Scott Signs Red Light, Mobile Home, Distiller Bills; Vetoes Others
June 13, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott late Wednesday signed four bills, including a measure that would make it tougher for local governments to issue tickets to drivers turning right on red.
An omnibus transportation bill (HB 7125) made the change, which dealt with red-light cameras. It would prevent ticketing motorists as long as vehicles come to a stop, even after crossing the stop line, before making legal right turns on red.
The bill also includes a slew of other changes, including revamping laws that deal with ignition-interlock devices issued to some people convicted of drunken driving and approving new specialty license plates. Among the groups that would receive plates are the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lauren’s Kids, which is a program aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children.
Also, Scott signed a measure (HB 347) that would allow about 20 small craft distillers in Florida that annually produce less than 75,000 gallons of spirits to offer on-site sales. The bill imposes a two-bottle-per-customer annual cap for the purchases.
What’s more, Scott approved a bill (HB 573) allowing residents of mobile homes to get insurance from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and a measure (HB 7025) specifying that certain condo board election requirements don’t apply to timeshares.
Meanwhile, Scott vetoed three bills, including a measure that would have revamped laws dealing with the competency of mentally ill people charged with crimes. In a veto letter, Scott said he rejected the measure (SB 1420) because it would have led to many types of criminal charges being dismissed after three years if defendants are determined to be incompetent to stand trial. Current law sets that time frame at five years.
Under the bill, the shortened period of time would not have applied to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. But Scott wrote that dismissal of charges after three years for people accused of attempting to commit violent crimes “could pose a serious public safety risk.”
Scott also vetoed HB 725, which would have eliminated recording requirements for closed meetings of the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee. He wrote that the recordings are already exempt from disclosure, but that the “careful balance between openness and reasonable confidentiality” would be best met by maintaining the current requirements.
The third veto hit a measure (SB 354) that involved a property-tax exemption on certain housing for active-duty military members. But Scott wrote that an amendment added to the bill could inadvertently impose property taxes on other military housing that already is exempt from property taxes.
By Brandon Larrabee and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
It’s Only Getting Hotter
June 12, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Deputies: Lost Burglar Decides Indecent Exposure Might Just Get The Police
June 12, 2013
An allegedly drunk and lost Atmore man who thought the best way to get home was to get the police by dropping his pants was partially right, except he ended up with a ride to jail.
Corey Nicolas Smith, age 22 of 21st Avenue, was charged with felony attempted burglary of a residence, felony attempted burglary of a conveyance and indecent exposure by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responding to a reported vehicle burglary in the Warrington area found Smith exposing himself “in a vulgar and indecent manner”, according to an arrest report. The arresting deputy placed Smith in his patrol vehicle and “he stated he was drunk and did not know how to get home so he decided the best way was to get law enforcement by exposing himself to the …female in the vehicle,” the deputy wrote in his report.
Smith has previously tried to enter an apartment. The two occupants of the apartment exited to their vehicle. Smith tried to open the door of the vehicle but could not. He then pulled down his pants, exposed himself and began to perform a sexual act that was partially witnessed by law enforcement, the arrest report states.
Smith was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,500 bond.
Escambia Man Gets 40 Years For Robbery Of Individual
June 12, 2013
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for the next several decades for robbery.
Andre Lanier Cook, 26, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 40 years state prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence for attempted robbery armed with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm. Cook was previously convicted by an Escambia County Jury in May.
Prosecutors said on August 1, 2012, in the Lincoln Park area, the victim was approached by Cook. Cook demanded the victim to give him any drugs or money that he had on him.
When the victim denied having any drugs or money, Cook pulled a gun and pointed it at the victim’s chest. The victim panicked, hit Cook in the face and ran from away. Cook then ran after the victim, attempting to fire the handgun several times but the gun only fired once hitting the victim in the leg. The victim was able to identify Cook in a photo lineup just days after the incident.
Small Biz Center To Offer ‘How To Do Business With ECUA’ Workshop
June 12, 2013
On Friday, the Florida Small Business Development Center with the UWF Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Program, will offer a free workshop entitled, “How to do Business with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority” (ECUA). The event will be held in Pensacola at 401 East Chase Street, Suite 100, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The informational meeting will educate attendees about the potential of doing business with the ECUA, while increasing participation in obtaining future ECUA contracts. Participants will learn about the bidding process, qualification requirements, future business opportunities, and how the ECUA hiring process is conducted.
ECUA speakers will include; Bill Johnson, director of engineering, Peter Wilkinson, purchasing and store manager, and Frances Webb, HR generalist.
The workshop is free; however, pre-registration is recommended. For additional information contact, Laura Subel, PTAC procurement specialist, lsubel@uwf.edu (850) 595-0089 or register at clientsfloridasbdc.org/center.
Sheriff’s Office Camp Friendship Underway At Jim Allen Elementary
June 12, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Camp Friendship” is going on this week at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. The free summer day camp features presentations by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, a field trip jail tour, sports, arts and crafts and much more.
“We want to thank the Sheriff Morgan and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department for their time, talent, and dedication to the children in our county,” Jim Allen Elementary Principal Rachel Watts said.
Additional camps are planned for later this summer at Montclair and Navy Point elementary schools. Both camps are already full and registration is closed.
Pictured: Camp Friendship at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Objects To Muslim Prisoners Joining Kosher Food Case
June 12, 2013
State attorneys Tuesday objected to an attempt by Muslim prisoners to intervene in a federal lawsuit that seeks to ensure the Florida Department of Corrections will offer kosher meals to religiously observant Jewish prisoners.
Muslim prisoners filed a motion May 30 to intervene in the case, which was filed last year in federal court in Miami by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Muslim prisoners seek a halal diet, complying with Islamic dietary laws, but would accept a kosher diet. In seeking to intervene, attorneys for the Muslim prisoners said the federal government should be “commended” for filing the lawsuit but that it does not address the Muslim dietary issue.
“Nowhere in the complaint is there any mention of Muslim inmates not being provided a halal meal, or in the alternative a kosher meal,” the motion said.
But in a document filed Tuesday, the state’s attorneys raised a series of legal objections to allowing the Muslim prisoners to join the case.
“The movants are Muslim inmates who seek a halal diet,” the document said. This case is not about halal diets, but kosher ones.”
U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz held a hearing last week on the federal government’s request for a preliminary injunction on the kosher-food issue, but she had not ruled as of Tuesday morning.
by The News Service of Florida
Mildred J. Morris
June 12, 2013
Mrs. Mildred J. Morris of Atmore died June 8, 2013, in Atmore.
Mildred Jackson Morris was the daughter of the late Mr. Henry and Mary Alice Jackson. She was born March 28, 1953, in Blacksher. She went to Escambia County Training School and resided in Atmore as a homemaker. She accepted Christ in her life at an early age. During her life time she uses to sing with a gospel group called the Royal Silverstones and had a voice that was out of this world.
Her husband, Mr. William Morris; her parents, Mr. Hnery and Mary Alice Jackson; sisters, Lou-vet Jackson (Jessie Mae), Emma Lee Howard, Rosie Marie Jackson; one brother, Mr. Henry Jackson; and one nephew, Mr. Marvin Jackson preceded her in death.
Those who shared her life and cherish her memories are two sisters, Velma (Guy) Wilkins, of New York City and Martha (Orbie) Henderson of Atmore; one brother, George (Aurelia) Jackson of Atmore; nephews, Ricky (Ansley) Howard of Atlanta, Charles (Alisha) Howard of Evansville, Ind., Wayne (Diane) Howard of Atmore, Labarron (Anna) Finklea of Atlanta, Darnell Jackson of Evansville, Ind., Demetric Henderson of Huntsville, Ivan Jackson of Atmore, Da Johsn, De’Andra and T.J., all, of Atmore and Chris Simpson of Korea; nieces, Sharon Jackson, Nedra Henderson, both of Atmore, Valeria Brown of Atlanta, and Sonya Spencer of Mississippi; granddaughter, Brandie Webb; special friends, Gerald Bynum, Kendrell Finklea, Dianee, Jeffery, Mammie Nelson Lewsi, Michael Wilson, Shirley Richardson, Tonita Willie, Linda Elliot and Freddrick Williams; very special nieces, Mariah Leslie, La’Asia Henderson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be Ivan Jackson, Darnell Jackson, Jeffery Wilson, Charles Howard, Wayne Howard, Freddrick Williams, Demetric Henderson and Rico Stallworth. Flower bearers will be family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m .Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Elbethel Holiness Church. Interment will be held in Stallworth Cemetery.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Burglary Suspects Busted
June 12, 2013
Two more burglary suspects were arrested Tuesday afternoon as an investigation into recent vehicle burglaries continues in the Pensacola area.
Lucas Jenkins, 21, and Tonjas Dixon, 20, both of Pensacola, were arrested around at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive, according to Sgt. Kevin Christman.
Dixon was arrested on 21 warrants that included burglary, larceny, fraud, and grand theft vehicle charges. Jenkins was arrested on nine warrants that included burglary, grand theft, fraud and vehicle theft charges.
The Pensacola Police Department made the arrests in conjunction with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, which also is investigating the suspects. Representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also participated in the investigation.
Jenkins, Dixon and Marcus Johnson are suspects in vehicle burglaries that occurred between early May and June 1 in the Inverness, Cordova Park and Bayview Way areas. The majority of vehicles had been left unlocked.
Johnson, 20, of Pensacola was arrested June 1 on 21 warrants ranging from burglary to fraud, Christman said.
The investigation is continuing as detectives pursue leads on additional suspects.
Wahoos Rally For 7-3 Win Over Braves
June 12, 2013
The first five Pensacola Blue Wahoos reached base as part of a four-run eighth inning that pushed Pensacola past the Mississippi Braves 7-3 on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Wahoos finished the 10-game road trip at 5-5 and knocked Mississippi out of first place in the process.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning trailing 3-1, but strung together a rally against Braves’ reliever Ian Thomas. After a leadoff walk to Ryan LaMarre, Travis Mattair singled to set the stage for a frantic comeback. Tucker Barnhart doubled, Ray Chang singled, and Devin Lohman singled on three consecutive pitches to turn a two-run deficit into a 4-3 lead. The Wahoos eventually loaded the bases with two outs when Theo Bowe drew a walk to give the Wahoos a two-run lead.
Mississippi threatened in the last of the eighth by putting runners on second and third with one out. Pensacola’s Trevor Bell fought back, though, to strike out Edward Salcedo and Barrett Kleinknecht to preserve the two-run lead.
The Wahoos added two insurance runs in the ninth inning on a Ray Chang single and a bases loaded walk to Bryson Smith. That was more than enough for Bell, who picked up his first save as a Wahoo with a scoreless ninth.
Pensacola jumped on top early in the game as Barnhart smacked a two-out single in the first inning to score Smith. The Braves responded with two runs in the last of the second on an RBI single from Kleinknecht, who then came around to score on an errant pickoff attempt from the catcher Barnhart.
Dan Brewer blasted his first homer of the season in the third inning to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Mississippi loaded the bases later in the inning, but Pensacola starter Josh Smith induced a 6-4-3 double play to stomp out the threat. The twin-killing sparked a string of 10 straight set down by Smith to end his outing. Smith went six innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, but didn’t factor in the decision.
Brian Pearl (3-0) picked up the win for Pensacola by pitching a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Smith. Thomas (3-3) took the loss for the Braves by allowing four runs in 1.1 innings.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Wahoos return home to finish out the first half with a five-game series against the first place Mobile BayBears. The BayBears lead the division by a half-game over Mississippi, 1.5 games over Montgomery and two games over Jacksonville. Tim Crabbe (2-6, 3.64) will get the start for Pensacola against Mobile’s Bradin Hagens (7-3, 2.69).
story by Kevin Burke