Scott Fights Elections Supervisors As Recount Looms
November 9, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott lashed out Thursday night at elections supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach counties as “incompetent” and part of an effort to “thwart the will of the people,” as the margin of his apparent U.S. Senate victory has narrowed and likely will require a recount.
Scott’s comments came as his campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee filed a lawsuit against Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes. The lawsuit, which seeks an immediate hearing, contends her office continues to withhold crucial voter information and has blocked access to the office.
The campaign also filed a separate lawsuit against Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher, accusing her of refusing to allow Scott’s representatives to personally witness the ballot counting. The suit, filed in Palm Beach County, also accuses Bucher of keeping the county canvassing board from performing its duties.
Scott, expressing concern about “rampant fraud” in the two counties, also directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the election offices. Broward and Palm Beach counties are Democratic strongholds, and Snipes and Bucher are Democrats.
“I am considering every single legal option available,” Scott said while appearing before the media outside the governor’s mansion in an event held by his campaign. “No rag-tag group of liberal activists or lawyers from D.C. will be allowed to steal this election from the voters of this great state.”
Scott didn’t take questions from the media after accusing “unethical liberals of trying to steal this election from the people of Florida.”
Dan McLaughlin, a spokesman for Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, said Scott’s actions are apparently “politically motivated and borne out of desperation.”
“The goal here is to see that all the votes in Florida are counted and counted accurately,” McLaughlin said in a statement.
In the lawsuit, the Scott campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee contend the Broward elections office has been unwilling to disclose records revealing how many people have voted, how many ballots have been canvassed and how many remain to be canvassed.
“The lack of transparency raises substantial concerns about the validity of the election process,” said the lawsuit filed in Broward County.
In his comments to the media, Scott accused Snipes of a history of “bad faith” and Bucher, a former state House member, of refusing to provide “information to the public” and requiring official party representatives to stand behind a glass wall in the ballot counting area.
Earlier in the day, Nelson’s recount lawyer predicted that the Democratic incumbent would emerge the victor over Scott as ballots continued to be examined, particularly in Palm Beach and Broward counties. A recount is expected to come into play this weekend.
Nelson attorney Marc Elias, who has been involved in a number of recounts across the country, pointed to an ongoing count of provisional ballots and ballots that may not have been properly scanned.
The tabulation of those votes will continue to narrow Scott’s razor-thin lead over Nelson, Elias predicted. Scott’s election night 56,000-vote margin over Nelson shrank to just over 15,000 votes — within the margin that triggers an automatic recount — by Thursday night.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 9, 2018
Ernest Ward Middle School paused to honor veterans from the across the area Thursday morning.
The program featured reading of essays, patriotic music from the school’s chorus, a Missing Man Table ceremony and a rousing performance of “God Bless the USA” from Assistant Principal Virkeisha Palmer. Guest speaker was retired Lt. Cmdr. Robert Cassevah, who is Ernest Ward’s Teacher of the Year.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually for about 25 years.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FFA Smoked Turkey, Boston Butt Sale Underway
November 9, 2018
The annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale is now underway, just in time for Thanksgiving.
In the annual fundraiser, you can choose either a seven to nine 7-9 pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $30 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 19, and the the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 20 at either Highland Baptist Church in Molino or the Northview Ag Department (complete pickup details are on the order form).
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form, click here. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 13.
Century Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 9, 2018
The Town of Century held their annual Veterans Day Program Thursday afternoon.
The program featured a flag presentation by the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard and patriotic music from the Byrneville Elementary School Choir including the National Anthem and God Bless
the USA.
The guest speaker was retired Navy Seal Chuck Thornton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nine Arrested In Escambia County Prostitution Sting
November 9, 2018
Nine people were arrested in a prostitution sting in Escambia County on Tuesday. The operation was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and High Intensity Patrol Unit in the Brownsville area.
Those arrested and charged with prostitution, according to the ECSO, were:
- Kardale Devon Archie, 26
- Tiffany Melissa Lovelace, 24
- Heidi Noelle Macks, 31
- Dana Oliveira-Spencer, 47
- Melody Marlene Ortez, 42
- Carie Stephens-Pless, 45
- Carmen Nichole Reynolds, 32
- Patricia Nichole Rose, 39
- Toxsay Taney Warren, 29
Northview Softball’s Tori Herrington Signs With Coastal Alabama
November 9, 2018
Northview High School senior Tori Herrington has signed to play softball with Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette. She is pictured at a signing ceremony Thursday at Northview with family, friends and fellow Northview Chiefs players. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Superheroes, Firefighters To Hold Annual Toy Drive In Atmore
November 9, 2018
The Atmore Fire Department will hold their annual Christmas Toy Drive beginning at 9 a.m. at the Atmore Walmart on North Main Street. Superheroes from Causeplay Gulf Coast will be on hand. The donations will be for local children in need and children impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Escambia Seeks Sidewalks At Kingsfield Elem., Ransom Middle And Eight Other Schools
November 8, 2018
Escambia County is seeking grant money to fund the construction of sidewalks and other improvements along the roadways outside 10 schools, including Ransom Middle and Kingsfield Elementary.
The Safe Routes To School Grant was created to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers preventing them from doing so. Those barriers include lack of infrastructure, unsafe infrastructure and a lack of programs that promote walking and bicycling.
If approved by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, the county will apply for grants for the following:
- Ransom Middle School and Kingsfield Elementary School - Sidewalks along West Kingsfield Road from the school entrance to Highway 97 – Commission District 5
- Longleaf Elementary School, Pine Forest High School, and West Florida High School - Sidewalks on Wymart Road from Hollyhill Road to Longleaf Drive – Commission District 1
- Warrington Elementary School - Sidewalks on Manchester Street from Druid Drive to Barrancas Avenue, and sidewalks on Park Drive from Manchester Street to Manchester Street – Commission District 2
- Ensley Elementary School - Sidewalks on E. Johnson Avenue from the school to Cody Lane – Commission District 3
- C. A. Weis Elementary School - Sidewalks and crosswalks on Cross Street from ‘W’ Street to the school, and from Pace Boulevard to the school – Commission District 3
- Holm Elementary School and Workman Middle School - Sidewalks along Burgess Road from Sanders Street to Lanier Drive – Commission District 4
The grant applications are due by December 21.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Hurricane Repairs Could Top $350 Million; Will Customers Pay?
November 8, 2018
Gulf Power expects a final tab of hundreds of millions of dollars from Hurricane Michael, but it remains to be seen if the costs will be passed on to customers.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Wednesday by the utility’s parent company, Gulf estimated that costs of repairing transmission and distribution lines and “uninsured facilities” will total $350 million to $400 million.
The filing by The Southern Company, which is Gulf’s parent, did not provide a detailed breakdown of the costs. But it said that as of September 30, Gulf Power had $48 million in a property-damage reserve. Under a 2017 rate-settlement agreement, Gulf is able to ask the Florida Public Service Commission for approval to recoup storm-related costs from customers and to replenish the reserve to $40 million. But the filing indicated a decision has not been made.
“The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time,” the filing said. The Category 4 Hurricane Michael made landfall October 10 in Mexico Beach and caused massive damage as it tore through parts of Northwest Florida and went into Georgia.
by The News Service of Florida
FHP: Woman Punched Trooper, Made Racial Slurs, Tried To Run
November 8, 2018
An Escambia County woman was jailed after punching a state trooper and attempted to run when he tried to place her under arrest.
The incident began about 3 p.m. Tuesday when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on a red Ford Mustang on Daytona Drive.
The vehicle was occupied by driver Christopher Urbaniak and front seat passenger Shaela Salinas. Urbaniak is a habitual felony offender, according to FHP, and Salinas was wanted on an active warrant out of Escambia County.