Bill Would Block Drug Felons From Getting Cash Assistance
January 13, 2012
The House Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee Wednesday morning voted 9-6 in favor of a bill that would require the Department of Children and Families to deny cash assistance benefits and food assistance benefits to anyone who has been convicted of a felony for the possession of drugs on or after July 1, 2012.
The bill has an exception for people who have gone through a drug treatment program, and would allow the appointment of someone else to receive benefits on behalf of the person’s children.
The measure is sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Smith, R-Inverness, who last year sponsored a measure requiring drug tests for those seeking cash assistance.
That bill passed but has been challenged in court.
By The News Service of Florida
Groups Can Apply Now For Escambia United Way Funding
January 13, 2012
The application for United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest is available now. The deadline to apply for funding is January 27, 2012. Agencies with 501(c)(3) non-profit status are eligible to apply for this funding of undesignated money pooled from thousands of donors in our community.
Grants will be awarded by a Volunteer Funds Distribution Committee comprised of more than 100 donors and community leaders. These volunteers intensively evaluate each program requesting funding to ensure donor contributions are spent in the most effective way possible in Escambia County.
The money will be allocated to programs that can show measurable outcomes and results within United Way’s three Community Impact Priorities of Education, Financial Stability and Health. If a program does not fit in these categories, funding may still be awarded based on the measurable impact of the program.
In 2011/12, United Way of Escambia County funded 38 programs at 26 agencies and schools for a total external allocation of more than $1,200,000.
Non-profit agencies can download an application today at www.unitedwayescambia.org. For more information about United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest, contact Andrea Farage at (850) 444-7110 or email andrea@unitedwayescambia.org.
Ernest Ward Students Explore Past With National History Day Projects
January 13, 2012
History came alive through the eyes of students at Ernest Ward Middle School Thursday evening as they displayed weeks of work on projects for National History Day.
The History Fair in the school’s gym capped off a project in which EWMS students were required to do research into a topic. The research was presented in exhibit form, much like the typical science fair, or as a drama or web presentation. Students complete projects either individually or in teams.
For a photo gallery of projects, click here.
This was the third year Ernest Ward has participated in the national program, with the top projects from Ernest Ward headed next to a district competition. Winners included:
Individual Projects:
- Bethany Reynolds — The Cotton Gin: An Invention That Revolutionized a Global Industry
- Tristan Barrett — Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism
- Evan Till — The United States Cotton Industry
- Bailee Hinote — Native American Indians
Group Projects:
- Thomas Moore, Ben Preston, Jarod Townley — Railway System
- Mallory Gibson, Autumn Albritton — How The Revolutionary Ward Affected Indians
- Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond, Destiny Watson — Pablo Picasso
- Tylet Houston, Tristan Reaves — The Revolution of Space Technology (Space Race)
Names of winners in the performance, web and research paper categories were not immediately available.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School National History Day entitled “Pablo Picasso” by Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond and Destiny Watson. Pictured inset: Tristan Barrett’s “Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism” is judged. Pictured below: “Native American Indians” by Bailee Hinote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Men Arrested For Robbery
January 13, 2012
Two Escambia County men were arrested moments after robbing a woman at an Olive Road convenience store.
Jamal Anthony Williams, 25, and William Michael Venus, 24, were charged with the robbery of Leslie Suarez at the Mom and Pop’s store.
According to Suarez, as she was sitting in her car in the store parking lot, Williams allegedly walked up to her window and demanded money from her. Suarez, fearing Williams may have had a weapon, gave Williams what money she had. Williams then ran to a green Honda Civic, driven by Venus, got in the passenger side, and fled.
Matthew Criner, Suarez’s boyfriend, came out of the store and Suarez told him that she had just been robbed. Criner began to follow the vehicle as Suarez called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Moments later, deputies located and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Olive Road and Palafox Street. Both Williams and Venus were arrested and charged with the robbery. Both were booked in the Escambia County Jail – Williams with bond set at $12,500 and Venus with his bond set at $10,000.00.
No one was injured during the incident.
State Economic Forecast Steady, House Calls For Timely Budget
January 13, 2012
State economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged Thursday, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
House leaders swiftly pointed to the steady estimate as a sign that Senate President Mike Haridopolos should drop his public consideration of an extended session or a special session to deal with the budget shortfall. Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has said he’s concerned that the numbers could still change dramatically between now and the summer.
Lawmakers would normally work off of estimates developed shortly after the session opens in March, but needed an earlier figure for this year’s session, which began Jan. 10 because of redistricting.
“We will once again face many difficult choices as we craft a budget that reflects the House priorities,” said House Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley. “Delaying these tough choices will not make them go away.”
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said that completing a budget by the end of the 60-day session would also help future job growth by giving business leaders certainty about the future.
“There are inherent risks and uncertainty with any forecast, but none that can’t be overcome with conservative budgeting, planning for contingencies and setting aside ample reserves,” Cannon said.
Haridopolos was unmoved.
“The President continues to have concerns about the revenue estimate,” spokeswoman Lyndsey Cruley said in an email.
The conference found that there were some downside risks for the economy related to personal income in Florida and a potential debt crisis in Europe, but it also said that “the likelihood of a second recession has diminished” in recent months.
“Overall, the adjustments to the forecast indicate an economy that is still in an abnormally slow recovery,” an executive summary issued by the revenue estimating conference stated.
Forecasters are not set to meet again until the summer, though Baker told reporters they would be willing to do so again if lawmakers wanted fresh numbers. At the same time, she suggested that wasn’t necessary.
“At this point, I wouldn’t know of a reason to say, ‘”Well, check back with us in a few months.’”
Alabama’s Trent Richardson Going Pro, Entering NFL Draft
January 12, 2012
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is leaving the Crimson Tide and entering the NFL Draft.
Richardson made the announcement Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Heisman Trophy finalist is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the NFL draft after a record setting year at Alabama. He had 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season, a Crimson Tide record.
Richardson is a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola.
Porn Bust: Police Raid Barber Shop, Seize Videos
January 12, 2012
Police raided a Flomaton barbershop Wednesday afternoon because they say the barber was selling more than haircuts.
Barber Garvin Eugene Chancery, age 60, was charged with two counts of distribution of obscene material after officers seized alleged pornographic movies from his Gene’s Barber Shop in Flomaton.
“Our investigation revealed that he was selling adult DVD’s from the shop for $3 each,” Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said following the raid. “When you got finished with your movie, he would even buy it back for $1.”
McGraw said his department seized 16 allegedly pornographic DVDs and several VHS tapes. He said that none of the videos were believed to involve child pornography, but he said the Flomaton Police Department would review the contents of each video.
Gene’s Barber Shop is located in small building on Palafox Street in downtown Flomaton, across the street from a shoe shop and next door to a church. A rail yard and the Florida line are in sight of the building, as is the heart of Flomaton’s business district.
“That’s not the kind of business we wanted in downtown Flomaton, especially next door to a church,” McGraw said.
The police chief said it is illegal to sell pornographic materials in Alabama without the proper licenses and permits — none of which Chancery had.
Chancery, a longtime barber, was released on his own recognizance.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Local Bride-To-Be Hoping To Win Dream Wedding On Auburn Campus
January 12, 2012
A young North Escambia area woman has big dreams — a free wedding this spring on Samford Lawn on the campus of Auburn University.
Jennifer Coleman, a Flomaton High School graduate, and her groom-to-be, Wes Sinor, are one of three couples vying to win the May 26 wedding of their dreams including the dress, tuxedos, flowers, photos, cakes, limousine, entertainment, reception — the whole wedding package worth thousands.
“We met playing intramural football in October of 2008 here at Auburn out on the intramural field. We just started hanging out after that,” Wes said.
“We were best friends for about two, two and a half years, so we already knew each other through and through,” Jennifer said. But they did not decide to date until after that two plus years of friendship.
“So from the first moment we decided to date, we knew this was it,” she said.
A month after the first date, Wes popped the question — kind of a spur of the moment caught in love kind of thing — without a ring. She said yes.
About a year after that first impromptu proposal, Wes repeated the proposal. This time he was prepared. He had saved some cash for a ring and made his wedding proposal one night on the intramural field where the couple had met, surrounded by candles. Once again, Jennifer said yes.
The winning War Eagle Wedding couple will be chosen by votes from the public. To vote for Jennifer and Wes, visit www.wareaglewedding.com and vote. Additional votes can be cast on four Facebook pages listed on the War Eagle Wedding website. Voting ends at 4 p.m. on January 18.
Pictured top: Wes Sinor proposes to Jennifer Coleman of Flomaton on an intramural football field at Auburn University. Pictured inset: Pictured inset: The couple, pictured here at the 2011 Auburn-Mississippi State game, are huge Auburn football fans. Pictured below: War Eagle Wedding finalists Wes and Jennifer (photo courtesy Flip Flop Foto). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Autistic Boy, 13, Charged With Felony For Hitting Teacher
January 12, 2012
A 13-year old autistic boy is facing a felony charge for hitting his speech therapist at an Escambia County School.
Conner Brown is charged with battery on a public or private education employee for allegedly hitting 57-year Kathy Roupe of Pensacola in the head with a set of headphones at Ferry Pass Middle School. She suffered a concussion.
Brown entered a not guilty plea in court Wednesday. He will be evaluated by a court-appointed psychologist prior to his next court appearance on March 6. His mother said Brown was not trying to hit Roupe when he threw the headphones but that she got in the way. He was allegedly throwing the headphones at another student in class that was making loud noises — which triggered his autism.
Brown will return to Ferry Pass on Monday.
Jeter Lane Closed In Century
January 12, 2012
The Town of Century closed Jeter Lane west of North Century Boulevard Thursday morning for drainage construction. The road is scheduled to re-open in about one week. For more information, contact the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.