Century Man Arrested On Federal Weapons Charges While Coaching T-Ball
May 2, 2013
Authorities said a Century man was arrested on a federal weapons charge while coaching a little league t-ball game Tuesday afternoon at a Century ballpark.
Joshua Duane Griffis, age 26 of North Century Boulevard, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of unlawful transport of firearms and transport of stolen firearms. According to the indictment, Griffis is a convicted felon, having been convicted of fraudulent use of a credit card, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Count one of the indictment alleges that Griffis knowingly possessed a .22 caliber revolver in violation of federal law during September 2012. Count two alleges Griffis knowingly concealed and disposed of the stolen firearm during the same time period.
Griffis was taken into custody without incident, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Griffis made his first appearance in federal court Wednesday before Senior United States District Judge Lacey A. Collier. Collier ordered Griffis held without bond until a detention hearing Monday in federal court in Pensacola before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Area’s Most Influential People
May 2, 2013
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2013 IN Power List — their list of the most influential leaders in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Only two people that work primarily in the North Escambia area were named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds of Walnut Hill and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry of Cantonment.
Topping this year’s list was Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
For the Independent News story about the IN Power List, click here.
Sunshine Hill Road Bridge To Close Next Week
May 2, 2013
The Sunshine Hill Road Bridge in Molino will close Tuesday, May 7, at 8 a.m. as part of a construction project to be completed by the Escambia County Roads Department.
It is estimated that the repair effort will take approximately four months. Motorists are asked to use Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road as alternate routes.
The bridge, located just south of Cedar Springs Road, was closed for a few weeks late last year for temporary repairs.
As previously reported, the Boggy Creek Bridge on Highway 97A in Bay Springs will close Monday for replacement. [Read more...]
Jay Doctors Reissued Drug Licenses
May 2, 2013
Two Jay doctors that were the target of a federal drug raid nearly two years ago are once again licensed to prescribe narcotics.
Dr. C. David Smith and his son, Dr. Michael Smith of the Jay Medical Center, applied to reinstate their Drug Enforcement Agency licenses on April 22; the federal licenses were issued the following day and arrived in the mail last Saturday, David Smith said Wednesday.
“It’s a big step toward getting things back to normal around here,” the elder Smith said. “We have a lot of patients that we just could not help that could not afford to see a specialist or go to another doctor to get their medical needs met.”
On the morning of July 28, 2011, the FBI, DEA, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement spent hours inside the Jay Medical Clinic as Florida Highway Patrol troopers stood guard outside the complex. Federal and state agents could be seen inside the building, looking through patient files and other records. The removed many items including patient records and computer hard drives. Both doctors were forced to surrender their DEA licenses to write prescriptions for narcotics. The Jay Medical Center was able to reopen the following day.
“We never really heard anything back from the authorities,” Smith said. “We are approaching the two year mark, and figured that no news was good news, and it was time to move forward.”
Smith and his son are also applying to have their Baptist Hospital credentials restored; the doctors requested and were granted a leave of absence after they lost their ability to prescribe narcotics.
“It’s all coming back together, and we will be able to do a better job for our communities,” he said.
No charges were ever filed against the father or son Dr. Smith. The other two physicians in the practice, Dr. Marian B. Stewart and Dr. Jeffery S. Kelley were never targets of the investigation and never lost their licenses to issue all prescriptions, including narcotics.
David Smith has been a licensed physician in Florida since 1980, while Michael Smith has held his physician’s license since 2003. Neither man has any public complaints on file with the Florida Department of Health. Dr. David Smith was awarded a Florida Rural Health Association lifetime achievement award.
Pictured top: The Jay Medical Center was the target of a federal and state raid on July 28, 2011. Pictured bottom inset: Agents search records inside the facility. Pictured below: A state trooper stands guard outside the facility during the 2011 raid. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
National Day Of Prayer Events Today In Century, Atmore
May 2, 2013
National Day of Prayer events will be held today in Century and Atmore as follows:
Century – National Day of Prayer
A Century community National Day of Prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. at the Ag Building on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
Atmore – National Day of Prayer
EVENING SERVICES AT TOM BYRNE PARK* – 5:00pm
Members of the Escambia Co. Middle School Chorus will present a sacred and patriotic music program.
COMMUNITY PRAYER SERVICE – 5:30pm
Meet at the gazebo.
CHILDREN’S PRAYER SERVICE – 5:30 – 6:30pm
Located at the tennis court for grades K-6 who are accompanied by an adult.
BIBLE READING – 6pm – 6:30pm
Bring your Bible to read as a prayer and blessing over our community.
Rain location for evening events is the Escambia County High School gym.
Blue Wahoos Lose To The Biscuits
May 2, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos returned home after a nine-game road trip but faced many of the same offensive issues they dealt with on the road in a 2-1 setback to the Montgomery Biscuits in front of 4,200 fans on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Both teams struggled offensively with 25+ MPH winds blowing in from center field throughout the game. Despite the elements, Montgomery was able to break through with single tallies in the sixth and seventh for the only runs of the game. In the sixth inning, Kevin Kiermaier reached an error with one out and two batters later, Mikie Mahtook singled him home to give the Biscuits a 1-0 advantage.
An inning later, the first two runners reached on singles against reliever Loek Van Mil, and Shawn O’Malley brought home an insurance run with a groundout to shortstop Devin Lohman.
Tucker Barnhart launched his second homer of the season to lead off the ninth, but Juan Sandoval retired the next three batters he faced to pick up his fifth save of the season.
With no run support, Chad Rogers (2-1) was the tough-luck loser for Pensacola despite his fourth consecutive quality start. Rogers went six innings allowing an unearned run on four hits while striking out a season-high seven.
Jacob Thompson (2-2) worked around a bases loaded jam with one out in the second and didn’t face any trouble throughout the rest of his outing. Thompson fired six two-hit innings while striking out three and walking four.
Pensacola will look to snap its two-game skid in game two of the series on Thursday against Montgomery at 7:00 p.m. Ryan Dennick will toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos against the Biscuits’ Matt Buschmann.
story by Kevin Burke
Holland Awarded First Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship
May 2, 2013
Northview High School Senior Ariel Holland has been awarded the first Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship.
She will receive $500 upon enrollment in college. Applicants were required to fill out a brief application and write an essay explaining why the scholarship was important to them and how it would make it possible for them to continue their education.
Holland was awarded the scholarship Tuesday evening during the annual Northview DCT banquet.
The scholarship fund was established in memory of Tommy Weaver, DCT/Ag instructor and assistant coach who passed away in March 2012.
Escambia Office Complex Evacuated After Strange Smell
May 2, 2013
The Escambia County Central Office Complex off Fairfield Drive was evacuated and a hazmat team called Wednesday morning after a strange odor was reported in the building.
The complex, at 3363 West Park Place, was evacuated after a strong odor was reported that was causing scratchy throats and burning eyes. A hazardous materials team from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the scene to investigate.
Four people were transported by ambulance to area hospitals as a precaution. A portable decontamination unit was set up at the scene.
The odor was found to have emanated from a laboratory in the building that is used for water quality and chemical testing.
About 150 people work in the building, which will be open for business as usual on Thursday.
Pictured: The Escambia County Central Office Complex during an evacuation and hazmat situation Wednesday afternoon. Photos by Bill Pearson, Escambia County, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s A Deal? Gaetz, Scott See Top Priorities Sewn Up
May 2, 2013
The three highest-profile figures involved in the 2013 legislative session saw their top priorities sewn up Wednesday night in a rapid-fire series of events that left a trail of unanswered legal questions and Democrats crying foul.
As the House waited through a second day of a computer program nicknamed “Mary” reading bills — part of a Democratic procedural protest — the Senate moved late Wednesday afternoon to amend a manufacturing sales tax exemption favored by Gov. Rick Scott onto a bill about economic development incentives (HB 7007).
The exemption would be good for three years, beginning in April 2014.
The bill was not subject to the quasi-filibuster in the House, which quickly approved the measure with a simple majority that raised questions about the legality of the vote.
The Senate vote was 33-4; the House backed the package on a 68-48 vote.
Moments later, Scott signed a campaign-finance bill (HB 569) that was one of the top priorities of House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and ethics legislation (SB 2) championed by Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
Scott, who had voiced strong reservations about the campaign finance bill’s provision to raise contribution limits to $3,000 for statewide candidates and $1,000 for other campaigns, did not explain his reasons for signing the bill Wednesday.
But he did issue a statement praising the approval of the sales-tax exemption.
“By removing the tax on manufacturing equipment, Florida businesses will now be able meet their full potential and finally be on a level playing field when competing against other states and countries,” Scott said.
Speaking as the House moved toward passing the tax cut, Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, surmised that a “deal had gone down” by advancing the tax cut and another measure without questions or debate on the House floor.
But both Gaetz and Weatherford sidestepped questions about whether the moves were part of a quid pro quo among the three men.
“The governor never said it was a quid pro quo,” Weatherford said shortly before Scott signed the bills. “He told us it was important to him. I think the word he utilized was ‘goodwill.’ I think both chambers and the governor’s office in the plaza level are looking to build goodwill as we close out session.”
Speaking to reporters on the Senate floor early Wednesday evening, Gaetz also noted that a House-Senate budget negotiating committee had also worked out a final deal on $480 million for teacher pay raises that were Scott’s other top item.
“I hope he’s pleased,” he said. “And we’re certainly pleased that he was willing to work with us to come to an accommodation on two issues that were very important to him. And we look forward to a successful end of the session, and for Speaker Weatherford’s priorities and mine that have been approved by both houses to be signed into law.”
House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, also hedged on whether a deal had been struck.
“We think that there may have been a meeting with the speaker and the governor, but we don’t know what transpired, so we won’t speculate,” he said.
Asked whether he had met with the governor, Weatherford simply said: “I talk to the governor all the time.”
Meanwhile, some members emerged from the House chambers expressing concerns about the legality of the 96-page omnibus measure that was rushed through the House with less than two-thirds majorities. The Florida Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to approve laws that would reduce local governments’ authority to raise revenue or reduces the percentage of a state tax shared with counties and municipalities. There were also questions about whether a supermajority vote was needed because the bill includes a public records exemption.
The Florida Democratic Party quickly blasted the measure as unconstitutional.
“Today, with blatant disregard for the Florida Constitution, Governor Rick Scott and House Speaker Will Weatherford plotted to put the special interests ahead of the rules governing the Florida Legislature,” said Scott Arceneaux, executive director of the party. “This attempt to circumvent House procedure is a flagrant violation of their constitutional duty as lawmakers and elected officials.”
Weatherford defended the vote, saying counsel opinion backed the move to advance a bill that includes local option taxes and public records exemptions without having to reach a required two-thirds majority.
“We looked into that very closely,” Weatherford said. “We spoke with our attorneys and our staff. We do not believe it needs a two-thirds vote.”
But Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, said he expects the bill will be challenged.
“We don’t know exactly what was in it, we don’t think there was a severability clause, but if it wasn’t, that means the whole bill is in jeopardy,” Thurston said.
A promised legal opinion from the House wasn’t immediately delivered to reporters.
Instead, Weatherford’s office issued a new statement reiterating his belief that the vote would stand.
“Who would sue to stop a tax cut and prevent job creation in Florida?” he said in statement. “The Florida House stands ready to fight for tax cuts and jobs.”
The Senate also added a provision to the bill creating Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., a non-profit corporation that would award money anticipated from Florida’s $5.48 billion lawsuit against BP that was filed April 20
The non-profit, a priority of Gaetz, would spread lawsuit money out over a 30 year period to projects and programs in counties most impacted by the spill: Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Wakulla.
Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, said he had enough time to review the bill, but questioned the creation of the non-profit.
“I think it’s a bad precedent we’re setting,” Beshears said. “We’re counting our chickens before they’re hatched when we’re thinking about doing something with our money before we have any.”
By The News Service of Florida
Scott Vetoes Florida Alimony Overhaul
May 2, 2013
Confronted with a highly charged issue that affects families across the state, Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have overhauled the state’s alimony laws.
In a veto letter, Scott pointed to the possibility that the bill could retroactively affect alimony arrangements.
“The retroactive adjustment of alimony could result in unfair, unanticipated results,” the letter said. “Current Florida law already provides for the adjustment of alimony under the proper circumstances. The law also ensures that spouses who have sacrificed their careers to raise a family do not suffer financial catastrophe upon divorce, and that the lower earning spouse and stay-at-home parent will not be financially punished. Floridians have relied on this system post-divorce and planned their lives accordingly.”
The bill (SB 718) would have eliminated the concept of permanent alimony and also carried numerous other potential implications for people whose marriages end in divorce.
Among other things, it would have created new alimony legal standards based on the lengths of marriages. For example, when marriages end in 11 years or less, there would have been what is known as a “rebuttable presumption” against awarding alimony. In contrast, a marriage that ends after 20 years would create a presumption that alimony would be awarded.
During committee meetings, the proposed changes drew often-emotional testimony from people on both sides of the issue. The bill’s supporters told of getting saddled with exorbitant alimony payments. Critics, meanwhile, said the changes would particularly hurt women who stayed at home to raise families and then saw their marriages end.
Scott’s office released the veto letter to the news media shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday. Earlier, House sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, sent a message on Twitter that said Scott had decided to veto the measure.
The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, which lobbied against the bill, issued a statement calling Scott’s decision “courageous.”
“Senate Bill 718 would have left many women with diminished means, depriving them of their vested contractual rights that their ex-spouses agreed to,” Carin Porras, chairwoman of the Family Law Section, said in the statement. “The legislation would have also discouraged parents from staying at home to raise their children by creating a serious risk that if they stayed home and later got divorced, the chances of receiving support would be very slim.”
In the letter, Scott commended Workman and Senate sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, for their efforts. But he also pointed to the sensitive nature of the issue, saying “numerous Floridians have forcefully expressed their views on the topic.”
“Many Florida families have been impacted by the difficulty of marital issues, both concerning children and starting over,” the letter said. “As a husband, father and grandfather, I understand the vital importance of family. In weighing the issues associated with this bill, however, I have concluded that I cannot support this legislation because it applies retroactively and thus tampers with the settled economic expectations of many Floridians who have experienced divorce.”
By The News Service of Florida