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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Escambia firefighter charged with child sex crimes pleads not guilty, faces 260 years
A soon-to-be fired Escambia County firefighter charged with over three dozen child sex crimes entered a plea of not guilty May 19. Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agents arrested 48-year-old Garey Buscaino May 15 after numerous photo and video files depicting child sexual abuse material were allegedly discovered in his possession, resulting in him being charged with 30 counts of possession of child pornography, seven counts of digital voyeurism of a victim less than 16 years old, and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, according to his First Judicial Circuit case file. Escambia County's Public Information Officer for Public Safety Davis Wood told the News Journal that it's his understanding Buscaino is currently "in the process of being terminated" from his role as a county firefighter. Law enforcement first looked into Buscaino when a special agent received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children April 29 pertaining to a user of a common cloud storage account downloading multiple files of child sexual abuse material. Firefighter arrested: Escambia approves raises for firefighters, new fire stations. How much it will cost. A phone number listed under Buscaino had uploaded 33 files of CSAM on March 8. Among the over 5,000 files discovered, special agents discovered over 1,000 files of "child erotica" that did not meet the statutory requirements for CSAM, but they did find 96 files of video allegedly taken by Buscaino of a girl without her knowledge. According to FDLE reports, one of the videos allegedly taken by Buscaino shows another person in the background, which special agents used to link the video to Buscaino. The name and relation of the person was redacted. Special Agents then used this to conduct a search warrant on Buscaino's home. "During the execution of the search warrant, hidden cameras were located within Buscaino's bedroom," the report said. "One was disguised as a vape/electronic cigarette, and another disguised as a wall charger. "Several GoPro style cameras were also recovered from the residence," the report added. "An on-scene forensic examination of the SD cards within the cameras revealed the same voyeuristic video file of the (teen girl)." Various videos show Buscaino was allegedly recording the teen girl in her own room and the bathroom. When special agents questioned Buscaino about the hidden cameras, he "invoked his right to legal counsel." Multiple USB drivers were recovered from Buscaino's home, which contained over 100 files of additional CSAM. Following FDLE's release of Buscaino's arrest, Escambia County Professional Firefighters President Jason Marcum told the News Journal, "Obviously, we don't condone those actions." The organization represents the county's nearly 150 professional firefighters. "Our priority is just making sure those affected are taken care of care of and cared for," Marcum said. "And as far as the actions of that individual, if proven guilty, that's what it is, the actions of an individual not the firefighters in Escambia County or firefighters across the nation. We take pride in our reputation of being trusted by the public." Buscaino's next scheduled court date is June 6. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 260 years in prison. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia firefighter Garey Buscaino faces prison for child sex crimes
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mansfield Mayor Perry highlights her first year in State of the City address
The city of Mansfield is strengthening, according to Mayor Jodie Perry. Now in her second year, Perry delivered her State of the City address Thursday night by livestream. She wanted a larger audience to be able to hear the address. "We are a city on the cusp of great opportunity," Perry said. "We are a city seeing the first fruits of major changes that will strengthen us even more. While it is true that we have many challenges yet to face, my first 15 months as mayor has confirmed to me that there is great reason for optimism as we look at our collective future." The mayor called growth the first priority. Jodie Perry reflected on her first six months in office as the mayor of Mansfield for a previous News Journal story. "We cannot just count on the success of the past because eventually that will start to tarnish, and we will be left with gaps," she said. "We need new businesses creating jobs and new residents moving to town to continue our forward motion." Perry pointed out that the city is now partnering with Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development to serve as the chief ambassador for growth. Mayor highlights economic development She highlighted a few examples of growth, including a new manufacturing location for Adena-NCF. The investment will add 10 jobs and millions of capital expansion dollars. Eaglemark 4 opened a new location in the old foundry property, expanding to more than 80 employees and investing significant money. Adena Development will begin constructing a second manufacturing building at Airport West this year. "Why is this important? Businesses looking to relocate often base their decisions on three factors: speed to market, lowest risk and lowest investment cost," Perry said. "Having a building that is 90% ready to go will positively impact all of those factors." The mayor also referenced activity at Westbrook Country Club and Lahm Regional Airport. The Niss family is involved in both projects, which will include "The Sky Club" restaurant at the airport. Building will begin this summer. Housing inspectors issued 2,432 code violations across the city and ordered mowing on 335 properties. City crews also completed 224 cleanup and board-up orders on blighted properties. "We will soon be introducing legislation for a property maintenance code, which will give us greater options to enforce better property management to help protect your investment as homeowners and taxpayers," Perry said. Community development started the design and engineering work for phases 2 and 3 of the West End Target Area along Glessner Avenue. Jodie Perry "This project is revitalizing a strategic corridor leading to the county's largest employer, OhioHealth Hospital," Perry said. In news involving city departments, the water treatment plant is in the final stages of a massive, multi-year rehabilitation project, providing updates to a vital service. The utility collections department took steps forward in 2024. Residents now see itemized charges on their bills. The city also transitioned to measuring in gallons. Both were longtime goals. "Soon, we will have a new customer portal available so that you can look at your water usage in real time," Perry said. Parks continue to be priority for Perry Parks are another focus under the mayor. They were closed for eight years during fiscal emergency, but are making a comeback. The city completed 88 projects in 12 of the city's 22 parks in 2024. A grand opening will be held in May for Sterkel Community Park for All. "The large majority of the work was completed throughout 2024," Perry noted. "If you have not had a chance to visit this park yet, you will be blown away by the extensive investment that has been made." Perry said public safety is another top priority. The police department saw changes last year, with Chief Keith Porch retiring to become safety-service director. Jason Bammann was sworn in as the new chief in March, followed by Assistant Chief Mike Napier in April. "I'm pleased to report that Part I crimes, the most serious ones, saw an overall decline of 20%," Perry said, adding the detective bureau was able to solve a 40-year-old cold case. The fire department saw the retirements of six members, the addition of five firefighters and nine promotions. Chief Dan Crow also created the department's first strategic plan, along with a new mission, vision and core values. Perry's other top priority is infrastructure. "It is the thing you never think about when it works right, but you notice right away when it is broken," she said. Mansfield is getting a major upgrade to its local bike/walk trail system. Workers completed the first phase, a tunnel connecting the Cook/Trimble trail under the four-lane roadway last year. This year, they will add a connecting piece from the tunnel to the B&O Bike Trail, as well as along Millsboro Road from Trimble Road to Marion Avenue. More: Trees cut down on Millsboro Road to expand Richland B&O Trail Next month will see the first significant replacements of water mains in decades, thanks to voters approving a 0.25% income tax for the project. The Main Street Improvement Project has gotten underway after six years of planning. The $19.5 million project will convert Main Street to two-way traffic and upgrade the city's streetscape. One of the areas Perry said she has worked hard to improve is communication, especially through social media. The City of Mansfield Facebook page, on which people can watch Perry's State of the City address, has grown to more than 6,000 followers. The mayor also thanked the city's 465 employees, including department heads and her administration. Porch and Public Works Director Louis Andres have more than 70 years of public service between them. "I have talked a lot about the idea of 'Team Mansfield.' What do I mean by this? In this day and age, Mansfield is not just competing locally, regionally or even nationally," Perry said. "We are competing on a global stage for development and growth. Team Mansfield is the idea that we all have a role to play to make our community successful." Perry moved to Mansfield 11 years ago to run the local chamber, calling it her adopted hometown. "I am so humbled and honored to serve as your mayor, and I look forward to all that we will be able to accomplish together throughout 2025," she said. "The state of our city is strengthening each and every day." mcaudill@ 419-521-7219 X: @MarkCau32059251 This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mayor Perry reviews 1st year in State of City address
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Case of Lex teacher charged with endangering children dismissed on boy's request
LEXINGTON – The case against a Lexington High School teacher charged with endangering children has been dismissed at the request of the alleged victim. What is in dispute is what actually happened. Jim Steele, 37, is a health and physical education teacher at the high school, as well as an assistant football coach. According to the initial police report, Steele made a sophomore boy do push-ups on hot asphalt on Aug. 29 during a week with a heat advisory that delayed the next day's varsity football game an hour. He was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. The trial was supposed to begin Tuesday in Mansfield Municipal Court before Judge Mike Kemerer. Instead, the sophomore asked for the case to be dismissed. He chose Good Friday for his request. "In support of this motion, the State submits that the victim, after dealing with this case for nine months, has decided that there is no better day than Good Friday to show grace and forgiveness," Scott Christophel, assistant law director for the city of Norwalk and the special prosecutor in this case, wrote in his motion to dismiss. "God forgives us whether we deserve it or not and the victim wishes to do the same," Christophel noted. Defense Attorney James Mayer III reacted to the case's resolution. "First of all, we don't have any control over what the other side puts in a motion to dismiss," he said. Mayer added he was not surprised by the motion. "I feel like it's the right outcome. I feel strongly about that," he said. "From the beginning, there was never a negotiation in this case. There was never going to be any negotiation. This was either trial or dismissal." The parents of the sophomore supported his decision. "I couldn't be more proud of his courage," the boy's father told the News Journal. "It was a more mature decision than most men would make." Mayer said the reason behind the dismissal was a first for him. "In my 25-year career, I've never seen a case dismissed based on an upcoming religious holiday," the defense attorney said. "It's my opinion and the opinion of my co-counsel (Sean Boone), that had we tried this case, it was going to be clear that the case was built on a series of false accusations, lies." The News Journal is not naming the father to protect the juvenile's identity. Steele has been with Lexington Local Schools since August 2021. He has been on administrative leave virtually the entire school year. Superintendent Jeremy Secrist did not return calls from the News Journal seeking comment. The alleged victim said Steele seemed to take offense about him wanting a "chest day" instead of conditioning. A typical chest day workout includes a mix of pressing and pulling exercises to target the pectoralis major, minor and anterior deltoid muscles. He said the teacher made him get down on the hot asphalt and do "shuffle push-ups" down the track, an allegation Mayer disputes. According to the initial police report, the boy fell about the 30-yard line because his hands were burning. He said Steele told him to start over and had him do the push-ups on the grass. Two security cameras on the football field recorded the incident. There was no audio. "I don't want people to think this man is innocent," the boy's father said, adding the family has not received an apology or an acknowledgement of wrongdoing from Steele. "As parents, that was tough to accept." Mayer, however, said the video exonerates his client. "In 2025, it's trial by video," he said. "We don't have to just take the word of what someone says anymore as to what happened. In addition to that, we also had six eyewitnesses, six students that were taking the class." Mayer said their versions supporting Steele were consistent when they talked to Lexington police and high school Principal Jamie Masi in separate interviews. "The students stated that the workout did not seem like punishment and that Mr. Steele did not appear mad," School Resource Officer Mike Glennon wrote in his report. "When asked if (boy) was forced to do the workout, the students stated that he was given an option to do the plank walks or the conditioning, and he chose to do the plank walks." Mayer added he was going to call all six boys to testify, as well as Steele, whom he called a decorated Army combat veteran with no prior record. "He has made it his life's work to coach and help young people get the very most out of their athletic ability," Mayer said, adding he has never seen such an outpouring of support for one of his clients. "The eyewitnesses' families called this office, at least three or four of them, and said that their kids wanted to do anything they could to make sure that the truth got out there of what happened that day." After leaving the track, the boy told police when he went to the field house and showed Steele his hands, the teacher brushed him off and told him to get the battle ropes, another exercise involving use of hands. The sophomore said he stayed after class to run his palms under cold water. "You can take choice out of the matter," the boy's father said. "If you as a teacher or coach, if you provide something as a workout and you oversee it, you're responsible for any injuries that occur, and you're obliged to provide care." His parents said the boy sustained second-degree burns across his palms after doing 117 push-ups. "By the second or third day, there were full-on blisters covering his hands," his father said. While Mayer acknowledged the boy had blisters, he said, "I don't think we're here to contest that the track was hot. What we're here to say is that he was never told to get down on the track." The defense attorney added "without guidance," the boy did push-ups on the track on his own. When he complained of the heat, Mayer said Steele told him he could do push-ups on the grass. According to Mayer, when the boy still felt the surface was too hot, Steele gave him the option of going back to the originally scheduled conditioning. The defense attorney said Steele went out of his way to give the alleged victim a different workout from the other students. "Steele could have shut that down and said, 'No, it's conditioning. That's what we're doing,''' Mayer said. "When you have English class and it's time to read 'Lord of the Flies,' you don't go to the teacher and say you're going to read comic books." The boy's father said his son was going through trial preparation before making his decision. "I think he's been frustrated and upset. I think he wanted justice," the father said. The family's faith has been a source of comfort while the case has been pending. The boy is active in his church. "We have spent a lot of time praying about the direction of this case," the boy's father said. "We wanted the best outcome for everybody. We wanted God to be honored; this gives glory back to Him." He added that the state made several attempts at a plea bargain. "We just wanted him (Steele) to admit that he did something wrong," the dad said. "I don't think Steele is a bad guy. I think he made a really bad decision or a series of bad decisions. There was a solid case, and there was a high probability he would have been found guilty. "I want people to know it happened." Asked if he thought Steele did anything wrong, Mayer was succinct. "This is an easy one. I don't," the defense attorney said. "These videos confirm what happened that day, and we had six eyewitnesses." mcaudill@ 419-521-7219 X: @MarkCau32059251 This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Endangering children case against Lexington teacher dismissed
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
We can build better neighborhoods if we dream big and make small improvements
Why do so many places across the country look the same and how we can foster more unique, thoughtful design in our neighborhoods and communities? Coby Lefkowitz, an urbanist, real estate developer, writer and consultant, will be at CivicCon on Monday to answer those questions and more. Lefkowitz is the author of "Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better," which explores the history of the built environment in the United State and offers a series of concrete reforms to make our cities more beautiful, desirable and affordable through dozens of project vignettes. Whether it's planting a tree or taking on a development project, Lefkowitz will highlight practical steps anyone can take to make a difference, including examples of great projects that showcase what's possible for our communities. Meet Coby Lefkowitz: Bland, cookie-cutter development got you down? How about we build optimism instead? "It can seem very pie in the sky to have hopes for where one lives, because we feel as though we don't have any agency over change, especially if we don't have much money to effectuate that change," Lefkowitz said. "But if there's a group of passionate community members who lobby ... to fix up a vacant piece of land and maybe build a community center or affordable housing or start those conversations, that's where it all comes from. If people don't advocate or, more aggressively, agitate for that change, it's not going to happen." Trained as an urban planner at the University of Virginia, Lefkowitz's work explores the intersection of development and urban design to promote more walkable, beautiful, dynamic and sustainable communities. He has worked on dozens of projects ranging from small single family rental, accessory dwelling unit and duplex development, up to master-planned communities thousands of acres in size. Lefkowitz's CivicCon presentation will be at 6 p.m., Monday, April 14, at The Wright Place at First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. in Pensacola. The free event is open to all. Registration is available by searching "CivicCon" at and during registration attendees will have the opportunity to submit a question for Lefkowitz. The event will be live streamed on Pensacola News Journal's Facebook page at The presentation is part of CivicCon, a partnership of the News Journal and the Center for Civic Engagement to help empower citizens to better their communities through smart planning and civic conversation. More information about CivicCon, as well as stories and videos featuring previous speakers, is available at This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Coby Lefkowitz CivicCon event at Pensacola United Methodist Church
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
We can build better neighborhoods if we dream big and make small improvements
Why do so many places across the country look the same and how we can foster more unique, thoughtful design in our neighborhoods and communities? Coby Lefkowitz, an urbanist, real estate developer, writer and consultant, will be at CivicCon on Monday to answer those questions and more. Lefkowitz is the author of "Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better," which explores the history of the built environment in the United State and offers a series of concrete reforms to make our cities more beautiful, desirable and affordable through dozens of project vignettes. Whether it's planting a tree or taking on a development project, Lefkowitz will highlight practical steps anyone can take to make a difference, including examples of great projects that showcase what's possible for our communities. Meet Coby Lefkowitz: Bland, cookie-cutter development got you down? How about we build optimism instead? "It can seem very pie in the sky to have hopes for where one lives, because we feel as though we don't have any agency over change, especially if we don't have much money to effectuate that change," Lefkowitz said. "But if there's a group of passionate community members who lobby ... to fix up a vacant piece of land and maybe build a community center or affordable housing or start those conversations, that's where it all comes from. If people don't advocate or, more aggressively, agitate for that change, it's not going to happen." Trained as an urban planner at the University of Virginia, Lefkowitz's work explores the intersection of development and urban design to promote more walkable, beautiful, dynamic and sustainable communities. He has worked on dozens of projects ranging from small single family rental, accessory dwelling unit and duplex development, up to master-planned communities thousands of acres in size. Lefkowitz's CivicCon presentation will be at 6 p.m., Monday, April 14, at The Wright Place at First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. in Pensacola. The free event is open to all. Registration is available by searching "CivicCon" at and during registration attendees will have the opportunity to submit a question for Lefkowitz. The event will be live streamed on Pensacola News Journal's Facebook page at The presentation is part of CivicCon, a partnership of the News Journal and the Center for Civic Engagement to help empower citizens to better their communities through smart planning and civic conversation. More information about CivicCon, as well as stories and videos featuring previous speakers, is available at This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Coby Lefkowitz CivicCon event at Pensacola United Methodist Church
