Reptiles Please Young Readers At The Molino Library (With Photo Gallery)
July 13, 2018
Participants in the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Program had a chance to get up close and personal with slithery snakes, iguanas, turtles, spiders and more Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library with Reno’s Reptiles.
The Summer Reading Program continues next week with Bucky And Gigi – former professional circus clowns — at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Century Branch Library and 11 a.m. Thursday at the Molino Branch Library.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Molino reptile visit, click here.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Urges Dismissal Of Gun Law Challenge
July 13, 2018
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office this week urged a circuit judge to dismiss a challenge to a law that imposes strict penalties on local governments and officials who violate a restriction on regulating guns and ammunition.
Numerous local governments and officials are plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in April. The case is rooted in a decades-old law that gives the state power to regulate firearms and ammunition and “preempts” the ability of local governments to approve such regulations.
In 2011, the Legislature approved stiff penalties for local governments and officials who violate the state preemption law, including potential removal from office and fines. The municipalities allege in the lawsuit that the penalties are unconstitutional.
But Bondi’s office this week filed a motion to dismiss the case on a number of grounds, including that the local governments’ arguments are “speculative” because the state has not threatened to enforce the law against the plaintiffs.
“Plaintiffs do not allege that any of the defendants named in these actions (or any other state official) has ‘actually threatened’ them (or anyone else) with enforcement of the challenged provisions,” the motion said. “Instead, plaintiffs allege only that, because they wish to enact and enforce ordinances that may be preempted … they are concerned that they may, at some indeterminate point in the future, be threatened with enforcement by some entity or individual they do not identify. Accordingly, these actions should be dismissed for a lack of judiciable case or controversy.”
The case has been assigned to Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson.
Parkland Panel Examines Florida Mental Health Challenges
July 13, 2018
A school-safety commission examining the mass shooting at a Parkland high school heard testimony Thursday about Florida’s fractured and overwhelmed mental health system.
As part of a three-day hearing in Broward County, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission turned its focus to the role the mental health system may have played in the Feb. 14 tragedy that left 14 students and three staff members dead.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who leads the panel, said the commission and the public need to better understand how the system works and to “clear up the myths about it.”
Some have suggested that the shootings may have been prevented if Nikolas Cruz, the former Stoneman Douglas student who has been charged in the slayings, had been committed to a mental health facility.
Prior to the incident, Cruz was picked up and sent for an examination under the state’s Baker Act, which under certain circumstances allows for mentally ill individuals to be committed for treatment. But Cruz was released after it was determined he did not meet the criteria for an involuntary commitment.
Gualtieri said he was not surprised.
“So many people think the Baker Act is the magic wand. The Baker Act cures and fixes all,” Gualtieri said. “The Baker Act is a temporary custody status for assessment. Rarely does the Baker Act result in any treatment.”
Additionally, Gualtieri said there is often little follow-up after an individual like Cruz comes into contact with the system and then is released, calling it “the greatest void” in the state’s mental health network.
Gualtieri’s comments were bolstered by testimony from Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Steve Leifman, who has been working for years with the Florida Supreme Court and the state Legislature to improve Florida’s mental health system.
Of the approximately 200,000 Floridians who were brought in for a Baker Act examination last year, just over 1,700 ended up in mental health facility, the judge said.
“It’s a fraction,” he said.
Leifman blamed part of the problem on outdated criteria in the 1971 law, suggesting it should be broadened to adapt to ongoing developments in the science of mental health.
Leifman also said the overall mental health system remains underfunded, citing data that shows Florida per-capita spending ranks 49th or lower among the states. He said that means roughly one-fifth of residents who need treatment get it, while 80 percent are untreated.
Leifman also agreed that intensive follow-ups for individuals who undergo Baker Act examinations often do not occur. He contrasted it with his dog, who was treated for a minor infection on a Saturday and then got a follow-up call from the veterinarian’s office on the following Monday.
“We’re treating our dogs better than we’re treating our fellow citizens in our state,” Leifman said.
Another theme in the testimony and discussion on Thursday was that many individuals like Cruz are identified as having mental or behavioral problems but there is often little communication between entities like schools, community mental health programs, the juvenile justice system, law enforcement agencies or health-care programs like Medicaid.
“That’s the cornerstone of what we’re trying to do here because after the fact everybody knew he (Cruz) was going to do it sometime. But none of the dots ever got connected in advance,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a commission member.
“How do we create a process or a system where we can get all of this individual data together and break down silos and make sure they get services and then we are able to follow their ebbs and flows in the process?” Judd asked.
Max Schachter, a commission member whose 14-year-old son, Alex, was among the 14 slain students, called the gaps in the state’s mental health system “horrible.”
“That’s a concern of mine that we could have more of these attacks if we don’t address these issues. It’s very disconcerting to hear that all of these agencies don’t talk. There’s all these silos of information. It’s never going to get fixed if we are not communicating,” he told reporters during an afternoon break.
Ute Gazioch, director of mental health and substance abuse for the Department of Children and Families, said ideally individuals should be receiving treatment before they reach the point where they are being sent to a crisis-stabilization unit under the Baker Act.
“The more we can do early on working with families and children, the quicker we can intervene, I would hope we wouldn’t have that many (Baker Act) contacts,” she said.
She also said individuals who are released after a Baker Act examination should be given a “discharge” plan, saying it may be something that needs to be re-emphasized.
Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll, whose agency oversees the community mental health system and who also serves on the commission, said that, while the state cannot force people to accept treatment, mental health workers can “aggressively and pro-actively” engage individuals and try to convince them that further treatment is in their interest.
Delivering treatment to children as early as possible is the best strategy, he said, although parents sometimes shun the recommendations because they don’t want to “stigmatize” their children.
With the statewide school system receiving more funding for mental health services, Carroll also said it will be important for the schools to coordinate with community mental health providers, noting that students spend more time in their homes and communities than in school.
The commission is working on a series of recommendations in the wake of the February mass shooting that will be presented to state officials by Jan. 1 in advance of the 2019 legislative session.
by The News Service of Florida
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Showers Friday And Saturday; Rain Likely Sunday
July 13, 2018
Here is your official NorthEscambia.com area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, 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 74.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Pictured: Sunset at Lake Stone Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Take Series Opener Over The M-Braves
July 13, 2018
Vladimir Gutierrez got some late run support in back of another excellent start in the Blue Wahoos series-opening win, 6-1, over the Mississippi Braves Thursday night at Trustmark Park.
Gutierrez allowed just one unearned run over seven strong innings to earn his fifth win in his last six starts. He walked three M-Braves and they scattered five hits against him, but he pitched out of trouble most of the night with the help of a season-best nine strikeouts. The lone run he allowed scored on an error in the second inning, it was an answer to the unearned run the Blue Wahoos scored in the top of the inning.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Aristides Aquino threw out Tyler Marlette trying to score from second base on a two-out single. That seemed to wake up the Wahoos. In the top of the seventh, Taylor Sparks belted a three-run home run to put Pensacola in front 4-1. The next inning, Gavin LaValley launched a two-run home run to make it a 6-1 ballgame.
Sparks paced the offense with Pensacola’s only multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Luis Gonzalez quietly had a nice night at the plate. He reached base in all four plate appearances with three walks and a single.
Pensacola will look to make it two straight Friday night behind Reds #4 prospect Tony Santillan (1-0, 1.50) who makes his second double-A start facing Braves #12 prospect Bryse Wilson (2-5, 4.18).
Central Water Works Lifts Boil Water Notice
July 13, 2018
Central Water Works has lifted a precautionary boil water notice.
The boil water notice was issued Tuesday afternoon after a water main leak caused over 400 customers to lose water. Full pressure water service was restored midday Wednesday.
Results of all independent bacteriological samples have returned as clear.
Boil water notices are issued as part of standard protocol following any loss of water.
Corrections Officer Charged With Pointing Gun At Stepson
July 12, 2018
A corrections officer been arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at his stepson.
David Andrew Leggett, 37, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a third degree felony.
The child told deputies that during an argument with his mother, Leggett pulled a pistol and pointed at him and his mother, according to an arrest report. The child then fled the residence and waited for Escambia County Sheriff’s Office precinct in Century.
In an interview with deputies, the child’s mother denied that Leggett displayed a weapon or pointed it at his stepson. Deputies noted in their report that the mother was “very evasive” in answering their questions. Leggett’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report.
The State Attorney’s Office confirmed Leggett was employed as a state corrections officer at the time of his arrest.
Editor’s note: The suspect’s mugshot was not available. Under Florida law, the mugshot of a law enforcement officer is not public record.
Slight Chance Of Rain And Hot
July 12, 2018
Here is your official Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Attacking A Man And His Boat, Jailer
July 12, 2018
A Cantonment woman arrested for attacking a man and his boat has been charged with attacking a corrections officer at the jail.
Pamela Annette Roberts, 58, was charged with battery and criminal mischief. She grabbed a wooden pole and attacked a man’s six foot by three foot yellow plastic boat in his backyard, according to arrest report. The victim said as he approached Roberts, she tried to hit his house before kicking him multiple times. The attack resulting in a baseball size hole in the bottom of the boat.
Roberts was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Escambia County Jail where the corrections officer noted that she was intoxicated and had urinated on herself.
During the booking process, she allegedly attacked a female corrections officer, wrapping her hands around her neck, kicking her and hitting her with a fist multiple times, the report states. The office suffered minor injuries.
Roberts admitted to drinking alcohol while taking medication, according to the arrested report.
Roberts was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.
New Byrneville Elementary Buildings Will Cost About $7.7 Million
July 12, 2018
New building construction at Byrneville Elementary School will cost an estimated $7.7 million, the school’s board of directors learned Wednesday.
Architect Mike Marshall of the firm Sam Marshall Architects presented the charter school’s board with a sneak peak of a needs assessment outlining the construction process and costs.
The school is looking to construct a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. The kitchen will have floor space to be expanded for cooking, but right now meals for the students are cooked at Bratt Elementary School and trucked in each day.
The project cost estimate also includes upgrades to the existing main school building to include fire sprinklers and central air conditioning and converting the existing cafeteria into a library space that will include a closed circuit television studio. Additionally, furnishings and associated constructions costs are $7.7 million.
There has no been no final decision to to actually build the facility. The board must secure financing and complete other planning processes including a final design.
The largest building on the current Byrneville campus was built in 1941 and contains five classrooms, plus offices and a cafeteria. Several classrooms and the school library are located in old wooden portable buildings.
Pictured: Byrneville Elementary School Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan (seated left) and board members Brandy Carter and Jeremy Hawsey listen to a needs assessment from architect Mike Marshall Wednesday afternoon at the school. Pictured: The largest building on the current Byrneville campus was build in 1941. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Architect Mike Marshall addresses t
