Video: NHS Band, Glee Club ‘Little Drummer Boy’
December 15, 2012
Video: The Northview band and glee club perform “Little Drummer Boy” at the NHS Christmas Variety Show.
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Florida Misses Obamacare Health Care Exchange Deadline
December 15, 2012
With a Friday deadline for states to notify the federal government if they plan to run health-insurance exchanges, Florida officials said they do not have enough information to move forward with an exchange.
The stance, which echoes positions taken earlier by Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders, means it is virtually certain the federal government will run an exchange for Florida when the key part of the Affordable Care Act takes effect in January 2014.
Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Scott, said in a prepared statement that the governor’s office is working to schedule a meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
“At this time we do not have sufficient information on the cost of implementing a state health care exchange to Florida taxpayers, Florida businesses or Florida health insurance purchasers,” Schutz said. “We are looking forward to getting more information from HHS and the president.”
States were supposed to submit letters Friday if they intend to run exchanges in 2014.
Katie Betta, a spokeswoman for Senate President Don Gaetz, said in an email that Florida did not submit such a letter. If states do not run exchanges, the federal government will do it for them. States can request later to run exchanges, which will be online marketplaces where people can shop for health coverage.
Millions of Americans will receive subsidies to help buy insurance through the exchanges.
Lawmakers are expected to consider the exchange issue when they meet in spring 2013. Florida Republican leaders took few steps to carry out the Affordable Care Act after President Obama and congressional Democrats passed it in 2010. But after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of the law in June and Obama was re-elected in November, legislative leaders began grappling with issues such as the exchange and a potential Medicaid expansion.
By The News Service of Florida
26 Dead In Connecticut Elementary School Massacre
December 15, 2012
As many as 26 people — most of them young children — were killed Friday in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
Connecticut State Police lieutenant J. Paul Vance told reporters the fatalities included students and staff, and that the gunman involved also was dead. The officer did not give a complete report on casualties, saying the priority for authorities at the scene was to notify the children’s parents and other relatives.
An official from the governor’s office says Governor Dan Malloy was “horrified” by the tragedy and rushed to meet with the children’s family members.
President Barack Obama called authorities in Connecticut to express his sadness, and pledged to help with federal resources.
The shooting took place Friday morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Photos and video images from the scene showed children being rushed out of the school, but it took several hours before the full scope of the tragedy to become known.
The White House said President Obama spoke with the FBI director about the case, and was receiving frequent briefings.
A tearful President Barack Obama expressed “overwhelming grief” for the victims of the shooting rampage and called on Americans to set aside politics and “take meaningful action” to prevent more tragedies of this kind.
“Our hearts are broken today,” Obama said, his voice breaking at times during a nationally televised appearance in the White House briefing room.
[VOA] Photos courtesy Melanie Stengel/New Haven Register.
Jerry Curtis Maddox
December 15, 2012
Mr. Jerry Curtis Maddox, 60, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, in Mobile.
Mr. Maddox was a native and former resident of Molino and a resident of Little River for the past several years. Mr. Maddox was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and was an avid fisherman. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Albert and Dumer Maddox; brother, Bennie Ray Maddox and two sisters, Deloris Finley and Betty Lister.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Audrey Maddox of Little River; two sons, James (Sarah) Maddox of Little River and Phillip Maddox of Little River; one daughter, Dana (James Bagwell) Maddox of Brewton; one brother, Alan Maddox of Atmore; one sister, Brenda Maddox Baccus of Atmore and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Angelo Thomley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Magnolia Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 16, 2012, from 1 p.m. until service time at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Roger Hall, James Maddox, Phillip Maddox, Bubba Bagwell, Richard Maddox and Robert Day.
Honorary pallbearers will be Perry Buckhault, Cliff Risher, James Buckhault, Jessie Buckhault and Buddy Maddox.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Two Injured In ECAT Transit Bus Crash
December 14, 2012
Two bus passengers were injured when an ECAT transit bus was struck by a car Friday morning on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said bus driver Sharon Purifoy, 52, of Pensacola, had slowed just south of Airport Boulevard in preparation for a bus stop about 7:22 a.m. The bike rack on the bus made contact with the side of a Toyota Camry driven by 59-year old Angelika Nelson of Pensacola when Nelson attempted to turn in front of the bus and into a Tom Thumb parking lot.
Two of the six bus passengers complained of minor injuries in the crash. Nathan Thomas, 17, and Vicki Woods, 49, were transported to area hospitals.
The bus suffered about $500 in damage in the crash, while the Toyota received about $1,000 in damage, according to the FHP.
Nelson was cited for an improper right turn,according to FHP.
McDavid Man Charged With Striking Deputy With Truck, Multiple Felonies
December 14, 2012
An Escambia County deputy is recovering and a McDavid man is behind bars following an incident in which an arrest attempt ended with the deputy being struck by a truck.
Senior Deputy Rudy Brown was on routine patrol when he stopped to check on the BP gas station in Davisville last Friday morning. When he entered the store, he recognized Yancey James Thompson who had felony warrants and a revoked driver’s license. Thompson fled the store in a blue Ford truck at a high rate of speed. Brown attempted unsuccessfully to follow Thompson, and later discovered that the pickup had been abandoned back behind the gas station.
Later, Brown was on patrol in Walnut Hill when he stopped at Mike’s Ag Air on Highway 97 where he observed Thompson. He approached Thompson, called him by name and told him he was under arrest for three active warrants. Thompson replied, “I ain’t going back to jail,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. Thompson then moved toward a white Chevrolet dually truck that was idling nearby.
Thompson got into the vehicle at about the same time Brown arrived at the truck door, the report states. Brown again told Thompson he was under arrest, opened the driver’s door and took hold of the steering wheel with his left hand. Thompson, the report states, again said stated was not going back to jail.
He then floored the accelerator in the truck, causing the back tires to spin and started to drag the deputy toward a field. Brown let go of the vehicle and attempted to get away, but he was struck by the the rear of the dually truck, injuring his back.
Thompson fled the area at a high rate of speed and eluded capture from responding backup deputies.
Wednesday, Thompson surrendered at the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated battery on a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, driving while license suspended as a habitual offender and failure to appear for a a felony offense. He is also charged with withholding child support, and violating probation on charges of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, destroying evidence, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and resisting arrest without violence.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning without bond.
Senior Deputy Rudy Brown is continuing to recover at home from his injuries and is expected to return to work soon, Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said late Thursday afternoon.
Pictured top: Yancey James Thompson. Pictured below: Senior Deputy Rudy Brown (left) is presented a a Life Saving Medal last year by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Suspect Arrested In Thursday Night Pensacola Murder
December 14, 2012
One man is dead and another man was taken for questioning after a murder Thursday night in Pensacola.
Scott R. Mason, 44, of the 2200 block of West Gadsden Street, was charged with an open count of murder just before 3 a.m. Friday. The victim has been identified as Matthew A. Nestle, 18, of the same address.
Pensacola Police Department Lt. Doug Baldwin said Mason reported the shooting to police around 6:40 p.m. Thursday. He then waited at the scene for officers to arrive.
Baldwin said the two men got into an argument that escalated into an altercation, a gun was produced, and Nestle was shot multiple times. It is not yet known why the men were
arguing.
The Pensacola Police Department and the Gun Crime Response Team are continuing their investigation Mason is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Century’s Gonzalez Designated As Certified Municipal Clerk
December 14, 2012
Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez has now officially earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
“I am honored to endorse the conferring of CMC to Leslie Gonzalez, CMC of Town of Century. We share your pride in this achievement and we applaud your support of the role Leslie plays in your city,” IIMC President Brenda Cirtin said Thursday.
Gonzalez began working toward certification in October 2010, shortly after being named Century’s town clerk, at the Florida State University’s Institute of Government. Gonzalez was president of her clerk class of 20 and was the speaker at the graduation ceremony that made her eligible for the certification awarded this week.
Pictured: Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez (left) is congratulated by Florida Association of City Clerks President Kelly Koos of Lakeland last month during her graduation ceremony. Submitted picture for NorthEscambia.com.
Christmas Variety Show This Evening At Northview High
December 14, 2012
A Christmas Variety Show will be presented this evening in the Northview High School’s theater.
The show will feature the majorettes, dance team, color guard, band, guitar ensemble and theater comedy group. The show begins at 5 p.m. Admission is a donation of $4 in advance or $5 at the door. Proceeds are being used to pay for the band, dance team and color guard’s trip to the state championship football game last Friday night.
(Note that the start time has been moved earlier to 5 p.m. to allow those interested to attend an All-Star football game at Pace at 7 p.m. More..)
Byrneville Christmas Carnival Today
December 14, 2012
Byrneville Elementary will hold its annual Christmas Carnival today from 5-7 p.m.
BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, french fries, chips, drinks, and a sweet shop will be available. Tickets are on sale at the school until 3 p.m. today, with five tickets for $1. At the carnival, tickets will be four for $1.
A basket auction begins at 7 p.m. with baskets that include Thomas the Train, Superheroes, Dora the Explorer, Crayola, Entertainment, Auburn, Alabama, Disney Cars, Hello Kitty, John Deere, Hunting, Girls’ Accessories, Sports and several more surprise auction items.
All proceeds benefit Byrneville Elementary School.