Wreck Backs Up Highway 29 Traffic
November 9, 2016
A rush hour accident on Highway 29 caused a significant northbound backup Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 60-year old Michael Joe Barnes of Milton was northbound on Highway 29 approaching Carolina Drive at 4:43 p.m. when, he told troopers, his 2014 Dodge Ram suddenly accelerated and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu drive by 39-year old Paula Elane Butler of Molino. Barnes’ vehicle then struck a 1997 Ford F150 driven by Richard Shadolph Mixon of Pensacola.
Mixon and Barnes received minor injuries, while Butler was uninjured.
Medical Marijuana Soars To Approval
November 9, 2016
Stunning even some of the proposal’s most avid supporters, Florida voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for patients with a broad swath of conditions.
Amendment 2, “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions,” received at least 70 percent of the vote, far greater than the 60 percent required for passage of constitutional amendments in Florida.
While Florida was one of several states with marijuana-related proposals on the ballot Tuesday, pot reform proponents believed the success or failure of the Sunshine State’s constitutional amendment was critically important for legalization efforts nationwide. Two dozen other states have already legalized medical marijuana.
The clear support for Amendment 2 could make Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan one of Florida’s biggest election winners. He and his law firm have spent more than $6.5 million on the effort to legalize marijuana in Florida over the past two years.
Tuesday’s victory came after voters narrowly rejected a similar effort in 2014, but the politics — and presence — of pot in Florida have changed dramatically since then.
“It’s a gigantic victory because hundreds and hundreds of thousands of sick and suffering Floridians will be able to see the benefit of this law very, very soon,” Ben Pollara, campaign manager of the political committee supporting the amendment, said in a telephone interview shortly after the polls closed Tuesday night.
The constitutional change legalizes marijuana as a treatment option for patients with conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Florida is home to an estimated 500,000 patients who would be eligible for the treatment, making it the second-largest market in the country.
The expansion will be a lucrative boost for businesses already growing, processing and distributing cannabis in Florida and will almost certainly spur even more competition for highly sought-after dispensing organization licenses, now limited to a handful of businesses chosen by state health officials last year.
Opponents of the measure immediately said they would take their fight to the Legislature, which is responsible for implementing the amendment.
In a statement, the “Vote No on 2″ campaign said the group planned to ask lawmakers to ban pot candy, put a limit on THC levels, more tightly define what “debilitating conditions” would make patients eligible for the treatment, and ensure that local communities can regulate and ban marijuana dispensaries that critics call “pot shops.”
While the 2014 initiative failed, it did open the door for pot in Florida.
Partly to fend off the 2014 pot proposal, Florida lawmakers that year authorized non-euphoric marijuana for patients with epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms or cancer. The 2014 law also set up a regulatory structure for the marijuana industry. The Legislature this year expanded the law to allow full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients.
But supporters of Amendment 2 say the current Florida law does nothing for a host of severely ill patients who could benefit from the treatment.
A more Democratic-leaning voter turnout in the presidential election year was anticipated to give the constitutional proposal an additional boost Tuesday.
Some of the same opponents who helped kill the measure two years ago again contributed to the “No on 2″ campaign in an effort to replicate their success. Critics insisted the provision giving doctors leeway to recommend the treatment for unspecified illnesses would amount to “de facto legalization” of pot.
But recent polls showed tremendous support for legalization of medical marijuana, and financing for the opposition crawled to a halt in recent weeks.
Opponents of the measure also warned Floridians that, according to a Department of Health estimate, about 2,000 “pot shops” could sprout up throughout the state, if the proposal passed.
In anticipation of November’s election, local governments around Florida have been considering ordinances that would restrict where the dispensaries can be located.
Morgan — who, with his law firm, contributed more than half of the $12.5 million raised by the political committee backing the Florida proposals since 2013 — maintains that the marijuana industry will almost certainly have a positive economic impact on the state and will result in job creation.
Morgan is a devout believer in the use of marijuana as a far safer treatment option for sick individuals than prescription drugs, which result in thousands of deaths each year nationwide.
“This is not a pharmaceutical and guess what? Thank God it’s not. Man made opioids. God made pot. I’m going to go with God every single time when it comes to me. And by the way, marijuana has never killed one person,” Morgan said during a recent debate.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Florida Voters Turn Out Lights On Solar Amendment
November 9, 2016
A controversial solar-energy ballot initiative fell short short of the 60 percent voter approval it needed Tuesday, concluding for now one of the most-expensive constitutional amendment campaigns in Florida history.
Opponents who argued the amendment would hinder the development of alternative energy in Florida, celebrated the defeat of the measure, known as Amendment 1, as most counties continued posting results. As of 9:30 p.m., the amendment had received support of about 51 percent of voters — far below the 60 percent threshold, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Tory Perfetti, chairman of the opposition group Floridians for Solar Choice and director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom, called the vote a “victory for energy freedom.”
“We defeated one of the most egregious and underhanded attempts at voter manipulation in this state’s history,” Perfetti said in a prepared statement.
“The failure of Amendment 1 is the clearest signal yet that Floridians want more access to clean solar energy,” said Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director, Florida Conservation Voters.
Consumers for Smart Solar, a utility-backed group that spearheaded the proposal, didn’t immediately comment.
The state’s four major private utilities — Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power — collectively spent more than $20.2 million on the proposal, which sought to place existing regulations regarding solar energy into the state Constitution.
Powered by the utility money, Consumers for Smart Solar spent at least $25.47 million to get the measure on the ballot and to advertise and campaign for the amendment, which it said would protect consumers.
But critics contended the measure could lead to “discriminatory charges” against rooftop solar users, as the ballot language said that people who haven’t installed solar on their property “are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.”
Contending the measure was purposely deceptive, the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and the group Floridians for Solar Choice failed last week to get the state’s Supreme Court to strike down the initiative.
The groups had pinned their argument on a tape that included comments by Sal Nuzzo, vice president of policy at the James Madison Institute. On the tape, first reported by the Miami Herald, Nuzzo described how to use a “little bit of political jiu-jitsu” in promoting solar to win support for desired changes in policy.
The court had approved the ballot language for the amendment 4-3 in March.
Consumers for Smart Solar called the lawsuit “frivolous” and a “political stunt” intended to drum up last minute media attention for their anti-Amendment 1 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Tallahassee-based James Madison Institute asserted that Nuzzo misspoke. Consumers for Smart Solar said the James Madison Institute wasn’t involved in planning or drafting the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Consumers for Smart Solar amendment was introduced last year after Floridians for Solar Choice launched a petition drive for its own ballot initiative that sought to ease regulations and allow businesses to generate and sell up to two megawatts of solar power to customers on the same or neighboring properties.
After failing to collect the needed signatures to get on this year’s ballot, Floridians for Solar Choice is eyeing the 2018 election for its proposal.
“The millions of dollars in slick ad buys and glossy mailers did not win the day as opponents of Amendment 1 successfully harnessed social and earned media to educate Floridians about the true intent of this deceptive proposal while tapping a vast network of organizations, solar businesses and supporters who remain committed to growing — not restricting — Florida’s solar industry,” Floridians for Solar Choice said in a release Tuesday.
The spending on the amendment approached the $28.65 million the trial lawyer-backed Floridians for Patient Protection effort spent in 2004 pushing ballot initiatives opposed by the Florida Medical Association.
Consumers for Smart Solar pointed to high advertising costs, bolstered by Florida’s place as a key battleground state in the presidential election, for driving its spending.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
DOC To Close Atmore Community Work Center, Transfer Employees To Holman
November 9, 2016
The Alabama Department of Corrections will close the Atmore Community Work Center and transfer the employees to augment critical staffing shortages at Holman Prison.
Corrections officials said the plan to close the Atmore Community Work Center, which houses 240 inmates with a staff of 27 employees, will take effect by the end of this month.
“Our decision to close the Atmore Community Work Center and transfer the facility’s security staff to the William C. Holman Correctional Facility is a prudent step toward improving the safety and security conditions at the prison,” said Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “By closing the work center and transferring security staff to Holman, we will increase ‘boots on the ground’ and provide for a safer facility for our employees and inmates.”
Atmore Community Work Center inmates currently providing services to governmental agencies will be relocated to J.O. Davis Correctional Facility in Atmore in order to continue DOC’s support to the community. Officials added that closing the work center will not affect the local economy.
ADOC officials said a number of Atmore’s correctional officers already volunteer for overtime at Holman Correctional Facility to fill officer shortages. Since Holman prison is in close proximity to the community work center, the impact on officers transferring from the work center to the prison will be minimal.
Located next to Fountain prison, the Atmore Community Work center opened in 1973.
Rubio Wins Senate Race
November 9, 2016
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who started the year declaring he wouldn’t seek re-election, retained his seat Tuesday, winning a second six-year term by defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.
Rubio, who entered the contest in June after his White House aspirations collapsed, overcame efforts by Democrats to link him to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and to paint his re-election run as simply a step towards a 2020 presidential bid.
As of 10 p.m., Rubio had about 52 percent of the vote, while Murphy had about 44 percent, according to the state Division of Elections website.
“I am glad that I’m an American in the 21st Century,” said Rubio said during a victory speech at his election night party at the Hilton Miami Airport. “America is going to be OK. We will turn this country around. I have faith. I know God is not done with America yet.”
Rubio added that the time has come for America to come together to respect its diversity behind a common dream.
“I believe with all my heart that if we do what needs to be done in the years to come that my children and yours will be the freest and most prosperous that have ever lived,” Rubio said. “But we must start now. For while we still have time to get this right, we don’t have forever.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia said in a prepared statement that voters “rewarded the senator’s dedication to public service.”
Murphy, a two-term member of the House, struggled to overcome massive negative attacks from national and state Republican groups. Also he faced a perceived lack of name recognition outside his Treasure Coast district and some self-inflicted wounds tied to exaggerations and explanations about his educational and professional resume.
Murphy also faced criticism even from within his party that he wasn’t as strong a campaigner as they expected.
Murphy said “we put everything we had into this fight,” while giving a concession speech during his election night party at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott Hotel. However, “we were expecting and hoping for a different result this evening.”
After someone in the crowd shouted “recount,” Murphy said “the people of Florida have spoken and at the end of the day I respect their choice.”
Murphy said he called Rubio before appearing before his supporters.
The contest was one of the most-watched and most-expensive Senate campaigns in the nation, as Democrats eyed the seat as a potential step in recapturing control of the upper chamber.
In addition to the $12.48 million the Federal Elections Commission reported has been raised by Rubio’s camp and $13.72 million that came into Murphy’s campaign, outside groups using super PACs reportedly spent nearly $50 million more in Florida.
Murphy tried to make the race about Rubio’s oft-criticized attendance record in the Senate and the future political aspirations of the former Florida House speaker.
But Rubio during a debate at the University of Central Florida rolled out a line intended to rebuff that claim, saying he will “serve in the Senate for the next six years. God willing.”
Rubio, who sought to promote himself on the campaign trail as more hardline against terrorism than his Democratic challenger, entered the contest after the summer’s mass murder in an Orlando nightclub by a homegrown terrorist.
D.C. insiders were also pushing Rubio to enter the contest, worrying the Republican lineup of congressmen, businessmen and Florida’s lieutenant governor weren’t exciting the electorate.
From that point, Rubio never trailed in any major polls.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Voters Back Tax Exemptions For First Responders, Senior Citizens
November 9, 2016
In two issues that received relatively little attention, voters were poised Tuesday night to overwhelmingly approve two constitutional amendments that could lead to property-tax breaks for disabled first responders and some seniors.
The proposals, known as amendments 3 and 5, were placed on the ballot by the Legislature. Amendment 3 would allow lawmakers to grant property-tax exemptions for first responders who are totally and permanently disabled because of injuries suffered in the line of duty. With about 8 million votes counted statewide, the measure had support from more than 83 percent of voters. Amendment 5, meanwhile, is aimed at allowing low-income seniors to continue receiving an additional homestead tax exemption when their property values rise above $250,000. It was being backed by about 78 percent of voters.
by The News Service of Florida
Century Stabbing Suspect Arrested Monday Night
November 8, 2016
The suspect in an October 30 stabbing in Century was taken into custody Monday night.
Alfreco Lett, 44, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Monday evening on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with bond set at $25,000.
Lett is accused of stabbing one person at a mobile home in the 300 block of East Pond Street about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The victim was transported by Lifeguard ambulance to EMS Post 50 in Century and then transferred to LifeFlight helicopter and airlifted to a Pensacaola hospital. The victim’s name and condition have not been released.
Following the stabbing, Lett allegedly fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
Tate Aggie Markus Baxley Recognized By Congressman For Special Touchdown
November 8, 2016
Monday, the office of Congressman Jeff Miller presented Tate Aggie Markus Baxley with special recognition of his 10-yard touchdown run at the Tate versus Pace football game on October 7. Baxley was presented with a flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington on game day.
Baxley has cerebral palsy and spent his high school career as an honorary member of the Aggies team. Until that one game in October, he had never scored a touchdown, made a tackle or even played a single down. On October 7, he was out of his wheelchair for a special pre-game down. With his from his team, he scored a 10-yard touchdown. The play earned Baxley his varsity letter in football.
In conjunction with the game, Baxley also helped the Aggie Nation raise $1,000 for the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Pictured above and below: Stevan Davis from the office of Congressman Jeff Miller presented special recognition Monday to Aggie Markus Baxley. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom: Baxley scores his October 7 touchdown. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Entire State Of Alabama Now Under No Burn Order
November 8, 2016
All 67 counties in Alabama are now under a “no burn” order in which all outdoor burning is prohibited.
The no burn order is a result of the prolonged drought that most of the state is experiencing this year, as well as the increasing number of fires that have occurred recently and reduced availability of suppression resources.
Under the no burn order, ” it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP: 96-Year Old Causes Beulah Four-Vehicle Crash
November 8, 2016
An elderly woman was cited after causing a four-vehicle crash Monday evening on Nine Mile Road at Heritage Oaks.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 96-year old Chelton Wilson of Mobile was eastbound on Highway 90 in Mercury Sable when she rear-ended a Nissan Sentra driven by 29-year old Megan Schaff of Pensacola. That vehicle was pushed into a 2015 Ford F150 driven by 48-year old Steven Pinette of Pensacola, which was pushed into a 2007 Ford Escape driven by 44-year old Vasheta Rogers of Pensacola.
Wilson’s vehicle then traveled down an embankment on the shoulder of the roadway.
All injuries in the crash were minor.
Wilson was cited for careless driving by the FHP.