Warm Pattern Continues, Cooler By The Weekend
October 18, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Areas of fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Areas of fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind.
Thursday: Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Judge Rules Against State On Ballot Signatures
October 18, 2016
In a blistering decision little more than three weeks before Election Day, a federal judge has ruled that a Florida law that could lead to the rejection of thousands of vote-by-mail ballots is unconstitutional.
The 30-page ruling Sunday by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker focused on situations in which voters’ signatures submitted with mail-in ballots do not appear to match signatures on file with county supervisors of elections. Under a 2004 law, such mail-in ballots are rejected.
But siding with the Florida Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee in a lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Walker issued a preliminary injunction ordering a process that would allow voters to resolve questions about such “mismatched signature ballots” — and have the ballots counted.
Walker called the state law “indefensible” and said it threatened to disenfranchise voters.
“During this election cycle, millions of voters across the state will march happily to their mailbox and attempt to exercise their fundamental right to vote by mailing their vote-by-mail ballot,” Walker wrote. “After the election, thousands of those same voters — through no fault of their own and without any notice or opportunity to cure — will learn that their vote was not counted. If disenfranchising thousands of eligible voters does not amount to a severe burden on the right to vote, then this court is at a loss as to what does.”
A key part of Walker’s ruling was that state law has allowed voters a process to fix — or, in legal parlance, “cure” — vote-by-mail ballots that do not include signatures. But it has not allowed a similar process for when signatures do not appear to match.
“It is illogical, irrational, and patently bizarre for the state of Florida to withhold the opportunity to cure from mismatched-signature voters while providing that same opportunity to no-signature voters,” Walker wrote. “And in doing so, the state of Florida has categorically disenfranchised thousands of voters arguably for no reason other than they have poor handwriting or their handwriting has changed over time.”
The ruling came as Democrats and Republicans try to round up every possible vote before the Nov. 8 general election, as Florida plays a critical role in the presidential race. It also came just days after Walker ordered that Florida’s voter-registration deadline be extended a week because of interruptions caused by Hurricane Matthew.
In a document filed Saturday, an attorney for Detzner argued that the vote-by-mail lawsuit should be dismissed. In part, the document said county election canvassing boards — not Detzner — are responsible for carrying out the law dealing with mismatched signatures. As a result, it argued that Detzner should be shielded from the lawsuit under the legal concept known as sovereign immunity.
“In sum, the secretary of state is not ‘responsible’ for carrying out the comparison mandated by the challenged statute,” the document said. “That responsibility is given to county officials and boards. Nor has the secretary attempted to carry out or second guess a comparison of signatures. Nor does the secretary have the power to simply issue orders to the independently elected supervisors of election or canvassing boards to take specific action with respect to the comparison of signatures. The alleged injury complained of would not be inflicted by the secretary, but by these local officials.”
But Walker rejected that argument, writing it is, “at best, disingenuous” for Detzner to contend he could not direct local elections officials to comply with a court order on the signature issue.
Walker also rejected the possibility that the law could be needed to prevent voter fraud.
“Indeed, this court is not being asked to order that any specific vote be counted, let alone those that are fraudulent,” he wrote. “Rather, this court is simply being asked to require that mismatched-signature voters have the same opportunity to cure as no-signature voters. In fact, letting mismatched-signature voters cure their vote by proving their identity further prevents voter fraud — it allows supervisors of elections to confirm the identity of that voter before their vote is counted.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Florida Lottery Sales Break Records
October 18, 2016
The Florida Lottery announced a record-breaking first quarter with ticket sales exceeding $1.44 billion. That broke the previous first quarter record of $1.35 billion, set last year, by $97 million. The Lottery’s first quarter contribution to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) is expected to reach $388 million, a 10.23% increase over the same period last year.
“To begin a new fiscal year with such promising sales is a tremendous accomplishment for the Florida Lottery,” said Secretary Tom Delacenserie. “Record sales mean great things for Lottery players and retailers, but most importantly for our state’s education system. Because of our hardworking sales team and Lottery staff, as well as our loyal players and retailers, I know this is only the beginning of what the Lottery will achieve this year.”
Strong scratch-Off sales of more than $957 million, along with the multi-state Powerball ,with sales exceeding $115 million, helped account for the majority of the Lottery’s new first quarter record gains. Powerball reached its fifth largest jackpot ever at $478 million in July. Sales from this jackpot contributed more than $38.5 million to education in Florida.
State Grant Funding $25K Update To Century’s Land Development Code
October 18, 2016
The Town of Century has hired a firm to update their aging Land Development Code, thanks to a state grant.
The town received a $25,000 Division of Community Development’s Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to update their LDC, which was adopted on April 29, 1991.
Monday night, the Century Town Council awarded a contract for the work to Peggy Fowler and Associates, which submitted the only proposal.
The public with have an opportunity to weigh in on any changes to Century’s LDC, as the process calls for at least three public workshops and a public hearing before the town council.
Escambia Woman Faces 30 Years After High Speed Chase
October 18, 2016
An Escambia County woman faces a minimum of 30 years in state prison after a high speed chase during which she crashed into a deputy.
Charmaine Brown was convicted of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer with lights and siren activated at high speed, grand theft auto, grand theft of a firearm, criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence.
On July 30, 2015, Brown was at the home of an elderly gentleman. She was caught by the victim rummaging through his personal belongings. The victim confronted Brown with a firearm, a struggle ensued and the gun was discharged. The victim was unharmed and Brown fled with the gun and in the victim’s car with another individual. Law enforcement arriving on the scene, saw the car leave at high speed. Officers pursued, believing that the elderly gentleman may have been kidnapped.
During the pursuit, Brown nearly struck an occupied law enforcement officer’s vehicle that was blocking traffic. The chase began in the area of the Barrancas Bridge and terminated in Perdido after the defendant crashed into another law enforcement officer’s occupied vehicle. During the course of the chase, Brown drove erratically and at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Charmaine Brown was taken into custody without incident.
Judge Gary Bergosh scheduled Brown’s sentencing for November 8p.m. Brown qualifies a prison releasee reoffender and faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in state prison.
Teens: Pizza And Walking Dead Books At The Molino Library
October 18, 2016
A “Pizza and Books” program will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
Teens 13-17 are invited to join this book club designed to focus on their favorite reads. This month, participants will discuss the “Walking Dead” novels and play zombie-themed games. And the library will provide the free pizza.
The Molino Branch Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
PPD Lt. Scott McDonald Retires
October 18, 2016
A law enforcement career that began as a cadet and ended as a lieutenant concluded Monday when Scott McDonald retired from the Pensacola Police Department.
McDonald was hired by the department as a cadet on January 10, 1983. Among his assignments during the next 33 years would be community relations, property management, uniform patrol, TAC, and vice and narcotics.
He was promoted to police officer on March 5, 1984; to sergeant on June 19, 1995; and to lieutenant on December 23, 1999.
On April 10, 2006, he transferred to the Administrative, Technology & Services Division and remained there until his retirement today. Among his duties as a lieutenant in ATSD were fleet management and updating mobile radios in police vehicles and officers’ portable radios.
He also supervised a two-year $7 million overhaul of the department’s communications center. The upgrade brought state-of-the-art equipment into the department and also offered a work environment designed to offer various degrees of comfort for telecommunicators.
McDonald recently was presented the Chief’s Award from Chief David Alexander III in recognition of his diligence and dedication to improving the communications center.
Lt. McDonald and his wife Jennifer have lived in Molino for 22 years, and will continue calling the area “home” in his retirement.
Bennie J. Conner Butler
October 18, 2016
Bennie Butler left this world on October 15, 2016, and was welcomed into the presence of her Heavenly Father. Bennie Jo Conner Butler, 89, was a long-time resident of Pensacola. She was born on September 26, 1927, and on September 14, 1943, she married the love of her life, James E. “Jim” Butler, Sr. They were married for 69 years at the time of his death in 2012.
Affectionately known as “Thuther”, she demonstrated God’s love in a life of service. Her home and table knew no stranger and was always open to any and all. She was passionately devoted to her husband and extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, supporting and encouraging them in all their endeavors. As a devoted “Baseball Wife” and “Baseball Mom”, she served others as if they were her own. As a passionate Christ follower, she taught Sunday School at East Brent Baptist Church for decades. Her life was a labor of love.
“Thuther” is survived by her children, Darlyn Butler, Penny Butler Pittman (Josh), James E. “Skip” Butler, Jr. (Karen), Randy Butler (Stephanie), and Jodie Butler (Kristen), and her grandchildren, Tiffini Butler, Michelle Godwin, Jenny Fromsdorf, Michael Paquette, Charity Butler, James E. “Jet” Butler III, J. R. Butler, and Anwyn Butler, as well as 9 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, her sisters-in-laws, Mary Joyce Lambert, Hazel Scurry and Sara Criswell. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim, her parents, Henry and Grace Conner, brother Riles Conner, and sister Margaret Wilhite.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, October 19, at 11:00 am at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home with visitation prior to service beginning at 10:00. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Olive Baptist Church Relaunch (New Middle School Building) Program or the East Brent Baptist Church Building Program
Extended Voter Registration Deadline Is Today
October 18, 2016
Florida’s extended voter registration deadline ends today at 5 p.m.
The office of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to receive applications and assist eligible voters.
The registration deadline was last week, but a federal judge ordered an extension of the registration deadline across Florida because of Hurricane Matthew.
Raymond Michael Green
October 18, 2016
Raymond Michael Green, age 66, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Pensacola. He was born March 13, 1950, in Century to R. A. and Lillian Huie Green.
A time of visitation will be held Thursday, October 20, 2016, in the chapel of Jay Funeral Home, 3853 Highway 4 from 6 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, October 21, 2016, in the chapel beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend William Chancery officiating. Committal services will follow at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Cemetery, 140 West Bogia Road McDavid.