Molino Man Enters Plea On Multiple Drug Charges
July 6, 2012
A Molino man has entered a plea in Escambia County Circuit Court on multiple drug charges.
Joseph Daniel Flowers pleaded no contest to charges of possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.
Flowers will be sentenced in about two weeks before Judge Michael Allen.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies located an active methamphetamine lab inside a residence at 1115 Muscogee Road during the early morning hours of February 7, 2011. They reported finding Flowers inside the residence with the meth lab. He was transported to a Pensacola hospital for an untreated burn on his hand and warrants were issued for his arrest.
Accused High School Arsonist Says He Was ‘Full Of Cocaine’
July 6, 2012
The man accused of setting fire to Escambia High School Tuesday night told sheriff’s dispatchers that he was “full of cocaine” when he called 911 to turn himself in.
Daniel Lance Quattlebaum, 21, was charged with arson, burglary and criminal mischief with property damage in connection with the incident. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday after a judge upped his bond to $135,000. He will be back in court on July 26.
As firefighters were still fighting the blaze and clearing smoke, Quattlebaum called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and told them that he broke into Escambia High School and set it on fire. He said he would be waiting for deputies at the corner of 57th Avenue and Lillian Highway. He also told the dispatcher that he was “full of cocaine”.
When deputies questioned Quattlebaum, he said that he “had been on cocaine and that he hadn’t slept in three days”, according to an arrest report. He said he threw a rock and busted a window that he then kicked in. He then tried to disable the security cameras by throwing a brick at them, but that failed.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watches as two Escambia County firefighters pull a ventilation fan down a smoke filled outdoor corridor early Wednesday morning at Escambia County High School. Pictured inset: Smoke billows from Escambia High School shortly after the first firefighters arrive on scene Tuesday night. Pictured below: A ladder truck aerial towers over Escambia High School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, Bob Solarski/WEAR 3 and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Lady Astros Take On The Firecracker Classic
July 6, 2012
Molino’s Lady Astros finished second in the recent Firecracker Classic at Exchange Park.
The highs school division included a dozen teams from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The Lady Astros won the first two out of three in pool play for a bracket first seed. The Lady Astros advanced to the championship after two bracket wins before falling 5-0 to the Lady Hustlers from Louisiana.
“The championship game was very tense, and we gave it our best only to come up short,” Coach Donnie Nicholson said, noting the pitching from Meagan Green of Pace, Heather Thomas from Tate and Ronni Renfroe of Tate.
Member of the Molino Lady Astros are Kathleen Smiley, Brook White, Heather Thomason, Ronni Renfroe, Gracie Kilcrease, Terri Andrews, Meagen Green, Caitlyn Hagan, Audrey Hamric, Amber Peebles and Ashley Richerson. Coaches are Donnie Nicholson, Swan Green and Pat Paulson.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Molino Lady Astros. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Nab Fugitive, Seize Weapons And Ammo
July 6, 2012
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force discovered a small cache of guns, a bulletproof vest and multiple rounds of ammunition Thursday afternoon when they captured a fugitive on the run since November 2011.
Aggravated assault suspect Jeremy Jerel Fountain, 24, was arrested without incident inside an Escambia County Home.
Task Force Officers from the U.S. Marshals, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and FDLE were conducting surveillance at the home of one of Fountain’s relatives, when Fountain emerged from the house. When Task Force members placed 24 year-old Fountain under arrest, they found numerous guns and multiple rounds of ammunition scattered all over the bedroom and a bulletproof vest. The bedroom appeared to be that of one of several young children living in the house, U.S. Marshals said.
“Although it appeared that none of the guns were loaded, all but one was within child’s reach as well as the ammo,” said U.S. Marshals Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli.
A check determined that at least one of the handguns had previously been reported stolen in Escambia County, and that a revolver had the serial number removed. In all, authorities recovered a 32 caliber semi-automatic, .25 caliber semi-automatic, .40 caliber semi-automatic, .38 caliber revolver and a 12 gauge pistol grip pump shotgun.
Officers also found suspected marijuana which appeared to be packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking, authorities said.
Fountain also had outstanding child neglect and child support warrants. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Court Won’t Decide Florida Prison Health Care Privatization
July 6, 2012
Any court decision on the state’s prison health care system would be moot, a circuit court judge has decided in declining to rule on the issue.
The Legislature put language involving privatization of prison health care into the budget fine print language known as “proviso”, leading to a lawsuit by unions. But the proviso expired with the July 1 start of the new fiscal year and the new budget doesn’t include the same language.
Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll wouldn’t give an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of the issue. The health care proviso called for privatization to lead to cost savings of at least seven percent for the state, compared to 2009-10 expenses.
The process led to the department recommending that Corizon, Inc., receive a contract for prisons in North and Central Florida and that Wexford Health Sources receive a contract in South Florida.
By The News Service of Florida
Resurfacing Project Underway On North Pine Barren Road
July 6, 2012
Escambia County is currently resurfacing a portion of North Pine Barren Road. A gravel-embedded pavement from Highway 168 and south 0.6 miles is being resurfaced with asphalt. The roadway is a frequently traveled route to Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Supreme Court Strikes Public Adjuster Provision
July 6, 2012
A provision in a 2008 law restricting the ability of public insurance adjusters to contact homeowners immediately after a storm was struck down Thursday by a unanimous Florida Supreme Court.
Prompted by claims that public adjusters were taking advantage of distraught homeowners following the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the Florida Legislature passed an insurance industry backed effort to limit adjusters’ activities, including contact between public adjusters and customers within the first 48-hours following a hurricane, tornado or other major storm.
Backers said the adjusters were increasing insurance costs by pressuring homeowners into signing contracts. Public adjusters and their supporters say they were just allowing customers to receive the full benefits to which they were entitled.
Upholding a 1st District Court of Appeal ruling, the state’s high court said the law as written barred commercial speech in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court rejected arguments put forth by the Department of Financial Services, which contended that adjustors activities were outside the scope of freedom of speech protections.
“The Department’s claim that the public adjuster-initiated contact and solicitation… are conduct – not protected free speech – is unpersuasive,” Chief Justice Charles Canady wrote for the court. “This argument is predicated on the strained reading of the statute advanced by the Department. With the rejection of that strained statutory reading, the argument collapses.”
DFS spokeswoman Alexis Lambert said Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater’s office would have no statement on the ruling other than that Atwater respects the court and accepts the decision.
Following the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons lawmakers looked at ways to reduce the cost drivers that insurance companies said were leading to skyrocketing premiums. Insurers have cited cases where they’ve had to pay out on some dubious claims – and blamed public adjusters for persuading homeowners to pursue them.
So lawmakers decided to limit contact between customers and public adjusters, who critics argue have a financial incentive to raise claim amounts.
Lawmakers wrote a statute saying: “A public adjuster may not directly or indirectly through any other person or entity initiate contact or engage in face-to-face or telephonic solicitation or enter into a contract with any insured or claimant under an insurance policy until at least 48 hours after the occurrence of an event.”
An insurance industry representative on Thursday said the high court’s ruling was “unfortunate” and may end up costing consumers money as public adjuster fees are taken from the insurance settlement itself.
“CFO Atwater and the Office of Insurance Regulation provide safeguards for hurricane victims that they will be treated fairly by the adjuster dispatched by their insurance company,” said Sam Miller of the Florida Insurance Council. “There is no need for a public adjuster who must be paid by the policyholder.”
Public Attorneys for public adjuster Frederick Kortum, who challenged the law, said the law bans all types of communication during that time period. Regardless of whether lawmakers intended an all-out ban or not, the result doesn’t fall under the circumstances under which the government can limit speech, the plaintiffs argued.
“As long as the message is not misleading and is concerning a lawful transaction, you’re protected,” said Wilbur Brewton, a Tallahassee attorney who argued Kortum’s case before the high court. “It’s kind of like free speech anywhere, you may not like some of it but we have free speech in the United States.”
Other provisions of the 2008 law, including ethical standards and other regulatory powers granted to the department, remain in place. The Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters said there is adequate regulation to ensure consumers are protected.
“FAPIA and its nearly 400 member public adjusters are committed to helping policyholders receive full and fair compensation following damage to their property,” said FAPIA President Harvey Wolfman. “Thanks to this ruling, we can help more policyholders in those critical first hours when they need it most.”
By The News Service of Florida
Barons Even Series With 6-2 Win Over Blue Wahoos
July 6, 2012
Birmingham plated three insurance runs in the top of the ninth, while right fielder Jose Martinez, shortstop Tyler Saladino and first baseman Andy Wilkins all homered, to lead the Barons to a 6-2 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the win the Barons now own a 9-6 mark in the second half, while the Fish also sport a 9-6 record since the All-Star Break after the loss but remain in a tie for first in the Southern League’s South Division with Montgomery. It was the 28th capacity crowd in Pensacola’s inaugural season, while the club also welcomed before the game the 200,000th fan to enter the ballpark. In 41 home openings, the Fish have hosted a total of 200,270 fans in 2012.
Both teams got on the board with a single tally in the first, with Martinez exiting the yard with a homer to left for the Barons, his fourth of the year. Pensacola answered with a score of their own in the bottom half of the inning when CF Ryan LaMarre drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a single, before taking advantage of a Birmingham error to even the contest at 1-1.
The Barons however, would go ahead in the third thanks to Saladino’s shot to left for his fourth of the season and move ahead 3-1 three innings later when Wilkins blasted his team-leading 12th longball to left. Blue Wahoos OF Yordanys Perez then narrowed the margin to one in the bottom of the frame with a solo big fly to deep center field just to the right of the batter’s eye, but Birmingham pulled away with a three-run ninth.
3B Erik Morrison was hit by a pitch to start the rally and subsequently scored on C Luis Sierra’s RBI triple, before 2B Dan Wagner drove Sierra home with a run-scoring single to left. CF Jared Mitchell brought home the final tally of the evening with an RBI double to left to bring home Wagner and end the scoring.
Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-6 after allowing three earned runs on six hits in six innings, while Birmingham RHP Matt Heidenreich (8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory in his Double-A debut and yielded two runs, one of which was earned, on six hits in eight frames. Reliever Ryan Kussmaul (1.0 IP, 1 SO) fired a scoreless ninth frame in a non-save situation.
Saladino (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and Morrison (2-3, 1 R) each collected a pair of base knocks for the Barons in the winning effort, while Perez (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) was the lone Pensacola hitter to record a multi-hit effort. Perez has gotten off to a nice start in the second half, batting .343 (11-32) in his eight games since the Southern League All-Star Break.
With the series even at one, the two teams will face off in a rubber match Friday night to decide the series, with the Fish scheduled to give the nod to RHP Tim Crabbe, while Birmingham is expected to counter with RHP Cameron Bayne. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top:Yordanys Perez blasted his fourth longball of the year in the Fish’s 6-2 loss. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Benefit Account Established For Family Of Girl Killed In Atmore Fire
July 6, 2012
A bank account has been set up to help the family of a young girl killed earlier this week in Atmore.
Nyamiah Weeks died in the fire on Beck Street late Tuesday night. A fund has been established at Regions Bank to help the family with final expenses. Donations can be made to an account in Nyamiah’s name.
For more information on the fire, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured inset: A fire late Tuesday night on Beck Street in Atmore claimed the life of a young girl. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Passes Away Days After June 30 Wreck
July 5, 2012
A Cantonment man has passed away as the result of injuries he received in a traffic crash on June 30.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 31-year old David Karrick was pronounced deceased at 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The head-on crash happened about 10:30 a.m. on Highway 297A at Eight Mile Creek Road, just northwest of the Nine Mile and Pine Forest Road intersection.
For a photo gallery, click here.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Tyler Moore was eastbound on Highway 297A in a 2003 Toyota Tundra when he veered into the lane occupied by a 200 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Karrick of Cantonment.
Karrick’s car came to rest upright in a ditch next to the roadway. It took first responders from multiple stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, including a special operations team, about 45 minutes extricate Karrick from the car. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight.
Tyler Moore was seriously injured in the crash, while his passenger, 17-year old Kayla Moore of Cantonment, received minor injuries. The brother and sister were transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital.
Tyler Moore was cited by the FHP for failure to maintain a single lane.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: A Cantonment man has died as a result of this two vehicle crash June 30 on Highway 297A at Eight Mile Creek Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
