Video Allegedly Shows Candidate Stealing Opponent’s Signs
July 27, 2010
Accusations are flying between two local candidates over a video that shows one stealing his opponent’s campaign signs, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Saturday night, Republic State Congressional District 1 candidate Greg Brown, Jr.and his wife Jennifer were videotaped as they removed campaign signs belonging to opponent Doug Broxson. The signs were removed from property near Milton belonging to Okaloosa County attorney Don Dewrell. (The complete video is at the bottom of this story.)
Brown does not deny removing his opponent’s signs, but he says he had permission from the property owner.
“The video in question was deliberately taken and distributed to appear as if I had participated in some type of juvenile campaign trick.” Brown said. “After witnessing me removing the signs, as I had permission to do, rather than call the property owner or myself, Doug Broxson’s campaign anonymously dropped off the video with press, email lists, and the Sheriff’s department to discredit me.”
The video was taken using a night-vision camera from behind a bush or tree about 8:45 Saturday night by Broxson’s son Jason Broxson. Brown and his wife are seen moving around several campaign signs, eventually removing several. Each time a car passes, the couple pauses.
The video has sound, with Brown and his wife caught speaking. The volume of the conversation is very low; however, text superimposed on the video suggest what is being said.
“Is that good?” the video alleges that Jennifer Brown said after removing signs.
“Wait…your fingerprints are still on the ones laying down,” the video claims Brown responded.
A statement released by Brown’s campaign Monday afternoon claims the signs were not stolen, and provides the following statement from Dewrell, the property owner: “Greg Brown called me several months ago for permission to place his sign on my property at State Road 87 and State Road 89 and I gave him exclusive permission to place his campaign signs there…Within that exclusive permission he had the authority to remove any of his opponents’ signs that appeared on my property. None of his opponents asked for permission.”
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing the claims and the video to determine if any laws were broken.
“The worse part of it all is Doug Broxson is wasting the law enforcement’s time and using the media for political cheap shots instead of campaigning on real issues. Just this past weekend I hand delivered a letter to Mr. Broxson demanding that he stop a “push” poll by his campaign or his supporters that falsely claimed I had been arrested for drunk driving,” Brown said. “Doug Broxson will use whatever trick he can to win an election.”
Florida House District 1 includes the northern two-thirds of Escambia County, most of Santa Rosa County and a portion of Okaloosa County. The seat is being vacated by Greg Evers who is running for Florida Senate District 2.
In addition to Broxson and Brown, Republicans Ricky Perritt and Ferd Salomon and independent Mathias Venditto are seeking the House seat. Perritt was arrested Monday night; click here for that story.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Investigates 13th Murder Of The Year
July 27, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the 13th murder of the year in the county.
A man was found dead at the Mayfair Motel on Mobile Highway about 11 a.m. The man’s identity has not been released.
The Sheriff’s Office has released few details, other than to say the death has been ruled a homicide.
Florida’s Citizens Insurance Rate Increase Approved
July 27, 2010
Hoping to gain ground on what critics say are actuarially unsound rates, the board of governors of the state-created property insurance pool on Monday approved rate increase requests of up to 10.2 percent for homeowners while proposing to drop rates for thousands of others in less vulnerable parts of the state.
Meeting via phone, the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. board voted unanimously to seek new rates for most of their nearly 1.2 million policyholders who get their insurance from what is now the largest property insurer in the state.
Among other large groups, the board approved rate increase requests of 7.4 percent for mobile homeowners and 2.2 percent for condominium owners. Renters would get a break, with average rates dropping 2.2 percent.
All rates must still be approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation and would begin going into effect for policies renewed early next year.
“Right now this is only a request,” said Citizens spokeswoman Christine Ashburn.
Homeowners would see a maximum increase of 10.2 percent, thanks in large part to a 10-percent cap placed on rate hikes by lawmakers in 2008. If unregulated, Citizens estimates that rates would have to rise nearly 56 percent to make the rates commensurate with the risk.
Commercial property owners will see rates going up an average of 11.6 percent, which includes a 1.6 percent increase to help build up the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Lawmakers are trying to shore up the fund, which is used to offset losses after private companies pay out in the event of a storm.
Some policyholders in Lee County will see rates drop by 10 percent, while others in the county will see rates climb by 10.7 percent, the highest rate allowable.
Citizens now insures most coastal residents by providing wind and multi-peril insurance to homeowners, businesses and other commercial property owners. Lawmakers have spent the past several sessions trying to bolster the private insurance market by making Citizens rates more in line with what private companies would charge to cover coastal risk.
Free Today: New Orleans Saints Tour Comes To Escambia
July 27, 2010
The New Orleans Saints “Championship Tour” is coming to the Pensacola Civic Center on Tuesday.
The tour will feature extensive displays celebrating the Saints’ 31-17 Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010 — including the Lombardi Trophy.
The Championship Tour will be at the Pensacola Civic Center Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
“Our fans are the inspiration and foundation of our success, it is important to me and our organization to share these symbols of our Championship with as many of our fans throughout the Gulf South as possible,” said Saints Owner Tom Benson.
“We are excited to share the Vince Lombardi Trophy and our World Championship with the most deserving fans in all of sports,” said Saints Owner/Executive Vice-President Rita Benson LeBlanc. “Nowhere is the bond between a team and its fans stronger than with the Saints and our fans in the entire Gulf South region. We are very proud of the positive attention this Championship has brought our city, state and region and encourage all of our fans to come celebrate their Championship with us.”
Among the notable displays that will be included on the tour will be: The Vince Lombardi Trophy, a Super Bowl display featuring Saints’ MVP QB Drew Brees’ Super Bowl helmet and jersey as well as other memorabilia from Super Bowl XLIV, a highlight video, the Halas Trophy (won in the team’s 31-28 NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings) and photos taken by official team photographer Michael C. Hebert.
There will also be displays featuring the official Super Bowl ring, and an area to view memorabilia celebrating the playing career of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee LB Rickey Jackson. In addition there will be exhibition areas including the presence of the official cheerleading squad of the Saints, the Saintsations, and an interactive element featuring Saints Experience games, as well as displays by the Marines and officially licensed Saints memorabilia and ticket information.
Bratt Man Celebrates 100th Birthday
July 27, 2010
John B. Gilman of Bratt celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday, surrounded by family and friends at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Gilman said his secret of a long life was “always getting along well with others”. He still lives at home, and family members said he is doing quite well, has a remarkable memory and enjoys spending time with his family.
Gilman has nine children, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Hot, Humid, PM Rain
July 27, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95.
Traffic Watch: Delays On Highway 4 At Canoe Creek
July 26, 2010
Traffic delays are expected this morning on Highway 4 at Canoe Creek.
Traffic will be stopped or reduced to one lane as Florida Department of Transportation contractor Volkert Engineering performs bridge inspections. The work is expected to continue for a few hours.
Canoe Creek is located between Bratt and Byrneville.
Lightning Strike Sends Steeple Crashing Into Church Roof
July 26, 2010
Lightning struck a North Escambia church Sunday afternoon, sending a portion of the steeple crashing through the church roof.
The lightning hit the First Baptist Church of Cantonment about 2 p.m., splintering the top of the church steeple. The pointed end of the steeple pierced the roof as it fell. The lightning strike also damaged the church’s sound system, fire alarm, computers and phones.
“We thank the Lord this didn’t cause a fire,” said church members Jerry and Lynda Barnes in an email. “Just a couple hours before the lightning strike, the church was packed with people — as we were having our VBS musical — so we are thankful it didn’t happen during that.”
Pictured: Lightning splintered the steeple at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment Sunday afternoon. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pair Pleads Guilty To Robbing Three Banks On Alabama-Florida Line
July 26, 2010
A couple described as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde have pleaded guilty to three bank robberies.
Rhianna Marie Jones, 30, of California, and Jerry Hover Tinsley, 30, of North Carolina, have admitted in federal court that they robbed banks in Flomaton, East Brewton and Florala during a March crime spree.
They admitted to taking $4,963 from two tellers at United Bank in Flomaton on March 8, another $2,840 in cash from one teller at BankTrust in East Brewton and $1,700 from a Wachovia Bank in Florala, Ala.
If Jones offers “substantial assistance” to law enforcement, federal prosecutors have offered her a reduced sentence. Prosecutors only agreed to seek the minimum sentence under federal guidelines. Sentencing is scheduled for late October.
During the Flomaton robbery, Tinsley and Jones both presented tellers with demand notes which stated “this is a robbery, place all $100s, $50s, $20s on the counter no alarm no die packs no tracers”, according to federal court documents. A demand note with the same wording was presented during the East Brewton robbery. They did not display a weapon during any of the robberies.
Authorities said Tinsley and Jones picked banks along the state line because they believed Alabama authorities could not pursue them into Florida. Authorities believe in each robbery, the pair fled to Florida immediately after the holdups — including March 8 when they fled into North Escambia following the Flomaton robbery.
The pair was arrested by federal agents and local law enforcement after a short chase from a Motel 6 in Destin, Florida, March 18. The arrest was reportedly the result of a tip phoned into the Florala (Ala.) Police Department concerning a MySpace photo.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrants Unit was assisting the FBI from Mobile in the hunt for Tinsley and Jones. They determined that they were staying in the Motel 6 located at 405 Harbor Boulevard in Destin. In addition to being suspects in the bank robberies, authorities knew Jones was wanted on felony charges out of Pinellas County, Florida, and Tinsley was suspected of being in violation of his probation.
At 11:14 p.m. March 18, the pair was seen leaving the Motel 6 in a gold color 2004 Chevrolet Impala with a Florida tag. Deputies attempted a traffic stop in the parking lot, but Tinsley and Jones fled westbound on Harbor Boulevard, a four lane divided highway, at a high rate of speed, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
“Tinsley, who was identified as the driver, was passing around and between cars to get away,” according to Okaloosa Deputy Todd Watkins. Speeds in the chase, according to Watkins, reach in excess of 90 mph. Tinsley, who is known by the street name “Prison Ink” turned onto two-lane roads, and the chase continued over 90 mph until he turned onto the dead end Sea Hills Drive. The total distance of the chase was about 1.8 miles.
While several units pursued the vehicle down the dead end street, Deputy Watkins went to an adjacent street where he observed the duo flee on foot. He was able to take Tinsley into custody, while Jones fled into a wooded area. She was located a short time later hiding in some brush in a fenced in yard.
Local charges were filed by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office: Tinsley was charged with fleeing and eluding at high speed, resisting arrest without violence, and possession of a controlled substance, and Jones was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Tinsley reportedly had two grams cocaine and three Oxycontin pills in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Pictured top: Rhianna Marie Jones and Jerry Hover Tinsley pass holdup notes at the United Bank in Flomaton on March 8. Pictured top inset: Flomaton Police investigate the robbery of the United Bank on Sidney Manning Boulevard. Pictured below: Mug shots of Jones and Tinsley after their arrests in Okaloosa County. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Salters Named Farm Family Of Year During Farm Tour
July 26, 2010
Organizers say the 44th Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour was a success with over 200 local officials and citizens taking part.
On the day-long bus tour, participants learned first-hand of the importance of agriculture and forestry in the county and the issues facing local farmers. Stops on the tour included the Santa Rosa County Extension Demonstration Gardens, Lundy’s Berry Patch, Panhandle Growers, Chumuckla’s Farmers Opry and House Garden, the Jerry Jones Farm, and Holland Farms.
A highlight of the tour was recognition of the John Salter Family as “Outstanding Farm Family of the Year”. John and his wife Stacy accepted the award from County Commissioners Don Salter and Bob Cole during the lunch program at the Farmers’ Opry. Congressman Jeff Miller also presented the couple with a resolution he read before the U. S. House of Representatives honoring the Salter family for their accomplishments. John is a fourth generation farmer who started farming with his dad in 1980. Today the Salters farm 850 acres of cotton, peanuts, corn, and hay. The Salters are leaders in our county’s production of food and fiber and are active in various agricultural organizations.
The Farm Tour is organized each year by the Santa Rosa Farm Tour Committee, comprised of representatives from various agricultural support agencies in the county, and conducted in cooperation with the Board of County Commissioners. Of course, the tour would not be possible without the help of numerous local supporters and corporate sponsors.
The Farm Tour Committee thanked the following sponsors: Burkhead Gin Company, Crop Production Services, Escambia County Bank, Escambia River Electric Coop, Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, First National Bank of Florida, Golden Gin & Warehouse, Griswold Peanut Company, Gulf Power Company, Hall’s Hardware, Helena Chemical Company, Jay Peanut Farmers Coop, Kiwanis Club of Santa Rosa-Sunrise, McKenzie Motor Company, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Publix, Regions Bank, Resource Management Services, Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau, Smith Tractor Company, Syngenta Crop Protection, Three Rivers RC&D Council, and United Bank.