Scott Signs Medicaid Bill; Escambia Could Lose $6 Million
March 30, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott signed a contentious Medicaid billing measure late Thursday, angering counties that will have to pay tens of millions of dollars in disputed health-care charges that have piled up for years.
The bill is expected to cost Escambia County about $6 million, while Santa Rosa Count is expected to be out over $600,000.
And the bill will also impact patients, limiting the number of times that non-pregnant adults on Medicaid can visit a hospital emergency room to six a year.
Scott said the Agency for Health Care Administration would work with counties to soften HB 5301.
But the most contentious part of the measure will require counties to pay back years of disputed Medicaid bills unless they can prove to an administrative judge that the bills were unwarranted.
Counties argue that the state should fix its bill system, which they say is plagued with errors, before using the withholding mechanism in the bill to force counties to pay 85 percent of bills that might or might not be valid. Lawmakers who supported the measure said they should have been paying their bills all along.
The counties would have three years to pay back the money, at a cost of about $77.5 million, according to the state; the Florida Association of Counties argues that the measure will cost governments nearly $155.6 million.
“I respectfully acknowledge the concern this provision may create for some counties,” Scott wrote in a letter announcing his signature. ” … To that end, I have pledged to the counties that AHCA and my staff will work diligently with them to certify that any billings for which counties are charged are accurate and valid.”
Scott also said AHCA officials will visit every county in the state to talk about problems with the billing system.
Even so, FAC President Doug Smith issued a statement blasting the move.
“While we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to certify accurate billings, the bottom line is that H.B. 5301 makes those errors the law of the land, leaving taxpayers on the hook for Tallahassee’s multi-million dollar accounting mess,” Smith said. “This bill represents the very worst in bureaucratic inefficiency and serves as a splendid example of what taxpayers resent about government.”
Smith said the counties were “considering all of our options” in responding to the law. He did not elaborate on what those options might include.
The bill also allows the children of state workers to get subsidized health care coverage through the KidCare system.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Ready, Set, Go: Ernest Ward Begins Track Season (With Gallery)
March 30, 2012
Middle School track and field season got underway Thursday in Escambia County.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles traveled to Pensacola to compete against Woodham, Warrington and Brown Barge middle schools. Results from the meet were not immediately available from host school Woodham.
For a photo gallery from the meet, click here.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward’s Jensyn Warner leads the pack in the girls 800 meter Thursday afternoon at Woodham Middle School in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Hadley Woodfin runs the girls 4×100 relay for the Eagles. Pictured: Ernest Ward competed in their first track meet of the season Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Drug Trafficking
March 30, 2012
An Escambia County man will spend a mandatory 25 years in prison and was hit with a half million dollar fine for trafficking in hydrocodone.
Roderick Jones receive the sentence this week from Judge Jan Shackelford. Under the sentence, he will receive no gain time and must serve the full 25 years, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
This defendant was part of the undercover “Operation Anything for a Buck”. The storefront was an eight month operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies as well as the First Circuit State Attorneys Office. The operation recovered over 270 firearms, as well as drugs and stolen property ranging from jewelry, tools, cameras, and other electronic devices. A total of 75 people were arrested in connection with the undercover operation.
On July 18, 2011, Roderick Jones went into the undercover storefront and sold a trafficking amount of hydrocodone pills to undercover officers. Jones has 16 more cases pending in connection with this operation. These cases are currently set for trial on April 2, 2012. Of the pending cases, he faces multiple 25-year minimum mandatory sentences for drug trafficking charges.
Baseball, Softball: Northview, Tate, Jay, West Florida (With Gallery)
March 30, 2012
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Here’s a look at baseball and softball action from the North Escambia area Thursday:
Northview 14 — Central 3
The Northview Chiefs beat the Central High School Jaguars 14-3 in six innings Thursday on the road in Santa Rosa County. (Pictured above, left).
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Chiefs will head across the state line Monday to take on the Flomaton Hurricanes. The junior varsity begins at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.
Northview 10 — Central 0 (JV)
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs also won on Thursday, shutting out Central 10-0 in five innings.
Tate 3 — Milton 1
The Tate Aggies baseball team improved to 14-1 and 7-0 in district play with a 3-1 road victory over the Milton Panthers on Thursday.
JT Granat collected the his fourt win of the season pitching four innings. He allowed four hits and struck out four Blake Edgar picked up his first save of the season pitching three innings.
Offensively, the Aggies were lead by Cody Palmer (2-3, 3B,2 runs), Austin Quina (2-2), and Mac Seibert (2-3, 3 SB).
Tate plays host to Washington Friday to begin the second round of district play with a JV/varsity double header beginning at 4:30.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 8 — Northview 0
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs 8-0 Thursday at West Florida. Misty Doran took the loss for the Chiefs, pitching six innings and striking out eight.
The Lady Chiefs will host the Freeport Bulldogs in varsity action Monday at 5:00 in Bratt.
Jay 12 — WS Neal 2
The Jay Lady Royals improved to 9-3 on the season Thursday with a win over WS Neal at Brewton. Sydney Lowery pitched the win for Jay, allowing four hits, two run, one error and striking out one. Jay hitters included: Becca Callaway 2-2, 2B, 3R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Tessa Hendricks 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2R 3 RBI,; Sydney Lowery 3-4, 1R, 3 RBI. Michaela Stewart 1-2, 2 R.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs take on Central Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos by Taylor Rigby for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Great For The Kids: Free Open House At Turtle Point
March 30, 2012
There will be an open house Saturday at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton.
The “Spring Fling” will feature Steve Trash, Reno’s Reptiles, and Raptor Trek from the Coosa River Science School. Six live birds of prey will be at Turtle Point on Saturday, with the opportunity to see hawks, owls, falcons and an American bald eagle up close and personal.
The event is free to the public from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Lunch and drinks will be available from the Flomaton High School Band Boosters.
The 3,000 square foot Turtle Point offers a touch tank for children and other hands-on exhibits. It boasts an extensive collection of wildlife specimens including many Alabama birds, nests, and eggs; a butterfly and living bee exhibit; live alligators, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and fish of the East Gulf Coastal Plain geophysical region. Also, plant lovers will find six teaching gardens and a wetland nature trail.
Bird watchers are encouraged to hike the nature trail boardwalk and enjoy the red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, great egret, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-shafted flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, eastern bluebird, wren, killdeer, green heron, barred owl, screech owl, and many other native birds and wildlife.
Turtle Point’s goal is to provide hands-on environmental education to students and adults in the South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Turtle Point is located at 20959 Highway 31 in Flomaton, near Hurricane Park and Flomaton High School. For more information, call (251) 296-3401.
Saturday’s schedule of events is as follows:
- 9:15 — Raptor Trek, live birds of prey
- 10:15 — Steve Trash, environmental magician
- 11:15 — Reno’s Reptiles, exotic reptile show
- 12:15 — Raptor Trek, live birds of prey
- 1:15 — Reno’s Reptiles, exotic reptile show
- 2:15 — Steve Trash, environmental mag
Pictured: The Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: 21st Annual Century Sawmill Pageant Winners
March 30, 2012
The 21st Annual Century Sawmill Pageant was held recently in Century.
The event included pageants for numerous age groups for beauty, casual wear, and most photogenic. A record number of participants and crowds made it the Century Lions Club’s most successful fund raiser yet.
“The funds are used to assist children with the purchase of eye glasses and vision appointments,” said Don Sales, club secretary. “We organize and host this pageant with those kids in mind.”
Winners for each age category are detailed under each photograph below:
Miss (age 13+) Winners: (L-R) 3rd Runner Up: Paige Smith; 2nd Runner Up: Sidnie McMorris; Queen/Casual Wear Winner: Alayna Nicole Gordon; 1st Runner Up/Photogenic: Mallory Merchant; Miss Congeniality Runner Up: Brooklyn Shae Dortch.
Pre-Teen Winners (age 10-12): (L-R) 1st Runner Up: Joy Elizabeth Flanders; Queen: Kassidy Lynne Adams; 2nd Runner Up/Photogenic: Tori Knapp; 3rd Runner Up/Casual Wear Winner: Brittanie Grace Johnson.
Junior Miss (age 8-9): (L-R) 3rd Runner Up/Casual Wear Winner: Sierra Madison Hutto; 1st Runner Up: Savannah Mercedes Blackburn; Queen: Maegan Mallett; 2nd Runner Up: Caroline Elizabeth Harp; and Photogenic: Sunny Alexis Maher.
Young Miss Winners (age 6-7): (L-R) 1st Runner Up-Laiken Marie King; Queen/Casual Wear Winner: Nevaeh Skye Brown; 2nd Runner Up/Photogenic: Emma Breanna Barrow; and 3rd Runner Up: Aleigh Thornton.
Little Miss (age 4-5): (L-R) Photogenic: Ji Ji Morrow; 2nd Runner Up: Morgan Hicks; Queen: Zakyla Tamia Smith; 1st Runner Up: Jordon Elizabeth Sanders;
3rd Runner Up: Cadee M’lynn Carroll.
Toddler Miss (age 2-3): (L-R) 2nd Runner Up: Lanie Kate Stephens; 3rd Runner Up/Miss Congeniality: Emilee Grace Braswell; Queen/Casual Wear Winner: Kailee Herndon; 1st Runner Up: Jamie Michelle Roberts and Photogenic: Katie Gatewood.
Baby Miss (age 12-23 months): (L-R, bottom row) 2nd Runner Up: Madelyn Grace Calloway; Queen/Casual Wear Winner: Braylynn Presley Turner; 1st Runner Up: Kiley Webb; (back row) Photogenic: Kaydence Makenzie Hadley; and 3rd Runner Up: Brailee Erin Hobbs.
Tiny Baby Miss (age 0-11 months): (L-R, bottom row) 3rd place-Adahline Grayce Burks; Queen/Photogenic/Casual Wear Winner: Mckenzie Brooke Griffis; 1st Runner Up: Brooklynnn Grace Higdon; (back row) 2nd Runner Up: Mackenzie Tagudor.
Other winners: (L-R) Overall Queen 6 & Up: Brittanie Grace Johnson; Little Miss Casual Wear Winner: Aliyah Lynn Neal; Overall Queen 0-5 Years: Kailee Herndon; Little Mr. King: Brody Turk.
Photos by Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crude Oil Transfer Station Could Mean 30 New Jobs For Walnut Hill
March 29, 2012
A new crude oil transfer station in Walnut Hill could mean about 30 new high paying jobs.
Genesis Rail Systems, LLC wants to build the facility on 20 acres off Corley Road, near Arthur Brown Road. The property was chosen because it is at the intersection of an existing crude oil pipeline and the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway.
Crude oil will be shipped in rail tanker cars from the north — including oil fields in Monroe and Escambia counties in Alabama — and be offloaded at the Walnut Hill facility into a 100,000 barrel storage tank before being injected into the existing Genesis pipeline for transport to refineries along the Gulf Coast.
According to project plans, the facility will create 25-30 or more well paying full time jobs in the community, plus positive economic impacts from constructions and ongoing expenditures.
Plan drawings for the facility show that the large crude oil storage tank will be surrounded by a lined containment area designed to catch storm water runoff and, in a worse case scenario, any leak, preventing any contamination to the surrounding area. The facility will also include the pumping equipment, a 1,500 square foot administration building and a 45-space gravel parking lot.
To support the planned oil transfer station, the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway is currently constructing an additional rail spur parallel to tracks that run along Corley Road from Arthur Brown Road.
The construction project must receive final approval from Escambia County before construction can begin.
Pictured above: Property off Corley Road in Walnut Hill were a company wants to build a crude oil transfer station. Pictured inset: Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway is already working to install new track. Pictured below: Plans for the facility. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Company Awarded Court Judgment Against Former Century Lumber And Land
March 29, 2012
A Jay company has been awarded an $11,770 default judgment against the former Century Lumber and Land.
C&C Land Clearing of Jay filed suit against Century Lumber and Land, LLC for land clearing work around the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property in Century. C&C was awarded a default judgment against Century Lumber and Land by Judge Pat Kinsey.
Century Lumber and Land 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 property records, Century Lumber and Land did not own the property at the time of the ribbon cutting.
Those jobs never materialized, with manager James Leonard Craft indicted in Alabama on charges stemming from an Alabama Securities Commission investigation. He is awaiting trial on those charges.
Pictured: Crews from C&C Land Clearing of Jay work to clear the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company site on October 22, 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court Justices Ponder Obama Health Care Law
March 29, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court grappled with a complex question Wednesday in the Florida-led challenge to the 2010 federal health overhaul: If the so-called “individual mandate” is unconstitutional, should the rest of the law also be thrown out?
The 2,700-page law deals with wide-ranging issues, such as expanding Medicaid eligibility and creating insurance exchanges for people to buy health coverage.
But the lightning-rod issue is whether it is constitutional to require almost all Americans to have coverage in 2014 or pay a penalty — a requirement that has become known as the individual mandate.
Paul Clement, an attorney for Florida and other opponents, argued Wednesday that other major parts of the law are connected to the mandate and that justices should reject the entire Affordable Care Act if the coverage requirement is unconstitutional.
Justice Antonin Scalia backed Clement’s argument and also said it would be hard for the Supreme Court to determine which parts of the law should be allowed to continue.
“Is this not totally unrealistic?” Scalia asked at one point, according to a transcript of the hearing. “That we are going to go through this enormous bill item by item and decide each one?”
But more-liberal justices said parts of the law could stand, even if the individual mandate is found unconstitutional. In questioning Clement, they said Congress — not the Supreme Court — should be responsible for deciding whether to make changes to other pieces of the law.
“So why should we say it’s a choice between a wrecking operation, which is what you (Clement) are requesting, or a salvage job?” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked. “And the more conservative approach would be salvage rather than throwing out everything.”
The arguments came on the third day of the landmark arguments about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
The final session Wednesday afternoon centered on part of the law that would expand Medicaid eligibility. Justices heard arguments Tuesday about the individual mandate.
By The News Service of Florida
U.S. Marshals Nab Fugitive At The Barber, Another At The Beach
March 29, 2012
U.S. Marshals nabbed two fugitives in Escambia County Wednesday — a Mississippi home invasion suspect getting a haircut and a Louisiana escapee on the beach
Mississippi Fugitive
A fugitive wanted by law enforcement in Mississippi was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Escambia County Wednesday afternoon while seated in a barber’s chair getting a haircut. The Task Force started working this case over a week ago when they received information from Oxford City Police Department in Mississippi that Richard OKelley was believed to be in the Pensacola area.
At about 3 p.m. Wednesday the Task Force and along with Escambia Patrol and their TAC Unit caught up with OKelley at a barber shop in the New Warrington area. OKelley, 28, was wanted by the Oxford Police for armed robbery of a residence with a gun and aggravated assault.
The warrant for his arrest was issued in Oxford on March 6 of this year. Reports from Oxford indicated that OKelley along with another person took part in a home invasion and shot the homeowner. A struggle then ensued with the homeowner and the other robber when his gun went off and shot OKelley. When the Task Force found OKelley one of his calves had what appeared to be a bullet wound.
OKelley was transported to the Escambia County Jail where he will be arraigned before an Escambia County judge on Thursday before ever being extradited back to Mississippi.
Louisiana Fugitive
A man who escaped from authorities in Louisiana Tuesday morning was caught by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola and Escambia Patrol deputies in the parking lot of Casino Beach around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Shawn Jolivette had walked away from a jail road crew work detail at about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Task Force Officers from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Offices and agents from FDLE converged on Jolivette when he stepped outside of a business and was walked out into the parking lot.
The 33-year old Jolivette was arrested without incident; however a stolen vehicle from Lafayette was recovered from the parking lot that had a loaded 9mm handgun under the front seat. At the time of his arrest, Jolivette was only charged with the car theft and not the gun. Escambia Crime Scene Unit on scene seized the weapon for further processing. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were also notified and are looking into pursuing charges against Jolivette for a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
At the time of his escape, Jolivette was incarcerated at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail in in Louisiana on several state charges of parole violation. There were also federal detainers lodged against Jolivette on federal firearms charges of which he had already been sentenced to 63 months in jail. It is unsure how Jolivette was assigned to a work detail while there was were federal detainers on him. Jolivette will remain in Escambia County Jail to face the local charges before being sent back to Louisiana.