Panhandle Corrections Officer Dies In The Line Of Duty
February 2, 2011
The Florida Department of Corrections is grieving the death of an officer shot and killed today in the pursuit of a suspected double murderer in Holmes County. The officer was assisting the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office in the hunt for the alleged killer.
Correctional Officer Colonel Greg Malloy, 44, was mortally wounded in an exchange of gunfire with suspect Wade Williams. Malloy was working as part of the Holmes Correctional Institution K-9 tracking team. The suspect, wanted for the double homicide of his parents, was also killed during the exchange.
“Words can never express our emotions when an Officer falls in the line of duty,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Walt McNeil. “Tragedies such as today’s underscore the dangers inherent in our profession, both inside and outside the prison walls. We extend our condolences to Greg’s family and his co-workers.”
Malloy’s family issued the following statement: “We will never forget the kindness we received from the public, law enforcement and correctional community during this difficult day. Please accept our gratitude for your outpouring support and kind expression of sympathy.”
Malloy began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1988 as a correctional officer and rose through the ranks.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation.
Winter Weather Advisory Issued For South Alabama
February 2, 2011
A winter weather advisory has been issued for South Alabama, including Escambia County, Alabama. The advisory does not currently include any Florida counties.
The National Weather Service has issued the advisory from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday.
According to the NWS, very cold surface based Arctic air and strong wind energy in the jet stream aloft will work in concert to produce a period of freezing rain developing later tonight and continuing through late Thursday afternoon.
The precipitation will likely begin as a period of sleet late tonight over interior southeastern Mississippi and interior southwest Alabama and develop northeastward as the night progresses to be approximately north of a line from Perkinston, Mississippi to Citronelle, Appleton,Andalusia and Brantley in Alabama.
“We must emphasize the NWS expects the wintry precipitation to begin as sleet and then change over to freezing rain as the night progresses,” the National Weather Service said in their advisory.
The most intense precipitation rates are still expected around sunrise and will endure through tomorrow afternoon. Up to roughly fifteen hundredths of an inch of liquid equivalent rainfall could occur, and this will create a light to moderate glaze accrual especially on bridges and overpasses. Less than a half inch of sleet is expected at the onset of the precipitation and before it changes to freezing rain.
An Early Spring? North Escambia Weather Ducks Miss Shadow
February 2, 2011
On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted an early spring.
Forklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks (pictured above).
And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also did not see their shadow this morning here in North Escambia as they checked their weather computer.
For those that might be a little unsure as the weather ducks’ ability, we offer the two photographs below showing the weather ducks predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2010 and 10 days later with their snowman in Atmore.
EWMS Teacher Receives National Award; Northview, Tate Students Honored
February 2, 2011
An Ernest Ward Middle School teacher was the recipient of a national volunteer and community service award Tuesday night, while students from Northview and Tate high schools received awards for their essays.
Katie Ward, drama program instructor at Ernest Ward, received the highest honor bestowed by the Pensacola chapter of the Freedoms Foundation during the ceremony at Seville Quarter. Ward (pictured left) was the first place, meritorious recipient of the “George Washington Honor Medal” in the teacher or administrator category.
Ward was honored for the community outreach of her drama program during the most recent Veterans’ Day program at Ernest Ward. She led the students in creating several video interviews with local veterans, with the oral histories preserved in the school’s library for future generations.
“George Washington Honor Medal” youth essay winners were also named Tuesday night for their essays on “What Is Your American Dream”. Winners included Anna Beth Barlow from Tate High School, and Dixie Carnley and Katelyn Garrison of Northview High School.
The Escambia County School District was also honored by the foundation for raising $114,000 for an Emerald Coast Honor Flight donation.
Founded in 1949, the Freedoms Foundation is a national, non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization. The Freedoms Foundation provides a wide range of educational and awards programs for students, teachers and citizens to gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the principles and responsibilities of a free and democratic society.
Pictured above: Northview High School George Washington Honor Medal winners Katelyn Garrison and Dixie Carnley. Pictured inset: Ernest Ward Middle School drama instructor Katie Ward speaks during a Veterans Day program at the school. Pictured below: EWMS Drama students reenact the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima during the EWMS Veterans Day program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 4,000 Lose Power Due To Storms
February 2, 2011
A line of fast moving storms left over 4,000 customers in the dark Tuesday night.
Gulf Power reported 4,200 customers without power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including many in Cantonment and a portion of Molino.
An unknown number of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers also lost power, as did hundreds of Alabama Power customers in Atmore and Flomaton.
Most customers had their power restored within a couple of hours.
Pictured: High winds Tuesday night toppled this tree on West Kingsfield Road. Submitted photo by Kari Doyle for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Scott Calls For Big Changes In State Pension Plan
February 2, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott proposed wide-ranging changes to the state’s pension plan Tuesday, demanding 5 percent contributions from 655,000 public employees and requiring all new hires to enroll in investment plans.
Scott, who said his plan would save Florida taxpayers $2.8 billion over the next two years, also would close the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to new participants in July, a move that would likely push more senior government workers into the plan before the deadline, signaling their eventual retirement.
Scott has said he wants to reduce the state’s workforce by 5 percent this year.
“I want to make sure that the pension plan is something that anyone who’s relying on it knows that the money is going to be there,” Scott said. “Step two, I want to make sure that taxpayers are treated fairly. And I want to treat employees fairly.
“In the private sector, if you have a plan you generally participate,” he added.
State analysts have said the 5 percent contribution rate proposed by Scott would save $1.3 billion the first year – an amount which closely corresponds with a $1.4 billion reduction in property taxes – a campaign pledge Scott has said he will meet, despite drawing early opposition from fellow Republicans in the Legislature.
When asked Tuesday, however, if the two issues are linked, Scott had a one-word reply:
“No,” the governor said.
School board employees form the largest share of Florida Retirement System participants, records show.
But the wider pool of government workers affected by Scott’s contribution plan could help the governor, politically. In applying the hit to a broad group of employees, it could blunt criticism that the move unfairly targets state workers, who haven’t drawn an across-the-board pay raise since October 2006.
Teachers, though, haven’t fared much better, said Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the Florida Education Association, which endorsed Scott opponent, Democrat Alex Sink, in last fall’s governor’s race.
“Pay has been stagnant,” Pudlow said of teachers. “But if we’re going to talk about equity – making employees contribute like those in most other states – what about equity in salaries and pension benefits? Florida has been below most states in each.”
Doug Martin, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), said the most jarring element of Scott’s plan is his proposal to close the traditional Florida Retirement System pension plan to new employees on July 1 – forcing new hires to join defined contribution plans similar to private sector 401 (k)s.
“You will wind up with a dwindling number of active employees who pay for an increasing number of retirees,” Martin said. “Employees will have to continue to contribute more or you will destabilize the system.”
Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, chairman of the Government Oversight and Accountability Committee, said lawmakers are also considering an FRS contribution plan. But the level will not be set until budget talks are further along, he said.
“Directionally, a few of the areas where he’s going, are also where we’ve been,” Ring said. “But we haven’t talked about getting rid of DROP. He may be a little more aggressive than what we’re looking at.”
Scott outlined his plan during a Tuesday visit to Arthrex, Inc., an orthopedic equipment engineering company in his Naples hometown. The location was intended to draw parallels between government employees and private industry.
Among other changes he proposed was ending an annual 3 percent cost of living adjustment on retirement benefits on service after July 1, leaving current retirees unaffected.
In another recommended change, Scott also takes on the annual accrual rate. When combined with an employee’s years of service – the accrual rate is a multiplier for calculating benefits. Scott would hold that rate at 1.6 percent for most employees, although senior management, judges and elected officials would be reduced from current levels ranging from 2 percent to 3.3 percent.
Scott also proposed cutting special risk class members – mostly police and firefighters – to 2 percent, from their current 3 percent level. The state’s largest law enforcement union, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, also backed Sink in last fall’s governor’s race.
“I think the police and fire unions will have a real hard time swallowing that,” Ring said of the reduction.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, part of the Senate’s leadership team, said Scott’s proposal largely expands on pitches he made during his campaign for governor.
“He ran on cutting spending and increasing jobs,” Gaetz said. “Pay and benefits are a big area of state spending.”
But Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, said Scott’s proposal amounts to a 5 percent “tax” on state workers.
“I fail to see how the governor’s proposal concerning the Florida Retirement System can improve the economy,” Williams said.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida
Century Awards Contracts For Some Future Sewer Repairs
February 2, 2011
The Town of Century has approved contracts with two Gulf Coast firms to perform work beyond the ability of the town’s water and sewer department employees.
The contracts essential put the qualified contractors “on call” to repair system problems as needed. That, according to town engineer Dale Long, will save repair delays for the bidding process since the repair process will be pre-bid.
Contracts were awarded to two low bidders — Pensacola Concrete Construction Company and Slaughter Construction of Gulf Shores. They companies bid on a “menu” of potential services such as emergency repairs, video inspections, replacing manholes, sidewalks and other tasks the town’s employees are unable to perform.
“This is not a project per se, it ‘s more like a laundry list,” Long said.
The contracted services will not cost the town any money until the services are actually used. If a contractor is called, they expect at least $5,000 worth of work, Long said.
United Way Director Resigns, Bob McLaughlin Named Interim
February 2, 2011
The leader of United Way of Escambia County resigned on Tuesday, and a former county administrator was named to take her place until a permanent replacement is named.
United Way of Escambia County accepted the voluntary resignation of Jean Norman, president/CEO of the agency since March 2005.
Her resignation came days after a director resigned after she forgot to apply for a $283,000 in federal funding for emergency shelter and food. Her final day is Friday.
Board Chair Doris Young said: “During her service, Jean was a committed, hands-on leader who cared deeply about making Escambia County a better place to live. Among many significant contributions, Jean was the first chair of the Unite Escambia Poverty Solutions Team and has been instrumental in helping United Way and the community focus around the goal of reducing poverty by 50 percent by 2020.”
United Way of Escambia County Board member and former Escambia County Administrator Bob McLaughlin has been named as the interim president/CEO. The search for a new president/CEO is underway.
While the leadership transition is under way, United Way of Escambia County board members will continue a recently initiated internal review of all programs, grants, processes, job descriptions, and internal checks and balances. Leadership changes and recommendations that come from the internal review will help the agency become stronger and more focused, according to a statement from the agency.
Atmore Names Citizen Of Year, Lifetime Achievement Honoree
February 2, 2011
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce honored two of the city’s finest citizens during their annual banquet Tuesday night.
Phil Johnson was named the 2011 Citizen of the Year. Johnson is active in a leadership role with Greater Escambia Council for the Arts.
John Garrard received the Lifetime Achievement award. He served on the Atmore City Council for 16 years, is a former bank president, and has volunteered for numerous organizations including the Atmore Rotary Club and the Atmore Public Library board.
Pictured: John Garrard, recipient of the Atmore Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, waves during Atmore’s Veterans Day parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Celebrates With Literacy Luau
February 2, 2011
Byrneville Elementary School joined in the excitement of “Celebrate Literacy Week” with a “Literacy Luau”.
The goals of “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” were to promote literacy throughout the state by raising awareness of the programs and projects offered by the Department of Education and its partner agencies and organizations, and most of all, to promote the enjoyment of reading for children and adults of all ages.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.