Thousands Lose Power In Thursday Night Storms
January 22, 2016
Thousands of people lost power as a storm system moved through the area Thursday night.
The entire cities of Atmore, Flomaton and Bay Minette reportedly lost power about 10:50 p.m. due to the storms. Many customers had their power restored by 11:30 p.m., while hundreds more remained in the dark until early Friday morning.
After the height of the storms, Gulf Power reported about 5,500 customers without power in Escambia County, including a large outage on Perdido Key and about 140 customers on West Kingsfield Road west of County Road 97.
Highway 31 in Flomaton was closed from Bondurant Lumber to Hurricane Park for several hours while first responders cleared downed trees and power lines. Highway 31 was back open at 1:15 a.m.
Hundreds of EREC customers lost power, including a large area along Highway 97 north of Walnut Hill, Arthur Brown Road, Highway 99A , Highway 97A and surrounding areas. The outage was traced to loose wire on a pole at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Power was restored to Walnut Hill area customers by about 1:30 a.m.
Pictured: An Escambia River Electric Cooperative lineman works to repair a power line along Highway 97 in front of the Walnut Hill Fire Station about 1:15 a.m. Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Stand Your Ground’ Shift Ready To Pass Senate
January 22, 2016
Taking issue with the Florida Supreme Court, state senators next week could approve a bill that would shift the burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases. The Senate on Thursday took up the bill (SB 344), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and put it in position for a vote as soon as Jan. 28.
The bill stems from a Supreme Court ruling last year that said defendants have the burden of proof of showing they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
Bradley’s measure would place the burden of proof on prosecutors in the evidentiary hearings.
“It’s a fundamental tenet of our criminal-justice system that the state has the burden of proof throughout the criminal prosecution — you’re innocent until proven guilty, I think we can all agree with that — so this bill applies this fundamental tenet of criminal law to the self-defense immunity hearing,” Bradley said.
But while the Senate appears poised to pass the bill, it remains unclear whether the shift will get approval in the House.
The House version (HB 169), filed by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, was blocked in November by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on a 6-6 vote.
by The News Service of Florida
State Offer Apologies, But Future Of Marianna’s Dozier School Remains Unclear
January 22, 2016
State leaders Thursday apologized for the past as university researchers released their final study on long-buried bodies unearthed from the shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Northwest Florida.
Now, the state must figure out what to do with remains that have yet to be identified and with the 1,400-site in Jackson County, about 70 miles west of Tallahassee. The site had been put for sale before excavation was ordered due to questions about whether boys were left in unmarked graves after suffering abuse and death at the reform school.
After saying he was “sorry” for the generations of boys who endured whatever hardships may have occurred as wards of the state, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said the state must find a use for the Dozier site, whether it be recreational, educational or even for veterans’ services.
“The status quo is just not an option,” Putnam said. “It would make it worse for it to turn into a caricature of itself, some haunted juvenile prison that just breeds more rumors and mythology.”
The state might even consider some way to memorialize the site, which served as a reform school from 1900 to 2011 and is now locked behind a high chain-link fence. But Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Cabinet did not give direction Thursday after being presented with the University of South Florida researchers’ 168-page report, which doesn’t verify any students were killed by Dozier staff.
One holdup may be the need for a chemical analysis of the site, as researchers located asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials in some of the older buildings and where a dorm fire in 1914 claimed the lives of eight boys and two employees.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the research findings should help the state and community “put these atrocities behind us.”
Scott said “people want to do the right thing.”
There may be additional unmarked burial sites on the property where researchers, starting in 2013, looked for remains. But USF anthropology professor Erin Kimmerle said that unless new information is advanced, “We feel our field work is done.”
Researchers reported unearthing 51 sets of remains from an area known as the Boot Hill Burial Ground. Seven of the bodies have been identified through DNA testing, of which four have been turned over to relatives and buried in family cemeteries.
The rest of the remains are housed at the Tampa university.
Former students at the school, who have told researchers of boys being beaten to death, said any unidentified remains should be laid to rest outside Jackson County, which includes Marianna.
“Do not return the remains to that area,” said Jerry Cooper, a ward of Dozier in the 1960s. “A lot of these children were not buried in a proper Christian manner.”
Dale Landry, president of the NAACP’s Tallahassee branch, favored using a mausoleum at the Dozier site to allow researchers in the future easier access to remains if identification can be made.
The report doesn’t fully verify the atrocities alleged by former students at the facility, which was segregated until 1968 and housed minors for crimes such as theft and murder, along with relatively minor offenses such as “incorrigibility,” “truancy,” or “dependency.”
Researchers found records for nearly 100 deaths among boys ages 6 to 18 between 1900 and 1973. Only 44 death certificates were issued, according to the report. At least 45 people were reportedly buried on the school grounds between 1914 and 1952, another 31 bodies were shipped to other locations for burial, and 22 deaths did not include burial locations.
Marianna City Manager James “Jim” Dean said local leaders want to work with the state to close what is a dark chapter in the community’s history.
The site is on the south side of Marianna, just north of Interstate 10. Putnam once described the site as the “gateway to Marianna.”
Elmore Bryant, a former Marianna mayor, asked if the local community could take control of the land.
“We will make you proud of what we do with that land,” Bryant said. “As Martin Luther King said, ‘It’s never too late to make a wrong right.’ I want to do that.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: A trench dug in the search for human remains at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. Pictured inset: The remains of George Owen Smith were positively identified. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Winds Of Change — Much Colder
January 22, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Scott Signs ‘Unique Abilities’, Water Policy Bills
January 22, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a trio of legislative leadership-backed bills that set statewide water policy and offer more educational and job opportunities to people with developmental disabilities.
Scott signed the bills in his office, ignoring calls by a number of environmental groups and former Gov. Bob Graham to veto the water measure.
“This is a great start to session,” Scott said while flanked by lawmakers including House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. “We’ve started with things that are very important to the president, speaker and other members of the House and Senate. Everybody knows my priorities.”
All three bills, which go into effect July 1, were approved by the Legislature last week during the opening days of the 2016 legislative session.
The water policy measure (SB 552), a priority of Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, calls for establishing water-flow levels for springs and setting guidelines in central and south Florida
The measures focused on people with developmental disabilities have been championed by Gardiner, an Orlando Republican whose son has Down syndrome. One bill (HB 7003) is intended to provide job opportunities and financial independence for people with disabilities. The second bill (SB 672) includes programs that provide educational aid and higher-education opportunities to families whose children have developmental disabilities — or, as Gardiner calls them, “unique abilities.”
Pictured: Thursday, Governor Rick Scott was joined by Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, their families, and other members of the Florida legislature to sign HB 7003 (Relating to Individuals with Disabilities), SB 672 (Educational Options) and SB 552 (Environmental Resources). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
the road to the crown: Meet The Girls Part II (With Photos)
January 22, 2016
Today is part two of our annual multi-part series “the road to the crown” as we follow 18 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss NHS 2016″.
Today we introduce you to the second half of the contestants. Their biographies, as submitted by the girls, are below along with their photos. You can click any photo below to enlarge.
Our series “the road to the crown” will continue tomorrow. The pageant is Saturday night at 6:30, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss NHS and all the pageant photos here Sunday morning.
Tickets will be available for $10 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Northview Model United Nations Team and their annual competition in Orlando.
Alyssa Brianna Borelli
Alyssa is the 16-year old daughter of Anthony and Robyn Borelli. At Northview, she has been a member of the Beta Club for two years, a member of the NJROTC for three years, and a member of the math club for one year. While participating with NJROTC, she is the academic team captain, is on the color guard, and is on the drill team. She has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star for two years and last year, was awarded five certificates of excellence in various classes. Alyssa was the 2014 recipient of the Stephen Decatur Award and won the 2015 Daughters of the American Revolution Medal. In her community, she is an active member of Highland Baptist Church.
Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and being with loved ones. Her future plans are to attend college where she will major in math.
After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she wants to pursue a master’s degree in education and eventually become a math teacher.
Brianna Morgan Smith
Brianna is the 18-year old daughter of Juan and Jessica Jalomo. She has been a member of the student government association for three years, an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star for two years, and a member of the Tribal Beat Marching Band for three years, where she currently holds the title of captain for the majorettes and is the featured twirler. She was the 2014 Talent Show winner, selected as Miss Spirit in the 2014 Miss NHS pageant, and was awarded Miss Tribal Beat Band in 2015. Brianna received a superior rating in both the District and State level of MPA’s in 2015. In her community, she is a member of the Greater Pensacola United States Bowling Congress Association where she has been a nine time All-Star. She is also a voting board member of the GPUSBCA and is a youth director with the Greater Pensacola Youth Leaders. Brianna has held the office of vice-president and president with the youth leaders association. She also volunteers her time with the Ronald McDonald House and participates in Bowl for a Cure.
Her hobbies include twirling, bowling, singing, dancing, choreography, and crafts.
Her future plans are to attend Florida State University and try out for the majorette line and the bowling team. She plans to major in elementary education and hopes to one day become a teacher.
Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
Sarah is the 18-year old daughter of Tracy and Dana Dutton. She has been a member of the Tribal Beat Marching Band for three years, where she participates in the color guard and has held the title of captain for the past two years. This year, Sarah received a rating of excellent in the MPA band competition. She has also performed with the NHS Musical Theater productions of Grease, Shrek—The Musical, Hairspray, and this year’s production of Into the Woods. In her community, Sarah attends Bratt First Baptist Church and has a part-time job as an apprentice for a floral designer.
Her hobbies include drawing, painting, and creative writing.
Her future plans are to attend college to become either an EMT or a pediatric nurse.
Catie Mae Clayton
Catie is the 15-year old daughter of Chris and Cathy Favorite. At Northview, she is a member of the varsity volleyball team, the varsity basketball team, and a member of the weightlifting team. Catie is a member of the Model United Nations Team, plays in the Tribal Beat Marching Band, and was awarded a position on the All-State band and the Auburn Honor Band. She fluently plays the clarinet, oboe, and bass clarinet and is working diligently to one day become drum major. Catie has played travel softball, where she received numerous MVP awards for travel team tournaments. In her community, she volunteers her time at Lee’s Veterinary Clinic.
Her hobbies include playing sports, singing, practicing her instruments, and helping with animals.
Her future plans are to attend a major university where she will obtain a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. She also hopes to have a double minor in music and anthropology.
Jessica Kathryn Amerson
Jessica is the 18-year old daughter of Gary and Kayleen Amerson. She has been a member of the Tribal Beat Marching Band for four years where she plays the French horn, mellophone, trumpet, and piano. Jessica has also been section leader for four years, band captain for one year, and was awarded the title of assistant drum major for the current season. She has been a member of the Tribal Spirit Yearbook staff for three years and currently holds the title of co-editor. She has been a member of the Beta Club for three years, a member of the student government association for two years, is one of the founding members of the Model United Nations team, and was a member of the math team, where as a freshman she took 2nd place at competition. Jessica was the founder of the Battle of the Books team and has held the title of captain for three years. The team has won both a first and second place trophy at competition. She was elected historian of the freshman class, has been on the homecoming court for two years, has competed in the Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee for three years, and was first runner up in the 2014 Miss NHS pageant, where she also won the creative costume award and the scholastic award. Jessica has been a counselor at Camp Ondessonk for four years, has been full-time dual enrollment for two years, and directed the NHS Womanless Beauty Pageant, raising over $3000 to benefit a friend’s sick mother. She has also been on the Dean’s List at Pensacola State College for three semesters. Jessica is a National Merit Scholar semi-finalist, won the Ronald Reagan Leadership award, and won the President’s Volunteer Service Award, gold level, young adult.
Her hobbies include reading books of all kinds, but preferably fantasy or sci-fi, horseback riding, where she has taken six years of lessons in both Western and English style, and traveling. Jessica has been to 30 states and 16 countries.
Her future plans are to obtain her master’s degree in five years, with a dual major in civil engineering and material sciences. Jessica hopes to one day work for the National Park Service designing roads and walk ways to natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful.
Hannah Grace McGahan
Hannah is the 14-year old daughter of Greg and Candy McGahan. At Northview, she is a member of the NJROTC program, a member of the cross country team, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In her community, Hannah was selected to participate in the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and also won the youth volunteer award. She has written several original poems and had one published that took 2nd place in the director’s choice category.
Her hobbies include singing, reading, writing poetry and short stories, playing the guitar and violin.
Her future plans are to one day write and publish a book series and record an original song.
Amber Rene Freeman
Amber is the 18-year old daughter of Joe and Darcy Baillie. She has been a member of the Tribal Beat Marching Band for four years, where she plays the flute, a member of the musical theater program for four years, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for one year. Amber had the lead role of Tracy, in last year’s production of Hairspray, has been a member of the Tribal Spirit Yearbook staff for one year, and a member of the glee club for one year. She has received a superior rating on her flute solo, was voted senior class parliamentarian, and has been awarded the Take Stock in Children Scholarship for the past six years. Amber has also been asked to sing the national anthem at football games and the annual Veteran’s Day program. In her community, she is an active member of Atmore Assembly of God, where she participates in the Kingdom Kids program.
Her hobbies include singing, reading, watching movies, especially romantic comedies, and making jewelry.
Her future plans are to attend Pensacola State College and earn her degree in synography. Afterwards, she hopes to become employed with a local hospital.
Madison Paige Weber
Maddi is the 17-year old daughter of Glenn and Darla Weber. At Northview, she has been a member of the Tribal Beat Marching Band for three years, where she was captain for one year, a member of concert band for four years, and a member of the musical theater program for four years. She was selected as the mascot her senior year, has been a member of the Beta Club for two years, where she currently serves as secretary, and a member of the student government association where she currently holds the office of treasurer. Maddi has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years, was voted junior class vice-president, and is the president of the senior class. She was one of the founding members of the Model United Nations Team, has been on the volleyball team for three years, was chosen as most talented in the senior class, and was selected to be part of the NHS Hall of Fame. Maddi received a superior rating in solo and ensemble for the trumpet and has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star for three years. In her community, she is a member of the Grace Fellowship Worship team, works with Grace youth, works at the WeCare Thrift Store, and acts with the GECA community theater. Maddi has been a missionary to Africa, where she spent a month and a half in Tanzania, and also spent a week as a missionary in Nicaragua.
Her hobbies include playing the piano, acting, horseback riding, playing card games with friends, and voice impersonations.
Her future plans are to attend Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, where she will obtain a degree in English and intercultural studies. Maddi plans to move overseas to teach English with a mission’s organization.
Moriah Renee’ McGahan
Moriah is the 18-year old daughter of Greg and Candy McGahan. She has been a member of the weightlifting team for three years, a member of the Beta Club for three years, where she has served as treasurer and vice president, and a member of the NJROTC for four years where she currently holds the title of commanding officer. Moriah is a founding member of the Model United Nations team, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years, and a member of the musical theater program for three years. She has been a member of the track team for three years, a member of the cross country team for four years, where she was the recipient of the Junmi Ross award and holds the title of team captain, and a member of the Future Farmers of America for four years and has been the treasurer for the past two years. Moriah has been in the student government association for three years and has been the treasurer for one year, was selected to be in the NHS Hall of Fame, has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star for three years, and was also selected to receive the Ronald Reagan Student Leader award. In her community, she volunteers her time with Loaves and Fishes, is an active member of Highland Baptist Church, where she participates with the youth band and choir, and is part of the American Sign Language group at Pensacola State College where she is the public affairs officer.
Her hobbies include running half-marathons, baking, practicing sign language, reading, and swing dancing.
Her future plans are to attend Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, to obtain her degree in legal studies and political science, with a minor in Bible studies. Upon graduation, she plans on entering the Marine Corps.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jeep, Gasoline Tanker Collide In Cantonment (Updated Details)
January 21, 2016
[Update 7 pm] A crash between an 18-wheel tanker truck hauling gasoline and a Jeep caused traffic delays in Cantonment Thursday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 35-year old Michael Jason Crabtree of Pensacola was northbound on Highway 29 and lowered his rate of speed and activated his turn signals to turn the tanker truck into a gas station. Troopers said 32-year old William Todd Barlow of Molino was northbound on Highway 29 in 2004 Jeep Wrangler collided with the truck’s trailer about 2:10 p.m.
The Jeep became lodged under the partially loaded tanker trailer. There were no injuries and no leaks. However, there was concern that the accident might have damaged a valve on the tank that would lead to gasoline leak when the vehicles were separated. At about 3:55 p.m., the vehicles were separated with no further fuel leakage.
Barlow was cited with careless driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
ECUA Begins Work On Recycling Facility; Recyclables Currently Being Dumped
January 21, 2016
Recyclables from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are continuing to be dumped in landfills with regular trash, but ECUA officials say they are working feverishly to establish process their own recyclables.
Work is now underway at the Perdido Landfill to construct a recycling plant with the plant expected to be complete by mid 2016, according to ECUA spokesperson Nathalie Bowers, providing a permanent solution to recycling woes. An official groundbreaking ceremony on the new facility is expected to occur in February.
“We are committed to recycling and will have this facility ready to go as soon as possible,” she said. In the meantime, ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are continuing to receive recycling pickups as usual.
“We want customers to remain in the habit of separating their recyclables,” Bowers said.
After the flooding, closure and bankruptcy of West Florida Recycling in Pensacola, ECUA entered into a two year agreement with the Infinitus Energy Park (IREP) in Montgomery. Even with transportation costs, ECUA was making a net profit of a few dollars per ton off the deal.
After the center abruptly closed in October 2015, ECUA began transporting recyclable materials to Tarpon Paper Co. in Loxley, AL.
ECUA stopped transporting recyclables to Tarpon in December when they implemented a $12.50 per-ton tipping fee.
For now, all recyclables collected in Escambia County are being dumped in the Perdido Landfill, and the Santa Rosa County Landfill is receiving materials collected in that county.
“But we will be back soon with our own facility,” Bower said. “We can’t stress that enough as we encourage customers to continue to stay in the habit of separating their recyclables.”
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29, Molino Road Wreck
January 21, 2016
There were no serious injuries reported in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road in Molino. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Tate Names Students Of The Month
January 21, 2016
Tate High School has named Students of the Month for December. They are Brandon Pheabus and Grace Mills, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.