Gov. Scott Calls For FBI Director To Resign
February 17, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday demanded FBI Director Christopher Wray resign after the federal agency acknowledged it failed to follow standard procedures after receiving a tip in January about a man charged this week with killing 17 people at a Broward County high school.
Meanwhile, members of the state’s congressional delegation are seeking U.S. House and Senate investigations into the FBI’s handling of the tip, and two Republican state senators want to establish a task force that would look at violence in schools and communities.
Scott called the failure of the FBI to act on a credible tip “unacceptable.”
“Seventeen innocent people are dead, and acknowledging a mistake isn’t going to cut it,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “An apology will never bring these 17 Floridians back to life or comfort the families who are in pain. The families will spend a lifetime wondering how this could happen, and an apology will never give them the answers they desperately need.”
“We constantly promote ‘see something, say something,’ and a courageous person did just that to the FBI,” Scott continued. “And the FBI failed to act. ‘See something, say something’ is an incredibly important tool and people must have confidence in the follow through from law enforcement. The FBI director needs to resign.”
An FBI spokesman said Friday afternoon the agency had no comment on Scott’s demand.
Nikolas Cruz, 19, was arrested Wednesday after a massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Cruz was charged Thursday with 17 counts of premeditated murder, while law enforcement continues to gather information about what was the second worst school shooting in U.S. history.
In a rare admission, the FBI issued a news release Friday that said a person close to Cruz had contacted the agency’s public access line on Jan. 5, outlining the man’s gun ownership, erratic behavior, disturbing social media posts, desire to kill people and even the potential to engage in a school shooting.
The news release said the information should have been assessed as a “potential threat to life” and forwarded to the FBI’s Miami field office, which was not done.
Wray, who has been criticized by many Republicans for his agency’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 elections, said in the release that an investigation is underway into how the tip-line call was handled.
“I am committed to getting to the bottom of what happened in this particular matter, as well as reviewing our processes for responding to information that we receive from the public,” Wray said.
Wray added that members of the agency have spoken to victims and families and “deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Democrat whose district includes Parkland, didn’t go as far as Scott but called for Congress to conduct investigations.
“This has been an excruciating few days for the Parkland community. Now, it appears that this tragedy could have been prevented,” Deutch, said in a prepared statement. “The American people should be encouraged to say something if they see something. But we also must be assured that these tips will be processed swiftly and thoroughly so we can avoid future tragedies.”
Rubio called the FBI’s failure “inexcusable.”
“The fact that the FBI is investigating this failure is not enough,” Rubio said. “Both the House and Senate need to immediately initiate their own investigations into the FBI’s protocols for ensuring tips from the public about potential killers are followed through. Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel constantly remind the public that ‘if you see something, say something.’ In this tragic case, people close to the shooter said something, and our system utterly failed the families of 17 innocent souls.”
In the Florida Legislature, Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, and Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, asked Senate President Joe Negron on Friday to establish a task force that would look into issues such as mental-health treatment, hardening soft targets such as schools and the possibility of hiring former military members and police officers to patrol education grounds.
“We should not allow the inaction of our federal partners to be the cause of our inaction in addressing the issues of violence in our schools and our community,” Garcia and Flores jointly wrote in a letter. “We must take a holistic approach in addressing these pressing concerns to ensure that we protect all Floridians.”
Garcia and Flores in the past have helped block gun-rights bills in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee is scheduled Tuesday to hear a proposal (SB 1236) that would allow school principals or school superintendents to designate people who could carry guns during school hours.
The task force request came as the Second Amendment group Florida Carry urged lawmakers to eliminate “gun-free zones” for people with concealed-weapons licenses and to allow teachers with licenses to carry firearms while in school.
“It is a well-established fact from numerous such events that bad people with guns will only stop their carnage when confronted by an armed response,” Eric Friday, the group’s general counsel, wrote in an open letter. “Every second until that response occurs allows the murderer to kill and maim more innocents.”
Negron, who visited the high school Friday with Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, and Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, said the Senate will continue to focus on advancing a $13 million increase in the budget, to $78.1 million, for school safety and another $100 million as part of a new category of K-12 school funding specifically to assess and treat mental health.
Habitat For Humanity Opens ReStore
February 17, 2018
A ribbon cutting was held Friday morning for a new Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Restore at Eastgate Plaza at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Creighton Road.
The Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ReStore is owned and operated by Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. The ReStore accepts high-quality donations, then sells those items to raise money to support Pensacola Habitat’s mission of building homes, community, and hope. ReStore merchandise can be priced 50-70 percent less than standard retail prices, making the ReStore a more affordable avenue for home improvement projects while keeping tons of perfectly good items from ending up in the landfill.
Weekend Visitations Canceled At Century Work Camp After Lockdown
February 17, 2018
The Florida Department of Corrections on Friday announced that weekend visitations have been canceled at the Century Work Camp after the discover of a “significant” amount on contraband inside the facility.
As NorthEscambia.com previously reported, the Century Work Camp has been under a partial lockdown since Tuesday following a contraband search.
The contraband discovery is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections Inspector General’s Office.
The department declined to identify what type or quantity of contraband was located inside the facility on Tedder Road just west of the Century Correctional Institution.
Weekend visitations were also canceled at the Blackwater Correctional Facility due to contraband.
“The secure operation of our correctional institutions is our chief priority. We have zero tolerance for inmate misconduct or the introduction of contraband into our secure facilities. We are taking proactive measures to ensure these institutions can continue normal operations and that the safety of staff and inmates can be upheld. We look forward to resuming normal visitation as quickly as possible,” Michele Glady, FDC communications director, said.
Navy Federal Named One Of Fortune’s Best Companies To Work For
February 17, 2018
Navy Federal Credit Union has been listed at number 42 on Fortune magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies To Work For” in 2018. This was highest ranking achieved by the world’s largest credit union in their eight years on the list.
“We work continually to make sure that Navy Federal is an outstanding place to build a career,” said Cutler Dawson, president/CEO of Navy Federal. “Our mission is about excellent service to our members and that mission starts with our employees. I believe that our success is all about putting employees first.”
In recognizing Navy Federal, Fortune noted that 96 percent of employees say they were made to feel welcome when they joined the team, and 95 percent are proud to tell others where they work.
“Being part of team you believe in is a critical part of a great place to work. That’s why we continue to invest in an environment where people can learn, prosper and grow,” Dawson added.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Road Bridge Reopens
February 17, 2018
The bridge on Barrineau Park Road across the Perdido River into Alabama has reopened. It was closed last Monday due to flooding. The photo shows the bridge on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Beat Milton
February 17, 2018
The Tate High School Lady Aggies defeated Milton Friday in Cantonment.
Tate 2, Milton 0
In varsity action, Tate topped Milton 2-0.
Hannah Brown pitched the win for the Aggies, giving up three hits while allowing no runs and striking out seven.
Shelby Ullrich was 2-2 with an RBI, Belle Wolfenden recorded an RBI, Deazia Nickerson was 1-2 with a run, a Ryleigh Cawby had a run for the Lady Aggies.
Tate 16, Milton 1
In junior varsity action, Tate powered past Milton 12-1.
Driver Strikes Fire Hydrant In Crash That Injures Three
February 17, 2018
Three people were transported to area hospital following a two-vehicle crash Friday night in Cantonment.
One of the vehicles left Highway 95A and struck a fire hydrant in the 7:33 p.m. crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Jail Medical Director Terminated
February 17, 2018
Escambia County Medical Director for Public Safety Paul Henning, who also served as the medical director at the Escambia County Jail, was terminated on Thursday, effective immediately. The reason for that termination has been not been provided by the county.
Henning took over jail medical services in January 2016.
ECSO: Man Threatens To “Shoot Up” Several Local Schools
February 16, 2018
An Escambia County man has accused of making social media threats against local schools.
During a press conference Friday afternoon, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said 23-year old Gabriel Brooks Harvell was threatening to “shoot up” Escambia High School, Pine Forest High School and Pensacola State College. Harvell was immediately arrested on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation in a stalking case.
“In Escambia County, we are going to take any insinuation or threat involving our school system and our children beyond serious,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “If you are stupid enough…to be be engaged in this sort of communication, you can expect the full weight of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to be visited upon you. To state that this is not a joking manner is to state in in the minimus. These are things we do not joke about.
Also Friday, the Pensacola Police Department announced the arrest of 13-year old student for the disruption of a school function after he share message on social media that alluded to a school student. Because the charge is a misdemeanor, the student’s name was not released.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said “anybody that is arrested will be treated ver”, referring to school threats, and seeking maximum available punishments.
“We’ve had more weapons found this school year than we have found in a couple of years,” Superintend Malcolm Thomass said. “That’s unacceptable.”
“If you bring a weapon to school you are going to face the most serious consequences that I can issue as superintendent,, and I will be referring those students to law enforcement,” Thomas said. “School is not a place to bring a weapon.”
Thomas asked that parents keep their children away from guns…change gun safe combinations or find a new key hiding location, and he urged parents to check their child’s book bags and social media posts.
“I’m calling on the entire community…if you see something, say something,” the superintendent said. “For our students, if you see somebody at school that is acting weird and think that they are a little off, you need to report it.
Pictured top. Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas addresses school security as Sheriff David Morgan listens Friday afternoon.
Investigators Now Believe Missing Molino Man Was Murdered
February 16, 2018
Investigators now say a Molino man that disappeared more than a decade ago is presumed dead, and they are treating his case as homicide.
“I’m not ever going to be finished with this investigation until there is justice”, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Michelle Wert said Thursday. The case has been particularly frustrating for Wert, knowing that she could have arrested at least two people if the statue of limitations in part of the case had not expired, but she’s continuing to work toward homicide arrests. There is no statute of limitations for homicide.
Timothy Allen Lamb was a developmentally disabled, legally blind and suffered from a heart condition, according to Wert. He lived with his mother until 2003 and then lived with different friends in the Molino area. He did not work and did not drive.
“Taking care of him was like having a third child,” Wert said. “There is no way the he could be out there living on his own.”
Relatives last communicated with Lamb in 2004 due to “very strained family relationships,” she said. In 2016, a relative tried to contact Lamb, but discovered that he was no where to be found and he had not been seen by friends in years. He was last known to be living with a friend off Highway 97 in Molino in 2005. And now the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office believes Lamb was murdered in 2005.
Investigators made the case public in September 2017 in an attempt to obtain more information.
Search warrants were served in 2005 off Highway 97 at the home of Lamb’s friend, but the search did not produce a body, Wert said. Additional search warrants have been executed, and other properties have been searched after owners gave consent.
The statute of limitations passed years ago, but Wert said there was concrete evidence of fraud in the case, along with element of foul play.
“Because of the length of time, parts of the case have been more difficult,” Wert stated. “But if it had not been so long ago, there would have been fraud arrests.”
Wert declined to name the fraud suspects as they are not facing any criminal charges and the related homicide investigation is active and ongoing by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office.
“We are continuing to review information in this case, and there have been no charges at this time,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said. “We are still gathering evidence.”
Wert is asking anyone that knows anything about Lamb — whether recently or from years ago, the names of his friends or any other information contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.