Negron Skeptical About Deepwater Horizon Proposals
March 9, 2017
Senate President Joe Negron has expressed concerns about House proposals he said could attach “Washington-like” bureaucratic strings on money from the Deepwater Horizon disaster settlement — money headed to counties including Escambia.
“I don’t believe we should set up some complicated bureaucracy for those funds to be released to the community, to compensate them for actual economic damages that occurred,” Negron told reporters. He indicated a concern that the House proposals could limit how local officials use the money.
The House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast canceled a meeting Monday in which it was expected to discuss a pair of proposed measures that would define how Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. — a non-profit organization within the Department of Economic Opportunity — can handle the bulk of the state’s settlement money from the 2010 disaster. The committee has started to consider changes to an initial plan that would give the non-profit the ability to use the settlement money to market Northwest Florida and for broad economic-development projects. The committee also was looking to eliminate a requirement for projects to get approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.
Instead, Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. would be required to post online details of any project or program 14 days before cash awards are made.
Florida is in line to eventually receive up to $2 billion from the $4.9 billion that is expected to be paid by BP to resolve Gulf Coast economic claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil-spill disaster. The state received $400 million last year and is expected to get $106.7 million a year from 2019 through 2033.
Seventy-five percent of the money is to go to the non-profit representing eight Panhandle counties most impacted by the disaster — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Wakulla and Walton.
by The News Service of Florida
New Look For Walnut Hill Landmark: Escambia Grain Gets Coat Of Paint
March 9, 2017
A Walnut Hill landmark has an updated look, thanks to a fresh coat of paint at Escambia Grain, one of just a handful of grain elevators in Florida. First opened in 1965, Escambia Grain has six storage silos, each about 100 feet tall.
The silos were previously white, with little paint remaining on the concrete surfaces (see bottom photo).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Still Looking For Driver That Hit 15-Year Old Last July
March 9, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol is still seeking a hit and run driver that hit a 15-year old last July.
Brianna Nicole Mark was crossing Pine Forest Road at Citation Drive about 4:25 a.m. July 22 when she was struck by a northbound vehicle that fled the scene. Mark was seriously injured.
The vehicle should have extensive front end damage according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Wednesday, the FHP said the vehicle may be a pickup or midsize SUV.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper J. Durham at (850) 484-5000 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP.
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