Two Charged In Molino Murder
May 7, 2013
Two people are now behind bars charged with the murder of a Santa Rosa County man – a murder that one suspect says happened in Molino.
The body of Harvey Ray Smith, age 43 of Pace, was found stuffed into a trunk behind a Motel 6 on Davis Highway Saturday morning. Smith had been reported missing in Santa Rosa County. Family members located his vehicle at the motel and then discovered the body.
Deborah Leanne Burge, age 22 of Highway 97, Molino, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday night on charges of homicide and robbery in connection with the man’s death. Zachary Vance Greer, 22, was arrested Monday night by U.S. Marshals and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a charge of homicide and robbery. He will returned to Escambia County after a first appearance in Santa Rosa County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said third person sought by deputies earlier Monday, Lauren Rockwell, is no longer a person of interest.
Report state Burge and Greer conspired to rob Smith. Burge allegedly lured Smith, her acquaintance, to her home in the 3900 block of Highway 97 in Molino. She told deputies she went inside while Smith and Greer remained outside. When she later exited the home, she found Smith on the ground bleeding. She told Sheriff’s investigators that Greer told her he killed Smith and put his body in the trunk of the car that was later driven to the Motel 6 on Davis Highway in Pensacola.
Further details about the Smith’s death have not yet been released by the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships
May 7, 2013
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has presented three scholarships to area students.
(Scroll down for details below each photo.)
Jonathon Rogers received a $1,000 academic scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. He plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Presenting the check is Andrea Byars, one of the first BPHS scholarship winners.
Marcus Baker won the Stephen G. Jogan Memorial scholarship worth $1000 to further his education. He plans to major in music education and become a local high school music teacher. His scholarship was awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner.
Tristan Baker received the Lynda Minchew Memorial scholarship. He plans to use the $500 scholarship to further his plans to enter the ministry. The scholarship was presented by Minchew’s daughter Kristen Dodd and son Brian Dodd.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Sentenced To Life For Ensley Burning Death
May 7, 2013
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2010 fatal beating and burning of a 19-year old woman.
Britnee Miller, 19, was given life without parole by Judge Gary Bergosh after her plea to first degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 19-year old Audreanna Zimmerman in March 2010. Zimmerman was beaten and burned in an Ensley field; she died 16 days after the attack. .
Miller’s mother, Tina Brown, was sentenced to death in the case, and Heather Lee was given a reduced sentence of 25 years on a second degree murder charge and testifying against Brown.
Medicaid Managed Care Plan To Begin In August
May 7, 2013
Two years after getting approved by lawmakers, Florida’s shift to a statewide Medicaid managed-care system will start Aug. 1 for seniors who need long-term care in the Orlando area.
The state Agency for Health Care Administration held a contract-signing ceremony Monday with seven health plans that eventually will provide long-term care services to about 85,000 people across the state. That is the first part of a long-debated Medicaid transformation that also will later include the broader Medicaid population.
Such a contract-signing ceremony is unusual in state government but was an indication of the emphasis that Gov. Rick Scott’s administration has placed on revamping Medicaid.
“This is a major milestone along the way to the statewide Medicaid managed-care program,” said Justin Senior, an AHCA deputy secretary who directs Medicaid.
Federal officials in February approved the long-term care portion of the Medicaid changes, though AHCA had already gone through a lengthy process in which health plans bid for contracts in 11 regions of the state. The seven companies that received contracts in all or some of the regions were American Eldercare, Amerigroup Florida, Coventry Health Care of Florida, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Sunshine Health and United HealthCare of Florida.
Also, another plan, Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers of Dade County, has filed a bid protest in the state Division of Administrative Hearings. If is successful, it could receive a contract in a region that includes Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
The basic concept behind the long-term care portion of the Medicaid changes is that managed-care plans will be able to better coordinate services, which could help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes instead of having to move into nursing facilities. Ultimately, that could help hold down state costs in the Medicaid program, as nursing-home care is typically more expensive than home- and community-based services.
AHCA will start the changes Aug. 1 in a central Florida region that includes Orange, Brevard, Osceola and Seminole counties. The long-term care changes will gradually expand to other areas and are expected to be in place statewide by March 2014.
Florida has long operated what is known as a “nursing home diversion” program, which is a smaller-scale version of the statewide long-term care system.
American Eldercare, for example, already provides services in the diversion program and has received contracts in all 11 regions of the new managed-care system. Robert Schemel, president of the company, said the biggest difference with the new system will be the volume of people served.
Lawmakers and Scott in 2011 approved a plan to transform Medicaid into a statewide managed-care system, despite opposition from some groups that argued HMOs could shortchange the care people receive.
The state submitted applications to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in August 2011. While it has received approval to move forward with the long-term care portion of the plan, it is still waiting for a final sign-off on the broader Medicaid population — though federal officials sent a letter earlier this year indicating that such approval was near.
by The News Service of Florida
FHSAA: High School Athletes ‘Spared’ Negative Legislation
May 7, 2013
Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Roger Dearing called it “gratifying” that the legislative session ended without passage of a bill that would have given state lawmakers more control over the organization that has overseen high school sports for nearly a century.
“We understand that many of the legislators who supported the proposal were doing what they thought was best for high school athletics, but it would have opened the door for a few adults and athletes to build powerhouses while those who respected the rules of fair play were left behind,” Dearing said in a statement following Friday’s session ending.
The measure by Lakeland-area lawmakers to assert more state control over FHSAA failed to be heard on the Senate floor after winning approval from the House. Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, has said the proposal will return next year unless the FHSAA shows a willingness to abide by the desires of legislators.
The bill would have expanded the ability of students to transfer schools during the school year, given charter and home school students more opportunities to play for public school teams, altered the makeup of the association’s board of directors, given school districts more say over athletic regulations in each county, and set a 2017 date to sunset the 93-year-old organization.
by the News Service of Florida
Weekend Burglary Puts Brakes On Molino Teen’s Championship Kart Racing
May 6, 2013
A weekend burglary has put the brakes on a Molino teen’s championship kart racing team.
Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events. But now his future in the hobby he loves so much is in doubt after someone stole about $12,000 worth of racing gear from his home.
The theft occurred from a workshop at the family’s home on Gibson Road in Molino sometime between about 10:30 Friday night at 6:30 Saturday morning — while the family was sleeping nearby.
“They did this with my wife and kids sleeping in the house, yards from the shop,” Jarrett’s father Scott said. “That just makes me angry that they were here with my family.”
A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing like lawn equipment were left behind.
“We believe it is going to be someone connected to kart racing in some way,” Scott said. “They knew what to take….they passed over cheaper items and knew what brand names were more valuable.”
“This is heartbreaking. We sacrifice so much to do this with our kids and for someone to do this to kids is shameful,” mom Tammy Parker said.
Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.
The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Jarrett Parker Racing is offering a $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the burglary.
Pictured top: Molino’s Jarrett Parker (#46) leads the pack during a recent kart race. Pictured inset: Jarrett Parker (left) and teammate Chambers McGilberry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks To Identify Pedestrian Hit By Vehicle On Nine Mile Road
May 6, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in identifying a pedestrian that was hit by a vehicle and critically injured early Sunday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The accident happened about 5 a.m. on Nine Mile at North Palafox Street. The FHP said 19-year old Richard D. Mumma of Pensacola was traveling east on Nine Mile Road when the unidentified pedestrian failed to cross in a marked crosswalk or yield to traffic when crossing the road. The pedestrian was pushing a shopping cart full of aluminum cans when he stepped into the path of Mumma’s 2006 Honda.
The pedestrian was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mumma and his passenger, 18-year old Lyndon E. Parmer of Pensacola, were not injured.
Anyone with information on a possible name for the pedestrian is asked to call Trooper Villalonga with the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000 ext. 313. The pedestrian was described as a black male, about 60-years old.
Cox Names Students As Inspirational Heros
May 6, 2013
Almost 50 outstanding Escambia County students were honored recently at the 19th Annual Cox Inspirational Hero Celebration. The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
Honorees (with North Escambia students listed in bold) were:
Elementary Students
Gillian Buckley, Bellview; Dylan Vorrasi, Beulah; Lauchlan McKay, Blue Angels; Brandon Berry, Bratt; Charles Bryant, Brentwood; Katelyn Hassebrock, Byrneville; Skylar Ford, C.A. Weis; Jolan Cunningham, Cordova Park; Ron’Drickka Edwards, Ensley; Nicholas Crowley, Ferry Pass; Joey Yarber, Global Learning Academy; Maximilian High, Hellen Caro; Julianna Schwartz, Holm; Dawn Huddle, Jim Allen; Leilani Pooley, Lincoln Park; Trinity Morris,Longleaf; Kaila Kelly,McArthur; Larry Allie, Molino; Anthony Goodwin, Myrtle Grove; Lorna McLendon, N.B. Cook; Phillip Straughn, O.J. Semmes; Malyana Jackson, Oakcrest; Julie Wakefield, Pleasant Grove; Joshua Parr, R.C. Lipscomb; Antoinette Heno, Scenic Heights; Ja’Daisha Young, Warrington; and Dilon Fountain, West Pensacola.
Middle School Students
Victoria Sechrist, Bailey; Jezabelle LeClair, Bellview; Gerald Sill,Brown Barge; Daysha Kite, Ernest Ward; Janaizia Worley, Ferry Pass; Jolyeah Williams, Warrington; Ti’Kerrian Boggs, Woodham; and Valeria Salazar, Workman.
High School Students
Andrea Overton, Escambia; Isaiah Williams, Northview; Michael Riggs,Pensacola; Kylie Valin, Pine Forest; Logan Thirtyacre, Tate; Victor Nall,Washington; Joshua Inghram, West Florida; and Eduar Williams Jr., Escambia Charter School.
May Century Community Pride Award Presented To Consultant
May 6, 2013
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce has presented their May 2013 Community Pride Award to town consultant Debbie Nickles. Nickles has played a key role in Century obtaining several grants, including grants that allowed for housing in the town to be rehabilitated or rebuilt. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Murder Suspect Arrested
May 6, 2013
An Atmore man is behind bars, charged with an April 28 murder.
Kendrell “Dick” McCants, age 28 of Atmore, surrendered at the Atmore Police Department Saturday afternoon. He was charged with the April 28 murder of 50-year old Marvin D. Norman of Atmore. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
About 6:17 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 28, Atmore Police responded to a reported unconscious person in the 80 block of Brooks Lane. As officers arrived, they observed a man later identified as Norman on the ground in a yard. Police said he had injuries consistent with an assault.
Norman was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. He was later airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away a short time later.