‘Stand Your Ground’ Panel Meets In Pensacola, Changes To Law Unlikely
November 14, 2012
A group tasked by Gov. Rick Scott with reviewing the state’s “stand your ground” self defense law appears unlikely to recommend any major revamping of the statute, although it will make suggestions for additional study by lawmakers.
The panel, meeting Tuesday in Pensacola, worked on a draft report that largely would urge lawmakers to look more carefully at couple of particular concerns about areas of the law that may be vague. The panel was created to review the law in the wake of the case in which neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin.
The basic premise of the law isn’t being challenged by the panel, which includes lawmakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, representatives of minority communities and law enforcement. The law essentially allows anyone who feels that their life or someone else’s life is in danger while out in public to meet the threat of force with force. If they claim that was the situation, they can go to a hearing before a judge and get a ruling on that issue without ever going to trial.
The governor’s Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection does want lawmakers to look more carefully at the part of the law that says that the presumption of justifiable self defense doesn’t apply when the person who uses defensive force is engaged in “unlawful activity.”
That phrase may be too vague, the panel determined after hearing several “what if” scenarios and testimony that the decision about what unlawful activity is may vary in different parts of the state. One question that arose was whether that could mean, for example, that an immigrant in the country illegally wouldn’t be able to claim self defense under the law.
Task force members said Tuesday that they didn’t completely agree on what ought to constitute unlawful activity, but said the Legislature may want to look at tightening the definition.
Another issue that drew much attention on Tuesday was what the process for law enforcement is when dealing with situations where a shooters claims they’ve stood their ground in self defense. The panel spent much of the morning discussing whether law enforcement may detain someone who is involved in a shooting and claims to have been shooting in self defense.
Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, the original sponsor of the bill and a member of the panel, said the whole point was to prevent people from having to “lawyer up” to fight the state in such cases when “they’ve done the right thing.”
But law enforcement officials say they still need to investigate whether the person’s claim is true, and may need to take fingerprints, example.
The group’s report is due by the start of the legislative session in March.
By David Royse
The News Service of Florida
NWE Football Players, Cheerleaders Celebrate Season
November 14, 2012
The Northwest Escambia football teams and cheerleaders were recently honored at their annual banquet.
The 9-10 year olds NWE Mites team (pictured bottom) will travel to Bellview Saturday to play East Pensacola in round one of the playoffs.
Pictured top: The 2012 NWE football players and cheerleaders with their trophies. Pictured below: The NWE Mini Mites team (front, L-R) Jace Gifford, Kaden Dove, Jacob Lee, (back) Aiden Broadhead, Luke Bridges, Tanner Boone, Jaxon Singleton, AJ Hasty and Travis Nelson. Mini Mites not pictured: John Michael Ward, Cole Horning, Layden Grant and Josh Burkett. Pictured bottom: Members of the NWE Mites are (front, L-R) Jacob Findley, Josh Wilson, Kenaundre Richardson, Dillon Grant, Trent Kite, Michael Merchant, Trent Peebles, Ben Wilson, Cody Edwards, (second row) Tripp Gipson, Tyler Kite, Wyatt Windham, Josh Merchant, Jayson Helton, Jason Fayard, Adam Aliff, Ian Gifford, Johnny Windham, (back) Assistant Coach Danny Fuller, Assistant Coach Ronnie Merchant, and Head Coach Josh Edwards. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘He’s a Good Boy” – Gov. Rick Scott’s Mother Passes Away
November 14, 2012
Esther Scott, mother of Florida Gov. Rick Scott, passed away Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri after battling an infection for the past several weeks. She was 84.
The governor notified the media of his mother’s death via Twitter in a message: “My Mom – one of the only constants in my life – has passed away. Ann and I are comforted by all the thoughts and prayers for our family.” Funeral arrangements for Esther Scott were not immediately available.
During his first two years in office, Scott has repeatedly spoken of his working class family that experienced many economic ups and downs but exemplified the American Dream. He especially singled out his mother as a source of strength.
During the 2010 campaign, Esther was featured in a 30-second spot. “He’s a good boy,” she said. “He’ll get Florida back to work.”
“He is going to make the best governor that Florida has ever had,” Esther Scott told NorthEscambia.com is an exclusive campaign interview. “He will do the best that he can for this state, and keep every promise or die trying.”
For a NorthEscambia.com’s exclusive 2010 campaign trail interview with Esther Scott, click here.
Pictured: Esther Scott, mother of Gov. Ricks Scott, sat down for an interview with NorthEscambia.com on the campaign trail in 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escaped Work Release Inmate Caught
November 14, 2012
An inmate that escaped from a work release program was captured early Tuesday morning.
Damon Lamont Smith, 27, was found by deputies walking near the intersection of Palafox Street and Larton Street and taken into custody without incident by Escambia County deputies.
Correctional officers told deputies that Smith was disruptive throughout the night. Officers were in the process of trying to gain compliance from Smith when he fled out of the facility, according to a news release.
Smith was charged with escape with an additional bond set at $15,000. Further details have not been released.
Deadline Extended To Order Smoked Butts, Turkeys; FFA Fruit Sale Continues
November 13, 2012
The deadline has been extended to Thursday to place an order in the Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale, just in time for Thanksgiving. And, the Northview FFA’s Fruit Sale is also underway.
Turkeys And Boston Butts
In the annual fund raiser, you can choose either a seven to nine pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $28 each.
Boston butts will be available for pick up on Monday, November 19, and the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 20. Both pick up days will be from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form that you can mail to the school with your payment, click here. Orders must be placed by Thursday, November 15.
Fruit Sale
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Tuesday, November 27. The delivery date is Tuesday, December 18.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
No Major Damage In Reported Kitchen Fire
November 13, 2012
There was no major damage in a kitchen fire Tuesday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the reported fire about 4:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Juniper Street. The fire was out when the first firefighters arrived on scene at the mobile home.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Inside A Trial By Fire (With Photo Gallery)
November 13, 2012
Completing a 160-hour training course to become a certified volunteer firefighter is nothing like being in a classroom when the final exam becomes a flaming reality.
For a newbie volunteer, being told that you will sit on the floor of an abandoned home as a fire is lit and you will experience a “rollover” can be unnerving. In a rollover, hot gases at the ceiling level begin to ignite and “tongues” of flame begin to lick above your head. It’s a step that often precedes a “flashover” — one of the most feared phenomena among firefighters where hot gases explode into flames at or above 1,000 degrees. A flashover is often the deadly point of no return for anyone in a room — including firefighters.
Saturday morning in Atmore, dozens of firefighters gathered for a “live burn”, where an abandoned house was to be burned to the ground as part of a training exercise. For volunteers from Nokomis and Appleton, it was the final part of their 160-hour certification with the help of the Atmore and Poarch fire departments.
For a photo gallery from the firefighter training, click here.
For a photo gallery of the home burning, click here.
The day started with baseline medical checks of volunteers and last minute safety briefings. Then it was time to suit up and heat things up.
As firefighters put on their breathing apparatus, the fear in one firefighter’s eyes became apparent. Her eyes flashed nervously about the crowd. She had been fighting a bit of claustrophobia throughout the classroom portion of the training. There was no more hiding it from her fellow volunteers. Coupled with the embarrassment, it became even worse. Off the came the breathing mask, as other firefighters tried to assure her that it was all going to be OK.
She was devastated, concerned that perhaps her days in the fire department were over. She was reassured that firefighters do much more than race into burning buildings, and there would be a place for her in the department. Volunteers, she was told, are needed to drive trucks, run pumping equipment, help the injured at car accidents, run medical calls — the list just goes on and on for those willing to volunteer their time.
The volunteer firefighters were divided into three groups for their first live burn experience. Some laughed, joked and posed for pictures in their new, clean gear before going into their first house fire. Others stood quietly, shuffling on their feet and wringing their hands.
They moved inside, and sat shoulder to shoulder on the living room floor of the abandoned wood frame home. In the next room, through open French doors, instructors lit a fire.
Slowly, the fire began to smoke, flames dancing higher and higher in the corner of the room. The new volunteers watched with apprehension as the flames reached the ceiling. Outside the home, old single pane glass windows began to creak and pop from the heat. Smoke began to roll from under the eaves of the room. Even the spiders began evacuate, dropping on the ground around the house.
Thick smoke began to layer down toward the firefighters. Slowly, the rollover began. Tongues of fire began to appear in the smoke, licking along the ceiling above their heads as the fire was quickly brought under control to prevent a flashover.
Three groups took part in the experience. As the last group exited the burning house, the volunteer that had experienced the bout with claustrophobia exited and pulled off her face mask to the applause of her firefighter family. She had beaten the fear, and beaten the trial by fire.
For a photo gallery from the firefighter training, click here.
For a photo gallery of the home burning, click here.
Pictured top and bottom inset: Firefighter trainees inside a burning home in Atmore. Pictured top inset: The home on Carver Avenue was burnt to the ground as part of the exercise. Pictured below: Firefighters train on hose usage. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Low 30’s Tonight
November 13, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Century Town Clerk Graduates From Clerk Institute
November 13, 2012
Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez has completed her certification work at the Florida State University’s Institute of Government as is now eligible for certification through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Gonzalez began working toward certification in October 2010, shortly after being named Century’s town clerk.
“Being a clerk means something different to me because I am the town clerk of my hometown,” she said. “All clerks are a special group of people, but to know that when I go to work in the morning, I make a difference in the place where I grew up, the place where citizens know my family, the place where I played in the dirt so many years ago, has been delightfully rewarding.”
Gonzalez was president of her clerk class of 20 and was the speaker at the graduation ceremony.
Pictured: Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez (left) is congratulated by Florida Association of City Clerks President Kelly Koos of Lakeland. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Storm Teams Home After Sandy Restoration
November 13, 2012
Gulf Power storm restoration teams have wrapped up their work in the Northwest to help restore power following Superstorm Sandy.
A 14-man Gulf Power evaluator team from Northwest Florida and a 70-person restoration team — including 48 line personnel and 22 support personnel — are back on the Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Power teams worked across the region to assist local utilities with power restoration, including a three-foot deep snowy assignment in West Virginia and four inches of snow in New Jersey.
Pictured top: Gulf Power teams prepare to go to work in snowy New Jersey. Pictured inset: A Gulf Power team works in Pennsylvania. Pictured: The entire Gulf Power team that worked with PSE&G, a New Jersey utility. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
