Sentencing Rescheduled For Molino Murder Suspect
December 2, 2014
Sentencing had been set for Monday for a woman that pleaded in a Molino murder case, but now she won’t learn her fate for several more weeks.
Debra Burge, 24, pleaded no contest in September to a lesser charge of second degree murder charge in the death of 43-year old Harvey Ray Smith of Pace. His body was found stuffed into a vehicle trunk behind a Motel 6 on Davis Highway on the morning of May4, 2013. Smith had been reported missing in Santa Rosa County. Family members located his vehicle at the motel and then discovered the body.
Burge will now be sentence in late January.
Her co-defendant, 24-year old Zachary Greer is awaiting trial for first degree murder with his next court appearance scheduled for late December.
Reports state Burge and Greer conspired to rob Smith. Burge allegedly lured Smith, her acquaintance, to her home in the 3900 block of Highway 97 in Molino. She told deputies she went inside while Smith and Greer remained outside. When she later exited the home, she found Smith on the ground of the Molino home bleeding. She told Sheriff’s investigators that Greer told her he stabbed Smith and put his body in the trunk of the car that was later driven to the Motel 6 on Davis Highway in Pensacola.
ECUA Offers Solid Waste Service Beginning January 2 In Northern Santa Rosa
December 2, 2014
The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners has entered into an inter-local agreement with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to provide single-family residential solid waste collection north of the Yellow River beginning Friday, January 2. No other large truck provider will be able to provide service in the franchise area after December 30. Click here to see service area map or here to view frequently asked questions.
North Santa Rosa residents who would like curbside service should contact ECUA by December 26 to ensure there is no interruption in their service at (850) 476-0480, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The new north end Santa Rosa ECUA services are $51.27 per quarter and include:
- Garbage pickup: twice a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container
- Recycling pickup: on request by resident once a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container, residents should request recycling service when signing up for service
- Yard debris pickup: every two weeks
- Bulky waste pickup: service on request via phone call from resident
- Side door collection service for the disabled at no extra charge, Non-handicapped side door collection service, additional containers or bear-resistant containers at an additional cost.
ECUA will begin delivering new garbage and recycling containers to Santa Rosa customers this week. It is important that residents do not use the new containers until after their last scheduled pickup date with their outgoing provider, either December 29, 30 or 31; as ECUA will not start service routes until January. Please leave your old empty containers at the curbside for pickup by the previous provider.
Citizens utilizing residential curbside collection in the north end of the county that do not live the city of Milton, town of Jay or NAS Whiting Field, will now have one solid waste provider assigned to their area. The franchise agreement does not impact business or commercial dumpster accounts or residents living south of the Yellow River. Residents in the Holley, Navarre, Midway or the city of Gulf Breeze will have no change in solid waste providers.
The residential curbside solid waste service is not mandatory. Individuals who do not signup for service will be responsible for transporting their household waste, recyclables, yard debris and bulk waste items to the Central Landfill in Milton or the Jay Residential Drop Off Station in Jay. Additionally, the commission chose to grandfather in the small providers. Residents may choose a provider that is currently permitted and utilizes trucks that weigh 15,000 lbs. or less.
For more information, visit www.ecua.fl.gov/santa-rosa or http://santarosa.fl.gov/bocc/solidwaste.cfm.
Scott Urged To Make Interim Secretaries Permanent At DCF, DJJ
December 2, 2014
As he gets ready to start a second term, Gov. Rick Scott will have to choose leaders for the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Both agencies are operating under interim secretaries, and Scott’s choice at the Department of Children and Families will be particularly scrutinized.
DCF Interim Secretary Mike Carroll, a 21-year veteran of his agency, was tapped in early May. DJJ Interim Secretary Christy Daly, after seven years in leadership roles at her agency, took the top job July 1.
Now, with the election behind him, Scott could bring in new leaders at both agencies, but he’s given no sign of his plans. His office referred a reporter to a Nov. 12 press conference in which the governor was asked about the possibility of new agency heads in his second term.
“Whenever there’s the change of four years, you finish that, some people decide to move on and some people decide to stay,” Scott said. “But as we have announcements, we’ll make those.”
So far, the governor’s office has announced that Secretary Mike Crews (pictured) of the Department of Corrections and Secretary Herschel Vinyard of the Department of Environmental Protection are moving on. But no word yet on whether Carroll and Daly will be staying at the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
“I can say that both (Carroll and Daly) have done an excellent job and have the full confidence of their departments behind them,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican who has chaired the House Healthy Families Subcommittee during the past two years. “But of course, it’s up to the governor.”
Many agree, saying Scott has effective leaders in Carroll and Daly and should focus on stability — especially at DCF, which endured heavy scrutiny by the Legislature and the media during Scott’s first term.
What’s more, the Department of Children and Families remains in a delicate position as it carries out Senate Bill 1666, a sweeping reform measure that was approved this spring and includes many players and moving parts.
“The DCF (interim) secretary is a caring and experienced child welfare professional,” said Judge Cindy Lederman, a dependency court judge in Miami-Dade County’s 11th Judicial Circuit. “We need to move forward and continue efforts at system reform with the existing leadership. We cannot start over yet again with new leadership. We don’t have time for on-the-job training.”
“Stability is probably of primary importance right now,” said Christina Spudeas, executive director of the advocacy group Florida’s Children First. “Mike is doing a good job, and he needs to stay where he’s at.”
Carroll is the eighth secretary or interim secretary at the Department of Children and Families since 1999, and the third on Scott’s watch. The governor’s original appointment was David Wilkins, who resigned in July 2013 following a wave of media reports about child deaths from abuse and neglect. Wilkins was followed by Esther Jacobo, who initially took the job for 90 days and ended up staying more than nine months and steering DCF through a gantlet of angry lawmakers during the 2014 legislative session.
“Mike needs to change the culture at the department,” said Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat who chaired the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs during the crafting of Senate Bill 1666. “There are good people there, but there are also bureaucrats who need to get on board and be more accountable and transparent.”
Since taking the reins in May, Carroll has faced many challenges, most notably a Gilchrist County incident in which a man shot his daughter and six grandchildren. Carroll’s also been dealing with high turnover among frontline staff, an overflowing foster-care system in Miami-Dade County, and the implementation of Senate Bill 1666, which includes new programs, new training and new accountability measures.
“It’s important to have some continuity as we’re really moving forward into reforming the whole system,” Harrell said. “It’s a delicate time, and we need experience.”
Children’s Lobby spokesman Roy Miller credited Carroll with bringing the privatized community-based care agencies to the table after they had an adversarial relationship with Wilkins. The agencies receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to provide adoption, foster-care, case-management and other family services statewide.
“They absolutely have to be at the table,” Miller said. “The question is, will Mike Carroll hold that huge delivery system accountable?”
Carroll said last week he trusted the governor to make the best decision.
“I love what we do,” he said. “I think we have the most sacred of missions in all of state government, to protect vulnerable kids … While I do have the opportunity, I want to make a meaningful difference, whether it’s eight months or 20 years.”
At the Department of Juvenile Justice, meanwhile, Daly’s interim appointment followed a multi-year period of change for the agency. She served as deputy secretary to former secretary Wansley Walters, who is credited with leading reforms that shifted the agency’s focus from punishment to prevention.
“I think Interim Secretary Christy Daly has done a wonderful job continuing the efforts begun by Secretary Walters,” said Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who has served as chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. “I hope the governor makes (her) permanent, because she’s continuing the good work of Secretary Walters, and we’re seeing outstanding results.”
Walters also backed Daly for the permanent job, calling her “a nationally recognized authority in the field of juvenile justice.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Name Pat Kelly As New Manager
December 2, 2014
The Cincinnati Reds today announced Pat Kelly will be the new manager for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. With over 20 years of managerial experience, Kelly led the Bakersfield Blaze, the former Class A Advanced affiliate for the Reds, in 2014. Alex Pelaez and Jeff Fassero will return as the team’s hitting and pitching coaches, respectively.
Delino DeShields, the Wahoos manager for the past two seasons, will manage the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate for the Reds, in 2015.
“We are very pleased to announce Pat Kelly as the manager of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Pat brings decades of experience and success to the role from all levels of play and I am confident he will bring out the best in our players. Pat understands our intent to put a winning product on the field and will work tirelessly in this pursuit,” said Jeff Graupe, Director of Player Development for the Reds. “I am also proud to introduce Delino DeShields as the new manager in Louisville. Delino will be entering a new chapter of his coaching career, but his time in Pensacola was vital to his development as a manager and will aide him with this new challenge.”
Last season Kelly led the Bakersfield Blaze, the first half champions in the Cal League North, to the Northern Division Finals where they lost the series 3 games to 1 to the Visalia Rawhide. Before heading to Bakersfield, Kelly managed the Reds Pioneer League affiliate in Billings, Montana from 2011–13. Within the Reds organization he also served as the field manager for the Class-A Lynchburg Hillcats in 2010 and prior to that he spent the majority of three seasons as the manager for the Rookie GCL Reds as well as director of Florida on-field operations. In total Kelly, 59, has spent 25 seasons managing in the minor leagues for 17 teams, including Richmond (2003-05), Syracuse (1999-2000), Ottawa (1997-98), Harrisburg (1995-96), Chattanooga (1993-94), Indianapolis (1991-92), Rockford (1991), Las Vegas (1990), Wichita (1988-89), Reno (1987), Charleston (1986), Glens Falls (1985) and GCL White Sox (1984). Kelly’s playing career included stops in the Angels, Blue Jays, Braves and White Sox systems. He reached the big leagues in 1980 with Toronto.
“I’m very excited to manage in Pensacola for the 2015 season,” said Kelly. “Pensacola Bayfront Stadium is known as one of the best facilities in all of professional baseball. Our team should be very competitive and exciting to watch and I look forward to guiding the Wahoos to a Southern League Championship next year!”
Kelly will address the media inside the Blue Wahoos home clubhouse on Wednesday at 3 p.m. From 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Kelly will sign autographs, greet fans and pass out a special holiday gift to season ticket holders at the Bait & Tackle Merchandise Store on South Palafox.
The first game of the 2015 regular season is April 9.
Atmore YMCA To Remain Open Through At Least 2015
December 2, 2014
A few months after announcing that the Atmore YMCA would close its doors due to a poor financial outlook, the organizations board now says the Y will remain open for 2015.
Back in July, the YMCA announced it was track to close its doors permanently in August. But within just a few weeks, the Y announced the community had stepped forward with funding to keep the doors open.
Now, the Atmore YMCA’s board of directors has announced that fundraising has exceeded expectations.
“Through the generosity of local businesses and individuals, we have surpassed our goal to raise $75,000,” the board said in a news release. “We have streamlined our staffing and have outsourced costly services to reduce our expenses. Webelieve this, coupled with expanding our programs and membership of the Atmore YMCA will continue to grow and prosper.”
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995. The Atmore YMCA currently has over 500 memberships representing about 1,250 members.
For more information or to donate to the Atmore YMCA, call (251) 368-9622 or stop by 501 South Pensacola Avenue in Atmore.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Quiet Hurricane Season Bolsters Florida Insurance Market
December 2, 2014
For a ninth consecutive year, the Sunshine State went through the six-month Atlantic storm season hurricane-free.
Eight named storms were recorded in 2014, six reached hurricane strength, and none visited Florida.
Quiet is always good. Still, Florida’s luck won’t last.
Another storm will eventually take aim at the state, hitting somewhere along Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline and producing results that will be both chaotic and expensive.
But the near-decade respite has allowed the state and property insurers to rebuild from the physically and financially taxing 2004 and 2005 storm seasons.
“I believe we can handle a repeat of ‘04 and ‘05,” said Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council. “Our system is as strong and is better positioned to handle a major hurricane than anybody else.”
Of course, one well-placed storm could change the financial picture.
In 1992, there was only one hurricane, but Andrew, a tightly packed Category 5 storm, left a deadly path of destruction that included about 63,000 homes and $25 billion in damages south of Miami.
“If a major hurricane hitting Miami or Fort Lauderdale does $50 (billion) or $75 billion, the money will be found somehow. But I can’t point to a financial system and say here is how we’d get there,” Miller said.
Steve Burgess, Florida’s insurance consumer advocate, said the years of calm have allowed the state to reduce the potential risk of such catastrophic loss.
“I believe we are heading in the right direction with the current framework,” Burgess wrote in an email. “Every year that we avoid a major storm, we build surplus needed to absorb future losses.”
The state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund — insurance for insurers — is already considered financially strong for the 2015 storm season after increasing its available cash and lowering its potential exposure.
Also, policyholders in Florida have benefited as a pair of surcharges to cover damages from the 2004 and 2005 storms will be sunset earlier than planned.
The risk of future assessments has also been lowered as the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has moved about a half million of its least risky policies into the hands of private insurers.
“As each year goes by without a hurricane, I think it makes investors and potential investors a little more confident and more willing to take on more Florida property insurance risk,” Burgess wrote. “To the extent we have more capital in the market, the stronger we are. More specifically, additional capital could help further shrink Citizens (through take-out and keep-out offers) and consequently the exposure of potential assessments.”
In September, the Citizens Board of Governors unanimously voted to end a 1 percent surcharge on July 1, 2015. The storm assessment, on the books since 2007, was previously slated to continue until June 30, 2017.
Citizens imposed the storm assessment on insurance policyholders throughout the state —- whether they were Citizens customers or not — 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.
The September decision followed an order from the Office of Insurance Regulation for insurance companies to end on Jan. 1 a 1.3 percent “emergency assessment” for the Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.
The so-called “Cat Fund” charge, imposed on most home and auto policies, had previously been set to end July 1, 2016.
That assessment has hit policyholders for $2.9 billion, with the money going to reimburse insurance companies for claims from the eight hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004 and 2005, the last time any hurricanes made landfall in Florida.
Heading into 2015, Citizens will continue efforts to shift its least-risky policies into the private market through a number of depopulation efforts that include a new electronic clearinghouse.
The nine-year respite, according to Lori Rodriguez, Citizens legislative and external affairs project manager, has helped to stabilize Florida’s property-insurance market with an increase in available private-market coverage.
“A storm-free 2014 also allows Citizens to continue building its surplus, which, coupled with Citizens’ reduced exposure and enhanced reinsurance program, further reduces assessment risk for all Floridians and makes rate relief possible for many Citizens policyholders,” Rodriguez said in an email.
Miller expects state lawmakers to have a number of insurance issues to deal with in the 2015 legislative session, possibly including a revisiting of the state’s personal-injury protection auto insurance system.
“I like to think that homeowners’ (insurance) is not one of them right now,” he said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Double Rollover Accident Shuts Down Highway 29 In Molino
December 1, 2014
Northbound Highway 29 was shut down about 5:40 Monday evening by an accident that left two vehicles overturned on Highway 29 near Molino Road. One person was reportedly injured in the crash. Pictured bottom: Traffic backed up on northbound Highway 29. Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home
December 1, 2014
A Pine Forest Road mobile home was destroyed by a fire that appeared to start in a kitchen Monday afternoon. The fire was reported at 12:51 in the 6900 block of Pine Forest Road. It took less than 25 minutes for fighters to bring the fire under control. There was no one home at the time of the blaze and no injuries reported.
Escambia County Fire Rescue kicked off its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Monday. Five-foot wreaths are on display at 21 different County fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Last year, there were 13 fires during the month-long campaign, including a Christmas Day fire on Highway 4 in Bratt.
Reader submitted photo (top) and NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Move-In Day Set For New Ernest Ward Middle (With Photo Tour)
December 1, 2014
Work is continuing on the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, with a student move-in date now on the calendar.
Students are scheduled to begin classes in the new $20 million facility on Monday, February 2, 2015. Some portions of the building are nearing completion, with furniture being moved into place. Additional furniture deliveries are scheduled throughout December, and dates are scheduled for teachers to have their items moved from the old building into the new facility.
All of the items such as computers and furniture, with the exception of library shelving, will be brand new.
Some contractors are expected to work extended hours and seven-day weeks in order to meet the completion schedule.
Pictured top: Inside the new Ernest Ward Middle School library. Pictured inset: Cabinets and shelves inside a classroom. Pictured below: A science classroom. Pictured bottom library windows. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Train Derailment In Santa Rosa County (With Photo Gallery)
December 1, 2014
Update: One lane was opened about 3:45 p.m. Monday on U.S. Hwy. 90 between Jeff Ates and SA Jones Roads in East Milton. One lane remains closed as cleanup continues after Sunday morning’s train derailment. Expect delays and use caution.
Previous story:
No injuries and no chemical spills were reported in a Sunday morning train derailment in Santa Rosa County.
About 20 of the 84 cars in the CSX train derailed along Highway 90 near the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. Two cars were carrying phosphoric acid, but no leaks have been found. . A 150 foot isolation area has been put in place for as a safety measure , but no evacuations were needed, according to Joy Tsubooka, public information officer for Santa Rosa County.
Highway 90 was closed between Jeff Ates Road and SA Jones Road remained closed for the cleanup effort.
Crews from the Florida Department of Transportation, Harold, East Milton, Whiting Filed, and the HAZMAT team from NAS Pensacola fire departments responded to the incident.
Pictured: A Sunday morning train derailment in Santa Rosa County. NorthEscambia.com photos by Stephanie Norton, click to enlarge.
