Lawmakers Tee Up Debate On High School Sports
January 15, 2016
The battle between lawmakers and the Florida High School Athletic Association started again Thursday, with House and Senate committees approving measures that the organization says would hurt it financially.
The House Education Committee unanimously approved one version (HB 31), clearing the way for that bill to move to the House floor. In what was arguably a bigger defeat for the association, the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee overwhelmingly approved the Senate counterpart (SB 1026) on a 9-1 vote.
The Senate’s bill still has two committee stops to go, and a fiercer fight over the legislation is expected to take place. The FHSAA did not address the bill before the House committee.
“It appears as if the efforts are being focused on the Senate side,” said House sponsor Ross Spano, R-Dover.
The proposals would allow schools to join the FHSAA on a per-sport basis and limit how much can be charged for some association-sponsored competitions. Currently, a school that joins the FHSAA in any sport has to be a member in every sport.
“The practical effect of (the association’s rule) is that smaller schools who just can’t field competitive teams for the larger sports end up suffering,” Spano said.
The legislation would allow those schools to “have a choice of where their kids belong,” in the words of Stuart Weiss, president of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. Schools in Weiss’ organization play football separately from the FHSAA, but still have to be members and have to honor the larger association’s rules.
“We believe that schools should have choice and control of their sports,” Weiss said.
But Roger Dearing, executive director of the FHSAA, said the proposal could undermine the association financially. Much like college athletics, high-school sports use revenues from major programs like football and basketball to offset losses in less popular sports.
“Our concern is, it’s the revenues from those postseason games that go to pay for all the sports,” Dearing told the Senate committee. “So if they’re not going to contribute any money on the postseason games but still expect us to oversee the expenses for tennis and golf and soccer and all those, that’s where that part comes in.”
The association is going along for now with a separate Senate bill (SB 684), by Sens. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that has a per-sport membership provision for private schools. An amendment approved by the Senate panel on Thursday removed language from Gaetz and Stargel’s bill that would have allowed that provision to apply to public schools as well.
That measure would ease some restrictions on student-athletes who transfer while strengthening penalties for recruiting, which is banned under FHSAA guidelines. It was approved unanimously by the Senate committee.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Judge Gives Green Light To Gambling Lawsuit
January 15, 2016
The Seminole Tribe’s lawsuit against Florida over failed negotiations on a gambling deal is moving forward after a federal judge refused to toss the case.
In a five-page order last week, U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle rejected a request from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office to dismiss the case.
The legal dispute stems from a 2010 gambling agreement, known as a “compact,” between the state and the Seminoles. A part of the deal giving tribal casinos the exclusive rights to offer banked card games, such as blackjack, expired this summer. After the end of a 90-day grace period that allowed the tribe to continue offering the games, the Seminoles filed a lawsuit in October in federal court in Tallahassee.
The lawsuit accused the state of acting in “bad faith” about negotiations on a new gambling deal and asked a judge to allow the tribe to keep offering the card games. Less than a week later, the state filed a separate lawsuit in Tampa, seeking to stop the games.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires states to negotiate in good faith with tribes seeking gambling authority. Florida argued that the federal law only requires states to negotiate initial compacts but not to renegotiate deals when they expire.
“The contention is plainly wrong,” Hinkle wrote.
States are expected to negotiate an extension or a new compact as a compact nears its end, Hinkle wrote.
“Any reading of the act that would suggest a state has no duty to negotiate at that time would make no sense — it would mean that when a state’s first compact with a tribe ended, the state would be relieved of any obligation to negotiate a new or extended compact,” he wrote.
Hinkle also consolidated the tribe’s lawsuit and the state’s lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee, with a trial scheduled to start in July.
Amid the legal battling, Gov. Rick Scott and the tribe last month announced they had reached a new agreement that would allow the Seminoles to add craps and roulette at tribal casinos in exchange for $3 billion to the state over seven years. But the deal requires the authorization of the Legislature, and Republican leaders in both chambers have said that the proposed compact would have to be modified to get lawmakers’ approval.
A Senate committee is expected to discuss the compact at a meeting next week. Lawmakers are in session through March 11.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Not The Drive-Thru: Driver Collides With Whataburger Building
January 15, 2016
There were no injuries when a driver collided with a support post at the Century Whataburger restaurant late Thursday afternoon. The building suffered minor damage. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Charged With Burgess Road Murder
January 15, 2016
Three people have been charged with a January 11 murderer on East Burgess Road.
Bryan Marquis Simmons, Jezzamay Arline Atherton and David Lee Calland have been charged with the murder of Darel Devonte Mims.
During the investigation it was determined the incident was not a random home invasion. The suspects were at Mims’ home making a drug transaction when Mims was shot and killed, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
All three suspects are being held in the Escambia County Jail.
Drivers Can Expect Delays Today On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
January 14, 2016
Traffic on State Road 4 at the Escambia River Bridge in Century may encounter lane restrictions until late afternoon as crews perform routine maintenance work. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
VIP Train Will Roll Next Month As Officials Study Rail Service Return To Gulf Coast
January 14, 2016
[FIRST ON NORTHESCAMBIA.COM]
The return of passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast is taking one more major step toward reality with a special train set to roll through the area in February.
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited passenger train, which included service from New Orleans through Pensacola to Jacksonville, came to an end along the Gulf Coast due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. The restored rail service would breathe life back into abandoned train stations in Pensacola and Atmore, but now there is at least one option being discussed that would not see service restored in Florida.
“We are on the cusp hopefully of retrieving our lost rail service,” Jerry Gehman, Atmore’s representative to the Southern Rail Commission, announced Wednesday. “The specifics have now been nailed down to where we will have a train event in our city February 18. There will be what is called a VIP train, or an inspection train, that Amtrak will run from New Orleans to Jacksonville, FL. On that train, it’s intended purpose is to build support at the state level for funding the cost of this train as far as the state’s share is concerned.
The invitation-only train will arrive in Atmore at 3:55 p.m. on February 18. Passengers will board buses to spend the night at the Wind Creek Hotel in Atmore, while the empty train will continue. On the morning of Feburary 19, the passengers will be bused to Pensacola to re-board the train at 8 a.m. and continue on to stops in Crestview, Chipley, Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
The train is a test of sorts, testing the potential route and testing the willingness of state leaders from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana to provide millions in funding for the daily train service.
“That’s what this train is designed to do….to bring community leaders, local state and federal to the table to talk about it to see if we can get the money to fund one of three options. All three of those options include Atmore, and I’m really excited,” Gehman said. If the states are willing to pay up, the earliest Gehman said the train would roll would be about 24 months.
One of the options being considered by Amtrak, according to Gehman, would return train service from New Orleans only to Atmore, while other options would continue into Florida to Pensacola and Orlando. The route into Florida would depend on the state’s willingness to financially support the service.
The Poarch Creek Indians are extremely support of the return of rail service, not only to Atmore, but along the Pensacola to Jacksonville route along which the tribe has gaming properties, or at least plans for gaming property, Gehman said. While a member of the tribe, he noted that was not speaking officially on their behalf during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
The Atmore area could also benefit from new jobs the rail route would create.
“That daily service train would have to be serviced, and they (Amtrak) have interest in us facilitating that in our community,” he said. The Poarch Creek Indians own property alongside the railroad line, and they have expressed interest in bringing the train maintenance to Atmore, along with about 20 daily jobs.
Atmore officials are planning to make a huge impression on the VIP passengers when the arrive in the city for their overnight stay on February 19. The plan to meet the train with huge fanfare — high school bands, color guards, school groups and thousands of local residents.
The city is also asking residents to clean up their homes and businesses prior to February 19, according to Mayor Jim Staff. The city will use plywood to re-deck the aging train platform at the Atmore train station, which also services as Alabama’s Official Rail Welcome Station. The town will install new flower boxes, flag decorations and more in their beautification efforts.
Pictured top: Jerry Gehman, Atmore’s representative to the Southern Rail Commission, says a special VIP inspection train will roll into the Atmore train station with invited passengers to spend the night of February 19 in Atmore. Pictured top inset: Gehman discusses a Southern Rain Commission report during a press conference Wednesday at the Atmore City Hall. Pictured bottom inset: Atmore Mayor Jim Staff listens during Wednesday’s announcement. Pictured below: The aging Atmore train station will be spruced up prior to the event, including the installation of new plywood decking. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Becoming Possible Tonight
January 14, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Rain likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 46. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly between 9pm and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Elderly Driver Cited After Nine Mile Wreck
January 14, 2016
There were no serious injuries in a Nine Mile Road accident late Tuesday morning in which an elderly driver failed to yield as an ambulance approached.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 79-year old Leo Muchorski, Jr. of Rochester, NY, was stopped eastbound in a left turn lane of Nine Mile Road at Pensacola Boulevard as an ambulance with the emergency lights activated approached the intersection. Muchorski attempted a left turn in his 2007 GMC Sierra, but turned into the path of a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 28-year old Melinda Harrell of Pensacola. Both vehicles overturned as a result of the collision.
Muchorski and his passenger, 78-year old Donna Muchorski, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Harrell and her passenger, 87-year old Jeffrey Harrell, received minor injuries but were not transported to the hospital.
Leo Muchorski was charged with failure to yield right of way.
$1.5 Billion Powerball Drawing Has Three Winners, One In Florida
January 14, 2016
Winning jackpot tickets in Wednesday’s record $1.59 billion Powerball drawing were sold in Florida, California and Tennessee.
Florida’s winning ticket was purchased at Publix on Highway A1A in Melbourne Beach. Another winning ticket was sold in Chino Hills, CA, east of Los Angeles, according to the California Lottery, and a third in Munford, TN.
The drawing also produced 11 $1 million winners in Florida, along with one $2 million winner.
The winning Powerball numbers were 8-27-34-4-19 PB 10.
The jackpot winning tickets marked the first time the winning numbers were sold since November 7 when a series of 20 prize rollovers began.
Hundreds of people crowded stores to purchase tickets Wednesday in North Escambia, including Davisville where lottery hopefuls gridlocked traffic on Highway 97 just out of Atmore.
Pictured: Lottery hopefuls purchase Powerball tickets Wednesday afternoon at the State Line Gift Shop, which sold an $80 million winning Powerball ticket last year to an Alabama woman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Sentenced For Elaborate Plan To Torture, Kill Ex, Burn House Down
January 14, 2016
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison, of which a 20 year minimum mandatory sentence which must be served day for day or parole, for an elaborate plan to kill her ex-husband.
Nadine Sapp Harris, age 60, was convicted by an Escambia County jury for charges of attempted first degree murder, attempted false imprisonment, attempted arson, aggravated assault with a firearm, and battery. The charges stem from an elaborate plan to ambush, capture, torture and kill her ex-husband and to burn down the marital home.
Over a course of weeks Harris distributed hundreds of pounds of shredded or crumpled paper bundled into plastic grocery bags throughout the entirety of the three-story Escambia County home she had shared with her ex-husband. She placed paper in every dresser and cabinet drawer in the house, in cardboard boxes in every room, and inside the heating and cooling closets, return air vents and attic of the home. Some of the grocery bags were stacked in pyramid configurations placed into corners to maximize the intended fire’s intensity.
Harris planted over 115 drinking bottles that had been filled approximately one-third full with gasoline with the cap on. She also purchased thirteen bottles of charcoal lighter fluid from nearby Home Depot and Walmart stores on three separate trips, along with wooden dowels. She cut the wooden dowels down to 6-inch lengths and presoaked them in the lighter fluid to act as kindling for the fire. She also soaked the paper and all the mattresses in the home with lighter
fluid.
Then, on June 27th, 2014, Harris lured her ex-husband to the home. She parked her car three miles away and then sent him a text message that she was vacating the house – a condition of their divorce. Then she laid in wait. When the victim
came inside, she was waiting for him with a gun. She confronted him in the living room near the front door, and told him that she “was going to end it right here.” The evidence suggests she intended suicide as well as murder.
One fact saved the victim’s life. He had brought witnesses. The witnesses were outside at the time of the confrontation, but were within earshot. When Nadine Harris moved to close the open door, the victim desperately lunged for the gun. As they fought for control of the gun, Nadine Harris discharged one shot. The bullet missed the victim and buried itself in a wall.
After the discharge, the victim successfully disarmed the defendant and tossed the gun outside. He broke his hand in the process. After being disarmed of the handgun, Nadine Harris then produced a stun gun and attempted to shock the victim with it. He knocked the stun gun out of her hand. Then she pulled out a can of pepper spray and sprayed the victim. Nevertheless, after being sprayed with pepper spray, he wrestled the defendant to the ground and held her down until law enforcement arrived. While being held down, she also bit his forearm causing a significant wound.
The subsequent investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office revealed the extent of the defendant, Nadine Harris’s plan. They discovered the arson preparations. They discovered that within arm’s reach of where Nadine Harris had confronted her ex-husband, she had planted zip ties fashioned to serve as handcuffs, a strip of duct tape precut and ready to grab, a rope tied with a noose, and a small black duffel bag. Inside the duffel bag, Nadine Harris had placed the accelerant-soaked dowel rods, a lighter, a box of safety matches, more zip-tie handcuffs, a roll of duct tape, a pair of socks potentially to be used as a gag, a screwdriver, a folding camping saw, a drywall saw, and two clear easy-access containers full of muriatic acid.