Fire At Santa Rosa County Jail
November 5, 2016
About 7:15 Friday night, a small fire broke out at the Santa Rosa County Jail facility located on East Milton Road.
Sheriff’s deputies and detention personnel responded to an alarm in the laundry facility where a dryer was on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished with the assistance of local fire departments and SRSO staff. There were no indications of foul play.
The laundry facility is in a separate wing from inmate populations. No inmates were in the area during the course of this incident and there were no evacuations.
One Santa Rosa detention deputy was taken to a local area hospital as a precautionary measure for smoke inhalation. That deputy is going well, according to a department spokesman.
No services to the facility were disrupted and the facility remains in full operation.
Pictured: The dryer that burned inside the Santa Rosa County Jail Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Justices Reject Effort To Block Solar Amendment
November 5, 2016
The Florida Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a pair of legal moves aimed at striking down a solar-energy ballot initiative backed by major utilities.
In terse, single-line statements, justices dismissed as “moot” requests by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and the group Floridians for Solar Choice to reconsider the court’s approval of ballot language for the initiative known as Amendment 1.
Expressing disappointment with the rulings, the initiative’s critics maintained their view that Amendment 1 is “deceptive,” while saying they will focus the next few days on keeping the proposal from reaching the 60 percent voter approval needed for passage during Tuesday’s election.
“We wanted to give the court an opportunity to clean up the mess they have made by approving this amendment for the ballot,” Stephen Smith, a member of Floridians for Solar Choice and executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said in a statement. “Now it’s game on: We have a solar uprising happening in the Sunshine State. We ask everyone to vote no on 1 and we look forward to Tuesday when we will kill this once and for all.”
Sarah Bascom, a spokeswoman for Consumers for Smart Solar, the group spearheading the initiative, said there were no surprises in the court dismissing the “frivolous” requests.
“This was nothing more than a political stunt to deter voters’ attention in the final days of the election,” Bascom said in a statement.
The opposition groups filed the requests Wednesday, hoping justices would reconsider a 4-3 decision in March that approved the ballot language for Amendment 1.
The Supreme Court must sign off on the language of proposed constitutional amendments before they can go on the ballot. The court does not rule on the merits of proposed constitutional amendments. Instead, it considers wording requirements, such as whether proposals are limited to a single subject and are unambiguous.
Former Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero, representing Consumers for Smart Solar, argued in a court filing late Thursday that the requests should be dismissed because the only new information the opposition groups used was an audio tape that emerged last month “in which third parties allegedly describe the sponsor’s political motivations.”
Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and Floridians for Solar Choice, which have long contended that Amendment 1 is misleading, based their requests on a tape that included comments by Sal Nuzzo, vice president of policy at the James Madison Institute. On the tape, first reported by the Miami Herald, Nuzzo described how to use a “little bit of political jiu-jitsu” in promoting solar to win support for desired changes in policy.
In asking the court to dismiss the requests, Cantero argued that the critics were “reckless to accuse Consumers for Smart Solar of ‘fraud or other misconduct on the court’ based on newspaper articles citing the statements of a third party.”
“The motion alleges no facts specifying a fraud by the sponsor,” Cantero argued. “And even if the statements about the sponsor’s political motivations were accurate — they are not — a sponsor’s political motivations are irrelevant to whether a proposed amendment’s ballot summary and title should be placed on the ballot.”
The Tallahassee-based James Madison Institute has asserted that Nuzzo misspoke. Consumers for Smart Solar said the James Madison Institute wasn’t involved in planning or drafting the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Consumers for Smart Solar amendment would enshrine in the Florida Constitution existing rules about the use of solar energy by private property owners. The proposal also includes a more-contentious provision, which states that people who haven’t installed solar on their property “are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.”
Proponents say the second provision provides consumer protections for people who don’t install solar panels. But opponents argue it could result in “discriminatory charges” against rooftop solar users and limit the desire of people to go solar.
Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power have spent a combined $20.2 million in support of the amendment.
Friday Night Football Final Scores
November 5, 2016
Here are Friday night football scores from around the area:
FLORIDA
- South Walton 56, Jay 27
- West Florida 31, Washington 12
- Trinity Christian Academy 45, Pine Forest 22
- PACE 41, Catholic 7
- Escambia 31, PHS 16
- Baker 49, Liberty County 0
- Gulf Breeze 37, Crestview 13
- OFF: Northview, Tate
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 49, Evangel Christian Academy 6
- Wicksburg 34, T.R. Miller 28
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Department Fish Fry Is Today
November 5, 2016
The Annual Catfish Fry at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department is today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $8 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction. There will be bounce house and fire safety house for the kids. The Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive.
Firefighters Respond To Smoke In Residence
November 4, 2016
Firefighters responded to smoke in a residence on Lost Creek Drive north of East Kingsfield Friday afternoon. They were able to quickly evacuate the smoke from the residence. It is believed the smoke may have originated from a kitchen appliance. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Driver Tries To Create His Own Railroad Crossing
November 4, 2016
A driver tried unsuccessfully to cross railroad tracks in Cantonment without using a paved crossing Thursday night. Witnesses said the driver of this pickup truck drove through a parking lot on Woodbury Circle before attempting the crossing and colliding with the tracks. There were no injuries. The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced On Federal Child Exploitation Charges
November 4, 2016
An Escambia County man has been sentenced federal prison for child exploitation crimes.
Robert M. Grafton Jr., 30, was sentenced today to 15 years and will be required to register as a sex offender. A jury convicted Grafton of attempted enticement of a minor for sex, and Grafton also pled guilty to possession of child pornography just prior to jury selection for the trial.
At trial, the government presented evidence that in May 2015, Grafton communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer for the purpose of meeting a 12-year-old special needs child for sexual activity. Grafton was arrested when he arrived at the arranged meeting location in Pensacola. A search of his cellular telephone and digital media at his residence revealed numerous images and videos of child pornography. This included electronic folders in a hidden partition, which contained child pornography involving infants and toddlers.
“Tragically, the advantages of advanced technology also bring opportunities for child predators to contact and victimize the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said United States Attorney Canova. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute offenders who seek to harm children.”
“This predator attempted to target the most vulnerable in our society, a special needs child,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “The hard work of our HSI special agents and partners prevented him from harming a child, and our communities are safer with him behind bars.”
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Escambia Names New Extension Service Director
November 4, 2016
Nick Simmons has been named the new extension director and commercial livestock agent for Escambia County Extension
He joins Escambia County from Tippah County, Mississippi. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal and dairy science from Mississippi State University, Simmons is well-versed in agriculture, most recently serving as the Tippah County extension coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with Mississippi State University Extension.
As the new extension director, he will provide administrative support for Extension Services, overseeing the office and ensuring adequate resources are in place to provide educational programs and make a positive impact in the community. Simmons said he looks forward to facilitating continued growth and support of extension programs, working with the talented staff already in place in Escambia County.
“It’s such a diverse group that does so many different things, and my job is to make sure they’re supported and that their story is told to the ones that need to hear it,” Simmons said.
Simmons served for five years as the extension coordinator in Tippah County, covering all components of agriculture, including animal and plant systems, horticulture, timber production and land management. While studying at Mississippi State University, Simmons was president of the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and participated in collegiate 4-H and Block and Bridle Club.
Growing up in Saltillo, Mississippi, Simmons participated in 4-H from a young age, following in his family’s footsteps as a third generation 4-H member. His mother and grandmother also worked in extension services.
“So it was kind of a legacy-type thing, if you will,” Simmons said. “My family’s been involved with it for a long time.”
Simmons now has three children of his own with his wife, Michelle, and their 9-year-old son is already an active 4-H member. Along with the opportunity for professional growth, Simmons said he was drawn to the position with Escambia County because of the county’s abundant resources and strong 4-H program, which currently boasts about 245 members.
“It’s a beautiful part of the state, a beautiful part of the country,” Simmons said. “And then the 4-H program they have here was a big recruitment factor for me. We have the resources here to have one of, if not the premier, 4-H program in the country, we really do.”
One of Simmons’ goals as extension director is to continue to develop the county’s 4-H property in Molino, potentially adding new buildings and structures to provide the youth opportunities to succeed in a variety of educational fields.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on the livestock, but we have the capability of doing science and natural resource conservation-type teaching,” Simmons said. “So I think that’s where we have an area that we can really, really grow over the next few years.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
November 4, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending October 27 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Barnard inspected a fisherman’s catch when he returned to the Archie Glover Boat Ramp and found him in possession of 14 gallons of blue crabs. The legal limit is 10 gallons. A notice to appear citation was issued to the individual for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received information about a baited area within the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA). He and Officer Arnette located the area and discovered it to be baited with corn and a tree stand and a game camera set up. During the opening of archery season, Officer Hutchinson located a vehicle parked on a closed road near the bait. He walked into the baited area and discovered a hunter in the tree stand approximately 15 yards from a large pile of corn. The hunter admitted to placing the bait out and hunting over it. The subject informed Officer Hutchinson that he baited the site several times prior to the hunting season. The subject was charged with placing grain on a WMA and attempting to take deer over bait within a WMA. He was also issued an infraction citation for driving on a closed road and had to remove the hunting equipment from the baited site.
Officer Arnette located a bait site within the Blackwater WMA prior to archery season. Officers Arnette and Hutchinson later returned to the area approximately two hours after daylight and walked into the baited site where they observed a hunter sitting in a tree stand overlooking a large pile of corn. The corn was approximately 20 feet from the base of the tree. The subject stated “I didn’t know the corn was here until I climbed up this morning at daylight.” While walking the subject back to the area where his brother was to pick him up, Officer Hutchinson observed several cut trees along a trail. After further investigation, the subject admitted to placing the bait in the WMA and hunting over bait. He also admitted to damaging/cutting trees on the state forest property. The subject was charged with placing grain/corn on a WMA and attempting to take deer over bait within the WMA. He was also issued a written warning for cutting/damaging trees on a WMA. When the subject’s brother arrived to pick him up, the officers recognized him as being another subject they caught earlier in the morning hunting over bait in a WMA. After interviewing the second subject again, he admitted to helping his brother place bait on the WMA.
Officer Lewis received a complaint from a hunter that had a game camera and SD card stolen from an area he was scouting for the upcoming archery season in the Blackwater WMA. The hunter also found a pile of corn in the area. On opening day of archery season, Officer Lewis observed a white female in a tree stand, hunting with a bow over the pile of corn. When asked if she was hunting with someone else, she said her husband was hunting down the road. Officer Lewis located her husband in a tree stand, hunting with a bow. Officer Lewis found remnants of a corn pile approximately 20 yards out from the direction the husband’s stand was facing. The husband stated that he dropped his wife off at her spot while it was still dark. He stated that he drove to his spot and climbed the tree he was in while it was still dark. Both subjects stated they did not know the corn was there. When questioned about the stolen game cameras, they stated they knew nothing about it. Officer Lewis charged them both with attempting to take wildlife in a WMA on lands upon which grain or other food had been deposited.
Officers P. and J. Rockwell were on land patrol in Blackwater WMA and observed a white Ford F150 parked on the side of the road. The officers got out of their patrol vehicle and observed two men in the woods. One was at the bottom of a tree and the other was lowering his bow from the tree while in his stand. The officers made contact with the subjects and found bait 15 yards from the hunter in the tree stand. During the subsequent interview, the subject admitted to putting out the bait that morning. Officer J. Rockwell charged the man with placing, exposing, or distributing any grain or other food for wildlife in a WMA.
Officer Jones was patrolling the Eglin WMA when he found a recently dumped pile of construction debris near Five Forks Road in Navarre. Officer Jones, with assistance from Investigator Schafer, initiated an investigation to determine who dumped the debris and learned that two construction workers dumped the debris, which was supposed to go to the landfill a few days earlier. Both suspects were issued citations for illegal dumping and were required to clean up the area.
On the opening days of archery season, officers assigned to south Santa Rosa County conducted a targeted enforcement detail on the Eglin WMA. Five officers worked approximately 80 hours targeting the illegal taking of deer, hunting in the closed areas and illegal entry into Eglin. Several arrests were made for illegal entry, hunting and permit violations and the taking of deer by illegal method during this detail.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Cantonment Man Critical After Motorcycle Crash
November 4, 2016
A Cantonment man was critically injured when the motorcycle on which he was riding was rear-ended Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 87-year old Thomas James Harwell was northbound on Highway 29 approaching Diamond Dairy Road about 7:00. He failed to stop for traffic and his 1994 pickup collided with the rear of a Honda Goldwing driven by 53-year old Phillip Roger Bryant of Cantonment. Bryant was thrown from his motorcycle by the force of the collision.
Bryant was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with critical injuries. Harwell was not injured.
Any charges are pending the outcome of a FHP investigation.