Escambia Man Arrested For Making Bomb Threats
October 2, 2016
Multiple charges have been filed against an Escambia County man who made telephone bomb threats to local businesses in September.
Lamarte Bre Flynn, 21, was arrested late Friday night. He was charged with one count of threat to bomb/false report bomb explosive weapon mass destruction and three counts of threat to bomb/threaten discharge destructive device. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $20,000.
The phone calls were made to 911 between September 3 and 26. In addition to numerous law enforcement resources used to investigate the incidents, bomb K-9 units were deployed from Pensacola International Airport and from Eglin Air Force Base.
Wiggins Graduates From Auburn
October 2, 2016
John W. Wiggins graduated Cum Laude from Auburn University on August 6th, 2016 with a bachelor of chemical engineering and a minor in business and was also a graduate of the Auburn University Cooperative Education program.
John is a member of Theta Chi and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
He currently works for BP in Chicago. John is the son of Glen and Jean Wiggins of Walnut Hill.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Open For Business
October 2, 2016
Whenever a party becomes as dominant as the Republican Party has been in Tallahassee over the past two decades, divisions emerge. But there is one thing that largely unites the Florida GOP: friendliness (critics would say slavish devotion) to business interests.
There were signs of that this week, after state regulators said workers’ compensation insurance rates for businesses should jump by 14.5 percent. It didn’t take long for some Republicans to start calling for legislation in next year’s session that might ease the strain.
But there are also signs of a looming battle over another business-friendly priority of Gov. Rick Scott: incentives for companies to move to Florida. Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, has long been critical of those goodies, and his response this week was no different. In as many words, he said “no dice.”
COMP TIME
The double-digit rate increase for workers’ compensation insurance called for in an order by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation was actually down from a proposed 19.6 percent. But business groups said a 14.5 percent boost would hurt employers.
“Today’s workers’ compensation rate increase is a hard hit to small business owners and our economy,” Bill Herrle, executive director of the small-business group NFIB/Florida, said in a prepared statement. “While the (insurance) commissioner has done what was necessary in response to the Supreme Court undoing legislation that capped attorneys’ fees and maintained reasonable rates, our small business owners will be paying the price.”
Herrle was referring to the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling in a case known as Marvin Castellanos v. Next Door Company. In that case, the court ruled that a limit on attorneys’ fees was unconstitutional. An attorney in the Supreme Court case was awarded the equivalent of $1.53 an hour in successfully pursuing a claim for benefits for a worker injured in Miami.
Business groups have long argued that limiting attorneys’ fees is a critical part of holding down workers’ compensation insurance costs. But critics have contended that the state’s fee limits favored insurers and took away legal rights of injured workers, at least in part because workers would have a hard time finding legal representation in pursuing claims.
The 14.5 percent increase, slated to start taking effect Dec. 1, remains contingent on the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which makes rate filings for workers’ compensation insurers, coming up with a revised rate filing.
It didn’t take long for state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and a key Republican senator to say they expect lawmakers to take action during the 2017 legislative session.
Atwater, who has been heavily involved in insurance issues, warned Thursday that rates will continue to climb and eventually “will impact the recovery” if the Legislature doesn’t address the issue during the session.
“It’s just the opening act if not addressed,” Atwater said.
Also, Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said Wednesday he anticipates “comprehensive” legislation about the workers’ compensation issue. Galvano was asked during a break-out session at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s “Future of Florida Forum” about whether the potential changes would be surgical or comprehensive.
“You can’t just go back in and undo what the court did, the court found something specifically unconstitutional,” Galvano said after the session.
While the 14.5 percent increase didn’t reach the requested 19.6 percent, Galvano said “it’s not something we can accept.”
But Mark Touby, president of the group Florida Workers’ Advocates, issued a statement arguing that insurers are responsible for the rate increase.
“(State Insurance Commissioner David) Altmaier has missed an exceptional opportunity to protect the interests of Florida’s business community and the hard-working men and women who drive our economy forward,” said Touby, an attorney who represents injured workers. “He could have rejected the insurance industry’s secretive ploy for corporate welfare to line its own pockets, all while falsely blaming a workers’ compensation rate hike on two court rulings that don’t actually make any rate change necessary.”
DISSED INCENTIVES
Scott this week renewed his pitch that Florida needs to set aside money for incentives to lure businesses. He called on lawmakers to provide $85 million for incentives in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
During the session that ended in March, the Legislature rejected a larger ask for $250 million, but the governor appears determined to push ahead.
After appearing at the Florida Chamber Foundation forum — held in Orlando alongside an Enterprise Florida board meeting — Scott said the incentive money is needed so Florida can compete for jobs against other states.
“We have to get a good return for taxpayers, but we have to be part of the game,” Scott said. “If we’re not, we’re not going to get the corporate office moves, the regional offices, things like that.”
But Corcoran, who has been harshly critical of the idea of business incentives, sounded like he was nowhere close to backing down.
“The House’s position on this issue has been clear,” Corcoran said in a prepared statement Thursday. “The government engaging in social engineering to pick winners and losers that benefit the 1 percent is a bad deal for Florida taxpayers. There will not be any corporate welfare in the House budget.”
The proposal got a warmer reception in the Senate, though spending for incentives has generally not been as hard a sell there as it is across the Capitol.
“If we’re going to have economic development, and all my polls that I take or see say that economic development jobs is still the number one thing on people’s minds, if we’re going to have economic development, if we’re going to have a jobs effort, we need to fund it,” said Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is set to become the Senate Appropriations Chairman after the November elections.
During this year’s session, the Senate initially supported Scott’s $250 million request. But with the House opposed, the funding dissolved as the chambers hammered out a budget.
That resulted in Bill Johnson, who had lobbied lawmakers for the money, stepping down as president of Enterprise Florida and the agency being downsized. A vote on Johnson’s replacement was delayed Thursday to give Scott time to meet with both finalists. Scott chairs the Enterprise Florida board.
Scott was unable to meet Wednesday with the finalists — Michael Finney, a former adviser to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and Richard Biter, a retired Florida Department of Transportation assistant secretary — because of a schedule change related to receiving updates on Tropical Storm Matthew. Scott also left the Enterprise Florida board meeting Thursday morning for an update on the storm.
“We want to give him an opportunity to spend time with the candidates as well,” said Stan Connally, chairman of the Enterprise Florida President & CEO Search Committee.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Skirmishes began over business legislation for the 2017 session, with workers’ compensation and spending on incentives taking center stage.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m spending a fortune right now. I don’t know what the number will be until the month’s over. I’ve done a dangerous thing — I’ve given a blank check to the radio stations.”—Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, on his spending in support of a constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana in Florida.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Northview Forfeits At Maplesville In 3rd: ‘It Was No Longer A Game’
October 1, 2016
The Northview Chiefs walked out in the third quarter and forfeited their game Friday night against Maplesville, AL, giving the Red Devils a 21-0 win.
“At that point, it was no longer a game,” said Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, who made the decision to end the game. “I’m sorry it happened, but it was no longer a safe environment.”
The Maplesville Red Devils are the defending Alabama 1A state champions and were 4-0 headed into Friday night’s game, outscoring opponents 211-14 this season.
Friday night, the Red Devils were only up 6-0 headed into halftime against the Northview Chiefs. They had increased their lead to 21-0 by the third quarter, when the game came to halt with 1:40 to go in the third.
(article continues below photo)
Northview Head Coach Derek Marshman was ejected after his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, prompting Weaver to enter the field and announce that her Chiefs were heading back to Florida.
“The officiating got out of hand,” she said. “They were trash talking, and they were not officiating. They were not providing a safe environment and it was a danger to our team, everyone on the sidelines and our fans. Someone could have been hurt badly.”
Weaver said Marshman was attempting to get an explanation for a penalty flag when he was ejected. Weaver said the head referee would not provide any explanation or talk to anyone from Northview. She said the game was the final game in a two-game contract between the two schools, a contract that will not be renewed.
Marshman had little say about the forfeiture following the game, instead choosing to focus on the positive efforts of his team and look ahead to next week.
“I apologize for my actions, but not the act. I am going to defend my players,” was his only comment about the situation.
Marshman praised his team for holding the number one 1A team in Alabama to just six points in the first quarter. “It was a whole team effort; they fought hard,” he said.
Next week, the Chiefs continue a three week road series against Liberty County
“They are a tough team, a 1A powerhouse,” Marshman said. “They have a good athletes; we are going to need to be prepared to get physical and run the ball.”
Look for a gallery of more photos by Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
$438 Million: New Budget Year Begins Today For Escambia County And Century
October 1, 2016
It’s the first day of a the new budget year for both Escambia County and Century.
Escambia County
The fiscal year 2016-2017 budget for Escambia County is $434 million — $million higher than last year and up $78 million over 2013.
About one-fourth of the budget will go toward crime — $55.5 million to the Sheriff’s Office and $46.5 million to the county’s corrections department. Public Safety will receive $43 million, $26 million to public works, $25.4 million to human resources, $19.5 million to the landfill and solid waste, $19 million to Neighborhood and Human Services, and $12.7 million to ECAT.
Escambia County’s property tax, or millage rate, is unchanged 6.6165 The county fire tax increases from $100 to $125 to staff additional fire stations south of Nine Mile Road with paid personnel.
Century
Century has a $3.75 million budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 — down from a $5.1 million budget last year that included about $2.2 million in grant income and expenditures.
The ad valorem millage rate increased 0.9005 to 0.9732 for the new fiscal year, a 9.84%.
Tate Tops Washington 31-21
October 1, 2016
The Tate Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats Friday night 31-21 at Washington. With the win, the Aggies improved to 1-0 in the district, 5-1 overall.
After an unsuccessful field goal attempt, Tate took a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter when quarterback Jake Henry found senior Corey Moorer for a touchdown. In the second, Washington tied it up at 7-all with 8:00 on the clock.
Then, with 5:59 to go in the half, Tate took a 14-7 lead on a pass from Henry to junior Ladarryl Paige. After a Washington TD, the Aggies went on to add a field goal before the half, 17-14.
A Henry to Raymond Freeman pass with 4:53 in the third put Tate up 24-14. And Henry found Rodriguez Smith to go ahead 31-14 with 1:12 in the third.
The Tate Aggies will host the Pace Patriots next Friday night.
Look for a gallery of more photos by Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Scott Renews Push For Economic Incentives Amid House Opposition
October 1, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott plans to ask lawmakers in 2017 to provide $85 million for economic incentives, after the Legislature rejected his request this year for $250 million for the state’s business-recruitment agency.
But he may have to twist arms to win support from the House, where incoming Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, remains openly critical of using public dollars to try to attract businesses.
“The House’s position on this issue has been clear,” Corcoran said in a prepared statement. “The government engaging in social engineering to pick winners and losers that benefit the 1 percent is a bad deal for Florida taxpayers. There will not be any corporate welfare in the House budget.”
Scott announced his proposal at a board meeting of the public-private agency Enterprise Florida. Scott is chairman of the board.
After appearing at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s “Future of Florida Forum” — being held in Orlando alongside the Enterprise Florida board meeting — Scott said the incentive money is needed so Florida can compete for jobs against other states.
“We have to get a good return for taxpayers, but we have to be part of the game,” Scott said. “If we’re not, we’re not going to get the corporate office moves, the regional offices, things like that.”
Asked how he will get reluctant lawmakers to approve the funding request, Scott replied, “I just can’t imagine anybody’s going to vote against it.”
When asked if he had discussed the proposal with Corcoran, Scott added that he talks to state senators and representatives “all the time.”
The Senate is expected to again be more open to considering the proposal.
Incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he looks forward to learning more about the request and Scott’s other priorities.
“The Senate takes every priority of the governor very seriously,” Negron said in a prepared statement. “In the coming months, our Senate committees will have the chance to review his proposed budget in its entirety.”
During this year’s session, the Senate initially supported Scott’s $250 million request. But with the House opposed, the funding dissolved as the chambers hammered out a budget.
The $250 million request was one of Scott’s priorities for 2016. The rejection of the money resulted in Bill Johnson, who had lobbied lawmakers for the money, stepping down as president of Enterprise Florida and the agency being downsized.
Scott also requested $85 million for incentives in 2015. The final budget for that year included $53 million for Enterprise Florida, of which $43 million was for incentives and $10 million was for marketing.
Scott also plans to request that lawmakers narrow the focus of Enterprise Florida. The focus would be on efforts to attract corporate headquarters, along with businesses in the aviation, aerospace, defense, financial services, information technology and advanced manufacturing industries.
“We need to refocus EFI on one job, the one job is getting more people jobs,” Scott said during the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meeting.
by The News Service of Florida
One Injured In 90 & 9 Ranch Road Traffic Crash
October 1, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Friday at 90 & Ranch Road and Old Chemstrand Road. The driver was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were no considered life threatening. Further information has not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
High School Football Finals
October 1, 2016
Here’s a look at Friday night high school final scores from across the aera
FLORIDA
- Maplesville, AL 21, Northview 0
- Tate 31, Washington 21
- Baker 42, Jay 6
- Escambia 35, Pine Forest 0
- Bay 14, PHS 13
- Catholic 26, Florida HS 7
- Gulf Breeze 35, Milton 3
- Navarre 42, Pace 28
- West Florida – OFF
ALABAMA
- Mobile Christian 29, Flomaton 0
- Satsuma 41, Escambia County (Atmore) 8
- T.R. Miller 41, Excel 8
- W.S. Neal 22 Monroe County 18
- Escambia Academy – OFF
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Several New Laws In Florida
October 1, 2016
County elections supervisors are up for pay raises, while penalties increase for trafficking in the modern version of food stamps and for stealing credit-card information at gas pumps, under new laws that went into effect Saturday.
Those changes to state laws are among 26 that take effect this weekend after being crafted during the 2016 legislative session.
Lawmakers sent 272 bills to Gov. Rick Scott from the regular legislative session, which ended in March. Scott vetoed three and signed the rest.
The majority of the new laws, including the state’s annual budget, went into effect July 1 or immediately upon receiving Scott’s signature.
Here are some of the laws that will take effect Saturday:
HOUSE ARREST
— HB 75, which expands rules regarding electronic monitoring devices. The measure makes it a third-degree felony to ask another person to remove or help circumvent the operation of a monitoring device.
EBT CARDS
— SB 218, which is aimed at reducing trafficking in electronic-benefit transfer cards. The cards, commonly known as EBT cards, are a higher-tech form of food stamps and help provide food assistance to low-income Floridians. The measure, in part, would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to have two or more EBT cards and sell or attempt to sell one of the cards. A second offense would be a third-degree felony.
DISABILITIES PROTECTION
— HB 387, which is named “Carl’s Law” and increases civil and criminal penalties when victims are people with disabilities. Carl Stark, a 36-year-old autistic man from St. Augustine was shot and killed in 2015 after being targeted by teenagers looking to steal a car.
THREATS
— SB 436, which makes it a second-degree felony for making false reports about using firearms in a violent manner. The law also makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to threaten with death or serious harm a law-enforcement officer, state attorney or assistant state attorney, firefighter, judge, elected official or any of their family members.
SUPERVISORS PAY
— SB 514, which adjusts salaries for county supervisors of elections to be calculated the same as for clerks of circuit court, property appraisers and tax collectors. The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research has indicated the change will result in $1.2 million in salary increases, which averages to an $18,540 increase per county.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
— HB 545, which prohibits people under 18 from being prosecuted for prostitution and makes clear that sexually exploiting a child in prostitution should be viewed as human trafficking. The measure also increases the penalty for people who knowingly rent space used for prostitution.
ELECTRONIC SKIMMERS
— SB 912, which is part of a crackdown on illegal electronic skimmers that have been found on gas pumps and ATM machines. The measure, backed by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, increases the penalties for people who possess counterfeit credit-card information. The proposal also includes requirements for gas-station owners and managers to use security measures on self-service fuel pumps.
SPINY LOBSTERS
— SB 1470, which revises rules dealing with stone-crab traps and spiny-lobster traps. In part, the law makes clear that a person with fewer than 100 undersized spiny lobsters may face a misdemeanor violation for each of the undersized crustaceans. Possessing more than 100 undersized spiny lobsters is a third degree felony offense.
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION
— HB 7071, which is intended to ease the legal threshold to prosecute officials involved in public corruption. Rather than proving an official acted “with corrupt intent,” prosecutors will need to show the person “knowingly and intentionally” engaged in the corrupt act.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida