Criminal Charges Filed Against The Arts Council Of Northwest Florida
April 9, 2010
The State Attorney’s Office has filed two criminal charges against the Arts Council of Northwest Florida for making false official statements.
Complaints investigated by the State Attorney’s Office alleged that the Arts Council filed false reports with Escambia County and the City of Pensacola in order to receive funding and that the designated funds received were used improperly.
That SAO found wrongdoing on the part of the arts organization over “an extended period of time”, according to a report filed Thursday by Chief Assistant State Attorney Gregory Marcille.
In fiscal year 2009, the Arts Council received $100,000 in funding from Escambia County and $60,000 from the City of Pensacola. $120,000 of the funds were to be distributed to a dozen different arts organizations. The agreement with the county stated that the council was to be reimbursed after writing checks to the arts organizations. The Arts Council will provide copies of the checks to Escambia County that were supposedly sent to the arts groups. In reality, the Arts Council was withholding the checks and providing a false statement to the county, according to Marcille’s report.
The City of Pensacola made a lump sum payment each year, and the SAO found that it became regular practice for th group to use the current funding to pay expenses from the prior year.
Marcille said in his report that there was no evidence that anyone misappropriated funds for their own use, and no individuals were charged in connection with the incident.
The Arts Council of Northwest Florida will be arraigned on April 29 before Judge David Ackerman.
To read the full report from the State Attorney’s Office, click here.
Jay Wins Track Meet; Northview Places Second, Third
April 9, 2010
Jay’s boys and girls won a recent seven-school track meet, while the Northview girls placed second and the Northview boys placed third.
The meet at Central High School included track teams from Century, Northview, Jay, Florala, W.S. Neal, Paxton and Pensacola Christian School.
Full results from the meet are below.
OVERALL GIRLS POINTS
132-Jay
102-Northview
68-Central
67-Paxton
46-WS Neal
46-Florala
4-Pensacola Christian
OVERALL BOYS POINTS
160-Jay
143-WS Neal
84-Northview
23- Paxton
20-Pensacola Christian
14-Central
14-Florala
Event -Girls High Jump
1st Katie, Paxton 4’10”
2nd Welch, Paxton 4’6”
3rd Gomez, L Northview 4’6”
Event – Boys High Jump
1st- Elliott, WS Neal 6’4”
2nd- Butts, Paxton 5’10”
3rd Ewing, WS Neal 5’10”
Event – Girls Triple Jump
1st Gomez, L Northview 30’8.5”
2nd Floyd, Northview 29’2”
Event – Boys Triple Jump
1st Elliott, WS Neal 41’11.5”
2nd Gibson, J Northview HS 35’
3rd Flowers, Jay 32’3”
Event- Girls Long Jump
1st Blackman, Jay 14’11”
2nd Ellis, Jay 14’3”
3rd Forsythe, Central 13’5”
Event-Boys Long Jump
1st Nicholson WS Neal 20’11”
2nd Elliott WS Neal 18’5”
3rd Ewing, WS Neal 17’9.5”
Event-Girls Shot Put
1st Walker, Paxton 30’2”
2nd Edwards, Jay 27’10”
3rd Williams, Florala 27’7”
Event- Boys Shot put
1st Moore, Northview 38’9.5”
2nd Lisonbee, Jay 37’7”
3rd Gilmore, Jay 37’6”
Event- Girls Discus
1st Walker, Paxton 134’3”
2nd Hawthorne, WS Neal 87’1”
3rd Cergeira, Jay 72’1”
Event-Boys Discus
1st Moore, Northview 105’2”
2nd Gilmore, Jay 100’10”
3rd Wright, Central 90’
Event – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay
1st Jay 11:12
2nd Northview HS 14;43
Event -Boys 4×800 Meter Relay
1st Jay 9:32
2nd WS Neal 10:32
Event -Girls 100 Meters Hurdles
1st Evans, Paxton 18:53
2nd Floyd, Northview HS 18.54
3rd Ellis Jay 19:03
Event-Boys 110 Meters Hurdles
1st Nicholsen, WS Neal 15:88
2nd Brabham, Jay 18:67
3rd Jackson, Northview 20:74
Event-Girls 100 Meters
1st Radfred, Florala 14:08
2nd Hobbs, Florala 14:09
3rd Stallworth WS Neal 14:37
Event-Boys 100 Meters
1st Nicholson, WS Neal 11:72
2nd Elliott, WS Neal 11:94
3rd Ewing, WS Neal 12:10
Event-Girls 1600
1st Treviad, Jay 6:14
2nd Smith, Central 6:21
3rd Geotter, Northview 6:32
Event-Boys 1600
1st Nadsady, Jay 5:10
2nd Price, Paxton 5:38
3rd Kemp Jay 5:48
Event – Girls 4×100 Relay
1st Northview HS 54.56
2nd Florala 55.78
3rd Central 55.58
Event-Boys 4 X 100 Relay
1st Jay 51.95
2nd Florala 55.66
3rd Pensacola Christian 57.00
Event-Girls 400 Meters
1st- Golden, Jay 1:05.74
2nd Ellis, Jay 1:08.96
3rd Thomas, Jay 1:11.98
Event-Boys 400 Meters
1st Coticid, Jay 59.05
2nd Kennedy, Jay 59.28
3rd Flowers, Jay 59.53
Event -Girls 300 Meter Hurdles
1st Evans, Paxton 57.80
2nd Ramsey, Paxton 58.35
3rd Jernigan, Central 58.40
Event-Boys 300 Hurdles
1st Brabham, Jay 44.02
2nd Nettles, WS Neal 47.54
3rd Alexander, WS Neal 49.52
Event- Girls 800 Meters
1st- Blackman, Jay 2:39.19
2nd Forsythe, Central 2:43.12
3rd Trestino, Jay 2:46.74
Event-Boys 800 Meters
1st Fisher, Jay 2:21
2nd Phillips, Jay 2:22
3rd Nasady, Jay 2:24
Event-Girls 200 Meters
1st Crook, WS Neal 29.88
2nd Mitchell, Northview 29.86
3rd Russo, Central 30.02
Event-Boys 200 Meters
1st Dixon, Northview 24.62
2nd Nettles, WS Neal 25.22
3rd Jackson, Northview 25.23
Event- Girls 3200 Meters
1st Smith, Central 13:53
2nd Thornton, Jay 13:59
3rd Brown, Jay 15:42
Event-Boys 3200 Meters
1st Regehr, WS Neal 12:13
2nd Kemp, Jay 12:10
3rd Gomez, WS Neal 12:58
Event – Girls 4×400 Relay
1st Jay 4:28
2nd Central 4:55
3rd Florala 5:21
Event – Boys 4×400 Relay
1st Northview HS
2nd Jay
3rd Central
Pictured top: A few members of the Northview High School girls track team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Damage To Sandy Hollow Bridge More Extensive Than First Reported
April 9, 2010
Escambia County now says that damage to the Sandy Hollow Bridge in Davisville is worse than initially reported.
Updated information released Thursday afternoon shows that the needed repairs are much more substantial than first reported by Escambia County. The bridge on Sandy Hollow Road will require eight new piles to be driven, the replacement of the abutment and wing walls on the south end and the replacement of the guardrail.
The work is scheduled to begin Monday and is expected to continue for about two weeks.
The emergency closure of the bridge on Sandy Hollow Road was announced Wednesday afternoon due to the Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge consultant, Volkert and Associates, inspection of the bridge. At that time, Escambia County said just one or possibly two of the pilings that support the bridge would be replaced.
Highway 97 is the detour for the road, which runs from West Highway 4 to Gobbler Road. The bridge, located about a mile and a half south of Highway 4, already had a restricted weight limit of 20 tons.
Pictured above: Work crews place barricades on Sandy Hollow Road late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman, Infant Escape Serious Injury In Collision With Train
April 8, 2010
A woman and an infant escaped serious injury in a train versus car accident Thursday morning in the Friendship community near Flomaton.
The 21-year old and her 18-month old infant were transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening; authorities said the infant’s injuries were minor. The mother was reportedly wearing her seat belt, and the child was properly restrained in a car seat.
The woman’s car collided with the southbound Alabama Railroad train about 7:45 a.m. at a crossing on Wolf Log Road the intersection of Jordan Road.
The accident is still under investigation.
Pictured top: The driver and an infant passenger in this car escape serious injury in a collision with a train this morning near Flomaton. Pictured below: The car’s bumper can be seen on the tracks in front of the train. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
Former Northview Coach Named New Escambia County High Head Coach
April 8, 2010
Former Northview High School offensive coordinator Mark Heaton has been named the new head football coach at Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Heaton’s appointment was unanimously approved Thursday afternoon by the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board after a short executive session. Heaton was one of seven candidates for the job interviewed by School Superintendent Billy Hines and Assistant Superintendent Randall Little. Escambia County High School Principal Harvey Means was left out of the selection process because his contract was non-renewed in March by the school board.
“I was excited that this opportunity presented itself,” Heaton told NorthEscambia.com. “God really opened the door wide open and kicked me through it. I hope we are going to be blessed and prosper.”
The new Blue Devils head coach believes he can return the program to glory. And he’s not aiming low, setting a goal of state championship, something Escambia County High School has not seen since 1983.
“There’s a lot of deep tradition at Escambia County,” he said. “This is a great time and a great opportunity to build on that tradition.”
Heaton admitted that he will miss J.U. Blacksher where he was 13-9, including a trip to the state playoffs.
“I’m going to miss a lot of those kids,” he said. “I am so proud of them and the program.” He spent early Thursday evening calling his J.U. Blacksher seniors to tell them about his decision to take the Escambia County job. He will meet with the entire team on Friday to announce that he’s leaving.
Heaton’s first day as the new Blue Devils head coach will be April 18.
Heaton is a 1997 graduate of Demopolis (Ala.) High School where he was a student teacher for one year. He then joined the coaching staff at Oglethorpe County High School in Crawford, Georgia under Cody Keene. Two years later, he would eventually follow Keene to Northview High School.
Heaton joined the Northview coaching staff as an offensive coordinator in 2004 under Keene. After four seasons with the Chiefs, Heaton was hired from a field of 28 as head coach at J.U. Blacksher in Uriah, Ala.
He is a 2001 graduate of the University of West Alabama where he played on scholarship as a quarterback and punter.
Heaton’s wife, Betty Heaton, will remain at Northview High School where she currently is the head volleyball coach and teaches reading. The couple lives in Atmore, and they have two preschool daughters, Jae and Payton.
Heaton replaces Kyle Davis at Escambia County High. Davis was fired with a 16-35 record over five seasons.
Pictured top: New Escambia County High School Coach Mark Heaton. Pictured bottom: (L-R) Jay, Betty, Payton and Mark Heaton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Report Details Crime Levels In Escambia, Santa Rosa
April 8, 2010
The rate of serious crimes in Florida fell to a 39-year low in 2009, while the number of most violent crimes in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties showed little change.
In violent crime categories — murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault — Escambia County had a slight increase from 2008 to 2009 in the number of forcible rapes (161 to 193) and aggravated assaults (1,852 to 1,884). Murders decreased (22 to 18) as did robberies (692 to 636).
In Santa Rosa County, there was an increase in forcible rapes (17 to 33). There were decreases from 2008 to 2009 in murders (2 to 0), robberies (26 to 21) and aggravated assaults (235 to 183).
From 2008 to 2009, Escambia County had an increase in the number of burglaries (2,993 to 3,265) and larcenies (8,525 to 8,750). The number of motor vehicles thefts were down (835 to 753).
From 2008 to 2009, Santa Rosa County had a decrease in the number of burglaries (518 to 480), larcenies (1,484 to 1,386) and motor vehicle thefts (125 to 97).
Escambia County’s crime rate per 100,000 persons was 4,952.1 in 2009, while Santa Rosa County’s crime rate per 1,000 persons was 1,522.4.
The numbers for Escambia County include all crimes reported by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police Department, Pensacola Junior College Police Department and other agencies. Santa Rosa County’s numbers include all crimes reported by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Milton Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department and other agencies.
The numbers were released Thursday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in their 2009 Annual Uniform Crime Report.
Northview Falls To Bozeman
April 8, 2010
The Northview Chiefs will stay on top of District 1-2A despite a Wednesday night loss to Bozeman.
Bozeman beat the Chiefs 8-0 in a non-district game. Bozeman held the Chiefs to just two hits in Bratt.
The Chiefs will be just across the state line Friday against Escambia County High School in Atmore. The JV plays at 4:00, and the varsity is scheduled for 6:30.
State Attorney: No Wrongdoing By Commission; Grand Jury To Investigate Valentino
April 8, 2010
The State Attorney’s Office has found that no crime was committed by the Escambia County Commission when a drainage contract was rebid last year, but allegations of improper solicitation of campaign funds against Commissioner Gene Valentino will be presented to an Escambia County Grand Jury for their consideration.
When bids were opened on November 18, 2009, for a Maplewoods drainage project, Gulf Equipment Company of Mobile was low bidder at $1,768,621. Road, Inc. of Cantonment’s bid was $22,982.26 more. The county’s purchasing department recommended to the Escambia County Commission that they approve the Gulf Equipment bid.
Six days later, on November 24, Valentino admits that he met for about 45 minutes in his office with Roads, Inc. officials, including the company’s president Cody Rawson and Russell Weaver. Valentino tells the daily newspaper that he met with Rawson to ask for campaign support, but retracts that statement but does not explain what was discussed in the meeting.
Roads, Inc. officials then contacted commissioners Kevin White, Grover Robinson and Wilson Robertson, telling them that they could correct a mistake on their bid and save the county $100,000.
Valentino made a motion on January 7 to rebid the project because of errors made by county staff. County Administrator Bob McLaughlin and staff members object. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marie Young against.
A week later, January 14, White made a motion at a Committee of the Whole meeting to reverse the rebid. White, Robinson and Robertson apologized, while Valentino points blame at county staff and the bid process. The vote to reverse the rebid and award the contract to Gulf Equipment was ratified at the January 21 meeting.
“Commissioner White began to question his decision,” Gregory Marcille, assistant State Attorney write in his findings. “There was considerable public concern as a result of media reports. Much of this concern revolved around Commissioner Valentino and his meeting with Cody Rawson and Russell Weaver and alleged discussions of political support.”
“We will present the issues involving Commissioner Gene Valentino and his alleged solicitation of political support to the Grand Jury for their consideration,” Marcille said.
The commission later approved a new set of rules to prevent any attempted contractor influence. Now, commissioners can sanction or even disqualify bidders that attempt to influence the board or any county employee in the time between the receipt of a sealed bid and the contract award date. The Purchasing Department already had a similar internal policy, but now it is an official county-wide policy.
Contractors that violate the policy could see a contracted terminated or even suspension from future bids on county projects. The lobbying policy does not impact a contractor’s other lobbying efforts during zoning procedures, proposal requests or letters of interest on a project.
To read the entire report from the State Attorney’s Office, click here.
Attack On A Mall: 300 Responders Conduct Counter Terrorism Drill
April 8, 2010
Hundreds of emergency personnel converged on University Mall in Pensacola Thursday for a counter terrorism exercise.
With an active shooter inside the mall, a hostage situation, a hazardous materials incident and explosives, the exercise allowed first responders to practice for a variety of scenarios.
About 300 emergency personnel from 17 agencies took part in the exercise funding by a Department of Homeland Security grant.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the exercise, click here. (Some readers may find a portion of the photos to be graphic.)
Pictured above: A SWAT team prepares to enter University Mall Thursday afternoon during a counter terrorism drill. Pictured below: A hazmat team begins their search for victims inside the mall. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Sandy Hollow Road Bridge Closed For Emergency Repairs
April 7, 2010
Sandy Hollow Road at Sandy Hollow Creek in Davisville was closed this afternoon for emergency bridge repairs, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County’s public information manager.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge consultant, Volkert and Associates, recommended that the bridge be closed after an inspection. One or possibly two of the pilings that support the bridge need replacing, according to Escambia County.
Highway 97 is the detour for the road, which runs from West Highway 4 to Gobbler Road. The bridge, located about a mile and a half south of Highway 4, already had a restricted weight limit of 20 tons.
The county is waiting for the contractor and county engineering staff to meet and provide an estimate time period for the bridge repairs.
Pictured above: Work crews place barricades on Sandy Hollow Road late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.