House Opts For Door In Grocery Store Liquor Debate
March 25, 2015
The House has joined the Senate in altering legislation aimed at allowing shoppers to pick up hard spirits while shopping for groceries or other goods.
The House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday voted 7-4 to approve an amended measure (HB 107), which would ease an 80-year-old state law that requires liquor stores to be stand-alone facilities.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, had initially proposed eliminating the law, but agreed to follow a recent Senate proposal that would lead to a door being the only barrier between a liquor store and other goods.
“Obviously just taking down the barrier has been a controversial subject,” Steube said. “I’m trying to come to some type of compromise. This is simply putting a door where there is a wall to allow patrons … instead of having to go outside into a door to going inside into a door.”
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee last week approved similar legislation, which has been opposed by Lakeland-based Publix but supported by Wal-Mart and Target.
by The News Service of Florida
Senate Gives Backing To Evacuation Gun Bill
March 25, 2015
After a debate that conjured memories of Hurricane Katrina, the Florida Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that could lead to more people carrying concealed weapons when fleeing natural disasters.
The bill (SB 290), sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would allow people to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses for 48 hours during mandatory emergency evacuations. The bill would only apply to people who legally own guns.
Brandes said people ordinarily can face third-degree felony charges for carrying concealed weapons without licenses. He said the bill would allow people to take firearms, along with other valuables, when they are forced to leave home because of hurricanes or other disasters.
“This is about this incredibly rare instance, this incredibly tailored instance, where people are fleeing for their lives,” he said.
But some Democratic lawmakers blasted the proposal, saying it would introduce more guns into the chaos and emotions of a mandatory evacuation. Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, said supporters had not presented any evidence of why the bill is needed.
“I need to know why we need to change the law,” Sachs said.
Senators voted 29-10 to approve the bill, which has the backing of the influential National Rifle Association. The House version (HB 493), filed by Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, has moved through committees and is ready to go to the full House.
A similar bill died last year in the Senate, amid concerns by the Florida Sheriffs Association and some Republican and Democratic senators. But Brandes made changes that addressed the concerns, such as adding the 48-hour time period for carrying weapons. The 48 hours could be extended by the governor.
The specter of Hurricane Katrina, the storm that devastated the New Orleans area in 2005, was raised by senators on both sides of the debate Tuesday.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, pointed to Katrina and its chaotic aftermath in arguing against the bill.
“In Katrina, we saw people living in close quarters with their families,” she said. “So why in the world would we want to increase anxiety by having a lot of guns next to children and families?”
But bill supporter Joseph Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, emphasized that the bill only applies to lawful gun owners and that weapons would have to remain concealed.
“At the end of the day, in Katrina there (was) looting beyond explanation,” said Abruzzo, one of four Democrats who backed the bill.. “Almost any house that was able to get ransacked was. And to say people have to leave guns in their home under those conditions is not safe.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
House Panel Moves School Choice Bill
March 25, 2015
A wide-ranging bill that would allow parents more freedom to choose where their children go to school was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday by a House panel, even as some critics and educators worried the legislation is moving too quickly.
The measure (HB 1145) — sponsored by Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor — was approved by the House K-12 Subcommittee in an 11-2 vote, with two Democrats joining the panel’s nine Republicans in voting for the bill.
It would allow parents to transfer their students to any school in the state that had not reached 90 percent of its capacity, regardless of county lines. It would also require districts to set up a process for parents to request that their children be removed from teachers’ classes.
Supporters have touted the legislation as the logical extension of the state’s school-choice reform movement, while opponents have raised questions about whether the process could be orderly.
Even speakers who were not overtly opposed to the bill raised questions about whether the legislation is too ambitious. Vern Pickup-Crawford, a lobbyist for Palm Beach County schools, said the July 1 effective date of the legislation could force school districts to adjust quickly to the new landscape.
“To try to have this implemented this next school year is something resembling organized chaos,” he said.
The issue is compounded, critics say, by the lack of hard information on how many parents might take advantage of the chance to place their children in virtually any nearby school.
“The problem to me is, we really have no idea whether this is going to be a few students, a lot of students or a flood of students,” said Rep. Joe Geller of Aventura, the panel’s top Democrat and one of the two votes against the bill.
Geller also raised questions about a provision that would have the state funding for each child “follow” that student if a transfer is made. He suggested that provision could harm districts with smaller budgets.
“They’re having a hard time keeping up as it is,” Geller said. “And I understand when we say it’s per pupil, but the fact is, there is some economy of scale there and when you start to lose that funding, I think it drags down the entire district.”
That drew a response from Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah.
“There should be no hesitation in allowing a student who has not been provided the right opportunity in whatever arbitrary, designated county they live in to be able to cross that line and get a better opportunity,” he said. “I will tell you that if that school district and that school that that student is supposed to be zoned for is doing their job and providing them the best opportunity, the parent’s not going to be looking for another one.”
Similar legislation (SB 1552) has also passed the Senate PreK-12 Committee on a party-line, 7-4 vote.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Changes Coming To Sheriff’s Office Cantonment/Molino Precinct
March 24, 2015
Rumors spreading on social media that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will close the Cantonment/Molino precinct or cut back the number of deputies in the area are simply not true, according to Cpl. Rodney Eddins, the officer in charge of the department’s patrol units.
There are, however, changes coming to Precinct 4, based on Hood Drive, and Precinct 5, the Cantonment precinct based out of an office on Highway 29 in Molino.
“The changes will be transparent to the public,” Eddins said, “but will allow us to better serve the public.”
Beginning April 4, Cantonment deputies will “muster” at the precinct on Hood Drive to being their shifts. There, deputies from the 4th and 5th precincts will meet with their supervisor, discuss the day’s priorities and learn the latest information about crime and activities in both precincts. As it stands now, Cantonment deputies simply just begin their shifts, often without meeting with a supervisor.
After the muster on Hood Drive, deputies assigned to the Cantonment precinct with return to their area– roughly from West Roberts Road north to the Camp O’ The Pine on Highway 29 near McDavid.
The actual number of deputies on patrol in the Cantonment and Century precincts will be increasing slightly as a new class graduates from the academy, Eddins said. And the Precinct 5 office on Highway 29 at Omega Drive will remain open and continue to be used as it is now.
“We will continue to offer the best response times possible, and people will continue to see the faces of deputies they know in their local area, plus a few new faces,” he said.
15-Year Old Driver Killed In Ensley Crash
March 24, 2015
A 15-year old driver was killed in a single vehicle crash Monday morning in Ensley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Justin B. Taylor of Pensacola was northbound on Untreiner Avenue in a 1997 Dodge Dakota about 8:35 a.m. when he lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a concrete utility pole. The pickup overturned, ejecting Taylor.
Taylor was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased about 9:30 a.m.
Taylor was a sophomore at Tate High School. Grief counselors will be on hand at the school Tuesday for students that wish to speak to them.
There were no passengers in the vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 24, 2015
The 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Food Giant parking lot about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office escorted the torch down Highway 29 through Century.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 66 counties in Florida.
Pictured: The 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics begins in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Evers’ School Gun Bill Gets OK From Senate Panel
March 24, 2015
A Florida Senate panel on Monday approved what backers call a “school safety” bill that would allow school superintendents to tap employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons on school property.
The measure (SB 180) passed the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on a party-line vote of 3-2 — the first Senate committee to approve the bill this year. Committee Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, is sponsoring the bill. Evers district includes the North Escambia area.
This is the third year the proposal has surfaced, and the House version, HB 19 by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, has already been approved by two committees.
Under the proposal, only people with law enforcement or military experience, in good standing, could qualify to become armed school security. They would also be required to hold concealed-weapons permits, pass background checks and go through a training program created by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Several educators, however, spoke against the measure.
“We’re just opposed to the idea that having more guns is a good idea for safety,” Barbara Holley, a retired elementary school principal, told the Senate committee. “There’s no evidence that having more guns around children will make children safer.”
Barbara Kirby-Bentley, a teacher with the Seminole County School Board, contended that guns are not safe in a school environment.
“You read every day about children attacking teachers in the classroom,” she said. “You read every day about students attacking law enforcement of some other adult who has authority over them. Just think of the anger they’re showing now — and if you put guns on campus, there’s another opportunity for the loss of life.”
Democrats on the panel objected as well.
“In my county, Palm Beach County, we pay to have full-time school police officers,” Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth. “If we’re going to do this, we should do it the right way and that’s to hire — and the state should pay for — school police officers to be in the school full time.”
Clemens said he thought Steube was trying to do the right thing, “but I’m still not all the way there yet.”
But Steube, who presented the bill to the Senate panel, pointed to part of the bill that would require school boards to consult with law enforcement to come up with policies and procedures for dealing with active shooters, hostage situations “and anything else that (the Florida Department of Law Enforcement) thinks is appropriate.”
“Right now that course doesn’t even exist,” Steube said. “School resource officers don’t even go through any training specific to school safety.”
The bill faces two more Senate committees.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
FFA Members Attend Ag On The Hill
March 24, 2015
Students from Northview High School attended the annual “Ag On The Hill” event last week in Tallahassee. The local FFA members were able to visit with state leaders, including Sen. Greg Evers and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, at the Florida Capital.
Ag on the Hill is presented annually by the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators, The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Pictured top: With Sen. Greg Evers are Northview FFA members Haylee Waver, Mitchell Singleton, Courtney Weekly, Kaitlyn Kleinatland and Tiffany Cruce. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset; Mitchell listens to Evers. Pictured below: The Northview FFA students “on the hill”. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roll Out The Unwelcome Mat To Formosan Termites
March 24, 2015
Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) is hosting several free public workshops for area residents to learn necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly Formosan termite damage.
Annually, Formosan termites cause $1 billion in damage in the United States, and our surrounding areas of Escambia, of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa countis are known hot spots for these aggressive pests. Florida’s temperate climate provides a perfect environment for termites, and immediate signs of structural damage to a home may go undetected for long periods of time. Springtime serves as the breeding season for most species of termites, and Formosan termites will be swarming in May, so it is important for residents to understand what they can do in advance to protect their homes.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is collaborating with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Extension Offices in the Panhandle to educate homeowners about Formosan termites. Homeowners can learn methods for controlling this structural pest and protecting their homes by attending one of four educational meetings being held in the month of April. Homeowners are also encouraged to bring their pest control contract to one of these workshops for review.
Specific topics include:
- Formosan termite biology including simple ways to identify them
- Available Formosan termite pest control protection for your home
- Florida law and building code pertaining to termites
- What you can do to recognize and fix the weaknesses in and around your home
- Bring your pest control contract for review by FDACS experts
Registration is encourage, but not required, for meetings that will be held as follows:
Escambia County Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 8 p.m. at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. Contact Beth Bolles to register: bbolles@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230.
South Santa Rosa County Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 6- 8 p.m. at Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
North Santa Rosa County Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6- 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa County Extension, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton. Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
Photo courtesy UF/IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn About $106K Nonprofit Grants At IMPACT 100 Workshops
March 24, 2015
IMPACT 100 will hold its annual workshop for all nonprofits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties at 8:00 on April 16 at the First Baptist Church, 500 North Palafox in downtown Pensacola.
The workshop will focus on the IMPACT 100 grant application process for 2015 with a review of all of the required forms and instructions for digital grant submissions. Additionally, board members, focus area chairs and co-chairs will be available after the workshop for one-on-one questions. This year, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay area will award 10en grants of $106,000 each to nonprofit agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
This year’s workshop will include a special guest speaker, Keisha Rivers Shorty, with the KARS Institute.. She is a professional speaker, educator and consultant can help write a better grant proposal. She will offer a three hour strategy session and presentation that provides tips; do’s and don’ts; practical applications; strategies; successful examples and interactive brainstorming sessions to equip attendees with the information needed to create compelling, effective and passionate grant proposals.
The full schedule for the workshop is as follows: 8:00 – 8:30 check-in; 8:30 – 11:30 presentation and interactive strategy session; 11:30 – 12:30 IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area process overview Light refreshments will be provided.
The workshop is free, but registration is required and can be completed online at www.impact100pensacola.org.