Hurricane Insurance Funds Better Prepared, Still Fragile
May 31, 2012
With hurricane season set to begin Friday, the acting head of the state-backed insurer is canvassing the state to bring residents up to speed.
Tom Grady, interim president of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., has scheduled a series of media interviews and meetings along the Southwest Gulf coast in advance of a hurricane summit scheduled for Friday in Tampa. The topic: How to depopulate the state’s largest property insurer.
Grady’s tour comes as Florida is in the best position since the devastating 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons to weather a major storm. But officials remain wary over the fragile nature of government-backed programs set up to cover catastrophic losses and insure nearly 1.5 million residents who live in some of the riskiest areas of the state.
“The whole purpose of this is so we can agree on a set of facts, irrefutable facts, and see where we want to go,” Grady said Wednesday after visits with media outlets in Naples, Fort Myers and Charlotte. “… It’s surprising to me how few people realize that they are only making a down payment on their insurance. The full cost is much higher.”
Meanwhile, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund could find itself about $1.8 billion short of its $17 billion obligation if it has to go to the bond market immediately following a devastating event, according to an analysis prepared by Raymond James for the state-backed re-insurer.
Added to nearly $7.4 billion in losses paid by private insurers before the CAT fund kicked in, available funds could adequately cover a 1-in-25 year storm, which would cause about $21.5 billion in losses. Assessments would be needed, insurance regulators say, to begin refilling the CAT fund.
Citizens, meanwhile, continues to add customers despite its announced goal of reducing the number of policies and turning those customers over to the private market. As it stands, the insurer faces billions in potential losses that could trigger assessments of up to 45 percent for policyholders, though such an increase would be politically difficult.
Coastal homeowners and a handful of lawmakers say many of Citizen’s nearly 1.5 million policyholders couldn’t afford the initial financial hit and have nowhere else to turn. Those fears have bubbled to the surface recently as Citizens board of governors meets to address proposed rate hikes for next year.
Insurance industry representatives say Citizens and the CAT fund are doing the best they can, but stress that the whole system is fragile. If a severe storm hits, Citizens funds will be exhausted and the CAT fund may find itself short. Both events would trigger assessments on most automobile and property insurance policyholders.
“It will take an awful, awful storm to trigger that,” said Sam Miller, executive vice president for the Florida Insurance Council. “But if they do, they will fall short and would need to go to assessments.
To drive home the point, the state’s insurance consumer advocate on Wednesday began a statewide campaign to educate Floridians on how much they may have to pay should a particularly devastating storm ravage the state.
For non-Citizens policyholders whose automobile and property insurance total $4,500, for example, the potential assessment on a 1-in-25 year storm would total up to $456, or $1,440 if paid out with interest over 30 years.
“It was clear that many Floridians (do) not recognize the potential for assessments following a storm if Citizens, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund or the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association does not have the capacity to pay claims,” said Robin Westcott, Florida’s insurance consumer advocate.
By The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Beat Jackson
May 31, 2012
Kyle Lotzkar (2-1) had more than enough run support as the Blue Wahoos scored all seven of their runs over the game’s first three innings on Wednesday afternoon at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Lotzkar went on to have one of his best starts of the season by matching his season high for strikeouts with eight over six innings.
Pensacola got on the board when Josh Fellhauer singled home Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first putting the Wahoos in front 1-0. They added some cushion with two more in the second on Mark Fleury’s RBI double and an error on a batted ball by Brodie Greene later in the inning. The Blue Wahoos opened it up with a four-run third that included Fleury’s second RBI double of the game. He also scored later in the inning. All seven runs were charged to the Generals’ starter Taylor Stanton (0-1) who ended up taking the loss.
Meanwhile, Lotzkar pitched very well on his way to earning the win for Pensacola. This was his first start during his time with the double-A club that he didn’t issue a walk. He also matched his overall season high with eight punchouts, something he hadn’t done since his first start of the season on April 9 while pitching with Bakersfield (advanced-A). He allowed just two runs in the fourth inning when he gave up back-to-back extra base hits to Kalian Sams (double) and Chih-Hsien Chiang (triple) to start the inning.
P.J. Phillips joined Fleury with a multi-hit game by going 2-for-5. He also scored a pair of runs and drove in one.
The series continues on Thursday night at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-2, 3.50) to the mound against Jackson righty Brandon Maurer (2-1, 4.38).
Pictured: Kyle Lotzkar yielded just two earned runs over six innings as the Wahoos beat Jackson 7-3 Wednesday in Tennessee. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
Man Charged In 2009 Escambia Murder
May 30, 2012
A man has been charged with a 2009 murder.
Joseph Rhashawn McNeil is being held in the Escambia County Jail with no bond. McNeil was arrested in Pollock, LA and transported back to Escambia County.
He is accused of the October 9, 2009, murder of Derry Dickerson who was found murdered in his Crescent Drive home. Investigators say McNeil stabbed Dickerson several times and took beer and money from Dickerson.
During the investigation and forensic tests, McNeil was developed as a suspect and subsequently charged, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
No Serious Injuries In Hwy 29 Crash Near Hwy 97
May 30, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 29 near Highway 97 Wednesday afternoon.
The driver of small station wagon turned from northbound Highway 29 across the southbound lanes attempting to enter the Tom Thumb parking lot but instead pulled into the path of a Ford Mustang. The first driver said the view of the Mustang was blocked by a large truck in the 12:56 p.m. accident.
The 52-year old female driver of the Mustang was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in good condition. There were no other injures.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia Fire Rescue Engine 1819 from Molino also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Charged In Robbery, Shooting Of Escambia Store Clerk
May 30, 2012
Three people have been charged in the late night shooting and robbery of an Escambia County Circle K clerk.
Christopher Michael Barge, 18, Bobby Elliot, 19, and Tyric Cortez Lowery, 16, were arrested shortly after they fled from deputies and crashed their car into an unoccupied house in the 1800 block of West Jackson Street.
Just before midnight Tuesday, one of the suspects entered the Circle K located at 3430 Barrancas Avenue armed with a handgun and a mask over his face. The clerk said the suspect pointed the gun at him and demanded money. The suspect then fired the gun and struck the clerk in the arm, knocking him to the ground. The clerk was able to get up and give the suspect an undetermined amount of money, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Moments later, a deputy spotted the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop until the suspects crashed their vehicle into a vacant house on West Jackson Street.
Barge was immediately taken into custody. Elliot and Lowery were arrested after being tracked down by a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit.
The clerk suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was taken to a local hospital for a non-life threatening injury.
All three were charged with wearing a mask during the commission of a crime, aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony, aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon, using a firearm during the commission of a felony, robbery with a firearm and resisting arrest without violence.
Barge and Elliot were each booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $236,000. Lowery was taken to the Division of Juvenile Justice.
The investigation is continuing and more charges and arrests may be forthcoming, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Mom: Son Stole Motorcycle For Appointment With Probation Officer
May 30, 2012
A Molino man has been charged with stealing his mother’s motorcycle, allegedly so he would not miss an appointment with his probation officer.
Tavares Antwan Lewis, age 35 of Barth Road, was arrested on a felony vehicle grand theft charge for allegedly stealing a 1982 Honda Goldwing. Lewis remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond early Wednesday morning on additional charge of violation of probation.
Lewis’ mother told deputies that she returned home to find the motorcycle missing and that someone had entered her home and used her shower. She told deputies that she believed it to be Lewis because he had an appointment on the date of the incident with his probation officer. The victim also reported seeing Lewis riding her motorcycle in the area of Booker and Calloway streets in Cantonment.
According to court records, Lewis was on probation in a 2011 case in which he was charged with operating a vehicle while his driver’s license was revoked as a habitual traffic offender.
NCAA Div II National Volleyball Championship To Be Held In Pensacola
May 30, 2012
The 2012 NCAA Div. II Volleyball National Championship Tournament will be held in Pensacola, hosted by the Pensacola Sports Association in partnership with the University of West Florida.
Eight teams will make their way to Pensacola to play in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship rounds. All games will be played at the University of West Florida Field House from Thursday, December 6 to Saturday, December 8.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to again showcase Pensacola and UWF’s facilities to the qualifying schools,” said PSA Executive Director Ray Palmer. “We’re fortunate to have such a great working relationship with UWF which allows us to win the hosting bids for these prestigious NCAA athletic events.”
This is not the first time Pensacola will host a NCAA national championship. In 2006, PSA and UWF hosted the NCAA Div. II Fall Festival which featured national championships in Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Field Hockey, and Women’s Volleyball. Additionally, in 2011, PSA and UWF again partnered to host the 2011 Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Championships played at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex.
“The PSA has been a great partner in recruiting these national events,” said UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott. “Only a select number of communities get the opportunity to host NCAA championships. We’re looking forward to once again showcasing UWF and the Pensacola community.”
Complete List: Northview Presents Awards For Grades 9-11
May 30, 2012
Northview High School recently held their annual Awards Program for students in the ninth to eleventh grades.
Awards recipients were as follows:
(HAA denotes “High Academic Honors”)
Agriculture
- Exemplary Freshman – Tiffani Cruce
- Exemplary Sophomore – Login Wainwright
- Exemplary Junior – Jessica Baldwin
- HAA Award – Courtney Solari
Art
- 2D Freshman HAA – Kyndall Hall
- 2D Sophomore HAA – Autumn Pierce
- 2D Junior HAA – Maranda Moye
- 3D Freshman HAA – Samantha Sharpless
- 3D Freshman HAA – Cara Thompson
- 3D Junior HAA – Allison Bardin
- Art Exemplary – Cheyenne Glenn
English
- English 1 Hon HAA – Samantha Sharpless
- English 1 Hon Exemplary – Desiree Elliard
- English 1 HAA – Tiffani Cruce
- English 1 Exemplary – Aaliyah Creamer
- English 2 Hon HAA – Kasie Braun
- English 2 Hon Exemplary – Chelsea Ward
- English 2 HAA – Mashama Codrington
- English 2 Exemplary – Issac McGahan
- English 3 Hon HAA – Jazzlyn Franklin
- English 3 HAA – Johnnie Smith
- English 3 Exemplary – Deidre Steele
Family And Consumer Science
- Freshman HAA – Kamryn Brock
- Sophomore HAA – Kasie Braun
- Junior Family HAA – Alison Bardin
Math
- Algebra 1B HAA – Rebekah Sepulveda
- Algebra 1B Exemplary – Audrey Byrd
- Algebra 1B Exemplary – Tyaisha Davison
- Algebra 1 HAA – Kendal Cobb
- Algebra 1 Exemplary – Megan Bryan
- Algebra 1 Hon HAA – Joshua Borelli
- Algebra 1 Hon Exemplary – Aaliyah Creamer
- Liberal Arts HAA – Devon Cotrell
- Geometry HAA – Ali Martin
- Geometry Exemplary – Mikaela Santos
- Geometry Hon HAA – Courtney Solari
- Geometry Hon Exemplary – Samantha Sharpless
- Algebra 2 HAA – Julia Thorpe
- Algebra 2 Exemplary – Ashton Gibbs
- Algebra 2 Exemplary – Tierra Floyd
- Algebra 2 Hon HAA – Kasie Braun
- Algebra 2 Hon Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- Pre-Calculus HAA — Justin Halteman
Band Awards
- Band HAA – Stephanie Roach
- Band Exemplary – Cory Hester
- Band Exemplary – Taylor Brook
- Guitar HAA – Ashton Gibbs
- Guitar Exemplary – Kelton Wooten
Science
- Physical Science Honors HAA – Kelton Wooten
- Physical Science Honors Exemplary – Samantha Sharpless
- Physical Science HAA – Kendal Cobb
- Physical Science Exemplary – Addy Lee
- Biology Honors HAA – Anna Donald
- Biology Honors Exemplary – Rebecca Grim
- Biology HAA – Mariah Albritton
- Anatomy Honors HAA – Jazzlyn Franklin
- Anatomy Honors Exemplary – Justin Halteman
- Physics Honors HAA – Justin Halteman
- Physics Honors Exemplary – Jazzlyn Franklin
- Physics HAA – Skylar Macks
- Physics Exemplary – Jessica Baldwin
- Environmental Science HAA – Jessica Baldwin
- Environmental Science Exemplary – Ashton Gibbs
Social Studies
- American History Hon HAA – Jazzlyn Franklin
- American History Hon Exemplary – Justin Halteman
Spanish
- Spanish 1 HAA – Mashama Codrington
- Spanish 1 Exemplary – Jessica McCullough
- Spanish 2 HAA – Jazzlyn Franklin
- Spanish 2 Exemplary – Hannah Fiellin
Reading
- Freshman Reading HAA – Cameron Newsome
- Freshman Reading HAA – Rickey Smith
- Freshman Reading HAA – Joshua Borelli
- Freshman Reading Exemplary – Alliyiah Henderson
- Freshman Reading Exemplary – Addy Lee
- Freshman Reading Exemplary – Iyanna Davidson
- Freshman Read 180 FCAT I HAA – Breanna Payne
- Freshman Read 180 FCAT I Exemplary – Breanna Payne
- Freshman Read 180 FCAT II HAA – Lakelynn Parker
- Freshman Read 180 FCAT II Exemplary – Kristen Byrd
- Sophomore Reading HAA – Jodi Ard
- Sophomore Reading HAA – Jody Bonner
- Sophomore Reading HAA – Dakota Craft
- Sophomore Reading Exemplary – Natasha Peebles
- Sophomore Reading Exemplary – Rebecca Grim
- Sophomore Reading Exemplary – Rebekah Sepulveda
- Junior Reading Exemplary – Briana Harris
Vocational
- Construction Technology I HAA – Elayzha Bates
- Construction Technology I Exemplary – Hunter Poston
- Construction Technology II HAA – Jessica Baldwin
- Construction Technology II Exemplary – Aaron McCants
- Construction Technology III HAA – Demontra Mitchell
- Construction Technology III Exemplary – Laderious Franklin
- Drafting I HAA – Kyndall Hall
- Drafting I Exemplary – Dustin Parker
- Drafting II HAA – Aaron Rausch
- Drafting II Exemplary – Jessica Baldwin
- Introduction To Information Tech HAA – Courtney Solari
- Introduction To Information Tech Exemplary – Morgan Digmon
- Digital Design I HAA – Anna Donald
- Digital Design Exemplary – Tamara Green
- Digital Design II HAA – Anna Donald
NHS Business Tech Certifications – Photoshop CS4
- Freshmen
- Jessica McCall
- Sophomores
- Mariah Albritton
- Ryan Ashcraft
- Colton Brown
- Kaitlynne Calloway
- Anna Donald
- Shaina Gibson
- Tamara Green
- Steven Gregory
- Courtney Weaver
- Victoria Wright
- Juniors
- Dylan Cartwright
- Nysha’ Dunn
- Alisha Grice
- Brandon King
- Kassey Redmond
VFW Essay Contest
- Kasie Braun
- Victoria Wright
American Legion
- Academics — Courtney Jones
- Leadership — Dylan Cartwright
VFW Academics
- Joshua Borelli
JROTC Celebrate Freedom Award for Academics
- Alec Okahashi
Youth Leadership Atmore Award
- Julia Thorpe
2012 Rotary Club Academic All-Stars
- Ninth Grade
- Annie Lorene Bobo
- Joshua Joseph Borelli
- Megan Paige Bryan
- Kendal Brooke Cobb
- Aaliyah Delois Creamer
- Austin Blake Cunningham
- Kyndall Lauren Hall
- Julie Beth Hester
- Jessica Leigh McCullough
- Aaron Thomas McDonald
- Tristan Hunter Portwood
- Mallory Mason Ryan
- Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless
- Kelton Joe Wooten
- Tenth Grade
- Madison Brooke Arrington
- Kasie Lee Braun
- Dale Wayne Brown
- Audrey Leigh Byrd
- Lana Leigh Clayton
- Morgan Nicole Digmon
- Anna Elizabeth Donald
- Chloe Vanessa Leonard
- Jessica Nicole Lowery
- Rachel Ann Presley
- Hilery Danielle Scott
- Courtney Yvonne Solari
- Jeremy Logan Stacey
- Danielle Nichole Steadham
- Lily Ann Townson
- Courtney Alexandra Weaver
- Victoria Anne Wright
- Eleventh Grade
- Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin
- Ashton Brooke Gibbs
- Justin Lance Halteman
- Zachary Sean Johnson
- Ashley Nicole Mooney
- Julia Renee Thorpe
- Twelfth Grade
- Jamila Akilah Codrington
- Josie Britt Doucette
- Amber Dianne Francis (four year)
- Jacob Nathaniel Gibson
- Alexandra Nicole Riggs
- Lydia Ann Weaver
- Elizabeth Ashley Wright
Romney Clinches GOP Nomination With Texas Win
May 30, 2012
With a win in Texas Tuesday, Mitt Romney clinched the required number of delegates for the Republican nomination to face President Obama in the general election.
“I am honored that Americans across the country have given their support to my candidacy and I am humbled to have won enough delegates to become the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee. Our party has come together with the goal of putting the failures of the last three and a half years behind us,” Romney said Tuesday night.
With the addition of at least 88 delegate in Texas, Romney surpassed the 1,144 delegates needed to become the GOP candidate.
“I have no illusions about the difficulties of the task before us. But whatever challenges lie ahead, we will settle for nothing less than getting America back on the path to full employment and prosperity. On November 6, I am confident that we will unite as a country and begin the hard work of fulfilling the American promise and restoring our country to greatness,” he added.
Pictured: Mitt Romney campaigns in January at The Fish House in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Prison Health Privatization Set For Court Ruling
May 30, 2012
With opponents arguing that lawmakers can’t make such changes in the “recesses of the budget,” a Leon County circuit judge heard arguments Tuesday about the constitutionality of a plan to contract with private companies for prison health services.
Judge Kevin Carroll, who held a two-hour hearing, did not give a specific time when he will rule but indicated a decision might come early next week. The Florida Nurses Association and a state-employees union are challenging a legislative move last year to privatize health care at prisons throughout Florida.
The case centers on a decision by legislative leaders to include the move in budget fine print known as “proviso” language. The opponents say such policy decisions need to be made by changing state law, not including them in the budget.
“It needs to be debated back and forth, the pros and cons,” said Thomas Brooks, an attorney for the union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
But Jonathan Glogau, chief of complex litigation in the Attorney General’s Office, said lawmakers could use proviso language in privatizing health services. He said the key is that the proviso language must be “directly and rationally” related to the part of the budget it carries out — in this case, inmate health care.
“Here’s a pot of money for prison health care,” Glogau said at one point, describing the relationship. “Here’s how to spend it.”
Carroll asked some questions during the hearing but did not hint how he will rule. He emphasized, however, that he will look only at the legal issues — not the broader controversy about whether it is wise for lawmakers to turn over prison health care to private companies.
“It’s clearly not my job (to decide the wisdom),” said Carroll, who added he expects his ruling to be appealed.
The hearing came almost exactly a month before the 1st District Court of Appeal is scheduled to listen to arguments about another legislative plan to privatize 29 prison facilities across the southern part of the state. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford last year ruled that the plan, which also was included in proviso language in the 2011-12 budget, was unconstitutional.
Privatization is a hotly debated issue, in part, because state employees fear they will lose jobs or see pay or benefit cuts if contractors provide public services. Two licensed-practical nurses who work in the prison system are named plaintiffs in the case argued Tuesday.
The health-care proviso directed the Department of Corrections to seek proposals from companies and called for privatization to lead to cost savings of at least 7 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.
A heavily debated issue in the lawsuit is whether state law already gave the Department of Corrections the authority to privatize health services, regardless of the proviso language. Glogau said the department has the authority and had already completed a business plan for privatization of the services before lawmakers started the 2011 session.
But M. Stephen Turner, an attorney for the Florida Nurses Association, described the potential contracting as “proviso-driven procurement.”
“The department’s discretion is not being exercised,” Turner said. “It is the proviso that is being followed.”
By The News Service of Florida