Three Finalists Named For Escambia County Fire Chief
April 4, 2018
The list of candidates for the Escambia County fire chief job has been narrowed to three after a selection committee meeting Wednesday. The candidate finalists are:
- Stephen F. Cox, South Bend, IN
- Russell Clark Nail, Melbourne, FL
- Paul Randall Smith, Mobile, AL
The county expects to being the top three candidates to Escambia County on Thursday, April 19 to tour the Emergency Operations Center and public safety building some local Escambia County Fire Rescue stations, followed by a meet and greet with staff, volunteer firefighters and full-time firefighters. The selection committee is then expected to conduct in-person interviews with the top three candidates the morning of Friday, April 20.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
FDLE Blows Up Computer Equipment From Child Porn Cases
April 4, 2018
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force joined together with the Regional Domestic Security Task Force Bomb Squad to explode computer equipment today that was used to view illicit images of children.
“Today’s event shows the dedication local, state and federal agencies have when it comes to protecting innocent children from predators,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “If your child has an online presence, parents need to be extremely cautious and engaged to keep their children safe.”
“In today’s social media environment material can be viewed over and over again. It never seems to disappear,” said Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons. “It is good to know that this particular equipment and material will never again be used to view child pornography.”
The hard drives, computers and other items were exploded at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office firing range near Cantonment.
For more photos, click here. Video is at the bottom of the page.
All pieces of evidence destroyed during “Operation Final Disposition” are from cases that have been prosecuted and are not subject to appeal. After a case is finished, evidence destruction is completed in a law-enforcement environment without any fanfare. But as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, FDLE and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office opted for public destruction in the hope of bringing attention to child abuse and how we can all work together to prevent it.
Evidence that was able to be wiped clean is being donated to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a child advocacy center serving victims of child abuse. Gulf Coast Kid’s House provides a place where child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals’ work together under one roof to provide comprehensive services to abuse victims.
Pictured top and inset: A bomb squad exploded computer equipment once used to view child porn Tuesday at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office firing range near Cantonment. Pictured below: The remains of a computer. Pictured bottom: The remains of a computer keyboard in a tree. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Familes Oppose Tighter Florida Prison Visitation Rules
April 4, 2018
Proposed changes to visitation at Florida prisons are drawing pushback from families, friends and supporters of the state’s 100,000 inmates.
Under a current rule, visitation is allowed every weekend as well as on state holidays. But the Florida Department of Corrections is moving ahead with a rule change that could cut visitation in half, a plan that critics say ignores research showing frequent visits with family and friends lowers recidivism and aids prisoners’ reentry.
Under the proposed rule change set to go into effect Saturday, visits would be limited to a minimum of two per month, for two hours at a time, on alternating weekends, depending on the inmate’s corrections identification number.
About 100 people, many of them friends and family of inmates, appeared at a public hearing about the proposed rule in Tallahassee Tuesday.
Corrections officials maintain the change will help prison staff manage the number of visitors coming on a given weekend and prevent overflow crowds.
Richard Comerford, the Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions, said the changes are also needed, at least in part, because of an increase in people trying to introduce contraband into prisons as well as staff shortages.
“The number of recovered weapons, cell phones, and illicit drugs continues to rise across the state, within our facilities. Many of these incidents of contraband have been linked to visitation,” said Comerford, a former warden at Century Correctional Institution.
But Melba Rios, whose fiancé is currently incarcerated, said family visitors are not the source of the contraband. Cutting back on visitation could have unintended consequences, Rios warned. “There is no way that by reducing the visits, that you will stop the introduction of contraband,” Rios said. “What you are doing is actually inciting violence and you are upsetting family members.”
Several family members and former inmates who spoke at the hearing contend contraband is often brought behind prison walls by correctional officers who feel they are overworked and underpaid.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, visitors are responsible for just 2.5 percent of contraband brought into Florida prisons.
The “drastic cuts are unjustified and will undermine public safety,” the SPLC said in a letter to corrections officials. The proposed change is slated to be reevaluated after 90 days.
There will be no changes to the normal weekend visitation schedule until after the rule making process is complete.
by The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com.
Gulf Breeze Mayor Won’t Seek Reelection, But Will Seek To Remain Century’s Attorney
April 4, 2018
Tuesday, Gulf Breeze Mayor Matt Dannheisser, an attorney, announced that he will not be seeking reelection, but he plans to continue working as attorney for the Town of Century.
“My decision not to run again as Mayor of Gulf Breeze will not impact my role as the attorney for the Town of Century,” Dannheisser said in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
“Gulf Breeze is unique in the sense that its elected officials have always been unpaid volunteers who serve as a means of community service. Over the past three and half years as Mayor, I have spent a tremendous amount of time working to make things better for the City. We have accomplished more during my time in office than during any comparable time of the City’s history. The City was in good shape when I became Mayor and I am very comfortable that I will be leaving the City in an even better position than when I came into office. Now it is time for someone else to head the call for public service and take the lead in continuing the City’s upward trajectory,” he said.
“I have maintained my law practice while Mayor of Gulf Breeze, although occasionally the demands on my time made for some long nights and weekends to take care of my law firm clients’ needs. Now, I will have more time for my law practice as well as pursuing other endeavors which I have wanted to take up,” Dannheisser concluded.
Also Tuesday, Gulf Breeze City Attorney Mike Stebbins resigned. Dannheisser said he does not intend to return to working as Gulf Breeze attorney, a job he held prior to being elected mayor.
Atmore Man Charged With Aggravated Battery Of His Pregnant Girlfriend
April 4, 2018
An Atmore man has been charged with aggravated battery when the offender knew the victim was pregnant.
Uylessis Foster-Davis, 25, allegedly picked his girlfriend up from Babe’s Gentleman’s Club, her place of employment, and brought her back to their shared residence. When they arrived, Foster-Davis could not find his phone in the vehicle, so he borrowed his girlfriend’s phone in order to call his phone inside the vehicle. Foster-Davis became irate over a Snapchat on the victim’s phone, claimed she was cheating on him.
He then grabbed her and pushed her down, and she ran after hitting, throwing arms up in front of her face and hitting Foster-Davis, according to an arrest report. Foster-Davis tackled her from behind, causing her to land on the ground again, the report states.
Foster-Davis fled the scene and was located by deputies a short time later. He denied physical contact between the two, but later changed his story and said the girlfriend hit him in the face, deputies said. He admitted to a deputy that he knew his girlfriend of three months was about one month pregnant, according to the report.
Foster-Davis remained in the Escambia County Jail after a judge revoked his bond in an outstanding felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement case. Foster-Davis is accused of running from a Pensacola Police officer with lights and sirens activated.
Tate String Orchestra Receives High Marks At National Orchestra Festival
April 4, 2018
The Tate High School String Orchestra recently received high marks in the annual National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta.
“This was a significant step for us and something I always wanted to do” said Catherine McConnell, the Tate High Orchestra director. “So, we were ecstatic when we found out that we qualified, and started practicing hard and raising funds right away.”
The Tate orchestra also worked with members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, receiving professional feedback during sectional rehearsals throughout the year.
The orchestra prepared a program of seven pieces and performed for an panel of three nationally-renowned and esteemed orchestra adjudicators. The judges commented on the orchestra’s high level of preparation and energy, awarding both Excellent and Superior ratings.
While at the National Orchestra Festival, the orchestra students were able to attend a variety of professional sessions focusing on aspects of string performance and education, and also see another top orchestra perform. Following Tate’s concert performance, the orchestra was able to participate in a 45-minute clinic led by a leading orchestra professor.
“It gave me a brand new perspective of our orchestra. Before we went, I thought it would be just local orchestras from around our region,” said senior concert master Caroline Bruns. “I found out when we arrived that we would be observing an orchestra from Honolulu perform. This made me realize that we’re not just a little orchestra from Florida, but one that is good enough to perform at the same festival as those from across the country. My favorite part was seeing people from all over the United States who love orchestra as much as I do.”
“We were blessed with an amazing opportunity,” said Tate freshman Micheala Bragg. “From that opportunity grew unity and an experience unlike any other. I will cherish it always.”
The Tate orchestra will perform May 7 at 7 p.m. during the Ransom Middle and Tate String Pops concert in the auditorium at Washington High School. Admission is free.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Remain Undefeated; Baseball: Tate Beats Crestview, Jay Over NHS
April 4, 2018
The undefeated Northview Lady Chiefs beat Catholic High School on Monday and J.U. Blacksher Tuesday night.
Northview 10, Catholic 0 (6 innings)
Tori Herrington pitched a shutout Monday evening at Northview as the Lady Chiefs beat the Catholic Crusaders 10-0 in six innings. She faced 22 batters, striking out 14. Herrington went 3-4 with 3 RBi’s at the plate. Also for Northview: Ashley Ragsdale 1-4, RBI,; Aubree Love 3-4, 2 RBI; Valen Shelley 3-4, 2 RBI.
Northview 9, J.U. Blacksher 1
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat J.U. Blacksher in Uriah, AL, Tuesday, 9-1.
Tori Herrington had nine strikeouts and was 3-5 with 2 RBI. For Northview: Ashley Ragsdale 2-3; Kendall Enfinger 2-5, RBI; Aubree Love 2-5, 2 RBI; Valen Shelley 2-4, 2 RBI; Heather Knowles 1-4, 2 RBI; Anna Sullivan 1-4; Rylee Huskey 1-4.
Up next, the Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay on Thursday.
BASEBALL
Tate 7, Crestview 0
The Tate Aggies shutout Crestview Tuesday night, 7-0
Jace Dunsford allowed two hits and zero runs over four and a third innings, striking out six.
For Tate: Ryan Greene R, RBI; Reid Halfacre 2-3, R, RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 1-4, R; Kaden King 1-2, RBI; Raymond Lafleur R; Hunter McLean R; Darrien McDowell R; Jesse Sherrill 2-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI.
Jay 4, Northview 2
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs Tuesday night 4-2 in Jay.
For Northview: Jackson Moore 1-3; Adam Aliff 1-3, RBI; Seth Killam 2-4 2 R; Tanner Levins 1-2; John Chivington 2-4. RBI.
For Jay: Blayne Miller 2-4, RBI; Judd Smith R; Trevor Flowers 2-3, R; Dutch Burkhead 1-4, R, RBI; Nathan Archer 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Trace Seib 1-2.
Pictured: Northview defeats Catholic. NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Cantonment, Jay
April 4, 2018
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino, Cantonment and Jay.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Online-completion courses
Escambia County
April 18 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
Escambia County
April 24 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Bell 4H Center
3618 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
April 4 (6. to 10 p.m. CDT) & April 7 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Traditional courses (must complete all days)
Escambia County
April 24, 25, May 1, 2 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Bell 4H Center
3618 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
‘Donate Life’ Pelican Unveiled At Tax Collector’s Office
April 4, 2018
A Donate Life Kick-off and Pelican Unveiling event hosted by Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was held Tuesday afternoon in downtown Pensacola.
April is National Donate Life Month, and Commissioner Doug Underhill presented a proclamation as a new “Donate Life” pelican was unveiled by several dignitaries.
To learn more about organ donation, visit www.donatelife.net.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Fire Marshal Investigating After Fire Heavily Damages Bratt Home
April 3, 2018
The cause of a fire that heavily damaged a home in Bratt Tuesday afternoon is under investigation.
Flames were erupting several feet into the air from the attic of the concrete block home and the attic was fully involved before the first fire engine arrived on scene.
A family had reportedly moved out of the home last week and someone else was about to move into the home. The fire appeared to have started in the attic, but the exact cause is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported in the 3:05 p.m. fire.
For more photos, click here.
Video is at the bottom of the page.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
Pictured: Flames erupt from the attic of a home in Bratt Tuesday afternoon before the arrival of the first fire engine. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
