County Paving Remaining Dirt Roads In Old Molino Area
March 26, 2014
An Escambia County dirt road paving project is near completion in “Old Molino”.
According to the county, the project consists of the design and paving of all or portions of:
- Brickyard Road
- Brickton Road to Barth Road
- Molino Road to Blake Street
- Blake Street from the West End to Brickyard Road
- McKinnonville Street from Molino Road to Brickyard Road
The project also addressed drainage upgrades necessary to prevent roadway flooding.
The project was designed to eliminate the dirt roads in the Old Molino area, eliminating the need for the county to send a motor grader to the area to perform routine maintenance.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Focus On Child Protection Gains Momentum
March 26, 2014
A Florida House panel approved a potentially groundbreaking child-protection measure Tuesday, designed to upgrade the effectiveness, professionalism and transparency of a state agency under fire after a series of children’s deaths.
The House Healthy Families Subcommittee unanimously passed the measure it had worked on since September, sparked by media reports about the abuse and neglect deaths of children — who, in many cases, had earlier drawn the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The bill (PCB HFS 14-03) would add tens of millions of dollars to the state’s child-protection services, said panel Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart.
“It’s got a big fiscal (impact),” Harrell said. “It’s probably $30 (million) or $40 million.”
Ryan Duffy, a spokesman for House Speaker Will Weatherford, said the House is proposing $1,071.5 million for child protection services during the upcoming budget year, with $791,168,438 going to privatized community-based care lead agencies.
The complex legislation would create an assistant secretary for child welfare at the Department of Children and Families. It would establish education requirements for child-protective investigators, case managers and their supervisors, along with tuition-exemption and loan-forgiveness programs for them.
It would keep siblings together and medically fragile children in their communities whenever possible. It would establish the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to conduct research and review policy results.
The bill would also create critical-incident response teams to conduct immediate investigations of child deaths, disappearances and other serious episodes of child abuse and neglect. It would require the Department of Children and Families to publish the basic facts of all deaths of children reported to the state abuse hotline.
And it would require greater transparency from the community-based care lead agencies about their budgets and administrators’ salaries.
“We want to have the very best child-protection system in the entire country,” Harrell said.
Gov. Rick Scott has recommended spending nearly $40 million to hire 400 new child protective investigators during the upcoming fiscal year.
But as the House and Senate studied the Florida child welfare system, it became apparent that other aspects were under-funded as well. Last fall the Department of Children and Families began conducting a “gap analysis” to identify the availability of services such as mental health and substance-abuse treatment programs.
This month, a Miami Herald investigative series, “Innocents Lost,” analyzed the deaths of 477 children whose families had a history with DCF over a six-year period. The Herald reported that the children died despite warnings that they or their siblings could be in danger. It also found that the agency’s budget had been reduced from $2.88 billion in fiscal year 2005-06 to $2.80 billion in fiscal year 2013-14 – even as the state budget grew from $64.5 billion to $74.1 billion.
The report galvanized lawmakers in both chambers. The Senate had already passed three measures (SB 1666, 1668 and 1670) along the lines of the House bill. But Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat who chairs the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, is rewriting her measure (SB 1666) to add the requirement of comprehensive services for children and families. Gaetz spokeswoman Katie Betta said the Senate could release an estimated cost for the bill as early as next week.
“I’m very hopeful,” said DCF Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo. “Nothing is guaranteed in life, I guess, but every legislator I’ve talked to, the governor’s office, everyone is so committed to — at the end of the session — having some comprehensive solutions to the child welfare system. Starting from resources, because you can do as many tweaks to the law as you want, but if you don’t have the time to do the things you need to do, you’re not going to do a good job.”
Sobel said that the community-based care lead agencies, which oversee adoption, foster care and case management services, “are doing a decent job. However, we need to provide more services with accountability measures.”
Harrell said if the committee process had permitted it, she would have kept the bill for another week to refine it further.
“Money is extremely important,” Harrell said. “You can’t do this without additional resources, whether it’s for (child protective investigators) or additional money into services — you’ve got to have both.”
She also pointed to troubled homes plagued by domestic violence. She said she’d continue trying to find legislative language to deal with boyfriends in the homes who can’t be put under court order, and to protect battered spouses as well.
“If there’s domestic violence in the home and you’re holding the victim responsible for the acts of the perpetrator …you don’t want to do that,” Harrell said. “So we’ve got to find the right language to make sure that we can help parents make the right decisions and take care of their children, keep their children safe.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Beat Holmes County
March 26, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat the Holmes County Blue Devils Tuesday 13-10.
The Chiefs will travel to Jay Friday, with junior varsity playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Cassie Mae Wooten
March 26, 2014
Mrs. Cassie Mae Wooten, 78, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Mobile.
Mrs. Wooten was a native of Brewton and a resident of Atmore for most of her life. Mrs. Wooten was owner of the Martinville Flea Market and was an avid fisherman. Her Husband, Buford F. Wooten; her parents, Drew and Catherine Moye; seven sisters; two brothers; and granddaughter, Halie Elizabeth Burkett precede her in death.
She is survived by her son, David (Janice) Coleman of Bratt; two stepsons, Larry (Connie) Wooten of Brewton and Joe Frank (Kay) Wooten of Bratt; three daughters, Sylvia (Joe) Gipson of Walnut Hill, Angela (Jimmy) Boatwright of Atmore and Lisa Chafin of Atmore; two stepdaughters, Brenda (Ron) Sessions of Stockton, AL and Connie (Billy) Dorriety of Atmore; two sisters, Pearl Martin and son, Andy of Canoe, AL and Ruth Bell of Atmore, AL; 14 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren and four great-great granchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Gipson and Rev. Ray McCullough officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 26, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Morris, Wayne Coleman, Tyler Boatwright, Blake Walker, Wiley Gipson and Anthony Gipson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Wooten, Rickey Wooten, Randy Martin, Freddy Lambeth, Dennis Weaver, Tim Brock, James Morris, Dakota Boatwright, Chad Wooten and Teddy Lambeth.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Lowell C. Harms
March 26, 2014
Lowell C. Harms, 88 of Walnut Hill, passed away Monday March 24, 2014, in Atmore. He was a retired farmer, born in Michigan on February 17, 1926, to the late Harry and Gladys Caldwell Harms. He was a long standing member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
He is preceded in death by one brother, Marshall Harms and one sister, Phyllis Unruh Justus.
Survivors include his wife, Janis Elaine Wolfe of Walnut Hill; one son, David (Laureen) Harms of Stockton; one daughter, Sandra (Randall) Josey of Hammond, LA; two brothers, Don Harms and Dale Harms; three sisters, Thelma Boeckner, Dorothy Benner, and Ruth Benner; three grandchildren, Jennifer Harms Eslava, Ashley (Shannon) Josey and Justin (Angie) Josey; six great-grandchildren, Jillian Eslava, Jaden Eslava, Austin Josey, Starlynn Josey, Kaeli Josey, Madilyn Josey.
A Celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Harms wishes were that his remains be donated to The University of South Alabama Anatomical Gifts Program.
The family requests in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Atmore Community Hospital new x-ray fund.
Sofia L. Allison
March 26, 2014
Sofia L. Allison, 87, of Walnut Hill passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Pensacola. She was co-owner of Allison’s Grocery, born in Istanbul, Turkey on November 19, 1926, to the late Antoni and Anna Tharopulous Sekerouglu.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed Allison.
Survivors include one son, Alek Sandros Pengenika of Walnut Hill; one daughter, Yanula Cobbs of Pensacola; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be Monday, March 31, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Pensacola with Rev. Fr. Matthew Carter officiating.
Iinterment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Monday, March 31, 2014, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Pensacola from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Dorothy Elaine Swanson
March 26, 2014
Dorothy was born in Reed City, Michigan in 1954, to Leo and Marie Kailing. She was a 1973 graduate of Reed City High School. As a Navy wife, Dorothy was the mainstay of the family while her husband was at sea. She enjoyed RV-ing with her husband, quilting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Tim; daughters, Angela Huber (Tom), Jennifer Swanson, and Elizabeth Arnold (Matt). Surviving grandchildren are Tyler Swanson, Jacob, and Nikolaus Huber, Charlie, Cameron, Gabrielle, Daniel, and Chelsy Swanson, and Harper Arnold. Dorothy’s surviving siblings are Leo (Ruthann) Kailing, Theresa (Bob) Heminger, Cathy (Jim) Bellville, Evelyn Hare, and David (Sue) Kailing, all of Michigan; Louis Kailing, Vince (Phyllis) Kailing, Mike (Karen) Kailing, and Keith (Pam) Kailing, all of Florida; Rosie (George) Wolfe of Washington; Lois (Dale) Stover of Ohio; and Susie (Wes) Bellville of Indiana; as well as countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Leo John and Julia Marie Kailing; sister, Lucille Hunter; and brothers, Lawrence and Tom Kailing.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Children’s Ministry at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Pensacola, and the United Methodist Church Children’s Home in Montgomery, AL.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Friday, March 28, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 3 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
Pastor Larry Anderson, Pastor Carolyn Nelson and Pastor Tim Payne will be officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Atmore Murder Suspect Arrested By U.S. Marshals
March 25, 2014
An Atmore man was arrested Tuesday morning by the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force in Escambia County, FL, for failure to appear on charges in connection with an April 28, 2013, murder in Atmore.
Kendrell “Dick” McCants of Atmore is charged with the murder of 50-year old Marvin D. Norman of Atmore. A failure to appear warrant was issued for his arrest in late February after he skipped out on a court appearance in Brewton.
McCants is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola awaiting extradition back to Alabama.
About 6:17 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 28, 2013, Atmore Police responded to a reported unconscious person in the 80 block of Brooks Lane. As officers arrived, they observed a man later identified as Norman on the ground in a yard. Police said he had injuries consistent with an assault.
Norman was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. He was later airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away a short time later.
Cantonment Woman Busted With Active One Pot Meth Lab In Her Trailer
March 25, 2014
A Cantonment woman was arrested after deputies found her with an active meth lab in her trailer when they went to arrest her on an outstanding warrant.
Vanesa Lea Sharp, age 54, had an active arrest warrant for failure to appear in a shoplifting case. When deputies arrived her travel trailer on Beck’s Lake Road, they reported finding the meth lab.
When Sharp opened the door of her travel trailer, deputies were able to see coffee filters, bottles, a clear blastic baggie with a white substance and other items indicative a methamphetamine production, according to an arrest report. The white substance field test positive for methamphetamine, and deputies obtained a search warrant for the travel trailer.
Inside the travel trailer, deputies reported finding an active, still-bubbling one pot method meth lab in a jug.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit reported the recover of 364 grams of methamphetamine from the one pot lab, along with the recovery of numerous items and listed chemicals used in the manufacture of meth. They also recovered two plastic bags containing marijuana.
The one pot and other items were disposed of by a hazmat team.
Sharp was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical (anhydrous ammonia), production of methamphetamine, possess of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear.
Sharp remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday with bond set at $172,250.
Greater Escambia Relay For Life Team Meeting Tonight
March 25, 2014
The last team meeting for the Greater Escambia Relay for Life will be held at 6:00 tonight at Jim Allen Elementary School.
There are currently at least 35 teams registered for the Relay for Life of Greater Escambia. The event will take place beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Tate High School and ending at 6:00 the following morning. The theme for this year’s event is “Cirque Du Relay”.