Scott Signs Bill To Restrict Mentally Ill From Buying Guns
June 29, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott defended his support for the Second Amendment as he signed a narrowly-focused firearms bill into law Friday, making it harder for the mentally ill to buy guns.
The measure, which has gotten caught in a cross-fire among gun rights groups, was one of 46 bills signed into law on Friday. The bill (HB 1355) blocks firearms purchases by some people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
In a letter accompanying the bill signing, Scott noted that the measure was the product of mental health and second amendment advocates, while he also highlighted his history of support for gun rights.
“During the 2012 GOP Convention, I was asked to issue a temporary executive order to override laws that allow people to carry concealed weapons, which I denied because it was unclear how disarming law-abiding citizens would better protect them from the damages and threats posed by those who would flout the law,” Scott wrote. “Additionally, I’ve signed legislation protecting the privacy of firearm owners and stopping local governments from overreaching in the regulation of firearms.”
For a governor who has struggled with approval rating, how the move will play with thousands of individuals who have sent in opposition to the law remains to be seen.
The bill was crafted in the wake of 20 children and six adults being gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
A Rasmussen poll released on Dec. 19, 2012, the week after the shooting, found 48 percent of Americans believed more action to treat mental health issues would do the most to prevent such shootings, with 27 percent saying stricter gun control laws would do the most.
The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida, moved through the Legislature with little opposition. Only one legislator voted against the proposal.
“Gov. Scott obviously understands, and has read, the bill,” Marion Hammer, the lobbyist for the NRA and Unified Sportsmen, told the Tampa Bay Times. “The bill will prevent dangerous people with mental illness from being able to buy guns. Everyone should support that, and thank the governor for caring.”
The public opposition came through the efforts of two out-of-state groups, the Colorado-based National Association for Gun Rights and the Gun Owners of America.
“Gov. Scott has shown his disregard for law abiding gun owners and their second amendment rights by signing this bill,” Danielle Thompson, press secretary for the National Association for Gun Rights, said after the bill was signed.
She added the signing may “overshadow” Scott’s prior actions in support of gun rights, but was unsure how this could impact his 2014 re-election.
“It depends upon what initiatives come next,” she said.
A number of people urging a veto of HB 1355 have already also questioned Scott’s conservative credentials due to his suspension of Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch. FDLE investigators said the sheriff destroyed documents tied to the arrest of a man charged with illegally carrying a concealed firearm.
Other critics of the new law, which goes into effect Monday, have said it will discourage people with mental illnesses from seeking treatment.
“I believe it will, if it becomes law, actually discourage people from seeking psychological/psychiatric treatment,” wrote Edward Robbeloth of Fort Walton Beach to Scott on Friday.
Even after the NRA’s Hammer, one of the best-known gun-rights advocates in the country, requested members voice their support for the bill, the impassioned pleas for a veto continued to dominate the comments on the issue that have come into Scott’s state “Sunburst” email inbox since the end of the regular session.
A number of those who wanted the measure vetoed said they may have a hard time voting again for Scott.
“I’m very concerned that the government is getting too involved in everything we do in life and that is our right as a US citizen!!!” Lucille Ewing of Davie wrote on Friday.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Quarter Horse Show This Weekend
June 29, 2013
The Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association is hosting a combined Quarter Horse/Palomino horse show at the Escambia County Equestrian Center through Sunday. The show will include English and Western classes, as well as leadline, driving, and halter classes.
The competition begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and runs until classes are finished. For a list of classes or more information on the event, visit www.nwfqha.com. Spectators are welcome and there is no admission fee. A full service concession stand will be open during the event.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is located at 7750 Mobile Highway.
Northview Diamond Club Meets Tonight
June 27, 2013
The Northview High School Diamond Club will meet at 6:30 tonight in the Northview media center.
Officers for the upcoming year will be elected at this meeting, and plans for the future will be discussed. Everyone interested in Northview baseball is invited to attend.
Century Signs Off On $40 Million Bond Issue For UWF Conference Center, Hotel
June 27, 2013
For an update to this story, click here.
The Town of Century signed off Wednesday on a $40 million bond issue that will allow the University of West Florida’s development arm to move forward with plans for a hotel, conference center, new student housing and more. The University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc. has entered into an affiliation agreement with Vieste, LLC, for the project.
A bond issue totaling about $40 million by the Capital Trust Agency was approved Wednesday by the Century Town Council and was previously approved by the Gulf Breeze Town Council as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
Century has received over $650,000 in fees since the inception of CTA. Wednesday’s approval of a $40 million bond issue for UWF will earn Century about $14,000 in fees upon closing.
The CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities, according to Matt Dannheisser, attorney for both Century and Gulf Breeze. The funds used for the bonds are from the CTA’s coffers, not from Century or Gulf Breeze.
The $40 million UWF project will include 356 student housing beds plus 54 beds dedicated to guest housing, a conference and academic center and parking amenities. The 18 acres at the east entrance of the campus on Davis Highway will also include space for retail development.
UWF will receive acertain percentage of gross revenue from the annual income generated from the student housing, hotel, conference center, restaurants and retail.
The private developer will fund,design, construct and develop the project. There will be no state or university funds utilized. UWF will continue to own the land and will execute a 50 year lease with the development partner. After the 50 years lease term, UWF BEI will own the improvements.
Vieste originally approached the Escambia County Housing Authority looking for a bond issue, the the authority declined to finance the development, but the authority won’t finance bonds that are not investment grade, Matt Dannheisser, attorney for both Century and Gulf Breeze, said.
Dannheisser said the bond issue could close within a week, depending on the bond market.
Pictured top: Development plans for the east entrance of the University of West Florida. Pictured inset: Attorney Matt Dannheisser explains the project to the Century Town Council Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: (L-R) Dannheisser, Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, and Century council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson. Council member Annie Savage participated in the meeting by phone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Louis Street Railroad Crossing Closed Today
June 24, 2013
Louis Street between Muscogee Road and Washington Street will be closed for railroad crossing repairs untip 4 p.m. Tuesday. An easy detour is Webb Street to Booker Street. The crossing was the site of a minor low speed train derailment last week.
Pictured top: A low speed train derailment last week at Louis Street in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels At Storytime At Libraries This Week
June 24, 2013
During West Florida Public Library’s Summer Reading Program next week, a member of the Blue Angels team will visit each library branch to read about flying, airplanes, and blue skies.
The Blue Angels will read to the children and share their stories about what it is like to be a part of this elite service group. These special story times began Monday in Molino and will continue as follows:
- Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 A.M.,: Main Library, 239 N. Spring St.
- Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 P.M.,: Century Branch, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Groups of 20 or less are invited to contact their favorite library to inquire if seating is available for attendance at this very special Blue Angels storytime event.
Scattered Showers Continue
June 23, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Check Out The ‘Supermoon’ Tonight
June 23, 2013
The biggest, brightest moon of the year will be visible tonight.
The “supermoon” will be closer to the Earth than at any other time during the year – it will be the closest encounter between the earth and the moon until August 2014. Tonight is the best opportunity to see the larger and brighter than-normal supermoon.
TThe “supermoon” will appear 14 percent larger than normal, but it will not be possible to see the change without special equipment.
“It’s a subtle difference,“ Noah Petro, NASA planetary geologist, told NASA TV. “It really is a reward for people that are looking at the moon quite regularly.”
The moon may appear 30 percent brighter, though this is merely an optical illusion as it looms larger on the horizon next to trees or buildings.
Still, astronomers say that the “supermoon” is worth looking at, and are encouraging people to do so.
“It gets people out there looking at the moon, and might make a few more people aware that there’s interesting stuff going on in the night sky,“ said Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory.
Like in any “supermoon” event, higher tides are forecast, though the increase will not be significant compared to the 11 other full moons of the year.
Scientists say that the phenomenon does not threaten Earth; some people make connections between lunar events and crime or behavior.
“There should be no impact for anybody on Earth,” Petro added. “There should be nothing unusual except maybe for more people staring up at the moon, which should be a wonderful thing.“
Livescience.com has published a number of tips for those who plan to photograph the “supermoon”, including using a tripod to avoid blurry images and a long lens to capture the dazzling lunar display.
“To your camera, the moon is extremely bright, especially against a black background,“ explained photographer Jason Mrachina. “When you’re shooting at night, the relative difference between light and dark is extremely high, so you have to take that into consideration.”
Pictured: A supermoon that occurred May 5, 2012 as seen from Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flags At Half Staff Today For Fallen Local Soldier
June 22, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags be flown at half staff in Escambia County on Saturday in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Thomas, Jr.
Specifically, Scott ordered the national and state flags at the Escambia County Courthouse and the Pensacola City Hall to half staff. The flags at the state capitol in Tallahassee will also be lowered in honor of Thomas.
Thomas, a Pensacola native, died on June 10, 2013, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His funeral service will be held on Saturday.
Thomas is survived by a wife and three children.
HAM Operators To Hold Emergency Communications Field Day
June 22, 2013
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will be holding a public demonstration of backup Emergency Communications at the Ensley Fire Station this weekend. The event will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday and will last for 24 hours.
The public will have a chance to meet with Escambia County Ham radio operators and learn about the amateur radio service. Hams across the country will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities in an annual event called “Field Day”. The public is invited to see Ham radio’s new capabilities and learn how to obtain a FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.
The Ensley Fire Station is located at 8634 Pensacola Boulevard.