Alimony Overhaul Heads To Scott For Signature
April 19, 2013
With lawmakers squaring off about whether the bill was “anti-woman,” the Florida House gave final approval Thursday to a plan to overhaul the state’s alimony laws.
The bill (SB 718), which was approved by the Senate early this month and is headed to Gov. Rick Scott, would eliminate the concept of permanent alimony and also would make myriad other changes that could affect divorced couples. As an example, it would make it harder to receive alimony when marriages last 11 years or less.
Supporters said the bill would add more fairness to alimony laws and that it could help end what sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, described as “gamesmanship” in divorces.
“We’re just saying that every case shouldn’t be permanent alimony,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City. “You shouldn’t be paying a lifetime of servitude on a short-term marriage.”
But opponents said the bill will hurt women who have given up careers to stay home and raise families and then wind up getting divorced.
“We’re setting up the premise that women will no longer be treated equally in a divorce settlement,” said Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens.
Those arguments, however, were disputed by the bill’s supporters — women and men. Workman said changes in the bill would give families more certainty in what now can be nasty divorce disputes.
“This bill isn’t anti-woman,” Workman said. “It’s pro-family.”
House members voted 85-31 to approve the bill, which passed the Senate by a 29-11 vote. During the session, lawmakers heard horror stories from people on both sides of the issue — including people who argued they had been saddled with making hefty, unjustified alimony payments, along with people who were struggling to make ends meet after divorces.
The 34-page bill, in part, would create new legal standards based on the lengths of marriages. For example, when marriages end in 11 years or less, there would be what is known as a “rebuttable presumption” against awarding alimony. In contrast, a marriage that ends after 20 years would create a presumption that alimony would be awarded.
Also, the bill would set limits on the percentages of monthly income that could be awarded in alimony based on the lengths of marriages.
Opponents of the bill focused heavily on the potential effects on women who have been out of the workforce for long periods of time.
“I shudder to think what this bill will do,” said Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana.
But supporters said the bill would help treat people fairly and that women also sometimes pay alimony.
“Alimony doesn’t always mean that it’s the woman receiving the alimony,” Porter said. “It can work both ways.”
By The News Service of Florida
Lady Royals Win District Tournament
April 19, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals beat the Chipley Tigers 8-6 Thursday night to claim the Class 1A Rural District 2 Softball District championship.
The Royals were down 1-0 in the second inning when they turned things around to a 4-1 lead. The Royals’ Camille Driver scored on an error by the Lady Tigers, and a Harley Tagert Single brought Destiny Herring home. A line drive from Michaela Stewart sent Chassity McCranie across the plate. Tagert scored on a double from Ashlyn Geck to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Driver scored on a Chipley pitcher error for a 5-1 advantage. Chipley answered, evening it up at 5-5.
Olivia Wright and Stewart scored in the bottom of the fourth, and Taylor Moore added run on a line drive single from Bayleigh Upton.
The top two teams in the district head to regionals, so both Jay and Chipley advance. The Jay Lady Royals will host Central High on April 30.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals claimed the district championship Thursday night from Chipley. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panthers Over Tate In 12 Inning Battle
April 19, 2013
The Tate Lady Aggies ended their season last night after battling with the Milton Panthers for 12 innings.
The Aggies were ahead 4-0 when the Panthers mounted another great come back to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. The Lady Panthers tore open the game in the 12th scoring four more runs while the Lady Aggies could not answer.
Milton will face Pace tonight for the District Championship at Milton High School.
Linemen Recognized On First-Ever National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 19, 2013
Thursday was National Lineman Appreciation Day. The day was set after the U.S. Senate approved a resolution honoring lineworkers for their efforts to keep the power flowing.
“EREC’s linemen are the cream of the crop. These men are dedicated to keeping power delivered to every home on our system around the clock, regardless of weather conditions,” said Escambia River Electric Cooperative CEO/General Manager Clay Campbell.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) “recognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety”. It passed unanimously.
Pictured: Linemen work earlier this year on an electrical system upgrade in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Barry Alan Gross
April 19, 2013
Mr. Barry Alan Gross, 63 of Brewton, passed away April 18, 2013, in Brewton.
He was born October 7, 1949, in Bremerton, WA. He served in the United States Navy. He was a retired machinist with civil service. He is preceded in death by his parents Joe Russell and Myrtis Louise Bryan Gross and son Alan Gross.
He is survived by his sister, Myrna Gross Howell of Jay and his family and friends.
Private inurnment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Eighth Inning Rally Lifts Blue Wahoos Past Suns
April 19, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos broke a 2-2 tie in the last of the eighth inning with eight runs to win going away 10-2 over the Jacksonville Suns in front of 4,591 fans on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Entering the eighth tied at two, Pensacola erupted for eight runs on seven hits against Arquimedes Caminero and Scott McGough. Donald Lutz led off the inning with a triple and scored on a double by Travis Mattair to give the Wahoos a 3-2 lead. After two walks to load the bases, Steve Selsky brought home a run with a single, Tucker Barnhart drew a bases loaded walk to score another one and Devin Lohman blasted a two-run double. The next two batters were retired before Lutz batted for a second time and launched a ground rule double to make it 9-2. Mattair followed with his second hit of the inning, a single that the left fielder misplayed, allowing Lutz to score the eighth run of the inning. The final carnage was eight runs on seven hits, three walks and an error.
The eight-run frame set a new franchise record for runs scored in a half inning and the 10 overall runs tied a franchise-high set twice last season.
Prior to the eighth inning eruption it was a game marked by highlight reel defensive plays and timely hitting. Barnhart drove home Bryson Smith in the second inning on a sacrifice fly and again in the fourth inning on a single to right. Barnhart was a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. Lutz and Smith contributed three hits apiece as the Wahoos tallied a season-high 13 base knocks.
Pensacola’s defense kept the Suns off the board in multiple frames as Smith made a sliding catch with a runner on third and two outs to save a run in the second. With a runner on third and one out in the fifth, Taylor Krick lifted a fly to center that Ryan LaMarre hauled in. LaMarre then uncorked a strike to home plate to Barnhart who caught the ball and survived a collision with the runner Jake Smolinski to finish off an 8-2 double play.
Despite the defensive gems, the Suns tied the game in the seventh on a two-out double from Krick that plated two with one scoring when the ball was mishandled in right field.
Chad Rogers received a no-decision despite yielding just one run on two hits over 6.2 frames. Drew Hayes (1-0) picked up the win despite giving up an unearned run in 1.1 innings.
Caminero (1-1) gave up seven runs (all earned) on four hits and three walks in just a third of an inning.
The blowout sets up an intriguing rubber game on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Ryan Dennick (1-0, 2.45) will go for the Blue Wahoos against the Suns’ Sam Dyson (0-1, 0.96).
Story by Kevin Burke
Century Receives New $5,500 Marketing Plan
April 18, 2013
Town officials in Century got their first complete look this week at five-year marketing plan that the town council voted to purchase back in November 2011.
The council voted to enter into a no-bid contract with Ideawörks of Pensacola for $11,450 for a packaged that was to include $4,200 for a “basic website design”, $1,750 for a content management system (CMS) to allow town employees to update the site, and $5,500 for a five-year comprehensive marketing strategy to include “grant identification, development, PR plan, five-year marketing plan and budget”.
The new website was unveiled in May 2012. Town council members were told during a meeting Monday night that the 41-page marketing plan was now available for their review.
The plan recognizes that rural communities like face “significant challenges” for economic development and growth. It recommends that Century’s brand be based upon identified strengths of natural beauty, history and location.
Marketing goals in the plan include the branding of Century as a competitive business locations, an available workforce and a quality of life. The plans also calls for Century to use partnership with other groups, such as the Pensacola Chamber, to expand marketing reach.
The plan suggests four target business types as growth potential for the town — agricultural, manufacturing, small businesses and “other”, including lodging.
In order to compete, the plan states Century must market sites in and around the town, maintain a website, receive positive media attention and have “residents dedicated to economic development” and c0mmunity pride.
The plan also recommends outreach to media, including business publications like Inc., Forbes, Wired, Entrepreneur and Wired, and submitting Century for various “top” lists such as “Best Place to Start a Small Business” in Inc. magazine.
Other marketing tactics including send a potted tree or plant to business prospects along with a USB drive of information and a card tied to the tree imprinted with “Grow A Business in Century”.
The plan also includes numerous pages of grant and business program information reprinted from government, educational and other websites.
In conclusion, the marketing plan states, “At the end of the day, no marketing plan or website or any kind of outreach can be successful without the backing of Century’s residents. What makes residents proud of Century?”
And concerns in the plan include, “We’ve heard that major businesses are not hiring locally, and many local residents were not shopping locally. The negative attitude of community members was also a major concern. Some have cited defeatist attitudes, apathy, lack of communication, and resistance to change as barriers to economic development efforts.”
Pictured top: The Century Chamber of Commerce building. Pictured inset: The Health and Hope Clinic in Century, which provides free healthcare for uninsured and under-served, was identified as a town strength. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Gets Two Years For Ripping Copper Wire From Power Poles
April 18, 2013
A Century man arrested for ripping copper grounding wires from power poles in Walnut Hill has was sentenced to prison this week.
Leland David Kite, Jr., 44, of Jefferson Avenue, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and violating driver’s license restrictions. He was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles to two years in state prison, with credit for 144 days he had already been jailed. He was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling in an unmarked vehicle in the area of Pine Forest Road and Pelt Road on November 20, 2012, when they reported finding Kite’s pickup blacked out beside the road.
When deputies questioned Kite, they reported that he appeared very nervous and was sweating heavily. In plain view in the back of his pickup, deputies observed a large cooler and a five gallon bucket containing copper wire. Kite told deputies that the copper wire was from a job site where he worked. Deputies discovered that was not the case.
In Kite’s truck, deputies reported finding a hammer, pliers and gloves by the gas pedal, and in his pocket they found small pieces of copper wire and a large staple. Deputies also discovered that ground wires had been cut and ripped from at least 10 power poles in the area. The wire and staples from the poles matched those in Kite’s truck and pocket, according to an arrest report.
At the time of his arrest, Kite’s driver’s license was restricted to business purposes only and was not valid.
Survivor Reception To Be Held Before Jay Relay For Life
April 18, 2013
Cancer survivors are invited to a Survivor Reception and Lap Friday evening at the Jay Relay for Life.
The complimentary reception will take place at 4 p.m. Friday in the Jay High cafeteria. Survivors are asked to call Cathy at (850) 675-2448 to reserve seating for the survivor and a caregiver. Survivors should sign in at the registration table at the back entrance to the cafeteria off Escambia Avenue.
A survivors lap will begin the Jay Relay for Life at 6 p.m. The all-night event will continue until closing ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Pictured: Participants in the 2012 Relay for Life at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
“Spice” Bill Unanimously Passes Florida House
April 18, 2013
Wednesday, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill which bans 27 synthetic drugs commonly known as “spice,” “K2” or “bath salts.” Previously marketed as legal alternatives to illicit drugs like cocaine and marijuana, these compounds can cause extreme side effects including paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and psychotic episodes.
“Synthetic drugs are a major problem for children and young adults across the country, and that’s why I’m proud to have sponsored a bill that keeps these toxic compounds out of Florida stores and off our streets,” said Rep. Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola), who sponsored HB 619. “I constantly hear from parents, physicians and law enforcement officials who have personally witnessed the devastating effects of drugs like ‘spice’ and ‘bath salts’.”
“Synthetic drugs are destroying the lives of Floridians, particularly our youth, and it is critical that we remove these deadly substances from store shelves,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I applaud Representative Ingram for his support of this important public safety legislation.”
Although the Florida legislature outlawed a group of synthetic drugs in 2011, chemists – who often operate from overseas labs – have begun to alter their chemical formulas in an effort to skirt existing law.
In response, Bondi issued a temporary order last December that banned an additional group of synthetic substances; the bill approved Wednesday formalizes that emergency order — adding 27 compounds to Schedule I of the controlled substances statute — and makes it a third-degree felony for an individual to “sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver” the newly-banned substances.
SB 294 unanimously passed the Florida Senate on April 4, 2013 and will now be considered by Governor Rick Scott.