U.S. Marshals Arrest Sex Offender On Federal Charges
April 29, 2011
An Escambia County man was arrested Thursday by the U.S. Marshals on a federal sex offense warrant.
Thomas John Bach, 52, was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Task Force and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices. He was arrested on a federal warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.
Bach was indicted in federal court under the 2006 Adam Walsh Act which allows the federal government to prosecute those who leave one state and fail to register in another.
Bach allegedly had been traveling throughout the U.S. and possibly abroad the past several years never registering.
U.S. Marshals finally caught up with Bach today at the Gulf Power Crist Plant in Escambia Countyand arrested him without incident. Bach was booked into the Escambia Count Jail without bond.
Gun Bills Pass Senate, Headed To Gov.
April 29, 2011
The Florida Senate on Thursday sent Gov. Rick Scott a pair of National Rifle Association-backed measures including a proposal to encourage doctors not to ask patients if they have guns in their homes.
With super majorities in both chambers, the Republican-dominated Legislature sent Scott another NRA-backed gun bill (HB 45) that would punish local officials who consciously enact ordinances that are stricter than statewide standards.
“It’s very important that all of our constitutional amendments are protected,” said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Backers say the measures are attempts to solidify constitutional protections and prevent physicians from prying into law abiding people’s business with questions about guns.
Critics say the measures taken together overstep the protections guaranteed by the Second Amendment and instead will put local officials, physicians and patients at risk.
The first measure (HB 155) sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers would prevent physicians and other health care providers from asking patients if they own guns and have them in their homes, unless they believe it is medically necessary to do so. The question could no longer be part of a routine patient survey.
“Whether I own a gun is none of their business,” Negron said.
The Florida Medical Association signed off on the bill, which was changed to remove criminal penalties and specifically allow physicians to ask about gun ownership in certain cases. The bill passed the Senate Thursday on a 27-12 vote.
Critics, including the Florida Pediatric Society, countered that physicians routinely inquire about pools, dangerous chemicals and other safety issues, particularly with children. Inquiring about gun ownership falls in that category.
“This bill has a chilling effect on the doctor patient relationship,” said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. “It’s the duty of the physician to ask all the questions they possible can and the patient should be as honest as they possibly can.”
The second measure (HB 45) would punish local officials who “knowingly and willingly” pass local gun ordinances that are stricter than state statute allows. Public officials taken to court would have to pay their own attorney fees if they lose. The bill passed 30-8.
“This not only puts teeth in the law but a gun to the heads of local officials, pun intended,” said Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, an opponent.
Other bills are still traveling through the process, including a Greg Evers proposal to prevent people with concealed weapons permits from being charged with crimes if the firearm accidentally is exposed. The bill (SB 234) originally allowed concealed weapons permit holders to openly carry their weapons. It was amended to remove the open carry provision and passed the Senate Thursday. That bill initially also would have allowed people to carry guns on college campuses, but that provision was also removed. That bill now travels to the House after a 26-11 Senate vote.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Jay Falls In 1-2A Championship
April 29, 2011
The Jay High School Royals lost to the Freeport Bulldogs 4-2 Thursday night in the District 1-2A Tournament championship game. But the Royals (13-10) did not go down without a fight, scoring two in the final inning and going out with the bases loaded.
Hitters for Jay included Payden Roberts 1-3 with a double and RBI, Sammy James 2-3 with a run and RBI, and Conner Weeks 1-2 with a double and run.
Zack Gavin pitched seven for Jay, allowing four runs and striking out three.
Pictured: Action from the District 1-2A Tournament championship game Thursday night in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Pushes For Tax Cuts – Again
April 29, 2011
In his weekly radio address, Gov. Rick Scott reiterated Thursday his plea for tax cuts in the budget.
“Some in the Legislature doubt these tax cuts can happen. I am confident they can and should get it done,” Scott said. He added that “with strong, conservative legislator leaders like House Speaker Cannon and Senate President Haridopolos, I cannot imagine a budget that doesn’t include tax cuts that will create jobs.”
Legislative leaders have stalled for weeks on answering definitively whether they would put tax cuts in the budget.
Cannon responded to the address Thursday by saying “we are doing everything we can to get him some meaningful corporate tax relief,” adding that there are “no promises” and it’s too soon to guarantee tax cuts.
By The News Service of Florida
House Set To Approve Property Tax Overhaul
April 29, 2011
Despite strong opposition from cities and counties, the House is set to approve on Friday a proposed constitutional amendment that grants business owners, landlords and investors a lower limit on how much their property tax bills can increase.
The proposed amendment (HJR 381) would allow Florida voters to decide whether to offer owners of non-homestead property, essentially anyone who owns a business, second home or rental property, a cap on their property taxes. It was amended Thursday to match the Senate version, which has a proposed cap on tax increases of 5 percent.
That is a big reduction from current law, which says that for non-homestead properties property taxes can go up no more than 10 percent a year. But counties and cities oppose the measure because it could drain their revenue stream, causing them to levy higher taxes on all property owners to make up the difference.
“If you purchased a home, a second home or business you would be realizing no benefit,” said bill sponsor Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, while the person next door might pay far less in property taxes.
The bill also gives a special tax discount to first-time homebuyers. The measure was amended Thursday to offer a first-time homebuyer tax discount of 50 percent of the home’s value, not to exceed 50 percent of the median home price in that county. This was a less generous discount than originally proposed under the bill.
“The main goal is really to bring more fairness to Florida’s system,” said John Sebree, a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Realtors. Under the “Save Our Homes” law, owner-occupied homes have their property tax increases capped at 3 percent. But owners of vacation homes or rental property have 10 percent caps.
Realtors argue that renters also suffer from the cap difference because landlords may see their property taxes rise and pass it on in the form of higher rent. Of all the residential properties in Florida, about a third are occupied by renters or second-home owners, according to the Realtors.
A companion implementing bill (HB 1163) would put this issue on the presidential primary ballot in 2012.
A similar measure was approved by the Legislature in 2009, but was struck down by the courts for its confusing ballot language. If approved by Florida voters, it could impact people who bought homes this year.
“Since negotiations have been going on, we have been firm on 7 percent,” said League of Cities lobbyist Amber Hughes. “We think that is an appropriate cap on non-homestead. It would give the stability the proponents of the bill are after and still mitigate some of the concerns we have.”
A Senate staff analysis of the proposal says cities and counties could see a $452 million hit on tax revenue just in the 2013-2014 fiscal year alone. The Senate version (SJR 658) never passed its final two committee stops.
That may not spell doom for the bill’s outcome, because Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Thursday that bills that did not make it out of the Budget committee could be heard on the floor.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Cattlemen Sue Over EPA Rules
April 29, 2011
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association on Thursday became the latest groups to file lawsuits challenging Environmental Protection Agency rules establishing numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s fresh water bodies.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District in Tallahassee and asks the court to throw out the federal standards as arbitrary and in violation of the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.
The state’s attorney general and agriculture commissioner have also sued over the rule, as have local governments and business interests. All the plaintiffs say the federal government is overstepping in dictating standards for clean water to Florida when the state can do it itself.
The EPA says the rules will cost Florida about $35 million a year but opponents of the rules, including the Cattlemen, say they’ll cost far more – hundreds of millions a year.
Residents Gather To Discuss Future Of Jay Hospital
April 28, 2011
A large crowd of Jay area residents gathered this evening to discuss possible changes at Jay Hospital.
For about a week, the town of Jay has been overrun with rumor that the hospital could be sold, closed or merged with another. Tonight, members of the hospital’s advisory board met with residents to discuss the future of the 55-bed facility.
Complete details on the meeting will be posted Friday morning here on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Residents gather tonight at the Jay Civic Center to discuss the future of Jay Hospital.
Gulf Power Helping With Power Restoration Following Alabama Tornadoes
April 28, 2011
A Gulf Power storm restoration team of 81 employees headed to Alabama this morning to assist Alabama Power, following the deadly storms that swept across most of that state last night.
As of 7 a.m., Alabama Power had more than 340,000 customers without power.
Forty-seven line personnel, 16 support staff and 2 vegetation team members will assist Alabama Power in the Tuscaloosa area, heavily damaged by several tornadoes. In addition, Gulf Power is sending a 16-man evaluator team. These employees will help assess the damage and determine equipment needed to restore power. The crews are prepared to work for up to 2 weeks in the Alabama Power region and will assist wherever they are needed.
Gulf Power already has assisted Alabama Power and Georgia Power this winter and spring as an ice storm and numerous thunderstorms knocked out power to customers in those states.
“We’re glad to be able to help our fellow Southern Company utility after this devastating storm,” said Jeff Rogers of Gulf Power. “Our crews are some of the most highly-trained restoration experts in the world. It’s common for utilities to help each other and we’re just glad to be part of the effort.
First Baptist Bratt Collecting Supplies For Alabama Tornado Victims
April 28, 2011
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is collecting supplies today to be delivered to Alabama tornado victims tomorrow.
The church on Highway 4 near Northview High School is collecting batteries of any size and paper goods such as paper plates, napkins, paper towels and toilet paper. Items will be accepted at the church from until 6 p.m. today and will be delivered to a church in the tornado-stricken area tomorrow.
Alabama Tornado Death Toll Surpasses 200
April 28, 2011
The death toll from Alabama’s tornado outbreak on Wednesday has risen to 204.
Emergency crews worked since last night to free people trapped in the rubble from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and beyond — and to recover the bodies of the victims. A state of emergency has been declared by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, and Pres. Obama has done the same. Nearly 1,500 Alabama National Guardsmen have been activated to assist.
Over 1,700 people were injured.
Authorities are saying the death tolls is only expected to rise in the coming days.
The video at the top of the page shows damage near McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. The video below shows the storm live on Birmingham television.