Near Mistrial In Stallworth Trial
April 28, 2011
There was nearly a mistrial Wednesday in the trial of Billings murder suspect Donnie Stallworth when a star witness almost refused to testify.
Donnie Stallworth is facing two counts of first degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of the Beulah couple in July 2009 — one of seven people charged in the double murder. The former Air Force staff sergeant went on trail last month, but a judge declared a mistrial after a jury could not decide his fate during nine hours of deliberations.
Tuesday, co-defendant Rakeem Florence testified against the Brewton man in his second trial, claiming that Stallworth picked up a gun while inside the Billings home. Florence pleaded to a lesser charge of second degree murder under an agreement to testify against other defendants, including Stallworth.
But Wednesday, Florence did not want to testify, telling prosecutors that he wanted to withdraw his plea. Florence’s attorney was called, who in turn called Florence’s mother. A couple of hours later, Florence was back on the witness stand.
As Stallworth’s trial continues Thursday, co-defendant Freddy Thornton is expected to testify against Stallworth.
Main Street Sewage Plant Shuts Down, Sending Everything To Cantonment
April 28, 2011
Today is the last day for the old Main Street sewage plant in downtown Pensacola as all of ECUA’s wastewater will finally be processed in Cantonment.
The 70-year old plant has been operating partially since ECUA opened the new $316-million Central Water Reclamation Facility15 miles north in Cantonment last August. But beginning Monday, ECUA plans to begin shutting down the old downtown plant that locals affectionately refer to as “Old Stinky”.
The new plant sits on 2,000 acres of land adjacent to Ascend Performance Materials (formerly Solutia) on Old Chemstrand Road near Cantonment. A full 15 miles north of the existing Main Street Treatment Plant, the facility is well above the flood plain and is built to resist hurricane-force winds. Redundant power and storage systems help to ensure that the facility can remain operational during conditions that crippled the Main Street plant during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Reclaimed water from the Cantonment facility is provided to Gulf Power and International Paper for use at their facilities.
Originally designed and constructed in 1937, the Main Street plant underwent numerous expansions in the 1970’s and mid-1990’s. According to projected plans, the anticipated time frame for dismantling the old facility is about 9-12 months once the ECUA awards the contract to a bidder sometime this spring.
Pictured top: The Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia’s Murder Rate Highest In The State
April 28, 2011
Escambia County had the highest murder rate in Florida during 2010, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics.
There were more murders per 100,000 people in Escambia County than any other county last year — including Duval and Miami-Dade counties. There were 29 murders in Escambia County last year, 11 more than 2009 and almost three times more than 2005 and 2006.
Of the 29 murders in 2010, 16 involved a firearm, five involved a knife or other cutting instrument, three involved hands or fists and five were classified as “other”. Just four were considered to be domestic violence incidents.
Byrneville Elementary Honors Three Outstanding Students
April 28, 2011
Byrneville Elementary School is honoring three outstanding students. They are (L-R) Byrneville Elementary’s Student of the Year Shellie Harrelson, Cox Inspirational Hero Award winner Anna Belle Barberree, and the fourth grade’s Shining Star award winner Peyton Newsome. Also pictured is Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan. Submitted photo by Candice Thornton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Good Samaritan Victim Of Robbery, Kidnapping And Theft
April 27, 2011
A Good Samaritan act earlier today led to a carjacking, kidnapping and theft.
Brenda Bartley, 50, was working at Pine Summit Baptist Church in the 2000 block of Bellview Avenue around 8:30 a.m., when she unlocked the doors for a local homeless man. She told deputies that the man, known only to her as J.R., was a regular visitor of the church and she often provided him with food.
Once inside the church, the man told Bartley that he had a gun and pointed something at her and demanded her car keys. The man, after asking Bartley where she banked, forced her to drive him to Harvester’s Credit Union, at the intersection of Highway 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, where he made her withdraw money from her bank account.
Bartley was then forced to drive to the Tom Thumb, located at the intersection of Lillian Highway and Bauer Road, where she was told to fill her vehicle up with gas.
Bartley then drove to the dead end of South Fairfield Drive where she was released. Bartley walked to the Circle K at Fairfield Drive and Gulf Beach Highway and called the Sheriff’s Office at 9:43 a.m.
The suspect has been described as a white male in his fifties, 5-foot 9-inches tall with a thin build. He is said to have a mustache and sandy blonde or gray hair.
The victim’s car is a gray, 4-door Honda Accord with a Florida license plate.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Financial Assistance Drug Test Bill Passes House
April 27, 2011
People who test positive for illegal drugs would be prevented from collecting temporary financial assistance from the state under a measure approved Tuesday by the Florida House.
By a 78-38 vote, the House approved a measure (HB 353) that backers say would help ensure that tax dollars are spent to feed families and not the addictions of drug abusers receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a program administered by the state that provides up to $300 a month in federal money for up to 48 months to low income residents.
“This money is taxpayers’ money that is supposed to go to take care of our families,” said Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, a freshman and sponsor of the bill. The proposal prompted a series of questions from Democrats skeptical over the science behind the policy and whether such testing would violate Florida’s constitutional right to privacy
Deputies Seek Suspects In Escambia County Shooting
April 27, 2011
An Escambia County man was injured Tuesday evening in a shooting and deputies are trying to identify suspects.
James Edward Taylor, 58, was shot at about 6:15 p.m. during an altercation with two others.
Deputies were called to the 2700 block of West Maxwell Street for the shooting. When they arrived, they were told that the Taylor had been driven to Baptist Hospital by a friend.
Witnesses told deputies that Taylor was arguing with two other men when one of them pulled a gun and fired two rounds, one of which struck Taylor in the left leg. Both men then fled on foot.
The suspects were described as black males with one wearing a purple shirt and white pants and the other wearing a white shirt and dark pants.
Taylor, who was being treated for minor injuries at the hospital, told deputies that he would not be able to positively identify any suspects.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Community Concerned Jay Hospital To Be Closed, Merged, Leased Or Sold
April 27, 2011
[First On NorthEscambia.com] The town of Jay is abuzz that their hospital is about to be closed, sold or merged with another — and town officials along with the hospital’s advisory board have called a meeting for Thursday to address the public’s concerns.
“There are so many people hearing different things and are not sure what’s going on,” said Dr. David Smith, a Jay Hospital physician and advisory board member.
Baptist Health Care of Pensacola leases the 55-bed Jay Hospital from Santa Rosa County to operate as a non-profit community hospital. Baptist is considering a request to the Santa Rosa County Commission that would alter the 99-year lease and allow them to merge or negotiate with Health Management Associates of Naples, Florida, according to Smith. HMA operates the Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton.
“They want to strike out the word ‘non-profit’, and that’s not keeping with the present lease,” Smith said. “We are concerned that if it were to be run as a for-profit hospital by another hospital 30 miles away, due diligence might mean that some services like the laboratory could be moved to Milton. Or they could possibly even close the emergency room.”
The doctor said that consolidation with the Santa Rosa Medical Center and operation by a for-profit company could leave Jay Hospital looking like less than a medical facility, and “that would not serve our county very well”.
“We want to find out what is going on,” Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls said Tuesday afternoon. “We still don’t know anything from Baptist.”
Qualls said the town has scheduled a public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Jay Civic Center for members of the Jay Hospital Advisory Board to address the town’s citizens. “We want to know more than just the rumors,” he said.
“Baptist Health Care and Jay Hospital have enjoyed a strong relationship for over 30 years and Baptist has no intentions to sell or close this hospital. Jay Hospital’s success has been accomplished through a quality medical staff, supportive community, and effective management,” Liz Adams, Baptist spokesperson, said in a written statement released late Tuesday afternoon to NorthEscambia.com.
“Baptist Health Care is always committed to collaborating with hospitals in the region to meet the health care needs of our communities. Jay Hospital is an important part of Baptist Health Care and we are committed to its success,” Adams continued.
Adams declined to discuss if Baptist Health Care was seeking any change to the hospital lease or any possible agreement with HMA.
Smith said that if Baptist does seek to offer another party a lease on Jay Hospital, the advisory board wants 90 days to evaluate it and “help select our new managing partner”.
NorthEscambia.com was unable to reach a spokesperson for HMA late Tuesday afternoon. Jay Hospital board members declined comment, citing confidentiality agreements with Baptist Healthcare.
Jay Hospital serves not only Jay, but other communities in the area including Century, Flomaton, Chumuckla and other portions of North Escambia.
Still A Chance Of Storms Tonight
April 27, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 78. North wind around 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Bills That Favor Gun Owners Poised To Become Law
April 27, 2011
The House passed two measures supported by the powerful National Rifle Association on Tuesday — one that penalizes counties and cities that pass gun regulations that are stricter than state law and another that limits a doctor’s ability to ask questions about gun ownership.
The Senate is poised to pass similar measures this week, positioning both for likely approval soon by Gov. Rick Scott.
House Democrats slammed both measures for favoring the rights of gun owners over a doctor’s interest in protecting patients – particularly children – and the rights of counties and cities to pass ordinances to protect the safety of their residents.
One measure approved by the House on a 88-30 mostly party-line vote represents a compromise between two lobbying groups, the National Rifle Association and the Florida Medical Association.
The bill (HB 155) limits a doctor from asking a patient about gun ownership if it’s not relevant to the patient’s care, and prevents the doctor from noting gun ownership in a patient’s medical file unless the information is pertinent to the patient’s safety or the safety of others.
Republicans touted the measure as a happy compromise, even though pediatricians still oppose the bill. In its original form, the bill prohibited doctors from ever asking patients about gun ownership.
“The fact that it is better than it was doesn’t make it good,” said Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek. “It’s still an infringement on medical care.”
Republican lawmakers said the bill protects a gun owner from being asked intrusive questions.
“For your children’s doctor to question you regarding gun ownership is absurd,” said Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights. He said the “murder rate is very high in Jacksonville. A well-armed citizenry is necessary.”
NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer, who was watching the House debate from the gallery, said it is “common” for doctors to ask these questions, though she could not provide an exact number for how many people have complained about such questions being asked.
The second bill (HB 45), approved on a 85-33 vote on predominantly party lines, puts teeth into a current state law that prohibits cities and counties for enacting stricter gun laws than the state.
It would impose financial penalties and allow elected officials to be fired for violating the law.
“This bill is not about protecting the second amendment,” argued Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee. He said the bill (HB 45) simply would prevent a city or county from regulating guns, jeopardizing the safety of the community.
Republicans defended the measure as a way of making sure cities and counties comply with an existing law. In several instances, counties have enacted stricter gun laws than the state, Republicans said, and felt they could do so because there were no significant consequences for violating the state’s pre-emption law.
“The only thing this bill punishes is arrogance,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Ft. Walton Beach.
The Senate is poised to take up those same measures (SB 402, SB 432) on Wednesday, along with an NRA-supported bill that was intended to allow gun owners to “open-carry” their guns in stores and in other approved areas.
Those bills make up the NRA’s entire legislative agenda this session.
But an amendment to the open-carry bill (SB 234) approved by the NRA would water down the bill so that it would only affect a situation where a person with a concealed-weapons permit “accidentally or inadvertently” shows their gun, so long as it is not in a “rude, angry or threatening manner.”
Lobbyists for retail stores had opposed the bill because they feared allowing guns to be worn openly into stores would scare off customers. The amendment would soothe their concerns by only permitting guns to be “accidentally” shown at a store.
Hammer said she will talk with the governor about signing the NRA-backed bills once they are passed.
“I have not talked to him about the individual bills,” Hammer said. “The time to do that is when he gets them and we will have that conversation. He is super strong on the Second Amendment.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida