Santa And Mrs. Claus Attend Century Chamber’s Christmas Open House
December 16, 2017
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special appearance recently at the Century Area Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Open House. Pictuerd with Santa and Mrs. Claus is Century Chamber of Commerce President Freddie McCall. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Scott Gets Win In Chilly Week
December 16, 2017
The temperatures plummeted outside the Capitol this week, but the frigid conditions aren’t limited to the out-of-doors.
Allegations of sexual harassment lodged against Sen. Jack Latvala, subsequent twin investigations and threats of civil and criminal legal action have thrown a chill over interactions between lawmakers, lobbyists and aides as they try to conduct business amid a national culture shift about how men treat women.
From the beginning of an investigation into Latvala, launched shortly after the allegations were made public more than a month ago, some women fearfully predicted that scrutiny — and the accusations — would hurt female lobbyists, who say they’re already at a disadvantage in the male-dominated industry.
Whether the situation will stabilize when the legislative session begins next month remains to be seen.
It was mostly quiet this week in terms of leaks, lawsuits and other developments related to sexual harassment in Florida’s Capitol. But Gov. Rick Scott stepped into the debate, issuing an executive order requiring his agency heads to set up uniform reporting and investigation procedures for sexual harassment complaints.
“Every agency was doing it a little bit differently. What this does is set up a process where we have clear expectations of what the training would be and what the reporting process would be. It’s all just to make sure that we have a process that works,” the governor told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Wednesday.
Many women and men around the Capitol and the country are hoping that the recent spotlight on sexual misconduct and misbehavior will result in safer and healthier workplace environments.
Others, however, are skeptical. They fear retaliation against accusers and their supporters will keep people from stepping forward and “outing” alleged abusers.
For some measured advice about expectations, we turn to Alexander Pope: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”
COURT FIGHT NOT `RIPE’
The Florida Supreme Court handed Scott a victory this week when it dismissed a case focused on whether the governor or his successor has the power to appoint three new justices.
Thursday’s decision — which a dissenting justice asserted sets up a “constitutional crisis” — isn’t a definitive ruling on whether the authority to select the new justices is vested in Scott or the winner of the 2018 gubernatorial election.
But it is at least a temporary victory for the governor, who has said he plans to appoint three Supreme Court justices before he leaves office. Scott’s final term and the terms of three justices — Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince — all end in January 2019.
In its dismissal of the case, the court found that the issue “is not ripe for consideration” because Scott hasn’t acted yet on the appointments.
The League of Women Voters and Common Cause filed the lawsuit in June, asking the court to prohibit Scott from filling any judicial vacancies that occur due to terms expiring in January 2019. The groups asked the court for a “writ of quo warranto,” which is used to determine whether a state officer or agency has improperly exercised power.
But the court on Thursday decided the use of the quo warranto writ “is not appropriate” to address something that may never happen.
“A party must wait until a government official has acted before seeking relief pursuant to quo warranto because a threatened exercise of power which is allegedly outside of that public official’s authority may not ultimately occur,” the court wrote in a 17-page ruling. “To address whether quo warranto relief is warranted under such premature circumstances would amount to an impermissible advisory opinion based upon hypothetical facts.”
But in a scathing dissent, Lewis called Thursday’s majority opinion “regrettable” and “distressing.”
“The Constitution requires devoted protection and the Florida citizens deserve better,” Lewis wrote. “Contrary to Florida law and the general common law, the majority has now announced that the challenged conduct must have already produced a constitutional crisis and calamitous result before illegal acts of government officials are subject to quo warranto review or relief.”
Scott didn’t cede any ground following the ruling, saying in a statement he was pleased with the court decision.
“As long as I am governor, I will continue to use my authority to appoint qualified judges,” the governor said.
But John Mills, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said Scott’s general counsel, Daniel Nordby, acknowledged during oral arguments that the governor’s successor would have the power to appoint the three new justices, unless something unusual occurs.
“The governor’s counsel conceded that unless a justice retires early or something else unexpectedly happens, such as the governor-elect forgetting to take the oath of office before midnight on the evening of Monday, January 7, 2019, Governor Scott does not have the authority he previously claimed,” Mills said in a statement. “It should now be clear to everyone that Governor Scott will not make these appointments unless something nobody currently anticipates occurs.”
BLOW WIND, BLOW
After Hurricane Irma caused a mass evacuation, thousands of Floridians have decided they aren’t going to hightail it out of town when the next hurricane bears down on the state.
That’s worrisome for former Federal Emergency Management Agency director and Alachua County homeboy Craig Fugate, who said the Sunshine State should brace for storms even more severe than those like Hurricane Irma, which swept across the peninsula after leaving the Florida Keys in tatters.
Fugate, who also served as the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said Thursday that future storms will be stronger, have longer periods at top speeds and bring more rain than in the past because of the changing climate.
Fugate’s forecast came during a conference call hosted by the National Hurricane Survival Initiative about a new website and year-round awareness campaign titled “Get Ready, Florida!” He said people are expecting a level of forecasting that “isn’t there yet.”
Instead, people should continue to anticipate some uncertainty in forecasting, he said.
“If we knew exactly where it was going to hit it would be a lot easier, but it isn’t,” Fugate said. “As we saw with Irma, a slight jog east or west of that track, we’d have been in a lot different impact. In many ways, with the exception for what happened in extreme Southwest Florida and the Florida Keys, we basically did a lot better than what we thought was going to happen.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Handing the governor at least a temporary victory, the Florida Supreme Court dismissed a case focused on whether Gov. Rick Scott or his successor has the authority to appoint three justices whose terms end around the same time as Scott’s in January 2019.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There is not a plan B. You’re talking about significant losses to the state’s signature crop.” — Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, on the need for federal assistance for Florida’s struggling citrus industry, which sustained hundreds of millions of dollars in losses from Hurricane Irma.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Woman Dead, Firefighter’s Face Fractured After Alabama Incident
December 15, 2017
A woman is dead and a firefighter’s face is fractured after an incident Thursday night in Escambia County, AL.
About 6:45 p.m., the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to 9722 Appleton Road for a person having an asthma attack. EMS and the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department were also dispatched and aware of a earlier domestic situation that had taken place at the residence, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
First responders staged a short distance away to await the arrival of law enforcement. But when they learned the victim was possibly not breathing, EMS and fire continued their response to the scene and found Christopher Wade Smith doing chest compressions on his wife.
As Appleton Fire Chief Michael Tyler began to assist in giving medical attention, he was struck in his right eye by Christopher Smith, causing serious injury and fractures to Tyler’s face. EMS loaded the patient and took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
As law enforcement was arriving, Smith was attempting to leave the residence in his personal vehicle and ran into a firefighter’s vehicle causing damage.
Smith, 51, was charged with assault first degree and criminal mischief second degree. He remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
The body of Smith’s wife was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy to determine the cause of death. Smith was already out on bond from a domestic violence third degree charge and the District Attorney’s Office has filed for a bond revocation.
The case remains under investigation.
Forest Service To Conduct Burn Today At Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
December 15, 2017
The Florida Forest Service will be conducting a 25 acre prescribed burn today at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
The burn will be conducted for ecological restoration, wildfire hazard reduction, and research.
The burn will start after noon today, once the local schools are dismissed for Christmas break (half day today). Forest Service crews will monitor the burn area throughout the weekend.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pickup Driver Uninjured In Incredible Crash With Log Truck (With Gallery)
December 15, 2017
A pickup truck driver was uninjured in an incredible predawn crash with a log truck on Highway 29 in Molino.
The driver of the Ford F150 rear-ended the logs on the back of the 18-wheeler on Highway 29 just south of Barrineau Park Road about 5:45 a.m. Multiple logs completely penetrated the cab of the pickup, missing the driver by mere inches. The truck was heavily damaged in the crash.
The adult male pickup driver walked away from the crash with no injuries. The log truck driver was also uninjured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Molesting 10-Year Old
December 15, 2017
A Cantonment man is facing a life felony child sexual abuse charge.
Carlo Antonio Alex Bryant, 30, is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior/molestation of a child.
He allegedly had inappropriate contact with a 10-year girl during an incident last May, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Bryant denied the allegations, telling Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that he was passed out after drinking “Loco” beer during the time period in which incident was alleged to have occurred. The victim’s mother told authorities that Bryant had inappropriate contact with another child two months earlier, also claiming that he did not know what he was doing because he had been drinking.
Bryant remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $150,000.
Cloudy And Cooler Today
December 15, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Century Changes Time For December Council Meeting
December 15, 2017
The Town of Century has changed the time of their only council meeting during the month of December.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 18 at the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard. The meeting is open to the public.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
School Board Term Limits, Appointed Superintendent Proposals Advancing
December 15, 2017
Two measures that would affect Florida school boards and school superintendents are headed to the full state Constitution Revision Commission.
On Thursday, the commission’s Local Government Committee approved a measure (Proposal 43), sponsored by Commissioner Erika Donalds of Naples, that would limit school board members to no more than two four-year terms in office. Currently, there is no term limit for school board members.
The committee also endorsed another Donalds-sponsored measure (P33) that would require school superintendents to be appointed in all 67 school districts. Currently, superintendents are appointed in 26 largely urban districts, while superintendents in 41 smaller, more rural districts are elected. The superintendent in Escambia County is elected.
Both measures have cleared two committees and are ready for a review by the 37-member commission. If at least 22 members of the commission approve the measures, they will be placed on the 2018 general-election ballot. Before the final vote on those and other measures, the commission is scheduled early next year to hold a series of public hearings across the state on pending proposals.
Any measures that end up on the 2018 ballot will require approval by at least 60 percent of the voters before they are enacted.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Band Presents Christmas Concert
December 15, 2017
The Northview High School Band presented their annual Christmas concert Thursday night at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
