Molino Double Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
January 25, 2019
A Molino double shooting suspect entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment hearing Thursday.
Justin Demarte Young, 21, is charged with two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder. He will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
He is charged with shooting Aretha Vaughn and her adult daughter Mea Vaughn about 7:50 p.m. January 1 on Barth Road in Molino.
Mea Vaughn was shot on the left side of her face, and Aretha Vaughn was shot in the back and abdomen. Investigators have not released a possible motive for the shootings.
For a photo gallery from the shooting scene, click here.
After the shooting, young fled the scene and was taken into custody about 25 miles away in the 7700 block of Kipling Street off East Olive Road.
Young had been temporarily staying with the Vaughns, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The women told deputies that he just walked in the door and started shooting at them without saying anything.
Young had allegedly moved in with the women after being kicked out of his residence after allegedly pulling a gun. According to an arrest report from that September 20 incident, he allegedly threatened to shoot woman, claiming she was the reason he lost his job. Her child younger son was reportedly in the room at the time. He is awaiting trial on two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence related in connection with the incident.
NorthEscambia.com scene photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge. Court images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Secretary Of State Resigns After Blackface Photos Emerge
January 25, 2019
Florida Secretary of State Mike Ertel abruptly resigned Thursday, after a newspaper obtained photos of the elections chief wearing blackface on Halloween more than a decade ago.
Ertel was one of the first appointments by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who named the former Seminole County supervisor of elections as secretary of state before the governor took office this month.
Photos published online by the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper Thursday showed Ertel wearing blackface and red lipstick and clad in a New Orleans Saints bandanna and a purple T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Katrina Victim,” under which he wore falsies.
According to the Democrat, the photos were taken in 2005, eight months after Ertel’s appointment as the Seminole County elections chief and two months after Hurricane Katrina’s widespread destruction in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. The Democrat shared the photos with Ertel last week and with the governor’s office Thursday morning, the story said.
Shortly before 2 p.m., Ertel, who confirmed to the Democrat that he was the man in the photos, submitted a 25-word email to Diane Moulton, director of the governor’s executive staff.
“I am submitting my resignation as Florida Secretary of State effective immediately. It has been an honor to serve you and the voters of Florida,” wrote the 49-year-old Ertel, who had appeared at a House subcommittee meeting earlier Thursday.
Ertel’s email “signature” included a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “These men ask for just the same thing, fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have.”
Ertel’s hasty exit from the Department of State is the first stain on DeSantis’ administration and came just 16 days after the Republican governor took office.
Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon at a news conference in Marianna, DeSantis called Ertel’s resignation “unfortunate.”
“I think he regrets that whole thing 14-15 years ago, but at the same time I want people to be able to lead and not having any of these things swirling around them,” DeSantis said at an event outside the Jackson County Emergency Operations Complex.
The governor said he felt it was best to accept Ertel’s resignation and “move on.”
“I think it’s unfortunate. I think he’s done a lot of good work, but at the same time I have got to have an administration that is going to be focused on what matters to Floridians. I don’t want to get mired into side controversies,” he said.
Last week, DeSantis named Christopher Anderson, a U.S. Army veteran who is black, as Ertel’s replacement as Seminole County elections supervisor.
Ertel’s sudden departure — and the racially charged photos — stunned the elections community, of which Ertel had been a respected member for years.
“This is a shocking development. His resignation seems like the only acceptable option,” Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards said in an email.
As Seminole’s elections supervisor, Ertel — whose personal Twitter account has been deleted — boosted voter enrollment, pushed for civic participation and was active on social media. His team earned kudos for the speed and transparency with which it handled manual recounts following the November elections.
But Florida state elections officials and their county counterparts are under intense scrutiny, at least in part because of the November passage of Amendment 4, which “automatically” restores voting rights to felons who have completed the terms of their sentences. The constitutional amendment, which excludes murderers and sex offenders, went into effect this month, and supervisors began registering felons who immediately started signing up to vote.
Looking to implement the amendment, lawmakers are grappling with questions about which crimes should be included in the “murder” exclusion and what financial penalties, such as court fines and restitution, must be satisfied for voters to be eligible.
Local elections supervisors are relying on the state Division of Elections, which is part of the Department of State, to give them guidance about how to interpret the amendment. Meanwhile, state elections officials told the Senate Criminal Justice Committee this week they need direction from the Legislature.
While many elections supervisors expressed strong support for Ertel’s appointment as secretary of state, Ion Sancho, who served as Leon County’s elections chief for nearly three decades before retiring in 2016, pointed out that Seminole is the only county that is not a member of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections.
Sancho said he was “stunned” by the 14-year-old photos of Ertel in blackface dressed as a Katrina victim, “because supposedly he’s a social media guru.”
Ertel “knows what to do,” Sancho said.
“He’s always tweeting,” he said.
But Ertel was viewed as somewhat of an outsider by other supervisors, according to Sancho.
“We’re a close-knit organization, like a family. We lean on each other for technical support. He was viewed as doing his own thing. He really sought out publicity more than most supervisors of elections do,” Sancho said.
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is among the people who were screened by DeSantis’ transition team for the secretary of state position last month, sparking social-media speculation Thursday about Corley as a possible replacement for Ertel.
In a text message Thursday, Corley said he appreciates “the kind words by those who would consider me qualified” for the post.
“However, my interest has been & continues to be laser focused on serving the citizens of Pasco County and striving to continually improve all facets of the Pasco Supervisor of Election’s Office,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Atmore Woman Injured In Three Vehicle Crash On Highway 29
January 25, 2019
An Atmore woman suffered minor injuries in a three vehicle crash on Highway 29 at I-10 Thursday evening.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Darrel Maples of Lafayette, AL, was northbound on Highway 29 approaching I-10 when he rear-ended a Toyota Camry driven by 32-year old Tameisha English of Atmore. English’s vehicle was pushed into a Toyota driven by 37-year old Emily King of Pensacola. Both vehicles were stopped at a red traffic signal.
English was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Maples and King were not injured.
Maples was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Spring Ball Registration Underway At Molino, NWE, Century And Cantonment
January 25, 2019
Molino Ballpark
Saturday is the registration deadline at the Molino Ballpark. Registration fees are $70 for the first child, $65 for the second child, $60 for third child if they live in the same household. Registration is 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with cash, credit card or debit card. Checks are not accepted. Coaches also needed.
Northwest Escambia
Registration is underway at Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park for ages 4-16 for baseball, softball and tee ball. Registrations can be completed by February 2 at nwebaseball.com or in person from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 26 or Saturday, February 2.
Fees are as follows:
- Ages 7 and older
- 1st Child – $100
- 2nd Child $85
- 3rd Child $75
- Tee Ball (ages 4-6)
- 1st Child – $95
- 2nd Child $80
- 3rd Child $70
Fees include $30 for jersey and hat and a $25 concession stand fee. Payment options are credit card, check or cash. Players will need to provide a copy of a birth certificate to register.
Cantonment Ballpark
Registration is underway at the Cantonment Ballpark every Saturday until February 9 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registration is $80 and includes the team uniform jersey. For more information, email cantonmentsports@gmail.com. First practice will be Tuesday, February 19, and Opening Day is et for Saturday, March 30.
For a registration form, click here.
Century Little League
Century Little League registration for 2019 is happening now.
Registration fees are as follows:
- Now until February 14: First Child $60; $55 each additional
- February 15 to March 2: First Child $70; $65 each additional
Register online here, or in person registration dates will be held on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box:
- February 9
- February 16
- March 2
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Feds Boost Money For Hurricane Debris Removal
January 25, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the White House is extending the number of days debris cleanup from Hurricane Michael will be fully reimbursed by the federal government.
The move is expected to save Panhandle communities and the state “hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz.
“This is a big deal,” Moskowitz said. “It’s a big deal for the people in the Panhandle. … It’s hundreds of millions of dollars that is going to be relieved from our local governments’ and our state budgets.”
The eastern Panhandle had earlier been approved to pick five of its busiest days of debris cleanup from the Oct. 10 storm to receive 100 percent reimbursement. After DeSantis met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the full reimbursement period was extended to 45 days, DeSantis said while standing before the hurricane-mangled remains of the Jackson County Road Department facility.
“That’s real money. That’s going to take a burden off the communities here,” DeSantis said in Marianna.
The governor, who has close political ties to Trump, said he expects to continue making requests for the region, including a push to the White House to increase the remaining debris reimbursement — currently expected to be 75 percent for local governments — to 90 percent.
Adam Johnson, interim Calhoun County emergency management director, said his county is grateful for the support from DeSantis and Trump, which he said shows people in the region “are not forgotten about.”
DeSantis met last week in Panama City with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long and local officials and said at the time he would push the White House to increase federal reimbursements for debris cleanup.
Thursday’s announcement came as Northwest Florida lawmakers continue to express concern the region will be forgotten now that the media spotlight has waned. That concern is rooted, at least in part, in the fact Michael didn’t hit any of the state’s most-populated metro areas or decimate a signature crop such as oranges.
Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, added that there is a “great fear” that priority could eventually go to other regions hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and any future storms.
“We’re right now stacked on Matthew, Irma and now we have Michael. God knows if we have a storm next year, we’ll be a distant thought,” Broxson said. “We know this storm is bigger than Florida can handle. As you look at our budgets, I don’t think I’ve seen any real progressive revelation that we’re going to be able to underwrite what the devastation is.”
Lawmakers said it’s too early to put a price tag on the storm, but the need for federal help is a must, as the anticipated costs will be too great for the state and local governments.
“We’re doing a lot on our own, but we have got to have a lot of money,” Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said.
With 2.8 million acres of forest land damaged, timber farmers sustained more than $1.3 billion of the overall $1.49 billion in estimated agricultural damages that have been reported from the storm.
The region, which relies heavily on tourism and the military, is facing massive housing issues and anticipates reductions in government revenue once property values are reassessed.
As of Friday, Michael had resulted in 142,057 insurance claims, mostly from personal residential property, with projected insured losses at nearly $5.27 billion, according to the latest numbers posted by the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
Lawmakers say school districts in the region are having to discuss closing some campuses as the student population is down 20 percent because displaced families have left areas.
Meanwhile, the region faces massive cleanup, with Bay County expected to pay $400 million just for debris removal from unincorporated areas. Also, Panama City is facing a $31 million tab to finish cleaning its stormwater system, said Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City.
“It’s remarkable how much money that will be needed just to get us upright, to start walking,” Trumbull said.
State officials have estimated Michael left about 20 million cubic tons of debris after it made landfall in Mexico Beach and traveled north into Georgia. By comparison, Hurricane Irma, which cut a path from the Florida Keys to Jacksonville in September 2017, resulted in about 2 million cubic tons of debris.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the White House is extending the number of days debris cleanup from Hurricane Michael will be fully reimbursed by the federal government.
The move is expected to save Panhandle communities and the state “hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz.
“This is a big deal,” Moskowitz said. “It’s a big deal for the people in the Panhandle. … It’s hundreds of millions of dollars that is going to be relieved from our local governments’ and our state budgets.”
The eastern Panhandle had earlier been approved to pick five of its busiest days of debris cleanup from the Oct. 10 storm to receive 100 percent reimbursement. After DeSantis met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the full reimbursement period was extended to 45 days, DeSantis said while standing before the hurricane-mangled remains of the Jackson County Road Department facility.
“That’s real money. That’s going to take a burden off the communities here,” DeSantis said.
The governor, who has close political ties to Trump, said he expects to continue making requests for the region, including a push to the White House to increase the remaining debris reimbursement — currently expected to be 75 percent for local governments — to 90 percent.
Adam Johnson, interim Calhoun County emergency management director, said his county is grateful for the support from DeSantis and Trump, which he said shows people in the region “are not forgotten about.”
DeSantis met last week in Panama City with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long and local officials and said at the time he would push the White House to increase federal reimbursements for debris cleanup.
Thursday’s announcement came as Northwest Florida lawmakers continue to express concern the region will be forgotten now that the media spotlight has waned. That concern is rooted, at least in part, in the fact Michael didn’t hit any of the state’s most-populated metro areas or decimate a signature crop such as oranges.
Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, added that there is a “great fear” that priority could eventually go to other regions hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and any future storms.
“We’re right now stacked on Matthew, Irma and now we have Michael. God knows if we have a storm next year, we’ll be a distant thought,” Broxson said. “We know this storm is bigger than Florida can handle. As you look at our budgets, I don’t think I’ve seen any real progressive revelation that we’re going to be able to underwrite what the devastation is.”
Lawmakers said it’s too early to put a price tag on the storm, but the need for federal help is a must, as the anticipated costs will be too great for the state and local governments.
“We’re doing a lot on our own, but we have got to have a lot of money,” Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said.
With 2.8 million acres of forest land damaged, timber farmers sustained more than $1.3 billion of the overall $1.49 billion in estimated agricultural damages that have been reported from the storm.
The region, which relies heavily on tourism and the military, is facing massive housing issues and anticipates reductions in government revenue once property values are reassessed.
As of Friday, Michael had resulted in 142,057 insurance claims, mostly from personal residential property, with projected insured losses at nearly $5.27 billion, according to the latest numbers posted by the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
Lawmakers say school districts in the region are having to discuss closing some campuses as the student population is down 20 percent because displaced families have left areas.
Meanwhile, the region faces massive cleanup, with Bay County expected to pay $400 million just for debris removal from unincorporated areas. Also, Panama City is facing a $31 million tab to finish cleaning its stormwater system, said Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City.
“It’s remarkable how much money that will be needed just to get us upright, to start walking,” Trumbull said.
State officials have estimated Michael left about 20 million cubic tons of debris after it made landfall in Mexico Beach and traveled north into Georgia. By comparison, Hurricane Irma, which cut a path from the Florida Keys to Jacksonville in September 2017, resulted in about 2 million cubic tons of debris.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Dump Truck Driver Involved In Fatal Hit And Run Identified
January 25, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol has found the vehicle and driver they believe was involved in a fatal hit and run crash on Fairfield Drive on January 17.
The vehicle was a yellow Ford F700 single axle dump truck with a yellow flatbed trailer with a Bobcat loader, a small paving machine and an asphalt roller. The dump truck was driven by 46-year old William Miles, Jr. of Ashland, IL.
About 6:30 p.m. on January 17, the FHP says Miles struck a pedestrian now identified as 60-year old Don Neal Powell of Pensacola on Fairfield Drive near Pace Boulevard. Powell was pronounced deceased following the crash.
The FHP said any charges against Miles are pending the outcome of their investigation.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 25, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending January 3 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Land was conducting resource inspections on the Escambia River. He encountered a group of subjects who were duck hunting. Officer Land began checking each subject’s firearm to ensure it was only capable of holding three shells. One of the subjects informed Officer Land that his shotgun did not have a plug in it. Officer Land inspected the firearm and found that it could hold more than three shells. It is not legal to use a firearm capable of holding more than three shells to take migratory birds. The appropriate action was taken for the violation.
Officers Allgood and Jackson located a baited site on Escambia River Wildlife Management area. Officer Allgood continued to monitor the baited site for several days. Officers Allgood and Hutchinson along with K9 Zara saw a boat parked near the baited stand. The officers approached the subject and after a short interview, the subject admitted to placing food attractant in the management area. The subject was issued a resource citation for placing bait in the Wildlife Management Area.
Officer Allgood was on water patrol working duck hunting on the Escambia River. He saw a group of duck hunters and conducted a resource inspection after the hunt was over. During the inspection, Officer Allgood found one of the subject’s shotgun was unplugged and could hold more than three shells. Officer Allgood issued the group several citations to include hunting waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds and multiple license violations.
Officer Allgood was on water patrol on the Escambia River working duck hunting. He conducted a resource inspection on a group of duck hunters. The inspection revealed that a subject had taken four wood ducks using lead shot. Officer Allgood issued a resource citation to the subject for taking ducks with lead shot.
Officer Allgood checked a mullet harvester underneath the Highway 90 Bridge in Milton. During his inspection of his fish and fishing license, Officer Allgood smelled a strong odor of cannabis coming from the subject’s bag located next to him. The officer explained he smelled cannabis and asked the man where it was. The man admitted to having cannabis in the bag. During the inspection of the bag, Officer Allgood found cannabis, methamphetamine, a metal pipe with residue in it, another metal pipe and a small digital scale. The subject was placed under arrest and transported and booked in the Santa Rosa Jail.
Officer Cushing was working the Escambia River WMA at location known to be frequented by duck hunters. After legal shooting hours expired, he heard 18 shotgun shots from a group of subjects. Officer Cushing waited until they returned to land and questioned the two subjects about legal waterfowl shooting hours. Both subjects admitted to shooting after hours. In addition, one of the subjects was using an unplugged shotgun. The appropriate state citations were issued.
Officers Cushing and Clark conducted a fisheries inspection of a recreational fishing vessel returning through the Pensacola Pass. Officer Clark discovered several closed season gray triggerfish in the vessel’s cooler. Officer Clark documented the state violations accordingly.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Land witnessed a pickup truck transporting a large quantity of used tires on the highway. The vehicle was not displaying the proper decal to transport more than 25 waste tires. Officer Land conducted a traffic stop to address the violation. There were three individuals in the vehicle. The driver did not possess the required permit to haul more than 25 waste tires, he was driving with a suspended driver’s license and he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The two passengers both had warrants out of Okaloosa County. The appropriate actions were taken to address the violations.
While on patrol during the recent archery season on Eglin WMA, Officer Jones found a baited hunting site. After checking the area for several days without contact with the subject, he seized all hunting equipment at the site as evidence. After an investigation Officer Jones was able to identify the owner of the hunting equipment and was able to file charges for placing bait on a wildlife management area.
Officer Mullins was on water patrol on the Escambia River working duck hunting. He heard several shots that were after the legal hunting hours. The officer located four subjects who admitted to shooting after hours. Upon inspection Officer Mullins discovered one of the subjects with an unplugged shotgun, and another hunting with no valid hunting license. Officer Mullins issued the appropriate citations and warnings.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Company Makes $200K Proposal To Make Century A Renewable Energy Showcase
January 24, 2019
A California company is proposing about $200,000 worth of energy saving upgrades at three Century town properties, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
EMESGY, a consulting company in Torrance, CA, presented written proposals for potential cost saving energy upgrades from ADC Energy of California to the electrical systems at the Century Town Hall, the “Ag Building” community center on West Highway 4 and the former Helicopter Technology building in the Century Industrial Park. The industrial park building is currently unoccupied.
On October 29, Hawkins emailed the general Escambia County District 5 address inviting Barry to attend a presentation from Mark Endo of EMESGY. The presentation was set for the following afternoon.
On November 27, Century Mayor Hawkins forwarded a copy of the proposals in an email to Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry. “I’m hoping to get your approval on using economic money to do these. If we can do either City Hall or the Community Center would be great,” Hawkins wrote.
Barry said he did not respond to either email, and he has not presented the proposals to the Escambia County Commission.
Escambia County has committed $105,000 for economic development in the Century area this fiscal year. Proposals for the money are presented to Barry who in turn seeks approval of the entire commission at a regular meeting. So far, the commission has approved only $24,500 to the University of West Florida Haas Center for a market analysis.
The Proposals
“ADC Energy is patented technology that allows transmission of low-voltage DC to travel long distance using existing wiring. It is now possible for you to battery power your entire facility with ADC Energy,” the company states on its website.
The proposals were in three phases. In the first phase, lighting in each building would be upgraded to “24V Battery powered facility lighting.” The second phase would add solar panels, and third phase would be a solar-powered HVAC system.
The total cost of the equipment, design and installation totaled $197,642 for just the first phase, itemized as follows:
- Town Hall: $34,593
- Community Center: $43,368
- Industrial Park Building: $119,681
Endo proposed the project would be a “renewable energy showcase … to secure massive visibility in local, national, and international media viewed by domestic and international audiences” in an email to Hawkins.
The email also stated, “Century and EMESGY will invite Miami International University (MIU) who is the 4th largest R & D University in the US to work with Century to establish an offsite joint R & D initiative with MIU funding, new jobs, and technology development.”
According to their website, the Miami International University of Art & Design “is one of The Art Institutes, a system of schools throughout North America,” and MIU offers degrees in design, fashion and media arts.
Endo suggests in his email that notification be sent to governors, senators, local to international media, and educational institutions to alert them of Century’s renewable energy initiatives and make Century a showcase.
Hawkins has not presented the proposals to the Century Town Council.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Tased During Traffic Stop, Charged With Two Felonies
January 24, 2019
A Cantonment man tased by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies during a traffic stop is facing two felony charges.
Dalan Lamar Beasley, 29, was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine, resisting an officer with violence and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Deputies in an unmarked vehicle conducted a traffic stop January 18 on a Dodge Dart driven by a female on West Hope Drive, near I-10 and Highway 29, due to a tint violation.
When Beasley exited the passenger side of the vehicle, he did not comply with multiple orders from the deputies, according to an arrest report. Instead, he struggled against deputies and placed his hand down his pants. As he continued to “violently resist” he was tased before being taken into custody.
During a search, deputies found a bag containing methamphetamine in Beasley’s groin area. Inside they car, they found a marijuana cigarette.
Beasley was booking into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $66,000.
The female driver received warnings for a window tint violation and improperly wearing a seat belt.
Century Prison Visitors Caught With Contraband
January 24, 2019
The Florida Department of Corrections continues their zero tolerance policy for any type of contraband.
On January 19, staff conducted a pat search of a visitor and discovered two concealed bundles of marijuana. During a subsequent search of their vehicle, additional packaged bundles of marijuana were located. The visitor was arrested for introduction of contraband and possession. The suspect’s name was not released by the FDOC.
On January 20, the institution’s K-9 team alerted on two separate visitors. The first visitor admitted to having consumed narcotics, prior to their arrival. Their visit was terminated. The second visitor was found to have marijuana, located in their vehicle. Their visitation was also terminated.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.