Group Makes Plans To ‘Reimagine Century’ In May
February 11, 2015
An organizational meeting was held Tuesday night to make plans for the second Reimagine Century event on May 16.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate — both their physical and spiritual needs. “It is an outreach, but it’s also a chance for the body of Christ to come together and reach those in the community,” she said.
The event will include a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, AIDS testing, diabetes information, live music, fishing lessons from Mission Fishin’, free manicures, a laundry detergent giveaway, information from community agencies, a clothing giveaway, free lunch, free haircuts, youth and teen activities and sports, a diaper giveaway and more.
About two dozen people, representing a variety of churches, businesses and community groups, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting. Interested persons are invited to attend the group’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4.
Pictured top: Volunteers discuss Reimagine Century Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Organizer Linda English. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Men Sentenced To Federal Prison In Tax Fraud Scheme
February 11, 2015
Two Escambia County men were sentenced to federal prison Tuesday in a tax refund and identity theft scheme.
Andrey C. Cook, 34, and Richard J. Beverly II, 25, were sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Lacey Collier on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Cook, who worked in a group home for disabled patients, stole the personal identification information of the patients and gave it to Beverly in August 2013 for use in filing fraudulent tax returns. In exchange, Beverly agreed to give Cook a percentage of the refunds that were issued as a result of the fraudulent tax returns. Between 2012 and 2014, Beverly used the stolen identities of deceased persons, severely disabled people, and others, in an attempt to steal more than $265,000 from the United States Treasury, through the filing of at least 40 fraudulent tax returns.
Cook was sentenced to 12 months in prison and Beverly was sentenced to 102 months in prison. Beverly was also ordered to pay $87,783 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Cook was ordered to pay $10,682 in restitution.
Hazy Outlook For Medical Marijuana Legislation In Florida
February 11, 2015
Proposals by two Republican lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana have a slim chance of passing this legislative session, based on the comments of a Senate committee chairman who helps control the fate of that chamber’s measure.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, created a buzz on Tuesday when he filed a bill that would expand Florida’s limited medical marijuana law, approved last year but yet to be implemented.
Steube’s proposal (HB 683) would allow doctors to order medical marijuana for patients with certain conditions but would not allow the pot to be smoked, a concession to the Florida Sheriffs Association, which came out in opposition to a similar bill (SB 528) released two weeks ago by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
Both proposals would allow doctors to order medical marijuana for patients diagnosed with certain conditions, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and Crohn’s disease. But, unlike the Senate plan, Steube’s bill would not give doctors the leeway to order the pot for symptoms such as chronic pain or nausea.
Brandes said he would be willing to consider scaling back his proposal to align with Steube’s non-smokable version. Florida voters in November narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized medical marijuana, including the smokable form.
“I think it (Steube’s proposal) is a great first step. I’m excited that we’re going to have this discussion in the Legislature and not a take-it-or-leave-it offer in the Constitution,” Brandes said.
Even Steube’s narrower version, however, may be on life support before getting an initial hearing in either chamber.
Lawmakers last year legalized cannabis that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD, for patients who suffer from severe spasms or cancer. Under the law, Department of Health officials were supposed to have selected five entities to grow, process and distribute the low-THC substance by Jan. 1.
But, because of a legal challenge, the regulations setting up the framework for the state’s new pot industry are months away from going into effect, and patients may not be able to purchase the product until the fall.
Brandes’ proposal is slated to be considered first by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. But Chairman Rob Bradley, who sponsored last year’s marijuana measure (SB 1030), isn’t a fan of the broader bills now on tap.
“I’m of the school of thought that we need to allow this issue to naturally unfold by making sure that we crawl before we walk and walk before we run,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday. “I want to see 1030 (last year’s measure) get implemented. And then let’s see what works and what doesn’t with regard to the bill that we’ve already passed.”
Bradley said he is especially leery of expanding Florida’s current law because of problems caused by legalization of medical marijuana in states such as Colorado and California.
“It’s much more difficult to scale back than it is to know what works, make sure you get that down and then ease into a system,” he said.
Some lawmakers, however, want the Legislature to pass a bill to thwart a second attempt at a constitutional amendment.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, who spent at least $3 million getting Amendment 2 on the ballot last year, is gearing up to put a similar proposal on the 2016 ballot. Some Republicans fear the medical marijuana initiative would be much more likely to pass in a presidential election, when Democrats — who might be more likely to support the effort — show up in higher numbers than in mid-term elections like last year’s. Amendment 2, which would have legalized medical marijuana, received 58 percent of the vote in November, just shy of the 60 percent required for passage.
“I certainly think that the Legislature should be the ones who address this issue. I’m optimistic that we can negotiate between the House and the Senate and maybe at least allow the members to fully vet the issue and hear from all the stakeholders and kind of go from there,” Steube, R-Sarasota, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday.
But Bradley, who controls whether the bill will be heard, remained unconvinced that the Legislature should act now.
“While I’m certainly aware of what’s going on with the John Morgan efforts and the constitutional amendments, I don’t think that should dictate our timetables. What should dictate our timetables is what is in the best interest of the people of the state of Florida,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Breaks Ground On Perdido River Boat Ramp
February 11, 2015
Tuesday, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Escambia County officials attended the groundbreaking for the Perdido River Boat Ramp. The new boat ramp is the final project to be completed for Phase I of the state of Florida’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) early restoration projects.
All Phase I projects are located in Escambia County and include boat ramp restorations at Galvez Landing and Navy Point, the brand new Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp and Park, and an 8.1 mile dune restoration project on Pensacola Beach.
“The department is excited to wrap up Phase I of the NRDA projects,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “We look forward to continuing to work with local communities on the other phases of early restoration projects to ensure that damaged resources are restored and recreational opportunities are enhanced.”
In April 2011, BP agreed to provide $1 billion to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees for early restoration projects. Each trustee, including the state of Florida, is able to access $100 million for early restoration projects that meet the criteria described in the framework agreement. Florida’s $100 million is allocated to Phases I, II, and III of early restoration, but there are also federal dollars available.
“We are happy to be breaking ground on the Perdido River Boat Ramp project and celebrating the finalization of the first phase of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment early restoration funds for Escambia County,” said Escambia County Commissioner Wilson Robertson. “This will be one of the finest boat ramps to access Perdido River and will be a huge benefit to District 1 and Escambia County.”
The Perdido River boat ramp was designed by Pensacola-based Hatch Mott MacDonald and will cost approximately $1.2 million for actual construction, $2.3 million total with land acquisition costs.
Roads, Inc. of Northwest Florida, a Cantonment-based company, will construct the boat ramp. The boat ramp is expected to be completed by fall of 2015 and will be located on the north side of Old Highway 90 on the Perdido River.
Lawmakers Could Send Message: Don’t Feed The Bears
February 11, 2015
Florida lawmakers might increase penalties for people repeatedly caught feeding bears and alligators.
Yet, individuals caught the first time illegally slipping food to certain types of wildlife not in captivity — bears and gators, along with foxes, raccoons, sandhill cranes, pelicans, and bald eagles — would only get non-criminal tickets, under a proposal starting to move in the House.
The proposal comes as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considers rules to allow limited hunting of bears, which are attracted to populated areas by unsecured trash.
The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Tuesday agreed to support a bill (PCB ANRS 15-02) that would revamp penalties, including making it a felony for people caught feeding bears and alligators a fourth time.
Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, said the current penalty structure, which imposes a second-degree misdemeanor on first-time violators illegally feeding wildlife, is “really hurting our ability to educate these individuals.”
The proposal is backed by the state agency, which expects a brief uptick in tickets to first-time offenders if the measure becomes law.
Wildlife officials are now “generally hesitant to issue a criminal citation to a first time offender,” according to a House staff analysis of the proposal.
The belief from the Fish and Wildlife agency is that by removing the stricter penalty for first-time offenders, there will be less chance those people will repeat as they learn the rules.
“Once issued a civil penalty, first time offenders should better understand the serious nature of violating the feeding rules,” the analysis said. “Therefore, these individuals will be less likely to incur criminal violations for future violations.”
A second-degree misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
Under the proposal backed by Sullivan, first-time violators, regardless of the wildlife illegally fed, would receive a “noncriminal infraction” carrying a $100 fine.
The second-degree misdemeanor charge would kick in for people caught a second time.
Those caught feeding bears and gators a third time would receive a first-degree misdemeanor, while additional violations involving foxes, raccoons, sandhill cranes, pelicans, and bald eagles would remain a second-degree offense.
Rep. Katie Edwards, a Plantation Democrat who is an advocate for sentencing reform, asked Sullivan to revisit the penalties related to possible jail time for people feeding wildlife.
“Encouraging jail time is a bit excessive,” Edwards said. “There are other ways to better deter those folks than jail time.”
A third-degree felony charge involving feeding bears and alligator on fourth and subsequent convictions could carry a fine of up to $5,000 and the chance to spend up to five years in jail.
Currently, a fourth offense of illegally feeding wildlife within a 10-year period is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a minimum fine of $750, the chance for up to a year in jail and a three-year suspension of any recreational license.
Last Wednesday, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed its staff to move forward with plans to address dangerous interactions between humans and black bears.
That includes proposing a draft rule in April that would allow hunting of bears, possibly as soon as this fall.
Thomas Eason, a division director with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told reporters Thursday that bears are attracted to suburban neighborhoods because of easy access to food.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: A black bear at the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in Cantonment in 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Hazardous Materials Awareness Week Begins Sunday
February 11, 2015
The District 1 Local Emergency Planning Committee, the West Florida Regional Planning Council and local governments are observing Hazardous Materials Awareness Week, February 15-21. This year’s focus is on sheltering in place for chemical emergencies. For information on sheltering facts, visit www.wfrpc.org/programs/shelter-place.
The agencies recognize the importance of protecting communities from both accidental and deliberate releases of hazardous materials, and carry out state and federal duties to publicly promote statewide hazardous materials safety.
“The safe use of hazardous materials is essential to citizens, business, industry, and local governments to maintain economic stability and the public health,” said Kathy Ahlen, regional planner and staff to emergency planning and the LEPC at WFRPC.
District 1 LEPC encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington and Bay counties.The LEPC prepares the regional hazardous materials emergency plan, which identifies facilities that use, produce and/or store hazardous substances in northwest Florida. WFRPC maintains public records on hazardous materials and chemicals in the community in compliance with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). For more information, call , 800-226-8914, ext. 210.
Free Computer Classes Begin Thursday At Century Branch Library
February 11, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for February at the Century Branch Library:
Introduction to the Internet – Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m.
Participants will learn the basics of exploring the internet, navigation, browsers and internet safety.
Facebook Basics – Thursday, February 26, 6 p.m.
This workshop is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to create a Facebook profile, add and remove friends, upload photos, share posts and more.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.
Nellie Luke McKay
February 11, 2015
Nellie Luke McKay, 84, of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2015, in Atmore. She was born on February 6, 1931, to the late Jim and Allein Jackson Luke in Neshoba County, MS. She was a retired educator with 36 years of service with the Escambia County, Alabama and Florida, school systems. She was a charter member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore. She loved her family, church, and socializing and playing games with the church ladies on Thursdays.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne McKay and brothers Thomas Luke, Delane Luke, and James Luke, and sisters Willie J. Gray and Sybil Lundy.
She is survived by her daughters Barbara (John) Ryland, Sharon (George) McGhee, Carol (Steve) Killam, and Kim McKay, her brother Royce (Rose Marie) Luke, her grandchildren Nicole Killam, Chase (Sydney) McGhee, Kellie McGhee, and Hunter McKay, and her wonderful caregivers Beverly, Kanesha, Whitney, Judy, Janice, B.J. and Nell.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Atmore with Reverend Arnold Hendrix officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers are John Ryland, George McGhee, Steve Killam, Chase McGhee, Hunter McKay, and Mike McKay. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
John E. Rutherford
February 11, 2015
John E. Rutherford, 70 of Atmore, passed away Monday, February 9, 2015, in Century. He worked in construction most of his life. He was born in Texas on August 27, 1935. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, and he never met a stranger and always had a line to tell.
He is survived by family and friends.
A special thanks to Alvoid Boutwell and all the staff and friends at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Services were held Wednesday February 11, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Sis Jean Coleman officiating.
Interment was held in McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Al.
Jerri Lynne Sandy
February 11, 2015
Jerri Lynne Sandy, age 55, of Molino, passed away suddenly on February 9, 2015. She will be missed by her family and many surrogate children. Jerri was known for her cooking and her generous spirit.
She is survived by her loving husband, John; her cherished son T.J.; her caring step-daughters, Carrie (Mike) Johnson of Valdosta, Georgia, and Kelly (Kyle) Coon of Crestview; mother, Annette Mernik; brother, Bud (Stella) Brown; sisters, Becky (Bob) Huber and Sharon Brown, all of Holt, Florida.
Jerri was preceded in death by her father, Clayton Brown.
A funeral service will be held at Faith Chapel North on Friday, February 13, 2015, at 2 p.m. with public visitation one hour prior to the service.
A private cremation will follow the service.