Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: As Trump Stumps, Courts Take Care Of Business
October 16, 2016
As Florida dried out from the second hurricane of the season, it once again found itself this week in the center of the election universe as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stumped from Panama City Beach to West Palm Beach in a defiant manner amid scandals engulfing his campaign.
Meanwhile, courts were busy in Tallahassee, extending the voter-registration deadline and finding part of a new death-penalty law unconstitutional.
TRUMPING THE NEWS
As accusations of sexual assault emerged that would typically torpedo the political prospects of lesser candidates, part-time Florida man Trump denounced the charges as “outright lies,” expanded his targets to include establishment Republicans and ratcheted up his attacks on the media and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
And Floridians got a front row seat, with Trump speaking to faithful throngs in Panama City Beach, Ocala, Lakeland and West Palm Beach.
Addressing thousands of cheering supporters at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach on Tuesday, Trump painted Clinton as a pawn of a global establishment that would usher in the destruction of the nation. He also opined on a variety of issues in Florida, including whether the management of Lake Okeechobee has caused droughts in the state.
Trump’s three-day swing through Florida came as polls show him slipping behind Clinton in the state. It is highly unlikely that Trump can win the White House without Florida’s 29 electoral votes.
The Panama City area is part of a Northwest Florida stronghold for Republicans in statewide races. State Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican running for a seat in Congress, referred to the importance of the region while talking to the Trump crowd about former Vice President Al Gore’s visit to South Florida with Clinton earlier Tuesday.
“In 2000, we made sure Al Gore was never going to be the president of the United States,” Gaetz said.
During remarks in Miami Beach, Gore alluded to the state’s 2000 recount, which cleared the way for the presidency of George W. Bush, as he stressed the importance of every vote.
“You can consider me as an Exhibit A of that truth,” Gore said, according to a transcript released by the Clinton campaign.
But it was the release late last week of a video that showed Trump talking about kissing and groping women without consent that put other politicians on the spot this week.
Gov. Rick Scott, who chairs a super PAC backing the Republican nominee, called Trump’s comments “wrong” but stopped short of condemning the Republican presidential hopeful.
On Tuesday, as Democrats tried to use the video as a way to tie GOP candidates to Trump, Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio reaffirmed support for the party’s nominee.
Rubio, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP presidential nomination this year, issued a statement that rejected Trump’s “offensive rhetoric” but expressed a bigger aversion to Clinton becoming president.
“I ran against Donald Trump. And while I respect that voters chose him as the GOP nominee, I have never hesitated to oppose his policies I disagree with,” Rubio said in a statement. “And I have consistently rejected his offensive rhetoric and behavior. I disagree with him on many things, but I disagree with his opponent on virtually everything.
“I wish we had better choices for president. But I do not want Hillary Clinton to be our next president. And therefore my position has not changed.”
COURT REQUIRES UNANIMOUS JURIES IN DEATH CASES
Nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s death-penalty system gave too much power to judges, instead of juries, the state Supreme Court followed up Friday with another major decision that said part of the system is unconstitutional.
The Florida court, in a 5-2 ruling, said juries are required to be unanimous in recommending death sentences. That invalidated part of a law passed early this year that would have allowed 10-2 jury recommendations for defendants to be sent to Death Row.
Friday’s ruling also vacated the death sentence of Timothy Lee Hurst, who was sentenced to death for the 1998 killing of a fast-food worker in Pensacola.
Hurst was the plaintiff in an appeal that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January that Florida’s system of allowing judges — and not juries — to decide whether defendants should face death equates to an unconstitutional violation of the Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury.
During the spring legislative session, lawmakers and Scott quickly passed a measure to try to address the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. As part of that, the Senate pushed to require unanimous jury recommendations for the death penalty.
But the House balked, and Attorney General Pam Bondi and state prosecutors also opposed the proposal. In a compromise, the two chambers settled on requiring 10 jurors to vote for the death penalty. The Florida Supreme Court on Friday said that part of the new law was unconstitutional.
“The act, however, is unconstitutional because it requires that only 10 jurors recommend death as opposed to the constitutionally required unanimous, 12-member jury,” the court majority ruled.
JUDGE GIVES MORE TIME FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Wednesday approved a request by the Florida Democratic Party to extend the deadline for voter registration because Hurricane Matthew forced people to flee the East Coast last week. Walker set the new deadline for Tuesday.
“While we wish it had not taken a lawsuit to get the Scott administration to do the right thing, today’s ruling is a major victory for all Floridians and for the democratic process in the Sunshine State,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said in a statement.
Scott initially balked at idea of extending the deadline, saying “(e)verybody has had a lot of time to register.”
But Scott’s office sent out a statement before the Wednesday court hearing suggesting that the Legislature consider changes to the state’s voter registration law during the 2017 session. Florida has one of the earliest registration deadlines in the nation, and the law has no provision for what happens if a disaster strikes near the deadline.
Lawyers for Scott and Secretary of State Ken Detzner voiced no opposition to the extension during the hearing.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump tried to rally voters across Florida this week amid a furor about his campaign.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: — “When you’re taking money out of the masses’ pockets and then giving it literally — to the Democrats’ argument — to the top 1 percent, to the detriment of everybody else, that is de facto socialism.” — Incoming Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran during a panel discussion on economic business incentives in Texas.
UWF Drops Back And Forth Shootout At Delta State, 55-51
October 16, 2016
The UWF football team compiled a school-record 557 yards of total offense and was in position to ice the game with a 2-point lead, but saw a miscommunication on offense result in a turnover that Delta State turned into the game-winning score and a 55-51 decision at Parker Field-McCool Stadium Saturday evening.
UWF (4-3, 2-2 Gulf South) showed its offensive muscle early and often by scoring a touchdown on each of its first four drives. In just 4:01 of possession, Nobles rattled off four touchdown passes and led the Argonauts to 267 yards of offense.
The Argos started the scoring with an Antoine Griffin 39-yard touchdown catch just over two minutes into the first quarter. DSU (4-3, 2-2) responded with a 13-play, 73-yard drive that ended on a three-yard rush to tie the game at 7-7 early.
West Florida responded with 20 unanswered points, including Ishmel Morrow recording his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the year with 27- and 69-yard scores. UWF would cap first quarter scoring with Anas Hasic’s GSC-leading eighth touchdown of the year coming from 31-yards out.
With the Argos leading 27-14 at the end of the first quarter, Delta State would post three unanswered, second quarter touchdowns to take a 35-27 lead. The Argonauts momentarily halted DSU’s momentum by utilizing a nine-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard Nobles-to- Kevin Grant touchdown connection. Nobles concluded the half with a staggering five touchdowns and 355 passing yards.
Delta State held a slim 35-34 advantage heading into the locker room after a first half that featured a combined 753 yards of total offense.
To start the second half, the Statesmen extended their lead with a 12-yard scoring run from Chris Robinson to make the score 42-34 after a quick, five-play, 46-yard drive over the course of 1:42.
The Argonauts ate up 3:22 of clock en route to an eight-play, 72-yard drive that concluded with Jemari Ford’s first rushing score of the year on a 15-yard scamper on second down leaving Delta State with just a one-point lead, at 42-41.
Just 2:02 later with Delta State set to punt, Marcus Clayton blocked, picked up the loose ball and returned it 21 yards to give UWF a 48-42 lead with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter. Clayton’s block is both the first-ever blocked kick and the first special teams touchdown in program history.
After a 45-yard, highlight-reel-worthy catch by Hasic put the Argos in field-goal range at the Delta State 12-yard-line, Andrew Bogaenko converted on a 26-yard attempt to push UWF’s lead to 51-42.
UWF would take that lead into the fourth quarter, but Delta State responded with Robinson’s fifth touchdown of the game to cut UWF’s lead to a slim 51-49 margin.
One of three turnovers, and West Florida’s most costly turnover of the game, came on a Nobles’ fumble with 2:50 remaining allowing DSU to start the eventual game-winning drive at the UWF 17-yard-line.
Robinson continued to give the Argonaut defense headaches late in the contest, as the running back scored his sixth touchdown of the day on a six-yard rush.
The Argonauts had 90 seconds remaining to attempt a comeback, but four incomplete passes secured Delta State’s 55-51 victory.
With Delta State holding the Argonauts scoreless in the fourth quarter, it snaps a streak of 11 consecutive quarters where the Argonauts posted at least one score.
Chris Schwarz led the ground game for UWF, averaging 5.1 yards per carry after a 12-attempt, 61-yard effort. Hasic had a game-high 155 yards receiving on eight catches, while Morrow posted his fifth 100-yard performance in the last six games with 132 yards on five receptions. Nobles totaled 452 yards through the air with five touchdowns after going 24-for-42 passing.
Trent Archie led all players with a UWF single-game record 18 tackles. Marvin Conley contributed with 11 tackles of his own, while Sam Adams was the lone Argonaut to post multiple tackles for loss.
West Florida was hindered by 13 penalties accumulating 119 total yards in addition to Delta State’s 20 points scored off turnovers. Robinson paced the Statesmen offense with six touchdowns and 298 total yards divided between 100 receiving yards and 198 yards on the ground.
Escambia Man Threatens ISIS Attacks On Schools, Beaches, Bases
October 15, 2016
An Escambia County man is facing federal charges after allegedly sending a handwritten note to Sheriff David Morgan threatening to attack schools, beaches and more simultaneously.
Regis L. Walker, 30, was charged with mailing threatening communications. The criminal complaint was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Walker mailed a threatening letter on notebook paper to Sheriff Morgan at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly claimed that several people who had joined ISIS would simultaneously attack military bases, beaches, and schools at a nonspecific time and could not be stopped by law enforcement.
He claimed 10 people would carry out the attacks after a “couple of us” had “declared to join ISIS”. The writer stated that 5-10 attacks could not be stopped (stating law enforcement “cannot be everywhere at once”), and that the attackers planned on “not giving up” and “dying.”
Walker appeared to sign the note as “ISIS ALLAH.”
The punishment for the crime alleged is a maximum of five years in prison. Walker will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals at the Santa Rosa County Jail pending further judicial proceedings. Future court appearances will take place in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola on a date to be determined.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
Myrick Named NHS Homecoming Queen (With Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2016
Morgan Myrick was named Northview High School’s homecoming queen for 2016 Friday night.
Homecoming court members were freshmen Briana White, Payton Jackson, Teriana Redmond; sophomores Ashtyn Carnley, Madison Sherouse, Shelby Bashore, Olivia Seals; juniors Natasha Walker, Celeste North, Madison White; and seniors Peighton Dortch, Autumn Albritton, Brittany McLemore, Mallory Gibson, Morgan Myrick and Zipporah Harris.
Pictured top (L-R) are Sophomore Maid Shelby Bayshore, First Runner Up Autumn Albritton, Homecoming Queen Morgan Myrick, Second Runner Up Peighton Dortch, Junior Main Celeste North and Freshman Main Teriana Redmond. Pictured inset: Myrick reacts to the announcement that she has been name homecoming queen. Pictured below: Myrick is crowned by last year’s queen Savannah Roux as her father, Mike Myrick, looks on. Pictured bottom: Senior court members Albritton, Myrick and Dortch. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Jay To Clinch Postseason Berth (With Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2016
The Northview Chiefs came out on top against the winless Jay Royals Friday night in Bratt, but it was not as easy of a win as many thought it would be.
The Royals jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, and the Chiefs answered at 6:30 in the second with a quarterback keeper from Luke Ward for a 7-6 advantage that stood at the half. In the third, the Royals rallied for a 19-6 lead in the third quarter.
For a homecoming court gallery, click here.
For a game action gallery, click here.
With 4:55 in the third, Ward found Neikel Robinson on fourth down for a 45-yard touchdown, 19-14. With 8:24 on the clock in the fourth, Ward hit Robinson for crowd-pleasing 85-yard touchdown and a 27-19 Chiefs lead. On Jay’s next down, Ward intercepted and added another touchdown, 37-19. Ward added another touchdown to seal the win for the Chiefs.
“There was nothing pretty about it,” Northview High School Head Coach Dereck Marshman said. “A lot of credit goes to Jay; they played their tails off. There was very little time where I though we outplayed them effort wise, execution wise..It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it.”
The win gives the Chiefs (5-3, 1-0) a playoff spot and eliminates Jay (0-8, 0-2) from the postseason. For the Chiefs, it’s their seventh straight playoff berth.
Northview’s game in two weeks at Baker will decide if the Chiefs or the Gators take the district championship, but Marshman said right now he’s more concerned about visiting Walton next week.
“Our full focus right now is on Walton. Senior night, our last home game of the regular season guaranteed to us and a chance to go undefeated at home this season,” he said.
For a homecoming court gallery, click here.
For a game action gallery, click here.
Additional photos (band, cheerleaders, dance team, will be posted by early next week)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 1,300 Volunteers Participate In United Way’s Day of Caring
October 15, 2016
Community volunteers and leaders joined United Way of Escambia County’s to kick off the 24th Annual Day of Caring (DOC) at Woodham Middle School on Friday.
“This is our first year participating in United Way of Escambia’s Day of Caring and we love that we can show off our team and competitive spirit while having some fun before we start our project,” said Maryann Andrews from Escambia Community Clinics (ECC).
ECC employees joined more than 1,300 local volunteers who helped complete 89 projects at 58 agencies and schools in Escambia County. Together, Day of Caring volunteers donated an estimated 8,500 hours that provided local nonprofits and schools an estimated $200,260 in free labor. In effect it would take an individual every hour of the day for almost an entire year to have the same impact that these caring volunteers had in the day. Donations of materials and supplies add thousands more to the effort.
The day of caring is made possible by a committed committee of volunteers led by Day of Caring Chair, Bill Maudlin. Like the dedicated volunteers he leads, Maudlin believes, “What we do today shapes who we are tomorrow. I want our community to grow and improve every day for everyone. Volunteering at United Way Day of Caring affords me the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for all and leave things better than I found them.”
Northview Celebrates Homecoming With Parade (Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2016
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt this afternoon.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tops Tate
October 15, 2016
The Escambia Gators moved into the top spot in District 1-6A with a 37-27 win over the Tate Aggies.
Escambia dominated the scoring in the first half, holding a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter when the Aggies scored on the ground with touchdowns from Jake Henry and Corey Moorer.
Next week, the Tate Aggies (6-2, 1-1) move on host Choctaw next Friday night before traveling to Pine Forest on October 28.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 15, 2016
Here are high school final scores from across the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Northview 40, Jay 25
- Escambia 37, Tate 27
- Pine Forest 36, Washington 20
- West Florida 44, Bay 9
- Arnold 13, PHS 0
- Taylor County 14, Catholic 7
- Gulf Breeze 55, Pace 28
- Navarre 44, Milton 0
- Baker 49, Chipley 14
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 28, Bayside 23
- Escambia Academy 39, Lighthouse Christian (Pcola) 0
- Flomaton 29, Excel 0
- Andalusia 35, W.S. Neal 8
- Carroll 45, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Prison Escapee Captured
October 14, 2016
Alabama inmate Jerry Lynn Hilburn, 40, was recaptured at 4:00 p.m. on Friday in Lincoln, AL, according to Alabama Department of Corrections officials.
Hilburn escaped from the J.O. Davis Correctional Facility in Atmore on Oct. 10.
A public tip led U.S. Marshals to an address in Lincoln where Hilburn was hiding in a storage shed located behind a resident’s home. After a brief foot pursuit, Hilburn was apprehended and taken to the Talladega County Jail to await his return to the ADOC.
Hilburn was serving a 20-year sentence on a 2013 drug possession conviction out of Mobile County. Hilburn will be charged for the escape.