Third Zika Case Reported In Escambia County
September 14, 2016
A third travel-related case of the Zika virus has been reported in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health
The Escambia County case was one of 13 new travel related cases announced Tuesday and the only new case reported in the Florida panhandle. There have been a total of 634 travel related cases reported in Florida, and 70 cases that were not travel-releated.
The health department urges Floridians to drain standing water weekly, no matter how seemingly small. A couple of drops of water in a bottle cap can be a breeding location for mosquitoes. Residents and visitors also need to use repellents when enjoying the Florida outdoors.
Irrigation And Crop Management Field Day Held In Oak Grove
September 14, 2016
UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County hosted an Irrigation and Crop Management Field Day Tuesday in Oak Grove.
Farmers interested in irrigation systems, crop consultants, and representatives from educational and government agencies participated in the program at Sam and Scott Walker’s Farm on North Highway 99 near Melvin Road.
Participants learned about soil moisture sensors, in ground devices that detect how much water is in the soil and alert the user to real-time watering need. The soil moisture sensors, coupled with UF/IFAS developed mobile apps, help farmers irrigate crops more precisely and efficiently.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Calls For Congressional Action On Zika Funding
September 14, 2016
With 70 confirmed cases resulting from Florida mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus, Gov. Rick Scott traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to implore Congress to break a deadlock on federal funding to combat the disease, which can cause severe birth defects.
“The Zika virus is now mosquito-borne in our state. Time is up for politics and political debates about a major federal effort to stop this disease,” Scott said after a meeting with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
Scott also had meetings scheduled with U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., and U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., on Tuesday. He is scheduled to meet with more congressional members on Wednesday.
Scott, who has authorized $26 million in emergency state funding for Zika, is spending two days in the nation’s capital as Congress appears to be heading closer to including Zika funding in a stopgap federal spending bill.
Scott said the federal government “has managed to get its hands into too many things,” while increasing the federal debt, “and yet they can’t agree on spending money to stomp out a serious disease.”
“It’s unacceptable. It’s exactly why the entire country is fed up with Washington and the federal government,” Scott said in a statement. “This is not a partisan issue. Mosquitoes don’t care about party affiliation.”
Scott’s trip came as the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday reported a total of 799 Zika cases in Florida, including six new locally-acquired cases and 13 new travel-related cases. Some 86 cases involve pregnant women, who could face the possibility of their children being born with birth defects like microcephaly.
Congress has remained stalled on President Barack Obama’s request for $1.9 billion in Zika funding since the spring, even as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported it was running out of money for efforts to thwart the disease, including the development of a vaccine.
In a Senate floor speech on Tuesday, Rubio said he was encouraged by comments from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that legislative leaders were working on a bill to extend federal spending through December that would include $1.1 billion in Zika funding. The measure was also expected to eliminate controversial policy provisions from the House that sought to cut off funding for some Planned Parenthood clinics in Puerto Rico.
Rubio said the Zika crisis was so critical, he was willing to drop his normal opposition to the temporary spending bills, known as continuing resolutions.
“At this point, I just really believe that we need to get Zika funding approved and moving. We need to make sure that the fight against Zika doesn’t run out of money before the end of this month,” said Rubio, who had supported Obama’s original $1.9 billion request. “That’s, for me, the most urgent priority.”
A bipartisan group of Florida congressional members also held a press conference on Tuesday to call for the passage of a “clean” $1.1 billion Zika program, without the Planned Parenthood provisions.
“It is time to act. The politics of Zika have gone on far too long and people are scared,” said U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla. “Only a clean bill will get the votes necessary to get this done and it is time Congress accept this reality and get a Zika package to the president’s desk.”
Jolly was joined by two other Republicans House members, Curt Clawson and Carlos Curbelo, and six Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and House members Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Alan Grayson, Patrick Murphy, Frederica Wilson and Gwen Graham.
“I’m proud to see so many members of Florida’s congressional delegation put politics aside to unite behind what’s best for our state,” Graham said. “Now it’s time for the entire Congress to follow our lead.”
Yet Tuesday was not free from partisan politics, as Scott went out of his way to criticize Nelson, whom the Republican governor may challenge in 2018, for voting against a $1.1 billion Zika bill last week.
“He turned his back on $1.1 billion to fight Zika because of politics,” Scott said.
Nelson said he opposed the measure because it included the “highly partisan” provisions from the House. He noted he had joined an earlier bipartisan vote in the Senate in favor of $1.1 billion in Zika funding without the additional provisions.
“The virus is not a political opportunity,” Nelson said in a floor speech earlier this week. “It’s a public health emergency. To stop the spread of the virus, we are going to have to do what we did months ago: come together in a bipartisan fashion.”
Earlier Tuesday, Republican and Democratic Senate leaders talked to reporters about the progress on the temporary spending bill and Zika funding.
McConnell, the Republican leader, was noncommittal, saying discussions were continuing on the legislation.
Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, said it was the Planned Parenthood provisions that stalled the bill last week and he has yet to see any specifics on the latest proposal.
“We don’t have anything to look at right now,” he said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Ukrainian Delegation Tours Escambia’s New Recycling Facility
September 14, 2016
ECUA District 5 Board member Larry Walker hosted an international delegation from the Ukraine at the Interim Materials Recycling Facility (IMRF) in Beulah on Tuesday.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Group is hosting a group of six Ukrainian delegates in a U.S. Congressional exchange called Open World. The exchange brings up-and- coming leaders from the former Soviet Union countries to the U.S. for short-term trips that focus on specific professional topics as well as intercultural exchange opportunities.
The IMRF, a 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 the 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.
Pictured: ECUA District 5 Board member Larry Walker (in hat) leads a Ukrainian delegation through the IMRF Tuesday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Two Felony Animal Abuse Counts
September 13, 2016
A Molino man has been arrested on two felony animal abuse charges in connection with two malnourished horses.
Charles Van Deese, 53, was charged with two felony counts of animal abuse causing cruel death or pain and suffering. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
According to court documents, Escambia County Animal Control received a complaint on July 13 from Panhandle Equine Rescue about two horses in poor condition on Parker Lane off the 3000 block of Highway 97. PER told a county investigator that Deese had been in and out of the hospital during the last several months and was unable to care for his horses. In his absence, they were being cared for by two of his friends.
Animal control reported that a veterinarian that examined the horses stated that they needed to be fed more often, and that the pasture was not sufficient to provide enough food for the horses. The pasture was reported to contain only weeds and very short grass.
The first horse was emaciated and the second was “very thin”, according to court documents. The ribs of both horses were reported to be easily visible from a distance. Due to the critical condition of the horses, they were removed from the property July 14 and transported to Panhandle Equine Rescue where they were placed on 24 hour care.
On July 15, Van Deese contacted Escambia County Animal Control and said he wanted to sign the animals over to the custody of the county because he was “not able to take care of them and wanted to do what was best”, according to an animal control report.
Van Deese told an investigator that he suffers from a medical condition that is getting worse.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Property Tax Increase Due To Tornado Destruction
September 13, 2016
Monday night, the Century Town Council approved a property tax increase to offset revenue lost when hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property was destroyed during an EF-3 tornado.
The council voted to hike the ad valorem millage rate from 0.9005 to 0.9732 for the next fiscal year. That’s equal to a $3.63 tax increase on a $50,000 property. The town lost $404,593 in taxable property to the February tornado, according to the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office.
The increase will enable the town to meet their proposed $3.75 million budget for fiscal year beginning October 1. The upcoming year’s budget is down from the current year’s $5.1 million budget, which included about $2.2 million in grant income and expenditures.
Council member Ann Brooks voted along with the rest of the council to increase the millage rate, but she was the lone vote against the overall budget.
Before becoming final, the 2016-2017 Century budget faces another public hearing on Monday, September 19 at 6:50 p.m.
Pictured top: Century’s accountant, Robert Hudson explains the town’s budget to council members Monday night. Pictured below: The tentative budget summary, click to enlarge. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case
September 13, 2016
A Tate High School student last seen 15 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 2016 Florida Missing Children’s Day in Tallahassee.
“Our prayers are with the parents of missing children. These children and their legacy is the driving force behind our efforts to ensure Florida is the safest state in the country for our families and citizens,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.
In 2015, more than 34,000 incidents of missing children were reported to Florida law enforcement agencies and six AMBER Alerts were issued statewide. Since its inception, 203 AMBER Alerts have been issued, including seven so far this year. AMBER Alerts have directly aided in the rescue of 64 children.
“We all play an important role in keeping our children safe. When a child goes missing, it is vital that law enforcement, the public and media work together to help in a safe recovery. Please take time today to sign-up for AMBER and Missing Child Alert notifications or follow FDLE on Facebook and Twitter to receive the alerts,” FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Today, and every day, we pray for the safe return of all children who were taken from their homes, and remain united in support with our great law enforcement in their tireless efforts to reunite missing children with their families.”
Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.
As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FDLE invites the public to sign up to receive Missing Child Alerts and AMBER Alerts via email or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com. To view photos of missing children, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us.
Pictured top: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Splash Pad Opening Delayed By Valve Problem
September 13, 2016
One week ago, we reported that Century’s new splash pad was installed, but not yet officially opened.
The splash pad had been operational at times, but Century Mayor Freddie McCall said Monday that it now turned off awaiting the installation of a new part, which could happen as early as Friday. Once it’s up and running, a grand opening and official hours will be announced.
A $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant was awarded to the town last October 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 last year in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Burglaries
September 13, 2016
Monday, an Escambia County man was sentenced to prison for two burglaries.
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced that Jeremy Brandon Stinson was sentenced by Circuit Judge Paul Rasmussen as a habitual felony offender and prison releasee reoffender to 25 years in state prison. Stinson will serve 15 years of the 25 year sentence day for day.
Stinson was convicted last month by an Escambia County jury of two counts of burglary of a dwelling, petit theft and criminal mischief. On June 18, 2015, Stinson burglarized two neighboring residences in Escambia County.
Jeremy Brandon Stinson was previously incarcerated in Alabama for burglary and was released on May 14, 2015. His prior criminal history includes multiple burglaries, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and drug possession.
Battle Lines Set Amid Tighter Budget State Budget Forecast
September 13, 2016
With a budget shortfall looming in future years, lawmakers began setting the stage Monday for a fight over state spending during the 2017 legislative session.
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, a panel of House and Senate members charged with supervising spending while the Legislature is out of session, approved a long-range financial outlook for the state Monday.
In the coming budget year, which begins July 1, the outlook projects a surplus of just $7.5 million — a tiny sliver of the state spending plan, which is now roughly $82 billion. The following year, a budget gap of $1.3 billion could open up, followed by $1.8 billion the year after that.
Republicans, who have run the state budget process for two decades, quickly zeroed in on a culprit: The state is being wasteful with the money that it has.
“It is 100 percent because of spending. Nothing else,” said incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who has been budget chief for two years.
Corcoran dismissed suggestions that the $784.9 million in tax cuts and tax holidays that lawmakers have approved over the last three years helped to create the situation the Legislature now faces. Instead, he suggested that reducing state government’s current spending will be the focus.
He specifically highlighted spending on incentives for businesses — something that the House has opposed — and said that in the coming session, the Legislature would likely discuss doing away with Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development agency.
“I think that we’ve got to move away from spending money on the 1 percent and start spending money on essential services for the people that need it most,” Corcoran said. “Spending money in economic development is a bad idea.”
At the same time, there are already proposals that would pour more money into some areas of the state budget. Incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has pushed an additional $1 billion for higher education, as well as a plan to use bonds and federal money to boost Everglades restoration.
Corcoran said those ideas were not off the table but would have to be offset with cuts elsewhere.
Democrats, meanwhile, suggested that tax cuts were to blame. Rep. Janet Cruz, who is set to lead the House Democrats next year, issued a statement calling for lawmakers to take a look at those tax cuts before slicing spending.
“Actions have consequences,” Cruz, D-Tampa, said. “The last two years in particular, and for many years before, the majority has made decisions that are costing us now and into the future. Tax breaks that for the most part benefit big business interests mean we won’t have the flexibility to put the people of Florida first.”
The dueling positions suggested a possible return to the budget fights the played out in the Capitol after the financial downturn in 2008. Republicans leaned heavily on spending cuts while Democrats called for measures that would increase revenue. The GOP at the time agreed to increase tobacco taxes and motor-vehicle registration fees, which have since been rolled back, but avoided broad-based tax increases.
There are conclusions in the new long-range financial outlook that could change the potential shortfalls, in some cases dramatically. For example, the outlook assumes some increases in spending on areas like education and health care, projecting those areas to be handled the same as they have been in recent budget years.
The report includes a three-year average of tax cuts and projects similar decisions in the coming session.
It accounts for lawmakers setting aside $1 billion each year to deal with unexpected changes in the economy or additional needs that could crop up. No major changes are expected to that policy because lowering the state’s reserves substantially could make it more expensive to issue bonds to pay for construction needs.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, noted that state economists will produce two more forecasts of revenues before the Legislature sits down to write the budget next spring. He also said other events, including potential approval of a new gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, could ease the shortfall.
“You could have a gaming compact. You could have some good things that happen,” Lee said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida