Scott Signs ‘Pastor Protection’ Bill
March 11, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a controversial bill aimed at protecting clergy members from performing same-sex marriages against their religious beliefs.
Known as the “Pastor Protection Act,” the measure filed by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, will prevent churches, pastors and church employees from facing lawsuits for discrimination if they refuse to perform gay and lesbian weddings. Its passage follows a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that found same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. P
lakon and Senate sponsor Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said the verdict had shaken conservative Christians.
“The entire marriage world turned upside down,” Bean said last week as the Senate debated the measure. Opponents said the First Amendment already protects pastors who refuse to perform same-sex weddings and challenged supporters to show that any religious organizations have been punished for discriminating against gay and lesbian couples. But supporters of the measure maintained that it was too soon for such lawsuits to have surfaced because the Supreme Court ruling has been in effect less than a year
Opponents also said the bill could open the door for pastors to refuse to marry interracial couples or divorced people.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Fire Rescue Offers Free Smoke Detectors
March 11, 2016
Crew members from Escambia County Fire Rescue Engine 4 in Cantonment walked door to door Thursday in the Saint Matthew’s Lane and Stacey Road area Thursday to install free smoke detectors and change smoke detector batteries for interested residents.
Escambia Fire Rescue offers free smoke detectors with free installation to anyone in need. Call (850) 595-HERO (4376) for the free alarms.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Seriously Injured In Cantonment Wreck
March 11, 2016
One person was seriously injured in a single vehicle accident in Cantonment Thursday. The driver of a car collided with a tree at the intersection of Santa Rosa and Well Line roads and was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol;further details have not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
All-Star Basketball Games Are Tonight
March 11, 2016
The Pensacola Sports Association 2016 Subway All-Star Basketball games are tonight at Pensacola State. The girls game begins at 5:00 with the boys game to follow. Admission is $8, or $6 with a canned good or student identification.
The games will feature the top seniors from Escambia County high schools on the West teams, and the top seniors from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties on the East times.
Rosters are as follows:
Boys East Roster
Baker — Austin Walters; Central — Cody Abel; Choctaw — D’eddrick Rodgers; Crestview — Marquis McClain; Fort Walton Beach — Trevor Cochran; Gulf Breeze — Perin Foote; Bradley Proctor; Brennan Sige; Ole Smollitch; Jay — Steven Archer; Laurel Hill — Cameron Gordon; Milton — Junior Ramos; Navarre — Demetre Page, Tre Baker, Marcus Richardson; Niceville — Mitchell Morken, Anthony Litscher; Pace — Nathan Harshany, Jahmiah Simmons; Rocky Bayou — Jonathan Colquitt.
Coach: Jarod Denmon, Gulf Breeze
Boys West Roster
Catholic — Connor Goodspeed; East Hill — Nate Roberts; Escambia — Torell Pinkerton, Tyriek Brown, Jailon Bryant; Northview — Bradley Van Pelt; Pensacola — Austin Shoemore; PCA — Elliott Lockett, Austin Flack, Nathan Middleton; Pine Forest — Devin Peters, Malaki Wesson, Eldred McLamb, DeAngelo Johnson; Tate — Jordan Watkins, Hunter Girdner, CJ McGhee; Washington — TJ Mathis, Deurlo Champagne; West Florida — Jamari Sharp.
Coach: Terrence Harris, Pensacola
Girls East Roster
Baker — Ashley Black; Choctaw — Dae Dae Matthews, Nadia Fingall, Justyce Riggs, Niyiah Roney; Fort Walton Beach — Leesa Greenwood; Gulf Breeze — Michelle Barrineau; Jay — Kennedy Salter; Navarre — De’Naizna Elder, Jordyn York, Khorri Newton; Niceville — Amanda Wilson; Pace — Bri Moore, Aaliiyah Neal, Tailer Preston; Rocky Bayou — Monica Marchena.
Coach: Don Brown, Choctaw
Girls West Roster
Catholic — Jenna Falco, Kiley Brady, Isabella Williams; Escambia — Tyanna Livingston, Sydney Walton, Janet Barrot; Northview — Jada Tucker; Pensacola — Victoria Samuel; Pine Forest — Destiny Ervin, Kim Payne, Raleigh Harvey; Tate — Brianna Daniels, Alexis Hoskins, Corine Lavender; Washington — Kaloni Pryear, Gabby Lawrence, Dazhnique Gould; West Florida — Faithe Franklin, Deja Jones, Astasia Lee.
Coach: Jade Brown, Washington
Pictured: Boys West team member Bradley Van Pelt. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeff Miller Won’t Seek Re-election
March 11, 2016
Congressman Jeff Miller has announced that he will not seek re-election. Here is his statement, in his own words:
Fifteen years ago when Vicki and I were praying about running for Congress, we could have never imagined what may lie ahead. As we made our decision, we knew there would come a day when it would be time to pass the torch. That day has come, and I am announcing I will not seek reelection to Congress.
I am deeply humbled that the good people of Northwest Florida have chosen me to be their voice in the halls of Congress for nearly a decade and a half. The confidence and support the voters of the First District have placed in me are honors I have never taken for granted. I will be forever grateful for the trust, encouragement, and love my constituents have shown to Vicki and me.
As the first Republican Member of Congress to take the oath of office after the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the safety and security of this country have never left my mind. I sought positions on the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees – two places where I felt I could best represent my district and make a difference for the entire Nation.
I’ve been blessed with many successes during my time in Congress. There are now two “new” VA Clinics serving the veterans of the First District, including the Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic, which was the prototype for many others around the country. After a host of powerful storms, including a 2004 Hurricane named Ivan, we worked together to rebuild our community time and again. When the Deepwater Horizon disaster affected the Gulf of Mexico and its surrounding communities, we passed the RESTORE Act, which will help our community recover for years to come. And after exposing VA’s delays in care and accountability crises, we wrote and passed the most significant reform bill in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Some of our greatest successes, however, are unknown to most. Things like cutting through red tape to help a widow, assisting a veteran with a disability benefits compensation claim or mediating a bureaucratic dispute for a constituent rarely make front-page news. But they are important responsibilities every member of Congress has a duty to fulfill. Thanks to my dedicated staff, a group that has always understood the importance of providing first-rate constituent services, we have made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors.
There is still more to accomplish before I depart. I intend to complete my tenure as House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs chairman while maintaining the same robust oversight of VA that has defined my chairmanship. As we approach the markup and consideration of the annual Defense Authorization Bill, I will do everything in my power to ensure our Armed Services remain the finest and most equipped fighting force in the world. And in an ever dangerous world, I will continue my service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
When it comes time to elect a new U.S. Representative for the First District, I have every confidence that Northwest Floridians will choose someone who embodies the integrity, optimism, and values of the people of our great community. And when I return home to Chumuckla at the conclusion of my time in office, I will do so with a deep love of this Country and a strong belief that her best days are not behind her, but yet to come.
Roundup: Wins For Tate, Northview
March 11, 2016
BASEBALL
Tate 12, Escambia 0
The Tate Aggies beat the Escambia Gators Thursday 12-0.
The Aggies never trailed after a three run second. The Aggies added another four runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth for the win.
Jake Davis struck out six for the Aggies in five innings of shutout ball, allowing just four hits.
Tate hitters – Reid Halfacre 3-4, RBI, 2 runs, double; Mason Land 2-4, 2 runs; Cole Halfacre 2-4, 4 RBIs; Hunter NeSmith 1-3, 3 runs; Madison Lockman 1-2; Trevor Hoffman 1-1; Logan Blackmon 1-3, run; Josh Barnes 1-1, RBI;
Northview JV 8, West Florida freshmen 4
The Northview JV baseball team defeated the West Florida freshman team tonight, 8-4.
The Jaguars scored first to take a 1-0 lead, but the Chiefs scored 4 runs in the 2nd and 2 runs in the 3rd to take a 6-1 lead. The Jaguars cut the lead to 6-3 in the top of the 4th inning, but the Chiefs responded with two runs of their own to go up 8-3. West Florida added one more run in the top of the 5th.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Jackson Moore (2-3, 3B, 2 RBI), Sam Stott (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 run), John Chivington (2-3, 1 run), Heath Sheldt (2-3, 1 run), MJ Jones (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run), Seth Killam (1-2, 1 RBI), Cade Allen (1-2, 1 run) and Jason Fischer (1-2, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run). Alex McMinn scored 2 runs for the Chiefs.
Seth Killam earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete 5 innings, striking out 9 batters while allowing 7 hits.
The Northview JV baseball team defeated the West Florida freshman team tonight, 8-4.
The Jaguars scored first to take a 1-0 lead, but the Chiefs scored 4 runs in the 2nd and 2 runs in the 3rd to take a 6-1 lead. The Jaguars cut the lead to 6-3 in the top of the 4th inning, but the Chiefs responded with two runs of their own to go up 8-3. West Florida added one more run in the top of the 5th.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Jackson Moore (2-3, 3B, 2 RBI), Sam Stott (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 run), John Chivington (2-3, 1 run), Heath Sheldt (2-3, 1 run), MJ Jones (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run), Seth Killam (1-2, 1 RBI), Cade Allen (1-2, 1 run) and Jason Fischer (1-2, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run). Alex McMinn scored 2 runs for the Chiefs.
Seth Killam earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete 5 innings, striking out 9 batters while allowing 7 hits.
The Chiefs improved to 8-1 and return to action Monday night at Central.
SOFTBALL
Tate 15, Escambia 3
The Tate Aggies beat Escambia 15-3 Thursday night.
Savannah Rowell pitched the win for the Aggies in seven innings, allowing just three runs, four hits and striking out 12. At the plate, Rowell also delivered a grand slam for the Aggies.
Tate hitters – Hannah Brown 2-2, RBI, run; Savannah Rowell 2-4, grand slam, 5 RBIs; S. Ulrich HR, RBI.
Baker 3, Northview 2
The Baker Gators came out on top of the Northview Chiefs in Baker 3-2.
Batting for the Chiefs: Laurie Purdy: 3-3 with 3 singles and 1 RBI. Tori Herrington: 1-4 with a single and a run. Aubree Love: 1-4 with a double and a run. Lydia Smith: 1-3 with a single and a stolen base. Daphne Young: 1-2 with a single and a walk. Brittany McLemore: 0-3with an RBI.
The Chiefs will host Chipley Friday night at 5:00.
Pictured: NHS JV action from Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Opening Day Postponed
March 11, 2016
UPDATE: Due to weather, Opening Day has been postponed until April 2.
Baseball returns Saturday to the Cantonment Sportsplex after a three year absence. Opening Day is Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.
Everyone in Cantonment and surround areas are invited to attend for a day full of fun activities and baseball.
Additional activities include a dunking booth, bounce house and more. There were be team fundraisers, including a fish fry and pizza for lunch.
The opening day schedule is as follows:
‘Shacking Up’ Ban Headed To The History Book; Local Lawmaker Disagrees
March 10, 2016
It soon could be legal to shack up in Florida.
The state House on Wednesday approved repealing a law dating to 1868 that makes it a crime for men and women to live together if they are not married.
With the Senate passing the bill (SB 498) last week, the measure is ready to go to Gov. Rick Scott. The House approved the bill in a 112-5 vote, with five Republicans — Janet Adkins of Fernandina Beach, Brad Drake of Eucheeanna, Mike Hill of Pensacola Beach, Jennifer Sullivan of Mount Dora and Charles Van Zant of Keystone Heights — dissenting.
None of the opponents of the bill commented on the House floor Wednesday.
“You have to ask yourself, would you want you children to live together with others or prefer to see them married. Marriage was mostly certainly the original intent of the law,” Hill told NorthEscambia.com. “I don’t subscribe to popular opinion that it becomes the accepted norm that makes it right because that’s the way society has evolved.”
“When you take a look at the state of Florida, and the nation in general, as to how many people live together while not married, to have a law on the books that says it’s illegal just doesn’t make good sense,” said Rep. Richard Stark, a Weston Democrat who is one of the sponsors of the repeal.
Stark said the issue affects seniors, as well as younger singles.
“I represent communities of seniors, where a lot of them are technically not married,” he said. “They are living together, but it makes more sense financially or for whatever reason like Social Security to not be married. I don’t think that they want to be considered to be violating the law.”
House and Senate staff analyses said the law originally went into effect in 1868 and makes it a second-degree misdemeanor for men and women to “lewdly and lasciviously associate and cohabit together” without being married.
The analyses said Florida, Michigan and Mississippi are the only states that make cohabitation illegal. Seven other states — Arizona, Idaho, Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia — have repealed similar laws in recent years, while a court struck down a North Carolina law, the House analysis said.
Such laws have rarely been used to bring criminal charges, but the House analysis said the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation used the law in 1979 during a civil proceeding to suspend a liquor license.
During a committee meeting in September, Van Zant pointed to religious objections to the repeal.
“Who are we to say that we do not at least fear God?” he asked.
by Jim Saunders and Tom Urban, The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com
Family Seeks Justice In Boy’s Hit And Run Death; District Attorney Responds
March 10, 2016
Tomorrow marks one month since a 12-year old W.S. Neal Middle School student died after being struck by a car, and his family has launched a social media campaign against what they say in wrongdoing by the East Brewton Police Department.
On February 11, Devon Spencer and his friend were walking to school on Williamson Street when they were hit by a car. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
There have been no charges filed in the case, and the family is alleging that the East Brewton Police Department has not conducted a proper investigation and won’t provide them with an accident report or answer their questions. East Brewton Police Chief Kenneth Brazile has declined to talk about this case with the media.
District Attorney Stephen Billy said a proper investigation is being conducted by state and local law enforcement agencies.
“As is standard procedure these agencies have been thoroughly investigating this case and will present all evidence collected to the good citizens of this county at a future grand jury session, after their investigation is fully completed, for their consideration. In order to secure justice to all involved, investigations must be conducted professionally and according to the highest standards. That is exactly what law enforcement and this office have always done, and will continue to do. No one is more dedicated to finding the truth, and pursuing justice than this office.”
He said the investigative process before a grand jury hearing can be exhaustive, and the law prevents the release of some information concerning this case because juveniles are involved.
“In order for the justice system to work, the necessary steps must be taken–even when that process can seem slow to hurting families and the public. Justice does not rest, and it is not inattentive in this case. As is normally true and pursuant to Alabama law as it relates to juveniles, the facts in this case are not publicly released,” Billy said.
On their Facebook page, family encouraged supporters to contact area major media, including local and national television stations and NorthEscambia.com, to push for coverage on the case. Several local television stations did air stories this week. It was a tactic that he district attorney said will likely not help the family in their quest for justice.
“I understand the curiosity of the public for details, but trial by media seldom results in justice served,” Billy said.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Escambia County (AL) District Attorney’s Office at (251) 867-0239.
Devon Spencer has several close relatives that live in Century, according to family members.
Pictured: Family members have created the Justice 4 Devon Facebook page seeking justice after 12-year old Devon Spencer died as the result of being struck by a hit and run driver in East Brewton, AL. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 10, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending March 4 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
The Patrol Vessel Fincat was on patrol multiple days this week. Officers Allgood, Cushing, Land and Lieutenant Berryman, with assistance from Officer Tolbert, discovered multiple violations while on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico. As they approached one vessel for inspection, the subjects on board dumped multiple containers of fish and quickly moved away from their immediate location. The fish included closed-season red snapper and undersized gray triggerfish. Crew members netted many of the fish before making contact with the subjects on board. After completing their inspection, the officers issued five state misdemeanors.
On another patrol, federal citations were issued to subjects on board two different vessels for undersized greater amberjack (26 and 28 inches) and over the bag limit of gray triggerfish.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Hutchinson and Jernigan concluded an investigation regarding armed trespass and the illegal taking of an antlerless deer. Officer Hutchinson received information about a subject trespassing on a hunting club. The complainant advised that he heard a gunshot on their club. He later located a vehicle parked at one of the gates in the same area where shot came from. A short time later, a subject wearing camouflage walked out of the woods and claimed to have been looking for azaleas. Later another subject wearing camouflage walked out of the same area but then ran back into the bushes and retrieved a hunting rifle. Both subjects got in their truck and left the area in a hurry. The complainant was able to get a tag number and a picture of the vehicle. Officers Jernigan and Hutchinson went to the residence of the owner of the vehicle. They were unable to make contact with the two subjects they were looking for but they were able to get information about the subjects’ whereabouts. They went to another residence and observed a truck leaving. They observed two men and two women in the truck and observed one of the men holding a rifle. When the officers asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle, they observed a meth pipe lying in the seat where the passenger was sitting. After further inspection of the vehicle, the officers located a large amount of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia throughout the vehicle. After questioning the subjects about the trespass, they admitted to trespassing on the hunting club and attempting to take a deer. One of the subjects admitted to leaving his shotgun in the hunting club property so that he wouldn’t be caught with the gun. The subject showed the officers where he concealed the shotgun. Both subjects were hunting with a modern firearm during the late muzzle loading season. The subjects denied shooting at a deer. Three subjects were arrested and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail for the charges including possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of controlled substances (alprazolam and methamphetamine), possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The following day, the officers received information from the hunting club member that he had located a dead antlerless deer in the area where the two suspects were hunting. The deer had multiple bullet holes in it consistent with being shot with buckshot. Warrants were obtained charging the two male suspects with taking antlerless deer out of season, taking or attempting to take deer with a centerfire rifle during muzzle loading season, and armed trespass.
Officer Hutchinson observed a truck parked along a field edge just before dark. He approached the truck and observed a hunter coming back to the truck from a nearby hunting blind. When he stepped out from concealment and identified himself, the hunter immediately shouldered his rifle and pointed it at Officer Hutchinson, telling him that he would shoot him. Officer Hutchinson took cover behind a tree as he ordered the man to drop his weapon. The suspect jumped in his truck and fled the scene, stating that he was going back to Alabama. Officer Hutchinson was unable to locate the suspect, but obtained a warrant charging him with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. The suspect was arrested by the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and is awaiting extradition.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.