Sheriff Concludes Jail Criminal Investigation Prompted By Commissioner’s Comments
June 11, 2013
Following a criminal investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that there was no merit to comments made to local media by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino.
During an interview with WEAR 3, Valentino referenced “correctional officers playing video games on laptop computers and ignoring prisoners” and said “let’s address these issues before you come to me asking for money”, according to a letter from Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. And the following day, he told two radio stations, including NewsRadio 1620, that the sheriff was holding a gun to the head of the county commission and that the commission will look for further efficiencies in the jail operations before agreeing to funding, according to the sheriff’s letter.
Morgan said he opened a criminal investigation based upon Valentino’s “statements as a material witness” regarding correctional officers playing video games on laptops — a third degree felony offense because the laptops would be considered contraband.
The following statement was released Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation against our officers based upon allegations raised by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino. As the public may recall, Commissioner Valentino alleged through the media in two separate recorded interviews that Escambia County detention deputies were using laptops and being inattentive to inmates. Laptops are not issued to line officers in the Escambia County Jail. Unauthorized laptops are considered contraband and therefore a felony under Florida statute.
Commissioner Valentino had asserted in the second recorded interview that this information was not “off the cuff” but that it was given to him directly by law enforcement officer sources.
Even though Sheriff Morgan requested the Commissioner’s assistance, Commissioner Valentino refused to provide information to assist in this felony investigation. With the assistance of the State Attorney’s Office, Commissioner Valentino was subpoenaed to provide information to identify his sources so the investigation could continue. Commissioner Valentino, upon being interviewed by the State Attorney’s Office, admitted he had one and only one source. This source is a convicted felon and former inmate who had last been inside the jail in 2009. In addition to the felony conviction, this source had also been convicted of 92 misdemeanors. When asked specifically to name the law enforcement source he had alleged to be in contact with, he stated to the State Attorney’s Office that he had misspoken and that there was no law enforcement source.
Because this information is four years old and from an unreliable source, it would be impossible to follow up and identify if there were any deputies with unauthorized laptops. We are of the opinion that the event never occurred and have concluded that any further investigation is unwarranted. We hope that the serious issues that the Department of Justice has identified will now return to the front and center of the county’s attention.
Woman Found Dead After House Fire Was Murdered; One Arrested
June 11, 2013
A woman found dead following a weekend house fire in Atmore was murdered, and her accused killer is now behind bars.
A neighbor reported smoke coming from a house at 227 Adams Street about 5:20 Saturday morning. Once the fire was contained and fire fighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.
The State Fire Marshall was called to the scene to help determine the origin of the fire. Once Morris’ body was moved, investigators said was evident that officers were working a crime scene and a homicide investigation started. The body was transported to the Alabama Department of Science in Mobile to help determine the cause of death. Officials said those findings are preliminary and the investigation is ongoing and pending lab results.
About 11 a.m. Saturday, a person of interest identified as 40-year Collis McCaster of Atmore, was arrested in Atmore on an outstanding felony warrant from Conecuh County, AL. He was also questioned in Morris’ death.
On Monday, McCaster was transported to the Foley (AL) Police Department where he voluntary underwent a polygraph test and answered questioned concerning the fire.
After completion of the polygraph test, McCaster met with investigators from the Atmore Police Department in a separate interview and confessed to committing crimes against Morris and causing her death, police said.
McCaster was charged with capital murder, first degree arson and first degree sexual abuse. McCaster is being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Family members said McCaster was a homeless man that Morris would help out, sometimes feeding him and allowing him to stay in her home.
Pictured top and bottom: A woman found dead following a fire at the Adams Street home in Atmore was murdered. Pictured below: Firemen fill out statements for law enforcement following the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Engineers, Lawmakers Look For Answers On Hwy 29 Flooding
June 11, 2013
Thousands of people were inconvenienced Monday when just four inches of rain closed Highway 29 both north and south bound for over eight hours. And it left state highway officials, engineers and lawmakers scrambling for answers as to how a relatively normal heavy rainfall could paralyze the major north-south hurricane evacuation route from Pensacola.
“If this were a hurricane and four inches of rain had closed the highway, it would be a major cause for concern,” Ian Satter, spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation said. “But fortunately it was not, and this will give us a chance to figure out what happened.
Highway 29 and its associated drainage system are designed to handle heavy rainfall and remain open. Satter said state officials responded to flooding across Highway 29 just north of East Kingsfield Road and went to work looking for the reason the drainage system had failed. He said there was not an immediately apparent problem on state right of way, and state officials were awaiting word from county officials about the drainage on their right of way for Highway 95A and railroad officials about drainage on their adjacent right of way.
But as of late Monday afternoon, there was no word on what went wrong and led to the poor drainage and flooding.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers were looking for answers and pledging their support to help FDOT alleviate the problem.
“It is essential that Highway 29 remain clear and open. This is especially important during hurricane season because of the fact that Highway 29 is part of the evacuation route from the coast. Today, I spoke with District 3 FDOT Secretary Tommy Barfield and we discussed the flooding that forced the closure of the road,” State Rep. Clay Ingram told NorthEscambia.com. “Knowing that drainage issues have been a problem in the past, he is putting an action plan in place which includes sending drainage engineers here immediately to determine the best way to deal with the water. I will stay in close contact with FDOT to make sure that that this problem is addressed.”
In Sen. Greg Ever’s office, aide Dave Murzin said the senator’s office reached out to FDOT Monday and offered to send a representative to the site to assist the in the evaluation. “We are willing to help however we can to help make sure this does not happen again,” Murzin said.
Pictured top: This reader photo by Jamie Boutwell shows water crossing Highway 29 before the roadway was closed Monda morning. Pictured below: Reader photo by Brandi Ratcliff shows Highway 29 closed at East Kingsfield Road. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Getting Out Alive: Firefighters Hold Joint Training Exercise
June 11, 2013
Four area fire departments joined together Monday evening in Atmore for a joint training exercise that was all about firefighter safety.
Members of the Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Fire Department, Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue took part in the joint exercise using an abandoned home on Atmore’s Third Avenue that had been damaged in a previous fire.
Firefighters learned how to kick their way through a wall and bail out of a burning building if the need were to arise. They also learned how to remove an injured firefighter from a blaze and communications techniques.
The Atmore Fire Department will burn the home to the ground in the coming weeks.
For more photos, click here for a bonus Facebook photo gallery.
Pictured top: Firefighters learn to bail out of a burning building in the event of an emergency. Pictured inset: A firefighters leans how to breach a wall and escape Pictured below: Practicing removing an injured firefighters. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Amazing’ – McDavid Student Graduates With 14 Years Of Perfect Attendance
June 11, 2013
When Katelynn Zisa of McDavid was in kindergarten at Byrneville Elementary School, she set a pretty high goal — perfect attendance through her senior year.
And with her graduation last week from West Florida High School, she had finally accomplished her goal of 14 years of perfect attendance without missing a single day since pre-kindergarten. Ever. That’s over 2,500 days of class with Zisa present each and every morning.
“It’s something you just don’t hear of very much,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. As far as Thomas knows, Zisa is the first to graduate with complete perfect attendance during his career as superintendent. “It’s amazing for someone to go 12 years and never miss a day of school.”
“It was a hard goal to accomplish,” Zisa said. One of the hardest parts, she said, was balancing three or four years of playing sports and getting home late from games. “I still stayed up doing homework, and the next day I would do it again. Most students would stay home to catch up on everything. I could have stayed home but my goal was important to me so I held my head up.”
“You know that somewhere along the way she had to overcome some obstacles to make it all those years without missing a day,” Thomas said. “It’s a tribute to determination.”
Now that she’s a graduate, Zisa is looking for a job. And, potential employers, she’s likely to show up for work every day.
“I bet she’ll be there every day,” Thomas said. “I’d hire her.”
Editor’s note: Zisa and her mother have report cards showing 14 years of perfect attendance, including kindergarten. Due to record availability, the school district was only able to verify the the last 12 years — grades 1-12 — of perfect attendance.
Alabama Shooting Suspects Surrenders
June 11, 2013
An Atmore man surrendered himself to authorities Monday in connection with a shooting June in Freemanville, AL.
Joshua Wilson was charged with assault and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. He’s accused in a 2 a.m. shooting on June 1 outside Thymes Place, a bar on Freemanville Road.
Deputies say Wilson got into an argument with Roger Hall of Atmore over a female. Hall and an uninvolved bystander identified as Charles Finklea were both shot. A warrant has been issued for Hall for assault.
Vacation Bible Schools Are A Summertime Tradition
June 11, 2013
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for hundreds of area children — arts, crafts, food, songs and lessons usually all geared toward a worship theme.
This year is no exception, with numerous North Escambia area churches holding VBS events for children of all ages, including “Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS” this week at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church just off Highway 29 on Bogia Road (pictured).
Here’s a look at Vacation Bible Schools going on in the area through the summer:
Ray’s Chapel VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold their “Amazing Wonders Aviation” VBS through June 14, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
FBC Bratt VBS
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will hold their “Colossal Coaster World, Facing Fear, Trusting God” VBS through June 14 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for ages three through 6th grade.
Cottage Hill VBS
Cottage Hill United Methodist Church will hold VBS through June 14, from 6-9 p.m. for children kindergarten through ninth grade. Supper is provided each night. 229 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment. For more information call Barbara at (850) 968-2410.
Canoe Bapist VBS
Canoe Baptist Church will host “Adventures on Promise Island” Vacation Bible school, through June 13, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. VBS fun day and registration will be June 8 from 10:30 a.m. until noon.
Wallace (AL) Baptist VBS
Wallace Baptist Church in Wallace, Alabama will hold VBS through June 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages three through 9th grade. Family night will be on Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m.
Cottage Hill VBS
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill will host “Colossal Coaster” Vacation Bible School June 17 -21, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for grades K-5. Transportation available. For more information, call (850) 968-2357.
FBC Cantonment VBS
First Baptist Church of Cantonment will host “Colossal Coaster World” VBS June 24 – June 28 from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 118 Morris Avenue in Cantonment. For more info (850) 968-9135.
St. Luke UMC VBS
St. Luke United Methodist Church will host “Kingdom Rock” VBS, June 24 – June 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for children ages 4 through 6th grade. The church is located at 1394 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. Sign up at https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/stlukeumc. For more information call (850) 477-3145.
Victory Assembly VBS
“Big Top” Vacation Bible School at Victory Assembly of God, 1895 Victory Road, Cantonment, June 24-28, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m for birth to fifth grade. (850) 587-2295.
Hickory Hammock VBS
Hickory Hammock Baptist Church will hold VBS, June 24-28 from 9 a.m. until noon at 8351 Hickory Hammock Road in Milton. (850) 623-8959.
Pensacola Baptist Temple VBS
Pensacola Baptist Temple will hold VBS, June 24-28 at 6:30 p.m. For more information call (850) 455-5000.
Beulah Freewill VBS
Beulah Freewill Baptist Church will hold VBS June 24 – June 29 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. For more information call (850) 944-0408.
Windy Hill VBS
Windy Hill Baptist Church will hold their VBS July 8 – July 12 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for all ages. Dinner will be served at 5:15 p.m. each evening at 9896 Rebel Road in Beulah. Call (850) 944-2246 for more information.
Pine Forest Assembly VBS
Pine Forest Assembly of God will hold their “Hayday, Growing in Friendship with Jesus” VBS, Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, from 5%3
Molino, Other Parks To Receive Special Needs Playground Equipment
June 11, 2013
Seven Escambia County parks — including one in Molino — will soon receive equipment targeted for children with special needs.
These additions will go adjacent to current playground structures at the respective locations. This equipment is designed specifically for children of all ages with special needs and is designed to stimulate motor and sensory skills along while providing enjoyment.
New special needs playground equipment will be installed at the following Escambia County Parks:
- Molino Community Complex and Park, 6450 Highway 95A , Molino
- Beulah Regional Park, 7820 Mobile Highway
- Old Ensley School Park, 107 East Detroit Boulevard
- Lexington Terrace, 700 S. Old Corry Field Road
- Regency Park, 8245 Fathom Road
- Southwest Sports Complex, 2020 Bauer Road
- Wedgewood Park, 6405 Wagner Road
The project will be funding by LOST — Local Option Sales Tax — funds. Installation of the new equipment is expected to be complete by the end of the summer.
A new, brightly-colored playground was installed behind in January at the new Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A. The playground will be enhanced with new special needs equipment by the end of the summer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Braves Reclaim First With Two Wins Over Pensacola’s Wahoos
June 11, 2013
The Blue Wahoos nearly prevented the Braves from reclaiming the top spot in the Southern League South Division on two separate occasions on Monday, but the resilient Braves battled back in both games to walk-off with a 7-5 win in the conclusion of Sunday’s game and a 3-1 win in the second game.
Sunday’s game was resumed with Pensacola leading 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Braves quickly plated a two-out run when the game resumed and scored another in the bottom of the eighth to cut the Wahoos lead to two. Theo Bowe provided an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his second of the road trip and his third of the season, to make it a 5-2 Wahoos advantage.
The Braves exploded offensively in the bottom of the ninth against Blue Wahoos reliever Loek Van Mil. A hit by pitch and single started the inning, before Mycal Jones unloaded a pinch-hit three-run home run to tie the score at 5-5. With two outs, Kyle Russell walked before Christian Marrerro belted a game-winning two-run home run to straight away centerfield giving the Braves a 7-5 win.
In game two and the game scoreless, the Blue Wahoos used an error to allow Joe Mather to reach and advance to second opening the sixth inning. Tucker Barnhart quickly followed with a double to the right field corner which plated Mather for the game’s first run. The Braves countered with a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at one. Dan Brewer drew a one-out walk from Shaun Ellis and scored on a base-hit from Christian Bethancourt off Brian Pearl to make it a 1-1 game. The run was charged to Ellis and was the only run the Wahoos spot starter was tagged with over 5.1 innings.
Both teams were retired in order in the seventh inning to force extras. Pensacola threatened in the top of the eighth but were held scoreless. The Braves struck again in the bottom of the eighth. After an error at shortstop loaded the bases with only one out, Christian Bethancourt hit a ground rule double plating two runs to give Mississippi their second walk-off win of the night.
Despite a win by Mobile, the Braves have reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division by a half-game. Pensacola will try to knock the Braves out of first in the series finale on Tuesday. The Wahoos will turn to RHP Josh Smith (5-5, 3.50) while the Braves counter with RHP Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.58). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
One Seriously Injured In Early Morning Chumuckla Crash
June 10, 2013
A Brewton man was seriously injured in a single car crash early Monday morning near Chumuckla.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 55-year old Alex Charles Cunningham was traveling north of Chumuckla Highway approaching the intersection of Country Road 182 when he failed to negotiate a curve in his 1997 Chevrolet Lumina, ran off the roadway, collided with a tree and overturned in ditch. The FHP noted it was raining at the time of the 3:33 a.m. crash.
Cunningham was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. He was cited by the FHP for careless driving and no proof of insurance.