Florida Prisons Increase Inmate Intakes From County Jails As COVID-19 Restrictions Relax
April 7, 2021
The Florida Department of Corrections has increased the number of inmates received each week from Florida counties.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FDC limited the number of inmates received into state prisons from county facilities after their convictions. The modification to policy allows FDC to increase the number of intakes from county facilities each week and directly addresses the growing backlog of individuals with felony convictions awaiting transfer to prison from county jails.
Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale said Escambia County will be able to transport about 14 inmates to state prisons per week.
“We recognize the need is present to increase the number of intakes from county jails to prisons as courts begin to work through the case back log. This is an important step to fulfilling our public safety mission statewide,” said FDC Secretary Mark Inch. “We have developed safety protocols and appreciate our partners at the detention facilities and the sheriff’s offices for their collaboration and adherence. Together we have been able to take a measured and safe approach that prioritizes the well-being of our inmates and staff.”
“Sheriffs appreciate the efforts of the Florida Department of Corrections to return to Pre-COVID levels of intake,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Shultz. “Sheriffs have worked closely with the Department during this pandemic and corrections staff have developed appropriate safety protocols which allow for a safe return to normal intake procedures.”
DC’s intake procedure requires a documented negative county-administered rapid COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of transfer, heightened medical screening by FDC health personnel, and a second negative FDC-administered rapid COVID-19 test result upon receipt at the institution. If all requirements are fulfilled, the inmate will be processed and integrated into the general population. If any one of the requirements is not fulfilled, the inmate and all inmates who traveled to reception center with them will be returned to the originating county facility.
Tate Beats West Florida; Freshmen Play To A Tie (With Gallery)
April 7, 2021
Tate 4, West Florida 2
The Tate Aggies defeated West Florida 4-2 Tuesday night.
Tanner Rouchon went four innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out seven and walking zero for the Aggies. Riley Lowery, Drew Reaves and Jaydon Fryman closed out the game for Tate collectively allowing one hit, one run and striking out six.
Fryman led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Dylan Godwin, Zak Licastro, Dalton Bowen and Jordan Jarman each had one hit.
For a photo gallery from both games, click here.
Tate 7, West Florida 7 (Freshman)
The Tate and West Florida freshmen played to a 7-7 tie Tuesday.
Gabe Patterson pitched four innings, giving up five runs on four hits and striking out three. Hayden St. Amant and Neal Croom
Conner Hassell and Neal Croom had two hits each to lead the Aggies.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five In A Row: Tate Girls Tennis Beats Navarre
April 7, 2021
With a come from behind singles victory from junior Kaylee Foshee and a dominant 8-1 match from senior Gwen Ward, the Tate Aggies Girls tennis team extended their winning streak to five in row with a 6-1 win over Navarre on Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Charged, One Wanted For Murder Of Teen Whose Body Was Found In Blackwater State Forest
April 6, 2021
One person has been arrested and warrants have been issued for a second for the murder of a 14-year old whose body was found March 28 in the Blackwater State Forest near Munson.
The remains were identified as Cody Walker of Pace. He was last seen on March 14 and reported missing on March 19. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said evidence indicates he died the morning of March 15. His remains were found in a wooded area off Sandy Forest Road, south of the intersection of Highway 4 and Munson Highway.
Isaiah Jordan McCullers, 18, is charged with first degree murder during the commission of a robbery. He is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond. Isaac Cameron Daniels, 19, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for first degree murder during the commission of a robbery
Johnson said they are suspects in two other robberies, so more charges are pending.
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said McCullers and Daniels, if convicted, will face a sentence of life without parole or a death sentence.
Thursday morning, Johnson said he could not release a motive or the circumstances around the murder until the second arrest is made and the investigation is complete.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Alabama Man Charged With Boarding Train, Tampering With Controls. And Meth Possession.
April 6, 2021
An Alabama man has been charge with allegedly boarding a train near Flomaton, tampering with the controls, and meth possession.
The Flomaton Police Department responded to a report of an unauthorized person on a CSX locomotive near Hollywood Drive.
Randal Wayne Shugart, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, entered the locomotive and began to tamper with the controls, according to Flomaton Police. That caused an emergency code that locked down the engine. Police said he also caused damage to the locomotive.
Flomaton Police also reported finding him with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time.
Shugart, 45, was charged with unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle (train), criminal mischief first degree, possess of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
CSX Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Construction Work Continues Nightly On Highway 29 From Cantonment To Molino
April 6, 2021
Construction work is continuing nightly on Highway 29 between Cantonment and Molino.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, drivers can expect intermittent north and southbound lane closures between Muscogee Road and Highway 97 from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. for paving operations.This will include work at Muscogee and Becks Lake roads and Morris Avenue intersections, as well as the CSX railroad crossing.
Pictured: Construction work on Highway 29 at Becks Lake Road/Muscogee Road in Cantonment Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Unusual Century Council Meeting With No Action Items; CRA Meeting Called Off Due To No-Show Members
April 6, 2021
Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting was a bit unusual in that the council did not vote on anything, except ordinary acts to pay the bills and approve previous minutes.
The council heard updates on items including the Community Action Program and the Charter Review Committee during a meeting that lasted well over an hour, but there were no action items on the regular agenda.
The council barely had a quorum with two members absent; Leonard White and Sanda McMurray-Jackson did not attend. Mayor Ben Boutwell took part in the meeting by Zoom call due to an illness.
Earlier in the evening, the town council was to sit as the Community Redevelopment Agency. With only Luis Gomez and James Smith present, the meeting was called off due to a lack of a quorum. Council members Jackson, White and Dynette Lewis were no-shows.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
T.R. Miller Tops Northview
April 6, 2021
T.R. Miller defeated the Northview Chiefs 6-3 Monday night in Brewton.
The game was tried at three in the bottom of the fifth when T.R. Miller scored on a sacrifice fly.
Cameron Patrick opened on the mound for the Chiefs. he went three and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out one. Ethan Collier threw two and one-third innings in relief, allowing three runs on two hits and striking out three.
Luke Bridges went 1-3 for the only hit of the night for Northview.
Pictured: Luke Bridges at bat for the Northview Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
17-Year Old Faces Up To Life In Prison After Sexual Battery Conviction
April 6, 2021
An Escambia County 17-year old is facing up to life in prison after being convicted of a sexual battery last year.
Eric Demond Parrish was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of sexual battery (force likely to cause serious bodily injury), one count of battery, and one count of false imprisonment. Parrish is a juvenile and was tried as an adult.
On January 7, 2020, the Parrish sexually battered the victim without her consent, according to the State Attorney’s Office. In the course of the sexual battery, he placed his hands around her neck. As the victim tried to leave the home, then Parrish grabbed her by her arms and clothes and attempted to drag her back into the home and prevent her from leaving.
Parrish will be sentenced in May.
Beulah Man Charged After Fracturing 2-Week Old Infant’s Skull, ECSO Says
April 5, 2021
A Beulah man has been charged after a 2-week old was taken to the hospital with a fractured skull and other serious injuries.
Brock Tatum Baumert, 27, was charged with first degree felony aggravated child abuse and was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The mother of the 2-week old told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she went to a friend’s birthday dinner and left her daughters — ages 5 and 10-years and 2-weeks — in the care of Baumert, who was living at the residence with them.
“While she was away, she received several text messages from her 10-year-old daughter asking her to come home. She immediately returned home and found the two-week-old in a child’s swing with a bloody lip, a scratch on her nose and bruising around her face,” the ECSO said.
The mother immediately took all three children to West Florida Hospital. The 2-week old suffered a fractured skull, a fractured clavicle and had multiple bruises. The other two children were unharmed.
Baumert was arrested a few hours later. His relationship to the children has not been released.