Gov Signs Bill: Texting And Driving Become Illegal In Alabama
May 9, 2012
Legislation signed Tuesday by Gov. Robert Bentley makes texting and driving illegal in Alabama on August 1.
“Signing this bill sends a message that drivers need to focus on driving – not on sending a text,” Governor Bentley said. “There is nothing so urgent that it is worth risking your life, or the lives of others, by sending a text message while you are driving down the road.”
Alabama’s new law prohibits using a wireless device to write, send, or read a text message, instant message or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle. The fine for violating the law is $25 for a first-time offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense. Also, for each offense, a two-point violation would be placed on the offender’s driving record.
Alabama Rep. Jim McClendon was the House sponsor of the legislation.
“After six years of attempting to get this bill through, persistence has finally paid off,” McClendon said. “It took four years for this bill to pass the House, two years for it to pass the Senate, and today, I’m delighted that Governor Bentley is signing this bill into law. Our highways will be safer with the passage of this law.”
According to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving creates a crash risk that is 23 times greater than when a driver is not distracted. Also, sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. For a driver going 55 miles-per-hour,that’s the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field.
Alabama Sen. Jabo Waggoner was the Senate sponsor of the legislation.
“I am proud to have assisted in passing this important bill that I believe will help save lives on Alabama’s roadways,” Waggoner said. “Signing this bill sends a message to drivers that texting while operating a vehicle is harmful and, thanks to the Legislature and Governor Bentley, finally prohibited in Alabama.”
Pictured top: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley signs into law a measure that prohibits texting while driving. Alabama Rep. Jim McClendon (left) and Alabama Public Safety Director Colonel Hugh McCall look on as the governor signs the bill Tuesday in Montgomery. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos On Short End Of Rain-Shortened Game
May 9, 2012
The Blue Wahoos dropped a seven inning rain-shortened game with the Mississippi Braves 3-1. The Braves had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when the rain started and the field was covered. The game was called after a 43 minute delay.
Mississippi scored first in the bottom of the second when Cory Harrilchak scored from third on a groundout by Barrett Kleinknecht. Harrilchak reached on a walk and then stole two bases before scoring on the groundout. The run was ruled unearned against Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar who made his Double-A debut for Pensacola on Tuesday night.
The Wahoos evened the score in the fourth, when Joel Guzman singled home Brodie Greene to make it 1-1. That would be the only run Pensacola would scratch across against Braves lefty Sean Gilmartin (1-4).
In the fifth, the Braves got to Lotzkar for the winning runs. Phil Gosselin tripled home Andrelton Simmons for the first run of the inning. A batter later, Evan Gattis singled in Gosselin to give the Braves all they would need.
Lotzkar went six innings in his Blue Wahoos debut and was charged with two earned runs, three total, on five hits and three walks. He finished with two strikeouts in the losing effort. Gilmartin earned the win by allowing just the one run over seven innings. He surrendered six hits, walked just one and struck out a season-high nine batters.
The series continues on Wednesday morning. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-1, 2.61) to the mound against Mississippi righty David Hale (2-2, 4.73). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Florida Seeks Changes In Medically Needy Program
May 9, 2012
Florida Medicaid officials have asked the federal government to approve major changes in a program that serves tens of thousands of people with costly medical conditions, seeking to install a type of managed care and require monthly premium payments.
The Agency for Health Care Administration, carrying out a 2011 law, requested changes in the state’s Medically Needy program. In a document sent to the federal government in late April, the agency said the proposed changes would improve care for beneficiaries.
“The proposed demonstration (the changes) will improve the effectiveness of the Medically Needy program by providing access for this population to an integrated service-delivery system of health care,” the document said.
But Florida CHAIN, a patients-advocacy group, blasted the proposal. It said, in part, that most Medically Needy patients would not be able to “remotely” afford monthly premiums that are part of the plan.
The Medically Needy program, which the agency says will cost about $1 billion this fiscal year, serves people who have often-debilitating conditions but don’t qualify for the regular Medicaid program because of their income levels. On average, more than 48,000 people are enrolled in the program each month, and it serves a combined total of 250,000 people a year, according to the document submitted to the federal government.
Some lawmakers have repeatedly argued in the past for scaling back the program — but the idea has met with fierce opposition from advocacy groups and hospitals, which provide much of the care to the patients. Among the most outspoken opponents during legislative debates have been organ-transplant recipients.
Lawmakers in 2011 approved a massive overhaul of the Medicaid system that included changes in the Medically Needy program. AHCA on April 26 sent a request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for what is known as a “waiver” amendment that would carry out the changes.
The proposal would require Medically Needy beneficiaries to enroll in a statewide provider-service network, a type of managed care that would be responsible for trying to better coordinate services that patients receive. Eventually, the beneficiaries would transition into a broader statewide managed-care system that is the key part of the 2011 law.
The Medically Needy program uses a complicated process in which patients have to qualify each month based on the amount of medical bills they rack up and their income levels. Under the proposed changes, they would continue to qualify for the first month of coverage in that way and then would move into the provider-service network.
In the request to the federal government, AHCA touted that the proposal would allow Medically Needy patients to stay in the program for up to six months without having to qualify each month. It said, in part, that such a change would improve care and remove an incentive for Medically Needy patients to incur medical bills to meet monthly qualification requirements.
“Recipients (would) have access to care coordination, and the incentive is removed for the emergency room to be the first choice of setting for medical care in order to qualify for eligibility,” the document said.
But the proposal also includes a new premium requirement that Florida CHAIN contends would force Medically Needy beneficiaries to pick up a larger share of their medical costs than under the current system and could be unaffordable for many. The amount of premiums would vary, based on factors such as income levels and family sizes.
The proposal, however, includes a “grace period” that would allow people to stay in the program for 90 days before they would be forced out because of non-payment of premiums.
AHCA needs approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before it can move forward with the changes, as Medicaid is governed by federal law and is heavily funded by the federal government. Shelisha Coleman, an AHCA spokeswoman, said in an e-mail Tuesday that the federal agency is not required to respond to the request by a certain time.
By The News Service of Florida
David Jeffrey Ward
May 9, 2012
David Jeffrey Ward, 57 of Walnut Hill, passed away Monday May 7, 2012, in Mobile.. He was a farmer and was also employed with Sunbelt and Masland Carpets. He was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
He was born in Atmore on June 03, 1954, to the late Ernest and Frances Solomon Ward.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Horace and Minnie Lou Ward, and Walter and Lucy Solomon; and niece Lisa Driver Littles.
He is survived by a daughter, Sarah Frances Thompson and husband, Rick of Atmore; brother, Harry Ward and wife, Judy of Loxley; sisters Carol Ann Driver and husband Jimmy of Loxley, Judy Eicher and husband, Wallace of Walnut Hill’ grandson, James Buster Thompson; nieces and nephews, Lynn Driver, Lana Pulido, Luci Parmer, Lloyd Driver, Gina Gibbs, Vic Eicher and Jennifer Ward McIntosh; and many friends.
Services will be Friday May 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. from the Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ted Bridges and Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Horace Ward, Heath Ward, Lloyd Driver Vic Eicher, Austin Eicher, Cole Eicher, Reed Sappenfield, Matt Reynolds and Eric Peters.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Ward, Brad Gibbs, Mike Garrard, David Garrard, Tim Gibbs, Paul Surry, Bill Eubanks, Kevin Faircloth, Raul Pulido, Jim Ward and Chester Jantz.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Dillon Roberson
May 9, 2012
Dillon Roberson, 21, was born on March 25, 1991. He entered into heaven on May 5, 2012, surrounded by his family after fighting a year and a half battle with Lymphoma. Dillon was a fighter and fought until the end.
Dillon was a 2009 graduate of Tate High School, where he played football and was known as “ROBO”. He attended Pensacola State College. Dillon was employed by Grocery Advantage as a meat cutter. He loved the guys in the meat department and all the ladies he worked with. Dillon was a hardworking individual and loved being outdoors. He also loved to cook. Dillon spent the last three months in Gainsville, at Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, undergoing a stem cell transplant. Dillon immediately became a favored patient with his warm, kind and loving personality. We are so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to love him through his illness. We know that through this journey, Dillon’s faith and determination has touched the lives of so many people. He will always be remembered as our “hero”.
Dillon is survived by his parents, Warren and Renee Roberson. His brother and best friend, Tanner Roberson. His maternal grandparents, Charles and Jeanette Brown, paternal grandparents, Dill and Maxine Roberson, an uncle and aunt, Roger and Tanya Brown, and his cousins, Shana and Taylor Brown. Dillon is also survived by his sweet and loving girlfriend of 4 ½ years, Morgan Ridgdell, who he dearly loved. Dillon was also loved by many “adopted” aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.. on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Ted Traylor officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ministry Village at Olive Inc., 1836 East Olive Road, Pensacola, Florida 32514.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 6-8 p.m.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our family, friends and prayer warriors for walking beside us during this journey. We would also like to thank the Woodlands Oncology Group and Shands Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for providing Dillon with extraordinary care.
Jay versus Lafayette Class 1A State Championship Game
May 8, 2012
LIVE video as Jay takes on Lafayette in Clermont, Florida, for the Class 1A State Championship. Video courtesy NorthEscambia.com and the FHSAA. Game time is 3:05 p.m. CDT.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, school or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Woman Charged With Robbing Her Mother In Bratt Home Invasion
May 8, 2012
A 30-year old woman has been charged in connection with a home invasion robbery at her mother’s home in Bratt.
Jacqueline Bernice Morris, who told deputies that she is homeless, was charged with battery, trespassing, felony grand theft of a controlled substance and felony home invasion robbery. She remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $27,750.
Morris is accused of entering her mother’s mobile home on C.W. Caraway Road, just north of Highway 4 near Northview High School on April 28 and snatching a bottle of about 90 Xanax out of her mother’s shirt.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim was sitting in her living room watching television when Morris, her daughter, entered through a storm door. Morris allegedly grabbed her mother by the arms to restrain her, reached into the pocket of her shirt, grabbed the bottle of Xanax and ran away.
A nearby witness attempted to catch Morris, even giving chase for brief distance along Highway 4 after Morris jumped into her Saturn and sped away.
The day prior to the incident, Morris had been trespass warned by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to stay away from the residence as she retrieved her personal belongings from her mother’s trailer.
The mother was not seriously injured in the incident.
Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive Is Saturday
May 8, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our communities with their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food driveon Saturday.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna executive director.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12. Escambia and Santa Rosa County letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks.
Across the six pantries operated by Manna in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, there was 44% increase in need in 2011 compared to 2010.
In 2011, local drive organizers collected more than 200,000 pounds of food. This year, the food will be distributed at Manna Food Pantries, St. Vincent de Paul, Bay Area Food Bank, Warrington Emergency Aid, Acts Ministries of Gulf Breeze and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church.
Arrests Made In Burglary And Arson Of Deputy’s Home
May 8, 2012
Two people have been arrested in connection with the burglary and arson of a Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office lieutenant’s home.
Everly Lippwe, 21, has been charged with arson, felony criminal mischief, armed burglary, grand theft, theft of law enforcement equipment, grand theft of a fire arm and vehicle theft.
A second suspect, 21-year old Joseph Cameron, was arrested on a probation violation and later confessed to being involved in the crimes at the deputy’s home. He was charged with arson, burglary, larceny and vehicle theft.
The incident occurred Saturday, April 21 at the residence of Lt. Chris Watson, and his wife, Bonita Watson (a Santa Rosa County probation officer). Numerous firearms, ammunition, bullet proof vests, badges, and other law enforcement items were stolen from the home and vehicle. A large amount of electronics and jewelry was also taken. The suspect then vandalized his county patrol vehicle with spray paint, stole his personal pickup truck (a 2005 dark blue Chevy Avalanche), and then set fire to the home after dousing the master bedroom with gasoline. The fire did not destroy the entire house; however, it caused extensive damage.
Investigators said Lippwe was a close friend of one of the Watson’s adult children. The Watson’s had no knowledge that Lippwe was a friend of their child, and that he had been allowed into their residence when they were not present, Sheriff’s investigators said.
Lippwe used knowledge and information gained through the friendship to plan out and commit the crime. Investigators found no information to suggest that Watson’s adult child had any knowledge that Lippwe was planning to commit or had committed the crime against their family.
Burglars Strike Byrneville Community Center
May 8, 2012
Authorities are searching for the persons responsible for breaking into a local community center.
The burglary at the Bryneville Community Center was reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon after an office filing cabinet was discovered on the ground just outside a door.
Community center officials said someone had broken into the building and an office in an apparent search for cash or other valuables.
“They pulled the filing cabinet outside, but I guess it was too heavy for them to load,” said Walter Porz, president of the Byrneville Community Center, Inc, a local non-profit that manages the county-owned facility.
Porz said the thieves removed all of the paperwork from the filing cabinet, including the meeting minutes the group is required to keep.
“There was nothing valuable in there,” he said. “I’m not sure why they took all of that.”
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene unit at the Byrneville Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.