Supreme Court Health Care Arguments Begins With Tax Issue
March 27, 2012
In the first day of landmark hearings, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday listened to arguments about whether a tax law should block a ruling on the constitutionality of the 2010 federal health overhaul.
The Obama administration and the Florida-led opponents of the federal Affordable Care Act agree that the tax law —- known as the “anti-injunction act” — should not short-circuit a ruling in the case. The anti-injunction act is designed to prevent legal challenges to taxes until after they have taken effect.
The federal health overhaul would impose financial penalties, which could be considered taxes, on people who don’t comply with a requirement that they have health insurance. But that requirement will not take effect until 2014, raising questions about whether it is premature for justices to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
Gregory Katsas, an attorney for the opponents, said the tax law does not bar justices from ruling on the broader issues.
“The purpose of this lawsuit is to challenge a requirement — a federal requirement to buy health insurance,” Katsas said, according to a transcript of the hearing. “That requirement itself is not a tax. And for that reason alone, we think the anti-injunction act doesn’t apply.”
U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli made a similar argument. “This case presents issues of great moment, and the anti-injunction act does not bar the court’s consideration of those issues,” Verrilli said.
But attorney Robert A. Long, who argued that the anti-injunction act applied, said the act is a central part of tax litigation and requires that “you must pay the tax first and then litigate. That’s the baseline.”
Justices repeatedly questioned the attorneys during the 89-minute hearing but likely will not rule on the issue for months.
The court will move Tuesday into the main event of the hearings — whether the insurance requirement, known widely as the “individual mandate” — is constitutional. The hearings will end Wednesday, with arguments about the constitutionality of part of the Affordable Care Act that would expand Medicaid.
By The News Service of Florida
Drive-by Nets 20 Years For Repeat Offender
March 27, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in state prison under the 10-20-Life law.
Tarrence Dwayne Webb received the sentence after being convicted in February 2012 of three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, one count of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Webb was sentenced in his part in a triple shooting on November 3, 2011, at The Fast Link on Cerny Road. The victims drove themselves to a crowded Publix shopping center on Mobile Highway.
Two 19-year old victims were shot in the hand, while a male about 19-years old was hit in the head. Two other people in the vehicle were not injured as gunfire shattered the car’s windows.
Pictured top: Three men shot in a drive-by shooting drove themselves to this Publix store on Mobile Highway on November 2. Photo courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flippin’ For A Cure Pancake Breakfast To Benefit Relay
March 27, 2012
The Atmore Community Hospital Relay for Life team will be “Flippin’ For a Cure” Saturday with an all you can eat pancake breakfast.
The breakfast will include endless pancakes, with a side of sausage, juice and coffee. The event is $8 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. The breakfast will take place from 6:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Nan’s Main Street Grill (the former Pintoli’s) in downtown Atmore.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Gallery)
March 26, 2012
The 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Food Giant parking lot about 7:15 Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution escorted the torch down Highway 29.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 66 counties in Florida.
For a photo gallery from the start of the run, click here.
Pictured: The 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics begins in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
4-H Kids Vote Delayed On Sale Of Langley Bell To Navy Federal
March 26, 2012
It will now likely be April or even later before the youth of Escambia County 4-H vote on a multimillion dollar offer from Navy Federal Credit Union for the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
A definite date for the vote has not yet been set as the 4-H group works to get more answers to their questions about the land sale to Navy Federal and land swap with the county.
Under the Langley Bell 4-H Center property deed, the children that make up the 4-H County Council must approve any sale of the 240 acres.
Navy Federal has offered $4.5 million for the property, plus Escambia County is willing to spend $1.5 from local option sales tax monies to build the 4-H’ers a new facility at the Escambia County Extension Office on Stefani Road in Cantonment. The facility would include a new building and pond on the 23-acre parcel.
Navy Federal has said that if the sale is rejected, new jobs for the company in Escambia County would be difficult. The company is adding about 400 jobs per year, soon reaching capacity at their current 65-acre campus.
At a late February meeting, many 4-H members made it clear they were not immediately sold on the ideal of selling the property.
Escambia County Commissioners are trustees of the land, according to the deed. Commissioners could possible overrule the 4-H Council should they vote against the land sale, but that’s not totally clear.
4-H supporter Dr. M. Langley Bell, Jr. donated 400 acres to Escambia County for the Langley Bell 4-H Center. The center, which is now 240 of the original 400 acres, is used for events such as 4-H camps, retreats, timber projects, livestock projects, and as a meeting site for extension agents. The Langley Bell 4-H Center comprises about 240 acres of the original 400 acres. Four cabins, a kitchen, meeting hall, nature trails, forestry and livestock educational areas, barns, pastures, a 5-acre lake, and a campfire circle are part of the 4-H center’s learning environment.
Pictured top: Navy Federal wants to purchase the The Langley Bell 4-H Center and their 240 acres in Beulah. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Canoe Home
March 26, 2012
Fire destroyed a single story wood frame home in Canoe, Ala., Sunday night.
The fire was reported about 10:20 p.m. at 11 Randolph Avenue, at the intersection of North Canoe Road and just northwest of Escambia Academy. The home was reported to be fully engulfed when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
Preliminary information indicated that no one was living in the home at the time of the fire.
There was no immediate word of any injuries. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
The Wawbeek, Atmore and multiple other volunteer fire departments responded to the fire.
Pictured top: Fire rips through a home in Canoe Sunday night. Pictured below: The home was still smoldering Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Donna Jo Way
March 26, 2012
On March 24, 2012, Donna Jo Way, a devoted wife, nurturing mother and caring friend, with her family by her side, was called home by the Lord from her long battle with Cancer. She was a native of Century but currently resided in Navarre with her loving husband of 42 years and family.
She was preceded in death by father Carrie B. Burkett and maternal grandparents Henry G. and Lillie Belle Ray, all of Century.
She is survived by her husband and sole mate Joe Way; son Mark Way and wife Menda; daughters Donnese Way and fiancé Darcy Chaney, Susan Donyelle Hussain and husband Rashid all of Navarre; grandchildren Nathan Slade Crews, Parker Hayden Way, Preston Landon Way, and Aliyah Donyelle Hussain; her mother Mary Lois Burkett from Century; brothers Roger Burkett and wife Katie, Regi Burkett and wife Ann, and Todd Burkett, all of Century, Trent Burkett of Troy and wife Marjorie with children Collin and Brayden; nieces and nephews Mikey Burkett of Flomaton and wife Robbie Lynn and child Amber, Maunica Williams of Century and husband Will, Jeremy Grimes of Century and wife Monica and child Madalyn, Javis Grimes of Century and child Kendell, Casey Roach of Marianna, and husband Stephen with children Benjamin, Reagan, and Samuel, Ryan Burkett of Marianna, Chad Burkett of Brewton and wife Jacqueline and child Kinsley.
There will be visitation at Lewis Funeral Home in Navarre, Florida, at 7794 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, Florida, on Monday, March 26th, from 5 until 7 pm. She will be laid to rest with a Graveside service to be held on Tuesday, March 27th at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Church Cemetery located at 2341 Highway 4A, Century at 2 p.m.
Charges Dropped Against Century Man Accused Of Stealing Boat, Motors
March 26, 2012
Charges have been dropped against a Century man accused of stealing a boat and two motors in Florida that were sold as scrap in Alabama.
Joshua Duane Griffis, 24, was charged with grand theft in October 2011 for allegedly stealing used boat motors and a 14-foot aluminum boat from a yard on Elsie Davis Road in Century. Griffis was accused of later selling the boat and motors to Advanced Environmental Recycling in Flomaton along with a Ford vehicle catalytic converter for $120.44.
Supreme Court Begins Hearings On Health Care Mandate
March 26, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court will begin three days of landmark hearings in a Florida-led challenge to the 2010 federal health care law.
The first day will center on what is known as the “anti-injunction act,” which is designed to prevent legal challenges to taxes until they take effect. While this might sound like an obscure legal concept, justices need to determine whether it blocks them from ruling on the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” in the federal health law.
People who do not comply with the mandate to have health coverage in 2014 would be hit with financial penalties, which could be considered taxes.
If the anti-injunction act applies, that could prevent justices from ruling on the constitutionality of the mandate until after the penalties start taking effect.
Sunny Week Forecast
March 26, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.