NRA Urges Court To Overturn ‘Docs vs Glocks’ Ruling
October 9, 2012
The National Rifle Association is asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked the state from enforcing a law aimed at restricting doctors from questioning patients about guns.
“The Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act is another reasonable regulation of medical practice,” the NRA said in a brief supporting the state’s appeal of the July ruling. “It exhorts doctors to stick to practicing medicine when examining patients, rather than pushing their own political agendas, and it protects patients from doctors who refuse to do so.”
The case has centered, at least in part, on the free-speech rights of doctors.
In a July ruling, U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke wrote that the law “aims to restrict a practitioner’s ability to provide truthful, non-misleading information to a patient.” The controversial measure, which the Legislature passed in 2011, has been dubbed the “docs vs. glocks” law.
A coalition of opponents, including the Florida Pediatric Society, filed the lawsuit in Miami and raised First Amendment issues. In the brief, the NRA disputed that the law targets “truthful, non-misleading” speech about firearms safety. “To the contrary, the act targets discrimination against and harassment of individuals who exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms, while leaving physicians free to exercise their good faith judgment in discussing firearms safety with patients.”
By The News Service of Florida
Taxi Robber Gets 15 Years
October 9, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for robbing a taxi driver.
Tyree Desmond Lindsey was sentenced Monday by Judge Terry Terrell to 15 years in state prison for his August conviction of robbery of a taxi driver.
On January 14, 2012, Yellow Cab driver Robert Herbst drove the defendant to the area of Pinestead Road. Before exiting the taxi, Lindsey demanded money from Herbst. A second individual who had been waiting in the area pulled a gun on Herbst. According to prosecutors, Herbst handed a bag of money to Lindsey and then the two robbers fled on foot to a nearby home.
After deputies arrived on the scene, a K-9 tracked the suspects to a nearby home. While searching the home, deputies found Lindsey hiding in a bedroom along with the money and the gun from the robbery.
Lindsey was also sentenced to a 15-year concurrent sentence for three counts of sale of cocaine stemming from Operation Anything for a Buck”.
Escaped Inmate Caught Quickly
October 8, 2012
An Escambia County man’s freedom was short-lived after he escaped from the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Deboard, 33, was an inmate worker inside the jail. Deputies said he was able to get out of the jail’s kitchen area after stealing a set of keys. He then fled the area on foot, shedding his orange jumpsuit and white rubber boots along the way.
After an intense search, deputies caught Deboard near Highway 29 and Brent Lane. He was returned to jail with an escape charge added to his previous charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and dealing in stolen property.
Cool Weather Continues
October 8, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Bomb Squad Disposes Of Military Mine Found At Bratt Home
October 8, 2012
The bomb squad was called to dispose of a military anti-personnel mine found Sunday in Bratt.
Gary Gibson said he found what appeared to be a military-style metal ammunition box under some items on the edge of his property on Hall Road, just north of Breastworks Road. Unable to open the box, he took it back to his shed and proceeded to “beat it open” with a hammer. What he found inside surprised him.
“It said ‘Front Toward Enemy’ on it,” he said. “I got out of there and called for help.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and a member of the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad responded to the scene, while the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was put on a precautionary standby.
Bomb Technician Patrick Roush was quickly able to determine that the mine was inert — rendered incapable of exploding. He said it was perhaps a training device.
Roush took custody of the mine for disposal, and Gibson was left with the ammo box and a story to tell.
“I don’t think I’ll ever beat a box like that open with a hammer again,” he said.
The type of mine found Sunday in Bratt was first used in the 1960’s and is still currently in us by the U.S. military. The age and origin of the Bratt mine were not known.
Pictured top: The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad responded to a Bratt home Sunday morning after the resident discovered a mine. Pictured inset: Resident Gary Gibson speaks with Bomb Technician Patrick Roush. Pictured below: Gibson said he found the mine in this box, which he “beat” open with a hammer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Champion For Century: Rev. Willie H. Carter Passes Away
October 8, 2012
A champion for the town of Century and youth across the area, retired educator Rev. Willie H. Carter of Century passed away this weekend.
“Turn off the TV” — anyone that ever knew Rev. Carter knows that piece of advice.
Rev. Carter always preached a good sermon as pastor of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in North Escambia with a 130 year history. He had a passion for his Lord, and a passion for youth, including the dozens of youth in his church. But he always preached more than just the Gospel to young people in Century area.
“After you watch TV for an hour, close your eyes and see what you got out of that,” Rev. Carter said to a group of youth a couple of years ago. He never missed the opportunity to tell young people to turn off the television. “Then read a book, close your eyes and see what you learned.”
“Your life is in your hands,” the reverend said. “You can make it anything you want it to be.”
Rev. Carter spent many years as a counselor at schools in Century, and he never stopped preaching the value of self-worth and education to youngsters.
“I can remember when it was not easy for someone to even make it to the eighth grade,” Rev. Carter told the final class of graduating eighth graders at Carver/Century K-8 School holding his Century diploma from May 22, 1936, in his hand. “Tonight, we have to think of it as a beginning.”
“Nobody’s going to ask you if came out of a little town like Century, but if you can do the job,” he said.
His involvement in the Century community extended beyond church and education. No matter what the cause for the good of Century or to unite Century, the Rev. Carter was there. He was vocal and persistent in efforts to keep the Carver/Century K-8 school open, and served on a Century Blue Ribbon Committee that explored the possibility of a charter school in Century.
He supported youth across the area as well. In 2010, he represented Century as one of the Grand Marshals of the Northview High School Homecoming Parade, and he was part of the 2010 Northview Baccalaureate service.
A World War II veteran, Rev. Carter took part in the ninth and final Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington in 2011.
He was previously named a NorthEscambia.com Person of the Year.
Funeral arrangement for Rev. Willie H. Carter are incomplete at this time.
Pictured top: Graduation exercises at Carver/Century K-8 School. Pictured top inset: Rev. Willie Carter with his 1936 Century diploma in hand. Pictured bottom inset: Rev. Carter returns from the final Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington in 2011. Pictured below: Rev. Carter prays with Century Mayor Freddie McCall. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tuesday Final Day To Register To Vote In November General Election
October 8, 2012
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will be open extended hours – until 7:00 p.m. – on Tuesday to accommodate citizens who wish to register to vote for the upcoming General Election. October 9 is the last day to register before the November 6 election. A
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations and party changes must be completed or postmarked no later than October 9 in order for them to be effective for the general election. Address updates, signature updates, party changes, and other changes can be made after the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”, or call 595-3900.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received no later than October 9 to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins October 27 at several locations throughout Escambia County.
Family Honored As Tate Aggie Heroes, Scholarship Announced
October 8, 2012
The Tate Heroes Scholarship in honor of Dillon Roberson was announced Friday night at Tate High School as his family was honored.
Dillon was a 2009 graduate of Tate, where he played football and was more commonly known by the nickname “Robo”. He passed away in May after fighting a year and a half battle with lymphoma.
His parents, Warren and Renee Roberson, and brother, Tanner Roberson, were recognized with the “Aggie Hero Award” during Friday night’s football game. The Tate Heroes Scholarship will be presented to a senior who exemplifies honor, courage and character.
Pictured top: The family of Dillon Roberson (L-R) father Warren Roberston, brother Tanner Roberson and mother Renee Roberson are honored with the Tate Heroes award presented by Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (far right). NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Student Art Gallery To Feature Tate High ‘Canstruction’ Exhibit
October 8, 2012
Digital Now will host a Student Art Gallery at 270 N Palafox Street October 19 from 5-9 p.m.
Artwork will be on display from several public schools, including a Canstruction exhibit from Tate High School.
Donations are encouraged and the money raised will be given to one art teacher in a random drawing to purchase art supplies for their classroom.
FHP: Second Man Dies From Blue Angel Crash; Cantonment Resident Injured On Beach
October 8, 2012
A second person has died as the result ofa traffic crash over the weekend in southwest Escambia County, while a Cantonment resident was injured in an unrelated accident on the beach.
Blue Angel Fatalities
Brisden C. Grassman, age 20 of Pensacola, lost control on Blue Angel Parkway south of Southbay Drive, left the roadway and struck a tree. Grassman was thrown 89 feet from the point of impact into a heavily wooded area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia Count EMS.
A passenger in Grassman’s 2001 Chevrolet, 21-year old Kristopher Canning of Pensacola, was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in critical condition where he later died, the FHP said Monday afternoon.
Beach Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old Rena Michelle Stackpole of Pensacola was traveling west on Fort Pickens Road in a 2008 Nissan Altima when she lost control and collided head-on with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 22-year John M. Gresla of Berne, IN, at 11:17 a.m. Sunday.
Stackpole and her passenger, 18-year old Alexis Danielle Brown of Cantonment, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Gresla was transported to Navy Hospital, also with minor injuries.
Stackpole was cited for careless driving and no seat belt.