Two Charged With Homicide For Daycare Hot Van Death
August 23, 2017
Two people were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with an Escambia County daycare death.
Louvenia Shantae Johnson, 28, and Cornell Antonio McGee, 27, have been charged with homicide – negligent manslaughter. Both were employees at the In His Arms Christian Academy on Detroit Boulevard.
Both suspects caused the death by “knowingly and intentionally not following the established procedure of ensuring the In His Arms Christian Academy van was empty and clear of children. Their neglect resulted in the death of three-year-old Jai’nier Barnes,” according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Jai’nier, 3, was found Friday afternoon in a hot van outside the academy. She was later pronounced deceased at West Florida Hospital.
The Florida Department of Children and Families has closed the facility until further notice, issuing an emergency suspension order as an investigation is conducted.
The Early Learning Coalition, which administers government funds, pulled its contract with the academy.
No further arrests are expected in this case, deputies said.
Greg Evers Remembered As Champion For Florida, North Escambia
August 23, 2017
State Sen. Greg Evers is being remembered as a champion for Northwest Florida and for the communities of North Escambia.
Evers, 62, was killed in a single vehicle traffic accident near Baker. [Read story.]
Less than a week after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Century in 2016, Evers was on the ground with rest of the Northwest Florida Legislative delegation. Evers removed metal debris from the street and stopped to listen to and console the victims. Evers was critical in pressuring the state government to release recovery funds for Century.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Evers was a friend of North Escambia, and he was instrumental in the development of the new 4-H facility in Molino.
“I am shocked and extremely saddened to hear of Senator Evers passing. He was a true public servant and an ally and advocate for Northwest Florida, especially Escambia County, for many years in Tallahassee,” Barry said. It’s not an embellishment, nor an exaggeration, to say the successful 4-H property acquisition and subsequent development in Molino would not have happened without his personal, passionate, and direct involvement, regularly over a two year period. He will be missed and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this tragic time. North Escambia County has lost a friend today.”
Evers was behind legislation that changed the way Florida regulates farm equipment on the state’s highways. The law eliminated the permits and fees for producers and allows them to move over-sized agricultural equipment within a 50-mile radius of their farms. He worked with several North Escambia farmers on the bill that also resulted in the highway signs depicting a tractor with the words “Share the Road” to remind Florida motorists that agricultural equipment shares the road.
For the town of Century, Evers supported several projects and grants.
“He was always here for us and supported us,” former Century Mayor Freddie McCall said Tuesday as he learned of Evers’ passing. “He is going to be missed.”
Tributes and condolences poured in Tuesday from elected officials and others who knew Evers for his work as a state lawmaker.
“Ann and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Sen. Greg Evers,” Gov. Rick Scott tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.”
“Vicki and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our friend Greg Evers. Greg was a true gentleman and an outstanding public servant,” former U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller said.
“I’m crushed by the news that former State Senator Greg Evers was killed in a car accident late last evening. Greg has been my friend for 16 years. Northwest Florida has lost a great champion and true public servant,” Congressman Matt Gaetz said.
Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said Evers was “a dedicated public servant and an even better friend.” “He will be greatly missed,” Gainer said in a tweet. “Go rest high on that mountain.”
Gus Corbella, a lobbyist and former Senate chief of staff, called Evers “one of a kind.” “A down-home gentleman who always kept his word,” Corbella said in a tweet.
“Greg passionately represented his district for many years in both the House and Senate,” Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said in a statement. “He was especially dedicated to the men and women of his community who were serving or had served in the military, as well as our fellow Floridians across the state who serve as corrections officers.”
A native of Milton, Evers, a Republican, served nine years in the Florida House before his election to the Senate in 2010. Evers left his Senate seat last year to make a bid for the U.S. House but lost the Republican primary to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.
In addition to his advocacy for corrections officers and on criminal justice issues, Evers was a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights.
In 2014, he authored the so-called “Pop-Tart bill,” which prohibits schools from disciplining students who play with simulated weapons. The bill was inspired by the suspension of an 8-year-old Maryland boy for biting a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun.
More recently, Evers made a bid for an appointment to the Florida Public Service Commission, although he was not chosen as a finalist last week.
In interviews with a Public Service Commission nominating council, Evers underscored his rural roots and independence.
“Farmers never make any money,” Evers said, when questioned about the lack of reported income from a farm supply business. “You know, if we made money then we’d become entrepreneurs.”
“I’m pretty much my own man and I make up my own mind,” Evers also said.
Pictured top. Sen. Greg Evers consoles Century tornado victim Helen Mincy in the days following an EF-3 tornado in Century. Pictured inset: Evers removes debris out of the roadway on Front Street in Century. Pictured below: Evers signs a letter from the Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation encouraging Gov. Rick Scott to release funding for Century tornado victims. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council President Takes Issue With Mayor’s Employee Compensation Policies
August 23, 2017
The president of the Century Town Council has taken issue with some of the employee compensation practices implemented by the town’s mayor, saying that he is exceeding his spending limit.
Ann Brooks said the town charter says Mayor Henry Hawkins can’t spend more than $199.99 without prior council authorization.
She said Hawkins has established a new overtime policy that includes four hours overtime for any employee attending a council meeting or workshop, “even if they are only at the meeting for an hour, and even if they have not worked 40 hours of regular time for the week.”
She said $1,425.2 was paid in overtime for the week of August 6-10 — $563.20 for employees attending an August 7 council meeting and $832.07 for an August 9 budget meeting.
“I do not believe our budget can handle this type of wasteful spending,” Brooks said. In the future, employees will be paid for actual time at meetings they are required to attend.
Brooks also took issue with pay increase given to gas department supervisor Kim Godwin. The council voted earlier this year to increase Godwin’s pay from $13.26 per hour to $18.26 per hour. The increase coincided with her move from a clerk to gas superintendent. The council voted at the time to give Godwin additional increases as she obtained more education and training for her new position.
After Godwin obtained additional certifications, Hawkins raised her pay to that of other department superintendents — $21.30 per hour — retroactive to April 1, which was 11 days after the initial council vote. That amounted to an additional $6,323.
A council vote failed to remove Godwin’s raise.
“Our gas department is in a very grim state. The council voted in June to loan the gas department $95,562 from the Special Revenue account,” Brooks said.
Brooks has instructed Hawkins to eliminate a new policy allowing “some employees” to remain on the clock if they go to the doctor or are sic.
“We have a sick leave policy in our charter that gives employees who have been employed six months to one year 40 hours of sick leave, those employed one to five years 80 hours of leave, and on according to their number of years of service. When additional time is given, without reducing the sick leave allowance, it is the same as spending money that has not been authorized,” she said.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Sentenced In Santa Rosa’s Biggest Crystal Meth Bust
August 23, 2017
A Jay man has been sentenced in Santa Rosa County’s largest ever crystal methamphetamine bust last summer.
Edgardo Xavier Rivera was sentenced to 25 years in state prison after entering a plea to trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, five counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drugs without a prescription.
On July 8, 2016, the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Unit, Santa Rosa SWAT team and the DEA executed a search warrant at Rivera’s rental home at 3501 Highway 4 in Jay. During the search, detectives located approximately 385 grams of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, various prescription pills, 15 firearms, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigators obtained the search warrant after conducting an undercover purchase of methamphetamine from Rivera.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Rivera was taken into custody in the parking lot of a business on North Century Boulevard in Century as he arrived to pay his rent shortly after the raid.
A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution, said she and other neighbors were concerned about activity at the home.
“There are always people coming and going from the house at all times of the day and night,” she said on the day of the drug raid. “And we all felt like something was up by the way they kept the windows and carport blacked out all the time. It just seemed like they really had something to hide.”
The 34-year old Rivera must serve 15 years of his 25 year sentence as a minimum mandatory. He was also assessed a $250,000 fine.
Rivera’s wife, Mariano Solano, was also arrested and is scheduled to appear in court on August 31.
Pictured top and bottom: Deputies collect evidence under the carport of a Jay home in July 2016. Faces of undercover deputies have been obscured for their safety. Pictured below: Weapons and over a record amount of crystal methamphetamine were seized during the operation. Pictured second from bottom: Rivera was arrested here after he got our of his truck in the parking lot of this North Century Boulevard business. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested In Burglary, Home Invasion, Police Chase
August 23, 2017
Two 19-year olds were arrested Tuesday for a multitude of crimes, including burglary and a Beulah home invasion.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tadaris Johnson and Christopher Simpkins burglarized a home on 9th Avenue and stole a truck on Monday night. Deputies said they took that truck as they broke into another home in the 9700 block of Bridlewood Road Tuesday morning.
The victim was inside on the phone with dispatchers as someone broke a window to break into the Beulah home. But before deputies were able to arrive, the burglars had fled in another vehicle. Deputies spotted both vehicles traveling together and attempted a traffic stop. But they sped off in different directions, resulting in two different police pursuits.
Johnson was stopped by deputies on New Warrington Road. While Simpkins ditched the vehicle and led deputies on a chase in the Mayfair area. Both are charged with vehicle theft, burglary, and property damage. Johnson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $41,000.
Simpkins was also charged with eluding police and battery. He is being held without bond.
Deputies are searching for a possible third suspect.
Atmore Man Arrested For Baldwin County Homicide
August 23, 2017
An Atmore man has been arrested in connection with a Tuesday morning murder in northern Baldwin County, AL.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Justin Brian Still has been charged with murder.
Deputies responded to call in Perdido Tuesday morning. They found a white male in his 20’s deceased with from an apparent gunshot wound on the side of Dallas Hadley Lane near Hoyle Bryars Road, about five miles from the Florida state line.
Further details, including the name of the victim, were not immediately released.
George Stone Offers GED Classes In Four Locations
August 23, 2017
George Stone Technical Center (GSTC) is offering Adult Basic Education/GED classes on the main campus and also three outlying sites, including Molino. They have open enrollment and students may enroll anytime throughout the year.
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each student’s academic level.
“We have the proven prescription for success to pass the GED test. We use direct instruction, as well as materials that are aligned to the actual content of the GED test,” said Patricia Harrison, GSTC counselor. “When students are ready to take the test, they can feel confident and assured of a passing score.”
GED classes on GSTC’s main campus on Longleaf Drive are held Monday through Friday offering class times in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Classes starts on the main campus on August 10.
If this location is not convenient, students may attend classes at one of the 3 outlying sites. GED classes are held at:
- Molino Community Center every Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Pathways for Change every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30 am till 12:00. Free childcare is offered at the Pathways for Change site.
- Ensley Elementary every Tuesday & Thursday from 4:00 – 6;00 p.m. The Ensley Elementary site offers free tuition for all students enrolled in that program.
Classes will start at the outlying sites the week of August 21st. Students wanting to enroll in any of GSTC’s Adult Programs need to complete the online application by visiting www.georgestonecenter.com. To find out more about the variety of Adult Education programs offered by Escambia County School District’s George Stone Technical Center visit their page at www.georgestonecenter.com or call Patricia Harrison at 850-941-6200 ext. 2361.
Gulf Power Flips Switch On Major DOD Solar Installation
August 23, 2017
Executives from Gulf Power and Coronal Energy joined officials from the U.S. Air Force and Navy Tuesday at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley for the ceremonial “Flip the Switch” ceremony signifying the completion of the three largest combined solar facilities on Department of Defense property.
“We work hard every day to provide our customers with valuable and diverse energy solutions, and it’s a special occasion to see the vision we had for this project come to life today,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “Adding clean, affordable energy to our energy grid through the innovative public-private partnership that enabled the completion of all three of the portfolio’s solar facilities is a proud accomplishment for Gulf Power, and a significant milestone for the local economy, our customers and the environment.”
Ground was broken in November 2016 on the 120 megawatt Gulf Coast Solar Center that spans 940 acres across three Navy and Air Force sites in Northwest Florida. The ceremonial Flip the Switch was held at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley, which hosts the largest of the three installations spanning 366-acres, with nearly 600,000 solar photovoltaic panels producing 50 megawatts of energy.
The large-scale solar complex is just one of three military installations constructed by Gulf Power and developer Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic. The projects will support the Department of Defense’s commitment to renewable energy and help further diversify Gulf Power’s energy portfolio and support the mission to provide safe, affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for its customers in Northwest Florida.
The three-project portfolio, representing one of the largest combined solar projects east of the Mississippi, also includes the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation and Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field’s (NOLF) Holley Field. All three combined have approximately 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power nearly 18,000 homes each year across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. These projects became operational earlier this summer.
“Considering the scale of the Gulf Coast Solar Center portfolio, collaboration between our team and the like-minded teams at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Gulf Power has been an essential element of our success in developing these projects,” said Jonathan Jaffrey, chairman and CEO of Coronal Energy™. “The result is a landmark energy project that represents what is possible when our nation’s military and its leading energy companies like Gulf Power commit to renewables. We are honored to take our place alongside these partners for this historic project.”
Combined, the facilities have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3.5 million tons over 25 years. This figure equates to removing nearly 670,700 cars from the road for one year.
“The Navy continually explores commercially viable means of incorporating renewable energy into our base operations and communities, both on land and at sea,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin. “The initiative we’re celebrating today, in which Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field converted two dormant landing fields into fully operational and grid-connected solar facilities, showcases one path we’ve chosen. By strategically repurposing these assets, we’ve added resilience to our bases and created economic opportunity for the United States military and all of the project partners.”
Brigadier General Evan Dertien, 96th Test Wing, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin Air Force Base said, “The initiatives at Eglin, along with those at Saufley and Holley, support the Department of Defense’s commitment to renewable energy and are an impressive display of joint leadership that results in the effective pursuit of energy independence. We’re also empowered by the fact that the revenue received for leasing the projects on Eglin lands will afford us the opportunity to invest in Eglin’s on-base energy initiatives, all while offering long-term local benefits that can serve as a positive example to military communities across the country.”
The combined solar facilities contribute to the growth rate for renewable energy jobs in Northwest Florida. Since construction began at all three locations in November 2016, nearly 450 local laborers have been deployed.
The facilities are estimated to generate the following amounts of electricity:
- Eglin Air Force Base: 30 megawatts with approximately 371,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 4,500 Okaloosa County homes for a year.
- NAS Pensacola NOLF Saufley: 50 megawatts with approximately 600,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 7,400 Escambia County homes for a year.
- NAS Whiting Field NOLF Holley: 40 megawatts with approximately 475,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 6,100 Santa Rosa County homes for a year.
Wahoos Lose To Jackson
August 23, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos let a game slip away when Jackson Generals left fielder Jamie Westbrook crushed a homer into Pensacola Bay in the eighth inning.
The game-winning home run gave the Generals a, 3-2, victory over Pensacola, which fell to 20-26 on the season in one-run games.
Pensacola had chances to add more runs Tuesday in the second, third and eighth innings but left six runners on base and went 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
After scoring 8.5 runs a game and hitting .294 during its five-game win streak, the Blue Wahoos have scored seven runs in its last four games.
“If I knew that I wouldn’t be managing in Double-A,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly when asked about the Blue Wahoos offense. “We jumped on them early but didn’t do anything after that.”
Pensacola third baseman Nick Senzel broke his 1-for-14 slump by hitting a high fly ball that barely sailed over the right field fence into Hill-Kelly Hill with second baseman Arismendy Alcantara on base to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 lead.
The 22-year-old, who was the second overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Cincinnati Reds, has belted 10 homers in the second half for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola drew 3,567 fans to Tuesday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The ballclub has 14 sellouts of 5,038 this season and has reached 267,230 total fans for the year.
To keep its streak alive of drawing more than 300,000 fans a season since its inaugural year in 2012, Pensacola must average about 4,100 fans in the last eight games of its current 10-game homestand.
Also in the crowd Tuesday was Hall of Fame coach Tony La Russa, the Arizona Diamondbacks chief baseball analyst. Jackson is the Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate. La Russa and Walt Jocketty, the Cincinnati Reds executive advisor to the CEO, took in the game together.
Kelly said he admires La Russa, the third winningest coach in baseball history, four-time manager of the year and three-time World Series champion. Kelly credits La Russa, then a White Sox manager, for advising him to take a pitching coach position with organization’s rookie league team in 1984.
“I’ve always looked up to him,” said Kelly, who has taken Pensacola to the playoffs three straight seasons. “I’ve read all his books and used some of his philosophies and incorporated them into my strategies.”
Kelly is trying to manage the Blue Wahoos to win its fifth straight half, which would be a Southern League record. Under Kelly, Pensacola is now tied with the Tennessee Smokies, which won four straight halves between 2009 and 2011.
The Blue Wahoos dropped to 27-30 in the second half and are 3.5 games out of first place in the Southern Division behind the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Jackson improved to 26-31 in the Northern Division
After the Blue Wahoos took the early lead, Jackson came right back to tie the game. Generals right fielder Kelly Dugan ripped a double over the center fielder’s head to drive in Jackson catcher Michael Perez to trail Pensacola, 2-1.
The Generals tied the game up, 2-2, in the fourth inning when shortstop Vladimir Frias smacked a hard liner into center field with two out to drive in Westbrook. Westbrook was 2-4 with two runs scored, a solo home run and RBI.
Meanwhile, in his last outing against the Mississippi Braves, Pensacola right-hander Keury Mella snapped a streak of 10 starts without a win. He failed to get his first win in 12 starts at home Tuesday but threw a season-high 103 pitches and gave the Blue Wahoos six strong innings. Mella, 3-10 with a 4.69 ERA, allowed two runs on five hits, three walks and tied his season-high with seven strikeouts — three Ks came in the fourth inning.
Molino Man Leads Deputy On Short ‘Pursuit’ Home
August 23, 2017
A Molino man was jailed after fleeing from a deputy at the local Tom Thumb.
Michael Sanchez, age 22 of Effie Road, was charged with felony fleeing or eluding police, knowingly driving with a suspended license and marijuana possession. He also received traffic citations for an expired registration and attaching a validation sticker unlawfully.
An Escambia County deputy reported seeing Sanchez travel through the parking lot of the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97 with an expired tag. The deputy initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot with lights and siren, but Sanchez continued traveling, heading north on Highway 97 at speeds of 50 to 55 mph. He then turned on Effie Lane, traveling at 11 mph, until he stopped at his residence on Effie Lane. The deputy approached the vehicle with his gun drawn and removed Sanchez from the vehicle, according to an arrest report.
The deputy noted the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and reported finding marijuana with the vehicle, along with three capsules containing a white powder substance that will be lab tested.
Sanchez was also arrested on two outstanding warrants. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.