Deputy Moved To Regular Room, Able To Walk
November 17, 2010
Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady has been moved to his own regular room as he continues to improve following being shot October 29.
Cassady, 36, remains at Sacred Heart Hospital in good condition after being shot by Phillip Monier, 47. Tuesday, he was moved out of the progressive care unit into a regular hospital room. He is able to get up and walk around on a limited basis, according to family members.
Monier remains in the Escambia County Jail on $2 million bond. He is charged with three counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and home invasion robbery.
Cassady was shot by Monier at the Bayview Circle home of his ex-girlfriend Jackie Rosenbloom on October 29. Cassady was struck in the side. Deputy Sam Parker was hit in the chest, and Deputy Chad Brown was hit in the arm. Parker and Brown were treated and released.
Rosenbloom, who was shot in the legs and pelvis, has been released from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Court documents show the incident began when Monier forced his way into the home and demanded that a ring be returned.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Commissions, ECUA Hold Organizational Meetings
November 17, 2010
Commissioners were sworn in Tuesday, and new chairmen and vice chairmen were named for both the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Commissions. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority organizational board meeting for 2010-2011 was also held Tuesday.
Escambia County Commission
In Escambia County, District 2 Commissioner Gene Valentino and District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson IV were sworn in for their second terms. District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, who represents North Escambia, was named commission chairman, and District 1 Commissioner Wilson Robertson was named vice chairman. Marie Young continues to serve as the District 3 commissioner.
Santa Rosa County Commission
In Santa Rosa County, newly elected District 4 Commissioner Jim Melvin was sworn in with District 2 Commissioner Bob Cole, who took the oath of office for his third term. District 5 Commissioner Lane Lynchard was selected as commission chair and District 1 Commissioner Jim Williamson was selected as vice-chair. Commissioner Don Salter will continue to serve District 3.
ECUA
ECUA District Two member Lois Benson and District Four member Dale Perkins were sworn in. District Three representative Elvin McCorvey was re-elected to serve as the board’s chairman. District Five member Larry Walker, who represents the North Escambia area, was elected vice chairman.
Also elected to the following positions were:
- Lois Benson, District Two, to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and Dale Perkins, District Four, to serve as the vice chairman
- James Kirkland, Charlie Nichols, Jim Ditterline, Curtis Brotherton, Tim Common, Deborah Benn, and Logan Fink, to serve as members of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
- Walker and Elizabeth Campbell were appointed to serve on the ECUA Fire Hydrant Committee.
Lady Chiefs Beat Central
November 17, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Pensacola Christian Academy in Tuesday night basketball action, 64-34.
The Lady Chiefs were coming off a season-opening loss to Central Monday night, 33-26.
The varsity girls will take part in a Flomaton tournament next week and then travel to Ponce de Leon on November 29.
GOP Legislature Stings Crist With Overrides
November 17, 2010
The Republican-ruled Florida Legislature took what may prove a final swipe Tuesday at independent, lame-duck Gov. Charlie Crist, overriding seven bills and a spending provision he vetoed last spring, while also setting the stage for a major overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program.
The three-hour special session – on the heels of Tuesday’s organizational session — marked only the third time in 24 years that a Florida governor’s vetoes were turned back by lawmakers, with lame-ducks stung in both previous instances. Democratic Govs. Bob Graham in 1986 and Lawton Chiles in 1998 both had vetoed legislation overridden by lawmakers.
On Tuesday, the bills overridden all easily drew the needed two-thirds support in the GOP-dominated House and Senate. Crist has been roundly criticized by leading Republicans since breaking with the party in April to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as a no-party candidate.
“We’re still friends, we don’t think politically the same as we used to,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, before adding, “today was about good public policy.”
While the House pushed through most of the overrides with little debate, the most contentious exchanges Tuesday swirled in the Senate.
Several senators questioned revived legislation that would give lawmakers authority to block state agency rules that could cost businesses $1 million over five years and another that spends $31.3 million in federal stimulus money to cover rebates owed thousands of Floridians who installed qualified air-conditioning systems or made solar improvements.
A non-binding memorial to Congress underscoring the Legislature’s intent to revamp the state’s Medicaid program drew the most heat because it touted plans to expand the state’s five-county managed-care pilot program statewide.
“If you think you get a lot of calls now, put people in HMOs and the phones will ring off the hook in your district,” said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. “This is more than an intent. We are setting policy here.”
Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston also said the move signaled the Senate was buying into an overhaul of the almost $20 billion program advanced last year by the House, but rejected by senators.
“Medicaid is broken,” Rich conceded. “But the memorial is not a blank piece of paper. It lays out portions of a bill…that was very distressing to many of us in this chamber.”
But Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, managed to get the memorial through on a voice vote by cautioning it primarily was designed to show, “We’re no longer going to just kick the can down the road another year.”
The Senate also wrestled briefly over the rule-making measure, one of the few issues that caused the House to pause.
“Frankly, I don’t think we have the time to look at those potentially thousands of rules,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
But Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, shot back, warning that lawmakers needed to be a check on bureaucracy. “We have state agencies that make rules, and those rules become laws without any legislative oversight, whatsoever,” Van Zant said. “Those laws are then imposed on our citizens.”
For leading Republicans, many of whom were campaigning earlier this month on shrinking government and cutting spending, the three-hour special override session included some apparent contradictions.
Revived by lawmakers was a $9.7 million budget item vetoed by Crist for Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville. The spending, which makes the state eligible for another $12 million in federal Medicaid matching money, will help provide health coverage for an additional 18,000 uninsured Floridians.
Lawmakers also resolved the state’s outstanding commitments to homeowners and businesses who took part in a pair of energy rebate programs, agreeing to direct $31.3 million in federal stimulus money to cover what’s owed thousands of Floridians who installed qualified air-conditioning systems or made solar improvements.
Another measure reinstated allows farmland put up for sale to retain existing agricultural property-tax exemptions, while also tripling a one-cent citrus box fee to raise $3 million for industry research.
While lawmakers raced ahead with the overrides, about 100 tea party activists from groups around Florida spent the day at the Capitol, huddled in a fourth-floor Senate committee room exchanging ideas on issues.
Most criticized state spending practices, including the Legislature’s support for high-speed rail, Central Florida’s SunRail commuter train, while supporting lawmakers’ decision Tuesday to delay the start of a septic tank evaluation program.
“We’re here to send a message,” said Henry Kelley, a leader of the Fort Walton Beach Tea Party and an organizer of Tuesday’s gathering, which drew a handful of lawmakers as speakers. “We want that to be a positive message. But we want the Legislature to know we will hold them accountable.”
He added, “We know that showing up in March is going to be too late.”
For his part, Haridopolos acknowledged that not all of Tuesday’s overrides would sit well with the conservative voters who played such a central role in this month’s Republican victories in Congress and legislatures across the nation.
“I don’t think we’re ever going to do things perfectly,” Haridopolos said.
House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, said the chambers will continue to mark their own courses.
“The Legislature today sent a message to the rest of state government,” Cantera said. “We are an independent branch of government and we will be conducting ourselves in that way over the next two years.”
By John Kennedy
8th Grader Headed To State Cross Country Meet
November 17, 2010
Micah Kemp representing Jay High School placed 12th overall in the regional cross country meet in Gainesville with a time of 18:02. The top 15 runners advanced to the state competition. The eighth grader, who runs at the high school level, will complete this Saturday at Dade City Everglades Ranch. This will be Kemp’s second trip to the state competition. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Consider Charter Amendment To Change Elections
November 16, 2010
The Town of Century will explore amending the town’s charter to change election days to coincide with the regularly scheduled county elections.
Under the current charter, Century’s general election is held on the second Tuesday of the month. That meant this year, for example, taxpayers footed the bill for the county and statewide general election on November 2 and then paid to hold another election a week later in Century with just two candidates in a runoff for town council.
“I felt it was a waste of our tax payer money to have this last election we had just a week after the county election,” Ann Brooks, Century Town Council president, said Monday night.
But the council can’t just amend the charter — that requires a referendum, according to Brooks who cited an email from the town’s attorney. But rather than hold an additional, special election on a referendum to reduce the number of elections in Century, Brooks suggested that the town target a charter-changing referendum for the next general election.
Brooks also recommended that the council review the town charter to determine if any other changes are needed that could be included in the referendum.
Lame duck Councilman Henry Hawkins suggested that the council consider charter changes after two new members take office in January. Brooks said the charter changes would be considered in January.
Century’s elections are managed by Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford through an interlocal agreement.
Pictured top: Ballots are counted for a Century town council election by Escambia County elections officials. Pictured inset: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and members of the Century Canvassing Board tabulate votes. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Pharmacy Robbery Suspect Back Behind Bars
November 16, 2010
The Molino man charged in connection with the September armed robbery of a Molino Pharmacy is behind bars again, over a week after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, 56, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Monday night where he was being held without bond.
According to Escambia County Circuit Court records, Judge Ronald Swanson revoked bond for Flowers and issued a failure to appear warrant for his arrest on October 4. He was originally charged with robbery with a firearm, grand theft, possession of a firearm in pharmacy, aggravated battery and wearing a mask while committing a felony.
The grand theft and wearing a mask while committing a felony charges were dropped, while multiple drug possession charges were filed against Flowers.
Flowers was charged with robbing Scott’s Pharmacy on September 20 while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head.
Flowers is also facing charges for the alleged battery of his accomplice — Krystal Lynn Collins — with a two liter bottle of Coke. Collins, 24, was also charged in connection with the robbery; deputies believe she was the getaway car driver. On Monday, his attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf to the battery charges.
For more about the robbery and Flowers’ arrest, click here. For more about Collins’ arrest for allegedly driving the getaway car, click here. And for more about the battery arrest, click here.
Escambia’s New ‘Green’ Central Office Complex Opens
November 16, 2010
Escambia County’s new green office building opened Monday of Fairfield Drive.
The new 79,000 square foot Escambia County Central Office Complex (ECCOC) located at 3363 West Park Place houses members of the Escambia County Building Inspections, Environmental Enforcement, Fire Safety, Community and Environmental Services, Geographic Information System, Animal Control, Engineering, Development Services and Transportation offices. The consolidation of these services that were once housed in three separate buildings provides a “one stop” complex that meets the public’s needs. Now residents and business owners can have their plans reviewed by the necessary entities and pull a permit all under one roof.
The complex, Escambia County’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified building, has one of the largest green roof systems in the State of Florida. In addition, the building boasts pervious concrete paving, energy-efficient construction and natural light that, according to studies, improves employee productivity. It is estimated that the building will use 22 percent less energy and 38 percent less water than current building codes allow.
The building also has bicycle racks to encourage residents and employees to ride their bikes instead of driving a car, special parking for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles and native vegetation that require no irrigation. Thirty-four percent of materials used to construct the building were purchased from regional vendors and 43 percent of the total value of materials installed were manufactured from recycled content.
The construction of the new ECCOC was funded through grants from Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Department of Environmental Protection at a cost of approximately $11 million.
Cooler Fall Weather
November 16, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Miss Jay Beauties Named
November 16, 2010
Miss Jay Elementary, Little Miss Jay and Tiny Miss Jay were named recently. The event was sponsored by the Jay High School FCCLA to support chapter projects and attend a February educational program.
There were three divisions — Tiny Miss for K to first grade, Little Miss for second to fourth grade, and Miss Jay Elementary for fifth and sixth grade.
Winners and their photos are below.
Miss Jay Elementary: (L-R) Meghan Mayo, 3rd runner-up; Haley Holland, 2nd runner-up; Morgan Floyd, Queen; Hope Miller, 1st runner-up and Lauren Gavin, Miss Cooperative.
Little Miss Jay: (L-R) Carly Willis, Miss Cooperative; Mallory Floyd, 1st runner-up; Jillian Thornton, Queen; Carsyn Seib, 2nd runner-up; and Sierra Hutto, 3rd runner-up.
Tiny Miss Jay: (L-R) Carlyn Watson, 1st runner-up; Kinsley Cook, 2nd runner-up; Emma Barrow, Queen and Miss Cooperative; and Bailey Scott, 3rd runner up.
Photos courtesy Junia Fischer, Photo by Fischer for NorthEscambia,com, click to enlarge.