Sheriff Makes Late Offer To Keep Control Of The Escambia Jail
July 23, 2013
Monday, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan extended a late offer to keep the county jail and defer some of his budget requests, if the Escambia County Commission can come to term with some of the conditions of his offer.
In late June, the county commission voted to take over the jail effective October 1 after Morgan notified them that he was giving them control of the lockup. The move came amidst budget negotiations and questions over how to best bring the Escambia County Jail into compliance with a Department of Justice report. The jail needs funding for new employees to comply with the DOJ findings and there was nowhere near a consensus among commissioners as how to fund the improvements.
In Monday’s letter to commissioners, Morgan said he would be willing to continue to be responsible for the jail.
“I continue to believe that transfer of the jail to the county is not in the best interest of the county or its constituent taxpayers. Transfer of the jail by October 1, 2013, will be challenging and will come at a significant cost in terms of labor and funding,” Morgan wrote. “Once the transfer is complete, reversing the process will be equally challenging. Additionally, transfer of the jail will divert attention and resources from the many serious issues county government now faces.”
- Morgan said he is willing to enter into an agreement to retain management of the Escambia County Jail until October 1, 2014, with the following stipulations:
- The county will increase the jail budget for the upcoming fiscal year by $2.6 million, along with mandatory retirement and insurance increases to allow for the hiring of a portion of the increased staffing recommend by the DOJ.
- Morgan will agree to defer seeking pay parity for deputies and detention deputies (about $2.6 million of his original request for holiday and overtime pay) until the next budget year.
- Morgan will agree not to appeal this year’s budget to the governor, if the county does not decrease his law enforcement and court security budgets.
Morgan said he believes his new proposal will be “much more palatable” to the DOJ than the current plan to “hurriedly transfer the jail”. If the county has interest in his proposal, Morgan suggests the formation of a negotiating team work out the details.
Lightning Hits Byrneville Elementary
July 23, 2013
Area fire departments responded to a fire alarm early Monday evening at Byrneville Elementary School. There was no fire, but firefighters did discover that a portion of the school’s alarm system had apparently been damaged by lightning.
Several fire departments, including Century and Flomaton, responded to the call just after 7:00 following a localized thunderstorm.
Alabama Man Critical After Chumuckla Highway Wreck
July 23, 2013
An Alabama man was critically injured in a single vehicle crash Monday night near Chumuckla.
Cory Lee Edward Fuston, age 24 of Robertsdale, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola following the 7:24 p.m. crash on Chumuckla Road just north of Willard Norris Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Fuston was northbound on Chumuckla Highway in heavy rain when the right side tires on his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado traveled off the pavement and onto the grass shoulder. After traveling for about 180 feet, Fuston attempted to pull the vehicle back onto the roadway. He lost control and struck a tree.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
One Pleads Guilty In 2012 Murder Of Atmore Businessman
July 23, 2013
An Atmore man entered a guilty plea Monday to the murder of an Atmore business man in 2012.
Damien Deonshay Jones entered the plea to charges of murder, first degree robbery and breaking and entering in connection with the robbery and shooting death of Kendrick Lamon Dortch. Authorities said Jones took part in the June 26, 2012, robbery, but was not the trigger man. Jones is expected to testify against his co-defendant, De’Athony Dailey, who was just 16 at the time of the shooting. Dailey will be tried as an adult.
Investigators said Dortch was a victim of a random robbery and did not know Jones or Dailey.
Dortch, 38, was discovered dead in the parking lot of his business, KLD Enterprises, at the intersection of Ridgeley Street and 2nd Avenue just before 5 a.m. June 26, 2012, by a passerby. He had been shot once in the back and was pronounced dead on the scene.
The business, which is a small auto detailing shop, was locked and secure. It appeared that Kendrick had been living in the business or his car. Dortch had hoped to open a game room in the building but had not yet acquired the license. He worked full time for Johnson Ford in Atmore..
Pictured: The scene were an Atmore businessman was found shot to death on June 26, 2012. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Twirler Abbott Receives Multiple Awards, Bowl Game Invites
July 23, 2013
Kaitlyn Abbott, a featured twirler for the Northview High School Tribal Beat band, received several awards at a Marching Auxiliaries camp held at the University of South Alabama.
She was presented with the Superior Marching Auxiliaries Camp Award, the Outstanding Soloist Award, the All-Star Performer Award, the Marching Auxiliaries Honor Award, and received personal invitations to perform at the Capital One Bowl and the Cotton Bowl.
Earlier this summer, Abbott received the Best Majorette Bodywork Award during the Troy University Sound of the South Band Camp.
Photos: Firefighters Practice Vehicle Rescue Skills
July 23, 2013
Firefighters from two North Escambia departments put their vehicle accident rescue skills to the test Monday night in Walnut Hill.
Members of the Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue held a joint extrication training. In a vehicle extrication, specialized tools coupled with specialized training are used to remove at least a portion of vehicle from around a person following a serious crash.
During the hands on exercise, firefighters practiced using the tools and techniques use during an extrication –including the “Jaws of Life”, spreaders and cutters — on a couple of junked vehicles.
Pictured top: A firefighter uses the Jaws of Life to cut a portion of an overturned vehicle during training at the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. Pictured inset: The Jaws of Life are used to force a door open. Pictured below: Firefighters manually pry open a door. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Justice Department Sues State Over Kids In Nursing Homes
July 23, 2013
Nearly a year after issuing a scathing investigative report, the U.S. Justice Department on Monday filed a lawsuit alleging that Florida has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by unnecessarily placing children with disabilities in nursing homes.
The 23-page complaint contends that the state should have taken greater steps to provide services to children in their family homes and communities instead of placing them in nursing facilities. It said the Justice Department has tried to negotiate with the state to resolve the issues, but it determined that “compliance cannot be achieved through voluntary means.”
“The state discriminates against children and young adults with disabilities by administering and funding its programs and services for these individuals in a manner that has resulted in their prolonged and unnecessary institutionalization in nursing facilities or placed them at risk of such institutionalization in violation” of the Americans with Disabilities Act, said the lawsuit, filed in federal court in South Florida.
But Liz Dudek, secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said the state has taken steps this year that, in part, led to 31 children being discharged from nursing facilities and others being diverted. Dudek has repeatedly disputed the Justice Department allegations stemming from last year’s investigative report.
“Florida has made many improvements in its already strong program of caring for medically complex children and helping their families cope with their everyday challenges,” Dudek said in a prepared statement Monday. “Today?s Obama Administration action shows that Washington is not interested in helping families improve but instead is determined to file disruptive lawsuits with the goal of taking over control and operation of Florida?s Medicaid and disability programs.?
The issue centers on children who have costly, complex medical needs and are eligible for Medicaid assistance. As examples, the state said last year that many of the children in nursing homes have what are known as tracheostomy tubes to help them breathe, and many others are on ventilators.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark law that seeks to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities, led to requirements that public agencies “administer services, programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate” to the people’s needs.
In the new lawsuit and in the investigative report issued last year, the Justice Department contended that the state has failed to meet those requirements and has not provided adequate services and funding to help children live with their families and in their communities. The lawsuit said nearly 200 children are in nursing homes.
“The institutionalized children spend most of their days residing in shared rooms with other individuals with disabilities, participating in meals and activities with other individuals with disabilities, and having only limited interaction with individuals without disabilities,” the lawsuit said. “Many of the residents’ families live in other areas of the state, leaving the children hundreds of miles from family and loved ones.”
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the state has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with an injunction that would effectively force the state to provide “appropriate, integrated community-based services and supports” to meet the children’s needs. Also, it seeks damages to compensate children in nursing homes for injuries they have suffered because of the state’s alleged lack of compliance with the federal act.
Federal officials argue, in part, that the state has failed provide sufficient money for in-home nursing services that would allow the children to live with their families. Also, it points to a massive waiting list for services at the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which it says has led to children going into nursing homes.
The Justice Department started its investigation in December 2011. Also, in March 2012, a separate civil lawsuit was filed against the state on behalf of children in nursing homes, and that lawsuit remains pending.
In its statement Monday, AHCA said it has taken steps during the past year such as improving care coordination for families. It said enhanced services are helping “in transitioning children out of pediatric nursing facilities as well as keeping children who are being served in the community, in the community.”
But critics say the state has not done enough to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to prevent children from living in nursing homes.
“Little kids, especially, need interaction,” said Paolo Annino, .an attorney for the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit and a professor of public-interest law at Florida State University. “And they need someone who cares for them. I hope the state does the right thing.”
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash With Semi Truck
July 23, 2013
One person received minor injuries a wreck involving a semi truck Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
John Smith, 54 of Chaplain, NY, was southbound in a semi-truck on Highway 29 behind a 1996 GMC Sierra driven by 68-year old Carl Gray of Cantonment. When Gray slowed to turn right onto Harvest Hill Drive, Smith was unable to stop and rear-ended a trailer being pulled by Gray. Smith and Gray were uninjured.
Gray’s passenger in the pickup, 54-year old Anthony Hail of Cantonment, was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Smith was cited for failure to use due care by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rained Out
July 23, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Huntsville Stars scheduled for Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at some point during the series in Huntsville from August 18-22 at a time to be announced later.
Fans with tickets to tonight’s game can use their ticket for any 2013 regular season home game, subject to availability for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person at the Blue Wahoos Ticket Office and cannot be processed via telephone, email or fax.
The Wahoos now hit the road for a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves starting on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Shaun Ellis, Monday’s scheduled starter, will now get the call on Tuesday against Mississippi’s Aaron Northcraft (3-8, 4.17)
Boy Scout Leader, School District Employee Charged With Molesting Three Kids
July 22, 2013
A local Boy Scout leader and school district employee has been arrested for molesting three girls.
Douglas Alden Parker, 47, was charged with three counts of felony lewd and lascivious behavior.
Pensacola Police Sgt. Kristin Brown said detectives began investigating Parker on July 14, the same day one of the females filed a complaint against Parker with the Department of Children and Families. An investigation determined the females were ages three to nine years old when Parker had sexual contact with them.
Brown said detectives also are in the process of examining Parker’s computer after child pornography was found on it, and additional charges are pending for possession of child pornography.
As of July 16, Parker was a Boy Scout leader with local Troops 3 and 608 and was an information technology employee for the Escambia County School District. The school district position had no direct contact with children, according to police.
Parker remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone having questions or information about Parker’s activities is asked to contact Sgt. Kristin Brown at (850) 435- 1965.