Bill Targets Criminals Who Cross County Lines
December 17, 2013
Local criminals that cross county lines to commit certain felony offenses could find themselves facing an additional felony charge.
A bill filed Monday would make it a felony offense to cross county lines to commit crimes such as sexual battery, robbery, burglary, kidnapping or trafficking in controlled substances.
House Justice Appropriations Chairman Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, proposed the measure which would make it a third-degree felony to cross county lines to commit a variety of types of felony offenses. The bill would apply when crimes are committed in counties other than where the perpetrators live. If approved during the spring legislative session, the measure would take effect October 1 of next year.
Pictured: Highway 4 entering Escambia County across the Escambia River from Santa Rosa County. File photo.
Lottery Fever: Mega Millions Jackpot Jumps To $636 Million
December 17, 2013
At $363 million, tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is the second-largest in the multi-state game’s history.
If one ticket matches all six numbers for the $586 million mega-jackpot, the winner will have the choice of receiving the full jackpot in 30 annual payments, or a cash option of approximately $341 million before taxes.
The jackpot has been growing since October 1, rolling over 21 times without a winner.
The Mega Millions drawing will be held at 10:00 tonight.
Federal Judge Orders Kosher Meals At State Prisons
December 17, 2013
A federal judge has ordered the Florida Department of Corrections to offer kosher meals to “all prisoners with a sincere religious basis for keeping kosher” by July 1.
The little-noticed ruling, signed Dec. 5, grants the U.S. Department of Justice a preliminary injunction forcing the state agency to offer kosher meals and to drop some of the restrictions on a kosher program at one state facility.
“Injunctive relief is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to hundreds of Florida prisoners who believe that keeping kosher is an important part of their religious beliefs,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Seitz in her decision.
The lawsuit concerns the state’s Religious Diet Program, or RDP, currently in place only at Union Correctional Institution. According to Seitz’s ruling, the state has continuously changed its timeframe for expanding the program, first saying it would be available statewide this year, then saying kosher meals would be available at five institutions next month, and then announcing an implementation date for just three of those locations.
The state has also maintained that it is not required to offer kosher meals under federal laws protecting religious liberty.
Seitz barred DOC from enforcing four rules used in the kosher program at Union:
–A 90-day waiting period that the state said it will no longer enforce.
–A requirement that inmates undergo a “test” to determine whether they qualify for the program, including answering a question about the specific religious laws that require them to eat kosher.
–The “10 percent rule,” which drops a prisoner who fails to eat at least 90 percent of his or her meals.
–The “zero-tolerance rule,” which removes an inmate from the program for a period of time if he or she is found to eat something prison officials say is not kosher.
The state has argued that offering kosher meals at every prison could become prohibitively expensive. If enrollment were the same as an old program offering kosher food, it would cost the state less than $1.1 million a year. But the Union program has an unexpectedly high enrollment, which could result in a cost of almost $54.1 million if it went statewide, according to Seitz’s ruling.
But she said there were suspicions that the interest in the program at Union might not have had to do with religious fervor and could eventually decline.
“Thus, it appears that the high participation rate will not be maintained as the RDP continues and the ‘bugs’ in the system, which currently have made the RDP more desirable than standard prison fare, are worked out,” she wrote.
In a filing dated last week, though, the state continued to argue that the policy would cost too much.
“To the extent that FDOC’s dietary policies impose a substantial burden on a prisoner’s religious practices, the FDOC asserts that the policies are in furtherance of compelling governmental interests in preserving the security and good order of its institutions and in allocating scarce governmental resources and that these policies reflect the least restrictive means of furthering those interests,” the filing says.
A trial in the case is scheduled to begin Aug. 25.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Mrs. Grinch? Woman Caught Stealing Christmas Decorations
December 17, 2013
An Escambia County woman was busted red handed Monday morning taking Christmas decorations out of front yards.
Daphne Ann Whited, age 44 of Cantonment, drove around the Tributary Street neighborhood, taking decorations from yards and placing them inside her vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
One resident, Sean Young, caught Whited on camera and posted the photos to his Facebook page.
“I asked her if she needed help putting my stuff in her car,” Young wrote on Facebook. “Then I took her picture.”
Whited was charged with multiple counts of petit larceny and possession of marijuana. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Several victims were located and their decorations returned.
Whited told deputies that an ad on Craiglist said the decorations were on a lawn free for the taking on Tributary Street.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robinson Nets 32 As Northview Beats Miller
December 17, 2013
The Northview Chiefs beat T.R. Miller Monday night 66-55 in Brewton.
Scoring for the Chiefs were Neino Robinson 32, Eric Williams 11, Tony Mcaroy 9, Nick Lambert 5, Cameron Newsome 5, Jeffery Taylor 2, and Dalton Tullis 2.
The Chiefs will host Baker Tuesday, with the varsity girls playing at 5:00 and the varsity boys taking the court at 6:30. It will be the last home games of the calendar year for the Chiefs.
Florida Could Reach 1 Million Gun Background Checks
December 17, 2013
The gift of a gun may be high on many Floridians’ holiday shopping lists.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it is on target to conduct nearly 1 million background checks this year on private firearm purchases. The projection comes as the department is reporting a record number of reviews conducted over the Thanksgiving weekend that typically kicks off the year-end holiday shopping season.
“We have definitely seen an increase in the number of background checks over the past several years,” FDLE spokeswoman Samantha Andrews said Monday. “You can see November and December are relatively larger” for sales.
Andrews declined to speculate on the reason for the increase and said the checks are only conducted on the individuals making purchases.
National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer said that in addition to buying firearms as gifts, guns sales have grown due to the improved economy and an effort by merchants to move stock by offering enticing holiday sales.
“I think it’s a combination of people wanting to take advantage of sales as well as the gift giving,” Hammer said. “The retailers I talked to … they feel the economy may be starting to recover, or people are relaxing a little more, and are starting to turn loose some of the money they were reluctant to spend. And it’s that time of year.”
The FDLE recorded approximately 823,000 checks on firearms purchases as of Dec. 15, of which about 40,000 were from December. Last December, the department recorded more than 110,000 checks.
The 2013 number already surpasses the 797,000 background checks conducted in 2012. There were roughly 610,000 checks conducted in 2011.
Each check includes criminal history and mental-health database reviews.
Times can fluctuate depending upon demand, but the agency aims for a 4 minute turn-around when a check is conducted by a dealer over the phone, Andrews said.
The check can also be done online.
Fewer than 6 percent of the checks result in a sale being denied, Andrews said.
There were nearly 13,500 checks conducted the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, up from 13,200 during the same period a year earlier.
Because of the growing number of background checks, the FDLE has requested 18 new employees during the next budget year to help complete the requests in the firearms purchase program, while another 18 employees already doing the quick checks under an “other personal services” temporary designation could be shifted into full-time positions.
The requests are part of a $19 million increase proposed to the FDLE’s $269 million budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
During an appearance last week before the state Cabinet, FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey pointed to the Thanksgiving weekend as an example of a spike in sales that taxes staff time.
“In order to do this, we had to bring in people from other parts of the departments to make it work,” Bailey told Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet.
Bailey added that even though there was a brief glitch when the internal system for Wal-Mart went down, the checks were done relatively quickly.
The increased number of checks comes at the same time as Florida has a record number of concealed-weapon or firearm licenses issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The consumer services department reported that as of Nov. 30, there were 1,195,645 concealed weapon or firearm licenses issued in Florida. The state went over the 1 million mark a year ago, becoming the first state in the nation to surpass that figure.
Hammer said because of the increasing population, and a growing awareness of the state’s concealed-carry laws, guns sales will continue to grow.
“People are more aware of the need to protect themselves and their families,” Hammer said.
The checks typically also increase around Valentine’s Day and in the spring as federal tax refunds are mailed out, Andrews said.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Girls Weightlifting: Northview Over Pensacola High
December 17, 2013
The Northview Girls Weightlifting team defeated Pensacola High School in a recent meet held at Northview.
Attending Northview and Pensacola High
Placement: 1st Northview 45 Points & Pensacola High 44 points
Northview’s Weight class point winners with combined scores
101
1st – Jadlyn Agerton (NHS)-160
2nd – Lindsey Gafford (NHS)-135
3rd –Rosaly Tambini (PHS)-120
110
1st – Mariah Albritton (NHS)-160
2nd – Tiffani Pritchett (NHS)-150
119
1st –Mallory Peterson (PHS)-155
2nd-Kaylie Hudson (NHS)-150
3rd –Moriah McGahan (NHS)-140
129
1st- Bryanna Lewis (PHS)-195
2nd-Courtney Weaver (NHS)-180
3rd –Iesha Robbins (PHS)-180
139
1st- Shaquaria McLemore (PHS)-215
2nd-Jachristala Gill (PHS)-195
3rd –Zacarra Davis (NHS)-185
154
1st- Ivory Crocker (PHS)-230
2nd-Alexis Madison (PHS)-210
3rd –Madalyn Coon (NHS)-200
169
1st –De’Chele Mallory (PHS)-255
2nd-Olivia Neal (NHS)-230
3rd –Morgan Packer (NHS)-200
183
1st –J’Hara Wiggins (PHS)-250
2nd-Haylee Weaver (NHS)-190
3rd –Addie Lee (NHS)-185
199
1st – McKenzie Nassar (NHS)-225
2nd – Nolasha McNealy (PHS)-175
3rd –Brianna Weaden (PHS)-85
Unlimited
1st – Breanna Campbell (NHS)-290
2nd – Da’ Tranell McIntyre (PHS)-240
3rd –Madison McGhee (NHS)-210
Pictured: Northview Girls’ Weightlifting takes on Pensacola High School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letter To The Editor: Grover Robinson On I-10, Scenic Highway Work
December 17, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Last Friday, the State of Florida and its contractor began commencement on improvements for Interstate 10 between Escambia Bay Bridge and Davis Highway. One of the most noticeable parts of that improvement was the removal of trees from Scenic Highway.
I, like many Escambia County residents, was shocked. While our staff had met with the State and the State had met with the Scenic Highway Foundation, I was unaware of the exact plans and was upset by what I saw.
After seeing the loss of the old growth oaks, I immediately sought to better educate myself with the plans, talking with both State and County employees to determine what work was being done and how the impact to our environment could be mitigated. As I spoke with staff at both the Escambia County and at the State-level, I understood that the agencies involved had to make difficult decisions to in order to diminish potential storm water issues. The regrettable choices were to either remove the trees to create two retention ponds or to relocate eight families on either side of Interstate 10 in order to place ponds on the former home sites. While I certainly appreciate the beauty and environmental history of the old growth oaks along the exit, I do not believe that tearing down homes and trees that others had planted at their homesteads was a viable option.
Since it appears that the actions taken were necessary for progress, Escambia County has offered to assist the State with new landscaping. Escambia County is making an offer to the State of Florida and its contractor to augment the replanting of trees once the ponds are built to see if better species can be planted, as well as more mature specimens. While this certainly will not erase the drastic change that occurred or the loss of the beautiful canopy at that exit, I hope it will make for an easier transition for as we move forward.
I do appreciate the State and its willingness to continue to improve traffic in Escambia County, and I also appreciate their willingness to work with us in as a team to evaluate enhancements Escambia made.
I ask patience of all residents who either live or drive Scenic Highway. Our progress may be slow, but I believe the finished product will be something that is both better for the driver and for our environment and ecology. While I – along with many of you – will deeply feel the loss of the majestic oaks, I am working diligently with the State to ensure that we put forward as best recovery as possible.
Sincerely,
Grover C. Robinson, IV
Escambia County Commissioner
District 4
After A Frosty Start, Expect Sunshine And 65 Today
December 17, 2013
After a cold, frosty start to our morning, expect sunshine and high around 65 today. It will be a little warmer tonight, down to 37 before warming to highs of 63 on Wednesday and 70 on Thursday under sunny skies. Pictured above: A frosty field, bales of cotton, steam rising from a distant pond and Tuesday morning’s sunrise as seen from Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Victim’s Name Released In Sunday Shooting
December 16, 2013
A Sunday evening shooting in Escambia County is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 51-year old Karl John Krause sustained an apparent gunshot wound during the course of an alleged robbery in the 1200 block of Desmonde Drive, off Massachusetts Avenue. He was reportedly shot in the cheek as he drove through the neighborhood. The suspects were described only as several black males.
Krause was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.