I grew up in Greenville, Miss.–a town known for two things, cotton and its daily newspaper, The Delta Democrat Times. The paper’s owner, publisher and editor, Hodding Carter II, was known for…
Category: News
Kudos for Pensacola guitar maker
St. Pete Times featured Kevin Burkett, owner and founder of Electrical Guitar Co. To date, he has produced and sold 522 guitars to legends such as Duane Denison of the Chicago punk…
Inside Tate Assault: Superintendent’s quotes
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has told the daily newspaper that he has started an investigation into the Escambia County School District’s response to an alleged sexual assault by a 16-year-old boy on a…
DCF and victims older than 12
I did speak with Department of Children and Families about the reporting of child abuse. DCF generally doesn’t get involved if the victim of child-on-child abuse is older than 12, unless there…
Behind the scenes: Brownsville school deal
It may be premature to say the $1-million purchase of the closed Brownsville Middle School to George Hawthorne’s Diversity Program Advisors is over, but it’s one life support. Through a public records…
Buzz: Hayward to buy ‘green’ vehicle
The City of Pensacola is ready to announce the purchase of its first vehicle that will be powered by compressed natural gas. Goes well with our green issue.
Buzz: GOP Heaven
Local Republicans are giddy. In the next two weeks, locals can see, touch and hear Gov. Rick Scott, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield and Fox TV host Mike Huckabee. Local law enforcement…
Inside Tate Assault: Threats continue
The threats against the victim of the sexual assault at Tate High School will be allowed back on campus today, having served her suspension. I received an email late yesterday from one…
Student death at Tate High
NorthEscambia.com is reporting that freshman Gabe Carter (age 15), reportedly began experiencing a seizure in a classroom and collapsed. The freshman was transported from the school by LifeFlight to West Florida Hospital…
Bergosh defends Tate actions
Escambia School Board member Jeff Bergosh and, according to him, the School District attorney Donna Waters believe Tate High School officials were not legally obligated to report to Florida Department of Children…
Inside Tate Assault: Victim threatened
I have had two conversations with people concerning the victim of the sexual assault at Tate High School. The girl is rumored to have a history of sexual misconduct and there are…
Is NAS Pensacola no longer a viable naval port?
The daily newspaper reported today that Navy had canceled planned May, June visits of USS Iwo Jima and USS Lawrence to Pensacola Naval Air Station because the pass can’t handle the ships….
Ever’man offers to buy old School District offices
The School Board discussed earlier this week an offer made by Ever’man Natural Foods for the old School District offices on Garden Street. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas didn’t bring the offer to the…
Who is reporting sexual incidents in school district
The figures below are what the Escambia School District reported to the state and law enforcement for the 2009-10 school year–Florida Department of Education’s School Environmental Safety Incident Report. TOTAL REPORTED SEX…
Inside Tate Assault: Did officials break the law?
The moment the school officials were notified by a parent that a possible sexual assault, involving a 14-year-old victim, happened in a classroom at Tate High School, there were required by law…
Inside Tate Assault: How not to investigate
This is the Part Two of my interview with the mother who reported the sexual assault at Tate High School. The mother agreed to the interview with the understanding that I would…
Inside Tate assault: “Momma, pray for me”
“Momma, pray for me. Momma, pray for me. I’m going to throw up.” That’s what the Tate High School student told his mother over his cell phone on the afternoon of Tuesday,…
Two elected officials, two stories
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas denies any cover up or delays in reporting the sexual assault at Tate High School. The daily newspaper gave his version of how school officials handled the alleged crime….
Arrest made in Tate sexual assault case
Press Release: A 16-year-old Tate High School student was arrested this evening after allegedly forcing another student to perform a sex act on him. Deputies served an arrest warrant on Raymond Eugene…
Tate reported few crimes to ECSO last year
Through a public records request of the Florida Department of Education, IN got the School Environmental Safety Incident Report for the Escambia County School District for the 2009-10 school year. School administrations…