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.”
Escambia Man Sentenced For Dragging Dog Behind Pickup Truck
June 12, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced for dragging his dog behind his pickup pickup truck.
Thomas Ward, 71, was sentenced on an animal cru by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 90 days in the county jail, followed by one year of community control to be followed by two years of probation. He was ordered to not possess any animals.
On August 11, 2017, witnesses saw Ward driving his truck and dragging his pit bull that was tied to the hitch of his vehicle. Witnesses followed him to his home where they observed Ward remove the dog’s lifeless body to a shed located on his property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Animal Control responded to the scene. Over Ward’s objections, law enforcement retrieved the animal’s body but unfortunately, the dog had already passed away. A necropsy was performed and the results confirmed that the dog died from asphyxiation and wounds consistent with road rash.
Molino 10U Wins All-Star Championship
June 12, 2018
The Molino 10U All Stars recently won the Gulf Coast Youth Baseball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Academy Presents Student Awards
June 12, 2018
Century Academy presented the following year-end student awards:
- Grayson McLellan – Most Improved
- Seth Dean – Super Student
- Bentley Kirkland – Super Student
- Adolfo Smith – Outstanding Student
- Braxton Hale – Super Star for Improvement
- Mason Hale – Super Student
- L.J (John) Bradley – Reading Award (Not Pictured)
- Austin Gibbs – Reading Award
- Michael Allen – Award of Excellence in Art
- Isaak Armstrong – Award of Excellence in Math
- Ethan Lathem – Outstanding Student
- Ryan Hudson – Most Improved
- Joseph Franklin – Most Improved
- Chad Sager – Award of Excellence in Social Studies
- Brandon Odom – Super Student
- Ella Kizer – Most Improved
- Sarah Brooks – Award of Excellence in Math
- Olivia Lambeth – Award of Excellence in General Studies
- Rose Boutwell – Award of Excellence in Science
- Sage Moon – Certificate of Awesomeness
- Chauni Lathem – Reading Award
- Maggie McCauslin – Award of Excellence in Spelling
New Lights For Cervantes, Search Continues For Vehicle In Deadly Hit And Run
June 12, 2018
State and local officials announced lighting improvements Tuesday morning for Cervantes Street following a deadly hit and run that left two people dead.
There were will be 72 LED street lights installed or replaced along a 2.5 mile stretch of Cervantes to improve safety. The lights will be installed between Dominguez and A Street.
Pensacola Police are continuing their search for a white 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger involved in the hit and run last Wednesday night. Three people were crossing Cervantes Street near M Street when they were hit by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Neariaah Ikerria Williams, age 8 months, and a family friend, 28-year-old Nephateria Monique Williams, died. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Quineka Tyon Baldwin, was injured.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call 911, the Pensacola Police Department, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Sen. Doug Broxson, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, Pensacola City Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn, Florida Department of Transportation officials, and Gulf Power representativesmade the joint safety announcement at the Brownsville Community Center as an audience of local children looked on.
Gulf Power started the street light installation Tuesday morning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elderly Pensacola Woman Stabbed, Left For Dead
June 11, 2018
A man has been charged with brutally attacking an 82-year old woman in Pensacola and leaving her for dead.
Tyler Hyden Owens, 18 was charged with attempted murder and home invasion robbery following the incident Saturday night at the Arbor Club Apartments off Ninth Avenue.
The woman was stabbed inside her apartment late Saturday night and left for dead, according to Pensacola Police. She was found by a family member Sunday morning with multiple wounds and transported to the hospital. She is expected to recover.
Police said Owens lived in a neighboring apartment. After a search warrant was served, several items were found in his apartment that belonged to the victim, along with bloody clothes. The clothes will be tested to determine if they match blood from the crime scene.
Owens reportedly made statements about being hungry and needing food during the incident.
Cottage Hill Man Sentenced For Cockfighting
June 11, 2018
A Cottage Hill man has been sentenced for cockfighting.
Terry Maurus Jackson, 59, was sentenced to three years probation. He will not be allowed to possess any animal during the three year period. Jackson was arrested in June 2017 at his home on McKenzie Road and charged with three counts of animal fighting and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Escambia County deputies executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence for narcotics and found cockfighting roosters, cockfighting paraphernalia, cockfighting trophies and pictures of roosters. Escambia County Animal control was then contacted, along with the State Attorney’s Office.
Animal control reported that the roosters’ talons had been cut and prepared for cockfighting, according to court documents. They were also found to have injuries consistent with cockfighting.
Paraphernalia seized from the home included “Gamecock” magazine; medications, needles, syringes, saws, spurs and hooks; a written journal and cockfighting trophies. Written on one of the trophies were the words “1st Place — 5-Cock Derby — Poor Man’s Club 3-18-17″.
Schedule III narcotics associated were cockfighting were also seized, according to court documents, including Trenbolone, Testosterone Propionate and Testerone Acetate.
NorthEscambia.com file photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Slip Lower
June 11, 2018
Gas prices in Florida declined nearly six cents last week. The state average of $2.80 per gallon is the lowest daily price since early May, according to AAA.
Since peaking at $2.92 on May 25, gas prices have declined 16 consecutive days for 11 cents. Despite the recent discount, motorists are still paying 46 cents per gallon more than this time last year.
The Escambia County area average was $2.81 per gallon. One year ago, the local average was $2.31.
“Gas prices could drop another five cents this week, unless the market suddenly shifts course,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices at the pump are still adjusting to the recent drop in oil and wholesale gasoline, due to the potential of increased crude output from OPEC. However, there is still volatility in the market, and pump prices could move higher if OPEC decides against easing production cuts at a meeting later this month.”
Number Of Florida Children With No Health Insurance Increases
June 11, 2018
While Florida has made strides in reducing the number of uninsured children, a national health-care expert warned Thursday that those gains are likely stalling, and she put part of the blame on increased scrutiny of immigration status.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Children and Families, said data released late last month by the National Center on Health Statistics shows that the number of uninsured children in Florida in 2017 rose slightly to 7.6 percent.
Alker said that while the small rise — from 7.4 percent the previous year — may be statistically insignificant, it could be “an early warning sign” that Florida’s seven-year trend of lowering uninsured rates for children is at risk.
She attributed the increase in part to attrition of what she called “mixed” families, or families where a parent is an immigrant and the child is either a citizen or legally residing in the state.
“Because of all the intimidation that is happening right now with immigrant families, we’ve heard lots of anecdotal evidence that they are very reluctant now to sign their kids up for coverage,” said Alker who has spent years observing Florida’s government-subsidized health insurance programs.
She suggested that other factors that could have played a factor in the slight hike include congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and a push to restructure the Medicaid program and reduce funding.
State Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Mallory McManus said she wasn’t aware of the new data and said that “ensuring that children have access to health care has always been a priority of our agency.”
Combined, the subsidized Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid provide coverage to an estimated 44 percent of the children in the state.
The National Health Interview Survey data is collected through personal household interviews. Alker called the data an “early sign,” but said that the release in September of information from what is known as the American Community Survey will provide additional insight about health insurance. The American Community Survey is the largest household survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
While the 2017 percentage increase was small, Alker said it shows that Florida lost ground while states such as Texas and California continued to make progress. Those states lowered their uninsured rates by 1 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
Alker made the remarks during a webinar where she discussed a new report called, “The New Federal Children’s Health Insurance Law and What it Means for Florida’s Children.”
It is one of a series of reports that Alker has conducted about health insurance for Florida children and was funded by the Florida Blue Foundation, the Health Foundation of South Florida, the Space Coast Health Foundation and the Winter Park Health Foundation, among others, operating under the Florida Philanthropic Network.
The report examines the impact of two recently passed extensions of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and what they mean for the state. CHIP funding expired last year, and many states, such as Florida, were forced to operate the program on carry-over funds from previous years. Congress agreed to extend CHIP funding in January and again in February.
CHIP funds subsidized insurance coverage for more than 345,000 children in Florida.
Under the extensions, Alker said Florida cannot make any future changes to the CHIP program that would make it more cost- restrictive, including increasing co-payments.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida