‘Solar Choice’ Coalition Shifts Focus To 2018
January 18, 2016
A coalition trying to expand who can provide solar energy in Florida formally shifted its focus toward trying to pass a ballot initiative in 2018.
Members of the group “Floridians for Solar Choice,” which had fallen behind in qualifying for the November 2016 ballot and remains in the midst of a contract dispute with a petition-gathering firm, announced the change during a news conference at the Florida Press Center in Tallahassee.
“Our coalition, at the onset, was committed to building a broad set of solar polices that could grow the solar industry. And we remain committed to that,” said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a key supporter of the coalition. “Our coalition is not going away.”
The proposal has drawn opposition — and a rival solar-energy initiative — from a group backed by major Florida utilities.
When asked if it would also shift its focus to 2018, that utility-backed group, known as “Consumers for Smart Solar,” said in an email that it is “committed to promoting solar in a way that protects consumers.”
“Our opponent’s failure to make the ballot does not affect our commitment to do what’s right for the people of Florida,” Consumers for Smart Solar spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said.
With support from Gulf Power, Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric, Consumers for Smart Solar has raised far more money than Floridians for Solar Choice. As of Nov. 30, Consumers for Smart Solar had raised $5.9 million, while Floridians for Solar Choice had raised $1.49 million.
The move by Floridians for Solar Choice gives the coalition more time to collect the needed petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. However, it would also put the issue before voters in a non-presidential election, when Democratic turnout is generally lower.
The Floridians for Solar Choice initiative would allow businesses to generate and sell up to two megawatts of solar power to customers on the same or neighboring properties. The group’s supporters also announced plans to file a brief in the Florida Supreme Court opposing the Consumers for Smart Solar proposal, which still needs court approval of its ballot wording.
“This misleading ballot amendment is bad for consumers, bad for the environment and bad for Florida,” said Bradley Marshall, an attorney for the environmental law firm Earthjustice, a Floridians for Solar Choice coalition member.
Smith said the Consumers for Smart Solar proposal is aimed at confusing voters in an effort to keep the Floridians for Solar Choice proposal from getting approved.
“It is unfortunate that Florida continues to treat solar energy differently and continues to maintain barriers to free market growth of this energy source,” said Tory Perfetti, chairman of Floridians for Solar Choice, which has received Supreme Court approval of its ballot proposal.
The Consumers for Smart Solar measure, which would generally maintain the status quo in allowing Floridians with solar equipment on their property to sell energy to power companies, is close to submitting the required number of valid signatures to appear on the ballot. It had submitted 582,155 signatures as of last report.
Initiatives face a Feb. 1 deadline to submit 683,149 petition signatures to the state. As of Monday morning, Floridians for Solar Choice had submitted 274,582 valid signatures.
In late December, Floridians for Solar Choice filed a lawsuit against petition-gathering firm PCI Consultants Inc., which is holding 212,000 signed petition signatures as it seeks payment for expenses that Floridians for Solar Choice contends are beyond what the group agreed to pay.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
MLK Day Holiday Closures
January 17, 2016
The following will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- West Florida Public Library System
- Escambia County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Area Transit
- City of Pensacola offices
- Town of Century offices
Exceptions:
- The Perdido Landfill will be open on Monday.
ECUA
ECUA offices will be closed Monday, January 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. However, all residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties will be unaffected, and will be carried out as scheduled. Customers may call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for additional information, or visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Join Federal Program To Reduce Drug Trafficking
January 17, 2016
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have joined a federal program designed to reduce drug trafficking.
Both counties have been added as members of the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The Gulf Coast HIDTA, which includes counties and parishes in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi, is one of 28 nationwide drug enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and drug trafficking.
In 2014, law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida began the application process to become a member of the Gulf Coast HIDTA due to drug trafficking routes running through Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties via Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 98. A threat assessment conducted as part of this request confirmed that not only do many ongoing investigations in Gulf Coast HIDTA counties have a connection to the Pensacola area, but numerous Escambia and Santa Rosa County investigations also have ties to other agencies that are part of the Gulf Coast HIDTA. Additionally, Escambia County has experienced drug-related shootings, and arrests in those violent incidents frequently are linked to the local illicit drug market.
The following coalition of federal, state, and local Northwest Florida law enforcement agencies petitioned the Office of National Drug Control Policy to designate Escambia and Santa County as part of the Gulf Coast HIDTA:
- United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Pensacola Police Department
- Gulf Breeze Police Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Florida Office of the Attorney General
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Internal Revenue Service
“Due to collaboration and hard work of our law enforcement partners, Northwest Florida will receive additional resources and support in addressing drug-related crimes,” said Acting United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova. “The enhanced communication between the local agencies in our district with the other HIDTA initiatives across the nation will also better enable law enforcement personnel to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that serve as
the source and supply of dangerous drugs into the community.”
“The DEA Miami Field Division is happy to have Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties join the HIDTA program,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright. “Their inclusion will greatly contribute to the HIDTA mission of combatting drug trafficking in the Gulf Coast area.”
“Due to recent changes at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local DEA office, we will be joining the Gulf Coast HIDTA. We are encouraged that positive changes are on the horizon,” said Sheriff David Morgan of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
One Person Injured In Highway 95 A Wreck
January 17, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday night in Cantonment.
The driver of a SUV lost control, ran of Highway 95 near Chipper Road, and struck a tree about 9:50 p.m. The vehicle came to rest back in the middle of Highway 95A, where firefighters were forced to extricate the driver.
The driver was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, further details including the name of the driver have not yet been released. The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting
January 17, 2016
The Century Town Council has rescheduled their next meeting due to tomorrow’s holiday.
The council normally meets the first and third Monday nights of each month, but the third Monday this month falls on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.
All meeting are held at the Century Town Hall and are open to the public.
Cold Tonight, Sunny Monday
January 17, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Senators Could Be Ready For More Student Testing Changes
January 17, 2016
Several senators seemed ready last week to move forward with legislation that would allow school districts to administer tests like the SAT and ACT instead of using the controversial Florida Standards Assessments to measure student learning.
After hearing from officials from standardized testing companies, members of the Senate committee charged with writing the state’s education budget sounded largely positive about the idea of giving districts a choice among tests.
“I guess the question then is, well, why didn’t we do this already, or why are we even questioning whether or not we should do it now?” said Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who doubles as CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
While some senators raised issues they said would need to be worked out before approving legislation allowing the change (SB 1360), none of the committee’s members spoke against the bill. Senate Education PreK-12 Chairman John Legg, R-Trinity, said he had “a little bit of pause when I look at the timeline,” which calls for the new tests to be used as soon as the following school year.
But Legg quickly added that his questions weren’t meant to signal an unwillingness to consider the legislation.
“I think this is great stuff,” Legg said.
If lawmakers approve the proposal, it would mark the second time in as many years that the Legislature has overhauled the state’s testing system. Parent outrage and a technological meltdown plagued the Florida Standards Assessments last year and prompted lawmakers to pass a bill aimed at reining in state testing.
The state is in the second year of a six-year, $220 million deal with American Institutes for Research, a non-profit group that developed the Florida Standards Assessments. But the turmoil around the test prompted Montford’s group to say in September that its members had “lost confidence” in the state’s education-accountability system.
“When all the players on the field and all the coaches on the sidelines no longer believe that the game is being called according to fair rules, it’s very, very difficult to have a meaningful experience,” said Sen. Don Gaetz, the Niceville Republican who chairs the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee and is sponsoring the current legislation.
The main options for districts under the legislation would likely be the SAT and a preliminary version of the test, at least for high school students, and the ACT and ACT Aspire, developed to test students beginning in the third grade.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart has expressed concern about the proposal because the measure would mean that students might be taking tests that were “no longer aligned to what’s being taught” in the state public schools. But the company officials who testified said that wasn’t a concern.
“In most cases, as I said, the alignment — particularly with Florida — is extremely high,” said Jack Buckley, senior vice president for research at the College Board, which administers the SAT. “It’s a very strong alignment.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gaetz brushed off a question about whether the bill could add more confusion to the state’s testing system after years of change. He pointed out that many Florida students already take the SAT or the ACT.
“This isn’t a matter of saying, well, now we’re going to have something brand new,” he said. “This is a matter of saying, let’s assess once. Let’s not make a student take two or three tests on the same material.”
Gaetz’ legislation doesn’t have a counterpart in the House, but he said lawmakers there are expected to propose a committee bill that would closely track his legislation.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
January 17, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
U.S. 29, Escambia County – Intermittent southbound lane closures near Century Monday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22 as workers continue construction activities. Also, northbound lane restrictions from Champion Drive north as crews continue construction of guardrail pads.
S.R. 289 (9th Avenue), Escambia County- Crews continue paving operations between Bayou Boulevard and Creighton Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Between Bayou Boulevard and Cervantes Street, motorists will also encounter intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures as crews adjust manholes and valves.
I-10 over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge, Escambia County- Crews will resume work Friday, Jan. 22. East and westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the bridge near exit 5 (U.S. 90 ALT/ 9 Mile Road) as crews reconstruct the bridge approaches.
I-10 Widening, Escambia County- Alternating east and westbound lane closures near U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, Jan. 18. as crews perform bridge deck work for the new Scenic Highway overpass. Motorists are reminded the speed limit on I-10, between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway, is reduced to 60 mph.
S.R. 87, Santa Rosa County- Temporary closure between Elva Street and Raymond Hobbs Street from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. Detour will be in place and traffic rerouted.
S.R. 281 Widening, Santa Rosa County- Intermittent north and southbound lane shifts from north of I-10 to south of the Moors Golf Course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 22 as crews perform construction activities.
I-10 Widening, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures on I-10 between the Escambia Bay Bridge and State Road (S.R.) 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) and on Avalon Boulevard near the overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 through Thursday, Jan. 21 as crews perform bridge and other construction activities. In addition, traffic on I-10 east and westbound from the Escambia Bay Bridge to just east of Avalon Boulevard will be slowed by Florida Highway Patrol from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. The traffic pacing operations will allow crews to remove utility lines.
Santa Rosa County – Drivers will encounter daytime and nighttime traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Santa Rosa County through Jan. 22 as crews perform striping and pavement marking operations.
- U.S. 90 just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to S.R. 87and west end of Blackwater Bridge to the east end of Blackwater Bridge.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) from U.S. 90 to north end of Clear Creek Bridge.
- S.R. 89 (By-Pass) from U.S. 90 to S.R. 87.
- S.R. 89 from S.R. 87 to County Road 178.
- U.S. 98 from the zoo to the Okaloosa County line. (nighttime operation)
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Nurseries Plan To Start Growing Pot Despite Challenges
January 17, 2016
Five dispensing organizations selected by state officials promised lawmakers Wednesday they would meet a deadline next month to get medical-ijuana production off the ground, despite legal challenges that could threaten their licenses.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee received updates from the state Office of Compassionate Use and the five dispensing organizations — one in each region of the state — about carrying out a 2014 law that allows non-euphoric types of medical marijuana. Lawmakers heard that the businesses are ready to start growing as soon as they get authorization from the Department of Health.
More than a dozen challenges — in four of the state’s five regions — are pending, with hearings in the cases scheduled from March through late July.
Office of Compassionate Use Director Christian Bax told the panel that the low-THC marijuana products could be available to eligible patients as early as September.
The department is holding to a February deadline to move forward with production because none of the challengers — or winners, who are expected to invest millions of dollars to grow, process and dispense the pot — has requested an injunction to stop the process, Bax said.
“Our priority is, was and will remain to ensure that all of this is carried out as quickly and as safely as possible for Florida’s patients,” Bax told the committee.
The dispensing organizations have until Feb. 7 to request authorization to begin cultivating the marijuana products. The 2014 law has been delayed because of previous legal challenges, creating frustration for lawmakers who approved the non-euphoric marijuana at the urging of parents of children with severe epilepsy. The low-THC marijuana is believed to end or dramatically reduce life-threatening seizures for those patients.
“Here we are, two years later. We’re not there yet,” Committee Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said. “I’m sorry, to those families. We’re going to do everything we can this session to fix that.”
Bradley blamed the delay in getting the state’s marijuana industry up-and-running on “individuals outside the control of the department,” referring to the losing applicants who challenged the awarding of the licenses, selected by a three-member panel of state officials in late November.
Bradley questioned representatives of the five dispensing organizations about the types of products they intend to sell to patients.
The “routes of administration” will include gel capsules, vaporizable liquids, transdermal patches, tinctures, sprays and topical creams, the dispensing organization representatives said.
But Robert Wallace of Chestnut Hill Tree Farm in Alachua County, the winner of the Northeast region license, would not specify what kind of products his organization plans to sell because of a pending legal challenge.
Wallace said he is working with University of Florida scientists and the pharmaceutical industry to develop a proprietary technology.
“We believe it will be a revolutionary new product,” Wallace said.
Alpha Foliage, affiliated with Surterra Therapeutics, plans to have products available for patients in June, Surterra President Susan Driscoll told the committee. The company is the only dispensing organization that has asked health officials for permission to begin cultivating.
Once the health department authorizes cultivation, the dispensing organizations have 210 days to make the products available to patients. It will be up to doctors to decide the types of products patients can use.
Most of the dispensing organizations said they planned to focus on home delivery of the products, but Bax said there will be a total of 15 dispensaries located throughout the state. The dispensaries will be within a one- to two-hour drive for most Floridians, he said.
Bradley said some of his constituents were worried about what the dispensaries would look like.
“They don’t want a pot shop on every corner with it looking cheesy and like something that’s embarrassing,” he said. “This is a serious matter for people with serious illnesses and we would like it to look appropriate.”
Kim Rivers, representing Northwest region winner Hackney Nursery, said her company’s dispensary will look like a medical clinic.
“There’s not going to be any large neon flashing marijuana leaf on the sign,” she said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Jail Inmate Dies
January 16, 2016
Friday, an inmate at the Escambia County Main Jail died after being transported to a local emergency room.
The 63-year old male was discovered unresponsive by infirmary staff during an hourly welfare check. Corrections officers and medical staff immediately began CPR, called EMS at 8:58 p.m. EMS arrived at the jail at 9:05 p.m. and reached the hospital at 9:27 p.m. He was pronounced dead at 9:49 p.m. by hospital staff. The name of the inmate is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.
The inmate was arrested on Dec. 9, 2015. Upon arrival, he received a medical evaluation as part of the intake process. He had been housed alone in the infirmary for psychiatric care since Dec. 12, 2015 and checked every hour by jail staff. On the morning of Friday, Jan. 16 the inmate was seen by the facility’s nurse practitioner and psychiatric physician. He was responsive and cooperative. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified and is investigating as is standard procedure.
On Dec. 4, 2015, changes to the jail’s policies were immediately made upon transition of jail oversight to Assistant County Administer Simmons, and continue to be made to ensure inmate safety. In that time, no less than 10 policy changes have been made. Improvements include:
· Placing jail medical services under the control of the jail commander who is empowered to make decisions regarding transporting inmates to an outside medical facility with or without medical staff recommendation.
· Greatly improving medical status communication. Now, a list of critically ill patients is given to the command staff daily, with each shift providing an end of shift report to include updates on every infirmary patient to the jail commander.
· Escambia County Public Safety Medical Director Dr. Paul Henning has agreed to become interim medical director of the jail also.
· A Health Services Administrator position was hired and starts on Saturday, Jan. 30. This position contributes to strategic planning, budget development and monitoring, and problem solving for the health services division at the Escambia County Jail. This includes providing clinical expertise, direction and management of the administrative function for the benefit of the health services division.