Three Takes Seats On Century Council Without Opposition
June 21, 2014
Three Century residents earned seats on the Century Town Council at noon Friday when no one qualified to run against them in this year’s elections.
Incumbents Sandra McMurray Jackson and Gary Riley are running without opposition . Political newcomer Benjamin Boutwell qualified for Seat 3 on the town council without opposition, taking the seat held by Jacke Johnston who did not seek reelection.
Jackson, Riley and Boutwell will be sworn into office on January 5, 2015, for four-year terms.
Election Watch: Qualifying Period Ends For Local Candidates
June 21, 2014
Qualifying is now over for candidates seeking local offices in Escambia County.
Those qualified as of the noon Friday deadline are listed below, as provided by the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Candidates qualified for local offices are:
County Commissioner, District 2
- Ray Guillory, Democrat
- Doug Underhill, Republican
- Gene Valentino, Republican
- Deb Moore, Democrat
County Commissioner, District 4
- Grover C. Robinson, Republican
- Michael Alexander Lowery, Democrat
School Board, District 1
- Jeff Bergosh
School Board, District 2
- Gerald W. Boone
School Board, District 3
- Laura Dortch Edler
- Linda Moultrie
- Charlie Nichols
ECUA, District 2
- Lois Benson, Republican
ECUA, District 4
- Dale Perkins, Republican
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas Campanella
- Teresa Preston
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 1
- Jacob Gilmore
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 2
- Austin Courson
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 4
- Lynn L. Laird
Mayor of Pensacola
- Ashton Hayward
- Donna Clark
Pensacola City Council, District 2
- Sherri Myers
- Dennis R. Tackett
Pensacola City Council, District 4
- Larry B. Johnson
Pensacola City Council, District 6
- Brian Spencer
- Mark Taylor
Century Town Council, Seat 3
- Benjamin D. Boutwell
Century Town Council, Seat 4
- Gary E. Riley
Century Town Council, Seat 5
- Sandra McMurray Jackson
Unemployment Rate Up In Three County Area
June 21, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level increasing in the North Escambia area.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate was up from 5.9 percent in April to 6.2 percent in May. There were 8,672 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment also increased, from 5.0 to 5.4 percent from April to May. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,028 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 6.4 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 7.9 percent in April to 8.1 percent in May. That represented 1,125 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, still significantly below the 7.5 percent mark of a year ago, has been mostly flat this year, wavering from 6.2 percent in February to 6.3 percent in March and back to 6.2 percent in April before the May increase.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.8 percent in May, was slightly down from April’s rate of 6.9 percent and was above the year-ago rate of 6.4 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
NWE Youth League Now The ‘NWE Chiefs’, Home Field Now Northview High
June 21, 2014
The Northwest Escambia Youth Football and Cheerleading league has rebranded itself as the NWE Chiefs, and they announced Friday that they will be playing all of their home games this season at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on the campus of Northview High School, home of the Northview Chiefs.
NWE’s teams were previously the Eagles, and they previously played home games at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Northwest Escambia Youth Football will hold registration for the 2014 season at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt and at Don Sutton Ball Park in Molino from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays: June 28; and July 12, 26. The deadline to sign up for cheerleading was June 21.
Registration fee for football is $85, with NWE providing equipment and game uniforms. Payment plans are available.
Proof of residency or proof in enrollment in Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Molino Park Elementary or Ernest Ward Middle School is required. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is also required.
For more information call (850) 449-3185 for football or (850) 377-3102 for cheer.
Pictured top: A sneak peak at a drawing of the new NWE Chiefs helmets. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Health Officials Warn Of Bacteria In Local Waters
June 21, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County urges residents and visitors to limit exposure to Vibrio vulnificus. Occurring naturally in the warm coastal waters, particularly during the summer months, Vibrio vulnificus has the potential to cause serious illness.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that normally lives in warm, brackish seawater. Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds, cuts, or scratches can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater or estuarine water. Also, Vibrio vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat raw or undercooked oysters and shellfish.
Healthy individuals typically develop a mild disease; however, Vibrio vulnificus infections can be a serious concern for people who have weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Wound infection can lead to skin breakdown and blistering.
- In persons who have weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic liver disease, Vibrio vulnificus can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe, life-threatening illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock) and blistering skin lesions.
Individuals experiencing these symptoms should contact a physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Individuals with wound infections should also seek care promptly.
“It is important for people to be vigilant of these symptoms and seek immediate medical care,” said Dr. John Lanza, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. “Residents and visitors should also avoid consuming raw and undercooked shellfish as well as foods that have come into contact with raw seafood.”
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE
- Thoroughly cook oysters and other shellfish, either by frying, stewing, or roasting to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat.
- Avoid exposing open wounds, cuts, or scratches to seawater or estuarine water.
The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
For more information, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at 850-595-6683, or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
Huntsville Beats Pensacola
June 21, 2014
The Huntsville Stars showed why they compiled the best record in the first half of the Southern League on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Led by first baseman Nick Ramirez, who clobbered two home runs including a grand slam in the eighth inning and drove in a career-high six RBI, the Stars evened the five-game series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at one game apiece with an 11-1 victory.
Ramirez is among the league leaders with 51 RBI and 13 homers on the season. His grand slam came during a six-run eighth inning that broke the game wide open for the Stars, who took an 11-1 lead.
“It was nice to get back playing like we usually play,” Ramirez said.
While Huntsville racked up the runs, Pensacola had 15 batters reach base and left 11 men on, including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning.
“We definitely didn’t get a big hit tonight,” said Blue Wahoos manager Delino DeShields. “But we have a lot of new guys playing at a different level and they’re going to go through their growing pains.”
Pensacola centerfielder Yorman Rodriguez kept the Blue Wahoos from being blanked with a leadoff solo home run in the seventh inning that cut Huntsville’s lead to 5-1. Rodriguez, who has moved to the leadoff spot for Pensacola, last had a home run on April 21 against Jacksonville. He now has a three game hitting streak.
“Tonight was his best night in quite some time,” DeShields said. “I just hope he continues. We need his production.”
Starting pitcher Jon Moscot has struggled in his last two outings, losing them both and giving up a season-high four earned runs both times. Moscot, who dropped to a 4-6 record, gave up three runs in first inning on a walk, single, double and triple. In the first two innings alone, he threw 50 pitches.
Meanwhile, Huntsville’s Jed Bradley, who was drafted 15th overall in the first round by the Brewers, got the win. Bradley, who is the eighth pitcher to start for Huntsville, was making just his fourth start at the Double-A level.
by Tommy Thrall
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: All Signed Up And Nowhere To Go
June 21, 2014
There aren’t that many politicians looking to get out of Tallahassee nowadays — not that there are many options, with neither U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in 2014 and Florida already boasting two possible presidential contenders.
Instead, most incumbents are simply looking to return to their existing posts. (One Democratic lawmaker found out this week how difficult it can be to do just that.) And the few who are looking for new jobs are looking around the capital city for posts like the presidency of Florida State University or a spot on the Public Service Commission.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott was handling the duties of his job — in this case, by signing bills — even if he took some time out of his schedule to throw a few elbows in his campaign for re-election.
THE MULTIMILLIONAIRE VS. THE MILLIONAIRE
The headliners of qualifying, of course, were Scott and his most likely Democratic foe, former Gov. Charlie Crist. Both officially got in the race Monday — no surprise there — and filed personal financial disclosures that shed a little bit of light on their wealth.
And Scott, far wealthier than Crist, tried to flip the script from the 2012 campaign, when President Barack Obama’s Democratic allies hammered on GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s reluctance to release tax returns giving details on Romney’s personal fortune.
Scott, a former health-care executive, released of three years of tax returns, and challenged Crist to do the same.
“I hope that Charlie Crist will follow our lead and take the same steps today by releasing his and his spouse’s tax returns,” Scott said. “His immediate public production of these tax returns for 2011 and 2012 is important to provide the people of Florida the transparency they deserve.”
The actual net worth that Scott disclosed was more money than most Floridians are likely to see in their lifetimes: $132.7 million as of the end of 2013, up from $83.8 million a year earlier.
Crist is no pauper; while his tax returns aren’t out yet, he had to file a financial disclosure showing he’s now worth almost $1.3 million after earning $712,780 last year.
In a statement, Crist’s campaign said he would release “way more financial records than Rick Scott.” That didn’t stop the GOP from starting a website counting how long it had been since Scott issued the challenge.
To pull off the disclosure, Scott ended a blind trust he formed in 2011 and publicly listed his investments, then placed them into a new blind trust.
“I think it’s incumbent for a governor to have their assets in a blind trust,” Scott said in a telephone interview. “By not knowing what assets, and having an outside professional run those assets, you don’t have either the appearance or the conflict of interest by knowing what is in the blind trust.”
The law allowing Scott to use a blind trust was in court Thursday, as an attorney for Jim Apthorp, former chief of staff to the late Democratic Gov. Reubin Askew, argued that the use of blind trusts violates disclosure requirements under the state’s Sunshine Amendment.
Leon County Circuit Court Judge John Cooper didn’t rule on the challenge. The outcome of the case could hinge on whether Apthorp has “standing” — a legal basis — to bring a lawsuit.
“That’s the one that obviously troubles the judge, so it’s got to trouble us as well,” said Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, Apthorp’s attorney. “But if not Jim Apthorp, who?”
COMING AND MAYBE GOING
Other candidates also qualified this week — and we don’t just mean former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, who has struggled to gain media attention in her primary challenge to Crist.
“For the past eight years, Republican governors Rick Scott and Charlie Crist and the right-wing Republican leadership in the Legislature have taken Florida down the wrong path,” she said. “It’s time we changed direction. I believe it’s time Florida had a genuine progressive governor again. And, this year, I am the only genuine progressive Democrat running.”
Most incumbent lawmakers not facing term limits also officially signed up to run, though one missed the deadline: Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, failed to qualify after two notaries public improperly filled out his financial disclosure form. Fullwood is likely to file in a special election called because there are no other candidates.
All three incumbent members of the Cabinet — who qualified themselves — drew challengers. Attorney General Pam Bondi will, as expected, face either former Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon or outgoing House Minority Leader Perry Thurston in the fall. Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer is also challenging Bondi, who has a huge fundraising edge on her opponents.
Meanwhile, Deerfield Beach Democrat William “Will” Rankin qualified Wednesday to run this fall against incumbent state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who also has a huge edge in money raised.
So does Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who will face Thaddeus Hamilton and a write-in candidate in November.
Officeholders weren’t just seeking another term in their jobs, though. Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, continues to be a top contender for the presidency of his alma mater, Florida State University. A search committee agreed Friday to set a goal of recommending a new president by late-September.
The committee agreed Friday to a timeline that will require potential applicants to file by Sept. 2. The committee would whittle down the pool of candidates three days later. Interviews with select applicants would be held the next week. The finalists would be asked back for additional interviews the week of Sept. 15, with the committee’s recommendation coming Sept. 22. The timeline places the completion of the selection process between the primary and general elections — and Thrasher faces opposition in both.
Thrasher was initially scheduled to have an interview with the search committee before other candidates were considered. But an uproar followed, and the committee eventually backed down. Its first choice for a consultant resigned after receiving a vote of no-confidence from the Faculty Senate. That has raised concerns among some of those observing the search.
“I think this search has damaged FSU, their national reputation,” said board member Dean Colson. “I think it’s damaged the national reputation of FSU the way this search has played out.”
And three current or former lawmakers were among 33 applications for two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Public Service Commission. The applicants included term-limited Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City; PSC General Counsel and former longtime lawmaker Curt Kiser; and former Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola. Commissioner Julie Brown is seeking appointment to another four-year term, but Commissioner Eduardo Balbis, whose term will expire in January, announced last month he would not seek another term.
Kiser plans to retire as Public Service Commission general counsel in December, but said serving on the commission would be a different role. As a staff member, Kiser said he is able to make recommendations and suggestions, but as a commissioner he would have more decision-making authority.
SCOTT WIELDS THE PEN
When he wasn’t challenging Crist to release tax returns or doing other campaign-related duties, Scott was tending to the final bits of business remaining from the spring legislative session: Signing bills. Lots and lots of bills.
On Monday, he quietly signed a measure legalizing a limited form of medical marijuana known as “Charlotte’s Web,” even as much of the state’s GOP leadership continues battling a constitutional amendment allowing more extensive use of pot.
The bill (SB 1030) allows some patients to use a strain of marijuana that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but high in cannabidiol (CBD) — a mix that supporters say provides the health-care benefits of pot without the high.
The strain is supposed to dramatically reduce life-threatening seizures in children with a rare-form of epilepsy but has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life,” said Scott, who had announced during the legislative session that he would sign the bill. “I am proud to stand today with families who deserve the ability to provide their children with the best treatment available.”
On Tuesday, it was a pair of bills (HB 989 and HB 7141) aimed at curbing human trafficking.
And on Friday, Scott released a list of 58 bills he had signed, from a measure (HB 850) expanding eligibility for the state’s de facto voucher program to a bill (HB 7095) setting up a new ranking system to fund professional sports stadiums in Florida out of a designated pool of money.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Candidates qualified to run in the November elections, as Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist traded shots over their finances.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I could have gotten my documents in earlier. We’ll get it right this time — we’ll literally make sure the boxes are checked.” — Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, after failing to qualify for re-election because his paperwork was improperly filled out.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Afternoon Thunderstorms Possible
June 20, 2014
After a beautiful morning, complete with a rainbow on Poplar Dell Road outside Century, were are expecting a normal pattern of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tonight Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Light north wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Pictured: A a rainbow on Poplar Dell Road outside Century Friday morning. Reader submitted photo by Aaron Smith, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Highway 97 Collapse Repairs Still In Planning Stage
June 20, 2014
Temporary repairs have been made to a collapsed road shoulder on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, but so far there’s no date to begin permanent repairs.
Back on May 15, the shoulder of Highway 97 about a mile south of Ernest Ward Middle School collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully. Last week, the situation worsened, with part of the paved shoulder falling into the hole.
The Florida Department of Transportation is completing their damage assessment and working on preliminary cost estimates, FDOT spokesperson Tanya Branton said Thursday. Since the damage occurred after the flooding event that led to a presidential disaster declaration for Escambia County, repair costs for Highway 97 will not be reimbursed by FEMA.
On or about May 15, a large drainage pipe travels under Highway 97 to the site of the collapse and then curved downward along the bank of the gully where it was designed to drain at the bottom. But the pipe apparently separated under the shoulder of the roadway, just beyond a guardrail, and blew out and undermined the shoulder of the road.
Crews used sandbags to shore up the shoulder on temporary basis back on June 13.
United Way Workplace Campaign Raises More Than $2M For Community
June 20, 2014
Nearly 200 partner agencies, donors and friends joined United Way of Escambia County at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Center to celebrate the results of the 2013-14 workplace campaign and the announcement of United Way grant recipients.
Thanks to the generosity of 10,000 United Way donors and giving led by three top workplace campaigns, Ascend Performance Materials ($290,177), Gulf Power Company ($221,134) and Publix Supermarkets ($186,933), United Way awarded one and three-year grants totaling $2,151,794 to 43 programs from 30 agencies making a difference in our community.
The following agencies received United Way grants. They were selected based on their ability to return promised outcomes that can create measurable change in our community:
EDUCATION
Three-year funding ($504,064):
Autism Pensacola, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Pace Center for Girls, YMCA of Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($113,702):
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Chain Reaction, Every Child A Reader in Escambia, Gulf Coast Kids House, Independence for the Blind, The Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida.
HEALTH
Three-year funding ($829,631):
ARC Gateway, Council on Aging of West Florida, Lutheran Services of Florida, Manna Food Bank, Inc., New Beginnings, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida, YMCA of Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($63,895):
Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Gulf Coast Kids House, Independence for the Blind, Lakeview Center, Learning Post Ranch, SEASTARS Aquatics.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Three-year funding ($491,807):
Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, United Way 2-1-1 Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($148,695):
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Legal Services of North Florida, Northwest Florida Legal Services, The Salvation Army.
United Way also recognized several of the 300 outstanding businesses and campaign volunteers whose employee giving and corporate support made these grants possible.
Special recognition was given to the following individuals and organizations:
CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS OF THE YEAR
Agency Division
Trish Morales, The Salvation Army
Small Business Division
Susi Miles, Pensacola Animal Hospital
Education Division
Jennifer McSherdon, Virginia College
Financial Division
Susi Franklin, ServisFirst Bank
Government Division
Carolyn Roberts, Escambia Clerk of the Court
Professional Division
Joni Humphreys, Landrum Human Resource Companies
Retail Division
Chuck Fair, Publix – Nine Mile location
Corporation Division
Kay Singleton, International Paper
SCHOOL SPIRIT OF GIVING AWARDS
Elementary
Oakcrest Elementary
Middle
Ernest Ward Middle School
High
Pine Forest High School
Department
Professional Learning Department
Center
McMillan Pre-K Center
BUSINESS RECOGNITION BY COMPANY SIZE
1-99 Employees
Atkins
100-399 Employees
Armstrong World Industries
400+ Employees
Publix