Bill Would Block Black Bear Hunts
March 2, 2017
Black bears couldn’t be hunted in Florida for a decade, while at least $1 million would be set aside so more people could purchase bear-resistant trash containers, under a measure filed Tuesday in the Senate.
The proposal (SB 1304) by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, also seeks to regulate burn schedules in state forests and parks to allow for the regrowth of oak trees, saw palmettos and other berry-producing plants that feed black bears.
“It is our obligation to ensure the preservation of the iconic species as well as the safety of our neighborhoods,” Stewart said in a prepared statement.
During the moratorium, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would have to conduct a 5-year population trend study of black bears, which includes an impact of hunting. The bill is part of the continued reaction to a black-bear hunt in October 2015 in which 304 bears were killed. The hunt was the first in the state in two decades.
Supporters have argued that hunting is one way to manage bear populations and to reduce potentially dangerous bear-human interactions. The commission, which voted against holding a bear hunt in 2016 to focus on non-lethal means to reduce bear-human interactions, has not discussed plans for a hunt this year.
In 2016, the agency spread $825,000 across 12 counties to help reduce the potential for conflicts between Florida’s bear and human populations by helping residents and businesses acquire bear-resistant trash cans. Stewart’s bill, similar to a House proposal (HB 491) filed in early February by Rep. Amy Mercado, D-Orlando, would prohibit the recreational hunting of Florida black bears until July 1, 2027.
Welfare Drug Tests Proposed For Drug Offenders
March 2, 2017
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala and his son, Rep. Chris Latvala, proposed measures Wednesday that would require drug tests for public-assistance applicants who have drug-related criminal records.
The similar bills (SB 1392 and HB 1117) focus on people applying for benefits in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program. They would require drug tests for applicants who have previous felony convictions for drug crimes or who have a “documented history of multiple arrests” for drug use or possession with the past 10 years.
Such applicants who test positive for drugs would be ineligible for TANF benefits for two years, though they could reapply after six months if they receive substance-abuse treatment. Also, the bills would allow the applicants’ children to receive TANF benefits.
The proposals, filed for the legislative session that starts Tuesday, came more than two years after a federal appeals court rejected Gov. Rick Scott’s attempt to require broader drug testing of TANF applicants. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in December 2014 that Scott’s proposal violated Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
by The News Service of Florida
Sunny And Cooler Today
March 2, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Northview Weightlifters Place In Gator Invitational
March 2, 2017
The Northview Boys Weightlifting team competed in the Gator Invitational Meet at Baker High School on Tuesday.
The following boys placed in their respective weight classes.
Greg Pressley — 2nd Place, 119-pound division
MJ Jones — 3rd Place, 139-pound division
Ohijie Elliott — 2nd Place, 154-pound division
Colten Dockens — 5th place, 154-pound division
Chase Olsen — 4th place, 169-pound division
Keaton Solmonson — 6th place, 169-pound divsision
Tim Bush — 6th place, 183-pound division
Tyler Kite – 4th palce, 219-pound division
The next meet for the team will be the district meet at Baker on March 8.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Debra Jean Howell
March 2, 2017
Debra Jean Howell, 59, passed away February 25, 2017, to be reunited with the Lord. She was born in Marianna, FL, July 18, 1957, and has lived her entire life in Pensacola, since she was one week old. Debbie was adventurous. She loved to travel and being outdoors, especially on the water. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Debbie was a member of the Krewe Da Ya Ya’s, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She was strong, loving, loyal and an inspiration to all.
She was preceded in death by her father, David Howell.
Debbie is survived by her mother, Shirley Howell; her sister, Patricia (Gary) Gunter; her partner, Rick Higdon; stepson, Quint (Lindsey) Higdon; two grandchildren, Chaz and Mason Higdon; her nephews, Brett (Tamera) Gunter and Wesley Gunter; her great niece, Addilyn Gunter; and her great nephew, Blake Gunter.
A special thank you to Debbie’s Aunt Nean, all of her close friends and Jessica of Hospice, who have all been there for her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Care, 5041 N. 12 th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504 or Pensacola Humane Society 5 N. ‘Q’ St., Pensacola, FL 32505.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Dr. Ed Taylor officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
10 Big Issues To Watch During 2017 Legislative Session
March 1, 2017
Florida lawmakers are poised to return to Tallahassee for the March 7 start of the 2017 legislative session.
They will grapple with hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, while also trying to reach agreement on a state budget that will top $80 billion. Here are 10 big issues to watch:
— BUDGET: Gov. Rick Scott has proposed an $83.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, up about $1.2 billion from the current year. In the proposal, Scott called for $618 million in tax cuts, increased education spending and cuts in hospital funding. But the proposal has met skepticism from some lawmakers, who are concerned about projected budget shortfalls in the coming years.
— DEATH PENALTY: Florida’s death penalty has been on hold since January 2016, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that part of the death-penalty sentencing system was unconstitutional because it gave too much power to judges, instead of juries. The Florida Supreme Court struck down part of a legislative attempt to fix the system because the changes did not require unanimous jury recommendations before people could be sentenced to death. The House and Senate, however, appear to be ready to quickly pass a bill during the 2017 session that would require such unanimous jury recommendations.
— ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, have battled publicly for weeks about the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida and tourism-marketer Visit Florida. Scott wants to provide $85 million to Enterprise Florida for business incentives and $76 million to Visit Florida. But Corcoran opposes the funding and has gone so far as to back abolishing the public-private agencies.
— EDUCATION: Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has made a top priority of revamping the higher-education system. The Senate is expected to quickly pass a bill that, in part, would expand the use of Bright Futures scholarships and tighten graduation standards for universities and state colleges. In the kindergarten- through 12th-grade system, Corcoran has called for expanding school-choice programs, and lawmakers are expected to look at proposals to reduce the amount of time public-school students spend on standardized tests.
— GAMBLING: The House and Senate have taken dramatically different positions in heavily lobbied bills that would make changes in the gambling industry. The House proposal focuses on reaching agreement on a gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that could lead to money going to the education system. The Senate, however, wants to take steps that could expand gambling, including allowing slot machines in eight counties where voters have approved the machines in referendums.
— GUNS: The House and Senate could be moving toward passing a measure that would shift a key burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors in “stand your ground” self-defense cases, a change backed by the National Rifle Association. Several other high-profile gun bills have been filed, such as a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college and university campuses. The fate of such proposals likely will hinge on whether they can pass the Senate.
— HEALTH CARE: As it has done in recent years, the House is pushing a series of bills that would scale back regulations in the health-care industry. A heavily lobbied issue focuses on whether to eliminate the “certificate of need” process, which requires approval from the Agency for Health Care Administration before new hospitals, nursing homes and hospice facilities can be built. Among other issues in the Legislature is a proposal that would help clear the way for “direct primary care” agreements, which involve patients contracting directly with doctors for care, cutting out the role of insurers.
— MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Lawmakers will try to agree on a plan to carry out a voter-approved ballot initiative that broadly legalized medical marijuana in the state. The Legislature in recent years approved medical cannabis for limited types of patients, but the November ballot initiative will allow doctors to order medical marijuana for an array of conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. A closely watched legislative issue involves how many nurseries will be able to get licenses to grow, process and dispense medical marijuana.
— WATER: Negron has proposed a controversial $2.4 billion plan that includes buying land south of Lake Okeechobee to try to ease polluted discharges from the lake into waterways on the east and west coasts of the state. The proposal, which involves creating a reservoir to store water moved south from the lake, is opposed by the powerful sugar industry and has received a cool reception in the House. Negron, however, represents parts of the state’s Treasure Coast that have been hit hard by polluted discharges from the lake.
— WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE: After the Florida Supreme Court last spring ruled that two parts of the workers’ compensation insurance system were unconstitutional, regulators approved a 14.5 percent rate increase that started hitting businesses in December. Business groups are lobbying for changes that could help hold down rates. But the workers’ compensation system is highly complex, and a major debate will focus on whether to limit fees paid to attorneys who represent injured workers.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Pediatrician’s Office, Dental Clinic Open In Century
March 1, 2017
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday afternoon for the Escambia Community Clinics Century Pediatrics and Pediatric Dental Clinic.
Ater spending a period of half-days doing local outreach from her longtime Jay office, pediatrician Dr. Marian Stewart said she became convinced that there was a need for a pediatrician in Century.
“I thought I am seven miles away, why do I want to come over here full time? After a lot of soul searching…it was decided Century really, really needed a pediatrician. The seven miles was sometimes an insurmountable event for them (patients) to get over there,” Stewart said.
“I spent 18 years in Jay,” Stewart continued. “I’ll give 15 to 20 years to Century.
“Thank you for coming, and thank you for being a part of our community,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said as he pledged to stand behind the clinic.
Stewart and ECC Century Pediatrics offers primary health care for children and young adults, ages birth though 18. Services include treatment of minor illnesses, school and daycare physicals, immunizations, well child visits and ongoing care for chronic illnesses and conditions such as allergies, asthma and ADHD.
Located in the same building at 501 Church Street, ECC Century Pediatric Dental Clinic provides a full range of dental care for ages 0-20. Services offered include dental exams, teeth cleaning, x-rays, filling, extractions and more.
Dental hours are Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Pediatric medical hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
For more information and appointments, call (850) 724-4054.
Escambia Community Clinics, Inc.(ECC) is a not for profit 501(c)(3) community health center. In 2007, Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. was designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). ECC provides services throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties and surrounding areas designated by HRSA as medically underserved populations and health professional shortage areas.
With over a 24 year history of providing outpatient primary care services to the medically needy, uninsured, underinsured, and working poor citizens of our community, ECC has grown to be the primary medical home for thousands of area residents.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton And Century Chambers Name Businesses, Citizens And Students Of The Year
March 1, 2017
Citizen, business and students of the year were named Tuesday night at the Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.
The Century Chamber of Commerce named:
Student of the Year – Zachary Sheldon, Northview High
Business of the Year – Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services
Citizen of the Year — Rev. Janet Lee, Century UMC
The Flomaton Chamber of Commerce named:
Student of the Year – Karrie Gibson, Flomaton High
Business of the Year — Louise’s Beauty Shop, Stylist Christine Stanton
Citizen of the Year — Wanda Vanlandingham
Pictured top: (front, L-R) Century Citizen of the Year Rev. Janet Lee, Century UMC; Flomaton Student of the Year Karrie Gibson, Flomaton High; Flomaton Business of the Year Louise’s Beauty Shop, Stylist Christine Stanton; Century Business of the Year Sandra McMurray Jackson, Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services; (back) Century Student of the Year Zachary Sheldon, Northview High; and Flomaton Citizen of the Year Wanda Vanlandingham. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gomez Wins Council Seat
March 1, 2017
Luis Gomez, Jr. won Tueday’s special election in Century, defeating challenger Kevin Stead 119 votes to 86 for Seat 2 on the town council, a non-partisan office.
“I live here. I’ve seen the decline in living conditions. I just want to get in there ready to get to work and see what I can do to improve the condition of the citizens. That is basically what I ran for. And help our new mayor and see if we can make some progress around here instead of a decline in progress…I’m eager; I’m excited,” Gomez said. “It was a trying task, really, trying to get something done around here in Century. I feel really blessed right now. Mr. Stead was a great candidate and did a marvelous job for the past two months he was temporarily holding the seat.”
Gomez will be sworn into office Friday night, March 10 at 7:00.
Stead currently holds the seat on an interim basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. The election fills the seat until the end of Savage’s term in 2021.
The election results are complete but unofficial until certified on Friday.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr (right) congratulated by Kevin Stead. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gun Bills Loaded For 2017 Florida Legislative Session
March 1, 2017
Floridians with concealed-weapons licenses would be able to carry firearms into areas now deemed “gun-free” under an array of measures that will be championed by Republican lawmakers during the first legislative session since mass killings at an Orlando nightclub and a Fort Lauderdale airport.
Proposals have been introduced to allow the more than 1.7 million people with concealed-carry licenses to bring guns to places such as college and university campuses, airport terminals and government meetings.
Gun-control advocates are also back in the Capitol opposing the expansion of concealed-carry laws or calling for limits on the kinds of guns and ammunition that can be sold. But after a couple of years in which groups such as the National Rifle Association and Florida Carry haven’t gotten their big-ticket items to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk, Second Amendment backers hope their targets are in sight for the annual legislative session that starts March 7.
“Why don’t we just say in certain situations, let’s try it. Let’s just try something different for a while, let law-abiding citizens exercise their Second Amendment right,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, said. “I support it all. Until someone can show me one stinking fact, statistic that says this is worse than the current situation, I absolutely am supportive of it.”
Not everyone wants to “try it,” and they intend to be loud and vocal, even if they know they remain politically outgunned at the GOP-dominated Capitol.
Florida was rocked in June by the shooting deaths of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, followed by the fatal shooting of five people in January at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,
Michelle Gajda, the Florida chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, believes most Floridians, based on polling and reactions after the Orlando and Fort Lauderdale shootings, want some reasonable controls on the proliferation of guns.
“We don’t expect to win every battle, but we will be at every battle, with our evidence and with our data,” Gajda said. “We believe eventually we will prevail and common-sense gun reforms will begin to pass in Florida.”
Gajda expects to oppose each pro-gun measure as it comes up in committee.
“We haven’t ranked them in any particular order. It’s kind of a cacophony of horrors, and so were focused on fighting them all,” she added.
One of the first bills that the Senate could take up when the session begins would shift the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors during pre-trial hearings in “stand your ground” self-defense cases (SB 128). The bill has made it through Senate committees.
Supporters say the measure strengthens the state’s self-defense laws, but critics contend the measure will short-circuit cases before all the facts are revealed. The potential change died last year in the House, but this year’s version of the proposal (HB 245) needs to only make it through one more committee before it can go to the full House.
Overall 39 bills, resolutions and resolution-like memorials have been filed so far that include language relating in some aspect to firearms and the Second Amendment.
Republicans account for 26 of the bills, including 10 by Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who chairs the Judiciary Committee, which is expected to be the first committee stop for many of the firearm proposals.
Senate President Joe Negron’s appointment of Steube as chairman of the committee had added significance for many people involved in gun debates. Former Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, was an impediment the past two years to some major pro-gun measures. Diaz de la Portilla was defeated in his re-election campaign last year.
Some of the proposals filed for the 2017 session are linked, for example, to issues such as a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 910 and HJR 291) that would ask voters to exempt law-enforcement officers from a three-day waiting period for purchasing handguns.
The biggest legislative fights, however, likely will center on bills related to where people can carry guns.
Steube has said one of his top priorities is a bill (HB 6005) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms on college and university campuses. University-system leaders have vehemently opposed such proposals in the past.
Also, Steube has said a priority is a proposal (SB 618 and HB 6001) that would allow people to carry guns in airport terminals.
“Given what’s happened at Fort Lauderdale airport, that’s important to me,” Steube said.
Negron, while noting he has strongly supported the bill about changing the burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases, said he’s leaving other bills up to committee chairs to advance.
Democrats have also filed a number of measures seeking to counter the pro-gun bills. The proposals include such ideas as banning the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines and expanding criminal-history checks on firearm buyers. However, the Democratic proposals aren’t expected to move forward in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
It remains unclear how many pro-gun bills can gain enough support to pass during the session. But Florida Carry attorney Eric Friday pointed to increased support from leadership in both chambers, particularly on the Senate side, for people’s right to self-defense.
“Senate President Joe Negron has always been very supportive of people’s fundamental constitutional rights,” Friday said. “The speech he gave in the Senate last year on the `burden of proof’ bill showed he had strong belief in what we’re trying to do here. … All of these issues are important. They all deal with the fundamental right that people have to protect their lives and their families.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida