Florida Lawmakers Take Aim At Alimony

February 14, 2013

After hearing sharply divided opinions from people who have been through divorces, a House panel Wednesday began moving forward with a controversial bill that would place new limits on alimony.

The proposal (HB 231) would take steps such as reining in the amount of time that alimony payments could be required, trying to short-circuit alimony in marriages of 10 years or less and shielding retirees from alimony requirements.

Sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, said the state’s current alimony laws are “archaic,” and he wants to provide guidelines to better resolve such issues in divorce cases.

“I want to make this so people can get divorced and move on with their life,” said Workman, who is divorced but indicated he has not paid or received alimony.

But Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, described the proposal as one-sided and “anti-woman.”

“I think this bill will do more harm than good, ” she said.

The House Civil Justice Subcommittee voted 10-2 to approve the bill, with Stafford and Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, the only dissenters. Workman also proposed a similar measure last year, though he said it “died a slow, painful death in the Senate.”

HB 231 is slated to go next to the House Judiciary Committee. A similar bill (SB 718) was filed last week in the Senate. Alimony payments can be required of men or women involved in divorces.

Wednesday’s vote came after testimony from people who offered far-different views about whether the alimony system needs to be overhauled.

As an example, Deerfield Beach resident Guido Albarran told the subcommittee that 50 percent of his salary goes to his ex-wife. He said it is unfair to require alimony payments decades after divorces occur, at one point likening such situations to “financial enslavement.”

On the other side were people such as Longwood resident Ann Dwyer, who said she was married for more than 20 years and did not work outside the home as her then-husband built his career. She received permanent alimony and, while she was able to later find a job, said the payments from her ex-husband have allowed her to stay in her home and meet other expenses.

The bill would eliminate the concept of permanent alimony, though Workman said judges would have the discretion to extend what is called “durational” alimony for long periods of time if necessary.

The bill says such durational alimony would be limited to 50 percent of the length of the marriage, unless one of the divorcing spouses could show by “clear and convincing evidence that exceptional circumstances justify the need for a longer award of alimony.”

Another heavily discussed part of the bill could help people seek to end or reduce alimony payments as they reach retirement age. Also, the bill would allow what is known as “retroactivity,” which could lead to reopening already-existing alimony arrangements to reduce payments.

Opponents include the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar. David Manz, a past chairman of the Family Law Section, told the subcommittee that the retroactivity, for instance, adds harshness and unfairness to the bill and could lead to a “flood” of litigation.

Workman said he is willing to work with critics, but he said the alimony system needs changes.

“Alimony is broken, and maybe I don’t have the perfect fix,” Workman said. “But there is a fix out there.”

By The News Service of Florida

Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club Recognized Deputy’s Actions

February 14, 2013

Escambia County Sheriff’s Master Deputy Joanna Wilson was recognized by the Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club Wednesday.

Through the Sertoma Awards Program, the Northeast Pensacola Chapter honors and celebrates the accomplishments of Pensacola area first responders, recognizing officers who go above and beyond the call of duty.

On Saturday August 4, 2012, Deputy Joanna Wilson responded to a forgery call at a bank where two women were attempting to pass a stolen check. The women left before she had arrived, but Deputy Wilson identified the suspects’ vehicle to be a rental car from Broward County, Florida. She began to patrol local motels, eventually locating the suspect’s vehicle. This action led to several arrests, two of them known gang members linked to an organization that has been responsible for committing bank fraud with a monetary loss of approximately six million dollars.

Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff’s Master Deputy Joanna Wilson was recognized Wednesday by the Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Seven Injured In Wreck Involving County Fire Chief

February 14, 2013

Escambia County’s fire chief was involved in a four vehicle crash late Wednesday afternoon that injured seven people.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Fire Chief Patrick Grace was responding to a house fire with lights sirens activated. Troopers said he stopped before entered the intersection of Fairfield Drive and W Street with a steady red light.

Oncoming traffic on eastbound inside lane of Fairfield Drive was stopped when 73-year old Randolph W. Scurry of Pensacola entered the intersection with a green light, striking the side of the fire chief’s SUV, which then  struck a third vehicle that rolled into fourth.

The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Pictured: Escambia County’s  fire chief was involved in this four vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in Pensacola. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Roger Wayne Barnhill

February 14, 2013

Mr. Roger Wayne Barnhill, 59, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, in Pensacola.

Mr. Barnhill was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mr. Barnhill was a Poarch Creek Indian and worked at Alabama Maritime and Engles Shipyard. He attended the Gospel Light Church. His mother and step-dad, Ada Ree and Carlton Hubbard; grandson, Dylan Blake Barnhill; and grandparents, PR and Ruby McGhee Barnhill and Lee and Katie Mae Booker Searcy precede him in death.

Survivors include his father, Dillard (Shirley) Barnhill of Atmore; one son, Dustin Wayne Barnhill of Atmore; two daughters, Ashley Barnhill (Lance) Hodges of Atmore and Jessica Ann Barnhill of Atmore; two brothers, Rocky Barnhill of Stockton and Michael Barnhill of Atmore; three sisters, Melissa (Phillip) Ellis of Flomaton, Terri (Scott) Watkins of Atmore and Madonna Barnhill of Mobile; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Sunday, February 17, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Bro. Marty Gehman officiating.

Burial will follow at the Serenity Garden Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 16, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Mothershed, Jonathan McKinley, Jerry Searcy, Douglas Daughtry, Scott Watkins and Anthony Rolin.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.

Andrew Stabler

February 14, 2013

Mr. Andrew Stabler, 65, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, in Atmore.

Mr. Stabler was a native of Uriah and lifelong resident of Atmore. He was a tug boat captain for 33 years with Warrior and Gulf Navigation and owner of the Country Lounge for 11 years. He was a member of the Atmore Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His parents, Oscar and Annie Stabler; one brother, Elbert Stabler; and three sisters, Cathy Wood, Martha Cooper and Debbie McCurdy precede him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Stabler of Atmore; two sons, Hank (Connie) Stabler of Molino and Bobby Stabler of Atmore; one stepson, Wade (Dedra) Canova of Gasden, AL; one daughter, Teresa Marie (Charles) Waters of Bratt; one stepdaughter, Samantha (Arthur) Mothershed of Atmore; one sister, Linda (George) Floyd of Ellisville, MS; and 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 15, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.

Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, February 15, 2013, from 1 p.m. until funeral time at 3 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Billy Harris, Bubba Tedder, Randall Ward, Tony Lambeth, Chase Amerson and Aaron Lambeth.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama

Escambia Man Dies In Baldwin County Crash

February 13, 2013

Alabama State Troopers have released the name of an Escambia County man killed in a Baldwin County crash on Monday.

Troopers said 35-year od Jason L. Marks of Pensacola was westbound on U.S. 98 near Elberta when his 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse cross the center line for unknown reasons. He collided head-on with a 2007 Mack trucks.

Marks, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene of the noon crash.  A passenger in his vehicle, 38-year old Shannon Applin, and the driver of the Mack truck, Roy F. Harden, 57, of Navarre, were both transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.

Much Colder Tonight

February 13, 2013

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
  • Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
  • Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
  • Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
  • Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
  • Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
  • Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
  • Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Century Cracking Down On Late Paying Water, Sewer Customers

February 13, 2013

The Town of Century is cracking down on residents who don’t pay up for their water and sewer service on time.

“I have been real lenient with people,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall. But that leniency has led to 50-70 customers per month on the cutoff list, compared to just four last month for the Bratt-Davisville water system, he said.

Century water bills are currently due on receipt, with second notice and a $5 penalty on the 15th of the month and cutoffs scheduled for the 25th. Customers have been allowed to pay the cutoff penalty and earn a reprieve until the next month. The end result, McCall said, is an endless cycle of customers staying one month behind on their bills.

The extreme number of cutoffs is also taxing Century’s employees, McCall said, with four men working part of a day to cutofff unpaid water accounts and two men working for two days to restore service after payments are made.

But beginning next month, McCall said unpaid accounts as of the 24th of the month will be cutoff on the 25th, or the first business day after the 25th if it’s a holiday or weekend. Once a customer pays, a work order will be generate to reinstate service no earlier than the following day. Customers will be allowed one lifetime extension in the case of an emergency.

Finalists Named For Escambia Teacher Of The Year

February 13, 2013

The Top 5 finalists for Escambia County Teacher of the Year have been named.

They are: Randall Van Sickle, Blue Angels Elementary;  Tina Grady, Hellen Caro Elementary; Susan Rigby, Pine Forest High;  Debby Dorough, Pine Meadow Elementary; and Stephanie Hurst, West Florida High School.

The overall Teacher of the Year award will be announced February 28 during the 28th Annual Golden Apple Awards Banquet at New World Landing.

Convicted Felon Charged With Stealing, Pawning Gun

February 13, 2013

A convicted felon from Century is facing two felony charges after allegedly stealing a gun and later pawning it.

Joshua Duane Griffis, age 26 of North Century Boulevard, was arrested this week for  possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and grand theft of a firearm for an incident back in October 2012.  He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

Griffis allegedly went to a residence on Green Village Road in Walnut Hill and told a person known to him that he needed to look for a cell phone charger he had left in the home. The victim, due to a medical condition, was unable to follow Griffis to the rear of the home. Griffis left the residence, telling the victim he was unable to find the phone charger.

The same day, the victim discovered his .22 caliber revolver was missing. The victim’s wife confronted Griffis. According to an arrest report, and he said that he had let a friend working offshore borrow the gun but it would be returned soon.

The victim’s wife later located the gun at State Line Pawn in Atmore where it had been pawned by Griffis, the report states. Pawn shop employees told her they would keep the firearm until she could come in and pay for it, deputies said.

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