Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Qualified Excitement
May 6, 2018
Florida’s first round of qualifying for the November elections played out this week. But it was, well, kind of anticlimactic.
Sure, Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson formally entered the battle royale for Nelson’s Senate seat. And that’s a big deal — both in Florida and nationally.
But despite Scott’s attempts during the past year to be coy or to build suspense, everybody knew long before his April 10 campaign announcement that he was running against Nelson. Qualifying this week was just signing on the dotted line.
Probably the biggest splash this week came from former Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson, a master of political splash. Grayson announced that he was launching a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Darren Soto in an Orlando-area district.
There’s little chance the Democratic primary fight will open the door to Republicans winning in Congressional District 9, which is Democratic turf. But still, this could get messy.
This week’s qualifying period involved U.S. Senate, U.S. House and judicial-system races. Among the inside-Tallahassee crowd, one question was answered when state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, announced he would not run in a free-for-all for a Central Florida congressional seat that became open when Republican Dennis Ross decided against seeking re-election.
“The outreach and encouragement from across the district has been truly humbling,” Lee, a former Senate president, said in a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, this is simply not the right time for me to go to Washington.”
Lee didn’t say whether he will run this fall for another term in the Senate. But that will become clear in June, when candidates qualify for state races.
GIVING A GREEN LIGHT
Florida lawmakers each year debate whether they should ban red-light cameras. Critics deride cameras as money-making ploys for local governments and private contractors, while camera supporters say the devices improve traffic safety.
Supporters have repeatedly fended off proposed bans and this week got a boost from the Florida Supreme Court.
Justices unanimously rejected a motorist’s challenge to the way the city of Aventura has handled potential red-light camera traffic violations, resolving legal questions that have also popped up in other areas of the state.
Motorist Luis Torres Jimenez, who was ticketed in Aventura, argued that the Miami-Dade County community had given too much authority to a red-light camera company in reviewing potential violations. Aventura contracted with American Traffic Solutions, Inc. — a major player in the industry — to help in operating its system.
But justices, upholding a decision by the 3rd District Court of Appeal, said Aventura could use a private contractor to review images — so long as a city officer makes the ultimate decision about whether motorists are ticketed.
“The Legislature has expressly authorized local governments to allow traffic enforcement officers to issue citations for traffic infractions captured by red light cameras,” said a main opinion, written by Justice Barbara Pariente and joined by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justice Peggy Quince. “As part of this express authorization, the Legislature has permitted a local government’s agent to review information from red light cameras for any purpose short of making the probable cause determination as to whether a traffic infraction was committed. We thus hold that (a section of state law) authorizes a local government to contract with a private third-party vendor to review and sort information from red light cameras, in accordance with written guidelines provided by the local government, before sending that information to a trained traffic enforcement officer, who determines whether probable cause exists and a citation should be issued.”
Justice Charles Canady, in a concurring opinion joined by justices Ricky Polston and Alan Lawson, came to a similar conclusion.
“The statute in no way precludes a local government from contracting with a third-party vendor to provide assistance in screening images from red light cameras in any way the local government sees fit other than authorizing the vendor to issue citations,” Canady wrote. “On this point, the critical issue is not the details of the relationship between the local government and the vendor. Rather, the dispositive point is that the local government conforms to the requirement that only law enforcement officers and traffic infraction enforcement officers — rather than employees of a vendor — may issue traffic citations.”
STUCK IN A HOLE
When state agencies release information after hours, you usually know it won’t be good news.
That was clearly the case Tuesday night when the Department of Corrections announced that it was cutting substance-abuse services, transitional housing and re-entry programs — services and programs aimed at keeping inmates from returning to life behind bars — in an attempt to fill a $28 million budget hole.
The cuts are primarily focused on covering a deficit in health-care spending.
Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, in a statement announcing the cuts, said she hopes they are temporary. The announcement came as she prepares to sign a new contract with a private vendor to provide health services to about 87,000 inmates in state-run prisons.
“In order to secure a health services contractor, fund the increased pharmaceutical budget, and adjust for reductions, we’ve unfortunately had to make some very difficult decisions. At the start of the next fiscal year, we will be reducing some of our current contracts with community providers. Additionally, we are reducing operating costs to include maintenance, repair, utilities, and working to find every possible internal solution to reduce costs in order to maximize services for inmates and offenders,” Jones said.
Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, told The News Service of Florida that he has repeatedly warned his colleagues they were shortchanging the prison system.
Brandes said the funding crisis has “been festering for years” and called the cuts unacceptable.
“In the short term, we’re going to have to fund the shortfalls in unconventional ways. But they must be funded. Period. These are not options. You must fund them,” he said.
Brandes said substance-abuse treatment and re-entry programs have been shown to reduce recidivism and to aid prisoners as they transition to the community.
“These are the very programs that have been proven to work. You can’t have an opioid crisis and cut opioid funding. You can’t just let people out of prison without some type of transition back into society. These are the types of programs that the research shows provide the best outcomes,” he said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Florida Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the way a red-light camera program is operated in the city of Aventura, giving a victory to local governments and red-light camera companies.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This is different. This is totally different. The intensity, the filth, the vile nature. We’ve never had anything like this before.” — Longtime National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, describing the messages she has received since a gunman killed 17 people at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
About 2,000 Attend First Night Of Tate Rodeo
May 5, 2018
About 2,000 people attended the first night of the 27th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo Pictured top: Tate High School sophomore Ashley Henderson out of the gate on the way to winning with the fastest time in breakaway roping Friday night at the 27th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo. Pictured below: More Tate rodeo from Friday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Facing Drug, Weapons Charges After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
May 5, 2018
A recent traffic stop in Cantonment landed a man in the Escambia County Jail on multiple drug and weapons charges.
Kevin Ashton Pippins, age 21, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a concealed firearm without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license. An additional firearm charge was dismissed during an initial court appearance.
While on routine patrol, and Escambia County deputy conducted a traffic stop after he observed a vehicle with an unreadable tag headed north on Highway 29 from Old Chemstrand Road. During a search of Pippins’ vehicle, deputies located a loaded .25 caliber handgun with ammunition, two “smoking devices” and an container which contained six Adderall pills, an arrest report states.
Pippins remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning without bond due to an violation of probation charge. He provided a Century address when booked, according to jail records.
Today: Sawmill Day, Rodeo, Mayfest, Reimagine, Rummage Sale, Picnics And More
May 5, 2018
Multiple events are planned today in the North Escambia area, including:
Reimagine Century - The faith-based event will feature a 15,000 pound food giveaway, free clothing, free paper products, free baby diapers, free haircuts, free HIV testing, free lunch and much more. Numerous community agencies will also be on hand explaining their programs, and there will be children’s activities including inflatables, face painting, popcorn, games and a coloring contest with bicycles as prizes. All free from 10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Saturday at 440 East Hecker Road in Century. Transportation will be available between Reimagine Century and the nearby Sawmill Day activities.
Sawmill Day – Century – Seventh annual event will feature all-day entertainment, a large classic and custom car show, exhibits, arts and crafts, food, museum tours. Historic Park, Jefferson Avenue . Free admission, Houston Jones Park, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fourth Street.
Tate High School Rodeo – The 27th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will be Saturday night at 7:30 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults, $5 for children.
Ransom Middle Rummage Sale - Ransom Middle School will hold a Rummage Sale Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 1000 West Kingsfield Road.
Gonzalez Community Picnic — Second Annual Gonzalez Community Picnic at the Gonzalez Baptist Church. Barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs and more for lunch, plus snow cones, popcorn, slushies and other treats. There will also be plenty of games, including sack races, a three-legged race, a pie eating contest, and other age-appropriate games. Free, 11 a.m. until 2p.m.
Quintette Community Center May Day — May Day at the Quintette Community Center with entertainment, fun and games for the family, food and vendors. Free admission, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Northview Theater Spring Production — The Northview High School Theater Department will present “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” Saturday night at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Mayfest -Atmore – Mayfest 2018 will held Saturday with a day of fun-filled family activities, food, live entertainment, vendors, children’s activities and more. Tom Byrne Park, Lindberg Avenue, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
Victory Assembly Yard Sale — Victory Assembly of God’s Annual Spring Yard Sale for missions will be held Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. . The church is located on Hwy 29 in Molino.
Northview Football Car Wash, Molino – Members of Northview High School’s football team will have a car wash Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Pictured above: Last year’s Sawmill Day in Century. Pictured below: Mayfest 2017 in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gaetz Will Face Four Challengers For Congressional Seat
May 5, 2018
Five candidates have qualified for the congressional seat currently held by Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz is seeking a second term. He will face Republicans Cris Dosev of Pensacola and John Mills of Miramar Beach in the Republican primary. Two democrats will face off in the primary election; they are Phil Ehr of Pensacola and Jennifer Zimmerman of Pace.
The qualifying period for federal offices ended at noon Friday.
The primary election will be held on August 28.
Four Qualify For Three Escambia County Judicial Seats
May 5, 2018
Four candidates have qualified for three Escambia County Court judicial seats. They are:
- Joyce H. Williams, Group 2 (incumbent)
- Paul Hamlin, Group 2
- Amy Brodersen, Group 4 (incumbent)
- Kerra Smith, Group 5 (incumbent)
Qualifying closed at noon Friday.
Groups 4 and 5 will not appear on the ballot, as only one candidate qualified for each office, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Group 2 will appear on the August 28 primary election ballot
Autumn Williams Named Tate FFA Rodeo Queen; Rodeo Continues Tonight
May 5, 2018
The Tate High School FFA Alumni Association has named their 2018 Rodeo Queen — Autumn Williams of the Northview FFA Chapter..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tips For The Month Of May
May 5, 2018
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following May lawn and garden tips:
- Continue planting summer annuals. Try one or two that you’ve never grown and/or one that is not available in stores as transplants.
- Plant heat-resistant summer flowering annuals such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, salvia, marigolds, torenia, verbena, ornamental peppers and gaillardia.
- Bulbs: Caladium, gladiolus.
- Vegetables: Continue planting warm weather seeds and transplants (Shade those transplants!). Use transplants for cherry tomatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Plant seeds of lima beans, okra, southern peas: purple hull, crowder, etc.
- Prune and shape spring flowering shrubs and trees now. Later pruning may destroy next year’s blooms.
- Good cultural practices help maintain a healthy lawn and discourage insects and disease. Mow with a sharp blade. Centipedegrass should be cut to a height of 1½ to 2 inches. St. Augustinegrass normal growth habit cultivars should be cut to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
- Climbing roses are pruned after they finish blooming. Blooms form on one-year-old canes, so any older ones may be removed to make them more tidy. Cut each flowering stem back to the first five leaflet stem to encourage them to bloom again.Spray with horticultural oil or malathion for mites, scale and white flies, if insects are present, before it gets too hot (85 degrees).
- Yellow leaves on azaleas may mean they need iron. Apply iron sulphate or chelated iron.
- Feed citrus plants using special citrus fertilizer. Broadcast under the tree canopy and water in.
- Begin planting palms while the weather is warm and rainy.
- Make cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other choice shrubs as new growth becomes half hardened.
- Take soft wood cuttings to root: alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, shrimp plant, dianthus, geranium, hibiscus, hydrangea, etc.
- Dig bulbs after foliage turns brown if they need to be divided or the space is needed for other plants. If the space isn’t needed, braid the foliage.
- Cut back the vines of Irish potatoes when they begin to die but leave the tubers in the ground for about two weeks longer to toughen the skin. Handle the potatoes carefully during digging, as skinned or bruised potatoes decay quickly when stored.
- Divide crowded and vigorously growing perennials.
- Promote continued flowering of bedding plants by removing faded blooms.
- Encourage coleus to branch and produce more colorful leaves by pinching off the flower stalks as they form.
- Prune poinsettias when new growth is 10-12 inches high (back to the last four leaves). Prune new growth at the base throughout the summer.
- Stop pruning after Labor Day.
- Keep roses watered, cut out weak spots, feed every six to eight weeks or at every new flush of growth, dust.
- For insect or disease problems in your garden, use the least toxic control possible.
Sunny Today, Slight Rain Chance For Tonight
May 5, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Motorhome Destroyed By Fire, Nearby Residence Is Spared
May 4, 2018
Fire destroyed a recreational vehicle in Cottage Hill Friday afternoon, but firefighters were able to save a nearby mobile home from major damage.
The motorhome was reported as fully involved in fire just before 1 p.m. in the 1800 block of Williams Ditch Road. The motorhome was parked adjacent to a carport that is attached to a mobile home. The carport was damaged. A pickup truck was also damaged.
The cause of the fire is under investigation the State Fire Marshal’s Office.. There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Ensley and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among the responding units.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
