Gulf of Mexico Initiative Conservation Assistance Meeting Signup Deadline Is Wednesday
January 31, 2012
There will be a meeting to discuss the Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GoMI) on Friday, February 3rd at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
The Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GoMI), recently announced by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), is providing $50 million for conservation plan development and financial assistance for the five Gulf Coast states over the next three years. GoMI will direct additional technical and financial assistance to landowners within specified watersheds in parts of Escambia County Florida and Alabama. These funds will be available to eligible producers to voluntarily implement conservation plans and practices that will help enhance water quality along rivers, tributaries and bays that flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
Under GoMI, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers financial assistance to help carry out conservation work. Some of the conservation practices available under these programs are brush management, pasture and hayland planting, fences, water development for livestock, prescribed grazing, drop pipes for erosion and drainage control and management type practices like nutrient (fertilization) and pest (weed control).
The meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center will begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a barbecue lunch. Interested persons should RSVP to the to the Molino (NRCS) Field Office at (850) 587-5404 Ext. 3 or the Brewton (NRCS) Field Office at (251) 867-3185 by 2 p.m. on Wednesday February 1st.
Application cutoff date for GoMI 2012 funds is March 1, 2012.
Incumbent Malcolm Thomas Pre-files For School Superintendent
January 31, 2012
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas pre-filed for re-election Monday. To date, no other candidate has pre-filed for the position.
“While we celebrate our milestones, we have not reached our destination. We must continue the journey to excellence,” the first-term superintendent said. He attributed better student achievement and discipline, greater transparency, a strong school board, thousands of dedicated employees, and motivated students as a few of his reasons for running for re-election.
Thomas will run once again as a Republican.
Foot Chase Ends With Suspect In Dog Pen
January 31, 2012
A Century man that ran from deputies before being found hiding in a dog pen is now behind bars in the county jail.
Charles Tyrell Wesley, 27, was charged knowingly driving with a suspended license while classified as a habitual traffic offender, resisting arrest without violence and improper tag display.
After noticing a temporary tag not properly attached to his vehicle, an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Wesley on Jefferson Avenue near Taylor Street. After the deputy activated his lights and siren, Wesley continued for about 50 yards before turning into a yard at 230 Taylor Street and running from the vehicle, according to an arrest report.
After a short foot pursuit through the backyards of several homes, Wesley was arrested after being found hiding in a dog pen. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where be remained early Tuesday morning with bond set at $1,000.
State Releases List: Where Does Your Child’s School Rank In Florida?
January 31, 2012
The Florida Department of Education released school by school rankings for every school in the state.
Among North Escambia area schools:
Molino Park Elementary was ranked at No. 236 in the state, the fourth best elementary in Escambia County. Bratt was ranked at No. 402, Jay at No. 523, Byrneville at No. 564 at Jim Allen at No. 984 of 1795 elementary schools in the state.
Ransom Middle School was the second highest ranking in Escambia County at No. 111. Ernest Ward Middle School was the third highest ranked in Escambia County at No. 200 of 583 middle schools in Florida.
West Florida High School was the highest ranked in Escambia County at No. 30 in entire state. Pensacola High School was at No. 111, Northview High at No. 138 and Tate High at No. 168 of 404 high schools in Florida.
Jay High School was No. 27 and Central School was No. 33 in the state of 55 total in the much small combination middle and high school category.
- For the complete list of Escambia County schools, click here.
- For the complete list of Santa Rosa County schools, click here.
The rankings are based on each school’s total school grade points, derived from the FCAT. High school rankings also include graduation rates, student participation and performance in accelerated coursework and postsecondary readiness.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Reports Reduction In Violent Crimes During 2011
January 31, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released 2011 crime statistics Monday, which show an overall reduction in violent crimes from the 2010 crime statistics.
According to the Sheriff’s Office release:
The Sheriff’s Office saw a significant decrease in Homicides, reporting only 14 homicides in 2011. This is the lowest number of homicides in Escambia County since 2006, and a 46.2% decrease from the 26 homicides that occurred in 2010.
The Sheriff’s Office also saw a 16% reduction in robberies that involved the use of a firearm and a 13.6% decrease in those where a knife or other cutting instrument was used. There was a slight increase in the total number of robberies that occurred in 2011, with two more than the previous year.
Other reductions in violent crime include a 13.1% decrease in forcible sex offenses and an 8.4% decrease in aggravated assaults, resulting in an overall 7.6% decrease in crimes against persons.
Although there was a slight increase in property crimes over the last 12 months, the Sheriff’s Office did see 65 fewer burglaries occur in 2011 than in 2010, resulting in a 2.4% decrease in burglaries.
Overall, 2011 resulted in 284,308 calls for service, 37,717 reports written, 12,510 UCR reportable offenses, 12,455 adults arrested and the arrest of 1,232 juveniles. Since 2009, there has been a 21% reduction in violent crime.
These statistics are from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Crime Report (UCR) which is provided to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Uniform Crime Reporting Program was designed to give an indicator of the crime in specific areas by collecting offense and arrest information within that law enforcement jurisdiction.
House Approves Ban On Purchasing Snacks With Food Assistance
January 31, 2012
A proposal to prevent poor people from using federal assistance to buy certain snack foods was narrowly approved by a House committee Monday, but the sponsor said after heavy debate that he may change sections of the bill dictating what foods the aid can be used for.
Those restrictions weren’t removed Monday, but bill sponsor Rep. Scott Plakon acknowledged he may need to at least make some changes, following concerns from other House members about whether deciding what the poor can eat is fair game for the state to decide.
The bill (HB 1401) passed the House Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee 8-6. As it stands, the measure would prevent recipients of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, money from buying sodas, cupcakes, ice cream, muffins, potato chips, pretzels and a number of other “unhealthy, non-staple” foods.
Plakon, R-Longwood, disagreed with those who said the measure represents an overreach.
“This is money being taken from one taxpayer, and out of compassion being given to another,” he said. “So I think it’s entirely reasonable for the Legislature to put restrictions.”
With the ban on certain food purchases drawing much of the debate on Monday, the bill in the House eventually will likely focus more on preventing the use of the food aid program’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards in Internet cafes.
Among those who voted for the bill Monday were Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, and Rep. Felix Jose Diaz, R-Miami – with whom Plakon said he’d be working to fix their concerns with the section on prohibited foods.
“I understand what drove him to file this bill, and it’s getting Internet cafes under control,” Young said. “But I don’t want people telling me what to eat and I don’t think it’s right for us as a government – even if they happen to be poor. Even if they happen to be on food stamps.”
An amendment by Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, would have made an exception for cake or cupcakes on a child’s birthday. But it was voted down, partly on Young’s argument that the entire food stamp section needed a revamp.
Among the problems opponents cited was that HB 1401 would ban use of EBT cards in retail establishments “licensed to sell malt, vinous or spirituous liquors.”
“To me, that looks like every grocery store or CVS or Walgreen’s in the state,” Young said.
“The intent is [banning the use of EBTs in] liquor stores,” Plakon responded.
Young said the bill would place “a considerable burden on our retail establishments.”
That was evidenced by the state associations that showed up Monday to oppose the bill – including the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Beverage Association.
“I suspect for the good parts to move forward, I’m going to have to make some substantive changes,” Plakon said after the meeting. “They clearly want the food stamp portion removed, and that may very well happen.”
The House bill has two more stops, the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and the Health and Human Services Committee.
A similar bill (SB 1658) is moving on the Senate side of the Capitol, sponsored by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico. Her focus, however, is what types of food can be bought with SNAP money, though last week she agreed to drop the term “unhealthy” from her bill, and it passed the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs. It now goes to the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations, its last stop.
By The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Liquor Store Robbery
January 31, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday for the robbery of a Publix Liquor State early last year.
In December, Clifford Faust, Jr. was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of one count of armed robbery with a firearm. Judge Terry Terrell found that Faust qualified as a prison releasee reoffender based on the fact that was released from prison on grand theft and larceny charges just three months before the robbery.
On February 26, 2011, Faust entered the Publix Liquor Store on Mobile Highway, produced a handgun, and demanded money. After taking the money from the clerk, Faust fled the store on foot. After seeing photos of the surveillance video in the media a family member called law enforcement and identified Faust as the perpetrator.
Faust was identified by eyewitness testimony as well as DNA from cigarette butts located outside of the store.
Escambia Sentenced To 33.5 Years For Attack On Sleeping Woman
January 31, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 33.5 years in prison Monday on a sexual battery conviction.
Alvin Alexander, 58, was found guilty by an Escambia County jury in September 2011 on three counts of sexual battery with great force, burglary of a dwelling with a battery, and aggravated battery with great bodily harm.
On October 21, 2010, Alexander entered the residence of the 22-year old female victim who was alone at home and asleep in her bed. The victim was awakened by Alexander beating her with a metal pipe. As she tried to escape, Alexander forced her to remain inside. While inside, he continued to beat her with the metal pipe and sexually battered her multiple times, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
High School Coach Charged With Sexual Battery Of Student
January 30, 2012
A part-time track coach at Pine Forest High School was arrested Monday afternoon for the alleged sexual battery of one of his students .
Paul Lavell Jones, 28, was arrested after being questioned by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators about an incident that occurred over the weekend with a student.
According to the victim, he was picked up by Paul at his home around 10 p.m. Friday night and taken to several bars and nightclubs in the area and where Jones bought and provided the victim with alcohol.
The victim told investigators that the next thing he remembered was waking up nude in a bed. Jones then took the victim back to the victim’s home. where the victim then told his mother what happened.
Investigators posed as the victim and engaged in a text message conversation with Jones using the victim’s phone. Investigators then made contact with Jones and through the interview and text messaging were able to determine that a crime had occurred, an ECSO press release states.
Jones was charged with sexual batter and giving alcohol to a person under 21 years of age. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $30,000.
Rash Of Molino Vehicle Burglaries Under Investigation
January 30, 2012
A series of vehicle burglaries late last week in the Molino area are under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
About a dozen vehicles were broken into at homes across the Molino area overnight Wednesday and Thursday with the owners reporting the burglaries on Thursday and Friday. No additional vehicle burglaries were reported during the weekend in the area.
At one home on Highway 95A, a resident reported that three vehicles — all unlocked — were burglarized at his home sometime Thursday night. He reported that a .357 revolver, Oakley sunglasses, Nikon binoculars and wallet were missing. Other items — including knives and GPS units — were reported stolen from other vehicles around the area.
Deputies are encouraging residents to lock their vehicles.
So far, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has not reported any leads on the vehicle burglaries. Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The vehicle burglaries were reported on Highway 95A near Kemala Avenue and Brickton Road, Barrineau Park Road near Schifko Road, Barrineau Park Road near Blueberry Lane, Youngwood Lane near Red Fern Road and Schifko Road near Barrineau Park Road.
Pictured: Three of the vehicles that were burglarized late last week in Molino. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.