Former Corrections Officer Charged With Child Sex Abuse
February 18, 2014
A former Santa Rosa Correctional Institution employee has been arrested on multiple child sex abuse charges.
Billy Chad Gibson was charged with 10 counts of capitol sexual battery on a child less than 12 years of age. Investigators with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit said the abuse of a male victim allegedly occurred repeatedly between 2012 and 2013.
Gibson was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail last Thursday with bond set at $1.5 million. He was fired from his position with the state on Friday.
Two Molino Residents Seriously Injured In I-10 Wreck
February 18, 2014
Two Molino residents were seriously injured in an I-10 wreck Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 57-year old Eugene J. Beaudry of Molino was eastbound on I-10 about the 16 mile marker when he suffered a medical condition which caused him to run off the road in his 1989 Chevrolet S-10. After twice sideswiping a 2007 Chevrolet pickup driven by 55-year old David Harkleroad of Ft. Walton Beach, Beaudry’s S-10 traveled across both eastbound lanes onto the south shoulder. The pickup then hit a slope of dirt, sending Beaudry’s vehicle airborne where it overturned, coming to final rest on top of a fence.
Beaudry and his passenger, 55-year old Cheryl Lahti of Molino, were both transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Harkleroad and his passenger, 59-year old Joni Laflamme of Ft. Walton Beach, were not injured.
There were no charges filed in connection with the crash, according to the FHP.
Gaetz Would Back Repealing Red Light Cameras
February 18, 2014
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, are no fans of red-light cameras — that much is clear.
Echoing comments by the speaker, Gaetz said in a televised interview last week that he would support repealing the state’s red-light camera law.
“I voted against red light cameras when they came up the first time,” Gaetz said during an interview on The Florida Channel’s “Florida Face to Face” show. “I’d vote for repeal today. I agree with the speaker.”
Weatherford said during an interview with The News Service of Florida that he would back a repeal, though he acknowledged that is not likely to happen.
Appearing with Gaetz in the television interview, Weatherford said he hopes to add regulations on the use of the cameras by local governments.
“I don’t live under any illusion that we’re going to repeal red-light cameras this year,” Weatherford said. “But we ought to be able to bring some sensible regulations and some sensible policies on how and where they put these red-light cameras.”
Red-light cameras have long been controversial, but opponents are pointing to a new study by the Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, which they say shows the cameras haven’t reduced accidents and are a way for local governments to bring in revenues. The Florida League of Cities has questioned the fairness of the study.
by The News Service of Florida
Share Your Facebook, Twitter Passwords With Your Employer?
February 18, 2014
Big business brother is balking at a proposal that would ban employers from peeking into workers’ private social-media accounts.
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a proposal (SB 198) on Monday that would prohibit most employers from asking a worker or job applicant for his or her username, password or other means to access private social-media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter.
Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said he sponsored the measure because, under current state law, someone can be denied employment if they refuse to turn over their secret passwords.
“It’s a matter of where we draw the line and I’ve chosen to draw it at you can’t ask for somebody’s password,” said Clemens.
The measure doesn’t prevent an employer from accessing and viewing publicly available information on an employee’s social media account, and an amendment approved Monday exempts business-related accounts from the restrictions.
Similar measures are in place in 16 states, including New Jersey, California, Illinois, Colorado, and Utah.
Clemens said business groups have lobbied fiercely against his plan.
Samantha Padgett, general counsel for the Florida Retail Federation, told the committee the legislature needs to consider if the private messages by employees are conducted on company time or company equipment.
“This is something the employer could be liable for,” Padgett said.
A business also could be liable for the actions of employees if they haven’t done a proper background screening in the hiring process, she said.
“I can’t raise for you a case where this has occurred. I don’t know of one, but it doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility that an employer could be held for negligent hiring for failing to look into every aspect of the employee they’ve hired,” Padgett said.
The measure also includes a provision that would allow a worker to sue a boss that violated the proposed law, which Padgett threatened would result in more lawsuits against business-owners.
And Associated Industries of Florida lobbyist Brewster Bevis told the committee the proposal is creating “heartburn” for his business members because it could limit internal investigations into any employee’s behavior such as sexual harassment.
But committee Chairwoman Nancy Detert, R-Venice, noted that businesses are already allowed to conduct background checks, pull fingerprints, check credit reports, and do independent Google checks on the individuals being hired. And, Detert argued, businesses already have rules in place for misuse of company equipment.
“We’ve spent a lot of time worried about too much government intervention and cleaning up those rules, now we’ve got too much business in our business as far as I’m concerned,” she said.
“All of our kids and grand kids have been warned that using social media, everything is out there in cyberspace and people can check on it,” she continued. “But if you do your privacy codes right on your Facebook page, that should be like your family dining room table and only for invited guests get to be there, not your employer judging your behavior.”
Clemens’s proposal, which received a 7-2 vote Monday, must still get liked by three more committees before reaching the Senate floor. A House companion (HB 527) has not yet been scheduled for any hearings.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Tax Offices Might Process Gun License Applications
February 18, 2014
Gun owners would be able to apply for concealed weapons licenses at their local tax collector’s offices under a National Rifle Association-backed measure approved unanimously by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday.
Florida has more than a million concealed weapons licenses and the number is growing. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has eight regional field offices where gun owners can apply for the permits in person, but demand is so high that the wait at some locales is six months for an appointment.
“It’s a convenience for the citizens of the state of Florida to be able to come into their own county in buildings that their taxes helped pay for. Whether it’s paying their taxes or getting a driver’s license, it’s a courtesy to the taxpayers,” said Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan.
Under the proposal, tax collectors would be able to charge an extra $22 on top of the $70 fee for new applications and an additional $12 for renewals, which cost $60. The county officials already process photos, fingerprints and other things associated with the concealed carry applications. The costs don’t include $42 for background checks, which will still be handled by the agriculture department.
Making it easier for gun owners to get concealed weapons licenses, which require some training, could make Floridians safer, said NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer.
“They become a little more conscious of the responsibility of gun ownership,” Hammer, who estimates that there are 8 million gun owners in Florida, said. “I think it can’t hurt.”
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offices in Fort Walton Beach, Jacksonville, Doral, Orlando, Punta Gorda, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach are two-hour drives for some gun owners, many of whom prefer to hand over their paperwork in person because of past delays processing the applications by mail.
Clerks at the regional offices can also ensure that applications contain all of the items necessary to be processed, another time-saver. Applications now take about 35 days to process once received by the department, according to spokesman Aaron Keller. Several years ago, the department had a backlog of up to six months to get the applications processed, which by law are required to be completed within 90 days.
Start-up costs for the program would be about $800,000, including 11 new workers, to get the operation up-and-running in 30 counties, according to Keller. The money would come from a trust fund made up of the concealed weapons license fees, which now has a balance of about $26 million. The department would enter into agreements with the tax collectors, who would not be required to participate.
“It’s just kind of a natural thing for us to go into, after doing drivers licenses. We’re a very secure facility. Our clerks are deputized,” Jordan said.
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Storm Team Home After Week In Icy Georgia
February 18, 2014
Icy roads and downed power poles and lines were a few of the hazards Gulf Power Company’s storm team encountered as they helped Georgia Power restore power to customers following last week’s winter storm.
The 82-person crew was released from storm duty late Sunday afternoon and returned to Northwest Florida late Sunday night.
“They all worked safely and gave hope to customers who had lost power,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications manager. “Our crews continue to hone their skills working winter storms this year and we were glad to help Georgia Power’s customers get their power back on.”
The crews left February 10, donned snow chains, and worked in Jonesboro, Ga., just south of Atlanta most of the week. Over the weekend, they went east to Waynesboro, Ga., to help complete restoration. Georgia Power restored power to more than 700,000 customers.
It was the third time this winter Gulf Power crews were called on to restore power. In December, a team went to the Dallas area. And in late January, Gulf Power had to deal with its own winter storm.
“When the power’s out, there’s no better sight on your street than a bucket truck rolling up,” Rogers said. “The experience gained from being deployed to assist in these storms helps our crews be the best they can be right here at home.”
Pictured: Gulf Power storm teams work in northern Georgia. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Winning Football Team, Cheerleaders
February 18, 2014
The state champion Northview Chiefs honored their football players and cheerleaders during their annual banquet Monday night.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
The following football players and cheerleaders were awarded:
FOOTBALL
- Academic Award - Austin Cunningham
- Chief Award – Tristan Portwood, Andrew Edwards
- Leadership Award – Nathan Shipps, Dalton Daniel
- Most Improved Award - Keondre Lett, Nick Lambert
- Head Hunter Award - Emmanuel Etheridge
- Mr. Intensity Award – Tristen Creamer
- Mr. Versatile Award – Cameron Newsome, Tydre Bradley
- Outstanding Offensive Lineman - Baccari Ramar, Danny Slay
- Outstanding Defensive Lineman – La’Quan Thomas
- Outstanding Back - LaDarius Thomas
- All-Purpose Back – Brannon Freeman
- Most Valuable Defensive Player – Jeffrey Taylor, Hunter Sherouse
- Most Valuable Offensive Player – Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis
- Senior Award – Nathan Shipps, Dalton Daniel, Tristen Creamer, Baccari Ramar, Danny Slay, La’Quan Thomas, Brannon Freeman, Jeffrey Taylor, Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis, Andrew Edwards, holden Moore, Tony Haynie.
- Subway All-Star Team members – Jeffrey Taylor, La’Quan Thomas, Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis and Brannon Freeman.
- All-State team – 1st Team – Neino Robinson; 2nd Team – Brannon Freeman, La’Quan Thomas; honorable mention, Daulton Tullis, Jeffrey Taylor
- All-Area – 1st Team – Neino Robinson
- All-Panhandle Elite – 1st Team – Neino Robinson; honorable mention, Daulton Tullis, La’Quan Thomas, Jeffrey Taylor and Hunter Sherouse.
JV CHEERLEADERS
- Most Improved - Mallarie Rigby
- Most Spirited – Mallory Gibson, Peighton Dortch
- Most Dedicated – Dariane Guy
VARSITY CHEERLEADERS
- Most Versatile – Mariah Albritton
- Perseverance Award – Chloe Leonard
- Squad Strength – Hannah Gibson
- Spirit Award - Madison Arrington
- Best All Around - Katelynn Calloway
Pictured top: (L-R) Most Valuable Defensive Players Hunter Sherouse and Jeffrey Taylor; Most Valuable Offensive Players Daulton Tullis and Neino Robinson. Pictured below: Cheerleaders Mariah Albritton, Chloe Leonard, Ali Martin, Olivia Neal, Courtney Weaver, Anna Fischer and Katelynn Calloway. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Connie Renee Hardy
February 18, 2014
Connie Renee Hardy, 38, of Walnut Hill passed away Saturday, February 15, 2014, at a local hospital.
She was the daughter of James and Patricia Houk.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014, at Pleasant Home Primitive Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family of Connie Hardy.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Pace Patriots Down Northview Varsity; JV Chiefs Win
February 18, 2014
The Northview Lady Chiefs split games with the Pace Patriots Monday in Bratt.
Pace defeated the varsity Chiefs 6-2, while the JV Chiefs beat Pace 7-3 in an afternoon game.
A Northview at Chipley match-up scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled due to field conditions at Chipley. The varsity and junior varsity Chiefs will host Baker Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Athletes Compete In Winter Olympics
February 18, 2014
As the Winter Olympics continue in Russia, Florida sports fans will see what seems like a most unlikely sight: Fellow Floridians in Sochi, Russia, as part of the U.S. Olympic Team. That’s Floridians … in the Winter Olympics.
The Florida High School Athletic Association is encouraging residents from Pensacola to Key West to pull for the state’s athletes, several of whom competed at the high school level for FHSAA member schools.
“We’re used to seeing Floridians compete in a wide range of summer sports, from swimming and diving to track and field, but you don’t usually associate the Sunshine State with events like bobsledding and speedskating,” noted Dr. Roger Dearing, FHSAA executive director. “Whether the sports are common in our state or not, we can all take pride in the incredible accomplishments of these Florida athletes.”
Floridians on the 230-member U.S. Olympic Team in Sochi include three speedskaters who attended FHSAA member schools, as well as a member of the bobsled team who attended the University of Miami. In addition, the head coach of the U.S. men’s bobsled team now calls the Sunshine State home.
Florida has a rich tradition of sending champion athletes to compete in the Olympics, but it’s more typically the Summer Games. Two years ago, FHSAA saluted 29 Olympians who attended FHSAA member schools before earning spots in the London games. Several of Florida’s current Winter Olympians grew up competing in non-winter sports whose skills translated to winter sports
“These outstanding athletes highlight the value of athletic competition for young boys and girls. This is the same value we try to instill in every high school student-athlete competing at FHSAA member schools. You never know where it might lead you – even to a place in the Winter Olympics,” said Dearing.
Floridians participating in Sochi as members of the U.S. Olympic Team include:
- Eddy Alvarez, 24, of Miami, a speedskater who played baseball at Christopher Columbus High School
- Brittany Bowe, 25, of Ocala, a speedskater who played girls basketball at Trinity Catholic
- Joey Mantia, 28, of Ocala, a speedskater who was a world record holder in inline speed skating and attended Ocala Vanguard High School
- Lauryn Williams, 30, a former University of Miami track star who is a member of the two-woman bobsled team
- Brian Shimer, of Naples, head coach of the U.S. men’s bobsled team
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.