State Revenue Estimate Cut By $167 Million
February 27, 2018
State analysts have reduced their previous estimate for state tax and revenue collections by $167 million, citing a continued decline in corporate income tax collections.
The new estimate reduces a Feb. 9 forecast of a two-year increase of $462 million to $274.4 million. The revised estimate means House and Senate members who are working on an $87 billion budget for 2018-2019 will have a little less money to use as they negotiate a final budget deal. The previous forecast acknowledged that corporate income tax collections were $113 million below estimates through December.
But analysts concluded that was caused by a state decision to let businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma hold off on tax payments until Feb. 15. They projected the shortfall would be negated when the delayed payments began coming in, the analysts said. It didn’t happen.
“While the data for February is still preliminary, it appears that only a small fraction of the expected total was actually received,” the new forecast said. Analysts cut their projection for corporate income tax collections in 2017-2018 by $94.3 million and by $73.1 million in 2018-2019, resulting in the $167 million decline in the overall estimate.
Facing a March 9 end to the annual legislative session, lawmakers have not started formal negotiations on a new state budget, which will take effect July 1.
Molino Highway 29 Crash Claims Life Of Mobile Man
February 26, 2018
A wreck Sunday afternoon on Highway 29 in Molino claimed the life of a Mobile man.
According to the FHP, 56-year old Franklin Webb was traveling east on Barrineau Road when he failed to properly yield his Toyota Tundra at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 29. His vehicle was hit by a southbound Chevrolet Silverado driven by 49-year old Dean Dagen-Daw of Pensacola.
Webb was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Dagen-Daw and her passenger, 19-year old Kyleigh Daw, were transported with minor injuries to Sacred Heart Hospital.
A 2018 Audi Q7 driven by a Pensacola woman was struck by debris from the initial collision. No one in Audi was injured.
Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, according to the FHP.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Deputies: Cantonment Mom Had Marijuana In Her Baby’s Diaper Bag
February 26, 2018
A Cantonment mom was arrested on multiple charges after deputies reported finding marijuana in baby’s diaper bag.
Erica Leanne Tull, 32, was charged with felony possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony destruction of evidence. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $5,500.
A relative reported that Tull was not properly caring for her four-month old daughter and was not fit to take care of the child. Deputies responded to her home and found no signs of physical abuse or neglect on the baby, and Tull showed deputies that she had several extra boxes of diapers and containers of baby formula.
As Tull grabbed a diaper bag and her purse and left the residence with the baby, deputies reported the strong odor of fresh marijuana coming from her person, according to an arrest report. The report states deputies asked her about marijuana use, at which time she dropped the diaper bag responded that she did not use drugs because she was caring for her baby.
Deputies reporting they could clearly see a plastic bag half full of marijuana in the open diaper bag that was dropped on the ground while Tull was still holding her baby. After a relative took custody of the baby, deputies said they observed Tull push a metal object under a patrol vehicle, and that item was determined to be a metal pipe.
Tull said the pipe was already on the ground and told officers that the diaper bag, where the marijuana was located, was not hers, the arrest report states.
The Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident.
Constitution Revision Commission To Hold Pensacola Public Hearing Tuesday
February 26, 2018
Florida Constitution Revision Commission will hold a six hour public hearing Tuesday at the University of West Florida.
Public hearings are free events open to all Floridians who would like to attend. No tickets or RSVPs are required. To speak at a CRC public hearing, Floridians must fill out an appearance form and hand it in to CRC staff. The appearance form is available online at flcrc.gov and printed copies are available at public hearings. Appearance forms will not be accepted in advance of the public hearing.
Public speakers will be called in the order in which appearance forms are received by CRC staff at the public hearing.
The hearing will take place from 1-7 p.m. at theUniversity of West Florida Conference Center & Ballroom at 11000 University Parkway, Building 22.
The Constitution Revision Commission has a May 10 deadline to finish its work.
Manna And Rotary Team Up To Fight Hunger
February 26, 2018
Over 300 Rotary Club members helped Manna Food Pantries create 65,000 meals Saturday for those that are in need.
The Rotary Against Hunger is a project of the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP) launched in 2012.
Volunteers packed nutritious lentil casserole packets. CROP’s donation will provide much needed food to those in need. According to Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker, the project has become a critical part of their ability to meet the needs of the hungry throughout the year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“The Rotary Against Hunger project provides much-needed food during winter and early spring when donations are always low, and need is always high,” said Flounlacker. “Last year, Manna provided food assistance to 20,269 people; 42% were children under the age of 18. These are your neighbors and mine — folks who are the working poor, grandparents raising their grandchildren, moms and dads who do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy food for their family. Thanks to Rotary, thousands of people will be helped this year through this gift of nutritious food.”
Since the first year of the Rotary Against Hunger Project, CROP has packed well over a half million meals for the hungry.
“This will be the seventh year that Rotary has teamed up with Manna, ensuring that these meals will be distributed in a manner that will serve the needs of many families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said Ed Carson, Rotary Against Hunger Project Chair. “Through this project, Rotary is striving to exemplify Service Above Self, the Rotary motto.”
Tate High FFA Livestock, Horse Judging Teams Compete
February 26, 2018
The Tate High School FFA Chapter recently competed in the state Livestock Judging and Horse Judging competitions.
The Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event stimulates learning activities related to the production and marketing of cattle, sheep and swine. In this event, the students evaluate classes of market and breeding cattle, swine, sheep and goats. This year’s Tate team placed in the top half of 90 teams in the state. Team members were: Skylar Smith, Amber Neal, Keaton Fuqua, Bella Nunley and Coach Melissa Gibbs.
The Horse Evaluation and Selection Career Development Event is designed to stimulate the study of and interest in, equine science selection while providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency in this area. In this event, the students evaluate halter and performance classes of horses. Tate placed eighth in the state out of 50 teams and will advance to the state finals in April. Teem members were Victoria Kelson, Molly Graham, Raven Hollis, Myah Jackobson, Kaelin Brinker and Coach Erin Lawall.
Pictured top: The Tate High School Livestock Team. Pictured below: The Tate FFA Horse Judging Team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Retail Development, 733 Apartments Planned For Nine Mile Near Navy Federal
February 26, 2018
A new mixed-use minor subdivision containing a 733 unit apartment complex and several commercial retail and office buildings is being proposed for Nine Mile Road near Navy Federal. The proposal has been submitted for review to the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
The 52 acres are located at 3811 W Nine Mile Road are essentially across street from Navy Federal at the site of the proposed Nine Mile Road flyover.
A total of 33 dwelling units are proposed in the apartments split between seven buildings. Five separate commercial retail parcels are proposed; the commercial building varying in size between 4,500 to 48,000 square feet.
There will be entrances from Nine Mile Road at least 650 feet apart. The roadways in the development would remain private.
Planned amenities include a sports green, dog park, ponds, a club house and volleyball courts in the Dawson Company development.
The Development Review Committee must approve the plans before the developer can move forward.
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FWC Law Enforcement Report: Night Hunting, Drug Charges
February 26, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity during the period ending February 8 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey received information that a group of subjects were catching what appeared to be several hundred pounds of Bonita on the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. State law prohibits an individual from keeping more than 100 pounds of Bonita unless they have a saltwater products license (SPL). Officers McHenry and Land arrived to assist. Together the officers found five subjects in possession of 1,145 pounds of Bonita without having the required SPL. The officers seized 645 pounds of Bonita from the subjects. The individuals were allowed to keep the remaining 500 pounds as part of their daily limit. The seized Bonita were donated to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida. Notice to appear citations were issued for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received a complaint about a subject who shot after legal shooting hours while deer hunting. When he responded to the area, he located a man at the house on the property, who claimed to have shot a coyote. After further investigation, the man admitted to shooting a buck after legal shooting hours with the aid of a spotlight in the field in front of his residence. Officer Hutchinson located the seven-point buck. The man was charged with night hunting. The deer was donated to the Waterfront Rescue Mission and the rifle and spotlight were seized.
Officer Hutchinson was contacted after midnight by a Santa Rosa County Deputy Sheriff who requested his assistance. The deputy informed him that he observed a truck driving slowly down a road while a spotlight was being shined from the cab into several fields where deer are located. He followed the truck and stopped it for a traffic violation. Once he stopped the truck, he discovered a freshly killed 4-point buck lying in the bed of the truck. Two firearms were in the front seat. Officer Hutchinson arrived at the deputy’s location and immediately recognized the driver of the truck from a previous night hunting case. All three subjects admitted to shooting the deer on the side of the road with the use of a spotlight. A search of the truck revealed drug paraphernalia and illegal drugs. One subject was charged with night hunting and the drug and paraphernalia violations. The two other subjects were charged with night hunting and shooting from a paved public roadway. Both firearms, the spotlight, and the deer were seized. The deer was donated to the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Officer Lewis located a subject in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area that was hunting over a food plot and scattered corn. The suspect had placed no trespassing signs up at the entrance to the area and had apparently been hunting the area for quite a while. He was charged with attempting to take deer over bait in a wildlife management area.
Officer Mullins received information regarding an illegal deer that had been taken in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. Officer Mullins and Roberson met with and interviewed the subject involved, who admitted to taking the deer, but stated that it was legal. When asked to see the antlers from the deer, the suspect was evasive and the officers felt he was not being truthful. The officers asked to see the remains of the deer and the suspect showed them buried remains from the deer he claimed was legal. Laying a few feet from the remains, the officers noticed a small set of antlers that matched the antlers from the deer in question. After an investigation, it was determined that those small antlers belonged to the deer the subject had taken a few days before. Charges were filed for taking a deer that did not meet the antler restriction rule.
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.
Tate Wrestlers Place At Regionals; Three Advance To State Finals
February 26, 2018
The Tate High School wrestling team placed tenth in Saturday’s 1-2A Regional Championship. Three Aggie wrestlers – Nate Golman, Jacob Cochran and Matthew Blalock – placed in the top four of their respective weight classes and will advance to the state finals at the Silver Spurs Center in Kissimmee next weekend. Pictured: (L-R) Nate Golmon, 152lb regional champion; Jacob Cochran, 113lb regional champion; Matthew Blalock, 132lb third place. Also pictured are Coach Reggie Alle and Coach Dean Williams Jr. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Orders FDLE To Investigate Shooting Response; Lawmakers Call For Sheriff’s Removal
February 26, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to “immediately” investigate the response of law-enforcement authorities to the mass shooting this month that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The directive came as House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, sent a letter requesting that Scott suspend Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. The letter, which was joined by 73 Republican House members, came a day after Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, called for Israel’s removal. Local Reps. Clay Ingram, Frank White and Jayer Williamson all signed the letter.
A Broward County deputy resigned Thursday after it was determined he failed to enter the school while the shooting was ongoing. Other questions have been raised about whether law enforcement adequately responded in the past to warnings about shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Scott’s directive to FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen did not detail the reasons for the request or how long the investigation could take.
During a television appearance Sunday, Israel pushed back against Hager’s removal request, which came in a letter to Scott.
“It was a shameful letter. It was politically motivated,” Israel told CNN’s Jack Tapper. “I never met that man (Hager). He doesn’t know anything about me. And the letter was full of misinformation.”
In the letter, Hager, who is chairman of the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, called for Scott to remove Israel for “neglect of duty and incompetence.” The letter Sunday from Corcoran used similar descriptions.
“Sheriff Israel’s fundamental duty is to keep the peace and protect the citizens of Broward County,” said Corcoran’s letter, posted on Twitter. “He has the power and responsibility to appoint highly-qualified deputies and to ensure they receive state-of-the-art training. Sheriff Israel failed to maintain a culture of alertness, vigilance and thoroughness amongst his deputies.”
Along with the highly publicized failure of school-resource officer Scot Peterson to enter the building during the shooting, Hager and Corcoran wrote that Israel’s agency had received numerous calls previously about threats posed by Cruz, a former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student charged with 17 counts of murder in the shooting spree.
In his letter, Hager also said other agencies, including the Florida Department of Children and Families and the FBI, did not properly follow up on signals that Cruz could be a threat.
“Sadly, he (Israel) was not the only one that ignored it,” Hager wrote. “DCF, Broward County Schools, the FBI and the BSO (Broward Sheriff’s Office) all had the pieces to put this puzzle together but failed to communicate. While you do not have authority to remove anyone at the FBI, you do have the authority to remove Sheriff Israel, and I encourage you do to so immediately.”
Scott has called for FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign over the federal agency’s acknowledged failure to follow protocol on a tip regarding the shooter. He has not made discussed changes in leadership at the Department of Children and Families, which deemed Cruz, who admitted cutting himself and planning to purchase a gun on Snapchat posts, a “low” threat to harm himself or others in late 2016
Hager blamed Israel for failing to coordinate with the Department of Children and Families and has requested that state money intended for the Broward Sheriff’s Office be redirected to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to start a pilot program in the county to better assess risk.
On Saturday, Israel sent a letter to Scott, disputing information from Hager as “riddled with factual errors, unsupported gossip and falsehoods.”
Israel wrote that Peterson was the only officer on campus at the time of the attack and that despite assertions by Hager and others, the sheriff’s office didn’t make 39 visits to Cruz’s home.
Israel agreed with Hager that the sheriff’s office received 23 calls regarding Cruz’s home but contended most were “routine” parenting issues and five involved the shooter’s brother.
Israel noted two encounters involving Cruz remain under investigation. One, for example, involved the school resource officer referring Cruz to the Department of Children and Families, which closed the case a couple of months later. He also touted the work of law-enforcement agencies, including police from Coral Springs, Sunrise and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“I am very proud of the incredible work that so many from BSO and other agencies (including CSPD, FDLE, Sunrise, FBI, ATF and others) performed on February 14,” Israel wrote. “And I am equally appalled that Rep. Hager felt the need to engage in disingenuous political grandstanding, perhaps in the hope he will garner some headlines, at the expense of the truth.”