Florida Lawmakers Move Forward With Medical Marijuana Bill
June 8, 2017
Lawmakers have been under intense pressure to resolve the issue during the special session after a potential medical-marijuana deal blew up at the end of the regular session.
The Senate on Wednesday morning announced plans to take up the issue during the special session, and a House committee signed off on the proposal later in the day.
One of the key sticking points between the House and Senate had involved how many retail outlets the state’s licensed medical-marijuana operators could run.
The Senate favored a limit of 15 storefronts for each vendor, while the House backed a proposal that would have permitted up to 100.
Under the compromise measure (HB 5A) approved by the House Health & Human Services Committee late Wednesday, marijuana operators each could run up to 25 retail outlets. The number of retail outlets the vendors would be able to operate in each of five regions of the state would be based on the populations of the regions.
The state currently has seven licensed marijuana vendors, and the agreement between House and Senate leaders would require health officials to approve 10 new operators by Oct. 3.
The new licensees would include a member of the Florida Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, as well as applicants who lost out to competitors when the Department of Health granted the initial medical-marijuana operator licenses in 2015. The measure requires up to two licenses go to applicants currently or previously involved in “the canning, concentrating, or otherwise processing of citrus fruit or citrus molasses.”
Marijuana operators could also sell their dispensary slots to other vendors, something that was not considered in either chamber’s legislation that failed to pass earlier.
As before, under the new plan, the number of dispensaries each operator could run would increase as the number of patients registered in a statewide database grows. The dispensary cap would go away in 2020.
Florida’s cannabis industry is expected to explode after the passage of the constitutional amendment, under which at least 420,000 patients in Florida could be eligible for medical marijuana, according to the most recent health department estimates.
The measure would also add 57 workers to the Office of Compassionate Use within the state health department to handle the blossoming marijuana industry.
House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, who has shepherded the measure for his chamber, said that both the House and Senate made concessions to reach the compromise.
“Neither one of us got what we wanted, but both of us got something we could live with,” Rodrigues, R-Estero, told reporters after Wednesday’s committee meeting.
Some lawmakers heard complaints from constituents when they returned home after the regular session ended, prompting leaders to strike a deal, Rodrigues indicated.
Voters believed that lawmakers “didn’t do our job, and it upset them,” he said.
“I’m happy that it got added to the call for the special session,” Rodrigues said. “I’m convinced that both chambers can get this out, and if we do that, we’ve fulfilled our responsibilities to our voters back home who voted for this and we can go home with our heads held high.”
Senate leaders had argued that allowing a proliferation of retail outlets would give Florida’s seven state-sanctioned medical marijuana operators an unfair advantage over potential competitors seeking to enter what could be one of the nation’s most lucrative cannabis markets.
But scurrying between House and Senate Republican leaders resulted in the deal regarding the dispensary limits.
“We drove down to the two-yard line, and we weren’t able to punch it in for a touchdown. Now we’ve scored,” said Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who has been a key player on medical-marijuana issues.
The Legislature in 2014 passed a law that allowed non-euphoric cannabis for some patients and passed a 2016 law that made marijuana available to people with terminal illnesses.
Without legislative action, the Florida Department of Health would be in charge of medical-marijuana regulations.
“I think it’s important that the Legislature set the framework for the medical marijuana system in the state of Florida rather than leave it to bureaucrats. We represent the people, and 71 percent of the people voted for this so this is our job,” said Bradley, who sponsored the 2014 non-euphoric cannabis measure.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Heavy Rains Flood Oak Grove Bridge Construction Work Zone
June 8, 2017
Recent heavy rains flooded the approaches under construction for a new bridge on North Highway 99 in Oak Grove. Wednesday afternoon, much the construction zone remained underwater. The existing bridge (in the left of the photo) is being replaced with a new, modern structure consisting of 11-foot travel lanes, nine-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. The project is expected to be completed in early 2018. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Double Header To Mobile’s BayBears
June 8, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers Domingo Tapia, Carlos Gonzalez and Brennan Bernardino gave up a combined two hits in extra innings against the Mobile BayBears in the second game of a doubleheader.
Problem was for the Blue Wahoos that the second hit of the game on Bernardino was a walk-off home run by first baseman Zach Houchins that helped Mobile sweep Wednesday’s doubleheader, 1-0, and, 8-2, at Hank Aaron Stadium.
The teams were playing two seven-inning games to make up for Tuesday’s rain out.
Houchins has worked over Pensacola pitching, which has the top ERA in the Southern League going 5-14 with three doubles, a triple and game-winning homer, his fourth of the season, and driven in nine RBIs.
Tapia earned his second spot start of the season in the second game of a doubleheader with the Mobile BayBears. All he did was throw five scoreless innings, allow one hit and strike out.
Pensacola reliever Gonzalez came off the Triple-A Louisville Bats disabled list to relieve Tapia and pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two in his first appearance with the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos did have runners on second and third with one out in the top of the seventh inning but both DH Eric Jagielo and first baseman Angelo Gumbs struck out swinging. Pensacola’s lineup earned just three hits and struck out 13 times in the second game.
The Blue Wahoos and BayBears are tied, 2-2, in the five-game series. Pensacola fell to 33-26 but remains in first place in the Southern League South Division.
Pensacola dropped the first game of the doubleheader to Mobile, 8-2, Wednesday.
The Blue Wahoos had scored two runs in the fifth inning to pull within, 4-2. Pensacola center fielder Brian O’Grady scored on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Josh VanMeter. Blue Wahoos right fielder Aristides Aquino then singled to score left fielder Tyler Goeddel.
Mobile scored eight runs, including a solo homer by Wade Wass, a Catholic High product, in the second inning, his ninth of the year. In the third inning, Houchins hit his 14th double of the season on a fly ball to center fielder that drove in second baseman David Fletcher and right fielder Forrestt Allday for two of Mobile’s three runs in the inning. The BayBears scored four more in the sixth inning with the big hit coming when shortstop Alberto Triunfel tripled with the bases loaded to drive in three runs.
Aquino singled in both games of Wednesday’s doubleheader to extend his on-base streak to 23 straight games, dating back to May 14.
Headstone Found: Know Of A Mamie Beasley Who Died In 1939?
June 8, 2017
UPDATE: Thank you. The headstone has been returned to its proper location.
The pictured headstone of Mamie Beasley was found along Power Line Road outside Flomaton, AL, on Wednesday. If you know the family of this person, contact Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton, or email us here at news@northescambia.com.
Sheriff: Naomi Jones Died Of Asphyxiation Days Before Her Body Discovered
June 7, 2017
Naomi Jones likely died within 24 to 36 hours after her May 31 disappearance, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Wednesday afternoon.
Her body was discovered Monday in Eight Mile Creek, about five miles from where she was first reported missing on May 31, in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue. The body was found by men who were looking to go fishing.
Morgan said the death was probably due to asphyxiation, citing preliminary autopsy results.
Family members are not currently considered persons of interest in the case, he said, but there are persons of interest outside the family.
Morgan believes Jones was moved away from the East Johnson Avenue area after she disappeared. She was last seen leaving the family’s home just after noon on May 31 and did not return home. Her last known contact was with a friend on Facebook at 12:21 p.m. on that afternoon.
“If I was a parent and I had a child, I would be extremely careful,” Morgan said, adding that work with the FDLE and FBI has shown the involvement of social media in the case. “Was that the reason for her abduction and her untimely death? That is still be be determined. But I would tell you that it certainly is a contributing factor.”
“Know where your children are, know what your children are doing,” Morgan said. “Be a good parent. Know where your children are. Know what they are engaged in. Question what they are doing and who they are associating with.”
Police Now Say Pensacola Teen Is A Runaway
June 7, 2017
An investigation has determined there is no indication teenager Nakisha Hawkins, who failed to return home Tuesday, is endangered or that foul play is involved in her disappearance. This is no longer a missing person case. However, she is still considered a runaway. Hawkins, 17, was last seen around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Steak ‘n Shake, 2057 Airport Blvd. Her mother – Felice Caldwell, 39, of Pensacola – notified police around 9:10 p.m. Tuesday and said it was unusual for her daughter not to have returned home.
Anyone having information on Hawkins’ location is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850)435-1900.
Arrest Made In 2013 Murder
June 7, 2017
An Escambia Conunty man has been charged in connection with a homicide that occurred in 2013.
Warren Mygel Hetherington Sr., 42, was charged with first-degree murder. The homicide occurred around 11:30 p.m. February 23, 2013 in the driveway of 465 South L St., Pensacola. The victim – Alexia Rochelle Baggett, 29, of 34 Patton Dr.,
Pensacola – was shot while she was outside, said Detective Lisa Alverson.
The case had remained under investigation since 2013, and Alverson recently received information that led to Hetherington’s arrest. During the investigation, Alverson learned Baggett and Hetherington had been in a relationship for several years and had broken up just prior to the shooting.
Century Seeking Legal Help To Establish Community Redevelopment Area
June 7, 2017
The Century Town Council has taken the next step in establishing a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), voting to use the services of an attorney to review documents.
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
The Century Town Council voted in mid-May to move forward with developing a legal description of the 510 acre area depicted in a preliminary map. Town consultant Debbie Nickles returned to the council this week, requesting permission to have the documents reviewed by an attorney for legal sufficiency.
The area is bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, State Road 4 to the north and the centerline of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
Atmore Man Shot During Home Invasion Robbery
June 7, 2017
An Atmore man was shot after a home invasion near Brewton, just before being jailed for the crime.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home invasion, robbery and shooting at 3270 Foshee Road about 2:30 p.m. on June 5. The resident told deputies that multiple black males had entered his residence, pulled a gun on him, struck him in the head with the gun and robbed him before fleeing in a dark blue SUV.
The victim exited his residence with a single barrel shotgun and fired one shot in the direction of the suspects, striking their vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was struck in the shoulder and alongside the cheek with what appeared to be buck shot, according to deputies.
The group fled the scene and headed back to the Brewton area where two of the suspects left the vehicle and the other one drove to a residence where he was taken to a local hospital.
The driver, identified as 24-year old Mikeal Starks of Atmore, was charged with first degree robbery and first degree burglary. Authorities said additional arrests in the case. are anticipated.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-2145.
Scott Signs Bill Creating Dozier Memorials
June 7, 2017
A measure that calls for creating a pair of memorials to boys who were abused at a notorious state reform school, and directs the reburial of remains of unidentified victims, was signed into law.
The bill (HB 7115) provides $1.2 million to cover the costs of the reburials and memorials for youngsters who suffered physical and sexual abuse at the now-shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. It was among 33 bills signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott.
“Today’s signing, coupled with an official apology led by the House earlier this year, will hopefully bring some closure and healing to all those affected directly or indirectly by the atrocities that occurred at the Arthur Dozier School for Boys,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land `O Lakes, said in a prepared statement.
The Dozier issue drew widespread attention during the legislative session that ended May 8. As lawmakers took action on the bill, they were watched by men who had been sent as children to the school.
The Dozier memorials will be placed at the Capitol complex in Tallahassee and in Jackson County, the site of the reform school.
The legislation also provides for the reburial of unidentified remains from Dozier at a cemetery in Tallahassee. Victims of a 1914 dormitory fire at the reform school would be reburied at the Boot Hill cemetery on the Dozier property.
The remains were uncovered by University of South Florida forensic anthropologists who found 55 graves at the school, which operated from 1900 to 2011. The legislation also directs the state Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the 1,400-acre Dozier site for additional unmarked graves.
Pictured top: A trench dug in the search for human remains at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. Pictured inset: The remains of George Owen Smith were positively identified. NorthEscambia.com file photos.