Florida EBT System Working Again
November 16, 2012
The state’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card system is currently active and processing transactions after a national outage of JPMorgan services left clients of federal assistance in Florida and several other states unable to use their cards to purchase items.
Earlier today EBT card holders were not able to use their cards for normal processing at grocery, convenience and other stores that accept EBT cards.
EBT cards are used by recipients of cash and food assistance for purchases in approved stores.
Molino Pharmacy ‘Underwear’ Armed Robber Gets 25 Years In Prison
November 16, 2012
A Molino man that robbed a local pharmacy in 2010 while wearing underwear on his head is headed to prison.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 58, was sentenced Thursday by Judge Gary Bergosh to a mandatory minimum 25 years in state prison. Flowers was convicted in October 2012 by an Escambia County Jury of robbery with a firearm, three counts of trafficking in illegal drugs, and three counts of possession of controlled substances for the September 20, 2010, holdup of Scott’s Pharmacy on Highway 29.
Flowers robbed the pharmacy at gunpoint while wearing a blue bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and boxer shorts on his head.
During the course of the robbery, Flowers took more than 80 prescription bottles containing thousands of dollars worth of narcotics. After he exited the pharmacy, he ran behind the building where he was picked up by co-defendant Krystal Lynn Collin.
Witnesses inside the store were able to identify Flowers based on the fact that he was a frequent customer of the pharmacy.
Collins, the getaway car driver in the robbery, was previously found guilty in July 2011 of armed robbery with a firearm and a half dozen felony drug charges. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. Pictured below: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed September 20, 2010. NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
Kevin White Offers Simple Goodbye At Commission Meeting
November 16, 2012
Outgoing District 5 Commissioner Kevin White offered a simple goodbye when prompted Thursday during an Escambia County Commission meeting.
White said:
“I’ve enjoyed serving; I’m glad I had the privilege to serve and thank the citizens for allowing me to…It’s like buying a boat….as happy as you are the day you get it, you are just as happy the day you get rid of it. And this is the same way.”
All Escambia Employees Get 3 Percent Pay Raises
November 16, 2012
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to give a 3 percent raise to every county and constitutional office employee that has not received a raise this year, but exactly where the money will come from is yet to be determined.
After a motion by Commissioner Kevin White, the pay hikes passed 3-2 with Commissioners Marie Young and Grover Robinson against.
The move is expected to cost the county between $3.1 million and $3.5 million, according to Amy Lovoy, the county’s budget chief. The raises are contingent upon corresponding cuts to the county’s operating budget.
“It’s not new found money,” White said. “Other cuts are going to be made to give the increase.”
White originally pushed for the 3 percent raise for only county employees under the Board of County Commissioners, not those under constitutional officers. That motion drew fire from Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan as he stood up for his deputies and employees.
“I take great issue with us singling out, when it’s been hammered into me for the last four years, that a county employee is a county employee,” Morgan said forcefully, pointing his finger at a commissioners. “If anybody gets a raise, the Sheriff’s Office is going to get a raise, or we will go to Tallahassee. And I’ll make good on this statement, you will treat everybody equally and equitably. That’s how we play fair. So if you are going to vote a raise tonight for any county employee tonight, I better see the Sheriff’s Office on this raise too.
Commissioner Grover Robinson said he did not support last minute raises for any employees, “because I don’t know where we are going to find the money”.
Valentino said he supported the raises, even if it meant dipping into county reserve funds, but for all county employees.
Commissioner Grover Robinson said he did not support last minute raises for any employees. “I can’t support either one at the particular time. I don’t see where we’ve got the money,” Robinson said.
The commission will determine at a later date where to make the cuts in order to make the raises a reality.
4-H Task Force Members Named, Will Discuss New 4-H Facility
November 16, 2012
A Task Force has been named to shape the future of 4-H in Escambia County.
Dr. Nick Place, UF/IFAS Dean of Extension, appointed 12 local residents to the 4-H Task Force. They are: Brian Bell, Jimmy Cunningham, Whitney Fike, Robert McLaughlin, Eli Miller, Rebekah Mobley, David Nielson, Anne Peterson, Sharon Tanner, Dave Timberlake, Dana Tyler and Stacey Ward.
Following the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah to Navy Federal Credit Union, a Memorandum of Understanding with Escambia County dictated that the task force be formed to study the needs of the local 4-H Youth Development program by evaluating options to compliment a new 4-H facility on Stefani Road.
During the next six months, the task force will develop viable options that may be considered to meet the animal science, natural resources, and outdoor education needs of
the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in Escambia County. According to the MOU, the UF/IFAS dean will use the information provided by the task force to
make a decisions for the 4-H program.
The task force was formed as a result of an application process and the members selected are representative of the multiple interests and concerns related to the issues and opportunities for the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H program in Escambia County.
The first meeting of the task force is scheduled for December 5 at 4:00 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
BP To Pay $4 Billion For Criminal Charges, Civil Fines Pending From Oil Spill
November 16, 2012
BP will pay Gulf states $2.4 billion in criminal penalties as part of a $4 billion settlement announced Thursday. The penalties stem from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that killed 11 workers and sent millions of gallons of crude oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The criminal fines come in additional to civil penalties that may eclipse $20 billion to be paid by BP following the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
The agreement would earmark $1.2 billion for restoration efforts in Louisiana, with another $1.2 billion split equally between Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.
Under the agreement, BP will plead guilty to 11 counts of felony neglect in connection with the death of crew members aboard the rig that burst into flames in April 2010.
The company also will plead guilty to misleading Congress over the extent of the spill.
BP Group Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in a statement Thursday the company has taken full responsibility for the deaths and ecological damage. Throughout the process, he said the company has tried to do the right thing by paying legitimate claims and cooperating with state and federal officials.
“From the outset, we stepped up by responding to the spill, paying legitimate claims and funding restoration efforts in the Gulf. We apologize for our role in the accident, and as today’s resolution with the U.S. government further reflects, we have accepted responsibility for our actions,” Dudley said.
Jenn Meale, spokeswoman for Attorney General Pam Bondi, said the state was not part of the criminal agreement, but has been deeply involved in the civil case, seeking reimbursement for the damage caused by the 2010 spill.
“We look forward to receiving more information regarding the amount and nature of the relief that the settlement directs to our state,” Meale said.
Incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said funds from the criminal settlement will be divvied out by the Department of Economic Opportunity, with 75 percent of the proceeds earmarked for the eight Panhandle counties most affected by the spill.
“This is the first of what I expect to be several settlements and awards that will be reached between BP and the states,” Gaetz said. “I’m pleased to see the first set of payments and I look forward to future settlements.”
With the criminal charges addressed, Gaetz said he was hopeful that civil claims will now be processed quickly.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson D-Florida, agreed that the settlement marks a significant step by BP toward resolution following the spill, which shutdown a Panhandle economy that was just starting to get back on its feet following the 2008 recession.
“I’m happy that the Justice Department brought the hammer down on BP and continues to hold them accountable for the hurt they’ve caused the people, businesses and environment of the Gulf Coast,” Nelson said Thursday in a statement. “Now that this is worked out, it’s time to move on to the civil side of things and get Gulf Coast residents every cent they deserve.”
Pictured: Oil covers a portion of Pensacola Beach in June 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Won’t Meet Friday Obamacare Deadline
November 16, 2012
Florida will not meet a Friday deadline to determine what course it will take to implement a key part of the 2010 federal health overhaul, the Legislature’s incoming leaders wrote in a letter Thursday to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and incoming House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said in a joint statement that the state won’t meet the deadline for mapping out a general plan to establish insurance exchanges.
That won’t happen until after lawmakers meet in March, the leaders said. In the meantime, lawmakers need more information on the program.
“Two factors prevent immediate state action on the establishment of an exchange,” the letter said.”First, the Legislature has not authorized the governor or any state agency or other entity to develop and operate an exchange, and no such authority can be established until the Legislature convenes in March. Second, the state lacks sufficient information to fully evaluate the potential impact of choosing one exchange model over another. The first issue will be addressed through the debate and decisions expected to occur during the 2013 legislative session. However, resolution of the second issue depends on the ability of your agency to provide answers to numerous critical questions.”
Hoping for repeal of the federal law, the Republican-led Legislature has waited until after the 2012 presidential election to begin the process of implementing what has come to be known as ObamaCare. With the re-election of President Barack Obama and a continued Democratic majority in the Senate, repeal efforts have been dashed, at least for the next four years.
By The News Service of Florida
Northview, Ernest Ward Cross Country Team Members Honored
November 16, 2012
Northview High School held their annual cross country banquet Thursday night, along with the cross country team from Ernest Ward Middle School.
Award winners included:
Northview High School
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Female: Georgia Goetter
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Male: Isaac McGahan
- Most Improved Female: Moriah McGahan
- Most Improved Male: Gavin Coon
- Jim Ross Memorial Award: Aaron Raush
- Junmi Ross Award: Ashley Joiner
- Coaches’ Award: Jazzlyn Franklin
Scroll down the page for award winner photos.
Pictured top: The Ernest Ward Middle School cross county team. Pictured below: The Northview High School cross country team.
Pictured above: Most Valuable Runner (MVR) winners Georgia Goetter and Isaac McGahan.
Pictured above: Coaches’ Award winner Jazzlyn Franklin; Jumni Ross Ward winner Ashley Joiner and Jim Ross Memorial Award winner Aaron Raush.
Pictured above: Receiving their first year Letters in cross county were Zachary Calloway, Bethany Reynolds, Moriah McGahan and Gavin Coon.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Couple Charged With Handcuffing, Beating Child
November 16, 2012
Two Escambia County residents have been charged with restraining a child with handcuffs and beating her with a bat.
After school resource officers learned of a possible child abuse victim from other students, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to do a welfare check on the child. The child was found to have visible injuries and told deputies that 41-year old Roscoe Daniels had placed washcloths on her wrists and then metal handcuffs. The victim said Daniels then blindfold her and struck her on the arm with a small wooden bat. Deputies said 36-year old Latanya Gee also restrained the victim and hit her with the small bat.
The victim was placed into the care of the Department of Children and Families.
Daniels and Gee were charged with false imprisonment of a child, aggravated abuse and cruelty toward a child. Daniels also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both were booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Playoffs: Northview Hosts Cottondale (With Admission Info)
November 16, 2012
The District 1-1A champion Northview Chiefs will open the state playoff series tonight at home in Bratt against Cottondale.
For the Chiefs, it’s the third consecutive playoff appearance under head coach Sid Wheatley. And the Chiefs, ranked No. 4 in the state, are hoping that the third time will be the charm in making it past the state semifinals that ended their playoff hopes the past couple of years.
The Chiefs (7-3, 3-0) have proven to be 1A force this year, outscoring three district opponents by a combined 144-20. Overall, Northview destroyed all 1A opponents this season by an average of five touchdowns. Their only losses have come at the hands of much larger schools with strong programs — Class 5A No. 3 ranked West Florida (10-0), Class 5A Gulf Breeze (7-3) and Class 4A Marianna (8-2).
Visiting Cottondale is 4-6 this year, a record that was only good enough for the runner-up spot in District 2-1A. The Chiefs are, without a doubt, heavily favored for a strong win Friday night to advance to the Regionals on November 23 against favorite Graceville or Freeport.
Game Info:
Northview hosts Cottondale, 7:30 p.m. in Bratt. Admission is $8 (set by the FHSAA, not the school). There are no student discounts, no elementary discounts, no free admission for employees and no passes. Parking is $2.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.