Judge Recommends $5,000 Fine, Reprimand And Public Censure In Underhill Ethics Case
August 5, 2022
An administrative law judge has recommended that the Florida Ethics Commission issue an order imposing a public censure, reprimand and a $5,000 fine against Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill.
The Ethics Commission found probable cause to believe that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. Probable cause also was found to believe the information he disclosed was only available to him as a public officer and gained by reason of his official position.
Judge G. W. Chisenhall said in a recommendation issued Thursday that the transcript release was “the most serious charge” against Underhill and was “reckless and ill-advised”, but the evidence did not establish that his action was corrupt under Florida law. The judge stated his actions did justify a public censure and reprimand.
Chisenhall imposed the $5,000 fine due to Underhill’s nonpayment of legal services to Clark Partington could have represented a conflict of interest. He paid nothing toward the debt in 2018 and 2019 before ultimately making payment after the nonpayment became the subject of an ethics complaint.
Other allegations were dismissed by the Ethics Commission with a finding of no probable cause Those dismissed allegations include that Underhill published his GoFundMe legal defense fund to social media, solicited free legal services from a lobbyist/vendor, accepted free legal services from a lobbyist or vendor, had a conflicting employment or contracted relationship with the Pensacola Sports Association, Inc., and an allegation that Mr. Underhill solicited, and then accepted, reimbursement for travel and expenses from an organization that accepting funding from the county.
The judges order will not become final until it is approved by the Florida Ethics Commission.
Click or tap here to read the entire recommendation.
Cantonment Man Serves On USS Ronald Reagan In Philippine Sea
August 5, 2022
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Devante Bonham of Cantonment is serving on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Philippine Sea.
He is pictured on Thursday, August 4, operating on a receiver processor in the avionics shop aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. Ronald Reagan’s avionics shop troubleshoots aviation equipment, ensuring the squadrons aboard are equipped with properly functioning gear.
Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photos by USN Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Stealing Gas, Taking Clothes From A Dryer During Burglary
August 5, 2022
A Cantonment woman is accused of walking into her brother’s house and stealing gas for her vehicle along with clothes out of the dryer.
Melia Shea Caine, 30, was charged with burglary of an occupied structure and grand theft. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $20,000.
The victim inherited a home from his grandfather years ago and owns it outright. His sister, Caine, had been living in a shed behind the house for several years until she was legally evicted on May 10, 2022, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A witness in the house at the time told deputies that he watched Caine walk into the garage, grab a can of gas and pour the gas into a vehicle outside. She then walked back into the garage, opened the dryer and took clothing before walking to a bedroom and stealing a Dremel rotary tool, according to an arrest report.
The entire incident was recorded on the victim’s home surveillance system, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Back To School Bash Events This Weekend In Bratt And Molino
August 5, 2022
There will be Back to School Bash events this weekend sponsored by two North Escambia churches.
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will hold a community Back to School Bash on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the pavilion by the playground behind the Molino Community Center. There will be food, games, a bounce house, school supply essentials and free basic haircuts.
A Bash to School Bash will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for grades K-6 at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at 4570 Highway 4. There will be games, food, school supplies (while supplies last), and door prizes..
Escambia Man Convicted Of Unlawful Sexual Activity With A Minor
August 5, 2022
An Escambia County man has been convicted by a jury of three counts of unlawful sexual activities with certain minors.
Darrel Tyrone Mays Sr., befriended a family that had fallen on hard times. Between August 2019 and January 2020, he took advantage of the situation and began having sex with the 17-year-old victim, according to prosecutors. He was 54-years old at the time.
Mays helped provide housing for the victim and her family. He threatened the victim that if she told anyone about him having sex with her that her family would be homeless again.
“This defendant preyed on a vulnerable victim during a difficult time in her family’s life and that makes him a danger to the community. This verdict provides some closure to the family,” prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer stated.
Mays faces up to 45 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Judge Jennie Kinsey in September. He will also be required to register as a sexual offender.
There is a second case pending against Mays with similar allegations by another victim.
Wahoos Split Doubleheader With Montgomery
August 5, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their doubleheader with the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night, falling 9-0 in game one but coming back to win the nightcap 4-2.
J.D. Osborne provided the biggest hit of the night, a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning of game two that gave the Blue Wahoos the lead for good.
In game one, Pensacola managed only an infield single from Nasim Nuñez in a 9-0 defeat. Zach McCambley (L, 5-7) allowed a three-run homer to Niko Hulsizer in the first and back-to-back homers in the second to Evan Edwards and Tyler Frank before departing. The Biscuits added four more runs against reliever Zack Leban to stretch out their lead, more than enough for John Doxakis (W, 2-4), who turned in 6.0 scoreless innings.
In game two, Jefry Yan was excellent in his first professional start. The lefty, first of four relievers in a planned bullpen game, allowed only one hit over 3.0 scoreless innings. A Jordan Qsar RBI single against Andrew McInvale (W, 2-1) put Montgomery ahead 1-0 in the fourth, but Osborne’s blast against Biscuits starter Michael Mercado (L, 2-5) gave the Blue Wahoos the lead for good.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance added some insurance with a solo homer in the sixth, and Sean Reynolds (S, 1) worked the seventh and final inning for his first Double-A save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Update: Investigators Say Flomaton Death Was A Homicide; Victim Named
August 4, 2022
UPDATE: A suspect has been arrested. Click here for an update to this story.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirms a homicide investigation is underway after a 52-year old Flomaton man was found dead Wednesday.
“Dwight Dixon, 52, of Flomaton, was found deceased when officers from the Flomaton Police Department responded to an emergency call on Dixon Road,” ALEA said.
D.W. McMillan EMS was dispatched to a home on Dixon Road about 8:50 a.m. Wednesday. Flomaton Police also responded, and called ALEA for assistance.
ALEA is now the lead agency in the death investigation.
“Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Escambia County District Attorney’s Office,” according to ALEA.
“We are working the case along with them if they have need for any assistance,” Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson told NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Explosion Rocks Atmore Recycling Facility
August 4, 2022
An explosion rocked a recycling yard in Atmore Thursday morning.
An employee of Atmore Recycling on West Nashville Avenue was using a cutting torch to cut a large fuel tank that had been scrapped. Officials said the cutting torch ignited some residual vapors inside the tank, causing the explosion.
The employee was taken to Atmore Community Hospital for evaluation and soon released.
There was minor damage to the drop ceiling reported at a nearby office building on Tennant Drive, adjacent to the recycling Center.
People in the surrounding area reported feeling the explosion.
Pictured top: A large fuel tank that had been scrapped exploded while it was being cut Thursday morning at a recycling company in Atmore. Pictured below: A drop ceiling at a nearby business was damaged. Photo (top) courtesy Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance and photos (below) reader submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Two Missing, Endangered Children Located
August 4, 2022
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says both children have been located.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two missing and endangered children last seen with their mother.
The ECOS said 10-year old Jordan Gunmar and 6-year old Jayce Franklin Mathis were last seen July 26 with 30-year old Brittany Breanne Franklin. There was no known clothing description available.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Sparkleberry: Escambia County Approves FPL Molino Solar Farm, The Third In North Escambia
August 4, 2022
The Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday sign off on a third Florida Power & Light solar farm in North Escambia on hundreds of acres in Molino.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is planned for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to power 15,000 homes. FPL must still obtain construction permits, and the development order remains valid for at least 18 months for them to do that.
No water or sewer facilities are required, and on-site stormwater retention areas will be constructed to accommodate the semi-impervious and impervious cover.
According to the development order, no protected trees will be removed, and FPL will not be required to plant any trees in mitigation.
The Molino solar farm is roughly the same size as two others in North Escambia.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since the first of the year, producing up to about 75 megawatts.
The First City Solar Energy Center, the second FPL solar site to be built in North Escambia, off Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid is not yet operational. It also has a planned output of 75 megawatts.
NorthEscambia.com graphic showing the proposed location of the Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center in Molino, click to enlarge.