Florida’s Minimum Wage Increases
December 29, 2014
Florida’s lowest-paid workers received a raise as the New Year began.
The automatic increase of 12 cents an hour, recalculated by law each year based on the federal Consumer Price Index, will increase the state minimum wage to $8.05 in January, up from $7.93. Voters in 2004 approved a constitutional amendment aimed at annual minimum-wage hikes.
The upcoming increase will also boost the minimum wage for tipped employees from $4.91 an hour to $5.03.
The $8.05 rate — after the increases amounting to $4.80 per 40-hour work week and $249.60 a year — keeps Florida ahead of the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has been in place since July 2009.
Judge Orders State Response Today On Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
December 29, 2014
A federal judge has ordered the state to respond by today in an increasingly heated legal debate about whether Florida county clerks should begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Jan. 6.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who in August ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional, issued a four-page order requiring legal filings from the secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services, a defendant in the case. A stay on Hinkle’s August ruling will expire at the end of the day Jan. 5 — prompting gay-marriage supporters to argue that same-sex couples should be able to start receiving marriage licenses throughout Florida the following day.
Hinkle’s order was prompted by an emergency motion filed by an attorney for Washington County clerk of court Lora Bell. Washington County, which is north of Panama City in the Panhandle, is home to Stephen Schlairet and Ozzie Russ, a same-sex couple named as plaintiffs in the challenge to the gay-marriage ban.
The clerk’s emergency motion said she would comply with Hinkle’s August ruling and issue a marriage license to Schlairet and Russ on Jan. 6. But it sought clarification about whether she also would be required to issue licenses to other gay couples who might apply.
That question, at least in part, stemmed from a legal memo issued last week by the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers that said Hinkle’s August ruling only applied to the named plaintiffs in the case and not to other same-sex couples in the state.
Hinkle ordered the state to respond to the Washington County clerk’s motion for clarification. He also required that the response “explicitly set out the secretary’s position” on whether part of his August ruling “binds a Florida clerk of court.”
That part of the ruling, which was an injunction against the same-sex marriage ban, includes a section that says it “binds the secretary (of the Department of Management Services), the (state) surgeon general and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys — and others in active concert or participation with any of them.”
Two gay-rights groups sent a legal memo to court clerks focusing heavily on that same part of Hinkle’s August ruling. The memo contends that court clerks work in concert with the Department of Health, which is headed by the surgeon general and is in charge of marriage forms and records.
As a result, the memo contends that Hinkle’s ruling should apply to clerks throughout the state and should not be limited to the named plaintiffs Schlairet and Russ.
“In sum … all Florida county clerks are required to cease enforcing Florida’s unconstitutional laws excluding same-sex couples from marriage,” said the memo from the group Equality Florida and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Indeed, county clerks and their employees could be subject to personal liability for damages if they continue to enforce Florida’s unconstitutional marriage laws.”
Hinkle also ordered the state to submit by Monday a “copy of each paper” it filed in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court as it sought unsuccessfully to extend the stay beyond Jan. 5. The Supreme Court rejected an extension last week.
Attorneys for gay-rights groups and the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers have battled back and forth about how broadly Hinkle’s ruling should be applied. In the middle are county clerks, who have been warned by attorneys for the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers that they could face prosecution if they issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples other than the plaintiffs in the case.
“We remain of the opinion that clerks of court who were not parties to the Northern District case (finding the ban unconstitutional) are not bound by Judge Hinkle’s order — or protected by it,” said a Dec. 15 legal memo from attorneys for the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers. “Clerks are subject to Florida’s criminal penalties for the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.”
But in their memo, the gay-rights groups disputed the possibility that clerks would be prosecuted if they issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“Clerks who have good-faith belief that they are bound by or may follow Judge Hinkle’s ruling do not face a realistic possibility of criminal liability for following that ruling,” the memo said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Molino Man Charged With Burglarizing Father’s Home
December 29, 2014
A Molino man has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing TV’s and a chainsaw from his father’s home in Walnut Hill.
Jeremy Clint Hatfield, 24, was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, grand theft and trespassing after a warning.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he had spent several days and nights at a Pensacola hospital with his sick wife. When he returned to his West Highway 4 home just before Christmas, he discovered three televisions missing from inside the home and a chainsaw missing from an outside shed.
The victim told deputies that he suspected the items were taken by his son because he had a key to the home and knew he was gone. The victim said the pair has a bad relationship, with the son was kicked out of the home, trespassed warned by deputies and accused of a previous burglary at the home.
Deputies found Hatfield at a female’s resident in Highway 99, along with one of the TV’s. They also were able to recover a second of the stolen TV’s that had been sold, according to an arrest report.
Hatfield remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $7,500.
Hunting And Fishing Licenses Available At Century Courthouse
December 29, 2014
Hunting and fishing licenses are available at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
Citizens are able to obtain Florida hunting and fishing licenses at the office of Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller Pam Childers in the courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and closed each day from noon – 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
The office is open through Wednesday this week, but will be closed Thursday and Friday for the New Year holiday. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, January 5. For more information, contact the Escambia County Clerk of the Court office during the business hours listed above at (850) 256-6161.
Hunting and fishing licenses are also available at all Escambia County Tax Collector Offices including Molino and major sportsman retailers.
Pictured top: A Clerk of the Court employee works to issue a Florida hunting license in Century. Pictured below: The Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cabinet Could Get Power In Choosing Prisons Chief
December 29, 2014
A Northeast Florida lawmaker has proposed revamping the way the state’s corrections secretary is chosen, giving part of the responsibility to state Cabinet members. Currently, the governor appoints the secretary of the Department of Corrections.
But Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed a bill that would require Cabinet members to also sign off on such appointments and would lead to the secretary serving “at the pleasure of the governor and Cabinet.”
Bradley, who served the past two years as chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, has been an influential lawmaker on criminal-justice issues. His bill comes after months of the Department of Corrections facing scrutiny about inmate deaths and alleged wrongdoing by prison guards.
The bill, which will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, also would create a nine-member Florida Corrections Commission to help oversee the system. Among other things, the commission would conduct inspections of prison facilities, identify problematic facilities and monitor violence involving inmates and officers.
Gov. Rick Scott this month appointed Julie Jones, former director of the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as secretary of the Department of Corrections. Jones replaced former Secretary Mike Crews, who announced his retirement last month.
2014 In Photos: March
December 29, 2014
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from March.
The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began in Century.
Volunteers, family, friends, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Animal Control and the ingenuity of the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue came together to help a rescue horse in need in Cantonment.
U.S. Army Capt. Lea Wiggins of Molino returned home from Afghanistan.
The 100th birthday of UF/IFAS Extension was celebrated.
A line of spring storms caused a trail of damage from Nokomis, FL, to Canoe, AL, including Atmore, where this shopping Center on Lindberg Avenue was flattended.
Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew passed away, with burial in Pensacola.
The Northview High School FFA held their annual Fresh from Florida event, inviting hundreds of elementary students to campus to learn about agriculture.
Thousands attended the two-day Beulahfest, headlined by The Charlie Daniels Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Edo took part in the USPCA Region 1 K9 Trials.
The Blue Angels were back in the skies, and back for autograph and photo sessions at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Opening Day was held at the Molino Ballpark.
Chloe Channel headlined the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree at Northview High School.
Walls began to rise during the construction of the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
Track season began for Northview and surrounding schools.
Law enforcement officers and first responders honored Atmore Police Office Dean Lindberg who passed away suddenly of natural causes.
The District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart was held. Winners were: Second Runner-up Victoria Kent, District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Rachel Grammer, First Runner-up Patra Miller, all of the Tate High School FFA Chapter.
Great weather in early march meant outdoor activities like a day on the river.
Read Across America Day was celebrated at several areas schools, including Jim Allen Elementary.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Ethylene Overstreet
December 29, 2014
Ethylene Overstreet, long time resident of Walnut Hill, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2014, from cancer at the age of 85. Mrs. Overstreet was born in Wallace, Alabama on June 26, 1929, to John Emmons and Linnie Virginia Jeter Kirchharr. She was the mother of four children, six grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. “Granny” as she was affectionately called, was a member of Enon Baptist Church in Walnut Hill. She was retired from Monsanto as a production worker.
Ethylene was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Wilson Overstreet; daughter, Betty Jo Overstreet; brothers, Willie Agee Kirchharr and James Woodrow Kirchharr; sisters, Imaree Miller Carter, Myrtle Davidson, Alice Grubbs, Hazel Timothy, and Lynette Milstead.
Mrs. Overstreet is survived by her children, Charlotte Lucas (Phil), Margaret Little (John), and Calvin Dewayne Overstreet; grandchildren, Rhonda Little Baca, John Eric Little (Jennifer), Kinzie Lucas Shamblin (Jim), Kelly Lucas Lawson, Brittni Overstreet Stanford (Blake), and Calvin Taylor “Ty” Overstreet; great-grandchildren, Ryan Baca, Alex and Julianna Little, Lorri and Raegan Harrell, Ariana and Ashlyn Dionne, Bentley and Braylynn Stanford, and Griffin Lawson. She is also survived by two brothers, Fletcher Kirchharr and Kenneth Earl Kirchharr. Mrs. Overstreet is also survived by her caregivers, Robert and Mary Hall.
Funeral services will be held at Enon Baptist Church in Walnut Hill (Bay Springs), on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. Eulogy will be given by her grandson Eric Little. Reverend Buddy Boles will conduct the services.
Pallbearers will be Eric Little, Ty Overstreet, Blake Stanford, Ryan Baca, Edward Giddins and Johnny Giddins.
Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hall and Kenneth Wayne Garrett.
Johnson Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The family would like to give special thanks to Mary and Robert Hall, Covenant Hospice and the staff of Century Rehabilitation in Century for providing for our mother’s care.
Malcolm L. ‘Mac’ Montgomery
December 29, 2014
On Christmas Day Malcolm L. ‘Mac’ Montgomery joined the Lord in his Heavenly home.
He served his country as a member of the U. S. Army. He was a hard-working, kind and generous man who never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Christa L. Montgomery.
Mac is survived by his son, Mark Montgomery; daughter, Susie (Kevin) Butler; seven grandchildren, Courtney Montgomery, Tyler Butler, Tristan (Danielle) Butler, Jeff (Jennifer) Bennett, Josh Bennett, Guy Rayner, Sierra Cody; six great-grandchildren, Brayden and Bristol Macks, Bane Butler, Ethan Rayner, Jordyn and Stokley Bennett; and his fur babies that were his world, Dixie and Reese; along with numerous friends.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Downed Line Causes Walnut Hill Power Outage
December 28, 2014
Power was out for part of Walnut Hill Sunday morning due to a downed power line on South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97.
The line was discovered down, but still live and arcing on the ground before 6 a.m.
Escambia River Electric cut power about 6:35 a.m. to make repairs. Power was restored about 7:45 a.m.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the downed line.
Pictured: A live power line arcs and burns alongside South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill early Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.Com photo.
Escambia County Contributes $25K In Tourist Funds To Beulahfest
December 28, 2014
Beulahfest has received a financial boost from Escambia County.
The annual event will receive $25,000 in county funding — $20,000 from discretionary funds from Commissioner Wilson Robertson and $5,000 from Commissioner Steven Barry — to assist with costs. The funds are the from the 4th Cent Tourist Development Tax.
The next Beulahfest will be held March 20-21 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. The music festival has been held since 1986 when it was the Beulah Sausage Festival always raising money for local charities and providing funds for firefighter training and recruitment.
Pictured: Last year’s Beulahfest entertainers Lynyrd Skynyrd (top), Charlie Daniels (inset), and Rodney Atkins (below). NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
