Escambia Man Gets 20 Years For Arson
August 19, 2017
An Escambia County man was sentenced to two decades in state prison on arson and criminal mischief charges.
Nathan Stafford was sentenced as a habitual felony offender by Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser to 20 years in state prison after he entered a plea of no contest. The 20 year sentence will run consecutively with a five year sentence Stafford previously received for a violation of probation conviction.
On May 30, 2016, Stafford consumed several medications, spread gasoline through his apartment and set it on fire in an attempt to take his own life. Prior to the medication taking effect, Stafford left the apartment. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damages to the apartment. When contacted by law enforcement, Stafford admitted to setting the fire.
All Florida Prisons On Lockdown, Visitations Canceled
August 19, 2017
All Florida prisons — including Century and Santa Rosa Correctional institutions — are on partial lockdown this weekend, and all visitations are canceled.
The lockdowns are due to an abundance of caution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections, after intelligence was received about planned disruptions.
“In response to credible intelligence indicating that small groups of inmates at several institutions may attempt to disrupt FDC operations and impact safety and security, FDC has, in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of staff, inmate and public safety, cancelled all visitation statewide,” a FDOC statement said.
“FDC looks forward to resuming normal visitation as soon as possible,” officials said.
Reports say state probation officers have been brought int to assist corrections officers at some facilities to help maintain order and look for contraband such as weapons and phones.
The visitation cancellations include all major institutions, work camps and annex facilities.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Red Light Camera Debate To Return
August 19, 2017
Florida’s long-running debate about red-light cameras is coming back to the Legislature in 2018. Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, and Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, said Friday they have filed bills to repeal parts of state law that allow local governments to use red-light cameras.
Lawmakers have repeatedly considered similar bills in recent years, but the measures have failed to pass. Supporters say the cameras help improve traffic safety, but critics contend they are used as a revenue source for local governments and private contractors.
“Red-light cameras have failed to achieve their initial purpose, improving traffic safety, and there is available data to support this,” Avila said in a prepared statement Friday. “The only beneficiaries of red-light cameras are the companies that make them and the local governments that use them as a backdoor tax.”
The 2018 legislative session starts in January.
by The News Service of Florida
Mostly Sunny, Slight Chance Of A Saturday Shower
August 19, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 19, 2017
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
FHP Takes Part In ‘Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign
August 19, 2017
As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over safety campaign, the Florida Highway Patrol will concentrate enforcement efforts on impaired driving now through the Labor Day holiday. FHP joins law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation to remove impaired drivers from roadways and save lives.
To Arrive Alive, the FHP says always:
- Drive sober; never drive impaired.
- Buckle up, ever time.
- If you do drink, plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or use a ride service.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, call *FHP (*347). This could save a life.
Wahoos Win Fifth Straight
August 19, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos second baseman Arismendy Alcantara has made quite an impact on the Double-A ballclub in his first three games for them.
The 25-year-old, in his eighth professional season, got on base four times, scored twice and drove in an RBI Friday in the Blue Wahoos, 8-3, victory over the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park.
Pensacola won its fifth straight game and clinched the five-game series against the M-Braves with its third win.
The Blue Wahoos, the first half Southern League South Division champions, improved to 26-27 in the second half. Mississippi fell to 14-37 in the second half.
Many of the Pensacola runs against Mississippi are thanks to Alcantara, who has played in the Major Leagues for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s and Cincinnati Reds. He was 1-for-2 with double Friday and is now 5-for-13 for a .385 batting average, with two doubles, two triples, five runs scored and three RBIs.
In Friday’s game, Alcantara doubled in shortstop Blake Trahan in the third inning to tie the game, 1-1. Pensacola left fielder Gabriel Guerrero followed with a triple to right field to drive in Alcantara for a 2-1 Blue Wahoos lead.
Mississippi had scored first when left fielder Jared James homered to right field in the first inning. The Braves wouldn’t score again until they tacked on two more runs in the ninth inning after Pensacola had surged ahead, 8-1.
Besides Alcantara, Guerrero extended his hitting streak to eight games and recorded his fourth straight multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with a run, triple and an RBI for 44 this season. Guerrero, who is 7-for-13 (.538) against Mississippi, reached 37 multi-hit games for the season.
Pensacola center fielder Jonathan Reynoso was 2-for-5, with a double, run scored and RBI. Meanwhile, first baseman Gavin LaValley hit 1-for-5 with two RBIs.
Austin Ross started his third game since being injured and remains under a strict pitch limit, throwing 69, including 45 for strikes. He threw four innings, allowed one run on three hits, a walk and struck out three.
Reliever Domingo Tapia earned the win for Pensacola to improve to 4-6 with a 4.14 ERA. The big righty pitched three innings, allowed one hit and struck out two.
Gwynne Daniels
August 19, 2017
Gwynne Daniels, 84, of Cantonment, FL passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Gwynne was employed at the telephone company, then went to work at Daniels-Ellis Electrical Supply Company where her husband was the co-owner. She was a longtime member of East Brent Baptist Church. She loved the ladies in her Sunday school class and appreciated their friendship over the years. She enjoyed gardening and fishing.
She will be remembered as a woman who loved her family with all of her heart; she put God first in everything she did. Her greatest joy was doing for others and not expecting anything in return. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard B. Daniels and her grandson, Riley Daniels.
She is survived by her sister, Imogene Barnes; brother, Gerald Day; daughters, Zeta Gornick (Joe) and Angie Gilmore (Mark); son, Mike Daniels (Gena); grandchildren, Rachel Parker (Clint), Brandon Gilmore, Chad Gornick, Justin Gilmore, and Reagan Daniels; great-grandsons, Carson Parker and Jackson Parker.
Memorials may be made to The Ronald McDonald House, 5200 Bayou Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32503.
Special thanks to Kita (T-Bird), Hospice and Dr. Malhotra and his staff.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Gilmore, Clint Parker, TJ Monti, Todd McCrory, Ronnie Vinson, Steven Gindle and Mike Lee.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ruth’s Sunday school class.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at East Brent Baptist Church beginning at 1 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. with Dr. Dale Patterson officiating.
Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Child Death Investigation Underway At Ensley Academy; DCF Closes Facility Until Further Notice
August 18, 2017
An active death investigation is underway in Ensley where a 3-year old female was found unresponsive.
The incident happened at the In His Arms Christian Academy on Detroit Boulevard. Initial reports indicated that the child was found outside the facility in a van; that report is currently under investigation, according to Major Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a complete investigation. Authorities said no other children at the facility were harmed or are in danger.
The Florida Department of Children and Families has opened their own investigation into the child’s death and issued an Emergency Suspension Notice closing the facility until further notice.
“As a parent,I am completely heartbroken by the loss of this child,” DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said. “DCF has the highest expectations for childcare providers in our state and news of this tragedy is completely unacceptable. Our agency has opened an investigation and we will close this private childcare facility tonight. We have zero tolerance for carelessness that puts child safety at risk and we will work with law enforcement to hold whoever is responsible fully accountable.”
The State Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene for an investigation.
Further details have not been released. More details will be posted as they become available.
Pictured: An active death investigation is underway in Ensley where a child was reportedly found unresponsive in a van. Photos courtesy David Gonzales, WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lack Of Broadband Internet Hurts Higher Education In Rural Areas
August 18, 2017
The lack of high-speed internet services in many rural areas like North Escambia is one of the challenges hindering Florida’s efforts to increase college degrees and spur economic development, a new report shows.
Some 680,000 Floridians do not have access to a broadband internet service that would allow information to be downloaded at minimum speed of 25 megabits per second, according to the report presented to the state Higher Education Coordinating Council.
Ed Moore, president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida who compiled the report, said the data should prompt a “hard look at what access there is to digital learning and digital infrastructure across our state.”
“You cannot get ahead if you cannot get online,” Moore said.
Expanding broadband access and online education opportunities could help the state meet the Higher Education Coordinating Council’s goal of having 55 percent of Florida’s working-age population obtain either a college degree or professional certificate by 2025. Less than 47 percent have reached that level.
Moore said the 30 private colleges and universities in his organization now offer 592 degrees and certificates through online courses.
“That’s a whole new world of higher education and creating access,” Moore said. “If you can’t get it in your house, if you can’t get it in your local school, your library or some other facility, it doesn’t mean anything to you.”
Moore’s report, based on Federal Communications Commission data, showed high-speed broadband service was consistently available in Florida’s urban counties, which also correlated with higher income levels, more college degrees and more job growth among the residents.
But his report also identified 13 small, rural counties that were “trailing” in broadband access, ranging from Madison County, with 41 percent of its residents not having access, to Dixie County, with 99 percent without access.
Among those counties, residents with college degrees or certificates ranged from 27 percent in Jefferson County to 12 percent in DeSoto County.
Another 16 counties were designated as “underserved,” ranging from Marion County, with 11 percent without broadband access, to Taylor County, with 37 percent without access.
In addition to providing more educational opportunities, Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said expanding high-speed internet access would help economic development in rural communities.
An analysis from the chamber has shown that while 31 Florida counties have gained jobs since the Great Recession, 36 largely rural counties have lagged behind.
“It happens to overlay that map you talked about almost exactly,” Wilson told Moore.
Wilson said it could result in a “home run” if the education advocates and the rural economic development advocates united behind the effort to improve broadband services.
“This creates an equal opportunity for success for everybody,” he said.
Marshall Criser, chancellor of the state university system, said education leaders should work “collaboratively” with the business community in developing policy recommendations on expanding broadband services.
Criser, a former president of AT&T in Florida, said the state has made efforts to expand internet access and that there were sound reasons for broadband development to follow population densities.
“It’s kind of the chicken or the egg, because there were a lot of people there it made sense to make those investments historically,” Criser said.
And while noting he likes to work almost exclusively on his smart phone, Criser said the development of any recommendations on expanding broadband should take into account “some of the new technology,” which could include wireless and satellite services in addition to broadband delivered over phone lines or fiber optic cable.
He noted the state just enacted a new law that is expected to expand faster wireless services by allowing telecommunications companies to install “small cell” devices on public rights-of-way.
Moore said advancements in technology will be considered as the higher-education council develops its recommendations.
Alan Levine, chairman of the higher-education council, said the council may invite the companies that provide broadband access and infrastructure to talk about the issue.
by Lloyd Dunkelburger, The News Service of Florida