Local
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Washington County News | A3
Governor Rick Scott honors Florida firefighters Special to the News TALLAHASSEE — During a Florida Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott, along with Cabinet members, passed a resolution to create a Florida Firefighters Memorial at the Florida State Capitol Building. The memorial will be a place for all visitors to the state capitol to visit and honor firefighters who have given their lives to help protect the Floridians they serve. “Florida firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect Florida families and their property,� said Scott. “I am happy today to join the Florida Cabinet in designating a place for all Floridians to recognize and remember the sacrifice that Florida’s fallen fighter fighters have given. As we honor those gave the ul-
timate sacrifice today, we also look forward with new legislation that aims to give the fire fighting community the tools they need to keep Floridians safe.� Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said, “I want to thank all those who cooperated in developing this important piece of legislation and the support of the Legislature and the Governor’s Office as it moved through the process. SB 1410 is a complex and comprehensive measure that required the collaboration of many parties. This bill will provide the fire fighting community relief from outmoded structural impediments and increase the efficiency of their operations. Those who so willingly put themselves at risk for us on a daily basis deserve no less.� Florida Attorney General
Pam Bondi said, “I am proud of Florida’s brave firefighters, and the Florida Firefighters Memorial will be a permanent remembrance at our state Capitol for people to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives for the safety of others.� Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said, “The firefighters of Florida are truly selfless public servants who put their lives on the line to save the homes, the businesses and, most importantly, the lives of others. We cannot thank them enough for their service and sacrifice, but this new firefighter memorial will be a fitting tribute to the heroes we’ve lost.� Additionally, after the Cabinet meeting, Governor Scott signed SB 1410, which will give the Florida Chief Fire Marshall
more authority to protect lives and property. This legislation updates continuing education requirements for fire safety inspectors, gives firefighters and volunteer firefighters more options for retaining certifications and updates old statute regarding the State Fire Marshall. Senator David Simmons said, “Today’s bill signing is a great step forward in keeping Florida families safe. I applaud Governor Scott and everyone in the fire fighting community for helping with this great legislation and for putting the safety of Florida citizens first.� Representative Jim Boyd said, “I am happy to stand with Governor Scott and the fire fighting community today as we honor those who have given their lives to protect the families
of our state. SB 1410 will help ensure that fire fighters across Florida have the tools they need to continue to serve the Sunshine State.� Florida Professional Firefighters Association’s Government Relations Director Jim Tolley said, “Florida’s professional firefighters would like to thank Representative Boyd and Senator Simmons for sponsoring this fire safety bill. We thank Governor Scott for signing this bill into law providing increased safety to the public as well as our firefighters. SB 1410 becoming law, corrects a glitch in the continued certification of our knowledgeable and experienced retired firefighters. These retired firefighters assist in the education of students in fire academies and colleges.�
Cold case closed with manslaughter plea From Staff Reports PANAMA CITY — Investigators with the Panama City Police Department relentlessly gathered evidence in the slaying of 20-yearold Adam Bolton since 2007. Sgt Jeff Becker, the lead detective on the case, made Bolton’s photo his screen saver on his computer at work. He wanted to be reminded of the case every time he
work, he said. On Thursday the investigation officially came to an end when Joseph T. Duhon pleaded no contest to a charge of manslaughter. Circuit Judge Elijah Smiley followed the terms of the agreement and sentenced Duhon, 27, to 122.7 ADAM months in prison, according to a BOLTON news release from the State Attorney’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy was at
told Smiley that Duhon shot and killed Bolton on Jan. 2, 2007. Bolton’s mother, Angela Small, told Smiley that Duhon was the first friend Bolton made when they moved to the area, a news release stated. “My son was executed one month before his 21st birthday by his friend Joseph Duhon,� Small said, adding that she endured chance encounters with Duhon for years. “He would be smiling at me with that
Man injured in road rage incident dies From Staff Reports MARIANNA — A man injured in a road rage incident in Jackson County earlier this month has died, and two men have been arrested. The Jackson County Sheriff ’s Office said the victim died in Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart Health System early
Wednesday morning. The man was identified as Terry Joe Gibbs, 56, of North Carolina. According to a release from JCSO, arrested were two men: Kevin Denkevitz of Sanford, N.C. was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and shooting into an occupied vehicle; Craig Mathew Frederickson of Maple Hill, N.C.
was charged with burglary of an occupied conveyance with battery and criminal mischief greater than $200. Denkevitz and Frederickson were two of three motorcyclists involved in an altercation on June 17 at the Sunoco gas station on State 71 in Marianna. During the incident, shots were fired into a vehicle and
one of the three motorcyclists was hit by the vehicle. The third motorcyclist is the man who died Wednesday. Investigators determined that the altercation stemmed from a road rage incident that had previously occurred on Interstate 10 between a motorist and three motorcyclists, JCSO said.
Marianna man armed with sword arrested From Staff Reports MARIANNA — A Marianna man was armed with a Samurai sword, according to authorities, when he was arrested Tuesday after allegedly attacking his mother and his girlfriend. Jackson County Sheriff’s
deputies responded to a home in the 5000 block of Hundred Acre Drive, where they found the man’s mother and his girlfriend had been injured in a domestic incident that turned physical. The man’s mother told deputies that her son pushed her down, and his girlfriend told
deputies that he choked her and threw her to the floor, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The man had fled the home, where he lives with his mother, before deputies arrived. Assisted by K-9 tracking teams, deputies soon located the man
in woods near the home. He was armed with what appeared to be a samurai sword, JCSO reported, but did not resist arrest. Joshua Randal Patrick, 39, was charged with two counts of battery under domestic violence guidelines. He is being held in Jackson County Jail.
smug grin, knowing he killed my son,� she said according to the news release Duhon was arrested last year. “Sgt. Becker and the Panama City Police Department conducted an exhaustive investigation into the murder of Adam Bolton,� Sombathy said. “The age of the case presented some challenges, but this manslaughter plea forces Joseph Duhon to accept responsibility for the death of Adam Bolton, and hopefully bring some closure for his family.�
BCSO: Identity thief posing as Sheriff’s Office investigator From Staff Reports LYNN HAVEN — An identity thief is posing as a Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigator, BCSO reported Wednesday. The Sheriff’s Office received several complaints Wednesday regarding a man who called local victims and claimed to be a BCSO warrants investigator. The unidentified suspect told the victims a warrant had been issued for their arrest, but they could avoid being arrested by paying a fine. The suspect then asked for personal information and banking information, which BCSO is warning residents to never disclose under such circumstances. Warrants deputies serve warrants in person, according to BCSO, and never call the subject of a warrant before it is served. They also would not ask for personal information over the phone.
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Experience Counts!
Special Deliveries by Dr. Bailey.....Kate-lynn, Kayden, Kay’lee Worthington
Bailey Family Practice Leisa Hill Bailey, M.D Board Certified Family Physician
Bailey Family Practice would like to announce that Dr. Patrick Hawkins will no longer be practicing in our clinic. Dr. Bailey will always remember with fondness working with Patrick first when he was a medical student and more recently as a young new doctor right out of residency. She wishes him and his family well as he begins his own career.
For appointments call 547-2209 Accepting new patients 101 E. Wisconsin Ave. Bonifay, Florida
Dr. Bailey will continue to provide the high level of care that our patients have come to expect during her last 20 years of service to this community.
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