Lawmakers Seek Answers on Okaloosa Tourist Development Scandal
March 5, 2013
Lawmakers on Monday voiced their displeasure that Okaloosa County Commissioner Don Amunds advised several local Tourist Development Council members that by resigning they could possibly skip out of a subpoenaed appearance before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
However, no action is expected this session against any local official from legislators as the state continues to await an audit into how the county’s late tourist development leader, Mark Bellinger, siphoned bed tax and BP oil-spill compensation money into a posh $747,000 home in Destin, a 40-foot Marquis yacht worth $710,000, a Porsche and other personal items.
Amunds told the committee he was only trying to help “keep them from getting drug through the mud.”
Three of the tourist council members who did resign still appeared Monday.
TDC Chairman-elect Warren Gourley said the perception from county officials is that the BP fraud scandal, along with the other local problems involving elected officials, are being used by state lawmakers from the area to control the oil spill restoration money and “give the county a bad name.”
“If I was a legislator I’d be embarrassed by my county. I’m embarrassed by my county,” said Gourley, who rejected the request to resign.
Bellinger killed himself after his spending became public last May.
The scheme is also under investigation by the FBI, Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement.
According to marketing officials in Okaloosa County, Bellinger would send money to agencies that worked with the county and then have the firm wire the money to a bank account.
In one instance, while the county was scrambling for ideas to draw tourists in the wake of the BP oil spill, Bellinger purchased a Porsche and convinced a marketing agency that it was part of a promotional campaign. He got the agency to pay for the car and bill the county.
By The News Service of Florida
Volunteer Firefighters Undergo Hands On LifeFlight Training
March 5, 2013
Volunteer firefighters from three North Escambia fire stations participated in a LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. A LifeFlight crew gave the participants from the Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment fire stations a tour of the aircraft, plus instruction on how to handle emergencies involving the helicopter, how setup a landing zone and how patients are loaded.
Pictured top and inset: A LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Picture below: Flight nurse Norman Lacsamana discusses patient care and loading. Pictured bottom: Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment took part in the class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Require Warrant For Cell Phone Searches
March 5, 2013
Police would need court approval to seize pictures, text messages or other material on cell phones or other personal electronic devices under a bill approved Monday by a Senate committee over the objection of police and prosecutors.
“It’s very important that we secure information that I believe is private,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jeff Brandes, citing the proliferation of personal information that now is stored on people’s cells and tablets.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved the bill (SB 846) on a 5-2 vote, sending it next to the Judiciary Committee. It also needs approval from the Appropriations Committee before it can go to the floor. A House companion bill (HB 797) by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, is awaiting its first committee hearing.
Currently, police can search the possessions – including the contents of a personal electronic device – of someone who is arrested. The bill would require a warrant except under certain circumstances, including scenarios related to national security and missing children.
The bill also would require police to get a court to sign off on informational tracking of an electronic device for investigative purposes.
Law enforcement officials noted that the question of search and seizure rules related to personal electronic devices are the subject of two cases pending before the Florida Supreme Court.
In Smallwood v. State, a cell phone search was upheld by the 1st District Court of Appeal, though it asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in. In Tracey v. State, the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled on real-time tracking of such devices, finding that people have no real expectation of privacy while driving around on the open road – but also acknowledged that the changing nature of technology for cell phone tracking begged for a higher court ruling on the issue.
The top lawyer at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said lawmakers should wait to avoid a situation where the new law might be at odds with a Supreme Court decision.
“We’ll be in a mess trying to figure out … what is the law,” said Michael Ramage, FDLE’s general counsel.
But Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, brushed off the idea of waiting for a court ruling. Courts, interpret the laws legislators write, he said.
“We are elected to make them,” said Brandes. “We’d be sending a strong message to all Floridians that this Legislature will stand up for the Fourth Amendment to the (U.S.) Constitution.”
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, who was a prosecutor in the 1990s, and Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, a former sheriff, voted against the bill.
By David Royse, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Set Two School Records In Baker Track Meet
March 5, 2013
Two school records were broken as the Northview High School track and field team took part in the first competition of the season at the Baker High School Track and Field Meet.
Azeen Grissett broke a 5-year old school record as he raced to a 57.99 second place finish in the 400 meters. Cameron Newsome leaped to a height of 5- feet 8- inches and broke a 3-year school record in the high jump.
Both the 4×800 meter relay team (Joshua Borelli, Ramsey Gafford, James Ates, Zachary Calloway), and the 4×100 meter relay team (Ty’Dre Bradley, Hunter Sherouse, Cameron Newsome, and Holden Moore) finished in third place. The throwers were led by freshman Austin Whitehead which hurled the shot put 33-feet, 11 inches.
Standout performances for the Chiefs were seen in the 100 meter race, where junior Holden Moore ran 11.78 seconds, Azeen Grissett in 12.25 seconds, Keondrae Lett in 12.46 and Ty’Dre Bradley in 13.68 seconds.
“I’m extremely proud to see two school records broken at the first track meet of the season,” said Aaron Thompson, head boys track coach. “I’m looking forward to the district championships next month, and having athletes qualify for the regional championships and compete in Jacksonville.”
On the girls side, Northview had a strong showing in the 100 meters by Hannah Fiellin, and Johna Carter. In the 100 meter hurdles, Tierra Floyd posted the fastest time for the Northview Chiefs as teammate Ashley Joiner finished right behind her. The Lady Chiefs captured a top 3 finish in the 4×800 meter relay, and also finished strong in the 4×100 meter relay which was anchored by Tierra Floyd.
The Northview Chiefs will compete next their next track meet of the season this afternoon at Jay High School.
Pictured top: Dy’Shun White competes in the 100 meter hurdles for the Chiefs. Pictured inset: Travell McWilliams in the high jump for Northview at a recent track and filed meet in Baker. Photos by Zach Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate Panel Postpones Obamacare Talks
March 5, 2013
A Senate select committee that has been studying the Affordable Care Act postponed a meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon, saying it wants more time to get information about Medicaid and insurance issues. The postponement came at the end of a joint meeting with a House select committee that also has been studying the federal law, better known as Obamacare.
The Senate panel had been expected to discuss — and possibly make a recommendation — Monday afternoon about a controversial expansion of Medicaid eligibility.
Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he expects to make a recommendation early during the legislative session, which starts Tuesday.
“It’s more important to get it right than to get it done quickly,” Negron said. During the joint meeting, the House and Senate select committees heard updated economic analyses of the Affordable Care Act by state economist Amy Baker.
By The News Service of Florida
Subway All-Star Basketball Game Is Friday
March 5, 2013
The Pensacola Sports Association has announce the rosters for the Subway High School All-Star Basketball Game Friday night, March 8 at Pensacola State College.
The game starts at 6 p.m. for the girls, 8 p.m. for the boys and will include seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties.
The coaching staff for the Boys West Team, which includes all Escambia County high schools, will be led by the head coach from Tate High School, Clyde Abney. Chris Godwin, the head coach for Pine Forest High School, will coach the Girls West Team. Coaches from the other county high schools will assist Abney and Godwin with their game plans. The East Girls from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, will be coached by Kenneth Hughes from Pace High School. The boys coach for the East team will be Ken Meisner from Crestview High School. Both coaches will be assisted by the other head coaches from the two-county area high schools.
Tickets to the game are $8 and $6 with a canned good donation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item. D
Game Rosters Are as Follows (North Escambia schools in bold):
West Team Boys: David Weathers, Deron Moreno, Auston Powell, and Roderick Carmichael from Pensacola High, Joe Wachob from East Hill, Grover Brown Jr., Kevontarious Williams, and Javon Williams from Washington, Maquis Cathings from Escambia, Devin Miller from West Florida, Trent Hershberges from Pensacola Christian, Shamar Johnson, Charlie Wilson, Damarcus Glover, Damarion Boggan, and Zanavion Williams from Pine Forest, Dyshun White, and Laderious Franklin from Northview, and Travis Walton from Tate .
West Team Girls: Jereaka Ephfrom, and Kierra Williams from West Florida, Jayla King, Tia Sanders, Jasmine McCants, and Latonya Miller from Pine Forest, Ali O’Brien, Alex Loomis, and Jardae Ward from Tate, Chelsey Gibson, and D’Arcy Draper from Pensacola High, Tijuana Weatherspoon, and Kim Bethea from Escambia, Shaquanna Jones, and Morgan Payne from Northview, and Phaedra Harris from Catholic.
East Team Boys: Isaiah Jones, Demichael McQueen, and David Tober from Milton, Jonathan Buckelew, Clay Hancock, and Roman Domofro from Crestview, Jean Quinones, and Rasheed Williams from Navarre, Tommy Calloway from Laurel Hill, Michael Hawkins, and Dylan Williams from Choctawhatchee, Garrett Sanders from Baker, Nicholas Haynes, Connor Ellis, and Brandon Mosley from Niceville, Tyrone Culbreth, and McKinnely Stephens from Fort Walton Beach, Nick Bookout, and Randy Halpin from Gulf Breeze, and Brice Moore from Pace.
East Team Girls: Rachel Moorer, Mckenzie Ervin, Mckenzie Wheelus, and Mckenna Wyrosdick from Pace, Elizabeth Hoehn, Nanci Suarez, and Haydn Ilano from Gulf Breeze, Brittany Salter from Fort Walton Beach, Kerrie York, and Jasmine Horne from Crestview, Jessica Reyes, and Lydiah Brunet from Navarre, Cassidy Anderson, Bethany Chestnut, and Sarah Hudson from Baker, Lauren Day, and Caneisaya Matthews from Choctawhatchee, Dani Douglas, and Amanda Demma from Niceville, and Natalie Jernigan from Central.
Farm Hill Utilities Boil Water Notice Rescinded
March 4, 2013
The boil water notice issued last Thursday by Farm Hill Utilities after a water main break on Beulah Road has been rescinded after tests showed the water is safe to drink.
The notice was in effect for Farm Hill customers living on Beulah Road, River Annex Road, Timber Creek Drive and Peartree Drive in Cantonment.
For more information, call (850) 968-2573.
Driver Hits Post Office
March 4, 2013
There were no serious injuries when a driver hit the US Post Office in Century Tuesday afternoon. The driver, 53-year old Randolph J. Wood of Century, said his foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator. His passenger, 55-year old Ella G. Williams of Century, was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. There was no structural damage to the post office, which remained open. There were no charges filed in the incident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Crashes Off I-10 Bridge Onto Pine Forest Road Below
March 4, 2013
One person was injured when a vehicle ran off I-10 Monday morning and crashed onto Pine Forest Road below.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the driver of the 2005 Dodge pickup, 52-year old Theresa Diane Rainey of Baker, receive only minor injuries in the crash.
Rainey was on I-10 approaching the bridge over Pine Forest Road when she ran into the median, crashed through a guardrail and went airborne before landing under the bridge on Pine Forest Road about 9:15 a.m. She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
A vehicle on Pine Forest Road was struck by the truck. The driver of that car, Tanya Marie Bray, age 22 of Cantonment, was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Rainey was suffering a medical emergency at the time of the crash.F\
Pictured top: This vehicle crashed onto Pine Forest Road from I-10 above. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge. Pictured below: FDOT traffic cameras in the area show the scene from above.
SUV With Five Teens Crashes On Dirt Road
March 4, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending against a teen after a wreck involving five teens on a dirt road near Chumuckla Sunday night.
Brynna Dawn Miller, 16, of Pensacola Beach was traveling north on Gin Road in her 1999 Ford Explorer. She ran off the dirt road, over-corrected and traveled into a ditch where the SUV overturned onto its side.
Miller and her passengers, 17-year old Kayla Henry, 17-year old Carly D. McCraney, 19-year old Christian Skye Vaughan and 16-year old Hannah Michelle McKinley, all of Pace, were transported to Santa Rosa Medical Center with minor injuries. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP.