Ransom Middle Teacher Selected For National C-SPAN Educators Conference
July 1, 2015
Lauren Samoszenko, a social studies teacher at Ransom Middle School, is one of 30 educators from across the nation selected to attend C-SPAN Classroom’s 2015 Educators’ Conference to be held in Washington July 9-10.
The conference helps educators discover how to integrate C-SPAN’s programs and C-SPAN Classroom’s free web-based primary source materials into classroom activities to create engaging learning experiences for students. The conference brings together middle school teachers who specialize in social studies and/or technology. Samoszenko competed with applicants from across the country to secure a place at the conference. C-SPAN provides the roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and meals for all selected attendees.
“Over the course of the two day conference, we aim to equip teachers with a variety of strategies to incorporate C-SPAN’s primary source programs into their classrooms,” said Craig McAndrew, C-SPAN Manager of Education Relations. “Our free resources are geared toward aiding teachers in providing a clear understanding of how the federal government works, the issues affecting our country, and the history of the U.S.”
Throughout the event participants will learn more about C-SPAN, its online archive of primary source programs as well as a host of other free digital resources that can be implemented in the classroom. C-SPAN Political Editor Steve Scully will speak at the conference dinner about the 2016 presidential campaign season.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
130 New Laws Take Effect In Florida
July 1, 2015
Wednesday, 130 new laws weny into effect today in Florida along with a record-setting budget approved by Legislature this year in the regular and special sessions and signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
The state will no long collect sales tax on gun club memberships, people with 64-ounce beer containers known as “growlers” can get them filled at breweries, and governments in Florida will have to start looking to buy American-made U.S. flags.
Lawmakers also decided that, as of Wednesday, the state’s decades-old ban on gay adoption will no longer be in statutes, children can secretly record sexual abusers and law enforcement agencies can’t require officers to issue any preset number of tickets.
For the year, lawmakers sent 239 bills to Scott during the regular and special sessions. He vetoed seven and signed the rest.
A number of the new laws make technical changes to state statutes or have ties to the $78.2 billion spending plan.
Sixty-three of the laws approved by the Legislature went into effect immediately upon Scott’s signature. Among those proposals, people without conceal-carry permits can now pocket their weapons when forced to leave home because of hurricanes and other disasters (SB 290); current and past members of the U.S. armed forces, reserves or National Guard since Sept. 11, 2001 can ask to have their home and personal information exempt from state public record (HB 185); rural letter carriers can drive without a seat belt while working their route (SB 160); and there will be fewer tests given to public-school students (HB 7069).
Here are highlights of the laws taking effect July 1:
BUDGET
— SB 2500A, the spending plan for the fiscal year, at $78.2 billion the largest in state history. It was approved in a June special session after lawmakers failed to come together on health-care spending during the regular session.
The package includes boosts in funding for public schools, universities and colleges, and the Agency of Persons with Disabilities, and will cover repairs to 94 bridges and the replacement of 16 others. The budget also includes $38.5 million for the protection of the state’s natural springs and $15 million for Florida Forever. The land-buying and natural resource protection funding amounts are far below what was desired by backers of the 2014 voter-approved measure that set aside a portion of revenue from a real-estate tax for land acquisitions and maintenance.
TAX CUTS
— HB 33A, another product that required the special session to fully snap together.
The wide-ranging package came in lower than what the House and Gov. Rick Scott wanted, but still clocks in at $372.4 million in the next fiscal year.
There are tax cuts on the cost of gun club memberships, college textbooks, luxury boat repairs, certain agricultural supplies and services, school extracurricular fundraisers, aviation fuel at select flight-training academies, and on motor vehicles purchased overseas by internationally deployed service members from Florida.
For many Floridians, the most noticeable item will be a reduction in the communications-services tax on cell-phone and cable-TV bills. The savings are projected at $20 a year for people paying $100 a month for the services.
Another notable feature is the 10-day sales-tax holiday starting Aug. 7 on clothing under $100, school supplies that cost $15 or less and the first $750 of personal computers purchased for non-commercial use.
ABORTION
— HB 633, requires a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. Under the law, information about abortions must be provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before a procedure is performed. There are exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking — but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce police reports, restraining orders, medical records or other documentation.
ADOPTION
— HB 7013, provides $5,000 payments to government workers who adopt foster children, with the payments increasing to $10,000 for adoptions of children with special needs. The measure also repeals the state’s decades-old ban on gay adoption.
MILITARY
— HB 27, requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to accept a military personnel identification card as proof of a social security card number during the application process to acquire a driver license or identification card.
— HB 277, ensures young service members are able to rent hotel rooms in Florida. Some hotels and other lodging establishments have minimum age requirements. The law requires hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast inns to waive age restrictions for active-duty service members with valid military identification cards.
— HB 329, creates Woman Veteran, World War II Veteran, Navy Submariner, Combat Action Badge Ribbon, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross license plates.
— HB 801, adds a memorial in the Capitol Complex to 241 members of the U.S. military killed Oct. 23, 1983 when a truck carrying 2,000 pounds of explosives drove into a headquarters and barracks area in Beirut, Lebanon.
PATRIOTISM
— HB 225, the “All-American Flag Act.” While the law goes into effect July 1, the law requires U.S. and Florida flags purchased by governments in Florida after Jan. 1, 2016, to be made from materials grown, produced and manufactured in the United States.
EDUCATION
— HB 41, known as “Gabby’s Law for Student Safety,” revises how “hazardous walking conditions” are identified and handled. The law allows school district superintendents to make formal requests to the government agencies with jurisdiction over roads to correct the hazards. The government agencies would have to include the work in their next annual five-year capital improvements programs or declare why the corrections aren’t being planned.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
— SB 264, makes it clear local law-enforcement agencies cannot use ticket quotas. Also, the law requires individual local governments to submit reports to the Legislature if traffic-ticket revenues cover more than 33 percent of the costs of operating their police departments. The proposal is a reaction to the speed trap that was nestled along U.S. 301 in the small North Florida city of Waldo.
— HB 7001, allows children under 18 to secretly record conversations related to sexual abuse or other violent acts. The proposal stemmed from a Florida Supreme Court decision last year that ordered a new trial for a Lee County man who had been sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing his stepdaughter.
— HB 133, dubbed the “43 Days Initiative Act.” The law extends the statute of limitation on felony sexual battery offenses from four years to 10 years. The title of the law is tied to a sexual offense victim who reported the crime four years and 43 days after the crime, which meant that no charges could be brought against the offender.
DRONES
— SB 766, prohibits the use of aerial drones to capture images that could infringe on the privacy of property owners or occupants. The law allows people to initiate a civil action against a person, state agency or political subdivision that violates the prohibitions. However, the prohibition doesn’t include agencies countering the risk of terrorist attacks, police who obtain search warrants that authorize the use of drones, property appraisers making tax assessments, and utilities maintaining their facilities.
ENTERTAINMENT
— HB 641, clears up confusion created by a 2013 law that shut down Internet cafes. This year’s law is intended to make it clear that amusement games can continue operating at businesses such as Dave & Buster’s and Chuck E. Cheese’s.
— HB 239, regulates the use of certain drugs in racing horses and greyhound dogs. The law also hikes the maximum fine when a racing animal tests positive for a prohibited substance from $5,000 to $10,000, or the amount of the purse if it’s greater.
ALCOHOL
— SB 186, ends the state’s prohibition on brewers being able to fill 64-ounce beer containers known as “growlers” for off-site consumption. The law limits cup sizes to 3.5 ounces for beer tastings and caps the number of vendor licenses that can be issued to a brewer. The law ends the use of the tourism exemption for on-site alcohol sales that brewers have been operating under since 1963.
— SB 596, allows craft distillers to annually sell up to two factory-sealed bottles of each product directly to each customer visiting the property.
UTILITIES
— HB 7109, limits future Public Service Commissioners to three consecutive four-year terms. The law also requires utilities to notify customers of the best available rates and prevents electric utilities from charging higher rates through extensions of billing cycles — a provision directed at Duke Energy.
MEDICAL
— HB 269, allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs. Dubbed the “Right to Try Act,” the law focuses on drugs that have been through what is known as “phase 1″ of a clinical trial but have not been approved for general use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The law also provides liability protections to doctors and drug manufacturers.
STATE INVESTMENTS
— SB 7024, repeals a restriction on the State Board of Administration from investing money from the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund in institutions doing business in or with Northern Ireland. The restriction was imposed by the Florida Legislature in 1988.
INSURANCE
— HB 715, removes a restriction that prevents newly-constructed or substantially-improved structures seaward of the coastal construction control line or within the Coastal Barrier Resources System from qualifying for coverage from the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
— HB 4011, repeals a law capping at four the number of vehicles that can be covered by a single family insurance policy.
— SB 1094, intended to provide flexible insurance options for flood coverage.
PUBLIC RECORDS
— SB 7040, provides an exemption to email addresses that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles collects related to driver’s licenses and motor-vehicle records.
— SB 200, exempts taxpayers’ email addresses obtained by tax collectors in the process of sending tax notices.
— SB 248, creates a public-records exemption for certain videos made by police body cameras. The exemption would apply to videos made on private property without the approval of a property owner or individual.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Deputies, PPD Conduct Prostitution Sweep
July 1, 2015
For the last three weeks the ECSO Narcotics Unit has conducted a prostitution sweep in conjunction with the Pensacola Police Department. Photos and info of those arrested are attached, along with the location at which they were arrested.
Information as displayed provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Status Of Abortion Law In Doubt After Court Ruling
July 1, 2015
The day before a new Florida law would have begun requiring women to wait 24 hours before having an abortion, a Leon County judge placed the law on hold while a constitutional challenge goes forward. But the state quickly filed an appeal, a move that could prevent Francis’ ruling from taking effect.
Leon County Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis issued a temporary injunction Tuesday that would have prevented the law (HB 633) from taking effect on Wednesday.
“Plaintiffs have shown a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, that irreparable harm will result if … (HB 633) is not enjoined, that they lack an adequate remedy at law, and that the relief requested will serve the public interest,” Francis wrote in the ruling.
But the appeal by Attorney General Pam Bondi triggered an automatic stay on Francis’ decision, which could allow the law to go into effect. The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the initial case, immediately responded by asking for Francis to lift that stay.
“We filed our motion to lift the stay 10 minutes after the state appealed,” said ACLU attorney Renee Paradis, who argued the case before Francis last week.
The new law adds to the information that physicians performing abortions must provide to women to obtain their consent. Under the law, the information must be provided in person to women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed — requiring women to make two trips to abortion clinics.
The Legislature approved the measure in April, and Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law in June — prompting the ACLU to file for the emergency injunction.
Now the ACLU will proceed with a constitutional challenge on behalf of Gainesville Woman Care LLC, which operates the Bread and Roses Women’s Health Center, and Medical Students for Choice, an advocacy group.
“The court’s decision was grounded in the Florida constitution’s right to privacy,” ACLU of Florida legal director Nancy Abudu said Tuesday. “We were very happy to be able to convince the court that there was no medical justification for this law.”
The ACLU contends that for women — especially low-income women who must arrange for child care, time off work and overnight travel — the law increases the threat to their privacy in seeking an abortion.
But the state contends that it has a vested interest in its residents’ well-being — the basis for the 24-hour wait that supporters say will give women more time to reflect on their decisions.
“The state wields the police power to protect the health and safety of the people,” Blaine Winship, special counsel to Attorney General Pam Bondi, told Francis during a June 24 hearing.
And in his ruling, Francis noted Winship’s argument that the state has a right to require physicians to obtain informed consent from women before performing abortions on them.
“The legislature’s right to require informed consent has been upheld as being grounded in the common law,” he wrote.
Opponents say that the law places additional barriers in the way of women seeking abortions, especially those who are victims of violence and those who are low-income or live in rural areas.
The law includes exceptions to the waiting period for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence and human trafficking, but they must produce police reports, restraining orders, medical records or other documentation in order to qualify.
Pam Olsen, executive director of the International House of Prayer, said she’ll continue her weekly prayer vigil outside the Florida Supreme Court.
“It’s a right law,” Olsen said. “It should go into effect. It should have gone into effect on July 1. I’m sorry that the judge ruled this way, but we will live to fight another day, and the judges are not always right in this nation, are they?”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Proposed Gambling Rules Released, Changes For Poarch Creek’s Gretna Facility
July 1, 2015
After almost two years in the works, state gambling regulators on Tuesday released the latest version of proposed pari-mutuel regulations governing everything from how much jockeys can weigh to the shape and size of horse tracks, including regulations that address changes at a Poarch Creek Indian facility..
But industry insiders predict that the rules face a challenge if they aren’t revised.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering, which oversees non-tribal gambling operations in the state, released the latest proposed rules on Tuesday. The agency held a variety of workshops on the issue since the first version of the rules was floated nearly two years ago.
Tuesday’s proposal closely mirrors the 2013 plan, but with changes that give some industry representatives pause.
Portions of the proposed regulation address a controversy about barrel racing at a Panhandle facility in Gretna operated by the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore. State regulators initially granted a pari-mutuel license for the rodeo-style horse races — the first in the country — four years ago, but an appeals court later ruled that the license was granted in error.
Unlike a previous iteration of the rule, tracks would not have to be in an oval shape, something that would benefit the Gadsden County facility, where horses now run against each other in a straight line.
But, under the proposed rules, horse tracks would have to be a certain length, have “breakaway” rails, and require starting gates for horses. That would put an end to the “flag drop” races at tracks like Gretna Racing.
“This stuff is thrown out there as an economic barrier to keep the new tracks out,” said David Romanik, a lawyer who is also part owner of the Gretna track.
Romanik predicted that it would cost $4 million to modify the Gretna track to meet the requirements in the proposed rule, meaning that the Legislature would have to authorize the regulations. Under state law, rules that result in a cumulative cost of $200,000 or more to an industry in one year, or $1 million over five years, require the blessing of legislators.
Romanik and lawyers representing other tracks predicted that the rule, if not altered, will likely be challenged. Gretna Racing is also in the midst of a legal battle over slots. The 1st District Court of Appeal, in another decision related to the facility, recently ruled that gambling regulators erred in denying the facility a slots license. The state is asking that the full court rehear the case in what is called an “en banc” hearing.
Regulators, who have scheduled a July 20 hearing in Tallahassee on the proposed rule, did not explain what prompted the latest plan.
“The proposed rules are the result of a one and a half yearlong process with three workshops and several meetings to listen to what stakeholders all over the state have to say about the industry and the importance of public understanding, certain levels of clarity and uniform standards,” DBPR spokesman Jaime Florez said in an email.
The proposed rule also would shrink the maximum number of daily racing performances — each made up of eight races — from three to two, something that could also prompt a challenge. Tracks and jai alai frontons must run a certain number of performances in order to operate more lucrative card rooms.
Some tracks schedule multiple performances on the weekends, when attendance is higher. Reducing the maximum number of daily races would force tracks to run dogs or horses during the week and could increase their operational costs.
“My clients are genuinely concerned about a number of issues in these rules,” said John Lockwood, a lawyer who represents several Florida pari-mutuels.
And horse breeders and owners, who vehemently opposed the barrel-racing and flag-drop activities at Gretna and other tracks, also view the proposed rules with skepticism.
Bill White, president of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents thoroughbred owners and trainers, said his organization is scrutinizing the proposal.
“We clearly have some concerns with what we’ve initially evaluated,” White said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida with contributions from NorthEscambia.com
Northview Graduate Bryan Receives Correctional Peace Officers Scholarship
July 1, 2015
Northview High School graduate Megan Bryan has received a scholarship from the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation. Bryan, who plans to attend Jefferson David Community College, was presented the scholarship Tuesday at Century Correctional Institution. On hand for the presentation were CPOF John Williams, mother Carrie Bryan, Megan Bryan, Warden Doug Sloan and CPOF Representative Gerard Van Der Ham. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECAT Introduces New Tech Features
July 1, 2015
ECAT is offering two new tech features to improve customer service.
There’s now free wi-fi service on all ECAT buses, and there is a new website feature that offers a “where’s my bus” feature.
Users can use the map to see the real-time location of buses and find out how many minutes until the bus is due to arrive at any scheduled stop. To see the map, visit goecat.com or use a smartphone to scan the QR code on select bus stop signs.
Pictured top: A screenshot showing bus routes and the exact position of two buses on new ECAT “where’s my bus” map.
Economic Development Group Launches FloridaWest
July 1, 2015
The area’s newest economic development agency was announced Tuesday night.
The new organization, dubbed FloridaWest, announced its new name and provided a broad outline of its strategy for “building, growing, and sustaining the economic potential and prosperity of Northwest Florida.”
Former Gulf Power executive John Hutchinson, president of the FloridaWest board, said that Florida West was a product of a broader reorganization of economic development efforts in the area.
“In the past, the economic development department was part of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. Late last year we moved the economic development staff out of the chamber and set up a separate organization, focused solely on economic development. Tonight we launch that new organization’s name, focus, and plans to build our economy even stronger,” said Hutchinson.
The unveiling ceremony launched the organization’s new name, logo, and strategic focus. According to the FloridaWest brochure, there are four key components to the organization’s efforts:
- Wealth Development – building individual, corporate, and community wealth that contribute to greater quality of life in the area
- Economic Partnerships – linking policy makers, educational institutions, private sector leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to maximize the economic potential of northwest Florida.
- Sustainable Growth - ensuring the longevity and prosperity of our existing business partners, clients, and the community.
- Transformed Workforce – working with local education partners to build and train a workforce that attracts new businesses and supports existing businesses.
Scott Luth, chief executive officer of FloridaWest, said that the new organization’s name and brand are a natural extension of its mission and the community it serves.
“When we were working on names for the organization, we wanted to incorporate some of the great aspects of our community. First, we are the westernmost part of Florida. As the late Mayor Whibbs used to say, we are the ‘Western Gate to the Sunshine State.’ We also believe that the concept of ‘the west’ has always been one that inspired exploration and opportunity,” said Luth.
“So, we decided that FloridaWest would mark us geographically, but also mark us culturally and send a message that this is a great place to do business,” Luth continued.
In the future, organizers said that FloridaWest would continue aggressively seeking new businesses to move to the area, while supporting policies and partnerships that build workforce skills and economic opportunity for the entire community.
Key sectors of the group’s focus include: financial and professional services; information technology and business outsourcing; offshore vessel service and support; aviation manufacturing and repair; cybersecurity and manufacturing.
Cantonment Man Gets 10 Years In Prison On Multiple Animal Cruelty Charges
June 30, 2015
A Cantonment man convicted on multiple animal cruelty charges was sentenced Monday to 10 years in state prison.
Randolph Hewell Rigby, 45, was found guilty June 3 of two counts of felony cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful confinement of animals. The charges involved four different horses.
The investigation by Escambia County Animal Control officers began in response to an anonymous call about a downed horse at 452 Crowndale Court. Upon arrival, animal control officers found a deceased horse entangled in a fence.
Further inspection of the property revealed multiple emaciated and malnourished horses. The horses were kept in an enclosure with no grass and lacked fresh food and water. Over the next two months, several follow up inspections were conducted; little to no improvement in the condition of the property or care of the horses was observed. Ultimately, all livestock was removed from the property and five individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation.
George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 24, Casey Tyler Ahl, 20, and Frances Rebecca Ahl, 73, pleaded prior to trial. Each was sentenced to a year on probation and prohibited from possessing animals. Suspect George Washington Ahl, 76, died before his case was heard. Only Rigby chose to go to trial.
A 17-page document released by the State Attorney’s office detailed the investigation and provided numerous graphic examples of abuse investigators said they found.
Officers reported finding one horse that was dead and apparently stuck in a fence. Several horses were so malnourished that their bones were protruding, while other had hair loss and marks consistent with a condition called rain rot fungus. Many of the animals had numerous sores and wounds, according to the report. Most were malnourished, and one horse had resorted to eating feces. There was little food available for the animals.
Animal Control also located eight poodles, a doberman and five cats on the property.
One of the malnourished horses, a black Tennessee Walker named Ebony, was taken to Panhandle Equine Rescue for rehabilitation. When officers found Ebony on the property, her bones were showing, her stomach was distended and distended, and she suffered from rain rot.
Over the next several weeks, PER and volunteers worked to save Ebony. She was the subject of several NorthEscambia.com articles as PER and volunteers kept watch over her and raised funds for a sling to help her to her feet. Now, she’s back up on her own and doing well.
Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony, a horse seized from Crowndale Court in Cantonment. Pictured below: Ebony, was unable to get on her feet in her stall about a week after she was seized. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Forest Service Sends Crews To Battle Wildfire In California
June 30, 2015
Florida has sent 40 land firefighters to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in California.
“Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are a key component and valuable asset among the national firefighting community. We are committed to protecting lives, homes and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire both at home and abroad,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
Two initial-attack hand crews, consisting of 35 Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters and five firefighters from partnering agencies, traveled to California, where they will receive assignment to the highest priority wildfire. Hand crews assist with front-line firefighting and mop-up operations using hand tools such as shovels, axes and rakes to manually create a fire break or fire line around the wildfire perimeter.
“This type of work can be exhausting and hazardous due to California’s extreme terrain and intense flames. By assisting other states, our wildland firefighters will build upon their first-class training and experience to become an even stronger firefighting organization for the citizens of Florida,” said Jim Karels, State Forester.