Watching Tropical Storm Emily
August 2, 2011
Eyes are on the Caribbean today as Tropical Storm Emily spins up on a path that may take Emily into the Florida coast by the weekend. The latest coordinates, forecast path and other information on Emily can be found in the graphic above, click to enlarge. The graphic below shows several computer models for the track of Emily.
Escambia Teen Pleads Guilty To Murdering His Father
August 1, 2011
An Escambia County teen is headed to prison for murdering his father.
Warren Williams, 15, pleaded guilty this morning to second degree murder for the death of 55-year old William Williams, a retired Marine. The young Williams, who was just accepted into the International Baccalaureate program at Pensacola High School, was watching the reality series “Survivor” while his mother attended a PTA meeting. During the program, he got up, left the room, and returned with the gun to shoot his father.
Warren Williams was only 14-years old when he shot and killed his father with a 9mm handgun inside their home off Scenic Highway in March 2010. He was sentenced to just over 20.5 years in state prison and 15 years probation by Circuit Judge Joel Boles.
During the sentencing phase, Boles recommended that Warren Williams be placed in the juvenile system until he turns 21. That decision will be made by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Warren Williams’ only brother, 12-year old Sawyer, committed suicide in 2003. The defense claimed Warren Williams suffered depression from the traumatic event.
5 Juveniles Charged For ‘Mafia’ Graffiti At Bratt Park
August 1, 2011
Five juveniles ranging in age from 9 to 16 have been arrested for allegedly defacing the Bratt Community Park back in June with claims about the “mafia”.
Sometime June 9 or 10, deputies said the five juveniles used paint and permanent markers to leave graffiti on 13 picnic tables, the playground equipment, concrete and a covered shelter at the Bratt Community Park on West Highway, near Northview High School.
The five juveniles charged were a 9-year old male from Walnut Hill, a 16-year old female from Walnut Hill, a 12-year old male from Pensacola, a 16-year old female from Century and a
13-year old male from Walnut Hill. All were charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the juveniles were questioned in the presence of the parents, and all admitted to taking part in the incident. Their parents were all described by the Sheriff’s Office as being extremely cooperative in the investigation.
Much of the graffit referenced the “ICP”, “Wicked Clowns”, “Juggalos” and “Hatchet Man Mafia” — all references to the music and personas of Insane Clown Posse, a hardcore hip hop duo known for their supernatural and horror-themed graphic lyrics.
“The hatchet man mafia rules you and the park,” a paragraph of profanity-laced graffiti read on a children’s slide.
The graffiti at North Escambia’s newest park, which was completed last fall, was full of profanity on the picnic tables and children’s playground. It also contained references to several names and even phone numbers — giving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office several leads on the culprits.
Most of the graffiti was removed from the park by an Escambia County prisoner work crew at an approximate cost to the county of $250.
Editor’s note: Names of juveniles charged with misdemeanors in Florida are not public record.
Pictured: Five juveniles have been charged in connection with this graffiti that was discovered in mid-June at the Bratt Community Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Retirement System Sees Big Growth
August 1, 2011
.In the three months since the legislative session ended, the Florida Retirement System has seen a substantial uptick in the number of new retirees.
Likely at least in part in response to a new law that dramatically changed the state’s retirement plan, requiring employee contributions for the first time in three decades, about 10,100 people chose to enter retirement or exited the state’s deferred retirement plan in May, June and July, an increase of more than 900 people from the same time last year.
The Florida Retirement System serves employees of state and local governments, including all public school teachers, county governments, and the state’s universities and community colleges. There are nearly 1 million participants in the program, making it one of the largest public retirement systems in the country.
Most of the FRS participants are enrolled in the pension plan, which gives employees a set amount of money each month upon retirement, with the amount depending on years in service. The retirement system also offers a 401(k)-style investment plan.
The new law requires employees to contribute 3 percent of their paychecks to their retirement, raised the retirement age for employees and reduced cost of living adjustments. Supporters of the changes, including Gov. Rick Scott, argue that public employees were receiving better benefits than private sector workers and that requiring contributions was the right thing to do to protect taxpayer dollars.
But unions that represent FRS members say pension benefits are one of the few perks of the job, with many workers going years without pay increases and earning salaries lower than private sector counterparts.
The increased number of retirees did not surprise critics of the new law.
“They are creating a lot of incentives not to work for the state,” said Doug Martin, a lobbyist for a union that represents state and local employees.
Because some of the changes under the new law go into effect on July 1, some Florida Retirement System members were incentivized to retire or exit the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) before that date.
Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow said some teachers chose retirement this year because of many changes with their profession, including the new teacher merit pay law that ties salaries to test scores.
“Some folks said it’s just not worth it,” Pudlow said. “There are a number of people who probably would have stuck around for a few more years and the constant volatility in their jobs made them decide to go ahead and leave.”
Martin, who works for the Florida chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said FRS members are concerned about changes to the popular deferred retirement plan.
Information on how many FRS members enrolled in the deferred retirement plan during the same post-legislative session time period won’t be available until early August, a Department of Management Services spokesman said.
The deferred retirement program is designed to promote early retirement. DROP participants can start drawing their pensions while still continuing to work for up to five years. The pensions sit in an interest-bearing account until the actual date of retirement, when the employee receives a lump sum payout.
But the new law changes how much interest a DROP account earns, from 6.5 percent 1.3 percent.
“For the folks that we represent, the average pay out would have been something like $72,000,” Martin said. “That is going to go down to less than $60,000. That is obviously a very significant decrease.”
Martin also said the more experienced employees are incentivized to leave.
“If you have worked 30 years for the state, you would essentially get no additional retirement benefit for staying and you would be working for less,” Martin said.
Martin said there has also been uneven implementation of the new law, with some FRS entities incorrectly taking money out of employee paychecks in June, a month before the new law went into effect.
The Florida Education Association and several other union groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the required new contributions as unconstitutional. A court date is set this fall to consider the merits of the challenge, but both sides say they expect the final arbiter to be the Florida Supreme Court.
The changes made this year by lawmakers were the most significant to the pension system since the 401(k)-style investment plan was added more than 10 years ago, and many union groups representing teachers, police officers and firefighters, and other state and county employees vehemently opposed the changes.
While Scott has hinted he is interested in more pension changes, calling this year’s law a “first step,” Martin said he doubts the Legislature is interested in making additional changes next legislative session.
“What we’ve been hearing is the Legislature is going to be primarily concerned with redistricting,” Martin said. “With the improved financial position of the state and of the retirement system and the amount of time and grief this brought to the legislators, going back and ripping that scab off that wound isn’t their first priority.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Debt Limit Deal Could Push Prices Up At The Pump
August 1, 2011
A deal reached Sunday night to raise the national debt limit may push prices up at the pump this week.
Retail gas prices in the North Escambia area remained relatively unchanged last week as oil prices fluctuated when the government initially failed to reach a compromise on a plan to raise the national debt limit and as Tropical Storm Don closed oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico.
A barrel of oil dropped $4.17 during the week to close at $95.70 a barrel, partial on news that the economy grew less than expected in the second quarter. But oil futures began to climb Sunday night after President Obama said leaders of both parties in the House and Senate had agreed to a compromise to raise the nation’s debt limit.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas Sunday in Escambia County was $3.71, down slightly from a week ago at $3.74 and up sharply from $3.47 a month ago.
Pictured above: A gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.72 Sunday night at a station in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pcola Traffic: Expect Delays All Week At Davis And I-10
August 1, 2011
Drivers can expect delays all week at Davis Highway at I-10 in Pensacola.
The project includes improvements to a southbound lane of Davis Highway and the westbound ramp to I-10. Work will take place from 8 p.m. until 5 p.m. and is expected to be complete by Friday, weather permitting.
The work will include a lane separator, striping, adjustments to traffic signals and signage improvements.
Pictured above: The Davis Highway and I-10 interchange as seen Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Wreck Kills One; Santa Rosa Wreck Shuts Down I-10
August 1, 2011
A Saturday night crash claimed the life of an Escambia County man, while a Sunday afternoon interstate wreck tied up traffic for hours in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia Pedestrian Fatality
A pedestrian, 30-year old Glen Allen James, died in a crash Saturday night on W Street north of Gandy Place.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, James was crossing W street, not in a crosswalk, when he walked into the path of a 2007 Honda Accord driven by Martin C. Velam 40, of Pensacola. James was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Vela and his passenger, 37-year old Ann Vela, were not injured. No charges were filed in the crash.
Santa Rosa Interstate Crash
A three vehicle crash tied up traffic on I-10 in Santa Rosa County for several hours Sunday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Ford pickup driven by Steven Wisneski of Panama City and a Honda van driven by Lissia Vaughn of Milton were pulled over and stopped on the left shoulder of I-10 near milepost 26 about 5:35 p.m. That’s when a semi-truck driven by Jean St. Val of Winter Haven lost control and jackknifed his trailer. St. Val hit the rear of both stopped vehicles and then crossed both lanes of traffic before striking the guardrail on the opposite side of the interstate.
The jackknifed trailer blocked the eastbound lanes of I-10.
There were no injuries in the crash. Charges are pending against St. Val, according to the FHP.
Photos: Pirates Take Over Bratt AG For VBS
August 1, 2011
Bratt Assembly of God was taken over last week by pirates during the church’s annual Vacation Bible School. During the week, children searched for buried treasure, walked the plank and found treasure within their own hearts.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
New Fast Food Restaurant Planned For Molino
July 31, 2011
Preliminary plans are underway for a new fast food restaurant in Molino.
The new restaurant will be located on an 8.4 acre lot at the corner of the Highway 97 and Highway 29, just across Highway 97 from Crabtree Church Road and the Tom Thumb. The lot has an 850-foot frontage on Highway 29 and 1,000-foot frontage on Highway 97.
Current plans indicate that the building will be 2,474 square feet.
A pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee was held last week — the first step in the permitting process.
Developers have not formally announced plans for the fast food restaurant, and no estimated time for completion was available.
Pictured above: Preliminary plans are underway for a fast food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. Pictured below: The restaurant is planned across Highway 97 from the Tom Thumb. NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers Create Bibs For Rehab Patients
July 31, 2011
The Molino Homemakers recently made adult-size bibs for rehabilitation patients at West Florida Rehabilitation Institute.
Club President Nancy Holland set up a station where members cut out terrycloth and plastic material from a paper bag pattern. At another station, the plastic and terrycloth pieces were pinned then sewn together. Other members trimmed and turned the bibs then the bottoms were hand stitched closed.
Holland delivered the completed bibs to patients who undergo rehabilitation from strokes and other illnesses or surgeries. The patients are able to take their bib home with them once they leave rehab.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except July) at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be August 3. Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Members of the Molino Homemakers create bibs for rehab patients. Pictured inset: Club member Shirley Clayton models a bib. Submitted photos and story by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.