Escambia Legislative Delegation To Hold Public Hearing
January 3, 2013
The Escambia County Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 10.
The delegation — consisting of Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Clay Ford – will hear public comments on local proposals for the 2013 regular Legislative session.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6-8 p.m. meeting on Thursday, January 10 at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio on the Pensacola State College campus at 1000 College Boulevard. To be placed on the agenda, all interested parties should contact Rep. Clay Ford’s office at (850) 595-5550 or email brittany.bezick@myfloridahouse.gov by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 3.
Deal Extends Farm Bill; Stops Milk Prices From Doubling
January 3, 2013
The deal between the White House and Congress narrowly approved Tuesday evening by the House to avoid going over the fiscal cliff would extend a 2008 farm law through September 2013.
That will keep milk prices from doubling but leaves other major issues unresolved.
Florida advocates have been worried about the farm bill, in part because of milk prices, but also because of its affect on food aid to the poor.
The extension would ignore comprehensive packages by the agriculture committees of both chambers, including provisions for dairy industry reform, disaster relief and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.
In June, the full Senate had passed a five-year reauthorization of the 2008 law, but House Speaker John Boehner refused to allow a floor vote on the measure approved by the House Agriculture Committee in July. The farm bill then got caught up in fiscal cliff negotiations, mainly because without reauthorization by Jan. 1, a 1949 law would have kicked in, requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy up dairy products at double the current price.
The agriculture committees had agreed to include a new dairy support program, the Dairy Security Act, in the reauthorization package, along with $850 million in disaster aid. But these provisions were excluded from Tuesday’s deal.
“The Senate’s vote on a nine-month extension of current farm policy is a devastating blow to the nation’s dairy farmers,” said Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “After months of inaction, the plan that passed … as part of the fiscal cliff package amounts to shoving farmers over the dairy cliff without providing any safety net below.”
The nine-month extension maintains food aid at current levels until the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2013. The Senate bill would have cut SNAP by $4.5 billion, the House bill by $16 billion.
The House late Tuesday passed the bill to avert the fiscal cliff by a 257-167 vote, sending the measure to President Obama, who plans to sign it. The measure will allow tax rates on upper income Americans to go up, but makes middle class tax cuts permanent, avoiding a spike in taxes for most people that had been set to go into place.
The measure also extends unemployment benefits and makes other changes to tax and spending laws. It had passed the Senate earlier in the morning on Tuesday.
By Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Bonfire Party Altercation Ends With Man Severely Burned
January 3, 2013
A Santa Rosa County man was charged after a New Year’s Eve bonfire party ended with an altercation and a severely burned victim.
Just after 2013 began, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7000 block of Springhill Road where they determined 24-year old Devin Lee Bass had punched the victim, 26-year old Cody Healy, in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. Healy fell into the bonfire, causing severe burns to his face, neck and chest. Deputies said Healy was in the fire for several seconds before bystanders pulled him out. Bass allegedly also punched another person in the face as they attempted to help Healy out of the fire.
The second victim lost two teeth and suffered a laceration to his face. Healey was transported to USA Medical Center Burn Unit in Mobile were he was listed in serious but stable condition.
Bass was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and resisting an officer. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $6,000.
2012 In Photos: October
January 3, 2013
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2012. Today, we are featuring photos from October.
Fire destroyed this vehicle alongside Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
A grand opening ribbon cutting was held for the new Molino Community Complex.
A Century convenience store was robbed at gunpoint. A suspect was arrested a few days later.
Mitt Romney campaigned in Pensacola in October, along with Sen. Marco Rubio and Connie Mack.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office uncovered this indoor marijuana grow operation at a home on Wesley Circle in Molino.
Hundreds of area residents attended Flomaton’s annual Fall Festival in October.
Over 14,000 took part in the 10th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Pensacola.
Northview High celebrated Homecoming with their annual parade through Bratt.
Ashley Cunningham was crowned Northview High School’s homecoming queen.
A BMX bicycle team presented high flying tricks and an anti-drug message at Rachel Patterson Elementary School in Atmore.
The Century Branch Library held their seventh annual Halloween program.
A small number of homes were evacuated after a gas leak in the Milestone subdivision off West Nine Mile Road.
Four people were injured in crash involving an ambulance in Century.
The 23rd annual crosstown rivalry between two inner city Pensacola youth sports leagues — the Soul Bowl — was held at the Maritime Park, with a little help from some youngsters from Jay.
A fall tradition is the annual Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch.
A longstanding tradition of electing two homecoming queens — one African-American and one not — came to an end at Escambia County High School in Atmore under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Looking like Fall — bright yellow goldenrods lined the highways of North Escambia is October.
A visitor gets up close and personal with a snake during the annual Open House at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Hundreds attended the annual Fall Festival at Molino Park Elementary School.
Numerous schools took part in several cross country meets at Northview High School.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad deposed of a military anti-personnel mine found at a home in Bratt.
Over 100 runners and walkers took part in the third annual Chief Challenge at Northview High School in October.
One person was stabbed inside a Century bar in October.
Hundreds of people attended a community-wide Fall Festival in Molino sponsored by four area churches.
Lineup Announced For 2013 Beulahfest
January 3, 2013
The lineup has been announced for this year’s Beulahfest.
Beulahfest will welcome country stars Randy Houser, Confederate Railroad, John Anderson and The Kentucky Headhunters to the Escambia County Equestrian Center on March 15-16. Local bands including Brooke Woods and The Dusty Sanderson Band will also perform.
On March 15, Randy Houser will perform at 9 p.m. On Saturday, March 16, Confederate Railroad will perform at 2 p.m., John Anderson at 5:30 p.m. and The Kentucky Headhunters at 9:30 p.m.
Ticket prices will be announced soon.
Beulahfest is a nonprofit organization operated by the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department and The Beulah Firefighter’s Community Improvement Association. For over 26 years, Beulahfest has raised money for local charities and community based nonprofit organizations.
Pictured: The Kentucky Headhunters (top) and Randy Houser (inset) will be among the country artists performing at this year’s BeulahFest. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crime: One Charged With Three Robberies; Three Charged With Attempted Burglary
January 3, 2013
A man was arrested for three robberies in Escambia County on New Year’s Day, and three teens were arrested for an attempted burglary.
One Arrested For Three Robberies
Robert Tomas Ward was charged with three counts of robbery and one count of resisting arrest without violence and booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $301,000.
He is accused of the back-to-back robberies of the Subway at 8187 West Fairfield Drive, the Family Dollar at 8187 West Fairfield and the Dollar Store at 8070 West Highway 98.
In both the Subway and Family Dollar robberies, store clerks refused after Ward indicated he had a weapon and demanded money. At the Dollar Store, the clerk did give Ward an undisclosed amount of cash.
Deputies said Ward was wearing the same clothing in all three robberies. He was arrested by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies after they spotted his getaway vehicle on Blue Angel Parkway. Ward jumped from the vehicle and was apprehended by a K-9 unit.
Three Arrested For Attempted Burglary
Three Escambia County teens were charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, damage to property and resisting an officer without violence.
On New Year’s Eve, deputies responded to a burglary in progress in the 2000 block of Godwin Lane. The homeowner said an unknown black male knocked on his door and rang the doorbell continuously. He departed and returned with two other black males who began an attempt to kick in the back door. A responding deputy observed the black males flee and gave chase.
After a lengthy foot pursuit, the three teens were taken into custody without further incident.
Keep The Wreath Green: Six Fires Reported During December Fire Safety Campaign
January 3, 2013
The “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday fire safety campaign came to a close with six red bulbs representing resident fires in Escambia County.
The six fires during the December 2012 month-long campaign was an increase over four fires during December 2011. None of the 2012 fires were in North Escambia.
The Escambia County fires were as follows:
- December 2, 8500 block of San Miguel Calzada
- December 4, 300 block of Wilson Avenue
- December 6, 6800 block of West Fairfield Drive
- December 8, 300 block of Rule Street
- December 15, 4500 block of Mobile Highway
- December 21, 9700 block of Fowler Avenue
During 2012, the ninth year of the campaign, there were five-foot wreaths on display at 27 different fire stations and other locations throughout the county.
Burglar Caught Red-Handed At Nine Mile Road Business
January 2, 2013
A Cantonment man was caught red-handed after breaking into a Nine Mile Road business.
Oscar Grey Turberville, 43, was arrested Monday as he walked out of the back door of Pridgen Realty at 25 East 9 Mile Road. Deputies had responded to the business after an employee drove by and noticed the front windows had been busted out and lights were on inside the building.
Deputies said Turberville had two Pridgen Reality checks in his pockets when he was arrested. Once check was made out to him with a forged signature, and the the other check was blank. Inside the business, deputies discovered a vending machine and been pried open, and the money inside had been removed.
Turberville was charged with burglary, forgery, molestation of a coin operated machine, criminal mischief and petit theft. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where remained Wednesday with bond set at $45,500.
One Charged, Four At Large After Attempted Home Invasion
January 2, 2013
One teenager was jailed and four more are wanted following a home invasion on Foxrun Road just north of Nine Mile Road.
The victim told deputies that four or five black males kicked in his door and fled in a silver colored Volkswagen when they realized someone was home.
Deputies located the suspect vehicle near Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road and confirmed it as stolen. Upon initiating a traffic stop, the driver refused to stop and a short pursuit followed. The pursuit ended when the vehicle’s occupants bailed out of the vehicle at the end of Brookmeadow Place and fled on foot.
One 15-year old was taken into custody and charged with resisting without violence, criminal mischief and unarmed burglary of an occupied residence. The teen told deputies that the four suspects that fled the scene were his former schoolmates.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Congress Passes Fiscal Crisis Bill; Obama Says He’ll Sign
January 2, 2013
President Barack Obama says he will sign a bill to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” calling the measure one step in a broader effort to strengthen the American economy.
The Democrat-led Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill in an early morning vote Tuesday. The Republican-dominated House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 257 to 167 late in the day, after an unsuccessful attempt to add their own amendments to the plan.
Some conservative House members wanted to add more spending cuts to the plan, but did not have enough support among their fellow lawmakers to take such action. Aides to the Senate Democratic leadership had told reporters that chamber would not take up any bill that was amended by the House.
President Obama and congressional Republicans have sparred for more than a year over tax rates, the extent of government spending, chronic budget deficits and the country’s mounting debt.
Congressional leaders described the deal as imperfect, but in the best interest of the American people.
Under the plan, taxes would increase for individuals making more than $400,000 a year and couples earning more than $450,000, the first U.S. income tax increase in 20 years. The package also would extend unemployment benefits for a year and boost taxes on large inheritances.
The compromise delays mandated cuts to defense spending and domestic programs for two months, setting up a future battle between the parties. Analysts have said that without a compromise, the $500 billion in austerity measures could eventually plunge the U.S. economy into another recession.
Even as U.S. leaders wrangled over the tax and spending issues, they soon face a decision whether to increase the country’s borrowing limit, which hit its current $16.4 trillion cap on Monday. Officials say the country will be able to pay its bills for another two months, but by then will need to increase the debt ceiling, an action likely to spark another extended debate over Washington’s spending priorities.
[VOA]
Pictured: President Barack Obama, with Vice President Joe Biden (left), makes statement after passage of fiscal cliff bill Tuesday night. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.