Federal Judge Clarifies Santa Rosa Prayer Order
March 23, 2011
A federal judge has clarified his order concerning prayer, religion and schools in Santa Rosa County.
Federal District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers granted in part a preliminary injunction and granted a request for hearing on remaining claims.
Rodgers clarified that school district employees are allowed to attend religious services such as baccalaureate, even on a school campus.
“This is the only claim involving allegations of school officials threatening discipline for private conduct outside of school or a school event,” Rodgers wrote. “A private religious service is not a school event, even if it takes place in rented school facilities.”
The court prohibited the Santa Rosa County School Board to “from enforcing any school policy that restrains in any way an employee’s participation in, or speech or conduct during, a private religious service, including baccalaureate” pending a full hearing this summer.
Lady Chiefs Beat The ‘Canes Times Two; Boys Beat PCA
March 23, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the Flomaton Hurricanes in both junior varsity and varsity softball action Tuesday.
Northview 8 Flomaton 0 (Varsity)
The varsity Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the Flomaton Hurricanes Tuesday evening, 8-0. Misty Doran pitched a one-hitter and had 14 strikeouts for Northview. Shawna Montgomery went 3-4 with a double and a home run and Doran added a triple. Sarah Killam went 2-3 with a double, Haley Simpson was 2-4 and Kara Hardin was 2-3.
Northview 6 Flomaton 2 (JV)
In JV action, the Lady Chiefs beat the ‘Canes 6-2.
Morgan Digmon (5-1) pitched six innings while allowing only four hits. Shaniqua Jones had a triple. Shelley Mothershed had two hits, and Paeton Hadley had one hit to the lead the JV Chiefs offense.
The Lady Chiefs will be in action again Thursday when they host Jay. Junior varsity is at 4:00 and varsity is at 6:00.
Northview 11 PCA 1 (Boys)
In boy’s baseball action, Northview beat Pensacola Christian 11-1 Tuesday.
Dabney Langhorne went 2-3 for the Chiefs with a double and two runs; Brandon Sheets was 1-3 with a home run, a run and an RBI.
The Chiefs will host Escambia Academy Thursday with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
Gulf Power Warns Of Fake Employee Scam
March 23, 2011
Scam artists have recently victimized residents in Northwest Florida recently by impersonating utility company employees, and Gulf Power is warning customers to be on the alert.
Gulf Power said someone impersonating an employee of the utility company contacted a resident by telephone. The caller told the victim that their electric bill was past due and that electricity would be cut off if the customer did not provide a credit card payment immediately. The card numbers were then used to make fraudulent purchases.
To prevent this from happening , Gulf Power asks customers to remember:
- Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information including credit card numbers.
- Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
- All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225 5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
Flomaton Man Dies In Georgiana Traffic Crash
March 23, 2011
A Flomaton man was killed earlier this week in a traffic crash in Georgiana, Ala.
William Arnold Bell, 64, died as result of injuries he received in the motorcycle crash in the Butler County, Ala., town. Further details about the crash have not yet been released by the Georgiana Police Department.
Lewis T. “Pete” Morgan
March 23, 2011
Lewis T. “Pete” Morgan, 80, of Cantonment, passed away Monday, March 21, 2011 after a brief illness.
Pete was born on October 15, 1930 in Atmore, AL graduated from Pensacola High School in 1950. He entered the United States Navy and proudly served on the USS Saint Paul. He developed a love for law enforcement early in life and after his enlistment in 1956, he embarked on a 33 year career with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department where he was assigned to investigate traffic accidents. After ten years with the Department, he was given the assignment of training school youngster on the Junior Deputy Patrol Units. In 1961, Pete was re-assigned to the Sheriff’s Investigation Division where later he was put in charge of the Department’s crimes against property unit where he remained until his retirement in 1989.
In 1977, Pete entered the Free Masons and was a member of Lodge 42, 32nd Mason. He joined the Hadji Shrine and served on the Oriental Band Unit serving as President several times.
Traveling with friends in his motor home was an enjoyment as well as attending baseball, soccer and basketball games with his grandchildren. Pete will be remembered as a dedicated law enforcement officer, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.
Preceded in death are Pete’s parents, Lloyd Thomas and Elvie Ward Morgan and a son, Lewis Thomas “Tommy” Morgan, Jr.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 51 years, Frances; two sons, Adam Scott and wife Chyloe and Craig Allen and his wife Trish; three beloved grandchildren, Adam, Ciara and Kyle; sister, Winnie Kramer and her husband, Johnny, Mobile, AL and several nieces.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 800 East Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. Funeral services, Pastor David Wiggins officiating, will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home directing.
Interment, with full honors rendered by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard Unit and Masonic Rites, will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hadji Temple Transportation Fund in memory of Pete Morgan.
Penascola Man Killed In Cantonment Traffic Crash
March 22, 2011
A Pensacola man was killed in a high speed traffic crash about 10:00 Tuesday morning in the Cantonment area.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Erskine M. Rushton, 31, was southbound on Highway 297A near County Road 97 in excess of the speed limit when he lost control in a curve. He over-corrected, and his 2009 Nissan Sentra began to spin clockwise into the path of a 2008 Escambia County Road Department truck driven by John Worley, 66, of Pensacola. The front of the work truck struck the side of the Nissan, according to the FHP.
Rushton was pronounced dead at the scene. Worley was transported to a Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. He was the lone occupant of the county truck.
Pictured: A Pensacola man was killed in this accident Tuesday morning on Highway 297A. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Century Delays Approval Of Community Center Rental, Security Policies
March 22, 2011
The Town of Century has again delayed a new community center rental policy in response to several recent violent events — this time over a concern that some non-profit groups could be hit with a $350 rental fee.
After a double shooting during a “teen party” at their Habitat building, the council voted two weeks ago to “get tough” with new rules to curb violence and policy abuses at their community centers. Mayor Freddie McCall returned to council Monday night with a recommended policy that was developed with input from the town’s attorney, Matt Dannheisser.
The attorney, according to the mayor, recommended that the council require security provided by off duty Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies at community center functions at $25 per hour. McCall recommended charging for a six hour minimum for deputies, possible refunding any time over four hours not used.
With a $100 rental fee, a $100 deposit and a $150 fee for the deputies, the total cost out of pocket for an individual or group to rent the town’s Habitat Building or Ag Building would increase to $350.
That expense, and the need for an armed deputy, concerned council member Jacke Johnston on behalf of Century’s Relay for Life, which holds planning meetings at the Ag Building. “For a (Relay for Life) meeting, we would have to get security?” she asked.
McCall also express concerns about making groups like the Century Chamber of Commerce pay for security.
“It’s a shame and I hate to do it,” he said of charged established non-profits for a deputy at their meetings.
Century’s concern over rental policies and security requirements arose after several violent events, including a late-February double shooting at the Habitat Building, which was rented at the time by a Century woman for a “teen party”.
With knowledge that the violent events had occurred, and could happen again, the town could be very liable if sued, according to the town attorney, without a security requirement.
“I’m not for renting it anymore for parties, period. We are inviting ourselves to trouble,” McCall said. “It wasn’t built for those wild parties to being with…most of these people doing it are coming from Atmore. They’ve done been run out of Atmore.”
“The only other option we have is to not rent it all,” said Brooks.
Monday night, the council tabled action on any new community center rental and security policy, opting to return to the town attorney for an opinion. Council members want to know from the attorney if they can forgo the security requirement for non-profit groups.
Until a policy is approved, the council has issued a moratorium on renting the buildings — only the mayor can override the moratorium.
Pictured top: The interior of Century’s Habitat Building, which is often rented to the public. Pictured inset: The exterior of the building. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
McDavid Yard Sale To Benefit Tornado Victims
March 22, 2011
The McDavid community will come together Saturday to raise money for the families who lost their possessions as an EF1 tornado ripped through the area earlier this month.
The McDavid Mini Mart will host a parking lot yard sale Saturday to benefit those who suffered damages or a complete loss of their home during the March 9 storm. Donations are being accepted, and are encouraged, in advance of the event. Donations can be dropped off at the McDavid Mini Mart, located on Highway 29 near Highway 164 across from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department.
“This was an unexpected tragic event for this community, and many, if not all, of the victims did not have insurance,” said Kimrom Harris of the McDavid Mini Mart.
The yard sale will take place from 7 a.m. until this Saturday in the store parking lot.
For more information, or to arrange for pickup of donated items, call (850) 256-5278.
Pictured top: A team from the National Weather Service surveys damage from an EF1 tornado in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Increases School Funding Cuts
March 22, 2011
Budget writers in the Florida Senate increased the amount they want to cut from Pre-K-12 funding to 6.57 percent, a drop of $447.25 in per-student from the current year’s budget. Senate budget writers had previously suggested a slimmer cut of 2.28 percent, or $155.67 per student.
Education budget chairman Sen. David Simmons, R-Longwood, said the difference is due to $739 million in expected required contributions by teachers and other school administrators and employees to their pensions.
Because Florida Retirement System contributions were used in calculating the per-student funding amount in previous years, the per-student spending has been adjusted to reflect a decrease in state spending towards employee retirement.
But Simmons acknowledged that the $739 million figure was not firm, and could be adjusted as proposals to require employee contributions to FRS make their way through the Legislature.
The Senate education budget brings them much closer in line with the House of Representatives, which is considering a per-student cut of 7.7 percent, or a drop of $524.50 per student.
Gov. Rick Scott had suggested an even more austere 10 percent cut to per-student funding. The Senate expects to pass a Pre-K-12 Education budget on Thursday, while the House of Representatives also moves toward finalizing its schools budget with an appropriations meeting on Tuesday.
Molino Man Charged With Pumping $7,100 In Gas On Employer’s Credit Card
March 22, 2011
The 69th time a Molino man allegedly fraudulently used a company fuel credit card at a Lucky 68 gas station proved to be unlucky for him.
Willie Clarence Sapp, 48, of Barth Lane, Molino, was charged with felony fraud/swindle and booked into the Escambia County Jail on $10,000 bond for allegedly using a company credit card to fraudulently pump over $7,000 in gas for his personal vehicle during a 13 month period.
According to Pensacola Police, Sapp used a McAleer Furniture company fuel card 69 times as the Lucky 68 store on Davis Highway in Pensacola to purchase unleaded fuel for his personal vehicle. Even though the card specified it was for diesel fuel only, Sapp told police he was able to use the Fuelman card to purchase unleaded for his personal vehicle because the clerk would charge it as diesel.
From January 6, 2010, to February 16, 2011, Sapp charged $7,168.56 to the McAleer’s card, according to police. Sapp was employed as a delivery driver for the company during the period.
Calling it a “systematic scheme to defraud”, police said Sapp admitted to the fraudulent credit card purchases.