Green To Run For Property Appraiser
April 24, 2012
A political newcomer pre-filed Monday to seek the office of Escambia County Property Appraiser.
Charles M. Green IV of Navy Boulevard pre-filed as a Republican for the office currently held by Democrat Chris Jones. There are currently no other announced candidates in the race.
The Informant: Subject Of Matt Damon Movie Speaks
April 23, 2012
His life story was so compelling that Matt Damon portrayed him in a 2009 Warner Brothers movie. He was one of the top executives at one of the largest companies in the world. Making $3 million per year, living in a huge house with his wife. He was on top of the world.
Until his wife called the FBI.
Then, he discovered his real happiness behind bars in a federal prison — making not millions, but $20 a month.
Mark Whitacre, now 54, made history as the highest level corporate whistleblower ever, working undercover with the FBI for years to expose a price fixing scheme at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a massive global food processing corporation.
“Society will give you a second chance and they will forgive you,” Whitacre said as he addressed a group of GED graduates and their fellow inmates at Century Correctional Institution. Whitacre is no stranger to being in prison; he spent nine years in federal prison after ADM accused him of embezzling $9 million while he was working as a FBI mole. “It is about redemption and second chances.”
In the early 1990’s, Whitacre’s wife began to notice that something was wrong with him. He fessed up, telling her about the price fixing scheme.
“I told her that it effects everyone that goes to the grocery store,” he said, “that we were stealing from them.” ADM makes food additives such as high fructose corn syrup and other products found in most of the processed foods in the average grocery store. “It was wealthy people taking advantage of poor people.”
“She turned me in,” Whitacre said, “within an hour to the FBI.”
In federal prison, he knew things had to change.
“I knew I had to come out different than I went in,” he said. “I came out better.”
A few months into his prison sentence, Whitacre said he made the decision to help his fellow inmates. Whitacre helped inmates obtain their GED certificates and their correspondence course college diplomas. He finally felt he was earning his keep in life, while making $20 a month behind bars — a far cry from that $3 million a year ADM salary.
“Helping people…I will continue that until I am gone,” he told the Century Correctional inmates.
There are three steps that all inmates need to take, he said….steps that can also be applied to those on the outside.
The first is taking personal responsibility and not blaming others for being in prison.
“I got everything I deserved; the 9.5 years were my fault,” he said. “I had a catch me if you can attitude. It took a stay at home mom to start the probe into the largest price fixing scheme in U.S. history….but it was all my fault.”
The second step is surrounding yourself with positive influences.
“Show me your friends, and I will show you your future,” he said.
The third step, he said, is giving back.
“There is nothing more rewarding than giving back in your community, even in prison.
Once released from prison, Whitarce went to work for the biotech company Cypress Systems, Inc., a company that is heavily involved in cancer research. He started at the bottom of the employment ladder and eventually worked his way up to his current position of chief operation officer and president of operations. He often speaks at FBI events and was the guest speaker in 2011 at the Quantico FBI Academy where he told his story of second chances.
As for his wife…they couple is still married. She is a recent teacher of the year at Warrington Middle School in Pensacola.
“I stand here as living proof,” he said to Century Correctional inmates, “that America does forgive and give you second changes. You can get your life back.”
Whitacre’s story was later made famous in the Warner Brothers movie “The Informant!” with Matt Damon was Whitacre.
For a previous story about the Century CI graduation, click here.
Pictured top: “The Informant” Mark Whitacre addresses GED graduates at Century Correctional Institution. Pictures top inset: Century Correctional inmates listen to Whitacre speak. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miss Century Care Participates In NWFL Senior Pageant
April 23, 2012
The Annual Miss Senior Northwest Florida Pageant was held Friday, with Sally Kenney from Uni-Health of Santa Rosa taking the crown.
Miss Dorothy Roper was the Century Care Center entrant in the annual event. “She didn’t win, but she still feels like a princess,” Century Care Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
In the question and answer portion of the pageant, Roper was asked “What is your favorite time of the year and why?”. Her response was “Summer, ’cause it’s hot, hot, hot!”.
Pictured top: Miss Century Care Center Dorothy Roper at the Miss Senior Northwest Florida Pageant Friday with program host Sue Straughn of WEAR. Pictured below: Pageant contestants. Pictured bottom: Century Care Center staff work to get Dorothy Roper ready for the pageant. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Awards Grants To Ransom, Tate And A Dozen Other Groups
April 23, 2012
International Paper Pensacola Mill (IP) has awarded $50,000 in Foundation Grants to local community organizations. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs.
Grant recipients included Ransom Middle and Tate High schools.
Ransom’s “From Dirt to Dinner” initiative involves the Ransom Eco Club, FFA and agriculture student groups in school garden. The project presents a unique opportunity to address recent challenges, such as increased global food prices, and rethink the role of agriculture and its economic and ecological benefits. The project also improves the school campus environment with a green zone.
Tate’s “Recycling Fever, It’s an Epidemic” project will all the school’s Environmental Club purchase 120 tall plastic recycling bins which will replace cardboard boxes that are currently used but not up the job — they become flimsy when wet, they tear and teachers complain that they don’t hold enough. Large bins that roll will also be purchased for weekly clean sweeps of recyclables such as moving materials from copy rooms to the recycling dumpster.
IP grant award recipients were:
- Autism Pensacola – “Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab”
- Ballet Pensacola - “Discover Dance”
- Community Action Program Committee – “Code Enforcement 2012”
- Council on Aging of West Florida – “Big Green, Little Green”
- Escambia County Extension Horticulture Program – “Sustainable Gardens”
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence – “Literacy Grant Partnership with International Paper”
- Every Child a Reader – “Project Ready”
- JM Tate High School – “Recycling Fever, It’s an Epidemic”
- Pensacola Promise – “New Wave Project”
- Pensacola State College Foundation – “Summer Environmental Camp”
- Ransom Middle School – “From Dirt to Dinner”
- United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida – “Building Literacy Skills for Pre-School Children with Special Needs”
- UWF Foundation – “College Reach Out Program”
- WSRE-TV Foundation – “Raising Readers for Tomorrow”
Man Allegedly Caught Hiding Cocaine In His Mouth
April 23, 2012
A Century man is free on bond after being arrested late last week when deputies allegedly caught him with a baggie of cocaine hidden in his mouth.
Justin Wayne Kyles, 20, was charged with felony cocaine possession and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies made contact with 10-12 people in the 6700 block of Jefferson Avenue. Deputies watched as Kyles began to walk away from the group. When asked for his identification, Kyles just mumbled and deputies could see that he had something in his mouth, the report states.
Deputies said Kyles then allegedly spit out a small plastic bag containing crack cocaine.
Thousands In Prize Money Awarded In Log A Load Bass Tourney
April 23, 2012
Thousands of dollars were raised for Sacred Heart Hospital Children’s Hospital during the annual Log A Load For Kids Bass Tournament Saturday at Live Oak Landing in Stockton.
Over $11,000 was awarded to the top ten teams, including $5,000 to the first place team of Travis Glidden and Lee Grandquest with a total weight of 16.63 pounds. Second place and $2,000 were awarded to Skip Thompson and Price Thomas for 15.48 pounds.
The top ten teams, the total weight of their catch and prize awards were:
- Travis Glidden and Lee Grandquest, 16.63 lbs - $5,000
- Skip Thompson and Price Thomas, 15.48 lbs –$2,000
- Nick Peturis, Jr. and Dewayne Smith, 14.7 lbs - $1,000
- Dean Caine and Mike Neese, 13.8 lbs - $800
- Keith Craft and Ronnie Summers, 13.48 lbs - $700
- Tyler Godwin and Dustin Simmons, 12.86 lbs - $600
- Jim Smith and Robbi Smith, 12.75 lbs - $500
- Sammy L. Tholmas and Lavon White, 12.71 lbs - $400
- Cory Glasscock and Alford Glasscock, 12.46 lbs - $300
- Clifton Smith and Robert Pearce, 12.13 lbs - $200
Also awarded were:
- 1st Lunker — Matt Lemon and Mike Swoboda, $972, 6.25 lbs
- 2nd Lunker — Joe Barnett and Crawford Odom, $648, 5.25 lbs
- Mystery Weight Fish — Robert Lee and Wayne Mixon, $110, 2.03 lbs
By The Numbers: Jay Relay For Life
April 23, 2012
The 2012 Jay Relay for Life was held Friday and Saturday.
For a photo gallery and previous Jay Relay for Life story, click here.
Here’s a look at the top teams and individuals that took part in the event:
- Total dollars raised: $41,410.95
- Top team: Jay Hospital – $5,929.89
- Second place: Kids for a Cure – $4,675.52
- Third place: Mount Carmel UMC – $3,685.35
- Luminaria Committee: $1,136.00
- Best Campsite: EREC
- Second Best Campsite: Purple Power
- Third Best Campsite: Jay Elementary PTO
- Survivor’s Choice Campsite: EREC
- Event Spirit: Jay Elementary PTO
- Most Team Laps: Jay Elementary PTO – 548
- Most Laps: Trudy Routley – 55 laps
- Teams already registered for 2013: Six
Pictured: A portion of the EREC campsite with several EREC team members at the Jay Relay for Life. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Second Straight To Biscuits
April 23, 2012
The Blue Wahoos led for the first five innings on Sunday night in Montgomery, but the Biscuits’ seven late runs were too much for the Wahoos as Montgomery won their second straight over Pensacola 7-3.
Pensacola went up 2-0 on a two-run double in the first inning by Brodie Greene. The game stayed that way until the Biscuits scored three runs against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino in the sixth inning.
The rally started when Tyler Bortnick reached on an error to begin the inning, one of three by the Blue Wahoos in the game. He and Cole Figueroa both scored on a two-run double to center by Henry Wrigley to tie the game. Wrigley came home two batters later on an RBI single by Omar Luna putting the Biscuits in front 3-2.
Pensacola evened things up in the top of the seventh when Greene delivered his second two-out RBI hit of the game scoring Didi Gregorius from third. The Biscuits went on to score a pair of runs in each of the next two innings with a two-run double by Henry Wrigley in the seventh and a two-run homer by Brad Coon in the eighth.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but didn’t score. Greene led the way offensively with a 4-for-4 game including a pair of doubles with three RBI and a walk. Gregorius had a two hit game in his return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a bruised wrist from getting hit by a pitch on Thursday.
Corcino went a season-high six innings in the start for the Blue Wahoos. He was charged with three runs, two earned, on five hits. He walked only two and struck out six. Clayton Tanner was tagged with the loss out the bullpen for the Blue Wahoos. We was charged with the two seventh innings runs after working 0.2 innings. Frank De Los Santos didn’t record a decision in the start for the Biscuits after working five innings and allowing just the two runs on six hits. Adam Libertore got credit for the win after working the two innings out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos look to even the series on Monday night behind right-hander Tim Crabbe (0-0, 4.85). He will be opposed by lefty Kyle Lobstein (1-0, 2.45). First pitch is set for 7:05 in Montgomery.
By Tommy Thrall
The Wahoo’s Daniel Corcino worked a season-high six innings Sunday night in Montgomery. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends Of 4-H: Sell Langley Bell To Navy Federal
April 22, 2012
The Friends of 4-H – a newly formed group of 4-H supporters — announced late Friday afternoon that they are officially supporting the sale of the 240 acre Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah to Nave Federal Credit Union.
The group’s official position favors a Memorandum of Understanding presented to the members of the 4- H County Council, who will vote Monday night on the $3.6 million deal.
“It’s is our position, after reviewing the MOU, that the sale is the best thing for the 4-H program,” Friends of 4-H member Whitney Pike said.
The following is the official statement issued by the Friends of 4-H:
“The Friends of 4-H, a group of concerned citizens, parents, 4-H alumni and friends of Escambia County 4-H, have reviewed the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center. The Friends of 4-H publicly support the signed MOU and are encouraging the Escambia County 4-H voting delegates to vote yes in favor of the land sale.
“We are eager to see Escambia County 4-H County Council support of the MOU and the steps that follow the vote on Monday, April 23. We realize the importance of this issue and what it means to Escambia County, Navy Federal Credit Union, and the future economic development in Pensacola. We hope to see the 4-H’ers in favor of the MOU and we plan to follow the process of the MOU being implemented to ensure the 4-H’ers voices continued to be heard.”
Pictured top: A portion of the neighboring Navy Federal complex in Beulah can be seen in the background of this photograph of the Langley Bell Building at the Langley Bell 4-H Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Carroll Wins State Weightlifting Championship
April 22, 2012
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll has won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 2A weightlifting championship in his weight class.
Saturday in Kissimmee, Carroll’s total lift was in the 183 pound weight class. Carroll’s total lift was at 655 pounds with a best bench of 380 and a best clean & jerk of 275. Carroll’s total lift was 20 pounds greater than the second place finisher.
Saturday was the third trip to the FHSAA finals for Carroll, who also excels off the bench. He has a 3.7 GPA, and is in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, Rho Kappa, FFA, is FCA president and has participated in football and track.
Pictured: Tate senior Chase Carroll, center, won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 2A weightlifting championship Saturday in Kissimmee. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.