More Showers And Thunderstorms For Friday
November 8, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers likely before 9am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9am and noon, then showers after noon. High near 73. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Veterans Day: A 20 percent chance of showers after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 65. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Escambia School Choice Expo Tonight
November 8, 2018
The Escambia County School District’ School Choice Expo is tonight.
Parents and students will have the chance to learn about the numerous academies offered in middle and high schools throughout the county. They can meet representatives of the academies, and School Choice staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the application process. Computers will be available onsite for anyone that wishes to complete an application.
The Escambia County School District will offer 68 academies next year. Currently, two-thirds of middle and high school students are enrolled in an academy.
The School Choice Expo will be from 6-7:30 p.m. in th Washington High School gym and cafeteria.
Bratt’s Donut Boy Celebrates Birthday With Pensacola Police, Harlem Globetrotters
November 8, 2018
Bratt’s “Donut Boy” thanked local officers with the help of the Harlem Globetrotters Wednesday.
Turning 11, Tyler Carach is continuing his travels across the country to thank men and women in the law enforcement with coffee and doughnuts.
He personally delivered and served doughnuts and birthday cake to Pensacola Police Department Officers. Tyler and the Globetrotters showered the officers with gifts. Children from the Rally Group who are either battling cancer or are a cancer survivor joined in the party had fun with the Globetrotters.
Since buying doughnuts for four Escambia County (FL) deputies at a Bratt convenience in August 2016, Tyler has taken his mission on the road to thank every cop in America with a doughnut. He’s visited departments from Los Angeles to New York and appeared on several national TV programs. He’s traveled to 41 states and delivered over 70,000 doughnuts.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Every Byrneville Elementary Student Receives A New Pair Of Shoes
November 8, 2018
Every student at Byrneville Elementary School recently received a new pair of TOMS shoes thanks to assistance of Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century. TOMS matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need, according to the company. Pictured are Byrneville fifth graders with their new shoes. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Win Paves Way For Conservative Court
November 8, 2018
Ron DeSantis’ narrow win in Tuesday’s election for governor will bring an unprecedented expansion of conservative Republican power in Tallahassee.
Democrats haven’t won a governor’s race since 1994. They haven’t controlled the state House or Senate since the mid-1990s. They lost their last Cabinet member in 2010.
Now, with DeSantis’ election, that conservative Republican influence will extend to the Florida Supreme Court, which has a 4-3 liberal majority that has blocked many initiatives advanced by the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott.
As he takes office on Jan. 8, DeSantis, a 40-year-old former congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, will have the power to appoint three new members of the state’s highest court, replacing three justices who are part of the liberal bloc and who have reached a mandatory retirement age.
DeSantis, a Harvard-educated lawyer, has said that he will appoint conservative justices who are “solid constitutionalists.”
Talking to reporters Tuesday night in Orlando, DeSantis said his court appointees “will be very, very smart, very principled people, but they’re going to understand that their role is to apply the law and not rewrite the law.” He said the appointments will bring an end to “judicial activism” on the court.
The appointments may also have a lasting impact since voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that will allow the new justices, as well as other judges throughout the state, to serve until they are 75 years old, up from the current mandatory retirement age of 70.
A conservative majority on the Supreme Court is likely to be more deferential to initiatives advanced by DeSantis and the Legislature, where the GOP on Tuesday maintained a solid majority in the House and at least 23 seats in the 40-member Senate.
But in his victory speech, DeSantis talked little about partisan politics and emphasized the need as the state’s next governor to work with all Floridians, including those who opposed him.
“Political campaigns are a rough business and often about highlighting our differences. And, unfortunately, in this day and age they often spiral into outright demagoguery,” DeSantis said. “But governing is different. Governing is about getting things done on behalf of the people of Florida, keeping our economy going, improving our water quality and environment, promoting public safety and expanding educational opportunities.
“We need to build a Florida that is cleaner, safer, stronger and that will be my guiding light as governor,” he said.
DeSantis said one area where he might unite Floridians will be behind an effort to address the problems of toxic algae and red tide and on moving forward with plans to restore the Florida Everglades.
“I think the first priority in terms of what is really urgent for Florida is really getting us on a strong track on water quality and the environment,” he said.
DeSantis said he would use his relationship with President Donald Trump, who held campaign rallies for him, to advance the federal portions of the effort, including the creation of a reservoir near Lake Okeechobee to help divert and treat polluted water.
“I think you’re going to get tired of me calling you, asking you for things for Florida,” DeSantis said about Trump. “But I look forward to that. I think we’ll have a great partnership.”
DeSantis will also have willing partners in the Florida House and Senate. Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, was an early supporter of DeSantis. The newly elected lieutenant governor, state Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, will also help DeSantis navigate the legislative process.
Lawmakers and the new governor are likely to find common ground on issues such as tax cuts, opposition to expanding Medicaid and the creation of more educational “choice” programs like charter schools and scholarships to send students to private schools.
DeSantis is also a strong supporter of gun rights, meaning any gun-control efforts are not likely to advance, and is open to restrictions on abortions. In the Republican primary, he voiced support for a “heartbeat bill,” which would prohibit doctors from providing abortions if fetal heartbeats can be detected.
As U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Iraq war, DeSantis will also find legislative support for his efforts to support active military members and veterans in the state.
One of DeSantis’ biggest challenges will be moving from a legislative branch, where he served nearly three terms in Congress, to the chief executive of the nation’s third-largest state.
DeSantis is taking over a huge enterprise, and one of his first tasks will be shaping a state budget proposal for 2019-2020 that is likely to be in excess of $89 billion.
He also must appoint a host of state agency heads overseeing areas such as education, health care, transportation and prisons.
Even prior to Tuesday’s election, DeSantis said he was putting together a transition plan for taking over from Scott, who leads in a U.S. Senate race that is expected to require a recount.
“You have to put together a government. I mean that’s a lot of work,” DeSantis said. “We have been doing this quietly behind the scenes, not to be presumptuous, but just because you don’t have enough time. You have to start doing it.”
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
More Showers And Thunderstorms
November 7, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers. High near 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Veterans Day: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers. High near 63. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Incumbent Boutwell, Newcomer Smith Win Century Council Seats
November 7, 2018
Incumbent Benjamin Boutwell and political newcomer James Smith, Jr. were elected to the Century Town Council Tuesday.
“I just want to thank the citizens of the Town of Century,” Boutwell said. “Thank you so much for supporting me. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We have got a good council. Let’s work with the mayor. It looks like we are going to have a good four years ahead of us.”
“I am excited that I won,” Smith said. “I looking forward to helping the community of Century, to making it a better place. I can’t express how excited I’ve been. I’ve been thinking about this all day and for the last couple of months, and now that it’s finally come to fruition, I’m ready to serve Century.”
Smith won the seat currently held by longtime council member Gary Riley, who did not see reelection.
Incumbent Sandra McMurray Jackson will also return to the council. She automatically won back in June when no one qualified to run against her.
Boutwell, Smith and Jackson will be sworn in at the first Century Town Council meeting in January.
Complete, but unofficial, results are as follows:
Century Town Council, Seat 3
**Benjamin D. Boutwell – 303
Amanuel Onell Dubose – 195
Century Town Council, Seat 4
**James Smith, Jr. – 277
Mary Hudson Bourgeois – 230
Pictured top: Ben Boutwell and James Smith, Jr. Picture below: Amanuel Dubose and Smith. Pictured below: Former Century Mayor Freddie McCall watches as Mary Bourgeois looks at election returns. Pictured below: Current Century Mayor Henry Hawkins reviews vote totals from the Century precinct before they are posted for public view on the polling room door. Pictured bottom: Boutwell and his wife Cheryl wave at voters Tuesday afternoon outside the Century precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hill Headed To The House; Gaetz Going Back To Washington
November 7, 2018
Rep. Matt Gaetz won reelection Tuesday to the U.S. House with 67 percent of the vote to Democratic challenger Jennifer Zimmerman’s 33 percent.
For Florida State Representative, Republican Mike Hill was elected with 61 percent to 39 percent for Vikki Garrett.
Complete Escambia County Election Results
November 7, 2018
Here are complete, but unofficial results from Escambia County:
Florida Ag Commissioner Race Heads Toward Recount
November 7, 2018
UPDATED — Despite a declaration of victory Tuesday night by Republican Matt Caldwell, the race for Florida agriculture commissioner likely will require a recount, joining expected recounts in the U.S. Senate race and a handful of state legislative contests.
Caldwell, a state House member from North Fort Myers, led by less than 13,000 votes late Wednesday morning in the Cabinet race against Democrat Nikki Fried. Slightly more than 8 million votes were cast in the race, according to numbers posted by the Florida Division of Elections.
“This is the closest race since we’ve seen here in Florida since Bush v. Gore in 2000 — we’re heading into a recount,” Fried, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer and lobbyist, said in a prepared statement Wednesday morning. “We are going to ensure that every vote is counted, in a race this close, everyone’s voices must be heard so the will of the people is upheld.”
Caldwell declared victory Tuesday night at an election-watch party. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
The state elections website had Caldwell with 50.08 percent of the vote to 49.92 percent for Fried. A machine recount is triggered when the margin of victory is 0.5 percent or less. A manual recount would be called if the vote margin is 0.25 percent or less.
Meanwhile, the highest-profile recount is anticipated in the U.S. Senate contest, where Republican Gov. Rick Scott also declared victory late Tuesday.
But Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s campaign described Scott’s declaration as premature, as the vote difference Wednesday morning was just over 30,000 from among 8.13 million votes cast. Scott had 50.19 percent of the vote, while Nelson was at 49.81 percent.
“We are proceeding to a recount,” Nelson said in a prepared statement.
Scott campaign spokesman Chris Hartline responded Wednesday that the “race is over.”
“It’s a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career,” Hartline said in a statement. “He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.”
Nelson’s campaign said in a news release that it intends to observe all 67 county elections supervisors for “irregularities, mistakes or unusual partisan activities.”
“We expect the supervisors, regardless of their party affiliation, will discharge their constitutional duties,” said Marc Elias, an election lawyer representing the Nelson campaign.
Three legislative races also appear likely to require recounts.
In the state Senate, incumbent Republican Dana Young trailed by 289 votes at midday Wednesday to Democratic challenger Janet Cruz, the House minority leader. Young and Cruz are battling in Hillsborough County’s Senate District 18.
In the House, Republican Elizabeth Fetterhoff was up by 72 votes Wednesday morning over Democratic incumbent Patrick Henry of Daytona Beach in Volusia County’s House District 26.
Also, in Palm Beach County, Republican Mike Caruso was up by 124 votes over Democrat Jim Bonfiglio for the House District 89 seat, which is open because Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, faces term limits.
The first unofficial returns are due to the state Division of Elections by noon Saturday from county canvassing boards.
Secretary of State Ken Detzner will order any recounts.
A recount must be conducted before noon Nov. 18, when the official returns are due from each county canvassing board.
The Florida Elections Canvassing Commission — comprised of Scott and two Cabinet members — is slated to meet 9 a.m. Nov. 20 to certify the election results.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida