Sheriff’s Office Camp Friendship Underway At Jim Allen Elementary
June 12, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Camp Friendship” is going on this week at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. The free summer day camp features presentations by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, a field trip jail tour, sports, arts and crafts and much more.
“We want to thank the Sheriff Morgan and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department for their time, talent, and dedication to the children in our county,” Jim Allen Elementary Principal Rachel Watts said.
Additional camps are planned for later this summer at Montclair and Navy Point elementary schools. Both camps are already full and registration is closed.
Pictured: Camp Friendship at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Objects To Muslim Prisoners Joining Kosher Food Case
June 12, 2013
State attorneys Tuesday objected to an attempt by Muslim prisoners to intervene in a federal lawsuit that seeks to ensure the Florida Department of Corrections will offer kosher meals to religiously observant Jewish prisoners.
Muslim prisoners filed a motion May 30 to intervene in the case, which was filed last year in federal court in Miami by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Muslim prisoners seek a halal diet, complying with Islamic dietary laws, but would accept a kosher diet. In seeking to intervene, attorneys for the Muslim prisoners said the federal government should be “commended” for filing the lawsuit but that it does not address the Muslim dietary issue.
“Nowhere in the complaint is there any mention of Muslim inmates not being provided a halal meal, or in the alternative a kosher meal,” the motion said.
But in a document filed Tuesday, the state’s attorneys raised a series of legal objections to allowing the Muslim prisoners to join the case.
“The movants are Muslim inmates who seek a halal diet,” the document said. This case is not about halal diets, but kosher ones.”
U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz held a hearing last week on the federal government’s request for a preliminary injunction on the kosher-food issue, but she had not ruled as of Tuesday morning.
by The News Service of Florida
Burglary Suspects Busted
June 12, 2013
Two more burglary suspects were arrested Tuesday afternoon as an investigation into recent vehicle burglaries continues in the Pensacola area.
Lucas Jenkins, 21, and Tonjas Dixon, 20, both of Pensacola, were arrested around at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive, according to Sgt. Kevin Christman.
Dixon was arrested on 21 warrants that included burglary, larceny, fraud, and grand theft vehicle charges. Jenkins was arrested on nine warrants that included burglary, grand theft, fraud and vehicle theft charges.
The Pensacola Police Department made the arrests in conjunction with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, which also is investigating the suspects. Representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also participated in the investigation.
Jenkins, Dixon and Marcus Johnson are suspects in vehicle burglaries that occurred between early May and June 1 in the Inverness, Cordova Park and Bayview Way areas. The majority of vehicles had been left unlocked.
Johnson, 20, of Pensacola was arrested June 1 on 21 warrants ranging from burglary to fraud, Christman said.
The investigation is continuing as detectives pursue leads on additional suspects.
Wahoos Rally For 7-3 Win Over Braves
June 12, 2013
The first five Pensacola Blue Wahoos reached base as part of a four-run eighth inning that pushed Pensacola past the Mississippi Braves 7-3 on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Wahoos finished the 10-game road trip at 5-5 and knocked Mississippi out of first place in the process.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning trailing 3-1, but strung together a rally against Braves’ reliever Ian Thomas. After a leadoff walk to Ryan LaMarre, Travis Mattair singled to set the stage for a frantic comeback. Tucker Barnhart doubled, Ray Chang singled, and Devin Lohman singled on three consecutive pitches to turn a two-run deficit into a 4-3 lead. The Wahoos eventually loaded the bases with two outs when Theo Bowe drew a walk to give the Wahoos a two-run lead.
Mississippi threatened in the last of the eighth by putting runners on second and third with one out. Pensacola’s Trevor Bell fought back, though, to strike out Edward Salcedo and Barrett Kleinknecht to preserve the two-run lead.
The Wahoos added two insurance runs in the ninth inning on a Ray Chang single and a bases loaded walk to Bryson Smith. That was more than enough for Bell, who picked up his first save as a Wahoo with a scoreless ninth.
Pensacola jumped on top early in the game as Barnhart smacked a two-out single in the first inning to score Smith. The Braves responded with two runs in the last of the second on an RBI single from Kleinknecht, who then came around to score on an errant pickoff attempt from the catcher Barnhart.
Dan Brewer blasted his first homer of the season in the third inning to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Mississippi loaded the bases later in the inning, but Pensacola starter Josh Smith induced a 6-4-3 double play to stomp out the threat. The twin-killing sparked a string of 10 straight set down by Smith to end his outing. Smith went six innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, but didn’t factor in the decision.
Brian Pearl (3-0) picked up the win for Pensacola by pitching a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Smith. Thomas (3-3) took the loss for the Braves by allowing four runs in 1.1 innings.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Wahoos return home to finish out the first half with a five-game series against the first place Mobile BayBears. The BayBears lead the division by a half-game over Mississippi, 1.5 games over Montgomery and two games over Jacksonville. Tim Crabbe (2-6, 3.64) will get the start for Pensacola against Mobile’s Bradin Hagens (7-3, 2.69).
story by Kevin Burke
Hill Easily Wins House District 2 Special Election
June 12, 2013
Staking out conservative positions in a Republican-dominated district, Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill cruised to victory Tuesday in a special election to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford.
Hill collected nearly 58 percent of the vote, while Democrat Jeremy Lau, a labor-union leader, received about 42 percent. The special election in House District 2, which includes voters in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, came nearly three months after Ford, a Gulf Breeze Republican, died of cancer.
After Tuesday’s results came in, Hill said in a brief telephone interview that he focused throughout the campaign on a conservative message that was “from my heart.” He said voters in the district were looking for that type of message.
“It’s simply a message that resonates in this conservative part of Florida,” Hill said.
Hill, who will become the only black Republican in the Legislature, beat five other GOP candidates in a May primary and had a major fund-raising edge against Lau. In all, Hill had raised about $189,000 in cash as of last Thursday, while Lau collected about $27,000.
A State Farm agent and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Hill said he likes the direction that Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders are moving the state, pointing to efforts to reduce the size of government, lower taxes and reduce regulations.
Those are the types of issues he focused on during the campaign.
“Mike Hill is a constitutional conservative at his core,” Hill’s campaign website said. “As a veteran and a small business owner, he knows firsthand the value of our God-given liberty — and the need to be vigilant in defending it.”
Lau, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 2777, criticized Hill during the campaign for not appearing with him at public events and also differed with the Republican on issues. For example, Lau supported the state accepting $51 billion in Medicaid money under the federal Affordable Care Act to expand health coverage for low-income Floridians — an idea that Republican lawmakers rejected this spring.
Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by about 10,000 voters. With all precincts reporting Tuesday, Hill had 11,060 votes, while Lau had 8,047, according to the state Division of Elections website. Voter turnout was about 17.6 percent.
Rep. Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who is expected to become House speaker after the 2014 elections, said in a prepared statement that Hill will be a “strong conservative voice in our caucus.”
“His election sends a clear message that Floridians want smaller government, lower taxes, and the freedom to pursue the American Dream,” Crisafulli said.
By The News Service of Florida
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.