Double Murder Trial Of Cantonment Man Postponed
June 13, 2011
Trial has been postponed for the man accused of the stabbing death of a pregnant Cantonment woman and her baby.
Phillip Arnold, 65, of Cantonment, is facing two first degree premeditated murder charges for the stabbing deaths of Angela Castella Brown and her newborn child on July 5 in Cantonment.
Arnold appeared before Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford Friday, at which time his trial was rescheduled. July selection in the accused murderer’s case is now set to begin July 5 — exactly one year to the day after the murder of Angela Brown.
Brown, who was six months pregnant, underwent an emergency C-section after she was stabbed. The newborn, later named Angela Chambers, died just over seven hours after being delivered.
Arnold, 65, of 349 South Chipper Road, fatally stabbed Brown in the chest, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Arnold and Brown were neighbors, and that was their only known connection, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to the stabbing at a mobile home at 349 South Chipper Road about 8:35 p.m on July 5. When they arrived, witnesses told deputies that Arnold fled into a nearby wooded area. As deputies were arriving in the area, EMS personnel advised they had seen a black male running down the railroad tracks on South Chipper Road.
Witnesses at the scene reported observing a black male known to them as Arnold running from the scene moments before they discovered the victim, according to the Sheriff’s Office. K-9 officers attempting to track Arnold discovered a knife that was believed to be the murder weapon. As deputies were surrounding the area to search for Arnold, he called sheriff’s dispatchers about 9:10 p.m. Arnold said he was at a home at 2473 Stacey Road and that he wanted to turn himself in. He was taken into custody without incident.
Brown was the mother of seven other children.
Arnold remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Century Names Architectural Review Board
June 13, 2011
Century has appointed an architectural review board to oversee building changes in the town’s historic district.
Consultant Debbie Nickles said the board was needed in advance of any possible Community Development Block Grant awards that would lead to housing rehab in the historic district.
Three residents of the historic district, Edna Earle Barnes, Lina Showalter and Rose Wilson were appointed to the board, along with council member Gary Riley and contractor Russell Peacock.
The board, which has not held a meeting in many years, will schedule future meetings as required, Nickles said.
Century was recently awarded a $650,000 CDBG grant to rehabilitate substandard housing in Century, estimated to be enough funding for nine houses. At least one of the applicants resides within the historic district.
Boil Water Advisory For Becks Lake Road, Stone Blvd.
June 13, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on all of Becks Lake Road and all of Stone Boulevard in Cantonment.
This notice was issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov.
Summer Reading Programs Continue This Week At Area Libraries
June 13, 2011
Summer reading program area going on at area libraries. The free events will be held at the Century, Jay, Flomaton and Atmore libraries. Schedules are listed below for each.
Century Branch Library
In addition to the programs below, story time is at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays
June 14 Noon
Kathleen Gibson Music
Kathleen is an award winning family entertainer, song writer, author, producer and recording artist. She shares her underlying and uplifting message that each person has a special gift that no one else in the world ever had. “YOU can find your gift, and use it to make a difference in the world.”
June 21 Noon
Walkabout Puppets
Australian puppeteer Bob Parsons performs a variety of shows using marionettes. It’s sure to please children of all ages.
June 28 Noon
Pat Nease Stories
Witty and wicked stories from storyteller Pat Neese.
July 4 Noon
Red String Wayang Theare
July 12 Noon
Beau Broomall Magic Show
Beau Broomall will show off his special magical talents.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
Jay Library
In addition to the programs for K-5 below, story time is at 11 a.m. for preschoolers.
June 13 1 p.m.
Storyteller Pat Neese
Witty, wiley and wicked stories from the wide, wide world.
June 20 1 p.m.
Magician Beau Broomall
Magic from around the world
June 27 1 p.m.
Musician Melinda Mills
Have a world of fun through music and dance
July 11 1 p.m.
Native American Stories
July 18 1 p.m.
Storyville
Jacksonville State University Children’s Theater
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
Flomaton Library
Around the World with the Flomaton Public Library Summer Reading Program will be held each Thursday, June 30-August 4 from 10-11 a.m.
For more information, contact the Flomaton Library at (251) 296-3552.
Atmore Library
The Summer Reading Program at the Atmore Public Library will be held each Friday through June 24 from 10-11 a.m. for ages 4-12. For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
Pictured top: Children enjoy Skip Cain Magic Guy at the Century Branch Library during last week’s summer reading program. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Fifth Graders Awarded
June 13, 2011
The following fifth grade students received end of the year academic awards at Byrneville Elementary School:
Reading:
Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Abby Hammond
2nd Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
Math:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Bailee Hinote
2nd Highest Average: Jayda Warner
Science:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Bailee Hinote
Social Studies:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Destiny Watson
2nd Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Anna Belle Barberree
2nd Highest Average: Alaina Rolin
2nd Highest Average: Logan Calloway
Language Arts:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Shellie Harrelson
Most Improved in Reading: Levi Wagner
Most Improved in Math: Levi Cofield
Most Improved in Science: Zynaisha Davis
Most Improved in Social Studies: Brandon Jones
Most Improved in Language Arts: Joey Killam
Most Improved in Writing: Logan Hanks
Most Improved in Citizenship: Logan Walters
Invention Convention Winners:
1st Place: Bailee Hinote
2nd Place: Beau Henderson
3rd Place: Alaina Rolin
Most AR points: Destiny Watson
2nd Most AR points: Alaina Rolin
“A” Honor Roll All Year:
Anna Belle Barberree
Kayla Galvan
Shellie Harrelson
Bailee Hinote
Alaina Rolin
Jayda Warner
Logan Calloway
Beau Henderson
“A-B” Honor Roll All Year:
Jenna Black
Abby Hammond
Patience Newsome
Meagan Reid
Destiny Watson
Photos: GCA & NRA Hold Annual Awards Banquet
June 13, 2011
The Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association (GCA and NRA) held their 18th annual awards banquet this weekend at the Langley Bell 4-H Club Center.
The following awards were presented before a crowd of about 140 people:
- Allie Vidak — 2011 Show Heifer of the Year
- Tyler Vines — 2011 Show Steer of the Year
- Tyler Knowles — 2011 4-H Spirit Award.
- Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham and Mick Breault — 2011 Breeder of the Year Award.
- Ashley Cunningham — 2011 Grand Champion Steer, 2011 Grand Champion Heifer presented by the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: The 2011 Show Heifer of the Year award is presented to Allie Vidak (left) by Allison Meharg and Sharon Meharg. Pictured below: The breeder of the year award with Scott Cunningham, Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, Mick Breault, and Jack Livingston. Submitted photos by Jerry Marbut for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm Hill Neighborhood Watch Tonight
June 13, 2011
A new neighborhood watch program will meet tonight in the Farm Hill community.
The Farm Hill Neighborhood Watch program meeting will be Monday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farm Hill Baptist Church at 111 Madrid Road.
The group was organized in April with the help of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Pharmacists Concerned About Florida’s Planned Medicaid Overhaul
June 12, 2011
“I need my nighttime pill. And I need my little red one.”
Sometimes there’s just no substitute for a local pharmacist that knows customers by name. And knows exactly what they need when the ask for their “nighttime pill”. That’s just one of the points being made by independent pharmacists across the state worried that Florida is opening the door to increased use of mail-order pharmacies — and, ultimately, threatening the mom-and-pop store’s existence.
Pharmacist Kim Cadenhead of Kim’s Family Pharmacy in Cantonment is concerned about a massive Medicaid overhaul that lawmakers passed last month. If approved by the federal government, the overhaul will shift hundreds of thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries into managed-care plans, which could rely more on mail-order pharmacies.
“It will be hard for some Medicaid patients to navigate a system that relies on mail order and phone calls,” she said. “Many people with Medicaid appreciate that one on one or face to face with their pharmacist.”
Independent pharmacy operators from across the state are raising similar concerns.
“It’s not about saving money,’’ said Tracey Jackson, whose family runs Jackson’s Drug Store in the north Florida town of Monticello. “It’s about the big corporations having every ounce of the business.’’
Cadenhead makes no secret that she has a personal vested financial interest in Medicaid patients having the right to choose their pharmacy. At Kim’s Family Pharmacy, which is located in a shopping strip next to Grocery Advantage a short distance north of the paper mill, about 30 percent of the business is from Medicaid customers.
If about 30 percent of her business is lost, Cadenhead said her business will obviously suffer and employees with lose their jobs.
Preston McDonald agrees. He is vice-president of the Escambia County Pharmacy Association and board member for the Florida Pharmacy Association. While he works for a corporate-owned pharmacy at the Winn Dixie in Cantonment, he said some community pharmacies depend heavily on Medicaid customers for business.
“If they lose that, they might as well hang a sign on the door,’’ McDonald said. “They will close.’’
But the real concern is still about the Medicaid patients, Cadenhead insists. Her list of concerns about exclusive mail order requirements, or even the requirement that only certain, and most likely large corporate, pharmacies could be used.
“What if they were allowed to just use CVS for instance,” she said. “That can’t work.” An elderly patient in Century or Walnut Hill might have a difficult time getting transportation to the nearest CVS in Cantonment, rather than using one of the pharmacies in Century or Molino.
Any pharmacy mail order program implemented for Florida’s Medicaid patients would be for so-called “maintenance drugs” — drugs taken month after month for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or acid reflux. The plan would direct Medicaid recipients to certain pharmacies for urgent prescriptions like antibiotics.
The law leaves it up to managed-care plans to determine how beneficiaries will receive prescriptions. But Roberta Bradford, deputy secretary for Medicaid at the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), said the agency would make sure plans have adequate provider networks so beneficiaries will have access to medications.
Jessy Fry, co-chairman of the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network, asked. Fry said mailing expensive HIV medications could help fuel theft and sales on the black market. He also questioned whether drugs could go bad in the Florida heat.
“Mail order in Florida? In July? Really?’’ Fry asked.
Other provisions in the law passed during the spring legislative session are also raising complaints, such as its requirement that seniors go into Medicaid managed-care plans.
Laura Cantwell, an official with AARP Florida, said it is unrealistic to expect seniors to move into managed-care plans by an October 1, 2013, deadline included in the overhaul. She said it should first be tried as a pilot program.
Tallahassee elder-law attorney Twyla Sketchley went further, saying the system could lead to “granny dumping for profit,’’ as HMOs would have financial incentives to move people out of costly nursing homes.
But Michael Garner, president of the Florida Association of Health Plans, vehemently disputed that characterization. Garner and legislative supporters say managed care will allow seniors to receive services in their homes and communities and stay out of nursing homes as long as possible.
“I really have to question how anyone could call that granny dumping,’’ Garner said.
40 Percent Chance Of Afternoon Rain
June 12, 2011
Not everyone will get wet Sunday afternoon, but many will see showers and thunderstorms again.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Area Airman Helps With Japan Earthquake Relief
June 12, 2011
The son of a North Escambia area man didn’t know what to expect. He’d seen pictures of the devastation on television and in the newspapers, and he knew he had to help, but how? It didn’t take long for him to find out.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason T. Wintersteen (pictured), son of Jay Wintersteen of Santa Rosa County, was one of more than 20,000 U.S. military men and women, who have provided assistance in support of Operation Pacific Passage. The operation provides the authorized voluntary return of military family members from Japan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. Operation Tomodachi provides humanitarian assistance and recovery operations to the people of Japan.
Operation Pacific Passage has airlifted more than 7,000 passengers and more than 400 pets via military and commercial aircraft from various locations in Japan, and Operation Tomodachi has resulted in more than 400 missions being flown, more than 2800 tons of cargo, and more than 400,000 pounds of fuel delivered. Military members are also assisting in the cleanup of communities and airports.
“I supported the Noncombatant Evacuation and Repatriation Operations and airplane missions going north to Sendai to help with relief efforts,” said Wintersteen, who is assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota. “I also provided electrical support for multinational support agencies during their deployment in support of Operation Tomodachi.”
While nothing can totally prepare service members with the training they need to handle a disaster of this magnitude, the fact that they must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice has come in handy during this operation.
“This is the first time that I have been involved in a humanitarian mission of this scope,” said Wintersteen, who graduated from Rutherford High School, and the University of Maryland University College in 2009 through the military extension program.
Operations of this type are very important because they further demonstrate the longstanding and close working relationships that the United States has developed with many countries around the world over the years.
“This type of operation is important because Japan is one of our closest allies. They would do the same if we experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude,” said Wintersteen.
Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship, in the Japanese translation, means helping friends. For Wintersteen and the others, it has become more like helping family.
“Being involved in this operation made a big impact on me,” said Wintersteen.
Pictured top: Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct a countermeasure wash down on the flight deck. Sailors scrubbed the external surfaces on the flight deck and island superstructure to remove potential radiation contamination. Ronald Reagan is operating off the coast of Japan providing humanitarian assistance as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi. Pictured bottom inset: Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 730th Air Mobility Squadron pack and secure a pallet of relief supplies inside a cargo warehouse at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Pictured below: Houses lie in ruins in the Miyagi Prefecture after the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 in Japan. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
