Marianna Tight-Lipped As Dozier School Grave Excavations Near
August 30, 2013
As university researchers prepare to dig into an unsavory chapter of Marianna’s past, many in the rural Panhandle community would simply prefer the issue remain buried.
With the name of the city repeatedly associated with news reports about decades of questionable deaths at the former state-run Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, many in downtown Marianna on Thursday preferred to remain tight-lipped about the excavation of unmarked graves that begins Saturday.
At Florida Land Title, an employee noted he served on a number of local boards as a reason not to publicly discuss how the coverage and research is impacting the city. Meanwhile, a worker at ERA Chipola Realty in Marianna declined to comment, saying the firm’s “clientele is the community, and we try not to choose sides on things that could be political.”
Those willing to speak called the work — approved by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet — a waste of taxpayer money, with one saying the effort by University of South Florida researchers is to “make a reputation and make money.”
When asked about the pending excavation, long-time Marianna resident Ken Stoutamire summed up his feelings by saying he had “disgust” with the government for allowing the dig to proceed.
“I don’t know of anybody who approves of it around here,” said Stoutamire, whose family has been farming in the Panhandle since before Florida achieved statehood. “It doesn’t reflect good on Marianna. There is just Marianna and the boy’s school. The association is hurting us. And we need them to get out of here.”
Marianna resident Bill Hopkins said the excavation is “dragging up an old wound.”
“I haven’t heard anybody saying that just because this is happening out here I’m not going to stop here, but it’s just a shadow over our community, that we don’t need,” said Hopkins, a World War II veteran who has lived in the city of just over 6,000 for 43 years.
“This is a good community, a good place to live, a good place to bring up your children,” Hopkins added. “But if I was looking for a place to move, I don’t know, just reading and knowing a little bit about it, I might change my mind.”
USF researchers, who on Wednesday received a $423,528 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help excavate graves and identify remains at the former reform school, will be at the site Saturday through Tuesday. They will work just outside an area known as Boot Hill on the one-time 1,400-acre campus.
CNN will provide on-site video coverage of the USF work for other media, with the Tampa Bay Times providing still photography. All other media will have to remain outside the fenced-in compound.
The university researchers, led by Erin Kimmerle and Christian Wells, have a one-year window to search the grounds for reportedly unaccounted-for bodies of boys who died between 1900 and 1952. Questions have arisen about whether boys — who reportedly died of pneumonia and other natural causes — were killed at the school.
“The lady (researcher) had the best of intentions, that’s my gut feeling, but she probably didn’t know the lay of the land before she got into it,” said Jesse Smallwood a retiree who moved from Melbourne to Marianna two years ago as a less-expensive place to take care of his wife. “They’ll do a lot of digging but not get much done from it.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: The gates were closed Thursday at the former Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. On Saturday, USF researchers will be on campus digging for graves at the reform school. Photo by Tom Urban, News Service of Florida, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sex Offender Arrested On Federal Child Porn Charges
August 30, 2013
An Escambia County registered sex offender has been arrested on federal child pornography charges.
Clay Calhoun Keys, 52, was charged with federal distribution of child pornography, the possession of child pornography and the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Keys made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday morning.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Keys was taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued by United States Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn, Jr. The arrest was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, and results from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) , Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pensacola Police Department.
Food Stamp Cuts Coming, Food Banks May Feel Impact
August 30, 2013
The funding reduction comes as a result of the expiration of Recovery Act funding, and food banks are bracing for the impact. Rebecca Brislain, spokeswoman for the Florida Association of Food Banks, said the need for assistance does not end with the expiration of funding and her organizations can’t bridge that gap.
“That’s just the truth of it,” she said. “We simply can’t absorb those kinds of cuts. The people that are receiving assistance will not be able to find the kind of assistance that they’re receiving through those programs.”
Brislain says her 14 member food banks already are struggling to meet increased needs from people that came as a result of the recession. Five years ago they distributed 72 million pounds of food each year. Since then, that number has more than doubled.
Florida food banks have been distributing food at “disaster levels” in the past three years, she said, with increases of 80 percent in some parts of the state.
“It’s what we’ve been here for for years,” she said, “and now we’re finding so many more people. It’s not that little emergency anymore. It’s become a chronic problem.”
About 17 percent of Florida’s population is classified as “food insecure,” but 28 percent of children deal with food insecurity.
ECUA Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rates Increasing
August 30, 2013
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority approved rate increases at their Thursday meeting that amounts to just a few cents for sanitation customers to a couple of bucks per month for customers that also have ECUA water and sewer service.
Beginning with the new fiscal year on October 1, ECUA residential sanitation customers will see a 3.7 percent increase to cover a tipping fee increase at the Perdido Landfill and anticipated increases in costs related to the recycling program. The current rate of $18.66 per month will increase to $19.35 for sanitation service.
ECUA water and sewer resident customers will see a rate increase of 1.93 percent. For an average customer using 8,000 gallons of water per month, that is an increase of 52 cents per month for water and $1.01 for sewer.
More detailed ECUA residential water and sewer rates are as follows:
Water:
- Current residential rate is $10.48 for the base rate; this goes up to $10.68. Volume charge (per 1000 gals. Consumption) goes from $2.14 to $2.18.
- Current Lifeline rate (low income senior): Current base rate is $9.03; goes up to $9.20 (includes 6,000 gals. Consumption).
Wastewater:
- Current residential rate: $11.93 for the base rate (includes 2,000 gals. Consumption); goes up to $12.16; volume charge is currently $6.50, goes to $6.63.
- Current Lifeline Rate: $11.62 base, goes to $11.84 (includes 6,000 gals. Consumption).
The increased water and sewer revenues would go toward infrastructure improvements.
Aldersgate UMC Donations A ‘Blessing’ To Molino Park Elementary
August 30, 2013
Aldersgate United Methodist Church is among the many organizations stepping up to help Molino Park Elementary School following the theft and destruction of tens of thousands of dollars worth of technology from the school.
The church is donating proceeds from their next two community dinner collections, accepting donations at a Back to School Splash Party this Saturday and taking up collections from their congregation — all in addition their annual paper drive — for the school.
Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward called the church’s contributions “a blessing”, and said, “I appreciate the whole Molino community in their support of Molino Park Elementary.”
The Aldersgate Back to School Splash party will be held from 3 until 6 p.m. Saturday, September 7 at the church on Highway 29, just north of Highway 97. There will be water slides, water balloon games, fun on a new playground and a cookout. Everyone is invited to the free event, but attendees are invited to make a monetary donation to technology replacement at Molino Park Elementary School.
Aldersgate has also joined other Molino organizations as a Molino Park Elementary technology recovery donation drop off point. Read more…
Pictured top: Rev. Alan Gantzhorn wheels paper donations from Aldersgate United Methodist Church into Molino Park Elementary School Thursday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bridge Repairs To Cause Delays On Arthur Brown Road Next Week
August 30, 2013
There will be delays at an Arthur Brown Road bridge next week in Walnut Hill.
The bridge over Boggy Creek on Arthur Brown Road between Jack Gibson Lane and Kansas Road will experience intermittent lane closures due to repairs beginning Wednesday, September 4, to Friday, September 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The substructure of the bridge and guardrail system will undergo work on these days and traffic will be directed by crewmembers.
The bridge is located just west of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
AAA Predicts Labor Day Holiday Travel Up
August 30, 2013
AAA Travel projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday, a 4.2 percent increase from the 32.7 million people who traveled last year.
The anticipated increase in holiday travel is predominantly due to increased consumer spending and the improving housing market. The total number of 2013 Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 29 to Monday, September 2.
“AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year due to the increasingly positive economic outlook and optimism in the housing market,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “For many Americans, their home is also their biggest asset, as home prices improve in many parts of the country more families are feeling comfortable about traveling this Labor Day holiday.”
Approximately 29.2 million people (85 percent) plan to drive to their destination, an increase of 4.3 percent from the 28 million who drove last year.
BayBears Beat Pensacola
August 30, 2013
Bradin Hagens continued his dominance of the Blue Wahoos with seven superb innings, leading the Mobile BayBears to a series-opening 2-1 win over Pensacola at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile. Mobile has now won 15 of the 21 meetings in the Bay-to-Bay series this year.
Hagens (W, 11-8), who entered the contest having given up just five earned runs in 24 innings in four starts against Pensacola, escaped trouble in the first two innings before settling in and cruising through seven. Tucker Barnhart drove home the only run of the game for the Wahoos with a two-out single in the first after an error prolonged the inning. Overall, Hagens gave up just the unearned run on six hits to go along with four strikeouts.
Mobile tied the game up in the last of the third on a solo homer from Dustin Martin, which stayed just fair inside the right field foul pole to tie the game at one. That was the only run Pensacola starter Carlos Contreras gave up in his final start of the 2013 campaign. The right-hander allowed three hits with two strikeouts and four walks in 5.1 innings.
Parker Frazier (L, 2-3) entered to get the final two outs in the sixth inning, but ran into trouble in the seventh as he gave up an RBI single to Mike Freeman to give the BayBears a 2-1 advantage. Willy Paredes and Jake Barrett (S, 14) got the final six outs to nail down the win for the BayBears.
The series continues on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile. Daniel Renken (6-8, 3.66) gets the ball for Pensacola opposite Mobile’s Archie Bradley (11-5, 1.98).
Arrests Made In Multi-County Fraud Crime Spree
August 30, 2013
A woman wanted for in connection with multiple fraud cases spanning from Baldwin County to Okaloosa County has been arrested.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office property crimes investigators said 27-year old Tia Nichole Smith made purchases from area businesses, mainly jewelry and antique stores, by writing checks on a closed checking account. Smith would then sell the items to local pawn shops. On more than one occasion, investigators said Smith was accompanied by36-year old Michael John Garay.. Surveillance video also showed Smith in the company of two children, a boy and a girl, as some of the crimes were being committed.
Smith was booked into the Escambia County Jail on multiple worthless check, fraud and larceny charges. Her total bond was set at $205,972.72. Garay was charged with multiple worthless check offenses and booked into jail with bond set at $423.50.
Investigators said the crime spree began in June, and the investigation is still ongoing. Any business that may have been victimized by Smith is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or their local law enforcement agency.
14-Month Old Drowns, Mom Jailed On Neglect Charges
August 29, 2013
A 14-month old drowned in small pond late Wednesday afternoon off 10 Mile Road, and the child’s mother is now behind bars.
Jennifer Lynn Eiland, 31, is charged with four counts of child neglect — one count for each of her surviving children — and is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. The investigation into the drowning is continuing, and additional charges may be filed.
According to witnesses, a neighbor discovered the lifeless body of a 14-month old girl in a landscaping pond just after 5:30 p.m. in the 10600 block of Betmark Road. He had been alerted to the child by one of the child’s siblings. First responders attempted rescue efforts, but the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a local hospital.
Neighbor Larry Kruger made the discovery in his front yard after one of Eiland’s children knocked on his door. The little girl’s body was under a small bridge the crosses the pond, which is less than two feet deep.
Investigators found “unsanitary living conditions” in the Betmark Road home where Eiland and her children were living at the time of the drowning, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The child’s father, a Merchant Marine, returned home from being at sea following the incident.
Initial reports indicate that Eiland has had prior abuse allegations in Alabama. According to investigators, the children,whose ages range from three to eight,had been placed in foster care and were only returned to the care of their mother in recent months.
Pictured top and bottom: Larry Kruger (bottom photo) discovered the lifeless body of a nieghbor’s 14-month old girl in his landscaping pond about 5:30 Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Joe Douglass WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
