Worker’s Comp Rates To Increase 14.5 Percent
October 5, 2016
Workers’ compensation insurance rates will jump 14.5 percent starting December 1, after a filing Tuesday that carried out a decision by state regulators.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance, which submits rate requests for workers’ compensation insurers, made the filing. The organization, commonly known as NCCI, initially requested a 19.6 rate hike, but the state Office of Insurance Regulation last week trimmed the increase to 14.5 percent.
NCCI was required to filed revised numbers that matched the regulators’ decision.
The rates are going up largely because of a Florida Supreme Court ruling in April that said the state’s strict limits on attorneys’ fees in workers’ compensation cases were unconstitutional. The increase is expected to prompt a debate during the 2017 legislative session about changes in the workers’ compensation system, with business groups arguing that higher rates will hurt employers.
by The News Service of Florida
General Election Ballots Headed To Local Mailboxes
October 5, 2016
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office delivered more than 30,000 vote-by-mail ballots to the post office on Tuesday for the general election. Voters could receive their green or ivory colored vote-by-mail packages as early as today.
Voted ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 8. Ballots require a first-class postage stamp ($.47 postage) if returned by mail. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the general election is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2. To request or track your vote-by-mail ballot for the General election, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Vote by Mail”, or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900.
Pictured top: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford with ballots headed to the post office on Tuesday. Pictured below: More ballots. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Arrested On Multiple Child Porn Charges
October 5, 2016
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the assistance of the Pensacola Police Department, Tuesday arrested Lawrence Melvin Lacoste, Jr. 60, on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of transmission of child pornography.
The investigation began after numerous images and videos of child pornography were discovered coming from Lacoste’s computer. The images depicted the sexual abuse of female children, ranging in ages from 10-14 years old.
According to an arrest report, several computers and cell phones were seized from Lacoste’s address at 10416 Tam O Shanter Road, just off Greenbriar Boulevard north of the Scenic Hills Country Club.
Items seized included a laptop computer than contained over 30,000 images or movies that appeared to be child pornography or erotica. Over 6,000 of these images or videos depicted children who appeared to be as young as six but not older than 13 years old engaged in lewd and lascivious poses.
Lacoste was booked into the Escambia County Jail. The State Attorney’s Office, 1st Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.
Clifton Hughey Breeland
October 5, 2016
Clifton “Clif” Hughey Breeland, 76, of Pensacola, died Sunday, October 2, 2016. Clif was born in Tylertown, Mississippi to Hughey Breeland and Ethel Stewart Breeland. He served in the U. S. Air Force from 1958 until 1964, receiving the Good Conduct Medal in 1961. In 1969, Clif graduated from Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor’s in Animal Science. He moved to Pensacola in 1969 and accepted a position with Escambia County. From 1969 through 1999, Clif held many positions in Escambia County; 4 H Agent, Director of Parks and Recreation, Budget Analyst and various other assignments. In 2000, Clif moved Santa Rosa County as the Director of Parks and Recreation from which he retired in 2003. Clif enjoyed raising and riding horses, his dogs, hunting, horse shows and rodeos. He was one of the founders of the B Bar K Riding Club in Pensacola.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hughey and Ethel Stewart Breeland; sister, Patsy B. Bearden; brother-in-law, Hugh Bearden; in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Turner, Sr.; sisters-in- law, Bobbie Jo Turner Conroy and Lula Ann Turner Chambliss; and brother-in- law, James M. Chambliss.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Turner Breeland; daughter, Vicki Breeland Campbell and husband Chris; granddaughter, Amanda DeAunne Grant and her father, Steve Grant; brothers-in- law, Troy L. Turner (Cathy), Stafford L. Turner (Tina) and John Turner, Jr. (Vanita); sisters-in- law, Vera Mae Turner Walsingham and Sarah Frances Turner Chambliss; and his companion Rascal.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.
Entombment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 06, 2016, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or Texas A&M – The Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840.
Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Margie Simpson Maness
October 5, 2016
Mrs. Margie Simpson Maness, age 90 of Flomaton, AL, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at her home. Margie was born on May 7, 1926, to the late Henry F. Simpson and Myrtle White Simpson. She was a native of Flomaton. After graduating from Century High School, she began working for Bell Telephone Company. She also worked in the office of Alger Sullivan where she met Gene Maness, Jr. They were married on September 3,1948. They were both members of the Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church, where they were faithful to the church. Many times she would host visiting missionaries and evangelists in her home. She was an exceptional cook and enjoyed getting together with family and friends in her home.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years, Eugene Maness, Jr.; two sisters, Jackie Aydelott of Flomaton, and Betty F. Miller of Mobile.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Maness (Charles J.) Strait of Flomaton; three special nieces, Vicki White, Sharon Miller and Dana Aydelott; two special nephews, Steve Aydelott and Randy Aydelott.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Leon Stewart and Rev. Al Bethea officiating.
Interment was in Rock Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers were John Sansom, Robert Holt, Mitch White, Bobby Simpson, Rabon Knowles, Paul Knowles.
Honorary pallbearers were Sammy White and Gerry Thompson.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
Volleyball: Baker Tops Northview
October 5, 2016
The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in high school volleyball action Tuesday afternoon in Baker.
JV 14-25, 7-25 Baker wins
Varsity 13-25, 8-25, 18-25 Baker wins
Thursday is senior night for the Chiefs as they host Escambia High School. The JV plays at 4:30 followed the varsity at 5:30.
Photos by Gary Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Faye Gahlenbeck Agee
October 5, 2016
It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Faye Gahlenbeck Agee, 87, of Molino, FL, who went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 3, 2016. She was a devoted wife, beloved mother, a dearly loved grandmother and great-grandmother. She was born to the late William Alfred and Grace Hall Gahlenbeck of Pensacola, FL.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Victor C. Agee of El Dorado, AK.
Faye was a native Pensacolian who dearly loved God, her family, playing golf, bowling and crabbing on the beach. She was known for her beautiful ability to whistle her favorite tunes wherever she went and had many people comment on how beautiful the songs sounded. In fact, that was the only way her children and grandchildren could locate her wherever she was.
Faye is survived by her daughters, Michelle McKee, and Vickie (Matt, Sr.) Bell; grandchildren, Dana Chilcutt (Kayla, Trenton and Hunter Bedell) and Tricia McKee (Maddie and Macie).
A special thank you to Covenant Hospice in Pensacola for their loving care and support.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., with memorial service following at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment on Friday, October 7, 2016.
Graveside services will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Pensacola, FL where she will be laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Charles Thomas
October 5, 2016
Mr. Charles “Bo/High Pockets” Thomas, 51, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Mr. Thomas was a native of Atmore, AL and a resident of Perdido, AL for most of his life. He was of the Baptist faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Thomas, Jr. and Mary Helen Thomas; and a sister, Paula Suzanne Douglas.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Thomas of Perdido, AL; two sons, Gary Dewayne Thomas and Kyle Austin Thomas, both of Perdido, AL; one daughter, Kayla Marie Thomas of Bay Minette, AL; one brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Nellie Thomas of Foley, AL; two sisters, Betty Jane Thomas of Huxford, AL and Teresa (aka, Pettie) and Scott Sutherland of Rabun, AL; and one grandson, Gabriel Richerson.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Isaac Tolbert Cassidy officiating.
Pallbearers will be Roger Hadley, Ronnie Hadley, Chris Travis, Garren Martin, Ethan Long and Scott Sutherland.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Genevieve Barlow Bell
October 5, 2016
Genevieve Barlow Bell 89, of Century, passed away Monday, September 26, 2016, at her residence. She was born April 19, 1927, in Escambia County, FL to the late Walter and Annie Pace Barlow. She attended Fretwell Tabernacle Church. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clinton G. Bell; son, Philip Michael Bell, Sr.; brothers, Pee Joe Barlow, Floyd Barlow; and one sister, Edith Ortego. She had worked at Vanity Fair in Atmore and the bag plant in Cantonment, FL.
She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Bell of Flomaton; five sisters, Margaret (Larson) Bryars of Perdidio, AL, Judy Rathsack of Atmore, Diane (Terry) Elkins of Atmore, Debbie Barlow of Walnut Hill, and Theresa Barlow of Flomaton, and sister-in-law, Jackie Barlow; four brothers, Walter “Tobe” (Bobbie) Barlow of Texas, James Barlow of Louisiana, Donald Barlow of Walnut Hill and Frank Barlow of Nokomis; grandchildren, Anna (Ed Henderson) Bell and Philip Michael (Heather) Bell, Jr; great-grandchildren, Devin (Allyson), Brendan, Trey, Madicyn and C.J.; and great-great-grandchildren, Waylon and Summer.
Funeral services were held Thursday, September 29, 2016, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brain Calhoun and Bro. Wilbur “Gam” Graves officating.
Burial was in Hollywood Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Philip Bell, Devin Bell, Waylon Bell, Trey Bell, Brendan Bell, C.J. Bell, Madicyn Bell and River Calloway.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donnie Cephus Johnson, Sr.
October 5, 2016
Mr. Donnie Cephus Johnson, Sr., 68, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2016, in Century, FL.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Evergreen, AL and a resident of Century for most of his life. He was a member of the Faith Bible Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Percy Wilson Johnson and Evelyn Tolin Johnson.
He is survived by two sons, Donnie Cephas Johnson, Jr. of Century and Billy Jack “BJ” Johnson of Bluff Springs, FL; two daughters, Tammie Johnson (Kevin) Andrews of Perdido, AL and Tracy Vitale (Tony) Rigby of Molino, FL; two brothers, Willie “Buddy” (Mary Ann) Blackwell of McDavid, FL and John Thomas “JT” (Kay) Johnson of Bluff Springs; two sisters, Doris Adams of McDavid, FL and Linda Faye (Jack) Merchant of Bluff Springs; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, October 2, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Stokes officiating.
Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery in Repton, AL.
Pallbearers will be Billy Merchant, Richard Merchant, Darrin Merchant, Kevin Merchant, Timothy Adams and Willie Johnson.
Honorary pallbearer will be James Johnson, Jr. and Tyler Merchant.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.