Lawmakers Seek To Streamline Kidcare
October 10, 2017
A Florida Senate committee approved a bill Monday that would streamline a state children’s health insurance program, even though Congress has yet to reauthorize funding for the program.
The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee unanimously approved the proposal (SB 108), which would create a 12-member task force in in the Florida Department of Health and charge it with making legislative recommendations by Dec. 31, 2018, on how to streamline and improve the Florida KidCare program.
The “point of this bill is to simplify the program for families and to streamline the administration and make it more efficient and save tax dollars,” bill sponsor Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, told members of the committee.
Longtime social-services advocate Karen Woodall for years has advocated streamlining KidCare, which is administered by a combination of state agencies, from the Department of Children and Families, which determines Medicaid eligibility, to the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, which receives all KidCare applications and determines eligibility for the children’s health- insurance program.
“Oftentimes, when you have multiple agencies, no matter how good you are, you lose kids between the programs,” Woodall told committee members as she testified in support of the bill, which cleared the committee unanimously.
The committee took up the bill during its first meeting in preparation for the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January. The measure would need to clear two more committees before it could go to the full Senate.
The Legislature created the KidCare Program in response to the federal enactment of the Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997. That program, commonly known as CHIP, provides subsidized health insurance to uninsured children who do not qualify for Medicaid but who have family incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level and meet other eligibility criteria.
CHIP is currently authorized through 2019, but funding for the program expired Sept. 30.
Florida’s CHIP allocation in fiscal year 2017-18 is $422.7 million, of which $16.9 million is state funds.
Children covered under the program could be at risk if Congress doesn’t agree to additional funding. Woodall, though, is optimistic that won’t happen.
“I believe there is an awful lot of bipartisan support for this,” she said.
Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Chairman Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said he is going to write a letter this week to members of Congress urging them to continue funding for the program.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Volleyball: Northview Chiefs Fall To The Milton Panthers
October 10, 2017
The Milton Panthers defeated the Northview Chiefs in three sets Monday in Bratt — 25-9, 25-12, 25-14.
Teriana Redmond led the Chiefs with three kills, eight blocks and 17 digs. Olivia Porter (pictured above) recorded nine serving aces.
The junior varsity Chiefs lost to Milton 29-27, 25-14.
Up next, the Chiefs travel to Flomaton on Tuesday. The JV plays at 5:00, followed by the varsity at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputy Responding To Call Slams Into House
October 10, 2017
An Escambia County deputy responding to an emergency call Sunday night lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a house.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 28-year old Deputy George D. Lloyd was responding in emergency mode to a burglary in progress call about 8:43 p.m. when he lost control and hit a house in the 3300 block of North “W” Street. The front of the marked vehicle went through the wall of the house.
Lloyd was not injured, and there were no injuries inside the residence.
No charges were filed in the incident.
Photo courtesy FHP for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Missing Man With Dementia Located
October 9, 2017
Authorities are searching for a missing 73-year old man that suffers from dementia and other medical problems.
Joseph “Joe” Ferland was last seen Friday, October 6 at his home in the 4400 block of Cerny Road off Mobile Highway. He was last seen wearing a faded brown and white, button-down shirt with vertical stripes, blue shorts, and black Under Armor tennis shoes.
Ferland is 5′4″ and weighs and 190 pounds. He has gray hair and blue eyes.
Ferland suffers from dementia, anxiety, high blood pressure, and vertigo. He stopped taking his medication on October 3.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
One Killed In I-10, I-110 Interchange Wreck
October 9, 2017
One person was killed in a single vehicle crash late Sunday afternoon on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 40-year old Thea Kelly of Daphne lost control of her 2002 Chevrolet SUV on the wet road, ran off the roadway, overturned and collided with a tree.
Passenger Micheal H. Kelly, age 64 of Aurora, CO, was pronounced deceased at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was not wearing his seat belt, troopers said.
Thea Kelly was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash are pending, according to the FHP.
File photo.
Four Displaced After Cantonment House Fire
October 9, 2017
Four people were displaced from their home after a reported fire early Monday morning in Cantonment.
Firefighters arrived just after 3:20 a.m. to find smoke in the home in the 400 block of Washington Street, near Webb Street.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but may have been attributed to a washing machine.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Molino Man Caught In Lewd Act Outside Walmart
October 9, 2017
A Molino man has been charged with indecent exposure after an Escambia County deputy caught him in a “vulgar and indecent” act in a vehicle outside a Walmart.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard after receiving a lewd and and indecent exposure complaint. A witness reported that 39-year old Christopher Ryan Bucci was “pleasuring” himself in view for anyone to see.
The first deputy on scene reported that he observed Bucci in the lwed act. He was reportedly wearing a white shirt with boxers that were open at the crotch. Deputies found a tube of petroleum jelly in the front passenger seat.
Bucci told deputies that he had taken a large amount of methamphetamine, according to arrest report.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Jay Peanut Festival Rolls On Despite Hurricane Nate
October 9, 2017
The crowds may have been a little smaller and some of the vendor spaces may have been empty, but Hurricane Nate could not stop the Jay Peanut Festival this weekend.
Organizers decided to push forward with the annual event, saying it’s a big boost to the local economy and financially important to vendors.
The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres. In a normal year, the festival draws tens of thousands of people to the Gabbert farm over two days.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
I-10 Speed Limit Increase Near Highway 29
October 9, 2017
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the speed limit on I-10 eastbound near the I-10 interchange has been increased from 50 to 60 mph, but may, at times, be reduced to 50 mph between 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. to accomodate night construction work.
The speed limit on I-10 westbound near the U.S. 29 interchange remains at 50 mph as crews continue construction activities.
Bratt Elementary Students Learn About Fire Safety
October 9, 2017
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue presented a fire safety program Friday at Bratt Elementary School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
