Judge To Hear Arguments In Abortion Law Challenge
June 15, 2016
A Tallahassee federal judge will hear arguments June 29 on a request from Planned Parenthood to block parts of a major abortion law approved this year by Gov. Rick Scott and Florida lawmakers.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued an order setting the date to hear arguments about whether to issue a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order against the law, which is scheduled to take effect July 1.
Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit June 2 and challenged the constitutionality of three parts of the controversial law. The complaint, in part, targets a section of the law that seeks to prevent state agencies, local governments and Medicaid managed-care plans from contracting with organizations that own, operate or are affiliated with clinics that perform elective abortions.
While government agencies are already barred from funding elective abortions, Planned Parenthood argues that the new law would prevent clinics from receiving money to provide other health services for women, such as pap smears, pregnancy testing and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
The complaint also challenges part of the law that would require the state Agency for Health Care Administration to inspect at least 50 percent of abortion-clinic patient records each year. In addition, the complaint challenges a section of the law that would change the state’s definition of trimesters of pregnancy.
Beulah Hall Spicer
June 15, 2016
Mrs. Beulah Hall Spicer, 91, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016, in Atmore.
Mrs. Spicer was a native of Andalusia, Alabama and a resident of Bratt since 1959. Mrs. Spicer was a homemaker, loved farming and was a member of the Pleasant Home Baptist Church. She was a former employee of Monsanto and Alatex Industry.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Robert Ralph Spicer.
She is survived by her two sons, Robert E. (Stephanie) Spicer and Rex (Sarah) Spicer, all of Atmore; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 13, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Delbert Redditt and Rev. Tim Hawsey officiating.
Burial was at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Berman Franklin Leonard, Jr.
June 15, 2016
Mr. Berman Franklin Leonard, Jr., 56, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Milton.
Mr. Leonard was a native and former resident of Atmore and had resided in Milton for the past year. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Carrie Leonard and his grandparents.
He is survived by his two brothers, Steve (B.B) Leonard and Mike Leonard, all of Century; one sister, Regina (Jeff) Ogden of Pace; one aunt, Lucille Sells of Atmore; two nephews, Curtis Ogden of Pace and Rocky Hadley of Perdido; and one niece, Stacey and Blake of Pace.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 3 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial will follow at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 18, 2016, from 1 p.m. until service time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Gainy, Tyler Hobbs, Johnny Nance, David Zornes, Billy Bennett and Gary Valasquez.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Lena Mae Richardson
June 15, 2016
Funeral services for Mrs. Lena Mae Richardson, 94, of Walnut Hill, will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the Longmire-Jones Memorial Chapel of Turner Funeral Chapel with Rev. Willie White officiating.
Retirement of her remains will be next to her husband in Bethany Church Cemetery in Burnt Corn, AL.
Public viewing will be Friday, June 17, 2016, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home with Turner Funeral Chapel directing.
Russell Francis Anderson
June 15, 2016
Russell Francis Anderson “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on June 10, 2016. He was born on June 27, 1929 in Baltimore, MD, to J. Fred and Loretta (Wind) Anderson. He was the youngest of six children. In 1948 Russ enlisted in the Navy, retiring as a Master Chief in 1974, after serving in Alaska, Japan, Virginia, Turkey, Cyprus and Hawaii. Following his naval career, Russ pursued many interests including acquiring an associate’s degree in accounting and having his own accounting business for several years. During this time he became an active runner and completed several marathons. Russ married Judith (Wells-Evans) in 1960 and together they raised Kimberly (David) Waters.
He is predeceased by his parents; two brothers; and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years; daughter and son-in- law; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Interment will be on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 10:15 am at Barrancas National Cemetery. Procession to start at Faith Chapel North at 9:30 am.
The family expresses deep appreciation to the care givers at The Waterford/Creekside and the Covenant Hospice nurses.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gonzalez United Methodist Church Debt Reduction or Covenant Alzheimer’s Services located at 5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL, 32504.
Arrangements handled by Faith Chapel North.
No Injuries In Molino Crash
June 14, 2016
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Highway 99 at Molino Road. The accident involved a passenger vehicle and a pickup hauling a loaded horse trailer. The horse also did not suffer any serious injuries. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Driver Cited After Log Truck Overturns In Century
June 14, 2016
The driver was cited after a log truck overturned in Century Monday afternoon, shutting down North Century Boulevard.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 66-year old Ronald Edward Crutchfield of Brewton was traveling north in the outside lane of North Century Boulevard near Jackson Street just before 5 p.m.. As he rounded a curve in the roadway, the weight of his load shifted to the right side, causing the vehicle to overturn as it exited the curve.
Crutchfield suffered minor injuries and was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton. He was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Power lines were downed by the accident across North Century Boulevard, closing all four lanes of the highway. Gulf Power initially reported 24 customers without power following the crash.
\
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council Discusses Transportation Wish List With State
June 14, 2016
When Highway 29, the main artery through your town, is closed due to an overturned truck and downed power lines, it makes it a bit easier to explain transportation needs to the state.
“Right now, Highway 29 is shut down because another big truck has wrecked in that curve,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. “That curve needs to be fixed.”
Tuesday evening, the Century Town Council met with Virgie Bowen of the Florida Department of Transportation to discuss the department’s Five-Year Plan — a tentative work plan for fiscal years 2017-2021. As the meeting was going on, the clean up was continuing on Highway 29 near Jackson street after a log truck overturned in a curve and hit a power pole. [Click here for more on the accident.]
“The elevation is wrong in the outside lane,” McCall told Bowen about the curve. Several trucks have overturned in the curve over the past several years, including a peanut truck a few years ago that damaged a city sewage system lift station. The station was rebuilt mostly underground to lessen or prevent future damage.
Bowen also heard a request that the state consider a parking or signage for tourists that stop for photos with the “Welcome to Florida” sign on Highway 29 at the state line. Sometimes, McCall said, tourists will stop in the travel lanes of Highway 29, turn on their emergency flashers and get out for a photo.
Bowen discussed a FDOT Transportation Alternative Program that would fund projects such as sidewalks on roadways that are not state highways. The council discussed the possible need for a sidewalk along West Highway 4, a county road within the town limits, from Highway 29 past Industrial Boulevard to a local dialysis center. A community center, nursing home, church, numerous residences and a large apartment complex are along the roadway, leading to a large number of pedestrians.
Members of the Century Town Council additionally complained about speeders on Highway 29 through the town. They acknowledged that they often see the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office actively enforcing speed limits, and they questioned in a portable radar-speed sign might be available that would display a driver’s speed compared to the legal speed limit.
The council’s requests will be compiled by Bowen, and she will return for a June 20 meeting with the council.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Fire Marshal Investigating Bluff Springs Travel Trailer Fire
June 14, 2016
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a travel trailer Monday night.
The unoccupied trailer in the Bluff Springs Campground in the 900 block of Bluff Springs Road was fully involved when the first fire units arrived on scene. It was a total loss.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Inmates Stabbed At Holman Prison
June 14, 2016
Three inmates were stabbed this past weekend at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
A correctional officer found an inmate that had been stabbed about 10:20 Saturday night. That inmate was transported to an area hospital. About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, two other inmates were stabbed. One inmate was treated in the infirmary at the prison, the other was transported to a Mobile hospital for treatment.
Further details have not been released by the Alabama DOC.