A Few Appointments Available For The Miracle League To Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 25, 2019
Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you this Wednesday for Thanksgiving, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there are still a few appointment slots available.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850)516-7124 with questions or to schedule your time (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Retired Tate Showband Director Joe Hooten Inducted Into Bandmasters Hall Of Fame
November 25, 2019
Retired Tate High School Showband of the South Director Joe Hooten was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame Sunday afternoon.
Hooten was named the Showband’s director of bands in 1987, a position he held until his retirement in 2011.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Avery Beauchaine Signs With Pensacola State College
November 25, 2019
Tate High School senior Avery Beauchaine has signed to continued to education and softball career with Pensacola State College. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Dead, One Jailed After Stabbing In Escambia County
November 25, 2019
One man is dead and another behind bars following stabbing in Escambia County on Sunday.
The stabbing happened at Big Lagoon State Park. The victim was airlifted to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. His name has not yet been released.
Bryan Francis Swift, 30, was charged with homicide in connection with the stabbing and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. He is reportedly the brother of the victim’s girlfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
Pilot Dies In Airplane Crash In Santa Rosa County
November 25, 2019
A pilot was killed when his single engine plane crashed in Santa Rosa County Sunday.
The crash occurred at the Peter Prince Airport in Milton and claimed the life of 38-year old Matthew P. Platt, a former resident of Navarre.
First responders found the single engine aircraft down on airport property. Platt was the only occupant.
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating.
Pictured: Peter Prince Airport in Milton. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Gas Prices Could Rise Up To 10 Cents By The Weekend
November 25, 2019
AAA says drivers could see an increase at the pump of 5-10 cents this week, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend travel.
“Even if gas prices do rise this week, a 5-10 cent increase is not likely to cause Floridians to cancel their travel plans,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If the state average returns to $2.45 per gallon, it’d be the same price motorists paid during last year’s holiday. Additionally, it’s nearly the same price Floridians paid a month ago - when most people were finalizing their travel plans. However, if the state average remains less than $2.45, Thanksgiving travelers in Florida would be paying the lowest gas prices for the holiday in three years.”
Florida drivers are currently paying an average of $2.36 per gallon. In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was a bit higher at $2.39 a gallon. In North Escambia, one Cantonment station was at $2.28 Sunday night.
Former Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher One Of Seven Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting Kids For Sex
November 24, 2019
One of the men arrested in a sting last week that targeted the online solicitation of underage teens for sexual activity is a former teacher at a North Escambia school.
NorthEscambia.com has learned 34-year old James David McAllister of Cantonment was the band and chorus director at Ernest Ward Middle School. McAllister led the music departments at the school in Walnut Hill during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.
He reportedly interned or completed his student teaching at Bailey Middle School prior to his tenure at Ernest Ward.
McAllister was one of seven men arrested during an undercover operation dubbed “Operation Rotten Pumpkin” announced Friday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
McAllister is charged with using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child; traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure child; using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and sexual battery on a victim 12 years less than 18 years by a person 18 years or older. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $115,000.
None of the charges are in any manner connected to his employment at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Investigators used social media or websites like Craigslist and Skip the Games to pose as 18 or 19 year olds to engage persons in conversation. Then the investigators told the individuals that they were really 13 or 14 years old, according to ECSO Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.
“Hundreds of people were engaged, but the majority backed out quickly when they realized it was a 13 or 14 year old boy or girl,” Simmons said. The seven charged and another dozen or more continued the conversations and in some cases exchanged pictures.
Those charged drove to a predetermined location under the pretense of a sexual meeting with the underage children but were instead met with deputies and the SWAT team, according to Simmons. The investigation into other individuals continues.
In additon to McAllister, the others charged were:
- James Patrick Dibble, 20, Pensacola
- Kevin Gerald Dailey, 25, Pensacola
- Benjamin Larry Marshall, 33, Pensacola
- Ronaldo Castro Bautista, 54, Orange Beach
- Michael Dawayne Gulley, 23, Prichard
- Patrick John Bradt, 47, Crestview
Pictured above and below: James McAllister leads the Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus during a Christmas program December 16, 2016. Pictured bottom: McAllister leads the entire Ernest Ward Middle School student body in Christmas carols on December 16, 2016. NorthEscambia.com chose to blur student faces from our original photos because the students are unrelated to “Operation Rotten Pumpkin”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Sheriff Shot And Killed; Suspect Returns To Scene And Surrenders
November 24, 2019
An Alabama sheriff was shot and killed at a gas station Saturday night.
Lowndes County Sheriff John “Big John” Williams was shot at the Hayneville QV convenience store at the intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 97, across the street from the Lowndes County Courthouse. The gas station is located west of I-65 south of Montgomery.
The State of Alabama has issued a Blue Alert for suspect 18-year old William Chase Johnson. Johnson later returned to the scene early Sunday morning and surrendered.
Sheriff Williams was in law enforcement for over 40 years. He first volunteered as a reserve deputy in 1978.
“I’m saddened to hear about Sheriff Big John Williams, who was tragically killed this evening in the line of duty,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said Saturday night. “Through his service to our country in the United States Marine Corps and his many years working in law enforcement, he dedicated his life to keeping other people safe. He will be remembered as a consummate professional and pillar of his community. I offer my prayers and deepest sympathies to his family and to the men and women of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.”
“Alabama mourns the loss of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams, who was killed in the line of duty,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said. “Sheriff Williams dedicated over 40 years of his life to public safety, including 19 years as Sheriff. Please pray for his family and fellow officers.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
In Depth: Proposed Budget Would Bring Changes To Florida’s Prison System
November 24, 2019
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Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed increasing the Florida Department of Corrections budget by millions to create hundreds of new jobs and address “exceptionally high turnover rates”, including a $60.6 million retention pay plan and $29.1 million to modify shifts for corrections officers.
Here’s a an in-depth look at the proposed DeSantis budget for the Florida Department of Corrections:
$96.4 Million to Improve Operations and Create Safer Correctional Facilities
- Targeted Retention Incentives to Improve Staffing, $60.6 Million: The department proposes a targeted retention pay step plan which would apply to correctional officer to Colonel, correctional probation officer to correctional probation senior supervisor, and inspector to inspector supervisor position classes. The plan addresses exceptionally high turnover rates by providing a $1,500 pay increase at two years of service and a $2,500 increase at five years of service for included classes.
- 8.5-Hour Shift Pilot Program to Create Safer Conditions, $29.1 Million and 292 FTE: This pilot program will allow the department to convert approximately one third of its institutions to an 8.5-hour shift. Prior to implementation of the current 12-hour schedule, the department’s institutions and security staff worked an 8-hour schedule. After moving to a 12-hour schedule, the department has experienced numerous issues directly related to extended shifts, including increases in separations of staff, use of force incidents, contraband, violent incidents and more.
- Security Threat Group (STG) Sergeants, $2.2 Million and 34 FTE: These positions will allow the FDC to better manage STG members (gangs), improve staffing levels and increase the safety and security of institutions. STG activities within correctional institutions have increased 141% between FY 09-10 to FY 18-19. Contraband incidents increased 484%. In FY 18-19, there were 16,739 identified STG members, 17.5% of the total inmate population.
- Additional Office of Inspector General Inspectors, $1.5 Million and 20 FTE: Transparency and accountability remain priorities for the department, and these additional positions will reduce the average criminal and administrative investigation caseload. High volume of case assignments has negative impacts on quality, accuracy and timeliness of the investigative process.
- Security Enhancement Equipment, $3 Million: This recommendation targets the purchase of critical equipment including: netting systems for throw overs, metal detectors, radios, location tracking systems, intercoms for mental health units, cell phone detectors, drone detection systems, ID verification systems, warehouse x-ray inspection systems, perimeter cameras, perimeter motion lights, rapid ID for visitors, narcotics canines and grounds maintenance equipment.
$5.4 Million to Expand Reentry Programming and Reduce Recidivism
- Academic Education Expansion, $1.4 Million and 17 FTE: This recommendation expands academic programs statewide. This will expand the number of inmates who have access to educational programing such as General Education Degrees. By adding 17 teachers, more than 1,500 additional inmates will have access to educational programing. The goal is to continue to expand educational opportunities over the next three years.
- Career and Technical Services Education Expansion, $4 Million: This provides funding for FDC to partner with local technical/state colleges and industry training providers to expand vocational programming to 50 additional sites. Each site would be able to serve approximately 30 students annually. The request will increase the number of vocational and industrial certificates that are earned, help ensure inmates return to their communities with job skills and will increase the readiness and skill of Florida’s workforce.
$17.1 Million to Improve Health Services
- Wellness Specialists, nearly $1 Million and 17 FTE: This recommendation reestablishes wellness programs at major institutions and annexes. Inmate wellness activities decrease health costs and reduce incidents of disciplinary action by reducing inmate idleness.
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Infrastructure, $4.2 Million: The Department recently negotiated an EMR solution as a value-added component of the health services contract. The current IT network and systems do not support the connectivity needed to implement the EMR solution, and this funding will allow the necessary IT upgrades to implement the program.
- Mental Health Hospital at Lake Correctional Institution, $11.9 Million: The FDC will build a new mental health facility at Lake CI. The facility is required to provide the mental health services needed by the inmate population, and in line with the Disability Rights of Florida Consent Decree entered December 2016. This new facility will create staff and building efficiencies and is located near an adequate pool of mental health and security staff.
$9 Million to Address Aging Infrastructure
- Facility Maintenance and Repairs, $9 Million: Major repair and renovations are necessary for facilities statewide, including roof replacements, electrical repairs and necessary renovations to unusable buildings due to natural disasters. The department is responsible for the repair and renovation needs of 145 facilities statewide, which equates to more than 22 million square feet of space. Many of these facilities are old and the physical plant systems are well past their operational life expectancy.
Pictured: Inside a prisoner dorm at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
ECUA Lifts Boil Water Notice For Beulah Area
November 24, 2019
A Precautionary Boil Water Notice issued by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has been lifted for the Beulah area.
The boil water notice was issued after a 12-inch water main break early Thursday morning for the area of Mobile Highway from Beulah Road east to Dooley Drive and for Dooley Drive.
Bacteriological sampling shows the water to be safe, according to ECUA.