Tate Senior Awarded Full Alabama Scholarship, Joining Million Dollar Band
May 17, 2012
Tate High School senior Matthew Warren has received a full academic scholarship to the University of Alabama where he will march in the Million Dollar Band.
Warren was a section leader in the Tate Showband of the South where he played the trombone. He will continue to play the trombone for UA’s band.
He is currently attending night classes at Pensacola State College to complete elective courses. He has been accepted into the Honors Program at the University of Alabama where he will work toward a Masters degree in aeronautical engineering.
Citizen’s Insurance Committee To Review Dramatic Rate Hikes
May 17, 2012
New coastal homeowners seeking coverage from the state-backed insurance pool would see premiums double in some regions under a scenario to be reviewed Thursday by a key regulatory committee.
Members of Citizens Property Insurance Corp’s actuarial and underwriting committee will review a proposal that would raise premiums for new Citizens customers by nearly 30 percent statewide in an effort to depopulate the state-backed property insurer that now handles nearly 1.4 million policies.
Coastal homeowners who seek Citizens coverage after Jan. 1 would see premiums averaging 41.7 percent higher than those imposed on similar properties in 2010. The rates would add roughly $100 million in new premiums.
No vote will be taken Thursday, but the committee was asked to review the proposal that would allow Citizens to exceed a 10-percent cap on premium increases now in effect. Citizens’ legal advisors say the 10-percent cap on premium increases does not apply to new policies, an opinion not shared by others, including state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
The actuary committee has already recommended non-capped rates for new policies, but the board postponed action on the proposal last month after an outcry from critics led by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.
Board members asked Citizens’ staff to examine what rates could look like under an uncapped scenario. They asked the insurer to meet with legislative leaders and look at the impact of making such a dramatic change. It could take up any new proposal at its June 7 meeting.
“The subcommittee has already recommended to the full board that they go forward with this uncapped rate issue,” said Christine Ashburn, Citizens director of legislative and external affairs, “…This is just staff providing the subcommittee an update of where we are working on those items.”
While the statewide increase would be about 30 percent, some areas would be hit much harder. New Citizens policyholders in Santa Rosa County, for example, would see an 82 percent increase under the scenario presented to the committee. New coastal customers in Escambia county would see premiums more than double at the end of 2010.
Citizens has been tasked with depopulating the state run pool, which has become the largest property insurer in the state. Toward that end, lawmakers and state officials have been trying to raise Citizens’ rates to make them more actuarially sound and more closely mirror what private insurers would charge.
“This is just another ridiculous idea from Tallahassee to shrink Citizens,” Fasano said “It’s ridiculous because people have nowhere else to go.”
At the full board meeting last month, Fasano argued that allowing such dramatic increases would hamper economic recovery along Florida’s coast, home to about 80 percent of the state’s population. Any rate hike approved by the Citizens’ board would have to be approved by state insurance regulators before going into effect.
“If the Office of Insurance Regulation were to approve these rates, it would be devastating to the housing market here in Florida,” Fasano said.
By The News Service of Florida
Democrats Outregistered GOP Again In April
May 17, 2012
The state Democratic Party said Wednesday that it continues to lead in voter registration, releasing state Division of Elections data showing the Democrats out-registered Republicans in April by 10 percentage points.
New voters have been registering with the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party for a few months in Florida.
State data – the reporting of which by the state elections office lags that by the parties – showed Democrats registered 5,459 more voters in April than did the Republican Party. Democrats have a 4 percent overall registration advantage over Republicans in Florida.
By The News Service of Florida
Summer Camp Offered At Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
May 17, 2012
The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society, in conjunction with the Escambia County School System, will be hosting the “Environmental Encounters Summer Camp 2012” at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center.
Two one-week sessions geared toward incoming third, fourth and fifth grade students will be offered on June 4-8, and June 11-15. Through hands-on scientific investigations and experiments, campers will learn about different environments and the challenges which they face. The cost is $130 per week and includes five days packed full of fun and educational science activities. Participants provide their own transportation and sack lunch each day.
For a camp brochure, click here. For a registration form, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from a previous camp at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Tourism Up In First Quarter
May 17, 2012
Nearly 23.5 million visitors came to Florida during the first three months of 2012, a 2.9-percent increase from the same period a year ago, according to figures released Wednesday by VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s tourism marketing corporation.
Meanwhile, direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.9 percent, adding 19,200 jobs since May 2011 and representing the largest employment total since first quarter 2008.
Joseph Edward King
May 17, 2012
Joseph Edward King, 75, of Cantonment, passed into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on Monday, May 14, 2012, comfortably in his home surrounded by family. Joseph was born in Fitchburg, MA. He served 20 years in the United States Air Force with three tours in Vietnam as a security police, retiring in 1990 after 16 years with E.C. S. D. corrections.
Since retiring, he worked as a security guard with CCI and Wells Fargo; also grounds maintenance at Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Eastern Gate cemeteries. The past nine years, Joe worked part-time as maintenance supervisor with Premier Chemicals. During this time he also did lawn maintenance in several area cemeteries.
Joe was a very loving husband, Dad, grandpaw “POPS” and devoted friend. He was a very hard working man; he loved the outdoors, cutting grass and cleaning head stones. His favorite past time was to find his TV “clicker” and watch the history channel and old classic movies. He enjoyed being a Mason and spending time at the lodge with his “brothers”. He loved singing gospel songs sitting on the bed playing his guitar and harmonica with his grandbabies. Joe loved the Lord, his Savior and really enjoyed singing in many church choirs. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill. In 1977, Joe became a mason at Ensley Lodge #278. He held many offices and served on many committees locally and with Grand Lodge. In 1989, he was Worshipful Master of #278. Joe was also Scottish Rite and Zelica Grotto. He was honorary member of several lodges. Joe spent many nights mentoring his brothers. His lodge brothers are truly part of our family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Blanche King and his brother Mitchell King, Jr.
Joe was survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Carolyn King, brother Dickie King and Ronnie (Teresa) King; 10 children; April King Randolph, Edward (Satomi) King, Julia Speed, Edna King, Misty (Carl) Stephens, Tim McGlothren, Shelley (Joe) Brown, Stacey (Chris) Ziglar, Mitchell (Tammy) King, Cammie Wright, 24 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Family will receive friends Friday, May 18, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel North-Cantonment.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Faith Chapel North-Cantonment. Graveside will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Serving, as pallbearers will be his Masonic brothers from all area lodges. Rev. Drayton Smith and Rev. Mark Torres will be officiating.
A special thank you to Covenant Hospice and to all of his friends “Brothers” who have been so loving and supportive.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Peacock King
May 17, 2012
Mrs. Thelma Peacock King, age 102, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Atmore Community Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. King was a native of Byrneville and had been a member of the Atmore community since 1944 coming from Byrneville. She attended Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
She is survived by her son, Earl D. King of Atmore; daughters, Thelma ‘Tina’ Christine Lowell of Atmore, Marie Jackson of Pensacola, Margaret McCourt of Navarre, Pauline Floyd of Montgomery; sister, Mary Morris of Jay; 22 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday evening, May 19, 2012, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held graveside on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Atmore.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Alex Bell
May 17, 2012
Alex Bell, 80, resident of Sylva, NC, passed away Monday, May, 14, 2012.
Alex was born in McDavid and grew up in Pensacola. He attended Pensacola High School and later would join the Armed Services. After completion of his enlistment Alex gained employment with the City of Pensacola in their utilities division. He would later go on to become a communications officer with Pensacola Police Department for a combined service of over 31 years. Alex always had a passion for the water and fishing and loved to share it with his family and friends.
As for his family, Alex was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Of those whose life he touched, he will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his father, Noah Bell; mother, Maggie Bell; brother, A.P. (Arthur) Bell and sisters, Agnes Sheppard and Essie Mae Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Emily C. Bell; sons, Alex and Jeff Bell; grandchildren, Lindsey, Luke, Noah and Adam; great grandchildren, Cordelia, Lily and Kylie.
Graveside Service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012, at St. John’s Cemetery with Rev. Geoffrey Lentz officiating.
We would like to extend a special thanks to all of the selfless and wonderful family and friends who were so gracious to help with these arrangements, and to all those who contacted us with your condolences and prayers. God Bless.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
No Serious Injuries In School Bus Crash
May 16, 2012
There were no serious injuries in a school bus crash this morning on Davis Highway.
The bus, which was transporting 27 students from Pine Forest and West Florida high schools, was “lightly” rear-ended by a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 28-year old Robert James Jenkins of Pensacola, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Four students on bus initially reported that they had minor neck and back pain, but all students refused treatment according to Escambia county School District officials on scene, FHP reported.
Jenkins was cited for careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.
ATF: One ‘Tutor’ With Guns, Ammo In SUV Is Convicted Felon
May 16, 2012
Two weeks after men that claimed to be tutors headed to Warrington Middle School with multiple weapons in their vehicle were stopped in Flomaton and Pensacola, there have been no arrests. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives now says that one of the men was a convicted felon, leading to the seizure of weapons.
The names of the men, ages 35 and 39, have not been released because they were not charged with any crime. But the ATF now says that the 35-year old has felony conviction on his record, making him ineligible to possess a firearm. Authorities have not said exactly what felony crime the man committed in his past.
But that felony conviction was enough for the ATF to have probable cause to seize the weapons.
April 25: Men And Vehicle Stopped In Flomaton, Ala.
A traffic stop about 5 p.m. April 25 at the Alabama/Florida line turned up stash of weapons and thousands of dollars in cash.
Officer Chris Neal with the Flomaton Police Department conducted a routine traffic stop about 5 p.m. after observing the driver of a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban make an improper lane change on Highway 29. He stopped the vehicle just over the bridge between Flomaton and Century, still inside Alabama but only a few yards from Florida.
For more photos from the Flomaton traffic stop, click here.
Neal asked for and was granted consent to search. After finding several guns in the vehicle, the he immediately called for backup from the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.
A search of the vehicle by Neal and another officer from the Flomaton Police Department uncovered multiple handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, multiple ammunition clips, tasers, police handcuffs, brass knuckles and “suspicious” solid black clothing, gloves and hoodies. The passenger claimed the guns belonged to him, and he produced a valid weapons permit.
Officers also located a paper bag containing $8,400 in $100 bills inside the vehicle. One of the men told a story about having IRS troubles and dealing in cash to avoid problems with the agency. The cash was not in the vehicle when it was stopped in Pensacola.
Multiple SIM cards — memory chips that allow cell phones to switch numbers and identifiable information instantly — were visible in the vehicle stopped in Flomaton, along with a laptop computer and multiple wireless internet modems.
The vehicle was also searched for drugs by an Escambia County (Fla.) K-9, but no illegal drugs were located.
The driver and passenger, both adult males, said they were on their way from the Birmingham area to tutor students the following day at Warrington Middle School. One of the men was dressed in a t-shirt with a tutoring company’s logo on the front and the words “Free Tutoring” on the back. They produced business cards and other items from a tutoring company in New Jersey.
The men said they had the arsenal of weapons for their own protection because they sometimes tutor students in “bad areas”.
Officers spent about two hours searching the vehicle, questioning the men as they stood handcuffed by a police car and running various computer records checks on the vehicle, the firearms and the men. All of the weapons were legally possessed, according to officers. Both men were released from Flomaton without any criminal charges or traffic citations.
April 26: Federal Agents Take Over
On April 26, the two men were reportedly spotted by law enforcement at a motel on New Warrington Road, about a mile from Warrington Middle School. When they pulled out of the motel parking lot onto New Warrington Road just before 9 a.m., deputies conducted an “investigative stop”, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. When they found multiple weapons in the vehicle, Escambia deputies called the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ATF agents took over the investigation and seized the weapons, including four guns, from the men. They also found computer printed maps with directions to Warrington Middle School.
After a lengthy search of their rental 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, the men were allowed to continue on their way.
Tutoring Company CEO “Flabbergasted” By Incident
Both men were confirmed to be employees of Innovative Educational Programs (IEP) in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. One of the men, according to his business card (pictured), is the company’s “Southeast Regional Director”.
Tony O’Donell, CEO of the company, learned of the incidents involving his employees from a NorthEscambia.com phone call.
“I am just flabbergasted by the suspicions,” O’Donnell said from his New Jersey office. He said the company immediately suspended both men and launched an internal investigation. “We will be asking them a lot of questions.” He said IEP will likely terminate both men.
All IEP employees undergo background screenings, and the company does not allow employees to carry guns, the CEO said.
According to Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, IEP is not contracted to provide any services whatsoever in Escambia County. Thomas said IEP is not a licensed tutoring provider in Florida. NorthEscambia.com independently confirmed that IEP is not an authorized tutoring service recognized by the Florida Department of Education; however, the company is a legitimate tutoring provider in several states, including Alabama and Mississippi.
O’Donnell said the men were in the Pensacola area to “scout” schools for market research.
“We’ve never had an incident like this before,” he said. “This is just beyond belief. I regret that our company has indirectly caused so many people to be upset there (in Escambia County).”
School District Responds
When Escambia County Superintendent Malcom Thomas learned about the Flomaton traffic stop, the weapons and the claims that the men were headed to Warrington Middle, immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety of students at Warrington and every other school in the district.
School resource officers, principals and other key district employees were quickly made aware of the situation. They were provided with information from law enforcement, as well as unpublished NorthEscambia.com photographs showing additional details about the vehicle, including a tag number, and photographs of the men.
Thomas said a school district protective services employee responded to the New Warrington Road traffic stop, and a trespass order was issued against the men forbidding them from visiting any public school in the district.
“If they so much as set foot on any one of our campuses, they will be arrested for trespassing,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
