score Hamilton and make it 4-2. After a walk to Jordan Gore, Arraez single home two to tie the game.
Graterol threw a scoreless fifth, finishing his day with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, four hits, four earned runs, four walks, and six strikeouts on 81 pitches.
The Wahoos put Graterol in line for the win by pushing a run across in the fifth. Schales led off the inning with a double and a Jaylin Davis singled moved him to third. Hamilton then brought him home with a single into right to give Pensacola the 5-4 lead.
Sam Clay entered in the sixth in relief of Graterol and worked himself into and out of jams in both the sixth and seventh inning, allowing two base runners in each frame, but keeping the BayBears from scoring both times.
He ceded to Ryan Mason in the eighth, who struck out a pair in the inning. In the home half of the eighth, the Wahoos added a pair of insurance runs, using a single by English, fielding error, sac bunt, Gore sacrifice fly, and wild pitch to go up 7-4.
Mobile threatened in the ninth, as the first two batters in the inning singled, but Mason induced a double play and a strike out to end the game, preserved the victory, and earn his third save.
Graterol was the winning pitcher for the Wahoos, who improve to a league-best 13-5 on the season. Clay was credited with a hold and Mason got the save. Zac Kelly took the loss for Mobile, allowing three runs (one earned) in four innings of relief of starter Jose Rodriguez (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 7 K).
Mobile and Pensacola will continue their five-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium Tuesday.
Escambia County Releases Statement On EMS Investigation
April 22, 2019
Escambia County released the following statement Monday afternoon regarding the ongoing investigation into Escambia County EMS:
Over the past two weeks, the media and residents have asked very appropriate and responsible questions about an ongoing investigation in our EMS Division. It is paramount that Escambia County is responsive to our residents and media partners, and that we meet your expectations for transparency and high-quality service. However, there have been parts of the investigation released that may not tell the whole story. Unfortunately, our inability to respond directly and openly to all questions at this time has left room for rumors and assumptions to be made.
First, it must be said that Escambia County Emergency Medical Service professionals are just that, professionals. They are capable, qualified and committed to the safety and well-being of Escambia County citizens, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on all holidays. In fact, our EMS team passed an unplanned inspection in July 2018 by the Department of Health. Their compliance unit periodically and randomly inspects licensees for compliance with Section 401, Florida Statutes and Chapter 64J-1, Florida Administrative Code. The purpose of the statewide inspection program is to monitor the quality of patient care delivered by each licensed service and appropriately certified personnel. The areas inspected include personnel records, service records and facilities, BLS and ALS vehicles, and equipment tests, and includes a narrative and inspection for corrective action. Escambia County EMS passed this inspection without any deficiencies.
While we are unable to comment about specifics of any ongoing investigation, we can tell you that our own processes through our medical director alerted county leadership to possible training discrepancies and other areas of concern within EMS in 2018. A challenge was finding documentable evidence to bring forward for review. An internal investigation began in January 2019 and then was turned over by the county to the Florida Department of Health with a cover letter from our medical director outlining our concerns, as the scope falls under their jurisdiction and expertise. The assertions and resulting investigation are not tied to any case or external complaint, but the county’s due diligence to ensure that our staff are appropriately trained, certified and following best practices.
Once the investigation has concluded, all documents will be available to the public.
It is important to note that several items that have been brought forward in the media about the investigation were addressed in 2018. The current investigation is to assess if these actions were sufficient or if any additional actions are warranted. Two such actions included the resignation of the EMS chief and restructuring of the Public Safety Department to place EMS under the direction of then Fire Chief Rusty Nail as the current Assistant Public Safety Director.
When Public Safety Director Mike Weaver resigned on April 9, Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy launched an assessment of EMS to include the entire Public Safety Department by an ombudsman with a public safety background, Janice Kilgore. She was quickly on site and is tasked with:
Assessing the root issues in EMS/Fire that led to the vote of no confidence.
- What is the communication chain for information dissemination both vertically and horizontally within the department?
- What are the cause/causes of the perceived divisiveness and tribalism within the department?
- Is there evidence of retaliation, perceived or real?
- Is the workforce consistently and effectively utilized for their primary missions?
- Is there a climate of favoritism shown by supervisors toward subordinates that negatively impacts the morale of the department?
- Kilgore is not only talented and experienced in public safety and large organization management, but she is also highly ethical, and we look forward to her findings.
Escambia County is committed to investigating all allegations brought forward by staff or residents in any department. While it is frustrating for our residents, media and our own staff that the details of this investigation cannot yet be released as it is ongoing, it is very important to remember that it is premature and simply unfair to judge public safety employees until the investigation is completed by FDOH.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Manhunt Reported In Gonzalez After Traffic Stop
April 22, 2019
A manhunt was underway in Gonzalez Monday afternoon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop at Highway 95A and Archer Road during the three o’clock hour. A white male reportedly ran from the vehicle.
Deputies were observed searching a vehicle pulled into the backyard of a home near the intersection.
A spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was unable to provide additional details.
Readers reported that Highway 95A and Pauline Street were closed or had delays between Old Chemstrand Road and Archer Road as of 3:45 p.m.
Pictured top: Deputies search a vehicle Monday afternoon near Highway 95A and Archer Road. Pictured below: The intersection of Highway 95A and Archer Road. Pictured bottom: A deputy blocks Pauline Street near the Gonzalez Baptist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Assistant County Administrator Coughlin Resigns; Cites ‘Tribalism’, Failure of Mission
April 22, 2019
Monday, Assistant County Administrator Matt Coughlin submitted his resignation, effective in 90 days.
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.”
Coughlin recently assumed the day-t0-day duties of public safety director after the resignation of Mike Weaver. He also oversaw the Public Works, Building Services, Parks and Recreation, Corrections, Waste Services, Developmental Services and Engineering departments. He was hired in 2017 after working as assistant director at the Pensacola International Airport.
In addition to Coughlin and Weaver, Lovoy, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert have all resigned in recent weeks.
An Easter Day Miracle: A Lost Flip-Flop Leads To The Discovery Of A Lost Senior Citizen
April 22, 2019
Some are calling it an Easter Day miracle.
It’s a story that involves a lost elderly man, a lost flip-flop and an a happy ending to what could have been a very bad situation.
Clifford Reynolds, 83, drove left his home on Gulf Beach Highway about 6 p.m. Friday, and was spotted driving his white Chevrolet Avalanche in Brewton just over four hours later. He wasn’t seen again until a chance discovery Sunday afternoon, well after a silver alert had been issued.
Terrie Bickford said her family visits Spring Lake on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment a lot of weekends. Easter Sunday was no different, other than the kids in the group were riding 4-wheelers in a different area of the woods.
“They all came back except for my son Nicholas ” she said. “He lost his flip-flop and went back to get it. After a while, his younger sister said we better go back and get him because he had not returned.”
When Nicholas Deleon, 12, went back into the woods for his flip-flop, he found a white Chevrolet Avalanche on wooded trail. Beside the truck was a man on the ground – missing senior Clifford Reynolds. He wasn’t sure how long he had been in the woods or how exactly he got there.
Reynolds was transported to an area hospital for evaluation, but was believed to be in good shape, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m glad the kids were playing back there. They don’t go back there very often,” Bickford said. “It was a good Easter miracle.”
For more details on Reynolds and his rescue, click here.
Pictured top: A group of friends there were riding 4-wheelers in the woods at Spring Lake in Cantonment Sunday afternoon. Pictured inset: First responders in the woods with missing senior Clifford Reynolds. Pictured below: Sgt. Delarian Wiggins of theEscambia County Sheriff’s Office presented 12-year old Nicholas Deleon with a challenge coin for finding Reynolds. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Jacks Branch Road Hit And Run Crash
April 22, 2019
There were no serious injuries in a crash involving three vehicles Sunday night on Jacks Branch Road.
The crash happened about 8:35 p.m. near Pepin Lane, about a mile south of River Annex Road. The crash reportedly involved a car that was parked off the roadway, a SUV and a pickup truck.
Initial reports indicated the driver of a Nissan Xterra fled the scene. Everyone else involved in the crash refused medical transport.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any more information.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Minor Injury Reported In Molino Highway 29 Wreck
April 22, 2019
One minor injury was reported in a two-vehicle wreck about 8:30 Sunday night on Highway 28 near Stout Road in Molino.
One northbound lane of Highway 29 was closed by the crash for about four hours.
The crash was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Holman Contraband Raid Finds 356 Weapons, 400 Pills, Other Drugs, Phones
April 22, 2019
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is calling an illegal contraband sweep last week at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore a success.
As we first reported last Thursday, ADOC along with local, county and state law enforcement conducted the joint operation . Officials conducted the day-long operation that began at 4:30 a.m. and ended late Thursday evening. ADOC Director of Investigations and Intelligence, Arnaldo Mercado said the operation was an overall success.
“At the end of the day, our ADOC team assisted by officers from our partnering law enforcement agencies found and removed considerable quantities of contraband. We inspected every inch of the facility and left no stone unturned,” Mercado said.
Officials seized large quantities illegal drugs, weapons, cellphones and various types of electronic devices. The operation recovered 356 makeshift weapons, 91 grams of meth, 98 grams of marijuana, cocaine, more than 400 assorted pills, and 16 cell phones.
Corrections Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Charles Daniels, led the operation with assistance from ADOC investigations and intelligence agents, correctional emergency response teams, and correctional K-9 drug units. Supporting law enforcement included Pardons and Paroles, AEMA, ADOT, Atmore, Bay Minette, Brewton Police Departments, and support from the Baldwin, Butler, Escambia and Monroe County Sheriff’s Departments.
Pictured top and bottom: Some of the contraband discovered during a raid early Thursday morning at Holman Prison in Atmore. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
