Get Your Important Documents, Photos Digitized At Molino Library
May 18, 2018
Saturday is “Save Yourself Digitization Day” at the Molino Branch Library.
The library will help residents get their personal important documents and photos digitized. Patrons can receive a half hour session with a library specialist who will scan and save items to a flash drive.
The library will provide the flash drives and the technology from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call the Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1761 to reserve a time. Drop-ins are welcome on a first come, first serve basis.
Bid To Ban Dog Racing Draws Court Fight
May 18, 2018
Greyhound breeders and trainers are asking the courts to strip a proposed constitutional amendment from the November ballot, alleging that the measure is misleading and inaccurate.
The proposal, placed on the ballot by the Constitution Revision Commission, would outlaw greyhound racing at dog tracks by 2020, a process known as “decoupling.” Tracks would still be allowed to operate other, more lucrative gambling activities, such as slot machines and poker rooms.
But the Florida Greyhound Association and its president, breeder James Blanchard, maintain that the proposed ballot title and summary don’t fully inform voters about the impact of the amendment if approved.
In a complaint filed Thursday in Leon County circuit court, lawyers for the plaintiffs raised what they deem numerous flaws in the amendment, which was backed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Massachusetts-based advocacy group GREY2K USA Worldwide.
Among the shortcomings alleged by the plaintiffs: The proposal does not advise voters that dog tracks still would be allowed to broadcast live greyhound races from other states. And the measure would only ban “commercial” dog racing, which means that kennel clubs would be allowed to continue dog competitions, the complaint says.
The lawsuit also alleges that the text of the proposal — which voters won’t see on the ballot — could have implications far beyond the greyhound-racing industry.
The proposed amendment says the “humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida.”
That language “might ultimately apply to animals other than dogs,” plaintiffs’ lawyers Jeff Kottkamp, a former lieutenant governor, and Paul Hawkes, a former appellate judge, wrote in the 17-page complaint.
“For example, would this statement, once adopted by voters who were not informed that it was contained in the amendment, be utilized in the future to limit horse racing? To limit the use of hunting dogs? A voter who favors ending dog racing might very well decline to pass an amendment with such a broadly-stated provision for fear that once adopted as status quo in connection to dog racing, such statement might be expanded to limit or prohibit other activities or livelihoods that involve other animals,” the lawyers wrote.
The Florida Supreme Court reviews the wording of constitutional amendments, but its scrutiny is limited, and only proposals that are “clearly and conclusively defective” don’t meet muster.
The Constitution Revision Commission relied on three legal experts in drafting the amendments.
“They approved every single word that was in every single ballot summary and ballot title,” Brecht Heuchan, who chaired the commission’s Style and Drafting Committee, told The News Service of Florida. “That doesn’t mean that some other sets of people, including some other courts, may disagree.”
The lawsuit was “bound to happen,” Heuchan said.
“When you don’t like the policy, you go to court,” he said.
Kate MacFall, co-chair of a political committee backing the proposal, which will appear on the ballot as Amendment 13, called the lawsuit “a desperate attempt” to thwart voters from deciding the fate of greyhound racing.
“This lawsuit is dead on arrival. It is a desperate attempt to prevent voters from having a voice on whether greyhound confinement and deaths should continue. It was filed because greyhound breeders know that when Amendment 13 appears on the ballot, Floridians will vote yes for the dogs,” MacFall, the Florida director of The Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement.
But Kottkamp asserted that the amendment effectively “hides the ball” from voters, something the courts would not permit.
“The title and summary for proposed Amendment 13 fail to meet Florida’s legal standard,” Kottkamp, the greyhound association’s general counsel, said in a statement.
For years, doing away with greyhound racing — which has been part of Florida’s gambling footprint for nearly a century — has been heavily lobbied and heatedly debated in the Legislature.
Despite what appeared to be widespread support even among legislative leaders, such proposals repeatedly failed when prohibiting dog racing became entangled with other gambling-related issues.
Bondi, who has made dog-adoption efforts part of the opening of each state Cabinet meeting and who served on the Constitution Revision Commission, called greyhound racing and the treatment of the dogs a “black eye on our state” during a meeting last month.
“We all know these dogs end up with broken legs, serious injuries and they’re shipped from track to track until they’re dead or can no longer race at all,” she said.
But Jack Cory, a lobbyist who represents the greyhound association, said the amendment, which would allow tracks to discontinue dog racing by the end of the year, “has nothing to do with animal-rights issues.”
“We are the animal-rights people. (The proponents) are political activists using animals for fundraising purposes,” Cory said, referring to GREY2K and the Humane Society. “All they do is run sad puppy commercials on TV to gain donations.”
Eliminating greyhound racing could wipe out thousands of jobs and devastate an industry Cory said generates $200 million annually. Despite reports that betting on greyhound racing is on the decline, Cory said more than $80 million was bet on live Florida greyhound races last year.
“Just because we’ve got a couple of very aggressive political action groups from out of state is no reason for us to change our business plan in the state of Florida,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
FWC Law Enforcement Report
May 18, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 3 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Allgood and Manning responded to a call regarding two subjects fishing from a vessel in a restricted no motor zone near Fort McRee. While approaching, they noticed there was a tent set up in the area near the vessel. They approached the tent and spoke to the two subjects who were present. While speaking to them, they noticed drug paraphernalia lying in the tent and one of the subjects had a methamphetamine pipe in his front pocket. Both subjects were found to be in possession of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
While on patrol, Officer Cushing saw a vessel near the 17th Avenue Boat Ramp without any navigational lights on not making way. A second vessel inbound was hauled by the first vessel to assist getting to the boat ramp. When both vessels neared the boat ramp, Officer Cushing contacted the disabled vessel as the assisting vessel was idling away. Cushing projected his voice several times to get the attention of the assisting vessel operator. The operator seemed hesitant to respond, but the officer eventually contacted him. When questioned about having any fish, he indicated that he only had white trout. When asked to see the fish, the individual was slow to reveal the contents of the live well. Officer Cushing directed him to move a tackle bag and open the lid fully. Inside the live well was a 33-inch redfish. Officer Cushing initiated a fisheries inspection with the other vessel. The operator stated that he had two redfish and a red snapper and some other miscellaneous fish. Officer Cushing inspected the catch. One of the redfish was oversized. Citations were issued to both subjects for the oversized redfish violations and several warnings for the other resource and boating safety violations.
Department of Agriculture Criminal Investigator Shaw advised Environmental Investigator Hughes his agency had received a complaint regarding the storage and disposal of yard trash debris (land clearing debris) on private property in Escambia County. Investigator Shaw stated the yard trash debris had been placed on the property by the complainant’s daughter’s previous boyfriend who operated a commercial stump and tree removal business. After a month-long investigation, an Escambia County Circuit Judge reviewed and issued a warrant for the arrest of a defendant for violation of Section 403.161(1)(b) pursuant to Florida Administrative Code 62-701.300(1)(a) that states “(1) General Prohibition. (a) No person shall store, process, or dispose of solid waste except as authorized at a permitted solid waste management facility or a facility exempt from permitting under this chapter” (1st degree misdemeanor).
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Jernigan and Arnette responded to a single vessel accident on the Blackwater River. The lone occupant lost control of his 13-foot boat and was thrown from it in a curve of the river. The vessel continued around the curve and ran up into the brush along the riverbank. The man luckily suffered only minor abrasions. The man was issued a citation for violation of a navigation rule.
Officer Ramos conducted a fisheries inspection on three subjects at a boat ramp. The officer found an oversized red drum located in a cooler next to the subjects. One of the subjects admitted to catching the oversized red drum. Officer Ramos continued his investigation and located multiple white baggies with white substances which were field tested and identified as powder and crack cocaine. The subjects were also in possession of crushed Xanax without a prescription. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail for possession of a controlled substance. He was also issued a warning for the oversized red drum.
Officers have been receiving many complaints about subjects on the Navarre Pier catching their daily bag limit for pompano, taking it home, and then returning to the pier to catch more pompano exceeding their daily bag limit. Santa Rosa County officers formed a targeted enforcement detail to address the violations in which multiple subjects were seen catching pompano, departing the area and returning hours later to catch more pompano. Several subjects were issued notice to appear citations for taking over the daily bag limit of pompano.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Wahoos And Generals Suspended In Ninth
May 18, 2018
Thursday’s opening game at Blue Wahoos Stadium between the Wahoos and Generals has been suspended due to inclement weather. The Generals had just taken the lead before play was halted with two outs in the ninth inning. The game will be resumed tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. Friday’s regularly scheduled game will start at 6:30 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended contest.
The Generals ninth inning rally got started with a one-out double from Juniel Querecuto. After a groundout, Wahoos pitcher Robinson Leyer then hit Galli Cribbs and walked the next three Generals to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. As Wahoos manager Jody Davis brought in Rafael De Paula to finish the inning, the rains came down which resulted in play being halted.
Daniel Wright dominated for the Wahoos for seven shutout innings. The Wahoos starter allowed two hits, with no walks, and five strikeouts. Wright finished the night retiring 10 of the last 20 batters he faced. He has not allowed an earned run over his last 13 innings.
Generals starter Justin Donatella struggled early but settled into the game after a bumpy first inning. Shed Long led off the bottom of the first with his fifth home run of the season to give the Wahoos a quick 1-0 lead. After Daniel Sweet walked and stole second, he then scored on Gavin LaValley’s RBI single to double the Wahoos advantage. Brian O’Grady then doubled, but he and LaValley were stranded after Donatella retired the next three batters to end the threat. Donatella wound up pitching seven innings and he retired the last 15 Wahoos he faced.
In game two, right-handed pitcher Keury Mella (4-1, 2.00) will take the mound for Pensacola while south paw Alex Young (4-1, 4.64) will take the hill for the Generals.
Wind Damages Auto Repair Shop Roof, Downs Tree In Atmore
May 17, 2018
Winds damaged the roof on an auto repair shop and downed a tree near a house in Atmore Thursday afternoon.
The roof of Tedder’s Auto Repair on Ridgeley Street was peeled back by the winds. About two blocks away on North Trammell Street, wind downed a pecan tree, causing minor damage to a house.
There were no injuries reported.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect at the time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Canadian Forces Snowbirds Perform At Pensacola NAS
May 17, 2018
The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds demonstration team flies flew over Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Temporary Bridge Opens On Highway 97
May 17, 2018
Traffic is now moving on a temporary bridge on Highway 97 over Sandy Hollow Creek near Davisville.
Crews will now begin replacing and adjacent 78-year-old bridge with a new 12-foot wide bridge with eight-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier railing. The bridge approaches will also be resurfaced. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in the fall of this year, weather permitting.
The posted speed limit is 45 mph on the bridge. Also, a weight restriction is in place on the temporary bridgel vehicles weighing over 88,000 pounds and cranes are prohibited.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Appreciation Day Celebration
May 17, 2018
Ernest Ward Middle School held an Appreciation Day Celebration Wednesday to thank businesses and groups that have supported the school during the past year.
The school recognized Craig and Bonnie Exner, Barrineau Park Historical Society; Christa Wilson, Un-Dents PDR; Annie Nowak, Poarch Creen Indians; Sabrina Owens, EREC; Haley Revette and Nellie Salter, Navy Federal FCU; Billy Danielson, Smith Tractor; Joey Hetrick, Escambia Farm Bureau; William Reynolds, NorthEscambia.com; and Michelle Taylor and Steven Harrell, Escambia County School District.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Band Performs For Pine Meadow Fifth Graders
May 17, 2018
The Ransom Middle School band performed at Pensacola Meadow Elementary School Wednesday, giving fifth graders a peek at what they could be doing a year from now. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H To Host Boots Vs. Badges Fundraiser In Molino
May 17, 2018
Escambia County 4-H Council will host a Boots Vs. Badges Challenge Saturday to raise funds for the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. The fundraiser will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Escambia County 4-H Center at 5681 Chalker Road, Molino. General admission to the event is $5 per vehicle.
The event will feature U.S. military groups competing against Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a timed obstacle course race at 10:30 a.m., along with a car show at 2 p.m., kids’ activities and vendor booths. A second obstacle course challenge open to the general public will take place at 11:30 a.m.
Admission and competition prices:
- U.S. military and ECSO- Free
- Open Challenge participants (general public) – $10 each
Age range groups for the obstacle course challenge:
- 14-17
- 18-34
- 35-50
- 51-up
Child admission to bounce house, petting zoo and event:
- Ages 3-5 – $3
- Ages 5-13 $5
Vendor booths:
- $25 each, limit to two per 10×10 area
Car show:
- $25 for judged vehicles
- $15 for for display only vehicles
Registration for the car show will take place from 7-10 a.m., and registration for the Boots Vs. Badges Challenge and Open Challenge will take place from 9:15 to 11 a.m. For more information, please contact 4hbvschallenge@gmail.com.