Barrineau Park Road Paved Into Alabama
February 24, 2015
Escambia County has completed paving a route across the Perdido River into Alabama.
Over three years ago, Baldwin County paved 2.8 miles of Barrineau Park Road (also known as Duck Place Road) from the Perdido River to Highway 112. But the Florida side, from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community — remained dirt until recently.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River into Alabama. But the county-maintained the dirt road on the Florida side was, until 2013, privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long, but the county had no right to pave it. The heirs of William Merwin Barrineau, donated the 2.73 acres of right-of-way to Escambia County for the roadway and related drainage infrastructure.
The route is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. It is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County and vice versa for Baldwin County residents traveling to Pensacola.
Pictured top: Looking from Alabama across a bridge over the Perdido River into Escambia County. Pictured below: The recently paved Barrineau Park Road in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First New Nursing Homes In Over A Decade Approved For Escambia, Santa Rosa
February 24, 2015
After more than a decade-long moratorium on adding nursing home beds, state regulators said Monday they have approved proposals for 2,600 beds in 25 counties — including 120 new beds in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The approvals, through what is known as the “certificate of need” process, came after lawmakers last year approved a measure to lift the moratorium.
Lawmakers began the moratorium in 2001, at least in part, to help lead to more care being provided in communities instead of in nursing homes.
The Agency for Health Care Administration approved a proposal for a new $19 million, 90-bed facility to likely be located in the general area of Nine Mile Road and and the University of West Florida. The agency also approved a proposal for a $3.3 million, 30-bed addition to a current 60-bed facility on Glover Lane in Milton.
“This expansion of Florida’s long-term care infrastructure will not only provide more access to care, but will also bolster Florida’s economy for the next few years,” AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek said in a prepared statement. “In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be spent on construction projects, these beds will result in hundreds of new jobs for administrative staff and caregivers.”
New nursing homes are expected to be scattered across the state, though Central Florida appears likely to see some of the most construction.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
FDLE Arrests Two On Child Porn Charges
February 24, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents arrested two local men on charges of possession of child pornography.
Agents arrested Warren Hardy Lindsley, 31, of 2101 Scenic Highway, # E-204 on 15 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of promoting the sexual performance by a child. Agents began investigating Lindsley after discovering a computer at his residence downloading and sharing child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered multiple video files of child pornography located on a computer belonging to Lindsley. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $50,000 bond.
In a separate investigation, Keith Thomas Shaffer, 55, of 4856 Makenna Circle, Pace was arrested on 15 counts of possession of child pornography. Agents began investigating Shaffer after discovering a computer at his residence downloading child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered evidence linking Shaffer to the images that were downloaded from his computer. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
10 Big Issues To Watch During 2015 Legislative Session
February 24, 2015
Florida lawmakers will gather March 3 in the Capitol for the pomp-filled start of the 2015 legislative session. Then the real work begins. For 60 days, the House and Senate will grapple with hot-button issues ranging from standardized testing in public schools to reforming the troubled prison system. And that doesn’t even touch on the one must-pass bill of the session: a roughly $77 billion state budget.
Here are 10 big issues to watch during the upcoming session:
BUDGET: Banking on a nearly $1 billion surplus, Gov. Rick Scott offered a budget proposal in January that included record per-student spending in public schools and $673 million in tax cuts. But a major question looms for the Republican-dominated Legislature as it prepares to negotiate a final spending plan this spring. A program that has funneled about $1 billion a year to hospitals and other health providers is set to expire June 30, and it is unclear whether state and federal officials can agree on an extension. If they can’t agree, that would leave a huge hole in the budget. The program, known as the Low Income Pool, helps subsidize care for low-income and uninsured Floridians.
CHILD WELFARE: After a series of child deaths, lawmakers last year passed a wide-ranging law to try to reform the Florida Department of Children and Families. But lawmakers and the agency are struggling with renewed questions heading into this year’s session, in part because of the high-profile death of a 5-year-old girl who was dropped off a bridge into Tampa Bay. A 50-page report issued in late January by a new institute at Florida State University called for state leaders to go far beyond their previous efforts to fix the child-welfare system.
GAMBLING: Lawmakers have toyed the past few years with revamping the state’s gambling laws, but they have ended up scuttling proposals such as allowing resort casinos in South Florida. This spring, however, Scott and the Legislature are confronted with a decision about whether to extend part of a gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that brings in more than $100 million a year for the state. If the Seminole deal goes before the Legislature, odds are that lobbyists will use it as a springboard to seek other changes in the gambling industry.
GUNS: When Florida State University graduate Myron May opened fire at the campus library in November, he wounded three people before he was shot to death by police. The incident stunned the university. But it also reopened a debate about whether the Legislature should start allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college campuses. Supporters of the change say it would help students and other people on campus defend themselves. But critics contend that the proposal could make campuses more dangerous.
HEALTH CARE: The noisiest health-care issue during the upcoming session likely will focus on whether the state should accept tens of billions of dollars in federal money to expand Medicaid or to provide coverage through a similar private health-insurance program. But like the past two years, the idea appears dead on arrival in the Florida House. Health-care lobbyists, however, are working on a variety of other issues, including proposals to bolster the use of telemedicine in the state. The House and Senate could not reach agreement on a telemedicine bill last year but appear to be close to a compromise heading into this spring’s session.
LAND AND WATER: Voters sent a strong message in November when they overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment requiring the state to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars a year for land and water projects. But one of the most closely watched issues of the session will be how the Legislature carries that out. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, have made clear that water issues will be a priority of their two years leading the Legislature. But at least part of the debate will focus on how to divvy up money between proposed water projects, which range from cleaning up natural springs and the Everglades to helping with local-government stormwater systems.
PRISONS: The Florida Department of Corrections is getting hit from all sides. Among other things, it faces investigations into inmate deaths, allegations of cover-ups, complaints about low staffing levels and questions about health care provided to prisoners. Senators have started moving aggressively to try to make changes in the agency, which has long had problems. Among the proposals under discussion: creating new penalties for guards who abuse prisoners and establishing a new commission to oversee the prison system.
STADIUMS: Lawmakers last year approved a plan to try to bring some order to lobbying scrums about whether the state should spend sales-tax dollars to help pay for building or renovating sports stadiums. The plan led to four stadium projects — involving EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Daytona International Speedway, Sun Life Stadium in Miami-Dade County and an Orlando soccer stadium — submitting voluminous applications and undergoing reviews. But then the process became messy, at least in part because the state Department of Economic Opportunity did not rank the projects. And now, lawmakers find themselves once again getting lobbied heavily as they try to decide whether the state should subsidize stadium projects.
TAX CUTS: The question isn’t whether lawmakers will approve tax cuts. The question is how big the number will be and which taxes will get cut. Scott’s proposed $673 million in tax cuts focus heavily on what is known as the communications-services tax, which is collected on such things as cell-phone bills and cable television. The governor wants to cut that tax by about $470 million, arguing such a cut would directly help families. It is unclear whether lawmakers will go along with such a large cut in that tax. But they are looking at several additional possibilities, including cutting a tax on real-estate leases, increasing deductions on corporate-income taxes and offering sales-tax holidays.
TESTING: Democrats and teachers unions howled for years about Florida high-stakes testing system, which was largely ushered in by former Gov. Jeb Bush and backed by Republican legislative leaders. But with many conservative voters now also objecting to the system, Scott and the Legislature appear to be looking for ways to scale back the focus on standardized testing. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, with the support of Scott, has already called for eliminating at least one statewide test. A key for Republican lawmakers could be trying to find a balance between reduced testing and still having accountability measures for schools.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Tate, Northview Band Students Earn High Ratings At Districts
February 24, 2015
Over 100 Northview and Tate high school band students were awarded excellent and superior ratings recently at the Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments at Gulf Breeze High School.
State qualifying soloists and groups are indicated below with an asterisk (*). These students will take part in the state solo and ensemble assessments March 23-24 in Gainesville. To qualify for state, the students were required to perform a Grade 5 or higher and earn a Superior rating at the district level.
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Sarah Dutton (Flag solo) – Excellent
Tiffani Cruce (Flag solo) – Excellent
Amber Freeman (Flute solo) – Superior
Kylie Brook (Flute solo) – Superior
Clayton Findley (Tenor Saxophone solo) – Superior
Adrian King (Trombone Solo) – Superior
Triston Long (Tuba solo) – Superior
Abbie Johnson (Piano solo) – Superior
David Weber (Snare solo) – Superior*
David Weber and Tristan Williams (Percussion duet) – Superior*
Julie Hester (Baton solo) – Superior*
Brianna Smith (Baton solo) – Superior*
TATE HIGH SCHOOL
Soloists:
Toye Johnson (Piccolo) – Superior
Angel Chu (Flute) – Superior *
Taylor Ertel (Flute) – Superior
Tiana Hendricks (Flute) – Superior *
Toye Johnson (Flute) – Superior
Madison Rondeau (Flute) – Superior *
Katie Woods (Clarinet) – Superior *
Ashton Nelson (Bassoon) – Superior *
Bryce Coots (Alto Sax) – Superior *
Randi Avery (Trumpet) – Excellent
Jacob Howard (Trumpet) – Superior *
Ethan Millet (Trumpet) – Superior *
Tristan Workman (Trumpet) – Excellent
Ian McCool (Trombone) – Good
Nathan Tubbs (Trombone) – Superior
Cody Swilley (Euphonium) – Superior *
Emily DeRise (Marimba) – Excellent
Erica Earnest (Marimba) – Superior *
Honya Richbourg (Marimba) – Superior *
Danae Smith (Marimba) – Superior *
Small Ensembles:
Flute Duet: Jordan Rynders & Brittany Gipson – Excellent
Flute Duet: Toye Johnson & Madison Tourney – Excellent
Flute Trio: Ana Lowe, Steffany Brown, & Tiana Hendricks – Superior
Clarinet Duet: Alyssa Spencer & Kaelyn Houghton – Excellent
Clarinet Trio: Ashlyn Adams, Kyndal Bray, & Ashia McMillon – Superior
Clarinet Quartet: Eric Milligan, Katie Snyder, Alyssa Spencer, & Mallory Parker – Superior
Trumpet Duet: Nick Touchstone & Tristan Workman – Superior
Trumpet Quartet: Jacob Howard, Zach Vranich, Ethan Millet, & Tristan Workman – Superior
Trombone Trio: Nathan Tubbs, Haley Groff, & Amber Brock – Superior
Woodwind Quintet (Superior)
Angel Chu, Flute
Madison Philley, Oboe
Eric Milligan, Clarinet
Ashton Nelson, Bassoon
Jacob Caddell, French Horn
Brass Quintet (Excellent)
Zach Vranich, Trumpet
Kayley Groff, Trumpet
Jacob Caddell, French Horn
Zach Humphries, Trombone
Nick Krostag, Tuba
Saxophone Sextet (Superior)
Bryce Coots, Alto
Brennan Infinger, Alto
Michael Lett, Alto
Eric Esselburn, Tenor
Kayla Dixon, Tenor
Ashton Nelson, Baritone
Woodwind Choir (Superior)
Kelsea Jacobson, Flute
Lillian Jensen, Flute
Toye Johnson, Flute
Ana Lowe, Flute
Micaela Palma, Flute
Levi Shaffer, Flute
Jamie Simon, Flute
Tori VanScyoc, Flute
Madison Philley, Oboe
Lexi Dixon, Clarinet
Jillian Flowers, Clarinet
Eric Milligan, Clarinet
Jordan Myers, Clarinet
Olivia Brown, Bass Clarinet
Keionna Odom, Bass Clarinet
Ashton Nelson, Bassoon
Logan Royer, Bassoon
Cameron Caulder, Alto Sax
Bryce Coots, Alto Sax
Brennan Infinger, Alto Sax
Anthony Mikhail, Alto Sax
Jacob Norre, Tenor Sax
Kayla Dixon, Bari Sax
Brass Choir (Superior)
Sasha Babkin – Trumpet
Ryan Cawby – Trumpet
J. D. Franklin – Trumpet
Kayley Groff – Trumpet
Jacob Hall – Trumpet
Jacob Howard – Trumpet
Blake Norre – Trumpet
Abbey Opalenik – Trumpet
Zach Vranich – Trumpet
Jessica Gainey – French Horn
Chad Ratliff – French Horn
Nick Simmons – French Horn
Chandler Cotton – Trombone
Hayley Groff – Trombone
Zach Humphries – Trombone
Cody Swilley – Trombone
Nathan Tubbs – Trombone
Aaron Gavin – Tuba
Nick Krostag – Tuba
Ryan Tanton – Timpani
Percussion Choir – Concert Band (Superior)
Stephen Cleary
Morgan Ghiorso
Alexandra Hatley
Mason Humphries
Bryan LeDuc
Patrick McHaney
Crosby Mowry
Colin Smith
Will Talley
Percussion Choir – Symphonic Band (Superior)
Landon Benson
Tristan Hacker
Ethan Jensen
Kathryn Skipper
Ben Wagner
Hunter Welch
Percussion Choir – Wind Ensemble (Superior) *
Peyton Benson
Erica Earnest
Aaron Gavin
Maurice Hendricks
Kyle Irps
Paxton Metcalf
Kaitlin Sainata
Danae Smith
Honya Richbourg
Pictured: Northview High School band members earning Superior and Excellent ratings. Photos for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lane Closures Planned For I-10 At Nine Mile Road
February 24, 2015
Traffic on I-10 will encounter lane restrictions at the bridge over Nine Mile Road, 1.6 miles west of Pine Forest Road, on Wednesday and Thursday as crews repair bridge joints. Lane restrictions will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Additionally, drivers traveling Mobile Highway east of Quiet Drive will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday as crews complete a turn lane for Huntington Creek Subdivision.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Cantonment Convicted Sex Offender Arrested
February 24, 2015
A convicted Cantonment sex offender was arrested for failing to register as required.
Jessie J. Robinson, age 47 of 131 Robinson Street, was charged with the felony registration violation and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Robinson was convicted in Escambia County of sexual battery with a weapon or force and kidnapping, according to FDLE and Department of Corrections records.
Health Department Shuts Down Two Escambia Doctors With No License
February 23, 2015
The Florida Department of Health announced Friday that it has served cease and desist notices to two Escambia County doctors and a business for practicing health care without a license, which is a felony-level criminal offense in many instances. Treatment by an unlicensed person is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death.
Cease and desist orders were served upon:
- Aloha Foot and Body Massage, Massage Establishment, Pensacola
- Jessica Ayers, Medical Doctor, Pensacola
- Abigail Whitaker, Medical Doctor, Pensacola
The department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Program, under authority of Florida Statute 456.065, protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious consequences of receiving health care services from an unlicensed person. The ULA Program investigates all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations, and works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license.
Pedestrian Killed On Highway 29 In Cantonment
February 23, 2015
A pedestrian was struck and killed Sunday night in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 44-year old Deanna M. Mullins of Pensacola was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 8:40 p.m. crash at Highway 29 and Tate Road. She was standing bent over in the northbound inside travel lane of Highway 29 when she was struck by a 2006 Ford F150 driven by 64-year old John C. McElhaney of Cantonment.
McElhaney was unable to see Mullins, who was wearing dark-colored clothing, prior to the crash.
The accident investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Victim In Molino Crash Identified As Escambia Academy Senior
February 23, 2015
The victim in a fatal crash Saturday night in Molino has been identified as a senior at Escambia Academy in Canoe, AL, near Atmore.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 18-year old James C. Fuqua was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 10:30 p.m. crash on Highway 29 near Bet Raines Road. The FHP said he was a passenger in a pickup driven by 27-year old Darrell Antonio Hixon of Atmore.
Hixon lost control of tjeDodge Ram 1500 while traveling south on Highway 29 near Bet Raines Road about 10:30 p.m.. As he changed lanes, he lost control of the pickup, ran off the roadway and struck a tree. Hixon was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.
“Please keep his family, friends, and EA family in your thoughts and prayers. James was a bright and shining light to all that knew him and he will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace sweet James,” Escambia Academy said in a Facebook posting Sunday.
Fuqua was a member of Escambia Academy’s Weightlifting Team which won the Alabama Independent School Association State Championship last week. He was also a member of Escambia Academy’s 2014 state championship football team. Friends and family said Fuqua and Hixon worked together at an Atmore car dealership.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of that investigation. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and bottom: An Escambia Academy senior was killed in this single vehicle crash in Molino Saturday night.
