Senate Seeks To End Juvenile Justice Dispute
March 8, 2016
The Florida Senate on Monday unanimously approved a bill aimed at resolving a years-long dispute between Escambia, Santa Rosa and other counties and the state over paying to detain juvenile offenders.
The House is scheduled to take up the bill Tuesday.
Lawmakers have tried to settle the dispute before, but have not been able to pass legislation amid multiple court battles. The proposal (SB 1322) by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, would divide the cost of detaining young offenders equally between the state Department of Juvenile Justice and county governments — a 50-50 split that would replace a formula that currently requires counties to pay 57 percent and the state to pay 43 percent. The measure also would simplify a billing process in which counties pay annual estimated costs in advance.
Counties say the current system has resulted in them being owed millions in overpayments — or getting hit with unexpected bills at the last minute.
Before moving forward with the new bill, Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, insisted the 22 counties that have been litigating the cost-sharing formula waive their claims to recoup overpayments. Broward County waived its claims last week. The last county to sign on — Volusia — did so in an emergency meeting Monday after refusing last week.
“(The counties) frankly left a lot of money on the table,” Latvala said. To start carrying out the proposal, the bill includes providing $10.8 million to the Department of Juvenile Justice. That money would be in addition to money the department receives for detention costs.
State leaders got additional incentive to close the deal on Feb. 18, when the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the counties on the matter of back payments — a ruling that Cragin Mosteller of the Florida Association of Counties estimated was worth more than $100 million to the litigating counties.
by The News Service of Florida
Robert W. Malone, Sr.
March 8, 2016
Robert W. Malone, Sr., 79, of Pensacola, was called home March 3, 2016. Robert was raised in Batesville, Mississippi, where he was taught to be a hard worker. From his teenage years he helped his mother and brothers provide for the family as a sharecropper growing food and cotton. After high school Robert enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country proudly for 25 years. He had a colorful Naval career marked with numerous medals and awards. He served in Vietnam with the River Assault Squadrons. While there, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Intrepidity and Gallantry, the Bronze Star medal with Valor for Heroic Achievement, both of which were presented by the United States President. He also was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor and Meritorious Service, Navy Achievement, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service. He also served on the USS Ticonderoga as an Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC), where he provided health care services for Apollo 16, Apollo 17 and Sky Lab 1, astronaut recovery missions. While on the USS Ticonderoga he also earned his Shellback.
Robert continued his hard work throughout his life, where he raised a family of three, while continuing his college education in the evening and weekends. He received his BSBM in Health Care Services from Southern Illinois (SIU). After retirement from the US Navy as Command Master Chief, he worked for Baxter and retired from Humana Health Care as a Director of Operations. Robert was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree (assembly 156), Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion (Post 340) and he also volunteered at Convenient Hospice, bringing cheer to many. In is off time he enjoyed camping with his wife. They were members of the Good Sams Club (142). From his childhood, he was an outdoorsman who liked to hunt, fish, camp and ride motorcycles and off-roading in Jeeps.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Malone; his mother, Jessie Riales; and his sister, Wanda Carol Malone.
He is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Malone and children, Debra Dodd (Richard), Jacqueline Bickle, (David) and Robert Malone Jr.; brothers, Charles Malone (Carol), and Floyd Malone (Grace); grandchildren, Brittney Hazard, Joseph Brown, Katrina Bretz, David Bickle, Jr., Robert “Weston” Malone III, Kaylee Malone and Richard W.R. Dodd; great-grandchildren, Maycee Stolsig, Aubrielle and Madeline Hazzard Maximo Bretz, Emma Stolsig, Zaire Hazard.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Wounded Warriors Project.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church at 11 a.m.
Quilla Jay Mason Hall
March 8, 2016
Mrs. Quilla Jay Mason Hall, 89, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016, in Atmore.
Mrs. Hall was a native of Uriah, former resident of Walnut Hill, and a resident of Atmore for the past 50 years. Mrs. Hall owned the first H&R Block tax office in Atmore and owned and operated Hall’s Income Tax for 43 years. She was a member of the New Beginning Ministries. She is preceded in death by her two husbands, Orville Mason and Stiner Hall; parents, Frank and Quilla Jay; three brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her two daughters, Ruby Phillippi of Atmore and Gayle (Thurl) Pearson of Atmore; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 7, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. C.L. Langford and Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Burial was in the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jay Nichols, Eric Strehl, Daniel Higdon, Judd Arnold, Dakota Lundy and Jamerson Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers were Buddy Strehl, Jimmy Jay, Lawrence Brantley, Jimmy Mason, Ellis Mason and Muff Pharrls.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Grover Allen Minchew
March 8, 2016
Grover Allen Minchew, 64 of Atmore, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016, in Atmore. He was retired from Alabama River Pulp. He was born in Nokomis, AL, on March 2, 1951, to the late Grover L. and Lizzie Harris Minchew. He attended First Assembly of God of Atmore.
Survivors are his wife, Mary Ann McKinley Minchew of Atmore; two sons, Travis (Michelle) Minchew of Brewton and Allen (Christie) Minchew of Crestview; one daughter, Amanda (Chuck) Thompson of Flomaton; one brother, Bill (Pam) Minchew of Monroeville; one sister, Nettie Hollingsworth of Atmore; and seven grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Monday, March 7, 2016, at 11 a.m. in McCullough Cemetery with Bro. Drew Minchew and Bro. Allen Minchew officiating.
Interment followed in McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Betty Jane McNeill
March 8, 2016
On the evening of March 6, 2016, Betty passed away at the Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice Facility in Pensacola, surrounded by her family and pastor.
Betty was born in Andalusia, AL on August 12, 1939, and was married to and preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Preston H. McNeill and one child, Jonathan McNeill.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-children as follows: Gregory (Carolyn) McNeill, Carrie Waters and Waylon McNeill; Pam (Carl) Denham, Cory Denham and Lucas Litchfield, Cortney (Kaleb) Bowden; Sean McNeill, Caleb McNeill and Annie McNeill.
Betty was a plant enthusiast and enjoyed the beautiful yard that she and Preston built and planted during their many years together. Their yard has always been admired by family, friends and neighbors and especially enjoyed in the spring when it is full of blooms of all colors. She was a loving and giving mother who always put others first. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for those she loved, her fried chicken will be missed by many. She was a sweet, quiet and kind friend to many and she will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held at Clear Springs United Methodist Church, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the Clear Springs United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 10, 2016, at 10 a.m.
Interment will follow at Clear Spring Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Ida Mae Morris
March 8, 2016
Mrs. Ida Mae Morris, 92, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2016, in Jay.
Mrs. Morris was a native of Repton, Alabama and a resident of Century since 1953. She was an employee of the Florida Line Café in South Flomaton, Milky Way, and manager of the first deli of Piggly Wiggly. She managed McCurdy Dairy Bar, Nall’s Grocery Jr. Food, Job Service, Family and Children Service and Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the Cannan Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Martin L. Morris; parents, Lizzie and Jerry Odom; three brothers; two sisters; and daughter-in-law, Danette Morris.
Survivors include her son, Buddy Morris of Flomaton; two daughters, Sue and Kenneth Hall of Brewton and Voncille and W.L. Tyree of Century; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 11, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Odom officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the McCurdy Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Chris Hall, Zane Hall, Brad Morris, Steve Tyree, Michael Tyree and Martin Tyree.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Doris L. Yelverton
March 8, 2016
Doris L. Yelverton, 85, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016.
Doris was born in Pensacola on November 25, 1930, to Pleasant H. and Allie Mae (Byrd) Glass.
Seldom is cause of death given in an obituary but we all want to know “what happened”. I feel it helps to bring closure. It was a ruptured brain aneurysm that took Mom, but not without a fight.
Mom lit up a room the moment she walked through the door with her smile and her laughter, her hugs and her “Hey, Darlin’.” If you had the privilege to know her, you are blessed, and if you didn’t, you missed a treasure. She reached out to people, total strangers, everywhere she went and made them feel special. She emulated her Savior, Jesus Christ in all she did.
She was “Mini” to her grandchildren and all of their friends. Her husband, children, grandchildren, sister, nephews, nieces, friends and her cat were the lights of her life. She loved us all so, so deeply. Her home was filled with pictures of all of us since we couldn’t be there all the time she could at least see our faces.
She Owned and Operated Doris Yelverton Interiors. For nearly 45 years she was passionate about her interior decorating business. She loved what she did and all the people she did it for. Some have remained dear friends throughout the years. She never forgot a name or a face.
When Mom retired at age 72 she redirected her passion to her church, Calvary Way Full Gospel. All of these amazing people loved on her and allowed her to love and take care of them. She had the gift of service and she exercised that gift every day, constantly giving of herself to others. She was secretary and treasurer in her Sunday school class for as long as I can remember. She was on the events decorating committee with her closest friends and they all worked in the kitchen together during events. She would help decorate, set up the food, make sure everyone had what they needed and then clean up. Oh, how she enjoyed this part of her life. She took care of Daddy through failing health in his last years and after his passing the church and all she did there gave her fulfilling purpose.
Mom was a whole lot of preciousness in a small package. But never say a bad word or threaten her family or friends or you’d find out that there was a whole lot of feisty in that little package too!
Although there is now an enormous void in every life she touched, Heaven is where she’s lived her life to reach and it’s now a sweeter place. She is safely home leaving a legacy of love.
She is preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of 60 years, Richard L. Yelverton.
Survivors include her daughters, Trezza Linton and Tina Meyers (Cliff); grandson, Aaron Bourgeois; granddaughter, Casi; grandson,Cameron Meyers and sister, Ruth Joseph.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Burial was at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Michael Shawn Joseph, William Joseph, Tim Yelverton, Tim Hamilton, Josh Bates, Chuck Arnold, Mike Beck and Larry Williams.
Honorary pallbearers were Richard Ward and Aubrey Johnson.
A dictionary of words of appreciation, love and kindness couldn’t even express what I would like to relay to the following people and organizations.
I wish I could name every person involved in the TLC of Mom but some names I didn’t get and some I may have forgotten. To those people, you are no less appreciated.
Emergency personnel: Fire Dept. – Mr. Longworth and team; EMS personnel; Sacred Heart Hospital ER personnel; Drs. – Terry A. Neill, MD; Matthew Daniels, MD; Kennon McDonnell, MD; Ronaldo R Patiag MD; John, ARNP; Brent Hazen, MD; Richard Dobhan, MD; Nurses, Aides and Caretakers – Floor 7: Andrea, , Elena, Rachael, Leah, Iris, Carol; Surgical ICU: Kourtenay, Shannon, Laura, Bradley, Scott, Jen, Jessica, Lisa, Lauren, Barbara, Dale, Caleb, Kalli, Meg; Housekeeping: Kimberly and Janice ; Palliative Care personnel: Kerri and team.
Covenant Hospice personnel: Marian, Kathy, Andrea, Kristy, Kristen, Rachel, Steven, Mary.
Friends and family who have been an unyielding support. For your prayers, visits, calls, texts, food, precious time, kindness and love.
God bless you all and unending gratefulness, from our hearts. Trezza, Aaron, Tina, Cliff, Cameron and Casi and Ruth.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence, Covenant Care, 10075 Hillview Drive, Pensacola, FL 32514 in honor of Doris Yelverton.
Power Outage In Walnut Hill, Including Ernest Ward Midle
March 7, 2016
There was a brief power outage in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon, including Ernest Ward Middle School and an unknown number of residences. EREC is pictured here working on the problem outside Ernest Ward Middle School at dismissal time. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three Weeks: Century Tornado Cleanup Continues
March 7, 2016
The recovery effort following the EF-3 tornado that struck the Century area three weeks ago is continuing.
Escambia County has issued 84 total permits in the Town of Century. Most of the those permits were for roofing, electrical and building purposes.There have been 17 demolition permits issued to date related to the Century tornado (both in the town and in the unincorporated area).
There are multiple 30 and 40-yard roll-off dumpsters placed in the tornado damaged areas of Century for construction debris. They have been unloaded 90 times by provider Republic Services.
The February 15 tornado, rated as an EF-3 with winds over 150 mph, destroyed 52 structures in unincorporated Escambia County and inside the town limits of Century. There were 60 structures left with major damage, and 49 with minor damage, for a total of 161 structures impacted by the storm.
The assessment number from Escambia County break down as follows:
- Destroyed
- Single Family Home: 28
- Mobile Homes: 21
- Commercial: 3
- Major
- Single Family Home: 48
- Mobile Homes: 10
- Commercial: 2
- Minor
- Single Family Home: 35
- Mobile Homes: 13
- Commercial: 1
The Century tornado was the first EF-3 tornado to hit Escambia County in 45 years. It came just eight days before a second EF-3 tornado struck Pensacola.
Pictured: Roll-off dumpsters like this have been filled with construction debris and emptied 90 times within the town limits of Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Start, Wet End To Week
March 7, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.