Accountant: Century’s Budget In Good Shape
February 20, 2013
As of the last day of 2012, the Town of Century’s budget was in good financial shape, the town’s accountant said this week.
The town’s gas department revenue was down about $10,000 for the final three months of the year, with warmer weather translating to decreased natural gas sales. But accountant Robert Hudson said colder weather the remainder of the winter could quickly bring the department’s income in line with budgeted numbers.
Otherwise, Century’s budget is on target, account Robert Hudson told the town council.
“Things look from a financial perspective, we are even with about where we projected,” Hudson said.
Century’s total 2012-2013 budget is just under $2.9 million.
Broxson Withdraws Bill To Allow Oil Drilling In Blackwater River Forest
February 20, 2013
[Updated 1 p.m.] Rep. Doug Broxson withdrew a bill today that would have allowed private companies to drill for oil and gas in the Blackwater River State Forest in north Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The bill was withdrawn after public outcry against the idea.
Broxson said drilling could have created as many as 300 new jobs while creating $30 to $60 million in revenue for the state. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had already given a nod to the plan to drill on 190,000 acres if natural assets were not disturbed.
The idea of drilling in a pristine forest has sparked a public outcry to stop the legislation. Sisters Marsha and Erin Fuqua created a Facebook page Save Blackwater River State Forest that has grown to over 1,500 likes, while a petition against Broxson’s bill has accumulated over 2,200 signatures.
“Since filing HB 431, our office has received many emails and phone calls, both in support and opposition to this bill, but very few people seem to have a sense of what the bill actually does,” Broxson said Wednesday afternoon. “I believe that we should have further discussion about how the leases in Blackwater are determined and managed, but in light of the misinformation about this bill, it is probably best to take the legislation off the table until we can have a more public conversation to address the facts.”
Broxson will still hold town hall meeting on Blackwater drilling on Monday, February 25 at the Jay Community Center from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. The meeting will include representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Forrest Service, who will provide information and answer questions regarding the issue of oil drilling on state lands.
“I look forward to continuing this discussion on Monday and in the future as a means to safeguard our quality of life and achieve maximum economic benefit for every citizen in Northwest Florida,” Broxson said.
Oil fields have operated in Jay — less than 10 miles from the Blackwater River State Forest — since the early 1970’s when oil and gas were discovered in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1p.m. on 2/20/2013 to reflect Broxson’s bill was withdrawn hours after our original story was posted.
Charges Dismissed Against Walnut Hill Man For Not Delivering Yetis
February 20, 2013
Multiple theft charges have been dismissed against a Walnut Hill man arrested last summer for allegedly collecting cash for Yeti coolers but not delivering the merchandise.
Timothy James Barry, 51, was arrested on four counts of grand theft and three counts of petit theft after an investigation by the State Attorney’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Judge Joel Boles has granted a defense motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Barry.
“He ruled that there was no criminal intent,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Tuesday,”and that this is a civil, not criminal, matter.” Marcille said the victims in the case would have the legal option to pursue damages in civil court.
Barry, owner of Baywatch Arms & Accessories, allegedly accepted $2,944.18 during the summer of 2011 from seven people to order Yeti brand coolers, a high-end ice chest, on their behalf. After the coolers were not received from Barry, the victims filed a complaint.
Certified letters were sent by the victims and the State Attorney’s Office in an attempt to collect the money. According to an arrest report, Barry admitted to receiving the money from the victims and told deputies on June 4, 2012, that he was unable to repay them.
Barry provided the victims and the State Attorney’s Office with “numerous excuses to avoid coming in to clear that matter up”the arrest report states. One victim told the State Attorney’s Office that he contact the Yeti Cooler company and was told the order was complete and awaiting payment from Barry.
U.S. Marshals Seek Two Violent Fugitives
February 20, 2013
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s help in locating two men wanted for violent crimes that have occurred in the Escambia County area.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Task Force are searching for Deavis Nathaniel Saulsberry who is wanted for aggravated assault, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and robbery with firearm. Saulsberry a 24-year old black male, is approximately 6-feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds with a thin build and believed to resemble his photo wearing his hair short.
Also being sought is Roderick Terril Foster wanted for failure to appear on charges of felony battery by strangulation, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling as well as a misdemeanor warrant for cyber stalking. Foster, 25, is also about 6-feet tall, with a similar build and weighs about 160 pounds. Foster reportedly also looks like his photo wearing his hair long in the dreadlock style.
Saulsberry and Foster are believed to be together often and frequent both the Mayfair and Montclair areas of Pensacola.
Anyone with information about Saulsberry or Foster, is asked to immediately contact U.S. Marshal’s investigators at (850) 554-0091 or (850) 554-6602 or call 911. Information regarding the whereabouts of Saulsberry or Foster can also be sent anonymously via text to “Tip411″ or “847411″ and enter the key word “USMFL”.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 20, 2013
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events. Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Band Students Awarded At Solo And Ensemble Assessment
February 20, 2013
Several Tate High School band students participated in the FBA District Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessment recently at Gulf Breeze High School.
Solo and Ensemble results:
- Piccolo solo – Lindsey Gordon - Superior
- Flute solo – Lindsey Gordon - Superior
- Flute solo – Angel Chu - Superior
- Flute duet – Elyse Locke and Breanna Fowler - Superior
- Flute duet – Steffany Brown and Raychel Hardy – Excellent
- Flute duet – Ana Lowe and Tori VanScyoc – Excellent
- Flute quartet – Lindsey Gordon, Taylor Ertel, Elyse Locke, and Angel Chu - Superior
- Flute quartet – Kayla Smith, Erin Carty, Savanah Pyron, and Melissa Norwick – Excellent
- Bassoon solo – Ashton Nelson - Superior
- Clarinet solo – Katie Woods - Superior
- Clarinet trio – Audrey Freeman, Breanna Riddell, and Anna Wilson - Superior
- Clarinet quintet – Natalie Wright, Julie Menah, Erica Earnest, Kathryn Howard, and Sarah Cummins – Excellent
- Woodwind Choir – Superior
- Trumpet solo – Ethan Millet - Superior
- Trumpet solo – Jacob Howard - Superior
- Trumpet solo – Zach Vranich - Superior
- Trumpet trio – Megan McMillon, Emma Rogers, and Tristan Workman – Excellent
- Trumpet trio – Megan Collier, Alicia Mobley, and Mariah Constantakos – Excellent
- French Horn solo – Chad Ratliff (Good)
- Trombone solo – Noah Heintz - Superior
- Trombone quartet – Graham Gardner, Chandler Cotton, Shayne Dunn, and Jordan Prince - Superior
- Tuba solo – Jacob Charles – Excellent
- Tuba solo – Nick Krostag - Superior
- Brass Choir – Superior
- Percussion Ensemble – Superior
The following students have qualified for State Solo and Ensemble by making a Superior rating on a Grade 5+ solo/ensemble:
- Lindsey Gordon – Flute solo (Grade 6)
- Lindsey Gordon – Piccolo solo (Grade 7)
- Angel Chu – Flute solo (Grade 6)
- Jacob Howard – Trumpet solo (Grade 5)
- Noah Heintz – Trombone solo (Grade 6)
- Katie Massey – Percussion ensemble (Grade 5)
- Katelyn Varhalla – Percussion ensemble
- Katelyn Godwin – Percussion ensemble
- Alex Gibson – Percussion ensemble
- Ryan Stevison – Percussion ensemble
- Paxton Metcalf – Percussion ensemble
- Honya Richbourg – Percussion ensemble
- Ethan Jensen – Percussion ensemble
‘Smart Justice’ Bill Would Rehab Felons
February 20, 2013
Lawmakers Tuesday filed a bill aimed at breaking the cycle of recidivism in Florida prisons by beefing up the rehabilitation of non-violent felons in the last three years of their sentences.
But the measure may face resistance from the top: Senate President Don Gaetz is skeptical.
The “smart justice” measure by Rep. Dennis Baxley, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Thad Altman, a member of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, would prepare offenders for release with educational and vocational training and treatment for substance abuse and mental illness.
Altman, who sits on the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said it’s smarter to give ex-felons alternatives to further crime.
“We’re in the modern days, in the 21st century, but in many ways our criminal justice and punitive system is still in the middle ages,” he said.
But the measure appears to face an uphill climb. Gaetz told the News Service in an interview later Tuesday he had reservations about such an approach.
“We’re at a 41-year low in our crime rate in the state of Florida, so apparently what we’ve done not only is working, but it reversed what really was a crime wave in our state,” Gaetz said. “And we did that by being tough on criminals. If it’s working, I’m not sure we should change it.”
Baxley agreed that strict sentencing guidelines had served the state well, but said there was room for improvement.
“In Florida we’re known as being tough on crime,” he said. “We think the accountability measures are a big part of why we’ve seen a reduction in crime, and we don’t depart from that. But we’ve also looked around at other states and looked at our own numbers, and we realize that there are some things we could do to reduce the number of crimes committed by recidivist inmates. That is our ultimate objective: fewer crimes and fewer crime victims.”
Earlier this month, the Department of Corrections announced that the percentage of inmates who commit another crime within three years of release had dropped to 27.6 percent for those released since 2008. It used to be 33 percent. DOC Secretary Mike Crews credited a change in his agency’s culture, with more focus on helping inmates overcome the conditions that helped land them behind bars.
According to DOC data, two in five offenders entering prison each year are re-offenders, but fewer than one-fourth of inmates receive treatment to help them after their release.
Barney Bishop, president and CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance, said the bill would not reduce the length of inmates’ sentences. Under state law, inmates must serve 85 percent of their time.
“Critics, mainly unions with protectionist agendas…will tell you that this legislation would violate the 85 percent rule or lead to the early release of inmates,” Bishop said. “This is not true in any way or fashion. They will tell you that this bill privatizes prisons. That’s not true, either.”
Altman said the bill would not have a substantial fiscal impact, and in fact would cut costs.
Bishop said the state wouldn’t have to build new facilities.
“There are right now three brand-new prisons sitting empty around the state,” he said. “And yet the state is paying the debt payment on those.”
Bishop is a lobbyist for Bridges of America, a private provider of faith-based re-entry centers that teach inmates work and life skills.
“Our hope is that the private sector, in a competitive bid process, will have the opportunity to
operate those three facilities,” he said.
Gaetz said he always likes to follow the money.
“Who would profit from this so-called ’smart justice’?” he asked. “Are there companies waiting in the wings, just ready to have private-sector contracts and get millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money so that they can be in charge of rehabilitating criminals? I think that there probably are.
“My understanding is that the meetings that have been held about smart justice, most of the people in the audience have worn $3,000 suits,” he added.
By The News Service of Florida
Monsanto Fund Donates $5,000 To FFA At Tate And Northview
February 20, 2013
The Monsanto Fund presented a total of $5,000 in donations to the Northview and Tate High School FFA organizations Tuesday.
The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, which launched in 2010, allows farmers to enter to win a $2,500 donation for their favorite community nonprofit organization, such as 4-H, FFA, schools, fire departments and other civic groups. One winner will be selected in each of 1,271 eligible counties in 39 states.
Gary Purvis of Sugarfoot Farms of Bratt, the Escambia County winner, chose the Northview High School FFA to receive a $2,500 donation.
To further support counties that have been declared disaster areas by the USDA due to drought, winning farmers in these counties can choose where to direct an additional $2,500 donation based on community needs that surfaced because of the drought. That additional donation was awarded to the Tate High School FFA.
The Northview FFA Chapter plans to put the donation towards student conference fees. Remaining funds will be used to upgrade the livestock facilities.
The J.M. Tate High School will use the donation to improve its garden beds and will also put some of the funding towards upgrading livestock facilities.
“These are both great organizations that help our community and youth,” said Purvis.
The awards were presented Tuesday morning during a FFA breakfast at Northview High School.
Pictured top: A $2,500 donation from Monsanto was presented to the Northview High School FFA Tuesday morning. Pictured below: An additional $2,500 donation was presented to the Tate High School FFA. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Doggie: Supreme Court Overturns Florida Supremes On Drug Sniffing Dogs
February 20, 2013
A Florida Supreme Court ruling that drug sniffing dogs need to have an “exhaustive set of records” to prove they’re reliable before their evidence can be used just doesn’t pass the smell test, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Instead, the nation’s high court said the Florida Supreme Court’s requirement for Liberty County drug canine Aldo “flouted” an established standard for taking a whole lot of things into consideration when determining whether an officer should be able to search a vehicle.
Justice Elena Kagan, writing for a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court said the nation’s high court has long used a “flexible, all-things-considered approach” on the question of probable cause, not rigid rules like how many times a drug dog has alerted on a scent in the past and been proven right.
“To assess the reliability of a drug-detection dog the (Florida Supreme Court) created a strict evidentiary checklist, whose every item the state must tick off,” Kagan wrote. The state Supreme Court would have police and prosecutors introduce comprehensive documentation of “hits and misses” in the field, she wrote, noting in an aside: “One wonders how the court would apply its test to a rookie dog.”
The case arose when Clayton Harris was pulled over in Blountstown for an expired tag and Aldo alerted on the door handle. Officer William Wheetley also observed Harris was nervous and shaking and had an open beer in the truck. But Wheetley said his principal reason for determining that he had probable cause to search the truck was Aldo’s alert.
He didn’t find methamphetamine, or any other drugs Aldo was trained to sniff out. But he did find all of the ingredients for making meth – and Harris later admitted that he cooked the drug at his house. The officer – and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed – said the dog likely alerted on the smell of methamphetamine from Harris himself, transferred to the door handle.
The Florida Supreme Court had ruled that without being able to show more clearly that the dog could have been right, the state couldn’t make its case, because the officer didn’t have cause to search the truck.
The U.S. Supreme Court opinion noted that Harris’ lawyers didn’t challenge any aspect of Aldo’s training at trial or in an evidentiary hearing, which would have been the way to get the search thrown out.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, saying it would make it easier for police to do their jobs.
“This victory is paramount to preserving our law enforcement officers’ ability to use police dog alerts to locate illegal drugs and arrest those who possess them,” Bondi said in a statement. “The Supreme Court correctly held that a police dog’s reliability is determined through a common-sense evaluation of the relevant circumstances, rather than through a rigid set of judge-created requirements.”
While telling Aldo “good boy,” the U.S. Supreme Court didn’t rule Tuesday on a separate drug sniffing case from Florida that was argued before the nation’s high court on the same day. In that case, Florida v. Jardines, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Miami-Dade drug dog Franky made an unreasonable search of a suspected grow house and threw out the conviction.
By The News Service of Florida
Century Resident Celebrates 101st Birthday
February 20, 2013
Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 101st birthday on Tuesday with a party attended by family and friends at the Century Care Center.
Godwin was born in Jay back in 1912, one of 12 children born to her parents Annie and William Griffis. She has two younger surviving siblings - Jean Clark and Veda Welch. Godwin is the oldest resident at the Century Care Center.
Pictured top: Della Godwin (seated, center) of Century celebrated her 101st birthday on Tuesday with family and friends. Pictured below: Godwin celebrates at her party. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
