NJROTC Annual Inspection Is Wednesday
February 9, 2016
Northview High School’s NJROTC unit will have its annual Area Manager’s Inspection (AMI) on Wednesday, February 10 beginning at 9 a.m. in the school gym.
The inspection includes a uniform inspection of each of the unit’s cadets, drill team performance, cadet recognition, pass in review, unit brief to the inspecting officer and awards. The inspecting officer this year is Captain Mark Truluck, Commanding Officer, Naval Aviation Schools Command, NAS Pensacola.
Family members and the community are invited to attend.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection last year at the school. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Open Carry Gun Bill May Not Get Senate Hearing
February 9, 2016
Senate Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla may not bring up a controversial open-carry gun measure in his committee during this year’s legislative session.
The move would effectively stop the proposal (SB 300), which is strongly backed by Second Amendment groups, including the National Rifle Association.
Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, told reporters on Monday that he has grown uneasy with the proposal. The House passed its version of the bill last week after adding an amendment that would allow state lawmakers to carry sidearms into legislative meetings.
“I am concerned that it may become a vehicle for some very, very bad amendments. I think that’s what we learned last week,” Diaz de la Portilla said. “Because of those concerns, I’m very, very seriously considering not hearing it at all.”
Diaz de la Portilla said he’ll decide later this week if the bill will be heard by his committee. The bill would allow the nearly 1.5 million people in Florida with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry guns in most public places. The House voted 80-38 to approve its version last week.
by The News Service of Florida
Senate Panel Back Unamimity In Death Sentences
February 9, 2016
After hearing from a former prisoner who spent 17 years on Florida’s Death Row for a crime he didn’t commit, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved a measure that would overhaul the state’s death-penalty sentencing structure.
Monday’s action by the Senate committee puts the upper chamber at odds with the House over how to address a U.S. Supreme Court decision, in a case known as Hurst v. Florida, that overturned the state’s death-penalty sentencing system.
Last month’s 8-1 ruling, which centered on the sentencing phase of death-penalty cases after defendants are found guilty, dealt with what are known as “aggravating” circumstances that must be determined before defendants can be sentenced to death. A 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in a case known as Ring v. Arizona, requires that determination of such aggravating circumstances be made by juries, not judges.
Under Florida law, juries make recommendations regarding the death penalty, based on a review of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, but judges ultimately decide whether defendants should be put to death or sentenced to life in prison.
The Senate proposal (SB 7068) would require unanimous decisions on at least one aggravating factor and would also require a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty to be imposed. Under current law, a majority of jurors has to decide that at least one aggravator exists, but juries are not required to provide information about the votes on each of the aggravators.
A House measure (PCB CRJS 16-07), backed by state prosecutors, would require unanimity for the aggravators, but would only require a 9-3 vote to recommend death. The House bill will get a second vetting Wednesday.
Of the 32 states with the death penalty, Florida is one of only three states — including Delaware and Alabama — that do not require unanimous jury decisions for capital punishment. Like Florida, Delaware recently issued a moratorium on executions while the state Supreme Court considers the impact of the Hurst case.
Sen. Rob Bradley, a former prosecutor, grilled 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brad King about the 9-3 jury recommendation, asking if any other state had a lower bar for the death penalty.
“I support the death penalty…but I also have a duty to craft laws that will survive constitutional scrutiny from our courts,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said.
King repeatedly sidestepped the question, saying that Florida’s “system” differs from that of other states.
“And they just found our system to be unconstitutional,” Bradley pointed out. “Our correcting of that would be to have the lowest threshold of any other state.”
With the exception of the state attorneys, other death penalty experts are recommending unanimity for death sentence recommendations, as is required for jury verdicts in other cases. Because nearly all of the other states with the death penalty require unanimity for death sentences, being so outside of the mainstream puts Florida at risk in a future Supreme Court case, the experts warned.
But, echoing arguments he has made at previous hearings on the issue, King said requiring a unanimous recommendation would allow a single juror to “hijack” the process.
Under questioning from Bradley, King said prosecutors suggested the 9-3 jury recommendation but had discussed whether “10-2 might be the number we might land on.”
Asked by Bradley if the state attorneys support the 10-2 jury recommendation, King said, “It was more, honestly, a political evaluation of where everybody stood.”
Lawmakers are under pressure to come up with a fix for the death penalty sentencing before the 2016 session ends March 11.
The Florida Supreme Court last week indefinitely postponed the scheduled Feb. 11 execution of Cary Michael Lambrix, shortly after hearing arguments that concentrated on the impact of the Hurst decision on Death Row inmates. A flurry of appeals from other Death Row inmates is expected.
Before voting on the measure without any debate Monday, the Senate panel heard from Juan Melendez, who said he spent “17 years, eight months and one day on Death Row for a crime I did not commit.” Melendez, who was exonerated in 2002, told the committee that the jury recommendation for death in his case was 9-3.
Melendez said “it makes no sense” that jury recommendations not be unanimous when all other jury votes are.
“You always can release an innocent man from prison. But you can never and I repeat, never release an innocent man from the grave. Your bill would encourage deliberation when you’re considering a death sentence,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Elections Officials: Get Ready For March 15 Primary Election
February 9, 2016
Elections officials from Escambia, Santa Rosa Okaloosa counties held a joint press conference Monday in Pensacola to discuss the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary on Tuesday, March 15,
Slower mail delivery means voters that choose to vote-by-mail will need to make sure their ballots will reach their local election’s office before the 7 p.m. March 15 deadline. First class local mail delivery was previously a day or two, but not that’s three to five days with a chance in standard from the U.S. Postal Service.
Absentee ballots should be requested before March 9. The deadline for voter registration and party changes in February 16.
Nearly 20 percent of Northwest Florida’s voters won’t be able to vote on March 15 because Florida is a closed primary. Republicans and Democrats can vote only in their party’s primary, while no party affiliation registered voters can’t vote in either one.
Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford (top) and fellow Supervisors of Elections Tappie Villane, Santa Rosa County and Paul Lux, Okaloosa County, to discuss the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary on Tuesday, March 15 during a Monday press conference in Pensacola. Photos by Brandi Ziglar for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over A Dozen Railroad Crossings To Close For Repair
February 8, 2016
[UPDATE 9:15 a.m.] Over a dozen railroad crossings will be closed at some time during the couple of of weeks for repairs from McDavid north through Century, including Highway 4 beginning Tuesday.
Highway 4 will be closed at the crossing just east of Highway 29 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until completion on Thursday as CSX repairs and replaces railroad ties. While the crossing will be open overnight, it will be marked as “rough” warning drivings of temporary filling material until paving is completed on Thursday.
CSX will close numerous other North Escambia a crossing as part of its network-wide crossing maintenance program beginning next week, with work expected to be completed in one week.
CSX engineering crews will be laying new rail ties, resurfacing crossings and repaving them with asphalt. CSX has worked closely with local officials to coordinate the crossing closures to minimize disruption to the community and is communicating directly with residents where there are dead-end roads or no-outlet situations.
Traffic will experience temporary closures to the following road crossings during the operations period:
- 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
The roads listed above will be temporarily closed at different times on the maintenance schedule, according to CSX. NorthEscambia.com is working with the contractor to provide an updated schedule for crossing closures as soon as possible.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured top: Repairs were make to the Hecker Road crossing in Century late last month. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Church Van In Century
February 8, 2016
A church van went up in flames Sunday afternoon in Century. The Greater Union Missionary Church van burst into flames as the driver was pulling off North Century Boulevard at the New Life Christian Center. There were no passengers in the van at the time of the fire. Reader submitted photo (top) and NorthEscambia.com photos (below), click to enlarge.
Pensacola Opera’s ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ Free In Century, Molino
February 8, 2016
The Pensacola Opera will present free performances of the endearing tale “Jack and the Beanstalk” at two local library branches this week.
The first performance will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Century Branch Library. The second performance will be at 10:30 Wednesday morning at the Molino Branch Library.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Soar Over Super Bowl
February 8, 2016
The Blue Angels helped kick off the 2016 Super Bowl when they performed a flyover at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, on Sunday.
The Blue Angels’ signature six-jet Delta Formation soared over more than 70,000 spectators at the stadium, following the national anthem.
“It doesn’t get more exciting than representing the Navy and Marine Corps while flying over the world’s premier sporting event,” said Blue Angels Slot Pilot Lt. Ryan Chamberlain. “Navy and marines serving all around the world should be proud of their efforts which make opportunities like this possible.”
Flight Leader and Commanding Officer Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, a native of Los Altos, CA, was proud to fly over his hometown.
“Being able to come back to the area you grew up in and being able to represent the Navy is always special, but being a part of this great American tradition makes this privilege that much more incredible,” said Bernacchi.
The Blue Angels, while based in Pensacola, are currently training in California for the 2016 air show season and are scheduled to fly 65 demonstrations at 33 locations throughout North America in 2016, which is the Blue Angels’ 70th anniversary year. The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
Photo courtesy U.S. Navy Blue Angels for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Monitoring Rolling Hills Landfill After Fire
February 8, 2016
County officials are monitoring the Rolling Hills Landfiill after a fire broke out Sunday morning.
Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Safety and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responded to a fire at the Rolling Hills Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. County code enforcement and public safety staff noticed heavy smoke coming from the landfill area early Sunday morning. After investigating, the source of the fire was identified as a large mound of land clearing debris located in the southeast area of the property designated for land clearing debris disposal.
The property owner mobilized manpower and equipment and was able to cover the fire while county crews remained on standby. Escambia County Environmental Code Enforcement has posted a staff member to monitor the fire for24 hours while a plan for any further needed fire suppression is made with the guidance of FDEP. Escambia County continues to work with the landfill owners and FDEP to implement a closure plan for the construction and demolition disposal portion of the site.
The fire should not impact the levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S, in the Wedgewood Community. Escambia County’s Natural Resources Management Department has been working directly with local residents, and all data collected by the monitoring stations provides state and local officials with the tools necessary to evaluate the potential risk to public health and issue advisories as necessary.
Tate Wrestling Wins Third Tournament
February 8, 2016
The Tate High School wrestling team won the recent Tate Invitational tournament. Gulf Breeze placed second, and Niceville High came in third. For the Aggies, this was their third tournament win in the past month.
During the Tate Invitational, nine Aggie wrestlers won medals:
106: Jacob Cochran and Matthew Blalock
120: Scott Houston
126: Tanner Wood
138: Daniel Pigg
152: Logan Womack
170: Heath Herndon
195: Jacob Neales
220: Gaven McAnally
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
