Stolen Truck Found Burned Out In Bratt
March 19, 2010
A pickup truck reported stolen Wednesday from Gulf Breeze was found completely destroyed by fire late Thursday night in Bratt.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was called a to vehicle fire at the intersection of Hanks Road and Pine Barren Road just before 11 p.m. When they arrived, they found the truck almost completely burned out (pictured top).
There was no one around the vehicle when authorities arrived. A check of the vehicle identification number on the truck revealed that it was a 2007 Dodge Dakota reported stolen on Wednesday by a Gulf Breeze woman.
The vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire. The incident is still under investigation by the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: The burning pickup as the first firefighters arrived to fight the blaze. Picture inset: Firefighters begin to fight the fire. Picture below: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempt to read the vehicle identification number on the truck. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Wilson Robertson: Study Commission Denies Public Vote
March 19, 2010
It is disappointing that the County Commissioners, the City Council and the local delegation members are still being accused of denying the public a chance to vote on consolidation when, in fact, the Study Commission is responsible for the public not having a chance to vote on a consolidation plan. The Study Commission presented its draft consolidation plan to the County Commissioners and City Council approximately one week before the plan was due in final form to the local delegation. It was at that time that the County Commission as well as the City Council withdrew support for what was considered a “flawed” plan that had been drafted without enough time for public input.
The Study Commission had only seven months to complete their work, allowing no time for public input. It is important to note that of the 85 meetings the Study Commission conducted, only one was north of Nine Mile Road. There was no opportunity for public discussion about one of the most adverse elements in the document, which called for the potential of additional taxes in the unincorporated areas of the County under the heading of “Urbanized Service Areas”. Rick Outzen of the Independent News stated: “This document had no public input, none!”
The motions of both the County Commission and City Council are simply stated: “Delay the Vote until 2012 for more public input.” When the local delegation met at Pensacola Junior College for their vote on this issue, Representative Gregg Evers posed a compromise and only asked that the vote be delayed until 2011. This would have given one more year for public input and allow for possible changes to the plan prior to putting it on the ballot for a public vote.
When the Chairman of the Study Commission asked the members present if they would agree to continue their work another year they all said “no”. So who really denied the public a chance to vote on a plan for consolidation? In fact, the Study Commission voted to dissolve just three days after presenting the final document to the delegation, making it apparent they did not want any public participation. As Rick Outzen of the Independent News stated “this document had no public input, none!”
I do not believe, as one of our Commissioners recently stated, that any County Commissioner or any City Council member wanted to deny the public a chance to vote. I do not believe the public that we represent wants us to support a plan that has had no public participation, consists of forty-seven pages of legal jargon that many average voters would not read prior to voting, a plan that the Study Commission’s own experts stated would provide no tax savings and would most likely cause a need for a tax increase. The twenty-five members of the Study Commission worked hard and with good intentions, but by their own admission they did not have enough time.
NHS Students Design Sawmill Pageant Posters
March 19, 2010
Northview High School’s 2-D Design art classes participated in the 19th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Freshman Julia Thorpe placed first in the contest to create the best poster to promote the pageant. Freshman Beni Joe Deron placed second in the poster contest, and Junior Victoria Childers placed third. Thorpe received a $25 prize for her efforts.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Julia Thorpe, first place; Beni Joe Deron, second place; and Victoria Childers,third place. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Army JROTIC Qualifies For State Drill Meet
March 19, 2010
The Tate High School Army JROTC Unit has qualified to compete in the State Drill Meet to be held in Lakeland, Florida on April 16th -18th.
The Tate High School cadets qualified after participating in the Area 11 Regional Drill Meet where they took first place in four events: Male/Mixed Armed Squad (Commander Cadet Akers), Male/Mixed Armed Squad Exhibition (Commander Cadet Weatherholtz), Armed Dual Exhibition and Armed Drill Knock-Out (Cadet Robbins).
The Aggies Drill Team is comprised of thirty-three cadets who have dedicated time before and after school for extended practices. During the state competition, 50 additional schools from across Florida will demonstrate their talent, and represent their respected regions.
Escambia County High Principal Contract Not Renewed; No New Head Coach
March 19, 2010
Escambia County High School in Atmore will have a new principal next year, in addition to a new head football coach.
The Escambia County (Ala.) School Board discussed Means’ contract as well as a job offer to a new teacher that would have possibly served as the new football coach.
With no member making a motion following the executive session, the board effectively failed to renew the contract of Principal Harvey Means. His current two-year contract ends with this school year. Also due to the lack of a motion, the board took no action on the new teacher for Escambia County High.
Kyle Davis was relieved of his head coaching duties at Escambia County High School back in December.
The board did vote to rehire Escambia County Middle School Principal Zickeyous Byrd. When negotiations are complete, he will be back at Atmore’s middle school on a new three-year contract.
Bank Robbers Sentenced
March 19, 2010
James Johnson, 35, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Casey M. Rodgers to 47.5 years in federal prison following Johnson’s guilty plea to two counts of bank robbery and two counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to bank robbery.
Johnson and his co-defendant, Jerome Edward Morgan, both pled guilty to robbing the United Bank in Pace, Florida on May 30, 2008, as well as the related charge of using a firearm during and in relation to that robbery. In addition, Johnson, Morgan and another co-defendant, Christopher Isaiah Woodberry, pled guilty to the June 6, 2008 robbery of the Central Credit Union of Florida in Pensacola, Florida, as well as the related charge of use of a firearm during and in relation to that bank robbery.
Jerome Edward Morgan was sentenced to a term of 40 years in federal prison by Judge Rodgers on February 11, 2009. Woodberry was sentenced by Judge Rodgers to a term of 23 years and eight months in federal prison on February 27, 2009.
Praising the investigation of the robberies that led to the identification and capture of these suspects, Mr. Kirwin stated, “This case was a model of collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s office, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence demonstrates that punishment will be severe for those committing armed offenses that threaten the safety of innocent persons.”
Saturday Is Opening Day For Northwest Escambia Little League
March 19, 2010
Saturday is the first day of spring and time to play ball in Walnut Hill.
Northwest Escambia Little League will kick off their season with Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Games will follow all day, including the start of the second season for Wee Ball on Drew’s Field.
Each team will also have booths set up with activities for children and lots of food.
Admission is free.
Pictured above: Scenes from the first NWE Wee Ball practice game of the year between Drew’s Dream Team and the Corn Huskers. Submitted photos by Blair Scott for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crop Production Meeting Monday In Jay
March 19, 2010
A Crop Production Meeting sponsored by the University of Florida IFAS Extension will be held Monday at the Jay Community Center.
The day-long event will include NRCS updates; and economic outlook from Auburn Economist Steve Brown; weed management options, peanut variety and cotton variety updates, alternative crop production, pesticide practices and disease control from leading researchers from the University of Georgia, University of Florida and more.
To register, call the Santa Rosa County Extension Office at (850) 675-6654. CEU’s will be available.
For a complete schedule of events, click here (pdf).
Firefighters Respond To Vehicle Fire Next To Molino Home
March 18, 2010
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle fire reportedly threatening a structure near Molino this afternoon.
Fire stations across the area were dispatched to the 4700 block of Richardson Lane about 4:25 p.m. A Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was fully involved in fire next to a house when they arrived.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control without damage to the home. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters battle a vehicle fire next to a Molino home Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Food Stamp Traffickers in Massive Statewide Sweep
March 18, 2010
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) today announced the arrest of 21 store owners and clerks in an intensive 10-week, statewide undercover operation to combat public assistance fraud. “Operation Cash Exchange” targeted retailers illegally providing cash from government issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards which are authorized only for the purchase of approved food staples. The operation began January 7 and culminated with the execution of search and arrest warrants at 15 stores in 10 cities on yesterday.
The arrests included Gregory J. Greene, 33, and Charles T. Greene, 61, of Greene’s Produce in Pensacola. Both have been released from the Escambia County Jail on bond.
FDLE says the Greenes would process electronic food stamp cards for cash, keeping half for themselves and giving half to customers. During one visit by FDLE to the store, an undercover agent told Charles Greene that she needed rent money. Greene allegedly process a food stamp transaction, giving the undercover officer half of the money.
“These stores were trafficking in tax-payer dollars,” said Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “Taking cash from the food stamp program is a felony, and we rounded up retailers who were running this scam as a part of their daily routine.”
During the operation, undercover operatives visited convenience stores, small grocery markets and gas stations and used food stamp benefits on undercover EBT cards to acquire cash and other items ineligible for purchase. Store owners and clerks rang through a transaction that indicated a food staple purchase, but then provided a portion of the transaction amount back to the undercover operative in the form of cash and retained a portion for themselves. In most cases, few or no food items were purchased.
In addition to the cash transactions, stores also allowed the card to be used to purchase prohibited items such as alcohol and cigarettes, subsequently avoiding paying taxes on those items. In two stores, the undercover operative successfully purchased scratch-off lottery tickets. In one Central Florida store, an undercover operative used the card to purchase a small quantity of the prescription pain killer Oxycodone.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which administers the federal food stamp program, the 15 stores targeted during the operation have committed an estimated $3.5 million in food stamp fraud over the last 12 months. More than $10,000 in cash exchanges occurred during the operation.
“At a time when more Floridians than ever need our help, those who steal from this critical program are stealing from the 2.5 million people in this state who are in legitimate need of food stamps,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon. “I applaud FDLE’s aggressive efforts to punish this especially heinous form of fraud. Such arrests will ensure that honest Floridians who need a helping hand receive that assistance.”
Additional arrests are expected. In addition to state charges, the store owners may face federal penalties by the USDA for violating food stamp program guidelines. These penalties may include fines, temporary or permanent disqualification, and forfeiture of property.
Stores that sold lottery tickets and unauthorized items will be referred to the Florida Department of Lottery and the Florida Department of Revenue for further action.
FDLE will soon begin Phase II of the operation that will target actual public assistance recipients who illegally obtain cash through food stamp benefits on EBT cards.
The federal food stamp program is known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Paper food stamps are no longer issued; instead, benefits are awarded in the form of credit on EBT cards. The USDA establishes the criteria for authorized food purchases, determines which stores are authorized to accept food stamp benefits, and has the authority to administer sanctions to stores violating program guidelines. The Department of Children and Families determines SNAP eligibility and allotments and distributes benefits to individuals. FDLE’s Public Assistance Fraud Program investigates misuse and abuse in the state’s public assistance programs.