Scott: Florida Ready To Help Panhandle If Need, The Assist Other States
August 8, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday said Florida is poised to help its Gulf state neighbors as Isaac appeared to spare much of the state from significant damage.
But the governor cautioned that the next 36 hours will be critical for residents of the far western Panhandle, who may face up to 18 inches of rain and tropical storm winds by sunrise Wednesday.
“Now our biggest concern is, especially, the western Panhandle where it appears they are going to get more rain; we can’t take much at all in the Panhandle because of (Tropical Storm) Debbie,” Scott said.
Reports coming in from South Florida and the Tampa Bay region were favorable, with no major damage or injuries reported so far. About 81,000 customers were without power in South Florida.
Shelters were closed Monday after housing 700 residents and visitors Sunday night in South Florida.
“We are very thankful for Florida that this storm is moving west but we are absolutely concerned about the citizens of Louisiana and the other states it could impact,” Scott told reporters Monday evening in Tallahassee.
Scott said he spoke to Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday, the last of four Gulf State governors Scott has been in contact with since preparations began.
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have forged partnerships and mutual assistance compacts to pool resources. Louisiana officials called up 4,000 national guard troops to assist. Arkansas has called up 2,000 national guard troops.
“All of the southern states have a very good working relationship together,” Scott said. “We’ll all show up.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate spent the day in Tallahassee and is now moving to Alabama to oversee response there. Earlier in the day, Fugate said the storm’s size made it more difficult to pinpoint efforts.
“This is not a New Orleans storm,” Fugate said. “This is a Gulf Coast storm…Everybody’s focusing on New Orleans and they don’t understand this threat is not a point. It’s a large area.”
Scott cancelled his plans for the Republican National Convention, which will be in full swing beginning Tuesday, a day later than scheduled in deference to Isaac. Initially scheduled to give an opening night speech on Monday, the governor has instead turned his attentions to monitoring the storm.
“My job is to make sure that the 19 million people who live in our state are safe along with all our visitors, including the delegates to the RNC,” Scott said. “Everybody here (is) focused on the safety of everybody in our state.”
By The News Service of Florida
Back To The Future: Old Main Street Sewer Plant Site Up For Sale
August 8, 2012
Thursday, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will uncover a “for sale” sign and lay sod to announce the 19-acre downtown site of the former Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant (MSWWTP), is available for redevelopment opportunities.
ECUA board members, directors and other dignitaries will participate in the event that has been dubbed “Back to the Future”.
Originally designed and constructed in 1937, between Main and Government streets, the MSWWTP underwent numerous expansions in the 1970s and mid-1990s. The plant was officially taken off-line, Thursday, April 28, 2011, with waste water operations transferred to a new facility in Cantonment (pictured top).
One year after ceasing operations, “Old Stinky,” the name affectionately given to the facility by local media representatives, emerged as an environmental success story. Reuse of the MSWWTP property included a defined effort to reduce the environmental impact by reusing and recycling materials recovered during the demolition process.
Obispo Shines As Pensacola Beats Huntsville Stars 6-1
August 8, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Wirfin Obispo earned his third straight win with seven shutout innings pitched, while catcher Tucker Barnhart and left fielder Donald Lutz each blasted homers to lead Pensacola to a 6-1 victory over the Huntsville Stars in the series finale on Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama.
With the win, the Fish improved their second half record to 23-22 to remain within two games of Jacksonville for first place in the South Division of the Southern League. The defeat dropped Huntsville to a 22-23 mark since the league’s All-Star break.
Obispo (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 SO) was victorious for the third consecutive outing after yielding just four hits in his seven scoreless innings. Including tonight, the right-hander in his last three starts has accumulated a 1.50 ERA (3 ER in 18.0 IP) and struck out 25 while giving up just eight hits in that span.
Relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) and Curtis Partch (1.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 SO) joined forces to fire the final two frames in support of Obispo, holding the Stars to just one run. Huntsville starter Jimmy Nelson (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year, while RHP R.J. Seidel (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 SO) kept the Fish off the scoreboard in his three innings of relief for the Stars.
The Blue Wahoos got the game’s scoring started in the fourth, taking an early 1-0 lead. RF Josh Fellhauer drew a leadoff walk and then moved to third on a double to right from 1B Beau Mills, before coming across on a passed ball for the contest’s first score.
Pensacola would then power ahead to a 6-0 advantage in the next two frames to go up 6-0. 2B Brodie Greene began the fifth with a double, before Barnhart left the yard for his first homer at the Double-A level, which made it 3-0. Andrew Means and 3B David Vidal would then each reach on free passes in the next frame, before Lutz brought both in when he launched his third longball for the Blue Wahoos to right.
Huntsville plated their lone tally in the eighth to dash the Blue Wahoos’ shutout hopes. CF Josh Prince doubled to left and would move to third on a groundout, before coming across on 2B Scooter Gennett’s run-scoring single to center.
Greene (2-4, 1 R, 2 2B), Barnhart (2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB) and CF Ryan LaMarre (2-5) each recorded multi-hit efforts for the Blue Wahoos in the victory, while Gennett (2-4, 1 RBI) collected two hits for the Stars. Greene continued his hot streak at the plate and has now compiled a .533 average (8-15) in his last four games after going hitless in his previous five contests.
The Fish now head back to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch of the series is set for Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., with RHP Chad Rogers scheduled to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Lookouts are expected to counter with RHP Matt Magill.
Families Count will be holding a hygiene drive to benefit homeless veterans, and will be collecting new hygiene products such as soap, shaving cream, razors, deodorant and more at the main gate. It’s also Back to School Night at the bayfront stadium, with fans encouraged in addition to bring new school supplies to help “Cram the Van. All items will be donated to area families, while there will also be old fashioned carnival games set up around the concourse.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Wirfin Obispo earned his third straight win Tuesday night for the Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trial Postponed For Former Flomaton Police Chief
August 7, 2012
The former Flomaton, Ala., police chief was back in a Pensacola courtroom Tuesday morning.
A judge granted a request by Geoffrey Ashley McGraw’s attorney Earnest Ray White, to delay his trial so White can review more evidence in the case from the State Attorney’s Office. A new court date of October 22 was set.
McGraw had previously pleaded not guilty in Escambia County (Fla.) Circuit Court to a felony charge of kidnapping/false imprisonment. He remains free from jail on a $5,000 bond.
McGraw’s arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the Florida 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE obtained the warrant for McGraw’s arrest for an August 14, 2011, incident in which Ronald Adam Barrow was arrested by McGraw at a home on Old Flomaton Road in Century — 0.177 miles from the Alabama state line. McGraw, without jurisdiction, allegedly took Barrow into custody in Florida on an outstanding Escambia County (Ala.) failure to appear warrant in a misdemeanor case. Barrow was then transported back across the state line into Alabama.
“He didn’t know where he was at the time, and we’ve got some evidence showing that the GPS showed that he was still in Alabama, in fact,” White said Tuesday morning.
McGraw was placed on leave by the Flomaton Town Council on February 27 and subsequently fired on March 12, just four days after his arrest.
Pictured top: Former Flomaton Police Chief Geoffrey Ashley McGraw appeared in a Escambia County (Fla.) courtroom Tuesday morning. Photo by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Southern Poverty Law Center Files Complaint Against Escambia Schools
August 7, 2012
The Southern Poverty Law Center announced Tuesday morning that it has filed a series of federal civil rights complaints against Florida School Districts, including Escambia County. The complaints alleged that the districts subject African-American students to harsh disciplinary policies at rates that are far higher than for white students.
The complaints, filed with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, describe how African-American students in the school districts in Escambia, Bay, Okaloosa, Flagler and Suwannee counties are suspended, expelled and arrested at school for relatively minor and non-violent conduct.
“Unforgiving disciplinary policies are cutting short the futures of countless African-American students across Florida and the entire nation,” said Stephanie Langer, a staff attorney for the SPLC’s Florida office. “If school districts truly want to provide a quality education to all of their students, they will reform these discriminatory policies.”
The complaints explain how the school districts have imposed long-term suspensions on children as young as 8 years old for minor rule infractions such as tardiness, inappropriate cell phone usage, talking in class and dress code violations.
The SPLC said in Escambia County Schools, African-American students account for 65 percent of all out-of-school suspensions, but they represent only 36 percent of the student population.
The SPLC alleges that M.C., an African-American student in Escambia County, was suspended and arrested for “trespassing” after purchasing a hot meal at a neighboring high school. Before this incident, M.C. had no history of discipline issues.
Florida has amended its zero-tolerance discipline law to encourage schools to handle minor behavioral problems with in-school discipline rather than harsh policies that decrease a student’s time in the regular classroom, the SPLC stated in a news release.
“Local school districts and state officials must make reforms that improve the effectiveness of school disciplinary policies without forcing children out of the classroom,” said Tania Galloni, managing attorney of the SPLC’s Florida office. “School discipline should never deprive a child of an education, but that is happening in these school districts. What was once considered minor misconduct has become an opportunity to punish or even criminalize a student’s behavior.”
In addition to Escambia County, the complaints target Okaloosa, Bay, Suwannee and Flagler counties.
Woman Charged With Beating Boyfriend With A Golf Club
August 7, 2012
A Jay woman was arrested after she went to her boyfriend’s house, kicked in the door, and beat him with a golf club.
The incident started when 24-year old Tristan Danielle Watson was on the phone with her boyfriend when the conversation became heated. After the victim hung up on her,Watson then proceeded to drive to her boyfriend’s home in Jay, kick in the backdoor, and hit him twice in the face with a golf club, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
He fell to the ground and was able to get the golf club from Watson. Watson continued to punch the victim in the face before taking a few hundred dollars from the victim’s wallet. Watson then left her boyfriend lying on the floor and fled the scene. The victim had bruising and swelling around his eye and forehead, according to deputies.
Deputies recovered a “Kidpower” brand golf club at the scene, according to an arrest report.
Watson was located by deputies at a residence in Pace, and she admitted to attacking her boyfriend with a golf club after entering his home.
Watson was charged with home invasion robbery, burglary, felony battery and petit theft. She remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday without bond.
Watson and the victim have a child together, according to he Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia Parents Can Apply Online Now For Free, Reduced Lunch Benefits
August 7, 2012
School does not start in Escambia County until August 20, but parents and guardians can apply online now for free and reduced prices meals to speed up the approval process.
Online applications for the 2012-2013 school year can be completed at:
http://mealapp.escambia.k12.fl.us/
There are no charges or fees to use the online free and reduced meal application.
To view the income guidelines for the free and reduced price meal program, click here.
Former NBA Coach Leads Bratt Basketball Camp
August 7, 2012
A basketball camp was held recently at the First Baptist Church of Bratt under the leadership of a former NBA coach.
Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach taught kids the fundamentals of basketball along with Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. His career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“One of the many things that touched me about the camp”, said Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey, “is coach does not receive any salary.The $35 registration fee will actually be used to purchase shoes and basketballs for children in other countries that do not even own a pair of shoes. So, we not only benefited much from learning about basketball, but we were able to participate in missions, too.”
Each of the over two dozen students completing the camp received a t-shirt and copy of Dutremble’s book “From the Backcourt to the Frontcourt – A Journey Into Faith” which details the coach’s life from abandonment as a child, living on the street, to his climb to the top of the sports world.
Pictured: A basketball camp with former NBA coach Roger Dutremble was held recently at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Submitted photos by Ken Wooton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Multi-Agency ‘Gun Response Team’ Formed In Escambia County
August 7, 2012
Law enforcement agencies are teaming up in Escambia County to form the “Gun Response Team” to investigate incidents of gun related crimes in the county.
The multi-agency group will respond to and investigate crimes where a firearm was the weapon of choice. At times, they will support investigations by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or the Pensacola Police Department. Sometimes the team will be the primary investigative unit.
“The goal of this initiative is the reduction of gun related violence as well as the arrest and successful prosecution of those who commit gun related crimes,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Gun Response Team will respond to crimes including:
- Homicides that are gun related
- Drive by shootings
- Intentional weapon discharges with property damage or injury
- Suspicious firearm wounds and firearm wounds to known criminals
- Persons arrested and charged with a firearm violation (primary and secondary)
- Illegal aliens with firearms
- Narcotic related crimes involving firearms
- Illegal firearms and weapons caches
- Found or recovered firearms (including those with no arrest)
The Gun Response Team consists of members from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office. Also assisting in the venture will be the Florida Department of Probation and Parole, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Marshal’s and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The first day of operation for the new team was Monday.
Man Sentenced For His Part In Tasing Incident
August 7, 2012
An Atmore man was sentenced Monday in connection with an incident in which two women allegedly tased a man during an armed disturbance in Walnut Hill.
Slick Kenneth Corey, 43, was sentenced to 12 months probation Monday on a battery charge and ordered to perform 25 hours community service.
Two women were sentenced in July connection with the same incident. Windy Hall Hudson, age 28 of Century, was sentenced to 12 months probation and 25 hours of community service for battery. Wanda R. McGhee, age 44 of Atmore, was sentenced to six months probation and ordered to perform 25 hours of community service for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
On March 21, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance on Rigby Road where the victim said he was sitting on the porch with his girlfriend and the homeowner. He told deputies that McGhee, who is his estranged wife, along with Hudson and a man he knew only as “Slick” pulled up in the driveway. He said “Slick” headed toward him in an agitated state and punched him in the face and then grabbed him around the neck in a choke hold, according to an arrest report.
While the victim was down on the ground in the choke hold, a witness told deputies that McGhee began to use a stun gun to tase the victim repeatedly while Hudson kicked him. The witness said Hudson grabbed the taser and also tased the victim. “Slick” and the two women then left the residence.
Deputies later made contact with the women at the Grey Goose Lounge on Highway 97. Hudson refused to answer questions, while McGhee told deputies that her estranged husband had swung at the unnamed male first, starting the fight.
Deputies later identified “Slick” as Corey.