Lawmakers Approve Budget – Finally
June 20, 2015
After two sessions, 108 days and one rancorous health-care debate, the final gavels fell Friday in the House and Senate following approval of a $78.7 billion budget that settled few of the issues dividing the Capitol.
The Senate voted 37-0 to approved the spending plan (SB 2500-A) for the year that begins July 1. The House followed suit moments later, passing the bill by a 96-17 margin. Twenty-one of 37 Democrats voting in the House joined Republicans in supporting the measure; Rep. John Tobia of Melbourne Beach was the only GOP member to oppose the plan.
Gov. Rick Scott will now have the opportunity to use his line-item veto power to strike spending that he opposes. He must sign the bill by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
The votes came at the end of a special session sparked by a fierce disagreement during the annual spring meeting of the Legislature over expanding health coverage and funding hospitals. In the end, lawmakers essentially split the difference, setting aside a Senate plan that would have used Medicaid expansion funding to help low-income Floridians purchase private insurance while using $400 million of state money to help offset hospitals’ losses from a declining pool of federal funding.
But the road to doing it was long and tortured, with Republicans leaders in the House and Senate trading shots in the media. Senate Democrats at one point sued the House over whether it was unconstitutional for the House to end the regular session early. The Supreme Court ruled that it was, but declined to order lawmakers to return before the special session.
Some of the bitterness clearly lingered Friday, as the Senate debated the budget. Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, blasted the House for resisting some incentives — chiefly for the entertainment industry and sports stadiums — while supporting others.
“If we’re not going to do incentives for anybody, and if that’s your philosophy, then I respect that,” Latvala said. “But when you won’t do incentives for bills that move all the way through the process, that are adopted by overwhelming majorities of both houses of the Legislature, and you, in the dark of night, stick incentives and appropriations in the budget for the same kind of projects owned by millionaires and having large entry fees, large tuitions or whatever, that’s just plain wrong.”
Latvala appeared to be alluding to the House pumping in $2 million in funding for IMG Academy, a sports-centered private academy in Bradenton, as both chambers showered $300 million in taxpayer money on an array of projects during a negotiating session late Monday night. Tuition for high-school students at the academy will run as high as $70,800 next year.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, defended the project on the grounds of economic development and education.
“The appeal to me is the opportunity for more choice in education, an opportunity for a segment of a student population not just from this state but from around the world to come to Florida and take advantage of an opportunity that’s provided nowhere else,” Crisafulli said.
On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, slammed the House for stymieing the Senate on the health-care expansion plan; House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, famously vowed never to “dance” with the Senate on the issue. Joyner also blasted a lack of money spent on land conservation and a tax cut for cable-TV and cell-phone services that she said was measly.
“What this all came down to was a singular devotion to a political ideology obedient to the few at the expense of the many — the many Floridians, the 1 million people who need and deserve quality, accessible health care. … Make no mistake: The House did dance,” she said. “But not with the people.”
There were also divisions within the upper chamber. Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, questioned whether lawmakers were spending enough on land after three-quarters of Florida voters backed a constitutional amendment in November setting aside a portion of real-estate taxes for land and water conservation. Lawmakers have interpreted the amendment broadly, spending money on salaries for some state workers and a raft of environmental projects.
“There’s a fundamental difference between taking money that the people of Florida voted by 75 percent to acquire land (and) to spend money on clean-up programs for other people’s pollution,” Altman said.
But Sen. Alan Hays, the Umatilla Republican who oversees the environmental budget, defended the plan. He also downplayed the significance of the vote on the amendment, noting that those who approved the ballot initiative only added up to about a fifth of the state’s total population.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that 75 percent of the people of this state voted to buy land,” he said. “That’s just not true.”
The House, which debated the budget on Thursday, was largely quiet before the votes.
After the session, relieved lawmakers met in the rotunda between the two chambers to exchange hugs and a few parting moments. They are set to return to the Capitol in 89 days for committee meetings ahead of the 2016 legislative session, scheduled to begin earlier than usual in January. House and Senate leaders have already disagreed about whether the hospital funding approved this session will be on the table again next year.
But Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said he believed any anger between the two chambers would dissipate before lawmakers return to work.
“This tension is sort of built into the system,” Lee said. “And while it sometimes … bubbles up at moments over particular policy disputes, time is an ally here. And I think, over time, that we’ll reset the clock.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Cotton Lake Railroad Crossing Remains Closed
June 20, 2015
The CSX railroad crossing on Cotton Lake Road remains closed this weekend.
CSX will continue to conduct work on the railroad crossing at Cotton Lake, with the crossing expected to reopen on Monday, June 22. Access to the Cotton Lake landing and campground will remain closed until all work has been completed.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.
Scott: Area Added 4,000 Jobs Over The Last Year
June 20, 2015
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the Pensacola metro area again added jobs over the year in May 2015 with 4,000 new jobs. The Pensacola unemployment rate declined by 0.6 percentage point over the year, from 6.0 percent in May 2014 to 5.4 percent in May 2015. Florida businesses have added more than 879,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010.
Governor Scott said, “Pensacola continues to experience positive job growth, with 4,000 new jobs added over the year in May. We are working every day to make Florida the best place for jobs so more families have the opportunity to live the American dream in our state.”
The industries with the largest job gains in the Pensacola metro area over the year were education and health services and trade, transportation, and utilities with 1,000 new jobs each, and leisure and hospitality with 800 new jobs. The Pensacola and Orlando metro areas had the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all metro areas in financial activities at 5.7 percent in May 2015. The Pensacola metro area had 6,033 online job openings in May 2015 and 1,025 openings for high wage, high skill science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations.
Florida created 16,200 private-sector jobs in May 2015, and a total of 879,700 private-sector jobs since December 2010. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate for May 2015 was 5.7 percent. In May, more than 33,200 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 Regional Workforce Boards.
Northview Chiefs Have Winning Day At 7 On 7 Football Camp
June 20, 2015
The Northview Chiefs competed in the West Florida High 7 on 7 Camp Friday morning. The Chiefs compiled a 4-1-1 record over the course of six games, defeating West Florida, Milton, Crestview and Rocky Bayou. Their lone loss was a close 7-6 to Pensacola High, and they tied with Pine Forest. Pensacola High was the overall tournament winner. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Expert Tips For The Month Of June
June 20, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of June from the Santa Rosa County Extension Service:
Flowers
- Annuals to plant include celosia, coleus, crossandra, hollyhock, impatiens (pictured above), kalanchoe, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, portulaca, salvia, torenia, vinca and zinnia.
- Sow seeds of sunflowers. They are easy to grow if you have a sunny spot. Look for some of the new, dwarf varieties that can also be used as cut flowers.
- Remove old blooms (deadheading) to make flowers bloom longer.
- Allow the foliage on spring bulbs to grow. Do not cut it off until it turns yellow and falls over.
Trees and Shrubs
- Mature palms should receive an application of granular fertilizer. Use a special palm fertilizer that has an 8-2-12 +4Mg (magnesium) with micronutrients formulation. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 sq ft of canopy area or landscape area.
- Do any necessary pruning of junipers this month.
- Finish pruning the spring flowering shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, wisteria and forsythia by early June.
- This is the month to reproduce plants by budding.
- Check mulch around ornamental plants to be sure it’s two inches thick. Add mulch as needed to help keep weeds down and conserve water. Keep mulch one to two inches away from trunk or stem.
- Inspect maple trees, especially silver maple for infestations of maple soft scale. Look for a white substance with some black on one end. Individual maple scales are about 1/4 inch in diameter and resemble bird droppings. They occur mostly on leaves and can cause defoliation unless controlled.
- Inspect the undersides of azalea leaves for spider mites and lace bugs. If dry weather conditions exist, these insects can do some serious damage if not controlled.
- Check conifers for signs of bagworms. Call your local Extension Service for control measures.
Fruits and Nuts
- Harvest peaches, nectarines and plums as soon as they mature, before the squirrels and birds get to them
Vegetable Garden
- Side dress vegetable gardens with fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium. A fertilizer such as a 15-0-15 can be used. Use approximately 2-3 cupfuls (1 to 1 ½ pounds) per 100 feet of row.
- Increase watering frequency and amount as tomatoes load up with fruit.
- Vegetables that can be planted outdoors include eggplant, lima beans, okra, southern peas, peppers and sweet potatoes.
- Sweet potatoes are started from plants or “draws”. Be sure to purchase only certified weevil free sweet potato plants.
- Check for the following pests and control them if necessary: tomato fruitworm, stinkbugs on vegetables and aphids on all new growth
Lawns
- Check for the lawn pests and control them if necessary: Spittlebugs in centipedegrass. They are more attracted to especially lush areas of the yard such as along septic drain fields and in areas where excessive nitrogen fertilizer has been used. Chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass Sod webworm in all turf
- Start monitoring for mole cricket infestations and prepare for treatment.
BayBears, Wahoos Split Doubleheader
June 20, 2015
Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Robert Stephenson and Mobile BayBears pitcher Braden Shipley had the makings of a Southern League baseball pitching duel.
Stephenson is No. 23 on Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list. Shipley No. 26.
Stephenson is the Cincinnati Reds top prospect. Shipley is the Arizona Diamondbacks No. 2 prospect.
Stephenson, a flame thrower with a 100-mph arm, was drafted 27th in the first round in 2011 by the Reds. Shipley, the best changeup and curveball in Arizona’s system, was drafted 15th in the first round in 2013 by the Diamondbacks.
And that’s exactly what Pensacola fans got in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader that the Blue Wahoos won, 4-2, on Seth Mejias-Brean’s walk-off, three-run, pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was the 14th sellout this season and 117th since the inaugural 2012 season in Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Mejias-Brean’s walk-off made up for the first game when his error in the top of the ninth allowed Mobile to score two runs and pull out a, 3-2, victory to beat Pensacola in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader.
“(The walk-off) was really satisfying especially after that first loss,” Mejias-Brean said. “I was down on myself a lot. To be honest, I was just trying to get it into the air and give us a chance to tie the game and go into extra innings.”
Arguably the Southern League’s two best pitchers traded outs for seven innings in the second game.
It was the second straight game Stephenson gave up a pair of home runs. This time solo shots to both left fielder Zach Borenstein and second baseman Brandon Drury, who are both on the league’s All-Star team on Tuesday, June 23.
On the night, Stephenson, whose record improved to 4-6 on the year, threw seven innings, gave up three hits, walked one and struck out 10. He has struck out 10 twice and a career-high 11 once this season. He currently leads the Southern League with 86 strikeouts.
Stephenson last won June 4 against Mobile when he tossed a one-hitter over eight innings and struck out seven. He had lost his last two starts since that game.
“Overall, Robert did a tremendous job,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “Robert’s getting better and that’s what it’s all about. He’s playing better and doing a great job.”
Meanwhile, Shipley was pulled in the seventh after matching Stephenson pitch for pitch. He allowed a leadoff double that Pensacola second baseman Juan Perez hit into the right field corner. He threw no-hit ball for 3.1 innings before left fielder Sean Buckley got a bunt single. In six innings, Shipley gave up three hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out three.
Of course, Shipley has lost his last two starts since his last win on June 3 against Pensacola when he threw six scoreless innings, gave up just four hits and struck out five.
In his return this season from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries, Blaine Howell gave the Pensacola Blue Wahoos a career-high four innings.
One of Howell’s two hits allowed was a solo home run in the seventh to Mobile BayBears Rudy Flores, his seventh of the year, which tied the game, 1-1. Howell, a former Pensacola Junior College pitcher, also struck out one batter.
Pensacola catcher Cam Maron came through with a single to left field in the eighth inning to score shortstop Juan Perez from second and put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 2-1. Maron extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 8-23 or .348.
In the ninth inning, though, Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez had two out and the bases empty. Both left fielder Borenstein and Gabriel Guerrero earned back-to-back walks. Pinch hitter Gerson Montilla, who hit for Flores, slapped a hard grounder down the third base line that skipped off Pensacola Mejias-Brean’s back hand into the Mobile bullpen and both Borenstein and Guerrero scored for the BayBears win.
The first game was resumed Friday after nearly a one hour delay Thursday as the team tried to repair the stadium lights behind home plate. Pensacola led the game, 1-0, when Perez singled to right field and took second when the first baseman missed the throw. He took third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out to shortstop by centerfielder Beau Amaral
Pensacola is now 7-20 or a .259 winning percentage in one-run games, which is the worst record in the Southern League. The Blue Wahoos also have the worst overall record in the league at 25-41.
Deputy Airlifted To Hospital Following Traffic Stop With Meth Labs; Century Man Charged
June 19, 2015
An Escambia County deputy was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital following a Century traffic stop in which two “one pot” meth labs were discovered Thursday afternoon.
The deputy reportedly suffered extreme breathing difficulties after becoming involved in a struggle with a suspect that ran from scene. The deputy was conscious and speaking as he was loaded into a LifeFlight helicopter at the Century EMS post. He was listed in good condition Friday morning.
The decision to transport the deputy by LifeFlight was partially based on time and distance from Century to the hospital, according to Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy’s identity has not been released.
The incident began when patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on an older model Ford F250 truck on Front Street at Highway 29 in Century about 3 p.m. Thursday.
The deputies discovered two apparent “one pot” meth labs in a bag that was located in bed of the pickup. A .22 caliber revolver was also located. About 30 minutes into the investigation, one of the suspects, later identified as 43-year old William Burr Milliron of Century, ran from the area of the truck as deputies attempted to handcuff him.
Milliron reportedly told deputies that he was not going back to prison before fleeing. He lunged at a deputy and was tased before being wrestled to the ground by the deputy that was later airlifted. He continued to wrestle and fight both deputies and was tased a second time. After he was taken into custody, deputies discovered ammunition for the firearm in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Milliron was charged with methamphetamine production, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a listed chemical, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $71,000. The driver of the vehicle, was issued a traffic citation and released. According to an arrest report, authorities believed the weapon and meth-related items all belonged to Milliron.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics responded to the scene. They were observed removing two plastic soft drink bottles containing the suspected meth labs from a camouflage bag. The bag also contained several items known to commonly be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including drain cleaner.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Unit responded with a hazardous materials team that neutralized the meth labs in buckets that were then filled with concrete. After being rendered inert, the buckets and concrete are later disposed of at the county landfill.
Further details on the incident are expected to be released sometime Friday.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Editor’s note: In some images, the face of an undercover deputy has been hidden to protect the safety of the officer.)
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies, FDLE And U.S. Marshals Arrest Sex Offender In Cantonment
June 19, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested a wanted sex offender at a home in Cantonment Thursday.
Jerome Williams a.k.a. Ahmad Rasul Farrakhan Muhammad was arrested on active warrants out of Leon County, FL, for charges of failure to appear,sex offender failed to report and sex offender violation for failure to register.
He was taken into custody after he was tracked down to a house on Booker Lane in Cantonment.
In September of 2014, Williams resided in Leon County, in the Tallahassee area, where he’s had prior arrest warrants. He also claimed to be the President of the New Black Panther Party. Authorities said Williams has also made threats via social media against law enforcement.
He was arrested without incident. Additional Escambia County charges are pending for failure to register as a sex offender.
Fire Marshal Investigating Century Mobile Home Blaze
June 19, 2015
The cause of a Thursday afternoon mobile home fire in Century is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The quick work of firefighters contained the fire to mostly the kitchen area of the double-wide in the 8000 block of Old Flomaton Road. The rest of the home suffered smoke and water damage. There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Jay Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECAT Buses Now Sporting Colorful Student Artwork
June 19, 2015
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) announced the winners of its first ECAT Youth Art Contest during a special event on Thursday. The ceremony was part of the 10th National Annual “Dump the Pump” Day at ECAT which supports riding public transit.
Grand prize winners were Janet Michelle Barrott from Escambia High School, Ty Phan from R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, and Lana Davis, also from Lipscomb.
The grand prize winners’ artwork was unveiled as an art showcase on an ECAT bus.
