Escambia Attorney And Accountant Face Prison For Federal Tax Crimes
January 21, 2017
An Escambia County accountant and attorney is facing up to five year in prison for federal tax crimes.
James R.J. Scheltema, 56, of Pensacola, has pled guilty to filing false tax returns and tax evasion.
Between 2010 and 2013, Scheltema, a certified public accountant and attorney, received restricted stock as compensation for his legal and accounting services. He initially reported no compensation on his 2011 and 2012 individual income tax returns, despite receiving substantial compensation from stock issuance and the sale of stock. Scheltema also failed to file timely 2013 individual and corporate income tax returns for two companies he owned and operated.
Scheltema tried to evade notice of stock sales by instructing checks be made payable to his wife and to one of the companies he owned, rather than to himself. After being notified of the IRS investigation, Scheltema filed amended 2011 and 2012 returns and a delinquent 2013 return, which were still false.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 10 at 3 p.m. For each charge of filing false tax returns, Scheltema faces a maximum of three years in prison. For the tax evasion charge, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation.
Weekend Gardening: Tips for January
January 21, 2017
Here are gardening tips for the month of January from the IFAS Extension Service:
Flowers
- Refrigerated bulbs such as tulip, daffodil and hyacinth should be planted in prepared beds.
- Start seeds of warm season flowers late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- There’s still time to transplant some cool season annuals such as carnations, foxglove, pansies, petunias and snapdragons.
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or dry form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Finish dividing crowded perennials. Don’t wait until spring for this job.
- Plant bare root roses immediately after they are purchased.
Trees and Shrubs
- Plant trees and shrubs. This is an ideal time of year for transplanting larger specimens.
- Plant bare root plants such as deciduous ornamental shrubs and trees.
- Prune dormant shade trees, if needed.
- Stick hardwood cuttings of fig, grape, honeysuckle, Althea, Catalpa, Forsythia and Wisteria.
Fruits and Nuts
- Apply dormant oil spray to peach, plum, nectarine and other deciduous fruit trees. This practice is necessary when growing the stone fruits in locations along the Gulf Coast. Note: This applies to the flowering peaches and cherries since they are susceptible to the same pests as their fruiting cousins.
- Plant bare root deciduous fruit trees
- Prune dormant fruit trees if needed
Vegetable Garden
- Start seeds of warm season vegetables late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- Lime (if needed), and begin preparing vegetable gardens for the spring planting.
- Cool season vegetables that can still be planted in the garden are: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, English peas, Irish potatoes, radishes and turnips.
- Irish potatoes can be started from January through March by planting seed pieces 3 to 4 inches deep in rows. Always purchase certified seed potatoes.
Lawns
- Check soil moisture during winter and water as needed.
Three Tate Aggies Named To Florida All-State Class 6A Football Team
January 21, 2017
Three Tate High School Aggies made the Florida All-State Class 6A football team.
First Team Offense - P – Evan Legassey 6-3 190 Sr.
Second Team Offense – UT – Jake Henry 5-11 180 Sr.
Honorable Mention - DB – Patrick Palmer 5-11 175 So.
Molino Toddler Airlifted After Attack By Two Dogs
January 20, 2017
A Molino toddler was injured when attacked by two dogs Thursday.
The child reportedly entered an open gate into a neighbor’s property on Rumford Road and was attacked by two English bulldogs, according to Joy Tsubooka, Escambia County spokesperson. It was not immediately clear, she said, if the child opened the gate or it had been left open by someone else.
The toddler was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital as a trauma alert.
The two dogs were surrendered by the owner and are now in the custody of Escambia County Animal Control. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Further details haven’t been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Family Celebrates Three Generations Of Birthdays
January 20, 2017
Against tremendous odds, a local family had three members celebrating a birthday on Friday
Janis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1935, turned 82 Friday. Her son Dennis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1959, turned 58. His daughter Candi O’Farrell Lusk of nearby Perdido, AL, was born in 1981 and turned 36 Friday.
What are the odds? 1 in 1 in 133,225, according to published reports.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pediatrician To See First Patients In Century On Monday
January 20, 2017
Pediatrician Dr. Marian Stewart will see her first patients in Century on Monday.
After practicing pediatric medicine at the Jay Medical Center for the past 18 years, Stewart has joined Escambia Community Clinics at their new ECC Century Pediatrics location at 501 Church Street.
Stewart and ECC Century Pediatrics will offer treatment of minor illnesses, school and daycare physicals, well child appointments, immunizations, and ongoing care for chronic illnesses such as allergies, asthma and ADHD. Escambia Community Clinics opened a pediatric dental clinic at the 501 Church Street location in Century in mid-October and has provided dental hygiene, exams, and other dental care to 175 area children since launching the clinic.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to provide both pediatric medical and dental care in one location for the children of Century and surrounding areas. Dr. Stewart has been a valued pediatrician in the communities in which she serves for many years. We know that she will be a great asset to the organization and the community, and as we work together to meet the healthcare needs of the families of our area,” Chandra Smiley, ECC executive director, said.
Same day appointments may be available for the Century pediatric clinic. Scheduled hours are 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursdays; and 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. Families can make an appointment with ECC Century Pediatrics be calling (850) 724-4054.
ECC will open a new pediatric medical and dental clinic in the old Winn Dixie location on Highway 29 in Cantonment in the next few months.
Northview Dance Team Honored, Coach Stepping Down
January 20, 2017
Member of the Northview High School Dance Team were honored Thursday as the team said goodbye to a longtime coach. Heather Leonard, who founded the team in 2011, announced that after six seasons she is stepping down as team coach. Leonard will continue to offer private dance lessons in Byrneville and coach a private competition team.
The Northview Dance Team has been a fixture at fall football games and other school events since its inception.
Current Northview High School Dance Team members are (front, L-R) A’yanna Dunn, Lauren Carter, Zierra Johnson, Delaney Reynolds, Bailey Van Pelt, Starla Weaver, (back) Rebecca Dunn, Addison Albritton, Ansleigh Maholovich, Shelby Bashore, Savanna Nielsen, Hannah Ellis and Anna King. Kneeling is coach Heather Leonard. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sex Offender Shot By U.S. Marshals Task Force Member
January 20, 2017
A U.S. Marshals Task Force member shot a child sex offender suspect before he was taken into custody Thursday in Escambia County.
The US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (FRFTF) arrested Kevin Petuchov for sexual assault on a victim under 12. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was looking for Petuchov after investigators determined that he had sexually assaulted a 4-year old female over a period of time from April through October 2016. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest in December 2016 and requested assistance from the task force to located him.
About 9 a.m. Thursday, members of the FRFTF located the 61-year old Petuchov at a home on the 700 block of Boxwood Drive and attempted to arrest him.
During the arrest, Petuchov brandished a firearm and was subsequently shot by an FRFTF task force officer. FRFTF members immediately rendered first aid to Petuchov and who was subsequently transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Petuchov was treated for the gunshot wound and is currently in the Escambia County Jail awaiting first appearance on the sexual battery charge. Petuchov may face additional charges of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers with a firearm.
Members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were called to process the crime scene and are assisting the FRFTF with the ongoing shooting investigation.
The Pensacola Division of the FRFTF is comprised of state and local law enforcement officers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Florida State Attorney’s Office, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department. These officers are sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals and working alongside US Marshals are tasked by their respective agencies to pursue the most violent wanted offenders in the Panhandle.
Troopers Find Counterfeit Cash During Traffic Stop
January 20, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol recovered a quantity of counterfeit cash after a traffic stop on I-10 in Escambia County.
Troopers said they pulled over 36-year old Justin Aron Ledford of Pensacola and found $1,010 in counterfeit money in varying denominations in his 2013 Hyundai Sonata.
Ledford was charged with possession of counterfeit bill and smuggling counterfeit bank bills into the state. He was being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
The United State Secret Service is joining the investigation.
Did You See Bratt’s ‘Donut Boy’ On Steve Harvey? Here’s The Video
January 20, 2017
Donut Boy Tyler Carach, a student at Bratt Elementary School, was on national television Thursday on the Steve Harvey Show.
Tyler, 9, and his mother Sheena, who is a former police officer, created the “I DONUT need a reason to THANK a cop” program. Since buying doughnuts for four Escambia County deputies at a Bratt convenience store last August, Tyler has taken his mission on the road, providing donuts for law enforcement agencies across the country.
Harvey teamed up with online retailer BOXED to donate $5,000 to Tyler’s mission.
The video is below. (If you don’t see the video, YouTube videos are being blocked by your firewall.)