Nine Mile Traffic Slowed By A Boat
April 17, 2019
Nine Mile Road traffic was slowed Wednesday afternoon by boat.
The boat apparently slid off a trailer and came to rest in middle of Nine Mile near Stefani Road.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Homicide Arrest Made For Monday Shooting Death In Ensley
April 17, 2019
An Escambia County man is now behind bars charged in connection with a deadly shooting early Monday morning in Ensley.
Bobby Johndal Hawkins is charged with homicide for the death of 28-year old Kyle Isaiah Baldwin. He was shot on East Ensley Street near Vickie Street around 2 a.m. Monday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said this in ongoing investigation and more arrests could be made in this case.
A deputy was leaving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office precinct on Hood Drive, next to Walmart, early Monday morning when they heard multiple gunshots. The deputy soon noticed a vehicle being driven erratically, and the driver pulled the vehicle over a short distance away near Hannah Street and Highway 29. A passenger in the vehicle was dead from gunshot wounds.
The driver was questioned and released.
High School Softball, Baseball Roundup
April 17, 2019
SOFTBALL
Northview 14, Chipley 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out Chipley 14-0 in five innings Tuesday night in Chipley.
Tori Herrington pitched the win with nine strikeouts.
At the plate for Northview: Herrington 1-2; Ashley Ragsdale 3-4, 2RBI; Aubree Love 2-4, 2 RBI; Mikayla Jeneske 2-3, RBI; Heather Knowles 1-3, 2RBI; Lydia Smith 1-3, 2RBI; Valen Shelley 1-1.
Niceville 5, Tate 3 (10 innings)
The Tate Lady Aggies fell to Niceville Tuesday night 5-3 in 10 innings.
At the end of seven, the game was tied at 3-all when Niceville scored two runs in the top of the 10th.
Shelby McLean led the Lady Aggies with two hits in four at bats.
Avery Beauchanie allowed five run on 12 hits while walking three and striking out three in a full 10 innings on the mound for Tate.
Williams, John Pinette, Tekoah Roby, and Christian Munoz all had multiple hits for Pine Forest
BASEBALL
Choctawhatchee 14, Tate 9
The Tate Aggies fell to a Choctawhatchee Tuesday night 14-9.
Trevor Norton, Mason Land and Jordan Jarman had two hits each to lead the Aggies.
Tate 6 Choctawhatchee 4 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Choctaw 6-4 Tuesday.
Pine Forest 5, Pensacola Catholic 4
Pine Forest defeated Pensacola Catholic 5-4 Tuesday.
Timmy Williams earned the win for Pine Forest, allowing four hits and one run on three hits while walking one and striking out one.
‘Dysfunctional’ Environment, ‘Paramilitary’ Structure In Escambia EMS Described In 2018 Memo
April 17, 2019
NorthEscambia.com has obtained an internal county memo that describes a “dysfunctional professional environment” and a “paramilitary” structure in Escambia County EMS six weeks after a new medical director joined the organization.
Dr. Rayme Edler became medical director in early May 2018, responsible for overseeing all county medical staff under EMS and the county jail. Escambia County EMS operates under her medical license.
In a June 2018 internal memo, Human Resources Director Eric Kleinert informed then Public Safety Director Mike Weaver about his review of EMS complaints.
Kleinert stated that he had completed his review of “competing complaints” between Edler and four members of EMS administration — then EMS Chief Steve White, Section Chief Kate Kenney, Commander Rebecca Brownfield, and Captain Jim Bonoyer.
“At present, the complainants have contributed to the establishment of a dysfunctional professional environment within EMS. None of the parties are satisfied with the current arrangement and wish to have the situation cured. Therefore, I will focus on the way going forward based on the observations I have made on the situation,” Kleinert wrote.
Kleiner recommended a course of action to resolve the issues, including a better understanding between all parties of responsibilities and levels of authority. “This is to include the supremacy of the Medical Director’s authority in matter under her purview,” he wrote.
The HR director also recommended that Weaver review “the culture associated with the paramilitary organizational structure that has been recently adopted by EMS”.
White resigned less than two weeks after the June 2018 memo. Fire Chief Rusty Nail was named EMS chief after White’s resignation. Nail submitted his resignation this month. Weaver resigned earlier this month, and Kleinert has submitted his resignation effective May 17. There has been no connection, if any, made public between the resignations and the memo.
According to a report aired earlier this month by NorthEscambia.com news partner WEAR 3, Edler filed a complaint last month with the Florida Department of Health with concerns about department protocols, missing signatures on IV certifications and falsification of credentials.
NorthEscambia.com has requested a copy of the letter from the county, but we have been told it is not public record.
“While I am aware that the local tv station did televise a letter dated March 19, 2019 to the State Dept. of Health, I consider that document to be confidential and exempt from public records disclosure at this time as a pending agency investigation record. The letter and complaint associated with that matter are exempt until further action of the agency involved,” County Attorney Alison Rogers wrote in an email to NorthEscambia.com on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Atmore And Bratt Burglaries Solved, Guns Recovered; Arrests Made
April 17, 2019
Authorities in two states say they have solved multiple burglaries in the area, and two people are now behind bars.
The Atmore Police Department, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence on Harris Street in Atmore on Monday.
Jylyn Kevon Cooper, 18, was taken into custody at the scene of the search and charged with receiving stolen property fourth degree, receiving stolen property second degree, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Atmore Police Department. A unnamed 17-year old juvenile was also charged with receiving stolen property third degree.
The charges stemmed from multiple burglaries in the Atmore area, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks. He said authorities also recovered multiple stolen guns from a house on Brown Street.
Multiple weapons and rare coins were recovered from the Atmore burglaries and two burglaries that occurred April 12 on McElhaney Road in Bratt.
Most of the items stolen from McElhaney Road in Florida were recovered in Atmore, according to Major Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office. He said Tuesday the agency was seeking arrest warrants in connection with the case.
Authorities said the burglaries may be connected to at least one burglary outside Atmore in Escambia County, AL.
There Are Now Eight Candidates In The Running For Escambia County Administrator
April 17, 2019
With the addition of two names Tuesday, there are now eight finalists set for interviews for Escambia County administrator.
Commission Chairman Lumon May added Kimberly Washington of Molino and Ricardo Mendez of Miami. He previously expressed displeasure with the lack of diversity among the finalists.
They join three candidates on a rankings list compiled by the Florida Association of Counties for the county, and three other candidates previously added to the list by commissioners.
Commissioner Steven Barry added Janice Gilley of Molino to the list. Commissioner Robert Bender added Cedric Alexander of Pensacola, and Commissioner Jeff Bergosh added Christopher Martin of Gulf Breeze.
The commissioners will meet with candidate one-on-one the morning of April 29 before the candidates appear before the entire board in the afternoon.
The finalists are:
- Craig Coffey from Flagler Beach, FL. County administrator in Flagler County from 2007-2019, has 20 years experience as a city/county manager with extensive Florida county government experience and 11 years additional local government experience.
- Patrick Thompson from Woodbury, MN. County administrator in St. Croix County, WI. Over 36 years local government experience.
- David Strahl from O’Fallon, MO. County administrator in City of O’Fallon, MO. 30 plus years local government administration experience, none in county government.
- Christopher Martin from Gulf Breeze. He served as the commanding officer of Pensacola Naval Air Station and spent 27 years in the Navy.
- Janice Gilley from Molino. She has held the position of vice president of External Affairs at the University of West Florida for 10 years. She served one year as the national policy director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, one year as deputy chief of staff for the Florida House of Representatives and served as policy director and deputy policy director for year in the Executive Office of the Governor in Florida. She served as an Escambia County commissioner from 2002-2004.
- Cedric Alexander from Pensacola. He has 13 years government experience including deputy chief in the Office of the Mayor in Rochester, NY, public safety director in Dekalb County, GA, and a federal security director for the Department of Homeland Security.
- Ricardo Mendez of Miami. He was most recently finance director in Sweetwater, FL, and previously served as COO/CFO of Harrisburg, PA. Additional experience includes planning and development for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and time with the Palm Beach School District, City of Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade County.
- Kimberly Washington of Molino. Currently engineering manager with Mississippi Power, also worked as their compliance and support manager. She also worked with Alabama Power and Gulf Power.
The county paid the Florida Association of County Managers $5,000 to create a short list from the 120 plus applicants.
Man Receives Serious Burns After Lighting Fire With Gas
April 17, 2019
A man is recovering from serious burns he received while using gasoline to light a fire.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the 50 block of Main Street in McDavid about 7 p.m. Monday. They found an adult male with burns he received from lighting a fire with gas, according to Escambia County. The fire was out when firefighters arrived.
The man was airlifted as a “trauma alert” to USA Hospital in Mobile.
File photo.
FHP Seeks Highway 29 Hit And Run Driver In White Crown Victoria
April 17, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver involved in a hit and run Tuesday afternoon on Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road.
The FHP said the driver of a white Ford Crown Victoria failed to stop before hitting a vehicle that was stopped for a red light. The Crown Victoria rear-ended a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander driver by 37-year old Sabrina Youtzy of Cantonment. The force of the collision pushed the Uplander into a 2017 Mitsubishi driven by 50-year old Vicki Ortega of Cantonment.
After the crash, the driver of the Crown Victoria pulled over, exited her vehicle and asked if everyone was OK before fleeing the scene south on Highway 29, according to the FHP. The hit and run driver was described as a black female, about 150 pounds, 5-foot 5 inches tall with short hair.
Youtzy, a toddler in Youtzy’s vehicle, Ortega and a 5-year old passenger in Ortega’s vehicle were not injured.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper Constance Knowles at at (850) 484-5000 or email constanceknowles@flhsmv.gov.
File photo.
North Escambia Farmer Directs $2,500 Donation To Escambia 4-H Foundation
April 17, 2019
Northview Escambia farmer Gary Purvis has directed $2,500 to the Escambia County 4-H Foundation through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Bayer Fund.
Celebrating its 10th year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support nonprofit organizations strengthening rural communities. The program offers farmers the chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. It has awarded more than $33 million to over 8,000 nonprofits across rural America.
Interim Escambia County Administrator Lovoy Resigns
April 16, 2019
Interim Escambia County Administrator Amy Lovoy has resigned, saying it’s hard to work in an environment filled with “allegations of any variety” that can ruin a person before they can respond. She is the fourth top level administrator to step down from the county this month.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years with the County and will miss the incredibly hardworking and talented employees. They are of the finest caliber, and I have always admired all they accomplish every day,” Lovoy wrote in her letter of resignation Monday afternoon. She worked for the county for nearly 20 years.
“I find it difficult to continue performing my duties in a place where allegations of any variety can be made and reputations ruined before an individual is allowed to answer for the charges against them. Behind all the immediate distractions, I know the county is a better place than that,” Lovoy continued. Her last day on the job will be July 12.
Earlier this month, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert resigned. Public Safety Director Mike Weaver also stepped down after questions were raised about the county’s EMS department.
Lovoy was named acting interim administrator after the Jack Brown stepped down from the administrator post due to his wife’s health condition.
The county commission plans to interview the final candidates for administrator on April 29.
Pictured: Interim Escambia County Administrator Amy Lovoy during a county commission meeting last week.