County Rejects Escambia Fire Chief Nail’s Desire To Rescind Resignation; Nail Accepts Decision
May 1, 2019
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy says she is inclined not to accept Escambia County Fire Chief Rusty Nail’s decision to rescind his resignation.
Lovoy said Nail had resigned or talked of resigning several times and had been talked into staying. She also said Nail had actually resigned in December and then rescinded his resignation several days later, but never made mention of any of the specific Escambia County Public Safety issues currently in the media.
In an email to Nail late Wednesday morning, Lovoy explained:
Rusty,
In December 2018 you came to a meeting with Matt Coughlin and turned in your letter of resignation. When I came into Matt’s office, I asked you 1) why you were leaving and 2) if I could talk you into staying. You told me at that time that you were certain that you wanted to leave and that the reasons were personal. I asked you to think about it over the next day or two, and if after that you still wanted to resign, I would accept it. You returned and again stated that you were certain you wanted to resign, and at that time I accepted it. Several days later, you asked to rescind that resignation, and I happily agreed. At NO point during any of these conversations did you mention ANY specific issues in Public Safety up to and including those currently in the media. In fact you did not make me aware of any issues until late January, early February when Matt and I asked to initiate an investigation.
On April 1, 2019, you again submitted a resignation. On April 10, 2019 you sent an email stating you would be on leave from that day until June 1, 2019, but on April 12, 2019 you changed your mind and stated that you will be back in the office on April 15, 2019 working until May 1, 2019.
On April 28, you changed your date to begin leave the following day on April 29, 2019 extending your final date to June 15, 2019. Two days later on April 30th, you asked to rescind a resignation.
This week I’ve been made aware of a meeting you had in September with Jack Brown where you again discussed your dissatisfaction, and Jack talked you out of leaving at that time as well.
With this totality of circumstance, I am not inclined to accept your desire to rescind your resignation. If you have any questions or if you wish to discuss this, please do not hesitate to give me a call at (850) 595-3936.
Nail replied:
Amy,
Good morning and thank you for a response. While most of the statements are accurate, I will offer my impression for the record below within your narrative. That said, protecting the County from liabilities, as well its image are why these ‘issues’ were not brought forward on a public scale. Rest assured they were brought forward in some form/fashion along with a plan for action.
That said, I respect your decision and authority as the County Administrator and humbly accept that decision. Can either yourself or anyone else please clarify with a response, that you approve of my request sent on Sunday to end employment 6/15/2019?
I wish the County best success moving into the future, and appreciate the selection of Janice Gilley as County Administrator. I also apologize for any additional strain created by having a change of heart. This after considering the Board’s recent progressive/positive actions, hearing Ms. Gilley’s vision, countless employees support, and prayers from citizens of this County. Thank you again for your consideration and opportunity to serve.
Rusty”
Car Dealer Pete Moore Passes Away
May 1, 2019
Pensacola car dealer Pete Moore passed away Wednesday morning. He was 68.
“Pete Moore, a husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend has passed on and leaves us with great sadness. His impact on our lives and community is immeasurable. Our loss is deeply felt. The Pete Moore family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers,” a statement from the dealership said.
Wednesday Morning Fire Damages Home
May 1, 2019
Firefighters responded to a house fire Wednesday morning on Holsberry Road, just off East 10 Mile Road.
They were able to quickly bring the fire under control, with the house suffering smoke and water damage. No one in the home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse, Battery
May 1, 2019
A Cantonment man is accused of choking and pushing a women and striking a child.
Alexander Donel Day, 31, is charged with battery, cruelty toward a child and obstructing justice.
He allegedly grabbed the adult victim’s arms and pushed her against wall before choking her. She told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she tried to hit him in the face to stop him. A 6-year old child came in during the altercation and was hit by Day across the left side of his face, an arrest report states.
Day took the victim’s phone and broke it, according to the report.
The victim told deputies Day had been drinking all night and may have taken a Xanax. Deputies noted in their report that Day appeared to be under the influence of something at the time of his arrest. He was taken into custody after deputies found hiding in some bushes behind the residence.
Day was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Molino Park Kindergarteners Present ‘Wing It’ (With Photo Gallery)
May 1, 2019
The kindergarten class at Molino Park Elementary School recently presented “Wing It”. The musical about taking risks and taking flight was full of tweets, beaks and feathers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
South Alabama Passenger Rail Service Generates Little Interest At Public Meeting
May 1, 2019
A public meeting about the possible return of passenger rail service from Mobile to Montgomery generated little public interest Tuesday night in Atmore.
No one from the general public attended the first half hour of the meeting hosted by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs at the Atmore City Hall.
The study into the return of service to the former “Gulf Breeze” passenger corridor is being completed in two phases. Phase I, completed and submitted to the Federal Rail Administration in 2014, included rail service between Birmingham and Montgomery. Phase II, the current study, pertains to rail service between Mobile and Montgomery and is set to be submitted in the fall of 2019.
The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility of passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile, and to determine the necessary elements needed to implement the system. The study will also consider the combined effects of restoring passenger rail service along the corridor, with rail connections to existing and proposed east-west Amtrak lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
A similar meeting held about the project last November in Atmore was attended by a few dozen people. Years ago, Atmore was designated by the state legislature as Alabama’s official rail welcome station.
Pictured above and below: No member of the general public attended the opening of a public meeting on a Mobile to Montgomery passenger rail service meeting in Atmore Tuesday evening. Pictured bottom: A proposed route from the service. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Teen Who Pleaded No Contest To Attempted Murder Of His Parents Is Sentenced
May 1, 2019
A Jay teen who pleaded no contest to the attempted murder of his parents in was sentenced Tuesday.
Jackson Shane Baxley was sentenced to 48 months probation for the August 2018 incident.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Baxley, then 15, and his girlfriend got into trouble for sending inappropriate phone messages during the summer and were forbidden to date or talk to each other, according to an arrest report. They did not stop talking to each other and hid it from their parents before he dated her again, according to an arrest report.
Baxley drove his grandfather’s pickup truck to North Highway 89 and Finley Road, just north of Jay, and approached his residence in the 15000 block of North Highway 89 on foot and went inside.
Baxley’s mother found him at the kitchen counter wearing a hoodie and a cotton mask around his neck.
Baxley stared at his mother with no expression on his face and did not respond to her, the arrest report states. His father pushed past his mother towards the kitchen where Baxley was standing armed with a shotgun. He began to walk backwards toward another room with the shotgun pointed downward. His father attempted to take the shotgun from his hand, causing Baxley to pull the trigger as a result of the struggle, the report states. The father was struck with birdshot in the upper thigh.
As law enforcement arrived on scene, Baxley fled. Deputies chased Baxley, eventually tasing him twice.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Social Media Post Lands Man In Trouble
May 1, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending April 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood received information that an individual posted a picture on social media of him holding two gag grouper in front of his home. Officer Allgood contacted the individual who still had parts of the fish in his possession. The individual was cited for possession of gag grouper during closed season.
Officer McHenry received information from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that they saw an individual catching and keeping red snapper in Pensacola Bay near the USCG station. When he arrived on scene, the subjects had left the area, but the vessel’s registration number was obtained from the USCG. Officer McHenry proceeded to the registered owner’s home and located the vessel there. The individual admitted to catching the red snapper and was in possession of two freshly caught red snapper. Charges were filed for possession of red snapper out of season.
Officer Allgood was checking subjects at the Navy Point Boat Ramp when he noticed two divers returning to the ramp. They claimed they did not catch or spear any fish. During the fisheries inspection he found a red snapper on board the vessel. The individual who speared the fish was cited for possession of red snapper during a closed season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
No report received from Santa Rosa County.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
All Six Tate High Volleyball Seniors Sign To Play At Collegiate Level
May 1, 2019
A milestone was reached Tuesday by the Tate High School volleyball program as the sixth and final senior signed to play at the collegiate level.
The seniors and their college choices are:
- Lauren Seibert to Wallace State Community College
- Kasey Scott to Pensacola State College
- Karen Hill to Florida Gateway College
- Claire Roberson to Florida Gateway College
- Grace Talbert to University of Texas of the Permian Basin
- Olivia Oxendine to Walters State Community College
Pictured top: All six Tate High School volleyball seniors have signed to play at the next level. Pictured below (top to bottom) are signings for Lauren Seibert, Kasey Scott, Karen Hill, Claire Roberson, Grace Talbert and Olivia Oxendine. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview And Jay Advance To District Softball Championship Games
May 1, 2019
Tate 4, Pace 2
The Tate Lady Aggies advanced to the district championship game with a 4-2 win over the Pace Patriots Tuesday.
In the first inning, Avery Beauchanie singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. In the third, Lilly Locke double on a fly ball to the center field, scoring Courtney Adams. And in the bottom of the fifth, Lilly Locke singled on a ground ball to the center fielder, scoring Courtney Lundquist and Ryleigh Cawby.
Avery Beauchanie earned the victory on the mound for the Lady Aggies, going seven innings while allowing two runs on three hits and striking out four.
Lilly Locke and Beauchanie led the Aggies at bat with two hits each.
The Lady Aggies will play in the district championship game Thursday night at 6:30.
Northview 3, Freeport 2
The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport 3-2 Tuesday afternoon.
Northview and Jay will face off for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m. in Jay.
Jay 15. Baker 0
The Jay Lady Royals shut out Baker 15-0 Tuesday night in Jay.
Northview and Jay will face off for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m. in Jay.