‘Warning Shot’ Bill Heads To Governor Scott For Signature
April 6, 2014
The Florida Senate has approved a proposal that has become known as the “warning shot” bill, which would allow people to show guns and fire warning shots if they feel threatened.
The House also has approved the bill, which is now ready to go to Gov. Rick Scott. The Senate passed the House measure (HB 89) by a vote of 32-7.
The bill would add immunity for threats to use force to Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defense law.
“WSenate Criminal Justice Chairman Greg Evers, a Baker Republican who sponsored the bill, said it “fixes a problem with the inappropriate 10-20-Life sentences when law-abiding citizens are defending themselves. The current law does not regulate the threatened use of force. This bill does just that.”
Under the 10-20-Life law, possessing a gun while committing certain crimes is punishable by at least 10 years in prison, discharging a gun while committing those crimes is punishable by at least 20 years in prison, and hurting or killing someone during those crimes is punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
The House sponsor of HB 89, Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, has said the bill was inspired by the case of Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison under 10-20-Life for firing a warning shot during a domestic dispute.
Combee’s attempt last year to tweak 10-20-Life to allow threats of force in self defense failed due to opposition from law enforcement. This year, instead, he turned to “stand your ground” — with apparent success.
Senate Democrats tried to amend the bill to require the state to keep open records of cases in which the law is used.
Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, offered the amendment, which would have removed a provision in the House bill that would allow records to be expunged if people who claim “stand your ground” are found innocent.
Smith said keeping open the records would make the law’s success or failure easier to track.
“If it’s being used incorrectly, you can make changes,” Smith said.
“We need this information to set the right policies going forward,” agreed Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat. “What are we afraid of, to have the right information, so that if we do need to adjust the law, we’ll have the information we need?”
But Sen. Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican and a former Citrus County sheriff, said people who are forced to defend themselves shouldn’t have a criminal record as a result.
“If you’re innocent, that automatically should expunge your name, and you shouldn’t have to defend your name the rest of your life,” Dean said.
Smith’s amendment failed on a voice vote.
The debate touched on several high-profile Florida incidents that involved guns, including the shooting deaths of Trayvon Martin in Sanford and Jordan Davis in Jacksonville, both in 2012.
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, who voted against the original “stand your ground” law as a House member in 2005, recalled that at the time, she predicted it would “open Pandora’s box and in that box would be death for someone — not realizing that my words at that time were prophetic, because it has happened.”
Joyner blamed the war on drugs of the Reagan era for several tough-on-crime laws “that have outlived their usefulness.”
But Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, noted that he was the House speaker in 1999, when the Legislature passed the 10-20-Life and “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” laws, which cracked down on Florida felons.
“I am told by the law enforcement people that those laws have actually affected the amount of serious crime in the state of Florida, and it’s actually come down from 1999 to today,” Thrasher said.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
First Annual Barrineau Park Heritage & Bluegrass Festival Held (With Gallery)
April 6, 2014
The Barrineau Park Historical Society held the First Annual Barrineau Park Heritage & Bluegrass Festival Friday and Saturday. The festival included entertainment from a variety of Bluegrass bands, food, crafters, historical booths and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Barrineau Park Historical Society held the First Annual Barrineau Park Heritage & Bluegrass Festival Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Cruise To 5-0 Victory In Rain Shortened Game
April 6, 2014
In front of the third straight sell-out crowd to start the season, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos blew out the Tennessee Smokies 5-0 in a rain-shortened game Saturday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in Pensacola. The Blue Wahoos’ (2-1) pitching staff was spectacular giving up just two hits to the Smokies (1-2). RHP Robert Stephenson dazzled in his 2014 debut striking out a career-high 11 batters.
Cincinnati Reds’ RHP Jonathan Broxton started for the Wahoos for the second straight night throwing one scoreless inning. Stephenson, the Reds’ top prospect, came on in relief and struck out 11 batters in just five innings of work. Stephenson’s 11 strikeouts were a career high and he tied J.C. Sulbaran for the second most in club history.
RHP Daniel Renken pitched a scoreless top half of the seventh before the umpires decided to call the game due to steady rain that had been falling since the second inning.
Shortstop Devin Lohman hit the Wahoos’ first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the 6th inning that gave them a 5-0 lead. First baseman Steve Selsky and second baseman Rey Navarro had back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth to give the Wahoos a 3-0 lead.
Chicago Cubs rehabber RHP Jake Arrieta pitched three innings during his rehab start giving up 1 R/0ER while striking out three. Arrieta was saddled with the loss despite giving up just one unearned run. RHP Corey Black pitched 2 innings giving up five hits and the two-run home run to Lohman.
Centerfielder Rubi Silva and catcher Charles Cutler were the only Smokies to register a hit in the contest.
The Wahoos will throw RHP Jon Moscot Sunday at 4:00 p.m. RHP Ivan Pineyro is scheduled to pitch for the Smokies.
by Tommy Thrall
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In Single Vehicle Molino Crash
April 5, 2014
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident late Friday afternoon near Molino.
The driver of a Chevrolet Blazer lost control on Crabtree Church Road near North Highway 99. The 17-year old female left the roadway, entered a wooded area and struck a pine tree. She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vickrey Graduates Basic Training, Military Police School
April 5, 2014
Hunter Vickrey of Molino graduated from basic training/military police AIT school this week at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
He was one of just two of 150 soldiers in the group selected to receive a K-9 and will now receive K-9 training. Vickrey is scheduled to report to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas later this month for 11 weeks of K-9 training.
He will then report to Fort Meyer in Alexandria, Virginia.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church News: Ray’s Chapel Adding Second Sunday Morning Service
April 5, 2014
Things were getting just a little too close for comfort Sunday mornings at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia. So beginning Sunday, April 6, the church will offer two mostly identical Sunday morning services.
An 8:30 a.m. service will be added along with the church’s normal 11 a.m. service.
“We are filling up the sanctuary on Sunday mornings,” Pastor Nathan Brown said, “and it was decided that now was the time to add a second service.”
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church is located at 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid, just west of Highway 29.
Pictured: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Pastor Nathan Brown.
Escambia Man Caught In The Act Of Downloading Child Porn
April 5, 2014
Child pornography charges were filed against an Escambia County man Friday after investigators caught him downloading and transmitting sexually explicit material.
Thomas L. Dycus, 54, was arrested at his home. He was charged with 27 counts of possession of child pornography and one count each of possession with intent to distribute obscene material and transmission of obscene material. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a $290,000 bond. Additional charges are pending.
Detective Jeff Brown said the investigation began in July 2013 after investigators determined Dycus had downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children from the internet onto his home computer.
Agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes agents with the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security, initiated a search warrant at Dycus’ residence Friday after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.
While agents were searching the residence, they determine one of Dycus’ computers was in the process of actively transmitting and receiving child pornography.
Brown said computers, hard drives and other external devices were seized from Dycus’ residence and will undergo forensic examinations.
UWF Breaks Ground On New Restaurant Development
April 5, 2014
University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, April 4, to mark the beginning of construction on the East Campus Restaurant Development Site on Highway 90/Davis Highway at Campus Drive.
“This development will transform our East Campus into an inviting space for our students and community and will heighten UWF’s visibility to those traveling on US 90,” UWF President Judy Bense said. “It is symbolic of the growth and development happening all across campus and we look forward to the new vibrancy, services, and student life opportunities that will be created.”
UWF BEI and Compass/Chartwells are partnering for the $3 million development project, which will feature restaurant and retail facilities that will transform the University’s east campus entrance into a vibrant atmosphere that will attract UWF students, faculty, staff, prospective students and visitors of the Northwest Florida region.
The East Campus Restaurant Development Site will feature a mix of retail price points targeted for the University community as well as the general public. The restaurants and retail facilities will be identified this spring, with some of the first businesses expected to open this winter.
The UWF Board of Trustees approved the Development Agreement and Right of Entry document for the East Campus project during its March 26 meeting, marking the final step in the approval process before construction could begin. Before it was presented to the full Board of Trustees, the document was approved by the UWF BEI Board of Directors and ratified by the UWF Board of Trustees Finance and Facilities Committee.
Pictured top: The University of West Florida broke ground Friday for a new restaurant development on Davis Highway at the east campus entrance. Pictured below: Development plans. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Offers FCAT Reading Retakes Next Week
April 5, 2014
Nrothview High School will offer FCAT 2.0 Reading retakes next week, April 7-11.
Retakes are for students in grades 11-12 and adults who have not yet passed the FCAT Reading required for graduation. Students must be on campus by 8:45 on testing days and are reminded that they are not allowed to have electronic devices during testing. For more information, contact Mrs. Crumm at 850-327-6681 x223.
Wahoos Drop Pitcher’s Duel
April 5, 2014
In front of a second-straight sellout crowd of 5,038, the Tennessee Smokies defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 1-0 Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in Pensacola, Fla. The Blue Wahoos (1-1) mustered just four hits off the Smokies (1-1). Third baseman Kris Bryant’s seventh inning solo homerun proved to be the difference.
Cincinnati Reds’ RHP Jonathan Broxton started for the Wahoos and went one scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts. The right-hander is scheduled to throw another inning tomorrow night.
RHP Daniel Corcino (0-1) pitched strong in relief with 6.0 IP giving up just 1 R/ER on a solo home run by third baseman Kris Bryant. Corcino added eight strikeouts and just two walks to his strong relief effort.
RHP Jamie Walczak pitched 1.2 IP giving up just one hit while allowing no runs and striking out three.
Third baseman Juan Silverio continued his strong start to the season going 1-for-3 with a single and a strikeout. Left fielder Donald Lutz got his first hit of the season; he went 1-for-3 at the plate.
The Smokies used three pitchers to shutout the Wahoos. RHP C.J. Edwards went 4.0 IP giving up just one hit and striking out four Wahoos. RHP P.J. Francescon (1-0) was strong in three innings of relief giving up just two hits while earning the win for the Smokies. RHP Armando Rivero came on to earn the two inning save giving up one hit and striking out four Blue Wahoos.
Kris Bryant again showed off his power going 1-for-4 and hitting the game-winning home run.
The Wahoos and Smokies square off again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. for game three of their five-game series to start the season. Reds’ relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton is likely to go one inning to start the game tomorrow. The Reds’ number one rated prospect, RHP Robert Stephenson, will follow behind the rehab stint. The Smokies’ starter for tomorrow’s game has yet to be determined.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos vs. the Tennessee Smokies Friday night in Pensacola. Photo by Tony Giberson/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.