Scott Getting Around To Finding Lt. Governor
July 10, 2013
With the 2013 legislative session and the bill-signing period now complete, Gov. Rick Scott is getting around to finding an occupant for the lieutenant governor’s office, which has been vacant nearly four months.
Scott said Monday he recently directed his chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, to establish criteria to select a person who will also likely end up as a running mate in 2014.
“We’re starting the process now that we’re done with the session, the budget, the bills,” Scott said. “We’ll take the right amount of time, because we want to get the right person that will do a great job with this.”
The post has been vacant since Jennifer Carroll resigned in March amid a scandal about the Internet café industry.
Florida law says “there shall be a lieutenant governor,” but it’s not specific about how long the position may remain vacant. Scott has to have a running mate when he qualifies for re-election in June 2014. Scott said that while people, including former legislators, may have offered advice on replacing Carroll, the search will be conducted “internally” by the governor’s office.
FHP Looking For Quintette Road Hit And Run Driver
July 10, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that caused an accident Tuesday afternoon on Quintette Road.
An unknown make and model pickup truck was traveling east on Quintette Road as 77-year old Frances I. Ard of Cantonment signaled and slowed to make a left turn onto Frank Ard Road abut 4:50 p.m. The unknown pickup, traveling at a high rate of speed, attempted to pass Ard in a no-passing zone, according to the FHP. The two vehicles collided, sending the unknown pickup into the ditch. The unknown truck returned to the roadway and fled the scene eastbound on Quintette Road.
Ard was not injured.
The unknown pickup was described an an older model, lighter color truck, possibly beige in color. It will have right side damage and possibly transferred blue paint from Ard’s vehicle.
Anyone with information on the accident is asked to call (850) 484-5000 ext. 330 Callers can remain anonymous.
Northview Announces 2013 JV Football Schedule
July 10, 2013
The Northview Chiefs have announced their 2013 junior varsity football schedules.
Games will be played as follows:
Aug 29 – Baker – Away
Sept 9 – Escambia Co, AL – Home
Sept 19 – West Florida – Away
Sept 23 – Escambia County, AL -Away
Oct 3 – West Florida – Home
Oct 17 – Baker – Home
All games are scheduled for 6 p.m.
For the previously announced Northview Chiefs 2013 varsity schedule, click here.
Brewton Man Killed In Hwy 31 Wreck
July 9, 2013
A Brewton man was killed and his sister injured in a single vehicle crash Monday night.
Alabama State Troopers said 25-year old Virginia “Ginny” Allen was driving a 2001 Ford Explorer on Highway 31 north of Brewton when she ran off the road and overturned. Her passenger, 25-year old Edward “Joey” Allen died in the crash. Ginny Allen was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Her condition was not available.
Further details have not yet been released as state troopers continue their investigation.
Long List Of Crimes Attributed To Man Shot By Deputies
July 9, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday released a long list of crimes attributed to a man killed in a deputy involved shooting last Friday afternoon in West Pensacola.
James Wyman McGlothlin, 39, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting about 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Lago Vista Apartments in the 400 block of South 72nd Avenue. There were no deputies injured.
McGlothlin was reportedly driving a small red Honda vehicle when he ran off the road and became stuck in a flooded ditch off 72nd Avenue. He then ran into the apartment complex where a K-9 tracked him to a shed. Area residents reported hearing dozens of gunshots as deputies entered the shed.
According to a list released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, McGlothlin was responsible for the following crimes:
On Friday, June 21, 2013, McGlothlin’s former employer (Gordon Wholesale Auto) reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that over the course of the prior three weeks, McGlothlin had stolen several items from the business.
On Saturday, June 29, 2013, the Escambia Sheriff’s Office received a report of a residential burglary inthe 1700 block of North Blue Angel Parkway in which several personal items were taken from the home.Witnesses descriptions placed McGlothlin at the scene of the crime.Latent prints recovered at the scene were also identified to be McGlothlin’s.
On Monday, July 1, 2013, the Escambia Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle theft in which a red Honda Civic was taken from an auto repair shop located in the 6800 block of Pine Forest Road.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2013, shortly before 8 pm, McGlothlin entered the Subway located in the 3500 block of Barrancas Avenue.Witnesses stated that after placing an order, McGlothlin then displayed a firearm which was concealed in the waistband of his pants and demanded money before ordering employees into a back room and fleeing the store.
On Thursday, July 4, 2013 McGlothlin robbed Trade and Save (5000 Mobile Highway) at gunpoint. He entered the business at approximately 2:30 pm and took money and X-Box system and games after displaying a gun. (Surveillance photos at top of page.)
On Thursday July 4 it was reported that some time between June 5 and June 14McGlothlin had committed Grand Theft athis mother’s home on Sherrilane Drive, stealing checks and numerous pieces of jewelry.
On July 5, McGlothlin committed an Aggravated Battery at the Flight Deck Lounge at 3709 W. Navy Blvd. He entered the business at 1:47 am and displayed a firearm in an apparent attempted robbery. One male victim struggled with the suspect and was struck in the face with the firearm. This victim temporarily disarmed him, but McGlothlin regained control of the firearm and attempted to fire the weapon unsuccessfully. A female victim received a puncture wound and was treated at an area hospital.
The investigation is being conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
McGlothlin was released from prison on November 22, 2012, according to Florida Department of Corrections records. He had been incarcerated in state prison at least three times during his life, records show, for crimes in Escambia County including marijuana possession, grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, trafficking in stolen property, and pawnbroker offenses.
As is standard with all law enforcement involved shootings, the deputy or deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave. The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
If anyone has any information on crimes that might be connected to McGlothlin, they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Night Work On Pine Forest Road
July 9, 2013
Motorist traveling Pine Forest Road between Nine Mile Road and I-10 in Escambia County man experience minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day through Friday as crews perform underground utility work for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded by the Florida Department of Transportation to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area and to use caution, especially at night, when driving in work zones.
3 Arrested After Victim Beaten Beyond Recognition
July 9, 2013
Three people have been arrested in connection with the severe beating over the weekend in Cantonment. The victim, 19, was reportedly beaten beyond recognition.
Zachary Nathan Clark, 19, Jordan Scott Garrett, 17, and Kaleb Orion Willcutt, 15, were charged with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability in connection with the beating.
The incident happened just before 1 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of Jacks Branch Road. The victim had allegedly been drinking shots of alcohol during a gathering at the property. Garrett allegedly became angry at the victim over a song that was playing. Witnesses told deputies a fight involving the victim followed, with all three suspects hitting, kicking and punching the victim while was he was on the ground, according to an arrest report.
Deputies said they found the 19-year old victim barely conscious, not able to speak and having difficulty breathing with his face “swollen beyond recognition”. The victim was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”. Deputies were originally unable to speak to the victim because he remained unconscious at a Sacred Heart Hospital.
Clark is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $20,000.
Man Arrested In Connection With April 2 Shooting In Brent
July 9, 2013
A man wanted in connection with an April 2 shooting in Brent is now behind bars.
Chandler O’Brien Bass, 29, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon. He is charged in connection with a shooting in the area of Cary Memorial Drive and Lenox Parkway in Brent. The victim, 23-year old Steve Luron Benjamin, Jr., was shot multiple times and was expected to recover. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from drug related activity.
Bass is being held without bond.
County Administrator List Cut To 10; Touart Still In The Running
July 9, 2013
The Escambia County Administrator Search Committee cut 32 names off their list Monday, narrowing the list of contenders down to 10.
Interim County Administrator George Touart made the list on a 4-1 vote. The dissenting vote was cast by Joseph Marshall, the search committee member appointed by Commissioner Luman May.
The county will next confirm that each applicant is still interested. The committee, which will meet against on July 15, while then cut the list of applicants to about five to be presented to the Escambia County Commission.
The remaining candidates for Escambia County Commissioner are listed below in alphabetical order along with a brief listing of past experience. Click any of the names to read the candidate’s complete resume.
- Lyndon Bonner – Ocala, FL. City manager Bunnell, FL; assistant county administrator, Sumter County; county administrator Okeechobee County; city manager North Miami Beach.
- James Chansler – Jacksonville, FL. Utilities director city of Jacksonville and city of Boca Raton; wastewater management director Broward County.
- David Fanslau – Rock Hill, NY. County manager Sullivan County; township administrator Winslow, NJ and Logan, NJ.
- Kenneth Fields – Boca Raton, FL. Assistant city manager Hollywood, FL; village manager Islamorada, FL; executive administration officer Seminole Tribe of FL.
- Kenneth Griffin – Tampa, FL. CEO water/sewer authority and assistant county administrator Hillsborough County; executive officer Pearl River Valley Water Supply District
- Patrick Howard – Seneca, SC. County administrator Marion County, Ocala, FL.
- Albert Penksa – Gettysburg, PA.County manager Adams County, Gettysburg, PA; controller CFO Cambria County.
- 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.
- Kevin Seawright Jr. – Baltimore, MD. Executive director Baltimore Community College; deputy operating officer city of Baltimore.
- George Touart – Pensacola, FL. County administrator with Escambia County, FL; city councilman, Pascagoula, MS; co-owner of two businesses in MS.
Escambia Officials Attending North Florida Rural School Safety Summit
July 9, 2013
Escambia County officials are joining more than 100 law enforcement professionals, school officials, emergency management and first responder from across north Florida at the second annual Rural County Summit at the Florida Public Safety Institute in Havana, FL.
The summit, today and tomorrow, is organized by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with United States Attorney Pamela Marsh, the North Florida Domestic Security Task Force and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Sessions include Sandy Hook Elementary School Response, Preparing for Mass Causality Incidents, Establishing Student Situation Resolution Teams, Anatomy of a School Hostage Incident, Active Shooter Best Practice, and Resources Available to Secure Schools.
Speakers include Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance, Newtown Police Department Lt. Christopher Vanghelle, Dale County, Ala. Sheriff Wally Olson, Dale County Associate Superintendent Lamar Brooks, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Steven Richardson, State of Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon, and Leon County School Safety and Security Director John Hunkiar.