Scott Orders Additional Prison Reforms
July 10, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Thursday that furthers prison-reform measures being put in place by Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones.
Scott’s order requires an independent audit of the agency’s operations and creates a partnership between the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Families to establish “best management practices” regarding mental health services.
“This executive order empowers Secretary Jones to improve safety in our correctional facilities, enhance services to reduce recidivism, and address the growing needs of inmates that require additional mental health services,” Scott said in a release tied to the signing. The order follows an executive action taken by Scott in May, after lawmakers failed to agree on prison reforms during the regular legislative session.
The reforms come amid increased scrutiny of Florida’s prisons in the wake of reports of inmate deaths at the hands of abusive prison guards, cover-ups involving inmate deaths and allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers.
Scott’s order in May requires the department to track use-of-force incidents. The May order also requires each prison to keep track of the use of chemical agents as well as the disposal of expired, used or damaged canisters of gas, adds a fourth administrative region to the Department of Corrections, requires regional directors to make at least two surprise visits each quarter to prisons within their areas and requires Jones to establish a policy to protect employees from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.
by The News Service of Florida
Occupants Run From Ensley Crash; FHP Seeks Info
July 10, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeing information about a traffic crash in Ensley Thursday in which three people fled on foot.
According to the FHP, a 2005 Ford Expedition was traveling west of Johnson Avenue east of Chisholm Road, near Ensley Elementary School. The driver changed lanes to pass a vehicle, pulling into the path of a 2012 Toyota Camry driven by 19-year old Michelle R. Delacruz of Pensacola.
Three people — two black males and a child about five years old — fled the scene on foot from the Ford Expedition. Troopers said the Expedition belonged to a Lisa Beasley who is deceased.
Anyone with information is asked to call (850) 484-5000 Ext. 335 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Northview Notes: Summer End Of Course Algebra Exam Testing
July 10, 2015
From Northview High School:
Florida high school students are required to score proficient on the Algebra I End-of-Course exam to meet graduation requirements. Students who have not passed the exam will have opportunities to meet this requirement beginning Monday, July 13th.
Though not required, any student wishing to take the math Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) can report to Ernest Ward Middle School on Monday, July 13th at 7:45 a.m. If the student scores high enough, the score from the PERT can be used to meet the Algebra I graduation requirement. The student will know the score of the PERT before they leave following the test.
If the student does not score high enough on the PERT they will return to Ernest Ward on Tuesday, July 14th at 7:45 a.m. to take the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA). Students will take both sessions of the test on the same day so they should bring a lunch or snacks with them. Students who first took the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Algebra I exam will return Wednesday, July 15th for another opportunity. Informational letters have been mailed to the address on file at the school if your child needs to take these tests. Parents will also receive a school messenger call to the phone number on record at the school. If you have questions please contact the school at (850) 327-6681.
Driver Hits Parked Escambia Corrections Transport Van
July 10, 2015
A driver lost control while trying to stop at the red light at Highway 29 and Nine and One-Half Mile Road Thursday afternoon, plowing into an empty Escambia County Corrections van. The van was legally parked in the parking lot of a tire store. Photos by Andrew McKay, NewsRadio 1620 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball Odds To Increase In Search Of Bigger Jackpots
July 10, 2015
With bigger payouts typically drawing more players, the multi-state Powerball lottery game is increasing the odds to win jackpots.
Starting with the Octobrt 7 drawing, the odds of matching the numbers on a single $2 ticket with the numbers on the drawn balls will grow from 1 in 175,223,510 to 1 in 292,201,338.
Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell said in an email that since the state joined the game in 2009 there has been a push for larger jackpots.
“Over time, the standard for what is considered a ‘big jackpot’ has changed and we must respond to that,” O’Connell said in the email. “Our sales prove that more Powerball tickets are sold when the jackpot is bigger, and sales decline significantly when jackpots are at lower levels.”
While winning jackpots will be tougher, odds are being eased for smaller payouts. Also starting Octobrt 7, the odds of hitting four correct numbers will go from the current 1 in 111 to 1 in 92. The odds changes are being made by altering the sets of numbers on tickets. The changes come as sales of Powerball nationally have dipped 19 percent in the past year due to a lack of large jackpots.
Powerball, the highest-generating terminal game in the Florida Lottery’s arsenal, accounted for $375 million of the state agency’s record-setting $5.58 billion in sales during the fiscal year that ended June 30. However, the number was well off the $469 million generated a year earlier.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The nation’s only winning $80 million Powerball ticket was sold at the State Line Gift Shop on Highway 97 in NorthEscambia.com. The winner, 60-year old Alice Dawson of Frisco City, AL, chose to receive the winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $53,440,213.76. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Appointees For Health Facilities, Housing Finance Authorities
July 10, 2015
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering for specialized/layperson appointments to County Boards and Committees which have vacancies. Appointees serve without compensation and some appointments require filing of Financial Disclosure Forms.
The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The Authority’s duties are to assist health facilities in acquisition, construction, financing and refinancing of projects. Knowledge of finance and/or health care administration required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
Requirements:
- An Authority Board member must be a resident of Escambia County. An appointee must be able to attend monthly board meetings during regular business hours and to travel out of town. This requires the Board Member to have an employer and/or occupation which provides flexibility to engage in volunteer community service activities.
- Under its current annual meeting schedule the Authority meets once a month on the third Tuesday at 4 p.m., except for the months of April and September when the Board and Staff attend educational conferences related to current topics in tax exempt capital financing for healthcare organizations. Monthly time commitments generally range from three to five hours per month, depending on business matters under consideration. For educational conferences the Board members are out of town for up to four days twice a year.
- Board members must have reasonable computer skills; access to a computer running Windows 7 or higher, with the current version of Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word and Excel, and with high speed internet access to receive email with attachments, and to download large PDF files containing meeting agendas and backup materials. A new Board member will spend three to five hours for the initial orientation and training on Authority operations.
- Board members must be able and willing to learn about (1) tax exempt bond financing and federal regulations related to municipal bond financing; (2) rules and regulations for municipal bond issuers; (3) current capital financing options and techniques for non-profit healthcare organizations; and (4) Florida laws related to local government operations and finance.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida Law. The Authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing; stop reoccurrence of slum conditions; and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
Requirements:
- The Authority’s regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and typically last between one to two hours (i.e. 24 hours annually). Board members are also required to attend special meetings that are occasionally called on an “as needed” basis in connection with proposed multi- and single-family financings.
- Board members must review various documents (official statements, trust statements, loan agreements, etc.) prior to each monthly meeting. Preparation time generally ranges from one hour for a normal meeting, to four to six hours if there is a substantial item on the agenda.
- Board members are also required to be available for any bond issue closings that occur during the year and to also make time during the month to consult with the Executive Director (and/or be available to sign documents, checks, etc.) as needed in connection with routine Authority business.
- Board members are also strongly encouraged to participate in various educational workshops and conferences sponsored by the National and Florida Associations of Local Housing Finance Authorities (approximately two a year) in an effort to stay abreast of emerging trends and changes to all the various laws and regulations in the housing finance and municipal finance industries (i.e. such as their due diligence responsibilities before approving a bond issue, SEC/MSRB regulations, disclosure responsibilities, etc.) that impact the Authority’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Escambia residents interested in serving on either the Escambia County Health Facilities Authority or the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating the Board on which they wish to serve by the close of business on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Photos: The Blue Angels Take To The Skies
July 10, 2015
The Blue Angels took the skies for a practice show at Pensacola Beach Thursday.
On Friday, the Blues will rehearse with the military and civilian acts that also perform in the Saturday air show. The rehearsal begins at noon, and the Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. The official 2015 Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon Saturday, with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Central High Teen Dies After Alabama Wreck; Three Others Injured
July 10, 2015
A Central High School student has passed away from injuries he received in an Alabama traffic crash, and three other Central students are recovering.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 17-year old Christopher J. Free of Milton was ejected from a pickup truck on I-10 about 10 miles west of Mobile about 6:30 Tuesday. He later later died from his injuries at the University of South Alabama Medical Center.
Free was one of three passengers in a 1990 Mazda pickup driven by another 17-year old that left interstate, over turned and struck a tree. Free was not wearing a seat belt, according to troopers. The three other teens were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their identities have not yet been released by authorities.
Grief counselors were on hand at Central School Friday for students and community members.
James Edward Rutherford
July 10, 2015
James Edward Rutherford, age 70, of Molino, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2015. Jim was born in Pensacola and proudly served in the Navy Reserves, National Guard, and Air Force Reserve for more than 13 years. He was an employee of Gulf Power Company for 40 years, and an avid outdoorsman his whole life. Jim served the Lord with his beautiful singing voice at many military functions and churches across the gulf coast. He also sang with Sons of the Pines classic western/gospel trio for 11 years.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Robert W. and Mary Lee Nichols Rutherford; brother Robert H. Rutherford and sister Betty Beranger.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jeannie Rutherford, eldest daughter Angela Rutherford Neal, her husband Kevin Neal, and grandchildren Brian and Rachel Neal, and his youngest daughter Andrea Rutherford Ontiveros, her husband Mario Ontiveros, and granddaughter April Ontiveros. He will be remembered as a man of God, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a kind gentleman to all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Highland Baptist Church Generational Fund.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 13, 2015, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Cantonment. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 Hwy 95A North, Molino. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. Pastor Brian Calhoun and Dr. Jerry Passmore will be officiating services. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Smith Strikes Out 10, Wahoos Beat Biscuits
July 10, 2015
Before returning to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Josh Smith earned a rare distinction — pitching at every level from Single-A to the major leagues in one season.
“It has been interesting,” Smith said after the game. “Before this year, I’ve never been moved up. This year, I’ve been traveling so much and playing at so many levels. It’s a crazy ride, a crazy journey.”
Smith looked every bit of a big league pitcher Thursday after getting sent down from the Cincinnati Reds to Double-A Pensacola.
Behind his 4.1 hitless innings to start the game and 10 strikeouts, Pensacola held on to capture the opener of the five-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits, 3-2, in front of 4,502 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos are now in a five-way tie for first place in the Southern League South Division as each team is 7-7. It’s the first time since 2012 that they have been in first place this late in a half. They were last in first place July 22, 2012.
Smith’s no-hitter ended — undoubtedly — on a sharp double to right field by 19-year-old Jake Bauers. He ended up giving up three hits and one walk in eight innings of work.
He said it was great to get back on the mound and forget his last start with the Reds on the Fourth of July. Smith pitched 4.1 innings and left the game after hitting his fourth batter. He also struggled with his control walking 19 batters in 12.1 innings.
“That competitive nature kicks in after doing what I did in Cincinnati of the Fourth of July,” Smith said. “I know the fans weren’t happy. I wasn’t happy. But that’s in the past.”
When he came off the field in the eighth inning Thursday, Smith pumped both arms in the air to cheers by fans near the dugout.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly joked that it was “terrific” to get a starter from the Reds.
“He was excited,” Kelly said. “He wanted to pitch. There was no moping. He was ready to go. Nerves get you the first time you’re in the big leagues.”
The 27-year-old Smith made his major league debut with the Reds starting rotation June 25 and pitched in three games. He went 0-2 with 7.30 ERA, including eight strike outs in 12.1 innings. In his previous stint with Double-A Pensacola, he was 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 25 innings and struck out 24.
At the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Smith had eight starts and was 1-3 with a 3.56 ERA and struck out 35 in 48 innings. He also pitched one inning and struck out one batter on June 19 for the High-A Daytona Tortugas.
Combined at the four levels, Smith is now 5-7 with a 3.35 ERA and in 94.1 innings the right-hander has 80 total strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos scored first, going ahead, 1-0, when right fielder Juan Duran blasted a triple off the center field wall to start the second inning and was driven in by third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean.
They added two more in the third inning when Duran crushed a double to center that scored shortstop Zach Vincej to make the score, 2-0. Then Winker, who went 1-2, scored on a wild pitch by Montgomery’s starter Jake Faria to go up, 3-0.
However, Montgomery scored two runs on three hits in the ninth and had the tying run on third. But Pensacola catcher Kyle Skipworth threw out Leonardo Reginatto trying to steal second to end the game.
“It was a fantastic play and got us out of a big jam,” Kelly said.
Blue Wahoos reliever Zack Weiss pitched to one batter in the ninth to earn his team-leading eighth save. He now has 18 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched in his last 11 appearances.
The second game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Friday with the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits. RHP Barrett Astin (0-0, 3.09) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Biscuits RHP Jamie Schultz (5-4, 3.73).
Photo courtesy Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.