Escambia County High Out Of State Tourney By Two
February 26, 2011
The Escambia County High School Blue Devils’ state title dreams came to an end Friday afternoon with a loss to Andalusia.
The Andalusia Bulldogs defeated Escambia County High School of Atmore, 59-57, in the South Region semifinals at the USA Mitchell Center in Mobile.
The Bulldogs managed to stop a Blue Devil rally in the final period. The Blue Devils were down by just one — 56-55 — with 18 seconds to go in the game. But a foul sets up Andalusia to make two free throws and expand their lead to 58-55. Atmore closed the gap to 58-57 with just 2.3 seconds left on the clock. The Andy Bulldogs hit one of two from the line for the 59-57 final.
ECHS was led by Cedric Pierce with 16 points, while Dalvin Craft added 11.
The Blue Devils finished their season at 23-8.
Couple Robbed By Masked Men At Escambia Motel
February 25, 2011
Deputies are investigating an early Friday morning robbery at an Escambia County motel.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., deputies responded to the Home Stay Lodge on North Davis Highway after it was reported that a man and woman had just been victims of an armed robbery.
The male victim, 48-year-old Jaime Gonzalez, was transported to West Florida Hospital in with non-life threatening injuries.
Gonzalez told deputies he and his girlfriend, 45-year-old Diahn Peterson, were confronted by two men outside their residence at the Home Stay Lodge.
Gonzalez stated that the two men were dressed in all black and wearing ski masks, but he was able to see skin and identified one of the suspects as a white male and the other as a black male. He also advised deputies that they were armed with a shotgun and stun gun.
According to Gonzalez, the two suspects demanded money and forced them back into the room in which they were living to retrieve it. Once inside the room the suspects took an unspecified amount of cash before striking Gonzalez over the head with the stun gun, and stunned Peterson approximately 12 times. The two suspects then fled the area.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, they are encouraged to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
One More Chance For $2.4 Billion Bullet Train
February 25, 2011
Despite Gov. Rick Scott’s assertion that high speed rail will not leave the station in Florida, U.S. Department of Transportation Ray LaHood on Friday said the trains may still run.
In a statement, LaHood said after talking with Scott earlier in the day that he is giving Florida officials another week to determine if they can drum up local support to continue with a high speed rail project for which the federal government is offering to pay $2.4 billion.
“This morning I met with Gov. Rick Scott to discuss the high speed rail project that will create jobs and economic development for the entire state of Florida. He asked me for additional information about the state’s role in this project, the responsibilities of the Florida Department of Transportation, as well as how the state would be protected from liability,” LaHood said in the statement.
“I have decided to give Gov. Scott additional time to review the agreement crafted by local officials from Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami, and to consult with his staff at the state Department of Transportation. He has committed to making a final decision by the end of next week. I feel we owe it to the people of Florida, who have been working to bring high speed rail to their state for the last 20 years, to go the extra mile.”
In an interview with Bloomberg Television late this week, LaHood rejected Scott’s assertion that the state’s taxpayers will be on the hook if the train comes up short on riders. “I don’t know of another person in Florida that agrees with that, I don’t know of another economist, another person that’s looked at the plans in Florida,” LaHood said. “A lot of smart people have put these plans together. There would have been no financial liability or responsibility to the taxpayers of Florida – others were going to assume responsibility for the direction of high speed rail. I don’t know of anybody else, except for the governor, who thinks this would be a bad deal.”
Escambia Deputy Arrested On Child Abuse Charges
February 25, 2011
A 40-year-old Escambia County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for alleged child abuse in an incident involving her son.
Mildred Blanche Goodwin, a patrol deputy, was arrested Thursday afternoon and taken to the Escambia County Jail, where was booked on a charge of cruelty towards child-infliction of physical or mental injury. She was released from jail on $2,000 bond.
According to the arrest report, Goodwin and her 14-year old son were involved in an altercation whereas she was attempting to discipline her son.
Goodwin allegedly tried to strike her son in the leg with her department issued expandable baton. Her son, in an attempt to block the strike, received injuries to his right forearm and wrist.
“Our investigation revealed that Goodwin’s chosen discipline method was outside normal standards and met the statutory requirements for child abuse,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn.
Goodwin’s son did not require medical treatment for his injuries and refused to be transported to a medical facility.
Goodwin, hired as a deputy in November 2009, was placed on administrative leave, relieved of all law enforcement authority and had her department issued weapon, equipment and credentials confiscated.
Former Century Council Member Passes Away
February 25, 2011
Former Century Town Council member Sharon Scott was found dead in her home last night.
Scott’s husband returned to their home about 9:45 Thursday night in the 200 block of West Highway to find his wife deceased. Scott’s death was natural and no foul play was suspected, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Scott did not seek re-election to her District 5 seat on the Century Town Council last year.
“I love Century and everything about Century,” she said when she announced she would not seek re-election, “but it was just not for me to run again.”
“I want to thank everybody for the encouraging words,” Scott said at her final council meeting in December, as she shared a story about her son who is in the military that is quick to tell everyone that he meets that he is from Century, Florida. “It’s Century pride,” she said. “We are not from Pensacola; we are from Century, Florida.”
“I go to sleep at night, so I must have done something right…even Jesus Christ could not please everybody,” she added.
Funeral arrangements for Sharon Scott have not yet been announced.
Another North Escambia Resident Busted On Meth Charges
February 25, 2011
Another North Escambia resident has been arrested on an outstanding meth-related warrant, joining well over a dozen arrested earlier this week due a local, state and federal law enforcement operation.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, 31, of Molino Road, is facing charges of possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, methamphetamine trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies located an active methamphetamine lab inside a residence at 1115 Muscogee Road during the early morning hours of February 7, 2011. They discovered Matthew Michael Ramsey, 38, of Molino; Robert Edward Raines, 48, of Cantonment; and Flowers inside the residence with the meth lab. Flowers was transported to a Pensacola hospital for an untreated burn on his hand and warrants were issued for his arrest.
Raines and Ramsey were charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, trafficking in methamphetamine , possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a control substance. Raines was also charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
Raines and Ramsey were released from jail on bond, but Ramsey was arrested Tuesday as local, state and federal officers rounded up drug suspects in the county. Ramsey is now facing federal charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine for use in manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiring to manufacture the methamphetamine.
For more on Tuesday’s drug arrests of numerous North Escambia residents on state charges, click here. For more information on the federal arrests, click here.
Century Care Center Receives High Marks
February 25, 2011
There was cause for a big celebration at Century Care Center Thursday as staff learned the facility received high marks in a major survey.
American Health Care Association (AHCA) completed it’s annual state and federal liscensure and recertification survey on Thursday. For the second time in five years, Century Care Center received a deficiency-free survey.
“You should have heard the screams when we got the report,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care Center activities director.
Waterfront Rescue Opening Bargain Center In Cantonment
February 25, 2011
The Waterfront Rescue Mission will open its sixth bargain center March 5 in Cantonment.
The store is located at 732 North Highway 29 in the shopping center with Grocery Advantage. It will offer a variety of items, including clothing, furniture, household appliances, electronics, lawn furniture, tools, collectibles, new mattresses and more.
The bargain centers provide funds for Waterfront Rescue shelters and drug and alcohol recovery programs.
The grand opening celebration is planned for 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. There will be hot dogs, drinks and other goodies from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., or while supplies last.
Pictured: The interior and exterior of the new Waterfront Rescue Center Bargain Center that will open in Cantonment on March 5. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Retailers Push For 2011 Back-To-School Tax Holiday
February 25, 2011
Pushing for a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August 2011, Florida retailers Thursday hailed a new study showing that last year’s three-day relief period actually put $7 million extra into state coffers.
The Washington Economics Group reported that during the Aug. 13-15 holiday during which sales taxes weren’t collected on certain school-related items, people bought a whole lot of other things not covered by the tax holiday.
During the period, the study found that sales of other taxable items were $115 million higher than taxable sales during the same weekend the previous year, which had no holiday. The extra taxes collected on those sales, after factoring in lost revenue for the tax holiday, still left the state with $7 million more than it otherwise expected to have.
In 2008 and 2009, the back-to-school tax break was suspended, with lawmakers citing lost tax revenue as the reason, despite claims at the time by retailers that such tax holidays would actually boost revenue.
Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said the WEG report “puts hard data on a fact that retailers have known for some time.” WEG found that sales projections for August 2010 were surpassed by $289 million.
“It’s not only great for Florida’s families,” said McAllister, “but for Florida’s bottom line.”
Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City, are sponsoring bills to hold the holiday again this August. Although McAllister noted that state revenues would be greater if the holiday were ten days instead of three, Bogdanoff said that wasn’t likely to happen.
Senator: Five Percent State Pension Too High
February 25, 2011
Rank and file government workers, police, firefighters and other emergency responders would be required to contribute 2 percent toward their pensions under a Senate proposal aired Thursday.
Focusing on the Senate’s pension reform plan (SB 1130), the chamber’s Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee took nearly two hours of public testimony as it discussed amendments that will be considered when the committee meets again after the legislative session begins next month. Lawmakers are looking to have government workers contribute to their pensions – which they currently don’t do – in part because they say it’s fair, and in part because they say the current system is too expensive to sustain over the long haul.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, introduced a series of amendments that would blunt the impact of an earlier proposed plan, which would have had workers put in 5 percent of their paychecks. Latvala on Thursday proposed a 2 percent maximum contribution for rank and file employees covered by the Florida Retirement System, which now has more than 650,000 state, county , school district and local employees.
“I feel strongly that there are many people who work for government for the pension they are going to get,” Latvala said. “It’s important to keep that path open for them.”
Unlike rank and file workers, senior managers and elected officials would have to contribute 4 percent of their salaries toward their pensions under amendments Latvala distributed Thursday and will likely formally introduce at the committee’s next hearing.
Other proposed amendments would allow new employees first hired at salaries of $75,000 or below to choose a traditional pension plan that guarantees retirement benefits or opt for a 401 (k) plan similar to those increasingly offered by private businesses. Senior managers and employees hired at more than $75,000 would be required to go into a 401 (k).
Gov. Rick Scott has proposed doing away with the traditional retirement plan in favor of a having employees contribute 5 percent to what amounts to an individual retirement account. Scott wants all new hires to be placed in the 401 (k)-style plans.
While he would prefer no employee buy-in, Latvala said the writing is on the wall and the Senate needs to offer a plan that is less expensive for employees, many of whom have not seen raises in the past several years.
“What we’re trying to do is craft something meaningful out of this committee that may have a little longer shelf life,” he said.
Committee members heard from a procession of union representatives, teachers, firefighters, and university officials echoing the sentiment that public employees in their respective fields trade higher salaries in the private sector for the retirement benefits available from the state.
They also argued that Florida’s system has operated in a surplus for much of the past 15 years. Like most investments, the fund took a hit in the most recent recession but is climbing its way back toward fully funded status.
Andrew McMullian, former director of the state’s retirement system, said lawmakers must tread lightly and not scrap something that has become the envy of others.
“You cannot improve on the system, but you can destroy the system,” McMullian said. “…You are putting employees at risk with the ebb and flow of the stock market.”