Escambia Woman Killed After Running Red Light
May 26, 2017
An Escambia County woman was killed Friday morning after running a red light in West Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 76-year old Ruth Stewart was traveling west on West Fairfield Drive when she ran a red traffic signal at Patricia Drive. Her vehicle was struck by a 1997 Lexus driven by 33-year old Jeremiah Nelson of Pensacola.
Nelson received minor injuries.
Three Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash
May 26, 2017
Three people were injured in two vehicle crash Friday morning near Cantonment.
The collision between an Infiniti and a GMC Arcadia happened shortly before 10 a.m. at the intersection of West Kingsfield Road and County Road 97. The driver of the Arcadia and two juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Their conditions were not available.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Building Committee Talks Multi-Million Project
May 26, 2017
An organizational building committee meeting was held Thursday afternoon at Byrneville Elementary School, with group mostly comprised of teachers offering their ideas for a new school building.
The charter school is considering the construction of a new multi-million dollar modern building containing some number of classrooms, likely a cafetorium and possibly even a small gym.
Participants discussed the need for a building with at least 8-10 classrooms with separate bathrooms for kindergarten students. The largest building on the current Byrneville campus was build in 1941 and contains five classrooms, plus offices and a cafeteria.
Teachers also expressed their desire to see a multipurpose room and perhaps a modern lunchroom, making way to move the charter school’s library from a portable into the current lunchroom.
“The is a great opportunity for us,” Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan said the possible building project. “Our enrollment is steady and the population growth in the county is coming this way.”
The school’s board of directors will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31 to continue discussion on a new building. The meeting is open to the public.
Cantonment Church Thrift Store Going Out Of Business
May 26, 2017
A thrift store in Cantonment that aimed to help others is going out of business.
Last October, St. Monica’s Episcopal Church officially opened Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in the old Winn Dixie shopping center at 470 Highway 29 South. The store will close for good at 5 p.m. this Saturday. There are currently liquidation prices across the store.
“Thank you Cantonment for this great mission opportunity,” Viven Welch of Saint Monica’s said.
Proceeds from the store have funded a beans and rice ministry and the church….providing beans and rice no questions asked to those in need in month.
With God’s help, the Beans and Rice ministry will continue through donations,” Welch said.
The next giveaway of free packages of dried beans and rice is this Saturday from 9 until 11:30 a.m. at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 S. Hwy. 95-A in Cantonment. call (850) 937-0001 for more information.
Pictured: Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2017 Honors Graduates
May 26, 2017
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2017 Senior Awards Night.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 is Alyssa Brianna Borelli. Salutatorian is Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh.
The Northview High School Class of 2017 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are, in class rank order:
1. Alyssa Brianna Borelli — Valedictorian
2. Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh — Salutatorian
3. David Conrad Weber
4. Brandon Edward Korinchak
5. Elisabeth Claire Amerson
6. Hadley Marie Woodfin
7. Mitchell James Singleton
8. Daniel Kennedy Mascaro
9. Emily Michelle Heard
10. Jessica Lauren Stacey
11. Natalie Grace Barrow
12. Adrian Daniel King
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
13. Zachary Chase Sheldon
14. Autumn Grace Albritton
15. Shyla Nicole Pope
16. Alyssa Marie Bell
17. Mallory Olivia Gibson
18. Peighton Danielle Dortch
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
19. Morgan Alexis Myrick
20. Brittanie Nichole McLemore
21. Khari Adama Codrington
22. Victoria Anne Amerson
23. Brianna Morgan Smith
24. Kylie Brianne Brook
Scott Signs Off On Package Of Tax Breaks
May 26, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott signed a tax-cut package Thursday that — while vastly scaled back from what he wanted — eliminates the so-called “tampon tax” and offers tax holidays for back-to-school shoppers and Floridians preparing for hurricane season.
With the package offering $91.6 million in tax breaks during the upcoming year, Scott signed the measure (HB 7109) during a ceremony at 3Cinteractive in Boca Raton.
“Since I’ve been in office, I’ve fought to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations to help boost Florida’s economy and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “Every time we cut taxes, we are encouraging businesses of all sizes to create opportunities for families across the state, and more money is put back in taxpayers’ pockets.”
The savings are projected to reach $180 million over two years due to some permanent cuts.
Scott had requested $618.4 million in cuts before the legislative session, and an initial House package approached $300 million. But the package was scaled back substantially as the House and Senate negotiated a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Business lobbying groups Thursday were quick to praise Scott for signing the package. Floridians will get the first tax breaks next week, when they can buy hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes during a three-day “holiday” starting June 2.
“These tax cuts are going to be huge this year,” Florida Retail Federation spokesman James Miller said. “It hits a number of different sectors, and a number of different industries. Business owners across the state are going to be really happy with the result of this.”
The window on tax-free storm gear is timed with the start of the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1.
With the holiday estimated to save shoppers $4.5 million, sales taxes will not be collected during the period on items such as portable self-powered lights selling for $20 or less; portable self-powered radios and tarpaulins at $50 or less; first-aid kits up to $30; and portable generators up to $750.
The next high-profile savings, projected at $33.4 million, will come during a three-day back-to-school tax holiday set to begin Aug. 4.
Shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, footwear and backpacks costing $60 or less; school supplies costing $15 or less, and personal computers priced up to $750.
Two other key portions of the package, an elimination of sales taxes on feminine hygiene products and a reduction in a commercial lease tax, both go into effect on Jan. 1.
With the issue known as the “tampon tax,” eliminating sales taxes collected on products such as tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners, is expected to save $4.8 million for Floridians next fiscal year. The savings are to slated to grow to $11.2 million when the tax cut is in effect for a full year.
“This common sense legislation will result in a tax savings for women all over the state who purchase these necessary products,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who led efforts to repeal the tax.
Meanwhile, a reduction in the commercial lease tax from 6 percent to 5.8 percent is projected to save businesses $25.4 million next fiscal year, with that total growing to $61 million when the cut is in effect for a full year.
Business groups have long argued that the state should repeal the tax.
“The business rent tax reduction accounts for two-thirds of the overall cut in the package — that’s a significant show of support for small business and an indication that the Florida Legislature is serious about working toward fully repealing this burdensome tax,” Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business-Florida, said in a prepared statement.
Scott had asked for the lease tax to be dropped to 4.5 percent.
“The most significant steps are often the first ones we take on an issue, and this cut opens the door for future reductions of this burdensome tax,” Maria Wells, Florida Realtors president, said in a release.
The delayed Jan. 1 start to the feminine-hygiene and commercial-lease tax cuts is what helps increase the tax-cut package to $180 million when stretched over two years.
The package also includes several other smaller tax breaks.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Graduates Earn $1.33 Million In Scholarships
May 26, 2017
Northview High School has announced that the members of the Class of 2017 have earned $1.33 million in scholarships.
Scholarships were awarded or offered as follows:
Autumn Albritton
- Gary McAdams Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Victoria Anne Amerson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Natalie Grace Barrow
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Marie Bell
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
- UWF – Academic Excellence Schoalrship – $20,000
- Auburn University – Presidential Scholarhip – $72,000
- Coastal Alabama Comm College – Full Tuition – $12,624
- Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholts Justices Foundation – $1,500
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
- Valedictorian Award
- Navy League Scholarship – $1,000
- BBB Ethics Scholarshp – $1,000
Kylie Brook
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Katie Cmehil
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
Ohijie Elliott
- Foundation Scholarship – $75
De’asia Ja’shay Fountain
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Mallory Olivia Gibson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Gabrielle Hawkins
- Gwen Applequist Difference Maker Award – $1,000
Emily Michelle Heard
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Ta’keyzha Johnson
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
Adrian Daniel King
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Daysha Kite
- EREC Scholarship – $1,000
Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Walnut Hill Ruritan – $100
- PSC Academic – $3,600
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Daniel Mascaro
- Spring Hill Portier Award – $100,000
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Chase Olsen
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Malcom Jude Parham
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Shyla Nicole Pope
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Kaitlyn Pugh
- Salutatorian Award
Dustin Radcliffe
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Zachary Chase Sheldon
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $150
- University of West Florida – Academic Excellence – $12,000
- US Army ROTC – 3 yr – $135,000
- Navy ROTC – 4 Yr – $180,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Elks Lodge – $1,000
- Florence Krom & Johnny Stephanou Scholarship – $1,000
Mitchell James Singleton
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Barrineau Park Historical Society – $500
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Glen Key Award – $500
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship – $500
Brianna Morgan Smith
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star 4 yr – $750
- Northwest Florida Bowling Conference Scholarship – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
- PSC Academic – $3,600
Jessica Lauren Stacey
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Freshman Academic Excellence – Mississippi State – $6,000
David Conrad Weber
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Belmont University – Merit Scholarship – $40,000
- Jacksonville State University – Merit 15 Scholarship – $40,000
- SEU – Chancellor’s Scholarship – $12,000
- Troy University – Millineum Scholar’s Scholarship – $53,856
- University of Mobile – Presidential Merit – $48,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
Luke Ward
- Poarch Creek Tuition Assistance – $50,000
- Mercer – Athletic Scholarship – $192,000
Alston Wiggins
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Hadley Marie Woodfin
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- UWF Academic Excellence Scholarship – $12,000
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $3,456
Escambia Approves $89 Million Bond Issue To Build New County Jail
May 26, 2017
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to approve a bond issue of up to $89 million to construct a new county jail.
The project will consists of the planning, design and construction of a new 1,500 rated bed correctional facility on 14.65 at the corner of Fairfield Drive and Pace Boulevard.. It is expected to take three years to construct the facility, once plans are approved.
The total cost for the project will be $134 million — $89 million from the bond issue and the remainder from a FEMA grant of $50 million.
The bonds will be repaid by 2047 using Local Option Sales Tax Funds. The bond interest and fees will cos Escambia County about $9.5 million.
The Central Booking and Detention was damaged beyond repair during a natural gas explosion following flooding on April 30, 2014, forcing the county to find temporary housing for about 600 inmates. The new jail will replace the former Central Booking and Detention Center and the current Main Jail.
Health Officials Move Forward With Pot Process
May 26, 2017
After state lawmakers failed to act, health officials on Thursday laid out a framework for adopting regulations required by a voter-approved constitutional amendment that could make Florida one of the nation’s largest medical-marijuana markets.
The Florida Department of Health on Thursday issued a “Notice of Regulation Development Procedure” establishing the process the agency intends to use to carry out Amendment 2, given a thumbs-up by more than 71 percent of voters in November.
The amendment gave doctors the authority to order marijuana for a broad swath of patients with debilitating conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Doctors also have the power to order marijuana for “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.”
During the legislative session that ended May 8, lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a measure to carry out the constitutional amendment. A key sticking point involved a cap on the number of retail outlets the state’s licensed medical-marijuana operators would be allowed to run.
Currently, Florida’s seven medical marijuana operators can open an unlimited number of dispensaries. That’s based on a 2014 law, intended to provide non-euphoric cannabis treatment for children with severe epilepsy. That law paved the way for the state’s medical marijuana industry.
The industry is expected to explode after the passage of the constitutional amendment, under which at least 420,000 patients in Florida could be eligible for medical marijuana, according to the most recent health department estimates.
The regulation-creating process proposed Thursday by the Department of Health is a shift from typical proceedings, governed by Florida administrative law.
The constitutional amendment gives health officials until July 3 to craft rules to implement the amendment and until Oct. 3 to put the rules into effect.
But typical administrative-law procedures include timelines for challenges and revisions that could push finalization of the department’s regulations far beyond the constitutional deadlines.
Under the process proposed by the agency on Thursday, health officials would give notice 15 days before adopting a new rule. The public would have three days to weigh in on the proposal.
The framework, which would do away with the administrative-law process, lacks guidelines for how to challenge or appeal agency decisions about the pot regulations.
The implementation scheme also apparently does away with a proposed rule that health officials floated earlier this year to try to implement the amendment.
The proposal comes amid bipartisan demands that lawmakers revisit the medical marijuana issue during a special session. The could be unlikely to happen unless Gov. Rick Scott vetoes portions of the budget, forcing the Legislature to come back to Tallahassee for issues other than pot.
In a telephone interview Thursday with The News Service of Florida, Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who was instrumental in passing the state’s 2014 non-euphoric cannabis law and who remains a major player on medical-marijuana issues, credited the health department’s attempts to move forward with regulations to meet the July deadline.
But Bradley said he feared the department would develop regulations built on current Florida law — finalized before the constitutional amendment went into effect — while awaiting guidance from the Legislature.
If so, agency officials likely won’t revisit key issues such as a required 90-day waiting period before doctors are able to order marijuana treatment, something patients have strenuously objected to because they say it creates a significant barrier to treatment for dying or extremely ill Floridians.
“I don’t see the department doing anything bold. My sense is they are going to preserve the status quo until such time as the Legislature acts. I support the department’s desire to remove any legal cloud over people’s ability to receive this medicine pursuant to the current provisions that are in place,” Bradley, a former prosecutor, said. “We need to do more than that, though. And that’s the Legislature’s job.”
Even if lawmakers don’t take up the issue during a special session this summer, committee meetings will begin in the fall in advance of the 2018 session, which begins in January.
“The Legislature is going to be in Tallahassee no later than around 100 days from now, and possibly earlier if the governor vetoes all or a portion of the budget,” Bradley said. “There are opportunities for the Legislature to deal with medical marijuana.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
May 26, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for May. They are Summer Waters, eighth grade; Payton Gilchrist, seventh grade; and Kaylie Leger, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.