Free Computer Classes Begin Thursday At Century Branch Library
March 10, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for Mrach at the Century Branch Library:
Word 2010 Basics – Thursday, March 12 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This class is designed for participants to create a document by learning the basics of Word 2010. Instruction will cover ribbons; spelling and grammar check; saving work and printing a document.
Word 2010: Beyond Basics – Thursday, March 26 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This workshop will cover creating tables and newsletters along with inserting WordArt, pictures and clip art.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.
US Supreme Court To Weigh Death Case From 1998 Nine Mile Popeye’s Murder
March 10, 2015
In a case stemming from the murder of an Escambia fast-food restaurant manager, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up constitutional questions dealing with juries in Florida death-penalty cases.
In a two-sentence order announcing it would hear an appeal by Death Row inmate Timothy Hurst, the Supreme Court did not spell out the details of issues it will consider.
Hurst was convicted in the May 1998 murder of Cynthia Lee Harrison, a Nine Mile Road Popeye’s Fried Chicken manager who was found in a restaurant freezer bound, gagged and stabbed, according to a brief filed by the Attorney General’s Office. Hurst, now 36, was an employee of the restaurant.
But Hurst’s appeal focused heavily on Florida’s lack of a requirement that juries be unanimous in recommending imposition of the death penalty. The appeal also focused on Florida not requiring juries to be unanimous in finding what are known as “aggravators” that justify death sentences. Another issue in the appeal was whether juries should have a role in determining whether capital-case defendants are intellectually disabled.
In death-penalty cases, juries make sentencing recommendations to judges, who ultimately decide whether defendants should be sent to Death Row. The appeal said Florida’s lack of a requirement for unanimity in jury recommendations and in finding aggravators is unusual.
“In the death penalty arena, while a clear majority of states have approved a spectrum of death penalty schemes, Florida remains unique among them in not requiring unanimity of either the finding or recommendation of death or of the aggravating factors that justified that verdict,” said a petition filed in December by Hurst’s attorney. “It is a position the Florida Supreme Court has recognized, and it is one that court feels ill at ease about.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s order Monday cited a 2002 capital-sentencing decision known as Ring v. Arizona, which is a foundation of Hurst’s appeal. Also, it said the question in Hurst’s case is whether “Florida’s death sentencing scheme violates the Sixth Amendment or the Eighth Amendment” of the U.S. Constitution.
Hurst’s attorney, David A. Davis, could not be reached for comment Monday. Briefs in the case were posted on the website of SCOTUSblog, which closely tracks U.S. Supreme Court proceedings.
In 2000, a jury voted 11-1 to recommend the death sentence for Hurst, and a circuit judge agreed with the recommendation. After an appeal, the case was later sent back to circuit court for a new sentencing proceeding.
In that proceeding, the defense argued that Hurst was intellectually disabled, a position that the state disputed. A jury voted 7-5 to recommend the death penalty for Hurst, and Circuit Judge Linda Nobles sentenced him to death. A divided Florida Supreme Court rejected an appeal last year.
Monday’s order came a day before the Senate Criminal Justice Committee considers a bill that would address key issues in the Hurst case. The bill, filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, would require juries to be unanimous before recommending the death penalty and also would require unanimity in determining whether aggravating circumstances justify death sentences.
But in the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Hurst’s attorney wrote that the Florida Supreme Court has asked the Legislature to resolve such issues in the past, but lawmakers had refused.
Northview Remains Undefeated With Nine-Inning Win Over Central
March 10, 2015
It was a battle of the undefeateds Monday in Santa Rosa County, and when the dust cleared after nine innings, the Northview Chiefs added another win to their so-far perfect season. Northview remains undefeated after a 5-4 win over Central (3-1) The Chiefs will travel to Freeport Friday for a district game. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Two Major Business Groups Back Seminole Gambling Compact
March 10, 2015
In a new television ad, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association — two of the Capitol’s most-influential business lobbies — are urging an extension of a state gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The ad comes as a key part of the agreement, allowing games such as blackjack at Seminole casinos, is scheduled to expire this summer. Under the existing agreement, known as a compact, the tribe agreed to pay the state a minimum of $1 billion over five years.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Restaurant and Lodging Association have fought gambling-expansion proposals, such as allowing resort casinos in South Florida. The television ad draws a line between extending the Seminole compact and allowing expanded gambling at other facilities
“The Seminole compact has been good for Florida and the economy, while controlling the expansion of gaming, and that’s good for everybody,” Mark Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce, says in the ad.
House Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, released a plan last week that would allow two Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida and also allow slot machines at two additional greyhound tracks.
The ads come at a time when the Poarch Creek Indians are also seeking talks with Gov. Rick Scott over gaming compact, centered around one acre of land on Nokomis Road in North Escambia. The Poarch Creeks own and operate the Wind Creek casinos in Atmore and the Montgomery area.
by The News Service of Florida and NorthEscambia.com
Storm Surcharge Disappearing From Your Homeowner’s Insurance
March 10, 2015
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation on Monday formally approved an early end for a Citizens Property Insurance Corp. surcharge imposed on most homeowners’ policies because of damages from the last of the 2005 hurricanes. The state office issued an order for the 1 percent charge to end July 1, two years earlier than previously slated.
“Citizens reports it expects to enter the 2015 hurricane season with more than $4 billion in reinsurance coverage and about $7.5 billion in surplus available to pay future claims — the highest in its history,” Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in a prepared statement. “That’s important, because Citizens can assess surcharges on all property insurance policies in Florida to cover any shortfalls that may occur in future hurricanes. A higher surplus, too, means that more claims can be paid from cash rather than relying as heavily on assessments.”
The storm assessment has been imposed on insurance policyholders — whether they were Citizens customers or not — since 2007. Citizens imposed the storm assessment to recoup $887 million of the roughly $1.7 billion deficit created by Hurricane Wilma, which hit South Florida in October 2005. The state picked up $623 million of the costs from Wilma, while the remainder was covered by additional assessments imposed on Citizens policyholders.
In September, the state-backed insurer’s Board of Governors unanimously voted to support the early end, noting that the balance of the remaining debt on the bonds issued for the 2005 storm will be paid off this year.
More Info Released In Case Of Deputies Arrested For Sexual Assault
March 9, 2015
This story has been updated. Click here.
UPDATE: At a Monday morning press conference, Sheriff David Morgan said the two deputies charged in this case — Mark Gene Smith and Walter Michael Thomas, Jr. — are now on unpaid leave.
He acknowledged that suspect Leah Manning was formerly employed by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as a nurse. Authorities are currently search through more than 100,o00 images and videos on the Mannings’ computer for any possible evidence.
As of Monday morning, the Mannings are believed to have left Florida and remain at large.
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Two Escambia County deputies have been arrested for sexual offenses with subjects under the age 18, and authorities are seeking two additional suspects.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Senior Deputy Mark Gene Smith was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault and misdemeanor battery. Deputy Walter Michael Thomas, Jr., was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault. Both are being held without bond and have been placed on administrative leave from the ECSO.
Smith was hired March 14, 2005, and had served on patrol since October 7, 2005. Thomas was hired April 6, 2009, and had served on patrol since September 2, 2009.
Investigators are also looking for Douglas Albert Manning, 47, and Leah Giannotti Manning, 40, (pictured top) on outstanding warrants for sexual battery and child neglect. They were last seen in the area of 2000 Berg Street and are known to drive a 2013 Red Chevrolet Camaro with Florida tag M596YZ.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911, (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at this time. Sheriff David Morgan plans to release more information on the case during a press conference on Monday.
Pictured: Authorities are searching for Douglas Albert Manning and Leah Giannotti Manning. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In ECAT Bus Crash
March 9, 2015
There were no serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash involving an Escambia County Area Transit bus this morning at West Detroit Boulevard and Untreiner Avenue. There were three passengers on the bus at the time of the crash; all were uninjured. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Unrestrained 5-Month Old Seriously Injured In Crash; Driver Charged
March 9, 2015
A 5-month old infant was seriously injured in an accident Sunday night that left a driver facing multiple charges.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 33-year old Alan Wiggins was traveling southbound on Highway 29 near W Street when his 2011 Chevrolet Camaro collided with a 2013 Toyota van driven by 65-year old Sadie Alexander of Pensacola.
An unrestrained 5-month old in Wiggins’ Camaro was seriously injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. A total of 10 other people involved in the crash received only minor injuries or were not injured.
Wiggins was charged with felony driving with a license that was suspended or revoked, careless driving and no child restraint by the FHP. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Firefighters Kept Busy With Brush Fires
March 9, 2015
Firefighters battled multiple brush fires Sunday afternoon, including two fires near Walnut Hill.
The fires near Walnut Hill were about 15 miles apart and unrelated, but both were reported at nearly the same time, stretching firefighter resources between the two. One fire was an apparent controlled burn that jumped a fire line on Deer Lake Road near Pine Forest Road. The other was along South Highway 99 near Leandras Lane, burning along both sides of the highway and into a wooded area. The fire also burned several railroad ties on tracks parallel to the highway.
Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Molino, McDavid and Century were dispatched to the fires.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to a quarter-acre fire in the 7500 block of Brickton Road Saturday afternoon. A resident advised the fire was sparked by his string trimmer.
And 7:15 Sunday night, the McDavid, Molino, Walnut Hill, Century and Flomaton stations were dispatched to a wildfire up to about half acre in size at the railroad tracks on Bluff Springs Road. That fire was extinguished in a matter of minutes.
Pictured: Firefighters battle a brush fire along South Highway 99 and adjacent railroad tracks Sunday afternoon near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia, AL, Receives $85K Grant To Help Domestic Violence Victims
March 9, 2015
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded an $85,500 grant to help victims of domestic violence in Escambia County obtain justice and access professional assistance.
The grant to the Escambia County (AL) Commission will help continue funding a domestic violence unit established by the district attorney’s office and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department. The unit investigates and prosecutes domestic violence cases and coordinates assistance and services like counseling to victims.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the Justice Department under provisions of the STOP Violence Against Women Act. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the act, which devotes funding to help protect women from abuse and to impose harsher punishments for abusers.