Florida Gambling Proposals Are Dead
March 5, 2016
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, acknowledged Friday that high-profile gambling proposals, including a potential agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, are dead for this year’s legislative session.
Crisafulli addressed the issue after the House did not take up a wide-ranging gambling bill during a floor session. Along with the agreement with the tribe, lawmakers had been considering proposals such as allowing slot machines at more pari-mutuel facilities.
The demise of the gambling proposals was not a surprise, as Senate leaders said Tuesday that their version of the bill was all but doomed. Crisafulli pointed to the issue stalling in the Senate.
“Without a willing partner to pass that legislation, it was not going to get done,” Crisafulli said.
Also appearing unlikely to pass this year is a proposal stemming from a national debate about whether online fantasy sports are an illegal form of gambling. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, on Friday sought to move forward with a proposal that would make clear fantasy sports are not considered gambling in Florida. Gaetz sought to attach the proposal to a bill (HB 1187) that deals with professional regulations. But after a lengthy debate — and facing opposition from some lawmakers, including the sponsor of the bill — Gaetz withdrew his proposed amendment.
The legislative session ends next Friday.
by The News Service of Florida
Kitchen Fire Damages Century Apartment
March 4, 2016
Quick action by residents with fire extinguishers and Escambia Fire Rescue kept a kitchen fire from spreading at Century apartment complex Friday morning.
The fire, which reportedly began with a pot of grease on a stove, was quickly extinguished before it spreading beyond the kitchen in the 300 building of the Century Woods Apartments on West Highway 4.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Disaster Relief Distribution In Century
March 4, 2016
The Century Church of Christ at 430 East Highway 4 will be providing disaster relief for tornado victims through the weekend.
Distribution times will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
If you know anyone in need please call (850) 256-2588 or stop by during distribution hours. Items on hand include food boxes, infant boxes, personal hygiene boxes (anything needed in a bathroom), cleaning buckets, and more. Future support is planned as the needs of the families change.
Molino Man Facing Weapons, Drug Charges
March 4, 2016
A Molino man is facing numerous weapons and drug charges after deputies spotted him speeding on Molino Road.
Clifford McFann, Jr., was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, possession of cocaine, introduction of a controlled substance into a detention facility, tampering with evidence, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence and driving while license suspended.
Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on Molino Road at a high rate of speed. They later located the vehicle parked in a driveway at Brickyard Road and Blake Street, occupied by McFann and a female. McFann got out of the vehicle and refused to follow orders from deputies and began to resist. Deputies then “assisted” McFann to the ground as he continued to struggle, according to an arrest report.
A search of McFann’s vehicle revealed 13 loose rounds of .32 caliber bullets in his left front pocket, and a 32 caliber revolver with five live rounds and one spent casing. The gun was listed as stolen out of Mobile, AL, in 1979.
McFann, a convicted felon, was placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Jail. As he was being removed from the patrol vehicle at the jail, the deputy reported that his lips and pants were covered with a blue powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine. According to the arrest report, McFann had several plastic baggies full of cocaine in his mouth that he had attempted to chew up. He was transported to Baptist Hospital for evaluation.
McFann was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $47,500 bond.
Early Voting Begins Saturday In Escambia County
March 4, 2016
Early voting begins Saturday in Escambia County for the March 15 Presidential Primary. Early voting will be available at seven locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street
- 5 Flags Speedway, 7451 Pine Forest Road
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor,
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Early voting will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5, through Saturday, March 12. Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners, and may choose any one of the seven sites.
Another option for voters is to cast an absentee ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by email at absentee@escambiavotes.com, phone at (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax to (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, March 9. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, March 15. Polls will be open from 7a.m. until 7 p.m. An AutoMARK ballot marking device is also available at each polling place and early voting site to assist persons with disabilities.
Florida is a closed primary state. Only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible for this election. All eligible voters in Escambia County will be mailed a sample ballot. In addition, voters can verify their registration status, view their sample ballot and find their polling place by visiting EscambiaVotes.com. Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls, and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.
Cantonment Fish Fry Today
March 4, 2016
The Cantonment Improvement Committee is holding a fish fry fundraiser today beginning at 10 a.m.
The cooks will be set up on Washington Street in the Carver Park area (near Callaway Street. The cost is $7 per plate that includes fish, baked beans, potato salad and cake. Pre-orders are being accepted at (850) 454-4022. Proceeds benefit the community improvement efforts of the CIC.
Light Up The Night: New Street Lighting In Cantonment
March 4, 2016
New LED street lights are being installed in the Cantonment area. There are 154 62-watt LED lights being installed in the Cantonment Redevelopment Area (CRA) in the area bordered by Nowak Road, Muscogee Road, Highway 297A and Upland Road. The total cost for the project, funded by the CRA, is $63,192.88.
Pictured: New LED street lights are installed along Callaway Street in Cantonment on Thursday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny Skies Through The Weekend
March 4, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Roundup: Wins For Tate, Central, Jay; Loss For Flomaton
March 4, 2016
BASEBALL
Tate 15, Pine Forest 9
The Tate High School Aggies beat the Pine Forest Eagles in a high-scoring game Thursday night, 15-9. The Aggies sealed the win in the ninth inning with six funs. The Aggies scored in the ninth, including a two-run double from Hunter Nesmith.
Josh Kea recorded the win for the Aggies. He pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out two, walked none and surrendered one hit.
Tate hitters: Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2R, RBI; Branden Fryman 2-5, 3R; RBI; Hunter Nesmith 3-4, 2RBI, 3R; Reid Halfacre 1-3. RBI, 2R; Mason Land 3-5, 4RBI, 3R; Cole Halfacre 1-2, 2RBI
Tate 11, Pine Forest 2 (JV)
SOFTBALL
Central 6, Flomaton 0
Central blanked Flomaton Thursday 6-0 in a game that was called early due to weather. Lacee Stewart pitched the win in five for Flomaton, allowing no runs, four hits and striking out four.
Jay 7, Freeport 1
The Jay Lady Royals beat Freeport 7-1 Thursday. Destiny Herring earned the win, with three runs on six hits, two strikeouts and a walk in five innings.
Jay hitters: Samantha Steadham 3-4, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, Herring 2-4, 2 runs, Averie Jackson 1-3 RBI, run.
Tate 7, Navarre 1 (JV)
Death Penalty Change Headed To Scott; Local SAO Says Won’t Impact Escambia Cases
March 4, 2016
State lawmakers Tuesday signed off on a measure intended to cure Florida’s death penalty system
Gov. Rick Scott’s aides said he will sign the bill, approved by the Senate in a 35-5 vote after earlier passing the House. The law will take effect immediately once signed by Scott.
The legislation was prompted by a Jan. 12 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in an Escambia County Popeye’s Chicken murder case known as Hurst v. Florida, that struck down the state’s death-penalty sentencing system as unconstitutional. The decision effectively put the death penalty on hold in Florida.
The legislation on its way to Scott would require at least 10 jurors to recommend death for the penalty to be imposed — a compromise between the House and the Senate, which had originally favored unanimous jury recommendations. Prosecutors, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushed for the 10-2 recommendation, arguing that unanimity would allow a single juror to hijack the process. Any vote by the jury that is less than 10 t0 2 will result in the automatic imposition of a life in prison sentence. If the jury recommends death, the judge will still have the option handing down of a life sentence.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said the state is currently seeking a death sentence in 13 cases in the First Judicial Circuit, including six in Escambia County.
“This office believes that each of these cases are still eligible for death under the new law and this office will continue to seek that sentence,” Eddins said. “The state will file notices in each of these cases of its intent to seek the death penalty and the appropriate aggravating factors.”
One of the Escambia County cases in which the State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty is that of accused triple murderer Donald Wayne Hartung (pictured) for the death of his mother and two half-brothers, Voncile Smith, John Smith, and Richard Smith. All three bodies were found on July 31 in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.