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Trailer Park Disturbance Under Investigation

Multiple people were reportedly struck by a vehicle Thursday afternoon at the Silver Lake Mobile Home Park on Pine Forest Road, but Escambia County EMS reported only one person was taken to the hospital.

The incident happened shortly after 2 p.m.  Escambia County Fire Rescue and EMS responded with one victim transport to West Florida Hospital. At least two vehicles were reported to have collided during a possible disturbance at the trailer park.

The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Further details have not yet been released.

Volleyball: Baker Beats Northview

The Northview Chiefs lost to the Baker High School Gators in girls high school volleyball action Thursday.

JV 11-25, 16-25 Baker wins
Varsity 10-25, 18-25, 5-25 Baker wins

The Lady Chiefs will next travel to Escambia High School in Pensacola on Monday before returning home to host Central on Thursday.

Pictured: Junior varsity action as Northview hosted Baker Thursday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Provost Named UWF President Amid Claim Of ‘Interference’

University of West Florida trustees on Thursday elevated a provost to the school’s presidency, rejecting a state senator while the top trustee cited “interference” from Tallahassee in the decision.

Culminating a six-month search process, which resulted in 83 applicants to replace retiring President Judy Bense, the university’s Board of Trustees voted 9-4 to make Provost and Vice President Martha Saunders the new president on Jan. 1. Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who served as Senate president from 2012 to 2014, received the other votes.

Saunders has deep academic ties to the Pensacola-based university, where she served as a faculty member and administrator between 1984 and 2002 before leaving to take administrative jobs at out-of-state schools, including the presidency of the University of Southern Mississippi. She returned to the University of West Florida as provost in 2013.

She described the board’s decision as a “fairy tale” ending to her academic journey, saying she was surprised by the vote.

“I’m thrilled and honored beyond belief,” Saunders said. “It has been a long and arduous process, but UWF is worth it.”

Gaetz had the fewest amount of higher-education credentials among the final four candidates. But he had the deepest ties to Tallahassee, where state government plays a large role in setting policy for the university as well as providing the bulk of its funding.

But political machinations in Tallahassee may have played a role in Gaetz coming up short.

Lewis Bear, chairman of the trustees, decried “character assassination” aimed at Gaetz, as critics tried to tie the senator to an ongoing investigation of a hospice company that Gaetz helped found but later sold his interest in. Bear said Gaetz had no part in the inquiry.

“I think we have spread bad rumors about somebody who has done a great job for our state,” Bear said.

Bear also said he was disturbed by “government” interference in the process.

“A number of our trustees have had phone calls from Tallahassee, from high office, from governing boards,” Bear said. “There was never any undue pressure, but there were promises that if you vote for a certain candidate we will do certain things to enhance the University of West Florida.”

Asked to clarify his remarks after the meeting, Bear said his information was “third hand” from trustees, whom he declined to name, nor would he name any Tallahassee officials who allegedly made the calls.

But Bear said he believed the calls hurt Gaetz’s candidacy.

“The comments that were made were insinuations that if the university does not select a person with direct relationships with legislators that the university shouldn’t worry about that because there are people in Tallahassee who will make sure if we select a different candidate, the university would still be taken care of,” Bear said.

Gaetz, who is leaving the Senate in November because of term limits, declined to react to Bear’s comments.

“I was honored to be nominated and privileged to even be considered,” Gaetz said. “I think the trustees made an excellent selection in Dr. Saunders. I know her. I have worked with her. And I admire her, and I wish her and the university the very best.”

Brittany Davis, communications director for the state university system, said neither Chancellor Marshall Criser III nor any members of the system’s Board of Governors, which oversees the 12 state universities, contacted UWF trustees in favor or opposition to a presidential candidate.

Jackie Schutz, communications director for Gov. Rick Scott, said the governor “frequently talks with trustees on key issues at our universities.”

“He is thankful for their service to the state and the many hours they volunteer to make our higher education system more affordable and accountable,” Schutz said. “Gov. Scott appreciates all of the candidates who put their names forward to serve as president of UWF and looks forward to working with president-elect Martha Saunders as she meets with the Board of Governors to outline her vision for UWF’s future.”

Scott has played an active role in the boards of trustees that run each university.

Earlier this year, he rejected two University of West Florida trustees who sought reappointment to the board. His two replacement appointees, as well as another trustee who was reappointed in March, were among the nine trustees voting for Saunders.

Three of the four trustees, including Bear, who voted for Gaetz, had also either been appointed or reappointed by Scott.

Also this year, Scott rejected the reappointment of Allan Bense, a former House speaker, as a trustee for Florida State University, apparently miffed by Bense’s earlier support for a tuition increase.

Mort O’Sullivan, a University of West Florida trustee who chaired the search committee that recommended the four final candidates and who also supported Gaetz, said he had not received calls from anyone in Tallahassee regarding his vote.

“We conducted an open, fair, honest process, that was my charge,” O’Sullivan said about the search committee. “I know in my heart we accomplished that.”

Saunders had strong support from the university faculty. The faculty Senate passed a resolution Friday in opposition to Gaetz, with a survey showing a majority preferred Saunders. Ted Fox, a trustee and a biology professor who leads the Senate, was among the nine supporters of Saunders.

Jake Hebert, another trustee who is president of the Student Government Association, also voted for Saunders.

“I think it went the way it should have,” Hebert said, saying Saunders was “the right one for the future of the university even in Tallahassee.”

Two other presidential candidates, Frank Ashley, a vice president with The College Board, and William M. “Mike” Sherman, a provost at The University of Akron, drew praise from the trustees but no votes in the final decision.

O’Sullivan was designated by the board to negotiate the details of Saunders’ three-year contract. She will also undergo a more extensive background check before she assumes the presidency in January. Saunders, who will be the university’s sixth president, also faces a confirmation vote from the state Board of Governors.

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida

Gulf Power Looks To Hire New Line Workers

Line work is dangerous. Long hours, difficult – if not impossible – conditions. Life-threatening situations with thousands of volts of electricity flowing through the lines. As first responders, lineworkers need to be able to respond at home or other parts of the state or country during any kind of weather.

During the recent hurricane that hit Northwest Florida and the southeastern part of the country, Gulf Power deployed 100 lineworkers to Tallahassee and Georgia to assist in power restoration for more than a week. Lineworkers not only restored energy and got the lights back on, but helped restore hope to hundreds of thousands of customers during the hot August summer.

It takes a certain kind of person to tackle this line of work.

Gulf Power will be hosting a Line Worker Expo in October, specifically to recruit people who might be interested.

“It’s tough work and it takes someone with a special skill set to excel at it,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We have to constantly be on the lookout for candidates who can come in and do this job, safely and efficiently.”

The expo will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 8, at the McCrary Training Center in Pensacola. Line crews from all three districts will be there to demonstrate the different types of jobs involved in line work. Exhibits will also be set up for potential recruits to see what is involved in being a lineworker for Gulf Power.

“The crews will work through several different scenarios, demonstrating the skills required to do the job and show those attending how it’s done,” DelaHaya added. “Human Resources will also be there to answer any questions about working for Southern Company and Gulf Power.”

HR will also help the recruits sign up for an employment profile on the company’s Careers website. There is no cost for candidates to attend and lunch will be provided at the event.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who has thought about a career in line service with Gulf Power to come out — learn about the job and ask any questions,” said DelaHaya.

For more information on the Lineworker Expo, contact Ben Scott, at 850.505.5630 or register at http://glfpwr.co/lineworkerexpo.

Northview FFA Chapter, Alumni Association Named National Award Winners

Once again, the Northview High School FFA chapter has been named one of the very best in the nation, and the Northview High School FFA Alumni will receive a national bronze award.

The Northview FFA will receive the national Two-Star Chapter Award during the National FFA Convention and Expo next month in Indianapolis, IN. The Northview High School FFA was named one of Florida’s Finest FFA chapters and recognized on stage during the 88th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo in Orlando this past June.

The selection of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA. Northview’s FFA chapter will represent Florida at the national level.

The Northview High School FFA’s “Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program” was also named the second best program in 2015 and 2016 and was previously honored as the best in Florida for three consecutive years.

Pictured: Northview High School’s FFA chapter was named one of Florida’s Finest FFA chapters and recognized on stage during the 88th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo in Orlando this past June. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Police Bust 22 Men For Soliciting Children

Twenty-two men have been arrested in an internet sting that targeted adults who traveled to a designated location in Pensacola to have sex with minor children.

“It is through the collaborating, partnering and building relationships that we protect our children and make the internet a safer place,” said Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander III. “This effort of arresting and prosecuting these individuals helps to stop future abuse. This was five days of hard work for our officers, dispatchers, support personnel, and personnel from other agencies in addition to the planning of this operation.”

Operation Undertow took place September 7 to 11. Warrants were issued for all of the suspects after they contacted undercover agents via computer about arranging to have sex with teen-aged males or females. The agents posted information on various websites and began talking with the suspects once the suspects initiated conversation with them.
The suspects were taken into custody once they arrived at a designated location with intentions of having sex with minor children.

“This collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies demonstrates the cooperative spirit needed to keep our children safe,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “As a father, I am at ease knowing our law enforcement personnel are successful in dealing with this issue. If these were real children in real conditions, these children would never be the same again, and it affects their entire life.”

Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and their last known address were:

• David Olmos, 24, of 8800 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola.
• Calvin Pearson, 31, of 320 W. Ensley St., Pensacola.
• Claudio Mistri, 56, of 7111 N. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola.
• Devin Gilchris, 21, of 200 Ruby Ave., Pensacola.
• Adelardo Gonzales, 51, of 233 Aquamarine Ave., Pensacola.
• Alfred Foster, 71, of 1250 S. Sutton Trace Court, Mobile, AL.
• Grayson Blanton, 18, of 440 Roberts Ave., Pensacola.
• Jackson Silliman, 21, of 3359 Silkwood Lane, Pace.
• Frank Rhobotham, 68, of 1508 E. Blount St., Pensacola.
• Darius Lambert, 33, 449 Evening Falls Dr., Pensacola.
• Alex Johnson, 19, 4848 Chumuckla Highway, Pace.
• David Hoppenjan, 52, of 5622 Thistledown Court, Pace.
• Charles Phillips, 53, of 9253 Bellingrath Road, Mobile, AL.
• Mison Johnson, 22, of 2917 Patch Ave., Crestview.
• Alexander Croyle, 22, of 440 Roberts Ave., Pensacola.

Also arrested and their last known addresses were:

• Jose Ramirez-Magos, 51, of 7081 W. Lee Sir, Irvington, AL. Charged with  raveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, transmitting information harmful to minors, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
• John Staples, 24, of 9566 Hay Meadow Road, Milton. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit a guardian, and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
• Jeff Harrison, 26, of 46 E, Pearl Ave., Pensacola. Charged with using a computer to solicit a parent/guardian for consent and traveling to meet using a computer to solicit a guardian.
• Erik Huber, 29, of 317 MacArthur Ave., Biloxi, MS. Charged with misrepresenting age using a computer to solicit/lure/seduce and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child.
• Justin Hill, 28, of 706 E. Fairfield Dr., Pensacola. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and transmitting information harmful to minors.
• Christopher Foster, 24, of 10171 Weldwood Dr., Meridian MS. Charged with using a computer to seduce/lure/seduce a child and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child.
• Bradly Jones, 46, of 21278 Deer Circle, Lake View, AL. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug equipment.

This was the largest multi-jurisdictional internet sting targeting people wanting to have  sex with children since Operation Blue Shepherd headed by the Pensacola Police Department. Operation Blue Shepherd resulted in the arrests of 25 men in June 2011 during a one-week period.

The Pensacola Police Department, in coordination with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, worked the investigation with the following agencies: Escambia County, Walton County, Okaloosa County, and Brevard County sheriff’s  offices; State Attorney’s Office; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Homeland Security; U.S. Marshal’s Service; Gainesville, Tallahassee, Gulf Breeze, Panama City, and Cocoa police departments; Escambia Jail; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Warrants have been issued for several more suspects.

FDLE Chemist Sentenced To Prison For Stealing Drugs

Joseph Graves, a former Florida Department of Law Enforcement chemist charged with racketeering and other offenses, has pleaded guilty today and has been sentenced to 15 years state prison.

The case was brought in 2014 after Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered that drug evidence in cases worked by Graves had been removed and replaced with over-the-counter pills.

FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office conducted an extensive investigation in the case and found missing drug evidence in more than 90 cases worked by Graves.

The drug evidence had been seized in criminal cases and was submitted to the FDLE lab for testing by more than 15 different law enforcement agencies. The missing drugs included opiates and benzodiazepines, controlled substances subject to abuse.

Court records show that Graves was being prescribed the same type of drugs submitted to the FDLE lab for testing, but had been limited by doctors in the amount and number of drugs he could obtain.

Due to his position at the FDLE lab, Graves had access to drug evidence and authority to assign cases for testing. According to investigators, Graves assigned himself drug cases containing the same type of drugs he was using and removed some or all of the drugs from the cases after testing them.

Study: Escambia Drivers Could Save In No-Fault Elimination

Eliminating the state’s no-fault auto insurance system could save the average Escambia County motorists about $39 a year per car, according to a study released Wednesday by the state.
The $125,000 study by Illinois-based Pinnacle Actuarial Resources Inc. also found that premiums on personal-injury protection insurance coverage, also known as no-fault, dropped 15.1 percent statewide following a 2012 legislative effort to reduce fraud in the system.

However, the premium reduction is nearly 10 percent less than targeted for consumers. And the Pinnacle actuaries found that since 2014 there has been “a small erosion in the cost savings from this legislation.”

The study, commissioned by the state Office of Insurance Regulation in advance of the 2017 legislative session, doesn’t offer recommendations. A spokeswoman for the office said it is “carefully reviewing the results.”

The findings come as critics contend the 2012 reform attempt has failed to meet expectations and that bodily-injury coverage, which most motorists in Florida already have, should be a replacement for no-fault coverage.

The study, which used state records and data from six of the top auto insurers in Florida, projected that eliminating no-fault would save $272 a year per vehicle for motorists in Miami-Dade County.  The savings would be $28 in Brevard County, $105 in Orange County, $130 in Broward County, $97 in Hillsborough County and $47 in Duval County.

Ashley Carr, a spokeswoman for state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, said the CFO’s office will need to thoroughly review the 416-page report “before any thoughts about possible recommendations can take place.”

Atwater, who along with Gov. Rick Scott backed the 2012 reform effort, last year said repeal of no-fault may be needed if consumers aren’t getting the intended relief.

Bills calling for the repeal of no-fault in the 2016 session (SB 1112 and HB 997) didn’t advance out of their first committees.

The insurance industry may not be ready to give up on no-fault, which was designed to streamline payments to injured people and reduce the need for lawsuits after accidents.

Logan McFaddin, regional manager for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, said the study indicates the 2012 reforms have reduced fraud while providing cost savings to Florida motorists. He added that the association, which represents numerous insurers, is open to talk about additional reforms.

“While PCI (the association) and our members are still reviewing the results of the study, so far we are pleased with the results,” McFaddin said in a statement. “Evidence shows PIP reforms enacted in 2012 continue to reduce fraud and abuse, protecting the hard earned premium dollars of the citizens of Florida. PCI and our members, however, are always willing to consider additional reforms to continue to reduce fraud and protect our policyholders.”

Under the decades-old no-fault system, motorists are required to carry personal-injury protection coverage that includes $10,000 in medical benefits.

The 2012 legislation (HB 119), aimed at reducing fraud, included capping non-emergency care at $2,500 and requiring people seeking PIP medical benefits to receive initial care within 14 days of accidents.

In advancing the law, state officials claimed the number of no-fault claims had increased 28 percent from 2006 to 2010, with the dollars paid by insurers in that time growing 66 percent, from about $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion.

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

NorthEscambia.com file photos.

Century Chamber Plans October Fall Festival, Vendors Needed

The Century Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a Fall & Craft Festival & Car Show for Saturday, October 15 at Showalter Park.

The event will feature craft booths, family fun, food, a car show and entertainment featuring The Horseshoe Halo Band and Michael Peterson.

The chamber is currently seeking vendors, entertainment and sponsors for the event.  For a vendor booth application, click here. For sponsorship or other information,  call Kim at (850) 256-3208 or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us.

The festival is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.

Pictured:  NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Jay Elementary Goes Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness

Wednesday, Jay Elementary School went gold for childhood cancer awareness, with the entire student body and faculty wearing gold (or yellow) to show support.

Every year, there are an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer in children under the age of 20 worldwide. Jay Elementary has set a goal to bring awareness to childhood cancer and underfunded research.

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