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.
Century Man Claims $8.45 Million Lottery Prize
November 14, 2018
A Century man has claimed a lottery prize of $8.45 million.
Jonathan Wiggins, 47, won a top prize in the $10,000 A Week For Life scratch off game and claimed his prize Monday at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
Wiggins chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump sum payment of $8.45 million. He purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 2020 West Cervantes Street in Pensacola. The retailer will receive a $20,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 95A Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Woman
November 14, 2018
A two vehicle accident Tuesday night claimed the life of a Cantonment woman.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 69-year old Desiree Dawn Mattair of Cantonment was northbound on North Palafox Street near Tower Drive when her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu drifted into the southbound lane about 7:30 p.m.. She collided with a southbound Ford Focus driven by 49-year old Mark E. Gruschow of Prosper, TX. Troopers said he was unable to avoid the collision.
Mattair was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gruschow was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Asleep At The Wheel: Cantonment Man Arrested On Multiple Drug Charges
November 14, 2018
A Cantonment man that allegedly fell asleep at the wheel while waiting for a redlight to change is facing multiple drug charges.
Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 25, was charged with felony possession of a control substance without a prescription, felony dealing in stolen property, marijuana possession and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
Deputies found Edgecumbe asleep at the wheel of his still-running vehicle on Muscogee Road at Highway 29, according to an arrest report. After deputies managed to wake him up, they reported a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
On Edgecumbe’s person, deputies found 28 Alprazolam tables, just over 20 grams of marijuana, an empty Hydrocodone pill bottle, a digital scale, two Visa credits cards in the name of a female, and $1,685 in cash. The credit cards were allegedly stolen during a recent burglary.
He told deputies that he was waiting at the light and it would not change, and he must have fallen asleep, the arrest report states.
Edgecume was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Closure Delayed Until Sunday
November 14, 2018
Due to inclement weather conditions, the temporary road closure of Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass in Escambia County has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 19 for crews to place beams for the new northbound bridge.
Eastbound Nine Mile Road traffic will be reduced to one lane, detoured to Highway South, perform a U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road. Westbound traffic will utilize Highway 29 North, perform a U-turn at West 9 1/2 Mile Road, and return to Nine Mile Road. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
Highway 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to obey the 40-mph speed limit and use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night. Drivers should also watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.