Senate, House Leaders Join AG To Block Medical Marijuana Admendment
November 4, 2013
Legislative leaders have joined Attorney General Pam Bondi’s attempt to block a medical-marijuana constitutional amendment from reaching the ballot in Florida.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, told the Supreme Court in a filing that they object to the ballot summary that voters would see if the pot initiative goes on the November 2014 ballot. The move is the first step toward a full “friend of the court” brief that would be filed later.
In a statement, Weatherford said the lawmakers don’t object to voters being allowed to decide whether the state should allow severely ill Floridians to access marijuana.
“We firmly believe the wording of this amendment is not about legalizing marijuana for serious medical illnesses, but rather creating a path in our constitution for marijuana shops on every street corner,” Weatherford said. “The ballot summary is misleading and the impact of this amendment is far, far greater than John Morgan and his supporters would like the public to know.”
Bondi has also told the court that the summary for the ballot initiative, heavily backed by trial lawyer and Democratic donor John Morgan, would deceive voters about the reach of the amendment.
Elections officials say the measure has received 117,062 valid signatures. That’s more than enough to trigger an automatic review of the amendment by the Supreme Court, but well short of the 683,149 valid signatures supporters need to gather by Feb. 1 to put the initiative before voters in November.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments about the ballot language Dec. 5.
by The News Service of Florida
Tate, Crestview, Niceville Shootout Tonight To Determine Playoff Spots
November 4, 2013
Update to this story….click here.
A three-way “shootout” between Tate, Crestview and Niceville tonight will determine which of the two teams will head to the playoffs.
The shootout, to be held at 7:00 at Niceville, will determine the district champion and runner-up.
The night will begin with one quarter of play between the Tate Aggies and Crestview. The winner advances to play one quarter against Niceville.
If Niceville wins, they take the district title and their opponent (the winner of the Tate-Crestview quarter) will be district runner-up with both teams advancing to the playoffs on November 14.
If Niceville loses, the winner takes the district title and Niceville would then play the loser of the Tate-Crestview quarter with the prevailing team named district runner-up.
Photos: Northview Senior Night; Band and Cheerleaders
November 4, 2013
Friday night was Senior Night for the Northview Chiefs.
For a Senior Night, band and cheerleader photo gallery, click here.
(High quality prints are available of the Senior Night photos from the photo gallery, plus additional sword arch photos are available of most seniors. For information, email news@northescambia.com.)
Seniors honored Friday night were:
2013-2014 Northview Chief football Team
Tristan Creamer, Football, two years
Daulton Ray Daniel, Football, four years
Andrew Edwards, Football, four years
Brandon Freeman, Football, four years
Marvin A. Haynie, Jr., Football, four years
Holden Moore, Football, one year
Baccari Ramer, Football, one year
Neino Robinson, Football, two years
Nathan Ships, Football, two years
Danny Slay, Football, four years
Jeffrey Taylor II, Football, four years
LaQuan M Thomas, Football, two years
Daulton Tullis, Football, four years
2013-2014 Northview Cheerleading Team
Mariah Laine Albritton, Cheerleading, four years
Madison Brooke Arrington, Cheerleading, three years
Katelynne Nicole Calloway, Cheerleading, four years
Anna Elizabeth Fisher, Cheerleading, four years; Dance Team, three years
Chloe Vanessa Leonard, Cheerleading, four years; Dance Team, three years
Ali Martin, Cheerleading, four years
Olivia Neal, Cheerleading, one year
Courtney Weaver, Cheerleading, three years
2013 -2014 Tribal Beat Band
Donald Baity, Band, two years; ROTC, four years
Taylor Brook, Band, four years
Mashama Codrington, Band, one year
Hunter Dettling, Band, two years
Morgan Digmon, Dance Team, three years
Anna Elizabeth Donald, Band, one year
Cory Hester, Band, four years
Jessica Lowery, Dance Team, three years
Jasmine Maher, Band, two years
Brittany Nicole Martin, Band, two year; ROTC, four years
Shelby Nielsen, Band, three years
Rachel Presley, Dance Team, two years
Hilery Danielle Scott, Dance Team, three years
Rebekah Mary Sepulveda, Dance Team, one year
Kent Smith, Band, four years; ROTC, three years
Jeremy Logan Stacey, Band, three years
Lily Ann Townson, Dance Team, three years
Kendrick Walker, Band, two years; ROTC, four years
2013-2014 Northview NJROTC
Kasie Braun, ROTC, four years
Jessica Ann Brown, ROTC, four years
Kira Cartwright, ROTC, four years
Zacarra Davis, ROTC, four years
Casey Godwin, ROTC, three years
Courtney Jones, ROTC, three years
Shauna Walker, ROTC, four years
Victoria Wright, ROTC, four years
Northview, Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic This Weekend
November 4, 2013
Northview Baseball and Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers will present a fall baseball clinic this weekend for ages 9-17. Participants will receive on the field experience while supporting the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
The clinic will be held Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Northview baseball complex. The cost is $40 per participant. The number of registrations are limited.
For more information or to register, call the Northview Diamond Club at (850) 554-8594.
Blue Angels Fly Together Again
November 4, 2013
The Blue Angels returned to the air over the weekend for their first public flight appearance since their funding was cut back in April. They flew over Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana before Notre Dame edged Navy 38-34.
Capt. Michael Ryan, commanding officer of the University of Notre Dame’s Navy Reserve Officer Training Candidate (ROTC) unit, presented a University of Notre Dame football helmet to the Blues and Flight Leader Cmdr. Tom Frosch. The helmet was a gift from Notre Dame Football Head Coach Brian Kelly.
The Blues still have not announced any change to the cancellation of their Homecoming Show, originally set for this past weekend, at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
U.S. Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Dies In Wreck; His Father Arrested For Attacking Troopers (With Photo Gallery)
November 3, 2013
One person died from injuries received in a single vehicle wreck late Saturday night in Molino, and the father of the victim was jailed after allegedly attacking first responders and troopers at the accident scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 34-year old Joiel Wilson Edmonson of Molino lost control of his pickup truck just after 11 p.m. on Molino Road near Veazey Lane and left the roadway. The front of the 1998 Chevrolet 1500 pickup struck a cable box before entering a wooded area and striking a tree.
Joiel Edmonson was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he passed away a short time later as a result of injuries received in the crash.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Edmonson’s father, identified as 56-year old John David Edmonson of Molino, arrived on scene and attempted to interfere with first responders as they worked to free the victim of the wreckage.
John Edmonson allegedly attacked and interfered with firefighters on the scene. Over a dozen law enforcement officers responded to the incident, including two Florida Highway Patrol troopers that were among the first on the scene. They reportedly became involved in an altercation with John Edmonson. Witnesses said the troopers were forced to tase John Edmonson in order to end the fight.
The troopers were not seriously injured.
John Edmonson was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was released just after 8 a.m. Sunday on a $15,500 bond. He was charged with failure to obey police or fire department, battery on an officer, firefighter or EMT, aggravated assault on officer, firefighter or EMT and resisting an officer with violence.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top and below: A Molino man was transported to an area hospital where he later died following this Molino Road crash. Pictured inset: The victim’s father was arrested for allegedly interfering the first responders and attacking a FHP trooper. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Mayor: Don’t Buy Out Of State Storage Sheds
November 3, 2013
Century’s mayor has a word of advice for anyone thinking of buying a storage shed in Alabama and installing in his town — don’t do it.
“Most of those sheds coming out of Alabama are not up to Florida wind code,” Mayor Freddie McCall said, while sheds sold in Florida generally meet code. He said persons buying the lower wind resistant sheds in Alabama can’t get the proper permits for them in Florida.
“Buying those buildings in Alabama is costing them,” he said.
McCall recommended that citizens call the town hall for permit information on storage sheds and that the shed be purchased from a reputable Florida retailer.
Clerk Returns $619K To County
November 3, 2013
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Donald C. Spencer has returned $619,339.80 to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners.
The excess fees from the clerk’s office for the 2012-13 fiscal year are savings from budgeted funds. The excess fees from funds provided for the clerk’s office by the county amounted to $114,966.47. The amount of excess fees were $504,373.33.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Bratt Home (With Photo Gallery)
November 3, 2013
Fire completely destroyed a Bratt home early Sunday morning.
The fire was reported just after 1 a.m. on Bradberry Road, off North Highway 99 just south of the Alabama state line. The home was fully involved and mostly on the ground when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
The owner of the home was reportedly out of state at the time of the fire, and there was no one at home when the blaze broke out. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this home in Bratt early Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Fire Honors Firemen, Community Members During Fish Fry
November 3, 2013
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 44th annual fish fry.
Jeffrey Huber was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by her fellow firefighters. Kevin Mininger as name Officer of the Year and recognized for his years of service to the department.
Genesis Rail Systems received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community.
Hundreds of people enjoyed fried catfish or grilled chicken plates during the event, with proceeds to be used to provide assistance to displaced fire victims in the area. The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile was also on hand for a blood drive.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top Representative of Genesis Rail System receive the Walnut Hill Fire Department Community Service Award Saturday. Pictured bottom: Walnut Hill Fire Department Officer of the Kevin Mininger, District Chief Christ Brown, Firefighter of the Year Jeffrey Huber, Brown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
