Haines Promoted To Escambia Chief Deputy
July 20, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has promoted Senior Commander Eric Haines to the position of chief deputy, effective today.
Haines has been employed with the Sheriff’s Office since April 1999. He has previously worked in patrol, training, accreditation and has served as captain of the Uniformed Services division.
Most recently, he has served as administrative commander and has been instrumental in negotiations concerning the budget and the transfer of the Escambia County Jail.
“I am happy to serve the Citizens of Escambia County,” said Haines.
In a ceremony Friday, Sheriff David Morgan also promoted Captain Tracy Yuhasz to commander. Yuhasz has been with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since March of 1993.
Publix Receives ‘Protector Of The Environment’ Award
July 20, 2013
ECUA recently presented their “Protector of the Environment” award to Publix Super Markets in the Pensacola area.
The POE award is a one of-a-kind initiative, which rewards local businesses and food service establishments that promote a positive, safe working and clean environment through the ECUA’s Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) and Backflow programs.
“We are honored by this wonderful recognition. As a reputable community partner, Publix Super Markets strives for excellence in food safety and exemplary sustainable practices,” said Dwaine Stevens, media and community relations manager for the Jacksonville district of Publix.
Jackie Gouge, Publix district manager, accepted the award that was presented by Gabe Brown, ECUA customer/FOG services manager.
The POE Award recognizes organizations that train their employees on “best management practices,” participate in scheduled 90-day cleanliness inspections, have no FOG or backflow violations, and no warnings within a one year period.
Pictured: (L-R) Gabe Brown, ECUA customer FOG service manager; Patrick Lasell, Publix store manager; Bernie Schultz, Publix store manager; Jackie Gouge, Publix district manager-Central Region/Jacksonville Division; William Gouge, Publix store manager; James Wells, Publix assistant store manager; and John Falduti, Publix assistant store manager. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Second Dog Involved In Nokomis Attack Is Captured
July 19, 2013
The second pit bull involved in a vicious attack on a Nokomis woman early yesterday morning has been captured.
The dog returned to the residence on Jakes Road just before 7 a.m. and was captured by an Escambia County Animal Control officer using a catch pole — a long pole with loop on one end, according to Bill Pearson, Escambia County spokesman.
The dog, named “Rosco”, was transported to the Escambia County Animal Shelter on Fairfield Drive.
Meanwhile, the woman, 63-year old Sandra Lambert, continues to recover at the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. The dogs mauled her arm so bad that doctors were forced to amputate it yesterday.
For an earlier story with more details on the dog attack and more photos, click here.
Pictured: The first of two pit bulls that mauled a Nokomis woman was captured after the attack Thursday morning. The second dog was captured Friday morning when it returned to the home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Charged In Theft Of Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear
July 19, 2013
Two people were arrested Thursday in connection with the May theft of kart racing gear from a Molino teen.
Amos Dewayne Sellers, age 33 of Pensacola and Lake Daniel Brooks, age 22 of Cantonment, were both charged with burglary and grand theft. The men were released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,000 bond each.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says the pair were responsible for the theft of about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear.
In May, Investigator David Preston returned the stolen gear back to the family. Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events.
But the brakes were put on his racing career after the burglary at the family workshop on Gibson Road on May 4. A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing like lawn equipment were left behind.
After a story about the thefts appeared on NorthEscambia.com on May 6, the Sheriff’s Office and family began to receive tips that led to the recovery of the racing equipment.
“I’m glad to have this stuff back where I can race again,” Jarrett Parker said in May as the family picked up the tires, engines and more at the Molino Sheriff’s Substation. Almost every piece of stolen equipment was recovered undamaged, other than the suspects had attempted to change the appearance of several engines by painting them.
Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.
Just days after the stolen equipment was returned, Parker was the Senior Pro Clone Winner at Checkered Flag Speedway in Stateline, MS.
Pictured top: Molino teen Jarrett Parker with about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear returned in May by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured inset: The suspects attempted to change the appearance of motors by painting them. Pictured below: Jarrett Parker and his father Cott discuss the case with Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator David Preston. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Restarts Administrator Search; Touart Can’t Apply
July 19, 2013
An obviously frustrated Escambia County Commission decided Thursday that George Touart won’t be the next permanent administrator and to start over on the hiring process.
The Commission voted 3-2 to restart the search process and hire an outside firm to conduct the search. Touart will not be allowed to apply for the position but will remain on an interim basis until a permanent administrator is named. The commission set a goal of hiring a new administrator as early as December 1 but no later than February 28. The outside search firm will cost the county up to about $20,000.
Commissioners Steven Barry and Grover Robinson said it was not fair for Touart to be on the top five list of considered applicants because he is already serving as the county’s top unelected official. As such, the county’s human resource director — who headed the current search process to date — works for Touart.
There were 63 applicants for the administrator’s job. Of those, about 40 were qualified. A selection committee appointed by the commissioners whittled that number down to five, including Touart.
A motion was made by Barry Thursday to remove Touart from the applicant list and forbid him from making personnel changes among high level staff members without permission from the commission.
Robinson offered another motion to prevent Touart from becoming the next administrator, hire a outside search firm and set the December 1 to February 28 goal for having a new administrator in place. Commissioners Gene Valentino and Wilson Robertson voted against the motion.
Man Gets 10 Years For Beating
July 19, 2013
A Santa Rosa man will spend the next decade behind bars for beating a man.
Timothy John Lambeth, Jr. of Milton was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of aggravated battery. Following the conviction, Judge David Rimmer sentenced Lambeth to 10 years state prison.
Lambeth, 22, was arrested on July 21, 2012, after an investigation by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Lambeth and co-defendant, Kyle Carroll, attacked and beat Phillip Turner as Turner was walking along Carroll Road on the night of June 7, 2012.
Lambeth and Carroll repeatedly punched Turner causing serious injuries including a fractured orbital bone and lacerations to his face. Turner was taken to Santa Rosa Medical
Center where he was treated for his injuries. Lambeth claimed that he was not at the location where the beating occurred; however, witnesses put him and Carroll at the scene and saw them attack the victim.
Carroll is scheduled for trial the week of July 29.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Killing His Grandfather
July 19, 2013
An Escambia County man was convicted Thursday of the first degree murder of his grandfather.
Thomas Isaiah Bunch fatally shot 69-year old Cleo Kennedy while the yard of a home they shared on Fiesta Drive on June 26, 2011. Bunch later confessed to the killing.
Bunch, 29, now faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Number Of Homeless Drop In Florida
July 19, 2013
Far fewer Floridians are living on the streets, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Office of Homelessness. The most recent count shows a drop in the number of people in Florida with no shelter. In 2012, nearly 55,000 Floridians were homeless during a one day count. This year, just over 45,000 Floridians were living with no permanent residency.
“The drop in the homelessness count is great news for Florida,” DCF Secretary David Wilkins said. “Shelter is one of the most basic of needs and when families don’t have a place to call home, children suffer. Governor Rick Scott’s commitment to improving the economy and getting people back to work has reduced the number of people living on the streets by giving them more opportunities for consistent employment.”
Since 2007, the rate of homelessness in Florida has declined nearly 25 percent. At that time, Florida’s job market was suffering and more than 60,000 Floridians had no place to call home. As Florida’s job market improves and the unemployment rate declines, more people are finding permanent residency.
The report is a single day count of the homeless population in Florida.
Wahoos Fall Flat In Series Opener
July 19, 2013
The Huntsville Stars scored in their first at-bat, providing all the offense on the night in a 1-0 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night in front of the 19th sellout crowd of the season at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Chadwin Stang started the game off with a double for the Stars and moved to third on a sac bunt by Nick Shaw. Two batters later, Brock Kjeldgaard lifted a sacrifice fly into foul territory in left field to score the game’s only run.
Pensacola had numerous opportunities in the contest, smacking eight base knocks, but couldn’t push across any runs. The Wahoos stranded 11 runners, including the bases loaded in the fourth inning. In the second inning, Pensacola had runners at second and third and one out but Chris Berset lined out sharply to second base before Daniel Renken grounded out. Renken batted with the bags packed and two outs in the fourth and struck out.
Despite the shutout, Travis Mattair continued his torrid pace with a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles. In his current seven-game hitting streak, Mattiar is 14-for-23, a .609 average.
Renken (3-7) took the tough luck loss despite tossing his fifth quality start in a row. The right-hander allowed a run on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks in six innings.
Drew Gagnon (2-5) snapped a five-game losing streak with his best start in Double-A. Gagnon shutout Pensacola over 6.2 innings, scattering eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Greg Holle picked up his ninth save of the year by pitching around a one-out walk in the ninth inning.
The series continues on Friday night at 7 p.m. Carlos Contreras will make his Double-A debut with Pensacola after being called up from High-A Bakersfield over the All-Star Break. Huntsville will counter with Brooks Hall (0-3, 6.31).
story by Kevin Burke
UF Dean Makes Recomendation On Future Of Escambia 4-H
July 18, 2013
University of Florida/IFAS Extension Dean Nick Place has made his recommendation concerning the future of 4-H in Escambia County at a Thursday morning meeting of the Escambia County Committee of the Whole.
He accepted three recommendations from an advisory committee concerning property to replace the Langley Bell 4-H Center that was sold to Navy Federal:
Cottage Hill State Forest, Cottage Hill. About 31 acres; the state is willing to deed the property to Escambia County. Site would support environmental and horticultural sciences, outdoor education, forestry and other 4-H activities. Currently has horse trails.
Escambia County Equestrian Center, Mobile Highway. Owned by Escambia County, includes 151 acres. Not currently equipped to handle any livestock except horses. A memorandum of understanding would ensure the 4-H could use the facility for animal shows.
Privately Owned Land. The Barrineau Park 4-H and the Livestock 4-H currently use the facilities of private landowners for livestock. By recruiting other members of the agriculture community, more sites could be developed with leases and grants to provide opportunities for 4-H club members to have off-site raising facilities.
Place also recommended that most of the $1.6 million from the Navy Federal sale proceeds that was to have purchased land instead by given to the 4-H Foundation for use only in Escambia County.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry expressed his displeasure in the recommendations, saying that it was not fair and equitable because 4-H sold 240 acres and did not receive something comparable in return. Commissioner Wilson Robertson also agreed, saying the 4-H’er had been promised comparable property.
A non-binding vote by commissioners in the Committee of the Whole meeting was 3-2 against accepting Place’s plan. What happens next in the process was not immediately clear. With the vote Thursday, the county’s can’t accept the proposals. A memorandum of understanding gave Place the final decision, but Escambia County must accept the Cottage Hill Forest from the state, and the Equestrian Center belongs to the county.