Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2018
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that dozens of needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 17th annual Toyz For Kidz Ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. Dozens of bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall. The bikers also made large donation to the Atmore Fire Department’s toy drive.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Children received Christmas gifts from Santa Claus Saturday morning at Bratt Elementary School thanks to the LA Bikers Toyz For Kidz Ride. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Changes Meeting Times, Public Forum Policy
December 10, 2018
The Escambia County Commission is making changes to their meeting schedule and public forum.
The commission voted to make the changes to allow county staff more time to devote to their regular job duties rather than spending hours in meetings, and “better meet their duty to residents of offering open, efficient and accessible commission meetings,” according to a county statement.
The commission changes include
- The elimination of one agenda review session.
- Moving one regular meeting a month to the morning to accommodate residents who do not wish or are unable to attend night meetings. One meeting a month will still be held in the evening.
- During the public forum, citizens will have three minutes to address the board, with additional time for questions and input for commissioners. Minutes can no longer be donated to another person to extend their time.
For a 2019 meeting schedule, click here.
The board also chose to change the chairmanship appointment order and to revert to the commission policy of appointment order in the future. Under this process, the vice chairman is now District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, with District 3 Commissioner Lumon May serving as chairman.
Santa Claus Is Coming To A Library Near You
December 10, 2018
Santa Claus will be visiting libraries across Escambia County. He will read a story and hear Christmas wishes.
- Tuesday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Wednesday, Dec. 12, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Thursday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cloudy And Cool, Near Freezing Tonight
December 10, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Tate Volleyball’s Talbert Signs With University Of Texas
December 10, 2018
In His Own Words: Flomaton Football Coach Doug Vickery On 3A Championship
December 10, 2018
Flomaton High School football coach Doug Vickery, in his own words, on the Hurricanes’ historic 3A State Championship:
“Words can’t express how happy I am for these boys. I get a little emotional talking about it because we spent because we spend so much time, blood, sweat and tears with these guys. A lot of hard work goes into this.’
God’s in control. He has has His hand on this team the whole year. He’s blessed us. We’ve had a few ups and downs. In the middle the season we had a couple of valleys. The guys never quit, just keep battling back.”
“We lost one of of our cheerleaders the last week of the season. We lost that game.”
“We’ve had a lot of emotion go into this. I told them when we beat Thomasville 43-42 — it was an unbelievable game — I told them we will be in Auburn. Each week I told them we would be in Auburn, and they believed it. We’ve been in Auburn, and we won it.
“Wow, you can’t put words on it to 0 express how I am and proud for the community and fans.”
“Especially the players. I have been here 13 years. There have been a lot of people that said you can’t win a state championship in Flomaton. Matter of fact when I went there, somebody said I didn’t need to go there and take the job. And our principal Scott Hammond took a chance on me. Hopefully we’ve made him happy today…He seemed pretty happy.”
“There’s even been people in out community say you could’t win a state championship in Flomaton. I am I just so proud for the people that believed in us, proud for these boys.”
For game details and a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Flomaton Hurricane football coach Doug Vickery. Photo for NorthEscambia.com by Trent Penny/Anniston Star, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Traffic Delays
December 10, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur Sunday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 15. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 16.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road – Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 16.
- · U.S. 98 (East Chase Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway – There will be paving operations from Palafox Street to the I-110 ramps from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Dec. 16.
- · Crary Road Bridge Replacement - Crary Road will be temporarily closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road.
- · Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek during construction. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.
- · S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Drainage Improvements from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place- The south entrance to Usher Circle from Fairfield Drive will be closed to traffic from Tuesday. Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 14 as crews install pipe across the roadway. Those seeking access to Usher Circle may utilize the north entrance off Fairfield Drive.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 16.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Sunday, Dec. 9 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange from Monday through Thursday.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through spring 2019.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) –Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
- S.R. 4 over East Relief and Wilson’s Branch Bridge Maintenance – Drivers will encounter alternating, east and westbound lane restrictions over Wilson’s Branch and East Relief, about three miles east of U.S. 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Changes On The Horizon For Florida’s Medical Marijuana Industry
December 10, 2018
The advent of a new administration with Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis at the helm could bring a sharp turnaround in how Florida officials approach the state’s highly regulated medical marijuana industry.
And one of the first reversals might come on the legal front.
DeSantis, a Republican who will take office on Jan. 8, is unwilling to continue some of the court battles now being waged by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, according to Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nuñez.
When asked where the DeSantis administration stands on the caps on medical marijuana licenses imposed by the state Legislature and whether the new governor plans to continue the appeals launched by Scott, Nuñez told The News Service of Florida Wednesday that DeSantis “has said he’s not interested in continuing that fight.”
“I think he has a different perspective than Gov. Scott. I think he wants the will of the voters to be implemented,” Nuñez, a former state representative from Miami, said.
Nuñez was referring to the 2016 constitutional amendment, approved by 71.3 percent of Florida voters, broadly legalizing medical marijuana.
A Tallahassee judge recently ruled that a 2017 law, aimed at implementing the amendment, was unconstitutional. Earlier this year, Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ordered state health officials to begin registering new medical-marijuana operators after deciding the law, passed during a special legislative session last year, failed to properly carry out the amendment.
The circuit judge found fault with parts of the law that, among other things, capped the number of marijuana licenses and created a “vertical integration” system that requires marijuana operators to grow, and process cannabis and distribute related products. Already-licensed operators worried that the ruling could create uncertainty in the fast-growing industry — while also allowing more companies to receive licenses.
Dodson’s decision came in a challenge filed by Tampa-based Florigrown LLC, which was denied a license by the state and is owned in part by strip-club owner Joe Redner.
Scott’s administration quickly appealed the ruling, and the judge’s order regarding the new licenses is on hold.
The Florigrown case is just one of a number of marijuana-related legal challenges Scott’s administration is appealing. The most high-profile lawsuit is a challenge to the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. The plaintiffs in the case include John Morgan, the Orlando trial lawyer who largely bankrolled the 2016 amendment, known as Amendment 2.
It was unclear immediately which legal fights the DeSantis administration might abandon after the former congressman and Nuñez take office on Jan. 8.
“The governor-elect is considering a variety of options on this matter, along with a number of other important issues, and will be discussing these further as we move forward with our transition and administration,” DeSantis transition spokesman Dave Vasquez said in an email when asked to clarify which litigation Nuñez was referring to.
But, like many others, DeSantis has expressed frustration with delays in the roll-out of the amendment. Nuñez reiterated that frustration this week.
“In our discussions, in our involvement in transition, I think he has noted that, sort of the slow pace is something that could potentially be a problem. He wants to make sure that that’s addressed. But I know publicly he has stated he is not interested in continuing the lawsuit,” she said.
One of DeSantis’ top transition advisors is U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican who was a fierce supporter of medical marijuana when he was in the state House and has continued his advocacy following his election to Congress in 2016.
DeSantis will “faithfully execute the will of the people on medical marijuana,” Gaetz said in a text Friday morning.
“As the author of Florida’s first medical marijuana laws, I’m comforted to know conditions will improve for patients under a governor fully committed to this objective. The governor-elect and I have discussed a variety of strategies. I suspect specifics will be refined in consultation with the health care advisory committee to the transition and Gov.-elect Desantis’s selections for surgeon general and general counsel,” Gaetz said.
When asked whether DeSantis plans to drop the appeal in the Florigrown case, Gaetz said the issue is “one of the specifics that I’m sure our new governor will take under advisement.”
According to Nuñez, who also said she couldn’t answer specific questions related to the licensing caps or the smoking ban, DeSantis believes most issues could be fixed by the Legislature, which begins its 2019 session on March 5.
The new administration — which, under the amendment, is responsible for implementation of the amendment and oversight of the marijuana industry — will play a major role, Nuñez indicated.
“Certainly, whoever is heading up that agency has a responsibility to implement. I think he views whoever heads up that agency, whoever is in charge of that particular area, has a responsibility to do so efficiently and effectively without sort of delaying the process, whether it’s how quickly you can get your ID cards, to ensuring that people have access,” she said.
The Office of Compassionate Use has come under harsh criticism, publicly and privately, by lawmakers, patients and would-be marijuana operators, who accuse the agency, a division of the Department of Health, of dragging its feet to craft regulations related to the marijuana industry.
At one point, patients waited for months before receiving state-issued identification cards showing they were eligible for the marijuana treatment. The approval is required for patients to purchase marijuana products.
Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried, a Democrat who was once a medical-marijuana lobbyist, called Nuñez’s comments “encouraging” and said she looks forward to speaking with DeSantis “about how we can correctly implement the Constitution as approved by 71 percent of Floridians.”
Fried, a lawyer, played a role in the crafting of the state’s marijuana laws.
“If DeSantis is serious about moving patient access forward, I welcome that wholeheartedly and would love to work with him in any way to get sick and suffering residents of our state the medicine they need,” she said in a statement.
The many investors and prospective operators seeking entry into Florida’s restricted medical marijuana industry also are likely to welcome a shift in state officials’ attitude toward pot.
“Actions speak louder than words but what they’re saying so far seems to indicate that they’re willing to move away from the obstructionist position of the Scott administration and move toward fulfilling the will of more than 71 percent of Floridians and hopefully doing the right thing to implement the amendment,” Ben Pollara, who is a plaintiff in the smoking-ban lawsuit, told the News Service. Pollara was a senior adviser to Fried’s campaign and is co-chairman of her inaugural committee.
But operators already doing business in the state, where licenses have sold for upwards of $70 million, may be more cautious.
“I believe change is coming. This is an evolving industry, and we look forward to working with the Legislature and the new administration,” said Ron Watson, a lobbyist who represents operators currently doing business in the state and others who want to gain entry.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
John Stanley Sanders
December 10, 2018
John Stanley Sanders, 63 of Cantonment, FL passed way Monday, November 26, 2018, in Cantonment, FL. He was a mechanic with Escambia County Mosquito Control. He was born in Atmore, AL on August 2, 1955, to the late Arlen and Velma Williams Sanders.
Survivors include his son, Joshua David Sanders; two brothers, Jerry Sanders and Richard Sanders; two sisters, Mae Hildreth and Janie Sanders.
Services were held Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Dry Springs Church.
Interment was in Dry Springs Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Ron Scott
December 10, 2018
Ron Scott, also known as Scottie, Grandpa Scott, and Papa Ron, was born to Elsie Ibberson and William Scott in Preston, Lancashire, England on August 11, 1942. He later married Anne Gagan of Chorley, Lancashire, England on November 28, 1964. At the age of 16, Ron joined the Army and served in the famous Scots Guards. He served as a cook, stood guard duty in full regalia in front of famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, and was deployed to Africa during his years in the British military. His experience of cooking for the Royal family and other respected people led him to a successful career in the field of culinary arts. He and his family emigrated to the United States in 1971, where he was a professional chef at hotels in Utah and Idaho for the next 15 years. He spent the rest of his career writing restaurant operations manuals for the U.S. Army and then the Navy. The restaurants of officer’s clubs and golf courses at military bases all over the world owe their success today to his attention to detail and good taste.
To his family, friends, and associates, he was known as a man of good humor and quick wit, always making other people laugh. He was an avid BYU football fan and enjoyed watching English football. He had a few hobbies, such as art and music and was known for how much he cared for his animals.
Ron was a husband to Anne Gagan for 54 years. Together they had four children, and he enjoyed being a grandfather to 13 grandchildren. Ron loved his family and was very proud of them. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. May he rest in the light of God where perfect peace and comfort are found.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Scott.
He is survived by his wife, Anne M. Scott; children, David Scott, Steven Scott, Gordon Scott and Anne-Marie Schoonover; siblings, Laurence Scott, Brian Scott, Raymond Scott and Victoria Margarete Scott Geilman.
Pallbearers were David William Scott, Steven David Scott, Gordon Joseph Scott, Gordon Joseph Scott II, Gabriel Jordon Scott and Troy Gordon Schoonover.
Honorary pallbearers were Brian Scott, Laurence Scott, Raymond Scott, Jude Benjamin Scott, Thomas James Schoonover and Troy Spencer Schoonover.
Services were held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bishop Jake Smith officiating.
Interment was at Gonzalez United Methodist Church Cemetery, Cantonment, FL.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.