Century Business Owner Repaying Thousands In Sales Tax Theft Case
October 14, 2010
A Century woman is repaying tens of thousands of dollars in sales tax that she collected from customers but the Florida Department of Revenue says she failed to remit to the state.
Tania Michelle Cunningham 36, of Century, surrendered to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department on September 8, 2009 on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to theft of state funds. In Escambia County Circuit Court, most of the charges against Cunningham were dropped, and she entered into a plea agreement under which adjudication was withheld on two charges of failure to remit sales tax.
Cunningham was sentenced to 15 years probation, and she was also ordered to pay $76,974.49 in restitution to the Florida Department of Revenue. The restitution amount included both back sales taxes, interest and investigation costs, according to court records.
Department of Revenue investigators alleged that Cunningham routinely collected tax from customers at the businesses; but, during various periods beginning in 2004 through 2006, she failed to send to the state all of the sales taxes that she had collected. Under state law, sales tax is the property of the state at the moment of collection.
According to the Department of Revenue, Cunningham operated Kim’s Mini Mart at 8130 North Century Boulevard and Kim’s Beauty World at 9420 North Century Boulevard during the tax periods in question.
Corrections Officer Convicted On Drugs For Sex Charges
October 14, 2010
A former corrections officer at the Escambia County Road Prison in Cantonment has been found guilty of providing Xanax to an inmate in exchange for oral sex.
Lawrence Thomas Vieitez was convicted by an Escambia County jury on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, introducing contraband into a county detention facility and solicitation to commit prostitution.
Vietez faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
After an Escambia Road Prison inmate complained about the correction officer’s advances, road prison officials filed a report with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The inmate was fitted with a listening device while working under the supervision of Vieitez .
The sheriff’s office reported that a deputy was able to listen in as Vieitez offered to exchange the Xanax for oral sex. Vieitez reportedly went home to retrieve the Xanax. When he returned and that inmate stated that he received the Xanax, Vieitez was arrested.
The Escambia County Road Prison is operated by Escambia County; it is the only county-operated road camp in Florida.
Jay, Northview Cross Country Team Members Set Records
October 14, 2010
Runners from Northview and Jay High set personal best times during a cross county meet Tuesday at Sims Middle School in Pace.
In a field of 12 teams, the Lady Royals placed third, while Northview’s boys’ and girls’ teams both placed 11.
Robin Blackman led the Royals with a new personal record of 21:09. Josh Scott, 19th overall, led the Chiefs with a new personal best time of 19:19; and Georgia Goetter placed 20th overall among girls with a 23:01 personal best time.
Rounding out the top five for the Royals were Allison Blair (22:10), Leely Trevino (22:30), Jenna Thornton (23:36, a personal record), and Jorja Agrait (24:05). Other runners to set personal records for Jay were Ally Settle (24:53) and Samantha Cerqueira (27:33).
Northview times were as follows:
Girls
- Georgia Goetter 23:10
- Jazzlyn Franklin 31:56
- Julia Thorpe 31:57
- Ashley Gunter 33:13
- Madalyn Coon 33:30
- Taylor Hubbard 34:50
Boys
- Josh Scott 19:19
- Dustin Lewis 21:23
- AJ Lambert 22:06
- Tristan Creamer 25:06
- Aaron Rausch 25:12
- Dillian Crutchfield 26:21
- Justin King 29:55
- Jacob Boswell 33:43
Blackcat Invitational
The girls cross county team from Jay placed first among Saturday Rosa County schools this past Saturday at the Blackcat Invitational held at the East Milton Recreational Park.
The overall 8th grade champion, Jessica Thornton of Jay finished with a time of 22:33, and the 11th grade champion, Allison Blair of Jay finished with a time of 22:25.
The Royals also had the first and second place finishers among Santa Rosa schools. Leely Trevino was first with a time of 21:37, and Robin Blackman finished second with a time of 21:50. Trevino and Blackman also placed in the top 15 runners overall. Jay placed third in a field of 12 teams.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Auction Planned For Friday’s Molino Park Carnival (With Item List)
October 14, 2010
The annual Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival is Friday, and that means it is time for the carnival’s popular auctions.
The event will take place from 4-8 p.m. at the school, featuring games, food, entertainment and much more. Everyone is welcome to attend for great family fun.
This year’s auction items will include:
Photography Package
One free photo session, no sitting fee, 1 free 8×10, 10% off all other prints. Donated by: Amanda Leatherberry
Hunting trip
Free Friday and Saturday hunting trip to “A Few More Dollars” private hunting camp located in Repton, AL (overnight stay options). Donated by: Brian Morris
Handmade porch swing
Hand-crafted wood porch swing with cup holders. Donated by: Gene Vardeman.
Smoke ‘n grill
Charcoal Smoker & grill. Donated by: Sports Academy.
Toy Camero
Silver remote control toy Camero with rechargeable battery. Donated By: Walnut Hill Farm Supply
Resort package
Includes: 2 night stay in a 2 bedroom unit at one of many deluxe condominiums from Gulf Shores, Alabama to Panama City Beach, Florida. All located on the Gulf Coast. A 10% off Alvin’s Island gift card. Donated by: Resort Quest
Shopping package
Includes: $100 Grocery Advantage gift card; $25 Sam’s Club gift card, plus two $10 Winn Dixie gift cards
Bird feeder
3-d Dragonfly bird feeder by Heath. Donated By: Walnut Hill Farm Supply
Womens package
A Miche purse, one week tanning, free eyebrow wax, free manicure. Donated by: Rene Jones (Miche), The Bronze Connection
NorthEscambia.com advertising
Receive one month of NorthEscambia.com advertising valued at $300. Can be used by a business, or donated to your favorite church or charity.
The hunter’s package
One free deer processing, one free European skull mount, Mike’s Outdoor Sports $25 gift card, twp 50 lb bags of SMS Deer Mix, two 40 lb bags of apple deer corn, ammo box. Donated by: Vanderpol Taxidermy, Mike’s Outdoor Sports, and Southern Mill and Supply
Diner’s delight
$50 Applebee’s gift card, $25 Bonefish Grill gift card, $20 Carrabba’s gift card, $15 Scenic Cafe gift card, Dinner for two at the Alabama Wing House
Anniversary package
$100 Premier jewelry certificate, $45 Carrabba’s gift card, one free dozen roses, $20 Cake Shop gift card. Donated by: Liz Mulcahy (Premier), Cabbabba’s, Blossom’s. and The Cake Shop
Family fun package
$30 Dreamland Skate Center gift card, four free skate passes, Sam’s Fun City Wristband, four family track go-kart rides, four games funtastic mini-golf, four free games of bowling, two -free kid’s night out at the Flip Factory, and two free riding lessons at Pensacola Riding Center. Donated by: Dreamland Skate Center, Sam’s Fun City, Fast Eddies, Flip Factory, Deluna Lanes, and Pensacola Riding Center
Spa basket
Donated by: Candy McGahan
Horse lovers package
One gently used buck-stitch small pony saddle, one handcrafted large black horse halter with matching lead, purple braided nose band, purchased from Southern Mill
& Feed in Molino, handcrafted by Miss Molly. Donated by: His for Him Ministry. Package value: $65.
Pictured above: Just a few of the auction items at last year’s Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Fire Department Receives $10,000 Award
October 14, 2010
The Flomaton Fire Department has received a $10,000 award from Georgia-Pacific, the company announced Wednesday.
The Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade is a national program that recognizes the contributions of fire departments in communities with Georgia-Pacific facilities. Launched in 2006, the initiative has contributed approximately $600,000 to rural and small town fire units across the United States.
The program supports firefighters with product and cash donations for programming and purchasing necessary equipment, and safety education materials for presentations in local schools. This year’s 23 Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade winners were chosen from more than 120 applicants in 23 states. This year’s grants will total $175,000, the largest amount awarded in the program’s history.
“We know first-hand the significant role these fire units play in the life of a community. The Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade is one way we say ‘thank you’ for their work,” said Jim Hannan, CEO and President of Georgia-Pacific. “Many of our own employees are members of their local fire and rescue units, so we also know the need for the financial support necessary to safely continue the work these departments do
In the surrounding area, the Excel (Ala.) Fire Department and the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department in Milton also received $10,000 awards.
$244K North Escambia Lottery Ticket Goes Unclaimed, Now Worthless
October 14, 2010
A winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in North Escambia that was worth almost a quarter million dollars is now worthless.
No one ever stepped forward to claim the $244,468.47 prize from the winning ticket that was purchased April 9, 2010, at the State Line O’Yes Lotto at 11331 Highway 97 in Davisville, according to the Florida Lottery.
The Florida Lottery allows winners 180 days to claim their prize. The April 9 winning ticket expired, with the $244.468.47 split 80 percent going to the Education Trust Fund and the remaining 20 percent returned to the prize pool.
Lottery officials said the ticket was a “Quick Pick” with numbers randomly chosen by the lottery machine. Only one ticket matched the winning numbers: 13-21-25-28-36.
This was not the first time this year that a winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold in the North Escambia area went unclaimed.
A $68,663.34 lottery prize for a winning ticket sold January 25 at McDonald’s State Line Lotto on Highway 87 near Jay was forfeited in July after the prize went unclaimed.
Students Learn Ag Safety, Meet Auburn’s Eagles
October 14, 2010
About 500 fifth grade students in Escambia County, Alabama, recently had the opportunity to learn about agricultural safety and see two of Auburn University’s eagles at the same time.
The Progressive Agriculture Safety Days program was presented at the Auburn Experiment Center in Brewton.
A “Birds of Prey” presentation from the Southeastern Raptor Center from Auburn University included a variety of owls, falcons and hawks. Roy Crowe, AU raptor education specialist and Marianne Murphy Hudson, AU raptor education biologist, presented a variety of birds during the concluding portion of the day’s events. They also had a special surprise, “Spirit”, Auburn University’s bald eagle and “Nova, War Eagle VII”, a golden eagle, were the highlight of the show.
“It is very rare that they bring both eagles to a presentation but after a practice flight in Jordan Hare earlier that morning they decided to surprise them,” said Susan Rhodes from the Escambia County Extension System.
Also included during the Farm Safety Day Program were sessions on Tractor and Lawn Mower Safety presented by the Brewton Agriculture Research Center; Sub Safety presented by Carolyn Bivins with Escambia County Extension Service; Deadly Look-a-Likes/Chemical Safety by Ken Kelly from Escambia County Extension Service; Electrical Safety presented by Jeff Kirkland from Southern Pine Electric Cooperative; ATV Safety from Cynthia Knowelton from the Escambia County Extension Office; Just Say No to Drugs and Meth Awareness by Heath Jackson; 911 and Brewton Fire Department techniques and Safety Tips presented by Kevin Hoomes.
Last week marked the eighth year of the program.
Man Sentenced In Connection With 2009 Traffic Fatality Near Jay
October 14, 2010
A Santa Rosa County man has been sentenced in connection with a 2009 traffic crash near Jay that left that a Milton man dead and injured a Century man.
Woodrow Faulkner, 40, of Milton was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and his driver’s license was suspended for six months after he was charged with passing while meeting oncoming traffic.
Faulkner was involved in an accident in October, 2009, that killed Richard D. Foster, 43, of Milton. The accident happened about 10:15 a.m. on State Road 4 and County Road 164, just east of Jay.
Foster was driving east on Highway 4, headed up a hill, in his 1999 GMC pickup. At the top of the hill, he met a red 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Faulkner as he passed a SUV and a tractor-trailer in a no-passing zone, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. All of the drivers involved tried to avoid a crash — Foster and the tractor-trailer rig headed off the highway and collided. Foster’s pickup burst into flames.
The tractor-trailer driver, August Pace, 62, of Century, received just minor injuries in the crash.
Pictured: The driver of this white pickup, Richard D. Foster, 43, was killed in a collision with this 18-wheeler driven by a Century man in October 2009 about five miles east of Jay. File photo courtesy WEAR TV 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Cantonment
October 13, 2010
A lottery ticket sold in Cantonment was one of Tuesday’s big winners in the Florida Lottery’s Fantasy 5 drawing.
The ticket sold at Gee Willies on North Highway 29 was one of three tickets that matched winning combination of 8-12-19-25-36. Each ticket was worth $65,039.24 each. The other winning tickets were sold in Lauderhill and Hialeah.
No Serious Injuries In Kingsfield Crash; Driver Ticketed
October 13, 2010
There was only one minor injury in a two vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon on Kingsfield Road.
Don Morris, 80, of Cantonment, pulled out from a stop sign on Ryale Road into the path of 2010 Ford Mustang driven by Kenneth Smith, 21, of Cantonment, as he was traveling east on Kingsfield Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Ford came to rest across a nearby concrete ditch following the 12:50 p.m. crash.
Smith sustained minor injuries but not was not transported to the hospital. Morris, who was charged with violation of the right of way, was not injured.
Engine 419 of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.