FDLE Arrests Man For Sex Offenses
August 27, 2015
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Pensacola State College Police Department, arrested Jorge Rafael Carias, 24, of Milton, Wednesday on charges of using a computer to solicit a parent or guardian for sex with a child, traveling to meet a child for sex, and transmitting harmful material to a minor.
This case was investigated by members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force including FDLE, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices, and Pensacola Police Department.
The investigation began in July when Carias engaged in a series of email and text messages with an undercover officer who Carias believed to be the parent of a 12-year old girl.
During the email and text exchanges, Carias solicited the undercover officer to have sex with the supposed girl in exchange for cash. He also sent a pornographic photo of himself and sexual messages to the supposed child before traveling to a local motel for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
Carias was located at Pensacola State College and transported to the Escambia County Jail on a $60,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit.
Atmore Man Indicted For Murder Of His Brother
August 27, 2015
An Atmore man has been indicted for the May murder of his brother despite a stand your ground claim.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted James “Jamie” Tolin Scott on one count of reckless murder for the shooting death of Tony Tolin Scott. Tony Scott was shot to death with a small caliber rifle at James Scott’s home on Jefferson Avenue in McCullough, a small community north of Atmore.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office had responded multiple times to the home prior to the shooting due to fights between the brothers.
James Scott remains in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $250,000.
Jeb Bush Brings Campaign Message To Pensacola
August 27, 2015
Former two-term Florida Gov. Jeb Bush brought his presidential campaign message to Pensacola Wednesday. The Republican touted his experience as governor who can get things done in a crisis.
Bush spoke in a crowded room that held about 400 people at the Pensacola Bay Center. The crowd included many students, including a group from West Florida High School.
Pictured top: Northview High School student Mitchell Singleton with Jeb Bush Wednesday afternoon in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Bush addresses the crowd. Pictured below: Tyler Stilleto asks Bush a question during the town hall style meeting. Photos by Mitchell Singleton, Kim Stefansson and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Board Of Education To Ask For Record Funding
August 27, 2015
The State Board of Education decided Wednesday to once again ask lawmakers for record per-student funding for public schools — with the lion’s share of the increase coming from local taxpayers.
Board members unanimously approved a budget request of nearly $20.2 billion for the main funding formula for public elementary and secondary schools in the fiscal year that begins next July 1. That would set a new benchmark for total funding, up from this year’s $19.7 billion, as well as marking the highest per-student amount in state history.
“Last year, you’ll remember that Gov. Scott and the Legislature provided historic levels of funding for education, and we are hopeful that for the (coming) year, the governor and the Legislature will make education a top priority once again by providing historic funding levels,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart told the board.
In a June special legislative session, lawmakers rejected Gov. Rick Scott’s call to increase per-student funding in the current budget year to more than the high-water mark of $7,126, which came in the 2007-08 school year. This year’s decision, made as the House and Senate tried to plug a hole in the health-care budget, deprived Scott of a victory on a campaign promise he had made during his successful re-election bid in 2014.
The proposal approved Wednesday by the board would boost spending to $7,209.39 per student, an increase of $104.33, or 1.47 percent, over the current year.
However, only $50 million of the $475.9 million hike in funding would come from the state. The other $425.9 million would come from local property taxes that make up a key part of the formula for education spending. That approach has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who equate it to a tax increase.
Defenders of the formula point out that the local tax dollars go up because the value of property is rising, not because the actual tax rate is being increased.
The board’s proposal still has several stages to go through before a final number on per-student spending is set. Scott is expected to announce his budget proposal in December, and lawmakers will begin their regular session in January. A final state spending plan will likely be approved in March.
At least one board member held out the possibility that the increase could grow by the time lawmakers are done.
“I hope that percentage increases,” said board member Michael Olenick.
Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who chairs the Senate’s education budget subcommittee, said it is too early to tell whether it’s likely that the Legislature will approve a record amount.
“I hope it is (likely),” he said.
But Gaetz, a former district superintendent, also said he believes “Tallahassee politicians and school board members need to be careful about patting themselves on the back” for funding increases that largely come from local taxpayers.
At their Wednesday meeting, the state board also approved a list of legislative priorities for the 2016 session. Included were measures that would make it easier for high-performing charter schools to open new campuses, allow students in low-performing schools to receive enrollment preferences at charter schools and overhaul the Department of Education’s process for investigating teachers accused of misconduct.
Among other things, the latter bill would put more teachers on the board that investigates alleged wrongdoing and would allow the education agency to get access to the findings of child-protective investigations by the Department of Children and Families.
Wahoos Move Into First Place
August 27, 2015
Cody Reed held the Mississippi Braves to one run and struck out eight in six innings of work as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos won, 3-1, Wednesday night to move into first place in the second half of South Division play in the Southern League.
Wednesday night, Reed showed the 4,201 Blue Wahoos fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium what he’s made of. In the battle to make the playoffs, Reed retired nine Mississippi Braves in a row at one point.
On the road, Reed has a 3-0 record and 0.41 earned-run average. At home? Reed was 0-2, lasting just 7.2 innings with an 11.74 ERA.
Pensacola improved to 33-26 in the second half and sole possession of first place, while Mississippi fell to 32-26.
Reed said he knew he lacked his usual good stuff but wasn’t about to let the Braves have a big inning. He struggled early throwing 60 pitches over the first three innings.
“It wasn’t my sharpest day but I got through six innings,” said Reed, who came to Pensacola from the Kansas City organization in a trade for the Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto. “You just got to work through it. I love having that pressure of being the guy they give the ball to.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly, who turns 60 Thursday, said Reed’s six innings was exactly what the Blue Wahoos needed Wednesday against Mississippi. Reed improved to 4-2 with a 3.03 ERA.
“I had more guys in turf shoes than cleats tonight,” he said. “I love (Reed’s) stuff. He has a plus fastball with a plus slider. He really competes. He was upset he gave up one run.”
Pensacola scored first in the fourth inning when left fielder Jesse Winker walked and scored on right fielder Juan Duran’s fielder choice to go up, 1-0.
The Blue Wahoos added another in the next inning when Kyle Skipworth hit a shot to right field that was dropped for an error. He scored on Winker’s ground out to the first baseman for a 2-0 Pensacola lead.
But back-to-back doubles by Mississippi’s Keven Ahrens and Rio Ruiz brought the Braves within one run at, 2-1.
Pensacola, though, added an insurance run in the eighth inning to go up, 3-1, when shortstop Alex Blandino hit a rocket to centerfield for a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Marquez Smith.
Kelly said he’s glad to be in the hunt for a playoff spot with 11 games left in the season. The latest Pensacola has had sole possession of first place was July 22, 2012 in its first season.
“If you had told me in April or May that we would be here I would have told you that you were crazy,” Kelly said. “This is great. It’s nice being here at this point. We just gotta keep going.”
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing Car, Burglary
August 26, 2015
A Cantonment man is behind bars after allegedly using force to steal a car and then using it as transportation as he committed a burglary the following day.
James Christopher Gulsby 32, punched and choked his live-in girlfriend to get the keys and take a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi car belonging to her father, according to an arrest report. The following day, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office receive a suspicious person call on Hound Chase Way, with the individual reported to be walking around with a black plastic box and a green garden hose.
They responded to find Gulsby in the backyard of a residence with a small crowbar and pair of pliers. Deputies discovered the back door of the residence with pry marks that matched the use of a crowbar, and they reported finding a black box with tools and a green garden hose inside.
Gulsby was charged with domestic battery by strangulation, criminal mischief with property damage, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, possession of burglary tools with the intent to use, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. He booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Escambia Legislative Delegation Sets Public Hearing
August 26, 2015
The Escambia County Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing September 21, according to Sen. Greg Evers, delegation chairman.
Delegation members will consider local bills, hear presentations from government entities and take public testimony on proposals for the 2016 Legislative Session. Any member of the public is welcomed to attend.
Those who wish to make a presentation or provide testimony should contact Dave Murzin at murzin.dave@flsenate.gov or cell, (850) 380-8249 to receive a Meeting Participation Form and return it to Evers’ office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.
Local bill submissions should includeda brief summary of the proposal, a draft of the proposed bill, and a 2016 Economic Impact Statement Form, must be received by Evers office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14th.
The public hearing will be held from 5-7 p.m. on September 21 at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, located at 1000 College Boulevard. in Pensacola.
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation includes Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Mike Hill.
Lineworker Appreciation Day Marked
August 26, 2015
One of the most dangerous and deadly jobs in America is that of electrical lineworkers, cracking the top 20 at number 10 on a recent Washington Post list. These jobs are considered by many to be the fourth most dangerous occupation in the world.
Working with live wires is dangerous enough. Add to that working in all types of weather, from torrential storms to oppressive heat to responding to the scene of an accident. All to make sure electricity continues to flow safely and reliably to homes and businesses.
It’s a tough job with little thanks. But Gulf Power, with the State of Florida, recognized the contributions and dedication of lineworkers during Lineworker Appreciation Day on Aug. 26, a day set aside by the state Legislature in 2012.
Gulf Power paid special tribute to the nearly 190 employees that work on the company’s 9,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines between Pensacola and Panama City, which serves more than 447,000 customers.
One of those lineworkers, Ed Morrell, has worked 17 years at Gulf Power as a distribution service and line technician.
“I have a great job, with a great company, and I’m very thankful,” said Morrell. “I get to help people improve their quality of life everyday. Whether it’s just hot outside and they need their air conditioning on or if customers need electricity for artificial respiration or other medical equipment, it feels good to know I play a critical part in their lives.”
Morrell started working at Gulf Power after a church member mentioned possible job opportunities. He applied and interviewed, but was not chosen after his first interview. “It’s all in God’s timing,” he said. Nonetheless, he interviewed a couple of months later and eventually joined the company as an apprentice.
“After graduating from high school, I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years,” said Morrell. “I thought it would be hard raising a family in the military by being gone all the time so after the first Gulf War, I did electrical work for myself back home to support my family.”
However, Morrell quickly found that utility line work is very different from wiring a house. He said adhering to the safety standards of Gulf Power is extremely important and always job one.
“We have to constantly be aware of our surroundings and remain safe at all times because your first mistake may as well be your last,” he said.
Morrell began his career assisting in the daily construction and maintenance of the distribution systems in order to provide service in a safe, timely and economical manner. He quickly responded to and corrected problems with the electrical distribution system during normal working hours, after hours, nights and weekends and in extreme weather conditions.
“Sometimes it’s tough working different shifts and being on-call, but I love helping other people and working with our crews. We have a special bond among us. After Hurricane Ivan, we worked for more than two weeks with no power at our own homes. We were inspecting, testing and repairing power lines and other equipment using special reading and testing devices. We rebuilt entire lines, set poles, hung transformers and connected service throughout our area. Working with customers in the field and seeing our communities come together was particularly gratifying,” he said.
He tells fellow lineworkers that when times get tough to remember that others may have it even worse during natural disasters. “We have worked with crews in New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy and with crews in Tuscaloosa, Alabama after tornadoes,” said Morrell in a solemn tone. “Both of those areas were completely devastated, homes destroyed, people were missing, and to bring hope to so many families was indescribable. There is always someone, somewhere out there that needs us.”
Morrell advises others wanting to become a lineworker to have a good attitude, be adaptive and flexible, expect to work hard and play hard, develop safe habits, follow directions and do the best you can.
“There is no such thing as a typical day. I sometimes wake up when it’s raining and I’m surprised I haven’t gotten a call. Other days, I’m prepping my truck for when I have to depart at a moment’s notice,” he said.
Throughout Morrell’s career, his very supportive family has stood behind him. Morrell’s wife Kristie, and their three children look forward to him returning home safely each and every day. They, too, continue making sacrifices.
“It’s funny that sometimes heroes look like ordinary people,” said Kristie. “Most people only dream of meeting their hero, but I married mine.”
Citizen’s Customers May Face Rate Hike Due To Spike In Water Claims
August 26, 2015
A “disturbing” rise in water-damage claims in South Florida is driving Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to seek an average 3.2 percent increase in rates for many homeowners, the president of the state-backed insurer said Tuesday.
Without the surge in reported residential water damage over the past two years, which is causing the agency to alter its approach to such claims, Citizens would be asking for an average statewide rate decrease, Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway said during a rate hearing before the Office of Insurance Regulation.
“You can’t move away from the fundamental issue, when you take a look at Miami-Dade, and you take a look at the rest of the state, there really is no major differences in ages of home or any other characteristics,” Gilway told Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty. “So it leads you to the obvious conclusion, and the conclusion basically is there is more fraud associated with these types of claims.”
As it is, Citizens customers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, which comprise a large portion of Citizens’ portfolio, are more likely to see rates increases than homeowners in other parts of the state under the rate proposals. And the reason is the water claims, Gilway said.
“If the Miami-Dade average (water damage) claim were the same as the rest of the state, 99 percent of all Miami-Dade policyholders would be getting an 8 to 9 percent decrease, not an 8 to 9 percent increase,” he said.
McCarty gave no hint if his office would approve the proposed rates.
The new rates, if approved by the state regulators by the second week of September, would go into effect Feb. 1.
The rates vary by county and depend on a property’s location, the home’s style, and the type of policy.
The overall statewide average increase would be 3.2 percent, with homeowners’ multi-peril personal-line accounts going up an average of 1.3 percent and wind-only coastal accounts going up 9 percent. Multi-peril coverage for mobile-home owners would go down 5.3 percent on average. There is no proposed change to sinkhole rates.
The increase in claims, primarily in Miami-Dade County, is driven by attorneys who specialize in water damage, which adds to attorney fees and adjuster costs, Gilway said.
“The issue for us is, we don’t even have a chance to work with a policyholder to come up with a fair settlement,” Gilway said after the hearing. “You saw the numbers, 30 percent of all the water damage claims come in with representation. We have not even talked to the insured. And 90 percent of all the claims coming in with representation come from Miami-Dade.”
In 2012, about one in 12 homeowners in Miami-Dade County with a Citizens policy made a water-damage claim, with the average cost just under $9,000. In the past 12 months, Gilway said, one in eight Miami-Dade policyholders with Citizens filed such a claim, with damage costs running on average approaching $15,000.
“We’re averaging 1,000 water-damage claims a month,” said Gilway, who described the increase as “disturbing.”
John Rollins, Citizens chief risk officer, said a majority of the claims come from reports of pipe failure. Citizens doesn’t cover flood and storm surge.
One change being made is that only Citizens adjusters, who are being trained as to what to look for in water claims, will respond to water claims in South Florida, Gilway said.
Gilway said he doesn’t anticipate the need to get the Legislature to enact new laws to address the increase in water-damage claims. But he said he’s working with Rep. Frank Artiles, a Republican from Miami who has been a critic of the agency, on rules for making water-damage claims with the state-backed agency.
The proposal would establish “mandatory” appraisal rules — similar to sinkhole claims — in which both sides on a water-damage claim would get to select an appraiser and if the two sides don’t agree, the issue would go before a mediator. The move would keep attorneys out of the issue, Gilway said.
The rate proposals come as Citizens has dropped from 1.5 million policies in 2012 to 589,456 policies as of July 31. Gilway said he expects the number of policies to be just above 500,000 by the end of the year.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
NHS To Hold Meet The Chiefs (With Bonus Cheerleader, Dance, Band Photos)
August 26, 2015
Northview High School will hold “Meet The Chiefs” Thursday at 7 p.m. Fans will have a chance to meet the football players and cheerleaders ahead of the regular season.
A meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. for parents of football players.
For cheerleader, dance, band and NJROTC photos, click here.
Pictured: The Northview band, cheerleaders, dance team and NJROTC from last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
