Officers Pray For Dallas Victims, Nation
July 9, 2016
Local law enforcement officers gathered Friday at noon at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for a prayer vigil for the Dallas shooting victims and to pray for healing for our nation. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Congresswoman Indicted Over Sham Charity, ‘Personal Slush Fund’
July 9, 2016
Longtime Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown was indicted Friday on charges that she and a top aide used a sham education charity to pay for personal expenses and luxurious events, allegations that pose the most serious challenge yet to her 23-year congressional career.
Brown and Elias “Ronnie” Simmons, her chief of staff, pleaded not guilty to all 24 counts in the indictment, 22 of which deal with Brown. Federal prosecutors say the two worked with Carla Wiley, a Virginia woman who reached a plea deal with the government in March, to set up “One Door for Education” and use it “as a personal slush fund,” in the words of Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.
Brown is charged with conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, concealing income on financial disclosures that members of Congress are required to file, and four counts of violating tax laws.
“Congresswoman Brown and her chief of staff are alleged to have used the congresswoman’s official position to solicit over $800,000 in donations to a supposed charitable organization, only to use that organization as a personal slush fund,” Caldwell said in a prepared statement announcing the indictment. “Corruption erodes the public’s trust in our entire system of representative government.”
But Brown, a pugnacious congresswoman known for fiercely defending her district and her legacy, insisted to reporters Friday that she is innocent. The congresswoman, who has built her identity around constituent service, said she would “let the work I’ve done speak for me.”
“My heart is just really heavy,” she said. “This has been a very difficult time for me, my family, my constituents. But I’m looking forward to a speedy day in court to vindicate myself. … We’ve got the rest of the story. So I’m looking forward to presenting the rest of the story.”
In a sign of the fallout from the indictment, U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced Friday that Brown had stepped aside from a high-ranking post on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in line with caucus rules.
“For more than two decades, Congresswoman Brown has served her constituents in Florida with passion and energy. She has been a champion for America’s veterans,” Pelosi said. “The charges against Congresswoman Corrine Brown in the indictment today are deeply saddening.”
Brown spoke in favor of returning Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast as an Amtrak inspection train stopped in Atmore back in February.
Speculation about a grand jury investigation into One Door for Education, and the implications for Brown’s political future, has churned through the political gossip mill for months. All the while, she has fought a pitched battle against the redrawing of her district under a voter-approved ban on political gerrymandering and framed the dual battles as part of an orchestrated campaign to drive her from office.
Brown, 69, is facing what could be her toughest re-election battle in years. Her district, drawn in 1992 to give African-American voters in North and Central Florida a chance to elect a candidate of their choice, has traditionally run north-south, with the most recent version winding from Jacksonville to Orlando. But following the ban on gerrymandering, courts ordered the seat to be reoriented. It now cuts across the northern part of the state, going from Jacksonville in the east to Gadsden County in the west, traveling through Tallahassee along the way.
One of her attorneys lacerated the federal government Friday for not agreeing to push back the arraignment to accommodate Brown’s congressional schedule — she missed several votes Friday — and for leaks from the criminal investigation. Brown’s indictment was widely reported Thursday, even though her attorneys didn’t see the charges until the congresswoman turned herself in Friday.
“Congresswoman Brown is the subject of an indictment today, but in reality, she has endured a one-sided inquisition in the court of public opinion for over one year. … The manner in which the government has handled these proceedings leads to the inescapable conclusion that it desires to improperly influence the upcoming election and undermine the legislative process,” attorney Betsy White said.
According to the indictment, Brown and Simmons worked with Wiley to raise more than $800,000 for One Door — which was falsely portrayed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit — and then used an array of financial transfers to funnel the money to themselves and one of Brown’s relatives.
In addition to car repairs, flights and other expenses, prosecutors say the money was used to pay for a golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach in Brown’s honor and luxury boxes at a Beyonce concert and at an NFL game in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the organization only gave out $1,200 in scholarships, its supposed purpose.
Even before the indictment, Brown faced a serious challenge in the Aug. 30 Democratic primary from former state Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee. Lawson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. In a post to his Facebook page Thursday, as word of the indictment began to circulate, Lawson called the situation “unfortunate” but said he was focused on the campaign.
“I promise all the voters of the 5th Congressional District I intend to carry the torch of equality, decency and honesty to Congress and to make everyone proud,” Lawson wrote.
A recent poll by the Public Opinion Research Laboratory at the University of North Florida, based in Jacksonville, showed Brown with a three-point lead over Lawson, 30 percent to 27 percent, with 4 percent going to little-known LaShonda Holloway. The incumbent’s lead was well within the poll’s margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.
Brown held a resounding lead in the portion of the district located in Duval County, where the incumbent drew 52 percent of the vote, but she trailed Lawson by double digits in the rest of the district.
Mike Binder, faculty director of the poll, said Friday that voters in the western parts of the district had mostly been introduced to Brown through the fight against the redistricting plan, followed by the criminal charges.
“The voters have seen that side or her, and now they’re seeing this side of her, which I can’t imagine is going to be good for likely voters,” he said.
Binder also noted that Brown has to deal with the criminal charges, which could lead to up to 357 years in prison and $4.8 million in fines, though the maximum sentences are rarely given to first-time offenders as a practical matter.
“From a candidate perspective, how focused are you on campaigning when you’re staring at indictments and a potential of 300 years in jail?” Binder asked.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Florida Congressman Corrine Brown spoke in favor of an Amtrak return to the Gulf Coast during an Amtrak inspection train stop in Atmore last February. Pictured inset: Brown shakes the hand of a veteran at the Atmore Amtrak event after walking through a sword arch provided by the Northview High School NJROTC. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Critical After 50 Foot Plunge Off Bridge
July 9, 2016
An Escambia County motorcyclist is in critical condition after plunging about 50 feet off an interstate bridge Friday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 22-year old Campbell Dean Gares was merging from I-110 to I-10 when he attempted to pass between a box truck and another vehicle. He lost control, crashed into a concrete barrier. He was ejected from his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle and went over a railing, falling up ro 50 feet. He landed on a grassy shoulder of I-10 below.
Gares, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. He was cited for reckless driving by the FHP.
Blue Wahoos Take Series Finale Over Mobile
July 9, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Nick Travieso pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits to the Mobile BayBears to win his first game Friday in eight starts.
Plus, Blue Wahoos catcher Jose Duarte and pinch hitter Calten Daal both smashed their first Double-A home runs as Pensacola won, 4-3, at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Pensacola captured the final to take two of the five games in the series against Mobile. The Blue Wahoos start a five-game series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday against the Biloxi Shuckers, who Pensacola beat for the first half Southern League South Division title.
Travieso, the Cincinnati Reds No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America, earned his first victory since May 17 when he shut out Mississippi over seven innings. Travieso improved to 4-4 in his first season with the Blue Wahoos and lowered his ERA to 4.35.
In his last four starts, Travieso has allowed just four runs in 22 innings for a 1.67 ERA.
Pensacola closer Alejandro Chacin pitched the final two innings, allowed two hits and struck out three for his Southern League-leading 16th save on the year.
Travieso got all the run support he needed from two unlikely hitters in Pensacola’s offense, which scored three runs in the second. Pensacola catcher Jose Duarte clobbered a two-out, three-run homer in the inning for his first Double-A homer and first RBIs.
Duarte, who was called up on July 2 from Low-A Dayton Dragons, was playing in only his third Double-A game. He has a career .222 batting average in six minor league seasons with the Reds organization and hit two homers in a season once.
In the top of the seventh inning, Pensacola pinch hitter Calten Daal smacked a solo homer to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-0 lead. It was Daal’s first Double-A blast and second in 912 professional at-bats through his first four seasons in the minors.
Daal, who is hitting .310 for Pensacola, proved to hit the game-winner when Mobile came back with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull within, 4-3.
The BayBears first run scored when catcher Matt Jones hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in BayBears left fielder Rudy Flores. Pinch hitter Travis Denker then singled to drive in second baseman Jamie Westbrook with the second run of the inning. The third run scored when Mobile shortstop Ildemaro Vargas doubled to right field to score right fielder Tom Belza.
The BayBears Denker also tried to score and tie the game on Vargas’ double. But Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde threw to shortstop Zach Vincej, who relayed a strike home to Duarte to catch Mobile’s Denker out at the plate to end the inning.
One Injured In Ensley House Fire
July 9, 2016
One person was injured in an Ensley house fire Friday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the fire in the 8600 block of Figland Avenue just before 5 p.m. The fire was contained mostly to a kitchen of the concrete block home and was quickly extinguished.
The resident of the home was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
The Ensley, Belleview, Brent, Ferry Pass, Myrtle Grove and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
Pictured top and inset: Firefighters extinguish a fire inside a Figland Avenue home in Ensley Friday afternoon. Pictured below: An Escambia County EMS crew rolls a smoke inhalation patient toward an awaiting ambulance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Joins Century In Asking FDOT To Prevent Hwy 29 Truck Rollovers
July 8, 2016
Escambia County is joining the Town of Century in asking the Florida Department of Transportation to address a North Century Boulevard curve that has seen multiple semi-truck rollovers.
Twice last month, semi-trucks rolled over in a curve on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street. City and county officials believe the curve is badly designed with a slope in the outer lane that is difficult for semis to negotiate at the posted 35 mph speed limit. The amount of lean on an 18-wheeler in the outer lane is demonstrated in the photo above and at the page bottom.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission voted to approve a letter to FDOT requesting that immediate improvements be made — including signs to warn trucks and motorists of the tipping hazard, advance warning signage with flashing beacons and perhaps advance warning signage advising trucks to use the inside lane.
In the long term, the county is joining Century in asking that the elevation of the roadway be changed “on the approach to and through the curve is greatly needed to counteract lateral acceleration produced by the curve and should be implemented as soon as possible”.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall met Michael Lewis, FDOT traffic safety program engineer, at the curve last month so he could see the dangers first hand. Lewis agreed signage should be installed in the next few months and that a long term fix would include a change to the road elevation and slope.
Pictured page top and bottom: These photographs demonstrate how much a semi-truck leans in curve on North Century Boulevard. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (blue shirt) meet with Florida Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Engineer Michael Lewis (yellow vest) and FDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Matt King about a dangerous curve on North Century Boulevard last month. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Resident: Burglar Kicks In Door Of Molino Home With Someone Inside
July 8, 2016
Molino residents say a burglar kicked in the back door of a home on Crabtree Church Road Thursday afternoon.
It happened around 2 p.m. Two people arrived at the home in a SUV that was champagne in color. One entered the home, while the other stayed with vehicle, which was backed up to the end of the driveway.
Residents say the burglar was scared away when he opened a bedroom door inside the home and woke a male that was sleeping.
Further information was not available.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Century Cancels Budget Workshop
July 8, 2016
Century’s first scheduled budget workshop of the year set for Thursday afternoon was canceled due to the lack of quorum.
Additional budget workshops are set for 4 p.m. each remaining Thursday in July and the first Thursday in August. In addition, the Century Town Council has regular meeting set for Monday at 7 p.m., rescheduled from the Fourth of July.
All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the council chamber at the Century Town Hall.
Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission Seeks Members
July 8, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission. The EPHRC was established by an Interlocal Agreement between the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Pensacola in April 1974. The purpose of the Commission is to be “responsible for the promotion of fair treatment and equal opportunity to all citizens of the local community.” Commission members, who are called Commissioners serve a two-year term of office.
Commissioners meet once a month for one hour. The Commission meetings are held to discuss the previous month’s day-to-day activities and to insure that the Interlocal Agreement between Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the EPHRC are in compliance. Additional meetings may be held for special discussion, workshops, training sessions or community activities.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve on the Commission by the close of business on Thursday, July 14, 2016. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Florida Supreme Court Takes Annual Break, Continues Mulling Hot Issues
July 8, 2016
The Florida Supreme Court moved quietly into an annual summer break Thursday.
Releasing its last regular batch of opinions until Aug. 25, the court did not drop any bombshells. That left unresolved questions about issues such as the constitutionality of the state’s death-penalty sentencing laws.
The Supreme Court moves at its own pace. Even with the summer break, it could dribble out opinions before Aug. 25 — a process known as “out of calendar” opinion releases. Regardless, justices go into the break facing a pile of high-profile cases.
Here are five examples of issues pending in the court:
— DEATH PENALTY: Justices have been inundated with arguments in recent months about Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system. The arguments are rooted in a January U.S. Supreme Court ruling that essentially said the state’s system was unconstitutional because it gave too much power to judges, instead of juries, in sentencing inmates to death.
The Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott scrambled to approve changes to address the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which came in a case known as Hurst v. Florida. But in cases involving numerous Death Row inmates, the Florida Supreme Court is trying to sort out questions such as whether the changes approved by the Legislature and Scott meet constitutional tests.
— SLOT MACHINES: The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments last month in a case that has major implications for the gambling industry and for communities in various parts of the state. The case centers on whether Gretna Racing, a pari-mutuel facility in rural Gadsden County, should be able to offer slot machines without the express approval of the Legislature.
The ultimate ruling likely will come down to how justices interpret a 2009 gambling law. Gretna Racing contends the law permits counties to hold referendums to allow slot machines — an argument Gov. Rick Scott’s administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi have disputed. The outcome will affect at least six counties where voters have approved slot machines in referendums. Those counties are Gadsden, Brevard, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington.
— ABORTION: More than a year after lawmakers and Scott approved a measure requiring women to wait 24 hours before having abortions, the Supreme Court in the coming months will decide whether the law is constitutional.
Justices have not heard arguments in the case but in April temporarily blocked the waiting-period requirement from taking effect. Lower courts have been divided on the constitutionality of the measure. A Leon County circuit judge last year issued a temporary injunction against the law, but a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in February overturned that decision.
— MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: In the latest chapter in a battle that goes back to the days of former Gov. Jeb Bush, the Supreme Court is weighing the constitutionality of limits on “non-economic” damages in medical-malpractice cases. Such limits were a centerpiece of a 2003 law, approved by Bush and the Legislature, that sought to lower malpractice-insurance costs.
The Supreme Court is weighing the constitutionality of the limits in a Broward County case involving a woman who went into surgery for carpal-tunnel syndrome and ended up with a perforated esophagus because of tubes inserted into her mouth and esophagus during the anesthesia process. Justices, who heard arguments last month, struck down damage caps in 2014 in a wrongful-death malpractice case involving a woman who died after giving birth in a Panhandle hospital. Details of the cases differ, however, including that Broward County lawsuit is a personal-injury case instead of a wrongful-death case.
GUNS: Amid a heated debate in Florida and across the country about gun laws, the Supreme Court is mulling the constitutionality of a state ban on people openly carrying firearms in public.
Florida allows residents to get licenses to carry concealed weapons, but it has long barred them from openly displaying guns. The Supreme Court last month heard a challenge to that restriction in a case that stems from the 2012 arrest of a man in Fort Pierce for openly carrying a gun in a holster. Gun-rights groups argue that the restriction violates the Second Amendment, but lower courts have upheld the law.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida