Details Revealed In Escambia Fire Harassment Case
January 30, 2018
An Escambia County investigation into Escambia Fire Rescue has led to the county fire chief being relieved of his duties, the dismissal of a firefighter and a reprimand for a lieutenant.
Chief Patrick Grace was relieved of his duties as of Monday, and his last official day on the county payroll will be April 29. Fire Lieutenant Joseph Martin received a letter of reprimand, and firefighter Christopher Watson was dismissed.
Based upon a complaint by a female career firefighter, multifaceted investigation was launched by county leadership that has spanned the last several months. The allegations brought forth were broad in scope.
“While Chief Grace was not the focus of the investigation, it was concluded that a change in leadership, department direction and culture is needed. A national search for a replacement will be conducted to fill the position. Deputy Chief Paul Williams has been designated as interim chief.” the county said in a prepared statement.
Escambia Fire Rescue is a combination fire service with both paid career firefighters and volunteers. All of the sexual harassment allegations reportedly involve career firefighters, not volunteers.
The female firefighter was a certified “Firefighter II” which requires a minimum of 360 hours of training, is a certified Fire EMT, is a registered nurse and worked in the Auburn Fire Division for four years. She also hold a degree from Auburn University.
NorthEscambia.com has obtained a detailed personal journal kept by the female firefighter in which she detailed a culture of verbal, physical and sexual harassment within the fire department. The journal was a part of the county’s investigation. Readers should be warned that the personal journal contains numerous sexual references and terms, racial slurs and other details that may be disturbing. Additionally, it should be noted that the document is a personal journal and the allegations it contains have not necessarily been substantiated. Click here to read the journal (pdf).
She also told an internal affairs investigator that she reported several incidents that “were a little over the line” to her lieutenant.
“It started before I even was hired with Escambia County. I noticed it seemed the firefighters had not been around a female firefighter in the career aspect before. Um, so I noticed that there were things that were a little over the line,” she said.
“I was reporting the different incidents to my lieutenant, and letting other people know what was going on. Things were not being handled. I eventually got it to my battalion chief- I would just be moved to other stations, she said.
“I didn’t want to handle it anymore, I decided I just was gonna go to the Fire Chief That’s when the Fire Chief decided not to meet with me, and he decided to meet with my (redacted name) intead That’s when they got the information that was in this journal. They said that they were going to take it seriously, and things were going to change. Um, my new battalion chief kept coming out and checking on me almost every other shift, and then a complaint was made against me saying I was exposing myself to the other guys, and an investigation was going to be made. At that time, I knew that was bogus, and I then decided to take it further and made an appointment with the County Administrator to let them know what was going on, and they put me on administrative leave and started the investigation.”
She said Watson started a “big rumor” that she was having sexual relations with a married doctor at a local hospital and was fired. She said Watson told her that females should not work as firefighters and should not serve in the military.
The female firefighter wrote that during a training exercise, Watson grabbed another male firefighter, stared at her, and said “You want to play the Rape Game?”
During an off-duty fight at the Tin Cow restaurant in Pace, Watson allegedly broke the jaw of fellow firefighter Lt. Joseph Martin. Martin was off work for six weeks recovering.
The county alleged that Watson violated a county policy that says “Gross misconduct which reflects very unfavorably upon the image and ethics of the County as an employer, whether on or off duty.”
The investigator found that Watson was guilty of verbal harassment for inappropriatep remarks, physical harassment for unwanted touching, and sexual harassment for the “Rape Game” incident.
Watson responded to the allegations in an letter to the county administrator.
“I have never knowingly created an atmosphere in which to discriminate against anyone based on their gender or sex…There have been times that I have expressed an opinion that no person: male or female, be allowed to perform this job if they are not physically capable of performing at the highest tier.”
As for the “Rape Game” comment, he admitted making the remark, but said, “This comment in no way shape or form was intended to intimidate or harass any individual, nor do I believe it represents my beliefs or character.”
The county’s investigation is continuing.
Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Century Coin Laundry, Fleeing With Change In Plastic Pumpkin
January 30, 2018
A man that robbed a Century laundromat and made his getaway with the loot in a plastic Halloween pumpkin is headed to prison.
William Edward Perry, Jr. was sentence to 20 years in state prison by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender. That means Perry, 57, will serve the first 15 years of his sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum.
He was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a weapon.
On April 21, 2016, Perry entered Century Laundry and Self Storage and committed a robbery. The victim, who was about 70-years old, was the store manager and was alone in the store when Perry entered. The victim was taking money out of the washers and dryers when Perry came up behind her and took the plastic Halloween bucket of money.
The pumpkin bucket contained approximately $300 in coins. Perry put his hand in her face, told her to get back, and to go sit down behind the counter. Perry then demanded she give him the keys to the store. When the victim refused, Perry fled the scene without the keys but with the money in the pumpkin bucket.
The victim later identified Perry from a photo lineup.
Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes in May 2016. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department. Those charges were later dismissed.
Perry’s criminal record includes escape, burglary, grand theft, resisting officer with violence, and possession of cocaine as well as numerous misdemeanor offenses, including indecent exposure, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Fire Weather Watch In Effect, Sunny Skies Today
January 30, 2018
There is a fire weather watch in effect Tuesday afternoon due to a long duration of low humidity and windy conditions; outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Three Injured When Vehicle Plunges Over 50 Feet Below I-65 Bridge Near Atmore
January 30, 2018
Two people were airlifted to the hospital after a vehicle plunged over 50 feet below an I-65 bridge north of Atmore Monday night.
A dramatic rope rescue by the Poarch Fire Department followed, with three people rescued from the vehicle. Two were airlifted in critical condition by two different medical helicopters to area hospitals. while a third victim was transported by ambulance.
The accident happened about two miles north of the Atmore exit.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers; further details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Bus Driver Ticketed After Highway 95A Accident
January 30, 2018
A school bus driver was ticketed after a minor accident on Highway 95A near Crowl Lane Monday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 70-year old Vaughn Lowe was driving the school bus northbound on Highway 95A when he made a left turn in front of a Nissan Senta driven by 37-year old Karianna Siple of Pensacola. Siple was unable to stop in time and collided with the bus.
There were no passengers on the bus. Lowe and Siple were not injured.
Lowe was cited for an improper left turn by the FHP.
Innovative Steel Bridge Opens On Arthur Brown Road In Walnut Hill
January 30, 2018
The Arthur Brown Road (Hwy. 99A) Bridge over Freeman Springs Branch has reopened after the full demolition and replacement of the previous bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation ordered the closure of the bridge on November 8 after a failed inspection, and bridge replacement work began December 6 after the completion of preparatory requirements. The new 24-foot wide steel bridge arrived in three major pieces on January 5 and was installed on January 6.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown led the charge for the faster pre-fabricated steel replacement versus traditional concrete bridge due to the number of residents facing lengthy detours of many miles.
The steel bridge saved several months of construction time and cost about $400,000 as opposed to $1 million for a concrete bridge.
“I believe this is a great example of the County Administrator Jack Brown understanding that we needed some alternative methods of working both quickly and less expensively,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Additionally, I am very excited for the residents and those who commute through the affected area”
County officials have said they hope to use more of the steel bridges on future county funded bridge replacements.
Eight other North Escambia bridges remained closed for replacement construction.
“I understand many residents are still inconvenienced by the many bridge closures, and I am diligently working to get all the bridges open as quickly as is safely possible,” Barry said.
To read more about the steel replacement bridge and see additional photos, click here for an earlier article “Escambia County Explores How To Build A Bridge Faster, Smarter And Cheaper“.
Pictured: The Arthur Brown Road bridge over Freeman Springs Branch reopened Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Crash In Davisville
January 30, 2018
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Monday night on Highway 97 in front of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store, jus south of the Florida/Alabama state line.
A Chevrolet pickup truck and Chevrolet Equinox were involved in the accident, which remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the 7:40 p.m. accident, which shut down Highway 97 in Davisville for a brief period.
NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart To Build New $7 Million Medical Park On Nine Mile
January 30, 2018
Sacred Heart will soon begin construction of a new 28,000 square-foot outpatient medical park next to Publix on Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road.
The $7 million outpatient facility will include at three physicians and a nurse practitioner, physician specialists including cardiologists and OB/GYNs, outpatient rehabilitation, a medical lab and diagnostic services such as mammography, CT, X-ray, MRI and ultrasound.
The new facility is slated to open in December of this year.
“As the Milestone area grows, so does the community’s need for specialized medical care. Sacred Heart is committed to meeting that need,” said Susan Davis, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. “Our promise to provide personalized, compassionate care begins in our physician offices. By bringing healthcare closer to where people live and work, we can provide services that are more timely, which ultimately leads to better outcomes and quality of life for our patients.”
Florida 4-H Hall Of Fame Member Francis Robert Gindl, Sr. Passes Away
January 30, 2018
Florida 4-H Hall of Fame member Francis Robert Gindl, Sr. passed away Saturday. He was 89.
Gindl was passionate about 4-H and very active about supporting his children and hundreds of other children with their 4-H activities.
Gindl joined the 4-H Corn Club in 1939, but he soon found that 4-H had much more to offer. He was the first 4-H member in his club to raise more than 100 bushels of corn per acre. He participated in public speaking, beef, swine, poultry, and tractor maintenance projects. He also joined a state 4-H livestock judging team.
He became a volunteer leader with the Barrineau Park 4-H club, which is the longest operating 4-H club in the state of Florida. The club’s projects included consumer judging, tractor maintenance, livestock, and public speaking. His club participated in Florida 4-H Legislature, Florida 4-H Congress, the Pensacola Interstate Fair, and community service projects. His club was the first one to be integrated with both boys and girls in 1965 and then racially in 1972.
“Being part of Barrineau Park 4-H is a true honor” Dillon Conti , the 2016-2017 president of Barrineau Park 4-H Club said. “Mr Francis Gindl did so much for our club, we are very lucky that this rich history is preserved at Barrineau Park Historical Society in the museum for my generation and generations to come to see how much this man gave to Barrineau Park 4-H Club”.
He shared many of his skills with youth and adults in 4-H. He taught the state 4-H record book workshop for extension agents at the University of Florida and obtained community service grants for 4-H projects. He hosted an exchange student from Brazil with the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program.
When inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame 2n 2002, Gindl said his decades as a 4-H member and volunteer helped him become a people person, improve his speaking ability and raising his confidence.
Gindl served on the Langley Bell 4-H Center Board of Trustees. The impact Gindl made on Escambia County 4-H is still felt today in livestock, public speaking and community service project areas. He was recognized with the State 4-H Alumni award in 1964 and was selected as the 4-H volunteer leader of the year in 1976.
He also spent 39 years working at Monsanto, and was a charter member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society.
Gindl was a 1946 graduate of J.M. Tate High School where he was voted the most handsome in the senior class. While he attended high school, he was employed by the system to drive a school bus because there was a driver shortage due to WWII. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba during the Korean War.
Gindl is survived by his wife, Pauline Summerlin Gindl; daughters, Linda (Andrew) Veren of Fairhope and Amy (Marc) Thibodeau, of Danville, VA; daughter in law, Tena Mann Gindl, Cantonment; sisters, Mildred Anderson, Pensacola and Mary Ann Prembroke of Bennington, VT; and a large number of other family members.
Visitation will be at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment on Tuesday, January 30 from 5:00 to 7:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 31. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
To read the complete obituary, click here.
Updated: Owl Recovering After Rescue From Tangled Fishing Line
January 30, 2018
A barred owl — better known as a hoot owl — rescued near Century Saturday is recovering from his injuries.
The owl was hanging by a wing that was tangled in fishing line at Salter’s Lake. After being rescued by a group of local residents, the owl was picked up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and transported to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.
Wildlife Sanctuary Director Dorothy Kaufmann said Monday afternoon that the owl was examined by Dr. Tommy Knight at the Westside Animal Clinic. She said the biggest concern right now is the left wing tip from which the owl was dangling.
“We will see how things heal over the next six to seven days,” Kaufmann said. “The shoulder will also be a time situation to see how much he can recover the range of motion.”
The owl was rescued by local duck hunters Ben Preston and Lakelynn Parker…click here to read more.
Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
