State Senator Calls For All Corrections Buses To Be Halted For Brake Check
July 21, 2016
A state senator is calling for the Florida Department of Corrections to stop transporting inmate on prison system buses until each one is inspected.
Sen. Greg Evers has asked Gov. Rick Scott to halt all Department of Corrections bus transportation until the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Florida Highway Patrol can inspect the buses for safety and compliance. The request came Wednesday, the day after the brakes failed on a loaded FDOC bus near Crestview.
Two corrections officers were transporting 50 inmates when the brakes malfunctioned on their bus when going down the I-10 off-ramp onto Highway 85.
“The safety of our servicemen and women, inmates in our care, and innocent bystanders should always be a top priority,” Evers said. “The actions of our government to support our security and safety should always be a priority: Lives are at stake.”
Scott, Bondi Tout Trump And Bash Hillary
July 21, 2016
With Florida poised to again play a key role in the presidential race, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi took the stage Wednesday at the Republican National Convention to make the case for Donald Trump.
Scott, one of Trump’s most enthusiastic supporters since the real-estate developer won Florida’s GOP presidential primary, blasted President Barack Obama for not naming “radical Islamic terrorism” as an enemy in the country’s fight against extremism. But he focused primarily on touting Trump as an agent for change.
And he alluded to Trump’s time as the host of the reality television show “The Apprentice.”
“This year, we get to fire the politicians,” Scott said. “And who better to let the politicians know ‘you’re fired’ than Donald Trump?”
Scott also cast in stark terms the stakes of the choice between Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will receive the Democratic nomination next week in Philadelphia.
“But this election is not actually about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton,” Scott said. “In fact, it’s not the election of you or me. This election is about the very survival of the American Dream.”
Bondi’s speech lingered on the “rule of law” — an implicit criticism of the FBI’s decision not to recommend criminal charges against Clinton for her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state, despite FBI Director James Comey saying Clinton was “extremely careless” with classified information.
“November 8 is when America feels safe again,” Bondi said. “Because that’s when America wins again. Because winning this election means reclaiming something to which I have dedicated my entire career: the rule of law.”
The attorney general also touched on the future of the U.S. Supreme Court, something aimed at rallying social conservatives behind the thrice-married Trump, who espoused liberal views on issues like abortion before running for the Republican nomination.
The next president could fill a seat left vacant by the death of conservative stalwart Antonin Scalia and likely will replace some other current justices on the court.
“Hillary will stack the Supreme Court with liberal justices who will allow government to continue its rampage against our individual rights, with utter contempt for our Second Amendment,” Bondi said. “I know Donald, and I am proud to know Donald. He will appoint conservative justices who will defend rather than rewrite our Constitution.”
The Clinton campaign was quick to highlight an Associated Press report in June about a donation Bondi received from Trump “around the same time” her office was considering joining an investigation into the businessman’s namesake university. Bondi eventually decided not to join the case against Trump’s venture.
“Despite receiving complaints from angry Floridians and others, Bondi declined to investigate Trump University’s shameful dealings after personally soliciting campaign contributions from Donald Trump,” the Clinton campaign said.
The speeches, which took place relatively early in the evening, were not the centerpiece of the third day at the convention. But they did seem to reflect a concerted effort to appeal to a state that Republicans essentially must win to clinch the White House.
“Everyone knows that we are the most important swing state in the nation,” Florida GOP Chairman Blaise Ingoglia told reporters earlier in the day. “And you’re seeing that not only in the speakers that are here, the speakers that are on the main stage, but how the state of Florida is being treated.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, one of Florida’s native sons who lost to Trump in the state’s March 15 primary after engaging in an insult war with the businessman, also appealed in a video for party unity.
“After a long and spirited primary, the time for fighting each other is over,” Rubio said. “It’s time to come together and fight for a new direction for America.”
No Power, A/C Late Wednesday Night For Hundreds
July 21, 2016
Hundreds of Cantonment and Cottage Hill residents spent up to about 90 minutes in the dark — and without air conditioning — Wednesday night.
Gulf Power reported 1,690 customers in the area lost power about 10:37 p.m. About half of the customers had their power restored within about an hour, while everyone was back on by about 12:10 a.m. Thursday.
The cause of the outage was reported to be “system protection equipment”.
During the outage, the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to Jim Allen Elementary School for a sprinkler system waterflow alarm. The cause of the alarm was attributed to the power failure.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Medical Marijuana Ready To Hit The Market
July 21, 2016
Medical marijuana could be available to a select group of Florida patients as early as next week, after health officials gave the go-ahead for the state’s first pot dispensary to begin distributing products.
The Northwest Florida operation, known as “Trulieve,” is one of six dispensing organizations licensed by the state Department of Health to grow, process and distribute pot that purportedly does not get users high but is believed to alleviate life-threatening seizures.
Wednesday’s authorization for Trulieve to begin selling products was the first issued by the Department of Health.
The low-THC cannabis, first authorized in 2014, will be available to patients with chronic muscle spasms, cancer or severe forms of epilepsy.
Although Trulieve is the first to get its products to market, the operation may not be too busy once it opens its doors next week, at least for a while.
Only 15 doctors have signed up to order the low-THC products, and no patients are yet registered on a statewide database of Floridians who are eligible for the treatment. Dispensaries can only sell the pot products to patients or their representatives who are registered on the database.
Doctors were supposed to be able to begin ordering the non-euphoric products more than a year ago, but the process has been tangled up in legal challenges.
“We are happy to announce that we have passed all inspections — from growing and processing to dispensing — and are the very first medical cannabis provider in the state to receive these formal authorizations. And we are most excited to get this much anticipated medicine to the patients of Florida,” Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said in a statement issued Wednesday
The operation will open its Tallahassee dispensing facility next week, when it will also begin delivering to patients statewide, according to a press release.
“Our new law worked. Promise made, promise kept,” Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who was instrumental in passage of the 2014 law, said Wednesday on Twitter.
Concerned that challenges over a limited number of licenses could further delay startup of the pot operations, the Legislature this year passed a law ensuring that winning nurseries could keep their licenses, even if judges decided that losing applicants should have been selected by health officials. And the law allows for three more dispensing organizations once more than 250,000 patients are registered to receive the marijuana treatment.
The 2016 law also allows the dispensing organizations to grow full-strength pot, which will be available to terminally ill patients. Trulieve expects to begin selling the full-strength marijuana in early August, the company said Wednesday.
More than two dozen applicants vied for the highly-sought after licenses, and challenges for additional licenses are still ongoing.
Health officials estimate that about 250,000 patients could be eligible for the low-THC treatment, but just a fraction of those are expected to seek the pot products. State Office of Compassionate Use Director Christian Bax testified last week that health officials do not have projections for how many patients might be eligible for full-strength marijuana, but that number is expected to be much smaller.
Marijuana operators, however, have their eyes on a more lucrative market — up to $3.5 billion in annual sales, according to one estimate by state economists — that could open up in Florida after the November election.
Voters will decide whether Florida should legalize full-strength marijuana for a variety of medical ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS and post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2014, a similar proposal narrowly failed to get the 60 percent approval from voters required for passage of constitutional amendments in the state.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Free Food, Math And Reading Help At Cantonment’s Carver Park
July 21, 2016
Hot dog in the park events are continuing at Carver Park in Cantonment, with kids able to enjoy a free meal and some educational time.
There will be free hot dog meals will be offered every Wednesday, beginning today, at noon in Cantonment’s Carver Park at 2058 Webb Street. The hot dog, chips and beverage meals are sponsored by Saint Jude Catholic Church for school-age children and served by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
The Carver Park Resource Center will be open from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays until school starts for children who want to keep up with their reading and math skills using computer games.
Photos courtesy Cantonment Improvement Committee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Found Shot To Death In Street
July 21, 2016
Police are continuing a homicide investigation after a man was found dead with a bullet wound Wednesday morning in Pensacola.
A woman called the Pensacola Police Department shortly before 8 a.m. after hearing gunshots. The man, later identified as 34-year Mark E. Freeman, was found fatally shot at the corner of East Avery and North Tarragona Streets.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi
July 21, 2016
The only thing that had cobwebs after Beau Amaral’s 71-day absence from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting lineup was his Jeep Wrangler that he left in the team’s parking lot.
In his first game back with Pensacola since going on the disabled list May 10, Amaral led off the first inning by lifting the first pitch he saw Wednesday over the right field fence into Hilly-Kelly Hill. It was his third homer starting a game this season.
Amaral had surgery to remove his top rib on his right side that was pressing on a vein and created a blood clot in his non-throwing right arm. He returned to the Double-A level after playing 10 games in two weeks for the Rookie League Billings Mustangs. He hit .382 there with one homer and five RBIs for Billings.
Thanks to home runs by Amaral and catcher Chad Wallach, Pensacola went on to beat the Biloxi Shuckers, 6-4, in front of 4,683 fans Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Amaral said he was happy to be back in the No. 4 Pensacola jersey, even though, it lacked his last name across the back.
“It was real scary,” Amaral said about the blood clot that could have ended his season, professional baseball career or worse. “I shouldn’t have looked it up online. It kind of freaked me out.”
Amaral, who worked all offseason with his dad, Rich, to improve his swing also hit a leadoff solo homer on the first pitch of the 2016 season against the Jacksonville Suns and against Biloxi earlier in the year. He was 3-5 with the homer, two singles a run scored and an RBI Wednesday night.
“I got back to the dugout and thought I would wake up and still be in my hospital bed back at home,” said Amaral, who planned to celebrate his performance with a bottle of water and a conversation with his dad. “I’m just so excited to be here. It was really tough being at home and not being able to play baseball.”
Before his injury, Amaral hit .280 in 28 games with Pensacola with two homers, 14 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .360. His three hits Wednesday raised his average to .295.
As excited as Amaral was to be back in Pensacola, Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly was even more excited to have him back in the lineup.
“What a terrific comeback,” Kelly said. “We thought he was lost for the season. He comes back this quick and plays tremendous tonight. Everybody is excited to see him. Now, we have four really good outfielders.”
Besides the hits, Amaral made a great catch running back on a deep fly ball by Brett Phillips, the Milwaukee Brewers No. 2 prospect. He caught the ball over his left shoulder on the edge of the warning track.
“He made the play on Phillips look easy and that ball was crushed,” Kelly said.
Pensacola jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first three innings off of Biloxi starting pitcher Angel Ventura, who gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks to earn a loss.
Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej scored from first base in the second inning on first baseman Eric Jagielo’s double in the right center gap that rolled to the wall putting Pensacola up, 2-0. Wallach then jumped on a pitch sending it over the left field wall for a 4-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
Two more runs scored in the third inning for a 6-0 Pensacola lead when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde scored on a Jagielo ground out and second baseman Brandon Dixon crossed the plate on a Ventura wild pitch.
Biloxi, who entered the game hitting .209 against Pensacola pitching, scored its three runs in the fourth inning. Phillips, Biloxi’s center fielder, scored the first run for the Shuckers on an error by Dixon. Biloxi third baseman Gabriel Noriega then smacked a two-out single to left field that scored first baseman Nick Ramirez for the Shuckers second run of the game, 6-2.
Noriega scored the final run of the inning when Biloxi shortstop Angel Ortega hit a blooper just over Pensacola’s Dixon’s outstretched arm into right field pulling Biloxi within, 6-3.
In the ninth inning, Biloxi loaded the bases on two bunt singles and a flair to right field off of Pensacola closer Alejandro Chacin. Chacin then walked third baseman Tom Belza to score Johnny Davis.
However, Chacin then got Biloxi’s top of the order out on two foul pop ups to Wallach and struck out Phillips to get out of the bases loaded jam. He now has a Southern League-leading 18 saves on the year.
“It wasn’t like he was getting crushed,” Kelly said of Chacin. “He made great pitches when he has to.”
Pensacola starting pitcher Tyler Mahle also pitched well. He worked six innings giving up five hits, two walks and three unearned runs, while striking out five. He’s now 5-1 in six starts for Pensacola with a .2.41 ERA, winning 10 of his last 11 starts between the High-A Daytona Tortugas and Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola relievers have now allowed four runs total, two of them earned in 24.1 innings this season.
The Blue Wahoos improved to .500 in the second half at 13-13 and the first half South Division champions are 54-42 overall.
Family Fights Parole To Keep Murderers Behind Bars
July 20, 2016
PAROLE DENIED. Click here for an update.
Several North Escambia residents are hoping to help stop the parole of two Nokomis men behind bars for the 1993 murder of a woman and 12-year old girl.
Shannon Dean Barlow, 38, and Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr., 42, are both serving life sentences with the possibility of parole for the murders of Kathy Victor Hall Barlow and Angel Marie Hall.
On October 10, 1993, the Barlow brothers went out with Albert Ganoe “Rocky” Beasley, consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana. They then went to the home of Kathy Barlow in Perdido, Ala., shooting her in the head with a .410-gauge shotgun when she opened the door. According to testimony, he then went to the room of Angel Hall, 12, raped her and shot her in the face.
“The reason why Shannon and Frankie Barlow doesn’t deserve parole is because they viciously murdered my aunt and cousin. They blew my aunt’s head off with a shotgun. They raped, stabbed, strangled, and beat my cousin till her body finally died. There should be no reason in the world why they should be let out. They possess a spirit inside of them that society cannot handle,” Masha Maher of Century said.
Shannon Barlow was sentenced to three consecutive life terms, and Franklin Barlow was sentenced to two life sentences. Both are now eligible for parole from the Limestone Correction Facility in Alabama. Beasley remains behind bars, sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
“Another five years and here we are again. It is so sad that victims have to re-live a horrible nightmare over and over again. They should not even have the right for a parole hearing. Their past speaks for itself. They did this horrible crime and pled guilty to murder. They should stay there the rest of their lives. So please pray with us for justice. Kathy and Angel, we will fight these parole hearings for the rest of our lives and theirs. They do not deserve the right to walk the streets anymore. They are a threat to us and society,” said Barlow’s sister, Janie Criswell of McDavid.
The Barlows will have a parole hearing on August 2. Family of the victims is encouraging the public to speak out against parole for the Barlow brothers. Personal protests can be emailed to debra.bonds@paroles.alabama.gov and petitions can be faxed to (334) 353-7701. An online petition can be signed here.
Pictured: This undated photograph shows murder victims Kathy Barlow and 12-year old Angel Hall. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heat Index Up To 107, Some Thunderstorms Today
July 20, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Commission Gives Final OK To Fire Tax Increase To Staff South-End Stations
July 20, 2016
Tuesday evening, the Escambia County Commission gave final approval to a residential fire tax increase to staff south end fire stations with paid firefighters .
The commission voted 4-1, with Steven Barry dissenting, to add the $25.33, increasing the fire tax for the average homeowner from $100 to $125.33 beginning with the next fiscal year.
The proceeds from the extra $25 per year municipal services benefit unit assessment (MSBU) will fund 24/7 paid firefighters at the Myrtle Grove, Innerarity Point and Bellview stations, plus fund $150,000 in volunteer firefighter stipend increases.
Commissioner Steven Barry voted against supporting the $25 MSBU increase because no District 5 station will receive additional benefits.
Last year, Escambia County increase the fire MSBU by $15 to fund full-time staff at Ferry Pass and West Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.