Charges Dropped Against Molino Man Accused Of Drug Trafficking
October 1, 2018
Charges have been dropped against a Molino man arrested for drug trafficking after a traffic stop.
There was insufficient evidence against John Homer Docherty to try him on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of possession a controlled substance without a prescription, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a passenger brake light out on W Street in Pensacola. Docherty was a passenger in the car, and a K-9 alerted on the vehicle. Deputies recovered a total of 27.1 grams of meth from under the passenger seat and glove box, according to an arrest report. Deputies also reported finding 1.5 tables of Xanax and two Oxycodone tablets.
The driver was issued a citation for no seat belt.
New Laws – Including PTSD Benefits, Animal Abuse – Take Effect In Florida
October 1, 2018
New laws took effect in Florida Monday that will add benefits for first responders who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and impose harsher penalties on people who abuse animals, along with 19 other measures signed by Gov. Rick Scott after the 2018 legislative session.
The laws range from allowing credit cards to be used for background checks when firearms are purchased to doling out tougher punishment for people who steal bee colonies or trespass at airports.
Most laws crafted during the legislative session, including the state’s $88.7 billion budget, hit the books on July 1. But others had later “effective” dates.
The change for first responders (SB 376) would expand workers’ compensation insurance benefits for firefighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency-medical technicians who suffer from PTSD.
The office of state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who has started running a campaign ad that highlights his support for the law, announced last week the launch of training materials for first responders on PTSD.
“We’ve heard terrible stories about the impact tragedies like Pulse, Parkland and most recently Jacksonville Landing, have on our first responders and their families,” Patronis, whose job includes serving as state fire marshal, said in a statement. “The training is an important step needed to help our first responders.”
According to a 2015 article published in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, 6.6 percent of 4,000 first responders surveyed had attempted suicide, which is more than 10 times the rate in the general population.
Under the new law, first responders who have witnessed the death of a minor or witnessed a death that involved “grievous bodily harm of a nature that shocks the conscience” can file workers’ compensation claims for lost wages.
The new law is expected to increase workers’ compensation costs for cities and counties that employ first responders by upward of $7 million, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
Another new law (SB 1576) taking effect next week stems from the beating death last year of a 9-month-old Labrador retriever puppy in Volusia County.
The new law, named “Ponce’s Law” after the puppy, will allows judges to bar people convicted of animal cruelty from owning pets. The legislation also increases the severity ranking of animal-abuse related crimes, making it more likely that offenders would go to jail upon conviction.
Kate MacFall with the Humane Society of the United States hopes the new law will allow judges to make sure people who mistreat animals are not allowed to repeat the cycle of abuse.
“It gives that judge discretion to say they can’t have any contact with animals during their probation,” MacFall said. “It clarifies that and gives the judge the authority to have that as part of the sentencing, so that the criminal cannot have contact with animals during their probation.”
In addition to dealing with animal cruelty, the new law also creates policies and procedures for animal shelters to use following natural disasters, such as hurricanes, to return lost pets to their owners.
“It puts more teeth into it. It stiffens the penalty for people who abuse animals,” MacFall said. “Who wouldn’t support that? This all came from a dog named Ponce, that was beaten to death last year. It was a horrific tragedy.”
Other new laws going into place on Oct. 1:
— HB 55, allows people buying guns to use credit cards to pay for background checks. They have been required in the past to pay with personal checks, money orders or cashier’s checks.
— HB 135, allows deaf people to voluntarily identify themselves as hearing-impaired when they register vehicles. The idea, which came from a Tallahassee police officer whose son is deaf, is intended to prevent communications issues with deaf drivers that could inadvertently lead to confrontations.
— HB 523, increases penalties to a third-degree felony for people who trespass on airport property to injure other people, damage property or impede the operations of aircraft. The bill is in reaction to instances since 2014 of people getting on property at Florida airports, including Orlando International, Tampa International and Miami International.
— HB 961, allows businesses such as bars to receive up to 10 cases of branded glassware — 24 glasses per container — a year from brewers or importers. Supporters of the “beer glass” bill maintained that the change would allow small businesses to save on the cost of glassware. But a number of craft brewers opposed the measure, arguing it would allow a small number of brewers who could afford the costs to flood the market with company-branded glassware.
by Tom Urban and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Weekly Traffic Alerts: This Week’s Delays On State Roads
October 1, 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 take place from Sunday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 6. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: North and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center 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 encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 7.
- State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Paving operations continue between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 through Thursday, Oct. 4.
- 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, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct.7.
· S.R.10/U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road – Beulah Road on the south side of Nine Mile Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1 as crew perform utility relocation. Motorist may use Rebel Road and Beulah Church Road as an alternative route. Detour signs will be in place to alert drivers of temporary road closure and detour route.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – Drivers traveling I-10 and Avalon Boulevard will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, Sept. 30:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard Sunday through Friday as crews widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic patterns on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the fall.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 7.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to County Road 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 Big Juniper Creek Routine Bridge Inspection- Traffic will be reduced to one lane on S.R. 4 over Big Juniper Creek, about one mile west of S.R. 87, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
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.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
October 1, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for this week:
Monday, Oct. 1
Planning Board/Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board/Regular – 8:35 a.m. , Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Police Benevolent Association Union Negotiations – 10 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Human Resources Training Room, Second Floor
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Oct. 4
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Reduced Adoption Fees This Month At The Escambia Animal Shelter
October 1, 2018
In celebration of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $50 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens during the month of October.
Adoption fees include altering of the animal (spay or neutering services), microchip, heart worm test, and the initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents will be required to purchase a license at the time of adoption. This is an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately.
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 West Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075.
Cantonment’s Strictly Business Wins 10U Tournament
October 1, 2018
Cantonment’s Strictly Business won the 10U Guarding the Guard tournament this past weekend at the Foley Sportsplex. With the win, Strictly Business is 16-0 in season and tournament play. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Welcome Home’ Block Party Held For Century Tornado Victims
September 30, 2018
A “Welcome Home” block party was held Saturday for victims of the February 2016 EF-3 tornado that ravaged parts of Century.
“God has been very gracious to us. He has been very kind in the way he has taken care of us,” Rev. Janet Lee of Century United Methodist Church said. The church, which lost their 114-year old building to the tornado, hosted the block party. “I know your struggle has not been easy. But I am grateful for the progress we see on Front Street and all around town.
The event on Front Street featured food, music, and — most of all — smiles from neighbors proud to be back home.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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New Law Governing Trespassing On School Buses
September 30, 2018
A new Florida law went into effect Monday that includes it a provision making it illegal to trespass on a school bus just the same as any other school property.
The Escambia County School District and Rep. Frank White worked together to close the loophole in the state law that excluded school buses from the school trespassing statute.
Prior to the 2018 Legislative Session, Superintendent Thomas expressed his concern over the issue of trespassing on school buses. Because Florida statute did not recognize a bus as school property, school officials and law enforcement were unable to penalize people who unlawfully board a school bus the way they can people who trespass on school grounds.
“As representative, my priority is the safety and welfare of the citizens of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said White. “After learning about the bus trespass problem from Superintendent Thomas, I made it a priority to close the loophole in the law that prevented law enforcement from adequately protecting our students and school employees.”
Representative White was able to add language to a 2018 education bill that defines a school bus as “school property,” which makes trespassing on school buses equivalent to trespassing on school grounds—freeing up school districts and law enforcement to take immediate action in trespass incidents on school buses. The law applies to both public and nonpublic schools.
“This is important language, which further enhances the safety of our students while in our care. Whether on a school bus or on school grounds, the safety and security should be the same,” said Superintendent Thomas. “Entering a school bus unlawfully will have the same ramifications as trespassing on school grounds. It will be considered a crime.”
The Escambia County School District pushed unsuccessfully for a such a law in previous legislative sessions.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Lil Aggies Cheer Clinic Held
September 30, 2018
The Tate High School Aggies Cheerleaders held their annual Lil Aggies Cheer Clinic Saturday. The Lil Aggies Cheerleaders will perform with the varsity cheerleaders during the first quarter of Tate’s home game against Escambia on October 12. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vet Tech Students Volunteer At Panhandle Equine Rescue
September 30, 2018
Students from the veterinary technician program at Pensacola State College spent their Saturday morning volunteering at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. The did barn chores and interacted with the rescue horses. Courtesy Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
