McDavid Man Among Two Inmates Killed In Jail Blast
May 2, 2014
A McDavid man was one of two inmates that were killed when an explosion rocked the Escambia County late Wednesday night.
Robert Earl Simmons, age 54 of Railroad Street in McDavid, was arrested on multiple felony animal cruelty charges on January 14. He was being held without bond due to an alleged probation violation in a 2012 grand theft and trespassing case. He was due in court for probation violation hearing today, May 2, to determine his possible bond eligibility.
David Paul Weinstein, age 45, was arrested February 28 for fraud providing false owner information a pawned item, dealing in stolen property and grand theft. His bond was set at $12,500, but he was placed under a “hold” by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office where he had an outstanding warrant on an unknown charge. His trial in Escambia County was set for mid-July.
Both men were found dead surrounded by debris in the same part of the jail.
About 600 inmates were inside when the explosion believed to have been caused by a natural gas leak ripped through the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility on West Leonard street.
People as far away as Molino and Gulf Breeze reported feeling or hearing the blast.
The explosion appeared to have originated in or near a basement laundry area. In a written statement, Pensacola Energy said in a written statement Thursday that they verified the gas main leading to the building was operating in a safe and effective manner. Pensacola Energy indicated that explosion appeared to have originated inside the basement of the facility.
County officials said Thursday night that 184 people, including inmates and corrections officers, were transported to area medical centers for treatment. All but two inmates and one Escambia County Jail correction officer have been released from the hospital.
Every inmate that was in the facility at the time of the blast has been accounted for, according to Escambia County officials.
Two hundred female inmates were transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail in Milton, while the remaining prisoners were scattered among other unnamed detention facility in Escambia County. For roster of inmates in the jail at the time of the explosion, click here.
The Escambia County Jail, including Central Booking and Detention Facility, are operated under the direction of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, not the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff David Morgan relinquished control of the jail to the BOCC last October.
The Florida State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) are investigating the cause of the explosion.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Open Friday
May 2, 2014
Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools will be open on Friday.
However, Holm Elementary School in Escambia County will remain closed; those students and teachers will be notified at a later date. In Santa Rosa County, West Navarre Primary will open at a later date.
Due to numerous road closures, some Escambia County school buses will be re-routed. Parents should watch for bus stop and re-routing announcements on the Transportation Department’s web site at www.escambiayellow.com. Parents are advised to expect delays as the buses navigate the roadways. Absences resulting from missing the bus and/or not being able to attend school will be excused.
No state testing will be conducted on Friday in Escambia County.
Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas remarks, “The School District stands ready to offer recovery support through flexibility with excused absences and assistance with displaced student enrollment issues.”
Six People Rescued Thursday From Flooded River At Barrineau Park
May 2, 2014
Six people, including two children, were rescued from the flooded Perdido River at Barrineau Park Thursday afternoon.
The people were reportedly rafting when they fell off their rafts. The four adults and two children were found clinging to a log jam and train trestle just south of the Barrineau Park Road Bridge into Alabama.
First responders from the Molino Station of Escambia Rescue were unable to find a safe location to launch boat into the river. Fighters were able to stretch a ladder over the water from the log jam to the shore and get the victims up to the railroad trestle. None of the six, who were in the water just under an hour after the first 911 call, were injured.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also responded to the call.
Pictured top and below: First responders used a ladder as a makeshift bridge to rescue six people trapped on the flooded Perdido River at Barrineau Park Thursday afternoon. Pictured inset: A group of first responders walk back from a train trestle after making the success rescue. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Shrek The Musical’ On Stage Tonight At Northview
May 2, 2014
The Northview High School Music Department will present “Shrek The Musical” tonight and Saturday night. Performance time is 7:00 both evenings in the Northview theatre. Tickets are $8 in advance and are available in the school office or at the door.
Playoff Roundup: Jay, Tate, West Florida Advance
May 2, 2014
Jay 7, South Walton 2 (Softball)
The Jay Lady Royals won their Region 3-1A quarterfinal game Thursday 7-2 over South Walton.
Chasity McCranie pitched the win for the Lady Royals in seven, striking out 11, allow a double, two runs, five hits and committing two erros.
For the Lady Royals, Destiny Herring was 1-4 with a run, double and two RBis, Samantha Steadham was 2-4 with a run, double and2 RBIs; Holly Taggert two runs; and Makayla Stewart had a couple of runs.
The Lady Royals will host either Port St. Joe or Chipley on Monday at 4 p.m.
Tate 10, Navarre 0 (Softball)
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the Navarre Raiders 10-0 Thursday in the Region 1-7A semifinal game.
On Saturday, the Lady Aggies will host East Ridge Saturday in the Region 1-7A at 2 p.m.
West Florida 6, Taylor County 5 (Baseball)
West Florida High School beat Taylor County 6-5 in the baseball Region 1-4A quarterfinals. Nick Lackey was 2-4 with a double and two RBis for West Florida, while Chad Simmons was 3-4 with an RBI. Kyle Harrison hammered n the game winning run, going 1-4 with a double.
The West Florida Jaguars will host the Region 1-4A semifinals next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
West Florida Beats Tally High In Region 1-4A Semi (With Gallery)
May 2, 2014
The West Florida High Lady Jaguars won the Region 1-4A semifinal game Thursday night against Tallahassee High, 5-0.
Senior Korina Rosario pitched the shut out, giving up eight hits, two walks while recording nine strike outs. Hitters for West Florida were Nachelle Watson 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs; Ali Cutaio was 1-3; Kristen Gunter was 2-2 with two RBIs; Rosario went 1-2; Jordaine Watkins was 1-3 with a double and RBI; and Lauren Carnley was 1-3 with a double.
West Florida (25-1) will travel to face West Nassau High in Callahan (north of Jacksonville) on Saturday in the Region 1-4A finals and the chance at the state playoffs next week in Vero Beach. A playoff final win would be the first softball state championship.
Pictured top: West Florida Senior Nachelle Watson comes in on her home run Thursday against Tallahassee High. Pictured inset: Senior Karina Rosario pitched the Lady Jags’ win. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Scott Says He’ll Sign Medical Marijuana Bill Supported By House
May 2, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott said he will sign a medical marijuana bill poised to pass the Florida Senate, after the measure received overwhelming support Thursday from the House as children whose lives hang in the balance looked on.
“I’m a parent and a grandparent. I want to make sure my children, my grandchildren, have the access to the health care they want. So, I know the House has passed the bill. It’s going back to the Senate. If it passes, I’m going to sign it,” Scott told reporters Thursday evening.
Scott had wanted to limit access to the drug, not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, to patients with a variety of illnesses who are involved in clinical trials.
The version (SB 1030) approved by the House in a 111-7 vote and sent back to the Senate — with one day left in the annual legislative session — includes language proposed by Scott but goes much farther.
Under the measure, cancer patients as well as those who suffer from severe muscle spasms or seizures and who do not respond to other treatment would be eligible for a strain of marijuana that is high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Supporters have particularly said the substance could help children who suffer from a type of epilepsy that causes severe seizures.
Doctors, who would have to receive special training, would put their patients on a statewide “compassionate use” registry maintained by the Department of Health. Doctors would also have to submit patients’ treatment plans for the substance to the University of Florida pharmacy school. Patients could be charged with misdemeanors for faking a disease and doctors could be charged with misdemeanors for ordering the drug for patients who don’t fit the criteria.
The House also added new requirements for growers. Under the proposal, only large, commercial nurseries would be eligible to grow the low-THC cannabis. Growers must possess a valid certificate of registration issued by the Department of Agriculture for the cultivation of more than 400,000 plants, post a $5 million bond, and have operated as a registered nursery in Florida for at least 30 years. Growers would also manufacture the low-THC substance, usually delivered in paste or oil form, and serve as distribution centers. The state would authorize five distribution centers spread throughout the state.
Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, said about three dozen nurseries would fit the criteria spelled out in his amendment.
From the public gallery, a handful of Panhandle families — including Holley Moseley and her daughter, RayAnn — watched House members debate the issue. The Moseleys have led the charge in the Capitol on behalf of about 150,000 families whose children could benefit from the treatment.
After the vote, an emotional Holley Moseley could not hold back tears when surrounded by reporters. Moseley said that RayAnn had suffered numerous seizures during the hours that she and her daughter sat waiting for the vote.
“It really was overwhelming. I’ve kind of held it together until this point. We’re so close,” Moseley said. “Just sitting there next to her, and seizure after seizure. It just makes it so real.”
The seeming contradiction of Florida’s conservative, Republican-dominated Legislature approving any pot-related legislation was not lost on some of the members.
Republican Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, who returned to the House less than a month ago after winning a special election, said he was “both skeptical and concerned” when he learned about the issue coming up in the Legislature.
“I can hardly believe I’m saying this. … I’m going to vote for the bill because I think it’s the right thing to do,” Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, said.
But, as limited as the bill is, authorizing medical marijuana “could be the rifle shot that starts an avalanche,” objected Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala.
“I pray it’s not,” he said. “But because of that risk of setting off that giant avalanche … that weight and my responsibility is a knot in my stomach that says you started that. I simply can’t pull the trigger.”
But Rep. Matt Gaetz, the bill’s sponsor, said he recognizes that some critics say lawmakers are sending the message that marijuana use is acceptable.
“But I look up at the gallery at these children who are racing to their deaths and I just can’t balance the impact of their life against that argument. We are being as cautious as we can,” Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said. “That’s why we’ve taken this cautious step only with tightly controlled non-euphoric marijuana. I’m sure it’s not perfect. But it is my best effort … to do right by those very ill children without cracking the door open too much.”
The Senate is expected to pass the measure on Friday and send it to the governor.
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Generals Make It Two Straight Over Pensacola Blue Wahoos
May 2, 2014
For the second straight night the Generals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back on their way to a 5-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Thursday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. The Wahoos pushed across their first run of the series with two outs in the ninth.
The Generals opened the game with back-to-back doubles and both were converted to runs on sacrifice flies to give Jackson an early 2-0 lead. Nate Melendres launched a solo home run to make it 3-0 in the second inning. Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson (L, 2-2) went on to retire 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. The only man to reach got on with an error. Stephenson allowed a one-out double followed by a walk in the sixth to bring an end to his night. Both came home to score on an RBI single by Manny Pina off Tim Adleman, but the runs were charged to Stephenson.
Ross Perez led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with a 4-for-5 game including a triple and Pensacola’s only RBI. The Wahoos had base runners in every inning and left a season-high 15 runners on base.
Stephenson was tagged with the loss and charged with all 5R/ER. He walked two and struck out four. Jochi Ogando went four innings in the start for the Generals. He didn’t allow a run and walked three with five strikeouts. Stephen Shackleford (W, 3-1) earned the win out of the bullpen. He allowed just 1R/0ER over the final 2.2 innings.
The Wahoos look for their first win in four games with RHP Jon Moscot (1-1, 2.08) on the mound against Generals RHP Trevor Miller (0-3, 5.40).
by Tommy Thrall
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jail Victims Identified
May 1, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two victims who lost their lives in the explosion at the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night.
- 45 year old David Paul Weinstein
- 54 year old Robert Earl Simmons
The Florida State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating the cause of the explosion.
The ECSO said 184 people, including inmates and corrections officers, were transported to area medical centers for treatment. Two inmates and one Escambia County Jail Correction Officer remain hospitalized.
About 200 Female Escambia Inmates Moved To Santa Rosa County
May 1, 2014
About 200 female inmates have been from the Escambia County Jail to Santa Rosa County following an explosion this morning at the Escambia County Jail.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information:
Due to the tragic events at the Escambia County jail, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is providing assistance and support to the inmates and agencies involved.
As of 8:00 am, we have received approximately 200 female inmates from the Escambia County Jail. Since their arrival, we have provided breakfast and clean uniforms. These females are considered “Low Custody Level” inmates and have been placed in our Direct Supervision Unit. This DSU is part of our newest facility which was recently added to our existing jail. We have full medical staff this morning to conduct triage and follow up medical care.
We ask the media and the public give Escambia County and the SRSO time to work on the logistics during this tragic event. We are working to provide free telephone services for the newly arrived inmates from Escambia County so they can contact their loved ones. We will also be working with Escambia County officials to coordinate medical, court and release dates.
Escambia County Inmates will not have visitation at this time. Our priority at this time are the basic essentials for the inmates. We will be providing additional information about our arrivals and visitation schedules on our website. www.santarosasheriff.org