Tucker Offically Retiring As Department Of Corrections Boss
November 18, 2012
Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker is officially stepping aside as head of the agency, the latest in a series of changes for the state’s prison system.
“Unfortunately, I’ve reached that point in my career where, because of retirement, that I have to leave the agency,” Tucker said in a video farewell published on YouTube.
Tucker was expected to leave the agency no later than March, when his time in the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program is up. He has openly looked for other jobs, including seeking to join a North Florida effort to crack down on drug trafficking and the office of the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Ann Howard, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said Tucker would be with the agency through the end of the year but is currently using annual leave.
Tucker is the second prisons chief to leave under first-term Gov. Rick Scott, who appointed Tucker to the job after former Corrections Secretary Ed Buss left in August 2011. Tucker had been commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Tucker inherited an agency that has been forced to slice positions and found itself in the middle of a long-running battle between the Legislature and unions over whether to privatize prisons in South Florida and health-care services across the state. A hearing in the fight over health-care privatization scheduled for Thursday morning was delayed until Monday for reasons unrelated to Tucker’s departure.
“As you are all aware, it has been a difficult year,” Tucker said in his video message. It had been viewed more than 100 times by around noon Thursday.
Tucker conceded the agency was “still struggling,” and said his one regret was that he wasn’t staying longer.
“I wish I could have stretched the numbers from being the sixth secretary in seven years, and hopefully whoever replaces me will be someone with a longer tenure in this position that can lead you to be the agency that I think all of you and I know that you can be,” Tucker said.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Cantonment Rollover Wreck
November 18, 2012
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident early Sunday morning in Cantonment. The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m. on Highway 95A just off Highway 29, behind the former Gee Willies gas station.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Home
November 18, 2012
Fire damaged a home just north of Old Chemstrand Road Saturday evening. The fire was reported about 5:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Lindsay Lane. Smoke was showing from the single story home when the firefighters arrived on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molino, Bellview , Ensley and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire rescue responded to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
Pictured: Fire damaged this home on Lindsay Lane Saturday evening. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Scott Appoints Molino’s Giraud As Santa Rosa Judge
November 17, 2012
Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Jose “Tony” A. Giraud, of Molino, to the Santa Rosa County Court.
Giraud, 46, has served as an Assistant State Attorney in Pensacola since 1998. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army from 1986 – 1990. He received bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a law degree from Florida State University College of Law.
“Tony’s years of service with the Office of the State Attorney in Pensacola demonstrates that he is dedicated to helping Florida families,” Scott said. “I am confident that Tony will make a great addition to the bench and will serve Santa Rosa County with the fairness and integrity that he has displayed his entire career.”
Giraud will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Ross L. Bilbrey to the First Judicial Circuit.
Weekend: Sunny And Cool
November 17, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
- Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Northview Chiefs Destroy Cottondale To Advance To Region Final
November 17, 2012
The Northview Chiefs destroyed the Cottondale Hornets Friday night to cruise into the Region 1-1A final game next week.
“It’s a great win; it’s a great way to start the playoffs,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “We were able to get some big plays when we needed it.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleader photos will be published Sunday.)
The Chiefs opened the scoring just 21 seconds into Friday night’s game with a 46-yard run from La’Mikal Kyles. A good kick, and at 7-0 Northview was just warming up the scoreboard on a cold night in Bratt.
Cottondale’s Sheldon Vann scored on a one-yard run. The Hornets failed a on a two-point attempt, 7-6 with 5:49 in the first. “We got off to a little bit of a slow start,” Wheatley said. But with a few adjustments, the Chiefs defense shut down Cottondale.
In the second quarter, sophomore LaDarius Thomas was in for a TD with a four-yard run, 17-6 with 3:51 in the half. The Chiefs followed up with a 21-yard run from Kevin Vaughan, 22-6. And with less than five seconds to go in the half, the Chiefs scored again with a 92-yard interception return by Neiko Robinson, 36-6.
With 8:00 in the third, Northview scored again with a 14-yard Vaughn dash, 43-6. That kicked in the mercy rule and a started a running clock to make an inevitable loss a little easier on the Hornets.
With just under three minutes in the third, Neino Robinson returned a Cottondale punt 48-yards for a touchdown, 50-6. And the Chiefs scored again when Cameron Newsome recovered a fumble in the end zone after a 75-yard by sophomore Jaron Myles, 57-6.
Despite totally dominating every 1A opponent this session by average of just over five touchdowns, Wheatley said the Chiefs won’t be resting on that confidence headed into the Region 1-1A final game next Friday night at home against Freeport. During regular season, Northview beat Freeport 42-0.
“We’ve still got to go to work , and we’ve got to get a little better next week. It only gets tougher as each week rolls by,” Wheatley said. “Freeport is always tough. They are well coached. They are going to get after you; you have to be very disciplined.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleader photos will be published Sunday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Playoff Football Finals
November 17, 2012
Here are final football scores from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Northview 57, Cottondale 6 [Read more, photos...]
- Freeport 26 Graceville 21
- Tallahassee Godby 28, West Florida 10
- Catholic 22, Jacksonville Trinity Christian 21
- Crawfordville Wakulla 42, Gulf Breeze 19
- Navarre 30, Pace 10
- Milton 38, Niceville 31 OT
ALABAMA
- Midfield 22, TR Miller 20
- Fayette 34, WS NEal 6
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison As Habitual Offender
November 17, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison as a habitual felony offender.
James Allen Black III, 30, was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh for robbery with a weapon. He has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance and escape.
Prosecutors said on May 5, 2012, the victim was walking down Cervantes Street in front of the Travel Inn when Black approached him for a cigarette light. When the victim pulled out his lighter, the defendant put a gun to his temple and demanded his money.
Once the victim gave the defendant his money, the victim ran to a nearby convenience store where he saw a Pensacola Police officer. The victim was able to give the officer a detailed description of the defendant and the jacket that the he was wearing. Officers located Black outside the Travel Inn. When the officers approached Black, they saw a jacket that matched the description from the victim.
Black admitted that the jacket was his and when officers arrested him, they found a gun on his person.
Latest Jobs Numbers Show Fewer Unemployed Locally
November 17, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed the unemployment rate dropping in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and edging up in Escambia County, Alabama.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.6 percent in September to 8.1 percent in October. There were 758 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,363 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment dropped from 7.6 percent in September to 7.0 percent in October. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,043 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.6 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was up slightly from 9.5 percent in September to 9.6 in October. That represented 1,435 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.7 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s jobless rate fell in October to 8.5 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. Florida still lags behind the nation but closed the gap a bit. The national rate stood last month at 7.9 percent. If discouraged workers and part time employees seeking full-time jobs are added, Florida’s unemployment rate for October was 16.4 percent down from 18.2 percent a year ago.
“We are creating an environment that fosters job creation, economic development and provides a skilled workforce,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “My number one goal is to create jobs for Florida families and get this state back to work. There is still more work that needs to be done, but I’m confident we’re on the right path.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in October, was down from September’s rate of 8.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 8.5 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell more, dropping 0.3 points in September to 7.8 percent. That’s 1.2 percentage points lower than September 2011.
Walter Eugene Gunn
November 17, 2012
Mr. Walter Eugene Gunn, 84, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2012 in Walnut Hill.
Mr. Gunn was a native of Ponce de Leon, FL and a resident of Walnut Hill since 1959. Mr. Gunn was a veteran of the US Air Force and retired from Monsanto after 39 years of service. He attended the Bethel Temple Holiness Church.
He is preceded in death by his son, Carl Eugene Gunn; parents, Walton and Emma Gunn; one brother, Howard Gunn; and two sisters, Perry Lee Strength and Emma Lee Wilson.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Earnestine Brown Gunn of Walnut Hill; one son, William Mark Gunn of Walnut Hill; one daughter, Cindy Turner of Walnut Hill; daughter-in-law, Tracey Gunn of Pensacola; four brothers, Earl Gunn of Huxford, Ben Gunn of Flomaton, Cecil Gunn of Mobile, and James Gunn of Perdido; five grandchildren, Lcpl Garrett Turner, Seth Turner, Travis Gunn, Crystal Gunn and Amber Davis; two great-grandchildren, John William Justice and Cableaux Gunn.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 19, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ricky Peebles, Rev. Lamar Allen, Rev. John Morrow, Rev. John Fillingim and Rev. John Coleman officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 18, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Garrett Turner, Seth Turner, Travis Gunn, Jarrod Justice, Jeff Gunn and Brandon Wallace.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Brooks, Mike Johnson, Earl Gunn and Herbert Brown.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.