LeRoy (Lee) Hochstetler
April 20, 2016
LeRoy (Lee) Hochstetler, age 83, passed away Friday, April 15, 2016, in Atmore, surrounded by family, friends, and music. He was born in Topeka, IN on April 20, 1932, and married Sara (Sally) Bontrager on October 19, 1950. They moved to Blackduck, MN in 1964 where they raised their seven children and served as foster parents for 37 years. Lee worked in home construction and owned his own business for a period of time. He and his family were very active at Kitchi Pines Mennonite Church and in their community.
In 1994, Lee and his wife started spending the winter months with family in Atmore. There, he volunteered in prisons as a chaplain’s assistant with We Care Prison Ministry.
Lee is survived by Sally Hochstetler, his wife of 65 years, and seven children, Eugene (June) Hochstetler of Goshen, IN, Theda (Ervin) Yoder of Bemidji, MN, Phyllis (Arlan) Yoder of Mylo, ND, Loveda (Wendall) Schrock of Traverse City, MI, Jim (Carol) Hochstetler of Atmore, Linda (Dave) Levy of Blackduck, MN, and Darcy (Keith) Peavy of Jackson, AL; 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Anna Mae (Ernest) Miller of LaGrange, IN, and Alice (Perry) Miller of Cambria, WI.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, three sisters, and two great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Grace Fellowship in Atmore on April 19, 2016.
Pallbearers were Tyler Hochstetler, Joshua Hochstetler, Caleb Hochstetler, Jonathan McMath, Drew Peavy, and Manuel Morales.
Lee was a living, breathing example of loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. He impacted many peoples’ lives and was loved dearly by everyone who knew him.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Proposed Highway To Connect Beulah, I-10, Highway 29 Near Cantonment
April 19, 2016
Plans are underway for a new “Escambia Beltway” — a high speed connector highway from Highway 29 north of Cantonment to a new interchange at I-10 in Escambia County and to West Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
The plan is only at the study and public comment stage today, but officials are hoping for Federal Highway Administration approval by January 2017.
There are seven very similar routes under consideration for the Escambia Beltway with a northern endpoint somewhere along Highway 29 between Barrrineau Park Road and Quintette Road. The beltway will be a four-lane divided highway with controlled or limited access. Each of the proposed routes is about 11.4 miles long.
Escambia County will hold a public kick-off meeting for the project tonight from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church at 1101 West Nine Mile Road.
The study is being conducted by the county, in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation, for the proposed Escambia Beltway and a new I-10 interchange.
This meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn about the project, become familiar with the study process and provide initial feedback on issues of concern. The meeting will be an open house to allow the public the opportunity to review maps and other information on display. Representatives from Escambia County and its consultant for the project will be available to explain the proposed improvements, the study process and to answer questions.
Those wishing to submit written comments may do so at the meeting, via email at cheryl.sackman@atkinsglobal.com or by mailing them to Atkins Project Manager Gregory S. Allen, P.E., 2114 Airport Boulevard, Suite 1450, Pensacola, FL 32504. All comments must be postmarked on or before May 6 to become part of the official project record.
Pictured top: This map shows a proposed new Escambia Beltway from Beulah to north of Cantonment on Highway 29. Pictured below: Seven proposed endpoints along Highway 29 for a new Escambia Beltway. Images fro NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm
April 19, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Rep. Clay Ingram Draws Democratic Challenger
April 19, 2016
Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, has drawn Democratic challenger as he seeks a fourth term in the state House.
Pensacola Democrat Gloria Robertson-Wiggins opened an account to run against Ingram in Escambia County’s House District 1. Ingram, chairman of the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, had raised $91,746 as of March 31 and had nearly $54,000 in cash on hand, a finance report shows. Also in the District 1 race is no-party candidate William Fetke of Pensacola.
Police Seek Suspect In Flomaton Dollar General Armed Robbery
April 19, 2016
Flomaton Police are searching for the suspect in the armed robbery of a Dollar General Store.
About 9:47 p.m last Friday night, the suspect held up the Dollar General Store on Sidney Manning Boulevard. The suspect entered the store wearing khaki colored shorts and a white t-shirt. He ws described as a bald, black male, in his late twenties to early thirties with a muscular build.
The suspect fled the Dollar General in different clothing; he was wearing a black sleeveless shirt with a green Mossy Oak emblem on the front. He fled in a dark colored vehicle.
Anyone with information on the armed robbery is asked to contact the Flomaton Police Departmnet at (251) 296-5811
Greg Evers, Matt Gaetz Poised For Congressional Battle
April 19, 2016
In what could be one of the state’s most hotly contested congressional primary battles, state Sen. Greg Evers said Monday he is running for an open Northwest Florida seat being vacated by veteran U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller.
Evers, a Baker Republican, enters an already-crowded GOP field, which includes state Rep. Matt Gaetz and James Zumwalt, an Iraq war veteran who also served as an aide to Miller.
After toying with the possibility of running for weeks, Evers on Saturday filed a statement of candidacy for Congressional District 1 with the Federal Elections Commission, setting up what could be a grudge match with fellow state legislator Gaetz, who announced his candidacy for the seat almost a month ago.
“After prayerful consideration, I’m humbled and honored to announce my candidacy for CD 1. Many of the residents of the Panhandle have asked me to run because we need someone that will uphold the Panhandle values in D.C. As a lifelong resident of the Panhandle, I’m ready to carry our message to D.C., just as Jeff Miller did,” Evers said.
Evers, a 60-year-old farmer, said he intends to formally announce his entrance into the race at a press conference Tuesday morning in Milton.
Evers in 2001 won a special election for the state House, where he served until his election to the Senate in 2010.
The Northwest Florida district — one of the state’s most conservative — abuts the Alabama border and spans Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties and includes most of Holmes County.
The winner of the Aug. 30 GOP primary is almost certain to go to Washington, and a match-up between Gaetz and Evers could result in the type of political slugfest that the Panhandle is known for. Gaetz has already raised more than $350,000, including putting more than $100,000 of his own money into the race.
But Evers, known among reporters for a droll wit delivered in a thick Southern drawl, didn’t flinch when asked about Gaetz’s campaign war chest.
“The last time I checked, it’s the voters that elect, not dollars,” he said.
The district includes five military installations, which could give Zumwalt a leg up in a region heavily populated by retired and active-duty military voters. According to his website, Zumwalt served two tours in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star and later served as an analyst at the Pentagon before becoming an adviser to Miller
Evers stressed his commitment to veterans on Monday.
“I want to go to Washington and I want to fight for the veterans. So many have given so much, and some gave all. It’s something that I’m extremely proud of, the veterans that I have represented over the years. I want to be their voice in Washington, as I was on the state level,” he said.
Evers also said he wants to “fight for every citizen of the Panhandle,” especially small business owners like himself.
“These are serious times and serious problems that we have, and it’s not a time for political gamesmanship. It’s a time for statesmanship, and a statesman to stand up and carry the light to Washington D.C,” he said.
After representing the district for 15 years, Miller took the Florida political world by surprise in March when he announced he would not seek re-election in the fall. His retirement also set off a scramble for legislative seats, as Gaetz and Evers shifted from running state Senate campaigns to looking at runs for Congress. Matt Gaetz had planned to run for a Senate seat that his father, former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, will leave this fall because of term limits.
Two Republican state representatives — Mike Hill of Pensacola Beach and Doug Broxson of Gulf Breeze — are poised to run for Evers’s Senate District 1 seat, where, again, the August primary will almost certainly determine the general election winner.
Broxson said he intends to file his campaign paperwork for the Senate seat shortly after Evers makes a formal announcement Tuesday morning.
“We think we have a great chance of telling our story of why we should be (in the Senate) and we’re looking forward to the process,” Broxson, elected to the House in 2010, told the News Service in a telephone interview Monday.
Hill, the victor of a special election in 2013, said he intends to announce his candidacy for Senate “very soon.”
Unlike what could be a brutal primary battle for the congressional seat, both men said they anticipate the race to replace Evers will be tamer.
“I think we’re going to see very civil race. It’s going to be highly contested. But Rep. Broxson and I are friends,” Hill said in a telephone interview.
Hill, meanwhile, said that Zumwalt and other candidates’ military experience could give them an advantage over the state legislators in the congressional match-up.
Gaetz could have a different edge, according to Broxson.
“The Gaetzes have a reputation of being able to raise massive amounts of dollars and I’m curious to see how Sen. Evers is going to match up the money campaign. I think he has pretty good polling information that says he should run. I’m going to be a spectator and see what they do and how they’re going to handle their campaigns,” he said. “Hopefully everyone would hope that it would be positive and they’ll concentrate on their legislative successes, but my guess is it could be a pretty bloody battle.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
New Law To Provide Death Benefits For First Responders
April 19, 2016
A new law will help families of first responders who are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System and get killed in the line of duty.
The death-benefits bill was a priority of Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.
“When people give their lives in the service of our state, the least we can do is make sure we help provide for the families they leave behind,” Gardiner said in a prepared statement.
The law covers first responders killed since July 1, 2013.
Gardiner pushed for the bill in large part because of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan “Scott” Pine, who in February 2014 was shot and killed while chasing a burglary suspect.
Pine, who had joined the sheriff’s office in 2011, was married and had three children. While enrolled in the retirement system’s 401(k)-style investment plan, Pine’s family was not eligible for survivor benefits beyond what was accrued during his three years of service, Gardiner noted.
“We do not want the spouses of Florida’s fallen heroes to struggle to meet the basic needs of their children,” Gardiner said in a prepared statement.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, and Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, ensures that survivors of first responders killed in the line of duty who were members of the investment plan are eligible for the same benefits as those enrolled in the state’s traditional pension plan.
It also provides for the lifetime of a beneficiary the full monthly salary of any “special risk” class member who had been enrolled in the state retirement system.
Special-risk members include law-enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, emergency-medical technicians, paramedics, probation officers and other employees whose jobs may put them at risk.
“With recent world events, it’s more important now than ever to honor our brave men and women who put the safety of others above their own,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Get District Playoff Win Over Northview
April 19, 2016
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 6-5 in the first round of the District 3-1A playoffs Monday in Jay.
Jay took a 2-0 lead after the end of the first and scored again in the top of the second. In bottom of the second, a two run double by Jared Alif narrowed the Royals lead. The Chiefs scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut Jay’s lead to one. An RBI single by Thomas Moore and a two run single by Zach Payne powered the Northview Chiefs comeback.
Josh Neese pitched a full seven for the Chiefs, allowing eight hits, six runs and striking out four.
Roman Manning was 1-4 with a run; Thomas Moore was 2-4; Luke Ward had one run; Zach Payne was 2-4 with a run; Jared Alif was 2-3 for Northview.
Jay advances to play Chipley at 7 p.m. Tuesday with the district championship game set for 7 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
State Required To Pay Legal Fees In Gay Marriage Fight
April 19, 2016
Lawyers representing plaintiffs who successfully challenged Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage are entitled to collect legal fees from the state, a federal judge has ruled.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s order Friday came several months after Attorney General Pam Bondi first balked at having the state pay more than $500,000 in fees for lawyers representing same-sex couples.
Late last month — more than a year after same-sex marriages began in Florida — Hinkle issued a final judgment declaring that the state’s voter-approved prohibition against gay marriage is unconstitutional.
Jim Brenner and his partner Chuck Jones, a Tallahassee couple who have been together for nearly three decades and were married in Canada, filed the initial lawsuit against the state challenging the gay marriage prohibition. Brenner and Jones later asked Stephen Schlairat and Ozzie Russ, a gay Washington County couple, to join the lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union also filed a challenge on behalf of eight couples and other plaintiffs, and the cases were consolidated.
In August 2014, Hinkle ruled that the state’s prohibition against gay marriage was unconstitutional, but he put a stay on his decision until January 2015, when same-sex marriages became legal in Florida.
In Friday’s order, Hinkle wrote that both the ACLU of Florida and Jacksonville attorneys William Sheppard, Betsy White and Samuel Jacobson, who represented the Brenner plaintiffs, were entitled to legal fees.
“The plaintiffs prevailed in each of these consolidated actions,” Hinkle wrote, and are therefore entitled to fees.
Hinkle also praised the state for agreeing that the plaintiffs’ lawyers are entitled to fees, a departure from the harsh words Hinkle had for state officials in his March 31 final judgment.
In that ruling, Hinkle chastised state officials for their reluctance in acknowledging that the Florida ban had been overturned and “for a history of resistance” in a variety of areas linked to gay marriage — including in the state’s handling of birth certificates for children of same-sex couples.
“We respect the judge’s order,” Bondi spokesman Whitney Ray said in an email when asked if the state intended to appeal Hinkle’s final judgment or Friday’s ruling regarding the fees.
But the legal wrangling may not be over. While the state has acknowledged that the lawyers are entitled to the fees, it is unknown if the state will argue over the amount.
Sheppard and his legal team are seeking at least $455,000 in fees, including a “multiplier” allowed in civil rights cases, according to documents filed last year.
“This is a victory for the American courts and democracy, in my opinion. That sounds hokey, but that’s how I count it in my belief system,” Sheppard, a longtime civil rights lawyer, said in a telephone interview Monday.
The ACLU has not disclosed its legal tab, but praised Hinkle’s decision.
“We are grateful for Judge Hinkle’s order recognizing the work our legal team did in arguing that Floridians have a right to marry the person they love and that denying them that right was unconstitutional,” ACLU of Florida spokesman Baylor Johnson said in an email.
The battle over the legal fees started last summer, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. The Supreme Court ruling came in a case involving other states, but it cemented Hinkle’s ruling that Florida’s ban was unconstitutional.
In August, Bondi asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta and Hinkle to dismiss the case as moot. A dismissal would have absolved the state from an obligation to pay the plaintiffs’ lawyers, Sheppard and his team wrote in a court filing last year.
Despite Hinkle’s final judgment in the Florida cases and the U.S. Supreme Court decision, same-sex couples’ right to wed may not be settled permanently, Sheppard said.
“I don’t think for a second that we won’t be encountering other issues in the good old state of Florida related to this issue, whether it be legislative or whether it be just conduct of individual government officials,” he said. “It’s not an accepted thing, just because the Supreme Court says it is, any more than integrated schools is accepted.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
40 On Century Tornado Housing Assistance Waiting List; Many Won’t Qualify
April 19, 2016
As of Monday afternoon 40 people had been added to a waiting list for Century residents to possibly receive state housing assistance following the February tornado.
Many of the 40 will not pass an initial screening for eligibility based upon application criteria, according to Meredith Nunnari, Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division.
Only residents in the incorporated town of Century whose housing units were damaged by the tornado are eligible to apply. Owner occupants of manufactured homes are also eligible to apply if they own the property on which the home is located.
Century residents may call (850) 595-0872 to be placed on the waiting list, which will remain open for the near future. Residents must provide the following information when calling:
- Name
- Street address of impacted residence
- Contact phone number
Services will be made available to income-eligible owner occupants on a first qualified, first served basis as funding permits. Staff will follow up with applicants within five business days to determine program eligibility and to make appointments to begin the application process.
The following chart shows the maximum gross family household income requirements in Escambia County (effective March 28, 2016) for the housing repair and reconstruction activities through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, or SHIP. Household income includes income received from all persons residing in the household and from all sources providing income to the household.
Applications are still being accepted for owner occupants needing housing repair or reconstruction assistance from the February 15 and 23 tornadoes. Owner occupants in unincorporated Escambia County can call the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022, and those inside the city of Pensacola limits can call the City of Pensacola Housing Office at (850) 858-0306 to apply.