Warm And Sunny Weekend
November 25, 2017
Pictured: The sun sets below the horizon west of Century on Black Friday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Saturday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Florida Government Panel Eyes Vaping Restrictions, Patient Rights
November 25, 2017
Vaping could be banned in workplaces, and nursing-home and assisted-living facility residents could be guaranteed certain rights — including the ability to sue without limitations — as part of a series of health-care related proposals being considered by a Florida panel that has the power to place proposed constitutional amendments on the 2018 ballot.
Former state Sen. Lisa Carlton, the sponsor of the measure on vaping, said her goal is to amend the Florida Constitution to make clear that the state’s existing ban on smoking in workplaces also incorporates vaping, such as the use of electronic cigarettes.
“The goal is, if you cannot smoke there, you cannot vape there,” Carlton said, noting that electronic cigarettes weren’t available when the original ban was passed by Florida voters in 2002.
After e-cigarettes started to become available, she expected the Legislature to tackle the issue, but it didn’t.
In retrospect, Carlton said she thinks it’s better the Legislature didn’t address the issue because voters could get the opportunity to put a vaping ban in the Constitution. More than 70 percent of voters approved the original workplace smoking ban in 2002.
“It’s the perfect opportunity because it should be alongside smoking,” she said, adding, “I feel like this (vaping) has put a cloud over our clean air, and it’s time for us to recognize it and update it.”
Carlton’s proposal would amend a section of the Constitution currently titled “Workplaces without Tobacco Smoke” to read “Workplaces without Tobacco Smoke or Vapor.”
Carlton is part of the 37-member Florida Constitution Revision Commission which meets every 20 years to evaluate possible changes to the Constitution. The panel can put issues before voters without having to gather petition signatures or get proposals approved by the Legislature.
Commission members proposed 103 amendments, and the panel is expected to whittle that number in the coming months. The commission’s General Provisions Committee could take up Carlton’s proposal Tuesday.
In all, the commission is expected to consider seven health-care related proposals, including a controversial proposal about nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Commissioner Brecht Heuchan has offered a proposal that would establish a “bill of rights” for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Heuchan’s proposal, in part, would require nursing homes to carry liability insurance — which is not a requirement today — and includes a right of access to courts and legal remedies, “without limitations,” in cases involving issues such as abuse, negligence or exploitation.
Emmett Reed, executive director of the Florida Health Care Association, the state’s largest nursing-home group, issued a scathing news release attacking Heuchan for the proposed amendment. Reed accused Heuchan, who is a lobbyist for the Florida Justice Association trial-lawyers group, of ignoring “his broader obligations in order to serve the narrow interest of his clients.”
Reed called the state Constitution the “core document” that sets out the structure of Florida’s government and said that “some things simply do not belong in the Florida Constitution.” He also said that the proposal would “add nothing to the quality of life for our state’s frailest elders, nor would it solve the real issues of keeping nursing home residents safe during disasters. It would only serve the interests of greedy trial attorneys who continually attempt to cash in by suing nursing homes.”
But Heuchan fired back at the nursing home organization. In a letter he sent to The News Service of Florida, Heuchan said the Constitution is “a place where rights of the individual are protected, especially when it comes to the rights of the vulnerable.”
“I cannot count the number of times I have been told one issue or another does not belong in the Constitution,” he wrote in the letter, adding that when the argument comes from special-interest groups, it’s “code” for something else.
“What they really mean,” the letter said, is “they think they have other forums wired in their favor, (or) … they know if voters have a chance to consider the proposal, it would pass.”
Heuchan disputed the allegation that his amendment would help his clients or is a potential conflict of interest. Before filing the amendment he reviewed the rules, which make clear that he cannot file an amendment that would result in a special gain for him or a principal of his.
“What they are saying is speculative at best,” he said adding that if a lawyer successfully sues a nursing home on behalf of a resident, the attorney is paid from the damages the resident is awarded. “It’s not a gain to me personally, and it’s not a special gain to anyone I work for,” he said.
“This is just part of their campaign to discredit me personally because they don’t have a good answer to the proposal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Heuchan isn’t the only member of the Constitution Revision Commission wanting to create a patient’s bill of rights.
Commissioner Frank Kruppenbacher has proposed an amendment that, if approved by voters, would require the Legislature to guarantee patients “transparency in health care.” That transparency would apply to such things as medical costs and information needed to help patients make informed decisions about treatment.
Health-care transparency has been a priority for Gov. Rick Scott, who appointed Kruppenbacher to the commission.
Kruppenbacher also has offered another health-care proposal that aligns with Scott’s priorities.
That proposal would eliminate “certificate of need” laws, which the state can use to restrict the addition of new hospitals and nursing homes. Certificates of need are licenses that Florida requires before new health care facilities can be built.
Proponents of so-called CONs argue that they help keep health-care costs lower by preventing facilities from being overbuilt. Critics, such as Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, maintain that CONs are artificial barriers to the marketplace that prevent competition and provide monopolies for companies that already have the licenses.
Scott and the House have tried unsuccessfully to eliminate certificate of need laws but have faced opposition from hospitals and nursing homes that don’t want to see the restrictions lifted.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
WSRE Invites Viewers To Participate In Legislative Review Program
November 25, 2017
WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, is now accepting viewer questions for the upcoming broadcast of “Legislative Review: Dialogue with the Delegation” on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Questions may be submitted in advance by email to questions@wsre.org. Every question must be accompanied by the person’s name and city of residence.
The following legislators of the Northwest Florida delegation are expected to participate: Sens. Doug Broxson (District 1) and George B. Gainer (District 2); and Reps. Clay Ingram (District 1), Frank White (District 2), Jayer Williamson (District 3) and Mel Ponder (District 4). The program will be moderated by Jeff Weeks.
WSRE presents “Legislative Review” before and after each legislative session as a community service. Questions will also be accepted by phone during the live program, which will be simulcast by NewsRadio 92.3 FM & 1620 AM
William E. Kirby, Jr.
November 25, 2017
William E. Kirby, Jr. 70 of Poarch, AL. passed away November 24, 2017 in Pensacola, FL. He was born in Troy, AL. on July 29, 1947 to William Edward, Sr. and Pauline Robinson Kirby. He is preceded in death by his father William Edward Kirby, Sr.; two brothers Jimmy Lee Kirby and Randy Eugene Kirby. He was a farmer, Maintenance Supervisor with Freemanville Water Systems, Inc. with over 25 years of service, a Captain with the Poarch Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and EMT with Atmore Ambulance Service and was a Security Supervisor with over 10 years of service with Wind Creek Casino. He was also a member of Poarch Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife Judith Green Kirby and his mother Pauline Robinson Kirby. Two daughters Sandi (John) Stanton of Birmingham, AL. and Candy (Paul) Fralick of Poarch, AL. One sister Katherine (Ron) Williams of Semmes, AL. and one brother Eddie Paine Kirby (Inez) of McCullough, AL. Grandson Kirby W. Jay (Phadra) and great grandchild Riley Green Jay.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 27, 2017 at 2 PM from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brett Chancery officiating. Burial will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be from the Poarch Creek Fire Department.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 5pm until 7pm from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Escambia Deputies Exchange Fire With Wanted Suspect
November 24, 2017
Shots were fired overnight as Escambia County deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant.
The incident started about 3:45 a.m. in the area of Louise Avenue and East Nine Mile Road when the suspect began shooting at deputies. Deputies returned fire, hitting the suspect as he fled.
The still-armed white male was found a short time later hiding behind a dumpster behind the Taco Bell at Nine Mile and Chemstrand Roads. Deputies demanded he drop his weapon several times. Reports indicate the man dropped the weapon and was taken into custody.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, suffered a non-life threatening injury during the gunfire. No deputies were injured.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The incident is now under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is standard procedure in every officer-involved shooting.
Teen Airlifted To The Hospital After Thanksgiving Wreck In Walnut Hill
November 24, 2017
A driver was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after being trapped in two vehicle crash Thanksgiving afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old William Giddins of Mobile was northbound above the posted speed limit on South Highway 99 near Tungoil Road about 3:50 p.m. as Jason B. Brooks, age 64 of Pensacola, stopped his Dodge Ram pickup at the stop sign on Tungoil Road. Brooks made a right turn onto Highway 99 and then traveled a short distance to make a left turn into a driveway.
Giddins then rear-ended the pickup truck with his Nissan Versa came to rest in a nearby field. After being extricated from his vehicle, Giddins was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital where he was listed in serious condition.
Brooks and his passenger, 62-year old Dovie Brooks of Pensacola, were not injured and refused medical treatment on scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that alcohol was not involved in the crash, and everyone involved was wearing a seat belt.
The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Black Friday
November 24, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Calm wind.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
November 24, 2017
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, will be distributing free rice and dried beans and other non-perishables on Saturday, November 25 from 9 until 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.
There are no guidelines and no paperwork required.
Sunset Over Sunn Hemp (And What Exactly Is Sunn Hemp?)
November 24, 2017
North Escambia farmers sometimes turn to fields of a yellow-flowering crop to prevent soil erosion between regular crops like corn.
It’s called Sunn Hemp (that’s Crotalaria juncea L for the scientific types).
Sunn Hemp is a semi-tropical plant that is grown as a cover crop in the southeast. It’s a legume, growing in a variety of locations and returning nitrogen to the soil. It can also be used as a biomass to produce biofuels.
Pictured above: A golden setting sun Thanksgiving evening over a field of sunn hemp in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: A closer look at the sunn hemp flowers. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Missing 8-Year Old Found Safe
November 24, 2017
UPDATE – This missing person has been found safe.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 8-year old child.
Deputies said Jeremy Glass was last seen running out of the front door of a home in the 3400 block of Blue Angel Parkway late Thursday night. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket with a lion on the front, a green shirt, white pants with gold paint splatter and white shoes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.