Man Arrested On Child Sex Charge After Applying For Job As A Deputy
July 16, 2013
A man that applied for a job as a Santa Rosa County deputy instead found himself behind bars in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
James Rudd Moore, 20, was charged with felony lewd and lascivious offense on a victim age 12-16.
According to Deputy Rich Aloy, spokesman for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, applicants are subject to a detailed background check, including use of a “Computer Voice Stress Analyzer”. During a background investigation, it was determined that Moore was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile. During the course of the investigation, enough evidence was uncovered that a warrant was signed by a Santa Rosa County judge.
“We seek to only hire the best recruits available,” Aloy said. “On occasion, the process uncovers serious information.”
Moore was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Complete Basic Leadership Training
July 16, 2013
The Northview NJROTC cadets participated in Basic Leadership Training with 73 cadets from seven Escambia and Santa Rosa county high school NJROTC programs last week on board Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“Our cadets represented Northview High School and this community with the usually pride and winning spirit of the Chiefs,” said Chief Jeffrey Simpkins, NJROTC instructor. The cadets were assisted by Graduate Assistants (GA) that had previously completed the Basic Leadership Training.
Northview cadets received the following awards:
- Lakelynn Parker — 1st in personnel inspection and room inspection; Alpha platoon Motivation Award
- Moriah McGahan –3rd in the mile run; 4th in sit-ups
- Kyle Smith — Bravo platoon’s Distinguish Cadet award
- Douglas Dunkle — 5th place in academics
- Jason Perritt — 7th place in academics.
Pictured: Northview High School NJROTC cadets (front, L-R) Zacarra Davis (GA), Kuper Harkness, Ureil Codrington, Moriah McGahan, Lakelynn Parker Emily Walston, Jenyia Odom (GA), (back row) Lane Carnley (GA), Kyle Smith, Andrew Clemmons, Douglas Dunkle, Jason Perritt, Triston Reaves and, Mason Solchenberger. Not pictured:Victoria Wright (GA). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Part 2: Inside Century Correctional Institution
July 16, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a look at how prisoners are educated and prepared for release. Our series will continue this week inside the medical unit, the chapel, the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Inside the prison, a big focus is put on what happens to an inmate once he’s back on the outside with the rest of society. One instructor, Jimmy Rawlinson, heads up Century Correctional’s education programs. (Pictured top are computer work stations in the education department. The inmate computers do not have internet access.)
Over 50 inmates have earned their GED’s this year, and 28 have earned a Florida Ready To Work certification. The Ready to Work program is reserved for inmates that are just a few months away from their release, preparing them to become productive members of society. A English as a Second Language class is also available. and the Mavis Beacon software program is used to teach inmates typing.
A garden has been established withing the perimeter of the prison. Not only does it provide food; it also provides discipline.
Inmates receive time in the garden as a disciplinary action. In the garden, they weed and water by hand.
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During our visit to the prison library, inmates worked quietly, shelving books.
Inside the Century CI Library is a room (pictured above) that offers a glimmer of hope to inmates looking to get out of prison. It’s a complete law library available to inmates wishing to file motions or formulate their appeal. Several inmates serve as trained law clerks, providing assistance to other inmates. Approved inmates can conduct law research on computers, but there is no internet access on the machines.
In the main library, there was bulletin board celebrating America’s 237th birthday. And a large red sign that seemed very ironic in a prison — “Sign Out Here”.
The remainder of library contains thousands of volumes like any ordinary library. Inmates can check out books and return them in a couple of weeks. But at the Century CI library, the books and magazines have been screened with no descriptive material about prison escapes or weapons, and no sexually suggestive images.
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Next to the CCI Library is the Residential Therapeutic Community. There are 14 employees that provide counseling and substance abuse programs to 160 inmates a day, based upon a community participation approach. The entire program takes just over a year to complete.
The program includes 10 classes geared toward re-entry into society after release, education and self-improvement. The participating inmates are segregated from the general population to avoid reinforcement of negative behaviors.
The Residential Therapeutic Community is all about positive re-enforcement. The building’s walls are lined with motivational signs and paintings, all created by the inmates. Several are pictured below.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues this week on NorthEscambia.com.
Committee Names Top 5 Administrator Candidates; Touart Makes The List
July 16, 2013
The Escambia County Administrator Search Committee has picked their top five candidates to present to the Escambia County Commission on Thursday. The list includes Interim Administrator George Touart.
The committee was created by the commission to review resumes and choose from qualified candidates. The list of over 40 was cut to 10, and now five.
During Monday’s meeting, the committee assigned numerical scores to each candidate; the higher the number, the better. The candidates were ranked as follows (click the candidate’s name for their full resume):
- 43 points — Lyndon Bonner – Ocala, FL. City manager Bunnell, FL; assistant county administrator, Sumter County; county administrator Okeechobee County; city manager North Miami Beach.
- 41 points — George Touart – Pensacola, FL. County administrator with Escambia County, FL; city councilman, Pascagoula, MS; co-owner of two businesses in MS.
- 36 points — David Fanslau – Rock Hill, NY. County manager Sullivan County; township administrator Winslow, NJ and Logan, NJ.
- 33 points — Ronald Rabun – Griffin, GA. County administrator Oconee County, SC; county manager Seminole County, FL; county administrator Manatee County, FL; city manager various cities in GA, FL and WA.
- 31 points — Kenneth Griffin – Tampa, FL. CEO water/sewer authority and assistant county administrator Hillsborough County; executive officer Pearl River Valley Water Supply District
However, the committee voted to send the list to the commission without numeral rankings or point scores attached.
During a Thursday morning Committee of the Whole meeting, the Escambia County Commission will receive and consider the list. The commission is not bound by the list.
United Way Awards $910,000 To Area Non-Profit Programs
July 16, 2013
United Way of Escambia County has announced that $910,000 will be awarded to area non-profit programs thanks to more than 10,000 donors who gave the united way during the 2012-2013 annual workplace campaign season.
There were 44 programs at 33 agencies who were awarded funding to serve the community by creating change in focus areas of education, health and financial stability.
In addition to the dollars raised for the grants awarded, United Way raised another $618,949 in donor designated pledges to tax exempt organizations. Designations for this year’s campaign were nearly double that of the last year’s campaign, resulting in a three percent increase in total dollars raised ($2,412,047).
In 2013-14, the $910,000 in allocated funding will enable agencies to draw down matches totaling $1.72 million from private, state and federal sources. In effect, this means donor contributions of $910,000 grew to $2.63 million through matching funds. Campaign dollars raised and leveraged, combined with other United Way initiatives, resulted in an $8.9 million community impact.
United Way funds were awarded as follows (click list to enlarge):
Relay For Life Seeks Volunteers
July 16, 2013
Relay For Life of Greater Escambia is seeking volunteers – community leaders, cancer survivors, caregivers, and all others – to join the 2014 Steering Committee. Relay Steering Committee members are essential to the planning and implementation of this life-saving fundraising event.
The Steering Committee is made up of local volunteers that want to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. Committee members have the opportunity to take on a variety of roles, including team or sponsor recruitment, fundraising, survivor and caregiver recognition, publicity, mission education, and more. The Steering Committee meets throughout the Relay season to plan all aspects of the event and coordinate a unique and special community experience.
Greater Escambia’s 2013 event was held at Tate High School on May 3-4 and has raised more than $70,000. Plans for 2014 are underway, and the 2014 committee will hold its first meeting in early September.
Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, with events in more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries. Every year, the Relay For Life movement raises more than $400 million which helps fund groundbreaking research and free information and services for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or other gathering area. The events are held overnight to honor and symbolize a cancer patient’s journey through treatment. Teams do most of their fundraising before the event and many host entertaining fundraisers during the event. All funds raised through Relay For Life help the American Cancer Society save more lives by helping people stay well, get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.
For more information about joining the fight against cancer with Relay For Life, contact Event Chair Pat Clements at (850) 776-2944 or Ashley Marg with the American Cancer Society at (850) 266-2280.
Pictured top and below: The survivor and caregiver laps kick of the Greater Escambia Relay for Life last May at Tate High School. Pictured inset: Tate senior Halee Boyd, who is battling cancer, addresses the Relay crowd. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
July 16, 2013
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Monday in Byrneville.
The registration will be from5:30 until 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Byrneville Community Center, or students can register by mail.
Ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 20 for girls ages 3 and up, including classes for teens. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For a printable information sheet, schedule and registration form, click here. For further information, contact Heather Leonard at (850) 529-1358 or email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: Scenes from the Heather Leonard’s Danceworks recital “Dancing at the Movies” last May at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT TO Hold Public Hearing On Creighton Road, Bayou Boulevard Improvements
July 16, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed intersection improvements to Creighton Road at 9th Avenue, and Bayou Boulevard at 12th Avenue. The hearing will be held Thursday, July 18 from 5-6 p.m. at Cokesbury Church, 5725 North Ninth Avenue.
The intent of these projects is to add an additional eastbound left-turn lane on both Creighton Road and Bayou Boulevard. Improvements include widening, milling and resurfacing existing lanes, minor drainage upgrades, sidewalk construction, and improvements to curb ramps and pedestrian signal features to meet current set Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The department will receive bids for construction fall 2015. These projects will require right-of-way.
The purpose of the hearing is to afford interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the project. The hearing will be conducted in an open house format, a formal presentation is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. FDOT representatives will be available to explain proposed improvements, answer questions and receive comments. Maps, drawings and other information will be on display.
Persons wishing to submit written statements in place of, or in addition to, oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to: Howard C. Hodge, III, P.E., General Consultant Project Manager, 1369 Railroad Avenue, Chipley, Florida 32428, or via email at hhodge@panhandlegroup.com. All statements postmarked on or before Monday, July 29, 2013 will become part of the public hearing record.
Chamber Taps Outzen To Head Sunshine Law Task Force
July 16, 2013
Rick Outzen has been appointed to lead a task force that will develop a Sunshine Law compliance plan for the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
Outzen, a chamber board member and publisher of The Independent News, was tapped by chamber Chairman Sandy Sansing to head up the effort that will outline how meetings will be held, how record requests will be handled and how board members and staff members will interact.
The Chamber Executive Committee voted recently to recommend to the full board that the chamber operate in compliance with the Florida’s government in the sunshine law, despite differing legal opinions about whether or not compliance is required.
“We felt it was the right thing to do,” said Sansing, “and Rick Outzen is the perfect person to develop the policies and procedures to make sure we are operating a fully transparent organization worthy of our private and public investors.”
Sansing said the chamber will move as quickly as possible, but that there will be a transition period necessary to train staff and board members and to set up the proper mechanisms for compliance.
“We do ask for a little patience as Rick and his team develop our strategy,” said Sansing. “We will be on a fast track, but it is a complicated law and we will have to learn as we go; so a little patience will be appreciated.”
One Injured In Bratt Trike Accident
July 15, 2013
One person was injured in a three-wheeled motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in Bratt.
The female was injured after turning off West Highway 4 onto North Pine Barren Road. The trike ran off the roadway before overturning. The female was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in a three-wheeled motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in Bratt. The motorcycle was moved from the accident scene prior to this photograph. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.