Senator Plans To Break Up Major Gun Bill
January 25, 2017
The author of a controversial proposal that would broadly expand how and where people can carry guns said Tuesday he is breaking up the measure.
However, Senate Judiciary Chairman Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, said he still intends to advance each smaller piece of his proposal (SB 140), which includes allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry handguns in public and carry firearms on college and university campuses.
“Just from feeling the tea leaves, it’s probably better to attack it piece by piece,” Steube said after a Judiciary Committee meeting. “The House doesn’t have a bill that has all those different (parts).”
Steube, who was elected to the Senate in November, is chairing a committee where major gun-related measures died during the 2016 legislative session.
Steube’s proposal would affect Florida’s more than 1.67 million concealed-weapons license holders. The measure, in part, would allow them to be armed on college and university campuses, at airport passenger terminals, in elementary and secondary schools, and at legislative and local government meetings.
Pieces of the Senate bill have been filed in individual House bills for the 2017 session, which starts March 7.
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, introduced a House version of the campus-carry measure (HB 6005). Also, Rep. Jake Raburn, R-Lithia, has proposed a bill (HB 6001) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to bring guns into airport terminals.
The House overwhelmingly approved bills during the 2016 session to allow people to openly carry guns in public and carry them on campuses. Steube, then a member of the House, voted for both bills.
The campus-carry proposal faces opposition by university and college leaders, campus law- enforcement officials and faculty members. The Florida Sheriffs Association has opposed efforts to allow open-carry in Florida.
When Steube’s proposal is broken up, potentially into as many as 10 parts, Senate President Joe Negron will have to refer each proposal to a series of committee appearances.
Steube said campus-carry, which he sponsored in the House, and the airport-terminal proposal would be his top priorities.
“Given what’s happened at Fort Lauderdale airport, that’s important to me,” Steube said, alluding to a recent mass shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Steube’s measure was scheduled to first go before the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 10, but the meeting was canceled as one Republican member — Sen. Rene Garcia of Hialeah — wasn’t going to be in attendance. Including Steube and Garcia, the committee is comprised of five Republicans and four Democrats.
Steube’s comments Tuesday came after a Second Amendment website claimed that the open-carry legislation is being held up by Republican members of the committee.
“Theoretically. This should be a cake walk,” the website The Truth About Guns said Monday in an article called “Florida Open Carry On Life Support.”
“Five Republicans members means the Democrats aren’t even an issue,” The Truth About Guns continued. “But here we have four Republicans that aren’t currently in favor of strengthening and further securing the 2nd Amendment in Florida.”
Meanwhile, influential National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer said Tuesday prior to the committee meeting that she isn’t worried about Steube’s proposal.
“If I were worried, you would have seen me blast out an alert,” Hammer said when asked about the bill as currently written.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Deputies Seek Bank Robber
January 25, 2017
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The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for bank robber. The suspect walked into the Compass Bank on Davis Highway about 1:30 Tuesday afternoon and demanded money before fleeing on an orange motorcycle. Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Officials Talk Black Liquor Dangers, Cleanup Work
January 25, 2017
International Paper joined government officials at a press conference Tuesday afternoon to detail the dangers of “black liquor” and remediation plans follow an explosion Sunday night.
IP’s Cantonment mill experienced significant structural damage to their largest pulp digester and power house during an explosion. The incident caused a mixture of wood fiber, water and black liquor to be released into the surrounding aera.
“We are incredibly thankful that no one was hurt, that no one was injured during this incident,” Mill Manager Bretton Dejong said. “We absolutely regret the disruption it has caused to the neighboring communities, our friends and neighbors. We’ve been here a long time and we’re very proud of our history, we’re proud of our community, and we hate that we’ve impacted our community.”
A top priority is remediation, he said.
For the first time in the nearly 48 hours after the accident, Dejong became the first International Paper employee to acknowledge that the black substance that rained down around the plant following the explosion was “black liquor”. The Florida Highway Patrol had referred to it as “black liquor” in a Monday morning press release, saying the substance was a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, but other government and IP officials had not used the term or detailed health hazards.
“Black liquor is a material that has elevated PH and is a byproduct of our pulping process. It is actually produced when the cooking chemicals are consumed during the cooking process,” he said.
Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, said the black liquor no longer poses a significant public health risk as it may have when airborne immediately following the explosion.
He said the remaining health threat at this time is physical contact with the material.
“If you are trying to clean your house or something like that, you need to stay away from this material as much as you possibly can. The health issue is skin irritation,” Lanza said, adding that any contact area should be washed with soap and water. He advised people continued skin irritation or other issues from the material to contact a physician or go to the nearest emergency department.
Residents of the Woodbury area near the plant, an area covered in a layer of black liquor, have told NorthEscambia.com that they were concerned that they were being told not to touch the material and simply wash it off, but workers hired by IP to clean up the neighborhood were wearing protective hazardous material clothing.
Chris Russell of the U.S. EPA said that he has in the areas surrounding the plant dressed in ordinary street clothing.
“I have daughters that I love, and I am not going to let them go without a dad, and this is how I look when I go out there….that being said, when we have the workers out there they are going to be pressure washing and scrubbing. The is the possibility that they are going to get stuff..in their eyes and what not. So you will see them in a little bit more of protective gear.”
International Paper has set up a hotline for residents. Individuals with questions or concerns pertaining to Sunday night’s incident can contact the information hotline at (850) 968-4208. The number is available 24 hours a day until further notice.
Pictured above and below: Remediation efforts underway Tuesday afternoon on Woodbury Circle in Cantonment. Pictured below: Members of the Unified Command discuss the Sunday night explosion at the International Paper mill in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Roger “Dale” Brunson
January 25, 2017
Roger “Dale” Brunson, age 60 passed away Monday, January 23, 2017 at his home in the Gandyville Community of Century, FL.
Dale was a lifelong resident of Century, graduating Century High School. Dale loved trucks and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather driving 18 wheelers long distance and later in life driving for trucking companies locally. He was a master at playing drums; he played drums in the high school band and played in several local garage bands. He never had a lesson but there was nothing he couldn’t play.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents Grover Brunson and Flora Ann Jernigan Brunson; Grandparents Ed and Gladys Brunson, Fred and Stella Jernigan, and a special Aunt and Uncle Haynes and Elmira Crapps.
Dale is survived by his sister, Charlotte Field (Scott), a niece, Heather Phillips (Chris), great nephew Hayden Phillips all of Pensacola, an Aunt and Uncle Freddy and Jackie Jernigan of Milton, Aunt Mary Stinebaugh of Farmersville, Texas, special cousins Doris and George Chavers of Century, He also leaves behind numerous cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Poplar Dell Baptist Church with Rev. Mitch Herring officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at the Poplar Dell Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Simmons, Greg Hunter, Steve Newberry, George Chavers, Carl Gandy and Fred H. Jernigan, Jr.
Memorials may be made to the Poplar Dell Baptist Church building fund.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Johnny Wayne “Fatback” Bonner
January 25, 2017
He was a loving father to his 2 children, “Pawpaw Fatback” to his 3 grandchildren, a caring son and brother, and a friend to many. Johnny never met a stranger and was always the life of the party. He loved hunting, riding motorcycles and most of all, spending time with his family and friends.
Johnny was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father, Johnny Mack Bonner; and father-in-law, Jerry “Coon Hunter” Haupert.
He is survived by his children: Ashley Bonner (Clay Cummings), Jody Bonner, Zac Tipton, and Jaiden Morris; grandsons, Tripp, Brantley, and Taiten; his mother, Deborah (Mike) Minda; step-mother, Paula Bonner; sisters: Laurie (Frank) Berry, Haley (Aaron) Skipper, and Donna (Randy) Paul; fiancé Jennifer Morris; and countless other family and friends.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is handling arrangements.
A celebration of life will be held from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the American Legion Post 340, 8890 Ashland Ave, Pensacola, FL.
IP Explosion: Citizen Information Phone Line Available
January 24, 2017
International Paper has set up a hotline for residents. Individuals with questions or concerns pertaining to Sunday night’s incident can contact the information hotline at (850) 968-4208. This number is available 24 hours a day until further notice.
Sunny And Nice Today
January 24, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Crews Respond To Fires Monday At International Paper
January 24, 2017
Escambia Fire Rescue crews responded to a fire twice Monday at International Paper in Cantonment…the first call just before 5 p.m. and a reflash just before midnight. The fires were reportedly contained to wood chips in an elevated storage bin. There were no injuries reported. The fires did not pose any threat to the public. The fires were not directly related to a Sunday night explosion at the facility, according to a county spokesperson. Pictured: Fire engines arrive at International Paper in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Highway 29 Now Open North And Southbound
January 24, 2017
Update 2:00 a.m. Tuesday: Highway 29 is now open northbound and southbound in Cantonment.
Update 8:45 p.m. — ALERT — HIGHWAY 29 Northbound lanes are open, southbound lanes remain closed, with a detour in place.
Update: 12:45 pm. — The Florida Department of Transportation is on scene. Due to the chemical makeup of the material, Highway 29 will remain closed until work crews can wash the roadway. The chemical is of a soap type base chemical, and it is unknown what type of reaction the chemical will have when moisture is introduced. The roadway could become slippery, and cause a hazard to the roadway and motorist. The previous detours will remain in effect.
Due to the explosion at the International Paper Company Plant in Cantonment, Highway 29 is closed between Muscogee Road to the north and Tate Road to the south and Muscogee Road and Jacks Branch Road to the west and County Rd 95A from Woodbury Place to Muscogee Road. At this point there is still no time frame on how long the roadway will be closed for cleanup.
The substance on the roadway is called “Black Liquor”. It is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant. The State Fire Marshall is on scene and there are trucks with sand on standby to begin the cleanup. The Escambia Sheriff’s Office is on scene assisting. Currently FHP personnel assigned to this incident due to road closures.
Related story: No Injuries As Explosion Rips Through International Paper In Cantonment
Related story: All Escambia Schools Are Open On Monday
Related story: Black Substance Covers Area Around Plant
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Candidates Qualify Monday For Two Century Council Seats
January 24, 2017
Three candidates qualified Monday to seek two seats on the Century Town Council during a special election.
Kevin Stead and Luis Gomez qualified to seek Seat 2 on the council, while Ben Boutwell qualified for Seat 3.
Potential candidates have until the close of business today to qualify at Century Town Hall for either seat.
A special election will be held for the two seats in February.