Splash Pad Water Bill Costs Century Nearly $8,000
August 30, 2017
The Town of Century has paid a water bill of just under $8,000 for their new splash pad.
Town documents show the bill was $7,871.81 for water used since the splash pad was installed late last year. It official opened in March.
The town paid the water bill to it’s own water department, but it was still an actual expense for taxpayers. That is because the water was billed at the actual cost of providing it with no profit for the water department., according to a town official.
The splash pad operates on a timer system. Children push a button to turn it on, and a short time later it turns off the water until the button is pushed again.
A $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant was awarded to the town in October 2015 to install the splash pad. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds. Century was the only recipient of the grant in Escambia County during 2015.
Pictured: The official opening day for the Century Splash Pad last March. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO Honors Road Prison Corrections Officer That Died After Saving Inmate
August 30, 2017
A corrections officer that died after working to save a suicidal inmate was among those honored during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office award ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Joe Heddy Jr. died from a heart attack while trying to save the inmate’s life on June 17.
“He suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with an inmate,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. “He had responded to a cell at the Escambia County Road Prison in Cantonment after an inmate tied a bedsheet around his own neck and was tightening it in an attempt to commit suicide. He called for assistance and began to struggle with the inmate in an attempt to remove the bedsheet. The inmate continued to resist until officers were able to remove the bedsheet and subdue him.
“Officer Heddy then packed up the inmate’s belongings before calling for assistance on the radio and collapsing. Other officers initiated CPR but were unable to resuscitate him. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Officer Heddy reflect great credit upon himself, the corrections profession and the criminal justice system, Morgan said, presenting the department’s Medal of Courage to Heddy’s widow, Jill Heddy.
Also during the ceremony, a Lifesaving Medal was presented to deputies Matt Howell and Bryan Barton.
According to Morgan, the deputies responded to a call involving a mental health problem.
“The victim had a large laceration to his left forearm which was spurting blood from an arterial injury. The victim was armed with a knife and a screwdriver and told deputies he had a firearm. He warned Deputies Barton and Howell that if they came any closer that he would shoot them. The victim was losing a lot of blood fast, so Deputies Barton and Howell needed to act quickly. Deputy Barton made the decision to utilize his TASER which allowed Deputy Howell to restrain the victim and apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The victim was transported to a hospital. An emergency room doctor advised that if the tourniquet had not been applied when it was, the victim would not have survived,” Morgan said.
FDLE Agents Brian Whittaker, Mike Jankowski and Chris Williams were commended for the roles they played in assisting the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in closing homicides last March on Klondike Road and Citrus Avenue.
Sgt. Kevin Coxwell, an investigator, was recognized for closing a 10-year old cold case homicide with an arrest.
On July 26, 2007, Barry Shipp was killed inside his barber shop. The homicide happened after what appeared to be a robbery. A year later, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement identified Demarcus Ledent as a foreign DNA contributor. Ledent denied ever having contact with the victim.
The case went cold for seven years, until Sgt. Coxwell received a call from FDLE that a source was willing to provide information on the case. During an interview with that source, Coxwell learned that Ledent was in fact at the scene of the crime, had robbed the victim first, and had also shot himself during a struggle before going to Mobile for treatment.
Coxwell learned that an individual who identified himself as Ledent’s brother reported to a Mobile hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound during that time period. The man told hospital staff he was robbed in Mobile
On December 16, 2016, Ledent was arrested on unrelated charges in Spokane, WA. Coxwell contacted the arresting officer, who took photos showing scarring to Ledent’s right knee. Ledent told the officer that he had been shot and had surgery years earlier. Coxwell traveled to Louisiana and located Ledent’s brother who stated that he had never been shot or received treatment in Mobile.
Coxwell discovered that seven shell casings were located at the scene of the homicide as well as five projectiles. The sixth projectile was removed from the victim during the autopsy and the seventh from Ledent’s leg at the hospital. These projectiles accounted for every shot fired during the robbery
On January 6, 2017, Coxwell was able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Demarcus Ledent, for first degree premeditated murder.
Dispatcher Karen Jones was named Law Enforcement Employee of the First Quarter. A woman in Pennsylvania credited Jones for helping to save her daughter in Cantonment from a domestic violence situation.
A Civilian Service Medal was presented to the staff of staff at Scenic Hills Veterinary Clinic.
On January 19, 2017, ECSO Deputies were en route to the Escambia County Jail when they saw a large dog attacking a small dog and its owner. Deputies Robert Greene and Jose Oliveras engaged the attacking dog to stop further injury to the small dog and its owner.
The small Dachshund suffered several lacerations around its midsection. Deputy Greene asked the dog’s owner if he needed a ride to the vet office to get his dog treated. The dog’s owner told deputies that he didn’t have the money to have the dog treated. Deputy Greene offered to take the dog to the vet and cover the cost. The dog’s owner agreed.
Deputy Jose Oliveras placed the injured dog in the rear of the patrol car as a second person approached them. A second small dog, a Chihuahua, had been attacked by the same large dog and was bleeding from lacerations to the neck and midsection. The second owner, a double amputee, was also unable to afford the cost of vet care. Deputy Greene asked her if he could take her dog to the vet and he would pay for the costs. She agreed.
Deputy Oliveras placed the second dog in the patrol vehicle and Deputies Greene and Oliveras drove the dogs to Scenic Hills Veterinary Clinic. The staff of the clinic triaged the two dogs and placed them in the rear. Deputy Greene told the staff that he would be responsible for the cost.
Later, Deputy Greene received a call from the Scenic Hills Vet staff that the dogs would make a full recovery. When he arrived at the clinic to pick the dogs up, he was informed the bill was paid in full by the clinic. The clinic also provided medicine at no cost.
Other awards and recognitions included:
- Scenic Hill Hills Veterinary Clinic owner Greg Strand, veterinarians Mark Royer and Lisa Beitler, Manager Ryan Mitchell and Supervisor Hayley Brown were presented the Civilian Service Medal.
- Law Enforcement Officer of the First Quarter – Sgt. Joshua Hendershott
- Law Enforcement Officer of the Second Quarter – Deputy Neal Tipton
- Law Enforcement Employee of the Second Quater: Intelligence analyst Stephanie Brown
- Civilian Service Medal – Linda Warrick, Russell Warrick and Wesley Warrick – Diamond View Neighborhood Watch
- Longevity Awards 20 Years: Sonny Beane, Kim Mathis, Yvonne Jackson, Master Deputy J. Jarman Sr., Sergeant. S. Mashburn, Sergeant. S. Webber, Captain L. Dixon, Captain T. Greer
- Longevity Awards 35 Years – Lynn Hodge
- Newly promoted sergeants: Andrew Kilgen, Shaun White
Pictured top: Chief Deputy Chip Simmons (left) and Sheriff David Morgan as a Medal of Courage was presented posthumously to Jill Heddy, wife of corrections officer Joe Heddy Jr. Courtesy photo for North Escambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Stefani Road To Close Thursday Morning
August 30, 2017
A planned closure of Stefani Road between Nine Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road in Cantonment has been postponed. The closure and detours will now begin Thursday at 7 a.m. Construction will consist of the installation of a sanitary sewer manhole.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately three weeks. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Monday, Sept. 18. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.
Cottage Hill Resident Hit With Bat During Home Invasion
August 30, 2017
A Cottage Hill man told deputies that he was hit with a baseball bat during a home invasion Tuesday afternoon.
The incident happened on Williams Ditch Road near Wishbone Road.
The victim told deputies that after he was hit with the bat, the suspect fled the home. Deputies and a K-9 unit were used to search for the suspect. The suspect was a white male, but not other details were known, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. At last report, he was still on the run.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Sex Offender Arrested For Registration Violation
August 30, 2017
A Cantonment sex offender has been arrested for failing to register as required by law.
Marquis Lamar Meriweather , 35, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony sex offender violation.
Meriweather of 311 Booth Avenue was released from jail on a $25,000 bond.
According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Meriweather was convicted in Hawaii in 2009 of two counts of assault of a child under 16 and two counts of an indecent act on a child 12-15 years old.
Advance Tickets On Sale For Escambia Academy At Northview
August 30, 2017
The Northview Chiefs will host the Escambia Academy Cougars Friday night in Bratt, and presale tickets are available now.
Advance tickets are $5 for adults or students, $1 for elementary students and are available in the Northview office during school hours.
For more information, call Teresa Johnson at (850) 327-6627 ext. 225
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Flynne Owen Mitchell
August 30, 2017
Flynne Owen Mitchell, age 71, went to be with our Lord, Tuesday, August 29, 2017. She was born to Gene and Monette Owen in Pensacola, FL on April 16, 1946.
She spent 52 years married to the love of her life, “Jack” Thomas J. Mitchell, Jr. being a wonderful wife and mother to their three sons, Dr. Thomas Chadrick (Ada) Mitchell of Panama City, FL, Christopher O. (Heather) Mitchell of Salem, AL and Jason G. (Mary) Mitchell of Hattiesburg, MS; five grandchildren, Caleb, Savannah, Nathan, Maegan and Isaac. Her family all enjoyed her wonderful cooking, especially her yeast rolls and sugar cookies.
Flynne spent 17 years working at Blanchard Elementary school with Special Education children.
She is survived by her husband, Jack, their children and grandchildren; her sisters, Pat (Sam) Lovelace of Atlanta, GA, Jackie (Ron) Moore and Debbie (Charlie) Reifschneider, all of Hot Springs, AR; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and too many friends to count.
Visitation will be Saturday, Sept 2, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Glenn Rufus “Vice Grip” Allen
August 30, 2017
Glenn Rufus “Vice Grip” Allen, 72, of Molino, FL, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017, with his wife, Mickey, by his side.
Glenn was born November 8, 1944, in Pine Barren, FL. Glenn and Mickey recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March.
Glenn was in the United States Air Force and served in the Vietnam War in honor of his country.
He is preceded in death by his son, James Curtis “Jimmy” Allen; parents, Rufus and Mattie Lou Allen and brother, Billy Eugene Allen.
Glenn is survived by his loving wife, Mickey Fillingim Allen and brothers, Shirley Ray, Douglas, Donald and David Allen.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Charlie Allen, Brian Allen, Bubba Gulsby, Dylan Gulsby, Donnell Thomas and Mark Daniel.
In honor of Glenn’s wishes, services will be held at Lathram Chapel Methodist Church, 2936 Jacks Branch Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533 Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to services.
Douglas Wayne Hand
August 30, 2017
Douglas Wayne Hand, age 70, died Sunday, Aug. 27, at his home in Madison, FL
He was born in Anderson, In., and moved to Madison in 1960 from Jacksonville, FL. He was in the US Navy and worked as a boilermaker before his retirement.
He is survived by three sons: Josh Hand, of Jennings, FL; Austin Hand, of Wesley Chapel, FL; and James Bernard, of Lee, FL.; two daughters: Kimberly McCullough, of Walnut Hill, FL.; and Julie Hand, of Atmore, AL; six grandchildren and six great-grandsons.
Top FHP Official Resigns Amid Ticket Quota Questions
August 30, 2017
The second-highest ranking officer in the Florida Highway Patrol is stepping down after acknowledging he wrote an email in May encouraging troopers to write at least two tickets per hour.
In the latest fallout from an ongoing investigation into whether troopers were told to meet a traffic-ticket quota, Lt. Col. Michael Thomas, a 30-year veteran and deputy director for the FHP, submitted a letter of resignation on Monday, indicating his last work day will be Friday.
In reviewing emails, Thomas said he found a May 31 email referring to a special program, known as the Statewide Overtime Action Response, aimed at curbing speeders. The email said, in part, “so we can encourage our members to maintain our 2.0 citations per hour ratio, as we attempt to provide a safer driving environment for Floridians.”
“In hindsight, I can see how this memo sent to the chiefs (regional commanders) could have been interpreted as an order for their supervisors to ask for 2.0 citations per hour,” Thomas said in his resignation letter. “This was a grave error on my behalf and should not be considered a negative reflection on the chiefs or other members of command that may have sent similar emails.”
“I made this mistake and take responsibility for my actions,” he added.
Thomas’ resignation came after Maj. Mark Welch, a troop commander who oversees eight counties near Tallahassee, announced his resignation earlier this month, after acknowledging he sent a July 28 memo to troopers that they interpreted as a mandate for a ticket quota, which is illegal under state law.
“The patrol wants to see two citations each hour,” Welch wrote. “This is not a quota; it is what we are asking you to do to support this important initiative.”
After Welch’s memo was brought to the attention of Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the FHP, she directed the agency’s staff to review whether there had been any other directives that could be viewed as a quota.
“You have my commitment here today that no quotas will be tolerated within the Florida Highway Patrol,” Rhodes told Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members, who oversee her agency, during an Aug. 16 meeting.
The subsequent review turned up Thomas’ May 31 email, which was sent without the authorization of Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the FHP.
“Although Lt. Col. Thomas’ emails were sent with the intention of ensuring accountability of our members and providing enhanced public safety, it was inappropriate to request a specific number of citations from our members,” Spaulding said in a statement.
“FHP does not set quotas as part of its mission, therefore I have accepted Lt. Col. Thomas’ request for early retirement,” he said.
Spaulding noted Thomas’ “dedication and commitment” to FHP during his 30-year career, saying it “will not be forgotten.”
The FHP’s review of directives that could involve ticket quotas is continuing, with agency officials saying any further personnel decisions will be made on a “case by case” basis.