Florida Same Sex Couples Fight Extending Legal Stay
December 2, 2014
Update to this story: http://www.northescambia.com/2014/12/florida-gay-marriage-ban-could-be-lifted-in-january
Pointing to an “avalanche” of court rulings, attorneys for same-sex couples have asked a federal appeals court to reject Attorney General Pam Bondi’s attempt to at least temporarily extend Florida’s ban on gay marriage.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in August ruled that the ban was unconstitutional but placed a stay on his decision to allow time for appeals. That stay is scheduled to expire January 5.
Bondi last month asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to keep the stay in place until appeals are complete. But in two filings last week, attorneys for same-sex couples requested that the appeals court let the stay expire. In part, they pointed to federal court rulings that struck down similar gay-marriage bans in other states.
“The (plaintiffs) and same-sex couples across the state are subjected to irreparable harm every day they are forced to live without the security and protections marriage provides,” said one of the documents, filed by American Civil Liberties Union attorneys who represent one group of plaintiffs. “As they wait, children will be born, partners and spouses will get sick, and some will die. Each day that passes, some people will pass away without ever having been able to marry the person they love or to have their marriage recognized in their home state, depriving their surviving spouse of important protections.”
44 Century Residents Apply For 15 Grant Projects To Rehab Housing
December 2, 2014
Monday, 44 Century residents applied for just 15 available grant funded projects that will assist very low and low income homeowners in the rehabilitation of their homes.
Funding will be available in amounts from $2,000 to $5,000 for rehabilitation activities that will contribute to the overall health, safety and well being of the homeowner. Applicants must reside within the town limits, own their single family detached home (no mobile homes) and meet income guidelines based upon family size.
The town will set up and maintain a housing assistance waiting list for this program only. Approved applications are set to be funded on a first come, first served basis.
The program is funded though USDA Rural Development Housing Services.
Public Workshop Tonight On Nine Mile Road Widening Project
December 2, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting tonight concerning proposed improvements to Nine Mile Road to Highway 29. The meeting will be held from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road.
This project is intended to increase the vehicular capacity of the corridor and accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Improvements include widening 2.28 miles of Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes while adding sidewalks, improving drainage and constructing various safety upgrades along the corridor to meet current standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, there will be traffic signal modifications and the construction of storm water drainage treatment facilities.
Maps, drawings and other information will be on display. There will be no formal presentation, however, representatives from FDOT will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions and receive comments.
Lady Chiefs Open Season With Win Over Rocky Bayou; Tate Aggies Improve To 4-0
December 2, 2014
Northview 35, Rocky Bayou 28 (Girls)
The Northview varsity girls basketball team won their season opener Monday night, beating Rocky Bayou 35-28.
The Chiefs were led by seniors E’Layzha Bates and Angel Lathan. Bates scored 11 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. Lathan led the team with 13 points.
Sophomore De’Asia Fountain chipped in with 4 points. Freshman Natasha Walker also had 4 points, while senior Morgan Ward scored 3 points.
The Northview Lady Chiefs (1-0) return to action on Monday, December 8 at Milton when both JV and varsity will play.
Tate 57, Escambia 50
In boys varsity action, the Tate Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 57-50 Monday. With the win the Aggies improve to 4-0 this season.
The Aggies will host Washington High School at 7:30 on Thursday.
Sentencing Rescheduled For Molino Murder Suspect
December 2, 2014
Sentencing had been set for Monday for a woman that pleaded in a Molino murder case, but now she won’t learn her fate for several more weeks.
Debra Burge, 24, pleaded no contest in September to a lesser charge of second degree murder charge in the death of 43-year old Harvey Ray Smith of Pace. His body was found stuffed into a vehicle trunk behind a Motel 6 on Davis Highway on the morning of May4, 2013. Smith had been reported missing in Santa Rosa County. Family members located his vehicle at the motel and then discovered the body.
Burge will now be sentence in late January.
Her co-defendant, 24-year old Zachary Greer is awaiting trial for first degree murder with his next court appearance scheduled for late December.
Reports state Burge and Greer conspired to rob Smith. Burge allegedly lured Smith, her acquaintance, to her home in the 3900 block of Highway 97 in Molino. She told deputies she went inside while Smith and Greer remained outside. When she later exited the home, she found Smith on the ground of the Molino home bleeding. She told Sheriff’s investigators that Greer told her he stabbed Smith and put his body in the trunk of the car that was later driven to the Motel 6 on Davis Highway in Pensacola.
ECUA Offers Solid Waste Service Beginning January 2 In Northern Santa Rosa
December 2, 2014
The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners has entered into an inter-local agreement with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to provide single-family residential solid waste collection north of the Yellow River beginning Friday, January 2. No other large truck provider will be able to provide service in the franchise area after December 30. Click here to see service area map or here to view frequently asked questions.
North Santa Rosa residents who would like curbside service should contact ECUA by December 26 to ensure there is no interruption in their service at (850) 476-0480, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The new north end Santa Rosa ECUA services are $51.27 per quarter and include:
- Garbage pickup: twice a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container
- Recycling pickup: on request by resident once a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container, residents should request recycling service when signing up for service
- Yard debris pickup: every two weeks
- Bulky waste pickup: service on request via phone call from resident
- Side door collection service for the disabled at no extra charge, Non-handicapped side door collection service, additional containers or bear-resistant containers at an additional cost.
ECUA will begin delivering new garbage and recycling containers to Santa Rosa customers this week. It is important that residents do not use the new containers until after their last scheduled pickup date with their outgoing provider, either December 29, 30 or 31; as ECUA will not start service routes until January. Please leave your old empty containers at the curbside for pickup by the previous provider.
Citizens utilizing residential curbside collection in the north end of the county that do not live the city of Milton, town of Jay or NAS Whiting Field, will now have one solid waste provider assigned to their area. The franchise agreement does not impact business or commercial dumpster accounts or residents living south of the Yellow River. Residents in the Holley, Navarre, Midway or the city of Gulf Breeze will have no change in solid waste providers.
The residential curbside solid waste service is not mandatory. Individuals who do not signup for service will be responsible for transporting their household waste, recyclables, yard debris and bulk waste items to the Central Landfill in Milton or the Jay Residential Drop Off Station in Jay. Additionally, the commission chose to grandfather in the small providers. Residents may choose a provider that is currently permitted and utilizes trucks that weigh 15,000 lbs. or less.
For more information, visit www.ecua.fl.gov/santa-rosa or http://santarosa.fl.gov/bocc/solidwaste.cfm.
Scott Urged To Make Interim Secretaries Permanent At DCF, DJJ
December 2, 2014
As he gets ready to start a second term, Gov. Rick Scott will have to choose leaders for the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Both agencies are operating under interim secretaries, and Scott’s choice at the Department of Children and Families will be particularly scrutinized.
DCF Interim Secretary Mike Carroll, a 21-year veteran of his agency, was tapped in early May. DJJ Interim Secretary Christy Daly, after seven years in leadership roles at her agency, took the top job July 1.
Now, with the election behind him, Scott could bring in new leaders at both agencies, but he’s given no sign of his plans. His office referred a reporter to a Nov. 12 press conference in which the governor was asked about the possibility of new agency heads in his second term.
“Whenever there’s the change of four years, you finish that, some people decide to move on and some people decide to stay,” Scott said. “But as we have announcements, we’ll make those.”
So far, the governor’s office has announced that Secretary Mike Crews (pictured) of the Department of Corrections and Secretary Herschel Vinyard of the Department of Environmental Protection are moving on. But no word yet on whether Carroll and Daly will be staying at the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
“I can say that both (Carroll and Daly) have done an excellent job and have the full confidence of their departments behind them,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican who has chaired the House Healthy Families Subcommittee during the past two years. “But of course, it’s up to the governor.”
Many agree, saying Scott has effective leaders in Carroll and Daly and should focus on stability — especially at DCF, which endured heavy scrutiny by the Legislature and the media during Scott’s first term.
What’s more, the Department of Children and Families remains in a delicate position as it carries out Senate Bill 1666, a sweeping reform measure that was approved this spring and includes many players and moving parts.
“The DCF (interim) secretary is a caring and experienced child welfare professional,” said Judge Cindy Lederman, a dependency court judge in Miami-Dade County’s 11th Judicial Circuit. “We need to move forward and continue efforts at system reform with the existing leadership. We cannot start over yet again with new leadership. We don’t have time for on-the-job training.”
“Stability is probably of primary importance right now,” said Christina Spudeas, executive director of the advocacy group Florida’s Children First. “Mike is doing a good job, and he needs to stay where he’s at.”
Carroll is the eighth secretary or interim secretary at the Department of Children and Families since 1999, and the third on Scott’s watch. The governor’s original appointment was David Wilkins, who resigned in July 2013 following a wave of media reports about child deaths from abuse and neglect. Wilkins was followed by Esther Jacobo, who initially took the job for 90 days and ended up staying more than nine months and steering DCF through a gantlet of angry lawmakers during the 2014 legislative session.
“Mike needs to change the culture at the department,” said Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat who chaired the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs during the crafting of Senate Bill 1666. “There are good people there, but there are also bureaucrats who need to get on board and be more accountable and transparent.”
Since taking the reins in May, Carroll has faced many challenges, most notably a Gilchrist County incident in which a man shot his daughter and six grandchildren. Carroll’s also been dealing with high turnover among frontline staff, an overflowing foster-care system in Miami-Dade County, and the implementation of Senate Bill 1666, which includes new programs, new training and new accountability measures.
“It’s important to have some continuity as we’re really moving forward into reforming the whole system,” Harrell said. “It’s a delicate time, and we need experience.”
Children’s Lobby spokesman Roy Miller credited Carroll with bringing the privatized community-based care agencies to the table after they had an adversarial relationship with Wilkins. The agencies receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to provide adoption, foster-care, case-management and other family services statewide.
“They absolutely have to be at the table,” Miller said. “The question is, will Mike Carroll hold that huge delivery system accountable?”
Carroll said last week he trusted the governor to make the best decision.
“I love what we do,” he said. “I think we have the most sacred of missions in all of state government, to protect vulnerable kids … While I do have the opportunity, I want to make a meaningful difference, whether it’s eight months or 20 years.”
At the Department of Juvenile Justice, meanwhile, Daly’s interim appointment followed a multi-year period of change for the agency. She served as deputy secretary to former secretary Wansley Walters, who is credited with leading reforms that shifted the agency’s focus from punishment to prevention.
“I think Interim Secretary Christy Daly has done a wonderful job continuing the efforts begun by Secretary Walters,” said Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who has served as chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. “I hope the governor makes (her) permanent, because she’s continuing the good work of Secretary Walters, and we’re seeing outstanding results.”
Walters also backed Daly for the permanent job, calling her “a nationally recognized authority in the field of juvenile justice.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Name Pat Kelly As New Manager
December 2, 2014
The Cincinnati Reds today announced Pat Kelly will be the new manager for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. With over 20 years of managerial experience, Kelly led the Bakersfield Blaze, the former Class A Advanced affiliate for the Reds, in 2014. Alex Pelaez and Jeff Fassero will return as the team’s hitting and pitching coaches, respectively.
Delino DeShields, the Wahoos manager for the past two seasons, will manage the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate for the Reds, in 2015.
“We are very pleased to announce Pat Kelly as the manager of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Pat brings decades of experience and success to the role from all levels of play and I am confident he will bring out the best in our players. Pat understands our intent to put a winning product on the field and will work tirelessly in this pursuit,” said Jeff Graupe, Director of Player Development for the Reds. “I am also proud to introduce Delino DeShields as the new manager in Louisville. Delino will be entering a new chapter of his coaching career, but his time in Pensacola was vital to his development as a manager and will aide him with this new challenge.”
Last season Kelly led the Bakersfield Blaze, the first half champions in the Cal League North, to the Northern Division Finals where they lost the series 3 games to 1 to the Visalia Rawhide. Before heading to Bakersfield, Kelly managed the Reds Pioneer League affiliate in Billings, Montana from 2011–13. Within the Reds organization he also served as the field manager for the Class-A Lynchburg Hillcats in 2010 and prior to that he spent the majority of three seasons as the manager for the Rookie GCL Reds as well as director of Florida on-field operations. In total Kelly, 59, has spent 25 seasons managing in the minor leagues for 17 teams, including Richmond (2003-05), Syracuse (1999-2000), Ottawa (1997-98), Harrisburg (1995-96), Chattanooga (1993-94), Indianapolis (1991-92), Rockford (1991), Las Vegas (1990), Wichita (1988-89), Reno (1987), Charleston (1986), Glens Falls (1985) and GCL White Sox (1984). Kelly’s playing career included stops in the Angels, Blue Jays, Braves and White Sox systems. He reached the big leagues in 1980 with Toronto.
“I’m very excited to manage in Pensacola for the 2015 season,” said Kelly. “Pensacola Bayfront Stadium is known as one of the best facilities in all of professional baseball. Our team should be very competitive and exciting to watch and I look forward to guiding the Wahoos to a Southern League Championship next year!”
Kelly will address the media inside the Blue Wahoos home clubhouse on Wednesday at 3 p.m. From 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Kelly will sign autographs, greet fans and pass out a special holiday gift to season ticket holders at the Bait & Tackle Merchandise Store on South Palafox.
The first game of the 2015 regular season is April 9.
Atmore YMCA To Remain Open Through At Least 2015
December 2, 2014
A few months after announcing that the Atmore YMCA would close its doors due to a poor financial outlook, the organizations board now says the Y will remain open for 2015.
Back in July, the YMCA announced it was track to close its doors permanently in August. But within just a few weeks, the Y announced the community had stepped forward with funding to keep the doors open.
Now, the Atmore YMCA’s board of directors has announced that fundraising has exceeded expectations.
“Through the generosity of local businesses and individuals, we have surpassed our goal to raise $75,000,” the board said in a news release. “We have streamlined our staffing and have outsourced costly services to reduce our expenses. Webelieve this, coupled with expanding our programs and membership of the Atmore YMCA will continue to grow and prosper.”
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995. The Atmore YMCA currently has over 500 memberships representing about 1,250 members.
For more information or to donate to the Atmore YMCA, call (251) 368-9622 or stop by 501 South Pensacola Avenue in Atmore.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tonight: Northview To Hold Bright Futures Event For Seniors, Parents
December 2, 2014
Northview High School will hold an informational even tonight for seniors and their parents to learn more about Bright Futures Scholarships. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the school.
Seniors can receive assistance in completing the Florida Student Financial Aid application, which is required for Bright Futures eligibility. Computers will be available with assistance from counseling staff to submit the Bright Futures application.