Florida Prison Health Privatization Could Start January 1st
September 8, 2012
After months of legal battles, a state budget panel next week could clear the way for the Department of Corrections to contract with two companies to provide health services in Florida’s prisons.
Next week, the Legislative Budget Commission will consider a department request to transfer money within the budget so the privatization can occur. The department plans to contract with Wexford Health Sources to provide health services at prisons in South Florida and with Corizon to do the work in the rest of the state. Information included in the LBC’s agenda indicates the privatization would take effect January 1.
Lawmakers directed the department last year to privatize inmate health care. But a legal challenge by the Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees tied up the issue.
The challenge centered on a legislative decision to include the change in budget fine print, known as “proviso” language, instead of approving it in a regular bill.
A Leon County circuit judge did not rule on the challenge because the proviso language expired with the June 30 end of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Even without the proviso language, the department argues it can continue with the effort to privatize health services under already-existing state law.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Medical Unit at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Comes Up Short To Marianna, 48-42 (With Gallery)
September 8, 2012
The 1A Northview Chiefs held a 42-26 lead over the 4A Marianna Bulldogs Friday night in Bratt, but the Chiefs just could not hold on, losing 48-42 on an overtime forth down with a fumbled ball just inches from the goal line.
“At that point, you really clamp down; you put the vise on them defensively, and we were unable to do that,” head coach Wheatley said about the 42-26 lead. “It was just a matter of taking momentum away from them…which we did with the score, but they immediately got it back and kept believing ‘hey, we are in this thing’. And sure enough, they were.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
The Chiefs, ranked number two in Florida’s Class 1A headed into Friday night’s game, took an early 8-0 lead with 10:07 to go in the first quarter. A LaMikal Banks interceptions set up a six yard touchdown run from senior Roderick Woods, LaMikal Kyles was in on the two point conversion.
The Bulldogs scored to make it 8-7, then Northview answered with a pass deep into the end zone from backup quarterback Daulton Tullis to junior Dalton Daniel, 15-0. Tullis was in at QB Friday night for starting quarterback Kevin Vaughan who is suffering from a wrist injury. Vaughan still stepped up for the Chiefs as kicker.
After the Bulldogs scored to trail 15-13, Neino Robinson returned a Marianna punt 75 yards for a touchdown, 22-13. A Brannon Freeman TD upped Northview’s lead to 28-13. Marianna scored a couple of times, 28-26.
Woods scored again for the Chiefs, 35-26, while a Jaron Myles touchdown made it 42-26.
But the Bulldogs bit back, eventually evening the game up at 42-42 to force overtime.
Marianna was up first in OT, adding a touchdown suffering a block kick, 48-42.
On Northview’s first down of overtime, Kyles drove to the five. On second down Kyles pushed to the one yard line. On third down of overtime, Woods was stopped shot inside the one. And on the fourth, and final down of overtime, the Chiefs fumbled the ball away for a 48-46 Marianna. win.
“At times, I thought we played with energy. We had a couple of big plays,” Wheatley said after the loss. “We’ve got to get better fundamentally. We had way to many missed tackles tonight. And we are going preach about finishing football games because we were unable to close it out tonight, and it cost us a win.”
Next Friday night Northview will host Chipley in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game. The Chiefs were eliminated just shy of a trip to the state championship with a 25-21 loss.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
Pictured top: Northview head coach Sid Wheatley expresses his disappointment in a team huddle following the Chiefs loss to Marianna Friday night. Pictured top inset: LaMikal Kyles picks up yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Northview’s Neino Robinson on a 75-yard punt return. Pictured below: A Marianna Bulldog heads over a pile short of a touchdown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fort Walton Downs Tate 27-7
September 8, 2012
The Tate Aggies list to Fort Walton 27-7 Friday night in Cantonment’s Pete Gindl Stadium. It was a delayed season opener and coaching debut for Brad Naggatz after last week’s Tate road trip to Louisiana was spoiled by Hurricane Isaac.
The Aggies’ lone touchdown came with 2:39 to go in the game on a 9-yard run by Lorenzo Long.
A minor foot injury sidelined Tate starting quarterback David Moorhead in the first half, with junior Brian Davis stepping in to the QB spot
Next week, the Tate Aggies will be at home against West Florida High School.
Holmes County Shuts Down Jay’s Royals 52-14
September 8, 2012
The Holmes County Blue Devils handily defeated the Jay Royals Friday night in Bonifay, 52-14.
The Blue Devils held a commanding 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Ricky Cofield, who a had 163 yards on 23, put the Royals on the board with a 77-yard touchdown run.
By the half, Holmes County was up 45-6.
In the third, the Jay Royals scored on a 12-yard quarterback keeper from Tate Upton.
The Jay Royals (1-1) will be at home next Friday night against Sneads.
Pictured: The Jay Royals at Holmes County in Bonifay Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Michelle Gibbs, click to enlarge.
+Prep Football Finals
September 8, 2012
Here are football scores from across the area from Friday night:
- Marianna 48 Northview 42 OT [Read more...]
- Ft Walton 27 Tate 7 [Read more...]
- Holmes 52 Jay 14 [Read more...]
- West Florida 39 Washington 0
- PHS 25 Navarre 24
- Crestview 35 Escambia 7
- Pace 28 Niceville 17
- Pine Forest 72 Arlington Co 0
- Freeport 41 South Walton 7
- Washington 37 Flomaton 20
- Monroe Academy 38 Escambia Academy 0
- Staughn 36 W.S. Neal 30
- TR Miller 21 Opp 7
- Clarke County Escambia County 0
Patriot Guard Rider Injured In Walnut Hill Motorcycle Crash
September 7, 2012
A Patriot Guard ride was injured in single motorcycle accident Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The accident happened just before 3 p.m. on Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99. Robert Baker, age 67 of Perdido, Ala., reportedly suffered a mechanical problem with his motorcycle and was ejected as the bike overturned. Baker came to rest just off the northbound lane of Highway 97 while the motorcycle came to rest in the southbound lane.
Baker was transported by Atmore Ambulance to North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette in stable condition.
Other Patriot Guard riders, who were returning from an escort, were not involved in the crash.
Pictured: A Patriot Guard rider was injured in this wreck Friday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Medical Examiner With Body Parts In Storage Arrested
September 7, 2012
The former medical examiner that had body parts from over 100 people in an Escambia County storage unit was arrested Friday afternoon.
Michael Edward Berkland was charged with one count of improper disposal/storage of hazardous waste and one count of public nuisance, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The improper storage charged is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in state prison, while the public nuisance charge is a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail.
The remains were stored in plastic containers, specimen cups and trash bags inside Unit B12 at Uncle Bob’s Storage at 195 East Fairfield Drive. The unit was rented by Berkland, a former associate medical examiner who is no longer licensed in Florida, according to the Pensacola Police Department.
Lungs, hearts, tissue samples, and 10 brains were among the body parts from more than 100 people found in the air conditioned unit. The body parts were stored in formaldehyde in plastic containers, plastic bags, and even a 32-ounce Styrofoam cup from a convenience store.
Some of the containers had cracked and leaked, police said.
Storage shed Manager George Klages told police contents of the unit had been sold for $900 during an auction on August 22. As the purchaser began cleaning out the unit, cardboard boxes of plastic containers holding the remains were found.
Klages told police Berkland rented the unit from April 8, 2009, until it was auctioned August 22. He said Berkland was late on rental payments several times during the lease, but usually paid right before the unit contents were to be auctioned. The storage unit also contained office furniture and other property.
It is believed the remains are from autopsies Berkland did between 1997 and 2007 at funeral homes in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City.
At the time of his arrest, Berland was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and was also charged with that offense.
No Children Injured In Bus Versus Car Wreck
September 7, 2012
There were no children injured in a school bus versus car wreck this morning on Highway 29.
The accident happened about 7:55 a.m. at Highway 29 and West 9½ Mile Road. There were about 20 special needs children on the bus at the time of the crash. The only injury was to the driver of the vehicle that was hit by the bus. That person was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Man That Promised 500 Century Lumber Jobs Convicted Of Felony Fraud
September 7, 2012
CULLMAN, ALA — The man behind a promise of up to 500 jobs announced in 2010 that never materialized in Century — has pleaded guilty to financial fraud charges brought against him by Alabama authorities.
James Leonard Craft, age 72 of Century, pleaded guilty to engaging in a scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with the sale of securities. He faces from one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $370,000.
An investigation by the Alabama Securities Commission found that Craft solicited funds from investors to purportedly purchase wood products from South America, which were to be resold to U.S. distributors for the making of railroad cross ties and other products at a plant to be located in the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century.
Craft was the manager of Century Lumber and Land, a company that held a ribbon cutting back in October 2010 for a group of new businesses that planned to locate in Century’s vacant Alger Sullivan Lumber Company property and bring up to 500 jobs to the struggling town. According to Workforce Escarosa, over 3,000 people applied for those jobs.
Craft stood holding the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall in October 2010 as the mayor cut a symbolic ribbon for Century Lumber and Land. Community members, Century town council members, county commissioners, and other county government representatives and business officials stood behind a Century Area Chamber of Commerce sign as the yellow ribbon fell.
But there was a tidbit very few of them knew — Craft or the company never had any legal claim the property where he was holding the ribbon cutting.
“It was never sold; it never even had a binder,” EXIT Realty NFI-Commerical agent Gary Watson said last year on behalf of the property owners.
In 2010, the Alabama Securities Commission issued a cease and desist order on Craft and his Century Lumber and Land after an attempt was made to solicit money from Alabama investors in at least three Alabama counties. The ASC said neither Craft or his business was registered to sell securities in Alabama as required by law.
In testimony in Cullman County (Ala.) Circuit Court, Craft readily admitted to Judge Gregory Nicholas that he intended on using the money for personal reasons while simultaneously making a fraudulent pitch that the investors’ funds were to be used to purchase wood products.
In September 2011, Craft was arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and extradited to Etowah County, Ala., face charges. Craft’s arrest stemmed from a Etowah County Grand jury indictment for alleged illegal securities activities associated with his company. Indictments against Craft were also returned in Cullman and Shelby counties. All of the charges were later combined and tried in Cullman County Circuit Court.
“I hope the conviction of Mr. Craft sends a clear message to other fraudsters out there that the State of Alabama will not tolerate criminals preying on the citizens of Alabama,” said Greg Biggs, who prosecuted the case for the Alabama Securities Commission.
Craft remains free on bond while a pre-sentencing investigation is completed to determine Craft’s ultimate sentence and ability to pay $185,000 in restitution to his victims.
Pictured top: Convicted felon James Leonard Craft (light blue shirt, front left) holds the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall as he cuts the ribbon for Century Lumber and Land in October 2010. Pictured below: A group hoping to apply for a job gathered during the ribbon cutting. Pictured inset: The former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century was the planned home for Craft’s company. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Obama Asks For Four More Years Of Change
September 7, 2012
CHARLOTTE, NC — Trying to rekindle his connection with the American people after four years of recession and a slow recovery, President Barack Obama promised a better future if voters reaffirmed their commitment to an agenda he said still offered hope and change.
In a speech to a crowded hall on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Obama conceded that his administration wasn’t offering a quick fix to problems “that have built up over decades” and would require years to correct.
“But know this, America: Our problems can be solved,” Obama said. “Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place.”
The speech marked a stark contrast from the situation Obama found himself in four years ago.
Then, he was a change agent running from the party out of power, the first major-party black presidential nominee, who drew such large crowds that he decided to hold his acceptance speech in a football stadium.
On Thursday, he spoke for about 40 minutes to a packed Time Warner Cable Arena, the night’s festivities having been moved from nearby Bank of America Stadium because officials said the weather forecast was too unpredictable. And Obama was in some ways arguing that a steady course would produce its own kind of change, or at least preserve the change that his administration had made over the past four years.
Obama himself acknowledged the shift in his position during the address, noting that the presidency had in some ways changed him from the young state senator who set the convention on fire in 2004 as the keynote speaker and the presidential candidate promising a fresh start in 2008.
“But as I stand here tonight, I have never been more hopeful about America,” he told cheering delegates. “Not because I think I have all the answers. Not because I’m naïve about the magnitude of our challenges. I’m hopeful because of you.”
The president also delivered a set of promises he said could be delivered if voters would give him a second turn. Obama pledged to create a million manufacturing jobs, boost exports, begin weaning America off foreign oil, rein in college costs and make deep reductions in the federal deficit.
But, much like GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s promise at the Republican National Convention to create 12 million new jobs, Obama offered few details on how he would reach those objectives.
“He offered more promises, but he hasn’t kept the promises he made four years ago,” Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades said in a statement issued before the speech had ended. “Americans will hold President Obama accountable for his record — they know they’re not better off and that it’s time to change direction.”
Obama also used the speech to needle Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, over their differences on the issues. In a segment that seemed pointed at the senior citizens who could play a major role in deciding which candidate gets Florida’s 29 electoral votes, Obama took aim at the GOP’s plans for Medicare.
“And I will never turn Medicare into a voucher,” he said. “No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the care and dignity that they have earned.”
Obama’s speech capped off a night that featured a brief speech by former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-independent, and appearances from Hollywood stars like Eva Longoria and Scarlett Johansson. Democrats highlighted Obama’s achievements — including authorizing a bailout they say saved the American automobile industry and ordering the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
The message implicit in many of the night’s speeches: Obama has earned one more chance.
“We’re on a mission to move this nation forward — from doubt and downturn, to promise and prosperity,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “A mission I guarantee you we will complete.”
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida