Walnut Hill Man Guilty On Federal Weapons Charge
March 28, 2011
A Walnut Hill man has been convicted by a jury on a federal weapons charge. Floyd Scott Mooney, 39, was convicted last week on one count of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to the indictment issued January 19 by the federal grand jury, Mooney was in possession of a half dozen rifles and ammunition in violation of federal law due to his status as a convicted felon that was sentenced to more than one year in prison.
In March 1999, Mooney was convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, according to federal court records.
Mooney’s attorney, Gene Mitchell of Pensacola, has filed a motion for a new trial claiming several errors with the government’s prosecution. A judge has not yet ruled on the motion.
A federal judge will review the case in early June and set a sentencing date.
Escambia Soil And Water District Joins Against Conecuh Woods Landfill
March 28, 2011
The Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District has joined many other local governmental agencies in opposing the planned Conecuh Woods 5,100 acre landfill near Repton, Ala.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, would include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
“As a community downstream of Escambia Creek, and South of the landfill site, and recognizing the potential devastating impact this landfill would have on the aquifers surrounding and underlying this community, the Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors is of the opinion that the landfill poses a clear and present threat to the environment and the health and quality of life to all the citizens that reside in Escambia County, Florida, now and for generations to come,” the ESWCD resolution states.
Many other governments in South Alabama and Northwest Florida have passed resolutions in opposition to Conecuh Woods, including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, the Town of Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
“Nobody knows more than we do that Florida’s rules on water quality are tougher than Alabama’s,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said recently. “If it comes into our river, Florida is in trouble immediately.”
The Conecuh Woods application currently awaits a decisions from the Conecuh County Commission. Even if they give their approval, the project may still remain on hold. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued an executive order declaring a moratorium on new landfills in the state.
Photo (And Poem): Jack And Jill’s Hill Breaks Down In Walnut Hill
March 28, 2011
There was a minor traffic hazard created on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Sunday afternoon when a truck hauling the hill portion of “Jack and Jill” carnival ride broke down, about a mile south of the two water towers at Ernest Ward Middle.
After taking a photo, we were unable to resist having fun with a local rendition of the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme. (Our apologies in advance.)
Jack And Jill’s Hill In Walnut Hill
Jack and Jill went up to Walnut Hill
Not from the tower of water.
The truck broke down with a funny sound
And people to help came after.
The engine did come back to life again
With the work of a couple of men.
But not before a North Escambia photo
So that the world would know
That Jack and Jill’s very famous hill
had been in our very own Walnut Hill.
Pictured top: A minor traffic hazard was created Sunday afternoon in Walnut Hill when truck pulling a “Jack and Jill carnival ride broke down on Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt, Molino Park Pre-K Registration Underway
March 28, 2011
Registration is underway for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year olds at Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
Bratt Elementary
Registration packets can be picked up March 28 – April 8 and again May 2 – May 20. Parents or guardians will need their photo identification, the child’s immunization record and a physical for the child within one year prior to April 22, 2011. Students should be four-years old before September 1, 2011. For more information, contact Bratt Elementary School at (850) 327-6137.
Molino Park Elementary
Registration will be March 28-April 8. Parents must bring proof of residency, a utility bill, a photo identification of the parent or guardian, proof of guardianship if not the parent, child’s immunization record and a physical dated within one year prior to August 22, 2011. The child’s birth date must be between September 2, 2006, and September 1, 2007. For more information, contact Molino Park Elementary at (850) 587-5265.
Legislature To Address Charter School Expansion
March 28, 2011
With teacher merit pay reforms out of the way, the Florida Legislature has turned toward charter school expansion, considering two bills next week that would make it easier for highly-rated charter schools to expand enrollment, add grade levels and grant preferential admittance.
And just like the swiftly-approved teacher merit pay reforms, the push to expand charter schools has the strong backing of Gov. Rick Scott.
“The next thing we’ve got to do (is get) our charter schools expanded,” Scott said Friday at a ceremonial signing of the teacher merit pay bill. “It gives our public schools the opportunity to be run by third parties and be way more innovative.”
The push for charter school expansion is part of a decades-long broader effort by Florida Republicans to offer more school choices beyond traditional public schools. Charter schools are public schools, but they can be run by a third-party, such as a university or non-profit, and are exempt from regulations that apply to traditional public schools.
Charter schools operate with approval and general oversight from the county school districts and are funded through taxpayer dollars.
They are different from private schools, which are totally autonomous and supported primarily by tuition.
“Charter schools give parents a choice,” said Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who is a supporter of a House bill to expand charter schools. “When you have options, that brings everybody to a higher level.”
The bills in committee next week offer two different takes on charter school expansion.
One bill (SB 1546) sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, emphasizes the ability of universities and community colleges to add new grades or open new charter schools.
It also removes a requirement that charter schools provide transportation.
This is a big change from current law, which limits the number of charter schools eligible for state funding to one per university, with a few exceptions. It also allows community colleges to go from just being allowed to develop secondary charter schools that serve middle and high school students to all grades, K-12.
Thrasher’s bill shares with a House proposed committee bill (KINS 11-03) an effort to label charter schools that have received two “A” grades in three years as “high-performing.” That would open the door to benefits such as the ability to more easily tack on new grades, or increase enrollment by 25 percent. High-performing schools are also assured 15-year contracts. Both bills also strengthen a charter school’s ability to appeal a district’s decision to revoke a charter.
Both measures expand the ability of certain charter schools to grant preferential admittance based on where the parent is employed or where the student lives.
Rather than just granting the preferential status to children of charter school employees, for instance, the bill now allows the children of the charter school’s business partners admittance over others. The House bill also would allow preferential admission based on whether the child attends a pre-kindergarten program at that school.
Charter schools are growing in popularity in Florida. There are currently 458 charter schools in the state serving 154,758 students. That’s up from 411 that were in operation the year before.
Thrasher hinted on Thursday that changes to his bill are likely.
He said he would support an effort to “narrow” his wide-ranging bill. “I’m of the opinion it was too broad,” Thrasher said. “We will try to move forward and see what our friends in the House do, too.”
Stargel said she wasn’t a big supporter of the concept in Thrasher’s bill of letting universities and community colleges open more charter schools.
“They should stick to their mission of higher education,” Stargel said.
The push to expand charter schools is on the legislative agenda of former Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Florida’s Future, which also was a big supporter of teacher merit pay reforms.
Executive Director Patricia Levesque was on hand when the teacher merit pay bill was signed. The Foundation for Florida’s Future has seen much success this session, with another bill the organization supports that expands public school vouchers moving through committees in both chambers at a fast clip.
Pictured. Byrneville Elementary is the only charter school in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Alger Road Culvert To Get Upgrade
March 28, 2011
A problem culvert on Alger Road will cost the Town of Century $80,843 to repair.
According to Dale Long, the town’s engineer, sand is washing away over time, requiring a repair. To completely remove and replace the culvert would cost an estimated $130,000, but the $80,843 repair will include a fiberglass lining for the existing pipes under the roadway.
The contract will be awarded to Pensacola Concrete Construction company. The town received one other proposal on the project for $155,325.
The fiberglass liner will be a permanent repair, according to mayor Freddie McCall. “This is not a Band Aid,” he said.
The drainage culvert is located on Alger Road about 350 feet west of North Century Boulevard.
Escambia Hostage Hoax Prompts SWAT Response; Two Arrested
March 27, 2011
A bogus report prompted a SWAT standoff Sunday in Escambia County. Deputies believed that a Pensacola woman who wished to turn herself in on a warrant was being held against her will by her boyfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department received a call around 7:15 a.m. from a woman who identified herself as 32-year-old Lateefah Moore. The caller told Sheriff’s dispatchers that she had a warrant for her arrest and wanted to turn herself in. When dispatchers confirmed the warrant was valid they dispatched deputies to the address she provided, 1500 East Johnson St.
When deputies arrived at the address they attempted to serve the warrant but could not get anyone to answer the door. One of the responding deputies called the telephone number recorded by dispatch and a female answered. The deputy, thinking he was talking to the warrant suspect, asked her to come to the door. The female then began to cry and told the deputy that her boyfriend was holding her against her will.
“At the time of this phone call, we believed that we had a man holding his girlfriend and two children hostage,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn. “The patrol supervisor made the decision to call out our hostage negotiations and SWAT teams.”
The Sheriff’s special weapons and tactics team took up positions around the residence while hostage negotiators tried to contact the female or her boyfriend.
“Our hostage negotiators were finally able to make contact with Moore, but she denied being held against her will and was a bit frightened by all the activity,” said Welborn. “Our negotiators talked her into coming out and we were able to get to the bottom of this.”
Upon further investigation, it was determined that Moore’s boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, identified as 27-year-old Kaneatha Sheri Harris of Pensacola, had made the phone call to the Sheriff’s office and identified herself as Moore.
Patrol deputies tracked down Harris at her residence in the Sunrise apartment complex at 4350 Fairfield Dr. She was taken into custody and charged with making a false report and two counts of obstructing justice.
Moore was also arrested on a violation of probation warrant.
Photo Gallery: Molino Ballpark Opening Day
March 27, 2011
Saturday was opening day for the teams at the Molino Ballpark. We have nearly 150 photos in our photo gallery, including action from several games.
For the photo gallery, click here.
Several of the photo gallery photos are courtesy of Hart Family Photography. Don’t forget — we’ll be happy to run your youth sports photos here on NorthEscambia.com all during the season Just email them as soon as possible after the game to news@northescambia.com or contact us on our Facebook page with a link to your Facebook gallery.
Pictured top: Molino Sandy Sansing’s Lauren Carnley missed a catch at third as the ball grazes the helmet of Northwest Escambia Alto’s Liberty Peebles. Pictured inset and below: More action from opening day at the Molino Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Area’s Big Earthquake: Could It Happen Again?
March 27, 2011
This year will mark the 14th anniversary of a local earthquake that was one of the largest ever reported in Alabama or Northwest Florida, and experts say there is a chance another earthquake could happen again with little or no warning.
At 3:35 a.m. on October 24, 1997, a significant earthquake awoke a large number of people in Escambia County, Ala., and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. The quake, which measured 4.9 on the Richter scale, was centered near the Little Rock community in Escambia County, Ala., and was felt as far away as Eglin AFB, and Gulfport, Miss. It was the strongest earthquake in the southeast in 30 years. No significant damage was reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies earthquake intensities. Here is how the October 24, 1997, earthquake measured up across the area, using intensity level descriptions from the Federal Emergency Mangement agency:
- (VII) Epicenter / Little Rock, Ala.
- People have difficulty standing. Drivers feel their cars shaking. Some furniture breaks. Loose bricks fall from buildings. Damage is slight to moderate in well-built buildings; considerable in poorly built buildings
- (VI) Brewton, Canoe and Lambeth
- Everyone feels movement. People have trouble walking. Objects fall from shelves. Pictures fall off walls. Furniture moves. Plaster in walls might crack. Trees and bushes shake. Damage is slight in poorly built buildings. No structural damage.
- (V) Atmore, Flomaton, Frisco City and Century
- Almost everyone feels movement. Sleeping people are awakened. Doors swing open or close. Dishes are broken. Pictures on the wall move. Small objects move or are turned over. Trees might shake. Liquids might spill out of open containers
- (IV) McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill
- Most people indoors feel movement. Hanging objects swing. Dishes, windows, and doors rattle. The earthquake feels like a heavy truck hitting the walls. A few people outdoors may feel movement. Parked cars rock.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Escambia area sits on the Bahamas Seismic Zone (the BSZ). Several earthquakes have occurred along this zone in recent years, but most are too weak to be felt by residents. While not a likelihood, the USGS says another significant earthquake could happen in the area at any time.
Two professors in the Department of Geology at Auburn University, Joan Gomberg and Lorraine Wolf, published a journal article a few years after the earthquake that theorized that the event was actually caused by the oil and gas industry and extraction wells located from Escambia County, Ala, to Jay.
Pictured top: The U.S. Geological Survey installed a seismic monitoring station just north of Brewton following the 1997 earthquake. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Charged With Illegal Copper Purchases
March 27, 2011
Two Escambia County, Alabama, men are free on bond after allegedly making illegal copper purchases at an Atmore area business.
Johnny Shell, the owner of Shell Salvage, and an employee, Willie James Hudson, Sr., were both arrested last week after undercover deputies sold copper to the scrapyard.
Shell was charged with a felony count of receiving stolen property for allegedly purchased over $500 worth of materials illegally. Hudson was charged with not following state mandated rules that require proper identification from everyone selling copper. Undercover Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department deputies allegedly sold 21 pounds of copper at the business for $47.25 without Hudson asking for ID.
Sheriff’s Investigator Bruce Shue said the business had been warned several times to follow the letter of the law when purchasing copper and other materials.