Tax Collector Officers Collecting Food For Manna Food Pantries
July 2, 2013
The employees of Janet Holley, Escambia County Tax Collector, are supporting Manna Food Pantries during the month of July by sponsoring a food drive. Their goal is to collect 2,000 pounds of food to help Manna meet the needs of the hungry in our area.
Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at any of the four tax collector locations Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.. Manna Food Pantries welcomes any food donations, but their most needed items are peanut butter, canned fruit, canned tuna and chicken and canned dinners.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown, 213 Palafox Place
- Molino, 6440 Highway 95A, Suite A
- Marcus Pointe, 6451 North W Street
- Warrington, 507 North Navy Boulevard
Study: Florida Does Not Need Indian Or International Casinos To Be Major Gaming State
July 2, 2013
Florida doesn’t need international casino operators building $2 billion waterfront entertainment meccas in Southeast Florida or a Native American group opening venues along the Interstate 10 corridor to be considered a “major gambling state.”
With Indian casinos, pari-mutuel facilities, day-cruise and cruise vessels and one of the largest state lotteries, Florida is already one of the nation’s top spots for gamblers.
But a 307-page state-commissioned study released Monday also showed that while the opportunity to play games of chance has grown, the money spent at casinos and card rooms hasn’t resulted in vast job creation outside the industry.
The state released a draft of the first part of a study by the New Jersey-based Spectrum Gaming Group on the present and future of gaming in the Sunshine State.
The study declares that Florida — despite opposition to the growth of gambling by powerful players such as Walt Disney World and the Florida Chamber of Commerce — is already “a major gambling state, with a wide array of options.”
More important, the gaming industry is going to grow, with or haphazardly without state regulation.
“Intentionally or not, the policies established by lawmakers — or the lack thereof — play a critical role in the evolution and expansion of gaming,” Spectrum stated. “Indeed, in the views of many, the ‘evolution’ and ‘expansion’ of gaming are largely synonymous. The industry rarely shrinks, and quite often, expands as a result of expansion.”
The study comes as the state Legislature is expected to tackle the future of gambling during the 2014 session.
In a memo to the Senate that accompanied the study, Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter, R-Naples, simply said his committee will “review gambling statutes, to address the ambiguities, inconsistencies, and exceptions in current law, and to craft an action plan.”
John Sowinski of No Casinos in Florida, an Orlando-based group opposed to the expansion of gambling, said the study shows the only way to control gambling is for lawmakers to close existing loopholes as they did in prohibiting the majority of electronic games at adult arcades in April,
Sowinski added that the state needs to rein in regulators.
“We have too much gambling and every time legislators or regulators give an inch, the gambling industry takes a mile,” said Sowinski, who also criticized Spectrum for its ties to the casino industry.
With the Florida Chamber of Commerce maintaining a near two-decade opposition to the expansion of gambling, spokeswoman Edie Ousley said the business advocacy group is waiting for the rest of the study before fully commenting.
Associated Industries of Florida, a proponent of allowing mega-casinos when the idea went before the Legislature in 2012, declined comment Monday as it was still reviewing the study.
The rest of the $388,845 study is expected to look into the potential economic impacts of changing gaming across Florida, such as the impacts of ending or altering the exclusive Seminole Indian compact and allowing international casino operators into the state. It is due by Oct. 1.
Spectrum declares it isn’t making any recommendations, but notes that “the combination of consumer acceptance, technological advances (such as the Internet) and government desire for revenue will continue to cause further expansion.”
The study shows that the industry lags when it comes to spinning off jobs.
Gambling generated $2.47 billion last year in tax revenue for Florida, and if nothing changed with the current gaming options, including the massive drop already experienced in play on the horses, dogs and humans tossing the jai-alai pelota against a wall, that annual figure would still double by 2060.
The existing racetracks, cardrooms, state lottery and Native American casinos were responsible for 15,748 jobs last year and 10,063 indirect jobs. When retailers selling lottery tickets are included, the numbers are boosted to 55,648 direct jobs and 14,269 indirect jobs.
The Spectrum study paints a picture of a state at the crossroads of its gaming future.
“Expansion comes at a cost, both internally to the industry and externally to society,” Spectrum states. “Expansion runs the risk of cannibalizing certain types of gambling — notably the pari-mutuel industry, which has long been in decline both nationally and in Florida — and it will sharpen the debate about how much is too much.”
On the one hand, the state’s historic horse, dog and jai-alai venues are simply trying to weather massive decline in play and their own internal squabbles.
Meanwhile the Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians wants to make Interstate 10 a pari-mutuel corridor — with or without its controversial rodeo-style barrel racing at Gretna Racing — as it owns, or has options to own, or agreements to control 10 pari-mutuel permits between Jacksonville and Pensacola in hopes of operating bingo-based slots and non-house-banked games.
Add into the mix the future of the Seminole compact, counties outside Miami-Dade and Broward wanting to add slot machines, and international casino operators salivating at the prospects of building mega-casinos in the Southeast.
Also finally, the Florida Lottery simply continues to grow, generating $4.45 billion last year, of which $1.9 billion was revenue for the state.
The state lottery is now the third largest in the nation, with revenue totals behind only New York and Massachusetts.
The first chance the House and Senate gaming committees would have to discuss the full study would be the second scheduled committee week of the fall, starting Oct. 7.
The study outlines the growth in games of chance, with card rooms and table options outstripping the rapid decline in play on greyhounds, horses and jai alai, which have struggled against a decline in attendance and purses to attract better competition.
The state has seen its revenue from those pari-mutuel activities dropping from $119.4 million in 1985 to $11.8 million last year, a 91 percent decline.
Revenue from greyhound racing has dropped from $77.2 million to $3.7 million from 1985 to 2012, while jai alai is down from $29.7 million to $378,000 in the same time in its taxes to the state.
To save costs, pari-mutuel operators have reduced the number of races and, in the case of jai alai, the number of players on a roster. Greyhound operators have also proposed running races with just two dogs in each race to meet state operation requirements.
By Jim Turner, The News Service Of Florida
Man Gets Life Without Parole For 2011 Escambia Murder
July 2, 2013
A New Orleans man was convicted of an Escambia County murder Monday and will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of a parole.
Christopher Eugene Stallworth pleaded guilty to first degree murder for the death of 65- Jerry Wayne Ledden, burglary while armed, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft auto.
Judge Ross Goodman sentenced Stallworth to mandatory life in state prison without parole. Prosecutors were originally seeking a death sentence, however, as the case developed, further investigation revealed that mandatory life without parole was the appropriate sentence, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
On July 24, 2011, the badly beaten body of Jerry Wayne Ledden was found at his home on Mitchell Lane in the Bellview community by his sister and brother-in-law. Ledden’s Cadillac, guns, and cell phone were missing from the residence. Stallworth was linked to the homicide by use of credit cards that were stolen from the victim’s home.
The investigation and arrest was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
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Candidate Pre-files For Valentino’s District 2 Commission Seat
July 2, 2013
The first candidate has pre-filed to run for the District 2 Escambia County Commission seat currently held by Gene Valentino.
Democrat Raymond “Ray” Guillory, 38, pre-filed Monday for the 2014 election. A chef, Guillory ran unsuccessfully in 2006 for Florida House of Representatives District 6. He is an Escambia County Democratic Executive Committee member, and served as Canvassing Coordinator for the Lumon May for Florida House District 3 campaign in 2008.
Valentino has not publicly announced if he will seek re-election.
Update: Lonely Highway Dog Has A Home
July 2, 2013
Last week, we brought you the story of a lonely dog that spent days seemingly sitting and waiting for someone to return alongside an Alabama country road. Today, we can report that the dog — now named Charlie — is safe at a home in Flomaton.
“I was so happy and relieved just knowing he’s finally safe,” Hughes said Monday afternoon. “I want to thank everyone that has taken the time to feed & water him and tried to catch him.”
“I wish I could keep him and if I knew he would stay in my yard I would keep him,” she said. “But I don’t have a fenced in yard and he would end up in the same spot he’s been sitting in all week.”
Here is our earlier story about the lonely highway dog, first published on June 28:
The saga of a lonely dog is playing out on Facebook, capturing the hearts of hundreds of people, as he sits and waits alone by a country road.
On Sunday, Molly Hughes of Flomaton posted a couple of photos of dog on a roadside off Highway 113 near Flomaton.
“He has been sitting in the same spot for 2 days like he’s waiting on his owner to show up to get him,” Hughes wrote in her post, believing someone dumped the dog on the roadside. “It’s so sad.” She stopped and put out food and water for the dog, but she was unable to get very close to him.
But no matter what, the dog has continued to sit by the road, seemingly waiting for someone he loves to come back.
“It’s day 5 of this poor dog sitting in the same spot waiting on his owner to show back up to get him,” Hughes posted on Facebook on Wednesday. “We have put food and water out for him every day and tried to get him to come with us but he’s scared and won’t leave this spot.”
By Thursday, other Facebook members had begin to help Hughes take care of the roadside dog. Several people visited with the dog and provided food and water. They have been able to pet the dog, but so far he’s too frightened to allow anyone to take him to a new home.
“I want to thank everyone in the community that has helped out with this poor fella,” Hughes said. “It’s so heartwarming to know that many people actually care and will take the time out of their day to help an animal.” On Thursday, Hughes was able to spend about 45 minutes with the dog, providing him not only with more food and water, but a bone and some much appreciated treats.
“Please keep him in your prayers and pray that he will decide to trust someone enough to go home with them soon,” she said.
If anyone has any information about the roadside dog, email us your contact information at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with Hughes.
Pictured: A dog waits by the roadside near Flomaton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Belle Foods, Food World Stores File Bankruptcy
July 2, 2013
Belle Foods, operator of six grocery stores in Pensacola, Atmore and Brewton under the Belle Foods and Food World names, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday.
The chain has a total of 57 stores and over 2,800 employees, has debts of $10 to $50 million and assets within the same range, according to court documents.
The company cited difficulties with paying creditors from revenues as the reason for bankruptcy.
““Additionally, higher payroll taxes in 2013 have led to a decline in purchases by the (Belle’s) customer base,” the court filing said. “Furthermore, (Belle) has also seen an increased amount of competition in several of its markets from other grocers. With older locations, Debtor has had difficulty competing with the newer grocery stores that have moved into its markets.”
Belle operates stores under the Belle Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Food World names in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Most of the stores were purchases from Southern Family Markets in June 2012. Southern Family took control of numerous Food World and Bruno’s stores after a Birmingham grocer filed for bankruptcy.
The Food World in Atmore and the Piggly Wiggly in Brewton were rebranded as Belle Foods in January.
Editor’s note: The Piggly Wiggly store in Davisville is not owned by Belle Foods.
Pictured top: The Belle Foods store in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rally Past Jacksonville In Rain-Shortened Game
July 2, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos used a four-run fourth inning to rally past the Jacksonville Suns 4-3 in a rain-shortened, six-inning affair on Monday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Rains forced the tarp onto the field with one out in the sixth before the game was eventually called approximately an hour later with no end to the rain in sight. The win snapped Pensacola’s two-game skid and moved them to within a game of first place behind Jacksonville.
Trailing 3-0 after three frames, the Wahoos came to the plate in the fourth inning without a hit against Jacksonville starter Adam Conley. Donald Lutz changed that with a single to right to spark the rally. Marquez Smith walked to follow Lutz and both runners moved up a base on a groundout by Matt Kennelly. Travis Mattair then put the Wahoos on the board with a solid single up the middle, cutting the lead to 3-1. Ryan LaMarre was plunked by a 1-2 pitch following Mattair to load the bases with just one hit.
Brodie Greene brought Pensacola closer by reaching on catcher’s interference when his swing made contact with the glove of catcher J.T. Realmuto. Greene was credited with an RBI and made the score 3-2. Dennick finished off the rally with a two-run single through the left side, putting the Wahoos on top 4-3.
Dennick battled his command early in the contest before settling down and keeping Pensacola in the game. Jacksonville plated three runs in the last of the first against Dennick on a two-run single from Mark Canha and an RBI single from Danny Black. Despite walking three in the frame, Dennick stranded a pair to keep the deficit at three. Jacksonville stranded two more runners in both the second and third innings before the Wahoos southpaw took control by retiring the final seven batters he faced.
Dennick (4-9) was credited with a complete game by tossing five innings and allowing three runs on five hits with four walks and no strikeouts. Conley fell to 7-3 but also went the distance, giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5.1 frames.
The series continues on Tuesday night at 6:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will send Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.97) to the mound against Jacksonville’s Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 2.08).
story by Kevin Burke
Want To Sponsor The Blackwater Trail?
July 2, 2013
Want your company name on the Blackwater Trail in Milton? Now you can.
A year after lawmakers agreed to allow advertising on state greenways and trails, the Florida Park Service has announced that sponsors are being sought for seven multi-use, paved trails from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys. The trails announced Monday are the first to be put up for potential sponsorship from the July 2012 law that some critics argued would diminish hiking in serene, uncluttered natural habitats.
With the negotiated sponsorship comes pre-approved, logo-covered signs at trailheads and access points that could be either 4 square feet or 16 square feet, depending upon the type of access point. A mandatory teleconference call is planned for July 15 for those interested in sponsoring a trail.
The seven state trails are: Blackwater Heritage Trail near Milton in the Florida Panhandle; Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail south of Tallahassee; Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail in north-central Florida; Nature Coast State Trail from Cross City to Chiefland crossing the lower Suwannee River; Withlacoochee State Trail south of Dunnellon; General James A. Van Fleet State Trail through Central Florida’s Green Swamp; and the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail from Key Largo to Key West.
By The News Service of Florida
Fire Rages Though Wheat Field, Combine Damaged
July 1, 2013
Fire raged though a Walnut Hill wheat field this afternoon, and a John Deere combine was damaged.
The combine, still smoking when the first fire truck arrive on scene, was removed from the field and did not appear to be heavily damaged. The wheat field fire on Lemon Road off South Highway 99 consumed about 10 acres.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The Florida Division of Forestry was also dispatched to the fire but canceled.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested After Sunday Night Drive-by Shooting
July 1, 2013
Multiple charges have been filed on a Pensacola man after a drive-by shooting occurred Sunday night.
Robert D. Bruster, 18, of 2606 W. Gonzalez St. was charged with fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer with lights/siren active, driving with license suspended, child neglect
without great bodily harm, resisting an officer, possession of cocaine, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Just after 10 p.m. Sunday, a drive-by shooting occurred in the area of DeSoto Street and Sixth Avenue where a 30-year-old male was shot in the hand. A description of the vehicle was broadcast to officers, and Officer David Rogers saw a vehicle matching its description at Pace Boulevard and Jackson Street. Rogers followed the vehicle to B and Gadsden streets where the driver – later identified as Bruster – jumped out and began running. Bruster was taken into custody nearby.
Officers found two children ages 13 and 14 in addition to some crack cocaine and marijuana inside the vehicle.
The shooting remains under investigation.