FCA Spirit Of Champions Awards Presented For Cheerleading, Dance
March 14, 2018
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Spirit of Champions” awards for cheerleading and dance were presented this week.
Winners were:
Kendall McLeod-Central High (Cheerleading)
Lauren Bonderant-East Hill Christian (Cheerleading)
Kaia Richmond-Gulf Breeze High (Cheerleading)
Jaeci Cooley-Jay High (Cheerleading)
Brittany Kalfus-Milton High (Cheerleading)
Cloe Smith-Northview High (Cheerleading)
Kassidi Covan-Pensacola Catholic High (Cheerleading)
Myra LeMay-West Florida Tech High (Cheerleading)
Jillian Kurtts-Pensacola Catholic High (Dance)
Courtesy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ten Big Issues In The 2018 Florida Legislative Session
March 14, 2018
The Florida House and Senate ended the 2018 legislative session Sunday by passing a budget and a tax-cut package for the upcoming year. The session became dominated in February by the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County. That led to a massive debate about how to improve school safety and whether to revamp the state’s gun laws.
Here is a recap of 10 big issues from the 2018 session:
BUDGET: Lawmakers passed an $88.7 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, though they were forced to extend the session by two days to finish the spending plan. The budget includes increased funding for education, with per-student spending in the kindergarten through 12th-grade system going up $101.50. The Senate also pushed through increased funding for nursing homes, while the House blocked a Senate attempt to change the way some Medicaid money is distributed to hospitals.
HEALTH CARE: After years of legal battles in the hospital industry, lawmakers approved a plan to revamp the approval of new trauma centers. They also approved a long-discussed proposal that could lead to the use of “direct primary care” agreements, which involve patients and doctors contracting directly for primary care, reducing the role of insurers. The House, however, was unable to convince the Senate to go along with eliminating the controversial “certificate of need” regulatory process for hospitals.
HIGHER EDUCATION: Throughout his term as Senate president, Stuart Republican Joe Negron has made a top priority of revamping the higher-education system. Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday signed a wide-ranging bill that includes permanently expanding Bright Future scholarships. The bill also calls for expanding some need-based aid programs and would require the state university system to use a four-year graduation rate as part of its performance-funding formula, instead of the current six-year measure.
HURRICANE IRMA: Lawmakers came into the session still grappling with the effects of Hurricane Irma, which slammed into the state in September and caused billions of dollars in damage. The House and Senate took steps such as ratifying rules for nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have backup generators and fuel supplies to help keep the facilities cool. Scott’s administration issued the rules after residents of a sweltering Broward County nursing home died after Irma knocked out the building’s air-conditioning system.
INSURANCE: The two highest-profile insurance issues of the session involved proposals to eliminate the no-fault auto insurance system and revamp a controversial practice known as “assignment of benefits.” In the end, however, both issues died. The House approved repealing no-fault, which includes a requirement that motorists carry personal-injury protection, or PIP, coverage. But the proposal couldn’t get through Senate committees. Similarly, the Senate did not approve changes sought by insurers in assignment of benefits.
K-12 EDUCATION: House Speaker Richard Corcoran and other school-choice supporters got a victory Sunday when Scott signed a controversial bill that will expand voucher-like scholarship programs. The bill includes creating the “hope scholarships” program, which will help pay for children who have been bullied in public schools to transfer to private schools. The bill also includes a heavily debated change that targets teachers’ unions whose membership falls below 50 percent of the employees they represent.
OPIOID EPIDEMIC: In one of the final issues decided during the session, lawmakers late Friday approved a bill to stem the opioid epidemic that has caused a surge in overdoses across the state. A key part of the bill calls for placing limits on prescriptions for opioids. In most cases, the bill would place three- or seven-day limits on prescriptions, though it includes exemptions for people who are terminally ill, need palliative care or suffer from major trauma. The idea behind the limits is to prevent patients from getting addicted to painkillers.
PARKLAND AFTERMATH: The Feb. 14 shooting deaths of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland forced lawmakers to quickly deal with school-safety issues and spurred a contentious debate about gun laws. Scott on Friday signed a $400 million package that includes improving mental-health services and allowing trained employees to bring guns to schools. The package also raises the minimum age to 21 and imposes a three-day waiting period for people buying rifles and other long guns. The National Rifle Association quickly filed a federal lawsuit challenging the age restriction.
TAX CUTS: Getting ready to hit the campaign trail, lawmakers Sunday approved a bill that includes about $170 million in tax breaks. The measure includes holding a three-day tax “holiday” in early August to allow back-to-school shoppers to buy clothes and school supplies without paying sales taxes. A similar seven-day “holiday” will be held in early June for residents to buy hurricane supplies. The bill also includes tax breaks for farmers and ranchers who suffered damage in Hurricane Irma and would trim a lease tax paid by many businesses.
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING: With support from Corcoran, it appeared lawmakers this year could approve a long-discussed idea to toughen Florida’s ban on texting while driving. But the proposal did not make it through the Senate, at least in part because of concerns about racial profiling of minority drivers. Currently, texting while driving is a “secondary” offense, meaning motorists can only be cited if they are pulled over for other reasons. The proposal would have made it a primary offense, with police able to pull over motorists for texting behind the wheel.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
John Alwin Vanlandingham
March 14, 2018
Dr. John Alwin Vanlandingham, age 79, of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, AL.
Dr. Vanlandingham was a native of Marianna, FL, and had been a member of the Flomaton community since 1974 coming from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was a graduate of the 1956 Class of Milton High School, a 1960 graduate of Asbury College, and a 1970 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Dr. Vanlandingham was a physician for 46 years. In his search for “eternal studies” he enjoyed reading books on theoretical physics and mathematics, playing the piano, mechanics, photographing wildflowers in their natural environment. Dr. Vanlandingham enjoyed traveling on the many motorcycles that he owned. He was of the Methodist and Baptist faiths and was a member of First Baptist Church of Flomaton. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. A.H. and Ernestine Chapman Vanlandingham.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Wanda Hart Vanlandingham of Flomaton, AL; sons, Joshua (Ivy) Vanlandingham of Molino, FL and Jared (Partner, Andres) Vanlandingham of Brooklyn, NY; brothers, Charles (Marcheta) Vanlandingham of Milton, FL and Frank (Genia) Vanlandingham of Geneva, AL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Flomaton from 12:30 P.M. until a 3 P.M. service with Dr. Tim Tew officiating.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Vanlandingham, Jared Vanlandingham, Damon Vanlandingham, Grant Vanlandingham, Terry Stanford, Wayne Washburn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abernathy Park Fund P.O. Box 632 Flomaton, AL 36441.
FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report: Baiting Deer, Shooting A Gray Fox
March 14, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity during the period ending March 1 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report was submitted for Escambia County.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Jones issued a citation to a subject for the charges of entering a closed area and attempting to take deer over bait on a management area on the Eglin Wildlife Management Area. Lieutenant Berryman and Officer Mullins assisted Officer Jones in the investigation which led to the charges.
FWC Dispatch received multiple complaints regarding a subject who shot a gray fox. Several officers began working the case and gathering information including Officers Mullins, Hoomes, Roberson and Jones. Officer Mullins contacted the subject and met with him about the fox. The subject admitted to Officers Mullins and Jones that he shot the fox. The officers went back with the subject to where the carcass had been discarded and located the fox, as well as the spent buckshot casing. After reviewing the evidence, charges were filed on the subject by Officer Mullins for killing a gray fox.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
ECSO: Man Shot In Cantonment During Drug Deal Gone Bad
March 13, 2018
One person was shot in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon during what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said was a drug deal gone bad.
An adult male was shot about 3:45 p.m. at a home in the 400 block of Well Line Road, near Lakeview Avenue.
“It appears he was involved is some type of drug transaction,” Major Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said shortly after the shooting. “Deputies on scene were working to determine a possible suspect.”
The victim was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
Pictured above: One man was shot at a home on Well Line Road in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon. Pictured below: Deputies and K-9 search for a suspected near the Harvester Home Park, located just behind the shooting location. There were no apparent arrests at this location. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries As Fire Destroys Atmore Home
March 13, 2018
A Tuesday morning fire destroyed a home in Atmore.
Working smoke detectors are being credited for allowing the homeowner to escape the home on 12th Avenue without injuries. The exact cause of the 7:15 a.m. fire has not been released
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Dead, Multiple Injuries When Charter Bus Crashes Into I-10 Ravine
March 13, 2018
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
A bus driver was killed early Tuesday morning when a charter bus loaded with high school students from Texas plunged about 60-feet into an Alabama ravine on I-10 between Wilcox Road and the Florida state line.
About 45 band members and adults from the Channelview High School Falcon Band from northeast Houston were on the bus, returning from a trip to Disney World in Orlando. A second bus with band students was not involved.
It’s not yet known whey the bus traveled into the median and crashed into the ravine near a creek about 5:30 a.m.. Rescue efforts were completed about three hours later. Multiple people were transported by ambulances and helicopters to about 10 hospitals from Pensacola to Mobile. Multiple people were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The last victim airlifted to the hospital just before 9 a.m.
Bus driver Harry Caligone was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was a longtime employee of First Class Tours.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The scene of an early morning bus wreck on I-10 early Tuesday morning. Pictured bottom: The Channelview High School Falcon Band at Disney on Monday. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos by Kristi Barbour, and photos by Jesus Tejeda and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
Fire Destroys Beulah Home
March 13, 2018
A Tuesday morning fire destroyed a home in Beulah.
The fire in the 9000 block of Windy Hill Drive off Frank Reeder Road was reported just before 8:30 a.m. The home was fully involved in flames as firefighters arrived just minutes later.
There was no immediate report of any injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Beulah, Bellview, Ensley, Cantonment and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Navy Fire and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cold Nights Continue
March 13, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy frost after 3am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Century Man Convicted Of Burglary Of An Occupied Home
March 13, 2018
A Century man is facing up to 30 years in prison after being convicted in connection with a burglary in the Wawbeek community.
Curtis Matthew Capers was found guilty of burglary of an occupied dwelling. He will be sentenced in early April by Judge Gary Bergosh.
Capers was the alleged getaway driver for Vernon Lambeth of Century in the burglary of a home on Highway 168. Lambeth was previously sentenced to 17 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
In October 2016, a woman returned to her home on Highway 168 near Wawbeek Road in the Wawbeek community west of Century and found Lambeth inside.
“I noticed some things were out of place, and then there he (Lambeth) was, standing in the hallway looking at me,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com on the day of the incident. She said she returned quickly to her 21-month old child, who was outside in a vehicle. Lambeth ran outside with the woman giving chase in her vehicle until he entered a nearby wooded area.
A K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution was able to track the Lambeth down and take him into custody near Wawbeek Road
Capers was seen leaving in the area in an older model green SUV with bullet holes. The vehicle was located in Alabama just north of the state line on Sam Jones Road, about two miles from the burglary. A K-9 was able to track Lambeth down; he had attempted to conceal himself with roofing tiles in an abandoned barn. A pillowcase that contained stolen items from the home on Highway 168 was also located. And Capers was positively identified by the burglary victim.
Capers was taken into custody in Alabama and later extradited back to Florida.
Lambeth was also convicted of charges related to burglaries on Rockaway Creek Road in Escambia County, FL, and a home on North Pineville Road.
Pictured above and below: The manhunt following burglary on Highway 168 in October 2016. Pictured immediately below: Vernon Lambeth is taken into custody. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
