Edgar “Bill” Peabody
June 25, 2015
Edgar “Bill” Peabody passed away on June 21, 2015, with his loving wife Roslyn Ivanoff at his side. He was born in Vienna, VA, to Edgar and Elizabeth Peabody on August 5, 1930, and lived the last 20 years of his life in Pensacola. After graduation from Fairfax High School with the Class of 1948, Ed briefly attended college until the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 at which time he joined the U.S. Army as a member of the Military Police, receiving multiple awards for his service. From 1963-1995, Ed worked for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) as a Commissary Management Specialist. Ed received several commendations for his work for the Federal Government. He retired from government service at Fort Lee, VA, in 1995.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Elizabeth “Bessie” Meyers Peabody and his brothers, John Stanley Peabody and Richard Meyers Peabody.
Ed is survived by his wife of almost 34 years, Roslyn Maloney Ivanoff; his three stepchildren André Ivanoff of New York, NY, Ashleigh Lynn Ivanoff of Albany, NY and Nicholas Ivanoff of Mill Valley, CA, his two grandsons, Alexander and Andrew Ivanoff Kahn of New York; his sisters, Mary Gaddis of Spring Island, SC and Esther “Ginger” Williams of Belleair, FL ; his nephew, Robert J. M. Gaddis of Miami FL, nieces, Alyssa Pascucci of Spring Island, SC, and Christiana Masucci of Far Hills, NJ, and Dale Fenstermaker, his close friend and a true neighbor of Pensacola.
Visitation will be held at 11:30am Thursday, June 25, 2015 with Funeral Services beginning at 12:30pm at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment with Rev. Bill Flannigan officiating. Interment follows at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Seminoles Up The Ante In Gambling Negotiations
June 25, 2015
The Seminole Tribe has given the state 30 days to strike a new accord about exclusive rights to operate banked card games and has put the state on notice that tribal casinos don’t have to shut down the games even in the absence of a revamped deal.
Wednesday’s letter from tribal chief James Billie is the Seminoles’ latest effort to force state leaders into negotiations about the lucrative card games and comes a month before a deal giving the tribe “exclusivity” over the games is set to expire.
Billie sent state leaders a “notice of commencement of compact dispute resolution procedures,” setting in motion a 30-day period for both sides to meet over the banked card games, which include blackjack. The dispute resolution mechanism requested by the tribe is included in a 20-year agreement, inked in 2010, that set out the parameters for the Seminoles’ gambling operations in Florida.
The compact also included a five-year deal, slated to sunset at the end of July, that gave the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games at five of its seven casinos. In exchange, the Seminoles agreed to pay the state a minimum of $1 billion over five years. The payments would stop if anyone else in the state offers the “banked” games.
“It’s my opinion that the tribe is utilizing these arguments and the dispute resolution provision to get into a room with state leaders in order to continue a discussion on the balance of the term of the compact and the operation of banked cards,” said Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, a Bradenton lawyer who helped craft the original compact. “From a legal strategy standpoint, it’s a good strategy. I disagree with the arguments that they’re making, but it at least gives them a procedural methodology to negotiate with the state.”
Lawmakers failed to approve a new agreement during the regular session that ended in May, and discussions between the tribe and Republican legislative leaders have gone nowhere this year. Gov. Rick Scott handed over the issue to House and Senate leaders after a deal between the governor and the Seminoles blew up in the waning days of the 2014 legislative session.
In Wednesday’s six-page letter hand-delivered to Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, the Seminoles contend that they can continue to offer the card games with or without a new deal because of state-authorized gambling activities taking place elsewhere.
The alleged violations of the compact would allow the tribe to stop making direct payments to the state and instead deposit the money into an escrow account, Billie wrote.
“While the tribe could have exercised its right to do so immediately, it has thus far elected to continue making its payments to the state and, as a gesture of good faith, intends to continue making its payments to the state pending the resolution of this dispute,” he wrote.
Billie’s arguments included a claim the tribe has made for years regarding slot machines that look like blackjack and roulette, authorized by state gambling regulators at non-tribal pari-mutuels. The slots operate essentially the same as the banked games, Billie wrote, the only difference being that the cards are electronic instead of paper, “a distinction we assert is without a difference.”
The Seminoles also raised a new issue on Wednesday, however, about whether player-banked card games in which the “bank” is another player instead of “the house” — first authorized by state gambling regulators in 2011and now at play in at least three pari-mutuel facilities — also violate the tribe’s rights to exclusivity. “Banked” card games, such as blackjack, are typically considered those in which players bet against the house instead of each other.
But Billie’s letter asserts that the National Indian Gaming Commission considers player-banked card games to be a form of banked card games.
“That is a very arcane area but, as I read their letter, it’s not something that I find to be ridiculous,” said Steve Geller, a former state senator and attorney who specializes in gaming law. “This may be a way of forcing the state into negotiation. I tend to disagree with most of it, but I don’t find them to be open and shut issues, particularly if the NIGC (National Indian Gaming Commission) has interpreted this player-banked card game to be a banked card game.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tate, Jay Players Named To All State Softball Teams; Wyatt Coach Of Year
June 25, 2015
The Miracle Sports All-State softball teams were named Wednesday.
Tate High School’s Tori Perkins was named the 7A pitcher of the year, and Tate coach Melinda Wyatt was named the 7A coach of the year.
Perkins and Casey McCrackin were named 7A first team. Rachel Wright, Hayden Lindsay and Lauren Brennan were named to the state second team.
In 1A, Jay’s Destiny Herring, Michaela Stewart and Harley Tagert were named to the first team, while the Royals’ Dana Blackmon, Samantha Steadham, Avery Jackson and Emily Dobson were named to the second team.
Pictured: Tori Perkins (L) shortly after Tate won the Class 7A softball championship, and Coach Melinda Wyatt (right) tosses a ceremonial first pitch for the Blue Wahoos. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacqueline “Annise” Hastings
June 25, 2015
Mrs. Jacqueline “Annise” Hastings, age 83, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at her Brewton residence.
Mrs. Hastings was a native and lifelong resident of Brewton. She was a graduate of W.S. Neal high school and was a homemaker. She was a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church. Mrs. Hastings was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Hastings; and two brothers, Thomas Dean and Mike Dean.
She is survived by four sons, Donny (Sandra) Hastings of Brewton, Terry (Vivian) Hastings of Flomaton, Jeff (Fonda) Hastings of Flomaton, and Greg Hastings of Brewton; one brother, Jack Dean of Myrtle Beach, SC; sister, Jane Crawford of Brewton; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Craver’s Funeral Home.
Aaron Louis Wolfe
June 25, 2015
Aaron Louis Wolfe, 21 of Cantonment, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Aaron loved spending time with his family, going to the gym with his brother, Chris, and spending time with his friends and his girlfriend, Mercedes. He was a fan of the LSU Tigers, Nascar and Kyle Bush.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ted Wolfe; maternal grandparents, Scotty and Joanne Scott; his granny, Marion Walker; uncle, Timmy Scott; and aunt Karen Hayes.
Aaron is survived by his mother, Lisa Medlock; step-father, Dennis Medlock; brothers, Waylon (Sara) Wolfe and Chris (Alyssa) Medlock; sister, Jolene Wolfe; nephew, Tallon Wolfe; grandpa, Carlton Medlock; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his DKI family.
Memorial service to be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
James Nathan Cain
June 25, 2015
James Nathan Cain, 87, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
Nathan was born on February 27, 1928, in Escambia County, Florida, to the late James David Cain and Johnnie Lou Bogan Cain. Nathan is also preceded in death by his brothers, John Paul Cain, Jack Cain, and sister Marjorie Cain.
Nathan loved his family dearly. After the death of his beloved wife, Lana Barlow Cain, he raised his young daughters on his own. Nathan’s memory will forever be treasured by his children, Alicia Ann Cain of Pensacola, FL and Frances Janell Richards (David) of Warner Robins, GA and their children Lana, Amanda, Nathan, and Daniel. Also, a daughter from a previous marriage, Sally Lou Thomley (Glenn) of Piedmont, SC and their children Meredith, Diane, Christopher and Amanda; and five great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Sybil L. Cain Majors, and brother, Jesse Cain, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A life-long resident of Pensacola, FL, Nathan lived a full life with many happy times. He became a private pilot at the age of 16 and continued to cherish his time in the air with family and friends until the time of his death. He was a former member of the Civil Air Patrol and the United States Marines and loved racing cars and boxing as a young man. Early on, Nathan worked as a stonecutter, making marble monuments for many area families. He later retired from Champion International Paper Company where he was employed for 37 years. Nathan lived on Blackwater Bay for many years and spent countless enjoyable hours walking the beach with his coffee cup in hand. He loved country music, especially Patsy Cline.
After losing his home to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Nathan moved to Centerville, GA, near his daughter. He became an active member of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 38 and a regular volunteer at the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, making many new friends in the flying community.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home located at 1000 South Highway 29 in Cantonment, FL on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Ministers Ward Serig and Diane Ward, officiating.
Nathan will be laid to rest at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery located at 3888 Sardis Church Rd in Atmore, AL immediately following the service.
Former Lawmaker, ‘Country Doctor’ Peaden Dies
June 24, 2015
Former Sen. Durell Peaden, a soft-spoken Panhandle doctor who helped shepherd state health policy and funding, has died after suffering a heart attack early this month.
Senate Secretary Debbie Brown sent a memo to senators Wednesday morning informing them of the death of Peaden, 69, who served in the Senate from 2000 to 2010 and in the House from 1994 to 2000.
“Last night I lost a friend, cousin and mentor,” Sen. Greg Evers, a Baker Republican and cousin of Peaden, said in an email to lawmakers Wednesday. “It is with a heavy heart that I bring you the news of the passing of Senator Durell Peaden. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
Peaden’s family dates back generations in Northwest Florida, with biographical information in the House clerk’s manual indicating that a Peaden relative, John Wilkinson, served in the Legislature in the 1840s. Other members of the family also served later in the 1800s, in the early 1900s and in the 1970s.
With his soft, slow drawl, Peaden liked to describe himself as a “country doctor.” He was a well-liked figure in the Legislature and would, at times, aggressively advocate for health-care money. He said the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, which he chaired during part of his time in the Senate, dealt with “life and death” issues.
While in the House, Peaden — who was widely known as “Doc” in the Capitol — also took a lead role in helping establish a medical school at Florida State University. His pitch, at least in part, was that the school could help train primary-care physicians to work in rural and underserved areas.
Hailing from Crestview in the conservative northwest corner of the state, Peaden also was a leading supporter of gun rights. Perhaps most notably, Peaden in 2005 sponsored the “stand your ground” self-defense law.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, announced to the Senate on June 5 that Peaden had suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Pennsylvania. Evers last week told senators that Peaden was recovering.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Durell Peaden.
Cantonment Man Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
June 24, 2015
A Cantonment man was killed in a single vehicle accident in Cantonment Tuesday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old Aaron Lewis Wolfe was traveling southbound on County Road 97 in a 1998 Jeep Cherokee just before 9 p.m. As he entered a curve near Devine Farm Road, he left the roadway, traveled onto the shoulder and over-corrected, causing his vehicle to overturn multiple times. The Jeep came to rest upside down on the shoulder of the road.
Wolfe, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Home Destroyed By Fire
June 24, 2015
A Century home was destroyed by fire Tuesday night, and the cause of the blaze is now under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire was reported just after 9 p.m. in the 500 block of Tedder Road, near the Century Correctional Institution. The wood frame home was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
Preliminary information indicated that renters had just recently moved out of the home, and no one was inside at the time the fire started. The home still had all utilities.
There were no injuries reported. The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia Count EMS were among the responders to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Incumbent Bill Slayton Prefiles For School Board
June 24, 2015
Incumbent William “Bill” Slayton Jr. pre-filed Tuesday as a candidate for Escambia County School Board District 5 for the 2016 election.
Slayton, a resident of Cantonment, was first elected to the school board in 2008, following an unsuccessful bid for school superintendent in 2004.