Programs To Assist With Understanding Of 2014 Farm Bill
January 14, 2015
A Escambia County Extension program Thursday in Walnut Hill and Friday in Jay will provide information and analysis to assist producers and landowners in understanding what’s required and to make decisions on the 2014 Farm Bill.
Meetings will be conducted by University of Florida agricultural economists John Van Sickle and Rod Clouser and the USDA Farm Service Agency. A question and answer and discussion will be included.
Topics to be covered include:
- Decisions to be made, who makes them and the timeline: multiple owner and producer issues
- Opportunity to update payment yields: How it’s done
- Crop history: Opportunity to reallocate base acres and how reallocation works
- Choosing between PLC and ARC: How each works and how they compare
- Generic base: Assigning “covered commodities” to generic base
- STAX: The new safety net for cotton
- Resources and decision-aids available to help make decisions
Dates and Locations:
Thursday, January 15, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Walnut Hill Community Center 7850 Florida 97, Walnut Hill
- Contact Libbie Johnson, libbiej@ufl.edu (850) 475-5230
Friday, January 16, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
- Jay Community Center 5259 Booker Lane, Jay
- Contact Mike Donahoe mcd@ufl.edu (850) 623-3868
Century Man Charged With Weapons Offense, Resisting Deputies
January 14, 2015
A Century man awaiting trail for allegedly torching a vehicle in a Century ballpark has been arrested on additional, unrelated charges.
When deputies responded to the Relax Inn on Mobile Highway on a separate call, they reported 18-year old Aubrey Odom III acting elusively and attempting to evade them. When deputies made contact with Odom, he would not answer if he had any weapons on his person while keeping his hands hidden in the front portion of his pants. Odom attempted to run but was subdued, according to an arrest report.
He then admitted to having a weapon in his pants, and deputies reported finding a loaded semi-automatic handgun.
Odom was charged with a felony count of carrying a concealed firearm and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000 on the recent charges and for the arson-related charges from last July.
Odom was charged with arson in the second degree, criminal mischief and vehicle theft for the July 1, 2014, incident in which a care was allegedly stolen from the Food Giant in Century and burned in a local ballpark.
The fire was reported about 7:15 a.m. behind an concession stand at the Lloyd Barrow Field on Church Street. The 1993 Buick Century was in an area not normally accessible to vehicle traffic. A witness said the vehicle had no tag attached.
The ballpark’s concession stand, owned by the town of Century, suffered minor damage, with vinyl siding melted off the back of the building. Damage to the building was estimated at less than $2,000.
Man Gets 25 Years For Assaulting Minor
January 14, 2015
An Escambia County man was sentenced Tuesday to prison and designated a sexual predator.
John Roberts-Paladino was sentenced by Circuit Judge Linda Nobles to 25 years on state prison. He was convicted in October 2014 of sexual battery on a minor.
Prosecutors said the victim’s allegations were corroborated by DNA that was found on the scene by investigators from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Watkins Graduates From Army Unmanned Aircraft Training
January 14, 2015
PFC David T. Watkins has graduated Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer training. The unmanned aircraft repairer is primarily responsible for the maintenance functions on unmanned aerial vehicles, keeping the aircraft in flight condition and ensuring their ability to collect and transmit information.
Watkins’ first duty station is at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii. He has been promoted twice since joining the Army.
Watkins is the son of Amber Fletcher of Molino and Tommy Watkins of Manor, TX. He is a graduate of Siatech Charter High School and the pre-law program at Job Corp in Gainesville.
Dognapping? Family Dog Missing After Being Hit By Vehicle
January 14, 2015
A local family is looking for their “fur baby”, and a little bit of closure, after the dog was apparently hit by a car Monday morning. “Coal”, a blue pit, has been the baby of the Johnson family for about five years.
Kim Johnson said she let Coal outside about 6 a.m. Monday. Normally, Coal would have stayed in the backyard, but for some reason he went around front of their home on Rockaway Creek Road, just south of the Florida/Alabama state line.
“I heard them hit my dog, stop and then I heard a few choice words and the vehicle door slam,” Johnson said. “My fur baby is nowhere to be found. Did you take our dog after you hit him? We need some closure.”
She said the family realizes Coal could have ran away after being hit, but they are very concerned that he may have been picked up by the driver. The vehicle, Johnson said, appeared to be a silver or white SUV. Area veterinarians are on alert, but so far there’s no sign of Coal.
“I’m in no way blaming someone because we do realize accidents happen. We just need some peace,” she said.
If you have any information about Coal, call Kim at (850) 698-3422, Robbie at (850) 698-3423, or the Atmore Ambulance office at (251) 368-3003.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Suspect For Attacking, Robbing Elderly Man
January 14, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man they say attacked and robbed an elderly man.
According to information released Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred November 24 in the lobby of a hotel on Plantation Road when the suspect asked an 81-year old man for money. After the man gave him $5, the suspect followed him, jumped on him and tried to take his wallet. He was unsuccessful in taking the wallet, but did take an additional $2 from the victim before fleeing on foot.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or the crime is asked to contact Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers do not have to give their name and may be eligible for a cash reward.
FDOT: Highway 29, Highway 97 Traffic Signal Installation Delayed
January 13, 2015
Plans were complete months ago and Escambia County made a deposit of just over a quarter of a million dollars for the Florida Department of Transportation to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. FDOT was set to begin construction by December 31, but now transportation officials say the start date for the project has been delayed.
Ian Satter, public information director for the local FDOT district, said Monday that several factors led to the delay. He said the redesign of the intersection turned out to be a more complex process than was originally anticipated, and the contractor needed more time to order additional materials as a result.
Now, Satter said, FDOT expects the contractor will begin work in February.
“We apologize that is has taken this long, but it was necessary to work with the contractor while still working to complete the project in a timely fashion,” Satter said.
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, who led the push for the county to fund the traffic signal, said he was disappointed that work was not already underway, but the situation was understandable.
“I understand the reason for the delay, but I still apologize to our residents,” Barry said. “I am aware, very concerned, and I commit to work with our partners to help accomplish a timely, positive outcome.”
In October 2013, the Escambia County Commission affirmed its support for improvements at the intersection and expressed a willingness for the county to pay for the red light at the intersection. A Florida Department of Transportation study determined the intersection did meet the criteria for the light, with an agreement in place that FDOT would design and construct the upgrades with Escambia County paying for the construction.
FDOT completed the design phase. and the Escambia County Commission approved $265,400 in funding last August, with the payment made October 29.
A few days later, a 16-year old Northview High School student died as a result of injuries she received in an accident in the intersection.
A FDOT “Signal Warrant Study” found the following information that supported the urgent need for a traffic signal at the intersection:
- There have been 37 documented crashes reported by the Crash Analysis Reporting System from 2008 to 2013.
- 10 of the reported collisions resulted in injury where one or more people required transportation to a medical facility.
- 22 of the reported crashes were of the type of collisions susceptible to correction by the installation of a traffic signal.
- In 2011 there were five left-turn crashes.
- In 2012 there were eight left-turn crashes.
- In the last three years, the number of reported crashes at this intersection was significantly greater than the statistical average of similar roadway facilities in FDOT’s District 3, which is made up of the 16 westernmost Counties in the panhandle.
A second upcoming project will redesign the intersection of Crabtree Church Road and Highway 97, which is currently just feet away from Highway 29.
Pictured: An Escambia County deputy collided with a Mercedes in the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 about a week after Escambia County made a payment to FDOT for a traffic light at the juncture. There were no injuries in the crash, which came one day after a wreck that claimed the life of a 16-year old high school student. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Proposes ‘Historic’ School Budget Increase
January 13, 2015
Making good on a campaign promise, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday he will ask lawmakers to provide the highest per-student funding for education in state history during the legislative session that begins in March.
Scott said his “Keep Florida Working” budget would include $7,176 per student, about $50 above the previous high in the 2007-08 budget year. That spending plan was approved before the financial crisis that caused the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
“Our historic funding proposal of $7,176 per student will provide our schools the resources for our students to have the very best opportunity to succeed because we know the workers and leaders of tomorrow are in our classrooms today,” Scott said in a prepared statement. ” … These record investments will continue to equip our students for the jobs of tomorrow and help us on our path to be the number one destination for jobs.”
The proposal would mark an increase of roughly $261 from the current budget year, which ends June 30. But it still has to survive a legislative process in which lawmakers will be eager to fulfill their own priorities. So far, legislative leaders have been noncommittal when asked specifically about meeting Scott’s targets for education funding and a portion of the $1 billion in tax cuts he promised over two years.
The school funding proposal won Scott a rare compliment from the state’s largest teachers union.
“FEA applauds the governor for keeping his campaign promise and increasing the state’s budget allotment for public school students,” Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said. “We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature to continue to invest to improve our local public schools and helping all of the students who attend them.”
Overall, funding for public schools would rise by $842.5 million, to almost $19.8 billion. The state’s share would increase to a shade over $11 billion, meaning about $400 million of the new funding would come from the state. Local taxpayers would pick up the rest.
Democrats have signaled that they’re not impressed by Scott’s pitch. After the governor’s inaugural address last week, Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said the proposed boost in education spending isn’t enough.
“We need to do a whole lot more than that, because coming to Florida to live is more than about lower taxes and warm weather,” she said. “It’s about the quality of life that you will have and the type jobs that we will offer these people.”
Scott is expected to release a full budget proposal in the next few weeks.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Driver Charged With DUI Following Bratt Road Crash
January 13, 2015
The driver in a single vehicle crash Monday night on Bratt Road was arrested for driving under the influence.
Debra Lee Lukkar, age 51 of Century, lost control of her vehicle, with her Jeep overturning coming to rest across both lanes of Bratt Road just east of Vaughn Road about 10:30 p.m.. Lukkar was briefly trapped in the vehicle but quickly extricated by firefighters. She refused medical treatment at the scene.
According to jail records, Lukkar was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with DUI and resisting an officer without violence. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday morning with bond set at $2,500.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and bottom: An overturned vehicle Monday night on Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 17 Years For Attacking Escambia Woman
January 13, 2015
A Mississippi man is headed to prison for attacking an Escambia County woman.
Gregory McGee, 53, entered a plea to two counts of sexual battery with a weapon, one county of armed kidnapping with a weapon and one count of battery. Under a plea agreement, he was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to 17 years in state prison and designated as a sexual offender.
McGee’s charged stemmed from an event in early June. The victim met McGee that day and offered him a place to stay because he was homeless. Soon after arriving at her home, an argument ensued and McGee punched the victim in the face. He later grabbed a knife from the victim’s kitchen and sexually battered her at knife point.
McGee repeated that act later, before she was able to convince him to let her leave to check on a nearby relative. She immediately contacted law enforcement, which arrived to find McGee still at the residence. The investigation found a broken
window, blood on the victim’s clothing, and injuries to the victim.