Democrats Seek Explanded Use Of Body Cameras
March 9, 2017
After several high-profile shooting incidents, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday backed legislation that would expand the use of police body cameras.
Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, and Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana, have filed bills (SB 828 and HB 513) that would mandate body cameras for all officers who regularly make traffic stops. Body cameras have become a major issue after officer-involved shootings in Florida and nationally raised questions about whether the police action was warranted.
Supporters of the bills said body cameras can help clear up questions about confrontations between police and members of the public. “Everybody does not trust police officers anymore,” said Sen. Daphne Campbell, a Miami Democrat who is co-sponsoring the Senate bill.
“We have to stop that. This is why this bill is so important, just to get back the trust between police officers and the communities.”
The proposal has not been heard in legislative committees. Current Florida law addresses law-enforcement agencies that choose to have the cameras. In such situations, the agencies are required to establish procedures for use and maintenance of the body cameras and the data they record.
by The News Service of Florida
Tate Aggies Claims District Win Over Pace Patriots 7-2
March 9, 2017
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots on the road 7-2 in a district game Wednesday night.
Hanna Brown pitched a complete game for the Aggies, allowing four hits, two runs, four walks and striking out five with no errors.
Sydni Solliday tripled for the Aggies, while Brown and Belle Wolfenden doubled.
For Tate: Sydni Solliday 2-4 3B, 2 R, RBI; Belle Wolfenden 2-4 2B; Leslee Scruggs 1-2 RBI; Shelby Ulrich 1-3, 2 R; Kayleigh Cawthon 1-4 RBI, R; Hannah Brown 1-3 2B.
Pictured: Sydni Solliday tripled for the Tate Aggies Wednesday night in Pace. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Lifters Advance To Regionals
March 9, 2017
The Northview Boy’s Weightlifting Team competed in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 District 1 weightlifting meet Tueday at Baker High School.
Six Northview lifters placed and will advance to compete in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 regional weight meet on Saturday, March 25.
The following Northview lifters placed in their respective weight classes:
Greg Pressley, 3rd place, 119-pound class – 295-lb. total (150-lb. bench press; 145-lb. clean and jerk)
Dalton Hadley, 6th place, 129-pound class – 300-lb. total (165-lb. bench press; 135-lb. clean and jerk)
M.J. Jones, 2nd place, 139-pound class – 380-lb. total (200-lb, bench press; 180-lb. clean and jerk)
Ohijie Elliott, 2nd place, 154-pound class – 495-lb. total (270-lb. bench press; 225-lb. clean and jerk)
Colten Dockens, 5th place, 154-pound class – 430-lb. total (225-lb. bench press; 205-lb. clean and jerk)
Chase Olsen, 2nd place, 169-pound class – 525-lb. total (275-lb. bench press; 245-lb. clean and jerk)
Pictured: (L-R) Colten Dockens, Greg Pressley, Dalton Hadley, M.J. Jones, Ohijie Elliott and Chase Olsen. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Klondike Road Homicide Victim Identified
March 8, 2017
UPDATE: The victim in a shooting Tuesday has been identified as 29-year-old Thadius Edward Watson. No arrests have been made.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting was likely drug related.
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An apparent homicide is under investigation in Escambia County.
An adult male was found dead from gunshot wounds in the 8000 block of Klondike Road, south of Wilde Lake Boulevard near the Klondike Kennels.
Reports indicated that the man was found near the edge of the roadway. The shooting was reported about 12:40 Tuesday afternoon.
The man’s identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. No information has been released on any suspect or suspects in the shooting.
Klondike Road was closed due to the investigation.
More details will be posted as they become available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century To Install $19K Water Meter At Prison To Increase Billings
March 8, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections is underpaying Century for water at the local prison due to a “slow” meter, according to Century officials. And the town is going to spend over $19,000 in hopes of recouping their losses.
Water superintendent Alicia Jernigan told the town council that the water meter at the Century Correctional Institution is running about seven percent slower than it should.
She presented the council with three quotes obtained by phone for a new water meter, with the council approving her recommendation of a $19,040 meter. The cost of the meter does not include installation.
Jernigan said the town will recoup its cost for the water meter over the period of about one year with more accurate billing to the Department of Corrections.
Century’s Splash Pad Now Operating, Ribbon Cutting Set
March 8, 2017
Century’s new splash pad is now operational, months after it was first installed.
The splash pad at Showalter Park was up and running for a brief period last September, but it was turned off awaiting the arrival of a replacement part of Israel.
It’s all been fixed, and Mayor Henry Hawkins said the splash pad is up and running each day during daylight hours. A ribbon cutting and official opening will be held at 9 a.m. on March 17.
The town is also installing two barbecue grills at the pavilions near the splash pad.
A $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant was awarded to the town in October 2015 to fund the splash pad. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds. Century was the only recipient of the grant in Escambia County during 2015.
Pictured: Century’s new splash pad was operational for just a short period of time in September 2016, but it failed to operate properly. Now, it is repaired an operating daily. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Ban Gets Backing In Florida Senate
March 8, 2017
The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure that would ban hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” for oil and natural gas in Florida.
The American Petroleum Institute and its state affiliate spoke at length in opposition to the bill, arguing the drilling practice has not been scientifically proven to contaminate groundwater and that an outright ban may abridge property and mineral rights enshrined by a state law known as the Bert J. Harris Private Property Rights Protection Act.
Business groups also argued a fracking ban could inhibit energy production and harm the state economy.
But Sen. Dana Young, a Tampa Republican sponsoring the bill (SB 442), defended a ban on the controversial drilling practice.
“We are not foreclosing on any individual’s property rights. We are simply foreclosing one method which is incompatible with the geology of our state,” Young said while brandishing a piece of porous limestone found throughout much of Florida.
The measure has 14 co-sponsors, including four Republicans. It now moves to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. A House version (HB 451), filed by Rep. Alex Miller, R-Sarasota, and House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, has not been heard in committee.
by The News Service of Florida
FFA Members Share Ag Message At Molino Park, Bratt
March 8, 2017
Students from the Northview High School FFA shared the importance of agriculture and the role agriculture plays in our daily lives with students at Molino Park and Brattt elementary schools as part of the “Ag in the Classroom” program.
They were also able to speak with each classroom about the upcoming Fresh From Florida program planned for Friday at Northview. The program is designed to make today’s elementary students more aware of the world of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. One of the primary objectives is to promote agricultural literacy among today’s students.
Northview FFA has won state recognition for this program and is rated one the best chapter programs in the state of Florida. Last year, they reached about 1,000 elementary students.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Shuts Out Pine Forest
March 8, 2017
Tate 15, Pine Forest 0
The Tate High School Aggies shut out Pine Forest 15-0 Tuesday.
Tate scored three in the second, four in the third and eight in fifth for the run-rule win.
Hannah Brown (pictured) earned the win for Tate. She tossed three innings, allowing zero runs, zero hits, zero walks and striking out eight. Sydni Solliday pitched one, with one hit, no runs, no error, one walk and no strikeouts.
Shelby McLean was 2-2 with a run and two RBIs; Sydni Solliday went 3-3 at the plate with two runs and three RBIs. Also for Tate: Hannah Brown,1-3, RBI; Deazia Nickerson 1-1, R; Belle Wolfenden 1-3, R; Madison Nelson 1-1, 2R, 2RBI; Kayliegh Cawthon, RBI; Gabby Locke R; Kyndal Bray 1-1, R, RBI; Tristen Cook R, RBI; Taylor Hedgepath, R; Katie Snyder, R.
Fan submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gun Bills Could Again Struggle In Florida Senate
March 8, 2017
A proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to store firearms with security officers at courthouses narrowly advanced Tuesday through the Senate Judiciary Committee — a panel where high-profile Second Amendment measures stalled last year.
The committee might be a stumbling block again for broader gun-related bills during the 2017 legislative session, including bills that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry on university and college campuses (SB 622) and in airport terminals (SB 618).
The Judiciary Committee voted 5-4 along party lines to back what is called “courthouse carry” (SB 616), sponsored by committee Chairman Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who has filed 10 firearm-related bills.
However, Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican and top lieutenant to Senate President Joe Negron, said she was backing the courthouse bill Tuesday after getting Steube’s assurance that he would not expand the scope of the measure as it continues to move forward.
She also said she is not in favor of vastly expanding the state’s gun laws, which could impact the outcome of future firearm-related votes.
“He and I do not see eye to eye on probably any of the other gun bills,” Flores said. “I do not support having guns on campus. I do not support having guns in airports. I don’t support having guns in school zones. I don’t support those things.”
Steube, an attorney whose bills include the campus-carry proposal and a measure that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry handguns (SB 644), said he is working to move forward with his other proposals. But he acknowledged after the meeting that some of his other bills might have trouble advancing through his committee.
“All you have to do is count the votes on this committee and see where people are,” Steube said. “The only way that something can move, as it relates to firearms, would be coming through this committee.”
He maintained that Flores’ stance isn’t a setback for Second Amendment advocates, noting a measure (SB 128) from Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, to shift a burden of proof to prosecutors in “stand your ground” self-defense cases cleared the Judiciary Committee and will go before the entire Senate on Thursday.
“We’ve got a couple of other bills sent to Judiciary that relate to firearms and passed another bill today in a Senate committee that has refused to hear these bills the past two years,” Steube said. “I certainly think we’re moving in a direction that I would like to see us move.”
Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, gave her support to the courthouse proposal, saying, “I am one of those that believe it is a God-given right for us to protect ourselves and to carry a gun, but we have to be responsible.”
The measure would allow concealed-carry licensees to continue to carry up to the courthouse doors. The “dilemma,” according to the Second Amendment group Florida Carry, is gun owner to leave their firearms at home or store them in cars and be unarmed for a period outside the courthouses.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida