Molino Volunteer Fire Department Holds Open House
June 29, 2014
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Open House event Saturday at the their firehouse on Molino Road. The event included food, safety and equipment demonstrations and more.
The fire department is also looking for volunteers. Volunteers must be 16 to train and 18 or older with high school diploma to run calls on a fire truck. Call (850) 503-6754 for more information.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: All In The Family
June 29, 2014
There’s been plenty of talk in Florida lately about families.
One of the major issues in the governor’s race has become which family members should be required to divulge their income tax returns. Gov. Rick Scott embarked on the “Caring for Florida’s Families,” offering one of the first substantive agendas in what has thus far largely been a contest to see who can sling the most mud.
Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Families showed off a new website that it hoped would highlight its efforts to turn the corner after several months of bad headlines — only to see a reminder of the past once again enter the public eye. And the Florida State University family feud dragged on over who should be the institution’s next president.
PAPERS, PLEASE
When he ran for office in 2010, Scott’s rise to the Republican nomination was fueled in no small part by his support for an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration — legislation that critics in the Copper State called the “papers, please” law. The proposal never got traction in Florida, but Scott is once again asking to see someone’s papers.
This time, he and his campaign are calling on former Gov. Charlie Crist to release his wife’s tax returns. In response, Crist released more of his own tax returns, but not his wife’s. And Scott’s campaign pointed out that Crist had already divulged most of the records he released this week in his previous campaigns for office.
“Charlie releasing tax returns he has already released instead of making public the returns for him and his spouse is a joke,” said Jackie Schutz, a spokesman for the Scott campaign. “What’s he hiding? His desperation to distract is just making us more curious.”
Crist’s campaign brushed the Scott attacks off as a personal affront to his spouse, Carole. Unlike the Scotts, the Crists don’t file jointly. Kevin Cate, a spokesman for Crist’s campaign, blasted Scott for raising the issue.
“He should immediately apologize,” Cate said. “Spouses and children are off limits.”
While his campaign pushed for more records from Crist, Scott himself was touring the state to call attention to his plans for the state’s foster care and early learning programs.
Scott’s plan — which was released as he tries to soften his image and broaden his platform beyond economic issues — calls for more support for foster and adoptive parents by establishing an ombudsman program and pushing for more support groups and counselors.
On early learning, Scott says the state should set up “a system of incentives and assessments” for preschool instructors and cut the waiting lists for preschool programs.
And the governor’s plan would expand the number of state-backed “personal learning accounts,” which provide up to $9,000 for parents to help pay for education services for children with disabilities.
Scott’s tour came shortly after he signed a bill (SB 1666) meant to overhaul the state’s child-welfare system in response to increased scrutiny caused by child deaths and media reports.
The new law creates rapid-response teams to conduct immediate investigations of child deaths, establishes the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to conduct policy research and creates the position of assistant secretary for child welfare at the Department of Children and Families.
It will also use tuition waivers and loan-forgiveness programs to help child-protection staffers earn social-work degrees. The new law also aims to keep siblings together and medically fragile children in their homes and communities as much as possible.
AGENCY TAKES STEP FORWARD, HEARS BACK
DCF also made other efforts to patch up its reputation after the Miami Herald’s Innocents Lost series, published in March, which found that at least 477 children known to the department had died of abuse and neglect over a six-year period.
Interim Secretary Mike Carroll, who took the job in early May, rolled out a website this week that will track child deaths and make them public.
Within 72 hours of a death, the child’s name, age, date of death and a narrative of how he or she died will be posted at www.dcf.state.fl.us/childfatality. Users will be able to sort the data in multiple ways, such as determining the causes of local deaths. The department hopes communities will use the data to guide prevention efforts.
“It will be the preeminent website in the country in terms of the amount of information and the user-friendliness of that information for the general public around child deaths,” Carroll said.
But the agency still couldn’t seem to shake the past. Even as Carroll was touting the new database, one the sponsors of the child-welfare bill Scott signed was calling for an independent investigation into whether the department has been open about some recent fatalities.
“Sweeping child deaths under the rug will only serve to perpetuate a culture of cover-up and corruption,” warned state Sen. Eleanor Sobel, the Hollywood Democrat who chairs the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, in a statement Tuesday. “Hiding the deaths should never be a solution.”
Sobel, who hosted a town-hall meeting on last year’s wave of media reports about child deaths, zeroed in on new Herald reports that DCF was less than forthcoming about some deaths in 2013.
Added into the mix was the release of a report by a Miami-Dade grand jury on reforms implemented by Florida’s child welfare system after the gruesome death of Nubia Barahona, whose adoptive parents are awaiting trial for her 2011 death.
The report praised the Department of Children and Families for improvements to the state abuse hotline, the practices of child protective investigators and the information systems and databases used by department workers.
But the grand jury also excoriated DCF for its reporting of child deaths, noting, for instance, that the department in 2010 changed its definition of “neglect” in a way that made it apply to fewer children.
Carroll responded to the critics.
As for Sobel’s statement, Carroll denied that a cover-up took place on child deaths, but said a regional manager hadn’t followed DCF requirements that incident reports be entered into the department’s system within one business day and failed to follow a directive to correct the matter for another two months. The manager was suspended for two days.
And DCF tried to emphasize the positive statements by the grand jury, which wrote that jurors “believe DCF and the Florida Legislature responded very well to many of the recommendations” from the an earlier grand jury that looked into Barahona’s death.
RACES, SPECIAL AND NOT
Florida State University is another respected institution that’s gotten a black eye from recent headlines — those about its search for a president and what role influential Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, will play as the school moves forward.
A new consultant for the search — the old one exited amid an uproar about how Thrasher’s interest in the job was being handled — said this week that the hunt for president won’t be sidetracked again for any individual.
Alberto Pimentel, a managing partner from the California office of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, said during informal meetings with students and faculty that he won’t repeat the recommendation of the prior consultant to have the search committee interview just Thrasher.
“There will be one process and one process only,” Pimentel said. “We’re not going to create a special process for some candidates and not for others. I think that you get in trouble when you do that.”
At least one politician, however, did get a position through a special process, though one that was shared by all candidates. Curt Clawson, a Republican businessman, won a special election to fill the seat of disgraced former Congressman Trey Radel.
Clawson overwhelmingly won the race in the Republican-leaning Southwest Florida district, beating Cape Coral Democrat April Freeman and Marco Island Libertarian Ray Netherwood with 67 percent of the vote.
Radel, a Republican from Fort Myers, resigned in late January after being arrested on a cocaine-possession charge.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Leslie Dougher congratulated Clawson for his “well-earned” victory.
“Congressman-elect Clawson will undoubtedly serve his district with distinction, bringing true conservative values to our nation’s capital,” Dougher said in a release.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott finished sifting through the 255 bills sent to him by the Legislature, 254 of which he signed. The lone bill to fall victim to Scott’s pen this year was a measure (SB 392) that would have allowed the Florida Department of Transportation to raise highway speed limits by 5 mph, including going from 70 mph to 75 mph on some roads.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I was meant to serve as cautionary tale to other state workers, that if you want to speak up, try to do the right thing, and take action, here is what’s going to happen to you.”—Former state worker Dianne Parcell, whom a jury this spring concluded that the state fired in retaliation for raising questions about nearly 100 cases where DEO had improperly reported overpayments to Floridians receiving unemployment benefits. The state later settled with Parcell for $250,000.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
FHP Conducting ‘Move Over’ Law Crackdown Today
June 29, 2014
Move Over — two simple words and an easy action that could change a life.
The Florida Highway Patrol is again conducting an intensified enforcement effort on Interstate 10 in an effort to keep the roads safe and fatality-free through Sunday. Along I-10, the FHP will be participating in an intensified enforcement effort called “I-10 Challenge,” this time focusing on the move over law. As FHP and law enforcement agencies across the state declared June as “Move Over – Slow Down – Save a Life” month, we are ending the month with a unified awareness effort. The month-long safety campaign focused on educating the public about the law and the threat that ignoring it can pose to first responders.
The phrase Move Over is more than just words. It is an action required on everyone’s part in order to make Florida’s busy roads safer for everyone—whether they are first responders or stranded motorists waiting for assistance. If you see anyone on the side of the road, Move Over for their safety.
The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct special details on I-10. The details will focus on the move over law. In addition, troopers will be checking for distracted driving, aggressive drivers, speeders, seat belt use, and commercial vehicle safety. While these focus areas are something the Patrol does every day, it is the second phase of an intensified effort across Interstate 10 in the Panhandle to ensure travelers will see consistent enforcement throughout their trip on the interstate.
Under Florida’s Move Over law:
• The law protects law enforcement officers, emergency workers and tow truck drivers stopped along roadways while performing their jobs;
• It requires motorists to move over when a patrol car, emergency vehicle or tow truck/wrecker is stopped on the side of a road with lights flashing. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, motorists shall slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Pictured: First responders work along Highway 97 last month. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Finish Road Trip With 3-1 Win Over The Lookouts
June 29, 2014
The Blue Wahoos score two in the 9th, defeat Lookouts 3-1 in series finale
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the final game of the their five-game road trip, 3-1, over the Chattanooga Lookouts. Kyle Waldrop’s two-RBI double in the top of the ninth inning gave the Wahoos their second victory of the series.
RHP Ben Lively pitched well in his second start for the Wahoos; he went 5.2 innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five batters. Lively did walk three batters, but he left the contest with a 1-0 lead. RHP Carlos Gonzalez allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth inning on an Alberto Rosario pinch-hit single, which tied the game for the Lookouts.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Brodie Greene reached base on a throwing error by Lookouts third baseman Daniel Mayora, which opened the door for the Wahoos. Yorman Rodriguez walked and Waldrop cleared the bases with his double to right field. Waldrop finished the day 2-for-5 with all three of the Wahoos’ RBI.
Gonzalez earned the win for Pensacola after Shane Dyer pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season. RHP Juan Ramon Noriega took the loss for the Lookouts despite giving not giving up an earned run.
The Wahoos return home on Sunday to open a five-game homestand against the Jacksonville Suns.
by Joey Truncale
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Shooting Son On Riding Lawn Mower
June 28, 2014
A Walnut Hill man was jailed Friday night for allegedly shooting his son on a riding lawn mower.
Marshall H. Harmon, 71, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon for the 7:20 p.m. incident on Breastworks Road about a mile west of North Pine Barren Road.
Harmon and his 32-year old son had become involved in a verbal altercation at a nearby home, deputies said. The son then fled on Breastworks Road on a riding lawn mower, the father following in his pickup truck.
When the elder Harmon pulled alongside his son on the riding mower, Harmon fired two shots in the son’s direction, according to Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. It did not immediately appear that Harmon intended to shoot his son, but may have instead accidentally hit him.
One of the shots hit the son in the neck, but the officials said the wound did not appear to be life threatening. The son was airlifted by Lifeguard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Harmon was taken into custody without incident at the scene of the shooting and remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
Pictured top: Suspect Marshall Harmon stands against his truck (far left background) as an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy (center) checks a weapon Harmon allegedly used to shoot his son Friday night on Breastworks Road. Pictured bottom inset: A deputy explains charges to Harmon. Pictured bottom: The shooting victim was airlifted from a field on Breastworks Road to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Big Watermelon Festival Going On Today In Century
June 28, 2014
The first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival is going on today from 9-5 at Showalter Park in Century. The festival will include family fun, craft booths, food, entertainment and more with about four dozen vendors and attractions set to take part.
And, of course, there will be plenty of ice cold watermelon.
Admission is free. For a map to Showalter Park, click here.
Food vendors will offer a variety of food — including BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, funnel cakes, fried candy bars, chicken baskets, chili cheese fries, burgers, oriental food, seafood, cotton candy, snow cones and more.
A variety of vendors will display their wares, ranging from Scentsy and Tupperware to handmade wreaths, jewelry, bows, purses, clothing, furniture, antiques and more. There will also be a variety of activities for kids, including bounce houses and pony rides.
Official, limited edition 2014 Watermelon Festival shirts will be available for $8 each while supplies last.
The first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Scheduled Entertainment:
- 9:00 Welcoming and Introductions and Recognition of Sponsors
- 9: 30 Sensational Tones of Joy
- 11: 00 A Joyful Sound
- 2:00 Rose Gilley
- 4:30 Major’s Majorettes
Food Vendors:
- Twin Cities Volunteers – BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with chips, drink and watermelon
- Kona Ice – tropical shaved ice
- Red Hot Concessions – funnel cakes, fried candy bars, chicken baskets, corndogs, chili cheese fries, nachos
- Grammy Sue’s – burgers, hot dogs, candy, funnel cakes, drinks, chips, canine treats for your furry friend
- Tin Tin’s – oriental food and seafood
- Bayou Billy Sweet Dixie Tea – sweet tea in 32 oz. collectible tin mugs
- Antioch Apostolic Ministries, Inc. - fish sandwich dinner and hot dogs
- Century Area Chamber of Commerce – cotton candy and bottled water
- Century Corrections: fried Boston Butt n2uggets tossed in buffalo sauce and cheese fries
- Abundant Life Assembly: popcorn and snowcones
Other Vendors Include:
- Emerald Coast Attractions – bounce houses and other kid’s activities
- Pony Rides
- Scentsy
- Tupperware
- Jewelry, furniture, bird houses, antiques
- Hair bows, custom clothes
- Oils, shell jewelry
- Real Time pain relief
- Hand crafted wood products
- Avon
- Isom purses and jewelry, baseball caps, wallets, sun glasses
- Stun guns, pepper spray and other personal protection devices
- Bow holders, fabric bows and scrunchies
- Mary Kay
- Handmade wreaths
- Handmade barrettes, jewelry and toys
- High fashion jewelry
- Wreaths, door hangers
- Pedigree charts to fill out and business cards with free family history website
- Bird feeders, keyholders
- My Fathers Arrow (non-profit) informational booth
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Book covers, lap blankets
- Alger Sullivan Historical Society
Stolen Disabled Dog Bella Found Safe In Century; Burglar Still On The Run
June 28, 2014
Bella, the disabled dog taken during a kennel burglary last weekend, was found safe in Century Friday afternoon and his now back home with her family.
She suffers from a broken back and sometimes needs a dog wheelchair to get around. She was inside her cage at the K-9 Cleaners kennel on West Nashville Avenue in Atmore early Sunday morning when a white male ripped a security camera from a wall and forced his way into the rear door of the business. He fled the business with Bella and a cellular wi-fi modem.
Bella was discovered at a home in Century. An elderly resident had reportedly found the dog on Mayo Street earlier in the week, gave her a bath and took her in. The person reportedly had not seen or read news reports of Bella’s theft until Friday afternoon. Bella was returned to her owners in Century in good condition.
Authorities are still searching for the man that burglarized the Atmore kennel and is believed to be responsible for a burglary at a Florida convenience store.
Within a few minutes of the Atmore burglary Sunday morning, a white male smashed a window and entered the Davisville BP on Highway 97 in Florida, about five miles away. He fled the business with the cash register, which was recovered in a nearby field later in the day, and cigarettes. The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the K-9 Cleaners burglary and the theft of Bella should call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141. Anyone with information on the Davisville BP burglary should contact the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: Bella, a handicapped dog, was stolen from an Atmore kennel early Sunday morning. Pictured inset: A suspect’s face caught on camera as he removes a security camera from a wall of K-9 Cleaners in Atmore. Pictured below: In a separate burglary, a suspects jumps through a broken window at the Davisville (FL) BP station early Sunday morning. Pictured below: More images from K-9 Cleaners. Images for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
LOST Tax Removed From The August Primary Ballot
June 28, 2014
The renewal of the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) in Escambia County won’t be on the August ballot.
Escambia County Commissioners voted to take the renewal off the ballot for now as they work through funding issues following the area’s historic floods in April.
The tax — which is used to fund infrastructure improvements like road paving, parks and construction of buildings like the new Ernest Ward Middle School — won’t expire until 2017. It’s not known when commissioners will put the tax, which must be approved by voters, back on the ballot. But it does not appear that it will make the ballot for November general election either.
Open House, Community Event Today At Molino Fire Department
June 28, 2014
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual Open House event today from noon until 5 p.m.
The event will include food, music, tours and more. The event is free but donations are welcome, all proceeds will go towards sponsoring a ball team at Don Sutton Ball Park.
The fire department is also looking for volunteers. Volunteers must be 16 to train and 18 or older with high school diploma to run calls on a firetruck. More information will be available at the open house, or call (850) 503-6754.
Man Faces Life For Beach Sexual Battery
June 28, 2014
An area man is facing up to life in prison when he’s sentenced on sexually battery charges.
Bret Randall May, 43, was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of kidnapping and two counts of sexual battery. The charges stemmed from allegations that in the early morning hours of August 25, 2013, May forced an intoxicated woman into his car, transported her to a secluded area of Pensacola Beach and sexually battered her. Witnesses notified law enforcement who located the defendant’s vehicle and witnessed the attack.
May is a registered sexual predator having been convicted previously of three sexually related offenses in the state of Alabama.
Sentencing will be set at a later date.