DeSantis Nails Down Win In Governor’s Race
November 16, 2018
For the second time, Ron DeSantis can declare victory in the 2018 Florida governor’s race.
The results of a state-ordered machine recount of the Nov. 6 election between DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum were released Thursday, showing the former Republican congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach maintained a nearly 34,000-vote lead over his rival, according to the state Division of Elections.
DeSantis, who is slated to become governor on Jan. 8, only lost one vote from his lead in unofficial results that triggered the machine recount. Such recounts are required when margins between candidates are 0.5 percent or less.
The recount gave DeSantis a 33,683-vote lead, compared to a 33,684-vote margin in the tally of unofficial results released Saturday. DeSantis maintained a 0.41 percent margin over Gillum, with 49.59 percent of the vote to Gillum’s 49.18, the recount showed.
“Those returns remain clear and unambiguous, just as they were on election night, and at every point throughout this process,” DeSantis said in a statement. “I remain humbled by your support and the great honor the people of Florida have shown me as I prepare to serve as your next governor.”
However, Gillum, who conceded the race on election night but later retracted his concession as the vote margin narrowed, indicated he is not ready to give up on the race.
“A vote denied is justice denied — the state of Florida must count every legally cast vote. As today’s unofficial reports and recent court proceedings make clear, there are tens of thousands of votes that have yet to be counted,” Gillum said in a statement. “It is not over until every legally casted vote is counted.”
But unlike races for the U.S. Senate and state agriculture commissioner, which are headed for statewide manual recounts because the victory margins were less than 0.25 percent, the major vote counting in the governor’s race is over.
County elections officials are scheduled to file their official returns to the state by noon on Sunday, with the state Elections Canvassing Commission meeting Tuesday to certify the results.
A ruling Thursday by a federal judge leaves open the possibility of more votes in the governor’s race. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued an order giving potentially thousands of Florida voters a chance to fix their ballots by this weekend, if they were rejected because of mismatched signatures.
But Walker rejected a request from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is trailing Gov. Rick Scott by about 12,600 votes in their Senate race, to extend the recount deadlines. Several counties reported they were unable to complete the machine recounts by the 3 p.m. Thursday deadline, including Palm Beach and Broward counties.
As of Thursday, Gillum had not filed any lawsuits contesting the election.
However, his lawyer, Barry Richard, told MSNBC earlier in the week that Gillum was “reviewing his options” on a lawsuit, expressing concern that the election showed that Florida’s laws are impacting “the fundamental right to vote.”
“He feels an obligation to ensure that votes are counted and not to sit back when we’re beginning to learn that they are not being counted for a number of reasons,” Richard told MSNBC.
Gillum would have up to 10 days following the certification of the election outcome on Tuesday to file a lawsuit contesting the results, according to state law.
In his statement, DeSantis said the election, which drew a record number of voters for a gubernatorial race, was a “vigorously debated” contest of ideas. But he said the campaign has to “give way to governing and bringing people together to secure Florida’s future.”
He extended an offer to Gillum to join him in “a conversation” about the state.
“We have both traveled the state and met Floridians from all walks of life. Sharing these experiences will, I believe, help us unite our state and build toward unity on behalf of the people of Florida,” DeSantis said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
JoLynn Jackson Named Jim Allen Elem. Teacher Of The Year
November 16, 2018
JoLynn Jackson has been named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She teaches kindergarten. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Music On Main’ Featured Live Music And Shopping
November 16, 2018
Residents from across the area attended “Music on Main” in downtown Atmore Thursday evening. The event featured musical artists performing inside businesses in the downtown district. Pictured top: Lacey Garner performs at The Yellow Garden. Below: Justin Wall at Your Little Pink Boutique and Chris Hergenroder at Carl’s/Tot Shop. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Attacks Wife After She Cooks The Wrong Dinner
November 15, 2018
A Cantonment man is facing felony charges for allegedly attacking his wife after she cooked the wrong meal.
Brian Sherrard Baker, 31, was charged with battery by strangulation, false imprisonment and battery.
The victim told deputies that she got into a verbal altercation with Baker over her cooking the wrong type of food for dinner before he threw the food on top of her head, kicked her onto the ground and started choking her, according to an arrest report. She said he punched her multiple times and choked her so hard she could not breathe.
Baker allegedly would not let her leave home, shoving her onto the floor and holding her down with his foot on her head. He later shoved her against a counter, inflicting pressure on a recent surgical site, the report states. He also allegedly grabbed her around the throat, shoved her against a wall and threw a remote control at her head during an argument involving an internet provider.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states the victim suffered multiple injuries.
Baker told deputies that the couple had an argument, but no physical altercation took place. The responding deputy noted visible markings and bruises on Baker’s arms.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
The arrest report does not specify what food items were in the meal that led to the couple’s initial argument.
Escambia Completes Vote Recount With Little Change
November 15, 2018
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections has completed a machine recount of three statewide races — U.S. Senate, governor and commissioner of agriculture.
In the Senate race, Republican Rick Scott gained three votes in Escambia County, and Democratic Bill Nelson lost two votes. In the race for governor, Ron DeSantis gained one vote, while Democrat Andrew Gillum’s total remained the same. In the race for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Republican Matt Caldwell and Democrat Nikki Fried each gained one vote in Escambia County.
In the event the Secretary of State orders a manual recount, the Escambia County Canvassing Board will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Friday at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place. If more time is needed, the canvassing board will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All meetings are open to the public.
Pictured: The final day of recounting Wednesday at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Urges Household Heating Safety
November 15, 2018
Escambia County Fire Rescue is urging residents to use caution when heating your home.
Tips from Escambia Fire Rescue’s include:
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources.
Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn off when leaving a room or sleeping.
Never plug a space heater into an extension cord.
Never use a cooking stove to heat your home or dry clothes.
Place heaters on level, flat surfaces on the ground.
Have a qualified service professional inspect your heating system annually.
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.
Never use a space heater or any appliance with a damaged cord.
Click graphic to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Child
November 15, 2018
An Atmore man has been charged with sexually abusing a child.
Lenson Lee Bethea, 54, was charged with sexual abuse of a child less than 12-years old and enticing a child for immoral purposes. He remains in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
On September 19, the Atmore Police Department Investigative Division received a report that a minor child had been sexually abused within in the city limits of Atmore.
Upon completion of the initial interview with the parent and the initial written report the Department of Human Resources was contacted. DHR initiated their investigation and contacted Child Advocacy to conduct an interview with the child.
DHR and the Atmore Police Department are continuing their investigation.
Florida Second Round Football Playoff Tickets Available Online
November 15, 2018
FHSAA playoff tickets are on sale for second round football games through GoFan, the official ticketing partner of the FHSAA.
Tickets are $8 each, the same as the gate price. A convenience fee is added to each online purchase.
Games listed below are mobile tickets only; a smartphone is required. Mobile ticketing allows fans to use their mobile device as their game ticket, providing a faster and more convenient entry.
Class 1A – Region 1
Class 6A – Region 1
Class 3A – Region 1
Gaetz, Democratic Ally Back Veterans’ Marijuana Bills
November 15, 2018
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and a Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday introduced a package of legislation to change the Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical marijuana practices in an attempt to make cannabis a more realistic treatment option for veterans.
Gaetz, a Northwest Florida Republican, joined with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., to prepare three bills that seek to learn more about how veterans use cannabis, to prepare better medical-marijuana education for providers and to protect the benefits of veterans who use marijuana.
“Our veterans are seeking alternative options to opioids and we should be supporting their desires not to be addicted to painkillers. Let’s not kid ourselves, people are using marijuana — including our veterans,” Moulton said in a statement. “We have an obligation to regulate it and make it as safe as possible. We also have an obligation to make sure our veterans are getting the best health care in the world. We have a long road ahead of us until medicinal cannabis is fully researched and legal, but we can take a few steps now to start figuring that out.”
A 2011 study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that Veterans Health Administration patients were nearly twice as likely as the general population to die of an accidental opioid overdose, and recent survey data from the American Legion shows that veterans and their caregivers are interested in having medical marijuana as a treatment option.
One bill, according to Moulton’s office, would amend and codify an existing VA policy to protect a veterans’ benefits if they discuss their medical use of marijuana with providers. Moulton’s office said “not all health care providers respond in a standard way and veterans still fear and experience repercussions of some kind.”
“Medical cannabis has tremendous potential for veterans. It can reduce chronic pain, without the harmful side effects of opioids, and some early reports indicate that it may even have potential as a treatment for PTSD,” Gaetz said in a statement. “Unfortunately, many veterans fear discussing medical cannabis with their doctors, for fear that their benefits will be jeopardized.”
The second bill directs the VA to conduct a nationwide survey of all veterans and VA health care providers to learn more about how veterans are using marijuana.
The American Legion reported last year that 22 percent of veterans are using marijuana to treat a medical condition, and 83 percent of veteran households surveyed indicated that they think the federal government should legalize medical cannabis and 82 percent said they want to have medical cannabis as a federally-legal treatment option.
In 2016, the American Legion resolved to “urge the Drug Enforcement Agency to license privately funded medical-marijuana production operations in the United States to enable safe and efficient cannabis drug development research,” and to “urge Congress to amend legislation to remove marijuana from schedule I and reclassify it in a category that, at a minimum, will recognize cannabis as a drug with potential medical value.”
The third bill Moulton and Gaetz rolled out Wednesday would instruct the VA to partner with colleges or universities that “have incorporated medical cannabis education into their curriculum” to develop continuing education programs for VA health care providers.
Moulton’s office said the bundle of three bills has been endorsed by the Drug Policy Alliance, National Cannabis Industry Association and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
by Colin A. Young, State House News Service
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Study Underway On Return Of Passenger Rail Service Mobile To Montgomery
November 15, 2018
A study is underway into the feasibility of the return of passenger rail service from Mobile to Montgomery.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs held a public information meeting on the study Wednesday night in Atmore, which was designated by the Legislature as Alabama’s official rail welcome station.
The study into the return of service to the former “Gulf Breeze” passenger corridor is being completed in two phases. Phase I, completed and submitted to the Federal Rail Administration in 2014, included rail service between Birmingham and Montgomery. Phase II, the current study, pertains to rail service between Mobile and Montgomery and is set to be submitted in the fall of 2019.
The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility of passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile, and to determine the necessary elements needed to implement the system. The study will also consider the combined effects of restoring passenger rail service along the corridor, with rail connections to existing and proposed east-west Amtrak lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
Rail travel supports a long range goal of reducing congestion on the road network.
The public is invited to take a survey on potential passenger rail service between Mobile and Montgomery by clicking here, and email comments to Kathleen.rasmussen@adeca.alabama.gov by a January 4, 2019, deadline.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
