Molino Pharmacy Robbery Suspect Wanted Again
November 8, 2010
The Molino man charged in connection with the September armed robbery of a Molino Pharmacy is once again wanted by police.
According to Escambia County Circuit Court records, Judge Ronald Swanson revoked bond for Joseph Daniel Flowers, 56, and issued a failure to appear warrant for his arrest. He was originally charged with robbery with a firearm, grand theft, possession of a firearm in pharmacy, aggravated battery and wearing a mask while committing a felony.
The grand theft and wearing a mask while committing a felony charges were dropped, while multiple drug possession charges were filed against Flowers.
Flowers was charged with robbing Scott’s Pharmacy on September 20 while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head.
Flowers is also facing charges for the alleged battery of his accomplice — Krystal Lynn Collins — with a two liter bottle of Coke. Collins, 24, was also charged in connection with the robbery; deputies believe she was the getaway car driver.
For more about the robbery and Flowers’ arrest, click here. For more about Collins’ arrest for allegedly driving the getaway car, click here. And for more about the battery arrest, click here.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Flowers should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Class Size Issues Persist For Lawmakers
November 8, 2010
When Florida voters defeated a ballot measure that would have tweaked the state’s class size law, they defeated lawmakers’ best hope for fixing the Legislature’s persistent problem in funding a constitutional requirement for schools to cap individual classrooms at a certain size.
With the defeat of the amendment, lawmakers are trying to figure out their next move.
“That’s a question I don’t have an answer to yet,” said Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, who is slated to become Florida House Speaker in 2012 and who sponsored the proposed amendment in the House.
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 more than the current cap of 25 students in a high school classroom. Educators noted substantial educational gains as the class size caps were phased in, but lawmakers were faced with the growing problem of how to pay for it, particularly as the economy collapsed and state coffers grew thin.
Educators, in need of more funds to hire enough teachers to carry out the class size caps, were faced with a quandary. If their classrooms were at maximum capacity and a new student moved into the district, where would that student go?
The solution lawmakers came up with was a ballot measure – Amendment 8 – that would have allowed schools to continue to calculate class size caps at a school-wide average, rather than on a per-classroom basis, giving principals more flexibility to add students to their classes without violating the constitution.
On Election Night, 55 percent of voters voted in favor of the measure, 5 percent short of the required 60 percent threshold for proposed constitutional amendments.
The state teachers’ union has staunchly defended the original class size provision, arguing that the softening of the law is merely the Legislature backing out of a promise to fund the schools to a point where they can meet the hard caps. The problem of an extra student moving into a district could be fixed statutorily, they argued, but the Legislature has largely rejected that plan.
“I don’t know how they’re going to respond to the class size, whether they’ll try to wiggle out of it again,” said Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow.
Classroom caps have been phased in since the 2002 passage of the constitutional amendment, but this fall, the hard caps were put into full effect. Schools that are not in compliance with the law could face fines for the violation.
Administrators across the state largely supported the amendment, despite the FEA”s opposition to the proposal. Florida Association of District School Superintendents executive director Bill Montford, who was also elected to the state Senate on Tuesday, said the failure of the amendment means superintendents will have to make a lot of “tough decisions” and that he doesn’t really know whether lawmakers will try to address it or just leave it be.
“It has been the opinion each year, each session, that there is not a statutory fix,” Montford said. “At least that has been the opinion of the Legislature. However, with the defeat of Amendment 8, I’m certain that issue will come up within the legislative session. What do we do now? Do we try to craft a statutory fix and see if it will stand up?”
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who sponsored the Senate version of the amendment, said he thinks it would be difficult for the lawmakers to legally make a statutory change “to try to dilute the voters’ decision” and that he, at least, would not be sponsoring another ballot measure on class size.
“I believe that the issue is now settled and the losers will be parents and teachers and taxpayers, but that’s the constitution,” he said.
Weatherford said it was likely that lawmakers would discuss a variety of options on how to address class size obstacles when the Legislature returns to Tallahassee this spring for its regular session. The legislative body could pass a statutory measure, he said, but that doesn’t mean its constitutional.
“At the end of the day, the court will probably decide what these caps really mean,” he said.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
Results And Photos: District Cross Country Meets
November 8, 2010
The Northview and Tate cross country teams both placed in district meets this past weekend. The Northview boys finished 12th, while the Northview girls finished eighth in District 1-2A. The Tate boys and girls both placed 16th i n District 1-3A.
Here are results from the District 1-2A cross country meet held this weekend at Marianna and the District 1-3A meet held in Pace.
Boys District 1-2A
- West Florida High
- Catholic
- Panama City Arnold
- Tallahassee-Florida High
- Marianna
- Wakulla
- South Walton
- Tallahassee Godby
- Panama City Bay
- Panama City Rutherford
- Walton
- Northview
- East Gadsden
Northview Boys Results
- Josh Scott 19:34
- Dustin Lewis 20:38
- AJ Lambert 20:45
- Dillian Crutchfield 21:57
- Aaron Rausch 24:34
- Justin King 28:04
Girls District 1-2A
- West Florida High
- Wakulla High
- Tallahassee- Florida High
- South Walton
- Catholic
- Panama City Arnold
- Suwannee
- Northview
- Marianna
- Panama City Bay
- Panama City Rutherford
Northview Girls Results
- Georgia Goetter -21:55
- Sarah Killiam -24:41
- Julia Thorpe 28:00
- Jazzlyn Franklin 28:13
- Misty Doran 28:29
- Madalyn Coon 30:00.09
- Kelsey Taylor 30:00.65
Boys District 1-3A
- Washington
- Tallahassee Leon
- Niceville
- Tallahassee Lincoln
- Fort Walton Beach
- Tallahassee Chiles
- Navarre
- Choctawhatchee
- Pace
- Mosley (Lynn Haven)
- Pine Forest
- Gulf Breeze
- Crestview
- Milton
- Escambia High
- Tate
- Pensacola High
Girls District 1-3A
- Chiles (Tallahassee)
- Fort Walton Beach
- Niceville
- Choctawhatchee
- Pine Forest
- Tallahassee Leon
- Gulf Breeze
- Pace
- Navarre
- Washington
- Milton
- Tallahassee Lincoln
- Panama Mosley
- Pensacola High
- Escambia
- Tate
Submitted photos by Cathy Scott and Natalie Nall for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Names Officers
November 8, 2010
Officers were recently selected for the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA chapter. Officers are (back, L-R) Allison Woodfin, teasurer; Aden Davis, chaplain; Tiffani Cruce, president; Madison McGhee, photographer; (middle, L-R) Jaylen Parker, vice president; Haylee Weaver, reporter; Addy Lee, parliamentarian; Haley Brown, secretary; Bethany Reynolds, sentinel; and Miranda Vidak, historian. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
United Way Reports Pledges Toward $2.37 Million Goal
November 8, 2010
Fifty-nine area workplaces have submitted final or estimated fundraising results for the 2010-11 United Way of Escambia County Campaign. The cumulative amount pledged is an estimated $865,000, which represents 36.5% of the $2.37 million goal.
Comparing results from 56 of the workplaces that participated last year and again this year, giving is up 4.2%. Three workplaces are participating for the first time this year. These workplaces contributed an estimated $65,000 of the total amount pledged to date to date.
Nearly 250 workplaces are still conducting fundraising activities. Most are expect to report results by Dec. 9.
Jean Norman, president/CEO of United Way of Escambia County, said she is appreciative of the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to raise funds for United Way this year.
“The enthusiasm and creativity shown by the Campaign volunteers is impressive,” Norman said. “Hundreds of volunteers are engaged in this year’s fundraising effort, and 10,000 are expected to make a pledge. These early figures point to a very strong, successful finish.”
The United Way of Escambia County Campaign launched Sept. 13. A final, projected total will be announced Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. at Sanders Beach Community Center.
Four Families Homeless After Apartment Building Destroyed By Fire
November 8, 2010
Four families were left homeless after a Sunday afternoon apartment fire in Atmore.
The fire was reported just after 2 p.m. at the apartment complex on Everette Street, near Swift Lumber Company. The multi-family building was destroyed by the fast moving blaze.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Atmore and Poarch fire departments extinguished the blaze. There were no serious injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: Fire destroyed an apartment building in Atmore Sunday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing 8-Year Old Found After 6 Hours In Woods
November 7, 2010
An 8-year old boy missing for six hours in a heavily wooded area Sunday was found unharmed after a massive search.
Scores of volunteers spent hours searching for Harley Walker around a home on Rockin J Farm Road west of Century. Harley was reported missing to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office about 1:30 Sunday afternoon, but his mother says he was last seen about 11:00 Sunday morning, according to deputies.
Harley was found on the Alabama side of State Line Road by Sarah Killam (pictured left), a Northview High School senior, as she drove to church about sunset.
His mom, Suzanne Walker, ran down the a long driveway to meet the SUV that returned her son home. She grabbed Harley and held him in a long hug, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Oh buddy you had me so scared,” she told him. “”I’m so glad you are home; I missed you so much.”
“I followed Molly and got lost,” Harley said, continuing to explain that he had followed Molly, a dog belonging to the Walker’s landlord, into the woods where he became lost. Eventually, Harley and Molly made their way to State Line Road where they were found.
“I was waving at the helicopter,” he said. He did not realize that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office air unit was searching for him.
“I saw this little boy on the side of the road,” Killam said. “It was him, just standing their with his dog waving at the helicopter.”
Killam said she did not consider herself a hero. “It was all Jesus,” she proclaimed. “We had prayed that they would find him and find him before dark. That’s exactly what happened.”
Mom Suzanne Walker said her son would spend Sunday night in her room. “He will be right there with me,” she said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Search and Rescue, a K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution and dozens of volunteers search the remote area for hours. The Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office helicopter and an ultralight aircraft from Escambia County, Alabama also took part in the search.
For more photos from the reunion of mom and son, and from the search, click here.
Pictured top: Harley Walker, 8, is reunited with his mother Suzanne Walker. Picture top inset: Walker thanks Sarah Killam (left) for finding her son.Pictured below and bottom inset: Escambia Search and Rescue begins a search for a missing 8-year old this afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Caught on Video: Candidate And Wife Charged With Stealing Campaign Signs
November 7, 2010
A former candidate and his wife will face criminal charges for the theft of political signs belonging to newly elected District 1 State Representative Doug Broxson.
Gregory Brown, Jr. and his wife Jennifer were each charged with one count of petit theft. Both have entered into a pretrial diversion program and will be required to complete 50 hours of public service and write a letter of apology to Broxson.
In July, the Browns were caught on video as they removed campaign signs belonging to opponent Broxson from an intersection near Milton. Greg Brown maintained that the signs were on private property where he had permission to remove them.
An investigation later determined that the signs were on public right of way along Highway 87, not far from Whiting Field. Florida State Attorney Glenn Hess said there was insufficient evidence to charge Doug Broxson or his son Jason Broxson with placing the signs on the right of way because there was no evidence who actually placed the signs and when that occurred.
Hess also determined that there was no violation of Florida law when Jason Broxon used a night vision camera to video the Browns during the theft. The State Attorney’s Office said there is no expectation of privacy in conversations that take place on the public right of way.
“The video in question was deliberately taken and distributed to appear as if I had participated in some type of juvenile campaign trick.” Brown said in July. “After witnessing me removing the signs, as I had permission to do, rather than call the property owner or myself, Doug Broxson’s campaign anonymously dropped off the video with press, email lists, and the Sheriff’s department to discredit me.”
The video has sound, with Brown and his wife caught speaking. The volume of the conversation is very low; however, text superimposed on the video suggest what is being said.
“Is that good?” the video alleges that Jennifer Brown said after removing signs.
“Wait…your fingerprints are still on the ones laying down,” the video claims Brown responded.
Broxson defeated Brown in the primaries and went on to win the House seat during the November general election. The State Attorney’s Office delayed any charges in the case until after the election to avoid any impact on the political process.
Pictured top: This still frame from a night vision video camera shows Florida House candidate Greg Brown and his wife Jennifer removing an opponent’s campaign signs from Highway 87 near Milton. The video is below.
Walnut Hill Fire Honors Firemen, Community Members During Fish Fry
November 7, 2010
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their annual fish fry Saturday.
The Officer of the Year Award was presented to Diann Stewart, who has given “a lot of blood, sweat and tears to the department and stayed in the department while taking care of her family in an exceptional way,” according to District Chief Chris Brown.
Gerry Steege was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by his peers.
Founding members Vern Peters and Bob Mininger were recognized for their part in forming the fire department in 1965.
Saturday’s fish fry marked the 41st annual event for the department, with 613 fish and chicken plates sold.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department also presented their annual Community Service Award to NorthEscambia.com for service to the Walnut Hill community and the department.
Pictured top: Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Chad Rigby breads catfish Saturday morning during the department’s annual catfish fry. Picture inset: Diann Stewart was named Officer of the Year. Pictured below: Gerry Streege was named Firefighter of the Year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Road Grader Stolen; Road Heavily Damaged
November 7, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after someone took a county road grader on a short ride and heavily damaged a road Saturday night.
The grader, which was parked at Arthur Brown Road and Pineville Road, was stolen sometime before 9 p.m. Saturday. The thief was apparently unable to properly operate the piece of heavy equipment. The blade was dropped onto Arthur Brown Road, digging up full lane’s width of asphalt. The grader was then taken a short distance north on Pineville Road where it became stuck when the driver ran the wheels up onto a small embankment, burying the blade in the dirt road.
Deputies said the thief could face felony charges in connection with the incident.
The Escambia County Road Department was called to the scene to remove the stuck grader and make temporary repairs to the road.
The intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Pineville Road is an extremely rural area, about seven miles west of Walnut Hill.
Pictured top and below: A stolen Escambia County road grader became stuck on Pineville Road Saturday night. Picture inset: A section of Arthur Brown Road was destroyed by the blade on the road grader. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
