Gomez Wins Council Seat
March 1, 2017
Luis Gomez, Jr. won Tueday’s special election in Century, defeating challenger Kevin Stead 119 votes to 86 for Seat 2 on the town council, a non-partisan office.
“I live here. I’ve seen the decline in living conditions. I just want to get in there ready to get to work and see what I can do to improve the condition of the citizens. That is basically what I ran for. And help our new mayor and see if we can make some progress around here instead of a decline in progress…I’m eager; I’m excited,” Gomez said. “It was a trying task, really, trying to get something done around here in Century. I feel really blessed right now. Mr. Stead was a great candidate and did a marvelous job for the past two months he was temporarily holding the seat.”
Gomez will be sworn into office Friday night, March 10 at 7:00.
Stead currently holds the seat on an interim basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. The election fills the seat until the end of Savage’s term in 2021.
The election results are complete but unofficial until certified on Friday.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr (right) congratulated by Kevin Stead. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gun Bills Loaded For 2017 Florida Legislative Session
March 1, 2017
Floridians with concealed-weapons licenses would be able to carry firearms into areas now deemed “gun-free” under an array of measures that will be championed by Republican lawmakers during the first legislative session since mass killings at an Orlando nightclub and a Fort Lauderdale airport.
Proposals have been introduced to allow the more than 1.7 million people with concealed-carry licenses to bring guns to places such as college and university campuses, airport terminals and government meetings.
Gun-control advocates are also back in the Capitol opposing the expansion of concealed-carry laws or calling for limits on the kinds of guns and ammunition that can be sold. But after a couple of years in which groups such as the National Rifle Association and Florida Carry haven’t gotten their big-ticket items to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk, Second Amendment backers hope their targets are in sight for the annual legislative session that starts March 7.
“Why don’t we just say in certain situations, let’s try it. Let’s just try something different for a while, let law-abiding citizens exercise their Second Amendment right,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, said. “I support it all. Until someone can show me one stinking fact, statistic that says this is worse than the current situation, I absolutely am supportive of it.”
Not everyone wants to “try it,” and they intend to be loud and vocal, even if they know they remain politically outgunned at the GOP-dominated Capitol.
Florida was rocked in June by the shooting deaths of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, followed by the fatal shooting of five people in January at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,
Michelle Gajda, the Florida chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, believes most Floridians, based on polling and reactions after the Orlando and Fort Lauderdale shootings, want some reasonable controls on the proliferation of guns.
“We don’t expect to win every battle, but we will be at every battle, with our evidence and with our data,” Gajda said. “We believe eventually we will prevail and common-sense gun reforms will begin to pass in Florida.”
Gajda expects to oppose each pro-gun measure as it comes up in committee.
“We haven’t ranked them in any particular order. It’s kind of a cacophony of horrors, and so were focused on fighting them all,” she added.
One of the first bills that the Senate could take up when the session begins would shift the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors during pre-trial hearings in “stand your ground” self-defense cases (SB 128). The bill has made it through Senate committees.
Supporters say the measure strengthens the state’s self-defense laws, but critics contend the measure will short-circuit cases before all the facts are revealed. The potential change died last year in the House, but this year’s version of the proposal (HB 245) needs to only make it through one more committee before it can go to the full House.
Overall 39 bills, resolutions and resolution-like memorials have been filed so far that include language relating in some aspect to firearms and the Second Amendment.
Republicans account for 26 of the bills, including 10 by Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who chairs the Judiciary Committee, which is expected to be the first committee stop for many of the firearm proposals.
Senate President Joe Negron’s appointment of Steube as chairman of the committee had added significance for many people involved in gun debates. Former Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, was an impediment the past two years to some major pro-gun measures. Diaz de la Portilla was defeated in his re-election campaign last year.
Some of the proposals filed for the 2017 session are linked, for example, to issues such as a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 910 and HJR 291) that would ask voters to exempt law-enforcement officers from a three-day waiting period for purchasing handguns.
The biggest legislative fights, however, likely will center on bills related to where people can carry guns.
Steube has said one of his top priorities is a bill (HB 6005) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms on college and university campuses. University-system leaders have vehemently opposed such proposals in the past.
Also, Steube has said a priority is a proposal (SB 618 and HB 6001) that would allow people to carry guns in airport terminals.
“Given what’s happened at Fort Lauderdale airport, that’s important to me,” Steube said.
Negron, while noting he has strongly supported the bill about changing the burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases, said he’s leaving other bills up to committee chairs to advance.
Democrats have also filed a number of measures seeking to counter the pro-gun bills. The proposals include such ideas as banning the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines and expanding criminal-history checks on firearm buyers. However, the Democratic proposals aren’t expected to move forward in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
It remains unclear how many pro-gun bills can gain enough support to pass during the session. But Florida Carry attorney Eric Friday pointed to increased support from leadership in both chambers, particularly on the Senate side, for people’s right to self-defense.
“Senate President Joe Negron has always been very supportive of people’s fundamental constitutional rights,” Friday said. “The speech he gave in the Senate last year on the `burden of proof’ bill showed he had strong belief in what we’re trying to do here. … All of these issues are important. They all deal with the fundamental right that people have to protect their lives and their families.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Century Health And Rehab Residents Celebrate Mardi Gras With Parade
March 1, 2017
The Century Health and Rehabilitation Center held heir annual resident Mardi Gras parade Tuesday with candy, beads, moon pies, music and lots of fun. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Run-Rule Escambia Academy In Explosive 6th Inning
March 1, 2017
The Northview Chiefs defeated Escambia Academy 11-1 Tuesday night in wild sixth inning that ended on the 1o-run rule.
The Chiefs and the visiting Cougars were scoreless at the end of the fifth, with EA taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth.
Northview caught fire in the bottom of the sixth, racking up a string of 11 runs beginning with a single from Zach Payne. John Chivington had a double, Payne score on a stolen base, Bailey Wilson walked. Seth Killam, Quinton Sampson and Payne scored on stolen bases and Josh Neese singled as the Chiefs drove 11 across the plate.
Bailey Wilson pitched the win in six innings for the Chiefs, giving up three hits and one run, and striking out 13 while walking four.
Quinton Sampson 0-2, RBI; Josh Neese 1-3, 2R; John Chivinton 2-4, 2R, RBI; Jared Alif, 0-2, 2R; Zach Payne 2-4, R, 2RBI; Bailey Wilson 1-2, R; Chandley Lowery 1-2, R; Seth Killam 1-3, R, RBI; Blake Reid 2-2, R.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Offers Hunter Safety Classes In Escambia, Santa Rosa
March 1, 2017
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Escambia County this month.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them. Traditional course students must complete the entire course in person.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Online Completion Courses
Escambia
March 1 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) and March 18 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Molino Community Center,
6450 Highway 95A N in Molino
March 6 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) and March 18 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Langley Bell 4-H Club Center,
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa
March 27 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) and April 8 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Avalon Middle School,
5445 King Arthurs Way in Milton
Traditional Courses (must complete all days)
Escambia
March 6, 8, 13 and 15 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) and March 18 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Langley Bell 4-H Club Center,
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa
March 27, 28, and April 3, 4 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) and April 8 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Avalon Middle School,
5445 King Arthurs Way in Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
Editor’s note: This updates a previous story with additional dates and times.
Tungoil Road Closed March 2-17 For Bridge Work
March 1, 2017
Beginning Thursday, March 2 at 7 a.m. the bridge located at Tungoil Road and McDavid Creek will be closed to through traffic for rehabilitation. The closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately three weeks and be completed by Friday, March 17.
Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the bridge in a timely manner. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time periods, another notice will be issued.
Warm Today, Rain Becoming Likely
March 1, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 52. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Northview Shuts Out Baker; Tate Slips To Milton, Jay Run-Rules Freeport
March 1, 2017
SOFTBALL
Northview 8 Baker 0
Baker 3, Northview 2 (JV)
Tori Herrington tossed a shutout as the Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 8-0 Tuesday night in Baker.
The Chiefs scored unanswered runs in the second, fifth, sixth and seventh innings for the district win.
Herrington earned the win, pitching six innings with six hits, no runs, no errors, striking out 11 and allowing just one walk.
Jamia Newton 1-4, RBI; Kendall Enfinger 1-4, R; Tori Herrington 1-4, R; Aubree Love 2-4, 2R, 2RBI; Peighton Dorthc 1-4, R; Alayna Brown 3-4, 3RBI; Valen Shelley 3-4, R; Payton Jackson, R; Lydia Smith 1-3, RBI; Tieranna Redmond 0-2.
Northview (3-2, 2-1) will host Jay on Thursday.
Milton 7, Tate 1
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 7-1 Tuesday night.
Hanna Brown took the loss for the Aggies, pitching six innings, allowing seven runs and five hits while striking out four.
Hayden Lindsay 1-3; Hannah Brown 0-3; Belle Wolfenden 1-3; Leslee Scruggs 1-3, R; Madison Nelson 0-3; Shelby Ullrich 2-3, RBI; Sydni Solliday 0-3; Ashley Lunquist 0-2; Shelby McCalean 0-1; Gabby Locke 0-1.
Jay 15, Freeport 0 (4 innings)
Harley Taggart had a grand slam and went 2-3 as the Jay Royals run-ruled Freeport 15-0.
Harley Taggart 2-3 GS, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R; Destiny Herring 3-4 HR, 4 RBI; Avery Jackson 2-4 3 R; Alyssa Baxley 3-4 RBI, R.
Jay will be at Northview on Thursday.
File photo.