Alligator Sightings Close Krul Lake To Swimming
May 28, 2017
The Florida Forest Service has closed Krul Lake in Munson to swimming at this time because of the sighting of several small alligators. Forest Service officials are working to remove the gators and reopen the site to swimming.
Krul Recreation Area remains open to picnicking, camping and hiking.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Class Of 2017 Graduates
May 28, 2017
The 106 members of the Northview High School Class of 2017 graduated Saturday.
“This ceremony will be the last time this entire class is under one roof. Although in 20 years I hope each of you can join us at our class reunion at the White House,” said Class President Mitchell James Singleton, who class members believe will run for President of the United States.
For a photo gallery, click here.
As we move on to the next chapter in our lives, I challenge you to never forget what your dreams are, no matter how big or how small they seem. Never loose sight of them,” Singleton continued.
“Don’t just avoid the things that you will regret doing, but actively seek out the experiences that you will regret not having,” Salutatorian Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh told the class.
“Ready or not, our future starts here, today,” Valedictorian Alyssa Brianna Borelli said.
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2017 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning over $1.4 million dollars in scholarship money.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Northview High School Class of 2017 graduates were:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are, in class rank order:
Alyssa Brianna Borelli — Valedictorian
Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh — Salutatorian
David Conrad Weber
Brandon Edward Korinchak
Elisabeth Claire Amerson
Hadley Marie Woodfin
Mitchell James Singleton
Daniel Kennedy Mascaro
Emily Michelle Heard
Jessica Lauren Stacey
Natalie Grace Barrow
Adrian Daniel King
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
Zachary Chase Sheldon
Autumn Grace Albritton
Shyla Nicole Pope
Alyssa Marie Bell
Mallory Olivia Gibson
Peighton Danielle Dortch
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
Morgan Alexis Myrick
Brittanie Nichole McLemore
Khari Adama Codrington
Victoria Anne Amerson
Brianna Morgan Smith
Kylie Brianne Brook
Alphabetic Order
Carson Riley Bailey
Raychell Makayla Baker
Caeley Danielle Barrett
Makayla Marie Beckjorden
Dustin Lee Bethea
Keithin Morez Blunt
Cameron Lane Boies
Ethan Matthew Bomba
Levi Jacob Brooks
Alan Robert Brown
Devonte Ladarrin Burt
Tabitha Faye Chavers
Dillon Scott Clary
Madeline Grace Clemmons
Kathryn Mariegrace Cmehil
Hannah Rebekah Coffey
Kaelyn Marie Coffey
Logan Hunter Cofield
Dustin Ryan Crumbley
Logan Hunter Edwards
Jasmine Nicole Elliott
Ohijie Jzamal Elliott
Austin Matthew Faircloth
Joshua La’Darious Ferrell
De’asia Ja’shay Fountain
Hannah Madison Godwin
Courtney Nicole Grim
Zipporah Montria Harris
Toney Maurice Harrison
Gabrielle Laianne Hawkins
Kristen Evelyn Johnson
Ta’keyzha Da’nae Johnson
Ziara Shanikia Johnson
Daysha Lashea Kite
Nathan Hunter Kite
Kendral Autumn Langford
Alyssa Nicole Lewis
Chandler Ethan Lowery
De Jaunte Lamond Lowery
Zachary Glen Maholovich
Deonte’ Arnez Martin
Trenton Dewayne Martin
Destiny Brooke Mathis
Devin Breann McArthur
Sara Maria McCreary
Flenequa Ann Mitchell
Aalyiah Janay Moorer
Sha’kaura Tenae Moorer
Joshua Alan Neese
Jamia Marie Newton
Audriene Doreatha Odom
Chase Keoni Olsen
Malcom Jude Parham
Harlan Jackson Parr
Zachery Austin Payne
Gregory Pressley Jr.
Dustin Eathan Radcliffe
Kyle Douglas Reaves
Tre’darius Ty’rese Redmond
Donald Blake Reid
Yotianna O’Nesha Robbins
Quentin Lee Sampson
Charles Douglas Schachle
Gaten Tyree Scott
Joshua David Smith
Matthew Thomas Smith
Devin William Stabler
Dustin Reed Steele
Caleb William Therrell
Brittanee Somer Thomas
Maxwell Conner Townson
Jasmine Marie Walker
Luke Carlton Ward
James Coleman White
Tylia Lynett White
Krystal Inez Whitehead
Alston Sylvester Wiggins
Roquan Devon Wiggins
Bailey Ryan Wilson
Leigha Nicole Wilson
Robert Tyler Wilson
Daphne Laurena Young
Rain Likely By Monday
May 28, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Memorial Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Winning $78K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold In Century
May 28, 2017
Someone is over $78,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Century.
The ticket sold at the Korner Kwik Stop, 8360 North Century Boulevard, was one of three winning tickets sold for Saturday night’s drawing worth $78,166.19. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Hileah and North Miami Beach.
The 303 tickets matching four numbers won $124.50 each. Another 10,347 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and 101,382 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Saturday’s winning numbers were 15-17-18-22-25.
NOAA: Above-Normal Hurricane Season This Year
May 28, 2017
Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center say the Atlantic could see another above-normal hurricane season this year.
For the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1,
forecasters predict a 45 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 20 percent chance of a below-normal season.
“As a Florida resident, I am particularly proud of the important work NOAA does in weather forecasting and hurricane prediction,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These forecasts are important for both public safety and business planning, and are a crucial function of the federal government.”
Forecasters predict a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.
These numbers include Tropical Storm Arlene, a rare pre-season storm that formed over the eastern Atlantic in April.
“The outlook reflects our expectation of a weak or non-existent El Nino, near- or above-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and average or weaker-than-average vertical wind shear in that same region,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.
Strong El Ninos and wind shear typically suppress development of Atlantic hurricanes, so the prediction for weak conditions points to more hurricane activity this year. Also, warmer sea surface temperatures tend to fuel hurricanes as they move across the ocean. However, the climate models are showing considerable uncertainty, which is reflected in the comparable probabilities for an above-normal and near-normal season.
Ag Department Data Breach: Social Security Numbers, Concealed Weapons Info Stolen
May 28, 2017
Nearly 500 people may have had their Social Security numbers obtained in a data breach at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Also, the names of 16,190 concealed-weapon license holders — out of more than 1.75 million in the state — may have been acquired in the hack.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to help review his department’s cybersecurity measures.
“Only concealed weapon licensees who renewed online may have had their names accessed,” a release from Putnam’s office said Monday. “The department’s Office of Inspector General determined that there is no risk of identity theft to these licensees.”
The breach occurred about two weeks ago, and the system was immediately shut down to begin the analysis, said department spokeswoman Jennifer Meale. The department is offering a year of free credit protection to the 469 people who had their Social Security numbers obtained in the breach of an online payment system. The breach is believed to have originated overseas.
“No financial information was obtained in this data breach, which is the first that has occurred during this administration,” Putnam’s office said.
by The News Service of Florida
UF/IFAS: How To Freeze Strawberries
May 28, 2017
from UF/IFAS University of Florida
Gandy Scholarship Winners Announced
May 28, 2017
The Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship Committee and the Gandy Memorial Scholarship Committee from Poplar Dell Baptist Church have announced this year’s college scholarship recipients.
Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2008 in memory of Flomaton High School graduate, Solon Lee Gandy, the committee chooses outstanding Flomaton or Jay senior(s) who meet certain criteria, including sports participation, extensive writing abilities and a high grade point average for the annual scholarship.
Flomaton senior Dylan Patterson, son of Clint and Stacy Patterson, was awarded this year’s scholarship. Patterson graduated with a 3.7 GPA and has been involved in cross country, football and Beta Club while at Flomaton. His civic activities include community fundraisers and Down syndrome rallies. Patterson is the 19th recipient of this scholarship.
..
Gandy Memorial Scholarship
The Gandy Memorial Scholarship was also established in 2008 and is in memory of several Gandy family members who attended Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Byrneville — J.L., Louise, Solon, Elmira Crapps, and Bill Gandy. To be eligible for this scholarship, a church member must be active in Sunday School and other youth activities and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout his/her high school career.
This year’s recipient is Destiny Herring, daughter of Mitch and Tabatha Herring. Herring is a Jay High graduate, ranked No. 7 in her class. She was involved in Beta Club, SGA, and softball. Herring has signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast College where she will be playing softball this fall. She is the sixth recipient of this scholarship.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: The Ripple Effect
May 28, 2017
The end of the legislative session each spring is rarely the end of the story. The ripples from the fall of the final gavel keep traveling for weeks, either in the form of bills that make their way to the governor’s desk, or things left undone.
Both of those kinds of consequences led to disappointment or confusion in two substance-related industries that backers paint as trying to move forward. Big-box retailers that supported the right to sell liquor alongside groceries saw their efforts rebuffed by Gov. Rick Scott, who vetoed a hard-fought measure aimed at tearing down the state’s “liquor wall.”
Meanwhile, disputes continued over the state’s medical-marijuana market, a reminder that the system of nurseries is just as much of a business as corner drug stores, even if the legal footing for the latter is firmer in the eyes of federal officials.
And with plenty of uncertainty about just how final the Legislature’s decision on the state’s annual spending plan will be, one departing state official announced he would stay on the job a bit longer — even as the churn of agency heads continued.
POUR ONE OUT FOR THE LIQUOR WALL BILL
After hours of debate and House approval that rested on a dubious one-vote margin, there was no final victory toast for those who supported getting rid of a decades-old law requiring hard spirits to be sold in separate facilities from groceries and other retail goods. Scott might be a Republican, but he saw no reason to tear down this wall.
In typical Scott fashion, he attributed the decision to one thing: jobs, and specifically those that small-business owners said would be lost if the bill was approved. The veto was a victory for independent liquor-store owners, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Publix Super Markets, which fought the bill during the legislative session that ended May 8.
“I carefully reviewed this bill and I have met with stakeholders on both sides,” Scott said. “I listened closely to what they had to say and I understand that both positions have merit. Nevertheless, I have heard concerns as to how this bill could affect many small businesses across Florida. I was a small business owner and many locally owned businesses have told me how this bill will impact their families and their ability to create jobs.”
Left to cry in their beers — which, along with wine, can already be sold in big-box stores — were supporters of the proposal (SB 106) like Target, Costco and Walmart. They had banked on a free-market and convenience argument that came up short, even as the bill got closer to becoming law than it has in earlier attempts.
“We have made tremendous progress in the last four years, and there is a clear momentum in Florida for this common-sense approach to liquor sales,” said Michael Williams, a spokesman for the group Floridians for Fair Business Practices, which supported the repeal. “While Governor Scott ultimately chose to veto Senate Bill 106, we look forward to working with state leaders in the future to finally put an end to this outdated, Prohibition-era law.”
It was Scott’s first veto of the year, but if the Tallahassee rumor and speculation mill is to be believed, it probably won’t be his last.
The governor also gave approval to some big-ticket or even medium-sized items this week. He signed a tax-cut package that was much smaller than the one he requested but includes some consumer-friendly items like tax-free holidays for back-to-school shopping and hurricane gear and a repeal of the “tampon tax.”
“Since I’ve been in office, I’ve fought to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations to help boost Florida’s economy and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “Every time we cut taxes, we are encouraging businesses of all sizes to create opportunities for families across the state, and more money is put back in taxpayers’ pockets.”
The savings are projected to reach $180 million over two years due to some permanent cuts. Scott had requested $618.4 million in cuts before the legislative session, and an initial House package approached $300 million. But the package was scaled back substantially as the House and Senate negotiated a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Business groups also got some goodies, including a reduction in the commercial lease tax from 6 percent to 5.8 percent. That’s projected to save businesses $25.4 million next fiscal year, with that total growing to $61 million when the cut is in effect for a full year.
Business groups have long argued that the state should repeal the tax, and Scott had asked for the lease tax to be dropped to 4.5 percent.
“The most significant steps are often the first ones we take on an issue, and this cut opens the door for future reductions of this burdensome tax,” said Maria Wells, Florida Realtors president, in a release following the signing of the tax-cut package.
Scott also signed a bill establishing state criminal charges for engaging in or supporting terrorism or terrorist activities that result in death or injuries, and legislation authorizing the payment of $3.75 million in the child-abuse case that resulted in the death of Nubia Barahona.
Lawmakers said the Florida Department of Children and Families failed to prevent abuse of Nubia and her twin brother, Victor. Nubia Barahona’s decomposing body was found in February 2011 in the bed of her adoptive father’s pickup truck. Victor Barahona was convulsing in the truck, as both children had been doused with toxic chemicals, authorities said.
MONEY-JUANA
Lawmakers might not have passed a measure during the session to implement the constitutional amendment allowing full-fledged medical marijuana that voters approved last year, but the nascent ganja industry keeps rolling.
In a long-awaited decision, an administrative law judge Tuesday called for the state to issue two new licenses to medical marijuana operators, saying competing businesses — which lost out to another operator selected by Florida health officials in 2015 — were virtually tied.
Administrative Law Judge John Van Laningham’s recommended order came months after a hearing in the matter and long after he decided that the winning licensee, Alpha Foliage, known as Surterra Therapeutics, should have been ineligible to apply for a license because of changes in ownership.
Van Laningham’s order could boost from seven to nine the number of operators licensed by the state to grow, process and distribute marijuana and derivative products to patients. Licenses have been awarded in five different regions of the state.
On Tuesday, Van Laningham recommended that the Department of Health issue new licenses to Tornello Landscape, also known as “3 Boys Farm,” and Plants of Ruskin. The two nurseries, both based in Ruskin, challenged health officials’ decision to issue a “dispensing organization” license in the Southwest Florida region to Surterra.
Under administrative law, Van Laningham’s recommended order will have to go back to the department for final action. If the agency decides not to authorize two licenses, then 3 Boys should win because it received the highest score, “if only by a mathematically insignificant margin,” Van Laningham wrote.
Whether the agency will issue two new licenses is questionable; state officials have maintained in the past that current state law restricts the Department of Health to granting only one new license in each of the state’s five regions, based on administrative or court rulings.
The challenges are rooted in a 2014 law that initially called for one license to be awarded in each region of the state for nurseries to grow, process and distribute medical marijuana. That law allowed limited types of non-euphoric cannabis for some patients and was expanded last year to allow full-strength pot for people who are terminally ill.
But the already coveted licenses are even more desirable after the passage in November of a constitutional amendment that legalized medical marijuana for a broad swath of patients with debilitating conditions. Under every scenario envisioned thus far, the current license holders will automatically be eligible to grow and sell pot products for an exponentially larger patient base in Florida, which experts predict could quickly become one of the nation’s biggest markets.
SOMEONE OLD, SOMEONE NEW
Departing Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater knows what he’s going to do next. When he’s going to do it is still up in the air.
When he originally announced that he would step down to take a job at Florida Atlantic University, Atwater said he would leave at the end of the legislative session, which came on May 8. The week before that, he released a farewell letter. But Atwater said this week he’s waiting until action on the budget wraps up.
“We had a responsibility, when we said to finish session, maybe I should have been more clear about that, that all the work is completed, and not put it in the hands of someone who will be coming in for just a couple of days, to try to learn the systems and get it uploaded to start the fiscal year,” Atwater said. “Hopefully, it comes in for a landing soon.”
Atwater said Florida Atlantic University officials are “being very patient” and made clear he expects to switch jobs before the start of the school year.
“Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, absolutely,” he said.
Atwater was on hand for the meeting Tuesday of Scott and the Cabinet, where Noah Valenstein was named as Florida’s next environmental secretary.
Valenstein, a former Scott aide who is executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, will take over at the Department of Environmental Protection on June 5. Unlike most agency heads who answer only to the governor, the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection falls under Scott and the Cabinet.
Valenstein said after the meeting he wants to bring the “philosophy I’ve had at Suwannee River” to the state department.
“The issues are the same everywhere,” said Valenstein, who grew up in Alachua County. “All Floridians care about the environment, it’s the underpinning of what makes the state such a great place to live.”
Environmental groups, who haven’t always seen eye-to-eye with Scott and other Republicans, seemed optimistic. Anna Upton, outside general counsel for the Everglades Foundation, said she expects Valenstein to do well because of his background with environmental law and the inner workings of state agencies.
“He understands that people come to the state of Florida for our beaches, for our springs, for our national parks, our state parks, and of course the Everglades,” Upton said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott vetoed hard-fought legislation that would have torn down the state’s “liquor wall,” a defeat for retailers that had hoped to sell hard spirits alongside groceries and other goods.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Walmart has a competitive edge. They buy in such large quantities, that there is no way the person with two or three liquor stores can compete with them price-wise.”— Mike Doolan, a manager at Market Square Liquors in Tallahassee, arguing against the “liquor wall” repeal.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Top Mississippi Braves 4-2 To Take Series
May 28, 2017
Led by Alex Blandino’s bat and another quality start from Deck McGuire, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos topped the Mississippi Braves, 4-2, at Trustmark Park to clinch the series and extend its first place lead in the Southern League South Division by three games.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board first with a two-run inning in the second inning. Blandino hit a two-run home run to left field to bring home Aristides Aquino, who got on base with a double to right-center.
In the top of the sixth, Aquino got on base again, this time with a single to left-center. Blandino, once again, knocked in Aquino with his 12th double of the season. Blake Trahan drove home Blandino with a single to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-1 lead.
After a slow start in Mississippi going 1-for-8, Blandino has hit a home run in back-to-back games for the first time since 2015 when he was with the Daytona Tortugas. Blandino is now 3-for-6 the past two games in Pearl and finished Saturday’s game 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs with a walk.
After giving up only one run in his past three starts, McGuire held Mississippi’s lineup to four hits and two runs with a season-high nine strikeouts. McGuire gave up his third homer of the year, and last since April 20th, when Mississippi’s Kade Scivicque hit a solo shot in the bottom of the third.
McGuire has now won each of his last four decisions and has only allowed three runs in his last 25 innings pitched.
The Pensacola bullpen once again shut down the competition as Domingo Tapia threw two hitless innings with three strikeouts while Geoff Broussard picked up his fifth save of the season with a perfect inning of work.
RHP Keury Mella (1-4, 5.06) takes the mound for Pensacola against LHP Michael Mader (3-2, 2.16) Sunday for the final game of the series.