Grand Theft Charges Dropped In Molino Couple Cancer Scam Case
June 7, 2011
Felony grand theft charges have been dropped by the state against the Molino couple accused of faking her cancer diagnosis in order to scam people out of thousands of dollars.
Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, are both still facing felony fraud charges in the alleged scheme.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used in 2009 to avoid foreclosure on their home in the 4700 block of Pine Circle Drive and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.
Trial for both Lukers is set to begin August 1. They have each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Churches Schedule VBS, Other Childrens’ Events
June 7, 2011
Vacation Bible Schools and other events are scheduled at churches across the North Escambia area this summer.
To add a VBS for church event for children to the list, email news@northescambia.com.
Flomaton First Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Flomaton First Baptist Church, June 6-10, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages 5 through 6th grade. (251) 296-2453 for more information.
Atmore First Assembly of God
“Samson-God’s Strong Man” Vacation Bible School at Atmore First Assembly of God, 1120 South Main Street, June 6-10, 8-11:30 a.m. For ages 5 though 6th grade. More info: (251) 368-4637 or www.atmorefirstassembly.org for a registration form.
Brooks Memorial Atmore
Vacation Bible School at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore, 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., June 6-10. More info: Megan Gorum (251) 368-8580.
First Baptist Church of Bratt
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, June 13-17 from 8:30-11:30 daily. Ages 3-years to 5th grade are all invited to attend the “Big Apple Adventure”.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia, June 13-17 from 6-8:30 p.m. Kick-off and registration on Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m. Ages 5 through the 6th grade. (850) 256-3422.
VBS — Walnut Hill Mennonite
Walnut Hill Mennonite Church will hold Vacation Bible School “Let Your Lighthouse Shine” June 13-22 from 6-8:30 p.m. Ages 5 to ninth grade. Everyone welcome.
VBS — Canoe Baptist Church
Vacation Bible School “The Big Apple” at Canoe Baptist Church, Sunday June 12 through Thursday, June 16 closing with Family Night. Ages 3 years through sixth grade, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fun Day will begin VBS on Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
VBS — Cora Baptist Church
VBS at Cora Baptist Church, Highway 197, Jay, June 13-17 from 5-8:30 p.m. Ages 3 through teens. All are invited.
VBS- — Flomaton Pentecostal
Vacation Bible School at Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church, June 13-17, 5:15 until 8:15 p.m. Grades 1-6. For more info: Martha Samson (251) 296-2214.
Camp Kidventure
Camp Kidventure Sports and Recreation Camp June 20-24 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. 9 :30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. daily. Cost $50, includes daily field trips, lunch and camp T-shirt. Registration deadline and tuition due by June 12.
VBS — Walnut Hill Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Walnut Hill Baptist Church, July 11-15, 6-8:30 p.m. Bring a swimsuit for VBS Kickoff on Saturday, July 9 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the church.
Hero Headquarters Camp — Victory Assembly
Hero Headquarters Adventure Camp 2011 will be held Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m. until noon for grade kindergarten to fifth. Family night on Sunday, June 19. More info (850) 587-2295 or register online at victorycan.org.
First Baptist Atmore
Vacation Bible School “Pandamania”, June 13-17 from 5:30 until 7:30 each evening. Ages 3 (by 9/1) through 6th grade. Click here to register.
Jay First Baptist VBS
Vacation Bible School at Jay First Baptist Chuch, June 13-17 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. daily. More info: (850) 675-4587.
Heritage Baptist Church
Vacation Bible School at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment. PandaMania, 6-8:45 p.m. daily June 13-17. For ages completed kindergarten to complete fifth grade. Register online at www.excitingheritage.com or call (850 478-3316.
Gonzalez UMC
Vacation Bible School at Gonzalez United Methodist Church, 2026 Pauline Street, Cantonment. “Shake It Up Cafe”, 6-8:45 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 27-July 1. Details: (850) 968-6006.
Abundant Life Century Kids Day
Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century will hold a “Kids Day” instead of VBS this year on July 9. Mark your calendar now; more details will be available soon.
Highland Baptist VBS
Vacation Bible School “Big Apple Adventure — Where Faith and Life Connect” 5:30 = 8 :30 p.m., July 11-15 at Highland Baptist in Molino. Family Night “Pizza In The Park” on Sunday, July 17.
Christian Home VBS
Vacation Bible School at Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church, 3131 North Pine Barren Road in McDavid. July 11-15 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ages 2 – 6th grade. For more info, call the church at (850) 327-4730 or Karmen at (850) 327-6362.
Faith Bible Baptist VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bluff Springs wil hold VBS “Rev It Up – Full Throttle for God” June 11-15 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. (850) 256-5483.
St. Monica’s VBS – Cantonment
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment will go “Hog Wild” for Son Harvest Country Fair Vacation Bible School July 11-15, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. A morning snack and lunch will be provided. Registration forms at the church office or www.st-monicas.org. For more info, call Ray at (850) 477-0242 or 208-1032 or Susan at (850) 968-5612 or 324-8362.
VBS — First Baptist Cantonment
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, June 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. (850) 968-9135.
Camp Quarternote
Highland Baptist Church in Molino, Camp Quarternote Music and Drama Camp for students who have complete kindergarten through fifth grade. August 1-5, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Musical production of “Jailhouse Rock” on Sunday, August 7 at 6 p.m. Cost is $15, includes lunch daily. Registration and tuition deadline is July 24.
VBS — Aldersgate UMC Molino
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Hwy 29, Molino will host “Shake It Up Café Vacation Bible School, July 25-29th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dinner will be served each evening. No cost. For more information or to sign up online, go to www.aumcmolino.org or call church office at (850) 587-5294 or Sandra Greenwell at (850) 587-2489.
VBS — First Baptist Cottage Hill
First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill Vacation Bible School “PandaMania Where God Is Wild About You”, July 25-29, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Pre-K – 5th grade, middle school, high school.
VBS — Family Worship Center, 9 Mile
Vacation Bible School at Family Worship Center, 1251 West 9 Mile Road, July 25-29 from 9 a.m. until noon. Family night, Friday, July 29 at 7 p.m. (850) 432-6911.
Newly Released FCAT Results Mixed For Area Schools
June 7, 2011
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores were released Monday morning with mixed results for schools in the North Escambia area.
The FCAT scores released Monday included reading in grades 4-10, math in grades 4-8 and 10, and science in grades 5, 8, and 11. Results are below for North Escambia are schools for both 2011 and 2010.
Jay High School Class of 2011 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 7, 2011
The Jay High School Class of 2011 graduated Monday night at the school.
Nicklaus Adam McMellon was the valedictorian for the Class of 2011, while Emerlee Michelle Trevino was salutatorian.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Photos submitted by Pat Birdsall for NorthEscambia.com.)
Graduating students are listed below. Numbers following each name indicate honors; a key to the numbers is at the bottom of the list.
- Travis Neal Allen — 2
- Alicia Kay Ashworth — 2, 3, 4, 7, 8
- Kayley Rene’ Baggett
- Haley Anna Marie Baker — 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
- Silas Buck Ballard
- Miranda Paige Berry
- Ronald Lukas Berry
- Brandon Lee Black
- Robin Nicole Blackman — 1, 3, 4, 5, 8
- Trenton Lynn Blair
- Mary Kathleen Borders
- Steven Hunter Brown
- Randall Eugene Burks
- Jenna Ann Marie Campbell
- Sarah Lucile Campbell — 2
- Clifton Randel Dannelly
- Deanna Marie Davis
- Bethany Dawn Diamond — 2, 4
- Brenan Wesley Dykes
- Kirstiana Nicole Edwards
- Megan Brittany Flinn — 2, 3, 4
- Zachary Tyler Gavin — 1, 3, 4, 8
- Derek Michael Gilmore — 2
- Andrew Dean Goble — 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Toni Erin Griggers
- Jeffrey Bernard Harrison
- Austin Wayne Hawthorne
- Bethanie Marie Herring
- Micah Raeshel Herring — 6, 8
- Colt Mitchell Hitt
- Cory Thomas Jones
- Julie Marie Knight — 2
- Mathew Douglas Layman-Kinder
- Delana Christine Magaha
- Cody Lee Maxwell
- Sarah Jean McLean — 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
- Nicklaus Adam McMellon — Val.,1, 3, 4, 6, 8
- Tyler Amon McMellon — 2, 3, 4
- Haley Denise Odom — 2, 3, 4, 5
- Brandon Jared Parker
- Courtney Paige Penton — 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
- Justin Ryan Poley — 2, 3, 4, 8
- Robert Jack Rivenbark
- Payden Thomas Roberts — 1, 3, 4, 8
- Samantha Brooke Roney
- Hannah Marie Rutherford — 2, 3, 4, 8
- Julia Danielle Skaggs — 1, 3, 4, 5, 8
- Gage Scott Southard — 2, 8
- Kevin Wesley Stanton — 2, 3, 4
- Ashley Margree Stokes
- Keely Shaye Strawbridge
- Jennifer Lee Sutler — 2, 3, 4, 8
- Trenton Earl Sweeney — 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
- Krista Marie Tegenkamp
- Emerlee Michelle Trevino — Sal., 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
- Brandon William Urnick
- Whitney Lauren Walther — 2, 3, 4, 8
- Jami Danielle Wessel — 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
- James Paul Whitehead
- Benny Dwayne Wolfe
- Trevor Ryne Wolfe
- Eric Lee Wyche
- Eric William Young
HONORS KEY:
V = Valedictorian
S = Salutatorian
1 = High Honors (Gold Tassels) Top 10
2 = Honors (Silver Tassels) G.P.A. of “A”
3 = National Honor Society (White Collar Stole)
4 = National Beta Club (Gold Stole/Officer Medal)
5 = National Art Honor Society (Rainbow Cord)
6 = Tri-M Music Honor Society (Pink Cord)
7 = National FFA Organization (National Blue and Corn Gold Cords)
8 = Rho Kappa (White Cord/Medal)
NorthEscambia.com photos by Pat Birdsall, click to enlarge.
Federal Health Care Law Argued In Court This Week
June 7, 2011
When U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in Pensacola declared last year’s federal health overhaul unconstitutional, the ruling vindicated Florida Republicans and other critics of the law.
But Wednesday, three appellate judges in Atlanta — including two appointees of former Democratic President Bill Clinton — will get their shot at the case.
Despite the political cacophony surrounding the law, the case largely boils down to this question: Does the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution allow the federal government to require that most people have health insurance starting in 2014?
Florida and other states spearheading the lawsuit also make another key argument: The federal government is improperly trying to “coerce” them with the law’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility.
Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide those issues. But with 26 states involved in the case, Wednesday’s arguments at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will be closely watched.
The Obama administration will argue the law complies with the Commerce Clause, at least in part, because health care is part of a broad system of interstate commerce. That interstate commerce is affected by uninsured people who need health care but can’t afford to pay for it.
“Millions of people without health insurance have consumed health-care services for which they do not pay,” administration lawyers said in a brief filed in the appeals court. “They have thereby shifted the uncompensated costs of their care … to health-care providers regularly engaged in interstate commerce.”
But the states and other opponents argue that using the Commerce Clause to require Americans to buy insurance is unprecedented. Allowing it, they contend, would justify Congress making decisions about consumer spending on such products as food and housing.
“In the over 200 years that Congress has sat, it has never before attempted to exercise its Commerce Clause power in this manner,” the attorneys for the opponents wrote in a brief.
Vinson, a senior judge who was appointed to the federal bench by former Republican President Ronald Reagan, ruled in January against the Obama administration on the Commerce Clause issue. Vinson also went further, throwing out the entire federal law because he said the insurance requirement was a vitally interconnected part.
The requirement has always been the most-controversial part of the mammoth health law, which Obama and a Democratic-controlled Congress approved in March 2010. People who remain uninsured in 2014 will face financial penalties.
Bill McCollum, then Florida’s Republican attorney general, immediately filed the lawsuit last year in Pensacola and made the insurance requirement a centerpiece. Officials in 25 other states also joined the case, as did the National Federation of Independent Business and two individual plaintiffs.
As an indication of how politically charged the insurance requirement has become, the two sides in the lawsuit even describe it differently in the briefs. Obama administration lawyers describe it as the “minimum coverage provision,” while opponents call it an “individual mandate.”
While Vinson agreed with Florida and the other states on the insurance requirement, he rejected their argument that the law would improperly expand Medicaid eligibility.
The expansion, which would raise income-eligibility levels to allow more people to qualify for Medicaid, would help meet the law’s goal of almost all Americans having health coverage. During the first few years, the federal government would cover all of the costs of the newly eligible people, though states would have to pay 10 percent of the costs by 2020.
States that refuse to expand eligibility would lose billions of dollars in federal Medicaid funding. The law’s opponents contend that is unconstitutional, saying Congress may not “employ its spending power to coerce states into capitulating to federal demands.”
But Obama administration lawyers argue that state participation in Medicaid is voluntary and that Congress has the right to change the conditions of federal funding for the program.
Always shadowing the lawsuit has been the fierce partisan political fights about the health law. Those fights have played out in Washington and state capitals, such as Tallahassee, and also will be prominent during the 2012 presidential campaign.
That has also created scrutiny of the political backgrounds of the judges hearing the case. The judges Wednesday will include Clinton appointees Frank Hull and Stanley Marcus and Chief Judge Joel Dubina, who was appointed by former Republican President George H.W. Bush.
Dubina has received scrutiny in recent weeks because his daughter, U.S. Rep. Martha Dubina Roby, R-Ala., is an outspoken critic of the federal health law.
Gulf Power Offers Cash For Old Refrigerators Or Freezers
June 7, 2011
Gulf Power customers can claim a $35 reward and arrange for free pick up of an older refrigerator or freezer. The new recycling program is part of the utility’s new EarthCents energy-efficiency programs, which are designed to save customers money and energy.
After they are picked up, the older units are sent to a de-manufacturing plant where they are dismantled, returning approximately 95 percent of the materials to the manufacturing stream.
“Refrigerators and freezers made before 1990 use three times more electricity than newer models,” said Jeff Rogers, spokesperson for Gulf Power. “Getting rid of an inefficient refrigerator or freezer will put about $150 a year in savings in your pocket. This is a great way for our customers to save on their electricity bills while helping to protect the environment.”
Since 2001, federal standards require new refrigerators and freezers to consume less energy. Current models use about 450 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, compared to older units that use an average of 1,500 kWh per year.
To schedule the pickup of a refrigerator or freezer for recycling, Gulf Power’s electricity customers can call 1-855-559-2523 or visit www.gulfpower.com/earthcents. Customers will receive a check for $35 within four to six weeks after the collection of the appliance.
Both refrigerators and freezers are eligible for the recycling program. The program is limited to removal of two units per household. Appliances must be in working order with an inside measurement between 10 and 30 cubic feet.
Division Of Forestry; Children, Drought And Thunderstorms Increase Fire Danger
June 7, 2011
Officials with the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater District currently are facing a combination of factors that could lead to potentially catastrophic wildfires through the summer months.
Children – the cause of 8.5% of the district’s wildfires in 2010 – are out of school for the summer and we are in the midst of an extreme drought; combined, these two factors can create havoc for wildland firefighters. Add in the typical summer thunderstorms and the accompanying lightening and there is significant cause for concern. Crews from responded to seven fires as a result of Sunday’s thunderstorms.
“Typically, we expect afternoon thunderstorms to relieve some of the late spring drought conditions,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “Without any significant rain in the past few months and no real chance in the foreseeable future, we are very concerned with the potential fire activity. In addition, fires caused by children are on the rise and we ask parents to be vigilant to help prevent this type of activity from occurring.”
Almost halfway through the calendar year, Blackwater crews have battled 163 fires that consumed more than 1,900 acres. By the same time last year, there had been only 98 fires totaling more than 1,000 acres.
The Florida Division of Forestry is reminding everyone that because of continued dryness, gusty winds, and daily temperatures in the nineties, we are seeing increased fire danger levels in all of northwest Florida, including Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Everyone living in and visiting the area is urged to be extremely aware of the potential for wildfire.
The Division of Forestry does not recommend burning at this time, however burn bans are not in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Pictured: On South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A near Enon, downed power lines sparked a brush fire over several acres last Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Amber Alert Canceled, 3 Month Old Found Safe
June 7, 2011
An Alabama infant that was the subject of an Amber Alert yesterday has been found safe and sound, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. No further details were provided when the Amber Alert was canceled Tuesday morning.
Three month old Daniel Jackson Lowe was taken during a car jacking in Ariton, Alabama (southeast of Troy) on Sunday evening, June 5. Daniel and his two siblings Brian Dale Dacus III, and Charles Clinton Dacus were taken by unknown suspects in an alleged assault and carjacking.
Dale and Charles Dacus were discovered Monday in Black, Alabama — that’s on the Alabama/Florida line north of Bonifay. A woman told Walton County deputies that she found the children in the roadway near her home and drove them to a Walton County hospital.
Doctors File Suit Over Gun Ownership Question Bill
June 7, 2011
Pushing back against the National Rifle Association, a group of physicians on Monday filed suit in a Miami federal court to nullify a controversial measure prohibiting health practitioners from routinely asking their patients if they own guns and have them properly stored.
In a battle pitting the First Amendment against the Second Amendment, attorneys representing pediatricians and family doctors are asking U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke to throw out the recently approved measure (HB 155) they say steps illegally between a patient and their physician by limiting the types of questions practitioners can ask.
The complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida, contends that prohibiting what physicians and their patients can talk about is unconstitutional.
“By severely restricting such speech and the ability of physicians to practice such preventative medicine, the Florida statute could result in grievous harm to children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly,” the complaint reads. “The First Amendment does not permit such a gross and content-based intrusion on speech and, accordingly, the court should declare the ‘Physician Gag Law’ unconstitutional and enjoin its enforcement.”
The bill easily passed both chambers along largely party line votes – 88-30 in the House and 27-10 in the Senate.
The legislation appears to have originated after an Ocala couple complained that their doctor had told them to find another physician after they refused to disclose whether they owned guns and how they were stored.
Physicians say questions about gun ownership is often part of routine screenings done in many doctor’s offices, included in a battery of questions including such safety questions as whether poisons are kept in the home or if medicines are safely stored.
Backers say ownership is a constitutionally protected right, making it different from other possible potential hazards doctors might ask about.
Florida NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer could not be reached for comment Monday.
“We pay doctors to be doctors and give us medical care,” Hammer said in an interview with the Capital News Service last week. “Instead, they are trying to be social workers and bring their gun-ban politics into the examining room.”
Lawmakers this year also passed a measure (HB 45) that prohibits cities and counties from passing gun ordinances that are tougher than state law. That bill passed along similar party-line votes in the House and Senate on votes of 85-33 and 30-8 respectively with a few Democrats crossing the aisle.
Originally opposed to the bill dealing with doctors’ questions, the Florida Medical Association withdrew its opposition after changes were made allowing physicians, nurses and other practitioners to ask questions about gun ownership if they feel the patient or a family member might be in danger.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Attempted Murder, Robbery
June 7, 2011
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 25 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory of 20 years on attempted murder and robbery charges.
Sedecki Pierre Toler, 24, received the sentence from Judge Jan Shackelford after being convicted of attempted second degree murder with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and carjacking with a firearm.
On June 26, 2010, Toler approached Michael Jerome Brown in his driveway, took him inside his house at gunpoint, and shot him in the head, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. The bullet just grazed the back of Brown’s head. Toler then took Brown’s money and keys and fled the premises. DNA linked Toler to Brown’s vehicle and the scene of the crime.