Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: A Sobering Reminder
February 24, 2019
Hate crimes are real. Just ask state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.
Chicago’s police chief is accusing “Empire” star Jussie Smollett of using the “advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career” by paying two men to stage an attack on him last month.
The allegations concerning Smollett, who is black and gay, sparked an international avalanche of commentary and ignited concerns that reports of the bogus attack could have a chilling effect on victims of hate-related violence.
Smith, an Orlando Democrat who is gay, is turning the controversy into a teachable moment, by sharing his own experience as the survivor of an assault.
While a student at the University of Central Florida, Smith and his friend, Heath Frank, were beaten up at a keg party by a man who repeatedly called his two victims “faggots” after he was arrested, according to a police report.
“I decided to finally tell this very deeply personal story because the reality is that hate crimes are real. Homophobia is real. Bigotry is real. And hate violence is on the rise against many groups. Anti-Semitism is on the rise. Hate violence against transgender women of color is on the rise, especially in Florida,” Smith said in a telephone interview.
Smith took to Twitter on Thursday about his experience as a survivor of “senseless hate violence,” posting a picture of his battered face and a police report of the incident.
The attacker, identified as Eduardo Alessandro Mongio in court documents provided by Smith, was “lingering around” and “acting kind of weird” at a crowded keg party, Smith said.
After beating up Frank, the attacker confronted Smith.
“I didn’t know what was going on. But I got banged up pretty bad. When the dust settled, everyone was telling me about how the guy was making all these homophobic slurs about our group, because hey, listen, we travel in cliques. We queer people, we stick together,” Smith said. “I don’t remember if the guy was drunk or what his deal was, but he started lashing out. It was like a full-fledged gay-bashing.”
Smith said he “felt compelled to speak out” as the controversy around Smollett exploded.
“I don’t know what the outcome is going to become of the Jussie Smollett case. But I can already see there’s a narrative out there that hate crimes aren’t real. No. They are. And they’re on the rise. Especially with the election of Donald Trump, who wears hate for other groups on his sleeve,” he said.
SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM
Measures that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana are headed to the House and Senate floors as legislative leaders iron out differences in their plans.
Lawmakers moved closer to agreement Thursday, after the House Appropriations Committee eliminated a proposal that would have restricted medical marijuana dispensaries to selling pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes with filters.
After making the change, the committee approved the House version of the smokable-marijuana bill (HB 7015). But unlike the Senate’s bill, the House version would not allow dispensaries to sell other whole-flower products.
The Senate proposal (SB 182) would require medical marijuana operators to sell at least one type of pre-rolled, filterless cigarette and allow them to sell other whole-flower products. It also would let patients buy equipment to smoke cannabis products from other retail outlets, such as smoke shops.
The House plan would ban children from smoking, while the Senate measure would allow minors to smoke medical marijuana if patients get a second opinion from a pediatrician.
Both proposals are ready for floor votes after the annual legislative session starts March 5.
Shortly after he was sworn into office last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave lawmakers until March 15 to address the smoking issue. If they don’t act, the Republican governor threatened to drop the state’s appeal of a court ruling that said the ban violates a voter-approved constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana.
Leaders in both chambers remained confident they would finalize a deal in time to meet the governor’s deadline.
“At each committee stop, I believe the two chambers have moved closer. I think by the time we put the bills on the floor, we will have them aligned,” House sponsor Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, told reporters after Thursday’s meeting.
Rodrigues said he expects the full House to vote on the proposal by the end of the first week of session.
Whether patients under age 18 should be allowed to smoke remains the biggest sticking point for the House, according to Rodrigues.
“We don’t believe children should be smoking medical marijuana,” he said.
The Senate’s biggest issue, meanwhile, is allowing patients to access whole-flower products other than pre-rolled joints.
Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Lecanto Republican who is a dermatologist, pointed out that marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug under federal law and that a paucity of research exists related to smoking cannabis as a treatment.
By allowing smoking as a route of administration, “we’re basically letting the tail wag the dog,” he warned.
But, said Massullo, “It’s solving problems, and that’s what we need to do.”
“CHOICE” EDUCATION PLANS
Top Senate Republicans on Thursday released details of a package that would bring significant changes to the state’s education system, most notably through an expansion of school choice.
The package would expand private school options for students, bolster security measures in schools and overhaul a program for teacher bonuses.
The series of proposals, which will be filed next week, are aligned with what DeSantis has proposed, including a pitch for a new voucher-type program funded directly with public money rather than through a system that involves corporate tax credits.
The Senate and the Republican governor want to create the voucher program to help reduce a waiting list of roughly 14,000 low-income students in the existing Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. In that program, corporations receive tax credits for contributions to non-profit organizations, which, in turn, pay for children to go to private schools.
Senate Education Chairman Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, said the eligibility requirements between the Senate and the governor’s proposals for the new program are “very similar.” But details will have to be worked out during the legislative session.
“My plan is to provide relief for these kids who are on a waitlist and those parents who want to provide a better education for their child,” Diaz said. “We start with the premise that every child is different … and what works for one child may not work for another.”
Senate Democrats slammed the package for putting taxpayer dollars into a voucher program that benefits private schools.
“The latest move is not only an abandonment of the traditional public-school system in Florida but an abandonment of the constitutional obligation to fully fund a ‘high quality system of free public schools’ that has been built over generations by the people, for the people,” said Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The House and Senate are getting closer to agreement on a plan that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We really don’t know what we’re doing.” — Rep. Ralph Massullo, a dermatologist, referring to a lack of scientific research about the effects of smoking medical marijuana on patients.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Woman Injured As Kitchen Fire Damages Walnut Hill Home
February 23, 2019
A woman was injured as kitchen fire damaged a home in Walnut Hill just before midnight Friday.
The fire in the 8000 block of Pine Forest Road, at the intersection of Arthur Brown Road, was reportedly cooking related.
A 40-year old female resident was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital suffering from minor burns and minor smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control in the 2,500 square foot brick home and work to evacuate smoke from the residence.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Shoe Drive Far Exceeds Goal To Help Train Service Dogs For Veterans
February 23, 2019
Ransom Middle School more than tripled their goal in a recent shoe drive.
They had set a goal to collect 100 pairs of shoes to benefit Healing Paws for Warriors, a group that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become service dogs for veterans.
But the shoes just kept walking in. Pair after pair after pair.
When the counting was done, the 35 students that started Kicks for a Cause had collected 366 pairs of shoes.
Kicks for a Cause is a shoe drive created by librarian Crystal Roberts and her student book club members for Acts of Kindness Week. Healing Paws will receive $10 for every 25 pairs of donated shoes, helping the organization with the $5,000 cost to train a service dog.
The donated shoes will also be used to help needy people in 24 Third World countries.
The students held a small event Friday morning to announce their results and to thank students and the community for the donations, and to thank WEAR 3 and NorthEscambia.com for supporting the shoe drive with media coverage.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
February 23, 2019
A very special Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning for the special needs students of Escambia Westgate School.
With plenty of beads, Moon Pies, stuffed animals and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prep Softball, Baseball Roundup (With Northview vs. Catholic Gallery)
February 23, 2019
High school scores from Friday:
BASEBALL
- Northview 7, Pensacola High 2
- Catholic 13, Northview 1
The Northview Chiefs beat Pensacola High 7-2 Friday afternoon. In the nightcap, Pensacola Catholic led with a homer on the way to a 13-1 win over the Chiefs.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview’s JV will open the regular season with a doubleheader Monday at Escambia beginning at 4:00. The JV will be in action again Tuesday at W.S. Neal at 4:00, and the varsity Chiefs open play at 6:30 also at W.S. Neal.
- Tate 10, Escambia 0
- Tate 12, Washington 1
The Tate Aggies shut out the Escambia Gators 10-0, and the Aggies beat Washington 12-1 in preseason action Friday.
Darrien McDowell led on the mound for the Aggies against Escambia, striking out six and allowing no hits and no runs in three innings. Mason Land went 3-4 at the plate, and Raymond Lafleur homered.
Land homered in the first as the Aggies drove past Washington. Land drove in four on two hits. Land and Cole Fryman also had a couple of hits each.
Preseason action for the Tate Aggies will continue at 4:00 Saturday afternoon against Washington at West Florida
The JV Aggies open their regular season Monday at 6:30 as they host Gulf Breeze, and the varsity Aggies open away on Tuesday at 6:00 at West Florida
SOFTBALL
- Northview 7, Crestview 4
- Northview 13, Crestview 1 (JV)
The Northview Lady Chiefs hit the road Friday to beat Crestview 7-4. The junior varsity Lady Chiefs beat Crestview 13-1. The JV Chiefs were coming off a 13-3 three inning run-rule win over Flomaton on Thursday.
Northview will host the T.R. Miller Tigers Tuesday at 4:00 for JV and 6:00 for varsity.
Pictured: Catholic at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Annual Blue Jacket Jamboree Receives $2.5K From Escambia County
February 23, 2019
The upcoming Northview High School FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree will receive a $2,500 contribution from Escambia County.
The Northview FFA requested funding for the event that benefits students with scholarships and transportation funding for state and national conventions. This event continues to grow every year, attracting over 1,000 people annually, according to the county.
The Escambia County Commission approved a request by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry for $2,500 in funds for the Blue Jacket Jamboree from his $50,000 annual discretionary funding.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree will be held Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Escambia County 4-H Facility off South Highway 99 in Molino.
Pictured top: An Easter egg drop during the 2018 Blue Jacket Jamboree in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For 365 Center Water Works Customers
February 23, 2019
A precautionary boil water notice has been lifted for about 365 Century Water Works Customers. The utility said bacterial testing showed the water is safe to drink.
The notice was issued due to a broken water main discovered about 10:30 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of North Century Boulevard.
Florida Prisons Take $50 Million Hit In Hurricane
February 23, 2019
As state officials deal with the costs associated with Hurricane Michael recovery, they will need to consider about $50 million in storm damage to a large concentration of prisons in Northwest Florida, state records show.
The losses reported by 20 state correctional facilities across 15 counties will eventually be covered by the state and federal governments. But as repairs are underway, some facilities have been temporarily shuttered, and inmates have been relocated to other prisons.
“When you shut down a couple of these facilities, we have had to rebalance the prison population all across the state,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, the top criminal-justice budget writer in the Senate.
One of the facilities shuttered after the Category 4 storm barreled through parts of the Panhandle was Gulf Correctional Institution. The costs associated with that facility’s structural damage are estimated at $18.5 million, about 36 percent of the property-loss total estimated by the Department of Corrections as a result of Hurricane Michael, records show.
The hurricane made landfall Oct. 10 in Mexico Beach in southeastern Bay County and caused devastation in rural areas that play a major role in housing the state’s prisons. The facilities also are a large employer in rural communities.
The impact has been felt in Jackson County, where four correctional facilities racked up about $12.4 million in property damage, records show. A vast majority of those losses are at the two complexes of the Apalachee Correctional Institution, one of the state’s oldest prisons.
From broken fences and towers to structural damage and wrecked equipment and furniture, the storm has had a severe impact on state correctional infrastructure, an issue Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, wants to prioritize.
“Budget constraints notwithstanding, we’re going to try our best to prioritize funds in our DOC (Department of Corrections) infrastructure,” Galvano told reporters Friday.
It remains unclear exactly how much the state and federal government will each pay to repair the facilities. Michelle Glady, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said it will be “a mix,” and Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he believes the vast majority will be federally reimbursed.
Some losses have already been paid. As of Jan. 17, a program under the state Division of Risk Management had received hundreds of claims from the corrections department amounting to $22 million, of which $4.5 million had been paid.
Aside from correctional facilities, recovery costs associated with Hurricane Michael have been a “tremendous expense” to the state, said Galvano, who added a good chunk of money is going to debris cleanup.
Galvano said the state has already spent $1.13 billion responding to the hurricane and that Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, estimates the total could reach $2.7 billion. While the federal government is expected to reimburse many costs, that will take time.
“There’s also a balance that we have to keep in mind in discerning what is reimbursable, what’s not reimbursable and what would be reimbursable but for the state funding it,’ Galvano said.
by Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida
Man Injured In Single Vehicle Quintette Crash
February 22, 2019
A driver was injured in crash in the fog before sunrise Friday on Quintette Road.
The driver left the roadway and struck a tree before 6 a.m His vehicle came to rest on its side.
The man was trapped in his vehicle for about 25 minutes following the crash near Frank Ard Road. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS after being freed by firefighters.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: A single vehicle crash Friday morning on Quintette Road. (reader submitted photo by Sheena StPierre). Pictured below: The vehicle after it was removed from the ditch. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Private Investigator Murder Suspect Sentenced To Prison For Racketeering, Fraud
February 22, 2019
The woman accused of murdering a local private investigator and burying her body on family property in Cantonment was sentenced to prison Thursday on unrelated charges.
Ashley Britt McArthur, 41, received seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud. Once released, she will be on probation for three years.
While employed by Pensacola Automatic Amusement, from 2015 to 2017, McArthur embezzled thousands of dollars from two clients, the Azalea Cocktail Lounge and Seville Quarter.
Pensacola Automatic Amusement serviced entertainment machines and jukeboxes for various clients in the Pensacola area for 40 years. McArthur falsified collection reports for jukeboxes at the Azalea Lounge and Seville Quarter while keeping the unreported proceeds.
McArthur is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of 33-year old Taylor Wright, a private investigator and former police officer. Wright’s body was found in September 2017 off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. She allegedly stole $34,000 from Wright.
She will face trial on the murder charge later this year.