Barry, May, Robertson Elected To Escambia Commission
November 7, 2012
Two new faces and an incumbent were elected Tuesday to the Escambia County Commission.
In District 1, incumbent Wilson Robertson defeated challenger Bobby Spencer. Robertson garnered about 65 percent of the vote.
In District 3, Lumon May received 71 percent of the vote for the seat being vacated by Marie Young, who did not seek re-election.
In District 5, Republican Steven Barry received 70 percent of the vote to defeat NPA candidate Packy Mitchell for the seat currently held by Kevin White, who dropped out of the race before the primary election.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve, the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the county and the commission district,” Barry said Tuesday night.
He said he wants Escambia County business conducted in such a way that is always above board, and he wants Escambia County to be perceived as a great place to do business.
“I want to see a difference,” he said. “I want things to be better.”
Jeff Miller Easily Re-elected
November 7, 2012
Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller was easily re-elected Tuesday, defeating little known Democrat Jim Bryan and Libertarian Calen Fretts.
Miller, of Chumuckla, has been the Congressman in the state’s westernmost Panhandle Congressional District 1 since 1998. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
The race was never expected to be close, with both challengers little known and drawing little financial support.
Bill Nelson Defeats Connie Mack For Third Term
November 7, 2012
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won a third term on Tuesday, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, whose name recognition as the son of a well-liked former senator didn’t pay off.
Mack appeared to be the victim in part of stronger than expected turnout by Democrats in Florida, but his candidacy never really got off the ground, even with many Republicans.
Nelson appeared to benefit from considerable ticket splitting with large numbers of Republicans who voted for Mitt Romney for president supporting Nelson instead of Mack. For example in Pasco County, where Romney appeared headed for a solid win, Nelson was ahead by about 20,000 votes with more than 80 percent of ballots counted.
Nelson was first elected to the Senate in 2000 in a race overshadowed by the presidential recount drama of that year, but has been in public office for much of the time since 1972 when he was elected to the state Legislature.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, hoping to hold on to the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate claimed victory in the race almost as soon as the polls closed. State Democrats did as well.
“He is a true champion for middle class families and a passionate advocate for our state,” state Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said of Nelson. “He has delivered for the people of Florida, and tonight they have delivered him a decisive victory.”
Mack got into the Senate race late, after party members complained that several candidates in the race didn’t seem to be polling well against the popular Nelson. But Mack didn’t take off either.
Mack did chase several Republicans from the race, including former state lawmaker Adam Hasner, who switched to a race for Congress, and former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who dropped out.
Republicans had hoped Mack’s name would make him more viable. Mack’s father, Connie Mack, was a popular U.S. senator from the state. He also shares the name of his great-grandfather, who was a baseball manager for more than 50 years.
After his time in the state Legislature, Nelson was elected to Congress in 1978 and served six terms, representing the Orlando and Space Coast areas. As a result, Nelson was allowed to go into orbit on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986.
In 1994, Nelson was elected to the Cabinet as insurance commissioner, after an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1990, when he lost to Lawton Chiles in the primary.
Football Playoff Brackets Announced
November 7, 2012
Official football state series playoff brackets were released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
In Class 1A, Northview will host Cottondale on Friday night, November 16. The winner will advance to the Regional Finals on Friday, November 23 against either Freeport or Graceville.
In Class 3A, Pensacola Catholic will travel to Trinity Christian. The winner will advance to play the winner of Providence at Madison County.
In Class 5A, West Florida will host Godby of Tallahassee, and Gulf Breeze will travel to Wakulla, with the winners advance to play in the Regional Semifinals.
In Class6A, Milton will host Niceville, and Pace will travel to Navarre, with the winners squaring off in the Regional Semifinals.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
November 7, 2012
International Paper’s Cantonment mill will award $50,000 in foundation grants in 2013 and is hosting a meeting for potential applicants to learn more.
The one hour meeting will be held Thursday, November 15 at 2 p.m. at the mill at 375 Muscogee Road. The meeting will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions. Grant committee members will be available for questions.
Reservations to attend the meeting are required as space is limited, however; attendance is not mandatory to apply.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, January 11.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
Florida Turnout Maybe A Record; Injured Escambia Woman Votes Before Going To Hospital
November 6, 2012
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner said Tuesday that enthusiastic voters have flooded to the polls and could prompt a record turnout. With 4.5 million voters casting ballots early, Detzner said turnout may have reached half before the polls opened on Election Day.
“I don’t have any projections to make except that, one, we’ll probably have a record setting year in terms of turnout,” Detzner said. “Early voting was very enthusiastic by people, as you know, and we’re delighted that perhaps even as many as 50 percent of the people might have voted early.”
Detzner also told reporters Tuesday morning about an unidentified Escambia County woman who fell and broke her leg in the parking lot outside a polling precinct, was carried into the polls by her husband to vote and then went to the hospital for treatment.
“We’re grateful for her interest and passion to vote,” Detzner said. Initial reports showed few glitches in more than 6,000 polling precincts, though rain was a factor in some central Florida locations as a storm front passes through the state.
By The News Service of Florida
Vehicle Fire Investigated As Arson
November 6, 2012
Authorities are looking at arson as the cause of vehicle fire this morning in McDavid.
A resident in the 100 block of Brown Road reported that a relative was setting fire to a pickup truck at the home just before 11 a.m.. When firefighters arrived on scene, they reported smoke coming from the cab of the vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no injuries.
The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire.
LIVE BLOG: Election 2012
November 6, 2012
This is an archive of a live election day blog.
NorthEscambia.com is covering today’s election live on this blog and on Facebook.
We will update this live blog all day with the latest voting information, turnout reports and more beginning shortly after polls open at 7 a.m. and continuing throughout the day until after polls close at 7 p.m.
You can also take part in our live coverage…click here to read how to send us your photos and information, or just email news@northescambia.com.
Check back for frequent updates; the latest updates are listed first.
LIVE BLOG
2 pm.. This blog has has been temporarily suspended as we devote resources to covering the robbery and murder in Walnut Hill this afternoon. Complete election details tonight on NorthEscambia.com
1:20 p.m. Voters are reporting no line, no waiting at several of the rural precincts in North Escambia. Precincts are typically slower this time of afternoon until people begin to get off work.
Noon – During the previous hour, many North Escambia precincts reporting short waits of just a few minutes, some no waiting. Precincts often get a little busier during the noon hour and people vote with time off for lunch.
11:00 a.m. Don’t forget you can still download a sample ballot at EscambiaVotes.com if you are an Escambia, Florida, voter. You can read and study the amendments in advance and save yourself some time at the poll with the three page ballot. We also published an amendment guide (click here) explaining each one in detail.
10:10 a.m. Smooth and steady…No major problems being reported at the polls in the area this morning, and the lines to vote continue to be steady. Don’t forget your photo ID…that will slow you down and you’ll vote a provisional ballot.
9:00 a.m. Lines still being reported at precincts across the area. In a typical election, things usually begin to slow down a little after 9 a.m. and then get busy again around lunchtime. Let us know what it’s like at your precinct…email news@northescambia.com.
8:20 a.m. About a 20-30 minute wait to vote reported in Jay this morning.
8:10 a.m. Voters in Beulah reporting a wait of about an hour to vote this morning.
8:00 a.m. Voters in Walnut Hill reporting about a 40 minute wait and an unusually long line inside the building. During the primaries, voting in Walnut Hill was pretty much walk in, walk out.
7:15 a.m.. Polls are open. Reports of longer than usual line at polling places across the area. At the First Baptist Church of Bratt, the parking lot was packed with early morning voters (pictured above).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Vehicle In Cantonment Home Invasion Murder
November 6, 2012
Investigators are still seeking clues in a deadly drug-related home invasion early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
The home invasion was reported about 2 a.m. on Stefani Circle, just northeast of the intersection of Stefani Road and Nine Mile Road. Escambia County Sherifss’ deputies found 22-year old Amber Tricona Johnson dead inside the home from an apparent gunshot wound.
Justin Kerry Stanley, 27, was also shot and was transported to a local hospital with injures that did not appear to be life-threatening.
“Investigators are trying to piece together the details of the incident, but it appears that the incident is drug related due to a large amount of narcotics that was found at the residence along with other evidence,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators are working to identify a suspect in the shootings and they are looking for help locating a vehicle that may have been involved in the murder. The vehicle was described as a 2008 silver, four-door sedan with Florida tag 284NIH.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cool Tonight, Nice Wednesday
November 6, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Patchy frost after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
- Veterans Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.