Atmore Home Damaged By Fire
November 14, 2018
An Atmore home was damaged by fire Tuesday night.
The fire appeared to have started on the second story of the home in the 300 block of North Trammell Street. Preliminary information indicated the fire may have been sparked by a candle being used in a bedroom, but the investigation is continuing.
There were no injuries reported.
The Atmore Fire Department was dispatched to the blaze at 9:20 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pumpkin Pie At Century Library; Thanksgiving Color Contest At Molino Library
November 14, 2018
North Escambia branches of the West Florida Library are holding a pumpkin pie program and a Thanksgiving coloring contest.
Pumpkin Pie Perfection
- Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
No, it’s not the man in the moon! Here comes that tasty pie with a spoon.
Thanksgiving Coloring Contest
- Through Saturday, Nov. 17, all day – Molino Branch Library
Children up to age 12 can pick up their coloring sheet and entry form at the Molino Branch starting Monday, November 5. Color the lively Thanksgiving turkey and return him to the Molino Branch by Saturday, November 17, for a chance to win a prize. Winners will be announced on Monday, November 19.
Nelson, Backers Turn To Federal Court In Election Fight
November 14, 2018
Ballots postmarked before the polls closed at 7 p.m. on Election Day should be counted. Ballots with mismatched signatures should be counted. Ballots where voters made mistakes but where their intentions were clear should be counted. And deadlines to tally ballots in machine and manual recounts should be ignored.
Those are arguments lawyers for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, national Democrats and others are making as they have gone to federal court to try to help the long-serving lawmaker keep his Washington post.
With a machine recount underway and a manual recount looming in the close race for his U.S. Senate seat, Nelson and his supporters are racing against the clock while they try to convince a federal judge to toss Florida elections laws and nix a process laid out by Secretary of State Ken Detzner about the validation of “overvotes” in a manual recount.
Nelson trailed Republican Gov. Rick Scott by more than 56,000 votes on election night. But that deficit dwindled as ballots continued to be counted last week, especially in Democratic vote-rich Broward and Palm Beach counties.
By the time unofficial results were submitted to Detzner’s office at noon Saturday, Nelson trailed by fewer than 13,000 votes, prompting a statewide machine recount. If a similar margin comes out of the machine recount, the race will be thrown into a manual, or hand, recount.
The ballot counting has sparked lawsuits in federal and state courts, and the challenges keep on coming.
Nelson and supporters filed two more federal lawsuits Tuesday, two days before a 3 p.m. Thursday deadline for the machine recount to be completed and results to be submitted to Detzner.
One of the lawsuits Tuesday asks the federal court to postpone the deadlines for the machine and manual recounts. Any manual recounts need to be finished by noon Sunday, with the state Elections Canvassing Commission — which includes Scott — certifying the official election results on Nov. 20.
Along with the U.S. Senate race, the races for governor, agriculture commissioner and three legislative seats are in machine recounts because of their narrow margins in unofficial results.
In arguing for abandoning the recount deadlines, Nelson’s lawyers pointed to Palm Beach County, where Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said she would not be able to complete the three statewide recounts as well as a recount in a state House race before Thursday. It also appears Bucher won’t be able to complete a manual recount for the U.S. Senate race by noon Sunday, Nelson’s lawyers wrote.
If counties can’t meet the deadlines, the most recent returns submitted to the state — following the machine recount or the election night totals — will be used.
“Given the extraordinarily compressed deadlines for completing a recount and the large number of races currently subject to machine recount, local elections officials are faced with a difficult task,” Nelson’s attorneys wrote in a 21-page complaint Tuesday.
The lawsuit focuses on a portion of Florida law that requires canvassing boards to submit official returns to Detzner no later than noon on the 12th day following the election, which is Sunday in this case.
“Where a county canvassing board remains in the midst of a manual recount, it obviously cannot truthfully make out such a certification. Florida’s ‘solution’ appears to be to disenfranchise voters whose votes remain uncounted in the name of administrative convenience,” the lawyers wrote.
In a separate lawsuit filed Tuesday, Nelson’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee asked a federal court to block a rule by Detzner that outlines the way ballots should be counted during a manual recount.
In a manual recount, county canvassing boards examine ballots with “undervotes” and “overvotes” that could not be tallied during a machine recount and determine which ones should be counted.
One of Detzner’s rules requires a voter to have marked all contests in the same manner for a ballot flagged as an undervote or overvote to be counted. That means that, if a voter circles a candidate in one race but uses an “x” to indicate her preference in another race, her ballot wouldn’t be counted, according to the 34-page complaint filed Tuesday.
Another rule provides that a voter who fills in a selection for a candidate, crosses it out and indicates with “magic words” that he or she made a mistake will have the ballot counted. But ballots in which voters did not give any written instructions indicating how they intended to vote will be rejected, under the rule.
The “magic words requirement operates to invalidate a vote even though the voter has clearly indicated her definite choice by crossing out, striking through, or scribbling out the erroneous choice,” Nelson’s lawyers wrote. “Without relief from this court, these voters will be deprived of their right to vote, and to have their vote counted, in the November election.”
On Monday, meanwhile, the VoteVets Action Fund, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee filed a lawsuit challenging a state law requiring mail-in ballots to be received by county elections offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Unlike regular mail-in ballots sent from within the U.S., ballots from overseas voters can be counted up to 10 days following the election, if they were postmarked by Election Day.
Determining the validity of ballots solely on a “received by” date, rather than pairing it with a postmark date, runs the risk of denying the right to vote based on “arbitrary factors” out of the control of Floridians, lawyers for the Nelson supporters argued in the filing.
In one case, a voter who lives in Miami-Dade County said he mailed his ballot a week before the Nov. 6 election, but learned later that his ballot had not been received in time, according to the lawyers.
In another lawsuit, Nelson’s lawyers are asking a federal judge to strike down a Florida law requiring elections supervisors to toss out provisional and mail-in ballots if voters’ signatures don’t match the ones on file.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will hold a hearing Wednesday in Tallahassee in that case.
During a telephone hearing Tuesday involving the vote-by-mail deadlines, Walker tried to figure out how quickly he has to decide in the matter.
Trying to set deadlines for briefs to be filed, the judge took note of the fast-approaching recount deadlines, along with the final certification slated for next Tuesday.
Saying he wasn’t “in any way telegraphing to either side what my view is on any of these cases,” Walker said, “ I know one thing for sure.”
“I need to rule on an expedited basis,” he said. “If that means we don’t sleep, that’s fine. But we all need to work hard to address these matters in a timely way. The people of Florida deserve that.”
Scott’s supporters have repeatedly characterized the Democrats’ lawsuits as attempts to “steal” the election.
“When the machine recount is complete on Thursday, Nelson will have to decide if he wants to preserve his legacy and go out with dignity or if he wants to be forever remembered as the guy that liberal interest groups used in an effort to win the presidential election two years early,” Scott’s campaign spokesman Chris Hartline said in a statement.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Atmore Triple Shooting Suspect Arrested In Escambia, FL
November 13, 2018
A man wanted in connection with a triple shooting early Sunday in Atmore was arrested today in Escambia County, FL, by the U.S.Marshals.
Anji Lynn Baker, age 34 of Bay Minette, was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail early Tuesday afternoon as a fugitive from justice. He will be extradited back to Alabama to face three counts of attempted murder.
The triple shooting happened during an event inside “The Assembly Hall”, formerly known at the Chik-A-Dee Nightclub on Carver Avenue in Atmore.
Two victims were airlifted to a Mobile hospital where ne was listed in critical condition and the other in serious condition. A third gunshot victim was transported by ambulance where he was treated and released. All three victims were adult males.
There were reportedly one hundred or more people at the business, which is about two blocks from the Atmore Police Department’s backdoor.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Crashes Into 118-Year Old House In Century
November 13, 2018
There were no injuries when a driver crashed into a 118-year old house in Century Monday evening.
The adult male driver failed to negotiate a curve while northbound on Old Flomaton Road just south of Cottage Street. His vehicle traveled about 100 feet off the road before striking a large brick corner pillar n the home’s front porch. The pillarwas destroyed, and the concrete floor of the porch was severely cracked. Items inside the home fell to the floor and were broken.
The driver refused medical treatment, and no one in the home was injured.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department and Lifeguard EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Chorus, Tate Jazz Band Plan Concerts
November 13, 2018
The Ransom Middle Chorus and Tate Jazz Band have concerts planned this month.
The Ransom Middle School Chorus will hold their Fall Concert Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. Family and friends are invited to attend.
The Tate High School Jazz Band will perform on Thursday, November 29 in the school’s cafeteria.
Local students will also take part in the All County Band performance on Thursday, November 15 at the Saenger Theater on Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola.
Groups Seek To Block Scott Ballot Influence
November 13, 2018
The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause Florida filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking to prevent Gov. Rick Scott from using his official powers to influence ballot counting or the certification of results of his hotly contested race for U.S. Senate.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. district court in Tallahassee, came amid a recount in Scott’s race with Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson — and amid a torrent of litigation about ballot counting. Scott and his campaign have alleged irregularities in Democrat-rich Broward and Palm Beach counties, including Scott last week asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate.
As governor, Scott’s administration includes the Department of State, which oversees elections. Also, Scott serves on the Florida Elections Canvassing Commission, which is scheduled Nov. 20 to certify the results of the general election.
The League of Women Voters and Common Cause are seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction that would prevent Scott from “engaging, in his capacity as governor or using his authority as governor, in any decisions, directives, control, or influence, either direct or indirect, over the processing and counting of ballots in the 2018 Florida election for U.S. Senate, including but not limited to enjoining defendant (Scott) from participating, in his role as a member of the Elections Canvassing Commission or otherwise, in the certification of the results of the 2018 Florida election for U.S. Senate,” according to a court filing.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 13, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Co:Lab Policy Board – 11 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Escambia County Extension Council – 5:30 p.m., 4-H Youth Center, 3730 Stefani Road
Wednesday, Nov. 14
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
International Association of Firefighters Union Negotiations – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. W St.
Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission Board of Directors – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors – 1:30 p.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Technical Committee – 1:30 p.m., Pensacola City Hall, Whibbs Conference Room, 222 W. Main St.
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Policy Board – 3:30 p.m., Pensacola City Hall, Whibbs Conference Room, 222 W. Main St.
District 3 Town Hall on Central Booking Demolition – 5:30 p.m., Boys & Girls Club/Englewood Community Center, 2751 N. H St.
Florida Gas Prices On Downward Slide
November 13, 2018
Fuel prices are on the way down. Crude oil dove to 8-month lows last week, which means the slump at the pump should continue., according to AAA.
Gas prices in Florida have declined 36 consecutive days, for a total of 25 cents. The price plunge accelerated during the past week, dropping 7 cents
Florida motorists are paying about what they did for gasoline this time last year. However, we are still about 13 cents higher than this year’s low of $2.44g, which was set on January 2.
The average price per gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $2.66 on Monday, down from $2.81 a month ago but still higher than $2.46 one year ago.
“Florida motorists are beginning to find some of the lowest gas prices they’ve seen since March,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price of producing gasoline has dramatically declined during the past month, thanks to concerns of lower global demand and strong fuel supply and production. Unless oil prices change course, motorists could easily see pump prices shed another 10-20 cents before 2019, and slip below year-ago levels by Thanksgiving.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
ECSO Identifies Man On The Run Following Sunday Manhunt In Molino
November 12, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect on the run following manhunt in Molino on Sunday.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant got behind a white pickup truck pulling a utility trailer with no tag. Before the deputy initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle pulled into the yard of a residence on Molino Road just east of Nicholson Drive. A few minutes later, the resident called the Sheriff’s Office to report that a male had ran from the truck toward a wooded area.
Deputies responded and a female that was in the vehicle identified the male as 27-year old Colby Chase Myrick, who had a violation of probation warrant, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. They also determined the the pickup truck was stolen.
Escambia County deputies and a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution searched the area south of Molino Road and east of Highway 95A for several hours. Their search continued well into the afternoon and progressed at least as far south as Meharg Road.
During the search, deputies located a gun in the woods that they believe Myrick left behind, Peterson said.
Additional warrants will be issued for Myrick including charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Pictured: Colby Chase Myrick in a 2017 booking photo. NorthEscambia.com file photo.