Escambia Schools Release Eclipse Viewing Guidelines For Students
August 14, 2017
Where will you child be during next week’s solar eclipse?
If they are a student in the Escambia County School District, they will be indoors unless a specific set of guidelines released by the district are met.
On Monday, August 21, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Escambia County between 11:30 a.m.. and 3:15 p.m. (This will not effect dismissal times; elementary schools and others that normally dismiss earlier than 3:15 will dismiss as usual). During this time, the school district has said that all activities, including P.E. classes and recess, will be conducted indoors.
Teachers can take students out to see the eclipse, provided a district approved parental permission slip is signed and students are provided with certified viewing glasses. Teachers must provide safe instruction for students that will watch the eclipse. Students will be limited to 10 minutes of viewing time, unless a longer time is approved by the principal.
Students unable to go outside under the guidelines will be able to watch the eclipse online.
Edit 8:30 a.m.: Added information about elementary school dismissal times.
Florida GOP Gathering Gives Preview Of Governor’s Race
August 14, 2017
Florida’s next governor won’t be elected for more than a year, but Republican leaders from across the state got a taste of what’s in store — literally — during a gathering in Orlando this weekend.
Over ice cream and petit fours Friday night, party faithful heard from state Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who filed paperwork to run for governor hours before appearing at the popular desserts event and is expected to formally announce his entree into the race Wednesday.
On Saturday morning, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam — who has been running for months to replace Gov. Rick Scott — delivered a classic campaign speech over eggs, bacon and orange juice, winding up the “Up & Adam” breakfast by giving away a bag full of swag.
Later Saturday, Congressman Ron DeSantis addressed a local caucus, sharing his frustration about the GOP’s inability to follow through on President Donald Trump’s pledge to “drain the swamp,” something DeSantis blamed on Republicans in the U.S. Senate. The Palm Coast Republican is mulling a bid for governor but said he won’t make a decision until sometime this fall at the earliest.
Just one of the Republicans thus far considering joining the race — House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes — did not attend the Republican Party of Florida’s quarterly meeting at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, which drew local party leaders who will play a critical role in what will almost certainly be a contentious GOP primary.
All four GOP candidates in the race to replace Putnam as agriculture commissioner — state Sen. Denise Grimsley, state Rep. Matt Caldwell, former state Rep. Baxter Troutman and Orlando businessman Paul Paulson — also made the rounds at the weekend event, which included about 250 state committeemen and committeewomen and county party chairs.
Putnam — who mentioned “the American dream” at last a half-dozen times — delivered a 30-minute speech that was a mix of folksy charm and retail politics, with a splash of disdain for liberals like the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.
Putnam complained about receiving “hate mail from those freakin’ dudes at PETA,” prompted by his and his daughter’s participation in the Wausau Possum Festival, an annual Panhandle event where candidates hold a live possum by the tail. He then handed out red “Possums for Putnam” T-shirts, along with elephant-themed ties and scarves, as well as baseball caps and cell phone chargers emblazoned with his campaign logo.
“I know our state. I’ve been down every dirt road. … I know all the best barbecue restaurants,” Putnam, who won races for agriculture commissioner in 2010 and 2014, told about 200 breakfast goers Saturday.
Putnam, a former congressman who’s also made a pivot to the right over the past few months, urged Republicans to join forces and issued a warning that “the left is coming for us” in Florida, pointing to “sanctuary cities” as “the kind of foolishness” Democrats support regarding immigration policy.
And Putnam, 43, bragged about the expansion of the state’s concealed-weapons licenses under his watch, saying Florida’s crime rate is at its lowest point in decades.
“I think there’s a connection,” said Putnam, whose agency oversees the licenses.
Putnam’s fiery speech was a contrast to Latvala’s brief remarks at the dessert event Friday night.
The Clearwater lawmaker highlighted his longtime participation in Florida GOP politics, dating back to 1975 when Republicans were vastly outnumbered in the Legislature by Democrats.
Latvala, a moderate, also painted himself as a mature businessman who has the life experience other candidates may not share.
“When I look at some of the other people who are thinking about running, or who are running, I see people who have been in government their entire life, that have never made a payroll, that have never written a workers’ comp premium check, that have never had the challenges that those of us that have businesses have,” Latvala, 65, said. “I just think that’s an important dimension for the party that nominated Donald Trump, as a businessman, to be different in government. It’s important for us to continue with that kind of approach, someone who has both some business experience and some government experience.”
The quarterly meeting came at a critical juncture for Republicans throughout the country, with many of the party’s most loyal members fuming after the U.S. Senate failed to adopt a measure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, one of Trump’s top priorities.
Many of the party leaders gathered in Orlando expressed concern that the lack of movement by Republicans in Washington could have a negative impact on the GOP’s chances in Florida next year.
“If they don’t get the health-care law changed and put through tax reform PDQ, I think we’re in serious trouble in the next elections,” Walton County Committeeman Bill Fletcher told The News Service of Florida on Saturday.
Speaking to a caucus meeting Saturday morning, DeSantis was asked if the Republican Party is at a “tipping point,” given voters’ dissatisfaction with Washington.
Voters need to be convinced “that things are changing for the better,” DeSantis said in an interview later.
“And that requires you to actually accomplish some things. So I think the danger for us is, if we’re not successful on doing some of these items we promise, that the average voter is like, it doesn’t matter who you elect, nothing’s going to change,” he said. “I think the party right now, we’re teetering on, is this really going to be a big disappointment or are you going to be able to rack up a couple of victories.”
In the meantime, Florida GOP leaders are struggling to capture voters who overwhelmingly backed Trump but may have been registered as independents or Democrats.
“We need to meld the Trump supporters with being Republican,” national Committeeman Peter Feaman told a meeting of state committeemen and committeewomen Friday.
Feaman offered some talking points to convince voters to join the GOP, saying if they believe in “peace through strength,” “putting American workers first,” for example, “then you’re a Trump supporter but you are also a Republican.”
Florida Republicans “haven’t recovered from the presidential election, as a party,” said Scott Hopes, a Manatee County School Board member.
Hopes pointed out that Scott hasn’t attended an RPOF meeting “in years,” and that, aside from Putnam, none of the state’s Republican Cabinet members had bothered to show up, either.
Next year’s elections “are going to be a challenge,” Hopes said. “The Democrats are on the same page, at least. Unfortunately, I think we’re not”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Century Man Facing Felonies For Alleged Theft From Vehicle
August 14, 2017
A Century man is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing a woman’s purse from her car.
Brandon Forrest Fischer, 20, allegedly stole a female acquaintance’s purse from a vehicle after a third party gave him a ride home in the vehicle. She reported a key fob, a metal flask and a bottle of Adderall were missing.
When deputies went to Perdue’s home, they reported finding the purse in plain sight in bushes adjacent to his front porch.
Fischer was charged with felony burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and felony grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $10,000.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
August 14, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
· U.S. 29 Routine Maintenance near Muscogee Road- Intermittent southbound outside lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 12 as crews trim trees.
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17.
· Alternating lane closures on I-10 and on U.S. 29.
· Intermittent closure of the U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp and the U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
· Intermittent closure of the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south ramp (Exit 10A). Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10B.
· Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north ramp (Exit 10B).
· The widened I-10 eastbound bridge and roadway will be opened to accommodate three travel lanes Sunday night, Aug. 13. The left-side merge from U.S. 29 south on to I-10 eastbound will be removed. Drivers traveling from U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound will have a standard right-side merge onto I-10 eastbound. Drivers can expect minor delays as crews transition traffic.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 13 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, the outside lane of Scenic Highway north and southbound on the Scenic Highway overpass will be closed during this time as crews install new railing.
· I-10 Routine Maintenance from east of U.S. 29 to Davis Highway- Intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Aug. 18 as crews repair overhead lighting and signs.
· State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 between 17th Avenue and the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 through Saturday, Aug. 19. Tuesday, Aug. 15 lane closures will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be clearing and grubbing in the state owned right-of-way, and removing existing curb and traffic separators.
· S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Underground Utility Work from Creighton Road to Brent Lane- The northbound lane will be closed between Creighton Road and Brent lane from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 as crews perform testing and repair work on manholes.
· U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Nightly traffic pattern changes continue on Nine Mile Road and U.S. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
· Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: Eastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound, inside travel lane as crews prepares the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct drivers through the work zone.
· U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Alternating lane closures continue as crews perform drainage operations.
· S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway– Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. continue as crews perform sidewalk repairs and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County
· U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Underground Utility Work at Calle De Cantabria- The westbound, right turn lane to Calle De Cantabria from U.S. 98 in Navarre will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 as crews replace an existing vault beneath the roadway.
· U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Utility Operations at Brand Court- The westbound, right turn lane to Wal-Mart from U.S. 98 in Navarre will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 as crews locate utilities.
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22)- Alternating I-10 lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) as crews widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane restrictions on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the Avalon Boulevard overpass. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB Boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads under 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place through the completion of the project.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Claim Five Home Run Win Over Mobile
August 14, 2017
The inspiration for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos clubbing five homers in an, 11-2, victory Sunday was a bobblehead of second baseman Josh VanMeter on top of the team’s clubhouse exit.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly finally received the bobblehead that he said he had ordered in Spring Training four months ago and placed it there before the game against the Mobile BayBears.
Kelly knew VanMeter was the one person on the team with a bobblehead but said the do-everything player wouldn’t come clean about it at first during a team meeting.
“It showed up today,” Kelly said, smiling wide.
Kelly insisted that’s what snapped his team’s four game losing streak. Mobile won the first three games of the series, twice with ninth inning comebacks. But the Blue Wahoos took out their frustrations with a franchise-tying five home run game in front of 4,001 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Blue Wahoos third baseman Nick Senzel crushed two, right fielder Aristides Aquino knocked two and shortstop Blake Trahan even smacked one. Pensacola has nine homers in the past two games.
Senzel, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, clobbered two homers in a game for the second time in three days against the Mobile BayBears and drove in Pensacola’s first three runs Sunday.
Aquino, the Reds sixth best prospect, also crushed two homers for three RBIs and has three in two straight games. He has both a team-leading 15 home runs and 49 RBIs on the year.
Trahan, ranked as the 28th best prospect for the Reds, also popped one out, his second of the year, to left field in the sixth inning. His last homer came against Mobile on May 22.
Pensacola moved from the ninth most homers in the Southern League to seventh with 74.
Kelly was at a loss to explain the outburst of power from his team Saturday and Sunday.
“On my report last night, I started it from Coors Field South,” Kelly said, referring to the Colorado Rockies stadium where homers happen all the time in the thin mountain air. “I have no idea but we haven’t hit homers all year. But we do have guys who have power.”
Senzel drilled a line drive over the left field fence in the first inning to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 1-0. The No. 2 overall pick in 2016 by the Cincinnati Reds then singled with two on and one out in the third inning to drive in Pensacola center fielder Jonathan Reynoso, giving the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 lead.
Senzel then scorched his second homer of the game just left of dead center 400-feet away and did a fist pump as it cleared the wall, putting Pensacola on top, 3-1.
The 22-year-old now has four homers in three games against Mobile and five in his last 40 at-bats. Ranked the No. 11 prospect in the minor leagues, he has slammed nine homers in 47 games with Pensacola with 13 total including the four he clobbered with the High-A Daytona Tortugas in the first half of the season.
He’s blistering Southern League pitching in August, going 20-48 for a .417 batting average and .451 on-base percentage. The University of Tennessee product has five homers, 13 RBIs, and three doubles this month. In the second half in Double-A, he is hitting .352 with 31 RBIs overall.
Aquino’s solo blast traveled out of sight to left field in the seventh inning and gave the Blue Wahoos a 7-1 lead. Aquino then whipped a line drive over the left field wall in the eighth inning with second baseman Alberti Chavez on base increasing its lead to 11-2.
“Power is a big part of his game,” said Kelly of Aquino, who led the Reds’ farm system with 23 homers last year. “It’s nice to see him breaking out.”
Trahan said this game may spark a win streak for the Blue Wahoos, which had lost eight of its last nine games.
“It’s good to see our offense come together,” said Trahan, the best fielding shortstop in the Southern League. “Hopefully, this game starts us getting hot.”
Mobile scored when first baseman Zach Houchins hit a sizzling grounder past Senzel in the third inning to drive in left fielder Brennon Lund to tie the game, 1-1. In the eighth inning, right fielder Zach Gibbons hit a solo homer to trail Pensacola, 7-2.
Pensacola pitcher Austin Ross made his second start after returning from the disabled list. He pitched three innings, gave up one run on five hits and struck out one. His ERA this season with the Blue Wahoos is a miniscule 1.56.
Pensacola, the first half champion, is 9-10 this season against Mobile, which is in first place in the second half. The final regular season game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Monday.
The BayBears lead the Southern Division with a 26-23 record, while the Blue Wahoos are in fourth place at 22-27.
Photo courtesy Barrett McClean Photography/Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stolen Vehicle Found Torched On Dirt Road Near Bratt
August 13, 2017
A vehicle reported stolen in Alabama was found torched a short time later on a Florida dirt road Saturday night.
The Nissan Armada was found abandoned and completely destroyed by fire about 10:15 p.m in a remote area on Camp Road about a mile south of Bratt Road and the Escambia County Road Department North Camp. Most of the fire had extinguished itself as the first fire engine from the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived on scene.
The vehicle was reported stolen Saturday night in Flomaton. According to Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis, the stolen vehicle was in no way related to a double murder in his city earlier in the day.
The vehicle fire was under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: A stolen vehicle was already burned to this point before firefighters put water on the fire. Pictured below: Firefighters work to extinguish a vehicle fire Saturday night on Camp Road near Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Meetings This Week
August 13, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County meeting during the next week:
Monday, Aug. 14
Marine Advisory Committee, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 5:30 p.m. (Agenda)
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 1:30 p.m. (Agenda)
Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission, 418 West Garden St., 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Board, 151 Highway 97, Molino, 8 a.m.
Board of Adjustment, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 8:30 a.m. (Agenda)
Development Review Committee, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place,1 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Community Redevelopment Agency, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9:05 a.m.
Board of Electrical Examiners, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 3 p.m. (Agenda)
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4:30 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 5:30 p.m.
New Traffic Pattern Begins Tonight On I-10 At Highway 29
August 13, 2017
Drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern on I-10 eastbound near the Highway 29 exit beginning Sunday night. The wider bridge and travel lanes will open, removing the eastbound left merge lane onto I-10 from U.S. 29 south. Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform operations to transition traffic to the new configuration.
“The construction team worked diligently to complete this part of the project and eliminate the left-side merge,” said Senior Project Engineer Erica Jernigan. “The measure will benefit the many commuters who travel the route daily.”
In the new configuration, three I-10 eastbound travel lanes will merge with the current three lanes just east of the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange. Drivers traveling from U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound will have a standard right-side merge onto I-10 eastbound.
All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Graphic source: FDOT
PSC Student Tiffany Daniels Missing For Four Years
August 13, 2017
Saturday marked four years since 25-year old Tiffany Daniels went missing, last seen leaving Pensacola State College where she worked as a theater technician.
Her 1999 Toyota 4Runner was found August 20, 2013, in a parking lot of Park West, near Ft. Pickens, on Pensacola beach. Her bicycle and phone were in the vehicle. Extensive searches were conducted in the area near where her vehicle was found.
“It’s like she literally vanished,” her mother Cindy Daniels said at the time.
Daniels is 5-feet 7-inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes. She has tattoos of plants growing from seeds on the top of both feet. Anyone who may have information on Daniels’ location, or her activities before, during and after her disappearance are asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850)435-1900 or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured above and below. Search and rescue volunteers prepare to search Pensacola Beach near Fort Pickens for Tiffany Daniels in August 2013. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Getting Ready To Really Heat Up
August 13, 2017
Florida is creeping through the middle of a sweltering summer in a non-election year.
Yet things may soon get hotter in the halls of government.
Kids are heading back to school. College football will soon dominate Saturday afternoons. And state lawmakers will start holding committee meetings, as bill filing got underway this week for the 2018 session. Among the early bills filed: proposals to expand gun rights and ban texting while driving.
This week was more about anticipation for the political crowd. But Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, answered one of the lingering questions Friday, when he opened a campaign account to run for governor.
That could be a sign of a heated legislative season ahead, as Latvala, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and possibly House Speaker Richard Corcoran look to move into the governor’s mansion.
TAKING AIM AT OPIOID CRISIS
Latvala has toured the state in recent weeks, at least in part to gather information in advance of the 2018 session.
He included a roundtable appearance Tuesday in Palm Beach County with lawmakers, local leaders and public-safety officials to address Florida’s raging opioid crisis.
Palm Beach County is one of the epicenters of the epidemic.
During this spring’s legislative session, state lawmakers passed bills to address what are known as “sober homes” — a major issue in Palm Beach County — and to crack down on people who traffic in fentanyl, a deadly painkiller sometimes mixed with heroin.
From January through May of this year, the county had 311 opioid overdoses, compared to 258 over the same period in 2016, according to numbers from Latvala’s office. The county totaled 592 opioid-related deaths in 2016.
Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Melissa McKinlay said the county had spent more than $200,000 on Narcan, an opiate antidote used in emergency situations.
“The epidemic is impacting the manufacturing industry and business communities,” McKinlay said. “People cannot pass drug tests because of this. The bigger picture is that addiction is a disease. We want to break the stigma of addicts because nobody wakes up one day and chooses to become an addict.”
The timing of the roundtable couldn’t have been better.
President Donald Trump, a part-time Florida man with a home in Palm Beach, announced two days later he’s ready to officially declare the opioid crisis a “national emergency,” with ramped-up government efforts.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money on the opioid crisis,” Trump told reporters at his golf course in Bedminster, N.J. “It is a serious problem, the likes of which we’ve never had.”
GOODSON, FORMER LAWMAKERS MAKE PSC SHORTLIST
If restaurateur and former legislator Jimmy Patronis could do it …
A nominating council this week settled on a short list of 14 candidates who will be interviewed for three open seats on the state Public Service Commission, and the list is littered with familiar names in the Capitol.
Among the candidates for the utility-regulatory commission who will be interviewed next week are state Rep. Tom Goodson of Rockledge, former Rep. Rich Glorioso of Plant City, former Rep. Ken Littlefield of Wesley Chapel, former Sen. Greg Evers of Baker, and former Rep. Ritch Workman of Melbourne.
All are Republicans.
Also slated to be interviewed for the $131,036-a-year positions on the Public Service Commission are two current commissioners, Ronald Brise and Art Graham, whose terms expire at the end of the year.
Gov. Rick Scott will eventually get to make the appointments based on the nominating council’s recommendations.
The third seat has been vacant since the governor appointed Patronis, a former state House member whose family owns the landmark Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant in Panama City, to serve as state chief financial officer in June.
The nominating council is chaired by state Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, and its members include Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, Rep. Mike Miller, R-Orlando, and House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, D-Tampa.
Not everyone with ties to the Capitol got invited to the interview round.
Without comment from the council, former state Comptroller Bob Milligan failed to receive a single vote to move on to the next round, and former Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, received only a single vote.
At least four votes were needed to advance.
SCOTT’S QUIET BUSINESS TRIP
With little fanfare or public notice, Scott embarked this week on a two-day business fishing trip to Tennessee.
Scott held “business development” meetings with Tractor Supply Co. in Brentwood on Wednesday before heading to Nashville, where he had similar sit-downs with electronics company Griffin Technology, tire company Bridgestone Americas, and building materials manufacturer Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
Similar to a July 21 trip to Las Vegas for meetings with Allegiant Air, online shoe retailer Zappos and the company GigaCrete, the governor’s office did not make a prior announcement of the Tennessee trip.
As with Nevada, Tennessee has a Republican governor.
That contrasts with past business-development trips to Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, California and Kentucky, states that all had Democratic governors at the time of the trips.
Before some of those higher-profile trips, the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida ran radio ads in the targeted state touting the benefits of Florida.
STORY OF THE WEEK: A Leon County grand jury cleared Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum after an investigation into whether software purchased with tax dollars was used for political purposes. The 11-page grand jury report, dated Monday, ends a months-long probe involving Gillum’s actions as Tallahassee mayor. Still, the city government continues to be embroiled in a broader, unrelated FBI investigation that threatens to damage Gillum’s gubernatorial bid.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Let me be very clear: Quotas have no place within the Florida Highway Patrol. Getting in the black and tan to patrol the roadways is expected. Helping to educate and assist motorists is expected. Protecting lives is expected. Quotas are not part of our mission operationally or legally.” — Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in response to a report that Maj. Mark Welch of Troop H in Tallahassee had sent an email to troopers requesting “two citations each hour.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida