Man Throws 4-Month Old Son, Causes Traumatic Brain Injury
May 7, 2011
A four-month old infant is in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury and his father is now in jail charged with child abuse.
Steven Allen Tutwiler, 20, is charged with three felony counts of aggravated child abuse. Tutwiler is the father of the four-month old boy who was abused, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 27, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the medical staff of Sacred Heart Hospital about the suspected abuse. When deputies spoke to Tutwiler, he told them that he had called 911 after the infant regurgitated his food and became unresponsive.
Deputies learned the following day that the infant was suffering from a traumatic brain injury, which required emergency surgery, and had other injuries that were believed to be non-accidental. Sheriff’s investigators determined that the infant received the brain injury after being thrown to the floor while in the care of his father.
Tutwiler told investigators that he was sitting on the floor holding the infant, and became frustrated and angry with the baby for crying. He explained that he pushed the infant backwards causing the infant to hit his head on the floor.
The infant boy remains hospitalized for the injuries. Tutwiler was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Poarch Creek Indians Donate Half Million Dollars To Tornado Relief
May 7, 2011
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians tribe is joining in efforts to help tornado victims by donating a half million dollars to relief efforts.
In announcing the donation Friday, Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin said, “I think everyone who has seen the pictures of the destruction caused by the tornadoes that struck our State wants to help any way that they can. We hope this donation will help begin to ease some of the suffering of our neighbors. This is the first of what we want to do to help, and we look forward to continue to work with relief agencies on the ground in the affected areas.”
Members of the Poarch Creek Tribal Council voted to make the donation after members of the Council toured the destruction last week. The donation, which is part of the Tribe’s ongoing Planned Giving Campaign, will be distributed to several organizations. Both the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa Chapters of the American Red Cross will receive $50,000. The Tribe will donate $100,000 to Governor Bentley’s Emergency Relief Fund. The remaining $300,000 will go to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Disaster Relief Fund to assist in additional disaster relief efforts that will be distributed according to local needs throughout the affected areas.
“All of us at Poarch Creek still remember how relief organizations like the Red Cross helped us after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis hit our area,” said April Sells, tribal emergency management director for the Poarch Creeks. “We had so many people in the area without food, water, electricity, or ice. Thanks to the Red Cross, we were able to feed everyone in the community twice a day after the storm and take care of their basic needs. We are thrilled to be able to give back to that organization and others who are helping families who have lost so much,” she said.
“We feel for the victims of this disaster and want to do anything we can to help,” said Robert McGhee, tribal council treasurer and governmental relations advisor. “Immediately after the tornadoes hit, the Tribe’s emergency management response teams were dispatched to the area to help with disaster relief. The Tribal Council hopes this donation will be another way the Tribe can continue to assist Alabamians weather this disaster. And as efforts to rebuild begin, we will continue to do what we can to aid families as they start anew.”
Photo Gallery: Northview Presents ‘Bye Bye Birdie’
May 7, 2011
Northview High School presented their senior class play Bye Bye Birdie Saturday evening at the school.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Friday afternoon’s Bye Bye Birdie practice, click here.
Bye Bye Birdie is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time with lots of golf old-fashioned fun. It is a satire done with the fondest affection, and tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army.
Pictured top: Josh Scott, Colton Sims and Sarah Killam in Northview High School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie. Pictured below: The entire cast. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pill Mill Bill Goes To Scott
May 7, 2011
With a key lawmaker likening it to a war, the Florida Legislature unanimously passed a bill Friday that seeks to wipe out the state’s pill-mill industry and curb prescription-drug abuse.
Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a rare appearance in the House chamber as lawmakers gave final approval to the bill (HB 7095) in the closing hours of the legislative session.
Bondi helped broker a deal between the House and Senate that is designed to crack down on unscrupulous clinics, doctors and pharmacies that have made Florida a magnet for drug users and traffickers.
“Quite simply, we’re at war,” said House sponsor Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill. “We’re at war with this prescription-drug epidemic.”
The bill, in part, will increase criminal and administrative penalties against doctors who are involved in prescription-drug wrongdoing. Also, it would ban most doctors from dispensing two categories of controlled substances in their offices or clinics.
At the same time, the bill will require a new permitting process for pharmacies that want to dispense dangerous painkillers — an effort to prevent fly-by-night pharmacies from acting as suppliers.
Also, lawmakers decided to continue moving forward with a controversial prescription-drug database that will help track sales of controlled substances. Scott and some legislative leaders called earlier this year for eliminating the database because of concerns about infringing on patient privacy.
Senate sponsor Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said the database is slated to start operating by Aug. 28, after numerous delays.
House and Senate debates Friday focused more on the devastation of prescription-drug abuse than the details of the bill. Unscrupulous storefront clinics have operated in various parts of the state in recent years, drawing addicts from as far away as Kentucky.
But Paul Sloan, president of the Florida Society of Pain Management Providers, questioned the effectiveness of the bill.
For example, Sloan pointed to a legislative decision that will bar the use of financial contributions from the pharmaceutical industry to help pay for the prescription-drug database. Lawmakers have refused to use tax dollars to pay for the database, and the decision will eliminate a potential $1 million contribution from the drug company Purdue Pharma.
More broadly, Sloan said in an email that lawmakers should deal with addiction issues that drive demand for the drugs, rather than trying to “arrest our way out of the predicament.”
“This so-called solution has a 40-year history of outright failure, yet we repeat it every year,” Sloan said.
The debate Friday was personal to some lawmakers, who talked about constituents or family members who have struggled with addictions to drugs such as oxycodone.
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said some bad doctors have gotten away with “murder” by supplying prescription drugs to users. He said the epidemic has particularly hit young people.
“It’s not a rich person’s problem, it’s not a poor person’s problem,” Bennett said. “It’s a kids’ problem.”
Rep. Rich Glorioso, a Plant City Republican who has a family member with a prescription-drug problem, said the bill will keep young people from dying.
“Tonight, we have an opportunity to stop … the death, the destruction of our young ones, our future leaders,” Glorioso said.
Bondi has made combating pill mills one of her top priorities and said she was on the phone at 3 a.m. Friday with House Speaker Dean Cannon to try to get agreement on the bill.
One of the final issues was a House proposal that would have banned drug wholesalers from selling to a retail pharmacy more than 5,000 “unit doses” a month of oxycodone, hydrocodone or other types of often-abused drugs.
Bondi said that limit would be too low for some legitimate pharmacies, such as those near the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. The negotiations led lawmakers to drop the 5,000 unit-dose limit but require a study to determine a more-appropriate amount.
Also watching closely Friday was physician Stephanie Haridopolos, the wife of Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.
Stephanie Haridopolos said she tried to make sure her husband didn’t “waver” on issues such as the drug-monitoring database. She said she has seen patients who have asked for help dealing with prescription-drug problems and expressed frustration with doctors who supply addicts.
“They should have penalties like attempted murder,” the family-practice doctor said.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
National Flight Academy Launched Aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station
May 7, 2011
In the tradition of the U.S. Navy, as bottles of American sparkling wine were smashed across a symbolic “bow” of the land-based training ship, Ambition (CVT-11), the National Flight Academy (NFA) was christened Friday at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Supported by a $2 million donation from Northrop Grumman Corporation, the NFA is the newest learning center in the United States to support advancing America’s next generation of students interested in science, technology, engineering and math careers.
With local dignitaries and Navy leadership in attendance, Apollo 17 Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gene Cernan, presented a stirring keynote address, calling on America’s children to experience this academy to help them reach for the stars. Cernan was joined by Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who is also a member of the academy’s board of advisors. Apollo 13 Commander and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Jim Lovell is also on the board.
Located adjacent to the existing National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the NFA is a 102,000 square foot four-story structure designed to be fully immersive and interactive. The facility will host 246 middle and high school students at a time, who can attend a five-day or two-day in-residence program, participating in a realistic and intensive training course that combines classroom fundamentals with hands-on experiences. In this unique high-tech adventure, students join a squadron and engage in missions, based on real-world experiences. The NFA will accept students beginning summer 2012.
“The NFA’s adventure begins with a land-based, simulated training aircraft carrier, Ambition (CVT-11). Each deck of Ambition is designed to realistically simulate a modern aircraft carrier,” said retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Gerald Hoewing, president and chief executive officer of the National Flight Academy Foundation. “The first deck houses the galley, mess deck, administrative spaces and the main simulator bays. The second deck is dedicated to academic spaces and contains all of the Simulation and Immersion Center spaces. The third and fourth decks house berthing, student aviator lounges and activity rooms.”
“Too many years have passed for me to still be the last man to have left his footprints on the moon. I believe with all my heart that somewhere out there is a boy or girl with indomitable will and courage who will lift that dubious distinction from my shoulders and take us back where we belong,” said Cernan. “We need to allow children to reach for the stars and the National Flight Academy will help them do that.”
All this week, Pensacola has celebrated its aviation week heritage with a special tribute to the Centennial of Naval Aviation which is now underway.
Pictured top: The symbolic bow of the National Flight Academy is christened Friday aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Pictured inset: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Sector Vice President Jim Zortman joins Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong and American Journalist and media host David Hartman at the christening of the National Flight Academy. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join NorthEscambia.com On Facebook (Including A Second, Brand New Page)
May 6, 2011
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Trial Date Set For Molino Couple In Alleged Cancer Scam
May 6, 2011
A trial date was set Thursday for a Molino couple accused in a fake cancer scam that raised thousands of dollars.
Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, are set to appear in court on July 20 for a discovery hearing. Their jury trial is set to begin August 1 on felony charges of fraud and grand theft.
Both were absent from their arraignment hearing on Thursday after entering not guilty pleas and waiving arraignment late last month.
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 to avoid foreclosure on their home in 2009 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.
For an earlier story about the arrests, click here.
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.
National Day Of Prayer Observed (With Photos From Century, Atmore)
May 6, 2011
The National Day of Prayer was observed across the area Thursday.
In Atmore, churches and the faithful from across the Atmore and North Escambia region gathered at an Atmore park for a prayer service. Following prayers for the community, leaders, businesses, government, the media and others, the entire Bible was read in 30 minutes with each of about 200 people reading a different portion of scripture out loud.
In Century, community leaders gathered to prayer for their community, business and government.
Similar services were held in Pace, Pensacola, Brewton and Molino.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with nearly 100 pictures from the Atmore National Day of Prayer event, click here.
For a submitted photo gallery from the Century National Day of Prayer event, click here. (Photos courtesy Cesar Gonzalez for NorthEscambia.com)
Pictured: Scenes as the entire Bible is read in 30 minutes during a National Day of Prayer service in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dozens Of Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 6, 2011
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including over 40 Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Mallory Anne Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez and Sarah Malinda Killam from Northview High; Dallas Brown from Atmore Christian School; Kristen Gehman, Corleia McGinnis and Morgan Nichols from Escambia County High School.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Madison Brooke Arrington, Kasie Lee Braun, Kira Nerys Cartwright, Lana Leigh Clayton, Morgan Nicole Digmon, Anna Elizabeth Donald, Anna Elizabeth Fischer, Tamara Maria Green, Jessica Nicole Lowery, Tiffani Nichole Pritchett, Mikaela Lynn Santos, Courtney Yvonne Solari, Danielle Nichole Steadham, Courtney Alexandra Weaver, Victoria Anne Wright
10th Grade
Alison Danielle Bardin, Hannah Elizabeth Fiellin, Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, Ashton Brooke Gibbs, Georgia Anna Goetter, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks, Ashley Nicole Mooney, Maranda Danielle Moye, Sandy Michelle Rainwater
11th Grade
Jamila Akilah Codrington, Holly Nicole Dickson, Josie Britt Doucette, Amber Dianne Francis, Cory Robert King, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Elizabeth Ashley Wright
12th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell*, Sara Lynn Conner, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon*, James Tyler Garrett, Laneicia Dynette Gomez*, Jocelyn Marlese Gould, Sarah Malinda Killam*, Jessynia Christina McCall, Christina Nicole Sepulveda, Emily Faith Vickrey, Dustin Brooks Yuhasz.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Travis Smith
10th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins, Hannah Ziglar
11th Grade
Casey Freeman, Tessa de Jongh
12th Grade
Dallas Brown*, Deidre Smith.
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Abby Akins, Noah Coon, Megan Duncan, Brice McGhee, Sarah Weatherford
10th Grade
Caitlyn Bruley
11th Grade
Branden Goddard
12th Grade
Jordan Colbert, Nycole Thompson.
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Tristen Boothe, Kevin Brown, Dakota Goins, Yamilex Gutierrez, La’Shandra Hartley, Austin Johnson, Cedric Kyles, Dy’rosia Lee, Alexis Moorer, Annah Nichols, Larry Pugh, Matthew Quimby, Sabrina Rivers, Moeshia Salter, Megan Stabler
10th Grade
Mariah Hinton, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Tiffany McReynolds, Bria Willis
11th Grade
Jazmine Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Marie Gonzalez, Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Rainy January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Brianna Martin, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson
12th Grade
Ardelia Barnes, Ebony Bowman, Jasmine Chafin, Amanda Ferguson, Kristen Gehman*; Cody Johnson, Dominique Knight, Alexus Lee, Danielle Lyles, Corleia McGinnis*, Meghan Moye, Morgan Nichols*, Robert Wilkins, Brooke Woolard.
Pictured top: Atmore Royar Four-Year Academic All-Stars Mallory Anne Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez and Sarah Malinda Killam from Northview High. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Finish Impressive Track Season At State Meet
May 6, 2011
The Jay Lady Royals finished an impressive track season recently at the state track meet.
The following was submitted by Jay High School Coach Stan Blackman:
With 133 schools in Florida’s Class 1A, Robin Blackman of Jay High School finished her senior year with three school records – the 400 meter dash with a time of 61.75, the 800 meter run with a time of 2:26.61, and the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 10:03.55.
Blackman placed tenth in the state in both the 800 meter run and the 4×800 meter relay where she ran the anchor leg. Blackman will continue her running career at Troy University next season where she will be running both cross country and track.
Blackman finished as the top point scorer for the Royals with 389 points. She advanced to the state meet every year since seventh grade and was among the top three point scorers since ninth grade. She will be sorely missed.
Leely Trevino was the other senior star for the Royals. She was part of the 4×800 relay that broke the school record and placed tenth in the state. She was also the number two point scorer with 301 points.
She place eleventh in the state meet in the 1600 meter run. Leely’s personal record in the 1600 meter run was set at Washington High School with a time of 5:37.09 where she placed first in the Panhandle Championships.
Both Trevino and Blackman are Florida Elite Runners in the area for Cross Country. Other members of the 4×800 state relay team were Caristyn Golden and Jessica Thornton. Golden was the number three point scorer this year for the Royals. She scored 271 points for the Royals. Thornton is an eighth grader, and she ran her personal best time at state this year with a split of 2:35.
Other state finishers included the 4×400 relay team that finished 15th. Members of this team were Blackman, Trevino, Golden, and Shelby Thomas.
The Royals had a great season and set many personal records. It was definitely a season that will never be forgotten.
Coach Stan Blackman
Jay High School
Pictured top: (front, L-R) Robin Blackman, Leely Trevino, (back, L-R) Coach Sonya Odom, Shelby Thomas, Caristyn Golden and Coach Stan Blackman. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.