Florida Prisons Take $50 Million Hit In Hurricane
February 23, 2019
As state officials deal with the costs associated with Hurricane Michael recovery, they will need to consider about $50 million in storm damage to a large concentration of prisons in Northwest Florida, state records show.
The losses reported by 20 state correctional facilities across 15 counties will eventually be covered by the state and federal governments. But as repairs are underway, some facilities have been temporarily shuttered, and inmates have been relocated to other prisons.
“When you shut down a couple of these facilities, we have had to rebalance the prison population all across the state,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, the top criminal-justice budget writer in the Senate.
One of the facilities shuttered after the Category 4 storm barreled through parts of the Panhandle was Gulf Correctional Institution. The costs associated with that facility’s structural damage are estimated at $18.5 million, about 36 percent of the property-loss total estimated by the Department of Corrections as a result of Hurricane Michael, records show.
The hurricane made landfall Oct. 10 in Mexico Beach in southeastern Bay County and caused devastation in rural areas that play a major role in housing the state’s prisons. The facilities also are a large employer in rural communities.
The impact has been felt in Jackson County, where four correctional facilities racked up about $12.4 million in property damage, records show. A vast majority of those losses are at the two complexes of the Apalachee Correctional Institution, one of the state’s oldest prisons.
From broken fences and towers to structural damage and wrecked equipment and furniture, the storm has had a severe impact on state correctional infrastructure, an issue Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, wants to prioritize.
“Budget constraints notwithstanding, we’re going to try our best to prioritize funds in our DOC (Department of Corrections) infrastructure,” Galvano told reporters Friday.
It remains unclear exactly how much the state and federal government will each pay to repair the facilities. Michelle Glady, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said it will be “a mix,” and Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he believes the vast majority will be federally reimbursed.
Some losses have already been paid. As of Jan. 17, a program under the state Division of Risk Management had received hundreds of claims from the corrections department amounting to $22 million, of which $4.5 million had been paid.
Aside from correctional facilities, recovery costs associated with Hurricane Michael have been a “tremendous expense” to the state, said Galvano, who added a good chunk of money is going to debris cleanup.
Galvano said the state has already spent $1.13 billion responding to the hurricane and that Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, estimates the total could reach $2.7 billion. While the federal government is expected to reimburse many costs, that will take time.
“There’s also a balance that we have to keep in mind in discerning what is reimbursable, what’s not reimbursable and what would be reimbursable but for the state funding it,’ Galvano said.
by Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida
Man Injured In Single Vehicle Quintette Crash
February 22, 2019
A driver was injured in crash in the fog before sunrise Friday on Quintette Road.
The driver left the roadway and struck a tree before 6 a.m His vehicle came to rest on its side.
The man was trapped in his vehicle for about 25 minutes following the crash near Frank Ard Road. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS after being freed by firefighters.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: A single vehicle crash Friday morning on Quintette Road. (reader submitted photo by Sheena StPierre). Pictured below: The vehicle after it was removed from the ditch. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Private Investigator Murder Suspect Sentenced To Prison For Racketeering, Fraud
February 22, 2019
The woman accused of murdering a local private investigator and burying her body on family property in Cantonment was sentenced to prison Thursday on unrelated charges.
Ashley Britt McArthur, 41, received seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud. Once released, she will be on probation for three years.
While employed by Pensacola Automatic Amusement, from 2015 to 2017, McArthur embezzled thousands of dollars from two clients, the Azalea Cocktail Lounge and Seville Quarter.
Pensacola Automatic Amusement serviced entertainment machines and jukeboxes for various clients in the Pensacola area for 40 years. McArthur falsified collection reports for jukeboxes at the Azalea Lounge and Seville Quarter while keeping the unreported proceeds.
McArthur is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of 33-year old Taylor Wright, a private investigator and former police officer. Wright’s body was found in September 2017 off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. She allegedly stole $34,000 from Wright.
She will face trial on the murder charge later this year.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Discusses Issues With Locals In Century And Jay
February 22, 2019
Congressman Matt Gaetz brought his “Open Gaetz Day” tour to Century and Jay on Thursday, an area he had not visited during his term.
“These communities have unique challenges with infrastructure and with the environment and agriculture that we don’t l necessarily hear about in the more urban areas of our district. So I am here to learn how I can be a better congressman for every town in Northwest Florida, not just the major urban centers,” he said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said he wants to see an expansion of the town’s sewer system. Gaetz explained that the best source of funding would be the state.
“We are going to be in the golden era of environmental infrastructure in Florida during the DeSantis governorship,” he said.
During an afternoon roundtable with the Century Town Council, Century Chamber of Commerce officials and local citizens, Gaetz asked what should be the “brand” of Century headed forward.
“We’ve lost the brand of this town,” Century council member Ben Boutwell said. “There’s no industry here, that’s what’s hurting us. Our infrastructure’s failing. You brought that up. We have to rebuild that to get an industry in here. Something’s got to come to help us.”
Gaetz again pointed to state funding, rather than federal, to help the town.
“In Northwest Florida’s communities, they don’t care if the federal government or the state government is the solution. They just want the solution,” said Gaetz.
The Congressman spent most of his day in Jay, where he made several stops. He visited the Terrace at Ivey Acres Assisted Living Facility where he was met with chants of “Build the Wall”, toured the Jay oilfields and Escambia River Electric Cooperative and had lunch with local leaders.
He started the day at Jay High School, where he said students encouraged him to support national legislation against texting and driving. The day ended with a town hall meeting at the Linda Carden Community Center in Jay.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Off-Duty Deputy, Animal Control Officer
February 22, 2019
A Molino man allegedly threatened to kill an Escambia County Animal Control officer and an off-duty deputy.
Seth Ragsdale, 40, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
When the animal control officer arrived to make contact with a witness, 40-year old Seth Ragsdale ran to a fence and screamed at the officer, according to a report. He allegedly threaten to shoot the officer.
The victim attempted to address the situation; however, Ragsdale continued to threaten the animal control officer, even stating he was off his medications and did not care if he went to jail, the report revealed.
An off duty deputy arrived on the scene, and Ragsdale threatened to kill him and any arriving deputies, according to the report.
Ragsdale then walked back to the residence and appeared a short time later carrying a shovel — swinging it at the victims and gesturing he was going to hit them, the report stated.
It was after this the report stated, Ragsdale grabbed the only thing standing between the victims and himself — a low lying fence and began to shake it and threaten to jump over and “bash their heads in with a shovel,” the report stated.
The animal control offer returned to his vehicle and left the scene.
A witness said Ragsdale has a traumatic brain injury and has been diagnosed with Explosive Outburst Disorder which he believed it the reason Ragsdale was threatening people, the report stated.
Woman Accidentally Electrocuted At Century Prison
February 22, 2019
A woman was accidentally electrocuted at Century Correctional Institution Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred about 1:10 p.m. at a warehouse reportedly located outside the main prison fence.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia Count EMS reported. An adult female was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
An update on the woman’s condition and and additional information on the accident were not available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Town Of Century Meter Reader Bitten By Dog
February 22, 2019
A Town of Century employee was bitten by dog while on the job.
The employee was reading meters at a residence on West Highway 4, according to Mayor Henry Hawkins. The worker was taken to Jay Hospital for evaluation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident because the emergency Escambia Animal Control officer was on another call, according to Kaycee Lagarde, spokesperson for Escambia County. She said the bite did not break the skin.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to the address on West Highway 4 Thursday morning and is investigating. Citations will be issued if necessary, Lagarde said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Chiles In Regionals (With Photo Gallery)
February 22, 2019
The Tate Aggies beat Tallahassee Chiles in a 59-58 thriller Thursday night for their first state tourney win since 2010.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Aggies were down by 10 in the fourth before powering back. Tate went ahead on a layup from Tavares Madison before Chiles missed a couple of free throws with just seconds on the clock.
Senior JT Qualls led the Aggies with 23 points, while typical top scorer Love Bettis only had seven points.
Tate (21-8) will move to the second round Tuesday night as they travel to Lincoln High (18-9) in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonds Set, Details Released In Convenience Store Clerk Murder
February 22, 2019
The three suspects in the deadly robbery armed robbery of the Quickfill on Mobile Highway appeared in court Thursday where a judge set their bond. Meanwhile, more information has been released about the crime that has the community in mourning.
Govardhan Kotha, known as “Reddy”, was shot and killed at the QuickFill on Mobile Highway.
Bond for Keandra Martez Smith was set at $2.5 million for each of two counts. Crystal Elaine Clausel;’s bond was set at $100,000 Efidarius Gemeateus Bryant will be back in court after he gets a public defender, but until then he is being held without bond.
Smith and Bryant are charged with murder and armed robbery, and Clausell is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
A customer that entered the store Tuesday night called authorities because he did not see a clerk in the store and the register drawer was open. Deputies arrived to find that Kotha, 50, was shot in the head and chest.
On the surveillance video, deputies watched as Smith entered the store in a gray hoodie. He purchased sunflower seeds and left the store. Then Bryant entered the store wearing mask, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic automatic handgun at Kotha. A short time later, he lifted the cash register draw and fired two shots at Kotha, hitting him in the upper chest and head, according to a report.
Smith, according to the report, left the store without taking any cash.
By early morning, surveillance images were posted on social media and news media, including NorthEscambia.com. A tipster came forward an identified one of the suspects as Smith to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, wearing the same hoodie as in the surveillance video. A police report notes he was distraught and crying hysterically.
At no point did Smith attempt to render first aid to Kotha, contact emergency medical services or reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the report revealed.
Smith provided his DNA to Crime Scene, according to the report.
Clausell and Bryant were dating, the investigation revealed.
Northview Beats Flomaton, West Florida Gets Shutout In Softball; Tate Baseball Beats Escambia
February 22, 2019
Softball
Northview 4, Flomaton 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Flomaton 4-0 Thursday night in Bratt. Tori Herrington pitched the win for the Chiefs, striking out nine while going 1-3 with one RBI. Aubree Love, Kailin Watson and Valen Shelley were all 1-3 at bat, while Heather Knowles was 1-4. Love, Watson, Kendall Enfinger and Maykala Jeneske each had a RBI. Up next, the Chiefs are on the road Friday at Crestview.
Northview 13, Flomaton 3 (JV)
Northview’s junior varsity earned a run-rule win in just three innings Thursday over Flomaton by the score of 13-3.
West Florida 1, Niceville 0
Jeya Prasad didn’t allow a single run against Niceville, throwing a complete game shutout and leading West Florida Jags Varsity to a 1-0 victory in the circle and at the plate with a RBI single to score Kiauna Watson in the top of the 6th. She surrendered zero runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking zero. Hampton took the loss for Niceville. She went five innings, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two and walking one. Watson went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead West Florida Jags Varsity in hits, one in which included a triple in the top of the 6th.
Preseason Baseball
Tate 10, Escambia 0
Pictured top: Gracie Godwin pitches against Flomaton Thursday at Northview in JV softball. Pictured below: The final out as Northview’s JV run-rules Flomaton, and action as West Florida blanks Niceville. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
