Gambling Plans Melt Down In Senate
March 2, 2016
A proposal that would have ratified a $3 billion gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe folded Tuesday in the Senate, indicating the bill is doomed for the legislative session that ends next week.
Publicly, Senate leaders held out the slim hope that a gambling agreement could still be reached before the March 11 finale of the session.
“Never say never. It’s not over,” Senate President Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican who has consistently opposed any expansion of gambling, told The News Service of Florida Tuesday afternoon.
But privately, leading lawmakers in both chambers acknowledged that the effort is dead.
“It’s certainly on life support. Procedurally, it will be difficult to make it to the floor,” said Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who has sponsored his chamber’s gambling measure.
The collapse of the proposal came a day after a key House committee approved a sweeping bill (HB 7109) intended to bring the two chambers’ gambling measures closer together.
The Senate Appropriations Committee was supposed to hear its version (SB 7202) Tuesday, but Bradley asked that it be postponed. Committee Chairman Tom Lee told reporters late Tuesday he hadn’t decided whether to hold another meeting, and, even if he does, it is unclear whether the gambling bill would be introduced.
Senate leaders blamed the demise of the legislation on the pari-mutuel industry. The House and Senate plans would have allowed slot machines in at least five new counties and included a number of other perks for dog and horse tracks and jai alai operators.
“The bill had a lot of ornaments added to it, and the tree eventually gets too many ornaments and it falls over,” Bradley said Tuesday.
Bradley, along with Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, had worked alongside Gov. Rick Scott’s general counsel for months in negotiations with the Seminoles to reach a deal.
Scott and tribal leader James Billie signed the agreement, called a “compact,” in December, but lawmakers insisted it would have to be amended in order to get the requisite support from the House and Senate. Under the proposed compact signed by Scott, the tribe pledged to pay $3 billion to the state over seven years in exchange for being allowed to add craps and roulette to its casino operations.
The compact also would have allowed for slots in Palm Beach County, where voters have approved them, and at a new facility in Miami-Dade County without affecting the revenue-sharing agreement.
The proposed addition of slots in five other counties where voters have also signed off on them — and at potentially more sites in the future — proved the death knell for the legislation.
“Some people view what I call the wealth redistribution bill, which is the ransom being demanded by the industry to pass a compact, as untenable because it results in a massive, historically large expansion of gambling in Florida. Then you have a group of people who believe we should let the litigation work itself out and then you have folks who are trying to broker a deal and get something done. There’s not enough people in any one of those groups to pass a piece of legislation right now,” Lee, R-Brandon, said.
Gambling lobbyists, meanwhile, pointed the finger at Senate leaders for killing the bill. Critics have accused Gardiner of wanting to protect Orlando theme parks, which oppose expansions of gambling.
“There are many folks in leadership in the Senate who never wanted a gaming bill and were probably surprised that the House had taken such meaningful action,” said Brian Ballard, a lobbyist who represents the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Ballard said the Senate would have passed the measure had it reached the floor for a full vote.
“So the only way to stop it is to have it not available for the Senate floor,” he said.
But Gardiner said Bradley made the decision to delay consideration of the bill Tuesday.
“The bills that have been amended in many ways have very little to do with the compact. It is about the expansion of gambling. Five other counties plus give everybody a hall pass for a referendum to get on board to also have slots,” Gardiner, R-Orlando, said. “All these gambling bills, everybody gets greedy and they die under their own weight.”
Diaz, chairman of the House Regulatory Affairs Committee, said he was surprised by what happened in the Senate.
“It’s confusing. Was this always the plan? Was there some change of heart? Was there something in particular that killed it? What was the cause? Nobody’s determined the cause of death yet,” Diaz, R-Miami, said.
Lawmakers could revisit the gambling proposal during a special session, an unlikely scenario in an election year — especially one in which every senator who is seeking reelection will be on the ballot.
Or they could grapple with the issue during next year’s regular session, “but we would essentially have to start from scratch,” Diaz said.
They could also do nothing, while two lawsuits play out in court. One of those lawsuits involves the expiration of part of a 2010 deal between the Seminoles and the state, while the other involves whether a small horse track in Gadsden County should be allowed to offer slot machines.
Barry Richard, a lawyer for the tribe, said Scott and lawmakers wanted to negotiate a new deal after an agreement giving the Seminoles exclusive rights to operate banked card games, such as blackjack, expired last summer. Richard described the proposed compact signed in December as a “hard-fought” agreement reached by “very competent people.”
Richard said it was too early to write off the gambling proposals.
“Everybody recognizes the issue is the pari-mutuels. To me, it makes no sense. And that’s why I’m not assuming that it’s over,” he said.
Richard said he could not predict what a new round of talks with the tribe would bring.
“I don’t know any other thing that can be negotiated,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Atmore Man Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
March 2, 2016
An Atmore man was killed in a single vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon.
David Lee Hudson, 41, lost control of his 1987 Ford Mustang and struck a utility pole on Pouncey Road about 2 p.m. according to Alabama State troopers. Hudson was transported to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries
Further details have not been released by troopers as they continue their investigation.
State Objects To Life Sentence In Key Escambia Dealth Penalty Case
March 2, 2016
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is disputing arguments that a death row inmate from Escambia County should receive life in prison after successfully challenging Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bondi’s office filed a document Monday in the Florida Supreme Court arguing that what is known a “harmless error analysis” should be conducted in the case of Timothy Lee Hurst. An attorney for Hurst filed a motion last month asking the state Supreme Court to send the case to a lower court for imposition of a life sentence.
A challenge by Hurst led the U.S. Supreme Court in January to issue an 8-1 ruling that found Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system unconstitutional. The ruling said juries — not judges— should be responsible for imposing the death penalty and that Florida’s system of giving power to judges violated Hurst’s Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury. Lawmakers are moving forward with plans to change the sentencing system to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
In the document filed Monday, Bondi’s office said the U.S. Supreme Court required a “harmless error analysis” in the Hurst case. Broadly, such analyses determine whether errors are serious enough to require overturning earlier court decisions — in Hurst’s case, the decision to sentence him to death.
“If the United States Supreme Court felt it appropriate to commute appellant’s (Hurst’s) sentence to life imprisonment, it could have done so,” the document filed by Bondi’s office said. “Instead, the High Court specifically remanded this case to this (Florida Supreme) Court with directions to conduct a harmless error analysis.”
Hurst was sentenced to death for the 1998 killing of fast-food worker Cynthia Harrison. Harrison, an assistant manager at a Popeye’s Fried Chicken restaurant on Nine Mile Road where Hurst worked, was bound, gagged and stabbed more than 60 times. Her body was found in a freezer.
The motion filed last month by Hurst’s attorney did not take issue with his guilt. But it said Hurst should be sentenced to life in prison because he has “fundamentally been denied his Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial” in sentencing.
Roundup: Northview, Tate, Jay, West Florida
March 2, 2016
BASEBALL
West Florida 3, Tate 2
The West Florida Jaguars topped the Tate Aggies Tuesday night 3-2 at West Florida. The Jags were led by Kris Reber hitting a triple and driving in three runs.
Tate hitters: Cole Halfacre 1-3, 2B; Logan Blackmon 1-3, 2B; Logan McGuffy 1-3, 2B; Jake Davis 1-3; Reid Halfacre 1-4; Branden Fryman 1-3.
West Florida hitters: Adam Ostergaard 2-3, Kris Reber 2-3, 3B, 3 RBIs.
Tate will play at Pine Forest at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Northview 9, Pensacola Christian 2 (JV)
The Northview JV baseball team defeated Pensacola Christian Tuesday night by a score of 9-2.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Seth Killam (2-3, 2B, 2 runs), Trevor Singleton (2-2, run), John Chivington (1-1, 2 runs), Jackson Moore (1-2, 2B), and Andrew Sharpless (1-2, run). Also scoring runs for the Chiefs were Cade Allen, Heath Sheldt and Wesley Hardin.
Cade Allen earned the win on the mound, throwing four innings while striking out three batters. Trevor Singleton threw two innings, striking out four batters.
The Chiefs improved to 5-1 on the season. Both the JV and varsity play at home this Friday against Pensacola Christian.
SOFTBALL
Freeport 7, Northview 3
Freeport defeated the Northview Chiefs 7-3 Tuesday night in Freeport.
Tori Herrington pitched seven innings with nine strikeouts, nine hits, seven runs, two earned runs and two walks.
Aubree Love 2-4 with 2 RBI’s, Kendall Enfinger 2-4 with an RBI and a run, Hannah Ging 1-4, Tori Herrington 1-3 with a run, Daphne Young 1-3 with a run and Jamia Newton 1-3.
The Chiefs will travel to Brewton this Friday and Saturday for the TR Miller Invitational. Friday they will play Davidson at 5:15 and Blackshear at 7:45. Saturday they play Miller at 9:00. Single elimination bracket play will start at noon with the championship game scheduled at 4 p.m.
Tate 6, Pace 1
The varsity Tate Aggies defeated Pace 6-1 Tuesday night.
Jay 12, South Walton 6
The Jay Royals beat South Walton 12-6 on the road Tuesday night.
Destiny Herring picked up the win, striking out five in six innings. Jay hitters: Mikaela Stewart 3-5, 2 runs, double; Harley Taggert 3-4, 3 runs, double, RBI; Destiny Herring 3-5, 3 RBIs; Samantha Steadham 3-5, 3 RBIs; Alyssa Baxley 2-4, RBI.
Jay will host Freeport Thursday at 6 p.m.
Pictrured: Northview’s varsity beat Pensacola Christian Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
New Open Container Alcohol Regulations On Pensacola Beach
March 2, 2016
There’s a new alcohol ordinance in effect at Pensacola Beach.
The ordinance restricts open containers in public areas of the commercial district of Pensacola Beach. It is illegal to consume or possess any alcoholic beverages in an open container in the public areas within the commercial district like sidewalks, boardwalks, roads and parking lots. It is permissible to have an open container on the sandy portions of the beach, except the “family area” of Casino Beach just west of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier.
The commercial district of Pensacola Beach is generally considered the area from the Bob Sikes Bridge south to the Casino Beach Bandstand, and from the first residence on the west to Avendia 10 on the east. Signs have been placed in the commercial district and beach goers are encouraged to ask lifeguards and law enforcement questions about the new policy. A special permitting process is available through the SRIA for events seeking an exemption to the open container restrictions.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners adopted the ordinance back in December with an effective date of March 1.
Firefighters Respond To Reported Fire At Grain Elevator In Walnut Hill
March 1, 2016
Firefighters from across the area were dispatched to a reported fire at Escambia Grain Tuesday afternoon. When the first firefighters arrived on scene at the grain elevator on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill, they found a ceiling or attic fire in the front of an office building had already been extinguished by the business. There was no major damage and no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Airlifted After ATV Crash Near Century
March 1, 2016
Two people were injured in an off-road ATV accident late Tuesday morning outside Century.
The two males were both airlifted in two different medical helicopters to area hospitals. One of them, a 27-year old male, was a “trauma alert”, according to EMS. The two were reported thrown from their 4-wheeler in or near field in the area of the 3200 block of Highway 4A.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details, including the names of the victims, have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Mom Enters Plea, Faces Up To 15 Years For Husband’s Murder
March 1, 2016
A Molino mom that once claimed a “stand your ground” defense in the murder of her husband is now facing up to 15 years in state prison.
Rebecca A. Rogers, 45, has pleaded no contest to manslaughter for shooting her husband, 42-year old Jason Lee Rogers in August 2013. According to the State Attorney’s office, sentencing guidelines call for her to receive a sentence of just over nine years when she is sentenced in late April.
Her attorneys previously made a motion to dismiss the case, saying Rogers acted within the parameters of Florida’s self-defense “stand your ground” law. That motion was denied at the local level and by the Florida First District Court of Appeals.
The ruling from the appeals court last June did nott allow her to claim she acted under the “stand you ground” law, but it specifically did not prohibit Rogers from claiming self-defense at trial.
Rebecca Rogers shot her husband twice in the back and once in the head inside the couple’s home in the 3400 block of Highway 29 in Molino. She told a 911 dispatcher that her husband choked her and then she shot him.
Deputies arrived to find Rebecca Rogers standing outside the home. They found Jason Rogers lying unconscious in the back bedroom of the home on his stomach with what appeared to be a gunshot to his head. According to official reports, he also suffered two other gunshot wounds to the back. He died at a local hospital about two days later.
The couple had four daughters, one of which testified at a preliminary hearing that her father had several guns in the home. “As far as I know, he was going to get them and he was…my mom believed he was going to kill her. So, she was protecting herself,” she said.
Rogers remains free on a $300,000 bond as she awaits sentencing.
Free Baby Food, Cereal, Diapers And Wipes At Century Health Start
March 1, 2016
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition is grateful for the generous outpouring from community partners who have answered the need for mothers and babies in Century following the devastating February 15 tornado.
Manna Food pantries donated baby food and cereal, and Goodwill and Abundant Life Outreach donated diapers and wipes. Families in need may stop by the Healthy Start office at 511 Church Street, Monday -Thursday between 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis while supplies last to receive the items.
WIC service will be at the Century Healthy Start Office on Tuesday, March 8. For more information, call (850) 619-1469.
Pictured: Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition Executive Director Theresa Chmiel (left) and Century Office Manager Laura Nelson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Tax Collector Office Reopens After Communications Failure
March 1, 2016
The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino was shut down Monday afternoon after the building lost communications services. It reopened early Tuesday afternoon.
A drop box remained available for payments, but the office was unable to process any transactions Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
All other tax collector offices remained open with business as usual.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.