New State Budget Lands On Rick Scott’s Desk
March 15, 2018
The clock is now ticking on Gov. Rick Scott to act on his final state budget.
The Legislature sent a newly passed $88.7 billion fiscal plan to the governor’s office Wednesday, giving Scott 15 days to decide the line-by-line fate of how lawmakers want to spend money, from big-ticket items such as education and health care to numerous local projects backed by individual lawmakers.
Asked when Scott might act on the budget, a spokesman responded Wednesday in an email, “We’ll keep you updated on this.”
The budget (HB 5001), which was approved by the House and Senate on Sunday, was among 47 bills formally sent Wednesday to Scott, who cannot seek a third term in November.
The 452-page budget, among other things, would increase public-school funding by $101.50 per student, provide $100.8 million for the Florida Forever land preservation program and offer a $130 million increase in Medicaid funding for nursing homes. The spending plan will take effect July 1, the start of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
Last year, Scott used his line-item veto pen to slash $410 million in projects across the state, saying they failed to “provide a great return for Florida families.”
Included on the 2017 chopping block were $20.9 million for citrus-canker payments in Broward County and $16.5 million for similar payments in Lee County.
Legislators had agreed to pay the money to compensate residents in a class-action suit who had lost orange, grapefruit and other citrus trees as part of a Florida Department of Agriculture program to stop the spread of deadly citrus-canker disease. Attorneys for the homeowners raised property-rights arguments in challenging the department’s actions, and a judgment was entered in 2008.
Scott wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Ken Detzner that he vetoed the citrus-canker money due to ongoing litigation.
Legislators this year included $22 million for citrus-canker payments in Broward County and $30 million for similar payments in Palm Beach County.
Along with the budget, other bills that reached Scott desk on Wednesday included:
— HB 21, which would take a series of steps to try to curb the state’s opioid crisis. The bill includes limiting opioid prescriptions to three or seven days for many patients.
— HB 1165, which would revamp state laws about approving trauma centers. The bill comes after years of legal and regulatory fights about new trauma centers.
— HB 1011, which would require homeowners’ insurance policies to make clear that they do not cover flood damages and that policyholders might need to consider buying flood insurance.
— HB 7099, which would ratify a rule requiring nursing homes to have generators and 72 hours of fuel. The Scott administration issued the rule after the deaths of Broward County nursing-home residents following Hurricane Irma.
— HB 1013, which would seek to keep Florida on daylight-saving time throughout the year.
— HB 155, which would designate Florida cracker cattle as the official state heritage cattle breed.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
The First Hour: Dramatic Audio From I-10 Charter Bus Crash First Responders
March 14, 2018
“I’m going to need some help…we’ve got a full charter bus. Multiple, multiple injuries. They are about 60 feet down the overpass here. We need as much help as I can get….We are going to need multiple, multiple agencies.”
Those are the words from the fire firefighter to arrive at the scene of a deadly Alabama charter bus crash Tuesday on I-10 between the Wilcox Road exit and the Florida line. In the video above (direct link), NorthEscambia.com has condensed the first hour of response by Baldwin County fire departments.
The dramatic audio of radio traffic between first responders paints a vivid picture of the accident involving a charter bus full of Channelview (TX) High School band members It was about 5:30 a.m., and it was still pitch black dark when firefighters found the bus on its side with multiple people trapped inside, some critically injured.
“Be advised we are going to need multiple air bags, stabilizer jacks and extrication,” the incident commander said. “We’ve got at least 50-60 patients down here.”
The bus driver did not survive.
It was a cold morning, and that was creating problems.
“I need some blankets down here. We need some blankets and some gloves…anything warm. We getting hypothermia setting in on several. So get me blankets or something down here too.”
Still some half hour after arriving, the incident commander was still asking for more help and more tools to save victims.
“Could you get me some more backboards down here, down this ravine. We are going to need chainsaws. Somebody else is working on my portable extrication (equipment). We need whatever you can get me down here.”
For an earlier NorthEscambia.com story and photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com video. Audio courtesy Broadcastify.
Morning Fire Destroys Home In Cantonment, Cause Under Investigation
March 14, 2018
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating after fire destroyed a home in Cantonment Wednesday morning.
The brick home on the 1500 block of Twins Pine Circle off Muscogee Road was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene about 11:40 a.m. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
For a photo gallery, click here.
More details and photos will be posted later this afternoon.
Pictured top: Firefigthers prepare to make entry into a burning home on Twin Pines Circle in Cantonment Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Stolen Restaurant Lunch Leads To Jail Time For Century Man
March 14, 2018
A Century man has been sentenced to time in the county jail after failing to pay for a lunch from a local restaurant.
Na’Keetric Devonte Davison, 25, was received a total of 270 days in jail for possession of cocaine, carrying a concealed weapon and petit theft. He was given credit for 130 days service while awaiting trial.
The Southern Panhandle restaurant reported last October that Davison left the restaurant without paying for his $21.48 lunch and was walking north on North Century Boulevard. Responding Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies caught up with Davison near Zion Street.
After being instructed to keep his hands out of his pockets, Davison reached back into his pockets, prompting a deputy to draw his weapon and order Davison to remove his hands, according to an arrest report. After he was placed in handcuffs, deputies reported finding a restaurant steak knife in his pocket. When it was removed, a small plastic bag containing what was later identified as crack cocaine fell to the ground.
A restaurant staff member was able to positively identify Davison as the person who did not pay for lunch and identify the steak knife as belonging to the business.
Reimagine Century Community Outreach To Return In May, Planning Meeting Next Week
March 14, 2018
Reimagine Century will return in 2018 as the faithful will reach out to touch the hearts, souls and lives of area residents in need.
Reimagine Century will be held Saturday, May 5. Interested volunteers are invited to attend a planning meeting on Tuesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Century Community Center on West Highway 4.
The last Reimagine Century event was held in May 2016 with a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, youth and teen activities, free haircuts, baby diaper giveaway, live music, free lunch, manicures, hearing tests, motorcycle rides and much more. There were also children’s activities including inflatables, face painting, popcorn and games. All items, activities and events were free.
Doers of the Word Ministry held a Reimagine event in Milton last Saturday, and additonal Reimagine events are set for the Montclair neighborhood in Pensacola on September 22, and Brownsville on November 3.
Reimagine Century 2018 is sponsored by numerous organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Waring Road Closed Until Monday
March 14, 2018
Waring Road between Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will experience road closures and detours effective until Monday, March 19. Construction will consist of water and sanitary sewer system upgrades.
Waring Road between Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be detoured along Pine Forest Road, Bush Street and West Detroit Blvd. The closures/detours are expected to remain in effect for approximately one week. Escambia County officials said efford will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road earlier.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.
Freeze Watch: Flirting With 32 Tonight
March 14, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
There is a freeze watch in effect for tonigh.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Areas of frost after 2am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Pictured: Tuesday’s sunset in Davisville. Photo by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Jay To Give Lady Chiefs District Lead
March 14, 2018
Northview 3, Jay 2
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals in district softball Tuesday night in Bratt, 3-2. At 10-0 overall and 5-0 in the district, the Chiefs are at first place in the district.
Tori Herrington earned the win on the plate for the Chiefs with 13 strikeouts. She was 2-3 at bat.
Also for the Chiefs: Ashley Ragdale 1-3, BB, 2RBI; Aubree Love 2-3, BB; Valen Shelley 1-3, BB; Anna Sullivan 1-3; Rylee Huskey 1-2, BB.
The Chiefs will host Chipley on Thursday before traveling to Escambia Academy (Canoe, Ala.) on Friday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jay 16, Northview 1
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Take Two From Pace
March 14, 2018
Tate 14, Pace 3
The Tate Aggies varsity softball team defeated the Pace Patriots Tuesday night in Pace 14-3. Brown pitched the win in seven inning for the Lady Aggies.
Tate 12, Pace 0 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity softball team defeated Pace 12-0 Tuesday in Pace
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poll: Florida Voters Back School Board Term Limits
March 14, 2018
A proposed constitutional amendment that would impose eight-year term limits on members of county school boards would pass comfortably if it goes on the November ballot, according to a new poll.
The poll, released Tuesday by the Tallahassee-based firm Clearview Research, shows that 68 percent of voters support limiting school-board members to two four-year terms. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is looking at placing the issue on this year’s general-election ballot.
“The eight-year term limits (proposal) for school board members begins in relatively safe territory for two reasons. First, it begins with 68 percent support and second it is an easy and clear concept for voters to understand,” Steve Vancore, president of Clearview Research, said in comments accompanying the poll results.
The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and has the power to directly place proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. Vancore’s firm polled 750 likely voters on a series of issues being considered by the commission, which is expected to finalize a list of ballot proposals this spring.
The proposal to place term limits on school-board members, offered by Constitution Revision Commission member Erika Donalds, has drawn widespread attention — and objections from groups such as the Florida School Boards Association and the League of Women Voters of Florida.
“This proposal would apply to only one group among several similar groups of local elected officials,” the school boards association said in a document on its website. “It seems discriminatory and punitive to single out one group to be subjected to these conditions and limitations that are not applied equally to all similar groups.”
Nevertheless, term limits — which were approved in 1992 for members of the state Legislature — have been popular with voters. The poll results released Tuesday indicate that 68 percent of voters would “definitely” or “probably” vote for school-board term limits, while only 25 percent would “definitely” or “probably” vote no.
Constitutional amendments require 60 percent approval to pass.
Clearview Research conducted the poll from March 1 through last Wednesday, with the results having a margin of error of 3.58 percentage points. The firm on Tuesday released the results of three questions about proposed constitutional amendments.
While the term-limits proposal received broad support, voters appear unlikely to approve another high-profile proposal that would lift a ban on state money being used to support churches and other religious groups — what is commonly known as the “no aid” provision of the Constitution.
The no-aid provision, for example, has become an issue in debates about school vouchers. The 1st District Court of Appeal in 2004 cited the provision in striking down a voucher program that paid for children to go to religious schools, though the Florida Supreme Court later found the program unconstitutional on other grounds.
The poll indicated only 41 percent of voters said they “definitely” or “probably” would support a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the no-aid provision from the Constitution, while 51 percent said they definitely or probably would not.
Vancore acknowledged difficulty in wording the poll question to come up with a “neutral and accurate” description of the proposal and consulted with an election attorney, Glenn Burhans, about wording issues. But Vancore said the firm decided to stick closely with the way the proposed constitutional amendment is worded.
“With that we are comfortable with the language as it accurately describes the actual impact and, as such, (the proposal) begins in a very poor position with a majority (51 percent) voting ‘no’ and only 41 percent indicating a ‘yes’ vote,” Vancore said in the written comments. “As worded, this item would have virtually no chance of attaining the 60 percent threshold.”
The other results released Tuesday dealt with a proposed constitutional amendment to change the state’s primary-election system and end what is widely described as the “write-in loophole.”
Under current law, all voters, regardless of affiliation, are able to vote in primaries if the candidates are from one party. For example, if a race draws only two Republican candidates, the primary would be open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters.
But when a write-in candidate enters the race, it closes the primary. For example, two Republicans and a write-in candidate in a race would mean that only Republican voters can cast ballots in the primary, effectively shutting out Democrats and unaffiliated voters.
The proposed constitutional amendment would end the ability of write-in candidates to close primaries. The poll found that 58 percent of voters support the idea, while 26 percent oppose it. Vancore pointed, however, to the complex language of the ballot proposal and said that whether it would pass is “anyone’s guess at this time.”
by Jim Sanders, The News Service of Florida