Panhandle Republicans File Bills To Streamline Permitting Process
March 3, 2011
A pair of Panhandle Republicans have filed measures they say will streamline the state’s permitting process and make it more difficult for parties to challenge development decisions.
The bills by Sen. Greg Evers, who represents the North Escambia area, and by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, make a number of changes including provisions that shift the burden of proof in some cases and prevent local governments from denying permits to projects simply because they have yet to be approved by the state.
Introduced by various members over the past few years, backers say the measures are needed to reduce barriers for development while environmental groups are wary the changes will make it difficult to stop undesirable development.
by The News Service Florida
Thousands Missing Out On IRS Refunds From 2007
March 3, 2011
There could be as many as 74,500 in Florida and 17,600 in Alabama that could be about to miss out on tax refunds from 2007. The refunds are part of $1.1 billion owed to people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007, according to the IRS.
To collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 18, 2011.
The average refund due in Florida is $665; it’s $634 in Alabama.
Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments, the IRS said. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.
For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18, 2011. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund. But if the taxpayer did not file a return for 2008 or 2009, the refund will be held until those forms are filed.
For more information and tax forms, visit irs.gov.
Jay, Northview Students Create Sawmill Pageant Posters
March 3, 2011
Students from Northview and Jay high schools were recently awarded for taking part in a poster contest to promote the 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Winners from the Northview High School Business Technology Education Department were Rebecca Barnhill, first place; A.J. Lambert, second place; and Ashley Digmon, third place. Barnhill received a $25 prize.
Winners from the Jay High School Commercial Graphic Arts classes were Haley Odom, first place; Damian Rogers, runner-up. Odom received a $25 prize.
The 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant sponsored by the Century Lions Club will be held Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. at the former Carver/Century School. Registration will be held Saturday, March 5 and March 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Southern Treasures Gift Shop at 8341 North Century Boulevard (across from Whataburger). For an entry form and more registration details, click here.
Pictured: 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest winners. Top: From Northview High — Rebecca Barnhill, first place; A.J. Lambert, second place; and Ashley Digmon, third place. Barnhill received a $25 prize. Bottom: From Jay High — Century Lions Club member Bill Gandy, Haley Odom, first place; Damian Rogers, runner-up. Pictured inset: Northview’s winner Rebecca Barnhill receives her $25 prize from Century Lions Club member Edsol Smith. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hibbert “Buddy” Lambert, Jr.
March 3, 2011
Mr. Hibbert “Buddy” Lambert, Jr., 61, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Nokomis, Fla.
Mr. Lambert was a native of Atmore and a lifelong resident of Nokomis. He was a member of the National Guard and U.S. Army for a total of 22 years, a heavy equipment operator, an avid woodsman, hunter and fisherman and attended the Baptist church. He was preceded in death by his father, Hibbert Lambert.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Lambert of Nokomis; two sons, Michael D. Tonya Lambert of Bay Minette, and Jonathan W. and Amanda Lambert of Lottie; a daughter, Jenny M. and Jackie Biggs of Pensacola; his mother, Edna Earl Lambert of Nokomis; five grandchildren, Bailiah Lambert, Beauon Lambert, Jeremiah “Blue” Lambert, Jackson Lambert and Chloe Biggs; and five sisters, Barbara Ann Hollingsworth of Enon, Edna Shipp of Poarch, Merle Pope, Glenda Macks and Pat Hetzel, all of Nokomis.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 11 a.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Willie Oglesby officiating.
Burial will follow at Antioch Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 5, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Seth Smith, Ben Hetzel, Tim Albritton, Olen Albritton Keith Pope and James Morris. Honorary pallbearer will be Troy Garrett.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Benevolence Fund at the Nokomis Baptist Church.
Virginia McNeil
March 3, 2011
Virginia Mc Neil, 88, died at her home on Pensacola Beach on February 27, 2010.
Visitation will be at Rose Lawn Funeral Home on Sunday, March 6 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The funeral will be at St. Ann Catholic Church on Monday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Barrancas Cemetery, after which there will be a luncheon at St. Ann.
Virginia was born on June 22, 1922, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Winfred and Mildred Busch. Her father was in the U. S. Coast Guard and the family lived in a number of places, settling in West Roxbury, MA, She graduated from Roslindale High School. After a two-year course at Kathleen Dell, Virginia worked at National Shawmut Bank for the next five years.
On June 6, 1945, Virginia was married to Edsel Mc Neil, a Naval Chief Petty Officer, They lived in 32 different homes, including three years in Puerto Rico and six years in the Philippines. They had six children.
Virginia was a very active member of St. Ann parish in Gulf Breeze for many years, including her Charismatic Prayer Group, singing in the Choir, Bible Studies, and volunteering for various endeavors.
She was a woman of many varied interests and talents. She was an accomplished dancer – toe, ballet, tap, and acrobat. She also taught dancing. She was an avid learner and received her Bachelor of Arts degree when she was in her sixties. She loved bridge and puzzles. And she was a world traveler – from the Holy Land and Egypt to Hong Kong and Europe.
Virginia is survived by her sister, Connie Casey of Foxboro, MA, and her sister, Jeanne Faherty of White Horse Beach, MA; her daughters Sherry McMahon (Kevin) of Vero Beach, FL, and Bristol, RI, Nancy Krymis (August, Jr.) of Mattawan, MI, Linda Gott (Andy) of Molino, FL, Anne Kidwell (Brian) of Lawrenceville, NJ; and her sons, Paul and Bob Mc Neil.
She is also survived by ten grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; and her friends Gay, Rosa, Angie and many others.
Virginia was predeceased in death by her parent and her brother, Bob, and her husband, Edsel who died in 1973.
Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home of Gulf Breeze.
Molino Woman Charged With DUI After Cantonment Rollover Crash
March 2, 2011
A Molino woman was charged with driving under the influence after an early Wednesday morning crash in Cantonment.
Kelly Nichole Herzberg, 29, of Highway 196 Molino, was charged with DUI third conviction within 10 years after a prior conviction and careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol after the crash about 2:40 Wednesday morning on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road. Authorities say Herzberg was northbound on Highway 29 when she lost control and rolled her vehicle into a fence, water system and sign at T&C Feed Store and CMP Food Mart. Her 2006 Mustang rolled over and came to rest upright in the parking lot of the feed store. Herzberg was not injured.
Herzberg, who was not injured in the crash, remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon with bond set at $5,000. Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Donald Trump, Rick Scott Give Away Trips To Escambia County
March 2, 2011
Donald Trump and all-sunshine Gov. Rick Scott were in New York to give away trips to Escambia County today.
The governor is on a two-day ““Share a Little Sunshine” tour of cold weather cities where he’s hawking Florida vacations. Florida oranges and other prizes were distributed at events today where Scott was trying to convince people in New York and Chicago to come to Florida.
At Trump Tower, Scott was joined by Donald Trump to give out vacation prizes, including trips to Pensacola. In Chicago, he’ll gave away trips to Miami. During the day, Scott also did interviews on Fox News and CNBC.
Two Teens Killed In Munson Road Crash; Ambulance Totaled While Responding
March 2, 2011
Two Holt residents were killed in a single vehicle Munson Highway wreck Tuesday night, and an ambulance responded to the crash was totaled.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Nadja M. Chandler, 38, was southbound on Munson Highway near East Gate Road in Santa Rosa County when she lost control of her 2002 Ford Ranger, ran off the road, struck and culvert and rolled over. The two passengers in the vehicle, 18-year old Zoe M. Chandler and 15-year old Brandi Bartholomew, were pronounced dead at the scene of the 7:55 p.m. crash. Nadja Chandler was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP. Charges are pending the results of the investigation.
An ambulance responding to the scene was totaled when the driver lost control in a curve. The Florida Highway Patrol says Clayton Miller, 34, of Milton, lost control on Munson Highway near Womack Road. The 2007 ambulance traveled over two raised driveways before striking a tree. Miller and his passenger, 40-year old Greggory Lawler, received minor injuries and were transported to Pensacola hospitals.
Man That Pleaded Guilty To Child Porn Now Appealing 15-Year Sentence
March 2, 2011
A former Atmore resident who pleaded guilty in federal court to child pornography charges is appealing his 15-year prison sentence.
Eric Sebastian Barrow, 38, pleaded guilty in May, 2010, to the production of child pornography and the possession and distribution of child pornography on a computer file sharing network. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
Now, attorneys for Barrow have filed a notice of appeal in federal court. A hearing date on that appeal has not been set.
According to federal court documents, Barrow used a web camera to record a pre-teen girl living in the western United States. The girl, according to court documents, was about 11 or 12 years old at the time. When located by federal investigators, the girl said she recognized Barrow’s online nickname “bad_red_dragon_2004″.
According to court documents, Barrow, who is unable to walk due to spina bifida, would meet other young girls in Internet chat rooms and direct them to perform for him.
In 2005, a Florida Attorney General’s Office investigator found Barrow sharing child pornography online from his home in Atmore. The Florida investigator turned the case over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The case was later turned over to the FBI.
In February 2006, the FBI raided Barrow’s Atmore home and seized computer equipment. Federal investigators said they found 65 videos of nude pre-teen girls, along with 3,847 images of minors. According to court documents, Barrow would use the “Limewire” file sharing software to download and share child pornography files.
Barrow was also arrested in Escambia County, Fla., on March 26, 2009, on five counts of possession of child pornography charges. He was eventually sentenced to five years in state prison on those charges.
Pictured: Eric Sebastian Barrow of Atmore is pictured (top) February 13, 2010, in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail; (middle) in September, 2009 in a Florida Department of Corrections mugshot, and (bottom) in an undated photo.
Sexual Predator Sentenced To Life In Prison
March 2, 2011
An Escambia County judge has sentenced a Santa Rosa Beach man to life in prison on child sex abuse charges.
Zane Dalton Crowder was sentenced by Judge Jan Shackelford to life in prison for sexual battery upon a child under 12 and a concurrent 25 years in prison for lewd or lascivious molestation upon a child under 12. In the event that he would ever be released from prison, he would be required to remain on life-long sex offender probation.
He was also designated as a sexual predator.
The defendant was a friend of the child’s stepfather, according to the State Attorney’s Office. The abuse occurred when the defendant had been left in charge of the child for brief periods during the summer of 2009. The defendant was remanded into custody after the trial.