FDLE Supervisor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Two Young Boys
November 3, 2016
A Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent has been arrested for repeatedly sodomizing and sexually abusing two 8-year old boys.
Charles Calvin McMullen was arrested by the Major Crimes Division of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on two counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12 and two counts of lewd lascivious behavior victim less than 12 years old.
His arrest came after deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Santa Rosa Kids House where the Department of Children and Families was working on a case involving an 8-year old boy. The boy told investigators that McMullen had been touching him inappropriately on a frequent basis, according to an arrest report.
When DCF contacted McMullen about the allegations, he “began to cry”, the report states.
Another 8-year old boy made a similar allegation, also claiming he was forced to touch McMullen. Neither child knew of the allegations made by the other.
McMullen denied the allegations against him. He remains in jail with bond set at $300,000 and has been placed on administrative leave from FDLE.
McMullen investigated similar cases during his five year employment with the FDLE. He previously worked as Chief of the Cybercrimes Unit for then-Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and for the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: Charles Calvin McMullen. Courtesy WEAR 3. Pictured below: McMullen chats online as a teenage girl during a Florida Attorney General demonstration in 2007.
Gulf Power: New Year Will Bring Lower Electricity Prices
November 3, 2016
Gulf Power customers are expected to see slightly lower monthly bills after state regulators on Wednesday approved fuel costs for the coming year. The Pensacola-based Gulf Power said average residential customers will see their bills go from $148.64 to $144.01.
“This price decrease is great news for our customers, especially as we head into the cold winter months,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “And because Gulf Power employees have been working hard toward a more balanced energy mix, our customers are able to take advantage of lower fuel prices now, and into the future.”
Every year, the Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s prices to reflect cost changes in fuel, environmental controls and energy conservation programs.
This decrease comes on the heels of a price increase request to continue to invest in the reliability of Northwest Florida’s energy infrastructure. In October, Gulf Power requested that the Florida Public Service Commission conduct a public review of their prices and a proposed increase that would begin in July 2017. The last time customers saw a price increase was in January 2015, and when compared to those prices, the average residential customer’s monthly bill in July 2017 would increase by only $2.50 per month or less than 2 percent.
“If approved, that requested investment would help secure long-term reliability, continue smart grid improvements, and bolster our goal of achieving a balanced energy mix,” said Rogers. “Along with that request, we’ve asked for approval of new customer rate options designed to make bills more predictable, and greater customer conveniences including an improved online experience, additional payment locations at popular stores and payment kiosks in business offices.”
Mostly Sunny And Warm, But A Cooler Change Is Coming
November 3, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Trump: ‘I Love This Area’, Going To Win Florida And White House
November 3, 2016
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump brought his message to Pensacola Wednesday night, an area in which he said his campaigns carries overwhelming support.
“In six days, we are going win the great state of Florida, and we are going to win the White House,” Trump said to rousing applause from the estimated six thousand people in a packed house at the Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater.
Trump said he has immediate plans to repeal Obamacare once elected.
“Change begins with immediately repealing and replacing Obamacare,” Trump said. “It’s just been announced that the residents Florida…are going to experience massive, double-digit premium hikes…I want you to leave happy tonight knowing that we are going to make America great again.”
He also spent part of his 40 minute speech addressing the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server during her tenure as secretary of state.
“Hillary wants to blame everyone else for her mounting legal troubles but she has no one to blame but herself. She set up the illegal email server to hide her criminal activity,” he said.
Trump also offered his thoughts on a couple of key local issues — the Blue Angels and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
“We will ensure the Blue Angels continue to inspire. I love those guys, I love the Blue Angels,” he said. He also said the Pensacola Bay Bridge should be replaced.
Trump said he loves the Pensacola area.
“It’s a great honor to be with you tonight. It’s a great area. This is an amazing area,” Trump said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
November 3, 2016
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions about every day life and football that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“Who pressed your uniform?” Ladner asked one cadet.
“My mother,” the cadet responded.
“You should have pressed your own uniform,” Ladner replied. “But your mom did a good job.”
“This is a great program” said Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at dozens of high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection. “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have set the benchmark for other programs this year.”
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander Cadet LCDR Sara McCreary and Executive Officer Cadet LT Alyssa Borelli.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Several cadets were promoted during Wednesday’s review:
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Highway 4, Munson Road Crash
November 3, 2016
Three people were injured in a 3:25 p.m. crash Wednesday at the intersection of Highway 4 and Munson Highway in northern Santa Rosa County
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 62-year old Robert Gail Rinehard of Milton was westbound on Highway 4 when he attempted to make a U-turn in the intersection of Munson Highway. Rinehard’s Chevrolet Silverado collided with with an eastbound Mercury Sable driven by 84-year old Jerry Edward Carroll of Fort Walton Beach.
Carroll swerved his vehicle in an attempt to avoid the collision and left the roadway. The car continued into a roadway marker sign post, vaulted off the top of a drainage structure and became airborne over a ditch before landing on Munson Highway and colliding with a Chervrolet Tahoe driven by 35-year old Robyn Gwen Hardy Enfinger of Milton.
Enfinger and Carroll were seriously injured, while Carroll’s passenger, 87-year old Sara Harvey Carroll was critically injured.
Charges against Rinehard, who was not injured, are pending, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Justices Eye Proposal That Could Limit Gambling
November 3, 2016
The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about a proposed constitutional amendment that could severely limit the expansion of gambling in Florida by giving voters, instead of state lawmakers or counties, control over casino-style games.
Supporters hope to get the “Voter Control of Gambling in Florida” proposal on the 2018 ballot, but, before that happens, the Supreme Court has to decide whether the ballot summary is clear and whether the measure adheres to a “single-subject” requirement of citizens’ initiatives.
Much of Wednesday’s arguments focused on whether voters would know that, by endorsing the proposal, they would be taking away control of casino-type gambling decisions from the Legislature and county officials.
Lawyer Adam Schachter, who represents Voters in Charge, the committee behind the proposed amendment, pointed out that the state high court is poised to decide whether Gretna Racing, a tiny pari-mutuel in rural Gadsden County, can have slot machines. That ruling is expected to have a wide-ranging impact; Voters in five other counties — Brevard, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington — have also approved slots at local tracks or jai alai frontons.
The Gretna case — centered on whether gambling operators can add slots if county voters give the go-ahead, even without the express permission of the Legislature — exemplifies the need for the proposed constitutional change, Schachter argued.
“There is a lack of clarity on this,” Schachter told the justices. “This amendment … would provide the needed clarity.”
Justice Ricky Polston asked Schachter what impact the proposal would have on a constitutional amendment passed in 2004 that authorized slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Under that amendment, local voters also had to approve the slot machines.
“We don’t know yet,” Schachter responded, adding that it is uncertain how the Legislature will implement the proposed amendment if it passes or what future citizens’ initiatives might do.
“Isn’t that problematic, for the summary?” Polston asked.
But Schachter said that was not an issue because the ballot summary “need not offer speculation” about how a constitutional change would affect existing laws.
But Justice Barbara Pariente wasn’t satisfied.
“Doesn’t the public have the right to know if the second amendment is going to wreak havoc with the first amendment?” she asked.
Lawyer Marc Dunbar, representing a number of gambling interests opposed to the proposal, warned that the constitutional change, if approved, would lead to “a ridiculous amount of litigation” over its interpretation.
And, Dunbar argued, the measure could create problems for pari-mutuels by applying retroactively to slot machines already authorized — which proponents said it will not do — and doing away with legislative control of gambling.
“It’s taking away from everybody that has had it for the past 150 years … overturning all precedent … and saying if you want it back, you have to have a constitutional amendment,” an increasingly incensed Dunbar argued, his raised voice earning an admonishment from Pariente.
“Let’s calm down here,” she said.
Dunbar also said the proposal is misleading because voters might not know that the measure could have a chilling effect, using as an example arcade games such as “claw” machines, which were caught up in a law aimed at shutting down internet cafes.
“Will (arcades) be frozen forevermore for any new product because they operate under a slot machine exemption?” Dunbar asked. “Will they have to go to a statewide initiative because they want a new arcade game?”
Dunbar also told the court it was incumbent on the justices to “tell the voters what the potential consequences” of the amendment would be as part of their analysis of whether the ballot summary is misleading or not.
But Pariente and Justice Charles Canady appeared to disagree with Dunbar.
“You’re suggesting it’s our role to … eliminate any ambiguities or questions or problems we foresee that might arise from the implementation of the amendment,” Canady asked.
Pariente noted that there is a different process for constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by the Legislature. The court is banned from stripping measures proposed by lawmakers from the ballot. Instead, the attorney general has an opportunity to address the court’s concerns.
The court’s authority when scrutinizing citizens’ initiatives is far more limited, she said.
“Although people think our role is voting on the merits … our role is to ensure that ballot title and summary accurately reflects the (amendment),” Pariente said.
Several justices also expressed concern about what exactly it would take to authorize slot machines. Schachter said the amendment would require a statewide vote to approve slots in any particular county.
At times, Polston and Canady — the most-conservative members of the court — appeared to try to aid proponents of the measure.
“If this passes … it’s not going to limit the authority of the people through the initiative process,” Canady said. “This is designed to limit the Legislature and others, not the people.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Escambia, AL And Atmore Receive $800K In Water, Sewer Grants
November 3, 2016
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded Community Development Block Grants totaling $800,000 to improve public services for many residents in Escambia County.
Bentley awarded $450,000 to the city of Atmore and $350,000 to the Escambia County Commission. Atmore will use the funds to rehabilitate public sewer service while the county will improve water service in the Freemanville community by replacing old water lines.
“Projects funded through the Community Development Block Grant program can greatly improve the lives of rural residents,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to support the local leadership in Atmore and Escambia County as they complete these projects to improve their communities.”
Atmore will repair sewer lines in the Short Street area, benefitting 238 residents. City officials said the lines have become old and dilapidated and have caused backups which create health hazards for those living in the area. The project will install approximately 4,530 feet of new sewer pipe lining in existing pipe structures along with 25 new service connections. The city is contributing $99,770 in matching funds.
Escambia County will replace 10,500 feet of deteriorated 3-inch water mains with larger 6-inch PVC lines in the Freemanville community on Jack Springs Road, Freemanville, Drive, Middelton Lane, Jefferson Lane and adjoining roads. The project also will install seven new fire hydrants to improve fire protection for residents. The county is contributing $35,000 in matching funds for the project.
The Alabama Department of Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Through local leadership and state partnership, ADECA’s Community Development Block Grants assist rural communities with much-needed improvements to infrastructure,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “This year, ADECA received 108 applications for projects that support economic and community development. We were able to award 54 projects totaling $17.5 million in investments. I am proud of the projects chosen this year, especially this project to benefit the residents of Atmore and Escambia County.”
Pictured: A water tower on the south side of Atmore at Escambia County High School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Clayton Lawton Flowers
November 3, 2016
Clayton Lawton Flowers, 75 of Nokomis, AL, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016, in Mobile, AL. He was a heavy equipment operator. He was born in Atmore, AL on February 7, 1941, to the late Gay and Grace White Flowers. He attended Presley Street Church of Christ, was a flight instructor, barber and farmer.
He is preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Jane Flowers; siblings, Winston Flowers, Joyce Flowers Nall, and Betty Flowers Norris.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Flowers; one son, Scotty (Karen) Flowers all of Nokomis, AL; two daughters, Cyndi Flowers McGhee of Spanish Fort, AL and Amanda Flowers (Tripp) Dawson of Nokomis, AL; one sister, Evelyn Flowers (Jim) Pipkin of Nokomis, AL; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services were held Wednesday, November 2, 2016, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Davis and Bro. John Coleman officiating.
Interment was in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Adam McGhee, Cameron McGhee, Nicholas Flowers, Bradley Flowers, Josh Turner, and Brian Huskey.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne White, Ronnie Barnhill, Don Flowers, Randy McKinley, Chuck Flowers, and Jimmy Flowers.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Nell Sue Wachob Webb
November 3, 2016
Mrs. Nell Sue Wachob Webb, 89, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. She was a native of Atmore. She was the wife of the late Dr. Hal Webb and the daughter of Jesse Leander Wachob and Hattie Sue Dungan Wachob, both deceased. She was a homemaker and a member of Providence Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC.
Survivors include her daughter, Carol Webb Benge and husband David of Mebane; two sons, David Webb and wife Melanie of Homer, Alaska and Barry Webb and wife Cheryl of Rawlings, MD; six grandchildren, Lauren Cole, Jordan Benge, Tiffany Donnelly, Lauralee Young, Bethany Herwalt and Rachel Smith; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at Oakhill Cemetery in Atmore on Monday, October 31, 2016.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.