Local Man Dies In Single Vehicle Cantonment Crash
April 29, 2011
A 41-year old North Escambia man was killed in a single vehicle accident Thursday night in Cantonment.
Todd Creighton Wilson of Cantonment was pronounced dead at the scene of the 10:11 p.m. wreck near Porky’s Pizza, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Creighton veered northbound on Highway 95A from Highway 29 and lost control of his Ford F250 pickup truck and hit a guide wire for a utility pole before striking numerous trees and overturning into a wooded area.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: One person died in this single vehicle accident Thursday night in Cantonment. The vehicle came to rest in a wooded area (inset photo). NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Employees Recognized
April 29, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held it s Quarterly Awards Ceremony Thursday.
Sheriff David Morgan awarded the ECSO Medal of Valor to Deputies Jeremy Cassady, Sam Parker, Chad Brown, Jimmy James and Melody Peterson for selfless acts in the face of great danger. Deputy Cassady was critically wounded in a Baywind Circle shooting October 29, 2010. Deputy Parker was hit in the chest, and Deputy Brown was hit in the arm. All three received the Purple Heart.
A deputy from the Century Precinct was among those awarded a Life Saving Medal. Click here for more.
Awards were presented as follows:
- Purple Hearts — Deputy Jeremy Cassady, Deputy Sam Parker, Deputy Chad Brown
- Medals of Valor Deputy — Jeremy Cassady, Deputy Sam Parker, Deputy Chad Brown, Deputy Melony Peterson, Master Deputy Jimmy James
- Medals of Courage — Lt. Jeremy Small, Sgt. Patrick Frazier, Deputy Zach McArthur, Deputy Jamison Janes. Deputy Darrell Webb, Deputy Kelly Hall
- Medal of Commendation — Sgt. Phebe Jo Henderson
- Detention Deputy of the Quarter — Detention Deputy Mitchell Stevens of the Quarter Detention Sgt Andrew Ordonia
- Detention Employee of the Quarter– Holly Bullion
- LEO Employee of the Quarter — Cynthia Joyner
- LEO of the Quarter — Deputy 1st Class Christian Coad
- Commendation Medal — Deputy 1st Class Kenneth Tolbirt
- Meritorious Service Medal — Det Deputy 1st Class Uzziah Allison, Det Sgt Richard Hardy, Sgt Rick Vinson
- Life Saving Medals — Senior Deputy Rudy Brown, Todd Dixon, Det. Deputy Audra Carter
- Unit Citation — Gang Unit
- Civilian Service Medal — Steven Gibbs, Shon Robinson, Amy Reed, The family of John Morris Jr.
Along with the awards presented by the ECSO, recipients also received certificates of special congressional recognition from Congressman Jeff Miller.
Hundreds Learn More About Plans For Jay Hospital
April 29, 2011
Baptist Healthcare and Naples-based Health Management Associates want to form a new partnership involving Jay Hospital and the Santa Rosa County Medical Center in Milton — and that has the hundreds of people upset in Jay.
About 250 Jay area residents packed a community meeting Thursday night to learn more about the proposal from town and county leaders and members of the Jay Hospital advisory board.
Jay doctor David Smith Said Baptist and HMA want to strike the term “non-profit” from their 99-year lease with Santa Rosa County, perhaps leading to a reduction in services at the 55-bed Jay Hospital — a reduction that could include the elimination of in-patient care and the emergency room.
Smith said that, in the lease, Baptist agreed to keep a “not for profit run general hospital in Jay”, and the spirit of the lease would be broken by reducing services or partnering with the for-profit HMA.
According to Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter (pictured left), Baptist and HMA are attempting to form a new company that will share management of Jay Hospital and Santa Rosa County Medical Center. HMA would own a controlling 68 percent interest, he said.
“They’ve (Baptist and HMA) have got the word that people up here are not happy with what is going on,” Salter said. He said he wants to see Baptist try again to reach an agreement with the Jay Hospital advisory board. If not, Salter said he wants to rebid the entire lease because, even as a non-profit, Baptist has not shown a very good example of caring about the Jay area.
Smith said that if Baptist does seek to offer another party a lease on Jay Hospital, the advisory board wants 90 days to evaluate it and “help select our new managing partner”.
“Jay Hospital has options,” Smith (pictured left) said, adding that since news of possible changes at the hospital became public, he has talked to groups that might be billing to turn the hospital that might turn it into a teaching facility, a medical school hospital and more. “”Whoever we partner with, we want it to be a win-win. We want it to be good for our partner, and we don’t want anybody that don’t want us.”
In the meantime, community leaders are speaking out in favor of Jay Hospital.
“This hospital is vital. It’s an important part of this community,” Qualls said. “We as a town council are going to do whatever it takes to make sure that hospital stays in this town. We will fight as long as there is a fight to be have.”
“Flomaton stands behind what Dr. Smith is trying to do,” Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said. “You would be surprised if you knew how many people from Flomaton and Century come over here…We are one. We are united. With are with y’all.”
Don Ripley, administrator of Century Care Center, said his nursing facility relies on Jay Hospital to provide quality medical care close by. “We will do anything we can do to help you keep it in Jay where it should be,” he said.
Jay Hospital is the town’s largest employer with 160 employees, a $5 million annual payroll and about $2 million per year in charity care.
Pictured: About 250 people attended a community meeting Thursday night in favor of Jay Hospital. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Deputy Rudy Brown Receives Life Saving Medal
April 29, 2011
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy that works the streets of North Escambia was honored Thursday for with a Life Saving Medal.
On September 26 of last year, Senior Deputy Rudy Brown responded to a restaurant on North Century Boulevard to assist EMS in reference to a man down in the parking lot. Upon arrival, Brown observed a man lying on the ground.
The Molino man was not breathing and unresponsive. Brown reacted immediately, grabbing an AED — automated external defibrillator — from his vehicle. Once the AED’s leads were applied, it advised that no shock was needed and that CPR should be performed. Brown continued CPR until EMS arrived on the scene and took over.
The man was was transported to Jay Hospital where his condition improved and he was able to breath on his own.
Brown, who is assigned to the Century Precinct that serves the county north of Molino, also received a certificate of special Congressional recognition from Congressman Jeff Miller.
For details on other awards presented Thursday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, click here.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (right) presents a Life Saving Medal to Senior Deputy Rudy Brown of the Century Precinct Thursday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire, Explosions Destroy Shop And Three Vehicles
April 29, 2011
Several explosions and a fire destroyed a shop and three vehicles Thursday morning in Cantonment.
Authorities believe that several explosions were caused by nitrous oxide tanks inside a shop behind a residence on Archer Road. The fire destroyed the shop, two older vehicles inside the shop and a van.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Cantonment, Beulah, Molino, Ensley and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
Pictured above and below: A fire and several explosions destroyed a shop and three vehicles Thursday morning in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Arrest Sex Offender On Federal Charges
April 29, 2011
An Escambia County man was arrested Thursday by the U.S. Marshals on a federal sex offense warrant.
Thomas John Bach, 52, was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Task Force and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices. He was arrested on a federal warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.
Bach was indicted in federal court under the 2006 Adam Walsh Act which allows the federal government to prosecute those who leave one state and fail to register in another.
Bach allegedly had been traveling throughout the U.S. and possibly abroad the past several years never registering.
U.S. Marshals finally caught up with Bach today at the Gulf Power Crist Plant in Escambia Countyand arrested him without incident. Bach was booked into the Escambia Count Jail without bond.
Gun Bills Pass Senate, Headed To Gov.
April 29, 2011
The Florida Senate on Thursday sent Gov. Rick Scott a pair of National Rifle Association-backed measures including a proposal to encourage doctors not to ask patients if they have guns in their homes.
With super majorities in both chambers, the Republican-dominated Legislature sent Scott another NRA-backed gun bill (HB 45) that would punish local officials who consciously enact ordinances that are stricter than statewide standards.
“It’s very important that all of our constitutional amendments are protected,” said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Backers say the measures are attempts to solidify constitutional protections and prevent physicians from prying into law abiding people’s business with questions about guns.
Critics say the measures taken together overstep the protections guaranteed by the Second Amendment and instead will put local officials, physicians and patients at risk.
The first measure (HB 155) sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers would prevent physicians and other health care providers from asking patients if they own guns and have them in their homes, unless they believe it is medically necessary to do so. The question could no longer be part of a routine patient survey.
“Whether I own a gun is none of their business,” Negron said.
The Florida Medical Association signed off on the bill, which was changed to remove criminal penalties and specifically allow physicians to ask about gun ownership in certain cases. The bill passed the Senate Thursday on a 27-12 vote.
Critics, including the Florida Pediatric Society, countered that physicians routinely inquire about pools, dangerous chemicals and other safety issues, particularly with children. Inquiring about gun ownership falls in that category.
“This bill has a chilling effect on the doctor patient relationship,” said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. “It’s the duty of the physician to ask all the questions they possible can and the patient should be as honest as they possibly can.”
The second measure (HB 45) would punish local officials who “knowingly and willingly” pass local gun ordinances that are stricter than state statute allows. Public officials taken to court would have to pay their own attorney fees if they lose. The bill passed 30-8.
“This not only puts teeth in the law but a gun to the heads of local officials, pun intended,” said Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, an opponent.
Other bills are still traveling through the process, including a Greg Evers proposal to prevent people with concealed weapons permits from being charged with crimes if the firearm accidentally is exposed. The bill (SB 234) originally allowed concealed weapons permit holders to openly carry their weapons. It was amended to remove the open carry provision and passed the Senate Thursday. That bill initially also would have allowed people to carry guns on college campuses, but that provision was also removed. That bill now travels to the House after a 26-11 Senate vote.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Jay Falls In 1-2A Championship
April 29, 2011
The Jay High School Royals lost to the Freeport Bulldogs 4-2 Thursday night in the District 1-2A Tournament championship game. But the Royals (13-10) did not go down without a fight, scoring two in the final inning and going out with the bases loaded.
Hitters for Jay included Payden Roberts 1-3 with a double and RBI, Sammy James 2-3 with a run and RBI, and Conner Weeks 1-2 with a double and run.
Zack Gavin pitched seven for Jay, allowing four runs and striking out three.
Pictured: Action from the District 1-2A Tournament championship game Thursday night in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Pushes For Tax Cuts – Again
April 29, 2011
In his weekly radio address, Gov. Rick Scott reiterated Thursday his plea for tax cuts in the budget.
“Some in the Legislature doubt these tax cuts can happen. I am confident they can and should get it done,” Scott said. He added that “with strong, conservative legislator leaders like House Speaker Cannon and Senate President Haridopolos, I cannot imagine a budget that doesn’t include tax cuts that will create jobs.”
Legislative leaders have stalled for weeks on answering definitively whether they would put tax cuts in the budget.
Cannon responded to the address Thursday by saying “we are doing everything we can to get him some meaningful corporate tax relief,” adding that there are “no promises” and it’s too soon to guarantee tax cuts.
By The News Service of Florida
House Set To Approve Property Tax Overhaul
April 29, 2011
Despite strong opposition from cities and counties, the House is set to approve on Friday a proposed constitutional amendment that grants business owners, landlords and investors a lower limit on how much their property tax bills can increase.
The proposed amendment (HJR 381) would allow Florida voters to decide whether to offer owners of non-homestead property, essentially anyone who owns a business, second home or rental property, a cap on their property taxes. It was amended Thursday to match the Senate version, which has a proposed cap on tax increases of 5 percent.
That is a big reduction from current law, which says that for non-homestead properties property taxes can go up no more than 10 percent a year. But counties and cities oppose the measure because it could drain their revenue stream, causing them to levy higher taxes on all property owners to make up the difference.
“If you purchased a home, a second home or business you would be realizing no benefit,” said bill sponsor Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, while the person next door might pay far less in property taxes.
The bill also gives a special tax discount to first-time homebuyers. The measure was amended Thursday to offer a first-time homebuyer tax discount of 50 percent of the home’s value, not to exceed 50 percent of the median home price in that county. This was a less generous discount than originally proposed under the bill.
“The main goal is really to bring more fairness to Florida’s system,” said John Sebree, a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Realtors. Under the “Save Our Homes” law, owner-occupied homes have their property tax increases capped at 3 percent. But owners of vacation homes or rental property have 10 percent caps.
Realtors argue that renters also suffer from the cap difference because landlords may see their property taxes rise and pass it on in the form of higher rent. Of all the residential properties in Florida, about a third are occupied by renters or second-home owners, according to the Realtors.
A companion implementing bill (HB 1163) would put this issue on the presidential primary ballot in 2012.
A similar measure was approved by the Legislature in 2009, but was struck down by the courts for its confusing ballot language. If approved by Florida voters, it could impact people who bought homes this year.
“Since negotiations have been going on, we have been firm on 7 percent,” said League of Cities lobbyist Amber Hughes. “We think that is an appropriate cap on non-homestead. It would give the stability the proponents of the bill are after and still mitigate some of the concerns we have.”
A Senate staff analysis of the proposal says cities and counties could see a $452 million hit on tax revenue just in the 2013-2014 fiscal year alone. The Senate version (SJR 658) never passed its final two committee stops.
That may not spell doom for the bill’s outcome, because Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Thursday that bills that did not make it out of the Budget committee could be heard on the floor.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida