Molino Man Fined, License Suspended For Bicyclist’s Death
February 18, 2011
A Molino man’s driver’s license has been suspended and he has been fined in connection with the death of cross country bicyclist last year.
Eddie Hogg, 41, pleaded no contest and was subsequently found guilty on a careless driving charge. He had his driver’s license suspended for six months and was fined $1,160 by Judge Thomas Welch on the civil citation.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Roger W. Grooters, 66, of Gulf Breeze was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of State Road 20 in Bay County about 8:55 a.m. October 6, 2010. Hogg, 41, of Molino, traveled onto the shoulder of the roadway in his 2006 Chevrolet pickup where he hit the bicyclist, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Grooters was ejected from the bicycle and came to rest on the shoulder of the road where he was pronounced dead by Washington County EMS. He was on the final leg of a bicycle journey from Oceanside, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, to raise awareness of the plight of oil spill victims.
Three Students Facing Felony Charges After Fight, Deputy Punched
February 18, 2011
Three Northview High School students are facing felony charges following a fight in which a deputy was allegedly punched Thursday morning in a school hallway.
Isaac Sheldon Moorer, 16, of Juniper Street, Walnut Hill was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer. Marquis Taurus Davis, 14, and Christopher Benard Staten, 17, of Allen Circle, Molino, were each charged with felony affray/riot and misdemeanor resisting without violence.
According to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports, the school’s resource officer was in the main hallway when he noticed Staten and Davis fighting near the cafeteria. Deputy James Moretz and the school’s dean attempted to break up the fight when Moorer approached and started punching Staten. Moorer also punched the deputy in the head, according to the report, knocking off his glasses.
Moretz removed the chemical pepper spray from his belt, ordering Moorer to stop, according to the report. When Moorer lunged in his direction again, the deputy attempted to spray him, but the pepper spray can did not activate.
The deputy and the three juveniles involved in the fight were not injured, other than a minor injury treated at the school to Staten’s hand.
Editor’s note: Under Florida law, the identity of a juvenile charged with a felony is public record.
EMWS Drama Students Awarded At State
February 18, 2011
Three Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Department students performed at the Florida State Junior Thespian Festival in Melbourne last week.
Katelyn Born, Megan Bryan and Morgan Packer each received an “Excellence” rating and a medal at the competition with about 120 schools and almost 2,000 in attendance.
“It is quite an accomplishment to place at state, so we are extremely proud of these girls,” said Katie Ward, Ernest Ward drama instructor.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School drama students (L-R) Megan Bryan, Morgan Parker and Katelyn Born. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Medicaid Plan: Fewer Choices, HMO-like Plans
February 18, 2011
In a proposal that would make sweeping changes to the state’s Medicaid program, lawmakers Thursday released a bill to move millions of low-income Floridians to HMO-style health plans and put limits on how much the state will spend on the health care program.
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, had hinted at parts of a comprehensive overall plan two days ago, but did not release the more than 200-page bill until Thursday morning. The crux of the proposal is a plan to carve the state into 19 regions and push the majority of Medicaid recipients into HMOs or other managed care plans beginning in December 2011.
Negron believes the plan will save the state $4.3 billion over three years, but it will only work if the federal government first gives the state the OK. If federal officials do not, then Negron has proposed that the state run its Medicaid program without Washington’s rules – and without its help – meaning the state would lose billions of dollars to pay the health care costs of the poor.
Negron said he believes the federal government will accept the state’s plan and would give the government from August 2011 to December 2011 to approve Florida’s reforms.
“They would have to make a decision of going from being a partner to being a bully and I don’t think they’re going to do that,” he said.
But the idea alone of retreating from the federal money has rankled some lawmakers, including House Speaker Dean Cannon who told the Florida Tribune that the Senate’s proposal could be a “hazardous threat” that could jeopardize negotiations with the Obama administration.
Democratic leaders too appeared wary of saying farewell to what Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich estimated could be up to $12 billion per year in federal funds.
“Unlike you,” Rich said to Negron during a hearing on the bill, “I feel there would be a crisis in this state if we were not part of the federal Medicaid program.”
The overall proposal contains many smaller additions that may or may not make the final product when the House and Senate work out the differences between their proposals. The House has not yet released a bill on Medicaid reform.
Among the other changes is reducing the amount of money that covers services to senior citizens with high medical expenses, but don’t qualify for Medicaid; creating restrictions on the use of psychotropic drugs for children; and extending lawsuit limits to better protect doctors from legal action.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service of Florida
FBLA Celebrates: Fast Typists And Wacky Photos
February 18, 2011
Northview High School’s FBLA celebrated National FBLA week with several contests, including creating a wacky photo of their teacher.
The winner of the Fastest Typist Contest was Jacob Morris with 91 net words a minute.
The winner of the Wackiest Photo Contest was Ashley Mooney. In the photo contest, students were instructed to digitally enhance a photo of teacher Donna Smith for success (or not).
Mooney and Morris were presented with a teddy bear and certificate for their efforts by FBLA President Elizabeth Wright.
For more “Wackiest Photo Contest” entries, click here.
Pictured top: Ashley Mooney and Jacob Morris are awarded for winning National FBLA Week contests at Northview High School by FBLA President Elizabeth Wright. Pictured inset: Mooney’s digitally enhanced “wacky” photo of teacher Donna Smith. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Proclaims National FFA Week
February 18, 2011
The Escambia County Commission declared February 19-26, as National FFA Week in Escambia County.
The proclamation was made Thursday night as dozens of FFA members, including students from Northview High, Tate High and Ernest Ward Middle schools, looked on.
Pictured top: Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino reads the FFA Week proclamation Thursday night. For more photos, click here.
The text of the complete proclamation is reprinted below:
WHEREAS, the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is an organization of more than 528,000 high school students studying agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people, by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriscience education at the local, State and national level; and
WHEREAS, nationally more than 75% of the FFA members enroll in a two-year or four-year program of higher education, following graduation from high school, in preparation for one of the more than 300 career opportunities in agriculture. which include more than 8.000 job titles; and
WHEREAS. corporate leaders in America believe so strongly in the proven success of qualified training through FFA that they jointly contribute more than $12 million annually to the National FFA Foundation, of which $2 million in higher education scholarships are awarded nationally to FFA members each year; and
WHEREAS, the FFA motto, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live. and Living to Serve”, epitomizes those high standards and qualities of leadership possessed by FFA members; and WHEREAS, the Escambia County FFA and the agriscience education programs in Escambia County are tremendously successful and extremely valuable in improving the quality of life for Escambia County Citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, hereby proclaims February 19-26, 2011, as
“NATIONAL FFA WEEK”
in Escambia County and recognizes and commends Escambia County National FFA Organization members, their advisors, school administrators, parents, and all who support, promote, and encourage these students of agriscience education on the occasion of the observance of “National FFA Week”,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Kevin W. White, Chairman
District Five
Wilson B. Robertson, Vice Chairman
District One
Gene M. Valentino, District Two
Marie Young, District Three
Grover C. Robinson, IV, District Four
Lady Canes Fall In Sub-Regionals
February 18, 2011
The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes fell to Samson Thursday night in the 2011 AHSAA Class 2A girls state basketball playoff sub-regionals.
The Samson Tigers defeated the Flomaton Lady ‘Canes 71-69 in Flomaton.
Flomaton went into the game as area champs, 2-0 in tournament play coming off a 59-25 win over J.U. Blacksher and a 47-33 win over Mobile Christian.
Pictured: The Flomaton High School Lady Canes. Submitted photo Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Arrested For Armed Robbery After She Calls Sheriff’s Office
February 17, 2011
Escambia County deputies were able to find and arrest an Escambia County woman for armed robbery after she called them to ask about outstanding warrants.
April Chavonne Thompson, 31, of 1665 Dogwood Place, was arrested after she called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and inquired about warrants for her arrest. During this call, investigators were able to determine where she was calling from, according to Deputy Chris Welborn, ECSO public information officer.
Deputies assigned to the warrants division were dispatched and served the robbery warrants without incident.
On January 6, investigators believe Thompson held up the Kangaroo Express Gas Station, located at 4123 Mobile Highway.
Thompson entered the gas station at around 9:42 pm and demanded money from the cash register. The cashier told deputies that Thompson claimed to have a gun, and the outline of a handgun could be seen under her sweatshirt. Thompson then fled the station with an unspecified amount of cash.
Then about 12:04 a.m. on January 7, deputies say Thompson attempted a robbery at the Whataburger at 1313 New Warrington Road.
According to an offense report, when Thompson demanded cash from the Whataburger employee, the employee ran to the security office and activated an alarm. Thompson then fled from the restaurant and was seen running across Mobile Highway.
Thompson is being held in the Escambia County Jail on a $200,000.00 bond.
Gonzalez Sentenced To Death For Billings Murders
February 17, 2011
An Escambia County judge sentenced Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., 36, be put to death for the first degree murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
Circuit Judge Nick Geeker sentenced Gonzalez Thursday afternoon on two counts of first degree murder. An Escambia County jury recommended the death penalty 10-2 last October.
Assistant State Attorney John Molchan told an Escambia County jury that Gonzalez planned, organized and then executed the July 9, 2009, robbery and murder of the Billings, who were known for adopting special needs children.
According to testimony, Gonzalez believed he would steal a safe containing $13 million from the Billings home.
The defense rested in the October trial without calling any witnesses.
Convicted Murderer Alex King Arrested On Traffic Charges
February 17, 2011
Alex David King, released from prison two years ago after the baseball bat slaying of his father while he was a teen, has been arrested on traffic charges.
King, 21, was charged with violation of right of way, leaving the scene of a crash and violation of a driver’s license restriction following an early morning crash in Pensacola. King, of Cantonment, was released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,000 bond.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, King was traveling north on Lanier Drive in a 2003 Dodge Neon when he pulled into patch of a 1999 Chevrolet van driven by Candace T. O’Conner of Pensacola. After the 12:50 a.m. Crash, King fled the scene on foot, according to the FHP. He was located a short time later by Pensacola Police and taken into custody by the FHP.
A passenger in King’s vehicle, 20-year old Jonathan Aeppli of Milton, was not injured. O’Conner was not injured, while her 14-year old passenger received minor injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. A third passenger in O’Conner’s vehicle, a 16-year old female, was not injured.
Alex King was 13 when he his 14-year old brother, Derek King, were convicted as adults on second degree murder charges for the death of their father in 2001 . Both boys pleaded guilty to arson for setting fire to their Cantonment home. King was released from prison in October, 2008, while his brother Derek was released in 2009.
Alex King is on probation until 2012 for the death of his father.