Doris Barrington Murph Hall
January 13, 2012
Mrs. Doris Barrington Murph Hall, age 92, of Atmore passed away Monday January 9, 2012, after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ulbert Barrington and Bessie Barrington; brother, Donald Barrington and daughter Lanell Cook.
Mrs. Hall is survived by her husband Marshall Hall and brother Glen Barrington; two sons, Colvin Murph (Faye) of Bay Minette and Rodney Hall of Atmore; seven daughters, Carolyn Dees of Robertsdale, Nancy Roach (D.C.) of Davisville, Bettye Hodges (Ken) of Pensacola, Shirley Diane Rushing (Johnny) of Pensacola, Sarah Ward (Mike) of Mobile, Rita Whatley (Larry) of Atmore and Becky Holloway (James) of Odessa, TX; 21 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 3 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Interment followed in McCullough Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home one hour prior to service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.
State Economic Forecast Steady, House Calls For Timely Budget
January 13, 2012
State economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged Thursday, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
House leaders swiftly pointed to the steady estimate as a sign that Senate President Mike Haridopolos should drop his public consideration of an extended session or a special session to deal with the budget shortfall. Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has said he’s concerned that the numbers could still change dramatically between now and the summer.
Lawmakers would normally work off of estimates developed shortly after the session opens in March, but needed an earlier figure for this year’s session, which began Jan. 10 because of redistricting.
“We will once again face many difficult choices as we craft a budget that reflects the House priorities,” said House Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley. “Delaying these tough choices will not make them go away.”
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said that completing a budget by the end of the 60-day session would also help future job growth by giving business leaders certainty about the future.
“There are inherent risks and uncertainty with any forecast, but none that can’t be overcome with conservative budgeting, planning for contingencies and setting aside ample reserves,” Cannon said.
Haridopolos was unmoved.
“The President continues to have concerns about the revenue estimate,” spokeswoman Lyndsey Cruley said in an email.
The conference found that there were some downside risks for the economy related to personal income in Florida and a potential debt crisis in Europe, but it also said that “the likelihood of a second recession has diminished” in recent months.
“Overall, the adjustments to the forecast indicate an economy that is still in an abnormally slow recovery,” an executive summary issued by the revenue estimating conference stated.
Forecasters are not set to meet again until the summer, though Baker told reporters they would be willing to do so again if lawmakers wanted fresh numbers. At the same time, she suggested that wasn’t necessary.
“At this point, I wouldn’t know of a reason to say, ‘”Well, check back with us in a few months.’”
Jerry Leon Kilcrease
January 13, 2012
Mr. Jerry Leon Kilcrease, 75, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in Brewton.
He was a native of Plant City, FL, and a resident of Opp for many years before moving to Stanley Crossroads 27 years ago. He attended the West County Line Baptist Church.
He was receded in death by his father, Jerry M. Kilcrease; his wife, Mary Frances Kilcrease; abBrother, Tom Kilcrease and asSister, Lanora Hollinghead..
He is survived by two sons, Jerry William ‘Sonny’ Kilcrease of Opp, and Woody Leon (Angie) Kilcrease of Brewton; three daughters, Janna Darlene (Edward) Russell of Andalusia, Penni Marie (Paul) Jay of Uriah, and Peggy Sue (Bobby) Lane of Atmore; his mother, Ether Kilcrease of Atmore; 14 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and a brother, Jimmy Kilcrease of Perdido.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, at 2 p.m. at the West County Line Baptist Church with Brother James Kilpatrick and Brother Edward Russel officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Alabama’s Trent Richardson Going Pro, Entering NFL Draft
January 12, 2012
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is leaving the Crimson Tide and entering the NFL Draft.
Richardson made the announcement Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Heisman Trophy finalist is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the NFL draft after a record setting year at Alabama. He had 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season, a Crimson Tide record.
Richardson is a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola.
Porn Bust: Police Raid Barber Shop, Seize Videos
January 12, 2012
Police raided a Flomaton barbershop Wednesday afternoon because they say the barber was selling more than haircuts.
Barber Garvin Eugene Chancery, age 60, was charged with two counts of distribution of obscene material after officers seized alleged pornographic movies from his Gene’s Barber Shop in Flomaton.
“Our investigation revealed that he was selling adult DVD’s from the shop for $3 each,” Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said following the raid. “When you got finished with your movie, he would even buy it back for $1.”
McGraw said his department seized 16 allegedly pornographic DVDs and several VHS tapes. He said that none of the videos were believed to involve child pornography, but he said the Flomaton Police Department would review the contents of each video.
Gene’s Barber Shop is located in small building on Palafox Street in downtown Flomaton, across the street from a shoe shop and next door to a church. A rail yard and the Florida line are in sight of the building, as is the heart of Flomaton’s business district.
“That’s not the kind of business we wanted in downtown Flomaton, especially next door to a church,” McGraw said.
The police chief said it is illegal to sell pornographic materials in Alabama without the proper licenses and permits — none of which Chancery had.
Chancery, a longtime barber, was released on his own recognizance.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Local Bride-To-Be Hoping To Win Dream Wedding On Auburn Campus
January 12, 2012
A young North Escambia area woman has big dreams — a free wedding this spring on Samford Lawn on the campus of Auburn University.
Jennifer Coleman, a Flomaton High School graduate, and her groom-to-be, Wes Sinor, are one of three couples vying to win the May 26 wedding of their dreams including the dress, tuxedos, flowers, photos, cakes, limousine, entertainment, reception — the whole wedding package worth thousands.
“We met playing intramural football in October of 2008 here at Auburn out on the intramural field. We just started hanging out after that,” Wes said.
“We were best friends for about two, two and a half years, so we already knew each other through and through,” Jennifer said. But they did not decide to date until after that two plus years of friendship.
“So from the first moment we decided to date, we knew this was it,” she said.
A month after the first date, Wes popped the question — kind of a spur of the moment caught in love kind of thing — without a ring. She said yes.
About a year after that first impromptu proposal, Wes repeated the proposal. This time he was prepared. He had saved some cash for a ring and made his wedding proposal one night on the intramural field where the couple had met, surrounded by candles. Once again, Jennifer said yes.
The winning War Eagle Wedding couple will be chosen by votes from the public. To vote for Jennifer and Wes, visit www.wareaglewedding.com and vote. Additional votes can be cast on four Facebook pages listed on the War Eagle Wedding website. Voting ends at 4 p.m. on January 18.
Pictured top: Wes Sinor proposes to Jennifer Coleman of Flomaton on an intramural football field at Auburn University. Pictured inset: Pictured inset: The couple, pictured here at the 2011 Auburn-Mississippi State game, are huge Auburn football fans. Pictured below: War Eagle Wedding finalists Wes and Jennifer (photo courtesy Flip Flop Foto). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Autistic Boy, 13, Charged With Felony For Hitting Teacher
January 12, 2012
A 13-year old autistic boy is facing a felony charge for hitting his speech therapist at an Escambia County School.
Conner Brown is charged with battery on a public or private education employee for allegedly hitting 57-year Kathy Roupe of Pensacola in the head with a set of headphones at Ferry Pass Middle School. She suffered a concussion.
Brown entered a not guilty plea in court Wednesday. He will be evaluated by a court-appointed psychologist prior to his next court appearance on March 6. His mother said Brown was not trying to hit Roupe when he threw the headphones but that she got in the way. He was allegedly throwing the headphones at another student in class that was making loud noises — which triggered his autism.
Brown will return to Ferry Pass on Monday.
Jeter Lane Closed In Century
January 12, 2012
The Town of Century closed Jeter Lane west of North Century Boulevard Thursday morning for drainage construction. The road is scheduled to re-open in about one week. For more information, contact the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Florida Traffic Fatalities Decline In 2011
January 12, 2012
In 2011, 2,373 people died in traffic crashes on Florida’s roadways, according to preliminary data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. By comparison, 2,444 people died in traffic crashes in 2010. The number of crash fatalities in 2011 is the lowest the state has reported since 1978 even though the Sunshine State’s population has doubled since that time.
Pictured: A 41-year old Cantonment man died in this April 2011 at Highway 95A and Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Could Taking Pictures On A Farm Become Illegal?
January 12, 2012
Advocates for animal welfare and those who might try to expose certain questionable farm practices failed Wednesday to persuade the House Agriculture Committee to slow a move to ban people from secretly taking pictures on farms.
Backers of a bill (HB 1021) that would outlaw the taking of pictures on farm property without permission say it’s simply a matter of private property rights, and that farm owners ought to be able to protect themselves from both potential misunderstandings about what pictures or videos might show and possible industrial espionage.
The measure, which was approved 13-2 by the panel and goes next to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, is aimed mainly at undercover operations by animal rights organizations. Investigators for the Humane Society of the United States and other activist groups have gotten jobs at farms and used hidden cameras to document animal treatment, and sometimes lack of sanitary conditions.
Sometimes, wrongdoing is documented by someone who works on the farm already and learns of it, and then tries to expose it after being unsuccessful at changing the practice, then becoming a whistleblower. Other times it can only be exposed by someone who gets a job intending to investigate the practices, said Laura Bevan, eastern region director of the Humane Society of the United States.
And often, law enforcement won’t get involved – until someone provides evidence of wrongdoing, said Bevan. She said she was involved in a 1999 case in which veal calves were being mistreated and drowned.
After someone in the industry told the Humane Society, it took video and gave it to law enforcement. And the publicity in the case led to changes in the law and animal treatment on such farms, she said.
“Something good came out of that, but that would not have happened, it would not have changed, if we had not gone on that property and taken that video,” Bevan told the committee.
The bill sponsor, Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, pointed out that there are plenty of exemptions in the bill for investigators, though they’re all for government officials, such as Department of Agriculture inspectors.
The measure also has exemptions for insurance adjusters and law enforcement officers. And the bill wouldn’t ban people from taking pictures from non-farm property. If someone stood across the street and used a long lens, for example, that wouldn’t be illegal under the bill. Nor would aerial photography. The only violations would be when someone actually is on the property taking unauthorized photos.
“Private property rights – at the end of the day that is my perspective on offering this bill, and I believe it to be correct,” Albritton said.
Beven pointed out that photos or videos by undercover photographers could also be used to document things having nothing to do with animal welfare, from environmental wrongdoing to migrant workers’ rights, for example.
“Without those kind of exposés, sometimes things have to come to the light of day to be … corrected,” she said.
Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach, was one of two no votes, citing cases in Hialeah involving illegal slaughter of horses that were exposed by secret video. Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, also voted against the measure.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Taking photos on a farm, like these farm photos taken (legally) in Walnut Hill, could become illegal in Florida. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
