Three Large Sheds Damaged Or Destroyed By Fire Near Walnut Hill
May 8, 2018
Three large sheds were damaged or destroyed by fire Monday near Walnut Hill.
The first 20 x 30 foot shed was on the ground when firefighters arrived at 2:39 p.m. on Garrett Road off Pine Forest Road. The fire had spread to a second 20 x 30 shed, causing damage to the attic area. A third large shed was threatened and suffered minor damage. A chicken coop was also threatened by the fire.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Century Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and the Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Department responded to the fire.
NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
State Objects To Woman’s Anonymity In NRA Lawsuit
May 8, 2018
Dismissing the potential danger feared by a 19-year-old who wants to join a legal challenge filed by the National Rifle Association, lawyers for Attorney General Pam Bondi asked a federal judge to deny a request to keep the young woman’s identity private because they said her desire for anonymity was not justified.
Lawyers for the NRA late last month asked U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to keep the identity of “Jane Doe” secret, based in large part on a declaration filed by the gun-rights group’s Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer, who detailed threatening emails she had received featuring derogatory words for parts of the female anatomy.
But attorneys for Bondi, a defendant in the lawsuit who also represents the state, asked Walker on Friday to reject the NRA’s motion to use the Jane Doe pseudonym for the 19-year-old, portrayed in court documents as an Alachua county woman seeking to remain anonymous due to fear that public exposure could result in “harassment, intimidation, and potentially even physical violence.”
While those concerns warrant “careful consideration,” the plaintiffs’ argument “does not provide a sufficient basis for overcoming the strong presumption in favor of open judicial proceedings,” Florida Solicitor General Amit Agarwal wrote in Friday’s 22-page response.
The spat over the potential plaintiff’s pseudonym comes in a lawsuit filed on March 9 by the NRA, just hours after Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a sweeping school-safety measure that included new gun-related restrictions. The legislation was a rapid response to the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 students and faculty members dead and 17 others wounded.
The law raised from 18 to 21 the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns. It also imposed a three-day waiting period on the sale of long guns, such as the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz last year legally purchased — without any waiting period — and is accused of using in the Valentine’s Day massacre at his former school in Parkland.
In late April, the NRA filed a motion to add “Jane Doe” as a plaintiff to the lawsuit, which contends the age restriction in the new law “violates the fundamental rights of thousands of responsible, law-abiding adult Florida citizens and is thus invalid under the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.”
But in Friday’s response, the state’s lawyers argued in favor of a “constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in judicial proceedings.”
Courts have permitted plaintiffs to remain anonymous in cases involving “mental illness, homosexuality and transsexuality,” as well as birth control, abortion and the welfare rights of illegitimate children or abandoned families, wrote the state’s lawyers, relying on previous case law.
But “the courts have rejected anonymity in other kinds of cases, like this one, not involving ‘information of the utmost intimacy,’ “ the state argued.
“In short, plaintiffs have not pointed to any ‘substantial privacy interest’ that would be served” by keeping Jane Doe’s identity secret, the state’s lawyers wrote. “That consideration, standing alone, compels the conclusion that the motion to proceed under pseudonyms should be denied.”
In an interview with The News Service of Florida on Monday, Hammer condemned the state’s move.
“The attorney general has absolutely nothing to gain by insisting that the identity of this young woman be made public. It has nothing to do with facing an accuser. It’s about being able to stand up for your constitutional rights without fear of vicious hate-mongering. To oppose a motion to shield and protect a 19-year-old young woman from bullying harassment, death threats and intimidation, I view as an act of bullying itself,” the 79-year-old great-grandmother said.
The NRA last month also sought to add “John Doe,” a 19-year-old member of the group, as an “associational member” of the lawsuit.
In a document filed Monday, lawyers for the NRA said the state failed to show “that the circumstances of this case warrant exposing the 19-year-old private citizens who wish to participate in this case to the harassment and threats that, plaintiffs have shown, would almost certainly be inflicted upon them if they are publicly identified with this highly controversial litigation in the current political environment.”
According to the NRA’s filing, “the context of this case cannot be understood apart from the tragic” shooting at the Parkland high school “and its aftermath.”
“That event not only led to the enactment of the ban challenged in this case; it was the catalyst for a nationwide effort to restrict the possession and use of firearms,” the NRA lawyers wrote.
The brief said a “group of well-heeled anti-gun organizations” funded activists who “have barnstormed the country” to push gun-rights restrictions.
“Anti-gun forces have also pushed coordinated secondary boycotts not only of the NRA but of any business that does not take a sufficiently hard line against firearms,” the NRA’s lawyers wrote. “In the current environment, it is difficult to think of a topic as controversial and contentious as Second Amendment rights.”
But in Friday’s filing, Bondi’s lawyers discounted the legal arguments posed by the national gun lobby.
“A litigant’s status as a plaintiff is not ‘highly sensitive and personal information;’ the strong presumption in favor of openness in judicial proceedings may not be discarded to avoid ‘unwanted pubic attention and censure;’ this case is no more ‘controversial’ than countless others — including others involving substantially similar claims — that have been filed by plaintiffs in their own names; and plaintiffs do not cite a single case in which a court has allowed claims of this kind to be brought under pseudonym,” the attorney general’s lawyers wrote.
“Lawsuits are public events,” which must be hashed out in the public forum, Bondi’s lawyers wrote.
Hammer, who was the recipient of epithets too explicit to reprint in newspapers, disagreed.
“The reality is that when the attorney general says lawsuits are ‘public events’ so that everybody must be identified, apparently she has forgotten about Roe v. Wade and many other events where the courts protected identities from public exposure,” she said.
Hammer also blasted Bondi for not representing crime victims.
“Our attorney general advocates for victims. Why on earth would she stand by and allow a 19-year-old young woman to be victimized, if she can stop it?” Hammer said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
NWE Storm Wins Weekend Tournament
May 8, 2018
Northwest Escambia Storm took first place in an eight-team interleague tournament hosted by NWE in Walnut Hill. Team Storm defeated Navarre, Jay, and Molino on their way to the championship.
ECSO: Man Arrested For Alleged Involvement In Cocaine Distribution Operation
May 8, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Narcotics Unit recently arrested 32-year old Lester Johnny Wayne Steans for his alleged involvement in a cocaine distribution operation.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of 1.3 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $60,000.
More arrests are expected to be made in this case, according to investigators.
Steans is facing with multiple cocaine trafficking charges. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at just over $1 million.
Barons Blast Past Wahoos, 9-6
May 8, 2018
The Barons belted three home runs and rallied for six runs in the eighth inning as they beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 9-6, Monday night at Regions Field.
Wahoos starting pitcher Daniel Wright went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits in a no-decision. He struck out five with just one walk. Pensacola was trailing 3-2 when Wright came out of the game, but the Blue Wahoos tied it with a run in the top of the sixth. With two outs, C.J. McElroy singled home Taylor Sparks to even the game at 3-3.
Pensacola took a three run lead in the seventh. The Wahoos sent eight batters to the plate, scoring three times and doing so on just two hits. Luis Gonzalez started the inning with a double, he scored the go-ahead run on an error by the shortstop. Gavin LaValley scored later in the inning on a Taylor Sparks single and Brian O’Grady scrambled home with the final run on a wild pitch.
The bullpen, which has been brilliant all season, ran into issues in the eighth inning. After a pair of scoreless innings from former Baron Robinson Leyer, Birmingham loaded the bases against Brennan Bernardino with a walk and two singles. Rafael De Paula (L, 0-3) followed Bernardino and the Barons scored the first run on a sacrifice fly before a three-run homer from Danny Medick put them ahead. Two batters later, Zack Collins belted a two-run shot to make it 9-6 Barons and cap the scoring.
De Paula was charged with three runs over 0.2 inning and the loss. Brandon Brennan (W, 2-0) earned with win with 1.2 innings in relief for Birmingham. Jake Johansen (S, 1) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save, despite allowing the Wahoos to load the bases with three singles.
Chadwick Tromp and Sparks led the way offensively for Pensacola with three hits apiece. Gonzalez, O’Grady and McElroy each chipped in with two-hit games.
Child, Teen Killed In Pace DUI Crash; Deputy Tried To Stop Driver Minutes Earlier
May 7, 2018
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A crash claimed the life of a child and a teenager Sunday afternoon in Pace, about three minutes after a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle speeding and driving erratically on Quintette Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 35-year old Kailen Kelly of Pace, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he crossed into another lane and slammed his 2008 Ford pickup head-on into a 2010 Buick driven by 39-year old Melanie Harrell of Pace. Harell’s Buick came to rest in a ditch, while Kelly’s pickup overturned into a ditch on the opposite side of the road and ignited into flames.
Stormie P. Harrell, 7, and Michaela D. Sidney, 17, were killed. Melanie Harrell and 18-year old McKenzie Murphy were seriously injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Kelly received minor injuries in the crash on Woodbine Road near Dunning Drive in Pace.
A deputy with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was driving eastbound on Quintette Road in Pace on routine patrol when he observed a speeding vehicle passing him in a no passing zone. according to Sgt. Rich Aloy, spokesperson for the SRSO.
“The driver was also having difficulty maintaining his lane of travel. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop. Due to the extreme safety hazard created by the driver, approaching intersection, and disregard for public safety, the attempt to stop was immediately discontinued,” Aloy said. “As the deputy crested a hill on Woodbine Road, he observed a traffic crash involving the suspect vehicle. Both Deputies in the vehicle proceeded to provide first aid where they tended to the victims and pulled the suspect driver out of his vehicle before it caught on fire.”
Kelly was charged with two counts of DUI-vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury to another, refusing to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, reckless driving, fleeing/eluding police and other traffic offenses. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Pictured top: Kelly’s vehicle following a double fatal crash. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive Is This Saturday
May 7, 2018
On Saturday, May 12, the letter carriers of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 26th year, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual food drive has grown to be the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table. In the last 25 years, communities across the nation have donated nearly 1.6 billion pounds of food. Last year’s food drive netted nearly 85,000 pounds of food locally.
“Stamp Out Hunger is the most important food drive for many food pantries in the area,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna Food Pantries. “The food collected by the letter carriers is critical to our ability to feed our neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The 2017 event was down considerably by about 50%, so we’re looking forward to having an outstanding turnout this year to restock shelves and ensure the immediate needs of the hungry can be met in the coming months.”
A donation of just one dozen cans provides three days’ worth of food, or nine meals for neighbors in need. Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishable food items, such as canned meats (chicken, tuna), canned fruit in 100% juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, grits, whole grain cereal), canned vegetables, peanut butter, rice, and/or dry beans next to their mailbox prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12.
“We rely on this food drive to keep our shelves fully stocked to help needy families, children, seniors and the homeless in Gulf Breeze and Navarre,” said Pastor Doug Barber, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God. “Without the help from the NALC and the community during the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, ACTS Ministry would almost be non-existent.”
Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid Center, Feeding the Gulf Coast in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church.
“We are so thankful to the NALC and our community for their support in this food drive. This food will greatly help our one in six neighbors struggling with hunger,” said Cathy Pope, President and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 7, 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:
· State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures on Creighton Road between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue and on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Creighton Road from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Saturday, May 12 as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Saturday, May 12 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be 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: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Alternating east and westbound, lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews perform construction activities.
· Mobile Highway at Beulah Road Intersection Project- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
· Lillian Highway (U.S. 98) Resurfacing Project- Construction activities on U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) in Escambia County are scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 7. Lane restrictions are 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Friday, May 11 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.
Northview Football Garnet And Gold Game This Afternoon, QB Club Meet And Greet Tuesday
May 7, 2018
Monday at 5 p.m. , the Northview Chiefs football team will hold their spring Garnet and Gold game. This game is an intrasquad game. The football team is asking for liquid laundry detergent or donations as an entry fee.
The Northview High School Quarterback Club will have a “Meet & Greet” Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the gym meeting room (right of the main gym, coming from the student parking lot). Refreshments will be served. Attendees will learn where they can fit in and make a difference in the football program. The meeting begins at 6:30, following the Meet & Greet program.
Rare 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes In The Gulf of Mexico
May 7, 2018
A rare earthquake in the Gulf of Mexico registered 4.5 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter of the quake was about 160 miles southeast of New Orleans just before noon Sunday, according to the United State Geological Survey. That’s about 200 miles from Cantonment, 230 miles from Century.
A a quake of the magnitude between 4.0 and 4.9 is considered ‘light’ and can cause “Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises. Felt by most people in the affected area. Slightly felt outside,” according to the Geological Survey.
There was no threat of a tsunami.