Escambia County Hires Corrections Director
December 6, 2014
Escambia County has hired Michael Tidwell as corrections director.
Tidwell will oversee the Escambia County Jail, Community Corrections, Probations, Pretrial, Code Enforcement, Animal Control and the Road Prison. His first day on the job will be January 28.
He replaces Gordon Pike, who retired last month. His retirement date was already scheduled prior to the April 30 explosion as the Central Booking and Detention facility.
Most recently, Tidwell served as chief corrections deputy for Orleans Parish, LA. With more than 30 years experience, Tidwell has been also employed as the director of the Orange County Corrections Department, jail director for Seminole County, corrections director for Osceola County and has management experience at organizations nationwide. He received his master’s degree in human services from Lincoln University and is a certified jail manager and corrections executive.
The selection committee is comprised of County Administrator Jack Brown, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Haines, Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons, Trial Court Administrator Robin Wright and Richard Johnson of the Florida Model Jail Inspections group.
The five other finalists for the position were:
- Larry Aiken — former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy under Sheriff David Morgan, and employed currently by Edge Access, Inc.
- Tammie Booker — currently the second ranking person in the division under Pike, serving as community corrections division director
- Clifford Tebbitt — jail administrator in Scott County, Iowa
- Brett Whitlock — Escambia County jail commander
- Jesse Williams — regional director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
A total of 17 people applied for the position.
Mobile Double Murder Suspect Shoots, Kills Self In Escambia County
December 5, 2014
An Escambia County man murdered two people in Mobile before shooting and killing himself at his Escambia home as deputies approached, according to police.
The Mobile Police found two people deceased from gunshot wounds inside Vaughn Photography at 24 North Florida Street in Mobile about 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Daniel Herbert Vaughn, 43 years old of Mobile and his mother, 67 year-old Rosa Vaughn McGahagin of Spanish Fort, were pronounced deceased on scene.
Terry Walton, age 56 of Pensacola, was identified as the suspect by Mobile Police. It was determined Vaughn and Walton knew each other but no motive for the shooting has been released.
The investigation revealed Walton returned to his residence in Pensacola after the incident. As Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office deputies were at his residence attempting to make contact with him, Walton shot himself, causing his death, according to police.
Mobile Police said the case is considered cleared with Walton’s death.
Pictured: Mobile Police Department headquarters.
Dry Weather Now Officially A Drought
December 5, 2014
We all know it’s dry outside with very little recent rain. And now it’s official with portions of the area in a drought, according to the National Weather Service.
A drought status map released Thursday shows most of Escambia County is experience moderate drought conditions, while about portions of North Escambia area just abnormally dry. Southern Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama are currently in a severe drought.
The only mention of rain in the seven day forecast is a very slight chance of rain for Saturday morning.
Graphic courtesy the National Weather Service for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Program To Introduce Youth To Animal Science 4-H Projects
December 5, 2014
UF/IFAS Extension will host an Intro to Animal Science 4-H Projects program on Thursday, December 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment.
This free program is for anyone ages 8 to 18 interested in learning more about 4-H animal science projects including raising livestock, showing livestock and the cost that it entails.
Registration begins at 5:45 p.m. on December 11. For more information on the program call the UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension office at (850) 475-5230 or email Hank Bignell at hdbignell@ufl.edu.
Photos, Video: Northview Band Christmas Concert
December 5, 2014
The Northview High School Christmas Variety Show was held Thursday night in the school’s theater.
For a highlight video, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Marquis Cass Makes Verbal Commitment To Florida A&M
December 5, 2014
Tate High School linebacker Marquis Cass made a verbal commitment Thursday to Florida A&M University, according to the Tate Aggie football program. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Bill Would Require Police To Wear Body Cameras
December 5, 2014
Amid a broader national debate about the issue, a state House Democrat filed a proposal Thursday that would require body cameras for all Florida police officers who primarily are assigned to patrol duties. The bill filed by Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park will be considered during the 2015 legislative session.
Under the proposal, officers would have to use the cameras “to record activities that take place during motor vehicle stops or other law enforcement actions taken during the course of his or her official duties.”
The bill comes amid a national debate, fueled by fatal incidents in New York and Missouri, about police use of force. Earlier this week, President Barack Obama proposed spending $263 million to increase the use of the cameras and to take other steps, such as expanding law-enforcement training. Jones’ bill is named the “Police and Citizen Protection Act.”
by The News Service of Florida
Tryouts Set For West Florida Elite Softball
December 5, 2014
Summer tryouts are coming up soon for West Florida Elite softball.
West Florida Elite was established in 2003 with a mission to assist female athletes in the development of their softball skills to prepare them for a future as a college student athlete. The organization has had over 100 players play at the collegiate level and is recognized as one of the top softball organizations in the Gulf Coast Region.
Their goal is to provide athletes an opportunity to compete at the highest level possible by playing the most competitive tournaments throughout the southeast. The 2014 West Florida Elite class had 18 players sign a National Letter of Intent to play at the next level.
Tryouts for 12U will be held Saturday, December 6 at 9:30 a.m. at Tate High School. Tryouts for 14U will be 2:30 p.m. on December 13; tryouts for 16U will be December 14 at 9:30 a.m.; and tryouts for 18U will be held December 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Tate.
For more information and a registration form, click here.
An Old Fashioned Canoe Christmas Celebration
December 5, 2014
It was an old fashioned Christmas celebration Thursday night a dozens friends and neighbors came together with the Canoe (AL) Civic Club. The group sang Christmas carols, ate great food and just enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors from Canoe, Bratt, Walnut Hill and surrounding areas in a celebration reminiscent of community gatherings from days gone by.
The dinner table included everything from fried chicken, chicken and dumplings to fruit cake and cake pops.
Mike Hanks from the First Baptist Church of Bratt led the crowd in Christmas carols as his wife Gayle Hanks played the piano, and a group from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church treated the crowd to Christmas carols.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Dispose Of Hazardous Waste, Electronics, Tires Saturday For Free
December 5, 2014
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste will host a Regional Roundup Saturday, December 6 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road. The Regional Roundup event will provide an opportunity to residents to dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste, shoes and up to four tires per vehicle for free of charge.
Businesses and residents can dispose of all types of clean, dry, recyclable electronics including computers, monitors and terminals, keyboards, mice, printers, TVs, copiers, gaming systems, remotes, fax machines, VCRs, stereo systems, cell phones and telephones. Electronics that have been gutted will not be accepted. Businesses with large amounts of electronics should call the Department of Solid Waste Management to make an appointment to dispose of those items at the Perdido Landfill. Appliances, including fans and air conditioners, are not accepted.
Household Hazardous Waste items can cause injury if handled improperly. These items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels, such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic and include items such as swimming pool chemicals, cleaners, drain openers, paint and paint products, fuels, gases, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol cans and automotive repair and maintenance products.
Shoes are also collected for the Soles4Souls program, which accepts donated shoes for the less fortunate. Donated shoes should be bound together with a rubber band.
All electronic, household hazardous waste and tires are recycled.
For more information about Regional Roundup events, proper disposal of waste or to make an appointment for a business electronics drop-off, contact the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.