Jay Lady Royals Fall In State Championship Game
May 9, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals may have finished second Tuesday in the Class 1A State Championship game in Clermont, Florida, but they were still big winners in the eyes of the little Santa Rosa County town.
The Lady Royals finished their season at a respectable 21-4. It was the first ever appearance in a softball state championship game for Jay. And Tuesday’s 12-9 loss to Lafayette set a couple of records. The 21 total runs were the most ever scored in a FHSAA state final softball game. And Jay’s nine runs were the most ever scored by a second place team.
Only one Pensacola area team has ever brought home a state softball championship — that was Pace with the 5A crown in 2007. Jay joins just one other Escambia or Santa Rosa team to ever finish as a class runner-up — Tate (5A) in 2001.
Lafayette 12 — Jay 9
Lafayette jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Jay answered to tie it at 3-3 by the end of the inning. Camille Driver and Michaela Stewart had RBI singles, while Syndney Lowery had a bases loaded walk. The inning ended for the Royals with the bases loaded.
The Hornets took a 5-3 lead in the third, as Jay was three up and three down.
The fourth ended with Lafayette with a 8-4 lead. The Lady Royals scored with a sacrifice fly from Samantha Steadham.
The fifth added a lot of excitement to the state championship game as it evened up 9-9. Jay had consecutive RBI singles from Becca Calloway and Camille Driver, and Tessa Hendricks was on an infield grounder. Olivia Wright had a two-run single for the tie.
But the Hornets stung again in with three runs, 12-9.
Pictured top: The Jay Lady Royals. Pictured inset: Tearful senior captains Tessa Hendricks and Becca Calloway tearfully accept their runner up trophy. Pictured below: A group of Jay fans made the long road trip to Clermont Tuesday to cheer on the Lady Royals. Submitted photos by Tori Reid for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
20 Arrested, 17 More Wanted For Escambia Copper Thefts
May 9, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s office has arrested 20 suspects in a copper theft ring, and deputies are still searching for 17 additional suspects.
Most of the arrests were related to copper thefts and burglaries in the West Pensacola area, according to Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. None of the arrests or outstanding warrants are related to copper thefts in the North Escambia area, including incidents last year where copper was stripped from air conditioning units at the Davisville and Byrneville community centers.
For mugshots and charges of those arrested and those wanted on outstanding warrants as of Tuesday afternoon, click here.
North Escambia Residents Sentenced In $1 Million Prisoner Tax Refund Scam
May 9, 2012
Two Cantonment residents were among four people sentenced Tuesday morning in federal court for their involvement in a fraudulent prisoner income tax refund scheme.
The sentencings of Mary Hobbs Blair, age 62 of Cantonment, Carter Hassman, age 49 currently in the Santa Rosa County Jail, Nikki Kight are 44 of Cantonment, and Michael “Elton” Blair of Gulf Breeze were announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
For his plea of guilty as to count one of the indictment, which charged all defendants with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to false claims, Hassman was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison by Senior United States District Judge Lacey Collier. Judge Collier also ordered Hassman to pay restitution to the government in the amount of $962,853.
For his plea of guilty as to Count One of the indictment, which charged all defendants with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to false claims, Hassman was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison by Senior United States District Judge Lacey Collier. Judge Collier also ordered Hassman to pay restitution to the government in the amount of $962,853.
In recognition of her substantial assistance to the government, Mary Hobbs Blair was sentenced to serve 52 months in prison and pay restitution to the government in the amount of $962,853. Mary Blair pleaded guilty to all 37 counts of the indictment on February 22, 2012.
For their guilty pleas to count one of the indictment, Kight and Elton Blair were each placed on probation for 60 months by the court. Judge Collier ordered Elton Blair to pay $85,691 and Kight to pay $55,231 in restitution to the government.
The federal indictment alleges that beginning around January 2007, the five individuals and others filed fraudulent tax returns using the names and social security numbers of inmates housed in the Florida Department of Corrections, along with those of other individuals who were not incarcerated.
As part of the scheme, Mary Blair, Rabeau, Kight and Elton Blair’s home addresses were listed on the tax returns, so IRS refund checks would be mailed to them. According to federal investigators.
As part of the scheme, false and nonexistent businesses were listed as the purported employers, listing fraudulent wages and withholding amounts for time periods in which the inmates were incarcerated. It is alleged that during the course of the scheme the defendants and others filed and filed 223 false and fraudulent federal income tax returns, which falsely claimed approximately $954,795 in fraudulent tax refunds. The refunds were then deposited into Mary Blair’s bank accounts.
A fifth defendant, Thomas Rabeau of Brandon, FL, will be sentenced May 25.
Yep – That Was A Banana Car
May 9, 2012
Bet you looked twice. Yep. That was a big banana car slipping along in Flomaton and splitting down Highway 29 through North Escambia on Tuesday. The official name of the vehicle is (are you ready for this?) – Big Banana Car.
It’s operated by two brothers that thought the idea of a car that looked like a banana was appealing. Actually they first considered a peanut, but later felt shorted by a bag of 59 cent peanuts that only contained 218 peanuts when their previous bag contained 223. Seriously, it drove them nuts.
“I wrote a stern letter to the company asking them to account for this deplorable discrepancy but never heard anything back,” said Steve Braithwaite, driver and builder. “I no longer wanted to build a big peanut car.”
Then a few days later, he picked up a banana at a convenience store and he was ripe with ideas. He’d always loved all things yellow and had fallen in love with yellow hot rods after the movie “American Graffiti”.
“As I viewed it from all sides I started to see that it would be a perfect shape for a car. I pictured where the wheels would go and where the occupants would sit. Where the engine and bumpers would fit,” Braithwaite said.
“Why not build an enormous banana car and drive it around the world?”
The Big Banana Car will peel out of the Pensacola area today, headed toward a night stop in New Orleans. By May 12, they will slide into New Orleans for the 25th Annual Art Car Parade.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Rolls Out New Website
May 9, 2012
The Town of Century has officially launched their new website with the slogan “Century. Traditional Values. Today’s Technology”.
Late last year, the town purchased an $11,450 package from Ideawörks in Pensacola that included $4,200 for a “basic website design”, $1,750 for a content management system (CMS) to allow town employees to update the site, and $5,500 for a five-year comprehensive marketing strategy to include “grant identification, development, PR plan, five-year marketing plan and budget”. The marketing plan will be presented to the Century Town Council on May 21.
The goal of the site is to offer information “about local government, services the municipality offers, news, events, business information and more. The site includes Century’s history, photographs from around the town, city and council news, staff directory, information regarding economic development, resource links and a handful of other items”.
The site does not currently include town council agendas or minutes from previous meetings. It does provide a searchable municipal code database provided by an outside company.
The new site is located at centuryflorida.com.
Pictured: Screenshots of Century’s new website.
Gov Signs Bill: Texting And Driving Become Illegal In Alabama
May 9, 2012
Legislation signed Tuesday by Gov. Robert Bentley makes texting and driving illegal in Alabama on August 1.
“Signing this bill sends a message that drivers need to focus on driving – not on sending a text,” Governor Bentley said. “There is nothing so urgent that it is worth risking your life, or the lives of others, by sending a text message while you are driving down the road.”
Alabama’s new law prohibits using a wireless device to write, send, or read a text message, instant message or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle. The fine for violating the law is $25 for a first-time offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense. Also, for each offense, a two-point violation would be placed on the offender’s driving record.
Alabama Rep. Jim McClendon was the House sponsor of the legislation.
“After six years of attempting to get this bill through, persistence has finally paid off,” McClendon said. “It took four years for this bill to pass the House, two years for it to pass the Senate, and today, I’m delighted that Governor Bentley is signing this bill into law. Our highways will be safer with the passage of this law.”
According to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving creates a crash risk that is 23 times greater than when a driver is not distracted. Also, sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. For a driver going 55 miles-per-hour,that’s the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field.
Alabama Sen. Jabo Waggoner was the Senate sponsor of the legislation.
“I am proud to have assisted in passing this important bill that I believe will help save lives on Alabama’s roadways,” Waggoner said. “Signing this bill sends a message to drivers that texting while operating a vehicle is harmful and, thanks to the Legislature and Governor Bentley, finally prohibited in Alabama.”
Pictured top: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley signs into law a measure that prohibits texting while driving. Alabama Rep. Jim McClendon (left) and Alabama Public Safety Director Colonel Hugh McCall look on as the governor signs the bill Tuesday in Montgomery. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos On Short End Of Rain-Shortened Game
May 9, 2012
The Blue Wahoos dropped a seven inning rain-shortened game with the Mississippi Braves 3-1. The Braves had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when the rain started and the field was covered. The game was called after a 43 minute delay.
Mississippi scored first in the bottom of the second when Cory Harrilchak scored from third on a groundout by Barrett Kleinknecht. Harrilchak reached on a walk and then stole two bases before scoring on the groundout. The run was ruled unearned against Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar who made his Double-A debut for Pensacola on Tuesday night.
The Wahoos evened the score in the fourth, when Joel Guzman singled home Brodie Greene to make it 1-1. That would be the only run Pensacola would scratch across against Braves lefty Sean Gilmartin (1-4).
In the fifth, the Braves got to Lotzkar for the winning runs. Phil Gosselin tripled home Andrelton Simmons for the first run of the inning. A batter later, Evan Gattis singled in Gosselin to give the Braves all they would need.
Lotzkar went six innings in his Blue Wahoos debut and was charged with two earned runs, three total, on five hits and three walks. He finished with two strikeouts in the losing effort. Gilmartin earned the win by allowing just the one run over seven innings. He surrendered six hits, walked just one and struck out a season-high nine batters.
The series continues on Wednesday morning. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-1, 2.61) to the mound against Mississippi righty David Hale (2-2, 4.73). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Florida Seeks Changes In Medically Needy Program
May 9, 2012
Florida Medicaid officials have asked the federal government to approve major changes in a program that serves tens of thousands of people with costly medical conditions, seeking to install a type of managed care and require monthly premium payments.
The Agency for Health Care Administration, carrying out a 2011 law, requested changes in the state’s Medically Needy program. In a document sent to the federal government in late April, the agency said the proposed changes would improve care for beneficiaries.
“The proposed demonstration (the changes) will improve the effectiveness of the Medically Needy program by providing access for this population to an integrated service-delivery system of health care,” the document said.
But Florida CHAIN, a patients-advocacy group, blasted the proposal. It said, in part, that most Medically Needy patients would not be able to “remotely” afford monthly premiums that are part of the plan.
The Medically Needy program, which the agency says will cost about $1 billion this fiscal year, serves people who have often-debilitating conditions but don’t qualify for the regular Medicaid program because of their income levels. On average, more than 48,000 people are enrolled in the program each month, and it serves a combined total of 250,000 people a year, according to the document submitted to the federal government.
Some lawmakers have repeatedly argued in the past for scaling back the program — but the idea has met with fierce opposition from advocacy groups and hospitals, which provide much of the care to the patients. Among the most outspoken opponents during legislative debates have been organ-transplant recipients.
Lawmakers in 2011 approved a massive overhaul of the Medicaid system that included changes in the Medically Needy program. AHCA on April 26 sent a request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for what is known as a “waiver” amendment that would carry out the changes.
The proposal would require Medically Needy beneficiaries to enroll in a statewide provider-service network, a type of managed care that would be responsible for trying to better coordinate services that patients receive. Eventually, the beneficiaries would transition into a broader statewide managed-care system that is the key part of the 2011 law.
The Medically Needy program uses a complicated process in which patients have to qualify each month based on the amount of medical bills they rack up and their income levels. Under the proposed changes, they would continue to qualify for the first month of coverage in that way and then would move into the provider-service network.
In the request to the federal government, AHCA touted that the proposal would allow Medically Needy patients to stay in the program for up to six months without having to qualify each month. It said, in part, that such a change would improve care and remove an incentive for Medically Needy patients to incur medical bills to meet monthly qualification requirements.
“Recipients (would) have access to care coordination, and the incentive is removed for the emergency room to be the first choice of setting for medical care in order to qualify for eligibility,” the document said.
But the proposal also includes a new premium requirement that Florida CHAIN contends would force Medically Needy beneficiaries to pick up a larger share of their medical costs than under the current system and could be unaffordable for many. The amount of premiums would vary, based on factors such as income levels and family sizes.
The proposal, however, includes a “grace period” that would allow people to stay in the program for 90 days before they would be forced out because of non-payment of premiums.
AHCA needs approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before it can move forward with the changes, as Medicaid is governed by federal law and is heavily funded by the federal government. Shelisha Coleman, an AHCA spokeswoman, said in an e-mail Tuesday that the federal agency is not required to respond to the request by a certain time.
By The News Service of Florida
David Jeffrey Ward
May 9, 2012
David Jeffrey Ward, 57 of Walnut Hill, passed away Monday May 7, 2012, in Mobile.. He was a farmer and was also employed with Sunbelt and Masland Carpets. He was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
He was born in Atmore on June 03, 1954, to the late Ernest and Frances Solomon Ward.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Horace and Minnie Lou Ward, and Walter and Lucy Solomon; and niece Lisa Driver Littles.
He is survived by a daughter, Sarah Frances Thompson and husband, Rick of Atmore; brother, Harry Ward and wife, Judy of Loxley; sisters Carol Ann Driver and husband Jimmy of Loxley, Judy Eicher and husband, Wallace of Walnut Hill’ grandson, James Buster Thompson; nieces and nephews, Lynn Driver, Lana Pulido, Luci Parmer, Lloyd Driver, Gina Gibbs, Vic Eicher and Jennifer Ward McIntosh; and many friends.
Services will be Friday May 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. from the Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ted Bridges and Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Horace Ward, Heath Ward, Lloyd Driver Vic Eicher, Austin Eicher, Cole Eicher, Reed Sappenfield, Matt Reynolds and Eric Peters.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Ward, Brad Gibbs, Mike Garrard, David Garrard, Tim Gibbs, Paul Surry, Bill Eubanks, Kevin Faircloth, Raul Pulido, Jim Ward and Chester Jantz.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Dillon Roberson
May 9, 2012
Dillon Roberson, 21, was born on March 25, 1991. He entered into heaven on May 5, 2012, surrounded by his family after fighting a year and a half battle with Lymphoma. Dillon was a fighter and fought until the end.
Dillon was a 2009 graduate of Tate High School, where he played football and was known as “ROBO”. He attended Pensacola State College. Dillon was employed by Grocery Advantage as a meat cutter. He loved the guys in the meat department and all the ladies he worked with. Dillon was a hardworking individual and loved being outdoors. He also loved to cook. Dillon spent the last three months in Gainsville, at Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, undergoing a stem cell transplant. Dillon immediately became a favored patient with his warm, kind and loving personality. We are so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to love him through his illness. We know that through this journey, Dillon’s faith and determination has touched the lives of so many people. He will always be remembered as our “hero”.
Dillon is survived by his parents, Warren and Renee Roberson. His brother and best friend, Tanner Roberson. His maternal grandparents, Charles and Jeanette Brown, paternal grandparents, Dill and Maxine Roberson, an uncle and aunt, Roger and Tanya Brown, and his cousins, Shana and Taylor Brown. Dillon is also survived by his sweet and loving girlfriend of 4 ½ years, Morgan Ridgdell, who he dearly loved. Dillon was also loved by many “adopted” aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.. on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Ted Traylor officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ministry Village at Olive Inc., 1836 East Olive Road, Pensacola, Florida 32514.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 6-8 p.m.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our family, friends and prayer warriors for walking beside us during this journey. We would also like to thank the Woodlands Oncology Group and Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for providing Dillon with extraordinary care.