Florida Prison Health Privatization Could Start January 1st
September 8, 2012
After months of legal battles, a state budget panel next week could clear the way for the Department of Corrections to contract with two companies to provide health services in Florida’s prisons.
Next week, the Legislative Budget Commission will consider a department request to transfer money within the budget so the privatization can occur. The department plans to contract with Wexford Health Sources to provide health services at prisons in South Florida and with Corizon to do the work in the rest of the state. Information included in the LBC’s agenda indicates the privatization would take effect January 1.
Lawmakers directed the department last year to privatize inmate health care. But a legal challenge by the Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees tied up the issue.
The challenge centered on a legislative decision to include the change in budget fine print, known as “proviso” language, instead of approving it in a regular bill.
A Leon County circuit judge did not rule on the challenge because the proviso language expired with the June 30 end of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Even without the proviso language, the department argues it can continue with the effort to privatize health services under already-existing state law.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Medical Unit at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Comes Up Short To Marianna, 48-42 (With Gallery)
September 8, 2012
The 1A Northview Chiefs held a 42-26 lead over the 4A Marianna Bulldogs Friday night in Bratt, but the Chiefs just could not hold on, losing 48-42 on an overtime forth down with a fumbled ball just inches from the goal line.
“At that point, you really clamp down; you put the vise on them defensively, and we were unable to do that,” head coach Wheatley said about the 42-26 lead. “It was just a matter of taking momentum away from them…which we did with the score, but they immediately got it back and kept believing ‘hey, we are in this thing’. And sure enough, they were.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
The Chiefs, ranked number two in Florida’s Class 1A headed into Friday night’s game, took an early 8-0 lead with 10:07 to go in the first quarter. A LaMikal Banks interceptions set up a six yard touchdown run from senior Roderick Woods, LaMikal Kyles was in on the two point conversion.
The Bulldogs scored to make it 8-7, then Northview answered with a pass deep into the end zone from backup quarterback Daulton Tullis to junior Dalton Daniel, 15-0. Tullis was in at QB Friday night for starting quarterback Kevin Vaughan who is suffering from a wrist injury. Vaughan still stepped up for the Chiefs as kicker.
After the Bulldogs scored to trail 15-13, Neino Robinson returned a Marianna punt 75 yards for a touchdown, 22-13. A Brannon Freeman TD upped Northview’s lead to 28-13. Marianna scored a couple of times, 28-26.
Woods scored again for the Chiefs, 35-26, while a Jaron Myles touchdown made it 42-26.
But the Bulldogs bit back, eventually evening the game up at 42-42 to force overtime.
Marianna was up first in OT, adding a touchdown suffering a block kick, 48-42.
On Northview’s first down of overtime, Kyles drove to the five. On second down Kyles pushed to the one yard line. On third down of overtime, Woods was stopped shot inside the one. And on the fourth, and final down of overtime, the Chiefs fumbled the ball away for a 48-46 Marianna. win.
“At times, I thought we played with energy. We had a couple of big plays,” Wheatley said after the loss. “We’ve got to get better fundamentally. We had way to many missed tackles tonight. And we are going preach about finishing football games because we were unable to close it out tonight, and it cost us a win.”
Next Friday night Northview will host Chipley in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game. The Chiefs were eliminated just shy of a trip to the state championship with a 25-21 loss.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
Pictured top: Northview head coach Sid Wheatley expresses his disappointment in a team huddle following the Chiefs loss to Marianna Friday night. Pictured top inset: LaMikal Kyles picks up yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Northview’s Neino Robinson on a 75-yard punt return. Pictured below: A Marianna Bulldog heads over a pile short of a touchdown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fort Walton Downs Tate 27-7
September 8, 2012
The Tate Aggies list to Fort Walton 27-7 Friday night in Cantonment’s Pete Gindl Stadium. It was a delayed season opener and coaching debut for Brad Naggatz after last week’s Tate road trip to Louisiana was spoiled by Hurricane Isaac.
The Aggies’ lone touchdown came with 2:39 to go in the game on a 9-yard run by Lorenzo Long.
A minor foot injury sidelined Tate starting quarterback David Moorhead in the first half, with junior Brian Davis stepping in to the QB spot
Next week, the Tate Aggies will be at home against West Florida High School.
Holmes County Shuts Down Jay’s Royals 52-14
September 8, 2012
The Holmes County Blue Devils handily defeated the Jay Royals Friday night in Bonifay, 52-14.
The Blue Devils held a commanding 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Ricky Cofield, who a had 163 yards on 23, put the Royals on the board with a 77-yard touchdown run.
By the half, Holmes County was up 45-6.
In the third, the Jay Royals scored on a 12-yard quarterback keeper from Tate Upton.
The Jay Royals (1-1) will be at home next Friday night against Sneads.
Pictured: The Jay Royals at Holmes County in Bonifay Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Michelle Gibbs, click to enlarge.
+Prep Football Finals
September 8, 2012
Here are football scores from across the area from Friday night:
- Marianna 48 Northview 42 OT [Read more...]
- Ft Walton 27 Tate 7 [Read more...]
- Holmes 52 Jay 14 [Read more...]
- West Florida 39 Washington 0
- PHS 25 Navarre 24
- Crestview 35 Escambia 7
- Pace 28 Niceville 17
- Pine Forest 72 Arlington Co 0
- Freeport 41 South Walton 7
- Washington 37 Flomaton 20
- Monroe Academy 38 Escambia Academy 0
- Staughn 36 W.S. Neal 30
- TR Miller 21 Opp 7
- Clarke County Escambia County 0
James Devoter Arrington
September 8, 2012
Mr. James Devoter Arrington, Jr., age 60 of Flomaton, passed away at his home on Friday, September 7, 2012.
Mr. Arrington was a native of Century, but was a lifetime resident of Flomaton where he was a member of the 1970 graduating class of Flomaton High School, the football team and a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church. Mr. Arrington was a veteran of the United States Army having been stationed in Germany and serving there during the Vietnam War. Mr. Arrington loved to garden.
He is survived by his parents, James and Margaret Stallworth Arrington, Sr. of Flomaton; brother, William (Irma) Arrington of Flomaton; sister, Gail (Keith) Stokes of Pensacola; three nieces, four great nieces and one great nephew; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Graveside services will be held for Mr. Arrington on Sunday, September 9, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Flomaton Cemetery with Rev. Freddy Stallworth officiating.
Hubert Wade Dunsford
September 8, 2012
Hubert Wade Dunsford, 81 of Century, passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2012, in Pensacola.
Known to most as Wade Dunsford, he was born in Jay, August 8,1931. He served our country in the Army for 20 years, served in the Korean War and retired with honorable service. For the past 30 years, he has been a faithful member of Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bluff Springs.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Eucedar Dunsford, one brother, Gene Dunsford, one sister, Sadie Burkett, and two sons, Roger Wade and James Raymond Dunsford.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anna Mae Dunsford; daughters, Donna Jean Bare (Brian) and Vicki Lynn Godwin (Jimmy); three sons, Richard Wade Dunsford (Judy), Michael Patrick Dunsford (Tami), and William Jay Dunsford (Valerie); 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Clifton Dunsford (Barbara), and James (Judy) Dunsford; and two sisters, Josie Driver (Cecil) and Mollie Dunsford.
Services were held at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bluff Springs on Friday, September 7, 2012 with Bro. Ricky Dunsford, Pastor Robert Barrow and Bro. Gene Stokes will officiating.
Burial was at Byrneville Methodist Church in Byrneville.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Delois J. Kimmons
September 8, 2012
Mrs. Delois J. Kimmons, 78, passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, in Atmore.
Mrs. Kimmons was a native of Dry Springs and a resident of Davisville her entire life. She was an employee of the Escambia County Florida School System; she was a bookkeeper at Davisville and Century. She was the youngest of 12 children born to Jim and Rachel Joiner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Kimmons, nine siblings, Agnes Allen, Bessie Hollingsworth, Arthur Joiner, Albert Joiner, Emmett Joiner, Grady Joiner, Minnie Lee Foster, Hazel Gouch and Nancy Chavers. She came from a large family consisting of 88 brothers, sisters, in laws, nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her two sons, Anthony (Pam) Kimmons of Brookheaven, MS and Von Kimmons of Davisville; one brother, Hoyt (Polly) Joiner of Bristol, FL; one sister, Ola Cavens of Millington, TN; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and many other kids in the community that knew her as “Granny”.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 8, 2012, at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Jim O’Brien officiating.
Burial was at Dry Springs Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ben Kimmons, Eli Kimmons, Reuben Kimmons, Levon Kimmons, Brandon Sharpless and Aaron Sharpless.
Patriot Guard Rider Injured In Walnut Hill Motorcycle Crash
September 7, 2012
A Patriot Guard ride was injured in single motorcycle accident Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The accident happened just before 3 p.m. on Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99. Robert Baker, age 67 of Perdido, Ala., reportedly suffered a mechanical problem with his motorcycle and was ejected as the bike overturned. Baker came to rest just off the northbound lane of Highway 97 while the motorcycle came to rest in the southbound lane.
Baker was transported by Atmore Ambulance to North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette in stable condition.
Other Patriot Guard riders, who were returning from an escort, were not involved in the crash.
Pictured: A Patriot Guard rider was injured in this wreck Friday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Medical Examiner With Body Parts In Storage Arrested
September 7, 2012
The former medical examiner that had body parts from over 100 people in an Escambia County storage unit was arrested Friday afternoon.
Michael Edward Berkland was charged with one count of improper disposal/storage of hazardous waste and one count of public nuisance, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The improper storage charged is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in state prison, while the public nuisance charge is a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail.
The remains were stored in plastic containers, specimen cups and trash bags inside Unit B12 at Uncle Bob’s Storage at 195 East Fairfield Drive. The unit was rented by Berkland, a former associate medical examiner who is no longer licensed in Florida, according to the Pensacola Police Department.
Lungs, hearts, tissue samples, and 10 brains were among the body parts from more than 100 people found in the air conditioned unit. The body parts were stored in formaldehyde in plastic containers, plastic bags, and even a 32-ounce Styrofoam cup from a convenience store.
Some of the containers had cracked and leaked, police said.
Storage shed Manager George Klages told police contents of the unit had been sold for $900 during an auction on August 22. As the purchaser began cleaning out the unit, cardboard boxes of plastic containers holding the remains were found.
Klages told police Berkland rented the unit from April 8, 2009, until it was auctioned August 22. He said Berkland was late on rental payments several times during the lease, but usually paid right before the unit contents were to be auctioned. The storage unit also contained office furniture and other property.
It is believed the remains are from autopsies Berkland did between 1997 and 2007 at funeral homes in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City.
At the time of his arrest, Berland was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and was also charged with that offense.