Campus Carry Proposal Emerges In Florida House
December 8, 2016
A controversial measure that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to pack heat while on college and university campuses was filed Wednesday by state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood.
The proposal (HB 6005) is filed for the 2017 legislative session, which starts in March.
Second Amendment groups backed such legislation during the 2016 session, while it was opposed by many faculty members, university and college presidents, and campus law enforcement. The 2016 measure was approved in the House but did not get through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who was a primary sponsor of the House campus-carry measure during the 2016 session, is expected to file a bill that includes similar language in the Senate. Steube also was named last month as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
A separate measure (HB 6001) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to bring guns into the passenger terminals of airports also has been filed in the House for the 2017 session. A version of that bill failed to pass during the 2016 session.
by The News Service of Florida
Two Escambia Deputies Honored For Saving Six Lives
December 8, 2016
Two Escambia County deputies, Darren Robinson and Stefan Chamlis, were honored by Gov. Rick Scott with the Medal of Heroism for their bravery and courage when they saved six people from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola Beach.
“These brave deputies did not hesitate to put their lives on the line to save the lives of six individuals, including two children, from drowning. Their selfless actions show the commitment these officers have to their communities and to the safety of others. It is important to remember the hard work and dedication of these deputies and I am proud to present them with the Medal of Heroism today,” Scott said during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet.
Robinson and Chamblis were patrolling the beach on July 26th on ATV’s near Avenida 19, when they heard a group of people two women, two men, and five young children, calling for help from the water. Both jumped into action, while Chamblis was able to push the women and children out of the rip current, where Robinson was able to reach the children and women and pull them to safety.
One of the male swimmers was able to escape the rip current and swim to shore. Lifeguards, EMS, and Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and assisted the last remaining male out of the water.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Girls Weightlifting: Northview Defeats Jay, Tate
December 8, 2016
In girls weightlifting, Northview defeated Jay 66 point to 22 on Wednesday. On Monday, Northview defeated Tate 61 to 27.
Northview 66 Jay 22
Top lifters from classes with their combined score:
- Audriene Odom 230-Northview
- Lexxi Broadhead 155-Northview
- Myishia Syria 205 –Northview
- Jessica Muse 225-Northview
- Hayley Watson 310 –Jay
- S. Edwards 225 –Jay
- Mallory Gibson 220 –Northview
- Aubree Love 235-Northview
- C. Capps 195-Northview
- Summer Hodo -280-Northview
Northview 61 Tate 27
Top lifters from classes with their combined score:
- Audriene Odom 225-Northview
- Lexxi Broadhead 150-Northview
- Attaway, K. 215-Tate
- Jessica Muse 210-Northview
- Valen Shelly 215-Northview
- Gloria Jones 295-Tate
- Mallory Gibson 225-Northview
- Aubree Love 230-Northview
- Bray 210-Tate
- Summer Hodo -270 Northview
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In North Century Boulevard Crash
December 7, 2016
Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Century.
The accident happened just before 7 p.m. at the intersection of North Century Boulevard and West Highway 4 and involved two passenger vehicles. The driver and two juvenile occupants of one vehicle were injured, one being airlifted by LifeGuard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The names of those injured and other details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as the continue their investigation.
Reports indicated that the injured parties in the crash included a Jay High School junior varsity basketball team member, his mother and a sibling. They had just left a basketball game at Northview High School and were returning home when the cash occurred.
NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Man Arrested For Attempted Murder For Shooting At Police Officer
December 7, 2016
UPDATE: A man who allegedly shot at a Pensacola Police officer last Friday night has been arrested.
Tijuan Deonte Johnson, 23, of the 4300 block of Acacia Drive, Pensacola, turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail about 6 a.m. He was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. He was held without bond.
Sgt. Stephen Bauer said Johnson was identified as the suspect during the investigation. Bauer said as part of the investigation, police department SWAT members and detectives served a search warrant at Johnson’s home Monday in an attempt to find him and evidence. Johnson was not home at the time. However, evidence was found that will assist in the investigation. The type of evidence recovered is not being released at this time.
Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, officers responded to Highland Drive after a male was seen holding a handgun while riding a bicycle. A woman said the male approached her vehicle after she backed out of a driveway. Fearing for her safety, she accelerated her vehicle to escape and the man fled.
Officer Matthew Mercado found the suspect riding the bicycle south on Sixth Avenue near Tunis Street. The suspect dismounted the bicycle at Torres Avenue and Tunis Street, turned toward Mercado, fired one shot, and fled the area. Mercado was not injured.
Sewage Spill May Have Reached Eleven Mile Creek
December 7, 2016
A sewage spill occurred Monday at an ECUA lift station at 1421 Highway 297A after a telecommunications contractor bored through a sewer main.
The spill was estimated at 19,500 gallons that may have reached Eleven Mile Creek, according to an ECUA news release issued Tuesday.
Because the spill may have reached the creek, ECUA determined that a potential health risk may exist and door hanger noticeswere distributed to area residents. Bacteriological sampling of the area and Crescent Lake have been initiated.
ECUA crews repaired the main and ensured that the overflow area was cleaned and disinfected with a biocide agent that removed any contamination concerns, per state protocol.
Santa Visits The Molino Branch Library (With Gallery)
December 7, 2016
Santa Claus paid a special visit to the Molino Branch Library Tuesday night taking those special Christmas wishes.
Top Christmas top requests were hoverboards and tablet computers. There were several other requests, including snow, a sewing machine, scooter, paint set, a drum set, a piano and a real dragon. All good possibilities except for the snow and the real dragon due to limited space in the sleigh.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robbery Suspects Sentenced
December 7, 2016
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced the sentences imposed by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Dannheisser for two local robberies after a lengthy sentencing hearing held Monday, December 5.
D’Andre Jones, 20 years old on the date of sentencing, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison to be followed by 20 years of probation for carrying out the two robberies.
On October 18, 2015, Jones entered the Circle K located at 3013 E. Cervantes Street at 4:45 a.m. wearing a mask and armed with a sledgehammer. He was accompanied by 18-year-old Ian Garland, also masked. He ordered the clerk, who was working alone that morning, to open the cash registers. He emptied one register of its contents while Ian Garland emptied the other register. Jones also helped himself to some cigarettes. Garland grabbed $250 worth of scratch off lottery tickets.
Then, on January 30th, 2016, Jones again entered the same Circle K at 1:08 a.m. He was masked and he wielded an 18 inch craftsman wrench as a weapon. This time he was accompanied by Ian Garland and 18-year-old Brendan McClendon.
Each robber focused on a separate victim inside the store. Jones attempted to grab the purse of a customer and found himself in a fight as the customer decided to fight back by throwing her recently purchased 44 ounce cup of Diet Mountain Dew from the soda fountain on him and then engaging him through the use of her martial arts training. She kept control of his weapon hand and fought with him while the other two robbers focused on the store clerks.
Brendan McClendon confronted one clerk and grabbed all the money from the first cash register. Ian Garland confronted the other clerk and grabbed all the money from the second cash register. The customer resisting Jones released her grasp and surrendered her purse when the other robbers yelled they were leaving.
Three hours later, Brendan McClendon attempted to rob the Circle K on Quintette Road in Santa Rosa County without success. Shortly thereafter, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office pulled over the black pickup truck the defendants were riding in and placed the three under arrest.
Judge Dannheisser sentenced both Ian Garland and Brendan McClendon to 10 years in state prison to be followed by 20 years of probation each.
Ian Garland and Brendan McClendon face punishment in Santa Rosa County for the attempted robbery of the Circle K on Quintette Road as well as a home burglary. Garland and McClendon will be sentenced in Santa Rosa County on December 16, 2016.
Century Updating 25 Year Old Land Development Code
December 7, 2016
The Town of Century is updated its aging Land Development Code thanks to a state grant.
The town received a $25,000 Division of Community Development’s Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to update their LDC, which was adopted on April 29, 1991. The work is being done by Peggy Fowler and Associates, which submitted the only proposal.
The Land Development Code (LDC) essentially specifies what can be built where and how it can be used within the town limits.
The majority of the LDC has not been revised since it was adopted in 1991. It, according to Fowler, must be updated to ensure compliance with changes in state and federal laws and the goals and objectives of the Town Century Comprehensive Plan 2025.
The updates will also address any inconsistencies or duplications in the document, plus make the LDC more user-friendly and easier to understand with minor reorganization and the addition of tables and simple illustrations.
Most of the changes reviewed at Tuesday’s workshop were simple changes to clarify wording or bring sections into compliance with current state laws. Additional workshops will be held in February and April of 2017, followed by the presentation of a completed draft at public hearing in May 2017.
Molino Park First, Second Grades Present ‘The Littlest Christmas Tree’
December 7, 2016
Molino Park Elementary Schools’ first and second grade classes presented “The Littlest Christmas Tree” Tuesday night at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Savanna Calhoun, click to enlarge.
