AG Bondi Supports Evers’ Synthetic Drug Bill
February 15, 2012
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday urged lawmakers to pass legislation filed in both chambers that would add new drugs to the list of banned substances under the state’s drug law.
The bills by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker and Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, would make it a third-degree felony to sell, make, deliver, or possess with intent to sell new forms of “bath salts” and the synthetic cannabinoid K2 sometimes known as “Spice”.
Evers’ Senate bill is awaiting a hearing in the Health Regulation Committee, but Ingram’s House bill is ready for the floor.
“We will not allow chemists who are altering the components of these dangerous synthetic drugs to circumvent state law,” Bondi said in a statement. “Prompt action by the Legislature will help protect our communities from the growing threat of synthetic drug abuse.”
“People who sell and use these deadly drugs threaten their own lives and the lives of those around them,” Ingram said. “We must act now and remove these drugs from the shelves and out of the hands of abusers.”
“This legislation is essential in banning these dangerous substances that are wreaking havoc on the lives of Floridians across our state,” Evers stated.
Santa Rosa Inmates Can Again Send Regular Mail
February 15, 2012
Inmates in the Santa Rosa County Jail can once again send letters to friends and family.
In 2010, Sheriff Wendall Hall implemented a postcard-only policy which restricted inmates’ mail to postcards unless it was considered “privileged” mail to courts, attorneys, government officials or agencies or the news media. Because non-privileged mail is inspected before being sent out, the postcard-only policy was meant to reduce employee workload and expense.
The ACLU and the Florida Justice Institute filed a lawsuit in September, 2010 alleging that the policy restricting jail inmates’ ability to communicate with family and friends by limiting their mail to short, publicly viewable messages on postcards was a violation of their First Amendment right to free speech.
Under a settlement, inmates will now be allowed to send a limited number of letters in envelopes to non-privileged recipients.
According to the ACLU, the sheriff also agreed to pay $135,000 in attorney’s fees and costs associated with the case.
Here’s Your Sign: Happy Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2012
Nothing says “I Love You” on Valentine’s Day like construction equipment… at least not for the Jacksons of Barrineau Park.
Since Crystal Jackson is now a stay at home mom, Gabe Jackson couldn’t send flowers to her office this year. So the next best thing was a lighted construction sign across from Molino Park Elementary School where Crystal would be dropping off daughter Alyssa at school.
The sign proclaims for all traveling Highway 97 to see — “Happy V Day Crystal…I Love You”.
“I was definitely surprised; he had mentioned he was exited about something a few weeks ago so it took me a minute to put it together,” Crystal said.
The couple will celebrate their 11th anniversary in April. They were high school sweethearts, together now for 16 years.
“I am thankful God put us together,” she said.
Pictured top: Crystal Jackson’s Valentine’s surprise Tuesday morning in front of Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Crystal and Gabe Jackson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bragging Leads To Arrest Of Man For Food Mart Holdup, Beating Clerk
February 14, 2012
A Cantonment man has been charged with the January robbery of a convenience store and the beating of the clerk.
Antoan Dekyl Fountain, 32, was charged with battery causing bodily harm, grand theft and robbery with a firearm for the January 7 holdup of the CMP Food Mart at the corner of North Highway 29 and Beck’s Lake Road in Cantonment.
According to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reports, Fountain was dressed in all black when entered the store about 10:35 p.m., jumped over the counter and tried to get into the register. When Fountain was unable to open the register, he beat the clerk with a handgun to force him to open the cash drawer. Fountain then fled on foot in an unknown direction with about $300 in cash.
Fountain was busted after deputies received an anonymous tip that Fountain had been bragging about committing the robbery.
The clerk positively identified Fountain as the bandit from a photo lineup, according to an arrest report.
Fountain remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday with bond set at $85,000.
Pictured: The CMP Food Mart in Cantonment as seen a few hours before a January 7 robbery. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Patchy Fog, Cool Tonight
February 14, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind around 10 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- Washington’s Birthday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Bratt Students Raise $2,117 For St. Judes Children’s Hospital
February 14, 2012
Bratt Elementary students raised over $2,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during a recent Math-A-Thon event.
The 49 students that took part in the Math-A-Thon raised $2,117.32 for St. Jude. Students turning in the top three donation amounts were Christopher Nordman ($503), Drake Jordan ($100) and Hadden Barlow ($78.77), according to results that were announced Monday morning.
The Math-A-Thon program allows students to use their math powers and help the kids of St. Jude at the same time. Participants received donations from sponsors for completing a “Funbook” filled with math problems.
Donations and used by St. Jude to continue its mission of finding cures and saving children with cancer and other serious childhood diseases.
“We would like to thank all the students who participated and all the people who donated to help our Math-A-Thon be a success,” said Bratt Math-A-Thon coordinator Linda Jackson.
Pictured top: Most of the 49 Bratt Elementary students that took part in a Math-A-Thon raising $2,117.32 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Pictured below: Top fund raisers in the event were Christopher Nordman, $503 (middle), Drake Jordan, $100 (left) and Hadden Barlow, $78.77 (right). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Charged With Junk Car Theft
February 14, 2012
A Flomaton woman has been arrested on a felony theft-related charge for allegedly taking a broken down car last year.
Elizabeth Jackson, 43, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of dealing in stolen property with bond set at $2,500.
A resident on Trammel Boulevard in Pensacola reported that a junked car was stolen from her yard in November 2011. The same day it was reported stolen, the car was sold for scrap at Weis Recycling, allegedly by Jackson who showed her identification during the transaction.
Jackson was arrested on an outstanding warrant in the case on February 10.
Northview, Flomaton’s ‘Dig Pink’ Volleyball Honored
February 14, 2012
Northview and Flomaton high schools’ Dig Pink volleyball match last October to raise breast cancer awareness has received an award.
The Lady Chiefs and Lady Canes were together able to raise over $1,000 for the Side-Out Foundation which promotes breast cancer awareness as well as funding toward finding a cure.
“We would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, and communities for your help in this endeavor. Our players know through your participation that they live in communities that care not only for athletes, but for the advancement of breast cancer awareness,” said Barbara Luker, Northview assistant coach.
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School volleyball team (front, L-R) Hannah Fiellin, Josie Doucette, Shelley Mothershed, Taylor Roberson, Paeton Hadley, Makayla Flowers, Mikaela Santos, (back row, L-R) Assistant Coach Barbara Luker, Lily Townson, Tiffani Pritchett, Misty Doran, Morgan Payne, Kyndall Hall, Rebecca Masitias, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Penny, and Coach Betty Heaton. Pictured inset: The Dig Pink award. Pictured below: Action from last year’s Dig Pink game at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bank Robber Busted In Just 6 Minutes
February 14, 2012
An Escambia County bank robbery suspect was taken into custody six minutes after holding up a Wells Fargo branch.
Thomas Patton, 55, of Pensacola, was charged with robbery following the 1:39 p.m. holdup of the bank on Bayou Boulevard.
“This quick arrest was the result of the good police work of Officer Danny Harnett and other officers responding to the incident,” said Pensacola Police Department Chief Chip W. Simmons.
After getting an undisclosed amount of cash, Patton fled the bank in an unknown direction in a red Chevrolet Aveo. Approximately four to five minutes later, Harnett spotted the vehicle on Twelfth Avenue at Langley Avenue and took the suspect into custody without incident. The stolen cash was found inside the vehicle.
Police said no weapons were shown during the incident.
Prison Privatization Bill Lives – For Now
February 14, 2012
A measure driven by the Senate leadership that would privatize prisons in South Florida narrowly survived a lethal amendment on Monday, but opponents of the change predicted they have the votes to kill the bill on Tuesday.
“Twenty-twenty,” said Sen. Paula Dockery on her way out of the chamber – a prediction for a tie vote on the floor on Tuesday, which would kill the proposal, one of the top priorities for Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander. The bill is seen by backers as a must-have cost saving measure in a tight budget year.
The proposal would require private companies to promise savings of a minimum of 7 percent a year in order to get the contract to run any or all of the nearly 30 facilities currently run by the Department of Corrections in its southern region, an 18-county area across the southern third of the state. Alexander has said for weeks that he thinks the measure would actually save much more, but has repeatedly pointed to the guarantee of savings of 7 percent, or $16.5 million a year.
Opponents, however, have said the savings can’t be achieved and that the proposal would end up being a giveaway to private prison companies that would mean unemployment for thousands of corrections officers who wouldn’t be retained.
The measure was nearly killed Monday, but backers mustered just enough votes against an amendment to keep it alive. The Senate voted 21-19 against the amendment, which would have eliminated the language in the bill requiring the privatization, and instead called for a study on the issue.
The amendment was sponsored by the leading critic of the plan, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, a veteran senator who has emerged as a frequent thorn in the side of the leadership of his own party – and recently was stripped of a budget subcommittee chairmanship mainly over the issue of prison privatization. Fasano also predicted the bill would go down on Tuesday.
But it was a senator who voted against Fasano’s amendment who emerged as a key player in the drama – the first close vote on a major, far-reaching issue this year. Sen. Dennis Jones, who supported Haridopolos and Senate leadership in Monday’s vote, confirmed to reporters late Monday that he won’t vote for the bill on Tuesday. Assuming no one else changes, that would give the tie vote backers predicted.
“If everyone is here, the bill should die on a 20-20 vote,” Fasano said about Tuesday’s floor session. The remark about attendance referred to a time change in Tuesday’s vote announced late Monday. The Senate moved the scheduled floor session from Tuesday morning to Tuesday afternoon, leaving opponents of the bill scrambling to change travel plans. Some members had planned to leave town Tuesday afternoon with a light week ahead for all but the members of the Senate Budget Committee.
Haridopolos, meanwhile, wouldn’t predict that the bill would prevail, but said reports of its demise were premature.
“I hope the Senate passes the bill tomorrow, and if they don’t we’ve got to go find the savings elsewhere,” he said.
But he appeared more concerned with debunking accusations that he had tried to get the bill passed using strong-arm techniques. During floor debate on Monday, an opponent of the bill, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, made an almost off-handed remark that annoyed Haridopolos. Latvala referred to the issue that leadership was “breaking arms” over.
Haridopolos’ major point in speaking to reporters following the session was to argue he wasn’t doing anything other than arguing the merits of the bill to try to get it passed.
“The thing that is abundantly clear … I didn’t twist arms,” Haridopolos said. “I’m a consensus builder….We are free will.”
After Fasano’s amendment aimed at derailing the bill failed, the Senate approved a few amendments that appeared to be concessions to opponents, including a couple of major changes that were aimed at easing some of the opponents’ biggest concerns.
One amendment, by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, shifts the responsibility of paying unpaid benefits to laid-off corrections officers, such as unpaid sick leave or vacation they’re owed, to the private companies. Earlier, the bill had limited what the state would have to pay with the rest being left to the private companies, but the amendment removed all the state’s responsibility.
In another major concession, the Senate adopted another Fasano amendment that allows the state to charge private prison operators for all costs of recapturing any prison escapees.
“If we keep this bill around one more week or two we might get unanimous consent on it,” Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, an opponent of the bill, joked.
But Fasano said later that opponents of the bill generally didn’t think the concessions would stay in the legislation.
“They will try to change the bill in the House,” said Fasano. “Private companies will never accept the amendment” putting them on the hook for the cost of escapes.
The privatization issue hasn’t broken totally along traditional party lines, with the ruling GOP split on the question.
In addition to Fasano, Dockery and Latvala, others Republicans who voted for the amendment that called for a study and would have killed the bill were Sens. Charlie Dean, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Greg Evers, Steve Oelrich, and Ronda Storms.
Democrats nearly voted as a caucus for the amendment, with only Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, voting with backers of privatization.
Dockery, R-Lakeland, was confident of Tuesday’s outcome.
“Our 20 are solid, 100 percent,” she said.
By The News Service of Florida