New 5,100 Acre Landfill Planned Near Big Escambia Creek
January 26, 2011
Officials in Conecuh County, Alabama, have set a March 10 public hearing on a proposed 5,100 acre landfill near the Repton community.
Conecuh Woods LLC has formally applied for the landfill, which will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a swamp into the Escambia River in Escambia County, Florida.
According to a published report by the Mobile-Press Register, waste from 48 states would arrive at the landfill by truck and rail.
The public hearing will be held at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen. If the Conecuh County Commission takes no action on the proposal within 90 days, it will automatically be approved.
Escambia Mexican Restaurant Owner Gets 5 Years For Faking Death
January 26, 2011
An Escambia County Mexican restaurant owner has been sentenced to five years in prison for faking his death in a scheme to collect $2 million.
Ismael B. Rodriguez, 45, the owner of Cazadores Mexican Restaurants, was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months imprisonment for mail fraud and conspiracy to commit that offense.
The defendant was convicted along with his wife and co-defendant, Maria Rodriguez, 41, following a two-day jury trial in Pensacola last November. Evidence at trial established that the defendants traveled to Mexico in 2008, where they faked the death of Ismael B. Rodriguez. Maria Rodriguez returned to the United States with a fraudulent Mexican death certificate in an attempt to obtain approximately $2 million in life insurance proceeds on her husband. In reality, Ismael B. Rodriguez was alive and was subsequently located by law enforcement in Alabama.
Witnesses at trial included employees of the victim’s insurance company, the registrar of death certificates in Morelia, Mexico, and law enforcement agents. At trial, Maria Rodriguez testified that she believed that her husband had been kidnapped and murdered in Mexico. To refute this testimony, the government introduced Customs and Border Protection records showing that Mr. Rodriguez had crossed the United States-Mexico border during the time period in which his wife claimed he was dead.
Senior United States District Judge Roger Vinson also ordered Mr. Rodriguez to pay $4,645 in restitution and $1,200 in fines and court costs.
Maria Rodriguez will be sentenced in United States District Court in Pensacola on February 11, 2011.
Health Department Dental Clinic Opens In Century
January 26, 2011
Dental services are once again available at the Escambia County Health Department Century Dental Clinic.
The clinic has reopened, offering services to Escambia County, Florida, residents with full Florida Medicaid only. For adults, the clinic only offers treatment for emergency toothaches and emergency extractions only. For children, the clinic offers full dental services, except for orthodontics.
The Escambia County Health Department Century Dental Clinic is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The clinic is closed daily for lunch from 11 a.m. until noon.
Services are available by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call (850) 256-6203. The Escambia County Health Department Century Dental Clinic is located at 501 Church Street in the Escambia County Health Department building.
A new dental clinic has also opened in the Escambia County Health Department building in Molino. Click here for that story.
Pictured top: The exam room at the Escambia County Health Department Century Dental Clinic in Century and dental assistants Wendy Weaver (left) and Jill Kelley. Pictured below: The health department building at the corner of Church and Mayo streets in Century. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Focus On School Cuts
January 26, 2011
Teacher layoffs. Few if any electives. School supplies that only last a school a few months.
Those are all scenarios that lawmakers are trying to avoid as they craft a budget for the state’s public schools while Florida faces a $3.6 billion shortfall and the possibility that state programs already cut to the bone will be cut even further. All the “low hanging fruit” in previous budgets was wiped out over the past few years as the downturn in the economy caused the state – and the public school system — immense budget pain.
“All that fruit is gone, at least in my judgment,” state Education Commissioner Eric Smith told a panel of House lawmakers Tuesday.
For the 2010-2011 budget, $18.2 billion covers teacher salaries, busing, instructional materials and a host of other expenses, including a school’s ability to simply keep the lights on. It means that for each student, a school receives $6,843.
While lawmakers faced economic difficulties last year, they had federal stimulus funds to help plug the holes riddling state coffers. Now, those funds have largely dried up, particularly for education. The education budget last year relied on $1.2 billion in non recurring federal funds, staff said Tuesday during a meeting of the House Appropriations subcommittee on PreK-12 Education. .
“We have a great challenge ahead of us and one we have to take very seriously,” said chairwoman Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna.
The State Board of Education approved a budget request for 2011-2012 of more than $19 billion, but Smith and his staff have also prepared a budget scenario for lawmakers that involves a 15-percent cut.
“It’s a starting point, certainly not an ending point,” Coley said referring to the 15-percent cut exercise.
Legislative leaders have indicated that cuts in education – one of the biggest budget drivers – are inevitable. Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has said he will not sign on to a budget that includes tax increases, meaning something will have to be cut if the state wants to create a balanced budget, a constitutional requirement. His education budget chief, Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte, has also noted that it will be a tough road ahead.
Darwin Boothe, a lobbyist for Seminole County School District, said the school district, and a few others, may not have to make any layoffs even if the Legislature makes minor cuts because of reserves the local school board put away in case of emergency.
However, Boothe noted that many districts dipped into those reserves this past year to help individual schools meet a constitutional requirement capping classrooms at a certain number of students. Reserves may not be available to blunt losses in state funds for the upcoming school year.
In 2002, voters approved a constitutional amendment that capped classroom sizes at 18 students in a classroom in lower grades, 22 in the middle grades and 25 students in core subject high school classrooms. The state has struggled to pay for the constitutional mandate, making it, in turn, difficult for schools to meet the requirement.
Boothe said he and other Florida school officials believe that the funding can be held at the status quo if the state continues to withhold funding from some of its long-term goals that can go without immediate funding. For example, though lawmakers in the past have wanted to put money toward purchasing environmental lands, they have not been able to fully fund that recently because lawmakers chose to prioritize other budget items.
If the school budget has to be cut, Boothe said schools will react accordingly, but lawmakers need to be aware of the practical impact of what the cuts may do.
“When you cut, you may not have the system you want at the end of the day,” he said.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
‘Major Public Safety Issue’ Gas Leaking Under Hwy 29
January 25, 2011
Natural gas is leaking under Highway 29 in Century, and the town is seeking about $1.3 million to eliminate what the town is calling a “major public safety issue”.
“We need to get this (gas) line out from under the highway,” Mayor Freddie McCall told the town’s council Monday night. He said the leak in the line owned by the town is not constant — sometimes inspectors are unable to find it. But the Florida Public Service Commission has told the town that progress must be made toward eliminating the problem by the end of the year. The exact location of the leak or leaks has not been determined.
About 6,515 feet of four-inch steel natural gas line was buried beneath the southbound lanes of Highway 29 when the road was widened. Now, 45 years since the pipe was put into the ground, the town believes the steel is corroding and leaking.
Dale Long, the town’s engineer, has recommended that the town seek a $1.3 million low-interest USDA Rural Development loan to construct new natural gas lines on both sides of Highway, abandoning the decades-old leaking pipe. By installing as lines on both sides of the highway, it would eliminate the need to bore under the highway for a new service install.
Consultant Debbie Nickles said the town is not eligible for grants for the project since the town’s gas department is a for-profit entity.
At their Monday night meeting, the council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to submit a USDA loan application on the town’s behalf to obtain the funds necessary to install the new gas lines.
The gas line is buried under southbound Highway 29 from about McCurdy Street (near Bondurant Lumber) to just south of West Highway 4 (near the courthouse).
Pictured: A portion of Highway 29 in Century. Decades-old natural gas line is buried under the southbound lanes on the left and is leaking somewhere between this location and West Highway 4, over a mile away. Pictured inset: Century Mayor Freddie McCall motions toward Highway 29 just outside the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Agreement Reached: WEAR To Remain On Bright House Cable
January 25, 2011
Bright House cable television customers in Century and Cantonment won’t be losing WEAR 3 anytime soon.
After weeks of very public bickering over retransmission fees, Bright House and Sinclair Broadcasting group entered into a new mult-year agreement Monday. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The companies had disagreed over the fees that Bright House must pay Sinclair for the right to carry its broadcast stations such as WEAR 3 and WFGX 35.
Florida Looks At Texas Prisons For Advice
January 25, 2011
Florida lawmakers turned to Texas on Monday for ideas on how to keep prisoners locked up at a time when the state faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit and cuts, including in the public safety budget, appear likely.
The scenario portrayed by the corrections officers’ union when then-candidate Rick Scott started talking about slashing $1 billion from the prisons budget doesn’t appear likely. The ad by the Florida Police Benevolent Association called Scott’s plans “law enforcement’s worst nightmare, and featured one released prisoner saying, “Let’s Get to Work.”
It’s not just the governor’s office that says that’s just not likely to play out.
“Politically, you’re not going to open the door and let them out,” Texas state Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano, told a panel of lawmakers who help write the Senate criminal justice budget and consider new measures related to law and order.
Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Greg Evers held the first of several scheduled meetings to take ideas on how the justice system could be reformed to reduce costs.
Their first guest, though was not a public safety official from the Sunshine State, but Madden, the chair of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Corrections who received national recognition for his work in reducing prison costs.
“You could do things that were smart and, by the way, didn’t cost as much,” Madden said.
Cutting down on the number of repeat offenders taking up beds is one obvious answer, he said. During his two hour presentation to lawmakers, Madden pressed the importance of spending money on treatment programs for inmates who, if treated for addiction, could be reintroduced to society and have safe, productive futures. The money was better spent on these people who could be rehabilitated, whom he referred to as “swingers,” because they could go either way, instead of inmates who are incredibly violent.
“Spend your money on the swingers,” Madden said.
Fasano has already told members of his committee to expect a difficult session that will likely involve some cuts to the criminal justice system.
Scott has given some hints, saying that waste and efficiency are big targets, for example.
The Senate also already has a bit of a plan that involves expanded use of drug courts, faith-based prison units and electronic monitoring of prisoners kept in the commuity, all suggested as possibilities in a recent study by legislative analysts. Other possibilities that have been mentioned include lessening drug penalties, and trying to divert more would-be prisoners to mental health treatment.
The problem, some lawmakers said, is that the state needs the savings now, not a few years down the road. The state’s justice system has taken a hit over the past several years, particularly in the court system.
Dockets are overcrowded and cases that once took one to three months, now take more like six to nine months.
In some criminal cases, public attorneys are handling more than the suggested caseload by American Bar Association, drawing questions about the adequacy of representation.
Evers said he thought Madden’s presentation gave lawmakers a great place to start the discussion on reform, but wouldn’t speculate on the efficacy of any one particular plan going forward, simply saying that the Senate would look at a “lot of these” and that it should not be seen as backing away from punishing criminals.
“I don’t that we’re actually going in a different direction,” he said. “I just think that our pocketbook can’t afford just locking everybody up.”
Future committee meetings will include presentations from the Department of Corrections and vendors for private prisons. His committee will also tour a prison, he said.
Pictured: A guard tower rises above Century Correctional Institution. Pictured bottom inset: Razor wire lines a fence at Century Correctional Institute. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Story By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
New Molino Dental Clinic Opens
January 25, 2011
A new dental clinic is now open in Molino offering services five days a week.
Pro Med Healthcare Services opened the clinic at the Escambia County Health Department’s Molino location. The clinic serves both pediatric and adult patients who are Florida Medicaid-eligible.
New patients are now being accepted and may make an appointment by calling (850) 587-2544. The clinic is located at 3470 Highway 29.
Hours of operation for the clinic are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
the road to the crown: Meet The Girls (With Photos)
January 25, 2011
Today, it’s part two of our multi-part series “the road to the crown” as we follow 25 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss Northview High School” for 2011.
Today we introduce you to the first few contestants. Their biographies, as submitted by the girls, are below along with their photos. You can click any photo below to enlarge.
Our series “the road to the crown” will continue tomorrow with biographies and photos of the second set of contestants. The pageant is Saturday night at 7:00, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss Northview High School and all the photos here Sunday morning.
Miss Caitlyn Brianne Brown
Caitlyn is the 18-year old daughter of Ronnie and Angela Brown. As a freshman, she was a member of Angie Shelley’s Twirl Time. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and currently holds the title of co-captain. She has been a member of the Tribal Spirit yearbook staff for three years and currently serves as the editor. She has also been a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of the Interact club for one year, and a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where she has served as vice president both years. Caitlyn was selected as the sophomore class parliamentarian and the junior class secretary. She was voted “Best Dressed” by the senior class and was also first runner up to Miss NHS 2010. Since her freshman year, Caitlyn has been a lifeguard for the Atmore City Pool and has also taught swimming lessons. During her years with the Tribal Beat band, she has attended numerous majorette camps and competitions.
Her hobbies include twirling, reading, cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and having “girl days” with her mom.
Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama, where she hopes to obtain a degree in telecommunications and become a sportscaster. While she is in attendance there, Caitlyn plans on becoming a “Crimsonette.”
Miss Lauren Ashley McCall
Lauren is the 16-year old daughter of Joey and Robin McCall. As a freshman, she was on the junior varsity cheerleading team. She has been a varsity cheerleader for two years and was selected as a member of the NHS competition cheerleading team that placed eighth in the nation. She has been a member of the softball team for three years, the golf team for one year, the Future Farmers of America for one year, and a member of the Interact club for one year. She was voted sophomore class president and was chosen to represent her peers on the homecoming court her freshman and sophomore years. Lauren was selected by the Suburban West Rotary Club as the grand prize winner in the Rotary International Four-way test essay contest. Lauren received the “Miss Physical Fitness” award and was one of the top ten contestants in Miss NHS 2010. In her community Lauren is an active member of Bratt First Baptist church, where she participates in the youth group. She is also a member of Team David, which is a youth leadership group within her church. She volunteers her time with the Century Relay for Life team and also teaches cheerleading skills to young girls.
Her hobbies include dancing, playing flag football, taking pictures, watching sports, and spending time with her family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend a Florida Junior College with a Bright Futures Scholarship and then transfer to Auburn University. She hopes to pursue a degree in sports medicine.
Miss Charleigh Victoria McPherson
Charleigh is the 17-year old daughter of Larry and Mary McPherson. As a freshman, she was on the junior varsity cheerleading team and was the recipient of the 2008-2009 Spirit Award. She has been a member of the varsity cheerleading team for two years and currently holds the title of co-captain. Last year, Charleigh was a member of the NHS competition cheerleading team that placed eighth in the nation. She has been a member of the junior varsity softball team for one year, a member of the golf team for one year, a member of the Art club for one year, and a member of the Interact club for one year. As a sophomore, she was selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court. In the 2009 Miss NHS pageant, Charleigh was hand selected by the judges as the recipient of the Miss Hospitality award. She was also one of the top ten contestants in the 2010 Miss NHS pageant. In her community, Charleigh has played on the Northwest Escambia softball team for six years and has played on the Molino softball team for one year. She is an active member of St. Robert’s Catholic Church where she sings in the choir. This year, Charleigh was chosen to participate in the Youth Leadership Program in Atmore, Alabama.
Her hobbies include cheerleading, playing softball and golf, going to the beach, and spending time with loved ones.
Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and pursue a degree in sports medicine.
Miss Hayley Renee Simpson
Hayley is the 18-year old daughter of Toney and Renee Simpson. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and was selected as co-captain her junior year. This year, Hayley serves as captain. She has been a member of the weightlifting team for three years, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where as a junior, she served as historian, and a member of the varsity softball team for four years. Hayley has been selected the past two years to represent her peers on the homecoming court. She was voted junior and senior class parliamentarian and is a member of First City gymnastics. Hayley is an active member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist church and participates in the youth group and choir. She has volunteered her time with Relay for Life for the past three years.
Her hobbies include reading, singing, cooking, listening to music, and twirling the baton.
Her future plans are to attend Auburn University. While pursuing her degree to become an anesthesiologist, she hopes to be a “Tigerette.”
Miss Dimond Brooke Tullis
Brooke is the 17-year old daughter of Bodie and Emily Tullis. As a freshman, Brooke was selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court and was on the junior varsity cheerleading team, where she served as co-captain of the squad. She has been a varsity cheerleader for three years and was the recipient of the 2009-2010 Best All Around Award. She was also a member of the NHS competition cheerleading team that placed eighth in the nation. Brooke has been the treasurer of her class for four years and has also been a member of the Tribal Spirit yearbook staff for four years. She was also a member of the Drug Awareness Team and held the office of secretary. This year, Brooke was selected by her classmates to represent them on the homecoming court and was crowned 2010 Homecoming Queen. She was also voted “Cutest” by the Senior Class. She is a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was 1st runner up in the 2008-2009 Poarch Creek Junior Princess contest. Brooke attends Bratt First Baptist Church and is an active member of the youth group. She works as a waitress at Wrangler’s Steak House.
Her hobbies include beading, gymnastics, swimming, cheering, babysitting, and spending time with friends and family.
Her future plans are to attend Faulkner State College for two years and then transfer to the University of Alabama.
Miss Ariel Kaye Holland
Ariel is the 16-year old daughter of Wayne and Amy Holland. As a freshman, she was a member of the junior varsity cheerleading team and was also a member of the NHS competition team that placed eighth in the nation. This year, she is a member of the varsity cheerleading team, the weightlifting team, and the golf team. Ariel has been a member of the track team for two years and a member of the softball team for two years. Last year, Ariel was selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court and was voted freshman class maid. In her community, she is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt and participates in the Team David program. She also volunteers her time with the Northwest Escambia Cheerleaders.
Her hobbies include cheerleading, swimming, playing softball, shopping, and spending time with loved ones.
Her future plans are to attend Troy University where she hopes to cheer, while pursuing a degree to become a pediatric nurse.
Miss Tabitha Renea Steege
Tabitha is the 18-year old daughter of Gerald and Sudie Steege. She has been a member of the Tribal Beat marching band for four years, where she acts as section leader. She has been on the Northview Television production staff for one year, a member of the softball team for one year, the Interact club for one year, and a member of the Science club for one year. She has been a member of the Future Farmers of America for one year and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for one year. In her community, she is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore, where she participates in the C.H.A.O.S. youth group choir, the drama team, and A.W.A.N.A. Tabitha has also volunteered her time with Bible School.
Her hobbies include playing the piano and spending time with family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend college and become a dental hygienist. She also hopes to one day start a family.
Miss Ashley Renea’ Cunningham
Ashley is the 15-year old daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She has been a member of the Student Government Association for two years and currently serves as treasurer. She was also elected by her peers as vice-president of the freshman class. Ashley has been a junior varsity cheerleader for one year and was the recipient of the prestigious Spirit Award. She was also a member of the NHS competition cheerleading team that placed eighth in the nation. This year she is on the varsity cheerleading team and was selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court, where she was chosen sophomore class maid. She has been a member of the track team for one year, the Science club for one year, a member of the Future Farmers of America for one year, and a member of S.W.A.N.S for one year. In her community, she is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H club.
Her hobbies include cheering, swimming, tennis, showing steers, and taking family vacations.
Her future plans are to attend a major university and obtain her degree to become a dentist.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 25, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School Students of the Month for January have been named. They are Jacob Weaver, Gavin Grant and Cara Thompson.
Pictured: EWMS Students of the Month for January are Jacob Weaver (left), Gavin Grant and Cara Thompson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.