Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships
May 7, 2013
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has presented three scholarships to area students.
(Scroll down for details below each photo.)
Jonathon Rogers received a $1,000 academic scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. He plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Presenting the check is Andrea Byars, one of the first BPHS scholarship winners.
Marcus Baker won the Stephen G. Jogan Memorial scholarship worth $1000 to further his education. He plans to major in music education and become a local high school music teacher. His scholarship was awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner.
Tristan Baker received the Lynda Minchew Memorial scholarship. He plans to use the $500 scholarship to further his plans to enter the ministry. The scholarship was presented by Minchew’s daughter Kristen Dodd and son Brian Dodd.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Sentenced To Life For Ensley Burning Death
May 7, 2013
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2010 fatal beating and burning of a 19-year old woman.
Britnee Miller, 19, was given life without parole by Judge Gary Bergosh after her plea to first degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 19-year old Audreanna Zimmerman in March 2010. Zimmerman was beaten and burned in an Ensley field; she died 16 days after the attack. .
Miller’s mother, Tina Brown, was sentenced to death in the case, and Heather Lee was given a reduced sentence of 25 years on a second degree murder charge and testifying against Brown.
Bettie Elaine Wells Hall
May 7, 2013
Bettie Elaine Wells Hall, 63, of Perdido, passed away Monday, May 6, 2013, in Bay Minette. She was a retired License Practical Nurse. She was born in Bay Minette on November 16, 1949 to the late Walter Q. and Katie Lou Williamson Wells. She enjoyed photography and loved to help others. She was a member of Pleasant Plains Splinter Hill Pentacostal Church.
Survivors include her husband, Clifford P. Hall, Sr; one son, C.P. Hall, Jr. all of Perdido; one brother, William Walter (Maggie) Wells of Perdido; one sister, Jean Wells; three grandchildren, Claryssia Hall, Collin Hall and Colton Hall and many other relatives and friends.
Services will be Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 10 a.m. from Atmore Memorial Chapel with Reverend Angelo Thomley and Sister Thursa Long officiating.
Interment will follow in Bryars McGill Cemetery in Perdido.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Atmore Memorial Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc and Atmore Memorial Chapel are in charge of all arrangements.
Lois G. Cleaveland
May 7, 2013
Lois G. Cleaveland , age 98, a resident of Foley, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2013, at Robertsdale Healthcare Center after a brief illness with breast cancer. Mrs Cleaveland was born in Irwin, Iowa on November 23, 1914, to Minor and Grace Munson. She graduated from Irwin High School, married her high school sweetheart, Lyle, then drove his grandparents to Foley for the winter, and the young couple stayed.
In the early years of their marriage, Mrs. Cleaveland worked as an operator for Gulf Telephone Company. Later, she and her husband purchased Perfection Nursery and managed this business for several years. Mrs. Cleaveland may best be remembered as the “Lady that ran the school store” for the Old Foley High on Pine Street. In 1952 Mrs. Cleaveland became an active member of Foley United Methodist Church until she was no longer able to attend.
Mrs. Cleaveland was preceded in death by her husband , Lyle; her son Fred Lyle, Jr.; and infant grandson, Nathan.
She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie (Jim) Donaldson of Foley and Gay (Bennie) Hassebrock of Molino; six grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild. Other survivors include seven nieces and nephews and their extended families and two special friends, Marion “Mims” Asplund and Walter Jones.
Visitation will be at Wolfe-Bayview Home in Foley on Wednesday, May 8 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Graveside services will be Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley.
Donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 W.Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 3039, the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Covenant Hospice, 5041 N.12th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32504.
Our heart-felt thanks go out to the loving staff at Robertsdale Healthcare Center, and special thanks to the Covenant Hospice nurses, all of whom have given our mother the comfort and care she needed.
Marrahnell Wright Culp
May 7, 2013
Marrahnell Wright Culp, 78, of Cantonment, passed away April 29, 2013, after a chronic illness. She was born in Laurel Hill, Florida on July 28, 1934. She was preceded in death by parents George W. Wright and Percie L. Wright and infant brother. After working for years at the telephone company, she was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, flowers and gardening. After her husband retired, they enjoyed traveling with their camper and meeting new friends while fishing and camping around the country. “Nell”, as everyone knew her, was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a devout member of Cantonment First Baptist Church.
She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, John E. Culp; two sons, Gregory (Sue) Henderson and Dale (Angela) Henderson; daughter, Starlyn (Jessie) James; five granddaughters, Candace (Bill) Hendricks, Jessica (Todd) Barlow, Whitney and Courtney Henderson, Kristie Henderson; three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Matthew Hendricks and Addistynn Barlow; two brothers, George C. Wright and Preston Wright and many nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered as a generous, strong and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Saying she will be missed is an understatement.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 3, 2013, at Faith Chapel North. Burial was in Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home Northis in charge of arrangements.
Medicaid Managed Care Plan To Begin In August
May 7, 2013
Two years after getting approved by lawmakers, Florida’s shift to a statewide Medicaid managed-care system will start Aug. 1 for seniors who need long-term care in the Orlando area.
The state Agency for Health Care Administration held a contract-signing ceremony Monday with seven health plans that eventually will provide long-term care services to about 85,000 people across the state. That is the first part of a long-debated Medicaid transformation that also will later include the broader Medicaid population.
Such a contract-signing ceremony is unusual in state government but was an indication of the emphasis that Gov. Rick Scott’s administration has placed on revamping Medicaid.
“This is a major milestone along the way to the statewide Medicaid managed-care program,” said Justin Senior, an AHCA deputy secretary who directs Medicaid.
Federal officials in February approved the long-term care portion of the Medicaid changes, though AHCA had already gone through a lengthy process in which health plans bid for contracts in 11 regions of the state. The seven companies that received contracts in all or some of the regions were American Eldercare, Amerigroup Florida, Coventry Health Care of Florida, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Sunshine Health and United HealthCare of Florida.
Also, another plan, Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers of Dade County, has filed a bid protest in the state Division of Administrative Hearings. If is successful, it could receive a contract in a region that includes Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
The basic concept behind the long-term care portion of the Medicaid changes is that managed-care plans will be able to better coordinate services, which could help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes instead of having to move into nursing facilities. Ultimately, that could help hold down state costs in the Medicaid program, as nursing-home care is typically more expensive than home- and community-based services.
AHCA will start the changes Aug. 1 in a central Florida region that includes Orange, Brevard, Osceola and Seminole counties. The long-term care changes will gradually expand to other areas and are expected to be in place statewide by March 2014.
Florida has long operated what is known as a “nursing home diversion” program, which is a smaller-scale version of the statewide long-term care system.
American Eldercare, for example, already provides services in the diversion program and has received contracts in all 11 regions of the new managed-care system. Robert Schemel, president of the company, said the biggest difference with the new system will be the volume of people served.
Lawmakers and Scott in 2011 approved a plan to transform Medicaid into a statewide managed-care system, despite opposition from some groups that argued HMOs could shortchange the care people receive.
The state submitted applications to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in August 2011. While it has received approval to move forward with the long-term care portion of the plan, it is still waiting for a final sign-off on the broader Medicaid population — though federal officials sent a letter earlier this year indicating that such approval was near.
by The News Service of Florida
FHSAA: High School Athletes ‘Spared’ Negative Legislation
May 7, 2013
Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Roger Dearing called it “gratifying” that the legislative session ended without passage of a bill that would have given state lawmakers more control over the organization that has overseen high school sports for nearly a century.
“We understand that many of the legislators who supported the proposal were doing what they thought was best for high school athletics, but it would have opened the door for a few adults and athletes to build powerhouses while those who respected the rules of fair play were left behind,” Dearing said in a statement following Friday’s session ending.
The measure by Lakeland-area lawmakers to assert more state control over FHSAA failed to be heard on the Senate floor after winning approval from the House. Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, has said the proposal will return next year unless the FHSAA shows a willingness to abide by the desires of legislators.
The bill would have expanded the ability of students to transfer schools during the school year, given charter and home school students more opportunities to play for public school teams, altered the makeup of the association’s board of directors, given school districts more say over athletic regulations in each county, and set a 2017 date to sunset the 93-year-old organization.
by the News Service of Florida
Weekend Burglary Puts Brakes On Molino Teen’s Championship Kart Racing
May 6, 2013
A weekend burglary has put the brakes on a Molino teen’s championship kart racing team.
Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events. But now his future in the hobby he loves so much is in doubt after someone stole about $12,000 worth of racing gear from his home.
The theft occurred from a workshop at the family’s home on Gibson Road in Molino sometime between about 10:30 Friday night at 6:30 Saturday morning — while the family was sleeping nearby.
“They did this with my wife and kids sleeping in the house, yards from the shop,” Jarrett’s father Scott said. “That just makes me angry that they were here with my family.”
A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing like lawn equipment were left behind.
“We believe it is going to be someone connected to kart racing in some way,” Scott said. “They knew what to take….they passed over cheaper items and knew what brand names were more valuable.”
“This is heartbreaking. We sacrifice so much to do this with our kids and for someone to do this to kids is shameful,” mom Tammy Parker said.
Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.
The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Jarrett Parker Racing is offering a $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the burglary.
Pictured top: Molino’s Jarrett Parker (#46) leads the pack during a recent kart race. Pictured inset: Jarrett Parker (left) and teammate Chambers McGilberry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks To Identify Pedestrian Hit By Vehicle On Nine Mile Road
May 6, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in identifying a pedestrian that was hit by a vehicle and critically injured early Sunday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The accident happened about 5 a.m. on Nine Mile at North Palafox Street. The FHP said 19-year old Richard D. Mumma of Pensacola was traveling east on Nine Mile Road when the unidentified pedestrian failed to cross in a marked crosswalk or yield to traffic when crossing the road. The pedestrian was pushing a shopping cart full of aluminum cans when he stepped into the path of Mumma’s 2006 Honda.
The pedestrian was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mumma and his passenger, 18-year old Lyndon E. Parmer of Pensacola, were not injured.
Anyone with information on a possible name for the pedestrian is asked to call Trooper Villalonga with the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000 ext. 313. The pedestrian was described as a black male, about 60-years old.
Cox Names Students As Inspirational Heros
May 6, 2013
Almost 50 outstanding Escambia County students were honored recently at the 19th Annual Cox Inspirational Hero Celebration. The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
Honorees (with North Escambia students listed in bold) were:
Elementary Students
Gillian Buckley, Bellview; Dylan Vorrasi, Beulah; Lauchlan McKay, Blue Angels; Brandon Berry, Bratt; Charles Bryant, Brentwood; Katelyn Hassebrock, Byrneville; Skylar Ford, C.A. Weis; Jolan Cunningham, Cordova Park; Ron’Drickka Edwards, Ensley; Nicholas Crowley, Ferry Pass; Joey Yarber, Global Learning Academy; Maximilian High, Hellen Caro; Julianna Schwartz, Holm; Dawn Huddle, Jim Allen; Leilani Pooley, Lincoln Park; Trinity Morris,Longleaf; Kaila Kelly,McArthur; Larry Allie, Molino; Anthony Goodwin, Myrtle Grove; Lorna McLendon, N.B. Cook; Phillip Straughn, O.J. Semmes; Malyana Jackson, Oakcrest; Julie Wakefield, Pleasant Grove; Joshua Parr, R.C. Lipscomb; Antoinette Heno, Scenic Heights; Ja’Daisha Young, Warrington; and Dilon Fountain, West Pensacola.
Middle School Students
Victoria Sechrist, Bailey; Jezabelle LeClair, Bellview; Gerald Sill,Brown Barge; Daysha Kite, Ernest Ward; Janaizia Worley, Ferry Pass; Jolyeah Williams, Warrington; Ti’Kerrian Boggs, Woodham; and Valeria Salazar, Workman.
High School Students
Andrea Overton, Escambia; Isaiah Williams, Northview; Michael Riggs,Pensacola; Kylie Valin, Pine Forest; Logan Thirtyacre, Tate; Victor Nall,Washington; Joshua Inghram, West Florida; and Eduar Williams Jr., Escambia Charter School.