Florida Files Suit Against BP On Three Year Anniversary Of Oil Spill
April 21, 2013
Florida filed its own lawsuit Saturday against BP and Halliburton Company seeking to recoup revenue the state claims it lost after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and oil spill. The lawsuit was filed in the Panama City Division of the Northern District of Florida.
The lawsuit includes numerous federal, state and maritime counts. Under the Oil Pollution Act, the State of Florida is entitled to the revenues it lost due to the oil spill, including sales and use taxes; corporate taxes; documentary stamp taxes; cigarette surcharges; cigarette excise taxes; beer, wine, and liquor taxes; fuel taxes; rental car surcharges; and utility taxes and receipts. The State is also seeking punitive damages under maritime and Florida common law due to the egregious nature of the misconduct that led to this environmental and economic disaster.
Two years ago the state rejected a chance to join the on-going federal lawsuit in Louisiana over the Gulf of Mexico spill, with Gov. Rick Scott saying at the time he wanted to ensure Florida was “treated fairly” in terms of receiving reimbursement from BP. The filing came just before the three-year statute of limitation, under the Oil Protection Act, to recover economic losses from the spill.
“The State of Florida suffered considerable economic losses as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and BP and Halliburton must be held accountable,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a release.
Representatives from BP and Halliburton didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bondi’s lawsuit comes as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Friday new test results showing Florida seafood products from the Gulf are safe.
“These tests show that Florida seafood is without a doubt safe to eat. Our shrimp, fish and other products continue to be some of the best quality seafood in the world,” Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said in a release.
The department has used $20 million from BP for testing the more than 3,000 different seafood products from the Gulf and to promote the seafood industry.
University of Alabama Wins National Poetry Championship; Cantonment Resident Places
April 21, 2013
The University of Alabama has brought home another national championship trophy, while a Cantonment native also placed nationally.
Tuscaloosa native Thaddeus Fitzpatrick won first place in Poetry Interpretation at the American Forensic Association-National Individual Events Tournament this month and also finished ninth in the individual sweepstakes out of 198 total students. It marked back-to-back championships for Fitzpatrick, who was national champion in prose interpretation in 2012.
Fitzpatrick’s performance led the Alabama Forensic Council, UA’s speech and debate team, to a fifth place national finish. Junior Collin Metcalf, a gradate of Tate High School, is a member of the team, which placed in the top five for the first time since 2006.
Metcalf placed fourth in Extemporaneous Speaking and ninth place in Impromptu Speaking.
Full results are listed below:
5th Place Team Sweepstakes
Thaddeus Fitzpatrick, senior, Tuscaloosa
National champion, Poetry Interpretation
9th Place Individual Sweepstakes
4th place, Prose Interpretation (finalist)
8th place, Dramatic Interpretation
(semi-finalist)
17th place, Duo Interpretation with Taylor McDonald
Kalyn Lee, freshman, Hoover
19th place, Persuasive Speaking (quarter-finalist)
Collin Metcalf, junior, Cantonment
4th place Extemporaneous Speaking (finalist)
9th place, Impromptu Speaking
(semi-finalist)
Davis Vaughn, junior, Montgomery
19th place, Extemporaneous Speaking
(quarter-finalist)
15th place, Persuasive Speaking (quarter-finalist)
Kevin Pabst, junior, Niceville,
19th place, Communication Analysis (quarter-finalist)
Taylor McDonald, senior, Prattville
4th place, Dramatic Interpretation (finalist)
7th place, Prose Interpretation
(semi-finalist)
17th place, Duo Interpretation with Thaddeus Fitzpatrick (quarter-finalist)
A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Mike Staples
April 21, 2013
Funeral services were held Saturday for Mike Staples, a retired assistant chief of the Atmore Fire Department. He was 51.
Staples passed away suddenly last Tuesday.
Fire departments from across the area took part in a fireman’s funeral for Staples. During graveside services, Atmore dispatchers issued one final call for “F-2″, Staple’s assistant chief radio number, over the city’s fire radio system.
“Station 2 to F-2,” the dispatcher said after emergency alert tones.
There was no response. Just static and silence.
“Station 2 to F-2, this is your last call,” the dispatcher said again, his voice resounding across the handheld fire radios at the service.
More static and and silence, broken by the dispatcher with a “last call” for Staples.
“There is no response from F-2. On behalf of the community and the Atmore Fire Department, it is with deep sadness and sorrow to report that after 31 years of heroism, bravery and service, Mike Staples has completed his last and final call. He has returned home with the Lord to fulfill his new duty as an angel to watch over his family, friends and fellow firemen. He will forever be in our hearts.”
Staples devoted over 30 years of life to fire service, joining the Atmore Fire Department as a volunteer at the age of 17. He was hired as a paid fireman in 1981, and retired as assistant chief on September 28, 2012.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Place In State Weightlifting Meet
April 21, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles placed in the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday.
Kyles finished eighth in the state in the 183-pound class with a total of 560 pounds, an improvement over his 535 pound total at regionals. Kyles, weighing in at 172.5 pounds, had a bench press of 310 pounds and a clean jerk of 250 pounds — all personals bests.
In the 199-pound class, Elliot finished 11th in the state with a total of 575 pounds. Weighing in at 198.9 pounds, Elliot had a best bench press of 330 pounds and a clean jerk of 245 pounds — all matching his personal best records.
Also in the 199-pound class, Justin Beauford of West Florida High School placed seventh with a total weight of 600 pounds.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles and Arkelle Elliot at the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Budget Negotiations Move Forward After Saturday Talks
April 21, 2013
Lawmakers continued to work toward a budget agreement Saturday, as one budget conference committee finished its work and another cleared away a major hurdle to a deal.
But some of the highest-profile issues, from a difference over teacher pay raises to how to structure a major change in Medicaid reimbursements, remained unresolved with a Tuesday deadline looming before legislative leaders take over the negotiations.
A joint House-Senate committee overseeing the government operations side of the budget — largely dealing with state regulators and management — reached a deal on most of the issues facing the committee Saturday, becoming the first of several conference committees to finish its work.
“We both wanted to spend our time wisely and be here and be efficient and so it was a lot more smooth than I think it could have been, or I, in my mind, could see that it could have been,” said Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, who led the House negotiations.
Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, headed the Senate contingent.
But the panel still had to “bump” some issues up to meetings next week between Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and House Appropriations Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland. All unresolved issues have to be referred to the pair by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Among the differences that couldn’t be overcome: Where some state technology functions should be housed, a pair of measures meant to increase transparency in state spending and a Senate provision requiring the Public Service Commission to perform a review of the “prudency, cost effectiveness, and need of any proposed nuclear power plant for which cost recovery has been authorized.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers working on the budget for the state’s justice system agreed to remove clerks of court from the budget, where they had been housed since 2009. Senate lawmakers had wanted to retain some control over clerks’ spending to ensure accountability.
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said the upper chamber had made that concession on the budget with an eye on later discussions about a related bill.
“But when we start to get into the details of conforming bill language I think you’ll see it become apparent that there will continue to be robust accountability measures with regards to clerks’ operations throughout the state,” he said.
Despite the movements Saturday, some of the biggest conflicts remained unresolved. The chambers didn’t expect to hold discussions on the plans to overhaul the way Medicaid pays hospitals until at least Sunday, preferring to get other, smaller details of the health care budget out of the way first.
And the conference committee hammering out a deal on education spending met just once for the second day in a row. House lawmakers want a difference structure for teacher pay raises and $148.4 million more that local districts could, but would not be required to, use on those increases.
By The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win 4-3 In 11 To Open Jackson Series
April 21, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened their 10-game roadtrip with an 11-inning 4-3 win over the Jackson Generals at the Ballpark in Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. on Saturday night. Wahoos shortstop Devin Lohman drove in all four runs in the winning effort including a two-run homer, his first of the year, in the seventh inning.
Pensacola struck first when Ryan LaMarre scored from third on a bases loaded walk to Lohman by Generals Starter Taijuan Walker. That was the final run the Wahoos would scratch across against the Jackson ace. The Blue Wahoos only got two more baserunners against Walker, both were scattered walks.
Blue Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick held the Generals at bay until they broke through against him with three straight hits in the fourth. James Jones started the rally with a solo homer with one out before John Hicks doubled. Vannie Catricala brought Hicks home a batter later with a single off the left field wall to put the Generals in front 2-1. It stayed that way until Lohman’s two-run homer in the seventh off Jackson reliever Forrest Snow.
Jackson drew even in the bottom of the seventh when Abraham Almonte scored on an infield single by Francisco Martinez.
Both teams traded zeros into the 11th inning until the Wahoos cashed in on a leadoff walk to Donald Lutz. After he was singled around to third by Bryson Smith, Lohman drove him in for the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice to the third baseman Catricala.
After striking out the side in order in the 10th, Lee Hyde (1-2) retired the Generals in order again in the bottom of the 11th to seal the win for Pensacola. Though he didn’t factor into the decision, Dennick worked six strong innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits while striking out eight. For Jackson, Walker took a no-decision after allowing just the one unearned run over six innings. He fanned six for the game and surrendered only one hit. Moises Hernandez (0-1) took the loss after giving up the winning run in the 11th. It was the sole run he allowed over two innings.
The Wahoos and Generals continue the series on Sunday from the Ballpark in Jackson. RHP Daniel Renken (1-0, 0.71) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals RHP Brett Shankin (0-0, 1.50). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
File photo by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Clean Up Barrineau Park For Earth Day
April 21, 2013
The Barrineau Park community is just a little bit nicer , thanks a volunteer cleanup effort Saturday for Earth Day involving the Honeysuckle Garden Club, Barrineau Park Historical Society, Barrineau Park 4-H, and Clean and Green of Escambia County.
After doughnuts provided by Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, volunteers fanned out across the community, working through the morning collecting trash from the roadsides. The volunteers were then treated to lunch by the Barrineau Park Historical Society.
Pictured: Members of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club picked up trash along Molino Road Saturday morning as part of a Barrineau Park community cleanup. Submitted photos by Sarah-Jane Conti for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gohagan, Bell To Wed
April 21, 2013
Steven Andrew Bell and Carlee Alexandria Gohagan are pleased to announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage.
The bride-elect is the daughter of Larry (Kambi) Gohagan and Candy (Josh) Stuckey. She is the granddaughter of Regina Gohagan and the late Lawrence Gohagan Sr, and J.C. and Leitha Marshall, all of Atmore, Alabama. She is the great-granddaughter of Mattie Ruth Bailey of Canoe, AL.
The prospective groom is the son of Steven and Paula Bell. He is the grandson of Roscoe and Tommie Bell, and Wayne and Brenda Bell, all of Flomaton.
Carlee is a 2011 graduate of Flomaton High School. She is a current student at Reid State Technical College.
Andrew is a 2004 graduate of Flomaton High School and a 2006 graduate of Reid State. He is employed with SSAB Steele in Mobile.
The couple will exchange vows at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Orange Beach Adult Center in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dozens Arrested On Drug Charges, Many From Cantonment, Molino
April 20, 2013
Law enforcement agencies arrested nearly five dozen people over the last two days on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of the arrests targeted persons involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group” for a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Friday afternoon that 56 of 76 people targeted by Operation Blister Pack 2 had been arrested. In addition, the sheriff said 19 meth labs had been destroyed this year, along with 47 last year. Morgan said the investigation is still ongoing in the operation, with the possibility of more arrests.
“We intend to vigorously prosecute these cases,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said at an afternoon press conference. “Many of them have resulted in charges that will require a mandatory minimum seven years in prison. And some have also committed sufficient acts that we have charged them with crimes that will result in a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison.”
“Methamphetamine…is a very bad drug that effects not only these defendants, but their families as well,” Eddins said.
“It is surprising to us that anyone uses this drug because, again, the physical effects are so debilitating,” Morgan said, after discussing “meth mouth”, premature aging and other dramatic dangers of meth.
The arrests, targeting meth operations based in Cantonment and Molino, are expected to have a significant impact on methamphetamine in North Escambia and the rest of Escambia County.
“This is a pretty major group; this should make a large impact on that area,” Investigator Ken Tolbirt said. Many of those arrested, Tolbirt said, are “smurfs” that go out and purchase quantities of pseudoephedrine and other ingredients need to manufacture methamphetamine.
“They trade it to that person. If they give them a box, then they give them a percentage of what was cooked from the pseudoephedrine,” he said.
“They are just worker bees,” Morgan said. “Pharmacies track the amount of that compound that is sold.”
A dozen suspects were also arrested on federal charges as part of Operation Blister Pack 2. For details about the federal cases, click here.
The following arrests were reported on state charges by Friday afternoon:
- Heather Nichole Harris, 32, Forrest Street, Cantonment
- Dawn Cheree Brooks, 33, Forehand Lane, Cantonment
- Katherine Leigh Glass, 32, Forehand Lane, Cantonment
- Anthony Trevor Buttitta, 32, Frand Ard Road, Cantonment
- Todd Michael Packard, 33, Old Chemstrand Road, Cantonment
- William Bradley Edmonson, 25, Booth Avenue, Cantonment
- Lindsey Marie Murphy, 32, Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Henry Allen Miller, 38, Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Jonathon Michael Argerenon, Jr, 34, Forrest Street, Cantonment
- Brandy Suzanne Tucker, 39, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Nicholas Lawrence Ray, 22, Tate School Road, Cantonment
- Jonathan Paul Kite, 39, Belmont Avenue, Cantonment
- Nikki Lynn Kight, 45, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Danielle Suzanne Lowery, 18, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Jennifer Dianne Kelly, 33, Ayer Street, Molino
- Clinton Keith Edmonson, 22, Molino Road, Molino
- Shawna Reche Carnley, 23, Chestnut Road, Molino
- Kelly Ann Eddins, 26, Jefferson Avenue, Century
- Jeffery Gene Brown, 32, South Pine Barren Road, McDavid
- Lane Robert Edmonson, 17, address unavailable
- Tanya Suzette Carver, 46, Cranbrook Avenue, Pensacola
- Mark Avery Ard, 33, London Avenue, Pensacola
- Margaret Lorene Ard, 51, London Avenue, Pensacola
- James Ellis Roley, 27, London Avenue, Pensacola
- Katrina Maria Griffin, 25, Amberway Drive, Pensacola
- John Dale Highfield, 24, Aquamarine Avenue, Pensacola
- Clinton Michael Gant, 26, Aquamarine Avenue, Pensacola
- Heather Noel Reed, 31, Lillian Highway, Pensacola
- Lori Esther Cabuyao, 34, Stafford Lane, Pensacola
- Sonya Lee Weekley, 46, North “R” Street, Pensacola
- Monica Louise Rutherford, 32, Tower Ridge Road, Pensacola
- Thomas Richard Nowling, 26 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- George Steven Andrews II, 43, Chisolm Road, Pensacola
- Sebron Anthony Aikens Jr, 28, North “K” Street, Pensacola
- Clinton Dwayne Nowlin, 25, Chemstrand Road, Pensacola
- Sylvia Marie Rutherford, 35, Tower Ridge Road, Pensacola
- Sheila Diane Quinlan, 48, Suwanne Road, Pensacola
- Wilbur Arvid Petersen, 57, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Lisa Michelle Petersen, 48, North “S” Street, Pensacola
- Samantha Rose Petersen, 26, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Robert Harold Fulater 32, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Cindy Kay Morgan, 31, Bush Street, Pensacola
- Donald Michael Morgan, 35, Bush Street, Pensacola
- Susan Ann VanDyke, 45, Tower Ridge, Pensacola
- Joseph Matthew Davis, 35, Action Street, Pensacola
- Tony Curtis Simmons Sr, 48, Twinbrook Avenue, Pensacola
Pictured top: A suspect is taken into custody on a meth related warrant by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and an undercover ATF agent. Pictured top inset: State Attorney Bill Eddins (left) and Sheriff David Morgan discuss the operation. Pictured bottom inset: Investigator Ken Tolbirt explains the Molino and Cantonment drug groups. Pictured below: Of those arrested Thursday and Friday on state charges stemming from Operation Blister Pack II, 19 individuals provided North Escambia addresses when booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Six-Year Old Dies In Escambia, Ala. Traffic Crash
April 20, 2013
A six-year old girl was killed in a single vehicle accident in Escambia County, Ala., on Friday.
Alabama State Troopers said 27-year old Lisa Hart of Brewton ran off the road in her 1996 GMC Jimmy, struck a utility pole and overturned. Hart and passenger 31-year old Christopher Dean of Repton, Ala,. were transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton for their injuries.
Alexis Pugh, Hart’s daughter, was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no seat belts being used in the crash, which occurred on Highway 41 about three miles north of Brewton.
Troopers are continuing their investigation, but they have said that speed appeared to be a factor in the fatal crash.
Pugh was a kindergarten student at Brewton Elementary School.