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Judge Blocks Florida Abortion Law

A federal judge Thursday issued a permanent injunction against a new Florida abortion law that would have led to increased inspections of clinic records and prevented abortion providers from receiving public money for other health services.

The ruling made permanent a preliminary injunction that U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued June 30.

Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit after the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott approved the controversial law early this year. Hinkle blocked part of the law that would have required state health officials to inspect half of all abortion patients’ records. He also ruled against perhaps the law’s most-controversial provision, which sought to prevent public funds from going to abortion providers.

Clinics already cannot receive tax dollars to pay for abortions, but the new law also would have cut off funding that providers receive to offer other women’s health services.

“The defendants must not terminate any grant, contract, or other funding device based on the enjoined provisions and must not fail to renew any grant, contract, or other funding device that, but for the enjoined provisions, would have been renewed or would be renewed,” Hinkle wrote Thursday.

Lawyers for the state argued that the ban on using public funds for other services was permissible because it did not impose an “undue burden” on a women’s right to an abortion. After Hinkle issued the preliminary injunction in June, Senate bill sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, called his ruling “a clear infringement on both the Legislature’s constitutional authority to appropriate taxpayer dollars, and our responsibility to properly regulate medical facilities.”

But Planned Parenthood argued that the law, in part, would prevent women from getting needed health services, such as cancer screenings and tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

In a statement released Thursday evening, Barbara A. Zdravecky, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, called Hinkle’s ruling a “victory” for people who rely on Planned Parenthood for services. “For many people, Planned Parenthood is the only place they can turn to,” she said in the statement. “We may be the only place they can go in their community, or the only place that offers the screening or birth control method they need.”

by The News Service of Florida

Tate Showband Car Wash Saturday In Five Locations

• Aaron’s on Hwy. 29
• Advanced Auto Parts on Hwy. 29
• Auto Zone on Pensacola Blvd.
• Pizza Hut on 9 Mile Rd.
• Tractor Supply on 9 Mile Rd.

Northview High Volleyball Preseason Classic Results

Northview High School hosted a preseason classic Thursday. Teams attending were NHS, Central, Jay, Escambia Academy, PCA, and Excel.

Results were as follows:
Jay vs Escambia Academy 25-15, 25-15 with Jay winning
PCA vs Central 25-13, 25-19 with Central winning
NHS vs Escambia High FL 22-25, 24-26, 8-15 with NHS winning
Excel vs Jay 21-25, 18-25 with Jay winning
NHS vs Central 18-25, 4-25 with Central winning
Central vs Jay 25-20, 25-22 with Central winning

State Attorney Charges Four Members Of Century Board With Sunshine Law Violation

State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Thursday that four members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force, an advisory board to the Town of Century City Council, have been charged with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law.

Alfonzie Cottrell, Helen Mincy, Sylvia Godwin, and Robert Mitchell have been charged for having a public meeting that was not properly advertised. On July 26, 2016, a meeting was advertised to begin at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m. preventing  the public from attending. In addition, a letter has been sent to the Town of Century recommending changes to their procedures to prevent this from happening in the future.

This case is set for arraignment on September 7. At that hearing, the four will have a chance to enter a plea or move forward with a trial in front of a judge, most likely in one to three weeks after the arraignment. They face a maximum penalty of a $500 fine, according to Eddins.

The State Attorney’s Office investigation began after a July 27 article on NorthEscambia.com “Century Holds Meeting In Apparent Violation Of State Sunshine Law“. NorthEscambia.com arrived the previous day for the 4 p.m. meeting to find the front doors of the Century Hall locked  and the parking lot empty. We later learned that the meeting had been held at 2 p.m. The town provided a public notice on Wednesday, July 27 and re-held the meeting on Thursday, July 28.

To read the documents associated with this case, click here (pdf).

A letter from Eddins to Century Mayor Freddie McCall spells out the allegations and recommended actions. The letter reads:

“This office has completed its review of allegations that members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force violated the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law by holding a public meeting at a time other than what was advertised in the public  notice. Based upon our review, we have determined that a Sunshine Law violation has occurred. As a result of that decision, we have filed noncriminal infraction charges against the members of that task force. We have also determined that the Town of Century bears considerable responsibility in this matter.

“In this case, public notices were advertised on NorthEscambia.com and in the Tri-City Ledger that the Citizens Advisory Task Force would hold a public meeting on July 26, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. The time listed on the notice was incorrect and should have stated 2:00 p.m. The meeting  was held at 2:00 p.m. and concluded before 4:00 p.m. As a result, this meeting was held outside the Sunshine and without proper notice to the public. It is unclear if the problem with the erroneous time was ever discussed at the meeting. To avoid this issue occurring in the future, we recommend that at the beginning of all public meetings, the advertised notice be clearly reviewed on the record to determine that the meeting has been properly advertised.

“It is also apparent that the members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force were not sufficiently educated as to their responsibilities under the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law. We recommend that the Town of Century immediately establish training programs for all individuals serving on Sunshine boards or committees. We recommend that an outside agency such as the First Amendment Foundation be used for the training.

“Finally, concerns have been raised that the Town of Century has not adequately advertised the  dates and times of public meetings. We recommend that the Town follow the suggestions of the Attorney General’s Office regarding public notices. These recommendations indicated that all meetings, with the exception of emergency or special meetings, should be advertised at least seven days prior to the meeting. Special meetings should be given notice of no less than 24 hours but preferably at least 72 hours notice should be given to the public. Emergency meetings  should be afforded the most appropriate and effective notice under the circumstances. This notice should contain the date, time, and place of the meeting, as well as a copy of the agenda or statement of the general subject matter to be considered.”

Pictured top: CATF members Helen Mincy, Robert Mitchell and Sylvia Godwin during a CATF meeting on Thursday, July 28. Alfonzie Cottrell was not present at the July 28 meeting. Pictured inset and below: The Century Town Hall was locked and the parking lot empty at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July, the time of a publicly noticed town task force meeting.

OB Services, Pregnancy Program Now Available In Century

Obstetrics and a new pregnancy program are now available in Century  with Dr. Julie DeCesare of Sacred Hearth Hospital.

The centering program follows the recommended 10 prenatal visits, but each visit is 90 minutes long with the doctor. Moms engage in their own care by taking their own weight and blood pressure, and recording their own health data. They also receive private time with Dr. DeCesare, who brings a handheld ultrasound device to check the baby in the womb.

The programs are held every three week at the Health Start office on Church Street in Century. Both Florida and Alabama residents are accepted.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (850) 619-1469.

Peace Out: Century Health And Rehab Celebrates National Hippie Day

The residents at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center recently celebrated “National Hippie Day”. Residents event tie-dyed their own shirts. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Burglar Busted After Getaway Vehicle Breaks Down

An alleged burglar was busted after his getaway vehicle broke down the next town over from his crime.

The burglary of the Texaco Station in Flomaton was captured on camera during the early morning hours Wednesday. While Flomaton Police Department officers were still on the scene conducting  their investigation, the Brewton Police Department came in contact with 49-year old Ray Allen Capterville in a disabled vehicle in downtown Brewton.

Brewton officers reporting finding items in the vehicle that had been stolen from the store in Flomaton. Flomaton officers also identified him as their suspect from surveillance video.

Capterville as charged with burglary third, criminal mischief second and theft of property fourth degree. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Escambia County To Host Low Impact Design Workshops

Eight Days Of Early Voting Begins Saturday In Escambia County

Early voting begins Saturday, with seven sites available for eight days in Escambia County for the August Primary Election.

Early voting is available each day Saturday, August 20, through Saturday, August 27  at the following locations:

• Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Genealogy Branch Library,  5740 N. 9th Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bellview-Saufley, 916 W Michigan Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners and may choose any one of the seven sites.

Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, August 24. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.

The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 30. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Florida is a closed primary state. In a primary election, voters may only vote for candidates in their party of registration unless there is a universal primary contest, a nonpartisan contest, or other issue on the ballot. Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.

Fall Ball Registration Saturdays At Molino Ballpark

The Molino Ballpark will hold registration for Fall Ball on the next three Saturdays.

Registration will be 10 a.m. until noon August 20, August 27 and September 3. Registration is $55 per child. T-ball is for ages 4-6; baseball for ages 7-15 and softball for ages 7-16.

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