Fire Damages Century Apartment Complex
July 31, 2012
At least two people were left temporarily homeless following a fire at a Century apartment complex Monday night.
The fire in Building G of the Oakwood Village Apartments on Shady Lane was contained to one apartment, with one adjacent apartment suffering some smoke and water damage.
The blaze, which was reported about 10 p.m., appeared to have started on a bed on one apartment. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Century Fire Station Chief Regi Burkett credited the quick work of responding fire departments and a properly constructed firewall between apartments for preventing damage to the entire apartment building.
One resident was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but not immediately transported to the hospital.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department also responded to the fire.
Pictured: Firefighters were able to quickly contain a fire Monday night at the Oakwood Village Apartments in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff Candidate Powell Says He’s Not Guilty, Campaign Will Continue
July 31, 2012
ARCHIVED STORY — July 31, 2012
Escambia County Sheriff’s candidate John Powell said Monday night that he is not guilty of the campaign finance indictment leveled against him Monday by a grand jury. Powell, who is charged with accepting cash campaign contributions in excess of the $50 allowable limit, said he will continue his campaign.
Related Story:
Escambia Sheriff Candidate John Powell
Arrested On Campaign Violation Charge
“I am not guilty of these accusations,” Powell said in a prepared statement.
Powell went on to make claims about why the accusations against him were brought by incumbent Sheriff David Morgan.
“My opponent, to take the focus off the issues, has chosen to make a criminal complaint with the State Attorney’s Office to cause embarrassment to me and my supporters even though he
admittedly accepted more than $50 in cash contributions from a number of people. I chose not to tile a criminal complaint regarding his campaign because these actions are better addressed in the civil arena not in the criminal courts,” he said.
To read Powell’s complete statement released after his arrest Monday night, click here.
Florida Will Appeal ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Ruling
July 31, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that the state will appeal a ruling barring the state from enforcing the “docs vs. glocks” law, continuing the court battle over the line between patients’ rights under the Second Amendment and doctors’ rights under the First.
“This law was carefully crafted to respect the First Amendment while ensuring a patient’s constitutional right to own or possess a firearm without discrimination,” Scott said in a brief statement released by his office. “I signed this legislation into law because I believe it is constitutional and I will continue to defend it.”
The appeal challenges a federal court’s ruling blocking enforcement of provisions of the law that would restrict doctors and other medical providers from asking questions about gun ownership during medical visits.
U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Cooke ruled earlier this month that the 2011 law, known formally as the Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act, was built largely on anecdotal evidence and that lawmakers couldn’t prove that Second Amendment rights would be jeopardized or that patients with guns might face discrimination.
“The state’s arguments rest on a legislative illusion,” Cooke wrote.
Backed by the National Rifle Association and the United Sportsmen of Florida, the bill (HB 155) was approved by lawmakers and signed by the Gov. Rick Scott in 2011. The bill easily passed both chambers along largely party line votes of 88-30 in the House and 27-10 in the Senate.
Supporters argued that doctors might refuse to treat patients who had guns in their homes or that patients who declined to answer the question might be turned away. They also raised the possibility that patients’ privacy rights might be violated if their gun ownership were listed in medical records.
But doctors countered that knowing what is in a patient’s home – particularly a child’s – gives them an opportunity to advise their patients on how to stay safe.
Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said he was confident that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals would uphold Cooke’s ruling.
“We are disappointed that precious tax dollars are being wasted for an appeal that is unnecessary,” Wollschlaeger said.
By The News Service of Florida
Tate High To Hold Freshmen Transition Program Next Week
July 31, 2012
Tate High School will host their Freshmen Transition Program next week.
Incoming freshmen are invited for a quick “camp” at Tate. They will have the opportunity to meet with club sponsors and coaches, and will have small groups sessions with Tate Leadership students to answer an questions the students may have.
With over 10 different buildings on a large campus to explore, the freshmen will go through a scavenger hunt and a campus tour.
At the end of the program, students will receive their schedules for the upcoming school year, and Leadership students will help them find their classes.
The program take place on Thursday, August 9 from 8 a.m. until noon, beginning in the Fryman Gymnasium.
The first day of school is Monday, August 20.
Rain Clears, Hot Tomorrow
July 31, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 109. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 106. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Suspect Details Released In Weekend Murder
July 31, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in identifying the suspect in the drug related shooting of a 19-year old man late Friday night.
The incident happened in the 4400 block of Deauville Way off Massachusetts Avenue about 11:48 p.m. with deputies responding to a reported robbery of an individual and a possible gunshot victim.
When they arrived, they learned that Matthew Cox and 20-year old Charles D. Boutwell were outside of a house of Deauville Way when an unidentified black male approached them demanding money. During the robbery, Cox was shot and later pronounced dead at Baptist Hospital.
The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20’s, about 5-foot-9-inches tall, 150 pounds, with a medium complexion and long dreads.
Investigators have said the shooting appeared to be drug related.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Olympics: Women’s Cycling (With NorthEscambia Gallery)
July 31, 2012
American Shelley Olds (Groton, Mass.) finished in seventh place in the women’s cycling road race at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
A Molino family living in England was there for the women’s cycling road race with photos for NorthEscambia.com. To view the photo gallery, click here.
The gold medal went to the Netherlands’ Marianne Vos, who covered the route in 3:35.29. Elizabeth Armitstead gave host Great Britain its first medal of the London 2012 Olympic Games with her silver medal finish, while Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia won the bronze in 3:35:31.
Other American finishers were: Evelyn Stevens (Acton, Mass.), 24th, 3:35:56; Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho), 35th, 3:36:16; and Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif.), 36th, 3:36:20.
Pictured top: Marianne Vos of the Netherlands (in orange, near the left) took the gold medal in women’s cycling during the Olympic Games in London. Pictured inset: Locals support the Great Britain team. Pictured below: The women’s cycling race winds through Box Hill in Surray England. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Candidate John Powell Arrested On Campaign Violation Charge
July 31, 2012
ARCHIVED STORY — July 31, 2012
John Russell Powell, candidate for Escambia County Sheriff, was arrested Monday night and booked into the county jail on a charge related to an elections law violation.
Powell, according to the Sheriff’s Office, was booked on a direct file capias issued by the State Attorney’s Office following grand jury proceedings that lasted most of the day Monday. Powell was indicted on one misdemeanor charge related to accepting cash contributions in excess of $50 and was released on his own recognizance. He will be arraigned Tuesday morning.
State law limits cash contributions to $50 per person.
An indictment is merely a formal charge by a grand jury; it does not indicate guilt or innocence. The indictment and arrest will have no legal impact on Powell’s ability to continue his campaign for office.
Powell said Monday night that is not guilty of the accusations and that he will continue his campaign. To read Powell’s complete statement, click here.
The case against Powell is not likely to be settled prior to the August 14 primary, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
“It would take two or three weeks for an arraignment and several months before any trial,” Eddins said prior the grand jury being convened.
Powell came under scrutiny by the grand jury due to a letter from incumbent Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan to Eddins. Morgan said he was acting as a law enforcement officer, not as a candidate, in writing the letter.
“While I am acutely aware of the political implications of this letter and request, both you and I are sworn to uphold (enforce) laws, regardless of the timing, when made aware of such violations,” Morgan wrote.
In the letter, Morgan lists about 30 cash contributions made to Powell’s campaign that were in excess of the $50 per person cash limit. Campaign finance documents at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office show cash contributions to Powell’s campaign in excess of $50 in amounts that ranged from $65 to $230.
“This information was brought to my attention by another elected official. And upon further investigation, through public records posted on the Supervisor of Elections Website, it appears that John Powell’s campaign is engaged in an ongoing course of conduct in violation of Florida’s Election Law’s specific limitations on cash contributions,” Morgan wrote.
“As you can surmise, this is no small amount and is indicative of an ongoing flagrant disregard for the very statutes one swears to uphold,” Morgan continued.
Morgan was also a subject of the grand jury’s proceedings on Monday. Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Monday night that the grand jury took no action related to Morgan.
Another Hearing Set In Florida Prison Privatization Case
July 31, 2012
A Leon County circuit judge has agreed to hold a hearing next week in the long-running dispute about whether the Florida Department of Corrections will privatize prison health services.
Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll has scheduled an August 8 hearing, according to an online court docket. The Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit in January challenging a legislative move last year to privatize inmate health services.
Carroll early this month declined to rule on the constitutionality of the Legislature’s decision because it was included in budget fine print, known as “proviso” language, which expired at the June 30 end of the fiscal year.
The nurses association and AFSCME, a state employees union, asked Carroll for a rehearing. Subsequently, the DOC said it would go ahead with the privatization, regardless of the expiration of the proviso language. The DOC said it had the authority to contract with two private companies under existing state law.
By The News Service of Florida
Tennessee Smokes The Wahoos In Twin Bill
July 31, 2012
The Tennessee Smokies swept the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the doubleheader at Smokies Park in Kodak, Tenn. on Monday night. The Smokies took game one 6-3 before edging out the Wahoos in game two 3-2. Billy Hamilton stole third base in the sixth inning for his 116th steal of the season, his 12th with the Blue Wahoos. He is now 29 steals shy of the record.
Tennessee wasted no time in the first game getting on the board first with five first-inning runs against Wahoos starter Mark Serrano. Matt Szczur plated the first run of the inning when he came home on a double by Junior Lake. Juntin Bour brought home Logan Watkins a batter later with a base hit to put the Smokies ahead 2-0. With two on, Greg Rohan cleared the bases with his fifth home run of the season opening up the score making it 5-0.
Mike Brenly made it 6-0 with an RBI single in the fifth scoring Lake from third. Pensacola would cut into the lead in ensuing frame. Hamilton singled home Andrew Means for the Blue Wahoos’ first run of the game in the sixth. Hamilton scored later in the inning with Ryan LaMarre on a Bryson Smith triple but that’s all the Blue Wahoos would get.
Serrano (6-3) took the loss after giving up a season-high six runs on 10 hits over four innings. He struck out five and walked one. Smokies starter Eric Jokisch (7-2) picked up the win after working a seven inning complete game. All three runs he allowed were earned. He faced the minimum and surrendered just one hit over the first five innings of the game.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos and Smokies traded zeros through the first three innings before the Smokies broke through in the fourth. Tony Cingrani uncorked a wild pitch to Mike Burgess allowing Nate Samson to score from third to give the Smokies a 1-0 lead. The Wahoo starter ran into problems again in the fifth. Dustin Harrington scored from third on an errant throw to the plate on a fielder’s choice groundball to the shortstop. The second run in the inning scored when a pickoff attempt at first base got away into foul territory allowing Szczur to score from third making it 3-0 Smokies.
Mark Fleury added some excitement in the seventh when he blasted his first home run of the season with a man on. His shot completely cleared the stadium just inside the right field foul pole. That made it 3-2, and that was as close as the Wahoos would get.
All three Smokies runs were charged to Cingrani (5-3), but only one was earned. He took the loss after going 4.1 innings. The lefty struck out three, walked two and allowed three hits. Casey Weathers (4-1) earned the win out of the bullpen for Tennessee. He worked a scoreless fifth to pick up his fourth win of the season. Despite allowing the home run to Fleury in the seventh, Frank Batista (19) still earned the save.
The two teams will continue the series on Tuesday. RHP Kyle Lotzkar will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos against Smokies RHP Dae-Eun Rhee. First pitch is slated for 6:15 p.m. central time at Smokies Park in Kodak, Tenn.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Mark Fleury went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the year Monday night against Tennessee. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.