Photos; Freezing Rain, Sleet, Icicles
January 29, 2014
Here are some ice, snow and freezing rain photos from across the North Escambia area. For more photos, click here.
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Pot Amendment Puts Cloud Over Anti-Seizure Marijanua Debate
January 29, 2014
Backers of a non-euphoric strain of cannabis that helps reduce seizures in children aren’t giving up on a legislative fix, but the politics of pot could make their uphill battle even steeper.
A sharply divided Florida Supreme Court on Monday approved a ballot initiative that would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana, rejecting arguments from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Republican legislative leaders and others that the proposal was misleading and would give doctors broad discretion over who would qualify for the pot.
Opposition to the medical marijuana proposal, which will be on the November ballot, could jeopardize the passage of a legislative measure that would legalize a marijuana extract known as “Charlotte’s Web” that proponents believe can dramatically reduce seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy. Florida is one of a handful of states including Georgia where Republican-led legislatures are grappling with making the strain legal.
Charlotte’s Web is an extract of the marijuana derivative cannabidiol, or CBD, but is low in the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The strain is oil-based, can be taken orally and doesn’t get users high, unlike the medical marijuana that would be authorized under the constitutional proposal.
Backers of Charlotte’s Web are trying to draw clear lines between the two types of medical marijuana with the aim of legislative approval in Florida this spring.
Even if the medical marijuana amendment receives the 60 percent approval necessary for passage, it could be years before pot is available to patients in Florida.
That’s too long to wait, said Peyton Moseley, whose 10-year-old adopted daughter RayAnn is one of an estimated 125,000 children in Florida diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that can cause hundreds of seizures a day.
Legislative authorization “is still our daughter’s and 125,000 other Floridians’ best chance at getting this life-changing medicine quickly,” Moseley said after Monday’s court ruling. “Having the full-on legalization of medical marijuana on the ballot in November is fine and good, but if your child’s life depended on her gaining access to a certain kind of medicine, would you want to leave that decision in the hands of the voters?”
But the court’s decision to put the prescription pot question on the ballot could pose a conundrum for conservative lawmakers, already skeptical of the non-euphoric strain.
“I think after people analyze it they are going to kind of line up. They’ll either say there is a right way involving these derivatives and there’s a wrong way and contrast it with the amendment. Or they’ll say people are going to get this all mixed up and think I’m for (medical marijuana). … It depends how their district reads and how they want to be seen,” said House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala.
Baxley has thwarted an attempt by House Criminal Justice Chairman Matt Gaetz, who introduced the issue by holding a workshop on it last month, to include legalization of Charlotte’s Web in a larger committee bill. Baxley’s move means Charlotte’s Web would have to be approved in a stand-alone bill, which could be harder to pass. Gaetz said he intends to press ahead and that his colleagues should, too.
“I always think that politicians err when they try to start to treat the public like intellectual inferiors. It’s pretty condescending and patronizing to say that we’re not going to help 125,000 children with intractable epilepsy because we’re worried that the public is going to be confused,” Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said.
Another key distinction between the two types of medical marijuana is the potential universe of patients, said Gaetz. State economists estimated in October that about 1.5 million Floridians could be eligible for medical marijuana. Between 125,000 and 250,000 Floridians have disorders that could benefit from Charlotte’s Web, Gaetz said.
“The proposed constitutional amendment will put a dispensary in every neighborhood. My proposal wouldn’t. No one will be building marijuana dispensaries if CBD is legal,” he said.
While GOP leaders including Gov. Rick Scott have expressed empathy for families like the Moseleys, none have definitively said the Legislature should act.
“The governor feels for families struggling with terrible illness. The FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is currently evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the medication and the governor is hopeful that families will get relief from the impacts of these serious illnesses in the safest possible way,” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said in an e-mail on Tuesday.
But Moseley, who with his wife Holley started the non-profit organization “Caring 4 Florida” to lobby for the bill and provide support to other families, said Scott is confused. Clinical trials are being tested on a similar drug called Epidiolex, which also contains CBD but, unlike Charlotte’s Web, does not contain THC.
“With a person dying every 10 minutes from epilepsy related issues, the reality is that our kids don’t have three to five years to wait on clinical trials,” Moseley said.
And, Moseley said, his daughter RayAnn has been prescribed a variety of medications that never received FDA approval for children.
“There’s less THC in this than a lot of things on our shelves at Publix,” Moseley said. “I think there’s such a negative connotation with the word cannabis or marijuana. People just have that embedded in their brains. That’s really our job, to explain to people what’s going on.”
If Gaetz, the Moseleys and other families “are successful in getting that across,” Baxley said, “then they’ll have a success story here.”
But, he cautioned, “if it gets all wrapped up in (the initiative), it could be more problematic.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
YMCA Moving To PNJ Site
January 29, 2014
Board members of the Northwest Florida YMCA last night voted unanimously to accept a contribution of land from the Studer Community Development Group’s new property at the site of the Pensacola News Journal. The offer of land is in addition to the $5 million Quint and Rishy Studer had pledged to the Y during last year’s effort to secure a site at the Maritime Park for the new facility.
While the land offer had been on the table for some time, the Y could not officially accept the land donation offer until the Studer Community Development Group could close on the property. Monday’s decision was a critical step in the organization’s path toward a new facility, replacing the 60-year-old building on the corner of Palafox and Belmont Streets, according to Steve Williams, President of the YMCA Board. The Y accepted the Studers’ offer of .9 acres on the Intendencia side of the PNJ property.
“We are so grateful for the continued generosity of Quint and Rishy Studer,” said Williams. “Their contribution last year of $5 million ranks among one of the largest single gifts to any YMCA in the country, and with this addition of a generous land offer, our dream of a new facility is one huge step closer to reality. We look forward to working with the Studers on this project and are thrilled to be a part of the great things going on in downtown Pensacola.”
According to YMCA officials, the organization has been in contact with several donors over the past several months since the City and CMPA rejected the Y’s offer to lease a parcel at the Maritime Park, and those conversations will continue as the Y undertakes a more public fundraising campaign.
“Now that we have the land secured, we are actually starting ahead of the curve,” said Williams. “Our fundraising plan is in place, and thanks to the Studers’ generosity we will be able to do some of the initial planning and designing now while we are continuing our fundraising efforts. Being able to move now on a new facility without having to wait for that first big donation is a huge advantage for us, our members, and the people we serve in the community.”
Quint and Rishy Studer said that the Y is a perfect fit for the new property, and they are happy to support the historic organization in its quest for a new facility.
“The Y does so much good for so many people in our community – from health and wellness for all ages, to family activities and outreach to the homeless. They are a true community partner, and we’re happy to support them,” said Rishy Studer. “This has been a long and sometimes difficult process for all of us trying to build a new Y, but despite it all, it seems like we’ve got this project back on track, and it’s exciting to think of all the possibilities a new Y could bring downtown Pensacola,” she continued.
Details of the contribution and final conveyance of the land are pending a successful closing, to be scheduled sometime in February, said YMCA officials.
Lester V. Lambright
January 28, 2014
Lester V. Lambright was born April 28, 1952, in Portland, IN, to Valentine and Mary Lambright. Lester went home to our Heavenly Father Sunday, January 26, 2014. He married his lovely wife, Georgene Lambright, April 28, 1973, in St. James, MO moving to the Gulf Coast and providing for his family as an employee with Southern Mill and Supply.
Lester is survived by his loving wife, Georgene Lambright; daughters, Sara (T.C.) Nipper and Mary (Ben) Trice; Step-daughters, Shelly (Jeff) Cain and Kristen Douglas; Mother, Mary Burkholder Lambright; brothers, Ervin (Carol) Lambright, Eli (Sue) Lambright, Felty Jr. (Mary Esther) Lambright and Menno (Louanne) Lambright; sisters, Sarah (David) Hochstettler, Ella Lambright, Rosa (Herman) Miller and Elsie Shell and eleven grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Thursday, January 30, 2014, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Friday, January 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Dennis Daniel officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ervin Lambright, Eli Lambright, Felty Lambright, Menno Lambright, T.C. Nipper and Ben Trice.
Please make memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Gulf Coast Baptist Church Building Fund in Lester’s memory.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangement.
Man Charged In Child Sex Sting
January 28, 2014
A Niceville resident was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove to Escambia County believing he was going to have sex with a 12-year-old girl.
John Bryan Hood, 25, was arrested just before 1 p.m. at a location on Scenic Highway. He was charged with using a computer to solicit parent/guardian consent, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Pensacola Police Detective Lisa Alverson began communicating with Hood in November 2013 after he responded to an ad she placed on an internet site asking for a “mature male to help with a family problem”.
Hood and Alverson exchanged multiple emails and texts about him having sex with her daughter until January 14 when he agreed to drive to Pensacola to have sex with whom he
thought was a 12-year-old female, according to police.
Hood was taken into custody today when he met Alverson at an agreed upon location.
Scott Touts Increase In Education Budget
January 28, 2014
Continuing to roll out an election-year budget full of politically popular spending ideas, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday proposed boosting education funding by more than half a billion dollars in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
“We need to provide the tools, training and funding to give our students the best chance for success,” Scott said in a statement from his office.
The bulk of the new spending — $542 million — would go to public schools. While that is far lower than the approximately $1 billion increases Scott sought in each of the last two years, his office touted the fact that it would bring spending on education to the highest level in state history in terms of raw dollars.
The governor also proposed another $40 million for state colleges and $40 million for universities, with both amounts to be divvied up based on performance and measurements of how well students do after they graduate. Scott has pushed those schools to focus more on making sure that students get high-paying jobs when they enter the workforce.
“We expect our students to get the best education at our state institutions of higher education that leads to a great job and career. … Our students deserve the best quality education, and this funding will help to ensure that every degree achieved is followed by a great career,” he said.
The reaction from the Florida Education Association, the state’s primary teachers union, was more tempered. While saying the FEA was “appreciative for any increase,” FEA President Andy Ford said per-student funding would still fall short of the amount set aside in the 2007-08 budget year.
According to Ford, per-student funding would be about the same under Scott’s new budget as it was when the governor was elected.
“The FEA believes the existing statutory policy mandates that involve Florida’s accountability system, its standards, its state and local assessments, implementation schedules, performance pay, material needs, technology and technology infrastructure will absorb this increase and much more,” Ford said.
Democrats were more cutting, with state party Chairwoman Allison Tant saying Scott was “rewriting his record” to help his re-election bid.
“Scott has consistently put corporate tax giveaways first and put the needs of Florida’s kids last,” Tant said in a statement. “When they go to the polls this November, Floridians won’t remember this governor’s politically motivated education budget. They’ll remember that when they needed this governor’s help most, he ignored them.”
In recent weeks, Scott has unveiled a slew of initiatives focused on increasing spending on child welfare, public safety and economic development. He’s expected to present his entire budget Wednesday, when he meets with newspaper editors and reporters from across the state.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Floyd Sentenced To Death For Murdering Girlfriend
January 28, 2014
An Atmore man was sentenced to death Monday for shooting and killing his girlfriend in early 2012. Cedric Jerome Floyd, 32, killed Tina Jones, also of Escambia County, in 2011.
Floyd was found guilty on October 7, 2013, by a jury in Escambia County Circuit Court following a three and a half week long trial. The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence that Floyd jumped through the bedroom window of the Jones’ home just after midnight on January 2, 2011. He shot her in the back as she was trying to flee and then fired two additional shots in execution-style.
The slaying was motivated by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating relationship with the defendant. Only hours before the victim’s death, the defendant sent threatening cell phone messages to the victim saying “don’t make me send myself to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”
During the sentencing phase of the trial, the jury recommended a verdict of death in under 40 minutes of deliberations by a vote of 11 to 1 after the prosecution had proved four aggravating circumstances: that the murder was committed by a defendant under a sentence of imprisonment, that the defendant had previously been convicted of another felony (in this case, first-degree rape) involving the use or threat of violence; that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary, and that the murder was particularly heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
Floyd’s attorneys, Charles Johns and Kevin McKinley, contended during the trial the Atmore Police Department did not properly handle evidence in the case. They also unsuccessfully tried to obtain a change of venue in the case because of pretrial publicity they said would make it impossible for Floyd to receive a fair trial in Escambia County, Ala.
“This is a heartbreaking and appalling situation, in which the victim tried desperately to save herself and was viciously killed by someone who had threatened and abused her for years,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. “If any case demands the death penalty, it is this, and today’s sentence is an important step to bring a measure of justice to Tina Jones and her family.”
The Murder
Jones called 911 at 12:46 Sunday morning, January 2 to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
“Witnesses at the scene said they were asleep, but were waken by Floyd demanding keys to a vehicle. After several moments, Floyd fled the scene on foot,” said Jason Dean, Atmore Police chief, said shortly after the crime.
“While officers were at the residence, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Cedric Jerome Floyd, 28 years of age, the boyfriend of Jones, stating he wanted to turn himself in. Deputies responded to Freemanville Drive where Floyd met officers. Floyd was then taken into custody,” said Dean.
Police said Floyd made forcible entry into the home through Jones’ bedroom window in the rear of the home.
Escape To Pensacola
Floyd escaped from the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton in October 2012. After a massive manhunt, he was captured the following day as he was walking near Pace Boulevard and Clarinda Lane, just south of the Pace-Palafox split, in Pensacola.
Winter Storm Warning: More Ice, Sleet, Snow Likely Tonight
January 28, 2014
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the entire area. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Snow and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before midnight, then a chance of snow and freezing rain between midnight and 3am. Low around 20. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Supreme Court Allows Florida Pot Vote To Move Forward
January 28, 2014
A narrowly divided Florida Supreme Court paved the way for state voters to decide whether doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana as a treatment for some conditions.
By a 4-3 margin, the court ruled that the summary of a constitutional amendment that voters will see at the polls isn’t deceptive, swatting away arguments from Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders that the proposal is actually far broader than the summary lets on.
“We conclude that the ballot title and summary fairly inform voters of the chief purpose of the amendment and will not mislead voters, who will be able to cast an intelligent and informed ballot as to whether they want a provision in the state constitution authorizing the medical use of marijuana, as determined by a licensed Florida physician, under Florida law,” the majority wrote in a joint opinion.
Joining the majority were Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente, James E.C. Perry and Peggy Quince. Chief Justice Ricky Polston dissented, along with Justices Charles Canady and Jorge Labarga, who normally votes with the other four justices.
The battle largely turned on whether two phrases would give voters the wrong view of the amendment.
First, while the ballot language says that people with “debilitating diseases” would be eligible to get pharmacological pot, the amendment would allow a doctor to prescribe marijuana to a patient with “a debilitating medical condition.”
Some opponents also argue that a section of the summary saying the amendment “[d]oes not authorize violations of federal law” might wrongly lead voters to believe that federal government allows marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
In a dissent, Chief Justice Ricky Polston said the ruling “will result in Floridians voting on a constitutional amendment in disguise.” He said the amendment would allow a far wider use of pot than the ballot suggests.
“For example, despite what the title and summary convey to voters, minor aches and pains, stress, insomnia, or fear of an upcoming flight could qualify for the medical use of marijuana under the text of the amendment,” Polston wrote. “This is seriously misleading.”
The ruling followed news Friday that People United for Medical Marijuana, the group pushing the amendment, had gathered enough signatures statewide and in the required 14 congressional districts to place the initiative on the ballot.
Democrats, who are expected to benefit from increased turnout of young and socially liberal voters, applauded the ruling.
“We need to quit devoting government resources to meddling in the lives of people who are suffering and focus our resources on making life better and more productive for the citizens of Florida,” said George Sheldon, a Democratic candidate for attorney general.
Republicans blasted the ruling.
“Make no mistake: this is not about compassionate medical marijuana,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “This is about the Coloradofication of Florida, where the end game is a pot shop on every street corner.”
In a statement issued by his office, Gov. Rick Scott took a more measured approach.
“I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative,” Scott said. “But, having seen the terrible affects of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Escambia River Electric Prepped For Winter Storm
January 28, 2014
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is ready to act on whatever winter weather we may receive today.
EREC takes necessary steps to make certain its power system is prepared for whatever weather may come our way. Our generation and transmission facility, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, is anticipating a peak load during this storm event. However, generation resources are in place to cover all energy needs, and staff are making necessary preparations to ensure capacity needs are met.
EREC will immediately respond to any power outage on its system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Power crews will work non-stop to ensure any disruption in power is restored as quickly and safely as possible.
Here are safety tips to follow during extreme cold temperatures:
- Never touch a fallen power line, and assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. Call EREC at 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732 to report it immediately.
- In the event of an outage, use an alternate heating source—such as a fireplace, propane space heater, or wood stove. Extreme caution should be taken.
- Stay in an area of the home where the alternate heat source is located.
- Fuel- and wood-burning heating sources should be vented. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions.
- Make sure carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are working properly.
- Do not use a gas-powered oven for heating. A gas oven may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not use a gas or charcoal grill inside the home. Do not use charcoal briquettes in the fireplace.
- If you use a portable generator to power a heating source, be sure the generator is located outside your house for proper ventilation. Do not use a generator in an attached garage. Follow manufacturer’s directions for operating the generator.
- Take special care not to overload a generator. Use appropriately sized extension cords to carry the electric load. Make sure the cords have a grounded, three-pronged plug and are in good condition.
- Never run cords under rugs or carpets.
- Never connect generators to power lines. The reverse flow of electricity can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s telephone number to report outages is 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732.