Woman Trapped In House Fire
March 23, 2013
An elderly female was trapped in a house fire late Friday night in Brent.
The single story home on Lenox Parkway was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived to reports of an older female inside the house. Firefighters were able to quickly remove her from the burning home as they knocked out the fire.
The victim was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS in critical condition.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Brent, Ensley, Myrtle Grove, Osceola, Pleasant Grove and West Pensacola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the fire.
Pictured: One person was injured in this fire late Friday night near the Brent Athletic Park. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Operation Nabs Unregistered Sex Offenders
March 23, 2013
At least 50 wanted people were locked up courtesy of a sweep led by U.S. Marshals and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office targeting the Sex Offenders who failed to keep up with their state mandated registration requirements as registered sex offenders. The week long operation known as Operation F.A.S.T.E.R. (Federally Assisting State Teams Enforcing Registration) also cleared over 50 warrants.
Escambia County was chosen because of the sheer number of people required to register as sex offenders reportedly living in the county.
“There are over 850 people who fit that requirement here in Escambia County,” said Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli of the Task Force. “When our investigators started delving into that list and saw that more and more of those people were not doing what they were supposed to; along with the Sheriff’s Office we decided it was time to make an effort to find some of these ‘missing’ offenders.”
Early Monday morning members of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (FRFTF), to also include task force officers from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices and Fort Walton Beach Police Department met to kick off the round-up. During the course of the operation, the FRFTF also provided Deputy Marshals from Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee and Gainesville as well as equipment to support the apprehension efforts.
“As usual when governmental agencies partner in the spirit of cooperation, success is almost a given,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. “We are proud to have been a part of this effort led by the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force and the State Attorney’s Office in taking known sexual predators off the streets of Escambia County, thereby ensuring the safety of our children.”
Although unlike on numerous occasions in the past where the FRFTF, state and local law enforcement agencies have rallied together to arrest violent fugitives; Operation FASTER is the first effort led by the U.S. Marshals and the Escambia Sheriff’s Office, with the full support of the State Attorney’s Office that was completely coordinated and executed on placing emphasis on the capture of just sex offenders. The U.S. Marshals adopted such interagency teamwork in the early 1980s, when they combined their resources and expertise in fugitive apprehension with the local knowledge and unique insight of officers on the street level.
Commander Frank Chiumento who oversees the FRFTF added, “The officers that work these operations live in the communities they serve,” Professionally, they feel they have an obligation to the community, personally they want their neighbors and their families to feel safe and they are doing something about it,” said Chiumento.
Pictured top: State Attorney Bill Eddins, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and U.S. Marshal Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli at a press conference Friday. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Getting Serious In Tallahassee
March 23, 2013
Forget the pomp and niceties that start every legislative session. This week meant business.
The House and Senate, in their third week of the annual 60-day session, quickly moved forward with bills aimed at shutting down Internet cafes across the state. Also, compromises resolved a dispute about an Everglades bill and a years-long battle between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
But as legislation developed, it also became clear that the House and Senate have significant differences about issues such as revamping the state retirement system, changing campaign-finance laws and coming up with an alternative to expanding Medicaid.
The House on Friday approved its retirement system bill (HB 7011), which is a top priority of Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. The key part of the bill would close off the traditional “defined benefit” pension system to new employees, requiring them to enroll in a 401(k)-type “defined contribution” plan.
Weatherford and his Republican allies argue that the traditional system is antiquated, as private companies have shifted en masse to 401(k) plans. Supporters of the bill also were careful to note that the changes would only affect future employees, not those already in the state retirement system.
“The time has come for pension reform,” Weatherford said in a prepared statement after the vote. “I am proud of the House’s passage of this reasonable proposal that will provide savings for Florida’s taxpayers and financial certainty for our state, while most importantly offering future employees a meaningful retirement benefit they control.”
The plan, however, met fierce opposition from Democrats, who argued that it would take away long-term security from state employees. They said, in part, that those employees often work for lower salaries than people in the private sector.
“Go pick someone else’s pocket, leave our public servants alone,” said Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton.
But while Democrats couldn’t block the bill, Weatherford’s push to overhaul the system could run into bigger problems in the Senate. Republican senators said this week they don’t want to go as far as the House, instead backing a bill by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would give workers incentives to enter an existing 401(k)-style plan but would still allow them to choose the pension system.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said of the House bill, “I think it’s wrong, it’s ill-conceived.”
Weatherford has also sought to make changes in the campaign-finance system, getting rid of a type of fund-raising vehicle known as “committees of continuous existence” and increasing contribution limits to candidates. The House approved the measure (HB 569) on Friday.
But the House will still have to bridge differences with the Senate. As an example, the House bill would raise a contribution limit for legislative candidates from the current $500 to $3,000; the Senate campaign-finance bill would keep the limit at $500.
Resolving those campaign-finance differences, however, might pale compared to the House and Senate trying to reach agreement on a plan to offer health coverage to low-income Floridians. Republicans in both chambers have said they don’t want to expand the Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act, but they also say they want to come up with an alternative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday started moving forward with a proposal, dubbed Healthy Florida, that would offer private health insurance to hundreds of thousands of people who would otherwise be eligible for the Medicaid expansion. The proposal would rely on federal funding, but Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, tried to draw a distinction between Medicaid and Healthy Florida, which he described as “premium assistance for people who go to work every day.”
While House Republican leaders say they want to find a way to offer more coverage, they also have repeatedly expressed skepticism about relying on billions of dollars in federal money. That likely will be the key issue as the House and Senate try to reach agreement in the coming weeks.
“The biggest difference is certainly funding,” said Rep. Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who is chairman of a House select committee on the Affordable Care Act.
BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH FOR INTERNET CAFES?
The House and Senate, however, don’t seem to have any problems agreeing to shut down Internet cafes.
Less than two weeks after raids and arrests rocked the industry — and Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigned because of her ties to the prime target of the investigation — the House voted 108-7 on Friday to approve a bill that would ban the electronic games used in Internet cafes and adult arcades. A ban also started moving in the Senate this week.
Critics have repeatedly argued that Internet cafes offer illegal games that are akin to slot machines. Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said the investigation showed how the businesses have exploited state laws.
“This is a loophole that cries out to be closed,” Thrasher said.
But opponents of a ban said it would close legitimate businesses and put people out of work. Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood, also said many seniors enjoy adult arcades and that regulation would be a better option than a ban.
“There’s no reason it should be a criminal activity,” Schwartz said.
SINGING KUMB-EYE-YAH
Optometrists and ophthalmologists have been fighting in Tallahassee for years. And farmers and environmentalists don’t exactly always agree about Everglades issues.
But this week, the groups held hands — well, figuratively — and reached compromises that defused two potential legislative fights.
The House on Friday approved a bill (HB 239) that would allow optometrists to start prescribing oral medications, an idea that ophthalmologists have repeatedly blocked in the past. The bill includes limits on optometrists, but it apparently did enough to satisfy both sides of the debate.
“Let this be proof that ophthalmology and optometry can work together for the benefit of Florida patients,” Charles Slonim, president of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, told a Senate committee, which also approved the compromise.
The full House also approved a compromise that is the latest version of a plan to restore the Everglades. The bill (HB 7065), which got the backing of sugar farmers and Audubon of Florida, short-circuited a potential battle about who pays for the Everglades project and how much responsibility agricultural permit holders bear.
“While it’s not exactly everything everyone wanted to get, it is something everyone can agree to,” said Rep. Matt Caldwell, a Lehigh Acres Republican who shepherded the bill through the House.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The House approved a series of high-profile bills, including measures that would revamp the state retirement system, change campaign-finance laws and seek to shut down Internet cafes.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I would think it would be a cold day before we would change our position on this bill.” — Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, when asked about assurances that the Senate would not accept the House’s proposal for changing the retirement system.
By The News Service of Florida
Man Critically Injured In ATV Crash
March 22, 2013
A man was critically injured in an 4-wheeler accident Friday afternoon off West Quintette Road.
The man, in his mid-20’s, was airlifted to Baptist Hospital as a “trauma alert” following the crash about 3:40 p.m. in a remote location off Stolis Alley. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; the man’s name has not yet been released.
Stolis Alley is an undeveloped, unmarked street in a new subdivision north of West Quintette Road between Highway 29 and Highway 95A.
Two People Die In Separate Wrecks On I-10 And Creighton Road
March 22, 2013
Authorities have released the identities of two people killed in separate traffic accidents during the last 24 hours.
I-10 Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 50-year old Laurie Ann Povinelli of Milton was traveling west on I-10 between Avalon Boulevard and the Escambia Bay Bridge when she veered across the median. Her 2005 Chevrolet Aveo slid into the eastbound lane and the path of a 2008 Jeep Liberty driven by 28-year old Joshua Poole of Milton.
Povinelli died from her injuries, while Poole suffered serious injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital, according to the FHP.
Creighton Road Pedestrian Killed
Pensacola Police said 67-year old Laurence Gardner was hit by a truck while walking his dog on Creighton Road about 8:30 a.m. Gardner was killed when 63-year old Philip Masino of Navarre drove onto the shoulder and struck him, according to police.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation; no charges have been filed. The dog, which was not hurt, returned home on its own.
Deputy Shot In The Leg Released From Hospital
March 22, 2013
The Escambia County deputy shot in the leg Wednesday night in the Scenic Hills neighborhood has been released from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Sheriff David Morgan said Sgt. Shedrick Johnson is recovering at home following his injury.
Johnson responded to a house in the 8800 block of Burning Tree Road in the Scenic Hills area off Nine Mile Road in an attempt to locate a robbery suspect, later identified as Jonathan Brett Chappell, 24. He was shot by Keenan Ross Finkelstein, 23.
Finkelstein was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, and Chappell was charged with armed robbery with a firearm, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
Man Facing Multiple Drug Charges After State Line Traffic Stop
March 22, 2013
A Flomaton man is facing multiple drug charges after being stopped by Florida deputies just a few feet inside Alabama.
Caleb Eli Turk, 20, was arrested on outstanding warrants stemming from the December 5 incident. He was charged with marijuana possession, cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession with the intent to distribute.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop due to an expired tag on Turk’s vehicle in Florida on Tulip Road at Highway 4. Turk came to a stop on Tulip Road, just a few feet inside the Alabama line according to GPS coordinates, an arrest report states. The state line on Tulip Road is not marked by any sort of signage. The Flomaton Police Department was called to assist.
Inside Turk’s vehicle, officers reported finding seven individual bags of marijuana, a bag containing cocaine, a marijuana cigarette and other illicit items.
Because Turk came to a stop in Alabama, warrants for Turk’s arrest were prepared in Florida.
He was also issued traffic citations for driving with a suspended license and an expired tag.
Gastrointestinal Infections On The Rise In Escambia County
March 22, 2013
Wash your hands — that’s the word from the Escambia County Health Department, which is reporting an increase in the number of contagious gastrointestinal infections in the county.
According to the health department:
Gastrointestinal infections can be highly contagious and are usually spread through contaminated food or drinking water, person to person contact with an infected person, or contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and headache.
Most gastrointestinal infections can be prevented with proper hygiene practices, clean drinking water, and safe food preparation. The best way to avoid contracting or spreading these infections is to take the following precautions:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, handling diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
Use proper hand washing practices by rubbing soapy water on hands and under fingernails for 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Cook foods properly and wash fruits and vegetables before serving. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for preparing meats or fish and vegetables or fruits.
If you become ill, stay home. If your child becomes ill, keep him/her out of school or childcare until free from symptoms for 48 hours.
If you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, do not prepare food for other people.
Thoroughly disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
Immediately remove and wash possibly contaminated clothing or linens after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting.
Treatment for gastrointestinal illnesses includes drinking plenty of clear fluids and getting plenty of rest. Dehydration is a serious concern, especially among elderly adults and young children, so it is important to maintain proper fluid replacement. If symptoms are severe, such as bloody stool or high fever, it is recommended that you contact your doctor.
Trial Date Set In Lottery Store Murder, Robbery
March 22, 2013
The Alabama men that allegedly robbed and shot a Davisville lottery store owner last November were in court this week.
Malcolm McGhee Jr., 24, and Brent Dewayne Lambeth, 20, are charged with first degree murder and robbery with a firearm for the shooting death of 74-year old Thomas “Tommy” Kroll during a robbery on November 6, 2012 at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
Judge Linda Nobles set a May 28th date for trial to begin for both men. In the meantime, both McGhee and Lambeth will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Investigators said McGhee and Lambeth targeted Kroll’s business because they had previous purchased “Spice” there and the duo intended on robbing the store of more of the synthetic marijuana.
Pictured top and bottom: The scene outside the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 following the murder of store owner Thomas Kroll on November 6, 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Monster Truck ‘Bigfoot’ Visits Local Transmission Supplier
March 22, 2013
Bigfoot — one of the true giants in the monster truck world — made a stop at sponsor Alto Products in Atmore Thursday afternoon. Bigfoot is a world famous 4-wheel drive behemoth that achieves its superior power from Atmore-made Alto Red Eagle clutches. Alto has provided the transmission clutch plates for Bigfoot for the past 13 years.
Alto now supplies their Red Eagle racing clutches to over a dozen monster truck teams including Gravedigger, Black Stallion and Big Dawg.
NorhtEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
