Appeals Court Tosses $23 Billion Escambia County Tobacco Verdict
February 27, 2017
In a sharply worded ruling, a state appeals court has ordered a new trial in the death of a smoker whose estate initially won a more than $23 billion verdict in Escambia County against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, in an 18-page ruling, blasted an attorney for the estate of Michael Johnson Sr., pointing to the “depth and pervasiveness” of improper closing arguments in the Escambia County case.
“It is clear from the record that Robinson’s trial strategy was to utterly vilify their opponent,” appeals-court Judge Thomas Winokur wrote, referring to the personal representative of the estate named in the lawsuit.
“In addition to accusing opposing counsel of participation in a scheme of deception, counsel for Robinson denigrated Reynolds as an unrepentant, anti-military, criminal predator, whom the jury must fight and destroy.” The jury initially awarded nearly $16.9 million in compensatory damages and $23.6 billion in punitive damages.
But the trial judge later tossed out the punitive-damages award as excessive and ordered a new trial for R.J. Reynolds on punitive damages. The ruling will require a new trial on the overall issues in the case, not just punitive damages.
“This case concerns the boundaries of proper closing argument,” Winokur wrote, in a ruling joined by judges Brad Thomas and Harvey Jay. “Plaintiff’s counsel crossed those boundaries repeatedly, flagrantly, and often in defiance of the trial court’s admonishments. The depth and pervasiveness of these improper arguments compel reversal of this case for new trial.”
The case is one of thousands in Florida that are known as “Engle progeny” cases. Such cases are linked to a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that established critical findings about the health dangers of smoking and misrepresentation by cigarette makers.
Gulf Power Warns Of Continuing Scam Against Customers
February 27, 2017
Scammers continue to target Gulf Power customers in a scheme where business owners and residential customers receive calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power and demanding payment — or their electric service will be cut off.
Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, but the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent months. Customers are being told their electric bill is past due and that their electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment or other forms of immediate payment.
Gulf Power advises customers that:
• Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
• Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
• All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
Sunshine For Tuesday
February 27, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east in the evening.
Tuesday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Kenneth Franklin Milstead
February 27, 2017
On February 26, 2017, Kenny Milstead passed away after a lengthy illness. Kenny was born on March 15, 1970, in Pensacola, FL. He is the son of Vincent and Karen Milstead. He graduated from Pace High School and the University of West Florida with a BA degree. Kenny worked as a master esthetician for many high end spas in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New York City. After living in the big cities, he wanted to move back home to be with his family, friends and the beach that he loved. He always had a ready smile for everyone he met. He loved music, played the guitar and had a beautiful voice.
Kenny leaves behind to cherish his memory his father, Vincent Milstead; his mother, Karen Belanger Milstead; his stepmother, Cindy Conley Milstead; sisters, Tara Milstead and Darcy Ballie (Joe); brother, Michael (Haleigh Nichols) Milstead; aunts and uncles, Judy Doherty, Kenny (Joan) Belanger, Jan (Bob) Pollock, Debbie (Eric) Springer and Dale (Becky) Conley; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and his many friends. He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Nicholas.
Kenny was a member of Christian Life Church in Milton, FL.
Our thanks go out to Dr. Tom Sunnenberg, Dr. Ephtimios, Dr. Hank Cramer, the staff of St. Catherine (2 East) Sacred Heart Hospital and Covenant Hospice.
Flowers are welcome, however, contributions may also be made to your favorite charity.
Pallbearers will be Rob Pollock, Adam Freeman, Harrison Whitehead, Edward Hudson, Vernal Barrow and Jay Spivey.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 10 a.m. with the funeral services beginning at 12 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Cantonment Man Trapped In Early Morning Crash
February 26, 2017
A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover crash early Sunday morning
The Florida Highway Patrol said 43-year old Daniel Goodale lost control on Jacks Branch Road near Old Bridge Road, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert about 12:15 a.m. Officials said 2003 Nissan Altima then went airborne for almost 100 feet before crashing into a ditch. Goodale was trapped in the vehicle after it came to rest on its side. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and free the driver.
Goodale was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Any charges in the crash are pending, according to the FHP as they continue their investigation.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Strong Thunderstorms Possible On Monday
February 26, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Areas of fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Ashlan Harigel Named Miss NHS 2017 (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2017
Ashlan Harigel was crowned Miss NHS 2017 Saturday night at Northview High School.
Brianna Smith was named first runner-up, while Morgan Myrick was named second runner-up from among 11 contestants. Other members of the Top 5 were Ashtyn Carnley and Hadley Woodfin.
Other awards were presented as follows:
Miss Congeniality – Alyssa Borelli
Miss Hospitality – Brianna Smith
Miss Physical Fitness – Brianna Smith
Miss Poise and Appearance – Morgan Myrick
For a pageant photo gallery, click here.
A freshman, Harigel is the 15-year old daughter of Dr. Sheldon and Kimberly Harigel. She is currently ranked academically at the top of her class.
Pictured top: Top 5 members Ashton Carnley (left) and Hadley Woodfin, (bottom) second runner-up Morgan Myrick, Miss NHS 2017 Ashlan Harigel and first runner-up Brianna Smith. Pictured inset: Harigel reacts to being named Miss NHS 2017.
One Percent Property Tax Discount Ends February 28
February 26, 2017
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector, has announced that the final discount of one percent on payment of real estate and tangible personal property tax ends Tuesday, February 28.
- To receive the one percent discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a February postmark;
- left by midnight CST, February 28, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations;
- made online by midnight CST, February 28 at EscambiaTaxCollector.com; or
- made in person by Tuesday, February 28.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite A
To check the status of taxes or to pay online, visit our web site at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by phone at (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252 or email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com with any questions.
Hundreds Attend Annual Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2017
Hundreds of people attended the 43rd Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment, household items and more were sold at auction during the event, which is held each year on the last Saturday of February. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Arrested After Hit And Run
February 26, 2017
An Escambia County man has been arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in connection with a hit and run crash.
The crash happened on West Scott Street. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle involved in the crash, and after a short pursuit take Brandon Edward Colley into custody.
And Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was called to search the vehicle and located illegal narcotics in the center console.
According to information released Saturday by the FHP, Colley was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, reckless driving, fleeing attempting to elude, possession of an open container, driving on a suspended license and possession of controlled substance.
Colley was wanted on outstanding warrants for multiple counts of dealing in stolen property, passing a forged instrument and grand theft. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.