Traffic Shifts Continue For Bridge Work At Hwy 29, Nine Mile Road
August 16, 2017
The nightly traffic shifts on Nine Mile Road under the Highway overpass clear the way for the safe removal of the inside railings of the north and southbound bridges. Nighttime traffic continues to flow on the north side of the median while the contractor saw cuts the railing into segments for easy removal.
Eventually, the new center bridge deck will be joined to the existing southbound bridge.
After completion of the center bridge deck, all four lanes of traffic will shift onto the southbound and new center portion of the bridge. Then, the contractor will demolish and construct the northbound section of the new bridge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn Tech Skills At Your Local Library
August 16, 2017
The Century and Molino branches of the West Florida Library offer local basic technology classes for free.
At the Molino Branch Library, patrons can register to receive up to 30 minutes of individual technology help Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find email, increase computer knowledge, improve skills with a smart phone, learn how to download e-books and more. Call (850) 435-1760 to reserve a session.
At the Century Branch Library, a basic skills workshop will introduce Office 365 on Thursday, August 24 at 6 p.m. To register, call (850) 256-6217.
Bill Could Ease Open Carry Penalties
August 16, 2017
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee filed a bill Tuesday that would reduce penalties for people who have concealed-weapons licenses and openly carry guns.
The bill filed by Sarasota Republican Greg Steube for the 2018 legislative session, stems from a law that bars people from openly carrying guns in Florida. The bill would keep a second-degree misdemeanor penalty for people who do not have concealed-weapons licenses and openly carry guns. But it would lead to reduced penalties for people who have the licenses and openly carry.
In such cases, license-holders could be cited for noncriminal violations that would carry a $25 fine on a first violation and a $500 fine on a second violation. They would face second-degree misdemeanor charges on third or subsequent violations.
Under the bill, people with concealed-weapons licenses also could not be arrested or charged if firearms are “temporarily and openly displayed.”
Flomaton Man Dead After Mobile Home Fire
August 15, 2017
A Flomaton man was pronounced deceased after a mobile home fire Tuesday afternoon.
The unresponsive man was pulled from the mobile home in the 1400 block of Roosevelt Street, at the corner of Titi Street, and transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The exact cause of the man’s death is still under investigation. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Fire officials said that while the mobile home shows little sign of a fire from the outside, there was significant smoke damage throughout. The man was found in the back bedroom.
The fire is under investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office. Further information has not yet been released.
Pictured above and below: A man pulled from a fire in this mobile home was later pronounced deceased at Jay Hospital Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: Flomaton Police enter the mobile home for their portion of the death investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Sexual Abuse Of Underage Relative
August 15, 2017
A Cantonment man has been arrested for the sexual abuse of a young female relative.
Albert Lee Allen, 64, was charged with sexual assault on a victim 12-18 years old and incest., both felony charges. He was released from the Escambia County Jail at a $55,000 bond.
The female juvenile told investigators that she had been sexually abused by Allen on multiple occasions. After the incidents, she said Allen told her not to tell anyone or he would go to jail. She told deputies that multiple relatives knew of the abuse and she remembered Allen apologizing to her father.
When deputies attempted to interview Allen at the Sheriff’s Office, he invoked his right to a lawyer and refused to answer any questions, according to an arrest report.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 15, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 10 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Manning checked four individuals fishing in Escambia Bay. After a resource inspection, he found that they were in possession of more than 50 spotted seatrout. The fisherman claimed they were fishing commercially, but only one possessed the required license. Officer Manning issued the three remaining individuals criminal notices to appear for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers continue to patrol shorebird nesting areas around the Navarre Causeway, educating the public on the importance of protecting our imperiled species by not disturbing the nesting areas. Officers Ramos and Lugg informed two individuals who were walking through the protected area.
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.
Pine Forest Road Closed At East Kingsfield
August 15, 2017
A section of Pine Forest Road from East Kingsfield Road to Frederick Street is closed due to an upgrade of the sanitary sewer and force main for a new lift station.
Pine Forest Road extending south 500 feet from East Kingsfield Road is closed to through traffic from East Kingsfield Road to Frederick Street. Local traffic will be detoured along Tate Road to West Roberts Road to Ryale Road. The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately three weeks. Drivers will not be able to access Kingsfield from Pine Forest.
Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Thursday, August 31. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued and published on NorthEscambia.com.
Firefighters Respond To Report Of Smoke In Home Off Nine Mile
August 15, 2017
Firefighters responded to a home on Marsh Elder Drive off Nine Mile Road Monday night. The resident came home to discover smoke in the home and called 911. There was no immediate word on the cause of the smoke and no major damage reported. The Ensley, Cantonment, Ferry Pass, Beulah and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded. NorthEscambia photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Shines At 4-H University
August 15, 2017
Head, Heart, Hands and Health. These are the four “H’s” that comprise 4-H.
This summer there were many 4-H activities promoting and utilizing all of the four “H’s” together and individually. One of these activities was 4-H University, which is a week-long convention for senior 4-H members (ages 14-18) hosted on the campus of the University of Florida. Over 340 youth attended this event and had the opportunity to utilize the different facilities such as dorms, Gator Dining and the Reitz Union. This year Escambia County had seven youth attend: Dillon Conti, Rashidi Joseph, Von Littlejohn, Taylor Nelson, Danielle Tinker, Michelle Tinker, and Bobby Vose.
On July 31 Escambia County 4-H members kicked off 4-H University with state competitive events, along with a spirit rally and guest speaker. Tuesday was a day of scholarship interviews and workshops. That evening, 4-H members attended the annual Share-the- Fun talent show. Wednesday was a morning of workshops and an afternoon of community service. That evening, 4-H members, participants and guests attended the formal 4-H University Awards Banquet where scholarships were awarded to seniors, 4-H trips were distributed and the 2017-2018 Florida 4-H State Council Officers were inducted. Escambia County’s own Michelle Tinker was inducted as the 2017-2018 Florida 4-H State Council Parliamentarian and she also received a trip to attend National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. in 2017. Danielle Tinker received a 4-H scholarship and the prestigious Leader of the Legacy award, Florida 4-H’s version of a Hall of Fame.
Thursday morning was the competitive events award ceremony and Escambia County 4-H members received awards for their state competitions. Results of the different state contests were:
- Dillon Conti, first place, photography contest, architecture division
- Taylor Nelson, first place, photography contest, hat tricks and magic division
- Von Littlejohn, red ribbon, safety demonstration category
- Taylor Nelson, blue ribbon third place, personal well-being demonstration category
- Danielle and Michelle Tinker, blue ribbon first place, plants and gardening team demonstration category
submitted by Escambia County 4-H
Scott Pitches Making It Harder To Raise Taxes
August 15, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott, expected to run for U.S. Senate next year, wants lawmakers to put on the 2018 ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder for future legislators to raise taxes.
Scott appeared Monday in the Central Florida community of Lake Mary to announce the proposal, which would require “supermajority” approval from state lawmakers, rather than a simple majority of 50 percent plus one, for hikes to taxes and fees.
“While cutting taxes is important, we must prevent against unfair tax increases in the future so our progress is not undone,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “It is my goal to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes on Florida families and businesses — and that can be achieved with an amendment to our state’s Constitution.”
If lawmakers go along with the proposal, it would require approval from 60 percent of voters during the November 2018 election.
The governor’s office did not provide full details about the proposal. But the idea drew quick support from House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.
“I’m proud to offer my support to Governor Scott on this bold initiative and will do all I can to see that it is successful,” Corcoran, who is considering a gubernatorial run in 2018, said in a prepared statement.
Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is running for governor next year, was also among those voicing support.
Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who opened a gubernatorial campaign account on Friday, thanked Scott for the proposal, but then pointed to his own priorities for the 2018 legislative session, such as combatting the opioid epidemic and boosting jobs in parts of the state.
“Over 20 a day dying on opioids 36 counties lost jobs last ten years,” Latvala tweeted. “Those are my priorities right now.”
The governor’s office didn’t offer a definition of a supermajority, which typically is at least two-thirds of the lawmakers casting votes. Also, it didn’t outline whether all taxes and fees would fall under the proposed constitutional amendment or just certain types of taxes and fees.
A news release said more details will be available in “the coming weeks.”
If such a proposal is ultimately approved, Florida would join states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oregon that require a two-thirds or three-fifths majority for all or some tax increases, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Scott also intends to make a similar request to the state Constitution Revision Commission, which is putting together proposed constitutional amendments to go before voters in 2018.
Already on the ballot for 2018 is a Corcoran priority that would let voters decide if homeowners should receive bigger property-tax breaks.
The proposal, approved this spring by the Legislature, would increase the non-school homestead exemption by $25,000.
Currently, homeowners receive a tax exemption on the first $25,000 in value of their properties. They pay taxes on the value between $25,000 and $50,000 and then receive an additional exemption on the portion from $50,000 to $75,000. Voters will be asked to apply an additional non-school exemption to the portion of values between $100,000 and $125,000.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida