Florida Pot Petition Heads To Elections Supervisors
July 23, 2015
Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana this week sent 100,000 petitions to county elections supervisors, one of the first steps in getting the proposal before voters next year.
It’s the second shot for United for Care, the committee behind the petition drive, to get the proposal on the ballot. A similar plan received 58 percent of the vote in November, just shy of the 60 percent required for passage.
Local supervisors of elections have 30 days to validate at least 68,317 petitions to trigger scrutiny by the Florida Supreme Court, which signed off on the previous version of the proposal last year on a 4-3 vote. Like all other petition initiatives, United for Care needs 683,149 validated, signed petitions to get “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions” on the November 2016 ballot.
United for Care Campaign Manager Ben Pollara said Wednesday that his organization is months ahead of schedule compared to the previous attempt to get the language on the ballot. Pollara said he expects the Supreme Court to receive the validated petitions by August.
“We’re way ahead of the eight-ball this time. Last time, I was totally stressed and our staff was working 18-hour days all through the holidays and this time I believe we will have effectively put this thing to bed well before Christmas,” he said.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, who bankrolled last year’s effort — spending nearly $4 million of his own money and that of his law firm — has again pledged to open his wallet to get the proposed amendment added to the constitution. In June, Morgan dumped about $233,000 into the political committee supporting the proposal.
Backers changed the name of the proposal as well as some of its language to address concerns expressed by the Supreme Court justices and used by opponents of the measure, including the Florida Sheriffs Association, to dissuade voters from approving it last fall.
“What this will do is to clarify things that will make it really impossible to misinterpret,” Jon Mills, a constitutional law professor and former House Speaker who drafted the amendment and the revision, told The News Service of Florida in January.
The revamped measure clarifies that doctors cannot order medical marijuana for children without their parents’ approval, Mills said. Mills and other supporters of the ballot initiative have insisted all along that, as with all other medical conditions, minors could not get the medical pot without their parents’ or guardians’ permission. But the sheriffs railed about the issue last year, raising the specter of “a joint in every backpack” in discussions about the proposal.
The new language also clears up ambiguity about what diseases would make patients eligible for medical marijuana treatment, another major point of contention for the law enforcement opponents of last year’s measure.
The Florida Sheriffs Association is reviewing the revised plan and does not yet have a position on it, association spokeswoman Nanette Schimpf told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday.
But St. Petersburg-based Drug Free American Foundation Executive Director Calvina Fay said Wednesday that the new proposal isn’t any better than the last.
“There are still very significant, fatal flaws in it,” she said. “They didn’t change the fact that they’re creating a big marijuana industry.”
Anxious about the proposal’s possible impact on drawing out young, Democratic-leaning voters last year, lawmakers passed a law authorizing a type of medical marijuana that purportedly does not get users high and is believed to dramatically reduce seizures in children with rare types of epilepsy. State health officials were supposed to begin selecting licensing nurseries to act as “dispensing organizations” to grow, process and distribute the pot — low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD — on Jan. 1. But the law has been mired in legal challenges and health officials have yet to grant the first license for the new industry.
Backers of the medical marijuana initiative were hopeful that lawmakers would address the issue by expanding on the current law during the legislative session that ended in May. But that didn’t happen, and Morgan and his cohorts have since given up on getting the Legislature’s approval for the “traditional” medical marijuana legalization.
“My impression from our experience with the Legislature in this last session is this is not a body that has a particular want to engage a whole lot on this particular issue,” Pollara said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Win Tenth Straight Home Game
July 23, 2015
When Bryson Smith comes to the plate, opposing pitchers don’t exactly quake in their shoes that the center fielder will take them deep.
After all Smith’s career high is six in a season in 2012 when he split the season between Double-A Pensacola and High-A Bakersfield.
But Smith turned on a first pitch and took Biloxi pitcher Johnny Hellweg over the left field wall in the first inning and Pensacola went on to win its third straight game, 6-4, in front of 4,506 Wednesday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Pensacola has won 8 of its last 11 games and 10 straight games at home since losing its home opener in the second half on July 1 to Jacksonville, 6-2.
Smith is now hitting .333 (6-18) with one homer and two RBIs in five games with Pensacola. His homer gave Pensacola 16 dingers in the past 12 games. Pensacola is in eighth place in the Southern League in home runs with 46 total.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said having the 26-year-old Bryson on the team, who played for the Blue Wahoos every season since 2012, has been calming to the club house.
“Boy, it’s nice to have him,” Kelly said. “The way he runs the bases. Just the way he plays the game. I really like what I see.”
Pensacola hitting coach Alex Pelaez said none of the Pensacola batters are trying to hit the ball out of the ball park.
“They’re not trying to,” Pelaez said. “They’re just putting good swings on it and it’s jumping out.”
The Blue Wahoos are tied for first place with the Mississippi Braves in the second half at 16-10 (41-53) in the Southern League South Division. It’s the first time since July 22, 2012, that Pensacola has been six games over .500. The Blue Wahoos have never been seven games over .500 in a season since its inaugural year in 2012.
Meanwhile, Biloxi, the first half winner in the South, fell to 11-14 (54-39).
Kelly said the team is taking winning in stride.
“I thought we’ve had great chemistry even from day one,” Kelly said. “To me, they’re the same. They’re not too up and the not to down even when we’re winning games. We were undermanned in the first half. Now we feel like we can compete.”
Relievers Jimmy Moran and Kyle McMyne, who earned his seventh save, blanked Biloxi over the last four innings, giving up two hits striking out two and benefitting from two double plays.
With relievers Patrick Schuster, Zack Weiss and Miguel Celestino not available, Kelly said their relief work was critical.
The second game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Thursday with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers. RHP Daniel Wright (6-7, 4.57) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by Shuckers RHP Brooks Hall (7-5, 4.72).
Get Your Child Vaccinated: Special Clinics Planned For Ensley, Molino
July 23, 2015
Children entering Escambia County schools next month must be up-to-date on their vaccinations, including a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for all students entering the seventh grade.
Children may be vaccinated at their physician’s office or at FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic. Parents of children needing school-required vaccinations are being urged not to wait in order to ensure that their child may be vaccinated prior to the start of school.
FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic is open Monday through Friday at 1295 Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. Parents wishing to have their child vaccinated at FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic need to make an appointment. Appointments fill quickly and are same-day only.
Special clinics are also being held in additional locations, as follows:
Northside (Ensley) 8390 North Palafox
- walk-in clinic on Thursdays from 8:00a.m. until 3:30p.m. (now through August 3, 2015).
- same-day appointments, Monday through Friday from August 10 through August 21, 2015.
Molino 3470 Highway 29 North
- same-day appointments, Monday through Friday from August 10 through August 21, 2015.
To schedule an appointment, call (850) 595-6554.
NWE Flag Football Tourney, Registration Event Moved To Northview
July 23, 2015
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Northwest Escambia Flag Football Tournament and Registration Event scheduled for this Saturday has been moved from Ernest Ward Middle School to the practice football field at Northview High School.
The first game, and registration NWE Football and Cheerleading, will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Local Brothers Get Prison Time On Burglary, Theft Convictions
July 22, 2015
Two brothers, both former North Escambia residents, were sentenced to state prison Tuesday after previously being convicted on multiple burglary and theft related charges in Santa Rosa County.
Circuit Judge John Simon sentenced Shawn Demontre Cooler to 25 years in state prison to be followed by five years probation and sentenced Jeremiah Cooler to 10 years in state prison to be followed by 10 years probation.
Shawn Cooler, 20, was convicted of burglary while armed with a firearm, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and criminal mischief. His brother, Jeremiah Cooler, age 21 of Molino, was convicted of grand theft of a firearm and petit theft. Shawn Cooler faced a maximum penalty of life in prison, while Jeremiah Cooler faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
On January 14, 2014, an eyewitness saw two subjects outside a home on the 7000 block of Gordon Evans Road in Navarre. Once Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, it was discovered that the front door was kicked in and two firearms, electronic items, and several pieces of jewelry were stolen. A sheriff’s deputy witnessed Shawn Cooler driving towards Pensacola after the burglary.
Deputies were unable to stop the defendant because the car engaged in a high-speed pursuit. The car and the subjects were found at the Red Roof Inn on Davis Highway by Escambia County deputies the next day. Jeremiah Cooler was apprehended after throwing a backpack with items stolen from the burglary in a dumpster. Shawn Cooler fled on foot after being approached by deputies.
The brothers were previously convicted on April 14, 2015, by a Santa Rosa County Jury on several other charges. Shawn Cooler was convicted of grand theft, and Jeremiah Cooler was convicted of three counts of grand theft of a firearm. The two defendants were found guilty after being found in possession of three stolen firearms and electronics that were taken from a residence located on the 4400 block of Leavins Street in Milton on January 14, 2014.
At the time of the offenses, Shawn Cooler was on probation for burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief. Those charges stemmed from an incident on June 13, 2012, when an Escambia County home was burglarized after the back door was kicked in. A handgun, jewelry and a television were taken in that burglary. On June 18, 2014, Shawn Cooler was found guilty of violating that probation and sentenced to 30 months in state prison prison.
Highway 97 Traffic Detoured Onto Temporary Bridge In Walnut Hill
July 22, 2015
Traffic on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill was transitioned to a temporary roadway and bridge on Tuesday. It’s part of the replacement of a 75-year old Highway 97 bridge over Little Pine Barren Creek.
Work started on the temporary bridge back at the end of March.
The work is part of a $2.5 million contract which consists of replacing the existing structurally deficient bridge, including roadway reconstruction, milling and resurfacing, guardrail, drainage, new signs and pavement markings. Drivers will utilize a temporary roadway and bridge during construction of the new bridge. Work is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2016. No overweight loads will be permitted onto the temporary bridge (loads weighing over 88-thousand pounds).
The bridge is located at the intersection of Wiggins Lake Road, about one mile north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The bridge being replaced was constructed in 1940.
Pictured: Traffic on Highway 97 was detoured Tuesday onto a temporary bridge in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Marsh Fire Burns On Lower Escambia River
July 22, 2015
The Florida Forest Service and local fire departments monitored a wildfire Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the marsh of the Escambia River just north and west of Highway 90.
Because of the location, equipment cannot reach the fire so crews were watching the situation, according to Joe Zwierzchowski of the Florida Forest Service. By Wednesday morning, there was no smoke visible from nearby roadways.
Couple Charged With Failing To Report A Death
July 22, 2015
Two Escambia County residents have been charged with failing to report a death. Instead, authorities say they took the man’s TV out of his trailer, literally over his dead body.
Kimberly Joyce Smith, 32, and her boyfriend, 47-year old Stevenson Antonio Holly, were both arrested this week with failing to report a death to the medical examiner.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Smith called her mother about 6 p.m. on May 26 and told her that her father was “cold” and dead inside his mobile home at a North Palafox Street trailer park. Deputies later determined that Smith and Holly were at the trailer about 3:00 that afternoon, when witnesses saw them removing a TV and other items from the trailer.
About noon the following day, Smith’s mother questioned whether she had called 911 to report the death, with Smith telling her “no” because she was scared, an arrest report states.
Investigators said Smith and Holly dropped cigarette ashes onto the deceased man’s head as they toted out items, and his head had a postmortem injury that was believed be from the TV being dropped on his head while it was being carried out of his trailer.
Smith was released from the Escambia County Jail on a pre-trial release bond; Holly was released on a $15,000 bond.
Editor’s note: A typographical error on Kimberly Smith’s age has been corrected. She is 32 years old.
Century Considers Slight Property Tax Increase
July 22, 2015
The Town of Century is considering a property tax increase, but it won’t cost the average citizen more than pennies per month and won’t add much to the town’s bottom line.
The town council is recommending that the town’s property tax rate increase from a current year 0.8707 mills to 0.9006 mill, an increase of 6.35 percent. The increase would equal the 2013-2014 rate, while remaining lower than the rate during the previous three years.
One mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. If the tax increase is approved, the property tax paid to Century on home with a $50,000 taxable value would increase from $42.34 to $45.03, or about $2.69 per year.
With the increase Century would be set to collect $29,549 in total property taxes, up from $27,784.
Due to homestead and other exemptions, many Century residents do not pay any property tax at all, according to Council President Ann Brooks, because of low property values.
Century will hold budget workshop at 5:00 Thursday afternoon at Town Hall. The workshop is open to the public.
Atmore Police Officer Assaulted; One Charged
July 22, 2015
An Atmore man is behind bars, charged with assault on an Atmore police officer.
About 3 a.m. Sunday, Atmore officers responded to a call for assistance on Sunset Drive where a growing crowd would not disperse, the department said in a Tuesday news release.
Officers responded to find several individuals involved in an altercation. As officers attempted to intervene, 30-year old Johnny Derell Knight of Atmore refused to comply, charged one of the offers and assaulted him.
Knight was arrested without further incident on charges of assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.