This Place Matters: Flomaton Historical Group In The Running For $25K
September 9, 2010
The Flomaton Area Railroad Museum is the running for a $25,000 “This Place Matters” grant — and they want your help.
The This Place Matters Challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation will award the $25,000 to one entrant to protect places in their community. The goal of the This Place Matters Community Challenge is to rally as many people around the grassroots issues of preservation in communities as possible, according to the group’s website.
“I am terribly happy that we were chosen to be on there,” Betty Jones of the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum said.
To see Flomaton’s entry and vote, click here. Voes are due by September 15.
Pictured: Levi Wagner, son of Tip Wagner and April Eicher, in photo used by the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum in their “This Place Matters” entry. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tropical Storm Igor Forms
September 8, 2010
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT11/refresh/AL1110W5_NL+gif/145914W5_NL_sm.gif)
Tropical Storm Igor formed Wednesday morning off the coast of Africa near the Cape Verde Islands. The storm is on a westward path across the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting Igor to become a hurricane by the weekend.
The last information on Igor can be found in the graphic above, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse Of Underage Girl, Grand Theft, Abandoning Dogs
September 8, 2010
A Century volunteer fireman — the son of the department chief — was arrested Tuesday night, charged with sexually abusing an underage girl and with abandoning dogs rescued by the department.
Dustin Ryan Burkett, 28, of Century, was booked into the Escambia County Jail just before 11 p.m. Tuesday on one felony count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 15 years of age, one felony count of grand theft, and misdemeanor charges of abandonment of animals and obstruction of justice, according to Melissa Aiken Rawson, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Burkett was released from jail Wednesday afternoon on $15,000 bond, according to jail records.
An arrest warrant was signed Tuesday on the sexual abuse charge stemming from a 2009 incident in which a 15 year old girl told deputies she had intercourse with Burkett at Lake Stone Campground in Century. The encounter, according to the victim, took place on or about March 28, 2009. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received information on April 13, 2009, that the relationship had taken place, and the victim was interviewed at her school on April 28, 2009.
Burkett retained an attorney and refused to meet with the Sheriff’s Office investigators, according to the warrant affidavit.
In an unrelated incident, a second arrest warrant was signed against Burkett on Tuesday for allegedly abandoning three dogs that were reported to be “rescued” by the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue last month.
The Century Station of Escambia-Rescue responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Sunday, August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. They discovered that there was no accident; rather, a motorist had stopped after seeing the three dogs nearly in the road. Both the fire department and the Sheriff’s Office requested that Escambia County Animal Control respond, but the agency refused stating that it did not meet their call-out criteria.
Rather than leave the dogs beside the road, they were taken back to the Century firehouse as firefighters worked to determine what to do with the canines. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the Burkett told his follow firefighters to, “Put them in my truck. I have a pen at my house”.
A Century Volunteer Fire Department officer emailed NorthEscambia.com that night, providing photographs of the dogs and asking for help in find the dogs’ owner. NorthEscambia.com published that story Monday, August 23.
After the article was published on NorthEscambia.com, the dogs’ owner contacted the fire department. According to the ECSO, the owner confronted Burkett at the Century fire station the next evening and asked the whereabouts of his dogs. Burkett according to the incident report, “refused to respond and acted like he didn’t know what (the victim) was talking about”.
On Wednesday, the dogs’ owner went to the Burkett’s residence on Highway 4A and spoke with the suspect’s father. The father was helpful but said that he did not see the dogs or know where his son had put them, the victim told deputies.
Burkett told a fire department officer that he had found a good home for the dogs in Walnut Hill, and the officer contact NorthEscambia.com with the information. Based on that information from the fire department, a followup story was published by NorthEscambia.com on Thursday, August 26, reporting that a home had been found for the dogs.
On Thursday, deputies met with both Burkett and his father. Burkett told deputies, according to their report, that he had given the dogs to a man he met. He told a deputy that he did not know how to contact the man and that the deputy should call his friend. The friend told the deputy by phone that “he did not want to be involved and that he was not going to tell a lie to keep (the suspect) out of trouble”. He said that Burkett contacted him Sunday night and “asked him to cover for him if asked the whereabouts of the missing dogs”. The friend told the deputy that Burkett told him that he took the dogs and dropped them off at the intersection of North Pine Barren Road and Highway 168.
When contacted by phone, the deputy said Burkett admitted to putting the dogs out of his vehicle on Pine Barren Road on Wednesday. About 30 minutes later, Burkett called the suspect again to advise him that he was going to face charges over the dogs. “He advised me that he didn’t kill them or sell them and that he put them out on Sunday,” Deputy David Bashore wrote in his report.
The dogs were found a few days later on Highway 4, not far from Northview High School. They were determined to be in good condition by a veterinarian and returned the owner.
Burkett is the son of the Century District Fire Chief Reggie Burkett, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Disciplinary action was taken against Burkett by the department, according to Century Assistant District Chief David Adams. He declined to elaborate.
Pictured top: Century firefighter Dustin Ryan Burkett was arrested Tuesday night. Pictured inset: These cellphone photos show three dogs found the evening of August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. The firefighter partially in the photograph is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Teacher Sentenced To Prison On Drug, Obscene Materials Charges
September 8, 2010
A former Escambia County, Ala., teacher will spend three years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to possession of obscene material and distribution of a controlled substance.
Larry Tindell had faced up to 30 years in prison before he entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. He will remain on probation for 10 years after his release.
Tindell, a former special education teacher at W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton, was arrested in February, 2009, on charge that he gave Lortab to a former student at the school. He was also charged with possession of obscene material after authorities reportedly found inappropriate images of children while searching his home.
Ernest Ward Beats Excel 34-8 (With Photo Gallery)
September 8, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles improved to 2-0 with a big 34-8 defeat of the Excel Panthers Tuesday evening.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Fueled by a 34-yard run by Hunter Sherouse, the Eagles were set to be the first on the scoreboard. Eighth grader Jaran Miles picked up the first touchdown for EWMS with 2:54 to go in the first quarter. Miles’ attempt at a two point conversion was stopped just inches short of the goal line by a host of Panthers’ defenders. 6-0, EWMS on top.
Less than two minutes later, with 1:04 to go in the first, Miles repeated with another touchdown, this one from about 20 yards out. A two point conversion pass was caught by Jaylen Parker to expand the Ernest Ward lead to 14-0.
Late in the second quarter, Austin Whitehead plowed up the middle from a few yards out for another Ernest Ward touchdown. Another two point pass caught by Parker, and the Eagles were up 22-0 with 3:59 to go in the first half.
In the third quarter, Miles struck again, with about a 60-yard touchdown run. A missed two-pointer, and the Eagles marched on 28-0 with 5:04 in the third quarter of play.
Excel picked up their only score of the night with a long run past midfield with 3:27 on the clock in the third. A good point after attempt, and the score was 28-8.
In the fourth quarter, the Eagles struck again, widening their lead to 34-8. The Panthers came close to one more touchdown from the one-yard line with 1.1 seconds on the clock, but the Eagles’ defense held strong for the win.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles — the only middle school team in Escambia County, Fla. — will be off next week. They will be on the road September 21 against Uriah.
Pictured top: Jaran Miles heads for an Ernest Ward touchdown Tuesday in Walnut Hill. Picture inset: An Excel Panther brought to stop by the EWMS defense. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders lead the crowd. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Investigate Drive-by Shooting In Nokomis
September 8, 2010
Deputies are investigating an apparent drive-by shooting in the Nokomis community in which at least a half dozen shots were fired into a vehicle belonging to a 63-year old woman.
The incident happened sometime Tuesday morning in the 6000 block of Pineville Road, about a mile south of the Alabama state line. The victim told deputies that she she heard what she thought was someone knocking at her door about 2:30 a.m., but there was no one at the door when she opened it. Just before 7 a.m., she noticed the back window was broken in 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. Upon a closer look, she discovered several bullet holes in the car.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Bashore located six bullet holes in the car. Two bullets, believed to be from an unknown caliber handgun, were recovered from the vehicle. One was lodged between the back window glass and roof of the vehicle and the second, which has apparently traveled through the Pontiac’s trunk, was recovered from under the driver’s side rear seat.
The victim “stated that she has had no altercations with anyone nor have any of her family members. She stated she thought this may be a case of mistaken identity,” according to Bashore’s report on the incident.
The scene was processed by an Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician. No bullet casings could be found, and no damage to the residence or other vehicles in the yard could be found.
For more photos of the vehicle and the investigation, click here.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the incident. Anyone with information about the shooting should contact the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician Shelley Dill photographs a car reportedly hit by multiple bullets during a drive-by shooting in Nokomis. Pictured inset: This photograph shows a bullet lodged between the back glass and roof of the vehicle. Pictured below: Dill photographs a bullet hole in the trunk of the Pontiac Bonneville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Varsity, JV Beat PCA In Volleyball
September 8, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Pensacola Christian Academy on the volleyball court Tuesday evening.
At the varsity level, the Lady Chiefs (2-1, 2-0) defeated PCA in four games — 26-24, 25-19, 25-16.
“Varsity did a great job of implementing a faster offense in tonight’s game against PCA. It is something that we are continuously working on putting into our program and I felt that we are going to get establish,” said Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton.
Northview varsity stats:
Shawn Montgomery – Kills-12, Aces-2, Blocks-15, Assists-4
Raylin Spence — Aces-3, Assists-6, Blocks-4
Sarah Killam — Assists-5, Aces -1, Assists-5 Blocks-3
Katie Wieborg – Block-1, Aces-5
In JV action, the Lady Chiefs beat PCA in a two-game match — 25-18, 25-19.
“I am very proud of the JV team for the way they worked hard on every play to get three touches. Every play you could see them focusing on getting a pass, set, and hit. They did a great job working together. We still need to work on communication on the court, but I believe that will come,” Heaton said.
Northview JV stats:
Alison Bardin — Digs-2, Aces-2
Paeton Hadley – Assists-1. Aces-1, Digs-1
Madison Arrington — Assists – 4, Aces – 2
Tiffani Pritchett – Kills-1, Digs-1
Pictured: File photos of Northview vs. Jay, submitted by Brenda McCall for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$59 Million Broadband Plans For South Alabama Counties
September 8, 2010
A federal grant will help improve high speed Internet availability in Escambia and seven other south Alabama counties.
A $59 million grant was awarded to Trillion Communications Corp. of Bessemer, Ala. on behalf of the South Century Alabama Broadband Commission. With nearly $27 million in matching contributions, Trillion will offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in Escambia, Macon, Lowndes, Dallas, Wilcox, Butler, Crenshaw and Conecuh counties.
The project plans to directly connect as many as 400 community institutions to broadband. As many as $172,800 people and 3,000 businesses stand to benefit, according to the company’s application. The company estimates the project will create more than 550 jobs.
The grant was one of five grants totaling $111 million in Alabama, part of $7 billion in federal stimulus dollars intended to bridge the technological divide in communities that are being left in the 20th century economy and support improvements in education, healthcare, and public safety.
The projects receiving funds are part of a program – administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) – to expand broadband access and adoption across the country.
Several Florida broadband projects also received funding, but none were in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Pictured: The map above shows the limited availability of broadband Internet in Escambia County, Ala. Courtesy ConnectingALABAMA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Royals Beat J.U. Blacksher; Flomaton Beats Baker (Updated With Flomaton Photos)
September 8, 2010
The Jay High School junior varsity football team defeated J.U. Blacksher 49-12 Tuesday night in Jay.
The JV Royals will make the short trip to Hurricane Field next Tuesday to take on Flomaton High School. game time will be 6 p.m.
The Flomaton junior varsity Hurricanes beat the Baker Gators 14-6.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
For more photos, visit www.mikenewtonphoto.com.
Submitted photos Flomaton JV versus Baker by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Better Than Forecast: Florida Budget Shortfall ‘Only’ $2.5 Billion
September 8, 2010
Florida’s looming budget shortfall has been shrunk in half by state analysts who credit federal stimulus dollars, years of spending cuts, and Indian gambling money as helping forge a brighter picture – but one that could still leave the state in a $2.5 billion hole.
A year ago, state forecasters projected a $5.5 billion gap for 2011-12, as the remnants of the recession and a stone-cold housing market looked certain to dig deeply into state tax collections. But in a revamped forecast slated to be reviewed next Tuesday by the Legislative Budget Commission, analysts now say the tide of red ink may stop at the $2.5 billion mark.
“This is what we see at this moment,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, among several panels making the latest forecast. “The revenue side is slightly better. And the spending has leveled off.”
Baker conceded, however, that the revised projection does not take into account the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on state coffers. The Panhandle tourist slump which coursed through the summer – coupled with increased spending from oil clean-up efforts – is still proving too difficult to gauge, she said.
“It’s a big caveat in the forecast,” Baker said. “We’ll know more in coming months.”
While the expected budget hole has diminished, the debate over how to fill it remains largely unchanged, lawmakers from both parties agree as the fall campaigns gather strength.
The Legislature’s ruling Republicans have already set the stage for another round of belt-tightening – and could draw strength from the economists’ crediting reduced state spending as helping yield the improved forecast.
“It’s more pleasant to hear that things are getting better,” said Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Nicevillle, who chairs the Senate’s Select Committee on Florida’s Economy. “But I think you have to credit the Republican majority for cutting recurring spending so we don’t find ourselves hurtling toward the precipice.”
But Gaetz said he was wary of the suddenly improved forecast – since the state’s troubled housing market has shown only feeble signs of life and Medicaid costs are on track to top $20 billion next year, demanding an additional $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars, according to analysts.
Gaetz said the forecast, while based on extensive data, “is a highly sophisticated Ouija board.”
Democrats, who have pushed for closing some corporate-tax exemptions and enforcement of stricter Internet sales taxes, also said the revised shortfall eases pressure – but only slightly.
“We’re not facing as big a deficit, but it’s still a big one,” said Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West, designated as the incoming House Democratic leader. “And the federal stimulus money is going away. A lot also is going to depend on who is governor.”
The state’s current $70.2 billion budget is propped up by $2.5 billion in federal stimulus dollars — the last installment of $27 billion in cash that flowed to Florida from Washington over the past three years. The latest round was enhanced by an additional $700 million in federal Medicaid money that came to Florida last month.
But most agree that Florida’s budget-balancing options have narrowed. House Republicans led by Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, had once pushed for expanding offshore drilling in Florida as a potential money-maker – an idea they concede the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has taken off the table for the foreseeable future.
Similarly, GOP efforts to overhaul Medicaid also appear blunted. Medicaid programs – which now command one-quarter of the state budget and serve 2.7 million Floridians – must be maintained at current levels for the state to collect the additional money approved by Congress last month. The congressional health care overhaul backed by the Obama administration also limits state changes in coming years.
Rick Scott, the Republican nominee for governor, opposed the federal stimulus package – and also has made a key budget provision part of his campaign by calling for elimination of the state’s corporate income tax. The move, if embraced by the Legislature, would erase $1.8 billion from next year’s budget.
Scott has proposed rolling back state and local government spending levels to 2004 levels – before Florida’s housing boom spawned skyrocketing tax collections that have since evaporated. So far, though, Scott has offered few details on budget cuts.
“The debate remains the same,” said Jennifer Baker, a Scott spokeswoman. “Florida is facing huge budget deficits, record unemployment and a foreclosure crisis. Floridians have a clear choice when they choose their next governor.”
Baker said Scott’s background as a political outsider with a “proven track record of creating jobs, balancing budgets,” should sway voters.
Democrat Alex Sink has outlined a more sweeping “government reform and accountability plan” that she says can yield $700 million in first-year spending cuts. The anticipated spending, however, may prove lofty – since many of the changes she proposes are confined to such measures as reducing state office space, unneeded layers of management, and bolstering the state’s hand in contracting.
But Sink said that as the state’s chief financial officer with a background in banking, she’d bring an ability to ferret out wasteful spending while also growing the state’s economy.
“While it is important to understand the budget deficit we will face, Florida is still in an economic crisis, with too many families in our state struggling and over one million Floridians out of a job,” said Sink spokeswoman Kyra Jennings.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida