Woman Writes Bad Checks, Embezzles Rent, Buys $81K In Goods
October 26, 2018
An Escambia County woman is headed to prison for allegedly writing bad checks and embezzling money to purchase items that included a vehicle.
Jessica Harring was sentenced to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty to organized fraud and grand theft.
Greyhound Racing Ban Goes To Florida Voters
October 26, 2018
This is part of a series of stories in advance of the November 6 general election.
Amid a sharply partisan backdrop overshadowing nearly everything else on the ballot, Florida voters are being asked this year to settle a long-running dispute that could result in the elimination of dog racing in the state.
Among a long list of proposed constitutional amendments is a measure that, if passed, would end greyhound races at dog tracks by the end of 2020. Florida is one of a handful of places in the country with dog racing, and passage of the amendment would be a serious blow for an industry that has been in the state for decades.
The proposed ban, placed on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, has drawn support from Democrats and Republicans.
“So many things these days are partisan,” said Kate MacFall, state director of The Humane Society of the United States and co-chair of the Yes on 13 campaign. “This is really refreshing because it’s bipartisan.”
But bipartisan support doesn’t mean universal support for what is known as Amendment 13.
The measure is opposed by the Florida Greyhound Association, which represents owners and breeders in the racing industry. It is also opposed by a coalition of farmers and sportsmen who contend the proposal is broader than banning dog racing because it includes language that declares, “The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the state of Florida.”
Groups opposed to the amendment sued to try to get the measure stricken from the Nov. 6 ballot. And while a lower court judge sided with them, the Florida Supreme Court ordered that Amendment 13 be placed back on the ballot. The measure would require approval from 60 percent of the voters to pass.
The battle over the amendment has drawn fierce debate from people on both sides, with advocates arguing that racing dogs are often injured or mistreated.
Sonia Stratemann, 46, a supporter of the amendment, started taking in injured greyhounds in 2003. She first worked with friends but eventually launched her own adoption agency called Elite Greyhound Adoption in Palm Beach County.
In the 15 years since initially getting involved, Stratemann estimates that she has saved about 2,300 dogs. She said she has seen health conditions that run the gamut and dogs covered with fleas and usually missing patches of fur.
Stratemann said she initially chose not to publicly share the condition of the dogs or how she contends they were treated. But she said she was “outed” by her daughter, Maya Stratemann, who on her 18th birthday turned to social media to help raise funds for a greyhound who needed surgery.
“The industry went crazy,” she recalled.
A prominent spokesman for the industry is Jack Cory, a lobbyist for the Florida Greyhound Association.
Cory maintains that Grey2K USA Worldwide — one of the groups backing the amendment — is using the ballot initiative as a fundraising tool. Grey2K works to eliminate greyhound racing and promote the rescue and adoption of greyhounds.
“They are the same groups that put the sad puppy commercials on TV, this false information for fundraising,’’ Cory said. “But they don’t take care any of any animals in Florida.”
Carey Theil, executive director of GREY2K USA, disputed Cory’s arguments.
“He is desperately trying to change the subject because he has lost the debate over greyhound confinement and racetrack deaths,” Theil said in an email to The News Service of Florida
As an alternative to banning greyhound racing in Florida, Cory said the groups and others should direct their efforts to help all dogs.
“We could move the state of Florida to no kill,” said Cory, who spends many weekends in Tallahassee volunteering for Florida Pets Alive!, which works to get dogs and cats adopted.
Joining Cory in opposition to Amendment 13 is prominent National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, who is leading a coalition of Florida farmers, ranchers and sportsmen.
Hammer, a former national president of the NRA, issued a prepared statement calling Amendment 13 a “Trojan horse.” In part, Hammer contends that “extreme animal rights groups” could use the amendment to do such things as try to ban hunting and fishing.
“We cannot be fooled. This is an attack on our rights as Floridians and as Americans,” she said.
But Theil, in a recent memo to reporters, said the Florida Supreme Court “debunked” such arguments when it allowed the amendment to go on the November ballot.
“It’s now clear that opponents of Amendment 13 are incapable of debating the merits of commercial dog racing,” Theil wrote in the Sept. 25 memo. “In recent days, they have started to circulate a series of falsehoods. You don’t have to take our word that these claims are false. Every single one was debunked by the Florida Supreme Court in its ruling in favor of Amendment 13.”
The Constitution Revision Commission, which was mostly appointed by Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders, meets every 20 years and has the power to place proposed amendments before voters.
Commission members, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushed for the proposed racing ban even though dog racing could be addressed by legislators.
For several years, lawmakers have considered proposals that would allow dog tracks to drop greyhound racing but continue offering other types gambling such as poker. But the proposals have been blocked amid a larger debate on whether gambling should be expanded.
Greyhound tracks that run a full schedule of live racing are authorized to operate cardrooms, as well as take bets on races going on elsewhere. Facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that run full schedules of live racing can also offer access to slot machines.
There’s no guarantee, however, that voters will resolve the dog-racing issue with the ballot proposal. Amendment 13 will be at the end of a lengthy ballot. Susan MacManus, a retired political science professor at the University of South Florida, said that could result in many voters skipping the amendment altogether.
“The longer-than-usual ballot plus the large number of amendments is likely to result in a higher rolloff (drop off) rate than normal,” she said in an email to The News Service of Florida. “That said, the amendment would pass if 60 percent of those who chose to vote on it voted yes.”
MacFall worries that voter fatigue could adversely impact Amendment 13 but remains optimistic that the measure will pass.
“We’re hoping it’s lucky 13 this November,” she said.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Effort Underway Rename Part Of Highway 29 For Highway Worker
October 25, 2018
An effort is underway to rename a portion of Highway 29 near McDavid for a highway worker struck and killed by a vehicle earlier this year.
The Escambia County Commission requesting the Florida Department of Transportation rename Highway 29 from Cox Road to Sigler Road as the “Maceo Perkins Parkway”.
Maceo A. Perkins, 41, was with a group of workers employed by Broad Spectrum working on Highway 29 near Sigler Road. Just after noon on April 6, he was hit by a vehicle driven by 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century. The Florida Highway Patrol said Odom’s 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with Perkins and the workers’ unoccupied Dodge Ram truck.. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“That was my best friend. That was everything I had. It’s like a part of me is gone,” Perkins’ wife Laquinda Perkins said.
The couple moved to Escambia County in 2017 to be near their parents. Maceo had a distinct passion for cooking and also enjoyed football and traveling. He awoke early every morning to work out, read scripture, and occasionally worked on his plan to open a local Wing Spot franchise. Everyone who knew Maceo always had wonderful things to say about his positive and upbeat character and his respectful and friendly nature, according to an Escambia County resolution.
Odom passed away at her Century home four days after the crash.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Halloween Activities Planned At Molino Library
October 25, 2018
“It Happened One Night at the Molino Library” will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Molino Branch Library. Come dressed in a costume, trick-or-treat throughout the library and tour the spooky Molino Museum.
Pictured: Last year’s “It Happened One Night at the Molino Library”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Raw Sewage Spills Into North Century Boulevard Area Ditch
October 25, 2018
Hundreds of gallons of raw sewage spilled into a ditch off North Century Boulevard Tuesday and Wednesday.
The spill was discovered on Alger Road north of North Century Boulevard during a daily check of a sewage lift station. Town employees found an electrical failure caused by a blown fuse which prevented an alarm that would have alerted workers earlier.
Century Water/Wastewater Superintendent Alicia Jernigan reported that an estimated 500 gallons of wastewater spilled into the ditch, according to a report filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, between 12:40 p.m. Tuesday and noon Wednesday.
Map courtesy Florida Department of Environmental Protection for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Receive Free Dictionaries
October 25, 2018
About 400 students at Jim Allen Elementary School have new dictionaries today, thanks to the national Dictionary Project.
The dictionaries were presented by members of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment.
The goal of The Dictionary Project is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary.
Pictured: Free dictionaries were handed out to students Wednesday at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Football Playoff Point Standings Released
October 25, 2018
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released current projected football playoff point standings for local schools:
6A Region 1
Niceville 41.88
Escambia 41.38
Pine Forest 40.88
Navarre 40.63
Gulf Breeze 37.75
Pace 36.88
Crestview 36.88
St. Augustine 34.38
Ed White 33.75
Milton 33.50
Fort Walton Beach 33.38
Choctawhatchee 32.88
Tate 31.50
Nease 30.00
Washington (Pensacola) 29.38
Middleburg 29.25
Englewood 27.38
1A Region 1
Baker 39.88
Vernon 37.00
Northview 36.50
Jay 36.43
Graceville 35.33
Bozeman 34.50
Holmes County 34.29
Freeport 32.00
Chipley 31.50
5A Region 1
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 44.22
Godby 42.88
Wakulla 39.75
West Florida 39.40
Bolles 39.38
Mosley 38.13
Ribault 37.50
Ponte Vedra 36.88
Suwannee 36.00
Pensacola 35.29
Arnold 34.00
Rickards 33.88
Terry Parker 32.75
Bishop Kenny 32.75
Westside 32.25
Bay 32.00
Stanton 31.88
Yulee 31.13
Paxon 29.25
For more information on the points system, click here for a informative pdf.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Grocery And Cafe Breaks Ground On Nine Mile Road
October 25, 2018
Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe held a groundbreaking Wednesday for a new location at 1000 East Nine Mile Road.
The store is expected to open by next fall.
Ever’man current operate a location on West Garden Street in downtown Pensacola. Ever’man has been a local staple for more than 40 years, gradually expanding its offerings to include a wealth of wholesome options, including artisanal breads, sustainable meat, dairy and seafood, and a full line of vitamins, herbal remedies and personal care products.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Divisions On Display In Final DeSantis, Gillum Debate
October 25, 2018
The first question in Wednesday’s second and final debate between Florida gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis focused on the divisive nature of the country’s political discourse.
And the opening discussion laid the groundwork for an hour of jugular attacks, with the two men accusing each other of being dishonest and unworthy of leading the state before they exited the stage with a fist bump.
The initial question from moderator Todd McDermott of WPBF-TV came following the news earlier in the day that Democratic leaders — including the Clintons and the Obamas — had been sent pipe bombs.
Gillum, a Democrat who is the mayor of Tallahassee, accused DeSantis, a former congressman whose endorsement by President Donald Trump helped boost him to a Republican primary victory, of running “this race very, very close to the Trump handbook where we call each other names.”
Gillum blasted DeSantis for comments the Republican made the day after the Aug. 28 primary in which DeSantis warned supporters “not to monkey this up,” referring to state success, by electing Gillum.
But DeSantis lashed back by accusing Gillum of supporting the “radical” Dream Defenders group, which the Republican accused of attacking Israel.
“So you want to talk about division. It doesn’t get more divisive than the Dream Defenders,” he said.
That drew a swift rebuke from Gillum, who said DeSantis “lied 21 times” during a nationally televised debate Sunday night.
“And now today makes the 22nd, and we just started the debate,” Gillum said.
The hostile exchange, which came less than two weeks before the Nov. 6 election, set the tone for the entire debate at Broward College in Davie.
During one of the most explosive moments, DeSantis, who was on the attack throughout the night, lost his cool after being questioned by McDermott about the former congressman’s affiliation with conservative author David Horowitz.
“Are you going to play the McCarthy-ite game?” DeSantis interrupted McDermott.
McDermott persisted, saying Horowitz had questioned the oppression of black Americans because there is not an exodus of blacks from the country. DeSantis had praised Horowitz as someone who “shoots straight” and “tells the American people the truth,” McDermott pointed out, sparking an outburst from DeSantis, a former Navy lawyer.
“How the hell am I supposed to know every single statement everybody makes?” he exploded, saying that as a soldier in Iraq “we worked together as a team regardless of race.”
DeSantis said, as a prosecutor, he “stood up for victims of every race, color and creed” and will “represent all the people” as governor.
“Everyone will get a fair shake. But I’m not going to bow down to the altar of political correctness. I’m not going to let the media smear me,” he angrily continued.
DeSantis repeatedly hammered Gillum about recently released documents the Republican contended demonstrate that Gillum lied about who footed the bill for tickets to the smash Broadway hit, “Hamilton,” two years ago during a trip to New York.
The documents were released to the public this week by Christopher Kise, a lawyer representing Adam Corey, a Tallahassee lobbyist and entrepreneur at the heart of a federal corruption probe involving the city of Tallahassee.
Corey and Gillum were longtime friends whose global travels were part of the 150 pages of texts, emails and other documents released by Kise.
Gillum has steadfastly maintained he is innocent of any wrongdoing and has publicly severed ties with Corey. The documents show that Corey told Gillum the Hamilton tickets were provided by “Mike Miller,” an undercover FBI agent who also arranged a boat cruise for Corey, Gillum, and the mayor’s brother, Marcus.
Gillum has said he received the ticket for the wildly popular Broadway show from his brother, and that the Broadway tickets were swapped for a Jay-Z show.
“The problem I have is that I should have asked more questions … to ensure that everything was above board,” Gillum said Wednesday night.
The focus on the documents came as DeSantis tries to paint a picture of corruption around Gillum, a surprise victor in the August Democratic primary who has garnered national support as he tries to make history as the state’s first black governor and the first Democrat to capture the governor’s mansion in two decades.
“Andrew was getting things he shouldn’t have gotten, and they got a $2 million contract from the city of Tallahassee. That is what corruption is. When you get something you shouldn’t have had, and you give something to people who were trying to influence you. That is wrong, and he has not told the truth about any of that,” DeSantis said.
Another tense moment came when DeSantis said Gillum’s immigration proposals would allow convicted child molesters who are illegal immigrants to remain in the state.
“That child molester will reoffend, and someone’s son or daughter will end up paying the price,” DeSantis warned.
Gillum, who tried to maintain his cool but was visibly angered, said that “would never happen,” and blasted DeSantis for distorting his proposals.
When you are running for governor “the first thing you ought to have to do is level honestly with the people,” Gillum scolded.
“You’ve got ads on television that are completely false. … How can we expect you to be honest with the people of the state of Florida if not here on this stage?” Gillum asked, adding “you are disqualified, in my opinion, from the office for governor.”
“Andrew is the one who lied to people of Florida on Sunday night (during their earlier debate) about accepting a gift from an undercover FBI agent. He’s the one who lied about the Costa Rica luxury trip,” DeSantis shot back, referring to a heavily scrutinized trip Gillum took with Corey.
“Shame on you,” Gillum said, as DeSantis noted that the documents contradicted Gillum’s explanation about accepting a Broadway ticket from his brother.
“He’s just apologizing because he got caught. He not apologizing because he did anything wrong,” DeSantis said.
“Unfortunately, the theatrics are on full display,” Gillum responded. “Mr. DeSantis can calm down. We’re not going anywhere.”
The two also tangled about their how they would deal with pollution that has resulted in an outbreak of toxic algae affecting coastal communities in South Florida.
DeSantis said he has a “very strong environmental plan.”
“The water is our lifeblood. We have to protect the environment that Floridians enjoy,” he said.
The former congressman said he proved his leadership on the issue by challenging the sugar industry during the Republican primary.
“I am the only candidate who fought Big Sugar and lived to tell about it,” he said. “They came after me in my primary with millions and millions of dollars, attacking me in every which way.”
But Gillum questioned DeSantis’ environmental credentials, noting the Republican had a low rating from environmental groups while he was in Congress and has expressed doubts about global warming and climate change.
If Gillum is elected, the Democrat said Floridians would “have a governor who believes in science” and would “hold all the major polluters” accountable “so that we can get some real (environmental) standards back into this state and clean up this blue-green algae.”
by Lloyd Dunkelberger and Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Two Motorcyclists Injured In Highway 29 Crash
October 24, 2018
Two motorcyclists were transported to the hospital after an accident with a Mercury Mariner on Highway 29 just north of Kingsfield Road Wednesday afternoon. Their injuries were not considered life threatening. The accident temporarily closed the southbound lanes of Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
