County Wants Casino, Poarch Creeks To Pay Up
April 15, 2012
An Alabama county is looking to force the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to start paying property and other other taxes on tribal lands in Atmore — including the Wind Creek Casino — because they don’t legally qualify to operate tax free.
We are now posturing ourselves to no longer ignore,” “We are going to fish or cut bait.”
Their actions stem from a 2009 Supreme Court ruling that said essentially that under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the federal government had no right to create land trusts with tribes that were not recognized by 1934. Federal recognition for the Poach Creeks did not come until 1984.
That’s 50 years too late, according to David Stokes, chairman of the Escambia County (Ala.) Commission. The commission is demanding that U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar determine if the Tribe has protective status. If not, the county will begin the process of assessing and billing property and other taxes to the Poarch Creeks.
“Does the tribe want to cooperate with the tax assessor and have property be assessed and valued,” asked Bryan Taylor, attorney for Escambia County and an Alabama state senator. “Or does the tribe maintain the position that the Supreme Court decision doesn’t apply to them?”
Man Charged Last Month In Wheelchair Rampage Arrested Again
April 15, 2012
The Century man that allegedly went on a wheelchair rampage in a convenience store last month is back behind bars.
Curtis Edward Smith, age 55 of the 3000 block of Highway 168, was due to appear in court Thursday on two counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief property damage. But according to court records, he was a no show before Judge Jan Shackelford.
A failure to appear warrant was issued for his arrest Friday, and he was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning with bond set at $1,100. He is awaiting another hearing on April 20.
Smith was charged after an incident just before sunrise March 19 at the Bindu Food Mart on Gulf Beach Highway.
Smith allegedly approached the clerk and demanded to speak to the manager, who was not in the store at the time. The clerk told deputies that Smith then began yelling and ripping his shirt, claiming he had been attacked. Smith began to chase the clerk around the store in motorized wheelchair, hitting her once on the shin, and threw potato chip racks at her and around the store, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The clerk said Smith then began ramming his wheelchair into the store’s door, shattering the glass. Another witness corroborated the clerk’s story and also claimed the Smith called him racial obscenities and hit him with the wheelchair.
When deputies arrived, Smith was still inside the store, yelling, “Call the [obscenity] police and take me to jail”, the arrest report states. As the deputy tried to calm Smith, he attempted to roll toward the deputy, demanding that the officer purchase him a drink and some food. The deputy ordered Smith to turn off the wheelchair, but he began to roll around the store.
Smith was later stopped and transported to West Florida Hospital to be treated for injuries to his feet caused by shattering the glass door of the store.
Windy Today, Slight Rain Chance
April 15, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Grand Champions Named In Annual Livestock Show
April 15, 2012
The 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition wrapped up Saturday at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
This year’s Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Donald Cunningham (pictured left). The 1,233 pound steer sold at auction for $4,007.25 ($3.25/lb) to Dr. Tom Lampone. Donald, age 14, is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. In addition to showing steers, he enjoyes swimming, NJROTC, basketball, football, working and being a Boy Scout. He is the son of Lewe and Beth Cunningham. He attends Pace High School.
The Reserve Champion Steer belonged to Ashley Cunningham, a 16-year old Northview High School Student and member of the Northview FFA. Her steer, at 1,250 pounds, sold at auction for $4,500 ($3.60/lb) to Hill Kelly Dodge. Ashley is the daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She is a Northview High cheerleader and a member of the Northview dance, weightlifting and track teams. She enjoys going to the beach and Harry Potter movies.
The Grand Champion Market Swine was exhibited by Matthew Smith (pictured left), a 13-year old seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. Matthew, the son of Randal and Ginjer Smith, also enjoys band, hunting, fishing and trail raiding. The Barrineau Park 4-H Club member’s 260 pound pig sold for $962 ($3.70/lb) to Gulf South Automotive.
This year’s Reserve Champion Market Swine belonged to Dylan Livingston, a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. The 13-year old 4-H club member’s 237 pound pig sold for $592.50 ($2.50/lb) to Todd Timko and Blooming Geri. Dylan enjoys video games and basketball. He is the son of Patty and Erick Livingston.
Complete and final results from the 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show were not available Saturday night; NorthEscambia.com will publish complete results and more photos later in the week.
If you have photos from events other than the swine and steer sales, please email them to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in a photo gallery.
Pictured top and top inset: Donald Cunningham and his $4,007.25 Grand Champion Steer. Pictured bottom inset: Matthew Smith and his 260 pound Grand Champion Market Swine. Pictured below: Dylan Livingston and his 237 pound Reserve Champion Market Swine. Not pictured: Ashley Cunningham was not available for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Steer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Larry Clifford ‘Pee Wee’ Spicer
April 15, 2012
Mr. Larry Clifford ‘Pee Wee’ Spicer, age 56 of Brewton, died on April 13, 1956 at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton.
Mr. Spicer was a native of Brewton and had worked 40 plus years as a truck driver in the transportation industry. He was of the Baptist faith and attended Ray’s Chapel in Bogia. He was preceded in death by his parents, B.C. and Ruthie Spicer and a brother, Billy Spicer.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Spicer of Brewton; daughters, Stephanie (Jason) Morgan of Byrneville; Mandi (Larry) Kinley of McDavid; Alicia (Harold) McGhee of East Brewton; brothers, Tom Spicer of Chumuckla, Mike Spicer of Chumuckla, Johnny Ray Spicer of Century; sisters, Mary Ard of Chumuckla, Shirley Thomas of Pensacola;and nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, April 15, 2012, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Nathan Brown and Rev. Chip Barbas officiating. Interment will follow in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery in Bogia.
Kindergarten Registration Begins April 30 In Escambia County
April 15, 2012
Kindergarten registration for Escambia County students will begin on April 30.
Students who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2012, are eligible to register for the 2012-2013 school year. Registration will occur at the school which serves the student’s residence.
At the time of registration, parents/guardians should bring the following:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Child’s social security card
- Proof of residence (electric bill or rent receipt – telephone and cable bills are not accepted)
- Immunization record (Florida blue card provided by the health department or family physician)
- Physical form completed by family physician
To a child’s school, visit www.myescambiaschools.com and click on “Find Your School”.
East Kingsfield Re-opens
April 15, 2012
East Kingsfield Road was back open Saturday afternoon being closed for 10 days. It was closed April 3 from Highway 29 to Pompano Street for a construction project.
Pictured: Contractor Roads, Inc. works Friday to finish a project on East Kingsfield Road at Highway 29. Northescambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Michael Preston Goodlander
April 15, 2012
Michael Preston Goodlander, 62, of Cantonment, passed away Friday, April 13, 2012, after a brief illness.
Michael was a native of Harrisburg, PA. He resided in Gateswood, AL, until 1996 at which point he moved to Cantonment.
He was retired from Champion International. He proudly served our country in the U. S. Navy during Vietnam and has been a life time member of the American Legion Post 340.
Michael is preceded in death by his father, William Goodlander and his stepfather, Melvin Lee.
He was a loving and generous husband, Daddy and Paw Paw. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Lee and his loving wife of 42 years, Beverly Jenks Goodlander. He is also survived by his one son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey M. and Heather Goodlander; one daughter and son-in-law, Mitzi and Michael Carrea and four beautiful grandchildren that he adored. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and David Williamson and a brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Kay Goodlander and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2012, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the funeral home.
Pensacola Wahoos Cap Series With 6-1 Victory Over Mobile
April 15, 2012
Blue Wahoos right fielder Yordanys Perez cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fourth inning, while starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran fired 5.2 shutout innings to give Pensacola a 6-1 win over the Mobile BayBears on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears won the series 3-2, clinching the series with their 6-5 victory Friday night.
Sulbaran (5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 SO) turned in the best outing for a Blue Wahoos starter thus far in 2012, limiting Mobile batters to just two hits while striking out four in his 5.2 innings of work as he earned his first win of the season. After giving up a lead-off walk, Sulbaran retired the next 11 hitters of the contest before yielding a free pass in the fourth. BayBears starter Tyler Skaggs (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 on the year after allowing three earned runs on seven hits while fanning eight in five frames.
After shortstop Didi Gregorius scored on an error and second baseman Brodie Greene walked to load the bases, Perez brought in Greene, in addition to third baseman Henry Rodriguez and left fielder Joel Guzman with a double down the left field line to make it 4-0. Pensacola added two more scores in the seventh courtesy of an RBI double from Greene, and a run-scoring single off the bat of first baseman Mike Costanzo.
Gregorius led all hitters with three hits, while Rodriguez also recorded a multi-hit game. BayBears first baseman Kyle Greene led Mobile with two of the team’s three base knocks in the contest. Guzman extended his hit streak to nine games with a single in the second, while Costanzo has now reached base in nine straight contests with his seventh inning base knock.
The Blue Wahoos now return home to Pensacola for a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with the series opener set for Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Pedro Villarreal to the hill, while the Suns have yet to announce a starter.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Didi Gregorius recorded three hits in Penascola’s 6-1 win Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate Argues For Its New Redistricting Map
April 15, 2012
The second draft of the Legislature’s redistricting plan for the state Senate answered all of the objections of the Florida Supreme Court to the first proposal and should get justices’ approval, according to a Senate brief in the case.
The brief, filed in response to complaints by the Florida Democratic Party, a coalition of voting-rights groups and the NAACP, came a week before oral arguments on the plan before the court. Also on Friday, the justices issued an order dividing two hours of arguments among the Senate and the groups opposing the plan.
Lawyers for the upper chamber argued in the 100-page filing that the new plan, approved by the Legislature after justices rejected the first draft, “addressed each of the flaws this Court found.”
The court threw out the Senate maps as part of its first review of redistricting proposals under the anti-gerrymandering Fair Districts standards, approved by voters in a November 2010 referendum.
The brief also flayed the arguments raised by the opponents, saying that many of them attempt to draw the court into reconsidering districts that passed in the first review.
“The issue is whether the Legislature complied with the Court’s specific mandate, not whether other districts that this Court either did not find invalid or specifically found valid comply with constitutional standards,” the brief says.
The brief is signed by Raoul Cantero, a former Supreme Court justice who is representing the Senate.
Some of the arguments revolve around Central Florida, where the court specifically rejected an “appendage” to a district that would have prevented Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, from facing Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, in a primary.
Opponents have argued that the new plan simply adds the appendage to a different district. And while it would pair Gardiner and Simmons, critics say, that is an illusion because Simmons has said he would move to a different district to avoid the face-off.
“But the Senate cannot confine Senator Simmons to his current residence or disable him from seeking reelection,” the brief argues. “Indeed, a number of House incumbents who were paired in the House plan the Court approved will move and seek reelection in different districts.”
Senate lawyers also contend that there is no way to completely dismantle the appendage without blending the white voters who reside there into one or both of the minority districts that border it. That would weaken the ability of the minority communities in those districts to elect candidates of their choice, violating another constitutional standard.
The brief also lashes out at plans proposed by the coalition of voting-rights groups — which includes the League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause Florida and the Hispanic advocacy group National Council of La Raza — and the Florida Democratic Party. Both plans, it says, are actually gerrymandered to give Democrats a better chance to take the Senate than they would have under the Legislature’s proposal.
And those proposals are unnecessary, the Senate argues, because its map is good enough.
“The voters who approved Amendment 5 never intended to transform redistricting into a tournament, or place every competitor that enters the arena on equal footing with the Legislature,” the brief says.
The court must rule by early May.
By The News Service of Florida