Scott Looks To Boost Money For Teacher Supplies
October 26, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he will seek to increase the annual grants that Florida teachers receive to buy classroom supplies.
In his still-developing budget proposal for the 2018 legislative session, Scott said he wants to increase the grants to $350, up from $250. If approved by lawmakers, it would represent a nearly $18 million increase in the program for a total of $63 million in the 2018-2019 academic year.
After meeting with “teachers of the year” from across the state Tuesday, Scott said he wants to make sure teachers have enough support to help students succeed.
“Far too often, teachers are forced to reach into their own pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms, and I am proud to propose additional money for this critical program,” Scott said.
by The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Woman Charged With Stealing Lawn Mower, Trailer
October 26, 2017
A Cantonment woman has been charged with stealing a riding lawn mower and trailer back in September.
Ashley Nicole Long, 31, was charged with two counts of felony grand theft.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Long is accused to taking a 2005 utility trailer and a Craftsman riding mower from Escambia Avenue in Cantonment on September 9. The victim reported that she loaned the mower to a male family friend on September 8. The family friend reported that Long and an unidentified male took the trailer and mower.
There were numerous conversations between the family friend and Long in reference to returning the mower, the report states; however, she refused to cooperate. Both the victim and family friends stated they were contacted by Long on the phone who stated that she was using the mower and would return it. The mower had not been returned by the time an arrest warrant for Long was issued.
Long was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
October 26, 2017
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the first nine weeks of the school year:
Kindergarten
Mrs.Barberree
All Satisfactory
Tyrus Bradley
Trusten Brown
Maggy Dunsford
Lainey Dunsford
Brayden Lee
Russell LeMesuier
Hailey Levins
Keaten Odom
Sawyer Odom
Cam’ron Reed
Mrs.Seales
All Satisfactory
Tyree Baker
Zacharie Barrow
Jayden Carter
Kyle Lowery
Alydia Sutton
Zane Therrell
Nevaeh Tidd
Natalia Jackson-White
Caesar Whorff
Madyson Wiggins
Mrs.Slade
All Satisfactory
Madison Brazwell
Rilee Campbell
Eli Evans
Brian Madison
Douglas Maxwell
Kinsley McKinnon
Bentley Sanders
Maryann Tedder
Jakiy’rah Thomas
1st Grade
Mrs.Brown
A- Honor Roll
Ethan Carter
Allison Grant
Kaden Smith
Ember Claire Waters
Bryce Yoder
A/B- Honor Roll
Landon Barrow
Zoey Dunsford
McKenzie Griffis
Ty Jackson
Brooklyn Miller
Bryce Miller
Abriella Scott
Zi’Nique Smith
Mrs.Kitchin
A-Honor Roll
Olivia Levins
Ashanti Manuel
Natalie Rogers
A/B-Honor Roll
Clark Burt
Anastacia Cooley
Azariyah Elliott
Bryce Giger
Annie Mathis
SaRai McKee
Brody Rigby
Layla Schoonover
2nd Grade
Mrs.Linton
A-Honor Roll
Emma Godwin
A/B-Honor Roll
Jackson Anderson
Luke Plant
Mrs.Moorhead
A-Honor Roll
Briley Beers
Lyla Calloway
Darien Smith
Zane Weaver
Nicholas Long
A/B-Honor Roll
Sierra Carnley
Sydney Little
Mason McKinnon
Olivia Thomas
Cecelia Whorff
Audrina Woods
3rd Grade
Mrs.Dunsford
A-Honor Roll
Jase Portwood
A/B-Honor Roll
Valeria Franco
Aleah Livingston
Warner Maxwell
Trenton Wright
Mrs. Weaver
A-Honor Roll
Lexi Bingham
Michael Brazwell
Taylor Curtis
Caleb Levins
Crest Waters
Cannon Whorff
Allison Yoder
A/B-Honor Roll
Kayden Harwell
Gabrielle Hawsey
Preston Hudson
Layla Jordan
Benji Parker
Bonnie Trump
4th Grade
Mrs.Marshman
A-Honor Roll
Elizabeth Coleman
Savannah Hudson
Ryder Lee
Makenzie Levins
Christian Velazquez
A/B-Honor Roll
Cameron Bourgeois
Mary-Clayton Dawson
Luke Godwin
Easten Odom
Bree Robertson
Evelyn Smith
Mrs.Thornton
A-Honor Roll
Hanah Lambeth
Andrew Plant
A/B-Honor Roll
Savannah Barrow
London Brooks
Braxton Wagner
Charlee Weaver
5th Grade
Mrs.Johnston
A-Honor Roll
Brian Yoder
A/B-Honor Roll
Logan Bevins
Zack Herndon
Raegan Kimmons
Mia Kornegay
Evin Matlock
Mia Turner-White
Ms. Singleton
A-Honor Roll
Maddie Mae Driskell
Kelan Jurey
Madison Levins
Riley Long
Addisen Miller
A/B-Honor Roll
Tripp Curtis
Braden Glick
Jaci Jackson
Blake Shaw
Church Pumpkin Patch Open In Cantonment
October 26, 2017
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch is open once again this year at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Pictured: The Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Today, Colder This Weekend
October 26, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
FWC Seeking Comment On Proposed Hunting Rule Changes
October 26, 2017
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff have drafted proposed rule changes regarding hunting and FWC-managed lands that would impact 2018 hunting seasons.
FWC is still seeking public input on those plans. To submit comments to FWC on these and other proposed rule changes, click here.
Proposed Northwest Region changes include:
Blackwater WMA, Carr Unit – discontinue the special-opportunity released quail season and permit requirements; and allow northern bobwhite to be released and taken by shotgun during the small game season. A daily no-cost permit and proof that northern bobwhite were purchased within the past 90 days from a game farm licensed by the Commission or another state would be required for each individual or group participating.
Blackwater WMA, Hutton Unit – shift the 4 existing November quail hunts to February; and expand dove hunting from 4 to 8 days by adding 4 additional days of dove hunts during the second phase of the statewide dove season.
Escambia River WMA – allow raccoon hunting year-round in the still and dog hunt areas, except during the youth turkey hunt and spring turkey season; and limit camping to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period.
Perdido River WMA – expand small game season from 30 to 68 days; and limit camping to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period.
Teacher Charged With Abusing Special Needs Student
October 25, 2017
An Escambia County special education teacher has been charged with cruelty toward a child after after allegedly flipping over a desk over while a special needs child was sitting in it.
According to the arrest report, 56-year-old Donna Dixon of Cantonment is a teacher at Escambia Westgate School. She was placed on suspension a day after the alleged incident.
Deputies were shown a video of the student sitting in a desk with her head down. The video shows Dixon walking into the room and directly to the desk where the student is sitting.
The arrest report said Dixon “picked up the front of the desk and pushed it backward. This caused the victim to fall backward and hit a large plastic cart before hitting the floor.” Dixon “manipulated the desk until the victim was no longer in it.” She then placed the desk back upright and then walked out of the room, deputies reported seeing in the video.
Deputies say Dixon met with them at the sheriff’s office for an interview. Dixon told deputies she was helping students get to their buses when the victim would not comply.
A member of the Escambia County School Board showed deputies video of the student sitting in a desk with her head down. The video shows Dixon walking into the room and directly to the desk where the student is sitting.
The arrest report said Dixon “picked up the front of the desk and pushed it backward. This caused the victim to fall backward and hit a large plastic cart before hitting the floor.” Dixon “manipulated the desk until the victim was no longer in it.” She then placed the desk back up and then walked out of the room, deputies reported seeing in the video.
Deputies say Dixon met with them at the sheriff’s office for an interview. Dixon told deputies she was helping students get to their buses when the victim would not comply.
Another teacher that witnessed the incident told deputies everything happened so fast that she didn’t know how to react. Shortly after Dixon left the room leaving the student on the floor, the witness said two more people walked into the room and helped the student up off the ground.
Dixon was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond . She has been suspended by the Escambia County School District
Escambia Clerk Warns Of Jury Duty Scam
October 25, 2017
The Escambia County Clerk’s office reports that citizens have received phone calls from individuals seeking money as a result of the citizen having missed jury duty.
The caller indicates that the citizen must pay a fine or fee in order to ensure a warrant for their arrest will not be issued. In the latest of these jury scams, the caller is claiming to work for the Escambia County Sheriff’s office. Neither the Sheriff’s office nor the Clerk’s office will ever demand payment via telephone in lieu of arrest.
This scam has been occurring in the Pensacola area and elsewhere in Florida. If you, or someone you know, have received such a call, please call the Sheriff’s office at (850) 436-9620.
County Responds To Sheriff David Morgan’s Budget Appeal
October 25, 2017
The Escambia County Commission has filed a response to Sheriff David Morgan’s appeal of his budget to the Governor’s Office.
The entire response is 29 pages long (click here for pdf) plus 564 pages of exhibits in three parts. (click here, here and here).
The county approved a final budget of $455,840,072, with $3,744,070.41 set aside to fund a three percent raise for all employees. That included $1,246,031 for the Sheriff’s Office to use for pay raises.
Of the total final budget, the board adopted a budget for the Sheriff’s Office that totaled $56,739,867, representing a voluntary reduction in his original budget request for court security no longer provided and acknowledging his request for what Morgan referred to as a 3% “merit increase” for all employees, according to the county response. The budget excluded an allocation to fund six new cadet positions and did not fully fund his requested per employee health insurance contribution.
The county said the sheriff’s budget was increased by 2.35 percent over the last fiscal year and was the fifth consecutive year it was increased.
In his petition, Morgan cited three primary objections to his budget as adopted by the county commission: denial of the Sheriff;s request for $2,083,523.81 to fund the “Sheriffs Retention/Compression Plan- Phase I”, denial of the Sheriff’s request for $319,154.28 to fund six new cadet positions and (3) denial of the Sheriff’ss request for an additional $400 per employee to fund health insurance benefits.
The county maintains they rejected Morgan’s plan based upon logic and reason. The Board said only 62 percent of the Sheriff’s personnel are sworn deputies; leaving almost 40 percent of the workforce as administrative staff. By comparison, the sheriffs of Leon County and Santa Rosa County employ 78 percent and 71 percent as sworn deputies respectively.
“The Sheriff currently employs more administrative staff in his Public Information Office than in Robbery/Homicide; more in Human Resources than in Major Crimes; more in Finance than in Special Victims,” the county’s response stated. “With almost half the workforce performing administrative functions, the Sheriff retains ample time and resources to produce promotional videos.”
Commissioner also questioned how much of the Sheriff’s $2 million plan to retain deputies would actually go to deputies versus administrative personnel.
The sheriff has steadily received budget increases for personnel expenditures, but he’s made no attempt to give deputies more money by shifting funds in his budget, the county stated.
The county also cited the sheriff’s use of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF). The money comes from criminal seizures and is supposed to be used to prevent crime.
The response states, “Historically, a very small percentage of the LETF was used for promotional materials or event sponsorships. However, over the last three years, the vast majority of the LETF has been utilized by the Sheriff for promotional materials or events. From 2008-2017, the Sheriff’s LETF expenditures for promotional materials and events rose from 4% to 96% with notable increases in 2012 and 2016, which were election years.”
According to the county, Sheriff Morgan has spent almost $1.5 million over the past three years on promotional materials and events instead.
Commissioners say those include:
- American Heart Association – The sheriff contributed $5,000 for eight people to attend the “Dance Your Heart Out” gala ball.
- ARC Gateway – The sheriff contributed $20,000 for 20 people to attend their “Wreaths of Joy” Gala.
- Council on Aging- The sheriff contributed $10,000 for 20 tickets to attend the “Rat Pack Reunion Ball” and dinner, at which the sheriff was a member of the featured Rat Pack.
- Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association – The sheriff contributed $5,000 for eight people to attend a banquet.
- Hadji Temple Association – The sheriff contributed $5,000 for eight people to participate in the “Hadji Shrine” annual golf tournament.
- Independence for the Blind – The sheriff contributed $2,500 for eight people to attend the annual “Eye Ball”.
- King Richard Foundation – The sheriff contributed $1,000 for 20 people to attend the “Beauty By the Bay” fashion show and dinner event.
- Panhandle Charitable Open – The sheriff contributed $20,000 for 10 people to attend the “Fore Charity Tee-Off Par-Tee” event.
- Pensacola Little Theater – The sheriff contributed $2,500 for 20 people to attend their annual gala.
- Pensacola Opera – The sheriff contributed $5,000 for 10 people to attend the annual “Jukebox Gala” event.
- Studer Community Institute – The sheriff contributed $5,000 for a sponsorship package for eight people to attend the “Light Up Learning” dinner event.
- Teen Challenge – The sheriff contributed $2,000 for eight people to participate in a golf tournament.
- Veterans’ Memorial Park Foundation – The sheriff donated $5,000 to the foundation.
- WSRE Public Television – The sheriff contributed $2,500 for eight people to attend the “Milestones and Memories” annual event.
“While these are worthwhile charities, the County is charged with accounting for every penny of taxpayer dollars. Citizens have the right to expect that their tax dollars will be spent in a manner that supports the charge of the public office those dollars are funding. The Sheriff’s questionable use of LETF dollars does not support the Sheriff’s core mission of law enforcement and crime prevention activities, and belies the Sheriff’s claim that he does not have the financial resources to adequately address personnel issues or otherwise fulfill his core mission,” the county said.
The county’s response also questioned Morgan’s cutbacks in funds for school resource officers.
“Prior to filing this appeal, the Sheriff publicly announced a drastic and unilateral reduction in school resource officers, citing ‘budgetary concerns’. His willingness to remove officers from their post of protecting school children is difficult to justify when one considers the almost $1 ,500,000 the Sheriff has spent over the past three years on promotional activities and payments to outside agencies that have little or no relation to law enforcement or crime prevention.”
“In addition, while LETF funds are specifically authorized for school resource officers, the Sheriff has chosen not to utilize the LETF for this purpose during any of the last five years. Instead, the Sheriff has funded school resource officers from his personnel budget. The Sheriff recently announced to the School Board that he no longer had the financial resources to provide this service ostensibly due to the County’s failure to meet his budget request. Had the Sheriff funded the school resource officers from the LETF, he would have more funds available in his personnel budget to address retention and attrition concerns and implement his Pay Plan. The Sheriff knew or should have known he could utilize LETF funds for school resource officers, but he chose not to do so. This was a seemingly illogical decision at best.”
The county also said Morgan’s claims that the county refused to negotiate are a “blatant misrepresentation of facts”, and the county was extremely critical of Morgan’s public campaign — including advertisements and billboards — in an effort to build public support for his requests.
“After submitting his budget request, the Sheriff commenced a months-long media campaign to garner public support for his requested budget, to include advertising on television networks, billboards, radio stations, and websites such as YouTube. Examples of these media spots included a commercial that aired on the ABC television affiliate and other networks that referenced deputies shot in the line of duty and asked citizens to call their commissioners to request support for his budget, with the commercial showing the pictures and office phone numbers of each commissioner. The Sheriff also ran a 27-minute YouTube video explaining his budget request. In this promotional campaign, the Sheriff touted he would take his budget to the Governor’s Office if he were not granted what he requested,” the document states. “…Despite these subversive tactics, the Board attempted in good faith to determine the Sheriff’s budgetary needs and how they could be balanced with the County’s other budgetary requirements and obligations.”
After a yet to be scheduled hearing by the governor’s office, a recommendation will be made to the Florida Administrative Commission. The commission will then make a recommendation within 30 days.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
October 25, 2017
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, will be distributing free rice and dried beans and other non-perishables on Saturday from 9 until 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.
There are no guidelines and no paperwork required.