$45 Million Insurance Claim On Escambia Jail Denied
April 28, 2015
Part of Escambia County’s insurance claim on the Central Booking and Detention Center at the Escambia County Jail has been denied.
The county’s insurance provider has agreed to pay a $25 million flood claim on jail, but denied a $45 million “all-peril” claim related to the late April 2014 flooding and natural gas explosion that destroyed Central Booking and Detention Center. Two people were killed at nearly 200 were injured in the explosion.
The county plans to appeal the insurance denial.
Escambia County is also looking to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for assistance to pay for a new jail. The price tag for a new facility has been estimated at $120 to $180 million.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Alimony Bill Awaits Senate Action
April 28, 2015
After the House overwhelmingly approved a plan to revamp the state’s alimony laws, the debate will go across the Capitol to the Senate. House members voted 93-22 on Friday to approve a bill (HB 943), filed by Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, and Rules Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, that would make wide-ranging changes in the alimony system.
Those changes involve issues such as how long alimony should last and how it should be calculated.
Almost all House Republicans voted for the bill, with only Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, joining 21 Democrats in opposition. A similar Senate bill (SB 1248) has cleared the committee process but has not been heard on the Senate floor. Lawmakers in 2013 passed an alimony overhaul, but it was vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Sponsors have tried to address Scott’s concerns in writing this year’s bills.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Grad’s Team Wins Regional Robotics Competition
April 28, 2015
Northview High School graduate Colton Sims was a member of a team that won the recent 2015 SoutheastCon Hardware Competition in Fort Lauderdale. Sims is currently a senior at the University of South Alabama and will graduate in May with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Over 50 engineering colleges across the Southeastern U.S. participated in this year’s competition.
Sims and his fellow students began work on their robot – lovingly named “Betsy” – when competition rules were announced in October 2014. Their autonomous robot had to run through a maze and complete four retro-themed tasks: play Simon Says for 15-seconds, rotate a Rubik’s Cube section 180 degrees, write “IEEE” on an Etch a Sketch, and remove the top card of the deck. The robot had to drive itself up to each game, physically manipulate the game correctly, and complete all four in five minutes.
Each team had three attempts at the maze and points were awarded for each task and for the time of each run. The University of South Alabama was the only team to achieve three perfect runs – successfully completing all four tasks each time.
”I knew the students were up to something good when they showed me the working Etch-a-Sketch in February,” said faculty advisor Dr. Russ. “So I was hoping they would be competitive. But first place? That is superb! I wish I could take more credit, but they did all the work themselves – very impressive!”
The team left Mobile the Friday of the conference driving 12 hours straight to the competition location. They faced a few glitches with their robot upon arrival and worked through the night getting “Betsy” ready for the next day. Sims and the four other USA students did not sleep until the competition was over Saturday afternoon.
One of the most impressive things about this win was the meager $1,500 budget the team had to work with to build the robot itself – compared to the several thousand dollars some of the other leading teams had. Team Captain Andrew Braun gives high praise to the College of Engineering.
Pictured top: University of South Alabama students accepting their trophy at the 2015 IEEE SoutheastCon Awards Banquet. From left, Northview graduate Colton Sims and fellow students Jan Hellmich, Andrew Braun, SoutheastCon Representative, Nicholas Carroll, and Kenneth Leggett. Pictured inset: The team’s robot “Betsy”. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Video Visitation System Online At Santa Rosa County Jail
April 28, 2015
A new video visitation system is now in place at the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Immediate family, relatives and friends will be able to visit with inmates from the comfort of their homes witha computer with a webcam and internet access. The service is also available on Android and iPhones. The new visitation system will expand available visitation hours, and provide visitation to those unable to visit the facility in person.
The visit works just like a phone call — no jail personnel are involved in connecting the visit. And, unlike other visitation systems, there is no need to involve jail personnel to schedule visits in advance.
There is no cost to the jail or to taxpayers for the equipment or installation. Maintenance is covered, at no charge, for the life of the contract. The system will eliminate movement of inmates from housing areas for visitations.
The new visitation system gives the jail complete control of visits at all times with live monitoring, recording of all calls, and database access to visitation records.
The system charges $0.50 per minute for calls made using the video visitation system and all calls are billed in one minute increments, with a required minimum call length for one minute. The system will only process prepaid calls and messages. Calls charged to a third party or credit cards are not permitted.
Free video visitation is available in the jail lobby from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday- Friday. From 5:01 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., payable visitation is available seven days a week in the jail lobby.
For more information, click here. Visitors must register in advance.
Pictured top: Two detention officers were posted in the lobby to the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday morning to assist with a new video visitation system that went live at 8 a.m. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hattie Schneider
April 28, 2015
Hattie Schneider, 106, of Molino, went home to be with the Lord on April 25, 2015. She was born in Pollard, AL, on March 31, 1909, to Elijah and Elizabeth Gay.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, five sisters, her son (the apple of her eye) Carlton Abbott, her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Abbott, and a granddaughter Faye Abbott.
Hattie is survived by two grandchildren; Bennett (Vivian) Abbott and Sandra (Larry) Enfinger; five great-grandchildren; Shannon James, Mindy Smallwood, Courtney Abbott, Ryan (Alex) Abbott, and Kevin Enfinger; six great-great grandchildren; CJ Brackins, Morgan Brackins, Jonas James, Lilly Smallwood, Lexi Smallwood, and Caleb Abbott; foustep-great-grandchildren; Sonja (Bryan) Johnson, Greg (Jennifer) Mosley, Christopher Mosley, and Michael Perry; 13 step-great-great grandchildren; one step great-great-great grandchild and many loving nieces and nephews.
Hattie was a loving person with a very contagious smile. She never met a stranger and was always willing to help everyone. Her wonderful sense of humor was a special gift that produced laughter no matter where she was. She saw many changes in her lifetime and could tell you stories about almost anything you wanted to know. A fish fry with her family was always a great treat for her. She was a true blessing and a real inspiration to everyone. She touched many hearts and will be fondly remembered by all.
Hattie was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Molino for 81 years. She was the oldest and one of the longest standing members of the church. She was also a member of the Sunshine Sunday School Class at Highland. The Specialty Center of Pensacola had been her home for the last six years. She was a very special resident there and was loved deeply by everyone.
Visitation will be held at Highland Baptist Church in Molino on Wednesday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Brian Calhoun will be officiating.
Joshua Michael Gill
April 28, 2015
Joshua Michael Gill, age 14 of Pensacola, FL passed away Friday, April 24, 2015. He is known for his fun-loving personality and being a prankster.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Richard “Dick” Gill; paternal great-grandparents, Christ Norris and Mary Preston; maternal great-grandparents, Marion “Jack” and Louise Ard; and Uncle Richard Ard.
He is survived by his loving mother, Wanda Gill and father, Christopher Gill; paternal grandmother, Karen Gill; maternal grandparents, Frank and Cecelia Ard; many aunts, uncles, and his cousin, Jessica Merritt; and his best buddy, Keshawn Norris.
The family wishes to extend their utmost thanks to Pensacola Pediatrics-Dr. Heather Lenga; Pediatric Services of America; the doctors and nurses at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta; and Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and his teacher.
The family will receive friends at Ensley United Methodist Church from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Reverend Gina Bryan and Reverend Jesse R. Evans, Jr. will be officiating. Ensley United Methodist Church is located at 25 E. Johnson Avenue. Interment will follow at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.
Register Now For ECSO Neighborhood Watch Academy
April 28, 2015
Applications are now being accepted for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Watch Academy to be held May 19th, 2015 in the ECSO Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street in Pensacola. This free training is being provided to neighborhood volunteers for new and existing Neighborhood Watch programs, or anyone interested in preventing crime. The one evening seminar begins with a complementary meal at 5:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Much of the curriculum covers basic safety and security tips for the home, anonymous reporting and crime prevention through environmental design.
To register, click here.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Melvin “Charlie” Brown
April 28, 2015
Charles Melvin “Charlie” Brown, age 82, of Pensacola, left this world peacefully at Select Specialty Hospital, while surrounded by family, on April 25, 2015.
He was born on May 25, 1932, in Brownton, West Virginia, to the late James Ivan and Blonda Swick Brown. He graduated from Lumberport High School and West Virginia Business College. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict and retired from Champion International Paper Company after 35 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Genevieve Brown Cook and brother, Robert “Bob” Brown.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Lou Barker Brown; daughter, Beverly (Dale) Harwood; son, Jeffrey Alan (Crystal) Brown; grandsons, Dale Harwood and Brandon (Jacqueline) Harwood; granddaughter, Amy Brown (Gary) Lynn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00PM at Faith Chapel South Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Pkwy, Pensacola. The funeral service will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Donations are welcome in Charlie’s honor to Bellview United Methodist Church, 4945 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32526, or your favorite charity.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.
Biloxi Beats Wahoos
April 28, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos may be 5-12 and in last place in the Southern League South Division early in the season but the players definitely do not feel like they are in the dog house yet.
Biloxi Shuckers righty Tyler Wagner hit a two-run home run to right field off of Blue Wahoos right fielder Jesse Winker’s glove in the fourth inning for a 4-2 lead and improved his record to 4-0 to become the Southern League’s first four-game winner. Biloxi (12-6) ended up winning its sixth game in eight contests against Pensacola, 8-2, in front of 3,439 fans during the overcast game.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly said he will remind his players that the season is 140 games long.
“It’s a long season and you can’t judge it by the first three weeks,” Kelly said. “Tonight we had a chance. It was 4-2 before we got blown out at the end of the game.”
Biloxi, which sits in first place in the South Division, scored four runs in the fourth and four more runs in the top of the ninth inning with four singles, walk and error.
Wagner, who is the Brewers’ No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America, lofted a deep fly ball that Winker almost caught after playing in on the pitcher. Wagner gave up two earned runs in five innings and struck out five for the win.
The Biloxi pitching staff—loaded with top Milwaukee prospects—entered the game with the fifth best earned run average in all of Minor League Baseball at 2.30.
Wagner had sat down seven Wahoos in a row before walking Winker and Sean Buckley with two outs in the third inning. Waldrop then laced a single to right to score Winker and Seth Mejias-Brean bounced a double over the right field wall to score Buckley for a 2-0 lead.
Blue Wahoos reliever Jacob Johnson said the club house remains positive, despite eight one-run losses, so far, this season. He pitched two innings of scoreless relief.
“I have complete confidence in this team that it’s going to click,” Johnson said. “All of our guys are too good.”
The fifth game of the six-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Joel Harvey Wade
April 28, 2015
Joel Harvey Wade, age 75, of Bremen, GA, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015. He was a retired truck and bus driver. He was also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite, Knights Templar, and Eastern Star Mason.
He is preceded in death by his father, Russell Wright Wade (1985), his mother Eunice Diamond Wade (1960) of Jay, sisters Brenda Joyce Wade (1943) and Shelia Ruth Wade (1954), Tambalyn Ruth Wade (1960); brother, Carl Allen Wade (1953) and wife Patricia J. Wade (2011).
He is survived by step mother Clara Wade, his sisters Anne Morgan and Jane (Charles) Martin; children, Rusty (Tricia) Wade, Bill (Teresa) Wade, Brian (Christina) Wade, and Eric (Crystal) Wade; grandchildren, Kathleen, Jessica, Jordan, Brooke and Brendan.
Graveside funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015, at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.