Rubio’s Running For President
April 14, 2015
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced Monday he will run for president in 2016, setting off a cascade of political dominos that could reshape Florida’s congressional delegation and its Legislature.
Speaking before a cheering crowd at Miami’s Freedom Tower, the 43-year-old Rubio presented himself as a new leader in a field sure to be full of familiar faces — including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner.
“Before us now is the opportunity to author the greatest chapter yet in the amazing story of America,” said Rubio, R-Fla. “But we can’t do that by going back to the leaders and ideas of the past. We must change the decisions we are making by changing the people who are making them.”
Rubio enters what is likely to be a crowded GOP field. Two fellow senators — Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky — have already announced bids for the White House, and Bush has said he’s exploring the idea. Several other GOP figures are mentioned as possible candidates.
Democrats wasted no time lacerating Rubio, who rose from state House speaker to U.S. senator in two years, winning a three-way campaign in 2010 against then-Gov. Charlie Crist, an independent, and then-Congressman Kendrick Meek, a Democrat.
“As far as self-serving vanity projects go, Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign should win a prize,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said in a statement issued by the party. “After failing to win a majority of the vote in 2010’s Tea Party wave, Rubio bailed on Floridians, and now embodies everything voters hate about Washington — partisan dysfunction and placing the needs of the wealthiest few above the middle class.”
A primary showdown between Rubio and Bush could cause friction in Tallahassee, where the GOP dominates state government. But Rubio’s decision to skip a run for re-election — at least for now — and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater’s decision over the weekend to forego a bid for Rubio’s seat could have far-reaching implications in the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
With Atwater out of the race, Republicans lose the CFO’s well-known fundraising ability and are unlikely to have an established statewide figure running for the seat. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, former House Speaker Will Weatherford and several members of the state’s congressional delegation have all been mentioned as possible GOP candidates.
“No one would have a marked advantage, I don’t think, at this point. … It’s an uphill climb for everybody,” said J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, a Republican consultant.
Stipanovich also floated the possibility that if Rubio’s presidential bid fails to catch on, he could revisit the possibility of running for re-election.
Top Democrats have largely united around Congressman Patrick Murphy, who won a second term in November with almost 60 percent of the vote in a swing Southeast Florida district — though Congressman Alan Grayson, a liberal firebrand from Central Florida, has made noises about entering the race. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was giddy over the possibility of a crowded GOP field.
“While Democrats were confident in our ability to beat Marco Rubio, the Florida Senate race is now a toss-up and the map just became increasingly complicated for Washington Republicans clinging to their endangered majority,” said Tom Lopach, executive director of the campaign arm for Senate Democrats. “Republicans are now staring down a potentially messy primary in the Sunshine State, and we’re confident that in 2016 Floridians will elect a new Democratic senator who always puts Florida first.”
But Rick Wilson, a GOP strategist who advised Atwater, said he didn’t believe a packed field is likely.
“I don’t think we’re going to see a 10-way fight,” Wilson said. “I think it will resolve itself reasonably quickly.”
Even a relatively small primary field could shake up Tallahassee. Any number of Florida congressmen leaving their seats to run for Rubio’s Senate seat would likely prompt some state lawmakers to run for Congress, also opening up those legislative districts. And if Lopez-Cantera should win election to the Senate seat, it would leave Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a replacement.
When former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigned in 2013, it took Scott 10 months to select Lopez-Cantera.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Convicted, Faces Up To Life For Molesting Child
April 14, 2015
An Escambia County man has been convicted by a jury of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12.
Davonne Bell, 21, will be sentenced May 13 and faces a minimum mandatory 25 years to life in state prison.. The incident occurred while the victim was spending the night at a relative’s house. The victim immediately disclosed the incident.
John Joseph Donald
April 14, 2015
Mr. John Joseph Donald passed away on April 13, 2015, at a local hospital in Pensacola after an illness.
He was born on March 12, 1940, in Cantonment. He is preceded in death by his wife, Katie Owen Donald. He was a member of Ensley Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Pensacola.
Surviving Mr. Donald is his first cousin, Valentine P., Billy Theresa, and Lisa Beam, Angie Pennucci, Julie and Morgan Barger; his deceased wife’s family of Frankie Atkinson, William Henry, Boyd, Ronnie, and Clark Owen and family all of South Carolina; his childhood friends that include Frank Lynn, Maynard McMorris and Walter Vaugh.
Funeral services will be held at Ensley Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 512 W. Detroit Blvd. in Pensacola from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
Mr. Donald will be buried at Gapway Baptist Church Cemetery in Mullins, SC.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South in Pensacola is in charge of arrangements.
Jasper David Simmons
April 14, 2015
Mr. Jasper David Simmons, 78, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mr. Simmons was a native of Atlanta, GA and a resident of Century.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Sherwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Georgia.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Betty Jo Rice Norwood
April 14, 2015
Mrs. Betty Jo Rice Norwood, age 82 passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mrs. Norwood was a native of Pollard, AL and a long time member of the Pensacola community where she served as the secretary for Community Baptist Church and worked as a caretaker in the home health field.
Mrs. Norwood is survived by her brother, Charles (Winnie) Rice of Century; sisters, Kate Bondurant of Century and Vicki (Douglas) Hussey of Hernando, MS; grandchildren, Tiffany Howland of Pensacola; great-grandchildren, Nathan M. Godwin, Mikayla C. Godwin, Alyssa N. Godwin and Kymani D. Betts.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with Rev. Henry Lewis officiating.
Interment will follow in Pollard Cemetery in Pollard.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Sherri Renee Jordan
April 14, 2015
Sherri Renee Jordan, 44 of Cantonment, was called home on Sunday, April 12, 2015. Sherri was born on January 29, 1971 in Pensacola. She attended PJC where she received her AA Degree in nursing. She was a member of Pinehaven Baptist Church where she was baptized on November 10, 2013.
Sherri was a loving wife, devoted mother and cherished friend to many.
She is preceded in death by her first cousin, Gabriel Carter.
Sherri is survived by her husband, Victor Mason; loving ex-husband, Tommy Jordan; two sons, Dustin Tyler and Kolby Taylor Jordan; grandson, Laedin Anthony Jordan; father, Sherman Powell; mother, Ruth Elliott; three brothers, Chuck (D.J.) Bell, Joshua (Halee) Powell, and Stevie Powell; five sisters, Crystal Isaac, Carrie Carter, Ashley Perkin, Teresa (L.A.) Vaughn, and Mel Powell; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bro. Michael Graham officiating.
Family will receive friends from on Thursday, April 16, 2015, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Bell, Dustin Jordan, Kolby Jordan, Thomas Barnes, Joshua Powell, and Tommy Jordan.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Deputies Make Arrest, Recover AR-15 Stolen In Burglary
April 13, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one person and removed a stolen AR-15 from the streets.
Sunday afternoon, deputies responded to a fight at Oakwood Terrace on Truman Avenue. According to witness reports,a black male with a gun was in the back of the complex attempting to jump the wall. A male matching his description was located carrying a red bag and running along nearby train tracks. Deputies set up a perimeter.
K-9 Drago was deployed in the area and located the red bag which contained anAR-15 rifle which had been stolen in a home burglary on April 9th along with military grade ammunition.
Woman Found Dead After Minor Mobile Home Fire
April 13, 2015
A Cantonment woman was found dead following a minor mobile home fire early Monday morning in Cantonment.
At 1:35 a.m. the Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported extinguished fire at the mobile home in the 3700 block of Vantage Road. When firefighters arrived, they found a mobile home with some fire damage, but no flames showing.
As they investigated, firefighters found the body of a deceased female. The other resident of the home was at the scene, but did not suffer any injuries, according to a county spokesperson.
The victim has been identified by family members as 44-year old Sherri Powell-Jordan of Cantonment.
The fire was reportedly contained to the kitchen area of the mobile home.
The fire and death are under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Further details have not been released. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, which also responded to the scene, said their agency is not actively investigating incident.
Pictured top: No fire was visible when firefighters arrived at this mobile home on Vantage Road in Cantonment early Monday morning. Pictured below: Firefighters on scene from Cantonment and Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
New Verizon Tower Planned For Highway 97
April 13, 2015
A new Verizon cell phone tower is planned along Highway 97 about halfway between Molino and Walnut Hill.
A Winter Garden, FL, company, Sam Inc, has a final application before the Escambia County Development Review Committee for a 150-foot tall monopole that is described in county documents as being for Verizon Wireless. The tower will be located on property on Highway 97 just south of Hendricks Lane that is owned by Jimmy and Susan Taylor of Cantonment.
Now approved by the Development Review Committee , the project can move forward at the applicant’s discretion into the permitting process.
Marijuana Rule Challenge Tossed Out
April 13, 2015
An administrative law judge Friday dismissed a challenge to a proposed regulatory framework for carrying out a 2014 law that allows limited types of non-euphoric medical marijuana in Florida.
The challenge was filed against the state Department of Health by an attorney for 4-year-old Dahlia Barnhart, who has an inoperable brain tumor, according to documents filed in the case. The challenge argued that the department did not follow the law when drawing up a proposed regulatory rule, in part taking issue with the way the department would select “dispensing organizations” that would grow, process and dispense the cannabis.
Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth McArthur ruled April 1 that the child didn’t have legal standing to challenge the proposed rule, but the ruling gave the girl’s attorney an opportunity to file an amended petition that would address the concerns.
McArthur, however, issued a final order Friday dismissing the case, saying the attorney had not filed an amended petition or other documents.
The department, meanwhile, still faces two other challenges to the proposed rule. Those challenges, which have been consolidated, are scheduled for a hearing April 23. Lawmakers have become frustrated with delays in carrying out the 2014 law. As soon as Tuesday, the full Senate could take up a bill aimed at speeding up the process of getting the non-euphoric cannabis to patients who suffer from conditions such as epilepsy.