Florida Investigates Sexual Abuse By Priests
October 5, 2018
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a statewide probe into sexual abuse by Catholic priests, following a Pennsylvania grand jury report this summer that found more than 1,000 children were molested over decades by hundreds of priests whose wrongdoing was covered up by church leaders.
Bondi, whose office is investigating all seven Catholic dioceses in Florida, said Thursday she launched a tip site “to allow victims and anyone with information about priest abuse to report what they know.”
“Any priest that would exploit a position of power and trust to abuse a child is a disgrace to the church and a threat to society,” she said during a Tampa press conference.
Victims or people with information about past abuse can contact Bondi’s office through a special hotline or submit information on the internet.
“If you call in, please know, we want to help you. We want to counsel you, and we want to get to the bottom of anything that could have happened in our state,” said Bondi, who has made combating human trafficking and protecting victims among her top priorities during eight years in office. “Please share your story with us. Even if you’ve previously reported it to the church, to anyone, report it to us now.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox with the probe, Bondi told reporters.
Bondi said she ordered the Florida statewide inquiry after the August release of the Pennsylvania grand jury’s chilling report of decades of child sexual abuse by priests whose crimes were protected by church leaders.
“When the case about Pennsylvania aired, I couldn’t sleep that night. The next morning I talked to my statewide prosecutor and said, ‘We have to look into this,’ and he wholeheartedly agreed,” said Bondi, adding that she has five lawyers working on the investigation.
The grand jury report revealed that 300 Catholic priests abused more than 1,000 identified child victims, but thousands more may have been affected. Senior church officials, bishops and monsignors “helped cover up priest abuse,” Bondi said.
“The citizens of Pennsylvania played a major role in reporting this by providing investigators vital stories about past abuse and potential coverups. We have reason to believe there are similar stories in Florida. I know it’s painful for you as a survivor to discuss past abuses. But your story will help bring justice to prevent future abuse,” she said.
Bondi, who is leaving office in January due to term limits, said it is too early to know how many Floridians, former residents or visitors may have been molested.
“As far as how widespread this is, frankly we have no idea right now,” she said. “We love the Catholic religion, the Catholic church. We love youth organizations and we love schools. But abuse is abuse.”
The seven Catholic dioceses in Florida “have been in dialogue with the statewide prosecutor and are cooperating with the investigation,” Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops spokeswoman Michele Taylor said in an email.
Several bishops issued statements expressing support for Bondi’s inquiry.
“This has been a very painful period for all Catholics. I hope the outcome of this investigation and other acts of transparency by the dioceses in Florida will bring about greater trust in the Church. Our goals are similar — to ensure the safety of all children and vulnerable adults and to prevent perpetrators of abuse from serving in active ministry,” Bishop Felipe Estévez, who heads the Diocese of St. Augustine, said.
Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg said he welcomes the investigation “and want to assure the public that the Diocese of St. Petersburg has been and continues to be proactive in its efforts to keep children safe, which should be a priority for everyone.”
“We denounce all forms of sexual abuse by any person or any institution as a reprehensible crime and believe that perpetrators should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Parkes said in a statement.
Bondi said her office is issuing subpoenas and conducting interviews.
“We’re moving very fast, because, again, if this is going on in our state, we want to know and we want to know now,” Bondi said, while assuring victims that information will be kept confidential. “Getting the word out there is what it’s going to take.”
Bondi’s office said tips about past abuse can be reported at MyFloridaLegal.com/StopAbuse.
by Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
Florence Janette Martin Beck
October 5, 2018
Florence Janette Martin Beck, 77, of Atmore, AL, passed away on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Beck was born on December 13, 1940, in Poarch, AL and had resided in McCullough, AL for most of her life. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and attended the Poarch Community Church.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Martin Holland; father, Willis McGhee; son, Randall Martin; grandson, Wayne Murphy Jr.; sisters, Velma Amos and Helen Price; and brothers, Otha Martin and Levan Martin.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Kenneth Beck of McCullough, AL; son, Keith (Rochel) Martin of McCullough, AL; daughter, Anita Martin (Wayne) Murphy of Pensacola, FL; three sisters, Jean Ardis of Lottie, AL, Mary Jane (Eddie) Tullis of Poarch, AL and Nancy (Eddie) Lowrey of Atmore, AL; six brothers, Douglas Martin of Atmore, AL, JT Holland of Poarch, AL, Kent (Tracey) McGhee of Poarch, AL, Terry (Yvonne) McGhee of Poarch, AL, George (Sharon) McGhee of Atmore, AL and Danny McGhee of Poarch, AL; eight grandchildren, Melinda Martin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Samantha (Jonathan) Rolin, Jessica (Cody) Black, Rachel Martin, Scarlet Martin and Dawsen Martin; 13 great grandchildren, Justin Martin, Alexis Monroe, Ella Murphy, Mackenzie Murphy, Colton Murphy, Hadlea Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Jackson Rolin, Lily Rolin, Jacen Rolin, Amelia Kate Black, Manning Black and Brantley Sharpless; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Chris Pruitt and Bro. Joe White officiating.
Burial was at the Judson Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Cody Black, Jonathan Rolin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Justin Martin and Dawsen Martin.
Honorary pallbearers were Gravis Sells, Tony Sells, Kent McGhee, Terry McGhee, Eddie Tullis and Lamar Martin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson
October 5, 2018
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson left this world Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 8:25 p.m. She was born July 14, 1933. She was 85. She began her married life as a military wife, being transferred to various bases; Mr. Alverson was shipped out to Korea, Mrs. Alverson and child returned to Uriah. She then began her career with Vanity Fair. She is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Alverson; parents, A.E. (Jack Qualls) and Stella (Greer) Qualls; and a brother, Juby Qualls.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joyce (Billy) Lambert of Atmore, AL and Charles (Lenny) Alverson of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Dennis (Janet) Jarrell of Atmore, AL, David Jarrell of Atlanta, GA, Sherry (Terry) White of Atmore, AL, Michael Alverson of Uriah, AL, Jamie Alverson of Uriah, AL and Ashley (Bryan) House of Excel, AL; 16 great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews, Cindy (John) Brown of Monroeville, AL, Melissa Ezella of Daphne, AL and Joey Qualls of Mobile, AL; and numerous, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services will be at a later date.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn
October 5, 2018
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn, 74 of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, October 1, 2018, in Mobile, AL. She was a manager for Diamond Oil.
She was born on October 9, 1943, to the late Angus and Emma Presley Lambert.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeff Whisenant; brother, Douglas Lambert; and sisters, Gaynell Vaughn and Helen Burkett.
She is survived by two sons, Brandon Conn of Atmore, AL and Jerame (Lydia) Conn of Poarch, AL; two daughters, Tammy Dotson of Atmore, AL, and Lisa (Carlos) Hernandez of Houston, TX; three brothers, Donald (Judy) Lambert of Flomaton, AL, John Earl Reed and James Reed, both of Texas; two sisters, Lagatha Lilly and Wanda (Carey) Vowels both of Texas and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Matt Salter officiating.
Interment was in Serenity Gardens.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Former Inmate Charged With Stalking Century Prison Employee
October 4, 2018
A former Century Correctional Institution inmate is accused of stalking and damaging an employee’s vehicle in the prison’s staff housing area.
Ronald Wayne Boone, Jr. 41, was charged with stalking and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
Boone is accused of breaking the back glass out of the victim’s vehicle while it was parked in the staff housing area. He then allegedly returned about an hour later, yelling from his vehicle that has soon as the window was fixed, he would break it again.
Boone was previously an inmate at Century CI, but the victim said they had no issues during the incarceration. The victim said he believed the problems were because after he broke up with his girlfriend in March, and she married Boone in April, according to an arrest report.
Boone was released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records, in December 2017 after serving five years on Escambia County charges of escape, grand theft and depositing a check with intent to defraud.
Dry, But Still Warm
October 4, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light east wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Columbus Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
I-10, Highway 29 Interchange Improvements Are Complete
October 4, 2018
Construction is complete on a $8.5 million project to improve the I-10, Highway 29 interchange in Escambia County.
The improvements include removing the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 south (Exit 10B), constructing a new exit ramp (Exit 10), installing a traffic signal on U.S. 29 for I-10 westbound traffic connecting to U.S. 29 southbound, and widening the bridge on I-10 eastbound to eliminate the left-side merge from U.S. 29 southbound.
The speed limit on I-10, near Exit 10 (U.S. 29) will remain 60 mph.
New Climbing Wall Installed At Carver Park In Cantonment
October 4, 2018
A new climbing wall was installed Wednesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The two-acre neighborhood Carver Park features a covered pavilion, playground, volleyball court, basketball courts, security lights, benches and picnic area. The park also has a small community building and some of the most historic oak trees in Escambia County. The park is located at 20 Webb Street.
For reservations and rental information, call (850) 393-9870.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Cantonment, Jay
October 4, 2018
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino, Cantonment and Jay.
Online completion courses will be held as follows:
Classes will also be held
- October 10 (6 to 10 p.m.) & October 27 (7 to 10 a.m. )
- Molino Community Center
- 6450 Highway 95A N. in Molino
- October 16 (6 to 10 p.m.) & October 27 (7 to 10 a.m. )
- Langley Bell 4-H Center
- 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
- October 24 (6 to 10 p.m.) & October 27 (7 to 10 a.m.)
- Jay Community Center
- 5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife hunter safety instructor at (850) 982-8070m or visit MyFWC.com/HunterSafety for more information.
Jim Allen Elementary Hosting Fall Carnival Friday
October 4, 2018
Jim Allen Elementary School will host a Fall Carnival Friday from 3-6 p.m.
There will be games and prizes, special guests Argie and Kazoo and food including hamburgers, hotdogs and pulled pork plates. All proceeds will be used for classroom supplies.