First Baptist Bratt Collecting Supplies For Alabama Tornado Victims

April 28, 2011

The First Baptist Church of Bratt is collecting supplies today to be delivered to Alabama tornado victims tomorrow.

The church on Highway 4 near Northview High School is collecting batteries of any size and paper goods such as paper plates, napkins, paper towels and toilet paper. Items will be accepted at the church from until 6 p.m. today and will be delivered to a church in the tornado-stricken area tomorrow.

Alabama Tornado Death Toll Surpasses 200

April 28, 2011

The death toll from Alabama’s tornado outbreak on Wednesday has risen to 204.

Emergency crews worked since last night to free people trapped in the rubble from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and beyond — and to recover the bodies of the victims. A state of emergency has been declared by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, and Pres. Obama has done the same. Nearly 1,500 Alabama National Guardsmen have been activated to assist.

Over 1,700 people were injured.

Authorities are saying the death tolls is only expected to rise in the coming days.

The video at the top of the page shows damage near McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. The video below shows the storm live on Birmingham television.

Ballpark Warns Of Possible Scam

April 28, 2011

The president of the Molino Ballpark is issuing a warning to the community about a possible scam.

Jayson Ging said late Wednesday night that Molino Ballpark officials had learned that someone may be claiming to sell fruit baskets or raffle tickets for the park or a team, but none of the Molino teams are currently conducting such a fundraiser.

“I know that a few people have been scammed already,” Ging said. He said that Molino ball teams do conduct fundraisers, but they mostly take place at the ballpark. “This one is a individual without any connection with the park taking advantage of people.”

The possible fraud is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with any information about the possible fraud, or anyone that believes they may be a victim, should call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

Molino Couple Pleads Not Guilty In Cancer Scam Case

April 28, 2011

ride-for-sonja-10.jpg

http://www.northescambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lukers11.jpgThe Molino couple accused in a fake cancer scam that raised thousands of dollars have both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, were due to appear in court today before Judge Joel Boles for an arraignment hearing on felony charges of fraud and grand theft. Through their attorneys, both Lukers waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty prior to today’s hearings, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

But the Lukershave  requested a trial by jury. A trial date has not yet been set.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used to avoid foreclosure on their home in 2009 and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.

For an earlier story about the arrests, click here.

Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Northview, Jay Both Lose In Region 1-2A Quarterfinals (With Photo Gallery)

April 28, 2011

The Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals are both out of the Region 1-2A tournament after disappointing losses Wednesday.

The Northview Lady Chiefs (15-10) lost to the Sneads Pirates 6-2 in a Bratt quarterfinal game.  Sophomore Misty Doran pitched all seven innings for Northview, allowing seven hits, six runs and striking out three. Northview hitters included Shawna Montgomery 2-4 with a double and RBI, Doran and Ashley Digmon who was 3-4.

On the road in Bonifay, the Jay Lady Royals lost to Holmes County 8-6.

Sneads and Holmes County will battle it out Friday night for the regional championship.

For a photo gallery from the Northview vs. Sneads game, click here.

Pictured top: Senior Shawna Montgomery at bat for the Lady Chiefs. Pictured inset: Senior Ashely Digmon make a catch for an out Thursday evening in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

House Balking At Higher Fla. Medicaid Reimbursements

April 28, 2011

The Senate’s top health-budget writer fired back Wednesday night at House opposition to a plan that would funnel more money to physicians who treat Medicaid patients. Senate budget negotiators released a revised proposal to increase Medicaid rates by $243.7 million for primary-care physicians.

That was lower than a $338 million Senate proposal earlier in the day.

But House negotiators balked at increasing the payment rates, linking the issue to the House’s refusal to carry out last year’s federal health-care overhaul. That federal law calls for similar physician-rate increases in 2013 and 2014.

Negron, however, said many doctors do not want to treat Medicaid patients because of low rates. He said the Senate has long wanted increases — regardless of the federal law.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time before that,’’ Negron said. The physician issue is one of several major differences between the House and Senate as they try to agree on a health and human-services budget. Senate negotiators tinkered Wednesday night with one of those issues — slightly reducing a proposal to slash funding for adult mental-health programs.

But House Health Care Appropriations Chairman Matt Hudson, R-Naples, made clear that negotiating teams might not be able to resolve the major differences. If that is the case, top House and Senate leaders would have to negotiate the issues, which also include cutting nursing-home and hospital Medicaid rates and potentially cutting the Medically Needy program.

“I’m not sure, quite honestly, where we’re going to get on some of these big substantive items,” Hudson said.

By The News Service Of Florida

Senate Pres: Budget Will Have Tax Cuts, But Probably Not Scott’s

April 28, 2011

Gov. Rick Scott once again said Wednesday that he was confident that lawmakers would eventually approve his plan to begin phasing out the corporate income tax before they leave Tallahassee next week. Legislative leaders once again all but said Scott wouldn’t get it.

In what is shaping up as one of the more intriguing back-and-forths between the new governor and the Legislature, Scott continued what has been a daily refrain that, despite all signs to the contrary, his proposals would find new life soon enough.

“We have a great speaker. We have a great Senate president,” Scott said. “They believe the same way I do that tax cuts are important to get our economy going again. So I’m convinced that we’ll have them.”

Still, no such move appeared forthcoming as lawmakers began to huddle in House-Senate conference committee aimed at banging out agreements between the two chambers’ versions of the spending plan.

Sen. Don Gaetz, the Niceville Republican who chairs the conference committee handling tax issues, compared Scott’s drive for the tax cuts with one of his personal goals.

“I continue to express confidence that I will lose 20 pounds,” he said after the committee’s original meeting.

Asked what that might mean about the realism of the governor’s hopes, Gaetz said: “I had a salad for dinner last night.”

The agreement on the broad contours of a budget deal reached earlier this week by House and Senate leaders call for $136.1 million for economic development and tax cuts, but only $30 million of that is recurring.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos (pictured) said he did expect tax relief and perhaps a rollback of some of the fee increases lawmakers approved in 2009. But the corporate income plan was notably missing from his list of possible targets: driver’s license fees, research and development tax cuts and a back-to-school sales tax holiday.

“I’ve had very few people in my career come to me and say the reason why they did not come to the state of Florida is because of the corporate tax rate,” he said. “But the governor, again, is an equal partner, and we want to try to help him along in his process with his priorities.”

Lawmakers were close to a deal on some of the tax-cut provisions after an evening meeting of the committee handling those issues.

Haridopolos said that the size of the relief offered by lawmakers would likely be more than $30 million in recurring money, though he didn’t specify how much. He noted that lawmakers were initially skeptical about their ability to do any tax cuts in the session, focusing instead on closing a $3.75 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes.

“If we can get to some tax relief, we’d be very pleased with our progress,” Haridopolos said.

But the Senate president said that even without a deal on the business tax, which was one of the central planks of Scott’s economic plan in his 2010 campaign, the governor could consider his first session a success when it came to gaining ground on his campaign pledges: To set Florida apart from other mega-states like California and Texas in terms of its economic development climate.

“I think his No. 1 campaign promise is to be seen as the most business friendly state in the country,” Haridopolos said.

By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service Florida

Century Mayor: Loss Of A Hospital Can Devastate A Town

April 28, 2011

As a public meeting is planned for tonight in Jay to addresses rumored changes to the lease on the town’s non-profit hospital, Century Mayor Freddie McCall said he can sympathize with Jay’s concerns.

When Century’s hospital was closed several years ago, it was a prelude to the downfall of the community and the eventual closure of the town’s schools, McCall said.

“We’ve been there; I know what it’s going to do to their town if they lose the hospital,” McCall said. “It’s going to be a disaster.”

Any major changes at Jay Hospital will only serve to hurt Century, McCall said.

“Jay Hospital is very, very important to us in Century and the surrounding area,” he said. “People without transportation already have to hire someone to take them from Century eight miles to Jay. If that hospital closes, it’s going to be a sad thing.”

For more about possible changes at Jay Hospital and a planned public meeting, click here.

Pictured top: Century’s former hospital. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

House, Senate Panels Approved Judicial Review For Hospital Sales, Leases

April 28, 2011

As residents of Jay and surrounding areas meet tonight to discuss a rumored sale or lease change for Jay Hospital (more…), Florida House and Senate committees have approved bills that would create new barriers to selling or leasing public hospitals.

The issue has touched off a fierce lobbying battle, with for-profit hospitals pushing the measures and public hospitals and the Florida Hospital Association opposing them.

The bills (HB 619 and SB 1448) would lead to circuit judges having to sign off on sales or leases of public hospitals. Supporters say the proposals would make such deals more transparent and ensure they are fair.

“All I’m trying to do is protect the taxpayers, simple as that,’’ said Senate sponsor Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah.

But opponents say the state already has a law that protects taxpayers. They also said public-hospital boards of directors — rather than judges — should make the decisions about the taxpayer-funded facilities.

“Public trustees, we believe, will make the best decisions for their community, because they’re there,’’ said Rich Rasmussen, a lobbyist for the Florida Hospital Association.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-2 Monday to approve its version of the bill, while the House Health & Human Services Committee voted 11-5 to approve its proposal.

HB 619 is ready to go to the full House, while SB 1448 is assigned to two more committees — a potential problem with less than two weeks left in the legislative session.

The bills would set criteria for judges to review hospital sales or leases, such as whether the deals are at “fair market value.” If a deal is not at fair-market value, the judge would have to consider whether the “public interest will be served.’’

The Senate version also raises the possibility that proposed sales or leases could go to voter referendums instead of court reviews. But that proposal drew little attention Monday, as debate focused on potential judicial review.

House sponsor, Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, said his version could affect as many as 23 hospitals. Eight publicly-owned hospitals would be exempt because they have not been supported by property taxes or other local tax dollars within the past five years.

For-profit hospital companies, including Tenet Healthcare Corp. and Health Management Associates, have expressed support for the bills during committee meetings.

Tenet lobbyist Steve Uhlfelder said the bill would make sure investor-owned companies have an opportunity to compete if public hospitals will be sold or leased.

“We want fairness in the process,’’ Uhlfelder said.

But Mark Delegal, a lobbyist for the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, which includes public hospitals, said he thinks for-profit companies have two possible motives.

Delegal said for-profit companies might want to thwart the sales of public hospitals, which could put those public hospitals at a competitive disadvantage. On the other extreme, he said another possibility is that for-profit companies are trying to set the stage to buy public hospitals.

A central part of the debate has been a proposed merger between the public Bert Fish Medical Center in Volusia County and the private Adventist Health System. The deal died after it was revealed that the Bert Fish board violated the state’s Sunshine Law by repeatedly holding closed-door meetings about the issue.

Health Management Associates, which is based in Naples, also sought to reach a deal with Bert Fish, according to reports in The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida, a business group that includes for-profit hospitals, used the Bert Fish situation to rebut arguments that local hospital boards should be trusted.

“Are you kidding me? … Absolutely not,” Bishop told the House committee.

But Ron Book, a lobbyist for the North and South Broward hospital districts and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, said Bert Fish’s violation of the open-government law shouldn’t be used to impugn other hospital boards across the state. He said that is “simply wrong.’’

Escambia Academy Hosting Trail Ride

April 28, 2011

The Escambia Academy Trail Ride will be held this Saturday to benefit the school’s athletic programs.

The event will take place at Matthew’s  Hunting Club on Baldwin County Highway 61 among 10,000 acres of timberland. There will be two rides — one before a BBQ lunch and one after. Tickets are $20 per horse or wagon for the first and second rides plus lunch and dinner. Meal tickets only are $10.

For more information, click here.

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