“We look forward to identifying additional opportunities to add to our portfolio in this region as well as other growing areas,” concluded Spero.

Currently, the Castle Apartments are at 97 percent occupancy.

The jury heard testimonies from use of force experts, as well as Detective Bernabe Hernandez, Sergeant Todd Hays and witnesses Kathryn Brock and Beverly Gamalero. In addition, the jury was provided photographs, information on evidence and footage of the incident from an officer camera that was present at the shooting.

According to the summary released by the State Attorney’s Office, the incident took place on Oct. 2, 2020 at 2002 Aenon Church Road. Baker, who was searching for a missing wallet, had pointed a gun at Brock and other witnesses. He eventually held Brock at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived. Baker then shot at deputies Fender and Hatcher first after being told to lower his firearm and fired at law enforcement, causing both parties to engage in a gunfight firing a total of six shots. Baker was shot multiple times and died due to sustained injuries after running into nearby woods to avoid crossfire.

According to Gamalero, Baker’s sister, he was already battling with addiction to methamphetamine and paranoia, and he feared going back to jail. At the scene, a note addressed by Baker was found that stated, “This is not the way I planned for all of this to go,” insinuating Baker’s anticipation of his death.

The jury determined in this case that Deputies Fender and Hatcher, along with Sergeant Hays, acted heroically. They also found that Baker had “suicidal plans” and had toxic levels of methamphetamine in his system.

The grand jury ruled unanimously that the conduct of law enforcement was lawful and justifiable for the use of deadly force pursuant to the Florida Statutes.

Last week, the Leon County School Board received information on litigation against Juul Labs, a top vaping company in the country. The class-action lawsuit against vaping manufacturing companies is in response to the company’s intentional targeting of young adults.

The Altria Group tobacco conglomerate, which owns approximately 35% of Juul, has been known to advertise the concept of vaping as a safe alternative to cigarettes, but research has proven that there are many negative side effects of vaping.

According to thefactsnow.com, vaping products are a strong gateway to cigarette smoking and contain an equal amount or more nicotine than one pack of cigarettes, depending on the Juul product used.

The federal lawsuit started back in October 2019 and included multiple districts across the country, beginning with the Northern District of California, and it now includes Florida’s Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward County School Boards.

The Romano Law Group, based in West Palm, invited Leon County to join.

During the 2018-19 school year, Leon County encountered 173 instances of students vaping on school grounds, where 94 students were reported high schoolers and 78 were middle schoolers.

The School Board has not yet made a decision. It was revealed that the Leon County School District will not be responsible for fees toward the litigation.

Elections for the city commission and the mayor are non-partisan.

When Tallahassee Reports asked Thomas Whitely, Dailey’s aide, for insight about the endorsement, he expressed the sentiment that the Office of the Mayor separates political and personal ideals and directed us to Dailey’s Twitter profile.

“Vice President Biden is the leader and uniter our country needs. Vote by mail, vote early or vote on election day, just make sure you vote,” Dailey tweeted.

During a get-out-the-vote news conference, Dailey expressed his frustrations in receiving FEMA reimbursements for citizens since Hurricane Michael. Lack of federal government support was a factor that made Dailey want to speak up in support of Biden.

Surrounded with support from his mother and sons, Dailey joked that if his sons were old enough there would be three generations of Dailey’s voting for Biden in this election.

Polls in Florida show a close race between Trump and Biden. Dailey emphasized this as the most important election in a lifetime and a pivotal point for our society as he addressed voters who have yet to vote.

The state of Florida, as a swing state, could play a major role in the election for both candidates. Endorsements like the one made by Mayor Dailey can influence constituents to get out and vote and also give insight about local elected officials’ political leanings.

At their Sept. 9 meeting, the City Commission called on the Inspector General to develop an audit of the use of force policy to help the City Commission and determine if the policy portrays the best practices of law enforcement for the current society at a later date.

In addition to the use of force policy audit, the Commissioners approved an evaluation of officer training. This audit will seek to determine if the training provided to TPD officers is sufficient in substance and frequency to reinforce the techniques, procedures and processes described in the use of force policy and ensure policy changes are accurate and timely.

The Inspector General’s scope of the use of force audit aims to identify the best practice of TPD’s law enforcement and determine consistency with modern policing standards. With background information and research to the General provided potential sources to adopt practices from which includes:

• New York University School of Law – Policing Project
• U.S. Department of Justice – National Institute of Justice
• U.S. Commission on Civil Rights – Police Use of Forces: An Examination of Modern Policing Practices
• International Association of Chiefs of Police – Critical Issues: Use of Force
• Police Use of Force Project
• National Police Foundation – Best Practices in Early Intervention System Implementation and Use in Law Enforcement Agencies
• Florida Police Chiefs Association – Report and Recommendations: Use of Force Policy and Related Issues

These sources, along with additional information, will be reviewed in detail to see what practices are appropriate.

The Commissioners voted to increase the recommended funding for “Hardest Hit” and MWSBE businesses to $20,000 and for “Rebounding” businesses to $5,000.

Though local and state governments were awaiting Congress to make a motion to provide additional Coronavirus Relief Funds, the decision has been stalled. The CARES Act requires all funds to be spent by Dec. 30 or be reverted back to the United States Treasury.