Former Tate High Homecoming Queen Pleads Not Guilty In Vote Scandal
May 14, 2021
A former Tate High School homecoming queen has entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her.
Emily Rose Grover, 18, was scheduled to appear in court Friday. She waived her appearance and instead entered a written plea of not guilty through her attorney Randall Etheridge.
Grover was 17-year old juvenile at the time of her arrest in April by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She turned 18 just a few days later, and is now being tried as an adult.
Grover and her mother Laura Carroll, former assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, were charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with one count each of felony offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices; felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, felony criminal use of personally identifiable information, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. The misdemeanor conspiracy charge against both has been upgraded by prosecutors to a felony count.
Carroll previously pleaded not guilty remains free on a $6,000 bond. Grover is free on a $2,000 bond.
Both are accused of illegally accessing the Escambia County School District FOCUS computer system and casting 246 votes for Tate homecoming queen in the fall of 2020. Grover won, but she was expelled and has been stripped of the crown.
Escambia County Man Facing 93 Felony Fraud Counts For Contracting Without License In Building Five Homes
May 14, 2021
An Escambia County man is facing 93 felony charges after allegedly engaging in a systematic course of conduct with the intent to defraud multiple people in conjunction with the construction of five houses.
Carl Zarlmane Likely, Sr., was charged with 92 separate third degree felony counts of fraud for false identifying as a contractor, one count of third degree felony fraud obtaining property valued at more than $50,000, and one second degree felony count of dealing in stolen property.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Likely engaged in a systematic course of conduct with the intent to defraud multiple people.
He would obtain building supplies purchased with a fraudulent credit card and then use those supplies in the construction of a duplex and four other new builds in Escambia County, according to an arrest report. The supplies were purchased at building supply retailers in Escambia and surrounding counties.
Likely would pull Escambia County permits unders the license of another contactor, the report states. That contractor had listed Likely on their letter of authorization with Escambia County Building Inspections for the purpose of building a duplex on his own property, but the contractor said he was unaware that Likely was pulling additional permits, the report continues.
Investigators obtained a notarized contractor’s final payment affidavit on which Likely identifies himself as the owner of the contracting company. Notices of commencement and building permit applications were completed and signed by Likely identifying him as owner of the building company, according to the report.
Two of the five homes are currently for sale for $185,000 each, and one for $199,000.
Likely is also accused of using a fraudulent Green Dot card to purchase nearly $10,000 in shingles.
Likely was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $234,000 bond.
Owner Of Pharmacies In Pensacola And Jay Sentenced In $4.8 Million Federal Fraud Case
May 14, 2021
The owner of a former Escambia County compounding pharmacy that later purchased and involved Jay Pharmacy in the scheme has been sentenced to federal prison in a $4.8 million federal fraud and money laundering conspiracy case.
Andrew E. Fisher, 35, of Gulf Breeze, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty last year of conspiring to use his pharmacy to defraud TRICARE, a federal health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, and conspiring to launder the funds generated by the fraud. Fisher was also ordered to pay over $4.8 million in restitution to TRICARE and forfeit an over $3.8 million money judgment sentence was announced today by Jason R. Coody, acting United States attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between October 2014 and December 2015, Fisher, the owner and operator of Physician Specialty Pharmacy (PSP) in Pensacola, conspired with sales representative Michael Scott Burton and others to defraud TRICARE out of more than $4.8 million in fraudulent claims for prescription compounded pain cream, scar cream, and wellness vitamins.
During the conspiracy, Fisher also purchased Jay Pharmacy in Jay, and used its existing insurance contracts with TRICARE and others to bill for fraudulent PSP prescriptions. NorthEscambia.com was there when the Jay Pharmacy was raided in February 2016.
Fisher agreed to fill prescriptions at PSP from a doctor’s office in Georgia whose beneficiary information was provided by Burton and individuals working for him, knowing that these particular beneficiaries had never seen that doctor and the prescriptions were not based on a legitimate doctor-patient relationship. In exchange for recruiting TRICARE beneficiaries to receive the prescriptions, Burton received approximately 50% of the amount paid to Fisher in insurance reimbursements. Those commission payments were laundered in the form of large wire transfers and direct deposits into Burton’s bank account in Georgia.
As part of the scheme, Fisher, who is not a licensed pharmacist, directed his pharmacist employees to use ingredient formulations for the drugs that would maximize the amount his pharmacy could bill to TRICARE — which was upward of $10,000 to $17,000 per medication at the time — and other insurance companies without considering what was best for patient care. Fisher also directed Burton and his employees to tell beneficiaries not to worry about co-payments, in order to ensure that the beneficiaries would not decline receiving the medications over out-of-pocket cost. Because PSP was not a TRICARE network pharmacy, Fisher paid Burklow Pharmacy in Pace a commission
of approximately 15% to allow PSP to bill TRICARE using Burklow’s network provider contract for prescriptions received, filled, and shipped at PSP, including ones Fisher knew were fraudulent.
Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case following a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Financial Services-Bureau of Insurance Fraud, Florida Department of Health, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigative Command.
Pictured: State and federal agencies raided the Jay Pharmacy in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged In Cantonment Shooting Death Appears In Video Court
May 14, 2021
A woman charged in the murder of her daughter’s boyfriend appeared in video court Thursday.
Prosecutors said Dawn Lucille Sluder conspired to have 35-year old Danny Blackmon, Jr. killed.
It was set to be a bond hearing before Judge Jan Shackelford, but Sluder’s attorney and prosecutors agreed to postpone the hearing. A new date has not been set.
Sluder and her co-defendant Jonathan Taylor Hobbs remain in jail without bond.
Hobbs was indicted on one count of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm, and Sluder was indicted on one count of first degree premeditated murder.
Danny Blackmon, Jr., 35, was shot and killed as his 19-year old girlfriend, who is Sluder’s daughter, watched in horror, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
On February 1, investigators found Blackmon deceased with numerous gunshot wounds, including two on his upper torso, one in his neck and at least two in his head. After Blackmon fell to the ground, Hobbs reportedly leaned over his body and fired at least two more rounds before running away. Blackmon’s girlfriend witnessed the entire incident and attempted to perform CPR until she beaten and pulled away by her hair by Dawn Sluder, an arrest report states.
Sluder was apprehended at a convenience store on Muscogee Road near Jacks Branch Road. There was extensive damage to her SUV (pictured below) consistent with having collided with the Ford F-150 as stated by the witness. Hobbs walked up to a resident on Country Hills Road and asked to use the phone. The resident called 911, and deputies responded to take Hobbs into custody without further incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Big Fill: Krul Lake Is Now Filling Up
May 14, 2021
Here’s another update on the big refill of Krul Lake in the Blackwater State Forest.
After repairs to the drain pipe system and retaining wall, as well as upgrades and basic maintenance, Florida Forest Service personnel have closed the spillway at Krul Recreation Area and the lake is beginning to refill.
Officials say it will take 7-10 days to fill the lake, but recent rains may have expedited the process.
Krul Lake is filled from springs located on the north end of the lake and is popular summer swimming area. The Krul Recreation area, located about a half mile east of Munson, also features restrooms and showers, hiking trails, a gristmill, a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek, and a picnic area.
Pictured above and below show the lake refilling. The very bottom photo shows the empty lake. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Softball Wins Regional Championship; Northview Baseball Falls To Holmes County In Eight
May 14, 2021
SOFTBALL
Jay 10, Holmes County 0
The Jay Lady Royals are Region 1-1A champions and are in the state final four after beating Holmes County 10-0 in Bonifay Thursday night.
Mattie Cochran tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing one hit, two walks and striking out seven.
The Royals had two home runs. Cochran and Caitlyn Gavin both homered in the fourth.
Gavin went 2-3 with two runs and five RBIs. Brett Watson at 3-5 with three runs; Alayna Lowery was 2-4 with one run and one RBI; Mattie Cochran was 2-3 with one run and one RBI; Ella Nelson was 1-3 with a run; and Kassidy Nevels was 1-4 with a run.
Jay moves one to the state semifinals on May 18 against Wewahitchka. The winner will face either Branford or Trenton on May 19 for the state championship.
BASEBALL
Holmes County 3, Northview 2 (8 innings)
Holmes County defeated Northview 3-2 in the Region 1-1A championship Thursday night in Bonifay.
The game was 2-2 at the end of seven and moved into extra innings. Holmes County walked off with the win after Cody Jones singled on a 2-2 count, driving in the winning run.
For Northview Jamarkus Jefferson allowed four hits and one run over five and a third innings while striking out four. Josh Landis threw one and two-thirds innings in relief. allowing four hits, two runs, two walks and striking out two.
Jefferson went 2-3 for the Chiefs. Bryce Korinchak was 1-3; Rustin Pope was 1-3 with an RBI; and Landis was 1-3 with a run.
The Chief’s season ended at 17-7. Northview entered regionals as District champions for the first time since 2015.
Sunny Skies, Near 80 For Friday
May 14, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Blue Wahoos Lose 16-6 to Barons On Mullets Thursday
May 14, 2021
The first Pensacola Mullets Night in franchise history attracted the week’s largest crowd, so far, but not the desired scoreboard totals.
Birmingham unleashed a 15-hit attack, highlighted by four 3-run homers in a 16-6 victory Thursday night, before 3,689 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With Pensacola players wearing colorful teal jerseys with fuchsia/teal hats and popular Mullets logo, the first-ever promotion created a pregame energy, following months-long popularity on social media.
The concept was decided earlier this year as a nod to the runner-up nickname when fans chose Blue Wahoos when the franchise launched in 2012.
A 3-year-old boy who won the best-looking mullet contest among public voting was joined by his parents and family members on the field to help throw out the “First Fish.” His father and mother did the honors to the crowd’s delight.
The game started well, too.
Pensacola answered the Barons’ first run to take a 2-1 lead in the first inning on Peyton Burdick’s RBI double and a throwing error allowing Burdick to come around and score on the play.
In fact, Pensacola had four runs on two hits in the first four innings.
The Barons, however, bashed their way to a 5-run second inning and added four more runs in the third.
Five Pensacola players had one hit apiece.
Pensacola starter Brandon Leibrandt had a tough outing. The hot-hitting Barons produced their first 10 runs off him in his three innings of work.
The Blue Wahoos will be back on Friday night with Jeff Lindgren (0-1) on the mound against Konnor Pilkington (1-0). The Mullets Night will return next Thursday against the newest division member, Rocket City Trash Pandas. Each Thursday home game throughout the season, Pensacola will wear the Mullets-theme uniforms.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Escambia Records 30 New COVID-19 Cases
May 14, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 30 additional COVID-19 cases reported Thursday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,282 (+30)
Non-Florida residents: 3,683
Recovered: 33,792*
Total deaths: 692
Long-term care facility deaths: 286
Current hospitalizations: 33 (+5)
Number of tests reported last day: 596
Percent positive reported last day: 4.8%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,194 (+23)
Cantonment: 3,256 (+3)
Century: 1,188 (+3)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 494
McDavid: 213
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 57 (+1)
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,309 (+19)
Non-Florida residents: 259
Total deaths: 290
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 905*
Number of tests reported last day: 271
Percent positive reported last day: 6.2%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,728 (+9)
Navarre: 3,774 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,375 (+4)
Pace: 1,494 (+1)
Jay: 553
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,282,613
Florida residents: 2,239,982
Deaths: 35,929
Hospitalizations: 92,742
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Escaped Chickens Cause Traffic Problems On I-10. And Yes, Many Of Them Did Cross The Road.
May 13, 2021
Escaped chickens caused big traffic problems on I-10 near Pine Forest Road midday Thursday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a commercial vehicle pulling a trailer came to an abrupt stop due to traffic, and multiple cage doors opened. FHP says about 100 chicken escaped onto the interstate.
The driver flew the coop, leaving the chickens behind. That tied up traffic as some of chickens crossed the road for unknown reasons.
FHP troopers and Escambia County Animal Control rounded up most of the chickens, and troopers are working to identify the driver.
Foul play is not suspected.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
