Photo Blown Away During Century Tornado Found 50 Miles Away
February 25, 2016
A picture ripped from a home in Century during last week’s EF-3 tornado has been found over 50 miles away in southern Alabama. Brian Jones of McKenzie, AL, told Montgomery TV station WSFA that he found the picture in a wooded area. He posted it on social media, and the connection was made to Ashley Brown of Century. Brown, her cousin and their children rode out the tornado in a closet as most of the home was destroyed.
Jones said he plans to frame the photo and deliver it one day back to Century.
Pictured below: Ashely Brown’s home in Century, 50 miles from where a photo from the home was found in Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
House Gambling Bill Could Get Overhaul
February 25, 2016
House Finance and Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz is pushing changes that would match up a House gambling proposal with an even more-expansive Senate bill, but aligning the two packages may not be enough to keep the measure rolling in the Senate.
Gaetz said Wednesday morning he plans to introduce a sweeping amendment to the House proposal at his committee’s meeting next week.
The House’s plan currently complements an agreement, called a “compact,” with the Seminole Tribe, struck by tribal leaders and Gov. Rick Scott. Under the compact signed in December, the tribe would be allowed to add craps and roulette to its casino operations in exchange for $3 billion in payments to the state over seven years.
Scott’s agreement with the tribe would also open the door for slots at the Palm Beach Kennel Club and at a new facility in Miami-Dade County, items included in the House plan.
Gaetz’s proposal will mirror one, approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee last week, that would allow slot machines in at least five counties where voters have approved them, with more on the horizon. Along with Palm Beach, those counties are Brevard, Gadsden, Lee and Washington.
Like the Senate plan, Gaetz also intends to add language that would require the compact to recognize that fantasy sports — which face allegations of illegal gambling — are legal in Florida. The plan would also allow dog and horse tracks, as well as jai alai operators, to discontinue live races or matches while keeping more lucrative cardrooms or slots, a process known as decoupling.
“It’s time for both chambers to start moving toward one another,” Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said in an interview Wednesday.
But Senate leaders remained skeptical about the future of their chamber’s plan, with time running out before the March 11 scheduled end of the legislative session.
“I don’t know how we unwind it. I think it ends up sitting in committee,” Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday. Galvano was instrumental in hashing out a deal with the Seminoles in 2010.
The changes folded into the Senate bill last week would require new negotiations with the Seminoles and could negatively affect the $3 billion revenue share pledged by the tribe. Federal law requires that tribes have “exclusivity” regarding some aspect of gambling in order to justify revenue-sharing agreements with states.
“Because so much of the oxygen is being sucked up by (discussions about) the budget, I think that makes it more difficult for the Senate and the House to work through a complicated gaming bill,” Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said Wednesday. “It’s complicated as a stand-alone, but when you add into the fact that we still don’t have allocations and we still don’t have the dates for (budget) conference, I think that makes it a real challenge right now.”
Expanding the number of facilities that could have slots would impact the tribe’s “exclusivity” over the games, currently limited to pari-mutuels in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in addition to the Seminoles’ operations.
The tribe is suing the state in federal court, alleging that gambling regulators have approved pari-mutuel activities that violate a 2010 compact giving the tribe exclusive rights to operate blackjack at most of its casinos. The portion of the compact dealing with the card games expired last summer, but the tribe continues to operate the games.
While the Senate plan would allow the tribe to have exclusive rights to operate craps and roulette, it remains unclear how much the Seminoles would be willing to pay the state if slots are added at more pari-mutuels.
“I’m not interested in any erosion of the tribe’s revenue given to the state,” Gaetz said, adding that the tribe “badly needs” the compact.
“They’re building a national and global brand. They’re trying to demonstrate to other states around the country that they’re good corporate citizens and good partners. I believe that litigation and conflict with the state of Florida is not a good thing for the tribe,” he said.
Apart from the senators’ gloomy prospects for the gambling package, Gaetz said Wednesday he didn’t know yet whether he had the support to move it to the House floor for a full vote.
“I don’t even have a product, much less a vote count,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
CSX Crossing Work In North Escambia Concludes
February 25, 2016
Work is now complete on over a dozen North Escambia railroad crossings, and they are all back open.
CSX closed the North Escambia crossings as part of its network-wide crossing maintenance program beginning last week. CSX engineering crews installed new rail ties, resurfaced crossings and repaved them with asphalt.
The crossings that were updated included:
- Highway 4
- Cottage Street
- McCurdy Road
- Hecker Road
- Front Street
- East Pond Street
- Jefferson Avenue
- Salters Lake Road
- Bluff Springs Road
- Courtney Road
- Mystic Springs Road
- East Bogia Road
- Cotton Lake Road
Pictured top: Repairs were made to the Hecker Road crossing in Century late last month. Pictured below: East Highway 4’s railroad crossing was also included in the upgrades. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 25, 2016
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events. Wednesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Driver Plows Into Building
February 25, 2016
An elderly Santa Rosa County resident was charged with careless driving after colliding with a building on McLemore Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 84-year old Emile H. Luquet of Milton drove a 2010 Subaru Outback into the TestAmerica building. Luquet told the FHP the accelerator became stuck. Luquet was not injured, and there were no injuries reported in the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs ‘Backyard Gun Range’, Eight Other Bills
February 25, 2016
Surrounded by a group of police chiefs, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a measure dubbed the “backyard range” bill, intended to restrict the recreational discharge of a firearm in certain residential areas.
The proposal was one of nine that Scott signed into law Wednesday.
The backyard range measure (SB 130) prohibits the recreational discharge of a firearm outdoors, including for target shooting or celebratory shooting, in primarily residential areas with a density of one or more dwelling units per acre. A violation would be a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The bill, which goes into effect immediately, was backed by the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the National Rifle Association and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida.
St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Robert Hardwick said the legislation will ensure “residential areas are better protected from people using firearms irresponsibly and unlawfully.”
A Senate staff analysis of the bill pointed to reports about people constructing gun ranges in their backyards, with neighbors being concerned for safety. Law enforcement officials complained that they were hamstrung because their lawyers found the state statute barring “recklessly or negligently” discharging a firearm to be “subjective and vague.”
Scott’s signature Wednesday comes nearly five years after the governor signed into law a measure that voided all local firearms restrictions.
The “backyard range” issue received heightened attention in June 2014 when the Comedy Channel’s “Colbert Report” did a satirical piece on a Big Pine Key resident who legally set up a makeshift side-yard shooting range using a state law, created in 1987, regarding shooting on private property.
Scott also signed a measure (SB 228) Wednesday that would remove aggravated assault from a list of offenses that lead to people being sentenced under the 10-20-Life mandatory-minimum sentencing law. Scott said he signed the bill because it was supported by the law enforcement community and “made sense.”
A third bill (SB 158) signed Wednesday would allow people with lifetime fishing or hunting licenses, or boater-safety identification cards, to have a symbol added to their driver licenses displaying that lifetime status. The addition of the symbol, when a driver’s license is issued or renewed, would come with a $1 fee.
Both of those measures go into effect on July 1.
Other bills signed Wednesday (SB 182) would extend several public-records exemptions involving financial “trade secret” information, while a related proposal (SB 180) would make theft of trade-secret financial information a third-degree felony. Those laws go into effect on Oct. 1.
Four other measures signed by Scott Wednesday (SB 1030, SB 1032, SB 1038 and SB 1040) involve technical changes to state statutes.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Apartments, Homes Destroyed As Apparent Tornado Rips Two Mile Path(With Gallery)
February 24, 2016
An apparent tornado ripped a path two miles long through a Pensacola neighborhood Tuesday night, leaving apartments and town homes destroyed, flipping vehicles and more in its wake.
At The Moorings apartment complex on Old Spanish Trail Road, three buildings were heavily damaged. Preliminary estimated were than 24 units were destroyed and about a half dozen more suffered minor damage. A search and rescue operation looking for a possible victims trapped in debris continued well into the night.
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Uninjured residents were evacuated, with many transported by bus to an American Red Cross shelter at Cokesbury United Methodist Church at 3300 Summit Boulevard. There were no confirmed injury reports from the apartment complex.
There were also scattered damaged reports, including destroyed structures, along the tornado’s path from Northpointe Boulevard to Scenic Highway, including reports of damage in the Yacht Harbor subdivision.
Numerous road were closed as of early Wednesday morning, including:
- Old Spanish Trail at Olive Road
- Harbor Square at Olive Road
- Squire at Olive Road
- Holgate at Olive Road
- Northpointe at Olive Road
- Scenic at Olive Road
- Northpointe and Lavorde
- Olive Road and 9th Avenue
Road will be opened when power lines and debris are cleared. Residents will get priority access to the area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Kristi Price and other, reader submitted. Click to enlarge.
Century Approves Formation Of Community Redevelopment Area
February 24, 2016
The Town of Century has approved the formation of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements. An estimate provide by Escambia County showed Century might, in a best case scenario, receive about $5,300 in tax funds for the first year of a CRA that included a full maximum 80 percent of the town. However, Council President Ben Boutwell said 100 percent of the town will be eligible for inclusion in the CRA.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
Century will enter into an interlocal agreement with Escambia County for assistance in forming and managing the CRA. Their next step will be the formation of a seven member board — the five council members plus two at-large members — to oversee the Century CRA.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Lawmakers Thank Scott For Disaster Declaration
February 24, 2016
Escambia and Santa Rosa County Delegation members – Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Doug Broxson, Rep. Mike Hill, and Rep. Clay Ingram — sent letters to Scott morning extending their sincere appreciation towards the governor’s actions on the behalf of the residents of Escambia County who suffered following the devastating aftermath of last week’s tornado.
Delegation members sent a letter to Scott that was signed Saturday as the group toured the damage in the Century area.
With the disaster declaration from the governor, those who experienced significant damage may be able to apply for possible grants, loans, and other restoration funds as they begin to rebuild their homes and lives.
The letters were as follows:
Dear Governor Scott,
I am truly grateful for your generous response to the disasters that occurred in the town of Century and Escambia County on Monday, February 15. Thank you for declaring one of the poorest counties in the State eligible for emergency disaster funds after last week’s devastating tornado.
The residents of Escambia County and I are grateful for all the efforts of the local Emergency Management Services and the continuous communications with the Department of Emergency Management, to provide swift assistance to all those who suffered in the tornado’s devastating wake. The rescue and aftermath labors were greatly appreciated from all local & state resources.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and leadership of this great State in our time of need.
I am, respectfully,
State Representative Mike Hill
District 2
Dear Governor Scott:
Thank you for your leadership in declaring Century, FL a state of emergency following the devastation caused by a tornado on February 15, 2016.
This declaration will provide vital assistance to Escambia County and the residents of Century affected by the tornado. Our communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are resolute, resilient, and have come together to help the residents of Century during this difficult time, but the people of Century are in need of all the assistance that can be provided.
I am grateful for your response and will continue to work hard to help those in need.
Respectfully,
Doug Broxson
State Representative
Dear Governor Scott,
Thank you for your immediate response to the recent devastation in the Town of Century and Escambia County, in the wake of the tornado on February 15th. The efforts of volunteers, local and state disaster relief teams, and the Escambia Emergency Management Services and the Florida Department of Emergency Management have been greatly appreciated. I know that under your leadership, the residents of Escambia County and the Town of Century will receive the best care during their time of need.
The declaration of the State of Emergency for the Town of Century and Escambia County is just the beginning to the road to recovery for the victims of the tornado last week. I appreciate all you have done to begin the fiscal recovery opportunities in one of the lowest income areas of my district.
Sincerely,
Greg Evers
District 2
A copy of Rep. Clay Ingram’s letter was not immediately available.
Pictured top: Local legislative delegation members sign a letter to Gov. Rick Scott last Saturday in Century. Pictured top inset: Evers and Rep. Clay Ingram (left) drag debris out of Front Street last Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Computer Coding As A Foreign Language Bill Ready For Senate Vote
February 24, 2016
The Senate is poised to vote on a bill that would allow high-school students to take computer-coding courses to satisfy two credits of foreign-language requirements.
Senators, however, changed the bill (SB 468) on Tuesday to remove a proposed requirement that high schools would have to offer computer-coding courses.
After an amendment, the bill now says schools “may” provide opportunities for students to take the courses. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, has drawn debate throughout the legislative session, including Tuesday on the Senate floor. As an example, Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, said he was concerned some students might not have access to the courses because of antiquated technology. But Ring said the bill would take effect with the 2018-19 school year, which would provide time. Also students would be able to take the courses through the Florida Virtual School, he said.
The Senate could vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. A House version (HB 887), filed by Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, is ready to go to the full House.
by The News Service of Florida