Tate Army JROTIC Qualifies For State Drill Meet
March 19, 2010
The Tate High School Army JROTC Unit has qualified to compete in the State Drill Meet to be held in Lakeland, Florida on April 16th -18th.
The Tate High School cadets qualified after participating in the Area 11 Regional Drill Meet where they took first place in four events: Male/Mixed Armed Squad (Commander Cadet Akers), Male/Mixed Armed Squad Exhibition (Commander Cadet Weatherholtz), Armed Dual Exhibition and Armed Drill Knock-Out (Cadet Robbins).
The Aggies Drill Team is comprised of thirty-three cadets who have dedicated time before and after school for extended practices. During the state competition, 50 additional schools from across Florida will demonstrate their talent, and represent their respected regions.
Escambia County High Principal Contract Not Renewed; No New Head Coach
March 19, 2010
Escambia County High School in Atmore will have a new principal next year, in addition to a new head football coach.
The Escambia County (Ala.) School Board discussed Means’ contract as well as a job offer to a new teacher that would have possibly served as the new football coach.
With no member making a motion following the executive session, the board effectively failed to renew the contract of Principal Harvey Means. His current two-year contract ends with this school year. Also due to the lack of a motion, the board took no action on the new teacher for Escambia County High.
Kyle Davis was relieved of his head coaching duties at Escambia County High School back in December.
The board did vote to rehire Escambia County Middle School Principal Zickeyous Byrd. When negotiations are complete, he will be back at Atmore’s middle school on a new three-year contract.
Bank Robbers Sentenced
March 19, 2010
James Johnson, 35, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Casey M. Rodgers to 47.5 years in federal prison following Johnson’s guilty plea to two counts of bank robbery and two counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to bank robbery.
Johnson and his co-defendant, Jerome Edward Morgan, both pled guilty to robbing the United Bank in Pace, Florida on May 30, 2008, as well as the related charge of using a firearm during and in relation to that robbery. In addition, Johnson, Morgan and another co-defendant, Christopher Isaiah Woodberry, pled guilty to the June 6, 2008 robbery of the Central Credit Union of Florida in Pensacola, Florida, as well as the related charge of use of a firearm during and in relation to that bank robbery.
Jerome Edward Morgan was sentenced to a term of 40 years in federal prison by Judge Rodgers on February 11, 2009. Woodberry was sentenced by Judge Rodgers to a term of 23 years and eight months in federal prison on February 27, 2009.
Praising the investigation of the robberies that led to the identification and capture of these suspects, Mr. Kirwin stated, “This case was a model of collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s office, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence demonstrates that punishment will be severe for those committing armed offenses that threaten the safety of innocent persons.”
Firefighters Respond To Vehicle Fire Next To Molino Home
March 18, 2010
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle fire reportedly threatening a structure near Molino this afternoon.
Fire stations across the area were dispatched to the 4700 block of Richardson Lane about 4:25 p.m. A Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was fully involved in fire next to a house when they arrived.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control without damage to the home. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters battle a vehicle fire next to a Molino home Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Food Stamp Traffickers in Massive Statewide Sweep
March 18, 2010
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) today announced the arrest of 21 store owners and clerks in an intensive 10-week, statewide undercover operation to combat public assistance fraud. “Operation Cash Exchange” targeted retailers illegally providing cash from government issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards which are authorized only for the purchase of approved food staples. The operation began January 7 and culminated with the execution of search and arrest warrants at 15 stores in 10 cities on yesterday.
The arrests included Gregory J. Greene, 33, and Charles T. Greene, 61, of Greene’s Produce in Pensacola. Both have been released from the Escambia County Jail on bond.
FDLE says the Greenes would process electronic food stamp cards for cash, keeping half for themselves and giving half to customers. During one visit by FDLE to the store, an undercover agent told Charles Greene that she needed rent money. Greene allegedly process a food stamp transaction, giving the undercover officer half of the money.
“These stores were trafficking in tax-payer dollars,” said Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “Taking cash from the food stamp program is a felony, and we rounded up retailers who were running this scam as a part of their daily routine.”
During the operation, undercover operatives visited convenience stores, small grocery markets and gas stations and used food stamp benefits on undercover EBT cards to acquire cash and other items ineligible for purchase. Store owners and clerks rang through a transaction that indicated a food staple purchase, but then provided a portion of the transaction amount back to the undercover operative in the form of cash and retained a portion for themselves. In most cases, few or no food items were purchased.
In addition to the cash transactions, stores also allowed the card to be used to purchase prohibited items such as alcohol and cigarettes, subsequently avoiding paying taxes on those items. In two stores, the undercover operative successfully purchased scratch-off lottery tickets. In one Central Florida store, an undercover operative used the card to purchase a small quantity of the prescription pain killer Oxycodone.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which administers the federal food stamp program, the 15 stores targeted during the operation have committed an estimated $3.5 million in food stamp fraud over the last 12 months. More than $10,000 in cash exchanges occurred during the operation.
“At a time when more Floridians than ever need our help, those who steal from this critical program are stealing from the 2.5 million people in this state who are in legitimate need of food stamps,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon. “I applaud FDLE’s aggressive efforts to punish this especially heinous form of fraud. Such arrests will ensure that honest Floridians who need a helping hand receive that assistance.”
Additional arrests are expected. In addition to state charges, the store owners may face federal penalties by the USDA for violating food stamp program guidelines. These penalties may include fines, temporary or permanent disqualification, and forfeiture of property.
Stores that sold lottery tickets and unauthorized items will be referred to the Florida Department of Lottery and the Florida Department of Revenue for further action.
FDLE will soon begin Phase II of the operation that will target actual public assistance recipients who illegally obtain cash through food stamp benefits on EBT cards.
The federal food stamp program is known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Paper food stamps are no longer issued; instead, benefits are awarded in the form of credit on EBT cards. The USDA establishes the criteria for authorized food purchases, determines which stores are authorized to accept food stamp benefits, and has the authority to administer sanctions to stores violating program guidelines. The Department of Children and Families determines SNAP eligibility and allotments and distributes benefits to individuals. FDLE’s Public Assistance Fraud Program investigates misuse and abuse in the state’s public assistance programs.
Sheriff’s Office Increases Number Of Deputies In North Escambia
March 18, 2010
New deputies are now on the streets of North Escambia thanks to a federal economic stimulus program grant.
The five new patrol officers were added with the assistance of a $3.3 million, three-year grant that will fund 20 new Community Oriented Policing (COPS) positions in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“As promised to the citizens, the first officers under this program were sent to the north end,” Sheriff David Morgan said Wednesday.
The COPS grant federal funding ends in three years, but the Escambia County Commission committed last year to fund the positions for a fourth year at a cost to the county of $1.1 million.
“Out intention is to have the officers up there permanently,” Morgan said. “Sometimes based upon crime stats we will temporarily reassign officers to other areas, but our intent is always to send them back.”
In addition to regular patrols, officers in the new grant-funded positions will engage in community oriented policing activities. The officers will participate in problem oriented policing in conjunction with the Community Oriented Policing Unit, and investigating underlying issues in the community that could lead to criminal activity.
“One of the best law enforcement activities is having your officers integrated in the community,” Morgan said.
Deputies Jon Moore, Melissa Sterling, Mike Dekort, Mike Coburn and David Bashore will be the five new COPS officers in North Escambia. Morgan said area residents will recognize some of the officer names because they have worked in the area for some period of time, but they have been reassigned to the COPS positions. The patrol positions that they vacated have or will be filled to bring the Cantonment/Molino and Century precincts up to their full staffing level.
The overall law enforcement in presence in the Cantonment/Molino precinct will increase to a total of 20 deputies, and the total in the Century/Walnut Hill precinct will increase to 19.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced $1 billion in funding across the nation including $3,344,620 for the ECSO for 20 deputies in late July. The program includes $1 billion in grants to create or maintain 4,699 sworn officers nationwide under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Only four agencies in Florida — the Miami PD, Jacksonville PD, Polk County SO and Pasco County SO — received funding for more officers than Escambia County.
But the other area agencies that applied — the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department, Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department – received nothing. The Atmore Police Department did not apply for funds under the program.
Pictured: Deputy David Bashore makes an arrest in this file photo. Bashore is one of five COPS grant officers announced for North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Attempting To Strangle Ex-wife
March 18, 2010
A North Escambia man is jailed after he allegedly attempted to strangle his ex-wife, with whom he was residing with in violation of a 12-year old restraining order.
Harvey Lamar Brown, 52, of Highway 4A, Century, is charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and contempt of court for willfully violating a restraining order.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the victim said her ex-husband apparently became jealous because she talked to a young man at a yard sale outside her home. When she went inside, a confrontation erupted, and Brown “strangled her to the point of almost passing out”, Deputy Jeff Gardner wrote in his report. When the victim attempted to call for help, Brown allegedly threw her on the floor and tried to break her neck, the report states.
The victim escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house to call for help. She refused medical treatment.
Brown acknowledged to deputies that an argument had occurred and said that the victim had bitten him on the arm. He admitted to the deputy that they “got into a fight (and) tussled around”.
According to the arrest report, a permanent domestic violence injunction was issued against Brown in December, 1997. Deputy Gardner wrote in his report that Brown thought the injunction had been recalled and that “she mislead him into living with her”. The report states Brown had become the caregiver for the victim, who is suffering from a medical condition.
Brown remains in the Escambia County Jail on $100,000 bond. He is due to appear in court again on April 8.
School Prayer Bill Clears First Hurdle (With Document)
March 18, 2010
A controversial school prayer bill cleared its first hurdle in the House, paving the way for teacher participation in student-sponsored prayer.
The House Pre-K-12 Policy committee voted 10-3 to forward HB 31, which would prohibit school districts from forcing teachers to enter an agreement that says they cannot participate in any religious activities initiated by students, a situation that occurred in Santa Rosa County.
Santa Rosa school officials said that under a consent decree, they have to leave a room or offer a disclaimer that they are not participating if their students bow their head in prayer or engage in some other religious-based activity.
Mickey Lindsey, the football coach at Pace High School in Santa Rosa County, said if his players decide to pray before a game, he must turn his back. If a player gets injured during a game and the parents say a prayer, he can’t pray with them.
Because of the decree, he said, it looks like he is not being supportive of the boys he coaches.
“I completely agree that we shouldn’t force religion on anyone, but we do have rights of our own,” Lindsey told the committee.
Lawmakers have sponsored school prayer bills in the past, but failed to pass them. This week, the House committee offered up new language to the bill that changed the focus from the students to the teachers. However, it does still contain language that prohibits teachers from discouraging students from initiating the delivery of an “inspirational message” at a school event.
Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, who is a co-sponsor of the current legislation and has sponsored the bill in the past, said he believes the bill does have a better chance at making it through the legislative process than in past years because of the revamped language.
“It’s not telling anyone that they have to [pray],” he said. “It’s not telling anyone they can’t.”
But some lawmakers and interest groups say there are constitutional issues with the measure. The Anti-Defamation League and American Civil Liberties Union are lined up against the proposal.
An amendment was approved to remove the word “prayer” when describing the inspirational message, but some lawmakers still said they saw problems with the bill.
Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie, said the legislation was “blatantly unconstitutional” under the establishment clause, which states that the government cannot establish or prefer one religion. The bill, he said, could be unfair to Jewish or Muslim students who attend school with mostly Christian students who could initiate a prayer or religious message in opposition to those students’ faiths.
Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, one of the other “no” votes, added that the legislation could also create a scenario where a student could openly attack students who are gay or of a different race, and teachers would be unable to stop that.
“If you know students you understand this, you don’t know what could come out of their mouths unchecked,” Bullard said.
The legislation still has three more committee stops before it could go before the full House. The Senate has not yet taken up its version of the measure, which still includes the original language rather than the teacher-focused language.
Rezoning Approved So Molino Man Can Put Mobile Home On Family Land
March 18, 2010
The Escambia County Commission has approved rezoning a piece of property on Highway 97 so that a Molino man can move in a mobile home for his son.
The 36.5 acres at 51 Highway 97 were rezoned from V-2, which allowed two dwelling units per acre, to VR-2, which will allow one dwelling unit — including a mobile home — per .75 acre. The commission approved the rezoning 5-0.
In January, Bennie Hassebrock told commissioners that he has tried for four years to get approval for a mobile home on the property, which he said had been in his family for over 60 years. The property’s zoning does not allow a mobile home.
“Everywhere I go, they tell me I can’t do this,” Hassebrock said in January. “I’m against trailers myself, but I’m trying to live within our means, and our means can’t build him a house right now.”
“He got caught up when the zoning map was thrown down,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said. “It’s one of those where you’ve got a trailer across the street and its OK, but his zone does not allow it.” White said the county’s rezoning fees would be hardship for Hassebrock.
The 36.5 acres are located on Highway 97 south of Highway 29.
Pictured: Bennie Hassebrock addresses the Escambia County Commission in January.
CFO Announces More Charges For Cantonment Man Accused Of Fabricating Shooting Story
March 18, 2010
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer has announced that insurance fraud charges have been filed against the Cantonment man arrested for fabricating a shooting story.
John Horace Bryant, 34, was charged with staging an accident with intent to file a claim, filing a false insurance claim with the Department of Insurance, grant theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
His arrest was part of a statewide sweep of staged accident scammers last week that resulted in the arrest of 19 suspects by Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s department.
“Staged accidents put every Floridian at risk, both physically and financially,” said Sink. “I am taking aggressive action every day to get these scammers off our streets and behind bars where they belong.”
Bryant was arrested in February on two child cruelty charges for shooting a teenager in the leg as part of what deputies say was a fabricated story designed to frame his ex-wife. The charges stem from an incident where a 17-year old juvenile was shot with birdshot in the left leg during the early morning hours of January 4 on Sundance Lane in Cantonment. He was also charged with aggravated stalking and obstruction of justice for making up the shooting stories in an attempt to frame his ex-wife.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that Bryant had directed a 16-year old to shoot the other juvenile with a shotgun taken from Bryant’s house,” Sgt. Ted Roy, sheriff’s office spokesperson, said after the arrest. “The actual shooting victim believed he had been shot by Jennifer Bryant due to the statements made to him by John Braynt.” Jennifer Bryant is John Bryant’s ex-wife.
Bond in the insurance fraud case has been set at $35,000 for Bryant. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail on earlier charges.