Blue Wahoos Lose To Jacksonville; Still In First
May 22, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were 0-9 with runners in scoring position and fell, 4-0, Saturday to the Jacksonville Suns at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Although Pensacola lost Saturday and is 5-5 in its last 10 games, they remain tied for first with Biloxi. The Shuckers took over first after beating the Blue Wahoos April 19. The Blue Wahoos are 25-18 on the season in the Southern League South Division, while the Shuckers are 24-17. Biloxi lost to the Tennessee Smokies, 10-9, Saturday when the Smokies scored nine runs in the seventh and eighth to come from behind to win.
Jacksonville got on the scoreboard first. Suns catcher Francisco Arcia singled to right field to drive in first baseman Brady Shoemaker with one out to go up, 1-0.
Suns third baseman James Roberts drew a bases loaded walk with two out in the sixth inning that scored left fielder Austin Dean, giving Jacksonville a 2-0 lead.
The Suns then put the game away in the eighth inning. Cam Maron pinch hit for Jacksonville and singled in Arcia, 3-0, with one out in eighth inning. Jacksonville center fielder Yefri Perez then hit a deep sacrifice fly to center to score James Roberts from third to give Jacksonville, 4-0, lead in eighth.
Jacksonville pitcher Austin Brice 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk and struck out six. He improved his record to 3-2 and lowered his ERA to 1.99.
Pensacola pitcher Barrett Astin got the spot start and ended up getting his first loss of the season, falling to 3-1. He pitched three innings gave up one hit, one run, walked four and struck out four.
Blue Wahoos third baseman Eric Jagielo led Pensacola at the plate going 2-4. Pensacola left fielder Tony Renda got a hit in his third straight game against Jacksonville and is now 3-12 in the series.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Issues Of Authority
May 22, 2016
The issues in Florida were driven by questions of authority this week.
Did Florida utility regulators act within their authority by allowing Florida Power & Light to invest ratepayers’ money in a controversial Oklahoma natural-gas project? Did the Obama administration overreach with “guidance” dealing with how public schools should treat transgender students? Can an inmate essentially shut down a Death Row appeal being pursued by his attorney?
Some of the questions were answered — the Supreme Court shot down FPL’s plans — and some were left hanging. When it came to the treatment of transgender students, no one at the highest levels of state government seemed particularly eager to respond at all.
POWER OUTAGE
The decision about the Florida Public Service Commission’s authority to approve the Oklahoma natural-gas project came on a 6-1 ruling by the state Supreme Court, an unusual margin for a court that often decides cases unanimously or on an ideologically divided 5-2 basis.
But Justice Ricky Polston, who generally votes with fellow conservative Justice Charles Canady, wrote the decision saying that the utility-regulatory commission overstepped its bounds by giving FPL the go-ahead to invest in drilling and production of natural gas in what is known as the Woodford Gas Reserves Project.
“This may be a good idea, but whether advance cost recovery of speculative capital investments in gas exploration and production by an electric utility is in the public interest is a policy determination that must be made by the Legislature,” Polston wrote. “For example, in contrast to natural gas exploration and production, the Legislature has authorized the PSC to approve cost recovery for capital investments in nuclear power plants and energy efficient and renewable energy power sources.”
FPL had argued that by passing along the costs for production, the project would help shield the utility’s customers from future price swings for natural gas.
Joining Polston were Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, Peggy Quince and James E.C. Perry. Canady dissented, arguing that the Public Service Commission acted within its legal authority.
“The purpose of the Woodford project is to acquire natural gas, which is used to produce approximately 65 percent of the electricity FPL generates,” Canady wrote. “Acquiring natural gas is therefore necessary for and integrally related to FPL’s primary function of generating electricity.”
FPL was “disappointed” in the decision that could potentially have “long-term negative impact on customers’ bills,” spokeswoman Sarah Gatewood said in an email.
“We continue to believe the Woodford project is a smart long-term investment on behalf of FPL’s customers that will help us provide reliable electricity at low and stable prices by investing directly at the source to provide rate stability and reduce risk for our customers,” Gatewood wrote. “We also believe the PSC was on solid ground in approving a utility’s natural gas investment used in the provision of electric service, and appreciate its careful consideration of this innovative approach.”
FPL has collected about $78.4 million for the Woodford project, which is already providing natural gas for the company. The total comes to less than $1 a month on a typical customer’s bill. It remains unknown if any money will have to be refunded.
BATHROOM BRAWL
With the May 13 release of new guidance by federal officials that school districts should allow transgender students to use restrooms and other facilities of their choice, the fallout in Florida began spreading this week.
The most prominent upshot was social conservatives trying to push Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi to defy the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama. But neither Scott nor Bondi seemed eager to wade into the fight.
State Rep. Janet Adkins publicly announced that she had asked Bondi to address whether the Obama administration’s guidance is tantamount to a federal rule, or if it violates the 10th Amendment’s guarantee of state sovereignty for Florida.
“To craft a special class of rights for certain individuals and to allow people to make decisions based on how they identify their gender creates a chaotic environment for the school administrators,” said Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, in a statement released by her office. “This is illogical and harms the greater need for an orderly learning environment that promotes the safety and well-being of all students.”
Adkins, who chairs the state House K-12 Subcommittee, is running for schools superintendent in Nassau County.
But Bondi’s office demurred. In a letter responding to Adkins, Florida Deputy Attorney General Kent Perez thanked the lawmaker for her curiosity but declined to address the question directly.
“We do not issue legal opinions on federal law,” Perez wrote.
Scott’s office continued to say it was reviewing the issue, even as Republican congressional candidates and one of the state’s highest-profile conservative groups pushed him to get involved.
The Florida Family Policy Council issued a letter by President John Stemberger calling on supporters to sign an online petition asking Scott to defy the Obama administration.
“For starters, the governors in at least six states have told the Obama administration they will NOT comply with his unlawful and dangerous edict,” Stemberger wrote. “But Florida is not yet one of them. We need your help to make that happen. States MUST push back!”
In contrast, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida issued a letter Thursday calling on Scott and Bondi to stand down.
ACLU of Florida Executive Director Howard Simon said allowing public school students to use facilities corresponding to their stated gender identity — rather than their sex at birth — “is not only required by law, but it is also the right thing to do.”
“When transgender students are required to use separate facilities, it does not go unnoticed by other students,” Simon wrote. “Being separated from other students in this way would be damaging to anyone, but it is especially harmful for transgender children.”
One reason politicians might not be eager to get involved was represented by another development in Florida government. Health officials said they have started listing both spouses on birth certificates of children born into same-sex marriages and hope to have new birth certificates adding the option of “parent” — in addition to “mother” and “father” — by mid-July, according to court documents filed this week.
In a court filing, the state said U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s March 31 final order in a lawsuit that overturned the state’s gay-marriage ban made it possible for the forms to be changed. Hinkle’s order came more than a year after same-sex marriages became legal in Florida and long after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state bans on gay marriage last June.
Five or 10 years ago, such a ruling would have seemed unlikely. But legal standards and public opinion on LGBT issues have been evolving rapidly, and ambitious politicians might not want to go any further on those debates than they have to.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Meanwhile, the state’s ongoing battle over the death penalty was roiled again this week, when a Death Row inmate whose execution is on hold asked the Florida Supreme Court to abandon, in his case, consideration of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the state’s death-penalty sentencing process.
The Florida Supreme Court earlier this year indefinitely postponed the execution of Mark James Asay, a convicted double murderer who was scheduled to be put to death on March 17. The ruling was prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found Florida’s death penalty sentencing system gave too much power to judges, and not juries.
The state’s high court has focused on the fallout of the decision, which came in a case known as Hurst v. Florida, in more than a dozen Florida death penalty cases since the opinion was issued in January.
During the legislative session that ended in March, Florida lawmakers hurriedly crafted a “fix” to the state law — which defense lawyers contend is flawed — in response to the Jan. 12 ruling,
Under Florida’s new law, juries will have to unanimously determine “the existence of at least one aggravating factor” before defendants can be eligible for death sentences. The law also requires at least 10 jurors to recommend the death penalty in order for the sentence to be imposed, and it did away with a feature of the old law that allowed judges to override juries’ recommendations of life in prison instead of death.
A jury in Asay’s case recommended death on both first-degree murder counts with a vote of 9-3.
Since the Hurst ruling, lawyer Marty McClain — who was appointed after Scott signed a death warrant for Asay — has argued that the new law should apply to Asay and that the prisoner should receive a life sentence, based on a 1972 Florida law that required death sentences to be reduced to life imprisonment without parole if the death penalty is overturned.
“While Mr. McLain (sic) is indeed an honorable and excellent attorney in the rush and exigency of proceeding under a death warrant counsel has moved this court to review and to address claims relating to sentencing issues that petitioner simply is not interested in seeking relief from and now wishes to waive,” Asay wrote in a handwritten, two-page document filed with the Supreme Court.
Documents filed by Asay on Monday and Thursday appear to indicate that he is interested in pursuing appeals based on new or rejected evidence related to his case.
The court could ignore Asay’s request, ask the state to weigh in, ask McClain to respond, or send the case back to the trial court, according to legal experts.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Florida Supreme Court rejected a decision by utility regulators to allow Florida Power & Light to charge customers for an investment in an Oklahoma natural-gas project.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A right guaranteed by the Florida and United States Constitutions cannot be bargained away by a legislative compromise. To allow a non-unanimous verdict only in cases where the ultimate penalty is to be decided stands the Eighth Amendment ‘death is different’ principle on its head.”—10th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Rex Dimmig, in a friend-of-the-court brief dealing with whether a jury must unanimously agree to impose the death penalty.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Eunice Hardy Goodwin
May 22, 2016
Eunice passed away in the early morning of May 20, 2016. Eunice was born to Samuel and Lennie Hardy in Bell Fountain, AL. She was raised in Muscogee. Eunice was the only girl out of five children, all of whom preceded her in death. She attended Tate High School until the tenth grade when she left to take employment at Woolworth Five & Dime in Pensacola. Eunice married her childhood sweetheart, A.J. (Dude) Goodwin. They went on to raise seven children. Five sons, Ronnie (Collie) Goodwin, Donnie Goodwin, Bobby Goodwin, Larry (Doris) Goodwin and Eddie Goodwin; two daughters, Faye (Mike) Dees and Brenda (Terry) Bagwell. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Eunice was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was sure to always serve her family hot, home cooked meals every day and kept a spotless home. Eunice and Dude’s son, Bobby, was injured in an automobile accident in 1972 at age of 21, leaving him a quadriplegic. Eunice lovingly devoted her life to caring for Bobby until his death in 2012, at the age of 61. Bobby’s life expectancy exceeded the 20 years predicted to 40 years due to her excellent care. Eunice is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces and special friends. She will be dearly missed by family and all the friends in her life.
Eunice is preceded in death by her husband, “Dude” and two sons, Donnie and Bobby.
The family would like to thank the staff of Emerald Coast Hospice for their wonderful care and support during this trying time. Due to their help, mother was allowed to be cared for and remain at her home she so loved until her death. Also, a special thanks to Emil Arnold and Walker Arnold.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 12:30 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Freddie Stallworth officiating.
Interment will follow at Farmhill Methodist Cemetery.
Pallbearers will Donald Goodwin, Ethan Bagwell, Matthew Goodwin, Dillon Godwin, Dalton Krebs and Tyler Jackson.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
No Injuries Reported In Cottage Hill Rollover Crash
May 21, 2016
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident early Saturday morning in Cottage Hill.
The driver of a Dodge Grand Caravan lost control and flipped into a wooded area about 5:15 a.m. on Highway 95A and McKenzie Road. The driver refused medical transport; there were no passengers in the vehicle.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Additional details on the crash have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny Weekend
May 21, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
State Fire Marshal Investigating Suspicious Fire At Abandoned Century Home
May 21, 2016
The Florida State Fire Marhal’s Office is investigating the cause of a suspicious fire Friday night that damaged an abandoned home in Century.
The fire was reported by a passerby about 9:40 p.m. at 120 East Pond Street, a wood frame home that neighbors said had been unoccupied for a period of time. The home had no power, no water and no gas connections.
The fire was contained mostly to a couple of rooms inside the home.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill, Flomaton and Jay fire departments were dispatched to the fire, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott: Area’s Unemployment Drops, Sees Economic Growth
May 21, 2016
Gov Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 1,300 new private-sector jobs over the year in April. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.5 percentage point over the year to 4.5 percent.
Scott said, “Like the rest of our state, the Pensacola area continues to see economic growth with 1,300 new jobs added over the year. While today’s announcement is great news for Northwest Florida, we will keep working to create more opportunities across Florida so everyone who wants a job can find one.”
The industry with the greatest job growth in the Pensacola area over the year was education and health services with 500 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 5,039 job openings in April, with 1,253 openings for high-wage, high-skill, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent in April, down from 4.9 percent in March and the lowest mark for the state in more than eight years. The preliminary April jobless rate represented an estimated 472,000 Floridians being out of work — 6,000 fewer than revised March numbers — from a workforce of 9.8 million, the state Department of Economic Development announced Friday.
Two Honored For Saving Deputy After Beulah Crash
May 21, 2016
A deputy and a citizen have been recognized “for displaying exceptional courage and selflessness in the midst of great personal danger” and actions that saved the life of another deputy following a traffic crash last month in Beulah.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Hector Escajeda, 31, was southbound on Beulah Road April 11 when he ran a stop sign at Mobile Highway and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Jon Yvarra, 58, of Pensacola. After the collision, the deputy’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire.
Senior Deputy Robert Guy and civilian Craig Morado removed Deputy Escajeda from the vehicle as he was non-responsive and the vehicle was on fire. Escajeda was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and is recovering from his injuries.
Friday, Escambia County Sheriff Davis Morgan awarded Guy a Medal of Courage and Lifesaving Medal, and Morado received a Medal of Courage.
Yvarra and his passengers – Patricia Yvarra, 57; Damen Hadder, 12; James Hadder 13; and Christian Hadder, 10, were all transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. There has been no update on their conditions.
Pictured top: Sheriff David Morgan presents medals to Senior Deputy Robery Guy (left) and civilian Craig Morado Friday; courts photos/ Pictured inset and below: The April 11 accident scene; NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Says Court Should Reject ‘Docs V. Glocks’ Challenge
May 21, 2016
With a closely watched hearing little more than a month away, state attorneys have filed a final brief arguing that physicians have not shown they have legal standing to challenge Florida’s controversial “docs vs. glocks” law.
The brief filing came as the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments June 21 in the case.
The 2011 law, backed by groups such as the National Rifle Association, seeks to restrict doctors from asking questions and recording information about patients’ gun ownership. A group of plaintiffs, including individual doctors and medical groups, filed a federal lawsuit arguing the law violates First Amendment rights.
A federal district judge sided with them, but a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the law in three separate rulings. The full appeals court then agreed to take up the case.
In the brief, state attorneys argued that the plaintiffs do not have standing, at least in part because they have not shown the Florida Board of Medicine would discipline them for the gun-related conversations they want to have with patients. The state’s brief also contended the law does not violate the First Amendment.
“The act’s goals are not only substantiated; they are compelling,” the state brief said. “The act shields patients who own firearms from purposely irrelevant record-keeping, questioning, discrimination, and harassment, and thereby furthers the state’s compelling interest in protecting citizens’ fundamental right to keep and bear arms for defense of self and state.”
But in a brief filed last month, attorneys for the plaintiffs argued the law violates the First Amendment rights of physicians to discuss safety-related issues with patients.
“In (the law), the Florida Legislature does what no legislative body has done before or since; it prevents doctors from providing patients with truthful advice to keep their families healthy and safe — speech that is recommended as standard protocol by national medical associations,” the plaintiffs’ brief said.
Ahoy Matey! Bratt Elementary Top Readers Rewarded At The Treasure Library
May 21, 2016
Bratt Elementary School “Book-aneers” had a chance to visit the “Treasure Library” Friday — a year end treat for students with most “AR” — advanced reader — points.
In addition to snacks, students had the chance to pose for photos on a pirate ship, walk the plank while battling bubbles, send a message in a bottle from a deserted island and search for treasure during the fun-filled visit.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
