Mother, Son Charged With Molino Indoor Marijuana Grow Operation
October 30, 2012
A mother and son have been arrested in connection with a hydroponic marijuana growing operation raided earlier this month in Molino.
Michael James Hamilton, 45, and his mother, 63-year old Ora Jean Hart, were both charged with marijuana production and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On October 17, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at 7781 Wesley Circle in Molino. Investigators reported finding 11 marijuana plants with a street value of $22,000 growing inside a garage and a separate shed behind the residence. Deputies also reported finding numerous lights and other equipment used to grow the plants indoors, along with numerous marijuana leaves, seeds and buds.
“There is no reason to lie; I grow the marijuana plants because I have glaucoma,” Hart told investigators, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. Hamilton told deputies he has been smoking marijuana for about 20 years, and he learned to grow the plants from the internet, the report states.
Both Hamilton and Hart told deputies that the plants they found were the second batch they had grown. She said she orders the marijuana seeds through the mail.
Pictured inset and below: An indoor marijuana growing operation discovered October 17 in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Teachers Earn Cash Grants For Their Classrooms
October 30, 2012
Several North Escambia teachers are among 97 educators will that will have a little extra money for their classroom projects this year thanks to the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Grant recipients from 45 Escambia County schools and departments were awarded grants of up to $500.
North Escambia area grant recipients were:
- Angela Avery, Ransom Middle School
- Robin Blalock, Tate High School
- Heather Gilman, Bratt Elementary School
- John Hannon, Tate High School
- Chet Truett, Ernest Ward Middle
- Kim D. Whitfield, Ransom Middle
- Sue Ann Young, Ransom Middle
Teachers will be presented with their checks at the Foundation’s Grants for Excellence reception on November 1.
Grant funds, which include $38,704.87 from the Foundation and $3,970.06 from Autism Pensacola, will be used to purchase curriculum and classroom materials for projects ranging from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) labs to literacy programs that will actively engage students and enhance classroom learning experiences.
Countywide, the foundation awarded grants to the following:
- Alicia Abbuhl, Warrington Elementary School
- Mark Alberda, West Florida High School
- Theresa Anderson, Oakcrest Elementary School
- Daniel Arndt, ESE/Hall Center
- Angela Avery, Ransom Middle School
- Dr. Alana Battaglia, Escambia High School
- Saundra P. Bell, Hellen Caro Elementary School
- Russell Bertles, Workman Middle School
- Robin Blalock, Tate High School
- Beverly Bledsoe, West Florida High School
- Lisa Branscomb, Montclair Elementary School
- Megan H. Brees, Global Learning Academy
- Rose M. Briggs, George Stone Center
- Mimi Brown, Warrington Elementary School
- Debra L. Brown, West Pensacola Elementary School
- Donna B. Burch, West Florida High School
- Colleen Carbone, Bailey Middle School
- Katherine Carter, Workman Middle School
- Angelina Carter, Blue Angels Elementary School
- Wanda Cobb, Warrington Middle School
- James Coley, Weis Elementary School
- Rosie N. Cooper, Washington High School
- Laurie Cothran, Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Karen Creamer, Washington High School
- Karen Crisco, Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Rena Croker, Longleaf Elementary School
- Leslie R. Cuyuch, Workman Middle School
- Virginia Davis, Oakcrest Elementary School
- Philip Ebert, Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Christie Fine, Lipscomb Elementary School
- Stephanie Gaffney, Navy Point Elementary School
- Marietta Gibb, Cook Elementary School
- Renee Giles, West Florida High School
- Kathy Gilliland, Pine Forest High School
- Heather Gilman, Bratt Elementary School
- ReNae Grant, Semmes Elementary School
- Darlene Z. Hammons, McMillan Center
- John Hannon, Tate High School
- Anna K. Harageones, Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Bobbie T. Harrison, District Extended – Hall Center
- Michelle Helton, Jim Allen Elementary School
- Sarah Henkel, Bailey Middle School
- Laura Hershberger, Bailey Middle School
- R. Lynn Hoffman, Semmes Elementary School
- Shelia Holley, Oakcrest Elementary School
- Thomas Anthony Horne, Workman Middle School
- Barbara Jacobs, Bellview Middle School
- Keitha Jenkins Brown, Escambia High School
- Angela Karalekas, Blue Angels Elementary School
- Joshua Kaye, Hellen Caro Elementary School
- Kyle A. Kaye, West Pensacola Elementary School
- Debra Faye King, McMillan Title 1
- Maurine Kramerich, PATS Center
- Michelle Leitner, Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Matthew MacGregor, Escambia High School
- Jason Majors, Escambia High School
- Emily Marsh, Dixon School of the Arts
- Sarah Mason, Blue Angels Elementary School
- Kevin McAuliffe, Pine Forest High School
- Ruth McAuliffe, Escambia High School
- Lisa McCandless, Warrington Elementary School
- Angela McFarland, West Florida High School
- Nancy Melton-Buffington, Workman Middle School
- Shaina Mitchell, Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Theresa Mosley, Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Angela Mott, Beulah Elementary School
- Kim Nichols, Blue Angels Elementary School
- Margaret Nowak, McMillan PreK Center
- Tracey O’Connor, Ferry Pass Middle School
- Jean Odom, Cook Elementary School
- Rebecca A. Palmquist-Herzog, McMillan PreK Center
- Sharon Powers, Longleaf Elementary School
- Jeff Pribble, Escambia High School
- Lori Puentes, Sherwood Elementary School
- Marcia Rabbysmith, Hellen Caro Elementary School
- Jackie Rabin, Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Linda P. Reinhardt, Workman Middle
- Kasi Rhyne, Bellview Middle
- Dottie Ritchie-Riddle, Global Learning Academy
- Jennifer Shiver, Holm Elementary
- Susan Shockley, West Florida High School
- Leigh Ann South, Oakcrest Elementary
- Cindy Speed, Weis Elementary
- Pam Strubhar, Beulah Elementary
- Tina Taylor, Brown-Barge Middle
- Chet Truett, Ernest Ward Middle
- Jessica Truett, Lakeview Day School
- Alyssa Tucker, Oakcrest Elementary
- Kevin Turner, Washington High
- Genita Turner, Dixon School of the Arts
- Shawn Walker, West Florida High School
- Dr. Roberta Wetzel, Bailey Middle
- Carol Wheeler, Washington High
- Michelle White, Ferry Pass Elementary
- Kim D. Whitfield, Ransom Middle
- Diane Wright, Beulah Elementary
- Sue Ann Young, Ransom Middle
Tate Showband Of the South Earns Best In Class, Superior Ratings
October 30, 2012
The Tate High School “Showband of the South” competed in the Deep South Marching Festival last weekend in Theodore, Ala. The band competed against nine other bands and received superior ratings in all areas, including auxiliary, drum major, presentation, percussion and band. The Showband was also awarded Best in Class for Class 4A.
The Showband of the South will close out their 2012 season Friday night during Tate’s home football game against Washington High at 7:30. Seniors will be honored as the band presents their last performance of their 2012 show “Styx and Stones”.
Pictured: The Tate High School Showband of the South. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FFA Fair Booth Winners Named
October 30, 2012
FFA booth winners from this year’s Pensacola Interstate Fair have been named. Winners were:
- West Florida High
- Northview High
- Tate High
- Ernest Ward Middle
- W.S. Neal
- Beulah Elementary
- Woodlawn
Pictured: The Northview High School FFA booth at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Lady Astros Win Fall Tourney HS Division
October 30, 2012
Molino’s Lady Astros won the high school division in the recent USFA Gulf South Fall State tournament in Daphne, Ala. The Astros won four consecutive games, scoring 24 runs, while playing with one loss in the double elimination tournament.
Pictured: The Molino Lady Astros: (front, L-R) Gracie Kilgrease, Atmore Christian, utility; Caitlyn Hagan, Pace, catcher, Briana Rogers, West Florida, center field; Samantha Burks, Tate, shortstop; Leah Nipper, Uriah, Ala., utility; (back row) Jessica Briggs, West Florida High, pitcher, infielder; Megan Green, Pace, pitcher, infielder; Ashley Barnett, Tate, first base; Amber Peebles, West Florida High, infielder, outfielder; Lacy Boyd, Pace, right fielder. Not pictured: Ronnie Renfroe, – Tate, first base, pitcher; Taylor Campbell, Choctaw High, catcher. Head Coach Donnie Nicholson, coaches Shawn Green, and Mark Burks. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Woman Gets Three Years For Bratt Home Invasion Robbery
October 29, 2012
A 31-year old woman was sentenced to three years in prison for a home invasion robbery at her mother’s home in Bratt.
Jacqueline Bernice Morris, who told authorities that she was homeless, was found guilty of felony home invasion robbery and sentenced by Judge Jan Shackelford to 36.3 months in prison, with credit for 87 days served.
Morris was accused of entering her mother’s mobile home on C.W. Caraway Road, just north of Highway 4 near Northview High School on April 28 and snatching a bottle of about 90 Xanax out of her mother’s shirt.
Investigators said the victim was sitting in her living room watching television when Morris, her daughter, entered through a storm door. Morris grabbed her mother by the arms to restrain her, reached into the pocket of her shirt, grabbed the bottle of Xanax and ran away.
A nearby witness attempted to catch Morris, even giving chase for a brief distance along Highway 4 after Morris jumped into her Saturn and sped away.
The day prior to the incident, Morris had been trespass warned by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to stay away from the residence as she retrieved her personal belongings from her mother’s trailer.
The mother was not seriously injured in the incident.
Over 9,500 Weekend Voters Cast Early Ballots In Escambia County
October 29, 2012
Over 9,500 early voters cast their ballots in Escambia County over the weekend.
Saturday was the busiest single early voting day ever in the county with 6,421 early voters. All total, 9,518 early votes were cast Saturday and Sunday. The busiest early voting site in the county was the Tryon Library with 3,539 early voters, followed by Cantonment with 1,952 early ballots during weekend.
Early voting will be available through Saturday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- West Florida Public Library, 200 West Gregory Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate: Molino Park Student Take Part In Food Drive
October 29, 2012
Molino Park Elementary School is participating in the “Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate” food drive along with the Escambia County School District to benefit Manna Food Pantries. The program encourages each student and their family to donate one can of fruit, one canned vegetable and one canned meat — enough for two meals — to fill a neighbor’s plate.
Donations can be made at Molino Park Elementary School through November 16.
Pictured: Food items collected last week by Molino Park Elementary School on the very first day of the “Fill Your Neighbor’s Plate” food drive to benefit Manna Food Pantries. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drug Testing Law Heads To Appeal Court
October 29, 2012
A federal appeals court will hear arguments next week in a battle about a 2011 Florida law that would require people to pass drug tests before they can start receiving public-assistance benefits.
The state is asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a district judge’s ruling that blocked the law because of concerns it violated the federal constitution’s ban on unreasonable searches.
The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott approved the drug-testing requirement for applicants to the program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, which replaced more-traditional welfare in the 1990s. Florida carried out the testing requirement for more than three months, before U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven issued a preliminary injunction in October 2011.
In a brief filed early this year, the state said requiring urine tests does not violate the constitution and that TANF is designed to improve family stability and help beneficiaries get jobs.
“Drugs are antithetical to both goals, and thus drug testing furthers the program’s purposes,” the brief said. “TANF applicants, who must disclose a broad range of private information in order to participate in the program, have a substantially diminished expectation of privacy. Moreover, drug testing is commonly required in today’s society — particularly in the very job market that TANF prepares participants to enter.”
But opponents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the non-profit Florida Justice Institute, said in a brief that the district judge properly found the state had not shown a “special need that would allow the government to impose blanket suspicionless drug testing on all TANF applicants.”
“Since 1996, the TANF program has operated in Florida without forcing applicants or recipients to submit to suspicionless drug testing,” another part of the brief said. “There is no evidence of a sudden epidemic of drug use or abuse by TANF recipients; no indication that recipients of TANF were using those funds to purchase illegal drugs at all, let alone more often than other recipients of federal funding, including students, veterans, the elderly and government contractors.”
The lawsuit, which was filed in September 2011, includes a named plaintiff, Luis Lebron, who at least at the time was a college student, a single father and a Navy veteran. Lebron applied for TANF in July 2011 and met the program requirements, but he challenged the constitutionality of the drug-testing requirement, according to court records.
The appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday in Atlanta. The case is being watched in other states, with Alabama, Kansas, Michigan and Oklahoma filing a joint brief in support of Florida’s stance.
Meanwhile, a separate case is pending in the appeals court about a Scott effort to require drug testing of state employees. A lower-court judge this year blocked that plan, prompting the governor to appeal.
In the TANF case, the state contends that the 2011 law does not force people to take drug tests, though they must pass a test to receive benefits.
“If a TANF applicant objects to the drug-testing condition, he is free to decline the offer to participate in the program and no drug test occurs,” the brief said. “If the applicant consents, he may participate in the program upon passing a drug test.”
But opponents disputed that argument, saying the district judge was correct that “requiring TANF applicants to undergo universal suspicionless drug screening as a condition for even determining their threshold eligibility for benefits is an unconstitutional condition. Applicants have no ‘right’ to receive benefits, but they do have a right to apply for them; that right cannot be conditioned on their waiver of constitutional protections.”
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Century’s Showalter Named American League Manager Of The Year
October 29, 2012
Century’s Buck Showalter of the Baltimore Orioles has been named the Sporting News’ 2012 American League Manager of the Year.
Baltimore, which lost 93 games in 2011, broke its streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons by winning 93 games and the AL Wild Card this past season.
“It’s quite an honor coming from my peers, but I view this as a team award. I really do,” Showalter said in a statement. “The players, coaches and everyone involved made this possible.
“We had some injuries along the way, we had some bumps in the road, but everyone does over 162 games. We never turned it into a woe-is-me situation. We played through it.”
The award was voted upon by AL managers. Showalter received four votes, Oakland’s Bob Melvin had three and White Sox manager Robin Ventura received one.