Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Narcotics Into Escambia Road Prison
April 13, 2021
A corrections officer at the Escambia County road prison has been arrested for allegedly smuggling narcotics in the facility.
Byron Jermaine Banks, age 29 of Molino, was charged with two felony counts of smuggling contraband into a detention facility. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Banks is a camera operator at the Escambia County Work Annex, commonly known as the road prison, on Highway 297A in Cantonment. He was allegedly familiar with blind spots in the camera system and used that knowledge to pass narcotics to an inmate.
The inmate, Alexander Maynard, told investigators that he met Banks in a blind spot out of camera view where he handed him a potato chip bag containing methamphetamine, cocaine and spice. Maynard, according to arrest report, had previously been caught by another corrections officer with several grams of synthetic cannabinoids (“spice”), cocaine, and methamphetamine. He told officers that they belonged to another inmate. Maynard was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine and smuggling contraband.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, video surveillance showed Banks walk past Maynard. Maynard then follows him to a blind spot for the cameras. When Mayard comes back into view of the camera, it appears he has something in the front of his pants consistent with a potato chip bag, and something in his left hand. Banks then walks back into the camera’s field of view, the arrest report continues.
Banks told investigators that he drove to an address on East Kingsfield Road to pick up the narcotics, the arrest report states. Banks’ other statements were redacted from the report.
Banks’ mugshot is exempt from the release under Florida law due to his status as a corrections officer.
Groundbreaking Held For New Bellview Library, The First In District 1
April 13, 2021
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Monday for the a new library on Mobile Highway in Bellview, the first library Escambia County District 1.
Escambia County is adding 10,000 square feet to an existing 2,500 former bank at a cost of about $3.8 million. Construction is expected to take about a year.
“One of the things that I always wanted to see happen in District 1 was for us to have our own public library. We’re the only district of five that did not have one,” District 1 Commissions Jeff Bergosh said. “We’re taking a building that wasn’t being used and we’re now going to repurpose it for a good use. Instead of building brand new, we’re repurposing, so that is a good thing. The other thing I like about this property is that there’s plenty of space so once we’re all done building this brand-new library and putting the parking in and stormwater retention, there’s still room and some more things that we’re intending to do with this property. Hopefully and eventually, there will be more than just a library.”
The main portion of the library will consist of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space will provide entrances to other support spaces such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a computer area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room.
The actual building is where our community room is, so the public can use it after hours. It is also where our programming events will be for youth and our meal service in the summers. It will be a multi-purpose room the public can use when it’s not being used for library programs. The actual library is going to be designed as flexible space. The majority of the books will be stored along the walls, and we will have some center shelves that are on rollers. If we have a big event inside and we need more space, we will be able to just push the shelves to the side of the room and open up the room. So, in reality, we will have the ability to do three separate large events at the same time,” Todd Humber, director library services, said.
The new library will also include an exterior lawn area with the ability to project movies onto the building for events.
“Providing local access to books for parents, grandparents and caregivers encourages our children to become lifelong learners,” District 1 School Board member Kevin Adams said. “I am glad this library will provide a quiet, safe place that can be used to read, study or complete homework assignments and have reliable internet access. Within a short distance of this library are six schools with approximately 3,997 K-12 students. Overall, District 1 has 11 schools currently serving approximately 7,307 K-12 students. This new library will provide access to students through evenings, weekends, holidays and summer breaks.”
A sidewalk will be built that provides a direct connection between the new library and Bellview Elementary providing accessibility for children to enjoy after school programs.
Students from nearby Belleview Elementary School helped with the groundbreaking.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal On Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For List For 10th Consecutive Year
April 13, 2021
For the 10th consecutive year, Navy Federal Credit Union has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine. Navy Federal has received this award 11 years total, and remains the only credit union on the list.
“We have a strong culture of service at Navy Federal, and we know it starts with how we treat our team members,” said Mary McDuffie, president/CEO of Navy Federal. “During this past year, we had to lean on one another more than ever, which only strengthened our culture.”
In awarding Navy Federal, Fortune noted that:
• 96% of employees consider the employee benefits offered to be special and unique.
• 95% of Navy Federal employees are proud to tell others where they work.
• 94% of employees feel good about the ways Navy Federal contributes to the community.
• 91% of employees feel treated as an equal employee, regardless of position level.
Rankings are based on employee surveys. However, this year’s methodology represents a change in response to the unique circumstances of 2020 — with 60% of each company’s score based on confidential employee feedback and the remaining 40% based on the programs each company said they created to support their people and communities in response to the pandemic.
“We have been very focused on making sure the Navy Federal culture remains vibrant, especially with the majority of team members working from home and facing high levels of stress in their personal lives,” said Holly Kortright, chief human resources officer for Navy Federal. “Whether it be pivoting to create virtual wellness programs or allowing our teams flexibility during these challenging times, this award only reinforces the good work done to keep our team members our top priority.”
In addition to the Fortune 100 selection, Navy Federal is regularly recognized for its quality work environment that allows for continuous learning through training and development and family-like corporate atmosphere. The credit union ranked #16 on the Best Work Places in Financial Services & Insurance list in 2021, #13 on the Best Workplaces for Women list, and #20 on the Best Work Places for Millennials list in 2020.
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ECSD Names School Library Principal Advocate And Librarian Of The Year
April 13, 2021
The Escambia County School District has announced this year’s School Library Principal Advocate of the Year and School Librarian of the Year.
The ECSD School Library Principal Advocate of the Year is Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. The ECSD School Library Principal Advocate of the Year is Lincoln Park Elementary School Media Specialist Laura Hobbs. They both received a plaque to display in their office or their school’s library.
Nancy Gindl-Perry
“Principals such as Mrs. Perry are important to the success of libraries because they control the factors that determine the quality of the school library program,” EWMS librarian Sherri Stallworth said in her nomination submission.
“As we know, effective library programs require budgeting, support, and promotion. For example, it takes money to staff and build a current and adequate collection size. Mrs. Perry continues to consider the needs of her library every year as she generously appropriates funds to provide qualified staff and grow the size of our collection. Last summer, Mrs. Perry participated in a major overhaul of my library. She physically worked with a team including the assistant principal, two teachers, a paraprofessional, and myself to revamp the library. We worked together for two weeks to weed books, rearrange bookcases, and genrefy books,” Stallworth aid. (Genrefy books is to organize them by genre, or subject, to help students find interesting books.)
Perry allowed over $4,500 in district and Title I funds to purchase new library books, and she found a way for students to visit the library during the pandemic.
“Mrs. Perry graciously approved a schedule that allowed teachers of elective courses to work within Covid guidelines to bring their students to the library twice a month. Finally, Mrs. Perry provided student assistants to aid in the duties that are required to keep the library accessible throughout the day,” Stallworth said.
Laura Hobbs
“My focus has always been to create lifelong readers. I believe children should develop as readers for both information and pleasure. In developing our curriculum, I target Library Media standards in five areas under a general theme: Library Skills, Literature, Digital Citizenship, Research and Makerspaces. As the year progresses, students develop literacy skills, face literacy challenges, and earn rewards,” Hobbs said.
“I’ve worked to transform Lincoln Park Elementary School’s library from a book and technology poor site to a well-stocked library with an updated collection and accessible technology. We currently have twelve desktops, a self-check-in station and two catalog search stations. Through grants, we obtained nine iPads, green screen technology for projects and our morning news program, extra seating, hundreds of books by level or topics, as well as Makerspace materials like Ozobot coding robots, engineering kits, and more. Materials that didn’t support our curriculum were weeded and replaced with more appropriate books. Our collection increased and is more relevant to our population’s needs, and the physical library is more usable and modern. To promote at-home literacy, I host an annual book fair, and normally maintain a “free books” shelf. This year the book fair was digital, and MyOn was promoted for at-home reading. I also coordinated a book giveaway for students through the Studer Group,” she continued.
Pictured top: School Library Principal Advocate of the Year Award winner Nancy Gindl-Perry (left), principal of Ernest Ward Middle School with EWMS librarian Sherri Stallworth. Pictured below: School Librarian of the Year Award winner, Laura Hobbs (left), and Lincoln Park Elementary School’s Principal Cassandra Smith.
Pensacola Bay Bridge Deck Replaced, Reopening Still Planned For Week Of Memorial Day
April 13, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation says the reopening of the Pensacola Bay Bridge is still on track for the week of May 31.
The photo above shows a full deck that has been replaced, with the exception of the multiuse path on the outside of the structure.
A decision has not been reached on whether the initial reopening the week of May 31 will accommodate four lanes of traffic, or temporarily consist of a combination of two and four lanes.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Atmore 12-2 (With Photo Gallery)
April 13, 2021
With eight runs in the first inning, the Northviews Chiefs beat the Escambia County High School (Atmore) Blue Devils 12-2 Monday night in Bratt.
Cameron Patrick pitched a complete game win for the Chiefs, give up two runs on two hits in six innings while striking out six and walking one. Peyton Gillam led Northview at the plate at 2-2. The Chiefs also had one hit each from Kaden Odom, Bryce Korinchak and Jamarkus Jefferson.
Jamarion Robinson pitched three innings for ECHS, allowing nine runs on three hits, walking eight and striking out one. Jacarion King pitched two and a third innings, giving up two runs on two hits, walking two and striking out two. At the plate, Dean went 2-3 with one run for Atmore.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Two RVs And A Vehicle, Damages Shed
April 12, 2021
Fire destroyed two recreational vehicles and a passenger vehicle while damaging a shed Sunday in the Quintette area.
The fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. Sunday in the area of North Chipper Road and Rocky Branch Road. The fire was brought under control with an hour.
There were no smoke alarms in the occupied RV, and there were no injuries reported, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
Escambia Fire Rescue determined the fire started in the occupied RV and spread to the surroundings. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Walnut Hill; It Was Issued After Lightning Strike Destroyed Water Main
April 12, 2021
A precautionary boil water notice that was in effect for much of the Walnut Hill area was lifted Monday after tests showed the water is safe to drink.
Several hundred residences in the Walnut Hill lost water service as a result of Saturday morning’s storms. A lightning strike destroyed a primary water main at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s water tower adjacent to their Walnut Hill Office and Ernest Ward Middle School. The leak was isolated, and water service was restored to the area from a second EREC water tower located on Highway 97 across from Ernest Ward.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Disabled Man On Scooter Struck And Killed By Vehicle
April 12, 2021
A disabled man riding an electric scooter was struck and killed by a vehicle in Escambia County early Monday morning.
The crash happened about 12:10 a.m. on Muldoon Road south of Cerny Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported a silver Ford Focus traveling northbound on Muldoon Road near Cerny Road struck the rear of an electric scooter traveling in the same direction. The scooter did not have lights or reflectors.
“At this time the male on the scooter has not been identified, but he is an approximately 50-year old year old white male with no hair and was a paraplegic,” FHP said.
The 21-year old female driver of the Ford and her 22-year old male passenger were not injured.
Cantonment Man Charged With DUI After Backing Into ECSO Vehicle, FHP Says
April 12, 2021
A Cantonment was charged with DUI after backing his vehicle into an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.
Kenneth Lee Murphy, 28, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday on a charge of driving under the influence. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to 6232 Tributary Street in Bellview for a report of an unknown white Chevrolet sedan sitting in a front yard.
“The sheriff’s office responded and attempted to make contact with a male who was asleep in the driver seat,” according to the Florida Highway Patrol. “The male woke up and began reversing his sedan causing the back bumper to collide with the front push bar of the deputy’s patrol car.”
The Florida Highway Patrol took Murphy into custody. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries.