Sunny And Nice Today
February 10, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Suspect Indicted With First Degree Murder For Nine Mile Shooting
February 10, 2017
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted Shaquille Kushun Jordan for first degree felony murder in the death of Allen Ray Elliott on January 6.
Elliott died from a gunshot wound to the head after what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office described as a drug deal gone bad. He was found face down in the parking lot of an apartment complex behind Vannoy’s Tires.
He succumbed to his wound shortly after arrival at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Jordan will be arraigned on February 16 before Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh.
Liquor In Grocery Stores, Stand Your Ground Bills Moving In Senate
February 10, 2017
Controversial proposals that would allow liquor to be sold in grocery stores and shift the burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases were set up Thursday to be among the first items the Senate could approve when the annual legislative session begins next month.
The Rules Committee voted 7-4 for a proposal (SB 106) that would end a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, an issue commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.”
The committee then, in an 8-2 vote, supported a National Rifle Association-backed measure (SB 128) that would place the burden of proof on prosecutors during pre-trial hearings in “stand your ground” cases.
“If you are the government and you don’t have sufficient evidence in front of a judge to convince a judge to move forward to trial, then you aren’t going to win the trial,” said Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the “stand your ground” bill.
The proposal stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
Opponents maintain the measure would put an end to cases before all the facts are revealed and contend that the “stand your ground” law has disproportionate effects, as it is used more successfully as a defense when white shooters kill African-Americans.
Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat who is an attorney, said that while he’s argued self-defense in court, the proposed change is unnecessary, fails to address needed criminal-justice reforms and will “open a floodgate of litigation.”
“If you pass it, I’ll use it, my colleagues will use it, they’ll clog up the court, the state will be put to an undue burden on these type of cases,” Thurston said. “It will happen. If an attorney doesn’t do it, he will be charged with a failure to practice.”
Bradley’s proposal, which has the support of the Florida Public Defender Association, was approved by the Senate in a 24-12 vote last year, but failed to advance through the House.
The annual legislative session starts March 7, and Senate and House committees are moving forward with bills in preparation. The “stand your ground” and liquor bills had earlier cleared other committees and are now positioned to go to the full Senate.
The liquor-wall measure, which has failed to advance in past sessions, pits retailers Wal-Mart and Target, both in favor of repealing the Depression-era law, against supermarket giant Publix and liquor-store chain ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater Republican, said he opposes the measure as it would allow 16-years-olds who work in grocery stores to have access to liquor. He said he’s never heard anyone complain “about a lack of access to alcoholic beverages.”
“We’ve had a process set up that nobody cares about, except a couple of large international corporations who want to get into that business in Florida in their stores,” Latvala said.
Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican who also voted against the bill, withdrew an amendment — after NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer objected — that would have allowed counties to ask voters if businesses that sell firearms and ammunition should be prohibited from also selling liquor.
“The box stores are the only place in a lot of these rural areas where residents can buy guns and ammunition,” Hammer told the committee. “If you give the ability to a box store, that is profit oriented, to decide whether or not to give up guns, so that they can sell hard liquor in those stores, I’m afraid that’s going to be to the detriment of people who want to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Because these box stores are going to opt for the profit margin every time.”
The committee rejected a proposal by Latvala that would have required county governments to further allow the “wall to come down.”
“Different parts of our state have different mores,” Latvala said. “Some places in Florida you still can’t buy alcohol on a Sunday.”
The committee, however, approved an amendment that would require small bottles, 6.8 ounces or less, to be displayed only behind the counter.
Despite intense media and lobbying attention on the liquor bill, sponsor Anitere Flores, R-Miami, acknowledged the proposal isn’t among the “top 10 or top 100,” issues facing the Legislature.
“I look forward to the passage of this bill and not having to deal a whole lot more with this issue once it passes the Senate,” Flores said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Tate Aggie JV Wrestlers Place In District Tournament
February 10, 2017
Tate High School’s Junior Varsity Wrestling team participated in District 1-2A Junior Varsity District Tournament on Monday.
Lee Pedicord — 106 lbs, 3rd place
Bryston Hudson — 113 lbs, 2nd place
Trevin Penn — 120 lbs, 2nd place
Elijah Harigel — 132 lbs, 3rd place
Isaiah Jowers — 170 lbs, 1st place
Dylan Behrends — 182 lbs, 4th place
Azaya Purifoy – 182 lbs, 1st place
Purifoy was also named the Outstanding Wrestler in the heavyweight class.
Pictured are: (front, L-R) Jonathan Stier, Isaiah Jowers, Lee Pedicord, Elijah Harigel, Trevin Penn, Bryston Hudson, (back) Wade Jack, Michael Ludwig, Azaya Purifoy and Dylan Behrends. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wild Game Supper, ‘Live’ Art Saturday In Molino
February 10, 2017
A Wild Game Dinner and Fish Fry will be held Saturday evening at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, with guest speaker Tim Bertram, a creative arts pastor.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with the meal at 5:00 p.m. The meal is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. The meal will include a variety of venison dishes (spaghetti, back strap, sausage), fried fish, baked beans, fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, dessert, coffee, tea and water.
Bertram is creative arts pastor for God’s Graffiti Ministry. While creating a work of “live” work of art, he shares the Gospel. Bertram will also be guest speaker during a Men’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday and during the morning service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Highland Baptist, 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
House Makes Plan For Deepwater Horizon Money For Escambia, Other Counties
February 10, 2017
Northwest Florida projects eyed to receive settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill would require gubernatorial and legislative approval, under a measure proposed by a House committee.
The House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast started to review a proposal Thursday that also would create an administrative framework for Triumph Gulf Coast Inc., a non-profit organization within the Department of Economic Opportunity created to direct money to eight counties for economic recovery projects, tourism efforts, educational grants and infrastructure projects.
The House committee, comprised of Republican lawmakers from Northwest Florida, was created to ensure settlement payments are distributed to the eight Panhandle counties —Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton — most impacted by the disaster, as required by a 2013 state law.
Under the House proposal, $1 million would be designated to set up the non-profit overseen by a five-member board — currently three are from Okaloosa County and one each from Escambia and Bay counties.
Trumbull said the board may be expanded to broaden the representation across the Panhandle.
“I don’t want to make the board so big,” Trumbull said. “To add two people, to make it seven, and get some eastern representation, I think there is an appetite for that.”
The board will also get to select an administrator for the non-profit at a salary up to $130,000 a year.
Florida is in line to eventually receive up to $2 billion from the $4.9 billion that is expected to be paid by BP to resolve Gulf Coast economic claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
The state received $400 million last year and is expected to get $106.7 million a year from 2019 through 2033. Seventy-five percent of the money is to go to the eight Panhandle counties and the remaining 25 percent is to be divided among 15 other Gulf Coast counties impacted by the 2010 disaster.
The House proposal setting up the framework for Triumph Gulf Coast to direct the money would go deeper than a Senate bill (SB 364) introduced last month. That bill would primarily require that the non-profit receive an initial payment of $300 million —- out of the $400 million Florida has received — by August along with the same percentage of subsequent payments.
“I think we’re along the same view,” said House committee Chairman Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City. “It’s getting the money to the Panhandle and putting guardrails in place.”
A bill based on the proposal is expected to return before the committee in two weeks, he said.
A concern expressed by members of the House committee on Thursday is that some projects could be slowed by requiring the non-profit to submit an annual spending plan that requires the governor’s support and approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.
Trumbull said projects recommended by the non-profit wouldn’t have to wait for the annual spending report to go through the state review.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Man Surrenders As SWAT Team Responds To His Century Home
February 9, 2017
As the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team finished their deployment Tuesday afternoon in the search for fugitives William Boyette and Mary Rice, they were almost immediately deployed toward a domestic violence situation in Century.
Samuel Oscar Macks, 53, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on a $20,000 bond.
Deputes were called to a disturbance involving a potentially armed man inside a home on Elsie Davis Road. As deputies arrived, they were met in the driveway by a relative of the suspect who advised Macks was “going crazy” and that he had threatened to shoot any law enforcement that came onto his property. The relative also warned Macks was armed with a .22 caliber pistol and there were other weapons in the house, including hunting rifles and shotguns.
The deputy backed away to a more secure location to await backup, and the decision was made to call the SWAT team to the home.
Deputies made several unsuccessful attempts to call Macks; however, an arrest report indicates that he is hard of hearing and may not have heard the phone. About 25 minutes later, Macks walked out of his home with his hands up and surrendered without further incident. The SWAT team response was canceled.
Family members told deputies that Macks had become enraged during a family argument over a phone. He waved a pistol around and threatened family members with a claw hammer, and grabbed one family member by the throat, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Family members stated that while he waived the pistol around without regard for others, Macks did not point it directly at anyone.
Airgas Fined $12K For Deadly Explosion In Cantonment
February 9, 2017
A Cantonment manufacturing plant has been fined $12,000 for a deadly explosion last year.
Jesse Folmar, 32, was killed when nitrous oxide tanks exploded at the Airgas plant on August 28, 2016.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company saying it failed to provide a safe workplace. Folmar was killed while filling a transport trailer with nitrous oxide.
The OSHA report lists several safety measures that should be in place when working with the gas.
The explosion destroyed the facility in Cantonment, but the company must now make sure those safety measures are in place at their Mississippi plant.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Faces ‘Failing” Wastewater System; Water And Sewer Rate Increase
February 9, 2017
After the mayor called for water and sewer rates to be increased in Century to stop financial losses, the town is looking at what needs to be done, at what cost, to improving a “failing” system.
Alicia Jernigan, Century’s certified wastewater operator, said the town’s wastewater “is failing”, comprised of aging equipment that has not been properly maintained, is wearing out, or is now functionally obsolete.
“There have been a lot of failures, a lot of sewage spills,” Jernigan told the Century Town Council.
Bob Mearns of the Florida Rural Water Association said the town is applying for $60,000 in grant funding from the Florida legislature for preliminary engineering reports for the potable water and wastewater systems. These reports will identify the deficiencies in each system, allowing the town to seek funding and make the necessary improvements.
“This is the beginning of a grand plan for Century,” Mearns said. He termed the water system’s condition as “marginal”, but said the town’s wastewater system is “problematic”.
Part of the grand plan will be rate increase for water and wastewater customers. At $13 for 6,000 gallons, Mearns said Century has the lowest water rates he has seen. The town has not raised water rates since August 2012.
At no cost to the town, the Florida Rural Water Association will conduct a rate study to determine just how much rates should increase.
The Town of Century has scheduled a special meeting to discuss water, wastewater and natural gas rates on Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection records only show one reported sewage spill in Century this year. On January 12, about 100 gallons of wastewater spilled into a ditch at 7730 Dogwood Drive after Gulf Power placed a power pole through a sewer pipe.
Pictured: Century’s water, wastewater and natural gas franchise also serves the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Molesting Child
February 9, 2017
An Atmore man has been arrested on child sexual abuse charges after a four-month investigation by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and the Child Advocacy Center. The investigation centered around child molestation and abuse of a child under 12-years old.
Sonney Wayne Pruett, age 21 of Estates Lane in Atmore, is charged with enticing a child, indecent exposure and sexual abuse of a child under 12. He remains in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $100,000.
Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-2154.