About Time: Mowing Crews Tackle The Highway 29 Jungle
July 29, 2018
Anyone that has driven Highway 29 in the past few weeks has noticed that the weeds were, in many places, higher than most cars in the median and alongside the roadway and creating hazards for drivers.
Crews were out mowing Saturday. We’re told they will, weather permitting, finish the job this week and also mow the right of way on Highway 97.
The Florida Department of Transportation contacts right of way mowing on Highway 29 and Highway 97 to a company called BroadSpectrum. Withing the town limits of Century, BroadSpectrum subcontracts the mowing and trimming out to the Town of Century.
Pictured top: Weeds in the median of Highway 29 near Century Saturday morning. Pictured below: Mowing completed along Highway 29 near Molino Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Suspects Arrested For Helping Hit And Run Suspect Wallace Evade Capture
July 29, 2018
Two men accused of helping fatal hit and run suspect Markquise Wallace avoid capture turned themselves in.
Darius Brown was arrested Saturday afternoon, also on a charge of accessory after the fact. He was also released on a $50,000 bond. Pensacola Police said Brown helped Wallace hide the Dodge Challenger Wallace was driving when hit hit three pedestrians.
Ricardo Mars turned himself into police Friday night on a charge of accessory after the fact and was released on a $50,000 bond. The State Attorney’s Office said Mars also helped hide the car.
Three people were crossing Cervantes Street near M Street when they were hit by a Dodge Charger driven at a high rate of speed by Wallace, according to Pensacola Police. Neariaah Ikerria Williams, age 8 months, and a family friend, 28-year-old Nephateria Monique Williams, died. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Quineka Tyon Baldwin, was injured.
If you know where police can find either of these men, call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
U.S. Marshals captured Wallace Tuesday in Philadelphia [previous story...].
New Website Will Help Florida Businesses Prepare For Natural Disasters
July 29, 2018
FloridaWest EDA is joining with the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Visit Pensacola, The Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, Century Chamber of Commerce and the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce to help Escambia County businesses better prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) recently launched a new website, FloridaDisaster.biz, which has important information and resources. Businesses are encouraged to register at FloridaDisaster.biz before a storm arrives. Registration is free, and the site provides great resources for businesses before, during and after a storm or disaster. Businesses will have access to a Business Disaster Toolkit, road closure info, resource listings, Business Damage Assessment applications, and information on aid such as Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans and SBA Disaster Loans.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Businesses that take the time to prepare today can open their doors faster after a disaster. Using the resources at FloridaDisaster.biz, and through connections with local economic development organizations, business owners can make their communities more resilient and better prepared to weather any storm.”
Scott Luth, CEO of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance said, “Getting businesses up and running, and employees back to work, after a disaster is critical to our community. The Business Damage Assessment Survey is a valuable tool that will aid in that process.”
Master Gardener Volunteer Program Open House And Information Session
July 29, 2018
The UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension is hosting a Master Gardener Volunteer open house and information session Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road. The agenda includes an overview of the program and a tour of the projects at the Extension Office, lasting approximately 30 minutes. Come learn about training sessions, volunteer activities and the role of Master Gardeners in the community. Applications will also be available for the 2018-19 fall/winter Master Gardener training program.
The Master Gardener Program provides gardeners with intensive education in home horticultural principles. Participants who complete the program are certified as Master Gardeners by the Florida Extension Service. Once certified, the Master Gardener can provide volunteer leadership and service to their community in gardening activities. Working with the UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension, they will have the opportunity to participate in organized volunteer activities, answer gardening questions, conduct plant clinics, promote Florida friendly landscaping, and learn about local plants and practices.
For more information, contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or bbolles@ufl.edu.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup
July 29, 2018
A year ago, Florida’s political types expected to be talking about Jack Latvala this summer in the context of the Republican gubernatorial primary.
But Latvala’s bid for Florida’s most-powerful office has long ago been left in tatters, after he resigned from the Florida Senate following an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed women, including aides and lobbyists.
Yet Latvala was once again in the middle of the news this week as a Leon County prosecutor announced he would not seek criminal charges against the Clearwater Republican. The prosecutor said there was insufficient evidence to prove allegations that the former senator might have traded legislative favors for sex.
But the Latvala scandal is little more than sideshow to the real drama building in a huge political year in Florida, where voters will get to pick a new governor, three Cabinet members and decide the fate of a long-term U.S. senator.
The Aug. 28 primary looms. Absentee ballots went out to voters this week. Registration books for voting in the primary will close on Monday. And with the knowledge that the majority of votes are likely to be cast before Aug. 28, the election season is closer than many realize.
That electoral drama will only heighten in the coming week with the appearance in Florida of the one office-holder who seems to dominate every political discussion: President Donald Trump.
‘NO FURTHER ACTION’
The Latvala saga moved closer to becoming a salacious footnote in Florida’s legislative history with a prosecutor’s announcement that there was insufficient evidence to move forward on criminal charges against the former senator.
Jack Campbell, state attorney in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, said Thursday there was not enough “evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Latvala was unlawfully compensated or rewarded for his official behavior as a Florida senator.”
“Since criminal charges are not warranted, this office will take no further action on the matter,” Campbell wrote in a brief summation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which reached the same conclusion after investigating a possible quid pro quo.
Thursday’s announcement closed months of investigations into Latvala, a veteran lawmaker who decided to resign from the Senate in December following the release of a report by Senate Special Master Ronald Swanson, a retired judge. The probe was sparked by allegations that Latvala, who was serving as the powerful Senate budget chief, had sexually harassed Rachel Perrin Rogers, a Senate aide.
Latvala has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing but admitted he had an extramarital affair with former lobbyist Laura McLeod, whose testimony prompted Swanson to recommend a criminal probe into whether Latvala had broken state laws by promising legislative favors in exchange for sex.
“Basically, what we’ve had here with FDLE and the state attorney is we’ve had professional law enforcement people who aren’t tainted by Senate politics, who have looked at something and made a good judgment on it. They’ve done their job, and I commend them for doing their job,” Latvala told The News Service of Florida on Thursday. “It took a little longer for FDLE to get that report done than I would have liked, but I think they saw through a lot of this stuff.”
The state law enforcement agency launched its investigation sometime in December, according to a report released by Campbell’s office Thursday.
Swanson found probable cause to support allegations that Latvala had repeatedly groped Perrin Rogers and engaged in a pattern of making unwelcome remarks about women’s bodies. Perrin Rogers set off the inquiry into Latvala, who denied her allegations, by filing a complaint with the Senate Rules Committee.
The FDLE report was focused on the testimony of McLeod, who quit lobbying and went to work as an aide to Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, in September. McLeod stepped down in April.
In interviews with investigators and Swanson, McLeod indicated Latvala never explicitly promised legislation in exchange for sex.
But, she said “it seemed that it was expected” and that sex “will be part of the equation.”
McLeod said Latvala behaved as though it was something “he felt entitled to.”
“I tolerated it because it was part of my job,” McLeod said.
THE PRESIDENT COMETH
President Donald Trump is headed to Tampa on Tuesday for a political rally that will highlight his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary for governor.
Polls this week again demonstrated the maverick president’s ability to disrupt the political landscape.
Florida Atlantic University and Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy released surveys showing DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Northeast Florida, surging ahead of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who has a huge campaign financing advantage and a much higher profile as a two-term member of the Florida Cabinet.
Gov. Rick Scott, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, is carefully maneuvering around Trump’s appearance. Scott announced this week he would not attend the political rally at the state fairgrounds. But he will join the president earlier in the day for an education-related event in the Tampa Bay area.
Kevin Wagner, an FAU political-science professor, said Trump’s support could be a double-edged sword in Florida’s elections, noting state voters overall give him a negative approval rating.
“While the president can help Congressman DeSantis in the primary, Mr. Trump’s underwater approval ratings may be a drag in the general election,” Wagner said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Leon County state attorney announced Thursday that he would not pursue criminal charges against former state Sen. Jack Latvala.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This is another sentencing that is a timeless sentence. Every time I talk to somebody about I cannot vote, it feels like I’m still incarcerated. It feels like I’m still doing part of the sentence,” — Yraida Guanipa, a Miami resident who served time on drug-related charges, as the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in a case challenging Florida’s system for restoring voting rights for felons who have served their sentences.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Northview Ninth Grade, New Student Orientation Set For Thursday
July 29, 2018
Ninth grade and new student orientation will be Thursday, August 2.
Here are the details submitted by the school:
All incoming 9th grade and new students in grades 10, 11, and 12 should report to the Theater before 1 P.M., on Thursday, August 2, 2018. In the theater, students will have a short introduction and welcome program. Immediately afterwards, the students will be divided into groups for a brief tour of the Northview campus. Schedules will be given to students the first day of school during homeroom. Students with a signed chromebook contract will be issued a chromebook to take home after school begins. Students without a signed contract will not be issued a chromebook but will check one out daily from the media center before first period begins. The entire process should take approximately 90 minutes, so parents are asked to be prompt in picking up their students at the breezeway after the conclusion of this activity. We look forward to seeing you and your child at orientation.
School offices will be closed August 2 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
File photo.
Wahoos Drop Slugfest To Shuckers, 9-6
July 29, 2018
Pensacola dropped its series opener to the Biloxi Shuckers, 9-6, in front of a capacity crowd Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The two teams combined to hit seven home runs, with the Southern League leaders-Biloxi-belting four of them.
With the Shuckers already leading, 1-0, Aristides Aquino and Gavin LaValley each launched solo home runs in the bottom of the second to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 lead. Biloxi rallied over the fourth and fifth innings to score five runs, using a pair of home runs to do it. Luis Aviles Jr. belted his fourth with a man on in the fourth inning. Troy Stokes Jr. hit the first of his two solo home runs on the night to spark a three-run rally in the fifth.
Trailing 6-2 in the fifth, Taylor Featherston’s RBI single cut the deficit back to 6-3. It was his second of four hits in the game. The back and forth continued throughout the night. Despite opportunities to tie or take the lead, Pensacola couldn’t get over the hump. The Wahoos finished 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13 runners on base.
Seth Varner (L, 5-2) started for the Wahoos. Since moving to the rotation on May 25th Varner has been dominant, but that was not the case on Saturday. Varner’s night ended early after four innings. The southpaw surrendered five earned runs on 10 hits, and three walks.
The Wahoos attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Nate Griep (S, 27) walked Aristides Aquino, and Chris Okey delivered a pinch-hit single before a two-out walk to Mitch Nay loaded the bases. Griep struck out Jose Siri to end the threat and game.
The Wahoos will look to even the series Sunday evening. Vladimir Gutierrez (8-8 4.27) will start for the Wahoos and Luis Ortiz (2-4, 3.92) will take the hill for the Shucker
Man Shot By Relative In Cantonment
July 28, 2018
A man was shot by a relative in Cantonment Saturday morning.
The man was shot by his nephew in the leg in the backyard of a home in the 1400 block of Muscogee Road near Jacks Branch Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were unable to locate the nephew after a search. It is expected that a warrant may be issued for his arrest at a later date.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
State To Clean Up Decades Old Petroleum Spill At Escambia Road Dept. In Cantonment
July 28, 2018
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) will clean up a decades old spill at the Escambia County Road Department in Cantonment.
In 1986 a petroleum discharge was reported at the road department facility at 601 Highway 297A. The release was registered into the Florida State Early Detection Incentive Petroleum Cleanup Program and has now become eligible for cleanup.
The FDEP will locate contamination, determine contamination levels and, when necessary, remove and remediate contamination. Any work may be performed by the FDEP or a contractor.
The state is seeking access to the property to conduct the assessment and cleanup of the contamination.
The Escambia County Commission is expected to approve an access agreement at their next meeting on August 2.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Dept. Of Justice Not Yet Releasing Details On Beulah ASPCA Case
July 28, 2018
Few details have been released after law enforcement and a humane society group spent much of Wednesday at a Beulah home.
State and local law enforcement, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have said they were not involved. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was on scene at the home in the 7000 block of Beulah Road.
Emily Schneider, director of media and communications for the ASPCA, told NorthEscambia.com the ASPCA was providing support to law enforcement authorities, but she referred all further questions to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Multiple inquires to the Department of Justice for comment went unanswered after two days.
The happenings were reportedly part of an ongoing investigation. There were no reported arrests.
We will update you on NorthEscambia.com when further details are released.
Pictured: Law enforcement and the ASPCA conducted an operation of some sort Wednesday in the 7000 block of Beulah Road. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
