White Makes $1.25 Million Contribution To His Attorney General Campaign
June 13, 2018
Republican Frank White, who has started a million-dollar ad run in his bid for attorney general, reported his campaign brought in more than $1.3 million in May, with much of the money coming from his own checkbook.
White’s monthly total topped the rest of the Republican field seeking to replace term-limited Attorney General Pam Bondi.
White, a state House member from Pensacola who also serves as general counsel and chief financial officer for the chain of Sandy Sansing auto dealerships, added $1.25 million of his own money into the contest on May 29.
The Sansing dealerships and White’s in-laws, who own the chain, have given at least $204,000 to the campaign and a closely aligned political committee known as United Conservatives but weren’t among the May contributors. However, White drew $27,750 from 14 auto dealers and dealerships across the state.
He also picked up $10,000 contributions from a Florida Insurance Council political committee and the Florida Prosperity Fund, which is tied to the business group Associated Industries of Florida.
White also put $1.5 million of his own money into the contest in October. Hs campaign and United Conservatives had an overall total of $3.4 million on hand as June began.
Last week, White’s campaign announced a $1 million TV ad campaign, titled “Hold Accountable,” which pushes his conservative views.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Molino 8U Team Takes Second In GCYB Tourney
June 13, 2018
This Molino 8U All Stars team took second in a recent Gulf Coast Youth Baseball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area First Responders Honored
June 13, 2018
First responders were honored during a recent cookout at Atmore First Assembly of God. Hundreds of people joined together to show their appreciate to first responders from multiple agencies in Alabama and Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Rolls Out New Amber Alert Platform
June 13, 2018
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is upgrading its AMBER and missing child alert public notification system to expand the ways citizens are informed during a Florida AMBER or Missing Child Alert.
Citizens can now receive AMBER and Missing Child Alerts through text messages as well as email. In the coming months, citizens will also be able to sign up to receive alerts through voice calls, TDD/TTY messaging, and through mobile device apps.
To use the new system, citizens must create an Everbridge account using the link below. Current subscribers will continue to receive email alerts, but, to access the additional functions, citizens will need an Everbridge account. Everbridge will use your email and phone numbers to send Florida AMBER and Missing Child Alert notifications only. Information will not be sold or distributed. Everbridge is used by government agencies to issue emergency alerts, like severe weather warnings, nationally and in Florida.
To register: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736727806
Wahoos Split Double Header, Split Series With M-Braves
June 13, 2018
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 3-8) picked up his second win in as many starts and Narciso Crook drove in the go-ahead in the sixth inning as the Wahoos earned a series win with a 2-1 victory in game one of Tuesday night’s doubleheader at Trustmark Park against the Mississippi Braves.
Gutierrez was locked in from the get-go. The Cuban right-hander allowed two hits through the first four innings of the ballgame and neither batter reached scoring position. In the fifth, his only mistake pitch was punished as Alex Jackson homered the 2-0 offering from Gutierrez to tie the game at 1-1. Gutierrez had the perfect response though as he retired the next three batters in order to close out the fifth.
It was the Wahoos who struck first in the game thanks to Taylor Sparks’ solo home run in the second inning off Andres Santiago (L, 2-3). It was his fifth homer of the year and it gave Gutierrez and the Blue Wahoos a quick 1-0 edge.
Santiago—much like Gutierrez—elevated his game after the home run. The right-hander allowed a total of three hits and pitched all seven innings for the M-Braves. The only other time he ran into trouble was in the sixth inning, when the Wahoos took the lead. Daniel Sweet led off with a bunt single and took second base on a throwing error by Daniel Lockhart. After a Shed Long sacrifice bunt moved Sweet to third, Narciso Crook singled home Sweet with an RBI single to right-field, which gave the Wahoos a 2-1 lead.
After 5.1 impressive innings from Gutierrez, manager Jody Davis turned to ball over to Alejandro Chacin to close the game out. Chacin secured the final five outs and the Wahoos hung on for the win. Gutierrez finished the game allowing just one walk and striking out seven.
In the second game of the twin bill, the M-Braves used a grand slam from Carlos Martinez to surge to a 5-1 win.
Wyatt Strahan (L, 5-5) ran into trouble in the second inning when he walked M-Braves starter Michael Mader with the bases loaded to give Mississippi a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless third inning, the M-Braves blew it open in the fourth when Martinez launched a questionable grand slam off the railing in left field to make it 5-0. At first glance, it appeared the ball hit off the top of the wall, but despite Davis’s pleas with the home plate umpire, the call stood.
Pensacola nabbed a run in the sixth when Crook singled home C.J. McElroy to make it 5-1. Crook finished the game with a pair of hits and extended his Double-A hitting streak to seven games. However, that would be all of the offense the Wahoos could muster as the M-Braves closed out the seventh inning in scoreless fashion.
The Blue Wahoos will wrap up the first-half of the season with a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears. These two teams haven’t met since Mobile took three of five from Pensacola in the opening series of the season. RHP Daniel Wright (2-4, 5.05) is expected to take the hill for the Blue Wahoos while RHP Jesus Castillo (4-4, 5.23) gets the nod for the BayBears.
Century Man Gets 15 Years In Prison For Burglary Of An Occupied Home
June 12, 2018
A Century man has been sentenced for his role in a burglary in the Wawbeek community.
Curtis Matthew Capers was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for burglary of an occupied dwelling by Judge Gary Bergosh.
Capers was the getaway driver for Vernon Lambeth of Century in the burglary of a home on Highway 168. In October 2016, a woman returned home to found Lambeth inside.
“I noticed some things were out of place, and then there he (Lambeth) was, standing in the hallway looking at me,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com on the day of the incident. She said she returned quickly to her 21-month old child, who was outside in a vehicle, to call 911 as Lambeth ran outside and into a nearby wooded area.
A K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution was able to track Lambeth down and take him into custody near Wawbeek Road.
Capers was seen leaving in the area in an older model green SUV with bullet holes. The vehicle was located in Alabama just north of the state line on Sam Jones Road, about two miles from the burglary. A K-9 was able to track Lambeth down; he had attempted to conceal himself with roofing tiles in an abandoned barn. A pillowcase that contained stolen items from the home on Highway 168 was also located. And Capers was positively identified by the burglary victim.
Law enforcement also observed screwdrivers and a crowbar inside of the vehicle. Capers was arrested and interviewed by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator David Preston. During the interview, Capers admitted to his knowledge and involvement, not only to this burglary, but two additional burglaries in which he and Vernon Lambeth committed. He still faces charges of armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm for those burglaries on Rockaway Creek Road and North Pineville Road.
In all three incidents, Capers dropped Lambeth off and waited down the road as a look out until Lambeth called to be picked up. Afterwards, they would sell the stolen items and split the proceeds.
A photograph published on NorthEscambia.com (left) after Lambeth’s arrest for the Wawbeek Road burglary showed him wearing a diamond ring. That ring was identified as one stolen during a burglary on Rockaway Creek Road. Lambeth took items including the ring, firearms and currency valued at $3,180 from the home. Most of the items, according to court documents, were sold or traded from drugs at his home at 120 Front Street.
Lambeth was also charged with the burglary of a home on North Pineville Road where he took jewelry, firearms and money totaling $3,350.
Lambeth pleaded no contest to burglary of an occupied dwelling; two counts of burglary of a dwelling while armed with a firearm, two counts of grand theft; two counts of criminal mischief; introduction of contraband articles into a county detention facility; and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was sentenced in August 2017 by Circuit Judge Gary L. Bergosh to 17 years in state prison with a mandatory minimum 10 year prison sentence.
Pictured above and below: The manhunt following burglary on Highway 168 in October 2016. Pictured immediately below: Vernon Lambeth is taken into custody. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Poll Points To Trouble For Many Ballot Proposals
June 12, 2018
Only four of the 13 state constitutional amendments on the November ballot have enough voter support to be enacted, according to a poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The poll, conducted in late May and early June, showed four amendments with the necessary 60 percent of voter support. They are:
— Amendment 1, which would expand the homestead property-tax exemption. It was placed on the ballot by the Legislature, with the chamber survey showing 67 percent of voters in support, 22 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided.
— Amendment 3, which would require voter approval of gambling expansions in the state, including allowing casinos. The amendment, which was placed on the ballot through a voter petition drive backed by Disney World and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, was supported by 61 percent of voters, with 23 percent opposed and 15 percent undecided.
— Amendment 7, which would require the payment of death benefits when law enforcement officers, paramedics, correctional officers and other “first responders” are killed while performing their official duties. The measure, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, also would establish a governance system for the 28 state and community colleges and require a supermajority vote by university boards of trustees and the university system’s Board of Governors when raising student fees. It has support from 80 percent of voters, with 7 percent opposed and 13 percent undecided, the poll showed.
— Amendment 8, which would impose an eight-year term limit on school board members. It would also allow an alternative process for approving public schools, including charter schools, rather than by local school boards. It would establish a requirement for teaching civic literacy in public schools. The measure, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, has support from 75 percent of voters, with 11 percent opposed and 15 percent undecided.
In a memo sent Friday to members of the Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, Mark Wilson, the organization’s president, noted support and opposition for the 13 amendments will be impacted by media campaigns seeking to sway voter opinion.
“In other words, these numbers will change as November approaches,” Wilson wrote.
He also noted that with the large number of amendments on the Nov. 6 general-election ballot, the most since the 1998 election, “voter fatigue is certainly a concern of ours.” But he also said the survey showed nearly nine of every 10 voters said they planned to vote on the ballot measures.
Some ballot measures fell short of the 60 percent approval requirement but were close in the survey.
Among them was Amendment 9, which would ban offshore oil drilling and vaping in workplaces and restaurants. It was supported by 55 percent of voters, with 31 percent in opposition and 14 percent undecided.
Also, Amendment 12, which would establish a new ethics standard for public officials and impose a six-year lobbying ban on state elected officials, state agency heads and local elected officials, had support from 55 percent of voters, with 18 percent in opposition and 27 percent undecided.
Among the measures with the lowest voter support was Amendment 4, which would restore voting rights to ex-felons who have served their sentences. The measure, which was the result of a petition drive, had support from 40 percent of the voters, with 17 percent opposed. However, 43 percent of the voters said they were undecided, showing there is room for supporters of the measure to persuade voters to back it.
Only 34 percent of voters supported Amendment 5, which came from the Legislature and would require a supermajority vote by the state House and Senate when enacting taxes or fees. Some 36 percent of the voters were in opposition, with 30 percent undecided, the poll showed.
Another measure that would ban greyhound racing in the state had 47 percent support from the voters, with 36 percent in opposition and 17 percent undecided. Amendment 13, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, is being contested in court by groups that support dog racing.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce poll was conducted by Cherry Communications between May 25 and June 2. Some 605 “likely” voters were polled, including 249 Democrats. 237 Republicans and 119 others. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Bergosh: OLF 8 A Win-Win For Escambia Residents
June 12, 2018
by Jeff Bergosh, chairman, Escambia County Commission
This December, the County will finally acquire the 636-acre, $17.3 Million property known as OLF 8.
We must prepare now for the future of this land.
The Restore Act-born out of the devastating 2010 oil spill and providing $70 Million Dollars to Escambia County over the next 12 years- will soon fund a Master Plan for OLF 8.
The Restore Act Committee (an Escambia citizen’s advisory committee composed of citizens, leaders and experts) –after studying over 100 project submissions for 4 years–ranked job creation at OLF 8 their #1 economic development project.
That’s the same plan that the BCC consistently voted to support over the last two years and submitted as a project under the Restore Act last September.
And contrary to what some people proclaim—previous economic-development projects have been successful in Escambia County: Heritage Oaks, sold out, incredibly successful. Marcus Pointe, tremendous success (only one small useable lot left). Ellyson Field, beat employment projections early and supports 123 companies and 3600 jobs. Solid success. The Central Commerce Park-phase 1- nearly sold out (only one small 3-acre parcel remains) and downtown’s 9-acre Tech-Park will soon house a high-tech center for cyber-security, advanced-manufacturing and robotics in partnership with UWF.
We’re fortunate for our tourist industry jobs, our military jobs, and our robust health-care sector– But to attain further jobs diversification — we must continue to seek new high-tech, advanced-manufacturing firms for Escambia County.
9-Mile road will be 4-lanes next year, a new interchange at Beulah road is progressing, Beulah’s fire station will be renovated and expanded, a library is finally coming to District 1, a grocery store is coming at the Beulah road-9-Mile Road intersection, Mobile Hwy at Beulah Road is getting a traffic light, and various other road and infrastructure projects are being planned.
Building a new, clean-tech center at OLF 8 would be an additional win for the area.
Imagine an elementary school in the southeast corner (15-acres), a walking/biking trail all the way around this field, and as many as 6-8 parcels (along 9-Mile road) to bring restaurant and other service related businesses to Beulah (perhaps an urgent-care facility and a postal-store for two of these spots?). We might sell 75 acres to NFCU for additional jobs they may bring. Maybe we’ll set aside recreation facilities for citizen use. Let’s plan intelligently so everyone can get something from this land–but most importantly, let’s support a “jobs per acre” plan to create diversified employment opportunities going forward.
There’ll be people that HATE this plan; there’ll be pressure to acquiesce to the voices of dissent and opposition.
But just Imagine the devastating loss if leaders 20 years ago, to appease naysayers then, had rejected the Navy Federal Pensacola campus in Beulah?
Some think we should simply leave the field vacant. Others support development that produces no significant revenue or jobs.
Some private-sector developers have circulated renderings illustrating a depressing vision for OLF8… townhomes, apartments, a hotel, and more low-wage retail-development throughout–with another discount store and gas station to boot. They’d love to buy this parcel from the county to quickly double their money off the taxpayers. I’ll never support this.
I’ve owned a home directly across the street from OLF 8 for nearly 15 years. My family, friends, neighbors, constituents, and taxpayers county-wide all have a vested interest in seeing good and beneficial development at OLF 8.
I won’t support smoke stacks, crushing machines, loud noises or foul odors—I will support well-planned, attractive development benefitting ALL of Escambia’s residents!
Jeff Bergosh
Chairman, Escambia Board of County Commissioners
Florida Democratic Candidates For Governor Find Common Ground In Debate
June 12, 2018
Two days after they took out the knives in Tampa Bay, the four top Democrats running for governor avoided the slightest flare-up during a cordial, two-hour debate Monday evening in Miramar.
The candidates were united on nearly all fronts, including their condemnation of President Donald Trump and Gov. Rick Scott, in the quest to return the Florida governor’s mansion to Democratic control after nearly two decades.
Two of the Democrats — Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Orlando-area entrepreneur Chris King — sought to capture the “most progressive” title during the forum, whose hosts included Service Employees International Union Florida, New Florida Majority, Planned Parenthood and other left-leaning groups.
Gillum, who called himself “the most unapologetically progressive” candidate, struck a familiar note during his opening remarks, saying he is running on behalf of “anybody who has ever been told that they don’t belong.”
King, who has never held elected office and has unabashedly courted progressive voters, said he entered the race “because he is alarmed.”
As he did during a debate Saturday night in Pinellas Park, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who has pumped at least $8 million of his own money into his campaign and spent much of that on television ads, spoke in Spanish, pledging to “level the playing field” and restore the American dream to Floridians.
And former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who lives in Tallahassee but who grew up in South Florida, promised to “make sure that the soul of Florida is returned to the people” after being “crushed by 20 years of Republican rule.”
Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, a Democrat who entered the governor’s race last week, did not attend Monday’s debate, broadcast by public radio station WLRN.
Like Saturday’s session, Monday’s debate opened with a series of questions about guns, with all of the Democrats promising to ban military-style “assault” weapons and impose stricter background checks on gun purchases.
At the urging of moderator Luis Hernandez, a host with WLRN, all four candidates attacked Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam over a report that a former employee of Putnam’s failed for more than a year to conduct national background checks on applications for concealed-weapons licenses. Putnam, a Republican running for governor in a heated primary against U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, told reporters Saturday that the former employee failed to follow up on 365 applications and that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had revoked 291 permits that had been issued in error.
Each of the Democratic candidates called for Putnam to resign and drop out of the governor’s race.
Levine likened Putnam to a bus driver who “ran right over” his former worker to avoid taking responsibility for the error.
Gillum blasted Putnam, the “establishment” candidate in the GOP primary who has garnered more than $30 million in support, for calling himself an “NRA sellout” and “bragging” about the number of concealed weapons licenses — nearly 2 million — the department has issued under during his eight-year tenure.
The Tallahassee mayor called for an independent investigation into the matter.
“Somebody ought to be arrested,” he said.
The Democrats were also aligned on every issue that could appeal to base voters in the Aug. 28 primary, such as raising the minimum wage, eliminating “high-stakes testing” and pumping more money into the state’s public education system.
And three of the four candidates supported free college tuition for students who agree to work in Florida after they graduate. King vowed to introduce free college and vocational training for all students.
Also, the Democrats unanimously said they would oppose any legislation that would diminish abortion rights.
As she has in the past, Graham used her gender to set herself apart from her male opponents.
“As a woman, it’s time that we have women at the table to fight for women health care issues,” she said, vowing to “take out my red pen” to veto any anti-abortion bill.
The candidates were also unified in their support for the environment, including efforts to address climate change.
“I don’t have to think about what I’m going to do because as the former mayor of Miami Beach I actually did it,” Levine said, adding that he “raised roads, put in pumps, raised sea walls” and put together a $500 million infrastructure program to address sea-level rise.
Levine said he would appoint a “chief resiliency officer” in Tallahassee, as well as “regional resiliency officers” to address the issue. Graham said she would appoint a commission and insist that all government buildings be built with solar panels.
King blamed “big sugar” for the failure to adequately protect the state’s natural resources.
“Sugar has a vice grip on environmental policy in the state of Florida,” he said. “We have to stand up to sugar. And we have to have the political courage to not just not take their money but to educate folks that they are standing in the way of progress.”
On the issue of prison privatization, again the candidates showed no separation. Each vowed to refuse to accept any contributions from the private prison industry when asked by a young woman who identified herself as a member of the “Dream Defenders” organization, one of the sponsors of the debate.
Gillum said he wanted to outlaw private prisons and reminded the audience of his solidarity with the Dream Defenders, who held a month-long sit-in inside the Capitol in 2013.
“When you all slept in for 30 days on the cold, hard marble floors of the state Capitol, I was pleased and proud to sneak food into you every night so you could eat,” he said, sparking applause from the crowd.
And each of the candidates promised to reject the anti-“sanctuary” policies embraced by the Trump administration, as well as Republican gubernatorial candidates Putnam and DeSantis.
“No. Donald Trump, stay out of Florida. Stop trying to use your hateful, divisive negative approach to Washington, D.C. in influencing what needs to be here in the state of Florida,” Graham said.
Gillum pointed out that he debated House Speaker Richard Corcoran on the sanctuary city issue earlier this year.
“To quote a famous rap song, I walk it like I talk it,” he quipped.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Crews Honored For Assistance In Puerto Rico
June 12, 2018
The Edison Electric Institute presented Gulf Power with the association’s special 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power Restoration recognizing its contributions to the unprecedented emergency power restoration mission on the island following Hurricane Maria.
The devastating Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, impacting all critical infrastructure, damaging at least 80 percent of the island’s energy grid, and leaving all island residents without power.
“Our lineworkers, engineers, team leaders and support staff who went to Puerto Rico demonstrated great efforts in assisting with restoration in Puerto Rico,” said Adrianne Collins, Gulf Power’s vice president of Power Delivery. “They were away from their families much longer than a normal storm trip and yet never wavered from their commitment to safety and dedication to restoring power and hope to the residents.”
Gulf Power joined its sister companies in Southern Company, which were among nearly 60 investor-owned electric companies and public power utilities that committed crews, equipment and/or materials to the emergency power restoration mission. Overall, approximately 3,000 industry lineworkers and support personnel were involved in the restoration effort on the island.
One Gulf Power storm team left for Puerto Rico in late January and worked 60 days; another team followed in March and worked for 21 days. Also, several team leaders, engineers and safety and IT employees took part in the effort.
The storm teams faced challenging and complex restoration work because extensive portions of Puerto Rico’s energy grid are in rugged, mountainous terrain that has little or no road access. Getting crews and equipment to Puerto Rico was also much more complicated and time-intensive than deploying mutual assistance in the mainland, and it required extensive coordination among responding companies.
On May 22, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced that power had been restored to 99 percent of its customers across the island who can receive electricity. This is a significant milestone that was reached by PREPA and its restoration partners, including FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors, and industry mutual assistance crews. The resources, equipment, and people sent from the mainland, greatly accelerated the restoration process.
“The power restoration effort in Puerto Rico was a massive and unprecedented mission, and electric companies from across the country, including Gulf Power, responded to the call for help,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The electric power industry pulled together with one goal in mind, to restore power to the people of Puerto Rico — it truly was one team, one mission. Gulf Power is deserving of this recognition for providing tremendous support to PREPA and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”