A.J. Mathews
October 21, 2017
Mr. A.J. Mathews, 72, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Mr. Mathews was a native of Delhi, LA, former resident of McMinnville, TN and had resided in Clemmons, NC for the past year. He had 41 years of service in the garment industry where he served as president and vice president.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Mathews; parents, Lonzey and Lula Mathews; four sisters, Juanita Williams, Christine Duckworth, Lonette Guice and Judy Butler; and three brothers, L.C. Mathews, John Macklon Mathews and C.T. Mathews.
He is survived by his two sons, Dana Allen (Tracy) Mathews of Murfreesboro, TN and Scott Clyde (Denise) Mathews of Winston-Salem, NC; one brother, Donnie Joe (Deanna) Mathews of Louisiana; two sisters, Joan (Mitchell) Hale of Louisiana and Sharon (Jim) Fenwick of Ohio; sister-in-law, Francis Mathews of West Virginia; brother-in-law, Malcomb Butler of Louisiana; and two grandchildren, Daniel and Christopher.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Earl Harrison and Rev. Eric Bryan officiating.
Burial will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dana Mathews, Scott Mathews, Donnie Joe Mathews, Mitchell Hale, Malcomb Butler and Mike Duckworth.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
James Monroe Baggett
October 21, 2017
James “Jimmy” Monroe Baggett, 68, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2017, in Atmore, Alabama, where he was a longtime resident. He was born in Ranger, Texas on October 30, 1948, and graduated from Spring Branch High School in Houston. He lived in Pensacola, Florida before moving to Atmore. He was a remarkable storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor who loved fishing, country music, and movies. Jimmy firmly believed that cowboy boots were appropriate for any occasion and that Lonesome Dove could never be watched too many times. He selflessly helped his friends and family in any way he could and will be missed by all who knew him.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Theron Chester Baggett and Mabel Gladys Fendley Baggett.
He is survived by his sisters, Carolyn Gray and Barbara Huggins; brothers, Steve (Brenda) Hines, David (Susan) Baggett, and Dale (Marjorie) Baggett; daughter, Jenni Baggett; best friend, Joe Hubbard; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Angels at Risk.
“Leave all the old tears, the good times and lost years, the guilt and the heartache right where they are.” – Don Williams
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Details Released In Murder Of Private Investigator
October 20, 2017
The remains of a missing private investigator were found on the Cantonment family property of a woman that was former crime scene technician with the Escambia County Sheriffs’ Office. And $34,000 of the victim’s money was allegedly spent before her death.
Ashley McArthur, 40, has been arrested for the death of 33-year old Taylor Wright, a private investigator and former police officer. A body believed to be that of Wright was found off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road. Wright was reported missing to police on September 7.
On September 14, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. They money has since been spent.
McArthur’s phone records never showed her in the area of the family property in East Milton, instead her phone showed her in the area of Beulah on September 8 from 11:52 a.m. until 1:44 p.m. and again from 2:40 p.m. until 3:33 p.m. Police discovered that McArthur’s family has property at 2201 Britt Road, in the same area as her phone indicated.
A search warrant was executed at 2201 Britt Road on October 19. Human remains were found in a clandestine grave covered in concrete, just to the west of the McArthur family property. A specific necklace belonging to Wright was found with the human remains.
During the execution of the search warrant on Britt Road, contact was made with McArthur’s cousin. The cousin stated under oath that McArthur contacted him on September 8 to see if the was going to be home on that day. The cousin said her told her that he would be gone to a funeral and was not on the property.
The investigation by the Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing.
Pictured top and bottom: Taylor Wright. Pictured mugshot, inset: Ashley McArthur.
Wood said he could not confirm how the two women may have known each other.
Sheriff David Morgan Files Budget Appeal With Gov. Rick Scott
October 20, 2017
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has followed through on his promise to file an appeal of his budget with Gov. Rick Scott.
Escambia County commissioners were notified of the appeal by Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers Thursday night.
All county employees received a pay raise under a budget approved in late September bythe Escambia County Commission — including Sheriff’s deputies — but Sheriff David Morgan said then that he still planned appeal his budget to Scott. The budget included $3.7 million to provide a 3 percent across the board raise for all permanent employees of the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, the Supervisor of Elections and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, including those employees capped at the top of their pay ranges.
The budget approval cane at the end of a long summer in which Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan fought for pay raises and changes in the pay structure in his department in order to retain deputies.
“We’re going to Tallahassee,” Morgan said after the budget approval. “We knew that we would have to go. We’ve been at an impasse for a very, very long time so we look forward to putting this before those who think more rationally and I think we’ll prevail in Tallahassee.”
“Thank you for the pay raise. That doesn’t fix the problem. It only worsens the problem and now to get the compression fixed it’s going to cost more. Every year you kick this can down the road the worse it gets,” Morgan said.
Commissioners Doug Underhill and Grover Robinson voted against the budget, presenting their own options that failed to move forward.
Underhill had proposed to fully fund the Sheriff’s request plus user funds from the commissioners’ discretionary budget and about $400,000 from the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission. Robinson proposed a middle of the road solution with a 2 percent across the board pay raise plus another $1.25 million for the Sheriff to use as desired for pay raises.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott and Escambia County David Morgan during a meeting October 5 at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center concerning then Tropical Storm Nate. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny Saturday, Rain By Sunday
October 20, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. High near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 43.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
International Paper In Cantonment Names New Mill Manager
October 20, 2017
International Paper announced Scott Taylor has been named mill manager of International Paper’s Pensacola Containerboard and Pulp Mill in Cantonment.
In his new position, Taylor will have overall leadership responsibility for the mill’s safety and environmental performance, people engagement, sustainable operations and community stewardship.
Most recently, Taylor was International Paper’s manager of Technical Services for its Containerboard business located at the company’s global headquarters in Memphis. Taylor joined IP in 2002 at the company’s Franklin, VA, Mill. He has worked in several manufacturing and technical leadership roles of increasing in responsibility throughout his career with the company.
“My family and I are looking forward to relocating to Northwest Florida,” said Taylor. “I’m excited to join such an outstanding Pensacola team and become part of a great community.”
In a related move, former Pensacola Mill Manager Brett De Jong has been promoted to International Paper’s manager of Investments for its Containerboard business. In his new position, De Jong will be responsible for leading the implementation of the strategic capital investments for IP’s Riverdale Mill Containerboard Machine conversion in Selma, AL. He and his family will continue to reside in the Pensacola area.
De Jong joined International Paper in 1997 with International Paper’s Global Technology group in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his years with IP, he has held various roles with increasing leadership responsibility in technology and at IP Mills in the U.S. Since 2012, De Jong had been the mill manager in Cantonment.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Pensacola team, as well as being part of an exceptional community,” said De Jong. “I am leaving a talented team in great hands with Scott. I look forward to hearing about the mill’s many accomplishments in the future.”
“Brett has done excellent work leading the Pensacola team and positioning the mill for ongoing success,” said Roman Gallo, IP’s vice president, Manufacturing, Containerboard. “Scott’s manufacturing and technical experience will be an asset to the mill. I am confident he will provide the leadership needed to help the Pensacola team to remain a safe operation and reach another level of sustainable performance.”
Photos: A Beautiful Early Morning At Lake Stone
October 20, 2017
Pictured is early Thursday morning at Lake Stone on West Highway 4, just outside Century.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility . The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Recently updated to accommodate the more modern and much larger RV’s, Lake Stone is the county’s only facility located on a fresh water lake.
Lake Stone facilities include a boat ramp (gasoline engines are not allowedon Lake Stone), indoor public use building, a playground, showers, restrooms, fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the beautiful lake.
Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWS: Expect Warmer, Drier Winter Months
October 20, 2017
North Escambia residents can expect a warmer, drier than normal winter, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service has issued their Winter Weather Outlook for December, January and February. It indicates a 55 to 65 percebt probability of La Niña conditions over the continental United States. That normally includes a more northward aligned polar jet over the central United States and a warmer and drier winter over the southerns states, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.
Here are the normal average monthly highs, lows and precipitation at Pensacola for the winter months:
Pensacola -
Dec: 62.6/44.4 and 4.55″
Jan: 60.5/42.2 and 4.63″
Feb: 63.8/45.5 and 5.06″
Warrant Signed In Atmore Against Steve Nodine, Former Mobile Commissioner
October 20, 2017
An arrest warrant has been issued in Atmore for former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine after he allegedly contacted a woman there in a harassing manner.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Nodine allegedly sent several text messages on Wednesday to an Atmore woman and she filed a criminal complaint against him Thursday morning. Brooks said the third degree domestic harassment warrant is a misdemeanor charge that would be heard in Atmore Municipal Court, if Nodine is arrested.
“We will try to get him to come in,” Brooks said, adding that police believe he is currently in Florida or Louisiana.
A “petition for protection from abuse”, was filed in Escambia County (AL) Circuit Court on Thursday by a woman who claimed she had been in a date relationship with Nodine and she was now fearful that she would become the victim of abuse.
“Defendant texted me on several different occasions to let me know ‘I’m in Atmore’ after contacting several of my friends disparaging me. He has in the past been accused of murder of his ex-girlfriend Angel Downs. I am fearful of what he can do,” she wrote on the petition. She listed Nodine’s address as being in Jupiter, FL, on the paperwork.
In May 2010, Nodine resigned his post as a Mobile county commissioner after the shooting death of his girlfriend, Angel Downs. He was arrested for her murder, but his trial ended with hung jury. Nodine did serve about three years total in prison after pleading no contact to perjury and gun charges.
Florida Workers’ Compensation Rate Cut Eyed
October 20, 2017
Fewer workers are filing workers’ compensation claims, helping lower the costs Florida employers will pay for insurance next year.
How big of a reduction in rates will be decided by Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier, who held a rate hearing Wednesday in Tallahassee.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance, which proposes rates on behalf of all workers’ compensation carriers, has proposed an overall average 9.6 percent reduction in premiums for 2018.
“It’s one of the largest decreases in the last 10 years,” Jeff Eddinger, a senior division executive for NCCI, told Altmaier and five high-ranking staff members from the Office of Insurance Regulation. State Insurance Consumer Advocate Sha’Ron James also attended the meeting.
He said if the proposed filing is approved, workers’ compensation rates will have decreased by 60 percent in Florida since 2003, when the state passed a sweeping workers’ compensation law.
But Stephen Alexander, an actuary with the advocacy group Florida Workers’ Advocates, testified that the rates should be reduced by 15.4 percent instead.
Altmaier is charged with reviewing the filing to ensure the proposed changes are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.
Altmaier will make the final decision but told reporters after the hearing he did not know when he would act on the rate filing.
“I want to make sure we are deliberate in our process,” Altmaier said. “I don’t want to put a timeframe on it. I just want to make sure we do a diligent job and come to the right decision.”
Alexander, formerly an actuary with the state’s insurance consumer advocate, focused, in part, on underwriting in his proposal calling for deeper cuts.
NCCI has proposed a 2 percent underwriting profit in its rates for 2018, while Alexander is proposing a 4 percent underwriting loss. He said the 4 percent figure is consistent with carriers’ experiences in other states where NCCI recommends workers’ comp rates.
Alexander also told Altmaier, for example, the state should scrap a rule that discourages rate deviation in the workers’ compensation market. Just three out of 242 carriers deviate from NCCI rates today, he said.
Altmaier said after the meeting he would review the recommendations.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system meant to protect workers and employers. It is supposed to provide workers who are injured on the job access to medical benefits they need to be made whole. Those who are injured for at least eight days also are entitled to indemnity benefits, or lost wages. In exchange for providing those benefits, employers generally cannot be sued in court for causing injuries.
Florida businesses paid nearly $3.8 billion in workers’ compensation premiums in 2016, up from about $2.8 billion in 2012. The costs for the mandatory coverage are the 33rd highest in the nation, according to NCCI.
While the system is supposed to be self-executing, injured workers hire attorneys when there are disputes over the amounts of benefits they should receive.
The proposed reduction in rates is in stark contrast to last year when NCCI requested a 19.6 percent increase in rates, the majority of which was attributable to a Florida Supreme Court ruling in a case where justices ruled that caps on attorneys’ fees were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, in a separate decision, also tossed out a restriction on benefits in the case of a St. Petersburg firefighter injured on the job.
Ultimately, the state approved a 14.5 percent increase last year.
NCCI’s Eddinger said the 2018 rate filing was based on the two most recent years of data, 2014 and 2015, and, therefore doesn’t contain much data from after the 2016 Supreme Court decisions.
“We won’t really see post-data come in until next year or the year after that,” he said adding that about 5 percent of the claims data in the rate is impacted by the court decisions.
NCCI actuary Jay Rosen concurred.
Rosen told the panel that not much of the “data that has been impacted by these court decisions has been reported to NCCI, and therefore it is not reflected in this particular rate filing.”
Florida Workers’ Advocates has pushed for changes to how workers’ compensation rates are set and said Wednesday’s testimony underscores why it’s necessary.
While the majority of the hearing focused on the workers’ compensation rates, Pensacola roofer Adam Purdy asked that Altmaier crack down on professional employer organizations, or PEOs, that deny workers’ compensation coverage to undocumented workers.
It’s a crime in Florida to file workers’ comp claims using false identification. ProPublica/NPR reported this summer about Florida PEOS who report employees who file workers’ compensation claims to the state and don’t pay the benefits.
Altmaier said he would consider the PEO testimony.
“All the comments that were made today, we’ll take under consideration including that one,” he said.
by The News Service of Florida