John Wayne Hensley
June 12, 2013
On the evening of June 9, 2013, John Wayne Hensley, 55, passed away after fighting a long battle with liver disease. He was waiting for a liver and was recently placed on the transplant list. He did not get to receive a new liver because God had a greater plan for him. He was a special man that touched and influenced the lives of all his family and friends. He was loved by all who knew him. Special thanks to Jabo Bush for all his help and loving care for Wayne and his family.
He was born on January 8, 1958, in Pensacola. Wayne is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cynthia Hensley and his only son, Chad Welch; brothers and sisters, Brenda (deceased) Carroll, John (Renee) Farmer, Joe (Georgann) Elliott, Howard (Shirley) Elliott, Joyce (Frankie) Rimpf, Linda (Billy) Castleberry, Mary (Mike) Warden, Louise (Jerry) Diamond; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews and his very special pet “Tow Truck”.
Preceding him in death were parents, Geter and June Hensley; brother, James Elliott; sisters, Doris Givens and Sarah Kirkland.
He was a loyal employee for 31 years as supervisor of grounds department at the University of West Florida.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Elliott, Mark Jackson, Tyler Jackson, Miles Morris, Greg Shiver, Ray Harrell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tanner Jackson, Cameron Newton, Spencer Newton and Dathan Church.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 2 p.m. with Pastor David Roger officiating.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Bernice Maxine Stringer
June 12, 2013
Bernice Maxine Stringer, 88, of Atmore, passed Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in Brewton. She was a secretary with civil service, born on May 8, 1925, to the late Wilson A. and Bernice Hart in Covington County, AL.
She was of the Pentecostal Faith. She is preceded in death by her sister, Katie Hart.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Stringer of Atmore; three daughters, Gayle Crause of Andalusia, Donna (Paul) Charpie of Arab, AL and Linda Mock of Brewton; and five grandchildren, Mike Mancil, Chris Mancil, Sondra Baker, Kellie Helms, and Justin Payne.
Services will be Friday, June 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jimmie Colley officiating.
Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens.
Family will receive friends, Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Florida Lawmakers Object To Expanding Ban On Out Of State Deer
June 12, 2013
A number of state lawmakers, including the Senate president, are trying to head off a proposal to ban the importation of all deer to Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected to vote Thursday on a measure that would impose a blanket prohibition on the importation of live deer and elk to reduce the chance that potentially fatal Chronic Wasting Disease could spread to existing deer populations in the state.
But lawmakers are joining some of Florida’s deer farmers in expressing concern that a growing industry will be harmed if the current rules against importing cervid animals are expanded beyond areas where the disease has been detected.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, in a June 6 letter to the commission, called the proposal “a bit premature and extreme” as the rule could “potentially cut jobs, monopolize an industry, and limit options for the roughly 100 registered hunting preserves already in operation.”
Gaetz has been joined in opposition by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, and Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton, Beach, Frank Artiles, R-Miami, Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, Dana Young, R-Tampa, and Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford.
Tony Young, a spokesman for the commission’s Hunting and Game Management Division, said that while the disease has not been detected in Florida, agency officials have considered it just a matter of time.
“The reason that the rule got proposed is just to further be as vigilant as we can be from preventing Chronic Wasting Disease from entering Florida’s deer herd,” Young said.
The state already prohibits deer from being imported to Florida from 18 states and two western Canadian provinces where infected populations have been found.
The ban also prohibits deer killed in those states and provinces from being brought into the Sunshine State unless they first has been deboned or treated and mounted by taxidermists located outside Florida.
Mark Owens, owner of Whitetail Country Plantation in Live Oak, said the push to close the border is driven by a small number of hunting preserve owners in the state who want to increase prices by further limiting the deer stock now in Florida.
“They want to cut supply and create a false demand,” said Owens.
The problem, Owens said, is that if the costs to participate in hunts increase, hunters will travel to other states.
“If the hunting industry in Florida were to close the importation, you’re going to see a breeder who sells his buck for $5,000 will say I now want $10,000 for it,” Owens said. “If the preserve guy can’t sell that hunt for $15,000, he can’t make a profit, and if he can’t make a profit he’s not in business.”
Owens added that while Florida has done a good job managing the disease, farmers are overly cautious about where they purchase their stock.
The disease has been spreading since first detected in free-ranging populations in the mid-1980s around northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. Tony Young described the effects as similar to Mad Cow disease, with animals becoming emaciated and often being found isolated and trembling.
Clifford Shipley, a Chronic Wasting Disease expert from the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine, said the current monitoring and testing are more than adequate, as the “very last thing any deer farmer wants is to import CWD as this is a death sentence currently for that farm.”
If an animal is found with the disease, the entire population, free-ranging or farmed, would need to be eradicated in order to prevent further spreading, Tony Young said.
“It’s just like with the eradication of citrus canker,” he said. “All of a sudden if just one orange tree with citrus canker is found and you’re five miles away — and even if your orange tree is doing great — they kill it all.”
Grimsley expressed in a letter on June 6 concern that closing the border would result in illegal smuggling. Brodeur called the proposal a “ploy by the largest breeders in the state.”
“My chief concern is that a move to completely eliminate the importing of deer to Florida will push smaller farmers out of business, and drastically harm our rural economy,” Brodeur wrote on June 4.
“These new regulations will close the door on many smaller farmers, who will have no choice but to close shop if they are unable to afford the artificially-inflated prices that are created,” Brodeur said.
President Gaetz wrote that the state should wait on expanding the ban “until the commission is presented with credible, scientific evidence of the imminent threat provided through current cervid importation practices.”
Dana Young noted June 4 that there was no need to do more at this time as “this activity is already heavily regulated.”
By Jim Turner
The News Service of Florida
Hill Easily Wins House District 2 Special Election
June 12, 2013
Staking out conservative positions in a Republican-dominated district, Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill cruised to victory Tuesday in a special election to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford.
Hill collected nearly 58 percent of the vote, while Democrat Jeremy Lau, a labor-union leader, received about 42 percent. The special election in House District 2, which includes voters in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, came nearly three months after Ford, a Gulf Breeze Republican, died of cancer.
After Tuesday’s results came in, Hill said in a brief telephone interview that he focused throughout the campaign on a conservative message that was “from my heart.” He said voters in the district were looking for that type of message.
“It’s simply a message that resonates in this conservative part of Florida,” Hill said.
Hill, who will become the only black Republican in the Legislature, beat five other GOP candidates in a May primary and had a major fund-raising edge against Lau. In all, Hill had raised about $189,000 in cash as of last Thursday, while Lau collected about $27,000.
A State Farm agent and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Hill said he likes the direction that Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders are moving the state, pointing to efforts to reduce the size of government, lower taxes and reduce regulations.
Those are the types of issues he focused on during the campaign.
“Mike Hill is a constitutional conservative at his core,” Hill’s campaign website said. “As a veteran and a small business owner, he knows firsthand the value of our God-given liberty — and the need to be vigilant in defending it.”
Lau, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 2777, criticized Hill during the campaign for not appearing with him at public events and also differed with the Republican on issues. For example, Lau supported the state accepting $51 billion in Medicaid money under the federal Affordable Care Act to expand health coverage for low-income Floridians — an idea that Republican lawmakers rejected this spring.
Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by about 10,000 voters. With all precincts reporting Tuesday, Hill had 11,060 votes, while Lau had 8,047, according to the state Division of Elections website. Voter turnout was about 17.6 percent.
Rep. Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who is expected to become House speaker after the 2014 elections, said in a prepared statement that Hill will be a “strong conservative voice in our caucus.”
“His election sends a clear message that Floridians want smaller government, lower taxes, and the freedom to pursue the American Dream,” Crisafulli said.
By The News Service of Florida
Sheriff Concludes Jail Criminal Investigation Prompted By Commissioner’s Comments
June 11, 2013
Following a criminal investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that there was no merit to comments made to local media by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino.
During an interview with WEAR 3, Valentino referenced “correctional officers playing video games on laptop computers and ignoring prisoners” and said “let’s address these issues before you come to me asking for money”, according to a letter from Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. And the following day, he told two radio stations, including NewsRadio 1620, that the sheriff was holding a gun to the head of the county commission and that the commission will look for further efficiencies in the jail operations before agreeing to funding, according to the sheriff’s letter.
Morgan said he opened a criminal investigation based upon Valentino’s “statements as a material witness” regarding correctional officers playing video games on laptops — a third degree felony offense because the laptops would be considered contraband.
The following statement was released Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation against our officers based upon allegations raised by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino. As the public may recall, Commissioner Valentino alleged through the media in two separate recorded interviews that Escambia County detention deputies were using laptops and being inattentive to inmates. Laptops are not issued to line officers in the Escambia County Jail. Unauthorized laptops are considered contraband and therefore a felony under Florida statute.
Commissioner Valentino had asserted in the second recorded interview that this information was not “off the cuff” but that it was given to him directly by law enforcement officer sources.
Even though Sheriff Morgan requested the Commissioner’s assistance, Commissioner Valentino refused to provide information to assist in this felony investigation. With the assistance of the State Attorney’s Office, Commissioner Valentino was subpoenaed to provide information to identify his sources so the investigation could continue. Commissioner Valentino, upon being interviewed by the State Attorney’s Office, admitted he had one and only one source. This source is a convicted felon and former inmate who had last been inside the jail in 2009. In addition to the felony conviction, this source had also been convicted of 92 misdemeanors. When asked specifically to name the law enforcement source he had alleged to be in contact with, he stated to the State Attorney’s Office that he had misspoken and that there was no law enforcement source.
Because this information is four years old and from an unreliable source, it would be impossible to follow up and identify if there were any deputies with unauthorized laptops. We are of the opinion that the event never occurred and have concluded that any further investigation is unwarranted. We hope that the serious issues that the Department of Justice has identified will now return to the front and center of the county’s attention.
Woman Found Dead After House Fire Was Murdered; One Arrested
June 11, 2013
A woman found dead following a weekend house fire in Atmore was murdered, and her accused killer is now behind bars.
A neighbor reported smoke coming from a house at 227 Adams Street about 5:20 Saturday morning. Once the fire was contained and fire fighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.
The State Fire Marshall was called to the scene to help determine the origin of the fire. Once Morris’ body was moved, investigators said was evident that officers were working a crime scene and a homicide investigation started. The body was transported to the Alabama Department of Science in Mobile to help determine the cause of death. Officials said those findings are preliminary and the investigation is ongoing and pending lab results.
About 11 a.m. Saturday, a person of interest identified as 40-year Collis McCaster of Atmore, was arrested in Atmore on an outstanding felony warrant from Conecuh County, AL. He was also questioned in Morris’ death.
On Monday, McCaster was transported to the Foley (AL) Police Department where he voluntary underwent a polygraph test and answered questioned concerning the fire.
After completion of the polygraph test, McCaster met with investigators from the Atmore Police Department in a separate interview and confessed to committing crimes against Morris and causing her death, police said.
McCaster was charged with capital murder, first degree arson and first degree sexual abuse. McCaster is being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Family members said McCaster was a homeless man that Morris would help out, sometimes feeding him and allowing him to stay in her home.
Pictured top and bottom: A woman found dead following a fire at the Adams Street home in Atmore was murdered. Pictured below: Firemen fill out statements for law enforcement following the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Engineers, Lawmakers Look For Answers On Hwy 29 Flooding
June 11, 2013
Thousands of people were inconvenienced Monday when just four inches of rain closed Highway 29 both north and south bound for over eight hours. And it left state highway officials, engineers and lawmakers scrambling for answers as to how a relatively normal heavy rainfall could paralyze the major north-south hurricane evacuation route from Pensacola.
“If this were a hurricane and four inches of rain had closed the highway, it would be a major cause for concern,” Ian Satter, spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation said. “But fortunately it was not, and this will give us a chance to figure out what happened.
Highway 29 and its associated drainage system are designed to handle heavy rainfall and remain open. Satter said state officials responded to flooding across Highway 29 just north of East Kingsfield Road and went to work looking for the reason the drainage system had failed. He said there was not an immediately apparent problem on state right of way, and state officials were awaiting word from county officials about the drainage on their right of way for Highway 95A and railroad officials about drainage on their adjacent right of way.
But as of late Monday afternoon, there was no word on what went wrong and led to the poor drainage and flooding.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers were looking for answers and pledging their support to help FDOT alleviate the problem.
“It is essential that Highway 29 remain clear and open. This is especially important during hurricane season because of the fact that Highway 29 is part of the evacuation route from the coast. Today, I spoke with District 3 FDOT Secretary Tommy Barfield and we discussed the flooding that forced the closure of the road,” State Rep. Clay Ingram told NorthEscambia.com. “Knowing that drainage issues have been a problem in the past, he is putting an action plan in place which includes sending drainage engineers here immediately to determine the best way to deal with the water. I will stay in close contact with FDOT to make sure that that this problem is addressed.”
In Sen. Greg Ever’s office, aide Dave Murzin said the senator’s office reached out to FDOT Monday and offered to send a representative to the site to assist the in the evaluation. “We are willing to help however we can to help make sure this does not happen again,” Murzin said.
Pictured top: This reader photo by Jamie Boutwell shows water crossing Highway 29 before the roadway was closed Monda morning. Pictured below: Reader photo by Brandi Ratcliff shows Highway 29 closed at East Kingsfield Road. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Getting Out Alive: Firefighters Hold Joint Training Exercise
June 11, 2013
Four area fire departments joined together Monday evening in Atmore for a joint training exercise that was all about firefighter safety.
Members of the Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Fire Department, Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue took part in the joint exercise using an abandoned home on Atmore’s Third Avenue that had been damaged in a previous fire.
Firefighters learned how to kick their way through a wall and bail out of a burning building if the need were to arise. They also learned how to remove an injured firefighter from a blaze and communications techniques.
The Atmore Fire Department will burn the home to the ground in the coming weeks.
For more photos, click here for a bonus Facebook photo gallery.
Pictured top: Firefighters learn to bail out of a burning building in the event of an emergency. Pictured inset: A firefighters leans how to breach a wall and escape Pictured below: Practicing removing an injured firefighters. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hill Enjoys Money Edge In Today’s Special House Election
June 11, 2013
With Republicans trying to hold onto a Panhandle House seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Clay Ford, GOP candidate Mike Hill goes into a special election Tuesday with a huge financial edge over his Democratic rival.
Hill, a Pensacola insurance agent, raised $189,005 in cash and another $11,657 in in-kind contributions through Thursday, according to reports filed with the state Division of Elections. That compares to the $27,022 in cash and $1,964 in in-kind contributions raised by Democrat Jeremy Lau, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 2777.
The state GOP has backed Hill heavily since he won a May 14 primary over five other Republicans, funneling $39,000 in cash to the campaign and also providing the in-kind contributions, which included help with staffing and polling.
Hill also has received support from industries, groups and lobbying firms that are major players in Tallahassee. As examples, he has received money from several insurance-industry political committees, along with groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Florida Medical Association.
He also has received money from companies — or their political arms — such as the HCA health-care chain, Humana and AT&T. Lau, meanwhile, has received $1,000 from the Florida Democratic Party and chunks of money from labor groups, such as $2,000 from the Florida AFL-CIO.
Hill and Lau are running in House District 2, which includes parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the southwest Panhandle. The seat became vacant after Ford, a Gulf Breeze Republican, died of cancer in March.
Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by about 10,000 voters. The contribution totals to Hill and Lau do not reflect money that outside groups might have spent.
A group called The Committee for a Better Florida, Inc., indicates on its website that it is associated with Hill. That group has raised $56,000 since mid-April, according to the website, including $5,000 from Hill and money from some groups that also contributed to his campaign.
By The News Service of Florida
‘Amazing’ – McDavid Student Graduates With 14 Years Of Perfect Attendance
June 11, 2013
When Katelynn Zisa of McDavid was in kindergarten at Byrneville Elementary School, she set a pretty high goal — perfect attendance through her senior year.
And with her graduation last week from West Florida High School, she had finally accomplished her goal of 14 years of perfect attendance without missing a single day since pre-kindergarten. Ever. That’s over 2,500 days of class with Zisa present each and every morning.
“It’s something you just don’t hear of very much,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. As far as Thomas knows, Zisa is the first to graduate with complete perfect attendance during his career as superintendent. “It’s amazing for someone to go 12 years and never miss a day of school.”
“It was a hard goal to accomplish,” Zisa said. One of the hardest parts, she said, was balancing three or four years of playing sports and getting home late from games. “I still stayed up doing homework, and the next day I would do it again. Most students would stay home to catch up on everything. I could have stayed home but my goal was important to me so I held my head up.”
“You know that somewhere along the way she had to overcome some obstacles to make it all those years without missing a day,” Thomas said. “It’s a tribute to determination.”
Now that she’s a graduate, Zisa is looking for a job. And, potential employers, she’s likely to show up for work every day.
“I bet she’ll be there every day,” Thomas said. “I’d hire her.”
Editor’s note: Zisa and her mother have report cards showing 14 years of perfect attendance, including kindergarten. Due to record availability, the school district was only able to verify the the last 12 years — grades 1-12 — of perfect attendance.