Molino Man Charged After Drug Raid Run
September 21, 2015
A Molino man was charged with multiple drug offense after allegedly running from a drug raid in Woodridge Park.
Marcus Bonner was one of several people at a home on Hope Drive when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and narcotics unit executed a search warrant on Hope Drive.
Bonner allegedly ran from the scene throwing down a box of sandwich bags. When deputies recovered the box, they reported finding powder cocaine, crack cocaine and a black digital scale.
Bonner was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $116,000 bond.
Florida Leaders Expected To Have $600 Million Surplus
September 21, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott and lawmakers will have more than $600 million in extra money as they craft budget proposals for next year, according to a draft report issued by economic forecasters.
The projection included in the Long-Range Financial Outlook, which will be considered by a legislative committee next week, marks the first official estimate of the state’s surplus after accounting for continuing expenses and other spending decisions lawmakers generally make each year.
For the 2016-2017 budget year that begins July 1, there will be an estimated $635.4 million left, after normal spending and $1 billion in reserves — meant to help cushion the state against unexpected expenses — are taken care of. However, about $426.8 million of that surplus would come from one-time money.
The surplus is expected to decline after the 2016-2017 budget year, with the state having $583.7 million the next year and $222.2 million the year after that, with all of the leftovers being one-time money. Part of that is due to the continuing cost of recent tax cuts supported by Scott and Republican lawmakers.
Because the state’s economists issue new forecasts on a regular basis, it is likely that the numbers for outlying years will be adjusted up or down.
The numbers will provide a framework for Scott’s budget request, expected before the end of the year. Lawmakers will return to Tallahassee in January for an earlier-than-usual annual session and will negotiate a final spending plan.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said in a memo to senators that the new outlook “demonstrates the feasibility of increasing per student funding to the highest level in state history” — a goal of Scott’s that lawmakers missed reaching last year. The State Board of Education has said it will make a similar request for the coming year.
Gardiner said he would ask the Senate’s budget writers to aim for $250 million in tax cuts, in part because of the projections about outlying years.
“This level of tax relief would further our ongoing commitment to reducing the burden of taxes and fees on Florida’s families and businesses, while also taking into account the impact on future budget years. … We have a responsibility to make spending decisions that maintain structural balance within our budget while being mindful of the impact current spending decisions will have in future years,” he said.
That would be less than the $372.4 million that the Legislature slashed for the current budget year, which was in turn less than Scott proposed in his budget to help fulfill a campaign promise of $1 billion in cuts over two years.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, was less specific in a statement issued by his office about the financial outlook.
“This is further evidence that our conservative fiscal principles are working,” he said. “The House will remain focused on keeping Florida the best state in the nation to create jobs, cutting taxes for hard-working Floridians, and balancing our state’s budget.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Military Members Getting Fast Tracked Concealed Weapons Licenses
September 21, 2015
The state has fast-tracked 7,549 concealed-weapons licenses for active-duty members of the military and honorably discharged veterans since Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced July 27 that those people would be moved to the front of the line when seeking licenses.
“If we get a complete application and a clean background, we’re turning it over roughly in six days,” Grea Bevis, director of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Licensing, told members of the House Military and Veteran Affairs Subcommittee this week.
Another 900 applications are pending, Bevis said.
The goal when the fast-track program started was to get the licenses application completed within 30 days, Bevis added.
“So we’ve made great strides to meet that mark,” he said.
The fast-tracking was part of Florida’s reaction to a shooting rampage at a military-recruiting center and a Navy Reserve facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., that left four Marines and a sailor dead in July. Gov. Rick Scott called for the state to expedite processing of new concealed-weapons licenses for members of the National Guard. Putnam expanded that to all active-duty military members and honorably discharged veterans.
by The News Service of Florida
Two Injured In Highway 97 Crash
September 20, 2015
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday night on Highway 97 in Dogwood Park.
The driver of a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe was cited for careless driving after rear-ending a Ford Expedition at the intersection of White Ash Road. Two people were transported from the crash by Escambia County EMS and Atmore Ambulance to area hospitals.
The accident shut down Highway 97 with a temporary detour for over an hour.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 20, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending September 17 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr completed an investigation involving the illegal take of deer in Illinois. An officer with Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) contacted FWC requesting assistance with a case in which a Florida hunter travelled to Illinois for the opening weekend of archery season. The hunter purchased an antlerless only hunting license which is substantially cheaper than an either-sex license. He posted photos of himself posing with an 11‑point buck later on the opening morning. The Illinois Conservation Officer requested that FWC locate and interview the subject regarding the deer.
The officers located the subject and interviewed him. The man admitted to taking the 11‑point buck, but was adamant that he purchased a license. During the interview, the officers learned that he was accompanied by another man from this area. The interview revealed that the subject also killed an 8-point buck and failed to tag it. Neither of the subjects checked their bucks as required by Illinois law. During the interview, the subject told the officers that he did not know exactly where his buck was, but that he cleaned the skull and was going to make a European mount. He told the officers that he would locate the antlers and his Illinois hunting license and show the officers the next day.
The officers immediately went to the other subject’s home to interview him. They located him and asked him about the trip. He admitted to killing a doe deer and failing to check it as required, but denied taking a buck. He confirmed that the other subject killed an 11‑point.
During the first interview, the subject told the officers that he used a local taxidermist in the past. The officers arrived at the taxidermy shop when it opened the next morning. When they entered the shop, the 11‑point buck was mounted and hanging on the wall. The shop owner stated that the subject dropped it off shortly after hunting in Illinois the previous year, but had not yet paid for it. He told them that the subject had sent him an email the night before telling him that he would be there to pick up his buck later in the week. The shop owner cooperated and provided evidence documenting where the buck came from. The officers seized the buck and other evidence at the shop.
The officers returned to meet with the first subject later that morning. The subject then told the officers that his mother had actually bought him his license and that she was on her way to the bank to get proof of the transaction. He again told the officers that he did not know where the buck was, but that he would turn it over as soon as he found it.
The officers turned over the evidence and statements to the Illinois DNR. Summons for both subjects were issued and sent to FWC for delivery to the two subjects. The subjects were charged with taking or possession of an antlered buck without an either-sex tag and failure to report harvest. Both subjects have mandatory court dates in Illinois.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No information submitted.
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.
Walnut Hill Driver Crashes Into Power Pole
September 20, 2015
There were no injuries early Sunday morning in Walnut Hill when a driver struck a power pole.
The accident was reported about 12:15 a.m. in the 100 block of Juniper Street. The driver apparently lost control, hit the power pole and before his vehicle came to rest near a mobile home. The pole was snapped off near the ground, sending the pole and a service line for a nearby residence to the ground.
The driver refused medical treatment when evaluated by Atmore Ambulance. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Proposal Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights
September 20, 2015
A South Florida Democrat has proposed a constitutional amendment aimed at automatically restoring the voting rights of many convicted felons. Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed the proposal (SJR 192) for consideration during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would go on the November 2016 ballot. The measure seeks to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. People with restored rights also would be eligible to hold public office. Automatic restoration would not apply to felons convicted of sexual offenses or homicide.
by The News Service of Florida
Graffiti Bridge Painted Blue In Support Of Law Enforcement
September 20, 2015
Graffiti Bridge was painted blue for “Thank A Police Office Day” on Saturday.
The messages were painted by members of Northwest Florida LEO Wives, a law enforcement support group for the wives of officers. The group has about 250 members in Northwest Florida.
“Thank You,” “My Husband’s Life Matters,” “We will Stand our ground,” “Our Family Matters,” and “Pray for the Blue” were among the messages painted on the bridge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join The Escambia County Farm Tour
September 20, 2015
The UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension will host a special Escambia County Farm Tour beginning at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at the Molino Community Center for those interested in learning more about local agriculture and the environment.
Tour stops include the West Florida Cotton Gin, Birdsong Peanut Buying Point, and activities related to cotton and peanut harvests, forestry, precision agriculture and youth projects will take place during the event. The farm tour is the work of a committee made of representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County, Escambia County Farm Bureau, Florida Forest Service and the Escambia County Department of Natural Resources Management.
The cost is $20 per participant, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and transportation. Dress is cotton casual, but closed-toe shoes are required. Participants must be 18 years or older and must be able to handle a good bit of walking and loading onto motorcoaches. Pre-registration is required; click HERE to sign up today.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Firefighters Team Up To Save Kitten
September 19, 2015
Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office teamed up to save kitten Friday morning.
K-9 Deputy Tim Taylor came across a woman at Airport Boulevard and W Street that was distraught because a kitten was stuck near the wheel of her car. Deputy Taylor worked to removed the frightened kitten who had been hanging on for dear life. He realized he would need gloves for the job, so he called for the assistance of Escambia Fire Rescue.
A crew from the Brent Fire Station responded, and they worked together to rescue the kitten which was transported by Fire Rescue to the Escambia County Animal Shelter for evaluation. The kitten was just fine and will be available for adoption after a five-day hold, according to a county spokesperson.
Firefighters have named the kitten “Spot”, like a fire station Dalmatian.
Pictured. Firefighters and an Escambia County deputy work to save kitten Friday morning on Airport Boulevard. Pictured inset: The kitten, now named “Spot”. Pictured below (courtesy Julia M. Carney): Escambia Fire Rescue Sta. 3 members with Spot. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
