Florida Ag Boss: Marijuana Won’t Be Coming To A Field Near You
May 16, 2014
Though Florida could be headed toward allowing marijuana for medical purposes, marijuana won’t replace citrus or be seen growing in fields across the Sunshine State, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam told the South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board on Wednesday.
“There won’t be fields of marijuana growing in Florida,” Putnam said in the videotaped interview, of which snippets were posted on the newspaper’s website. “It will be grown under roof, in controlled environments, inside, for obvious security reasons.”
State lawmakers have asked Gov. Rick Scott to approve a measure (SB 1030) that would help patients get access to a strain of marijuana that is high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Meanwhile, voters will be asked to approve a proposed constitutional amendment in November that would lead to broader legalization of medical marijuana.
Putnam, who is opposed to the amendment, expects the proposal will garner the needed 60 percent of votes for approval.
Still, “this is not a boon for Florida agriculture,” Putnam said. Putnam noted that under the low-THC bill approved by the Legislature, the Department of Health would choose five nurseries — one in each corner of the state along with Central Florida — to grow, manufacture and sell the product. And those growers must be registered nurseries that have operated in the state for 30 years and produce more than 400,000 plants.
by The News Service of Florida
Tate Grad McElroy Completes Navy Recruit Training
May 16, 2014
Patrick I. McElroy recently completed basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, the recruit completed a variety of training, including classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.
The capstone event of boot camp is ‘Battle Stations.’
This exercise is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.
McElroy is the son of William and Dawn McElroy and a 2013 graduate of Tate High School.
Wahoos Fall 11-0 To Suns
May 16, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (18-23) fell to the Jacksonville Suns (18-22), 11-0, in the first game of the five-game series in front of a sellout crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Suns jumped on the Wahoos early for nine runs in the first three innings and never looked back.
RHP Daniel Corcino was chased from the contest just 1.2 innings into the game. Corcino gave up six runs, but only two of them were earned as an error in the second inning thwarted him from having a quick one-two-three inning. Brooks Pinckard pitched well in relief for the Wahoos; the right-hander threw a perfect sixth inning and struck out one batter.
Hits were hard to come by for the Wahoos as they managed just three throughout the game. Travis Mattair singled in the fifth to break up the no-hitter for RHP Jose Urena. Steve Selsky managed an infield hit to lead off the sixth, but the top of the order couldn’t bring home the defensive replacement. Brodie Greene got his second hit as a pinch hitter in the ninth.
Urena had a fantastic start for the Suns. The right-hander gave up two hits over 6.0 innings of work and struck out five Wahoo batters. The Suns have now won each of Urena’s last six starts. Edgar Olmos pitched 3.0 innings in relief and earned the save for the Suns.
The Suns exploded offensively over the first three innings of the game against the Wahoos. J.T. Realmuto led the charge for the Suns; he went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Realmuto is the 10th best prospect in the Marlins system and had an RBI in each of the first three innings. Leadoff hitter Brent Keys had a great night at the plate; he went 4-for-6 with four singles and three runs scored. Third baseman Alfredo Silverio hit a solo shot to lead off the top of the third and gave the Suns a 7-0 lead. Austin Nola doubled three times for the Suns and added two RBI to his ledger.
The Wahoos will send top prospect RHP Robert Stephenson (2-3, 3.72) to the bump in the second game of the series. The Suns starter has yet to be determined.
by Tommy Thrall
FEMA Plans Meeting For Governments, Private Non-Profits
May 16, 2014
State representatives will conduct a meeting to inform public assistance applicants of available assistance and eligibility on Tuesday, May 20, at 9 a.m., at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, 6575 North W Street, Pensacola.
The meeting is only for public entities such as counties, municipalities, villages, towns, districts and private nonprofits. Private nonprofits can include educational, utilities, emergency, medical, custodial care, museums, zoos, homeless shelters and libraries, etc. Any agency planning to file a claim should make plans to send an agency representative to the applicant’s briefing.
Thomas “Edward” McCall
May 16, 2014
Thomas “Edward” McCall, 91, of Jacksonville, passed away on May 10, 2014, of congestive heart failure. Edward was born on July 28, 1922, in McDavid. He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas Joseph McCall and Dora Lucille Walker McCall; his wife of 37 years, Frances Laura McGlamery McCall; his son, CWO James Edward McCall and brother, Wildon Wayne McCall.
He is survived by his siblings, Erlene Lanette Pugh (Arnold), Calvin R. McCall (Ann) of McDavid and Norma Jean Taylor (Billy) of Atmore; his children, Mary Frances Spradley of South Carolina and Thomas Almon McCall (Julie) of Glen Saint Mary, FL. Edward was blessed with six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. His family also included numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 15, 2014, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Burial was in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Grove.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mya Lynn Colletta
May 16, 2014
Mya Lynn Colletta of Jay, daughter of Lauren and Tony passed away on May 8, 2014. She was a beautiful sweet, angel who was taken from us too soon. She touched many lives while she was here with us. She will be missed everyday and always in our hearts.
She is survived by her parents, Stephanie (Lauren) Morrow and Charles (Tony) Colletta; grandparents, Chuck and Beth Colletta, Vic Morrow, Dave Maconeghy and Candy Morrow; great-grandparents, Sue and Preston Hawthorne; aunt, Melissa Morrow; uncles, Richard (Ricky) Morrow, Kevin Morrow, Richard (Joey) Colletta and David (Matt) Colletta; godmother, Brittany Tedder and several aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.
Active pallbearers will be Kevin Morrow and Richard (Joey) Colletta.
Funeral services were held at Jay Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, with Bro. Caleb Copeland officiating.
Burial will follow at Jay City Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been set up in Mya’s name at Pen Air Federal Credit Union. Checks payable to Mya Lynn Colletta memorial account.
The family would like to thank everyone for all your kind words, big hearts, prayers and donations.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Laura Helen Paul
May 16, 2014
Laura Helen Paul, age 76, of Chumuckla, went to be with the Lord, Friday May 9, 2014. Helen was a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa County. She retired from Monsanto after 38 years as a Yarn Lab Technician. She enjoyed crocheting, baking, and spending time with her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edgar L. Paul of 48 years; her son, Teddy J.; parents, Aliston and Ruth Gavin; brothers, Leon, Clarence Ray and Aubrey; sister, Mildred and her grandson, Jason.
She is survived by her sons, Johnny Ray (Patsy) Kirkland and Darrell (Felicia) Paul; step-sons, Randy (Carrie) Paul and Ricky (Janis) Paul; daughter, Shelia (Howard) Morris; brothers, Glenn and Wayne Gavin; sisters, Mary Nell Applegate and Deborah Goodson; grandchildren, Eric, Matthew, Jonathon, Brandon, Kelly, Josh, Makala, Tanner, step-grandchildren Lance, Wayne, and Tiffany and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Pine Level Baptist Church with Rev. Gene Hudson officiating the service.
Burial will follow at Pine Level Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Alan Edwards, Ricky O’Kelley, Jerry Kilpatrick, Paul Griswold, Reggie Odom, and Mickey Diamond.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lawsuits Seek To Ban Blind Trusts For Public Officials
May 16, 2014
Open-government advocates are backing a lawsuit filed Wednesday in the Florida Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of a 2013 law that allows elected officials to put financial assets in blind trusts that do not offer detailed public disclosure of the holdings.
The lawsuit was filed by Jim Apthorp, former chief of staff to the late Gov. Reubin Askew. It has the backing of the First Amendment Foundation, the League of Women Voters and half a dozen media organizations that will file friend-of-the-court briefs, including the Associated Press, The Miami Herald and The Florida Times-Union.
Apthorp and the attorney in the case, Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, said the use of blind trusts circumvents the full disclosure of public officials’ holdings required by the Sunshine Amendment, which Askew spearheaded and Florida voters overwhelmingly passed in 1976.
Apthorp’s petition asks the high court to prohibit Secretary of State Ken Detzner from accepting the qualifying papers of any candidate who has placed finances in a blind trust. With just a month before the weeklong qualifying period begins on June 16, he is seeking an emergency ruling.
“The judge of this, in the end, is the voter,” Apthorp said. “Whether there is full disclosure or not is a matter for voters to decide.”
Lawmakers unanimously passed the 2013 law allowing blind trusts, and the Commission on Ethics twice approved Gov. Rick Scott’s use of one. Supporters say blind trusts can help elected officials avoid appearances of conflicts of interest in matters involving their personal investments.
Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford released a joint statement Wednesday defending the law, which was known as Senate Bill 2. The pointed to a 2010 grand jury recommendation about the use of blind trusts and a 2012 recommendation from the Commission on Ethics and suggested that the lawsuit was politically motivated.
“For the plaintiff to suddenly come forward with his objections four years after the grand jury report, two years after the ethics commission’s recommendations and one year after Senate Bill 2 was enacted raises the suspicion that this is not a serious or sincere constitutional challenge but a cynically timed political ploy designed and timed to affect the outcome of this year’s elections,” the statement said.
A Scott campaign spokeswoman also noted that former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, used a blind trust.
“As recommended by the ethics commission and unanimously approved by the Legislature, Governor Scott put his assets in a blind trust to prevent even the appearance of any conflict of interest,” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said in an email Wednesday evening. “This is the course CFO Alex Sink took as well. Governor Scott will always operate in full compliance with the law.”
But Apthorp and D’Alemberte said the use of a blind trust doesn’t satisfy the requirements of the Sunshine Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional.
“When you start using these devices, these schemes, to start avoiding the language of the constitution, you run the risk of seeing everything drift back to the way it was before,” said D’Alemberte, a former president of Florida State University.
Although Apthorp and D’Alemberte are Democrats, as was Askew, they said the lawsuit doesn’t target Scott, a Republican.
“Gov. Scott did everything that the ethics commission and the Legislature asked him to do,” Apthorp said. “So I don’t think he’s done anything wrong here. The problem is that the statute under which he received advice is not constitutional.”
Rather, Apthorp said, he and other aides to Askew, who died in March, had discussed filing the lawsuit with the former governor, but Askew’s health worsened. At the former governor’s funeral, they decided to file it to honor his memory.
Apthorp’s petition recalled the era of public corruption that sparked Askew’s campaign for the Sunshine Amendment. That included Watergate and the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew.
“Florida state government also was rocked by scandal: Three Florida Cabinet members, at least three Supreme Court justices, at least one state legislator, and even Askew’s lieutenant governor were exposed for their ethical lapses — some resulting in prison terms,” the petition said.
Askew campaigned for eight months to gather the signatures needed to put the amendment on the November 1976 ballot. It garnered 79 percent of the vote.
Apthorp’s petition acknowledges that he currently knows of only one Florida public official using a blind trust — Scott.
“However, the new statute would allow other officials or candidates to file blind trusts in 2014,” the document said.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Shoulder Of Highway 97 In Walnut Hill Collapses Into 50-Foot Deep Gully
May 15, 2014
A portion of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill has collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully.
The travel lanes of the highway are still intact at the site and the road is still open, just north of South Highway 99 and about mile south of Ernest Ward Middle School. But the shoulder of the road is now at the bottom of the gully.
It appears a large drainage pipe traveled 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.
The collapse apparently happened during heavy rains late Wednesday afternoon and was discovered overnight.
Florida Department of Transportation contractor Transfield Services inspected the collapse Thursday morning and determined that it is safe for both lanes of Highway 97 to remain open.
Pictured above and below: A drainage pipe failed and a portion of the shoulder of Highway 97 collapsed into a 50-foot deep gully. The bottom photo shows the dirt from the roadway shoulder at the bottom of the gully. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chemical Tanker Driver Sentenced For Driving Drunk On Highway 29
May 15, 2014
A Milton man has been sentenced to jail for being drunk while driving a chemical tanker truck along Highway 29 in North Escambia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a citizen’s tip about 5:30 a.m. on January 14 about a trucker driving erratically led to deputies stopping the northbound tanker truck full of maleic anhydride on Highway 29 near Tedder Road, just south of Century.
The driver, 35-year old Alex Victorovich Kozlov of Milton exhibited odd behavior and an odor of alcohol was detected by deputies, the Sheriff’s Office said. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage with a blood alcohol level greater than .15. Deputies reported finding a half empty body of vodka in the cab of the truck.
Kozlov was convicted of the charges against him and sentence by Judge Darlene Dickey to nine months in the Escambia County Jail and 50 hours of community service. His driver’s license was also suspended for 12 months.
Maleic anhydride is the acid anhydride of maleic acid and is used primarily in the formation of unsaturated polyester resins for use in boats, autos, trucks, buildings, piping, and electrical goods. It is also used to make pesticides and other organic compounds, according to the EPA. Acute inhalation exposure of humans to maleic anhydride has been observed to cause irritation of the respiratory tract, burning in the larynx, reflex cough, lacrimation, headaches, eye irritation, and corneal burns.