GOP Platform Includes ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws
September 5, 2012
Controversial “stand your ground” laws that have come into the spotlight since the shooting of Trayvon Martin have found their way into the Republican Party’s national platform.
Nestled in the massive document, which outlines in minute detail the national party’s agenda for the next four years, is a provision that expands earlier support for Second Amendment rights to specifically include self-defense outside the home.
“We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law-abiding citizen has a legal right to be…” the plank reads.
Marion Hammer, executive director of United Sportsmen of Florida and past president of the National Rifle Association, said the language more clearly articulates the party’s long-standing support of gun owners’ right to protect themselves without fear that their self-defensive actions would come back to haunt them.
“It does what it is intended to do,” Hammer said of Florida’s 2005 version of the law, which has since passed in a couple other jurisdictions. “It protects law-abiding people who are defending themselves and their families in a lawful manner from the criminal element.”
Recently enacted stand your ground laws are logical extensions of the “Castle Doctrine,” Hammer said, which provides some immunity for residents to defend themselves in their homes against an intruder.
Florida’s law was changed in 2005 to remove a duty to first try to avoid killing an attacker and expanding the protections beyond their homes and into public spaces.
“The ‘Castle Doctrine’ allows law abiding people to protect themselves without being hassled by the criminal justice system,” Hammer said. “That is what the Castle Doctrine, or the stand your ground law, is all about.”
Though law in Florida for several years now, it wasn’t widely discussed until it gained new attention after the February fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford.
George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, faces second degree murder charges in Martin’s death, which has sparked national debate over racial profiling and ’stand your ground’ protections. Martin, who is black, was unarmed.
Zimmerman’s lawyers, have said they would likely use ’stand your ground’ as a defense, though it’s not certain. But they say Zimmerman feared for his life after a scuffle with Martin.
A Quinnipiac University poll taken in May showed registered voters in Florida by a 56-35 percent margin support the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The support is strongest among Republicans, who back the current law 78-15, though independent voters also support the law, by a 58-35 percent margin.
Democrats more often oppose it, by a 59-32 percent margin, the poll found.
By The News Service of Florida
Hubert Wade Dunsford
September 5, 2012
Hubert Wade Dunsford, 81 of Byrneville, passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2012, in Pensacola.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 7, 2012, at 2 p.m. from Faith Bible Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Byrneville Methodist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 6, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. from Faith Bible Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Northview Schedules JV Football Game Vs. Catholic For Thursday Night
September 5, 2012
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs have added a football game this Thursday to their schedule.
The JV Chiefs will host Pensacola Catholic at 6:30 p.m. in Bratt.
The season opener for the junior varsity Chiefs last week at West Florida High School was canceled due to Hurricane Isaac.
Late Season On Farm Peanut Field Day Planned
September 5, 2012
A late season on-farm field day program is planned for Friday at Mickey Diamond Farms in Jay, sponsored by the Santa Rosa County Extension Service, on Friday, September 7.
The event schedule includes:
- 10:30 – 11:30 Meet in the field to discuss and evaluate plots.
- Peanut Fungicide Trial: Visually evaluate 14 different fungicide treatments in large side by side plots.
- Cotton Variety Trial: Visually evaluate 24 different varieties under the same management/production practices of this long-running trial.
- Speakers will include UF IFAS Extension faculty, agribusiness chemical representatives and seed representatives.
- 11:30 – 12:00 Convene at Mickey Diamond’s barn for an industry sponsored meal
For information or meal reservations, contact Janis Simmons at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office at janiskay@ufl.edu or (850) 675-6654
Flash Flood Warning
September 4, 2012
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for…
northern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
northwestern Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
southwestern Conecuh County in south central Alabama…
western Escambia County in south central Alabama…
southwestern Monroe County in south central Alabama…
north central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
southeastern Clarke County in southwest Alabama…
* until 930 PM CDT
* at 327 PM CDT…very heavy rainfall was indicated over the
warned area and radar estimates show 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rainfall
has occurred over the past hour. An additional 1 to 2 inches is
possible before mid evening. This will likely cause flash
flooding in the warned area.
* Locations impacted include…
Poarch creek reservation… Flomaton…
century… i65 and CR 47… i65 and al 287…
Uriah… Megargel… i65 and CR 6…
i65 and al 41…
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Flash Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or occurring. Seek
higher ground immediately. Do not drive or walk into areas where
water crosses a Road. Turn around – don’t drown!
Keep The Umbrella Handy; Flash Flood Watch Issued
September 4, 2012
There is a flash flood watch in effect for today
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Southwest winds around 5 mph becoming 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the morning…then chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. North winds around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Driver Found Dead After Beulah Crash
September 4, 2012
The driver of a pickup truck was found dead Sunday afternoon after a wreck in Beulah.
The vehicle was discovered in a wooded area on Mobile Highway at Bridlewood Road about 4:15 p.m. Emergency personnel said the accident had happened sometime earlier in the day.
Henry Shirley Davis, age 76 of Robertsdale, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Flomaton Man Convicted Of Davisville Burglary (With Crime Video)
September 4, 2012
A Flomaton man has been convicted of the June burglary at a Davisville convenience store, but he won’t be headed to jail for the crime.
Curtis Charles Black, 29, was charged with burglary, petit theft and criminal mischief property damage. He was sentenced to three years probation for burglary, and time served for petit theft and criminal mischief property damage. He will also be required to write a letter of apology for the crime.
The entire June 7 burglary at the Korner Kwik Stop (BP) on Highway 97 in Davisville was caught on video, and it was that video posted on NorthEscambia.com that first led deputies to Black as their suspect only a few hours after the crime.
An anonymous tipster saw the video and told deputies that they recognized Black from the video — and the Facebook page where a photo of the getaway vehicle was posted. Later, fingerprints recovered at the scene also fingered Black as the suspect.
The video shows Black busting out the window of the store about 9:20 p.m., just after the store closed at 9 p.m.
- To watch the survellience video, click here.
- For a photo gallery showing the burglary and the investigation, click here.
The video shows Black arriving in a light colored extended cab pickup truck with an emblem over the front windshield. He parks in front of the store and spends several minutes in the truck. Black then exits and takes a hammer to break out the window. He also tried unsuccessfully to break out the door glass. He then jumps through the broken window, rummages around behind the counter and tosses cigarettes and rolls of coins outside. Black also tries unsuccessfully to push buttons in order to open the cash register…all while leaving fingerprints behind.
While inside the store, he is seen using what appears to be towel in his hand in attempt not to leave fingerprints, but he often forgets to cover his hands.
At one point, a towel slips off his head showing most of his face on the video.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician recovered blood samples from broken glass and removed multiple fingerprints from the scene.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Library Closing This Week For Renovations
September 4, 2012
The Jay Library will be closed from this Thursday, September 6 through Saturday, September 16 for renovation.
Other Santa Rosa County libraries in Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze and Navarre will remain open during the period.
No materials will be due at the Jay Library during the time the library is closed. Library officials request that no materials be returned to the Jay Library during the closure period.
The Jay Library at 5259 Booker Lane will reopen on Monday, September 17 at 9 a.m. and resume regular hours.
Century Council To Hold Workshops, Meetings
September 4, 2012
The Town of Century will hold a series of meetings this afternoon and a special workshop on Thursday.
At 5:30 p.m., a Citizens Advisory Task Force will hold a meeting to discuss submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant.
At 6 p.m., the council will hold a workshop to discuss a Community Development Block Grant housing assistance plan.
At 7 p.m., the council will hold their regular first meeting of the month, rescheduled from Monday due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday.
On Thursday, the council will hold a Fourth Budget Workshop at 3 p.m. to finalize the town’s fiscal year 2012-2013 budget.
All meetings and workshops are open to the public and will be held at the Century Town Haoo, 7995 North Century Boulevard.