Bond Denied For Former Coach Accused Of Sex Crimes
April 8, 2017
A former Tate High School football coach and church youth leader facing 42 sexual assault charge has been denied bond during a hearing Friday. He is due back in court next week for an arraignment hearing.
Charlie Hamrick, 54, is charged with abusing four victims. He faces a total of 42 counts of sexual abuse, including 36 counts of capital sexual battery. Upon conviction, each capital count carries a minimum mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
Eight additional people have come forward as possible victims in the case. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating those claims. So far, no additional charges have been filed.
Those new allegations include claims that Hamrick gave unlicensed physical exams to athletes at Tate High School during is 2012-2015 tenure there as a supplemental football coach. Those physicals, it is alleged, may not have been limited to just football players. The physicals included genitalia exams.
Hamrick was paid a supplement as a football coach at Tate High School from August 1, 2012, to September 14, 2015. He was not a teacher and did not have students under his watch in a classroom. He passed all of the background checks at the time.
For a previous story, click here.
Dry Weather Creates Increased Fire Potential
April 8, 2017
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are issuing words of caution as high winds and low humidity have all but negated the effects of this week’s rainfall.
Thursday brought winds upwards of 25 mph in much of the three-county area and the forecast calls for extremely low humidity through Sunday. When combined, these factors dry out smaller vegetation such as grass, shrubs and small limbs and debris that while great for backyard burning of yard trash, can increase the chances of a wildfire.
“We’re certainly not in an extreme fire situation, we’re simply urging caution,” said David Smith, operations administrator for Blackwater. “Spring is the peak of Florida’s fire season and we want people to be aware of the potential.”
There are no burn bans in effect in our area but residents must still follow certain requirements: Burning piles of yard debris less than 8 feet in diameter is allowed if it is 25 feet from and wooded area or combustible structure, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied dwellings.
Piles greater than 8 feet require a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service and must meet more stringent standards. For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at (850) 957-5701.
Tate Baseball Beats Washington; Softballs Suffers Loss In Kissimmee
April 8, 2017
BASEBALL
Tate 4, Washington 3
The Tate Aggies beat Washington 4-3 Friday night when Washington walked Logan Blackmon to drive in the winning run.
Logal McGuffey earned the win for the Aggies. He pitched one inning, giving up no runs, not hits, nowalks and striking out one. Trey LaFleur opend the game for the Aggies, pitching five innings, giving no runs, one hit and striking out nine.
Tanner Helton, Ryan Greene, Jesse Sherrill, and Ethan Bloodworth had one hit each for the Aggies.
Tate 10, Washington 3 (JV)
SOFTBALL
Lake Howell 8, Tate 3 (Kissimmee Tourney)
Weekend Gardening: Remember Your Houseplants When Spring Cleaning
April 8, 2017
by UF/IFAS Santa Rosa Extension
Warmer weather signals that spring is here. After months of being cooped up indoors, it’s finally time for gardeners to go dig in the dirt. It’s also time for cooped up house plants to be revitalized.
Locate a shady area for this work. Even if houseplants are to be left out for a short period, after being shut up all winter, leaf damage can occur with only brief exposure to direct sunlight.
First, give the houseplants a bath. Use a soapy solution made of two teaspoons of mild liquid soap mixed with one gallon of water. Wash the leaves and stems, being certain to clean both upper and lower leaf surfaces. Allow the solution to remain on the plants for a few minutes, but rinse it off thoroughly before it is allowed to dry. This not only cleans plants, making them more attractive, but the soap helps to remove aphids, mealybugs and other insects.
Next, see if your plant needs re-potting. Although some plants require being pot-bound in order to flower eventually all plants outgrow their containers and become root- or pot-bound.
Why repot in the spring? Plant roots grow most actively in the spring, which means the plant will be able to quickly overcome the shock associated with re-potting.
When repotting, start with a clean, appropriately sized pot. If you want the plant to grow larger, then you will need to repot it in a larger pot. If you want it to maintain its present size, you’ll have to prune its roots.
In general, the pot size should be increased by only about two inches per re-potting. Therefore, a plant whose root ball is in a six inch pot is normally transplanted to a pot with an eight inch diameter. For some reason, drastic changes in pot size when re-potting seems to be detrimental to some plants.
Watering the plant several hours prior will help you remove the plant more easily. Invert the pot and gently remove the plant by grasping the main stem. Give it a slight tug, and it should slip out of the pot. If it doesn’t, use a butter knife or other flat-bladed tool to loosen the sides of the pot and try again.
Once the plant is free of the pot, take the time to inspect the root system. Look for large, old circular roots which can strangle the plant and prevent much-needed nourishment. Sever or remove these old roots to allow new feeder roots to establish.
To re-pot, first add enough new soil mixture to the bottom of the pot to return the plant to its original depth. After the plant is replaced, fill in the sides with new potting soil.
Use a quality potting mix when re-potting. Gardeners generally rely on commercially available potting soil mixes for growing most types of houseplants. A lot of brands are out there and not all of them are especially good. In particular, avoid heavy, black potting soils. If the bag feels dense and heavy for its size, put it back.
The best potting mixes include vermiculite, bark and perlite in proportions that create a fairly light, loose mix that water penetrates readily but drains rapidly.
If you don’t want to change pots, there is a way of dealing with a pot-bound plant and keeping it in the same size pot. First, remove the plant from the pot and trim off one-quarter to one-third of the lower part of the root ball. Put a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the original container equal to the amount of the root ball removed. Place the plant back in the pot, adding a little more soil around the sides. Water well, and place the plant in a shady location to recover.
House plants would also benefit from fertilization at this time of year. There are many commercial materials available for fertilizing indoor plants. Most are effective and safe if used as directed.
Smokies Beat Wahoos
April 8, 2017
In his second game of the season, Pensacola right hander Luis Castillo did his impression of Amir Garrett who toed the mound for the Blue Wahoos last year. The Tennessee Smokies defeated Pensacola, 2-1, Friday to tie the series at one game apiece in front of the second sellout crowd of 5,038 this season.
Despite the loss, Blue Wahoos coaches liked what they saw from Castillo, the Red’s No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Castillo was the No. 2 prospect in the Miami Marlins organization and its Minor League Pitcher of the Year before being picked up in a trade Jan. 19.
Castillo, who effortlessly throws a fastball in the upper 90-mph range, allowed just one run, three hits, walked one and struck out five in six innings in his first start for Pensacola. It was just his fourth start in Double-A.
Blue Wahoos pitching coach Danny Darwin compared Castillo’s explosiveness to Garrett’s.
“The only thing holding him back right now is his slider,” Darwin said. “There are not many arms that can throw 97, 98 mph like he does with ease.”
Speaking of Garrett, all he did was become the first Reds’ pitcher since 1970 – 47 years ago – to throw six or more scoreless innings in his debut. In franchise history, it has only been done three times. His line against the St. Louis Cardinals: 6 IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, and 4Ks and picked up the victory.
Castillo had his slider working against Tennessee. After allowing a leadoff single to Tennessee left fielder Charcer Burks, the 24-year-old Dominican, struck out the next batter and then got out of the first inning on a double play by second baseman Josh VanMeter and shortstop Blake Trahan that wowed Blue Wahoos fans. Castillo then set down the next 11 batters in a row.
He ended his night on the hill striking out Smokies second baseman Davis Bote on a slider. He pumped his fist and looked up to the sky.
“That was great to see him use his slider,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “He did a really good job. (Catcher Adrian) Nieto made him throw it.”
The only run off of Castillo came on a two-out solo shot over the left center wall in the fifth inning to Tennessee center fielder Trey Martin, who was 2-4 Friday.
Pensacola got its third solo home run of the season when center fielder Brian O’Grady yanked the ball deep over the right field fence to tie the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the fifth.
Tennessee regained the lead, 2-1, in the eighth inning when Smokies second baseman Davis Bote hit a ground rule double that bounced just inside the right field line over the fence. It dove in pinch hitter Cael Brockmeyer, who had reached first when he was hit by a pitch thrown by Pensacola reliever Alex Powers.
Right-handed reliever Austin Brice, who is doing rehabilitation in Pensacola to recover from an inflamed ulnar nerve of his throwing elbow, relieved Castillo. In his one inning of work, Brice struck out two, hit Tennessee hitter Jeffrey Baez in the back with a fastball, and got Martin out on a long fly ball to the warning track in left field.
“The pitch he hit the guy with was his first two-seamer in three weeks,” Darwin said. “He threw on the side the day before and was a little anxious.”
College Class Donates Cases Of Water To Flomaton Police, Fire
April 8, 2017
Ethics class members at Coastal Alabama College collected just over 60 cases of water for the Flomaton Police and Fire departments. Rebekah Turner, Perri Scurlock, Leah Paige Findley, and Emily Loring took part in the community service project. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing Mowers Worth $30K
April 7, 2017
A Cantonment man has been charged with stealing over $30,000 worth of mowers and other items from a Highway 29 dealer.
Christopher Shane Milstead, 38, was charged with grand theft, burglary of a structure, dealing in stolen property and felony criminal mischief. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $22,500 bond.
On March 13, Kingline Equipment on Highway 29 reported that someone cut their fence and drove away with two mowers while leaving third one outside the fence. The total value of the mowers was $26,197. The mower last seen by the business on March 10.
Kingline later reported that the business had discovered and additional mower valued at $3,999 and a set of ramps value at $125 missing…for a total of $30,321 in stolen merchandise.
About a week later, a Pensacola Police Department detective had contact with a man who attempted to sell him a high-end mower for what a very low price. A check of the serial number revealed it was one of the mowers stolen from Kingline. The individual told investigators that he had paid $2,800 for the mower, and it was surrendered to police. The individual identified Milstead as the person that sold him the mower, according to an arrest report.
Deputies reported finding the second missing mower at Milstead’s residence. and it was returned to Kingline Equipment.
Deputies Seek Armed 9 Mile Road Robber
April 7, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man that held up the Dodge’s Store on 9 Mile Road at gunpoint. On 3:30 a.m. on April 2, the white male walked into the store, pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or ECSO investigators at (850) 436-9620.
House Pursues Property Tax Cut
April 7, 2017
Voters next year could be asked to expand Florida’s homestead property-tax exemption, under a measure introduced Wednesday in the House that quickly drew objections from local governments.
As a companion to a nearly $300 million tax-cut package, the House Ways & Means Committee voted 13-6 to approve a proposal (PCB WMC 17-04) that would ask voters in November 2018 to expand by $25,000 the non-school homestead exemption.
Rep. Mike La Rosa, a St. Cloud Republican and real-estate developer who is handling the bill for the committee, said it is about making homeownership more affordable. The Senate does not have a version of the bill.
“At minimum, this constitutional amendment gives the ability of homeowners and non-homeowners to make a decision if they want to lower their costs of owning a home and achieve that American dream,” La Rosa said.
The state Revenue Estimating Conference projected that, if approved by voters, local governments collectively would see non-school property-tax revenue drop by $752.7 million annually starting in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Committee Chairman Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, had estimated the change would save property owners an average of about $170 a year.
Voting against the proposal, Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, R-The Villages, asked if it was unreasonable to force local governments to “sharpen their pencils” to enact further budget cuts that will be felt most by those who need local services.
“This is an idea that is great in intention, but is at best a feel-good for legislators and it’s going to be devastating for our communities,” Hahnfeldt said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana, voted for the measure after briefly proposing an amendment that would have boosted the exemption to cover up to $150,000 of a property’s assessed value.
“Let’s put our people first,” Jacquet said. “I did not hear from one taxpayer in my district who said this is a bad idea.”
Yet, local officials from across the state told lawmakers that the proposed constitutional amendment would put more of the tax burden on fewer people and force county and municipal governments to decide if they would cut services or increase taxes.
The savings for homeowners would cut Seminole County revenue by more than $16.5 million, Orange County would see a revenue reduction of $35.3 million, and Leon County about $9 million, according to local officials. Palm Beach County could see a revenue drop by $29 million.
Edward G. Labrador, a lobbyist for Broward County, estimated the homestead change would result in a $38 million reduction in revenue for Broward, more than “what we fund countywide for parks and recreation.”
Nancy Detert, a former state lawmaker now on the Sarasota County Commission, told the committee that solving road gridlock and improving quality of life are concerns for her local government, where the measure would cut revenue by $7.7 million.
“It’s well intentioned,” Detert said of the proposal. “I think we have different problems, and those different problems require funding.”
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, also a former state lawmaker, said her county could be out $76.8 million in revenue if voters approve the change, requiring a $17.5 million cut just to fire-rescue services.
“If this legislation is really about tax relief for our citizens of Florida, let’s not punish the local governments who are delivering services, sometimes underfunded, to all of our citizenry,” Heyman said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Gaetz Introduces Legislation To Reschedule Marijuana
April 7, 2017
Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has introduced legislation on the House floor that would remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
Gaetz joined Democratic Congressman Darren Soto on the bipartisan bill, which hd said would make it easier for ill-patients and scientific and medical researchers to obtain marijuana.
The proposed legislation, “to provide for the rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act”, is aimed at rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I drug, on par with heroin and LSD, to a Schedule III drug, on par with anabolic steroids.
The majority of states have already taken steps towards marijuana legalization. Currently, 28 states including Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, have all passed laws legalizing marijuana to some extent under broad support. Recent polling suggest 93% of Americans support legalizing doctor-prescribed medical marijuana. Rescheduling makes it easier to conduct research into marijuana’s medical uses with lighter regulation. The benefits of rescheduling marijuana would benefit local economies. Small businesses in the marijuana industry would finally have the legal ability to meet the needs of patients. Legal status would lead to more businesses receiving loans and banking services from financial institutions.
“This drug should not be in the same category as heroin and LSD, and we do not need to continue with a policy that turns thousands of young people into felons every year. Nor do we need to punish the millions of people who are sick and seeking medical help – from pain, from muscle wasting, from chemotherapy-induced nausea” said Gaetz.
“Floridians have spoken and Medical Marijuana is the law of the land. It’s now time for the federal government to recognize this emerging law and the well-known medical benefits of marijuana” said Soto.
Pictured: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz on the floor of the house on Thursday. Image courtesy CSPAN for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.