Sheriff Releases More Info On Fatal Deputy-Involved Pedestrian Accident
September 13, 2012
New information was released Wednesday about a deadly accident Monday in which an Escambia County deputy struck two pedestrians, killing a 16-year old girl.
Deputy Ty Brewton, 41, was westbound on Mobile Highway at the New Warrington Road overpass at 4:10 a.m. when he hit 16-year old Aaliyah S. Howard and 16-year old Louise Johnson. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene; Johnson was treated and released at Sacred Heart Hospital for minor injuries.
A report released Monday by the Florida Highway Patrol said the girls were walking side-by-side in the inside westbound lane with their backs facing traffic. But in interviews with local television stations, Johnson and family members claimed the girls were walking in the median when Brewton hit them.
Sheriff David Morgan said Wednesday that an investigation by his department also determined the teens were walking in the roadway when they were hit.
“This fact was determined through the evidence at the scene to include the in-car camera in Deputy Brewton’s patrol vehicle,” Morgan said, adding that the FHP determined that Brewton’s vehicle was in proper working condition, including headlights that were on at the time of the crash.
Deputy Brewton remains on paid administrative leave pending a final outcome of the investigation.
It’s Going To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Century
September 13, 2012
The Town of Century is making plans for Christmas, ordering new decorations for utility poles along North Century Boulevard.
The town has ordered 42, 50-inch Christmas wreaths with energy saving LED bulbs and 24-inch nylon bows. The wreaths were ordered from Dixie Decorations in Montavello, Ala., for $15,047 — an amount reflecting a 17 percent discount received for placing an order prior to Monday.
The wreaths were chosen by council President Ann Brooks, who was appointed by the council as a one-person committee to choose the decorations. They will replace aging decorations donated to the town about five years ago when the City of Pensacola upgraded their Christmas decor.
The town is still waiting to hear back from Gulf Power on the cost to wire the poles as needed for the new decorations, according to Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez. Twenty-six utility poles in the town are already wired, but 16 will need wiring installed.
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 during a meeting earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Legislative Committe Approves Prison Health Privatization Amendment
September 13, 2012
A budget amendment that would allow the Department of Corrections to move forward with a plan to private health-care services for its inmates passed the Legislative Budget Commission on a party-line vote Wednesday.
The action almost guarantees a lawsuit, with unions representing affected workers vowing that they will move to block the privatization drive. Earlier efforts to privatize prison functions have also gotten tied up in court.
The 6-4 vote by the panel technically just shifts money around in the department’s budget to provide the funding for pushing ahead with the initiative. But Democratic lawmakers said the move was a de facto change in policy that was far beyond the authority of the commission, which was created to handle midyear adjustments to the state spending plan.
Department officials say they have the authority to carry out the privatization, something expected to save $56 million, under a provision of law that says the agency “may contract for the provision of services by counties, municipalities, nonprofit corporations, and other entities capable of providing needed services” if it will save money.
“We’re not enacting a policy,” Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, told reporters after the meeting. “The executive branch is operating within its established legal authority.”
But Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, said the department’s reading of the law was a stretch.
“Why then would you ever need to come to the Legislature for any appropriation or permission or authorization if you have the unbridled authority under ‘other entities’ to contract anywhere?” he asked.
Critics also worried about the impact of the potential move on state workers who would possibly lose their job if a private company took over health care.
“They may be offered a job with the private firm, but most likely at a lower salary with much lower benefits,” said Chris Snow of the Florida Nurses Association. The group represents 850 workers in state prisons, Snow said.
Democrats and opponents also questioned whether private companies would provide an acceptable level of care to inmates in an effort to cut costs.
Supporters largely brushed off many of the concerns.
“There are going to be problems, either way you go,” Alexander said. “The question is, can we improve the quality and save money? And the Department of Corrections and the governor’s office have put forward a plan that they believe will do that.”
Efforts to privatize prison functions have led to lengthy court battles in recent months. A Leon County circuit judge declined to rule on a previous effort in 2011 to privatize prison health-care services through the fine print of the budget because the language expired June 30, 2012, before he could rule on it.
A separate judge blocked efforts to privatize all prisons in the southern third of the state; the 1st District Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying she didn’t have standing to appeal the decision because she wasn’t a party to the case.
Doug Martin of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees made it clear Wednesday that his group intended to quickly challenge the newest privatization push in court.
“It could be as soon as tomorrow,” Martin said.
By The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With Attempted Steak Knife Attack On Brother
September 12, 2012
A Century man with a lengthy arrest history has been charged with coming after his brother with a steak knife.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 51, was charged with aggravated assault and released from jail on a $25,000 bond.
Newton allegedly threatened his 41-year old brother with a steak knife after the brother asked him to turn down his stereo inside their mother’s home on North Century Boulevard. As the brother was speaking with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy, an irate Newton advanced toward the brother with the knife. The Sheriff’s deputy was forced to stand between the two before taking Newton into custody, according to an arrest report.
Newton was released from state prison in April 2012 after completing a 22 month sentence for stalking after being arrested more than a dozen times in a year. Newton was first found incompetent and remanded into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families for evaluation, but was later found competent to stand trial.
His arrests since 2007, according to court records, included a long list of charges that were dropped or dismissed included aggravated assault, criminal mischief, battery, lewd and lascivious behavior victim under 18, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and contempt of court.
Gulf Power Delivers For Manna Food Pantry
September 12, 2012
The sign on the wall asked Gulf Power employees to bring a few cans of tomatoes and some jars of peanut butter to help Manna Food Pantry.
On Tuesday afternoon, they brought a truckload.
More than 325 cans of tomatoes and jars of peanut butter were delivered to Manna Food Pantries today after Gulf Power employees completed a food drive at Plant Crist. Manna Food Pantries in Pensacola feeds an average of more than 130 people a day and had seen a supply shortfall in recent weeks. The pantry put out a notice for canned tomatoes and for jars of peanut butter.
Employees at Plant Crist saw the signs on the office walls and soon the supplies poured in.
“We know that Manna does terrific work in our community and has a great need for food right now — and our employees did this on their own,” said Natalie Smith Gulf Power spokeswoman. “The pantry is able to make the most with what they get and we hope this will help people in our community.”
The delivery today came about a week after Gulf Power made another large donation to Manna Food Pantries and Loaves and Fishes following Hurricane Isaac.
Gulf Power had hosted close to 500 out-of-town line crews and contractors in anticipation of Hurricane Isaac. But when the storm struck Louisiana and Mississippi, the crews shifted west. That meant that the catered food contractor had nowhere to go with food prepared for 500 hungry linemen.
“It was an easy decision to make, knowing how much great work they do for the community,” Smith said. “We work with our partners at United Way and other agencies to help strengthen our communities, but it starts with our employees, who do this out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Motorcyclist Dies In Escambia Crash
September 12, 2012
An Escambia County motorcyclist is dead following a crash Tuesday afternoon.
Matthew Walter Vaughn, age 27 of Pensacola, died from injuries he received when he was struck on Mobile Highway near Wabash Avenue about 3:30 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 54-year old Mary Ellem Smith of Pensacola was traveling south in the southbound turn lane on Mobile Highway near Walmart when she turned her 1992 Chevrolet S10 pickup into the path of Vaughn’s northbound motorcycle.
Vaughn tried to avoid the collision but slid into the side of the pickup and was ejected.
Charges are pending a traffic homicide investigation, according to the FHP.
Smith and her five-year old passenger were not injured.
Century Correctional Donates Supplies To Three Area Schools
September 12, 2012
Century Correctional Institution recently held a school supply drive and distributed donations to partners in education Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Camp Fire USA in Century. A variety of items were collected from employees, including crayons, folders, paper, scissors, glue sticks, tissue, paper towels, zip lock bags and hand sanitizer.
Pictured above are CCI employees Sgt. Yetzer, Warden Whitehurst, Sgt. Dixon, Michele Edwards, Carrie Bryan, Officer Guice, Assistant. Warden Flores and Officer DeGraaf with some of the collected school supplies.
Scroll down for more photos.
Pictured above: Bratt Elementary students with Assistant Warden Flores, Michele Edwards, Principal Karen Hall, Carrie Bryan and Willie Hicks.
Pictured above: Donations at Byrneville Elementary School with Willie Hicks, Carrie Bryan, Michele Edwards, Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and Assistant Warden Flores.
Pictured above: Campfire USA Century Pre-K students with donated supplies, along with teacher Misty Lambeth and Director Pam Townson.
Congressmen Stuff Special September 11 USO Care Packages
September 12, 2012
Members of Congress crossed party lines on Tuesday, September 11, to stuff thousands of Operation USO Care Packages to be distributed to service members overseas in an effort to provide them with a “piece of home”.
“Every time I go overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other areas of operation around the world, the men and women tell me all the time how much they appreciate getting the USO care packages and the notes and letters from home,” said Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla. “The USO continues to be one of the most important morale boosters to our men and women serving overseas.”
The event took place in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington where Miller (R-FL) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) kicked off the event. During the event, Members of Congress and staff assembled more than 3,000 care packages for deployed troops.
Special cards were inserted in each care package noting the significance of September 11.
“We must never forget September 11, 2001, nor your selfless service to our nation. This special USO care package was assembled on September 11, 2012 on Capitol Hill in appreciation of your continued service and commitment to our country,” the cards read.
Since the program’s inception, the USO has distributed more than two million care packages to troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other overseas locations. The Operation USO Care Package program enables the public to directly support our soldiers. These packages improve the lives of deployed troops around the world by providing recipients with, at a minimum, one prepaid international phone card, sunscreen, snacks, playing cards, toiletries and other items requested by service members.
For more information about Operation USO Care Package and other USO programs, please visit www.uso.org.
Pictured top: Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas (left), Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida and his wife Vicki Miller stuff USO care packages Tuesday, September 11 on Capitol Hill. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Baker Tops NHS; Tate Topples Escambia
September 12, 2012
The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in high school volleyball action Tuesday, while the Tate Aggies toppled Escambia High.
Baker defeats Northview
In varsity action, Baker won 25-14, 25-12, 25-21. Shelly Mothershed had four assists as Lilly Townson added three assists. Misty Doran had six kills and two aces for the Chiefs.
In junior varsity play, Baker defeated NHS 25-20, 25-20. For the JV Lady Chiefs, Hope Coggins and Penny Banda had two aces each, and Shelby Nielsen had four aces and two kills.
The varsity Lady Chiefs will take part in the Spanish Fort Varsity Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Both the JV and varsity will be in action at home next Monday against Jay beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Tate defeats Escambia
Tate defeated Escambia Tuesday 25-14, 25-14, 25-10.
Tate’s Brooke White had five kills, two blocks, one ace, and one dig; Shani Conoly recorded 10 kills, four blocks; Heather Thomason had five aces and one dig; Lauren Merts 16 assists, two aces, four digs; Jordan White six kills, one block, one ace, Julie McKinley one kill; Lexi Windham one kill, two blocks, three aces, two digs; two digs; Carissa Caroll one dig; and Jordan Barnette one ace, nine digs.
Tate will host Pensacola High on Thursday.
Pictured top: The junior varsity Lady Chiefs. File photo, click to enlarge.
Learn More About Qualifying For A Habitat For Humanity Home In Escambia, Ala.
September 12, 2012
The Escambia County (Ala.) Habitat for Humanity has announced orientation sessions for anyone interested in becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner. Interested persons must attend an orientation session in order to receive an application.
Orientation sessions are scheduled for:
- Monday, Sept. 24, 11:00 a.m. Unity House, 313 North Main St., Atmore
- Monday, Sept. 24, 6:00 p.m. 2nd St. Siloam Baptist Church, 209 East St., Brewton
- Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m. Escambia County High Auditorium, 1215 South Presley St., Atmore
- Thursday, September 27, 10:00 a.m.. Habitat ReStore. 1606 Douglas Avenue Brewton
- Monday, October 1, 6:00 p.m. Flomaton Elementary School, 1634 Poplar St., Flomaton
To qualify for the Habitat program:
- Applicants must have lived in substandard housing in Escambia County, Ala., for at least one year. Substandard housing can be defined as structurally unsound, plumbing or electrical problems, unsafe environment or temporary (for example, Section 8 or Housing Authority), overcrowding, renting, living with family member.
- Applicants must have a stable verifiable income of approximately $13,000 – $23,000 per year. Income limits vary due to family size. Documentation verifying income must accompany the application.
- Applicants must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity in building the home and the homes of others. Each homeowner family is required to invest 450 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of their home and other Habitat homes.
- Applicants must be willing to accept responsibility for repaying Habitat what it costs to build/renovate the home. Habitat for Humanity offers a 20 year no-interest mortgage.
Pictured: An Escambia County (Ala.) Habitat for Humanity home under construction in Nokomis, Ala. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.