Several New Laws In Florida
October 1, 2016
County elections supervisors are up for pay raises, while penalties increase for trafficking in the modern version of food stamps and for stealing credit-card information at gas pumps, under new laws that went into effect Saturday.
Those changes to state laws are among 26 that take effect this weekend after being crafted during the 2016 legislative session.
Lawmakers sent 272 bills to Gov. Rick Scott from the regular legislative session, which ended in March. Scott vetoed three and signed the rest.
The majority of the new laws, including the state’s annual budget, went into effect July 1 or immediately upon receiving Scott’s signature.
Here are some of the laws that will take effect Saturday:
HOUSE ARREST
— HB 75, which expands rules regarding electronic monitoring devices. The measure makes it a third-degree felony to ask another person to remove or help circumvent the operation of a monitoring device.
EBT CARDS
— SB 218, which is aimed at reducing trafficking in electronic-benefit transfer cards. The cards, commonly known as EBT cards, are a higher-tech form of food stamps and help provide food assistance to low-income Floridians. The measure, in part, would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to have two or more EBT cards and sell or attempt to sell one of the cards. A second offense would be a third-degree felony.
DISABILITIES PROTECTION
— HB 387, which is named “Carl’s Law” and increases civil and criminal penalties when victims are people with disabilities. Carl Stark, a 36-year-old autistic man from St. Augustine was shot and killed in 2015 after being targeted by teenagers looking to steal a car.
THREATS
— SB 436, which makes it a second-degree felony for making false reports about using firearms in a violent manner. The law also makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to threaten with death or serious harm a law-enforcement officer, state attorney or assistant state attorney, firefighter, judge, elected official or any of their family members.
SUPERVISORS PAY
— SB 514, which adjusts salaries for county supervisors of elections to be calculated the same as for clerks of circuit court, property appraisers and tax collectors. The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research has indicated the change will result in $1.2 million in salary increases, which averages to an $18,540 increase per county.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
— HB 545, which prohibits people under 18 from being prosecuted for prostitution and makes clear that sexually exploiting a child in prostitution should be viewed as human trafficking. The measure also increases the penalty for people who knowingly rent space used for prostitution.
ELECTRONIC SKIMMERS
— SB 912, which is part of a crackdown on illegal electronic skimmers that have been found on gas pumps and ATM machines. The measure, backed by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, increases the penalties for people who possess counterfeit credit-card information. The proposal also includes requirements for gas-station owners and managers to use security measures on self-service fuel pumps.
SPINY LOBSTERS
— SB 1470, which revises rules dealing with stone-crab traps and spiny-lobster traps. In part, the law makes clear that a person with fewer than 100 undersized spiny lobsters may face a misdemeanor violation for each of the undersized crustaceans. Possessing more than 100 undersized spiny lobsters is a third degree felony offense.
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION
— HB 7071, which is intended to ease the legal threshold to prosecute officials involved in public corruption. Rather than proving an official acted “with corrupt intent,” prosecutors will need to show the person “knowingly and intentionally” engaged in the corrupt act.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Century Health And Rehab Honors First Responders At Cookout
September 30, 2016
The Century Health and Rehabilitation Center hosted a free cookout for first responders Thursday. The cookout honored local area fire, EMT, and law enforcement employees and volunteers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Woman Killed In Wreck
September 30, 2016
A Santa Rosa County woman was killed in a two vehicle crash Thursday afternoon near Chumuckla.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 15-year old Katlynn Brianna Hobbs of Jay was traveling eastbound on Highway 182 near Griswold Road in a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado. Hobbs slowed to make a left turn without signaling as 41-year old Robert Albert Kanning III of Jay attempted to pass in a passing zone on the left. Hobbs turned her vehicle into the path of Kanning’s 2007 Dodge Ram, causing the vehicles to collide and Hobb’s vehicle to overturn.
Katlynn Hobbs’ passenger, 40-year old Allison Maranda Hobbs of Jay was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation by the FHP.
Ernest Ward Beats Escambia County Atmore (With Gallery)
September 30, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School defeated Escambia County Middle School 46-26 Thursday in Atmore.
Next Thursday, Ernest Ward will host T.R. Miller in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award Presented To County Administrator Brown
September 30, 2016
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown was presented the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to rural Escambia County by the Escambia County Farm Bureau during their annual meeting Thursday night in Molino. Photo Pictured with Jack Brown (middle) are Farm Bureau leaders Jimmy Cunningham (left) and Brett Ward. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kena Spivey, 2, Loses Battle With Cancer
September 30, 2016
Kena Spivey, age 2, lost her battle to cancer Thursday morning. We introduced your to Kena and her unlikely friend, Bryant Cooper, in previous stories here on NorthEscambia.com.
In late October of 2014, Bryant was a happy, focused young man with a love for football. And John Deere…that love was strong enough that he had even landed a dream job of sorts with a local John Deere dealership. But pain in his back — he thought just a pulled muscle or maybe kidney stones — sent him to the emergency room. The preliminary diagnosis was not good…suspicious spots on his liver. More tests for a final diagnosis that Bryant and his mother, Janet Little Cooper, never expected on November 4, 2014.
Cancer. Not just cancer, but a Stage 4 rare neuroendocrine cancer, and it had spread with a vengeance to other parts of this body.
Kena was diagnosed with a Stage 3 tumor on her cervix and uterus on July 7, 2014.
Kena was in Sacred Heart Hospital for a chemo treatment, and Bryant was in for his first ever treatment when the two met on November 17. Her parents, Charles and Dawn Spivey, were walking her down the hallway trying to calm her when they met Janet.
Kena’s tears stopped when she saw Bryant lying in his hospital bed. The friendship continued to grow up until her passing.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
On average, 43 teens are diagnosed with cancer each day. And before the day ends, a childhood cancer will claim seven lives, Janet Cooper said. “There are billions and billions of dollars spent on cancer research every year in this country. But only four percent is spent on find a cure for childhood cancers.”
JV Football: Baker Over Northview
September 30, 2016
In junior varsity football, Baker defeated Northview 44-20 Thursday night in Bratt.
The JV Chief s will travel to West Florida at 6 p.m. on October 13, and the will host West Florida on October.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Sweeps Northview
September 30, 2016
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs in volleyball action Thursday in Jay.
JV 18-25, 18-25 Jay wins
Varsity 13-25, 12-25, 16-25 Jay wins
Northview travels next to Baker on Tuesday before a Senior Night game at home against Escambia High School on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Kayleen Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Encourages Proper Recycling Participation
September 29, 2016
ECUA’s Interim Materials Recycling Facility, or IMRF, is up and running at the Perdido Landfill. ECUA is encouraging customers enrolled in the recycling program to resume the separation of their recyclables .
The collaborative effort between ECUA and Escambia County is a state-of-the-art facility that will have the capacity to recycle up to 40,000 tons of materials per year.
The $10.6 million project was initiated to offer a long-term, regional recycling solution for this community, while at the same time, to assist Escambia County in reaching its state-mandated 75 percent recycling goal. On February 12, ECUA broke ground for the IMRF, which encompasses a 53,460 square-foot fabric building and recycling equipment that is expected to process up to 165 tons of materials per day.
The following items can be recycled:
- Glass; any color
- Newspaper & Inserts
- Magazines & Catalogs
- Junk Mail & Envelopes
- Cardboard
- Phone Books
- Office and School Papers (colored paper)
- Brown Paper Bags (grocery)
- Boxboard (cereal, cake & cracker boxes, etc.)
- Pizza Boxes
- Plastic Produce Clamshells
- Plastics No. 1 through 7
- Plastic Milk Jugs; 2-Liters; bottles and containers
- Aluminum Cans & Lids
- Pet Food Cans and Dry Pet Food Bags
- Aluminum Foil Baking Pans
- Balls of Tin Foil; Foil Pie Tins
- Tin and Steel Cans & Lids
- Metal Pots, Pans & Cookie Sheets
- Egg Cartons, cardboard only at this time
The following items cannot be recycled:
- No Plastic Bags
- No Ice Cream Cartons
- No Waxy/Paper Milk Cartons
- No Aerosol Cans
- No Juice Boxes / Bags
- No Garbage or Yard Waste
- No Garden Hoses
- No Window Blinds
- No Tarps
- No Bedding or linens
- No Carpeting or Rugs
- No Construction Materials
For more information, visit www.ecua.fl.gov.
Pictured: A small portion of the machinery at the IMRF. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Nine Mile, I-10 Crash
September 29, 2016
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night on Nine Mile Road at I-10.
The two injured persons were transported to area hospital by Escambia County EMS following the crash about 8:40 p.m.
One driver was observed being taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol. It was not know what, if any charges, were filed against the individual.
Further detail have not yet been released by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
