Volunteer Meeting Tonight For Those That Seek To ‘Reimagine Century’
July 1, 2014
The Reimagine organization will hold a meeting tonight in order to continue plans on how to best meet the needs of Century.
Reimagine Century will be held on Saturday, September 13 at Showalter Park. A volunteer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ag Building on West Highway 4 in Century.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate, bringing together churches, business, community groups and individuals.
Reimagine has held similar events in Brownsville, Warrrington, Thomaston, GA, Santa Rosa County and Peru. Events have included clothing giveaways, free haircuts, free food, free health checks and displays from community organizations.
For more information, contact Linda at (850) 454-5280.
Pictured: Scenes from Reimagine Warrington. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Indicted For Murder After Body Found In His Home
July 1, 2014
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Monday that an Escambia County grand jury indicted Matthew Warren for first degree premeditated murder in the death of Angela Marie Cook.
The body of 39-year old Angela Cook was found inside Warren’s home. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Hayes and “U” streets on a welfare check call on June 10. They found Warren in the roadway, and he told deputies that there was a body inside his residence.
Both the investigation and arrest were conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Bridgette Jensen is prosecuting the case.
157 New Laws Take Effect In Florida
July 1, 2014
On Tuesday, the state’s record-setting, $77 billion election-year budget went effect, along with 157 other bills approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
The laws range from the “Florida GI Bill” which is intended to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation, to lowering college costs and banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.
Also, starting July 1, private information of people involved with animal research at public research facilities will no longer be public, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage or increasing rates based on a customer’s gun ownership, and the state’s unpaid poet laureate position will no longer be a lifetime appointment.
A measure (SB 156) to reduce the cost of motor vehicle registration fees goes into effect Sept. 1, while another 34 bills — including one (HB 59) that creates new penalties for those who harm an unborn child at any stage of development — become law on October 1.
For the year, lawmakers sent 255 bills to Scott, with just one getting vetoed: SB 392, which would have allowed the Florida Department of Transportation to raise the speed on some highways by 5 mph.
Here are highlights of the laws taking effect July 1:
Budget
— HB 5001, the spending plan, the largest in state history, spreads around a hefty surplus, adding new money to public schools, state colleges and universities, environmental projects and child welfare while leaving room for about $500 million in tax and fee cuts that are already being used as a centerpiece for Scott’s re-election campaign.
Military
— HB 7015, called the “Florida GI Bill,” provides university tuition waivers for veterans, pays for military and guard base improvements, is expected to help increase employment opportunities for veterans and allocates $1 million a year to sell the state to veterans. The more than $30 million package requires Visit Florida to spend $1 million a year on marketing aimed at veterans and allocate another $300,000 to a new nonprofit corporation, Florida Is For Veterans, Inc. that would be used to encourage veterans to move to Florida and promote the hiring of veterans.
— HB 559 redesigns 11 military-related specialty license plates and adds a new special use plate — the Combat Medical Badge plate — to the inventory. The law also changes all references of the Korean Conflict to the Korean War and the Vietnam Era to the Vietnam War.
Education
–SB 864, requires school districts to set up a process through which parents can contest the selection of certain textbooks and classroom materials.
— SB 1642, related to the new tests from American Institutes for Research, being instituted in the 2014-15 school year. That plan, modeled on a blueprint developed by Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, would simplify the formula for grading schools. It would also do away with the penalties schools could currently receive for the grades assigned in the 2014-15 school year — a plan meant to provide a transition year as schools adjust to the new standards and tests.
— HB 732 aims to reduce the cost of college by revamping the formula that determines how much families pay for the Florida Prepaid College Program.
— HB 851 allows students who attend secondary school in Florida for at least three years prior to graduation to qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of their immigration status. The law also rolls back the ability of state universities to increase tuition without the approval of the Legislature.
— HB 313 establishes a pilot program that would lead to some public elementary-school students being separated into boys-only and girls-only classes.
Health Care
— SB 224 bans the sales of electronic cigarettes to minors, similar to bans on sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
— HB 5203 creates the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program at the Department of Health to distribute about $60 million a year to cancer centers.
— HB 709 requires the Division of Emergency Management to develop a shelter program for people with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related diseases.
— HB 1131 expands the availability of emergency allergy treatment — epinephrine auto-injectors, emergency medication — to more public place, such as restaurants, sports arenas, theme parks, youth sports leagues and camps.
— HB 1047 defines viability as the stage of development when the life of a fetus is sustainable outside the womb via standard medical measures. It would require physicians to conduct exams before performing abortions to determine if fetuses are viable, and if so, abortions generally wouldn’t be allowed.
Guns
— SB 424 prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increase rates based on customers owning guns or ammunition.
— HB 523 allows tax collectors’ offices to handle concealed-weapon license applications.
— HB 525 expands a public-records exemption that shields the identities of people who apply for and receive concealed-carry licenses from the state.
Charities and Marketing
— HB 629 gives consumers more information about what charities are doing with their contributions — especially those that raise large amounts of money. The law bars groups that broke laws in other states from soliciting money in Florida, bans felons from raising money for charity, increases reporting requirements for larger charities and requires information from companies that solicit donations for charities by phone.
— SB 450 adds unsolicited text messages to the “Do Not Call” program designed to prevent Floridians from receiving unwanted calls from salespeople.
On the Road
— HB 7175, a wide ranging transportation measure, includes a one year ban on local governments installing new parking meters and time-limit devices along the right-of-way of state roads. The law also authorizes a study to determine if the state can get revenue from such devices installed along state roads.
— HB 7005 adds sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles to the requirements of the Move-Over Act; requires non-school buses to use “reasonable means” to not impede or block traffic when picking up or dropping off passengers; requires the words “Sexual Predator” be marked on the front driver licenses and identification cards of people designated as a sexual predator; and allows judges to order twice-daily breath tests instead of ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders.
Food Safety
— HB 7091, a wide-ranging measure that further outlines the duties of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, specifies that food permits are not transferable to a different location or owner and authorizes the state agency to close a food facility if the department finds it poses an immediate danger or threat to public health.
Constitutional Conventions
— HB 609 sets a framework for how Florida would select delegates to an Article V Constitutional Convention.
Law Enforcement
— SB 522 and SB 524 require notification of the county sheriff when a sexual offender is released from the Civil Commitment Center; and require colleges and universities to notify students when a sexual predator is on campus. Two related bills — SB 526 and SB 528 — go into effect Oct. 1. Those bills increase sentences for adult-on-minor sex offenses and registration requirements for sex offenders.
— SB 102, the Aaron Cohen Act, increases penalties for drivers who leave the scenes of serious accidents. Cohen, a 36-year-old bicyclist, was killed in a 2012 hit-and-run accident on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami-Dade County.
— HB 227 allows James Joseph Richardson, 78, to finally receive a $1.2 million payment for the 21 years he wrongly served in prison after his seven children died of poisoning.
— HB 955 allows a person required to take a safety course due to a boating violation to do so online, and specifies that those who must take the course because they were convicted of operating a vessel after consuming alcohol under the age of 21 must take the course at their own expense.
Juvenile Justice
— HB 977 is intended to help foster children get driver’s licenses and auto insurance by requiring the Department of Children and Families to contract with a non-profit organization that will set up a three-year statewide pilot program to help children in the foster-care system take driver’s education courses and get licenses and insurance.
— HB 7055 creates criminal penalties for abusing or neglecting teens of all ages in the Department of Juvenile Justice’s custody and requires DJJ to provide the Legislature with annual reports on the outcomes for all its programs.
Human Trafficking
— HB 7141 directs the Department of Children and Families to inspect and certify “safe houses,” where victims can find shelter and services, and establishes services in parts of the state where none exist. Another measure (HB 989) that increases criminal penalties when children are victims of trafficking takes effect Oct. 1.
— HB 1065 establishes guidelines for suspending licenses or denying applications and sets up background screening for people involved with massage establishments.
Ethics
— SB 846 requires lobbyists at Florida’s five water management districts to register and disclose their clients and elected municipal officials to take annual ethics training courses. It also allows the state ethics commission to open an investigation when an official fail to file financial disclosure reports.
Sports
— HB 231 expands to Major League Soccer all-star games an admissions-tax exemption that already applies to events such as all-star games hosted by Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the National Football League.
— HB 773 is a wide-ranging measure that amends regulations regarding boxing, kickboxing and mixed-martial arts. For example, a participant would have their license immediately suspended for failing a urine test or failing to provide a sample.
Public Record Exemptions
Lawmakers provided shade over a number of areas. Among the items removed from public access: personal information of people involved in animal research (HB 993); information relating to security breaches when commercial entities provide notice to the Department of Legal Affairs (SB 1526); certain personal contact information contained in motor vehicle crash reports (HB 865); business information from promoters regarding post-match reports to the Florida State Boxing Commission (HB 775); and forensic behavioral health evaluations filed with the court confidentially (SB 256).
Celebrate Freedom 5K, One Mile Fun Run Planned For July 4 In Jay
July 1, 2014
The 15th Annual Celebrate Freedom 5K will be held Friday, July 4 in Jay.
The race starts and finishes at the Jay City Park. It is a scenic course through the neighboring countryside and looping around the Jay Elementary and Jay High school campuses. The last half of the course is run on a paved road that splits cotton and peanut fields on both sides. The course is basically flat and makes for fast times.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each of 32 age groups. Overall awards will be given to the top male/female open runners, master runners, grand master runners, and senior grand master runners. There will be awards for the top three male/female walkers and wheelchair participants in the 5K and mile runs. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 70 runners who register.
After the race, watermelon and refreshments will be served to all participants.
Race day is Friday, July 4 at 8 a.m. at the Jay City Park, 5259 Booker Lane. Entry fee is $20 in advance, $25 day of race. The One Mile Fun Run entry fee is $10. Late registration and pick-up will begin at 6:30 a.m. on race day at Jay City Park.
To register online click here. Or for a printable registration form, click here. Proceeds go towards next year’s race.
For directions or more information, contact Matt Dobson at (850) 217-2603 or (850) 675-6474 or email rmdobson@liberty.edu.
Bizarre Play Helps Jacksonville Down Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos
July 1, 2014
Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher and clean up hitter Ross Perez hit .356 in June. Lead off hitter Yorman Rodriguez is batting .356 in the past 12 games.
And the five position players called up from High-A Bakersfield after the June 17 Southern League All-Star break (Kyle Waldrop, Seth Mejias-Brean, Marquez Smith, Jesse Winker and Ryan Wright) were a combined 10 for 22, a .454 clip Monday night.
“Our offense this year in my mind has played good,” Wahoos manager DeShields said. “We’ve scored runs and at one point we were hitting the highest in the league. Those things don’t go together. We’ve played a lot better than our record.”
Still, despite collecting 16 hits and six runs the Wahoos dropped their second straight game to the Jacksonville Suns Monday night, losing 8-6.
One could only wonder what would have happened, if not for a bizzare ruling by the umpire crew in the sixth inning.
Wahoos pinch hitter Juan Duran hit a rocket in the air that appeared to glance off pitcher Jay Rogers’ ankle and ricochet into Jacksonville third baseman Terrence Dayleg’s glove – never touching the ground. Dayleg threw Duran out at first to complete the play and Pensacola’s Jesse Winker scored from third, cutting the Jacksonville lead, 8-4. Third base umpire J.J. January ruled Penacola’s Ryan Wright safe at third and the play was dead.
But then the umpires reconvened and homeplate umpire Matt Pridemore, who was filling in for Jeremy Riggs who suffered a concussion Sunday from a foul ball off his mask, decided instead that Dayleg caught the ball in the air. So, he called Winker out after the Suns threw the ball to third base during the umpires’ discussion. The over turning of the call from a run scored and two out to a double play that took a Wahoos run off the scoreboard, ended the inning and stopping Pensacola from adding one run or more. Jacksonville remained ahead, 8-3.
DeShields was thrown out of the game for arguing the reversed call and threw his helmet on the ground in anger. He was still seething after the game and said he had never seen a call like it before.
“I don’t get real aggravated most of the time but I had had enough,” he explained. “It was a messed up play.”
DeShields argued the play was dead and the Pensacola runners should have been allowed to return to second and third base with two out.
Perez called the umpire’s over ruling “really weird.”
“That was a big situation for us,” said Perez, who scored two runs, doubled and knocked in a run. “If the ball goes through there two runs could have scored. I think we’ll be good at the end of the season.”
Perez said he is more confident than ever at bat and credits his coaches after his hot-hitting June.
“I’ve never felt like I’m feeling right now,” he said. “I’m very comfortable at home plate. When you work hard good things come out.”
The third game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-4, 2.63) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (7-2, 3.07).
by Tommy Thrall
Marion Lee Skipper
July 1, 2014
Mr. Marion Lee Skipper, 72, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Skipper was a native of Excel and a resident of Huxford for most of his life. Mr. Skipper was an avid fisherman, hunter and a die hard Alabama Crimson Tide football fan. He attended the Atmore Church of Christ. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Sarah Skipper; and sister, Edna Browning.
He is survived by his wife, Liz Skipper of Huxford; two sons, Michael (Sandra) Skipper of Gainstown, AL and Jack (Sandy) Hadley of Uriah; adopted son, Paul (Lynn) Brown of Franklin, AL; one daughter, Kathy (Gary) Buckhault of Perdido; two brothers, Harold Skipper of Excel and Lauris (Charlottle) Skipper of Cantonment; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers donations are to be made to Pilots for Christ at P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, Alabama 36460.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
James Terry Gafford
July 1, 2014
Mr. James Terry Gafford, age 52 of Flomaton, passed away suddenly on Monday, June 30, 2014.
Mr. Gafford was a native of Flomaton and a lifetime resident of the community. He worked as a pumper operator in the oilfield industry and was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his parents, W.T. and Carolyn Gafford of Flomaton; brother, Thomas Scott ‘Scottie’ Gafford of Flomaton; special friend, Kristin Sawyer of Flomaton; and grandmother, Mrs. Nettie Darnell of Flomaton.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, July 3, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jerry Keese and Rev. Dustin Stockstill officiating.
Interment will be in Green Acres Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Brewton.
Pallbearers will be Tom Sheffield, Doug Sheffield, Brett Gafford, Kevin Knowles, Darrell Fore, Donnie Gafford and Rusty Carden.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.