Youth Basketball: Century Heat
January 20, 2019
Youth Basketball (8-10)
Bucks 22, Century Heat 12
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: DeSantis Calling ‘Em Like He Sees ‘Em
January 20, 2019
He’s been on the job for just a handful of days, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has already burnished his brand as a no-nonsense chief of state asserting his authority via pink slips, ultimatums and generally rocking the boat from one end of the state to the other.
Last week, the freshly inaugurated governor appointed the first Cuban-American woman justice to the Florida Supreme Court, suspended a South Florida sheriff and ousted a Panhandle school superintendent.
This week, the Republican governor placed another justice on the court, took on Airbnb and pushed the Legislature into a corner over smokable medical marijuana. And he capped his second week on the job by giving Palm Beach County elections supervisor Susan Bucher the boot.
Bucher, a former state representative, came under fire for problems related to the November elections. Among other things, her office was unable to complete a manual recount in the statewide race between then-U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and former Gov. Rick Scott, who eventually emerged the winner in the Senate race. Before leaving office as governor, Scott ousted former Broward County elections supervisor Brenda Snipes, who also drew heavy scrutiny because of problems in the November elections.
Scott and DeSantis may be of like minds when it comes to axing Democratic elections chiefs, but DeSantis has made clear there’s a new chief executive on the plaza level in the Capitol, one whose agenda and demeanor is markedly different from his predecessor.
For example, DeSantis harshly criticized how the state has handled the medical-marijuana issue, griping this week about having other “fish to fry” as the state’s top executive.
The state has evolved since Scott — whose mantra was jobs, jobs, jobs — was elected more than eight years ago, DeSantis told reporters this week.
Florida’s water woes are troubling to residents throughout the state but may not have been as salient an issue a decade ago, said DeSantis, who has demanded the resignation of water management officials appointed by Scott.
Without naming Scott, DeSantis also pointed out that the former governor failed to act on the “Groveland Four,” despite the Legislature’s request for pardons of the African-American men who were accused of rape in a notorious case from the state’s Jim Crow era.
“I had a directive from them that was left over, saying consider this for a pardon. So I did. I was like, these guys got railroaded. We’ve got to do what’s right,” DeSantis said. “I’m just calling ‘em as I’ve seen ‘em. I want to continue a lot of the economic momentum that we’ve had. I think you’ll see a lot of continuity there. But at the end of the day, Floridians expected me to be bold on our water quality and environment, so that’s exactly what I promised and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM
DeSantis stood shoulder-to-shoulder Thursday with Orlando attorney John “#PotDaddy” Morgan, the political rainmaker who largely bankrolled a 2016 medical-marijuana constitutional amendment, and Congressman Matt Gaetz, one of the architects of the state’s pot laws.
The governor challenged the Legislature to fix a 2017 law that banned smoking medical marijuana — or else. If lawmakers don’t comply, DeSantis pledged to drop the state’s appeal of a court ruling that found the smoking prohibition is unconstitutional.
DeSantis, who had been widely expected to announce he was going to drop the appeal, instead delivered the unambiguous ultimatum, which he called the “sword of Damocles” hanging over the head of legislative leaders.
The Republican governor said he also wants lawmakers to address other components of the 2017 law, which was passed to carry out the voter-approved constitutional amendment. DeSantis said lawmakers should revisit a cap on the number of medical-marijuana licenses and a “vertical integration” system that requires operators to grow, process and distribute cannabis products.
“This is all about doing the people’s will,” DeSantis told reporters at a news conference in Winter Park.
DeSantis accused the Republican-dominated Legislature of failing to implement a medical-marijuana system “in accordance with what the amendment envisioned.”
DeSantis also used the threat of dropping appeals in other marijuana-related lawsuits to goad the Legislature into addressing issues that could include the cap on the number of medical-marijuana licenses and the “vertical integration” system. Moving away from vertical integration could involve opening up the marijuana market to businesses that wouldn’t be responsible for all of the aspects of growing, processing and distributing the products.
“We need to have the people’s will represented in good law that is doing what they intended. I look at how some of this was created, where they (lawmakers) created a cartel, essentially,” DeSantis said.
But an unrestricted medical-marijuana market could raise concerns in an industry in which licenses have sold for more than $50 million.
DeSantis instructed lawmakers to revisit vertical integration, which he said “is not good policy.”
“The way they did this vertical integration, that is not free-market principles, for sure,” he said. “If you’re going to do it, do it according to sound economic principles.”
HE’S A MENSCH
In dual overtures to the state’s Jewish population this week, DeSantis appointed a second Miami-Dade County appellate judge to fill a vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court and came out swinging against Airbnb over West Bank rentals.
DeSantis on Monday tapped Robert J. Luck, a 39-year-old judge on the state’s 3rd District Court of Appeal, to fill the second of three vacancies on the high court. Last week, DeSantis appointed Barbara Lagoa, who had served as chief judge of the Miami-based appellate court, to the Supreme Court.
“Really across the board, people who know him, like him and respect him. So I think not only will he be a formidable force on the Florida Supreme Court, I think he will immediately have the respect of all his colleagues on that court and beyond,” DeSantis said about Luck.
Luck, a graduate of the University of Florida Law School, will be the youngest member of the Supreme Court and could potentially serve until he is 75 years old.
DeSantis, a Harvard Law graduate, noted Luck’s skills as a legal writer. “He was born to be a judge. There’s just no doubt about it,” DeSantis said.
The announcement was made at the Scheck Hillel Community School, a Jewish day school in Miami-Dade where Luck started kindergarten more than three decades ago. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a son and a daughter who now attend the school.
In accepting the appointment, Luck talked about the working-class roots of his family members and their deep ties to the Miami-Dade community.
“Two generations after my grandfather sliced brisket at a deli, one generation after my father-in-law slept on the basement floor of his boss’ T-shirt shop, so he could save as much money as possible, I am here having been sworn in as a justice of the highest court in the state,” Luck said.
The following day, DeSantis announced that Florida employees will no longer be reimbursed for Airbnb stays while traveling, as the state considers economic sanctions over the home-sharing platform’s decision against listing properties in the West Bank, an area that is a major flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
“My hope is that Airbnb will rescind that policy,” DeSantis said during an appearance at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton. “I don’t think they quite understood what they were getting into on this.”
Claiming a “moral obligation” to oppose the Airbnb property-listing policy for the West Bank, DeSantis said the State Board of Administration will determine by the end of this month if Airbnb is subject to a new Florida law that prohibits state investment in companies that boycott Israel.
On Tuesday, Airbnb issued a statement that it “unequivocally rejected” the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, or “BDS,” movement targeting Israel in support of Palestinians. But it made no mention if the policy about hosts in the West Bank will change.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Continuing to assert his authority in his second week on the job, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a second Supreme Court justice, suspended Palm Beach County elections supervisor Susan Bucher and ordered the Legislature to address the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Whether they have to smoke it or not, who am I to judge that? I want people to be able to have their suffering relieved. I don’t think this law is up to snuff.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking about the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Arbor Day Program, Tree Giveaway Held
January 20, 2019
An Arbor Day tree giveaway was held Saturday at the Escambia County Extension Office in Cantonment.
Each attendee received two free native one gallon trees while supplies lasted. Trees available included red maple, chickasaw plum, swamp chestnut oak and fringe tree.
The trees were gone in about an hour.
Support for the event was provided by the Florida Forest Service, Escambia County Water Quality and Land Management Division and UF/IFAS Extension.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Rollover Accident In Cantonment
January 19, 2019
A driver escaped serious injuries in a rollover crash Saturday morning in Cantonment.
The driver of a Chevrolet Cobalt lost control and flipped into a ditch at Tate Road and West Roberts Road. The 23-year old female refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECAT Holding Public Workshops On North Escambia Community Transportation
January 19, 2019
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will soon roll out an expanded local service in North Escambia on February 20.
The public is invited to attend two upcoming ECAT public workshops to provide community input regarding the North Escambia Transportation Service Pilot Project. ECAT and Escambia County Community Transportation staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Workshops will be held:
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m.
- Byrneville Community Center, 1701 Highway 4A,
Thursday, Jan 31, 5 p.m.
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A
The North Escambia Transportation Service Pilot Project is a door-to-door on demand transportation project that is funded through a $50,000 Transportation Disadvantaged Mobility Enhancement Grant. The project will begin Wednesday, February 20 and will service Walnut Hill, Davisville and Bratt on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Century, Molino and McDavid on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
To qualify for the program, participants must live north of Quintette Road within Escambia County and complete a short application. All trips will require 24-hour advance reservation. The participant’s fare will be $1 for each trip.
Medical Examiner Out, But Will Continue On Interim Basis
January 19, 2019
A state commission failed to reappoint District 1 Medical Examiner Dr. Andrea Minyard on Friday, but she is is back as substitute interim medical examiner.
The Florida Medical Examiner Commission did not reappoint Minyard, giving State Attorney Bill Eddins the authority to fill the post temporarily.
“In order to provide continuity of services, I have appointed Dr. Andrea Minyard as interim Medical Examiner. She will remain in that capacity until the Medical Examiners Commission conducts a search for a new Medical Examiner and recommends one to the Governor,” Eddins said in an email release.
Eddins sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis apprising him of his decision. (Click image to enlarge.)
Under Florida code, the Medical Examiners Commission must make a recommendation to the governor within six months.
The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Photos: Molino Park Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast
January 19, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School held their Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast Friday morning. The school holds a grandparents breakfast during the year for each grade level.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Now Looking For Second Pickup In Fatal Pedestrian Hit And Run
January 19, 2019
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE
The Florida Highway Patrol is now asking for the public’s help in locating two pickup trucks that may have been involved in a fatal pedestrian crash Thursday night.
A white Dodge pickup truck was traveling westbound on Fairfield Drive approaching Pace Boulevard as a pedestrian was crossing northbound on Fairfield Drive. Witnesses told troopers that the pickup did not have headlights and was driving in two lanes when the pedestrian was struck.
The truck is a white in color Dodge pickup, possibly a dually, with white hub caps. It may have a black color front grill protector.
Friday afternoon, the FHP said they are also looking for a dark in color pickup that may have also been involved in the crash. Troopers also said the drivers of the black and white pickup trucks many not have known they struck the pedestrian.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with any information about this crash or information about a possible vehicle, is asked to contact FHP Corporal E. Diaz at (850) 484-5000.
Escambia Man Facing Up To Life In Prison For Shooting Sleeping Man
January 19, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison for shooting a sleeping man last year.
Barry Locklear III, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a Firearm. The jury also found Locklear to be in actual possession of a firearm, that he discharged the firearm and caused great bodily harm.
Locklear faces up to life in prison with a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years. Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford set sentencing for February 21.
On January 27, 2018, Locklear was involved in an argument with the victim regarding Locklear’s girlfriend. Locklear pulled a gun and threatened the victim during the argument.
The victim walked away and went to sleep. Shortly thereafter, the victim woke up to Locklear shooting him. The victim was shot in the face, the chest and the arm. Locklear then fled the scene with the firearm.
He was apprehended on February 4, 2018, in possession of a firearm matching the description given to law enforcement the day of the shooting. He was captured at the corner of Pine Forest and Stratford Road, near the 5 Flags Speedway.
Locklear has several prior convictions including convictions for assault on a female, assault, communicating threats, sell or delivery of a controlled substance, breaking and/or entering, larceny after breaking and/or entering, possessing with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Locklear also has a possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge that remains pending.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting Due To MLK Holiday
January 19, 2019
The Century Town Council has rescheduled their usual third Monday of the month meeting due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Their Monday, January 21 meeting has been moved to Monday, January 28 at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.