The Florida Department of Corrections says a substance abuse counselor at the Blackwater Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa County has been arrested for smuggling contraband into the facility. The Office of Inspector General says 29-year old Patrice Ealy had a cellular phone and six bundles of loose tobacco in her bra and underwear as she…… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2018
SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED
A 41-year-old Gulf Breeze man has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for child sex crimes. In January, Christopher Traffanstead was convicted of two counts of sexual battery upon or with a child 12 years of age or older but younger than 18. The abuse took place in a foster home between May 2014…… MORE
MEDICAID AND OPIOIDS
The Agency for Health Care Administration has announced that prescriptions for narcotics in the Medicaid program will be limited to a maximum seven-day supply. Medicaid also is no longer requiring prior authorization for certain medication-assisted treatments to help fight opioid addiction including monthly shots of the drug Vivitrol. Governor Rick Scott’s administration is taking steps…… MORE
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
Yesterday the Florida House voted down a move to debate a ban on assault weapons. All three representatives from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties – Frank White, Clay Ingram and Jayer Williamson – voted with their party against the measure. White, who is running for the Republican nomination for attorney general, said in an email to…… MORE
FT. WALTON BEACH PROSTITUTION ARRESTS
Fort Walton Beach Police have charged three women with prostitution after an online sting called Operation Valentine, which targeted prostitution crimes in Fort Walton Beach. Police said detectives responded to ads that were listed online. 30-year-old Laura Sells, 23-year-old Kaitlyn West, and 18-year-old Alyssa Haney were charged with prostitution and Sells was also charged with…… MORE
UNFOUNDED SCHOOL THREAT
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said reports of a threat to shoot up Pine Forest High School are unfounded. The threat was made in a Snap Chat message. Major Andrew Hobbs said it was more likely hearsay spread by multiple kids and there was no actual threat. Escambia County Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross said the…… MORE
TROOPER THREATENER ARRESTED
The Florida Highway Patrol says a 43-year-old man was arrested after an encounter with a state trooper. A trooper found Bill Stites on Interstate 10 westbound near mile marker 37 in Milton in a vehicle reported stolen by Brown Distributing Company. He was arrested and threatened the trooper. He’s been charged with larceny, intimidation, and…… MORE
BAY MEDICAL CEO QUITS
The chief executive officer of Bay Medical Sacred Heart, resigned yesterday, effective immediately. Steve Grubbs said he had no comment on his sudden departure and the hospital would not comment on the reason for the departure. Heath Evans, chief operating officer, will serve as the interim CEO. Grubbs started at Bay Medical in August 2015…… MORE
NATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Studer Foundation is sponsoring an essay contest for eighty students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to win a spot in a six-day overnight program at the National Flight Academy this summer. The academy is located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola and the six-day program is July 29th thru August 3rd, and tuition without…… MORE
NAVY FEDERAL RANKED NATIONALLY
Fortune magazine has ranked Navy Federal Credit Union as one of the “100 Best Companies To Work For” in 2018. It is the highest ranking achieved by the world’s largest credit union in their eight years on the list. The magazine said 96 percent of employees say they were made to feel welcome when they joined…… MORE
