Scott Signs BP Settlement Bill
June 3, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott signed measures Friday that will release BP oil-spill settlement money to eight Northwest Florida counties most impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
“Our beautiful beaches were devastated by the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” Scott said in a statement. “While the surrounding communities have worked hard to recover, this funding will allow them to make critical local investments and continue our efforts to market the state.”
State Rep. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican who oversaw the issue in the House, said the money “will help our businesses continue to grow and attract visitors from around the world to our beautiful coast.”
The measures allocate $300 million of $400 million received by the state last year to Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton counties through the non-profit organization Triumph Gulf Coast.
Kim Wilmes, president and CEO of the regional economic-development organization Florida’s Great Northwest, said the money will allow the region “to begin building that bright new economic future.”
The bill sets minimums for how much each county will receive and expands the Triumph board from five to seven, to provide more representation from less-populated counties. The eight counties are also slated to get three-fourths of the remainder of the $2 billion the state is expected to receive for damages associated with the BP disaster, which dumped millions of gallons of oil less than 100 miles off the Florida coast.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 3, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 25 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry was working in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he observed three individuals enter the area after hours. He approached the individuals in his patrol vehicle and turned his blue lights on. All three individuals fled the area on foot, but Officer McHenry caught up to one of the individuals. A notice to appear citation was issued for resisting arrest without violence, under age possession of alcohol and illegal entry into the WMA. The two other individuals were identified and warrants will be filed for their arrest.
Officers Cushing and Land were on water patrol in Pensacola Bay and conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a small fishing vessel near a navigational buoy. Upon contacting the two persons on board, they said that they had a few lane snapper. An inspection revealed they were in possession of 17 juvenile red snapper, all of them measuring between six and thirteen inches. The appropriate action was taken for the violation of possession of red snapper during closed season.
Officers Allgood and Manning patrolled federal waters south of Pensacola and found five different vessel operators in possession of red snapper during closed season. Federal citations were issued for the violations.
Officer Long checked vessels as they returned to Navy Point Boat Ramp and found one individual in possession of 15 undersized red snapper and another individual in possession of an amberjack during closed season. Officer Long issued notice to appear citations for the violations.
Officer Manning received information that someone was selling seafood at a local flea market without a license. When he arrived, he found an individual selling blue crabs, shrimp and blue runners. The individual did not have a saltwater retail license or any records on where the fish were purchased. Notice to appear citations were issued for the violations.
Officer Cushing spoke to a group of approximately 20 members of the Pensacola Recreational Fisherman’s Association. Officer Cushing gave an overview of the agency’s core mission and answered many questions in regards to current saltwater regulations and boating safety.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol, Officer Mullins observed two individuals fishing the Garcon Point area. He conducted a fisheries/license inspection and one subject was unable to produce a fishing license or identification. The subject provided several different names and dates of birth. Despite the false information, Officer Mullins and FWC Dispatch discovered the subject’s identity. It was revealed that the subject had an active warrant for probation violation. The subject was placed under arrest, booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail and issued citations for interference with an FWC officer and no fishing license.
Investigator Molnar followed up on a complaint about a subject possibly killing over the bag limit of turkey during the 2017 spring season. After multiple interviews with several people, Investigator Molnar interviewed the subject. After the interview, the subject confessed to killing five turkeys in northwest Florida during the 2017 spring turkey season. Three sets of turkey spurs and beards were seized as evidence. Charges will be filed on a later date.
Officers Jernigan and Lewis participated in a Career Field Day at Chumuckla Elementary School. The FWC officers, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s K-9 deputies, and local EMT’s, paramedics, and volunteers from the local fire departments spent time with different classes to tell about their careers and what they do each day in the field. Officers Jernigan and Lewis spoke to more than 150 children about boating and gun safety. Each child boarded a patrol vessel, received coloring books, stickers and fun facts about Florida’s bears and alligators.
Officers Lewis, Jernigan, Hutchinson and Clark coordinated with the Blackwater Pirates and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary to perform voluntary vessel safety inspections on multiple vessels at Carpenter’s Park and Russell Harbor boat ramps in Milton during the weekend. Everyone involved educated the public on boating safety; distributed boating safety literature, and answered various questions from the public
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Sentenced On State, Federal Charges
June 3, 2017
An Escambia County man has been convicted on federal and state charges.
Robert Lamar Gerald was convicted by an Escambia County jury of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence and driving while license suspended,
On June 9, 2015, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol stopped the vehicle Gerald was driving. After the stop, Gerald fled on foot and was apprehended after a brief chase. The search of his vehicle revealed marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9 MM pistol.
Gerald was a multi-convicted felon from Hillsborough County who had been released from the Department of Corrections custody on April 7, 2014.
In a joint effort with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Gerald was prosecuted for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in federal court. He was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison as and armed career criminal.
The Office of the State Attorney continued to prosecute Gerald for the remaining charges.
Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Gerald to 69 months in state prison and ordered this sentence to run consecutive to the federal sentence.
The investigation was a joint effort by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Gun Crime Response Team.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Presents Scholarships
June 3, 2017
The Barrineau Park Historical Society presented two scholarships Friday night. Jared Aliff received a $500 Louis Crabtree Senior Scholarship, and Deborah Rogers received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship. Both are home schooled. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jumbo Shrimp Tie Up Series With The Wahoos
June 3, 2017
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have gotten some revenge for getting swept by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the teams’ first meeting this season and going 4-15 in Blue Wahoos Stadium the last two years.
Jacksonville received home runs from catcher Austin Nola and third baseman Brian Anderson to beat Pensacola, 7-2, Friday in front of 4,778 Pensacola fans. Jacksonville evened the series, 2-2, heading into Saturday’s final game between the teams.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly watched helplessly as his team, which scored 19 runs in the first three games, was blanked for the first six innings by Jacksonville starter Mike Kickham and managed just two runs Friday.
“It’s one of those days,” Kelly said. “We hit into three double plays and fell behind. It was very tough to make up the deficit.”
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Deck McGuire entered the game having won four straight starts. But the Jacksonville Shrimp knocked him around, earning five runs on six hits to jump out to a, 5-0, lead after the first five innings. McGuire also allowed two walks and struck out seven in his five innings of work Friday.
McGuire, a former first-round draft pick, got off to a stellar start striking out the first three Jumbo Shrimp batters he faced in the first inning. The loss dropped his record to 5-3 on the season and increase his ERA to 3.25.
“He was just a little off,” Kelly said. “I thought they truly hit some good pitches.”
Jacksonville right fielder John Norwood, who doubled to start the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by first baseman Taylor Ard to put the Jumbo Shrimp up, 1-0. With two outs, Jacksonville center fielder Yefri Perez smacked a triple into the right center gap to score left fielder Cal Towey for a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Nola clobbered a solo home run, his second of the season, to left field, putting the Jumbo Shrimp up, 3-0.
Anderson also clubbed a two-run home run in the seventh inning off of Pensacola reliever Brennan Bernardino to left field for a 7-0 Jacksonville lead. Anderson, who MLB Pipeline.com ranks as the Miami Marlins third best prospect, was 3-5 and added a triple and single for four RBIs in Friday’s game.
Pensacola second baseman Angelo Gumbs reached base seven straight at-bats over the last two games, before grounding out into a double play in the ninth inning. He was 2-4 with a triple but reached on a fielder’s choice and scored one of the Blue Wahoos’ two runs.
Pensacola is 30-24 but remain in first place in the Southern League South Division where they’ve been in all but six days this season.
Valedictorian Reflects On High School And Value Of Community
June 2, 2017
Alyssa Borelli of Molino started last Saturday morning anxious for graduation, but a little sad that four years filled with lots of hard work and many laughs was coming to an end.
“I’m excited,” Alyssa quickly stated when asked the first thing that comes to mind when told she is Northview High School’s 2017 Valedictorian. “My parents deserve a huge thank you for being my biggest supporters throughout high school. My teachers and friends definitely deserve to be thanked as well.”
As the Executive Officer, or XO, of Northview’s NJROTC, the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, and actively involved in Beta Club, the Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the school advisory council, and several other organizations, Alyssa worked hard not only in her studies, but to be an active student too.
Alyssa plans to attend the University of West Florida where she will major in mathematics. She wants to minor in education and teach high school math after graduating college.
When reflecting on the community, Alyssa realizes just how valuable it can be.
“This community is really important to me. I’ve been able to make a lot of close friends and even people I’ve just met are really nice and easy to talk to.”
Alyssa even touched on why she chose the University of West Florida when discussing the importance of the community to her.
“When picking between UWF and UF,” she stated, “I chose UWF to stay close to my family and friends.”
Century Chamber Questions Future Of Economic Development Director
June 2, 2017
The board of directors of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce voted Thursday to seek a county attorney opinion concerning the employment status of their economic development coordinator.
Chamber President Freddie McCall told the board that Janet Etheridge is repeatedly missing work without notifying him, is not attending board meetings to provide status reports on a regular basis, has not submitted required paperwork to the county and is generally not performing her expected duties. Etheridge was not present at Thursday’s meeting, and McCall said she did not provide any reason in advance.
Etheridge’s position is funded by a yearly grant to the chamber by the Escambia County Commission. For that reason, McCall will, at the board’s direction, ask the Escambia County attorney’s office to review her employment contract to determine what options are available to the chamber board.
The chamber board expects to call a special meeting on Etheridge once they receive the attorney opinion.
Pictured: Century Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Coordinator Janet Etheridge at a 2016 meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Vandals Strike Cantonment Sportsplex For A Third Time
June 2, 2017
For the third time in less than two weeks, vandals have once again struck at the Cantonment Sportsplex.
Thursday, ballpark officials reported that a sprinkler system was vandalized.
Previously damage was reported to lights and bathroom fixtures on May 30 and bathrooms were vandalized the previous week with fixtures broken and paper towels used to cause overflows.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Enterprise Florida In ‘Wait And See’ Mode On Cuts
June 2, 2017
Florida’s business-recruitment agency is bracing to operate with less money from the state but has not outlined changes that might need to be made.
Nor are Enterprise Florida officials publicly expressing hope that negotiations between Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, will bolster the money available for the agency.
“We’re going to wait to see what the governor does,” Mike Grissom, interim president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said in reference to how Scott handles the new state budget (SB 2500). “We’re privately planning. But we’ll wait and see.”
Leaders of the public-private Enterprise Florida, as they began a two-day meeting Thursday in Tallahassee, outlined plans to alter marketing but otherwise mostly expressed disappointment in the spending package lawmakers formally sent to Scott on Wednesday.
“Would I like us to have a bigger budget so we can do some very targeted marketing during certain specific times when you would do TV? We don’t have that, so we’re going to focus on digital and print,” said Eric Silagy, president and chief executive officer of Florida Power & Light and chairman of Enterprise Florida’s Marketing Committee. “We’ll leverage wherever we can. … It’s going to have to be very, very specific. But limited.”
A year after slashing operations by one-third, including eliminating nearly 30 positions, the agency is once again faced with having to make changes with the arrival of the new fiscal year on July 1.
There was no public talk Thursday of eliminating positions. And while the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meets Friday at Florida State University, the board appears more likely to conduct conference calls later in the month — once Scott acts on the budget — to direct any changes.
Scott, who chairs the Enterprise Florida board, has expressed anger with the funding package but hasn’t indicated if he’ll sign the $82.4 billion budget before a June 15 deadline or detailed the extent of potential vetoes.
Scott proposed $85 million for Enterprise Florida to use for business incentives, but lawmakers did not provide any of that funding. Corcoran led opposition to Scott’s proposal, likening incentive programs to “corporate welfare.”
But ongoing negotiations may be in play that could increase the $16 million that lawmakers agreed to provide to Enterprise Florida for daily operations.
Senate President Joe Negron told The News Service of Florida he is aware of ongoing talks between Scott and Corcoran regarding a sweeping education bill — which contains a priority of the speaker — and Enterprise Florida.
“I know those are discussions between those two parties that are occurring. From the vantage point of the Senate, we have been supportive of the governor having the ability to compete for new employers to come to Florida as long as it’s done in a transparent and reasonable way,” Negron, R-Stuart, said, pointing out that the Senate funded Scott’s budget requests for Enterprise Florida and tourism-marketer Visit Florida. “I think the Senate’s track record in supporting the governor’s priorities speaks for itself. But I understand that there are discussions on possible ways to resolve some of these differences as the governor is now considering the entire budget.”
Corcoran, who did not immediately return a request for comment, wants to avoid a veto of a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that he has made a priority. The education bill — opposed by groups such as the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents — includes money for such things as a charter-school expansion and pay bonuses for teachers and principals.
Enterprise Florida leaders said they’ve heard of such talks for weeks, but remain focused on the spending plan that lawmakers delivered to Scott. Along with rejecting Scott’s request for business-incentive money, the budget would reduce the agency’s funding for general operations from $23.5 million in the current year.
The state funding reduction is forcing the agency, which can still raise money from private donors, to scale-back its $8.5 million in marketing programs intended to make out-of-state and international business leaders aware of Florida’s business attributes.
The budget, however, allows Enterprise Florida to maintain its international offices and continue foreign trade missions.
Scott unsuccessfully asked for $250 million a year ago for incentives, and this year his request was for $85 million to fund the Quick Action Closing Fund.
“I don’t think we should be spending what New York is spending or California, and I don’t think we should be offering $100 million (incentive deals) or whatever people do. But I don’t think we should unilaterally disarm,” Silagy said. “We need to compete. You can’t go on the field — and to use a football analogy — you can’t go out on the field against the New England Patriots without pads. You’re going to get creamed.”
On May 9, a day after the budget was approved by the House and Senate, Scott told reporters in Panama City that Florida won’t be in the “game for economic development” due to the cuts to Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
“I hope everybody remembers that this is the day that for sure we start not being competitive,” Scott said.
Scott hammered a similar message later in May when announcing updated tourism and unemployment numbers.
“Businesses and site selectors have taken notice of the Florida Legislature’s decision to turn their backs on the incredible return on investment economic-development programs like Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida have brought to our state,” Scott said in a prepared statement May 16.
The state can still offer tax rebates to businesses through programs such as the Qualified Target Industries, which typically requires a local government match.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Presents Grade 9-11 Awards
June 2, 2017
Northview High School presented end of the year awards to students in grades 9-11 as follows:
11th Grade Reading Highest Academic Average — Rhayeshawann Davidson
11th Grade Reading Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barberree
Advanced Guitar Highest Academic Average — Jude Parham
Advanced Guitar Exemplary Student — Tyler Wilson
Agriscience Foundations Exemplary Student — Raeleigh Woodfin
Agriscience Technology Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Agriscience Technology Exemplary Student — Donnie Dixon
Algebra 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Algebra 1 Exemplary Student — McKayla McConathy
Algebra 1A Highest Academic Average — Elana Marie Ward
Algebra 1A Exemplary Student — Kaitlyn Jane Respress
Algebra 1B Highest Academic Average — Charity Josephine Johnson
Algebra 1B Exemplary Student — Anthony James Harrelson
Algebra II Highest Academic Average — Findley, Clayton
Algebra II Exemplary Student — Chavers, Logan
Algebra II Honors Highest Academic Average — Beach, William
Algebra II Honors Exemplary Student — Carnley, Ashtyn
Anatomy and Physiology Highest Academic Average — Brianna Hardy
Anatomy and Physiology Exemplary Student — Jarrod Davison
Beginner Guitar Exemplary Student — Gracen Brook (9th)
Biology Highest Academic Average — Susannah Amerson
Biology Exemplary Student — Charity ” Joey” Johnson
Biology Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Biology Honors Exemplary Student — Logan Chavers
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Highest Academic Average — Anna Belle Barberree
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Exemplary Student — Jordan Parham
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Exemplary Student — Lacie Carter
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Highest Academic Average — Delaney Reynolds
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Exemplary Student — Lydia Smith
Digital Design II Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Exemplary Student — Nicholas Trump
Earth Science Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Earth Science Exemplary Student — Logan Doremus
Earth Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Alayna Brown
Earth Science Honors Exemplary Student — John Chivington
English 2 Highest Academic Average — Austin Adams
English 2 Exemplary Student — Jazmine Norman
English 2 Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
English 2 Honors Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan
English 3 Highest Academic Average — Dykota Wilson
English 3 Exemplary Student — Bria Hardy
English 3 Honors Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
English 3 Honors Exemplary Student — Destiny Watson
English I Highest Academic Average — Lacie Carter
English I Exemplary Student — Diamond Brown
English I Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
English I Honors Exemplary Student — Jace Weber
Geometry Highest Academic Average — Michico Abraham
Geometry Exemplary Student — Anna King
Girls weightlifting -10th Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Girls weightlifting -10th Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Highest Academic Average — Raeleigh Woodfin
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Exemplary Student — Myisha Syria
Girls Weightlifting -9th Highest Academic Average — Anna King
Girls Weightlifting -9th Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Honors Geometry Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
Honors Geometry Exemplary Student — Abigayil Mascaro
Intensive Language Arts Highest Academic Average — Addison Albritton
Intensive Language Arts Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Intensive Language Arts (10th) Highest Academic Average — Charity “Joey” Johnson
Intensive Reading Highest Academic Average — Dellie Roberts
Intensive Reading Exemplary Student — Cody Edwards
Liberal Arts 1 Highest Academic Average — Alexandra Carter
Liberal Arts 1 Exemplary Student — Dillan Sasser
Liberal Arts 2 Highest Academic Average — Aubree Love
Liberal Arts 2 Exemplary Student — Natasha Walker
Math for College Readiness Highest Academic Average — Bailey, Joshua
Math for College Readiness Exemplary Student — Senior
Naval Science 1-4 Highest Academic Average — Cadet Keaton Brown
Naval Science 1-4 Exemplary Student — Cadet Orelbis Rodriguez
PE -10th Highest Academic Average — Dalton Hamilton
PE -10th Exemplary Student — Aaliyah Tucker
PE -11th Highest Academic Average — Catie Clayton
PE -11th Exemplary Student — Beau Bryan
PE -9th grade Highest Academic Average — Brianna White
PE -9th grade Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Personal Fitness Highest Academic Average — Kinzie Rackard
Personal Fitness Exemplary Student — Keviana Brown
Physical Science Highest Academic Average — Lacie E. Carter
Physical Science Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Physical Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Precalculus Honors Highest Academic Average — Windham, Tara
Precalculus Honors Exemplary Student — Barberee, Anna Belle
Sociology Exemplary Student — Kinzie Rackard
Spanish 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Spanish 1 Exemplary Student — Will Beach
Spanish 2 Highest Academic Average — Rebecca Dunn
Spanish 2 Exemplary Student — Maggie Lane
Theater Exemplary Student — Evan Till (11th)
U.S. History Highest Academic Average — Jarrod Davison
U.S. History Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barbarree
U.S. History Honors Highest Academic Average — Destiny Watson
U.S. History Honors Exemplary Student — Tara Windham
World History Highest Academic Average — Crystalyn Daly
World History Exemplary Student — Margaret Lane
World History Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashtyn Carnley
World History Honors Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
World Music Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan (10th)