Former Cafeteria Manager Charged With Stealing Student Lunch Money
December 7, 2015
A former elementary school cafeteria manager has been charged with stealing lunch money from student accounts at Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools.
Jennifer Leigh McKendrick, 42, was arrested for felony official misconduct and grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Officials said she was improperly refunding money from student lunch accounts and pocketed the cash.
McKendrick was first hired by the Escambia County School District in late 1997. In August 2013, she was promoted to food service manager at Molino Park Elementary School and was given the additional duty of supervising food service operations at Jim Allen Elementary in August 2014. Part of her duties included issuing refunds from student meal accounts.
In May 2015, a Molino Park parent found that his children’s online lunch accounts has an incorrect zero balance. When he called the cafeteria to question the balance, he was told the money was refunded in March 2015. The victim told investigators that he never requested and never received a refund. He was contacted three different times by McKendrick who offered to meet him off campus and refund the money, according to authorities.
McKendrick admitted that she removed money from the food service cashier kiosk at both Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools without completing the appropriate paperwork, according to an arrest warrant. She contacted a school district investigator and volunteered to reimburse the school district for any funds determined to be missing.
She resigned from her position on June 2, 2015.
A total of $2,787.75 of was wrongly removed from the school district’s food service funds, according to an internal audit.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting
December 7, 2015
The Town of Century has rescheduled tonight’s regular town council meeting
The town council normally meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. However, in December, the council only holds one meeting. This year, that December meeting will be held on December 14, the second Monday of the month, at 7 p.m.
The Century council will return to their normal meeting schedule in January.
4-H Cold Weather Clothing Drive Underway
December 7, 2015
Escambia County 4-H is collecting cold weather clothing donations for needy families.
Items are needed for adults and children, including coats, jackets, socks, scarves, gloves and hats.
Donations can be made at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment by December 20.
Northview Beta, FCA Spread Christmas Cheer
December 7, 2015
Member of the Northview High School Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently went caroling around the Century area, with stops that included Byrneville Elementary School, the Century Health And Rehabilitation Center and the Century Town Hall. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Tate At Armwood
December 7, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies fell short in the 6A state semi-final game Friday night at Armwood High School near Tampa.
For a bonus photo gallery with 235 photos, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Scott’s Jobs Chief Leaving In January
December 7, 2015
Jesse Panuccio, Gov. Rick Scott’s jobs chief who was expected to face intense scrutiny during upcoming Senate confirmation hearings, announced Friday he is stepping down.
The governor’s office said Panuccio is seeking “new opportunities” and that his replacement will be named in the coming weeks.
Panuccio, who has been with Scott since shortly after the governor took office in 2011, said in a resignation letter that his last day as executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will be Jan. 8.
Panuccio, who is paid $141,000 a year, didn’t say in the letter what he will do next.
“This is a bittersweet decision for me, as it has been a joy and honor to serve the people of Florida,” Panuccio wrote in the letter to Scott. “Nonetheless, it is time for me to begin a new chapter in my career and life.”
Scott released a statement calling Panuccio “a loyal and trusted advisor.”
“While at DEO, so much has been accomplished under his leadership,” Scott said in the release. “He has helped grow jobs by streamlining the economic development process and has protected taxpayer money by instituting new accountability measures. Jesse has made fighting fraud in the unemployment system a top priority, and the agency has stopped tens of thousands of fraudulent claims.”
Panuccio has been one of Scott’s biggest cheerleaders, sending out monthly employment numbers and other releases that praise Scott’s policies for growth in jobs across the state.
The praise was also in the resignation letter.
“It has been my great privilege to help implement your pro-growth policies, which have fostered Florida’s economic resurgence,” Panuccio wrote to Scott.
Panuccio was one of 16 agency heads who failed to be confirmed by the Senate during the 2015 legislative session, which was dominated by health-care fights in which Scott often sided with the House.
All 16 were quickly reappointed by Scott. But to retain their jobs for longer one year, the appointees must again go through the Senate confirmation process.
Senate President Andy Gardiner said Friday that all of Scott’s appointees up for confirmation in the 2016 session will receive a “fair hearing.” But Gardiner added that the Senate will not be “rubber stamping” the appointees.
“We have indicated to the governor’s office … there will be pointed questions to these secretaries,” Gardiner said in an interview with The News Service of Florida. “Everybody needs to be fully prepared for that and not surprised by that.”
Gardiner, who called Panuccio “a good guy,” added he hasn’t heard about any moves to block appointees.
“A lot of these you just kind of have to let them work through the process,” Gardiner said.
Panuccio was among a number of appointees who faced particularly rough hearings earlier this year.
He has also continued to field questions from lawmakers about problems with the state’s 2-year-old, $77 million unemployment benefits website known as Connect.
In October, Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, admonished Panuccio for displaying a “sense of entitlement” when Panuccio dismissed Florida AFL-CIO lobbyist Rich Templin’s assertion that Florida may be purposely last in the nation in paying unemployment claims.
“I frankly don’t like your attitude,” Latvala told Panuccio. “I think that there is an arrogance in the way you present this that’s a sense of entitlement. And I just think it’s wrong.”
Panuccio has also been criticized by some lawmakers for a lack of communication.
On Tuesday, when Scott made a rare appearance before the House Finance & Tax Committee to pitch a request for $1 billion in tax cuts, Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, used the opportunity to say he’s received “zero input” from Panuccio in close to four months of trying to set up a meeting on economic development.
Scott replied that Panuccio would call.
Panuccio, a Harvard Law School graduate, joined Scott as a deputy general counsel in January 2011.
The next year, Panuccio became Scott’s general counsel before being named to replace Hunting Deutsch, who left the top job at the Department of Economic Opportunity amid scrutiny over acceptance of unemployment compensation when he was downsized out of a bank job.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2015
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IRS Phone Scam Reported In North Escambia Area
December 6, 2015
The Better Business Bureau, and local residents, are warning that an IRS scam is taking place in the North Escambia area.
“Someone called me today and told me this is my last notice, and if I didn’t call a specified number and make arrangements to pay, my wages would be garnished,” a NorthEscambia.com reader in Cantonment wrote in an email to our newsroom. That particular call from a 318 area code in Louisiana.
The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent months as scam artists threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation and other things. The IRS reminds taxpayers to guard against all sorts of con games.
“If someone calls unexpectedly claiming to be from the IRS with aggressive threats if you don’t pay immediately, it’s a scam artist calling,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The first IRS contact with taxpayers is usually through the mail. Taxpayers have rights, and this is not how we do business.”
Phone scams have been a persistent and pervasive problem for many taxpayers for many months. Scammers are able to alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS badge numbers. They often leave “urgent” callback requests. They prey on the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly, newly arrived immigrants and those whose first language is not English. Scammers have been known to impersonate agents from IRS Criminal Investigation as well.
“These criminals try to scare and shock you into providing personal financial information on the spot while you are off guard,” Koskinen said. “Don’t be taken in and don’t engage these people over the phone.”
The IRS will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:
- If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.
- If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the TIGTA at 1-800-366-4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
- If you’ve been targeted by this scam, also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
December 6, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending December 3 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Lambert stopped a vehicle after observing the driver shining for deer. The driver of the vehicle was suspected of killing a 9‑point buck with a gun and light several days prior to the stop. After interviewing the suspect and his brother, a confession was obtained. The brother admitted to killing the 9‑point on October 15 using a gun and light. The velvet buck head and a rifle were seized and charges were filed on the suspect for taking a deer at night with a gun and light.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was on foot patrol in the Blackwater State Forest. He located an area that had been baited with corn to attract deer. While scouting the baited area, he observed a hunter sitting in a tree stand approximately ten yards away from the corn and a feeder filled with corn. Officer Hutchinson made contact with the hunter and asked him about the bait. The hunter admitted to placing the bait on the ground and as well as the feeder. He was charged with hunting over bait in a management area.
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr were patrolling in the Escambia River WMA and checked an area that had been baited earlier in the year. As they approached the area, they observed a man crouching on the ground wearing a ghillie suit near the baited area. The man admitted to placing soured corn out for hogs. He was charged with hunting over bait in a management area.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Is Your Church Or Community Group Holding A Christmas Event?
December 6, 2015
Is your church or non-profit community group hold a special event or service during the Christmas season?
If you are in our “North Escambia” area, email the details to news@northescambia.com or fill out our contact form. We would love to include your event or special service on our Events page, and perhaps feature the event in an upcoming front page news story. These listings are free for churches or non-profit groups in the North Escambia area (within our guidelines).
If you event is “high profile” and expected to draw a large crowd, let us know. Additional no-cost opportunities are available for additional promotion.
(Churches — don’t forget to send us details on all of your special Christmas services, cantatas, children’s plays, etc.)