Doctors Fight NRA, While Guns On Campus Bill Stalls
February 23, 2011
Emergency room doctors, psychiatrists and pediatricians should not be able to ask a patient whether he or she owns a gun, a panel of Florida lawmakers said Tuesday, giving the OK to a proposal that pits two of the state’s most politically powerful lobbying interests – the National Rifle Association and the Florida Medical Association – against each other.
The Senate Criminal Justice Association approved on a 4-1 vote a bill to bar doctors from asking patients whether they own guns, unless the doctor believes a patient may immediately harm him or herself with a gun. If doctors were to question a patient about gun ownership, they would face substantial fines under the bill.
“It gives patients the right to refuse to answer questions that are inappropriate,” said Florida NRA lobbyist and former National NRA President Marion Hammer.
The bill, which originally would have fined doctors $5 million for asking patients about gun ownership, was stripped of its original language and amended to create a tiered fine system for violators. An offending doctor would be charged $10,000 for the first offense, at least $25,000 for the second offense, and a minimum of $100,000 for the third offense.
Hammer said some doctors are injecting politics into medical care and that when the NRA asked the FMA to address it, no action was taken. So, it began pushing for legislation.
“It’s about politics,” she said. “Pure, raw, anti-gun politics being imposed on patients when they are most vulnerable, when they are sick or hurt and need help.”
Doctors have pushed back though, saying the restrictions the bill puts on medical personnel hampers their ability to treat and protect patients.
Dr. Vidor Friedman, the president-elect of the Florida College of Emergency Medicine, told lawmakers that doctors often need to question patients in the course of treatment to ensure they are not in danger of being further injured. Particularly in domestic abuse cases, he said, doctors are often trying to ascertain whether a patient feels safe.
“I don’t care if you own a gun or not,” Friedman said. “The question is, is the gun still a risk to you.”
With children, doctors are also worried, said Dr. Louis St. Petery, a Leon County pediatrician who is executive vice president of the Florida Chapter of American Pediatrics and a member of the FMA. The issue, he said, wasn’t whether families owned a gun, it was whether children had access to it.
“Our issue is if you have a gun, let’s talk about how to properly store that gun so that children don’t get accidentally shot and killed,” he said.
But for several members of the committee, it came down to a matter of privacy. Lawmakers largely said they couldn’t understand why doctors would need to ask about guns, even if it involved a criminal action.
Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, who has generally supported gun control legislation, said he was looking for a reason to vote against the bill, but couldn’t figure out why doctors would need to ask whether their patients own guns.
“That would be a question more for law enforcement,” Smith said. “I don’t see why the doctor has to be involved in that.”
The bill (SB 432) also must pass the Senate Health Regulation, Judiciary and Budget committees.
GUNS ON CAMPUS
Following the tearful testimony of Robert Cowie, a Jacksonville resident whose daughter Ashley was killed in an accidental shooting at Florida State University in January, lawmakers postponed a vote on another gun bill (SB 234) that would let colleges and universities, and private elementary and secondary schools, allow firearms to be carried on campus.
Currently, the law says people with concealed weapon permits can carry guns, but includes a list of places where carrying those guns isn’t allowed, including school campuses. The measure would remove that particular exemption from the law.
Backers have said in the wake of a number of school shootings that if some law abiding student had been armed, they may have been able to shoot back.
But Cowie said putting guns in an area where drugs and alcohol are commonly used is particularly dangerous, and makes campuses more dangerous.
Ashley Cowie, 20, was at a campus party when a gun held by another student accidentally discharged, sending a bullet directly through her chest. Her father traveled to Tallahassee Tuesday to lobby against the bill, sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker.
“This is not a second amendment, right-to-bear arms issue,” he said.
Several states around the country have considered letting college students and university staff carry guns. The idea was prominent following high profile shootings at Virginia Tech University in 2007 and Northern Illinois University in 2008. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 23 states allow individual colleges and universities to enact policies related to carrying guns on campus, while 24 states, including Florida, ban carrying a concealed weapon on campus.
A Florida Board of Governors spokeswoman said via e-mail that the police department chiefs in the 11-member state university system are opposed to lifting the ban in Florida.
“This issue clearly affects the core responsibility of respective university police departments, as each one works diligently to maintain campus security and safety around the clock,” said board spokeswoman Kelly Layman.
The bill does have at least one high profile supporter. Gov. Rick Scott told reporters that he is in favor of the bill, citing the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“I believe it’s a fundamental right and I will defend the right to bear arms,” he said.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
Numerous Meth Related Arrests Made; Molino Meth Lab Raided
February 22, 2011
Names are expected to be released Wednesday after multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a series of raids and made numerous drug-related arrests across Escambia County Tuesday.
Investigators found an alleged methamphetamine lab during a raid at a home in the 400 block of Molino Road. At least one person was taken into custody at that address. Additional arrests were made across the county, including several residents of Molino and Cantonment.
Another alleged meth lab was raided at the Mayfair Motel on Mobile Highway in Pensacola.
Those arrested will make an initial appearance in state or federal court Wednesday, with most of the charges dealing with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
The identities of those arrested and their charges will be made public by federal authorities after the suspects make their initial court appearance Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com will update this story as more information becomes available.
For more photos from the alleged Molino meth lab, click here.
Pictured top: An alleged meth lab was located Tuesday morning at this home at 484 Molino Road. Pictured inset: An officer enters the home in protective gear. Pictured below: Allged liquid meth was found in the Mason jar below. Investigators tranferred the liquid into the smaller plastic bottle for evidence. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Man Seriously Injured In Highway 4A Crash
February 22, 2011
A 65-year old man was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Tuesday afternoon west of Century.
James Holladay of Pensacola was transported to Baptist Hospital by LifeFlight in serious condition.
He lost control while eastbound on Highway 4A near Broomes Road about 12:15 p.m., flipping his vehicle end over end. The vehicle came to rest upright in a ditch.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details will be posted as they become available.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: A 65-year old man was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with serious injuries after this accident Tuesday afternoon west of Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Velor Road Brush Fire Quickly Brought Under Control
February 22, 2011
Firefighters were able to quickly bring a brush fire under control near Walnut Hill Tuesday morning.
The fire was reported about 11:30 this morning in the 2800 block of Velor Road. The half acre fire burned mostly grass and small brush. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
There were no structures threatened by the fire, and there were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Takes Step Toward Repairing Gas Leak Under Highway 29
February 22, 2011
The Town of Century is moving forward in an effort to secure over a million dollars to eliminate a “major public safety issue” created by gas leaking under Highway 29 — but the fix is not likely to happen until late in the year.
Monday, the town entered into an engineering agreement with Fabre Engineering to design new gas lines along Highway 29 to replace the leaking pipe. Three other engineering firms applied for the job, but Fabre scored highest on the town’s criteria when proposals were opened.
About 6,515 feet of four-inch steel natural gas line was buried beneath the southbound lanes of Highway 29 when the road was widened. Now, 45 years since the pipe was put into the ground, the town believes the steel is corroding and leaking.
Engineer Dale Long’s latest estimate on new gas lines is $1.19 million, but he warned that number is subject to change.
Long said paperwork should be complete by June to seek USDA Rural Development loan funding for the project. After Rural Development’s review process, Long said it would be fall “at best” before work would actually begin on the project.
“We will proceed as quickly and cautiously as we can,” he said.
The funds will be used to construct new natural gas lines on both sides of Highway, abandoning the decades-old leaking pipe. By installing gas lines on both sides of the highway, it would eliminate the need to bore under the highway for a new service install.
The Florida Public Service Commission has told the town that progress must be made toward eliminating the problem by the end of the year.
Pictured: A portion of Highway 29 in Century. Decades-old natural gas line is buried under the southbound lanes on the left and is leaking somewhere between this location and West Highway 4, over a mile away.
Bank Warns Of Phishing Scam Targeting Debit Card Info
February 22, 2011
An area bank is warning of a phishing scam that may have targeted local residents Monday morning.
“Many customers received robo-calls on their cell phones attempting to gain their account information,” said Al Smith, a United Bank vice president. ” United Bank will never call a customer and ask for their account information.”
Smith said the automated phone calls were a fraudulent phishing scam to obtain customer information that were received by customers of United Bank as well as other financial institutions.
“None of United Banks computer systems have been compromised and no account information has been obtained. The calls were totally random and were received by both customers and non-customers of the bank. These were fraudulent calls attempting to obtain debit card information,” Smith said.
Anyone that may have provide information as a result of one these calls is asked to contact United Bank at (251) 446-6000 or their financial institution.
Ernest Ward To Host Parent Awareness Night; Learn About Bullying, Drugs And More
February 22, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Parent Awareness Night Thursday to give the community a chance to learn more about bullying, the newest illegal drugs, cyberbullying and the dangers associated with Facebook, Myspace and other social networks.
Speakers and topics for the event will include:
- John Johnson, DEA Special Agent, U.S. Justice Department — Drug Information
- Zack Ward, Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator — Facebook, Myspace, Cyberbullying, Computer Issues
- James Gill, ECSO School Resource Officer — Bullying, School Concerns
All parents and community members are invited to attend the event at 6 p.m. Thursday in the school gymnasium. Refreshments will be served.
Century Joins Opposition To Proposed Conecuh Woods Landfill
February 22, 2011
The Town of Century has officially joined the long list of governments opposed to a new 5,100 acre landfill project in Conecuh County, Alabama.
The town passed a resolution Monday expressing opposition to the Conecuh Woods landfill, with copies of the resolution to be sent to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Conecuh County Commission, which has until April 2 to make a decision on the landfill proposal.
“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Repton, Alabama, Mayor Terri Carter told the Century Town Council Monday night. The new landfill will be located just outside Repton. “When you hear that, you think in your mind, not in my backyard.
But Carter said the issue is not just Repton or Conecuh County, but everyone downstream from the landfill.
“This issue is not going to effect just us, it will effect everyone in this room,” she said in Century. She said that “rumor” indicates over 750 rail cars of waste would travel through the area each day to the landfill. Conecuh Woods’ landfill, which will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp near Century into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
“Nobody knows more than we do that Florida’s rules on water quality are tougher than Alabama’s,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ““If it comes into our river, Florida is in trouble immediately.”
Carter has vowed to continue her fight against a mega-landfill in Conecuh County. “If I have to live in garbage, I am going to make it as miserable as possible for them,” she said.
She encouraged everyone to attend a public hearing and speak out against the landfill March 10, 9 a.m. at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen, Alabama.
Escambia County, Fla., Escambia County, Ala., Baldwin County, Monroe County, Atmore, Flomaton, Brewton, East Brewton Excel, Frisco City, Excel, Monroeville, Repton and the Poarch Creek Indians have all passed resolutions in opposition to Conecuh Woods.
Pictured top: Repton, Alabama, Mayor Terri Carter addresses the Century Town Council Monday night in opposition to a proposed 5,100 acre landfill in Conecuh County, Alabama. Pictured inset: Century Town Council President Ann Brooks reads a resolution opposing the dump. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Stands Strong Against Rail Cash; Evers Removes Signature From Rail Letter
February 22, 2011
While backers rallied Monday in Tampa and officials in Washington continued working on plans that did not involve state approval, Gov. Rick Scott reiterated his objection to accepting federal money for high speed rail in central Florida, even if the state is not involved. And Senator Greg Evers removed his signature from a letter about the rail funding to the federal transportation boss.
And the effort by lawmakers to go around Scott’s objection was weakened when one of the 26 state senators who signed a letter opposing Scott’s move changed his mind. Twenty-six was a veto-proof number in the Senate, but with the defection of Sen. Greg Evers, that’s no longer the case.
But even so, Scott told reporters Monday in Tallahassee that he was doubtful a plan could emerge that would satisfy his concerns over the long-sought Tampa-to-Orlando project, for which the federal government had offered to pay $2.4 billion of the roughly $2.7 billion projected cost.
“As you know, I’ve said all along I don’t believe that there is anyway the taxpayers of the state should be on the hook for the operational cost of that or for the risks if it gets shut down,” Scott said Monday. “I don’t see any way to do that.”
Over the weekend, rail advocates had hoped that Scott was leaving the door open to the possibility of allowing them to accept the money. A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said the Democrat came away from a joint appearance with Scott at the Daytona 500 convinced the governor would at least look at the plans being crafted.
However, Scott appeared Monday to put the horse back in the barn.
“Despite efforts by many to re-open the door to high speed rail, my position has not changed,” he posted on his Facebook page, on which he has almost 60,000 friends.
Meanwhile, Evers, R-Baker, said he regretted signing the letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last week that suggested that two statewide rail panels set up by the Legislature could accept the $2.4 billion Scott rejected.
“As a representative of the people of Florida Senate District 2, I do hereby remove my signature on the letter you received on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, regarding funding for High Speed Rail,” Evers wrote to LaHood. “Let me be very clear. I do not want to spend one dime on High Speed Rail and I absolutely support Gov. Scott sending the money back. I regret signing the letter as I believe it misconstrued my position on High Speed Rail.
“I was trying to send a message to Gov. Scott to bring to the forefront my firm belief that we should not fund any rail projects with state or federal money,” Evers concluded.
Evers also suggested that Scott put the brakes on a separate proposed commuter train in Orlando, SunRail, which the governor has said he is currently reviewing. Without Evers on board, lawmakers in the Florida Senate lose the implied possibility of overriding a veto of any rail legislation or budget line items they pass.
However, another plan emerged Monday that would not involve lawmakers in Tallahassee at all. The plan, which U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor detailed to reporters, would call for the creation of a new independent agency with representatives from the local jurisdictions that would house the proposed 84-mile train.
A separate plan from Orlando Congressman John Mica, the chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, would have called for the first leg of the train to be shortened to 21 miles between the Orlando Airport to the city’s convention center and Disney World to prove the viability of the train to Scott. That plan appeared to never get rolling with U.S. transportation officials, however.
An afternoon “Rally for Rail” in Tampa was said to have drawn about 200 people, though opponents of the project ran a counter-rally to convince Scott to stand firm against the project. The event was co-sponsored by former Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena and the Livable Tampa Roundtable group.
Frequent Arrestee Ronald Newton Sentenced To 22 Months In State Prison
February 22, 2011
A Century man arrested over a dozen times in a year was sentenced Monday to almost two years in state prison for stalking.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 49, pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated stalking by stalking a minor under 16 years of age, once count of stalking and one count of violation of an injunction.
Newton was found guilty by Judge Jan Shackleford and sentenced to 22 months in state prison.
Between September 1, 2009, and June 2, 2010, Newton had repeated illegal contact with two minors and their mother, according to the State Attorney’s Office. The mother of the minor children had an injunction in place forbidding Newton to come onto her property or have any contact with her.
Last year, Newton was found incompetent and remanded into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families for evaluation. He was later found competent to stand trial.
His arrests since 2007, according to court records, included a long list of charges that were dropped or dismissed included aggravated assault, criminal mischief, battery, lewd and lascivious behavior victim under 18, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and contempt of court.