Sixth Candidate Prefiles For District 5 Commission Seat
October 25, 2011
A sixth candidate has prefiled to run for District 5 Escambia County Commission in the 2012 general election.
Deanne Patricia Burkett of Copper Ridge Drive Cantonment prefiled Monday as a Republican for the seat held by Kevin White of Molino.
In addition to Burkett and White, Republicans Sam Archer and Jim Taylor have prefiled for the seat. Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins have also announced, running with no party affiliation.
Federal Judge Blocks Florida Welfare Recipient Testing
October 25, 2011
The state’s effort to drug-test welfare recipients hit a roadblock Monday, as a federal judge barred the state from following the plan until there’s a final ruling in the case.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary Scriven rejected the state’s arguments that the drug-testing program did not violate the U.S. Constitution’s ban on unreasonable searches and would instead ensnare thousands of would-be welfare recipients in an impermissible dragnet.
“The constitutional rights of a class of citizens are at stake, and the Constitution dictates that the needs asserted to justify subverting those rights must be special, as the case law defines that term, in order for this exception to the Fourth Amendment to apply,” Scriven wrote. “That showing has not been made on this record.”
Scriven also wrote that the state’s attorneys did not produce “competent evidence that any TANF funds would be saved by instituting a drug testing program.”
Opponents of the drug-testing regimen, which passed during this year’s legislative session and has proven popular in polls, hailed the decision. It came in the case of Luis Lebron, a 35-year-old Orlando resident who applied for benefits in July but refused to take a drug test.
“This should send a message to all lawmakers that the 4th Amendment protects everyone,” said Randall Berg of the Florida Justice Institute, which represented Lebron along with the ACLU of Florida.
Supporters of the measure continued to defend the new law, but said they were trying to decide how to move forward following the judge’s decision.
“Drug testing welfare recipients is just a common-sense way to ensure that welfare dollars are used to help children and get parents back to work,” said Jackie Schutz, deputy press secretary for Gov. Rick Scott. “The governor obviously disagrees with the decision and he will evaluate his options regarding when to appeal.”
“I still believe it’s definitely the right law for Florida and Florida’s children,” said Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, who sponsored the drug-testing bill in the House.
The decision also threw a fresh spotlight on the Foundation for Government Accountability, a think tank based in Naples that produced a study and said the testing regime had saved the state $1.8 million in the first quarter and could save hundreds of millions of dollars if applied nationwide.
But Scriven slammed the report, saying it made faulty assumptions and “is not competent expert opinion, nor is it offered as such, nor could it be reasonably construed as such.”
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, specifically applauded Scriven for tackling the study by the foundation, headed by a Scott ally.
“It’s bad enough they’re actually defending this privacy-gutting law,” she said. “But it’s especially troubling when they’re relying on the self-serving musings of the governor’s friend to justify it.”
The foundation’s president and CEO, Tarren Bragdon, fired back.
“Judge Scriven’s ruling against Florida’s drug-testing requirement for taxpayer-funded welfare cash is disappointing, and removes needed accountability from our welfare system,” Bragdon said. “Our analysis of the law shows that the requirement is saving the state millions in welfare benefits, and helps ensure taxpayer dollars are reserved only for the truly needy.”
By The News Service of Florida
Molino Man Jailed For Sexual Assault On Underage Female
October 25, 2011
A Molino man has been charged with sexually assaulting an underage female.
Lance Dwayne Little, age 23 of Bet Raines Road, was booked in the Escambia County Jail on a felony charge of lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim age 12-16.
Sunday night, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to disturbance. A woman told deputies that Little forced his way into her residence and continued to pursue an encounter with her. As the woman tried to gather her children that were in the house for protection, Little cornered the teen female in her bedroom and touched her inappropriately while soliciting her, according to an arrest report. The girl was able to escape the residence and call for help from two other people who forced Little to leave the residence.
Deputies caught up with Little in a nearby culvert. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Jay Hosts NW League Of Cities Meeting
October 25, 2011
The Northwest Florida League of Cities held a board meeting and dinner late last week in Jay. Attendees began the day with a tour that included a peanut farm, cotton gin and the Jay area. Dozens of cities from Escambia County to east of Tallahassee are members of the NWFLC, including the cities of Pensacola, Jay, Gulf Breeze and Milton.
Pictured top: Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls, Pensacola City Council Vice President P.C. Wu and Century Mayor Freddie McCall at the Northwest Florida League of Cities meeting in Jay. Pictured below: Participants toured Holland Farms near Jay. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Updated: Complete Results Williams Station Day 5K
October 25, 2011
The Williams Station Day 5K returned Saturday morning after a several year hiatus. Overall male winner was Isaac McGahan of Molino, and overall female winner was Lisa Miller.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Complete results were as follows:
First Female Overall -Lisa Miller 24:07
First Male Overall -Isaac McGahan 18:10
Age 10-14
Female
1st Bethany Reynolds 25:38
2nd Victoria Amerson 32:07
Male
1st Gavin Coon 25:35
2nd Adrian King 26:44
Age 15-19
Female
1st Ashley Joiner 26:39
2nd Charleigh McPherson 32:32
Male
1st Isaac McGahan 18:10
2nd Trey Lambert 31:34
Age 20-24
Male
1st William Lindsey 22:14
2nd Shane Hadley 23:43
Age 25-29
Female
1st Brittany Smith 28:00
Age 30-34
1st Lisa Miller 24:07
2nd Janice Yoder29:37
Male
1st Dean Miller 20:19
2nd Jason Miler 23:08
Age 35-39
1st Lynette Penner 32:09
2nd Judy King 35:41
Male
1st Eric Johnson 22:13
2nd Greg Babiak 25:36
Age 40-44
Female
1st Michelle Peebles 32:20
2nd Kim Chambless 32:21
Male
1st Ricky Hart 25:32
2nd Don Metzler 25:32
Age 45-49
Female
1st Mary McPherson 38:25
Age 50-54
Female
1st Dale Ash 38:01
Male
1st Alan Ash 25:03
Age 55-59
Female
1st Debra Parker
Age 60-64
Male
1st Bert Rice 22:54
Age 70 +
Male
1st Hugh Long
Pictured top: Winners in the Williams Station Day 5K Saturday in Atmore. Pictured inset: Overall male winner Isaac McGahan. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Wins Round One Of District Volleyball Playoffs
October 25, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Laurel Hill Monday afternoon in the first round of district playoffs.
The Chiefs won in three straight, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22. Northview will advance to play No. 1 Baker Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Lily Townson had one ace, six assists and a dig for the Lady Chiefs, as Morgan Payne added four aces, nine kills and one block. Shelley Mothershed contributed three assists, one block and two digs, and Misty Doran had four aces, six kills and one block
Little Named Interim Superintendent for Escambia (Ala.) Schools
October 25, 2011
An interim superintendent has been named for the Escambia County (Ala.) Schools.
Randall Little, an assistant superintendent, was approved as interim superintendent on a 4-3 vote by the Escambia County School Board. He will take over the superintendent’s job from Billy Hines upon his December 1 retirement until a permanent replacement is named. The board has up to 180 days to name a new superintendent.
Mary Bess Powell, another assistant superintendent, was also considered for the interim post.
Dogwood Dulcimers Entertain Century Care Residents, Hold Jam Session
October 25, 2011
The Dogwood Dulcimer Association entertained the residents of Century Care Center late last week before holding a weekend jam session at Lake Stone.
The Dogwood Dulcimers invites anyone, including beginners, to play a dulcimer or traditional instrument with them for free. The group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 3400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola and the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church at 229 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment.
Click here for the Dogwood Dulcimer website.
Pictured: The Dogwood Dulcimers perform at Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested For Harvester’s Credit Union Robbery
October 24, 2011
A man that allegedly robbed a credit union and led sheriff’s deputies on a chase through west Pensacola Monday is behind bars.
Deputies say that 29-year old Eric Hendron Leger walked into Harvester’s Federal Credit Union on Highway 98 in West Pensacola and gave a note to a teller demanding money.
Witnesses said Leger kept one hand in his pocket and made them feel as if he had a gun or other weapon.
Leger fled north on Blue Angel Parkway with an undisclosed amount of cash. Witnesses were able to provide deputies a good description of the getaway vehicle, and within moments, deputies spotted Leger near Blue Angel Parkway and Mobile Highway . Deputies attempted to stop Leger, but he fled and led deputies on a chase.
Minutes later, Leger wrecked his vehicle into trees near the intersection of Kemp Road and Twiggs Lane in the Wedgewood subdivision. Deputies were able to
take Leger into custody without further incident.
One deputy was involved in a minor crash during the pursuit and was treated and released from a local hospital [Read more...]. Leger is currently being held under a $100,000.00 bond for bank robbery.
Teen Cited After Crash With Deputy
October 24, 2011
An Escambia County teen was cited after an accident with a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle Monday afternoon.
Escambia County Deputy Burt Craft, 28, was responding with lights and sirens on Saufley Field Road to an armed robbery call when the Florida Highway Patrol says 16-year old Cody Steven Kirk traveled into the path of the patrol unit at the intersection of Saufley Field Road and Mobile Highway.
Kirk was charged with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Kirk and his passenger 18-year old Nickolas Lullo, were not injured. Deputy Craft received minor injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.