One Man, One Garage Shot In Unrelated Incidents
July 17, 2012
One person and one garage ceiling were shot early this morning in two unrelated incidents in Escambia County.
One Man Shot
Escambia County deputies are investigating an overnight shooting on North “D” Street about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The victim said he was outside his home when he was approached by a black male that pulled a gun after a brief conversation. The victim was hit and suffered a non-life threatening injury.
The victim was driven to a local hospital by a relative where he was treated and released.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
One Garage Shot
A 62-year old Escambia County man was jailed after pointing a gun at two people and then firing the weapon into a garage ceiling.
Michael Raymond Davis is being held without bond on charges of aggravated assault and using a firearm while under the influence, according to jail records.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he was in his garage on Juno Circle when he got into an argument with his step daughter and her husband. Davis pulled a gun from his pocket and pointed it at his son-in-law, telling him to get out of his house. Davis’ step-daughter quickly jumped in to shield her husband and try to calm Davis down, but Davis pointed the gun in the air and fired the weapon. There were no injuries in the 1 a.m. incident.
A neighbor, who overheard the altercation, quickly called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. When deputies arrived on scene they were able to talk Davis into coming out of the house unarmed. Davis then admitted to deputies that he fired the weapon, but did not shoot anyone.
Good Budget News: Medicaid Costs Reduced For Escambia, Santa Rosa
July 17, 2012
The amount of Medicaid costs passed on to Escambia and Santa Rosa counties has been reduced, according to Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze.
Broxson said he received an email from the Florida Agency on Healthcare Administration (ACHA) revealing a marked decrease in Escambia County’s expected liability in total open Medicaid claims. The communication from Karen Zeiler, deputy Secretary of Administration for ACHA, stated the preliminary certification of Escambia County’s open Medicaid claims dropped to $4.2 million, down from a previously estimated $8.5 million.
Santa Rosa County’s $813,000 was reduced to $34,065.
““We worked extremely hard to convince the state to take a look at how they were calculating what they said we owed in back Medicaid payments,” said Escambia Board of County Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson. “We didn’t believe it fairly represented Escambia County’s liability and was essentially an unfunded mandate.”
The state mandated payments sent Escambia County scrambling to balance the upcoming fiscal year budget. The library systems was one of the first potential targets to save cash, but branch libraries were spared after public outcry.
The more than $4.3 million reduction in the Escambia County’s Medicaid liability refers only to the “backlog” of open Medicaid claims, which are to be paid out over a five-year period. Escambia County is estimating that numbers will mean a savings of approximately $1.2 million fiscal year 2012/2013 and just under $600,000 per year for the next four fiscal years. The payments do not include any current or future claims.
“We have notified each county with the good news and appreciate their hard work. I would also like to thank AHCA for their effort as they spent thousands of hours to help soften the blow of past Medicaid bills for our counties. This is what happens when leaders don’t shy away from controversy and work together towards a solution,” Broxson said.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have both joined a Florida Association of Counties lawsuit against the mandated payments.
Counties argue the Legislature violated part of the Florida Constitution that is aimed at making it harder for the state to pass along what are known as “unfunded mandates,” which increase costs for local governments. The constitution requires unfunded mandates to be approved by two-thirds of the House and the Senate — a threshold that was not met with the new Medicaid law.
Though he signed the law, Gov. Rick Scott ordered the Agency for Health Care Administration to meet with county officials across the state to try to resolve billing disputes. But a key part of the lawsuit alleges that counties commonly have received incorrect bills for such things as people who live in other areas of Florida or even out of state.
“Although counties are willing to pay their fair share for Medicaid services received by their residents, they cannot in good faith make payments for bills that are clearly erroneous and lacking support,” the lawsuit says.
Century Man Charged With Attacking Pregnant Woman
July 17, 2012
A Century man is facing a felony charge for allegedly attacking a pregnant woman that is also the mother of his child in the middle of a town street.
Maurice Austin, 23, was charged with aggravated battery when the offender knew or should have known the victim was pregnant.
The victim told Escambia County deputies that she was walking down Jefferson Avenue near East Street in Century to catch a ride with friends alongside Highway 29. Austin, the father of her child, was standing in the roadway. She claimed Austin said, “This better not be my baby momma. I’m about to slap the [expletive] out of her”.
The victim claimed Austin grabbed her by the neck, pushed her into the ditch and began fighting with her. The victim told deputies she broke free and continued walking toward her destination. She said that Austin’s girlfriend pulled off to the side of the road and ran over her foot. The two women — Austin’s girlfriend and the mother of his child — tried to fight, but Austin kept them apart briefly before saying he was going to step back and watch them fight, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
A third party drove by, broke up the fight and transported the victim to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Substation, the report states. The victim reportedly suffered cuts, bruises and swelling. Her flip-flop was broken on the foot she claimed was ran over, but she told deputies that there was no pain and she could move all her toes.
When questioned by deputies, Austin’s girlfriend denied knowledge of the alleged events.
Deputies were not immediately able to locate Austin after the July 4 altercation, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Monday on a $2,000 bond.
Warrant Issued For Man That Ran From Wreck
July 17, 2012
A wreck Monday afternoon near Flomaton led to a manhunt for a driver believed to have been seriously injured…and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Witnesses identified the driver as Steven Michael Campbell, Jr., 38, of Atmore. He is now wanted on an outstanding warrant for leaving the scene of an accident without injuries.
The accident happened about 3:40 p.m. in the 3600 block of Old Atmore Road near Fowler lane, about two-tenths of mile north of the Alabama/Florida line.
Officials said Campbell lost control of of a Jeep Grand Cherokee and overturned several times before he jumped out and ran. Witnesses told first responders that Campbell was bleeding severely from his head.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, tracking dogs from Fountain Prison near Atmore, LifeFlight and the Flomaton Fire Department looked for the Campbell unsuccessfully for about an hour.
Witnesses described the Campbell as wearing plaid shorts and a dark or black shirt at the time of the wreck.
Anyone with information about the man’s identity is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: The driver of this Jeep Cherokee fled on foot after a wreck Monday afternoon on Old Atmore Road. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Action Accepting Apps For Disaster Kits, Mowing Assistance
July 17, 2012
The Community Action Program Committee will take applications on Wednesday for free hurricane preparedness and lawn mowing assistance for those that qualify.
The program is for persons 55 or older that meet income guidelines (see below). The lawn mowing assistance is for those qualified individuals needed to comply with Escambia County Code Enforcement orders.
The applications will be accepted at 9:30 a.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment.
Applicants will need to bring:
- driver’s license (everyone 18 and older)
- public assistance – monthly amount (cash assistance and food stamps)
- current lease
- all income for the last 30 days (biweekly-last 2 pay stubs; weekly – last 4 pay stubs; monthly last pay stub)
- disability income/retirement income (award letter monthly payment)
- child support (last 30 days)
- self-employment (last 30 days)
- No income (notarized statement from financial supporter assisting with household expenses signed and dated)
Income guidelines for the program for those 55 and older is as follows:
It’s Going To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Century
July 17, 2012
It may still be July, but the Town of Century is making plans for Christmas.
The town council plans to budget funds to replace aging Christmas decorations across Century — including decorations along North Century Boulevard and a manger scene at the town hall.
“I believe we all want a manger scene,” Council President Ann Brooks said Monday night as she shared municipal Christmas decoration catalogs with the council.
Mayor Freddie McCall suggested that inmate labor from Century Correctional Institution could perhaps be used to construct the manger and save the town money. He also said the town must budget for wiring utility poles for lighted decorations.
Council members will look at the decoration catalogs — deciding whether pole decorations should be trees, wreaths, stars, etc. — and report back at a future meeting.
Pictured top: Century Town Council President Ann Brooks (left) shows a municipal Christmas decoration catalog to council members Sandra McMurray Jackson (center) and Jacke Johnston Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Citizens Insurance Board Talks Higher Rates For 2013
July 17, 2012
Gearing up for next week’s meeting to approve rates, the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors met Monday to discuss rates for the state-backed insurer.
As the company – the state’s largest property insurer – tries to reduce its number of customers and shore up its premium base, the board also took public testimony during its workshop in Miami. And it got an earful from policyholders and local lawmakers that underscored the difficulty it faces in raising rates on some of the riskiest property in the state.
Lawmakers have capped premium increases on existing Citizens policyholders at 10 percent, avoiding rates that actuaries say could otherwise be more than 30 percent higher if market pricing were in place.
Figures prepared for Monday’s workshop show that rates would need to be increased by at least 27 percent on average statewide next year to more accurately respond to non-sinkhole risks.
State law however, restricts rate hikes to no more than 10 percent on any individual policies.
Some Citizens policyholders may even see no increase next year, though most will see some sort of increase.
Citizens remains less expensive than private insurance alternatives in certain areas – which keeps the private market from being competitive. The company wasn’t originally designed to be a cheaper alternative to private coverage, it was supposed to be an emergency alternative for people who couldn’t get private coverage. But with the cap on rates, it’s become the cheapest option in some places.
“This means that Citizens is a rate competitor with private insurers in many territories where Citizens should be working to reduce exposure and be noncompetitive,” Citizens staff wrote in an executive summary of the proposed rates.
Sinkhole coverage is another area of concern. Lawmakers have removed the 10 percent cap on sinkhole premium increases, and it is virtually assured that Citizens board will increase the rates on sinkhole coverage to the degree necessary to make them actuarially sound.
To do that, the rates would have to more than triple for homeowners in Citizens most populated insurance pool. The board is instead expected to approve a phase-in of higher sinkhole rates.
Citizens officials have tried to make the case that the 10-percent cap should not apply to new business, arguing new commercial and residential policies should be priced at rates higher than what rates would be if the cap were taken into consideration.
The political pushback was evident Monday as board members met with citizens and local lawmakers during a public workshop in Miami. State Reps. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and Frank Artiles, both Miami Republicans, said many South Florida residents have little choice but to get coverage through the state-backed insurer.
Lopez-Cantera urged the board to remember that many residents are on fixed incomes and said insurance “is not a luxury, it is a requirement” for people who have mortgages.
“The decisions you make affect people that you may not think about,” said Lopez-Cantera.
While the board heard from the public, its actuarial committee approved changes made by lawmakers earlier this year to reduce costs.
Among a list of changes, the panel approved caps on water damage payments, a higher deductible for hurricane claims and even higher optional deductibles for policyholders who choose to reduce their premiums by taking on more of the financial risk.
The full board meets July 27 to vote on rates, which must then be approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
By The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With Possessing Pot, Gun And Counterfeit Cash
July 17, 2012
An Escambia County man is behind bars facing multiple charges for possessing marijuana, a gun and counterfeit cash.
Charles Randall Butler, 24, fled from deputies after a traffic stop on Lucerne Avenue and was apprehended after a foot chase with deputies.
Deputies reported that he had 43 grams of marijuana, $1,175 in currency, a 380 semi-automatic handgun and $260 in counterfeit $20 bills in his possession or in his vehicle.
He was charged with driving with habitual suspended license, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, criminal mischief, possession of counterfeited money, resisting an officer without violence, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of marijuana over 20 grams.
Butler was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond due to an outstanding warrant from another case.
No Serious Injuries In Tate, Kingsfield Road Crash
July 17, 2012
There were no serious injuries reported in two vehicle wreck Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident was reported just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Tate and Kingsfield roads. The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries in this wreck Monday afternoon at Tate and Kingsfield Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Updated: Local Woman Seen On ABC’s Good Morning America
July 17, 2012
Several area women made a brief appearance on Good Morning America Monday morning on the ABC television network.
Diane Johnson, three-year old teacher at the Friendship Learning Lodge on Wolf Log Road, was one of the women. She was seen in the New York City crowd, happily waving at the camera. The sign she’s holding had a peace symbol, a heart and “& Roll Tide” (that’s Peace, Love and Roll Tide).
Johnson is in New York with several friends that also received a little airtime — Shirley Manning of Brewton, Barbara Swinney of Gulf Shores, Diane White of Brewton and Sharon Chavers of Brewton.
Pictured top: Shirley Manning, Barbara Swinney, Diane White, Robin Roberts of GMA, Diane Johnson, and Sharon Chavers. Pictured inset: Diane Johnson (right, waving) of Flomaton was seen on ABC’s Good Morning America Monday morning.Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
