Highland Baptist Presents ‘Acorns To Oaks’
June 10, 2018
Highland Baptist Church wrapped up their summer music camp Sunday night with a performance of “Acorns to Oaks.
Photos courtesy Samantha Lundy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Politics, Pot And Grim Numbers
June 10, 2018
The Sunshine State was packed with political news this week, along with the perennial twists and turns in Florida’s budding marijuana industry.
But even the most politically plugged-in foodies and fashionistas focused their attention elsewhere, after two American icons reportedly took their own lives within days of each other.
Kate Spade, whose handbags, shoes and household goods were adored by prepsters, created “an accessories empire that helped define the look of an era,” according to The New York Times. Spade, 55, was found Tuesday after reportedly hanging herself with a scarf.
While Spade introduced young women to classy style, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain turned Americans onto plates from around the world and around the corner.
The heavily inked Bourdain — tagged by The Smithsonian as “the “Elvis of bad boy chefs” — was found dead Friday morning in his hotel room in France, according to CNN. The 61-year-old Bourdain, who was in the country working on his popular CNN series, “Parts Unknown,” killed himself, the network sadly announced.
Bourdain wasn’t a politician, but he served as an ambassador of sorts, bridging cultural gaps in far-flung places over wine and sea urchin caviar pasta or along dirt roads slurping oysters and beer.
“Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go,” he once said.
Bourdain took his own life a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a grim report revealing that the suicide rate throughout the nation has jumped by more than a quarter over the past 17 years.
Florida’s suicide rate climbed by 10.6 percent, but what’s even more alarming is that 25 states saw increases in suicide rates topping 30 percent. Only one state — Nevada — experienced a drop.
With nearly 45,000 suicides across the country in 2016, the report described suicide as a “growing public health problem” and said a variety of factors may contribute to the increase.
“Comprehensive statewide suicide prevention activities are needed to address the full range of factors contributing to suicide,” the report said. “Prevention strategies include strengthening economic supports (e.g., housing stabilization policies, household financial support); teaching coping and problem-solving skills to manage everyday stressors and prevent future relationship problems, especially early in life; promoting social connectedness to increase a sense of belonging and access to informational, tangible, emotional, and social support; and identifying and better supporting persons at risk (e.g., military veterans, persons with physical/mental health conditions).”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-8255 — and the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition — floridasuicideprevention.org — are among the many resources available for people or family members seeking help.
Perhaps there’s no way of knowing the factors that led to the deaths of Spade, Bourdain or the thousands of others whose lives are mourned every day.
But 13th century Persian poet Saadi of Shiraz offered some advice for people struggling with imperfection: “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”
BYE-BYE MURPHY
Much of the political jostling this week took place in the Democratic race for governor.
Here’s the short version: Billionaire Jeff Greene’s in, and former Congressman Patrick Murphy’s out.
After weeks of talking about the possibility of a campaign with former U.S. Rep. David Jolly as his running mate, Murphy decided this week his friendship with Gwen Graham — another former congressional colleague — trumped his gubernatorial ambitions.
Murphy and Jolly, a Pinellas County Republican, made national headlines as they floated the idea of a bipartisan ticket.
But Murphy, who served two terms in Congress before leaving to launch a losing bid for the U.S. Senate in 2016, put an end to the speculation Thursday, saying “you never want to run against a friend.”
In a Broward County press conference with Graham and her father, former U.S. senator and former Gov. Bob Graham, Murphy cited the younger Graham’s support for issues that he has backed, including the expansion of health care, environmental protections and support for public schools.
“I have decided not to enter the race for governor because there is one Democratic candidate already demonstrating the leadership Florida needs and fighting for the values we share — and that Democrat is Gwen Graham,” Murphy said in a statement Thursday.
HELLO GREENE
Murphy’s announcement came days after Palm Beach real-estate investor Jeff Greene filed paperwork to run as a Democrat for governor, joining a crowded field that already includes four major candidates.
Greene, 63, who lives two doors down from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010. He also ran unsuccessfully in 1982 as a Republican for a congressional seat in California.
With formal qualifying scheduled to start June 18, Greene opened a campaign account in a primary that includes Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Orlando-area businessman Chris King and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
Christian Ulvert, a top adviser to Levine’s campaign, noted that Greene entered the race just 50 days before the Aug. 28 primary ballots are mailed out. Levine and Graham have been the early leaders, although a large swath of Democratic primary voters remain undecided, public polls indicate.
Levine’s campaign has been bolstered by television ads financed by more than $15 million he had raised through May, including at least $8 million in personal contributions.
But Greene, who has a net worth of $3.8 billion according to Forbes, will be able to immediately compete if he decides to self-fund his campaign like he did in 2010, when he spent nearly $24 million in the Senate bid.
The billionaire won’t rely on earned media, at least not yet. Greene has declined to appear with the other four candidates at debates Saturday and Monday, according to the Florida Democratic Party.
SEEING GREEN FROM THE GREEN STUFF
In another indication of how lucrative Florida’s cannabis market is or could be, a California-based company bought one of the state’s medical-marijuana operators for $53 million.
Under the agreement announced Wednesday, the company MedMen will acquire Treadwell Nursery’s five-acre cultivation facility, located in Eustis, and the right to operate 25 dispensaries throughout the state, the maximum currently allowed under Florida law.
“Florida is the third most populous state in the country with a medical marijuana market estimated to reach $1 billion in annual sales by 2020. MedMen has built the best-in-class brand, and we continue to invest in premium assets that solidify our dominant position in the most important cannabis markets in the world,” MedMen co-founder and CEO Adam Bierman said in a prepared statement Wednesday.
MedMen, which runs retail shops in high-end locations such as Beverly Hills and Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, operates 18 facilities in California, Nevada and New York.
Treadwell, which operates as “Remeny Wellness” and is one of the state’s 13 licensed medical-marijuana firms, hasn’t begun selling products but has been authorized by the state to begin cultivation.
The Treadwell deal is the latest multimillion-dollar transaction in Florida’s highly regulated medical-marijuana industry. Lawmakers have restricted the number of licensed operators in the state, which has intensified competition for the licenses and boosted their value.
Investors from around the world have wooed the state’s licensed marijuana operators since Florida lawmakers first legalized non-euphoric cannabis for a limited number of patients in 2014.
The courtship has exploded since Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2016 that broadly legalized medical marijuana. State health officials have estimated that at least 500,000 Floridians could be eligible for medical marijuana use, and some industry analysts predict twice as many patients will sign up for the treatment.
And the quest to plant a cannabis footprint in the Sunshine State continues to intensify as businesses like MedMen plan on the eventual legalization of recreational pot.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Billionaire Jeff Greene filed paperwork to join an already crowded Democratic primary race for governor, while former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy abandoned the possibility of a bipartisan run with former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Republican. Murphy endorsed former Congresswoman Gwen Graham in the race.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If all judges were saints, then we wouldn’t be having all the cases that we have coming over from the JQC. And they’re coming over on a weekly basis, my friend.” — Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis, referring to the Judicial Qualifications Commission, during arguments about whether a Miami-Dade County judge should be disqualified from a case in which a lawyer for one of the parties is the judge’s Facebook friend.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Gaetz, DeSantis Hold Political Rally
June 10, 2018
Congressman Matt Gaetz and Ron DeSantis appeared at a political rally in downtown Pensacola Saturday morning.
Gaetz has endorsed DeSantis in the race to be Florida’s next governor, stating that they share the same priorities.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino 14U Wins All-Star Championship
June 10, 2018
Molino 14U recently won the GCYB All-Star championship in Navarre. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Braves Best The Wahoos
June 10, 2018
Mississippi Braves starting pitcher, Touki Toussaint (W, 3-6), got it done on the mound, but did serious damage at the plate with two hits and three RBI in the M-Braves 12-4 win over the Blue Wahoos Saturday night at Trustmark Park.
The Braves struck first against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Wright (L, 2-4) with a pair of runs in the second inning on Toussaint’s two-run single. He would strike again with two outs in the fourth. Toussaint ripped a double to left-center field driving home Connor Lien to put the M-Braves back on top 4-3.
Pensacola took the lead briefly in the top of the fourth. Brian O’Grady doubled home Nick Longhi to cut the deficit to 2-1. With two outs, Chris Okey singled home O’Grady and Luis Gonzalez to put the Wahoos up 3-2. The Braves piled on after taking the lead with a four-run fourth inning.
The Braves knockout punch came in the sixth inning. Already leading 9-3, Lien launched a drive to left field, Daniel Sweet made a leaping attempt into the fence, but he couldn’t hold on. Three runs scored on the two-out triple. Pensacola got a run back in the seventh on Narciso Crook’s first double-a home run to make it 12-4.
Wright lasted four innings and was charged with six runs on five hits with four walks in the losing effort. On the mound, Toussaint earned the win with 5.2 innings and three runs, one earned, on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts. At the plate, Shed Long led the way with his second-straight two-hit contest.
The Blue Wahoos will look to bounce back behind All-Star RHP Keury Mella (4-3, 3.56). The Braves will counter with RHP Bryce Wilson (1-2, 7.43).
Police Release Photos Of Dodge Challenger Involved In Deadly Hit And Run
June 9, 2018
Saturday night, Pensacola Police released photos of the actual Dodge Challenger believed to have killed an 8-month old and a woman in a hit and run last Wednesday night. For the first time, we learned the vehicle has a sunroof.
Earlier Story:
Two people, including an 8 month old child, were killed in a hit and run Wednesday night in Pensacola.
The Pensacola ice Department said three people were crossing Cervantes Street near M Street when they were hit by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Neariaah Ikerria Williams, age 8 months, and a family friend, 28-year-old Nephateria Monique Williams, died. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Quineka Tyon Baldwin, was being treated at Baptist Hospital
Police confirmed Thursday based upon evidence at the scene that the vehicle was a white 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, not a Charger. The vehicle is missing the driver’s side mirror.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call 911, the Pensacola Police Department, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia, Santa Rosa FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 9, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 24 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Manning received information that an individual caught a large oversized red drum and put it in his vehicle at the Fort Pickens Pier. Officer Manning got a detailed vehicle description and contacted a ranger with the National Park Service. The ranger stopped the individual while he was trying to exit the park. Officer Manning arrived and the individual was found in possession of a 35-inch red drum. The legal slot size is from 18 to 27 inches. The individual was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Ramos, along with U.S. Coast Guard and a Pensacola Fire Rescue vessel, responded to a single vessel boating accident in Pensacola Bay. A family of four attempted to cross the rough bay in a small 14-foot boat when a large wave swamped the boat, sinking it. The two adults, four-year old, and nine-month old entered the extremely choppy water. Approximately 25 minutes later, a Good Samaritan saw the distressed swimmers and maneuvered his catamaran to rescue the family. He, along with guests onboard, retrieved the four persons from the water. The two children were wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s), the 9-month-old was not breathing when taken out of the water. The Good Samaritan administered CPR on the infant and placed a distress call on his marine radio. A recovery vessel assisted by getting the distressed swimmers from the catamaran to a nearby dock where several EMS crews were standing by. The mother and baby were admitted to the hospital and released a few hours later.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Ribbon Cut On New VT Mae Facility
June 9, 2018
A ribbon cutting was held Friday for VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering’s new hangar at the Pensacola International Airport. The brand new maintenance and engineering facility will employ about 400.
“This project is a prime example of the great things happening in the Panhandle. Our economy is booming, our tourism industry is growing and companies keep bringing their businesses here. Congratulations to VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering on making a great choice by investing in Pensacola and our military mission,” Congressman Matt Gaetz said.
As a global organization, I know that this company had many locations to choose from for this project. I am thrilled that VT MAE chose to invest in Escambia County, and look forward to seeing the continued growth of their new facility at Pensacola International Airport,” Sen. Doug Broxson said.
Florida Representative Frank White said, “This project is a big win for Pensacola. I am excited to see VT MAE grow here and bring 400 jobs to this community.”
Mr. Lim Serh Ghee, President of ST Engineering’s Aerospace sector, said, “We are thankful for the tremendous support from the State of Florida and Pensacola City governments, which have enabled us to set up the new facility on schedule and commence operations quickly. Pensacola serves as an excellent base for us to serve the MRO needs of the North America region given its rich pool of highly trained engineering and aviation talent. We are happy to have United Parcel Service as our launch customer at the new facility, and we look forward to welcoming more customers and supporting them with the same high level of quality and on-schedule redeliveries regardless of where our hangar is located, time and again.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hot, Chance Of Thunderstorms
June 9, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Century Applying For Citizen Volunteer Response Grants
June 9, 2018
The Town of Century hopes to receive up to $20,000 for citizen emergency response and disaster response training.
Greg Strader, director of BRACE – the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, will apply for grants a $10,000 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) grant and a $10,000 Citizen Corps grant from Volunteer Florida.
If grant money is awarded, Town Planner Debbie Nickles will serve as grant manager.
The Citizen Corps program was created to coordinate volunteer activities that will make local communities safer. stronger. and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. Citizen Corps Councils focus on emergency planning and education that will enhance community post-disaster resiliency.
The CERT program is a training program that allows citizens to receive training in basic disaster response skills which allow these volunteers to provide critical support. giving immediate assistance to victims before emergency first responders arrive on scene.
Pictured: CERT disaster training in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.