Citizens Insurance Board Approves Rate Hikes
July 28, 2012
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. policyholders could see premium increases averaging at least 8.8 percent beginning in January following a governing board vote Friday that officials say would not significantly reduce the number of policyholders in the state-backed plan.
The rates are subject to approval by the Office of Insurance Regulation, which would also be required to sign off on a phase-in plan for sinkhole premiums that if enacted in full would quintuple rates in a three-county, sinkhole prone region.
Efforts to reduce the number of Citizens policyholders aren’t working, however, as the state-backed insurer continues to offer rates that are increasingly lower than what the private market would charge.
The board also chose to, at least temporarily, stop efforts to charge higher rates for new policies, a controversial position that has put the board at odds with legislative leaders and key state officials including Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
Restricted by a legislatively imposed 10 percent premium cap, the gap between what Citizens charges policyholders and private companies charge continues to widen. Uncapped, Citizens officials say the company’s rates would increase statewide by more than 33 percent.
The result of the cap is that the efforts to chip away at Citizens’ 1.4 million policies – backed by all insurance policy holders in Florida – is going in the other direction as private companies seek rate hikes for next year that are higher than Citizens is allowed to charge. Even so, Citizens’ premiums are expected to climb by more than $250 million next year.
“Citizens rates continue to be less competitive (with the private market),” said Sharon Binnun, Citizens chief financial officer.
Friday’s vote came after hours of discussion on proposed rates and other efforts to depopulate the state-backed insurance pool, which has grown into the largest property insurer in the state and one of the largest in the nation.
Despite its effort to raise premiums, the board on Friday backed away, at least for now, from a plan to push much higher premiums for new policies coming on line. The company had argued that new policies wouldn’t be covered by the 10 percent limit on increases – that setting an initial rate for new customers wasn’t the same as an increase. The idea drew heavy criticism and the board backed down.
But the company has hit on another idea for boosting the amount of money coming in. The board said an accounting figure aimed at covering the risk the state would face if a big hurricane hits could be added to the premium, and wouldn’t be covered as part of the 10 percent cap. Citizens officials say using that calculation, called a risk load, could push actual rates higher by an average of 10.2 percent statewide.
The board also approved higher sinkhole rates that would include 50 percent increases in premiums for residents in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties. Officials say there are so many claims in those areas that customers there would see their rates more than quintuple if the rate hike caps were not in place. Sinkhole rates in portions of Hillsborough County, for example, would increase from $662 to $3,767 if allowed to rise to actuarially sound rates, the company says.
The company’s governors, however, backed away from a proposal to cap water damage claims at $15,000, a level that critics say would not allow property owners of even average means to pay for repairs. While Citizens doesn’t cover flood damage – which is covered by a national flood program – it does cover rain damage and water damage from things like broken pipes.
Putting a $15,000 limit on a $50,000 claim could devastate a family,” said Raul Rivera, a Citizens customer who testified.
Other efforts to reduce Citizens exposure also came under fire. On Thursday, the state’s insurance consumer advocate said Citizens has done a poor job in explaining why it is taking away mitigation credits from many property owners who received discounts for hurricane resistant features.
Nearly three out of four homeowners inspected under the program lost some of their discounts. Statewide, more than $100 million in discounts were rescinded.
Despite the reduction, Citizens still offers nearly $1 billion in so called mitigation discounts for making improvements to their homes to avoid damage.
By The News Service of Florida
Nellie Joanna Green
July 28, 2012
Nellie Joanna Green, 93, of Pensacola went to be with her Lord Wednesday, July 25, 2012.
Mrs. Green was born in Laurel Hill, FL and resided in Pensacola for the past 53 years. She was a minister’s wife in the Assemblies of God and a member of Brownsville Assembly of God. Mrs. Green most recently attended Ashford Assembly of God and Pine Forest Assembly of God.
Preceding her in death is her husband of 56 years, Reverend George T. Green.
Survivors include her children, Wendell Green (Evelyn), Bobby Green (Shirley), Darlene Harden (Milton), Glenda Burleson (Billy), Rita Kornegay (Rex), Shirley Grant (Joel) and Mike Kilpatrick; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Pine Forest Assembly of God with Pastor Gene Hudson and Reverend Bobby Green officiating.
Burial will be in Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
For those who wish, donations may be made in Nellie Green’s name to Pine Forest Assembly of God 3125 Pine Forest Road Cantonment, FL 32533, or to Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital 5041 N. 12th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Pcola Blue Wahoos Beat The Huntsville Stars 7-5
July 28, 2012
Pensacola and Huntsville totaled nine runs in four innings, including scores in each frame from the bottom of the fifth until the bottom of the eighth, while four Blue Wahoos batters recorded multi-hit efforts to lead the Fish to a 7-5 victory over the Huntsville Stars on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win combined with a Montgomery loss means Pensacola is now just one game behind the Biscuits for first in the second half standings of the South Division with a 19-15 record. The Stars fell to 16-18 in the second half, with the defeat snapping their five-game winning streak.
Once again Pensacola struck first, with RF Josh Fellhauer leading off the second with a double, before 3B David Vidal drove home Fellhauer with a run-scoring ground-rule double to left-center. Vidal would then come across when starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran singled to left to push Pensacola to a 2-0 margin.
Following a solo homer from Huntsville LF Khris Davis, his eighth of the year, the Blue Wahoos started the scoring streak with a two-run fifth frame. SS Billy Hamilton led off with a triple and scored on an error on the play, while LF Donald Lutz drew a free pass and was brought home on an RBI double by 1B Beau Mills, making it 4-1.
Both teams subsequently exchanged single tallies in both the sixth and seventh innings to keep Pensacola ahead 6-3. The Stars scored thanks to a sacrifice fly from 1B Hunter Morris in the sixth, which was followed by a run-scoring single from SS Tommy Manzella in the next frame. CF Ryan LaMarre drove a run home with an RBI single in the sixth, while Vidal brought in his second tally with a single in the seventh.
After Huntsville cut their deficit to one with a pair of scores in the eighth courtesy of a two-run double by CF Josh Prince, the Fish added an additional insurance run in the bottom of the frame when LaMarre brought across pinch hitter Miguel Rojas, extending the Pensacola advantage to two.
Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory after giving up just two earned runs on five hits while fanning five in 5.1 frames, while Stars RHP Evan Anundsen (4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss for Huntsville. Pensacola closer Justin Freeman (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 SO) notched his 11th save of the year by firing the final 1.2 innings.
Lamarre (2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB), along with Mills (2-5, 2 2B, 1 RBI), Fellhauer (2-3, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB) and Vidal (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) all recorded multi-hit efforts in the win for the Fish, while Khris Davis (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB) and 2B Scotter Gennett (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B) each collected two base knocks in the contest. Mills extended his on-base streak to 30 consecutive games, which is the second longest active streak in the Southern League this year.
Pensacola and Huntsville will meet in the series finale Saturday night, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. RHP Wirfin Obispo is expected to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Stars have not yet announced their starter.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: David Vidal collected two RBI in Pensacola’s 7-5 win over Huntsville Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roxanne M. Northcutt
July 28, 2012
Roxanne M. Northcutt was born on September 16, 1950, to Francis “Frank” and Eleanor Mclemore Mulholland in Pensacola and died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in St.Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
She graduated from Tate High School in 1966. She owned and operated Ferns Flowers and Gifts with her mother in Cantonment for several years. Then she was the administrative assistant to the eEngineering department of the West Florida Hospital. In 1990 she moved to Enid. On Feb 16th,1991, she married Leonard Northcutt. She was a very gifted decorator, a charter member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, past board member of Oakwood Country Club , past president and active member of the Oakwood Womens Golf Association.
She is survived by her husband Leonard of the home; daughter, Chania Halfacre and husband,Don,of Pensacola, stepsons, Scott and wife ,Christy Northcutt of Enid, Clay Northcutt of Ponca City, Kenneth Northcutt of Enid, five grandchildren Nate, Lindy, Cole, Reid, Hanna ,her mother, Eleanor Mulholland of Pensacola, sister, Pam Kirchharr and husband John of Pensacola, brother Buckey Mulholland and wife Patsy of Ferriday, Louisana, three nephews, Kenny, Edward,and Chuck Mulholland, also of Ferriday, Louisana. She was preceded in death by her father. She Has two aunts and one uncle, Faye and Irvin Legitti and Christina Land.
The memorial service for Roxanne M. Northcutt , Enid, was held Thursday July 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Emmanuel Baptist Church with Pastor Bill Stephens, minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church , officiating. Private Burial will be held prior in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
Possible Homicide: Body Found Submerged In Murder Creek
July 27, 2012
Escambia County, Alabama, authorities are investigating a possible homicide after a body was found overnight in Murder Creek.
About 10 p.m. Thursday, 50-year old Ina Jackson of Brewton was reported missing. After a search utilizing a K-9 team from Fountain Prison, her body was found submerged in Murder Creek off Kirkland Road near Brewton.
“We are treating this as a homicide at this time,” said Mike Lambert, chief deputy of the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office. He said the cause of death is not known and will be determined by an autopsy.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741.
Pictured top: Murder Creek near Brewton where a possible homicide victim was found. Photo by Amber Southard, WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested For Child Abuse Shortly After Unsuccessful Bratt Manhunt
July 27, 2012
A Bratt man was arrested Wednesday night, a short time after he eluded authorities in a manhunt near Northview High School.
Marvin Anthony Haynie, 48, was charged with felony child abuse. He remained in the Escambia County Jail late Thursday night with bond set at $2,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices responded to Haynie’s residence on York Road about 2:45 Wednesday afternoon after receiving a call that Haynie was physically fighting with a minor at that home.
Prior to the arrival of deputies, Haynie had fled into a wooded area around the residence. A K-9 team from the Escambia County Road Prison responded to the area, but their search was unsuccessful.
A short time after deputies left the area, they received a tip that Haynie had exited the wooded area. He was taken into custody on the front porch of a nearby residence without incident.
Brother, Sister Released From Jail, Arrested Again In Under 30 Minutes
July 27, 2012
A brother and sister released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday were back behind bars within 30 minutes.
Johnnie Kennie, 24, and his sister, Jennie Kennie, 19, allegedly created a disturbance in an Escambia County courtroom during a murder trial. Court security officers asked Johnnie Kennie to leave, but he became belligerent and starting using profane language throughout the courthouse. Despite the multiple warnings, Kennie continued his tirade and tried to flee the area when deputies tried to arrest him.
As deputies were able to arrest Johnnie Kennie, Jennie Kennie started yelling at the deputies to “get off her brother”. Jennie Kennie was asked to not interfere, but when she continued, she was also arrested and the duo was taken to the Escambia County Jail, where they were booked on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer without violence. The siblings were released two hours later after posting bond.
Authorities said after Johnnie Kennie exited the jail, he started to cause to a second disturbance in the Central Booking and Detention Center lobby. Kennie was upset that the jail kept $50 that he had on him when he was booked, authorities reported. Jail staff explained to Kennie that he owed the jail $200 from his previous stay and the $50 was put toward his debt.
Not satisfied with this response, Johnnie Kennie, Jennie Kennie and Carri Clements preceded to cause a disturbance in the lobby. When officers responded, Johnnie Kennie tried to run across the street, but his shoes and pants restricted his movement and he fell face first into the middle of the street. When deputies attempted to stop Johnnie Kennie, Jennie Kennie attempted to stop one of the deputies by putting her arms straight out, while Carri Clements jumped on the same deputy’s back. All three were charged with disturbing the peace and resisting an officer without violence and re-booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Residents Spend Almost A Week With Little Or No Water Pressure
July 27, 2012
Water service that had diminished to just a trickle at times over the past week has returned to normal today for customers of Central Water Works in the McDavid area.
Central customers on Cox, Holland, Comalander and Roach roads experienced service problems that began last Thursday, July 19, with low pressure or even no water at times. The leak causing the problem near Bratt Road and Canoe Creek was not located by the water company until Wednesday morning, July 25.
UPDATE: A boil water advisory was issued. Click here.
“We knew we had a leak somewhere because our wells were pumping long hours and many more gallons than we could account for,” Lisa Fuller of Central Water Works said. “It was just a matter of physically going over the system to find the problem. As you can imagine, this was no small task since our service area covers nearly 70 square miles.”
Fuller said the leak was in a thick brushy area discovered by personnel that were literally walking the route of the water main; she said the leak was not readily visible from a vehicle or even walking on Bratt Road.
She said the water main leak was discovered at about 10 a.m. Wednesday and repaired by 3 p.m., and “flushing” the system kept water pressure low into Wednesday evening.
All Central Water Works customers were reported to have full pressure service by Thursday morning.
Pictured: This fully opened water faucet is flowing at a reduced pressure Tuesday in the area of Roach Road in McDavid due to a Central Water Works leak. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Women Sentenced For Repeatedly Tasing Man In Walnut Hill
July 27, 2012
Two women charged in connection with kicking and repeatedly tasing a man in an armed disturbance in Walnut Hill were sentenced this week.
Windy Hall Hudson, age 28 of Century, was found guilty of battery in connection with the incident. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and 25 hours of community service.
Wanda R. McGhee, age 44 of Atmore, was found guilty of misdemeanor disorderly conduct. She was sentenced to six months probation and ordered to perform 25 hours of community service.
Additionally, the stun gun used in the incident was seized by the court.
On March 21, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance on Rigby Road where the victim said he was sitting on the porch with his girlfriend and the homeowner. He told deputies that McGhee, who is his estranged wife, along with Hudson and a man he knew only as “Slick” pulled up in the driveway. He said “Slick” headed toward him in an agitated state and punched him in the face and then grabbed him around the neck in a choke hold, according to an arrest report.
While the victim was down on the ground in the choke hold, a witness told deputies that McGhee began to use a stun gun to tase the victim repeatedly while Hudson kicked him. The witness said Hudson grabbed the taser and also tased the victim. “Slick” and the two women then left the residence.
Deputies later made contact with the women at the Grey Goose Lounge on Highway 97. Hudson refused to answer questions, while McGhee told deputies that her estranged husband had swung at the unnamed male first, starting the fight.
Deputies later identified “Slick” as Slick Kenneth Corey, 43. He is awaiting trial next month on a charge of felony aggravated battery for his alleged part in the altercation.
Northview Chiefs To Hold Football Camp
July 27, 2012
The Northview High School Chiefs will host a football camp next month.
The camp is for players age eight years to the eighth grade. Registration is $30 which includes a hot dog lunch, camp t-shirt and a free pass to the first home game. Camp participants will be recognized at halftime of the first home game.
For more information and a registration form, click here (pdf).