House Moves Foward On Medical Marijuana
March 29, 2017
Pledging that it is only a start, a Florida House panel gave a thumbs-up Tuesday to a medical-marijuana proposal castigated by supporters of a constitutional amendment that legalized cannabis for a broad swath of patients with debilitating conditions.
The House Health Quality Subcommittee overwhelmingly approved the measure (HB 1397), sponsored by House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, with just one “no” vote after nearly three hours of public testimony.
“I believe this is a measured approach,” Rodrigues, R-Estero said, “but I will caution you that it is not the final product.”
The Rodrigues proposal would prohibit smoking of cannabis products, as well as edibles, and would ban all but terminally ill patients from using vaporizers to consume medical marijuana, one of the biggest objections to the bill raised by supporters of the constitutional amendment.
Known as Amendment 2, the ballot initiative was approved by more than 71 percent of Florida voters in November. It came after the Legislature in 2014 and 2016 passed far-more limited medical marijuana laws, allowing non-euphoric cannabis for some patients and full-strength marijuana for people with terminal illnesses.
The House bill would provide fewer additional licenses for purveyors of medical marijuana than a Senate plan would allow. Currently seven “dispensing organizations” have been approved by state health regulators.
Another point of contention in the House proposal would require health officials to grant medical marijuana licenses to applicants that lost out when vying to become one of the handful of operators authorized to grow, process and distribute non-euphoric cannabis products more than a year ago.
The proposal would require the Department of Health to grant another five licenses once the patient population reaches 200,000, and another three licenses for every additional 100,000 patients registered in a state database.
That’s in contrast with a leading Senate proposal, which would require the state to issue five new licenses by the end of the year and up to 20 new licenses — nearly quadruple the current number of seven — by the time the patient registry reaches 500,000.
Rodrigues’ legislation would also maintain a required three-month relationship between patients and doctors before health care providers could order the marijuana treatment, something critics say is detrimental.
Opponents of the constitutional amendment — including Drug Free America and Save Our Society from Drugs — are throwing their support behind the Rodrigues bill.
Calvina Fay, executive director of St. Petersburg-based Drug Free America, told the panel Tuesday she was pleased the proposal “has incorporated many of our recommendations.”
But Ben Pollara, campaign manager for the political committee that backed Amendment 2, harshly criticized the House plan, saying it “was written for the less than 29 percent who voted ‘no’ rather than the over 71 percent who voted ‘yes’ “” on the amendment.
“This proposal undermines and contradicts the Constitution, the will of 71 percent of Floridians, and would impose significant, arbitrary barriers to patient access,” Pollara said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Drivers Hits And Kills Two Cows After Vandals Open Gate
March 29, 2017
A driver struck and killed two cows near Walnut Hill Tuesday morning after vandals apparently let them out of their pasture.
The pickup truck driver refused EMS at the scene after he struck the two black cows before daybreak on Gobbler Road, just off Highway 97. The two cows were part of herd of 180 in a nearby pasture. It was discovered that someone had cut the lock and opened the gate to pasture sometime during the overnight hours.
The owner of the cows says this is not the first time vandals have caused damage allowing the cows to escape.
Each cow weighed an estimated 600 pounds or more with a market value of $1,000 each.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 29, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the two week period ending March 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Ramos and McHenry were conducting saltwater fishing license and marine resource inspections on Pensacola Beach and saw a man, who was actively fishing, begin to behave suspiciously. When asked, the man provided a false name to the officers. After establishing the man’s name, an active warrant was found for violation of probation/DUI. The subject was booked into Escambia County Jail for the outstanding warrant and issued a citation for not having the required non-resident fishing license.
Officers Manning and Allgood concentrated their efforts on offshore fisheries inspections in the Gulf of Mexico. Four vessel operators were found in possession of undersized greater amberjack. Notice to appear citations were issued for these violations. Later that day as they approached another vessel, they noticed the operator throw some fish into the water. As Officer Allgood boarded the vessel, Officer Manning retrieved two gray triggerfish that were still floating. Officer Allgood questioned the operator of the vessel about the triggerfish and he admitted to throwing them. During his inspection, a strong odor of marijuana was present. One of the passengers admitted to having a small amount of marijuana and a pipe. The pipe and marijuana were seized and notice to appear citations were issued for possession of undersized gray triggerfish, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Jones was on patrol in the early morning on the Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and found a fresh set of vehicle tracks going through a closed range gate and into an area closed to all public access. He followed the tracks to an area where he saw flashlights working off in the distance. He followed the lights on foot and found a man and a woman standing near a parked vehicle. The two subjects were in possession of hundreds of spent brass ammunition shell casings. They were charged with numerous violations including entering a closed area, entering Eglin property during closed hours, no Eglin permit and theft. The male subject was also charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Officer Jernigan concluded an investigation into a boat that was found abandoned in the Blackwater WMA. He contacted the last registered owner who referred him to another man to whom he gave the boat. The officer finally contacted a subject who admitted to finding the boat in what appeared to be an abandoned state. He took the boat but later thought that it might have been stolen, so he hauled it to the nearby forest where he disposed of it. The man was charged with littering and the boat was returned to the registered owner.
Officer Hutchinson received information about a man who had a small alligator as a pet at his residence. The subject did not have the proper permits to possess the alligator and the officer found that the man was keeping the alligator inside an aquarium. The man admitted to catching the alligator in Yellow River at the end of the 2016 alligator hunting season. He said he caught two small alligators and took them home, but one later died. He kept the other one as a pet. The alligator was seized and the man was charged for possession of an alligator without a permit.
Lieutenant Berryman and Officers Hoomes, Roberson and Cushing responded to a request from the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) of a reported distress call from a vessel somewhere in East Bay/Blackwater Bay. After searching the area for three hours in rough seas and inclement weather, the search was called off due to lack of additional information on the possible location of the vessel.
Officer Hutchinson helped coordinate an after-school function for S. S. Dixon Elementary School. The event’s theme was camping, fishing and nature. FWC Wildlife Biologist Almario, Wildlife Technician Jernigan and Officer Hutchinson participated in the event. They set up a wildlife display that involved hands‑on wildlife identification games as well as other displays. They answered many questions and interacted with the students and their parents. Approximately 300 people attended the event.
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.
Dortch Homers As Northview Beats Baker; Ullrich Homers As Tate Tops Escambia
March 29, 2017
Northview 7, Tate 5
Peighton Dortch hit an inside the park home run Tuesday evening and Jamia Newton had a triple as the the Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 7-5 in Bratt.
For Northview – Jamia Newton 1-4, R, 2RBI, 3B; Kendall Enfinger 2-4, R, RBI; Tori Herrington R; Aubrey Love R, RBI; Peighton Dortch 1-3, R, 2 RBI; Valen Shelly 1-3. R; Lydia Smith 1-3.
Tori Herrington pitched the district win for the Chiefs in seven innings, allowing five hits, five runs, three errors and striking out nine.
The Chiefs will be at Washington on Thursday.
For more photos from the Northview game, click here.
Tate 12 , Escambia 7
Shelby Ullrich homered as the Tate Aggies scored eight in the fourth on their way to a 12-7 defeat of the Escambia Gators Tuesday. The win earned the Aggies (12-3, 7-0) the top seed in the Class 7A, District 1 tournament.
Hannah Brown earned the win for the Tate Aggies. She tossed seven innings, giving up seven runs, six hits, and striking out 10.
For Tate: Hannah Brown 2-5; Hayden Lindsay 1-4, R, 2 RBI; Belle Wolfenden 1-3, 2 R, 2 RBI; Leslee Scruggs, 2-4, 2 2B; 4 RBI; Shelby Ullrich 2-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, HR; Ashley Lundquist 1-1; Tristen Cook, 1-4, R; Deazia Nickerson 1-4, R, RBI;
Tate 11, Escambia 11 JV
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Tops Jay In District Contest
March 29, 2017
The Northview Chiefs defeated Jay 4-2 Tuesday at Bratt.
Josh Neese pitched six for Northview allowing two hits, two runs and striking out six, while Bailey Wilson pitched one, walking two and striking out two. Logan Dobson took the loss for Jay in six, allowing nine hits and striking out three.
For Northview: Quinton Sampson 2-2, RBI, 1R. Chandler Lowery 3-3 1 RBI, Bailey Wilson 2-3 RBI 1 R.
The Northview Chiefs (8-6, 3-2) will host South Walton on Friday in a 5 p.m. varsity game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested For Stealing Trailer After Stakeout, Police Chase
March 29, 2017
A police chase ended with two Montgomery men behind bars for stealing a tractor and trailer from an Atmore dealership.
Deputy Paul Hudson was staked out near Smith Tractor Company of Highway 31 just east of Atmore about 11:30 p.m. March 1 when he saw a vehicle drive slowly past the business, turn around and return.
Hudson watched as the two suspects used bolt cutters on a tractor/trailer combination package. The subjects then hitched the trailer to the truck and drove east on Highway 31 towards Canoe. Hudson, who was working the detail on his day off, chased the truck and stopped it on Highway 31 in Canoe. He called for backup, with other ECSO deputies and the Atmore Police Department responding.
Deputy Hudson arrested both men, 26-year-old Johnny Deon Whitt and 25-year-old Quentin Devontea Jackson, for first degree theft of property. Both were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $30,000 each.
Three Northview Lifters Qualify For State Meet
March 29, 2017
Northview High School’s Ohijie Elliott, Chase Olsen and M.J. Jones have all qualified for the 2017 FHSAA 1A State Weightlifting Meet at Deland High School in Deland, FL, on Saturday, April 8.
Elliott will be competing in the 154-lb. weight class and currently has the 7th highest total in the state in his class. Olsen will compete in the 169-lb. class and has the 13th highest total, while Jones will compete in the 139-lb. class with the 13th highest total.
The top six lifers at the state meet place.
The lifters qualified after all hitting personal best totals at the regional weightlifting meet and placing in the top six to become eligible for the state meet.
Three lifters advancing to state is the most from Northview High School since four advanced in 2000.
Missing Teen Located Safe
March 29, 2017
UPDATE: This missing teen has been located safe.
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The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a teen runaway that is classified as missing and endangered.
Hanna Violet Redmon was last seen Sunday in the area of Creighton Road. The 14-year old was wearing silver sandals, blue and white leggings, gray jacket, and red shirt. Hanna also wears glasses and is hearing impaired. She is 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
If you have any information contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 28, 2017
The 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Food Giant parking lot about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office escorted the torch down Highway 29 through Century.
On the second leg of the journey for the torch, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Pensacola Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, carried the torch from the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building on West Leonard Street to Bartram Park in Pensacola.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 67 counties in Florida.
The Special Olympics State Summer Games will be held May 19-20 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.
Pictured: 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics Monday morning in Century. Photos by Julie Bowman and other for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prom Night Heroes Save Woman From Burning Home
March 28, 2017
Three young Escambia County, AL, residents are being called heroes after saving a woman from a burning home on their way back from a high school prom Saturday night.
They were on their way back from the W.S. Neal High School Prom when they noticed the fire. It was prom night for senior Ryley Fore, 18. He attended prom with his date, 22-year old Cheyenne Hammond and his cousin Kalanea Fore who was along to see the senior walkout.
The trio spotted the garage fire at a home on Foshee Road about 8:30 p.m.
Cheyenne called 911 for help, while Ryley and Kalanea made their way inside the home to find 63-year old Marilyn Mize alone and asleep on the couch. She has limited mobility, relying on a walker and wheelchair. Ryley and Kalanea helped her out of the house using her walker, then went back to get the wheelchair to roll her to safety.
Ryley called his dad and grandfather; together they used a hose to knock down the fire in the garage.
“I was just so thankful for those kids,” Marilyn said. “God put those kids at the right place at the right time because I would have been gone. I believe that with all my heart.”
“The kids were amazing. They are heroes,” she said.
Pictured top: “Prom Heroes” Kalanea Fore, Ryley Fore and Cheyenne Hammond posed for pictured Saturday afternoon, just a few hours before saving a woman from a burning home. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.