Tate’s Perfect Season Continues With Win Over Crestview
March 15, 2015
The Tate Aggies topped Crestview 9-6 Saturday, making the Aggies a perfect 10-0 on the season, 5-0 in 1-7A.
The winning pitcher was Logan McGuffey, allowing two hits while striking out three. Trace Penton was 3-3 with two RBI’s, a double and a run. Jacob Saulnier was 1-3 with a home run and two RBI’s. Branden Fryman and Cole Halfacre were 2-3. Logan Blackmon was 2-2 for the Aggies.
Tate will host the 22nd Annual Aggie Classic baseball tournament next week, with their first game against Shawnee, OK, at 7 p.m. Monday.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Shots, But Not Agency Heads, Fired
March 15, 2015
It might not be the O.K. Corral just yet, but the Legislature was the site for plenty of discussions about guns and showdowns this week.
Lawmakers seem like they might be ready to pull the trigger this session on a bill allowing more people to carry concealed weapons during emergency evacuations, though it’s still not clear if efforts to open the doors of colleges and public schools to weapons will hit their mark.
Meanwhile, as state economists issued their last revenue projections before lawmakers craft the state budget, the House and Senate began staking out positions on some of the other issues that might define the last-minute deal-making in the weeks ahead.
But in contrast to the conflict elsewhere, a truce appeared to be taking hold between Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet over the process for evaluating and, if necessary, dismissing state agency heads. Perhaps the closest thing the state had to a sheriff will be the only one caught in the crossfire.
TO END ALL PERSONNEL CONFLICTS
While the Legislature was busy preparing for war, Scott and the Cabinet seemed to be making peace. They approved new steps to review the work of agencies they jointly oversee, while also agreeing to extend the time for the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Office of Financial Regulation and the Department of Revenue to respond and offer input into proposed agency performance measures.
“They ought to have input in the scorecard that they’re being judged by,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who serves on the Cabinet with Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The extra time to respond gives the agencies until May or June before their leaders will make their cases to Scott and the Cabinet, rather than at an April 14 Cabinet meeting as had recently been proposed.
Despite pushback from Cabinet members, Scott has pursued replacing Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew Breakspear and Department of Revenue executive director Marshall Stranburg.
Asked if he’d like to see a faster process, Scott instead praised Tuesday’s lengthy Cabinet discussion.
“I think we had a good conversation about a process,” Scott said after the meeting.
The new guidelines require Cabinet-level agencies to annually outline goals and showcase their value to taxpayers.
But while the agency heads could be replaced at any time through a vote of Scott and a required number of Cabinet members, the guidelines won’t force the agency heads to face annual automatic up or down votes.
The measures were drafted after Cabinet members voiced displeasure with the abrupt removal of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey in December.
LEGISLATURE LOADED WITH GUN BILLS
If there’s one group that often gets its way at the Capitol, it’s the National Rifle Association — whether that’s because of ideology or the fact that lawmakers think it’s unwise to anger people who own guns. And an NRA-backed proposal that was notably defeated in 2014 might be on the brink of passing this year.
The Senate Rules Committee voted 8-2 this week to send to the full Senate a bill (SB 290) that would allow people to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses during the first 48 hours after emergency evacuation orders are given. The bill got support from three senators who last year questioned a similar proposal that died on the Senate floor.
“I think we’ll be fine (this year),” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who made an impassioned but futile effort in the waning days of the 2014 session to advance the similar measure.
Last year’s bill didn’t include the 48-hour evacuation time frame or other new language. The changes were made at the request of the Florida Sheriffs Association, which now supports the proposal.
For their part, House lawmakers worked on a different gun bill this week — one that would allow school employees or volunteers to carry guns on campus. That measure received the backing of the House K-12 Subcommittee on a bipartisan, 10-1 vote.
Under the bill (HB 19), sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, school superintendents could allow designated people to carry weapons on campus. Those people could be current or former law enforcement officers or current or former members of the military. They would have to pass background checks, take school-safety courses and have concealed-weapons licenses.
“It’s completely up to the district and the superintendent whether they want to do it and how they want to implement it in working with their local law enforcement agencies,” Steube said.
But Rep. Joe Geller of Aventura, the top Democrat on the committee, said he believed the state should trust law-enforcement agencies to handle school safety.
“I don’t think an ‘American Sniper’ approach is the way to protect our kids,” said Geller, the lone vote against the bill.
The Senate has been more hesitant about the idea. A similar measure never got a hearing 2013 and passed just one of its four committees last year. The Senate companion to Steube’s bill (SB 180) hasn’t been scheduled for a hearing this year. Lawmakers are also considering bills that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms on college campuses.
All the gun talk has made some people nervous. Opponents held a rally this week to urge lawmakers not to add the weapons to places where students already encounter alcohol, drugs and academic pressure.
“These bills are part of a concerted effort by the gun lobby to put more guns in the hands of more people in more places, regardless of how such policies might endanger public safety,” said Chryl Anderson, of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. “We know that alcohol and drugs and academic pressures are already a toxic mix on college campuses. Adding guns would make things worse.”
But the NRA and other supporters of the bills say allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on campus will increase school security, pointing to incidents like a November shooting at Florida State University that injured three people.
“The recent shooting on the FSU campus and the series of rapes at the University of Florida taught us that we need to restore the rights of licensed adults to carry concealed firearms on campus for protection,” NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer said in an email. “Although law enforcement does the best job they can, they can’t stop a crime from happening, only the victim has a chance of actually stopping it. They should not be denied the tools to do so.”
BATTLE LINES DRAWN
Most of the fights at the Capitol this year, though, are unlikely to include the use of guns. But there are still differences to be bridged between the House and Senate on a variety of issues, some of which are starting to come into focus now that the first-week proclamations of bromance have given way to the reality of legislative work.
A perfect example: House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, said this week he was willing to walk away and try again next year if the two chambers can’t find common ground on water policy in the next 50 days.
While the two chambers are looking at widely divergent proposals to enact new water policies across most of Florida, Crisafulli said he doesn’t expect leadership-backed water priorities to be used as a late-session hardball bargaining chip for issues such as Medicaid expansion or stadium funding.
“I’m not going to pass a bad water bill,” Crisafulli told reporters. “If we have a bill that’s in play that’s just not good for the future of a clean sustainable water source … for the future of our state; we don’t need to pass a bad bill just to pass a bill.”
The House version (HB 7003), which has already been approved by the full House, is considered more business- and agriculture-friendly than the Senate’s proposal (SB 918), which is viewed as being more project-focused.
Sen. Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican who plays a key role in Senate water issues, called the differences “significant.”
But Dean also didn’t see lawmakers using a voter-approved constitutional amendment requiring the state to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars a year for land and water conservation to advance other issues that are stuck in the budget and late-session conference talks.
One of those issues could be a Senate bill (SB 7044) that would use billions of dollars in federal money to provide private health insurance to people who do not qualify for Medicaid. It’s an alternative to the straight Medicaid expansion contemplated by the federal Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, but one that for now hasn’t moved the anti-expansion leadership in the House.
“Today is a watershed day in the Florida Senate and hopefully in the Florida Legislature,” said Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, a Tampa Democrat who is a member of the Senate Health Policy Committee, which approved the bill.
The plan would extend coverage to about 800,000 people. But House Republican leaders aren’t going for it yet.
“We’re going to pay attention to what happens over there,” Crisafulli said. “Certainly they’re going to have conversations over there that we probably won’t be having over here. But at least somebody is having them. They’re vetting the issue. And it’s certainly their prerogative to do that.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet agreed to a procedure to evaluate agency heads after weeks of squabbling sparked by the departure of former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We see issues of morality constantly being ignored, and frankly, we’re tired of it.”—Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, after a meeting between Gov. Rick Scott and black lawmakers.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Students Learn About Ag During Fresh From Florida Event
March 14, 2015
Over 1,000 students from across the area took part in the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students the chance to learn about agriculture first hand up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
And at this year’s event, students were also able to learn about the importance of rain in Florida agriculture, with showers pushing most of this year’s activities indoors.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the best in Florida for three consecutive years, and the chapter was recently name one of the best in the United States by the National FFA Organization for a second year.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 14, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending March 12 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in a local river WMA when he observed two young women consuming alcoholic beverages. When he approached them, he discovered that the older male subject was also in possession of a small amount of cannabis. One of the women was also in possession of a small amount of cannabis. The two women were charged with possession of alcoholic beverages. The man and one woman were also charged with possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No Escambia County report was submitted for week ending Marching 12.
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.
Ernest Ward Holds Annual Dance (With Photo Gallery)
March 14, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School held their annual Sweetheart Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes. Pictured are sixth grade maiden and knight Libby Pugh and Johnathan Windham; eighth grade queen and king Hannah Ellis and Brandon Santos; and seventh grade knight and maiden Colby Burkett and Teriana Redmond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dept. Of Health Says Pot Rule Challenge Will Lead To Delay
March 14, 2015
Already behind in carrying out a new medical-marijuana law, the Florida Department of Health said it is concerned that a legal challenge filed this week will lead to further delay.
A Jacksonville attorney, on behalf of a 4-year-old child with an inoperable brain tumor, challenged a proposed Department of Health rule that would provide a regulatory framework for the new industry.
“This legal action will unfortunately delay the department’s attempts to deliver this product, already authorized by the Florida Legislature, to Florida’s children and patients who need it,” the department said in a statement posted on its website. “The department will review the challenge immediately and act promptly to move the process forward.”
The law allows strains of medical marijuana that are low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD. The challenge filed this week takes issue with the way the department proposes selecting five “dispensing organizations,” which would grow, process and dispense the cannabis. It said the proposed rule lacks minimum standards for the dispensing organizations and does not provide assurances to patients about statewide access to the drugs.
But the department has defended the rule.
“We have maintained an unprecedented, open process for developing this rule framework,” Patricia Nelson, director of the department’s Office of Compassionate Use, said in the prepared statement. “The department will take every possible action to minimize the delay this rule challenge has created in getting this product to Florida’s children who need it.”
The law required the department to have selected the dispensing organizations by January 1, but a legal challenge to an earlier version of the rule created a delay.
Weekend Gardening: March Tips
March 14, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of March from the University of Florida IFAS Extension office:
Flowers
- Annual flowers that can be planted in March include: ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, asters, baby’s breath, begonia, calendula, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, hollyhock, impatiens, marigold, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet Williams, torenia, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
- Caladium bulbs are extremely sensitive to cold soil. There is no advantage to planting early. Purchase caladiums while there is a good selection, but wait until late March or April before planting them in shady beds.
Trees and Shrubs
- Finish pruning summer flowering shrubs such as althea, hibiscus, abelia, oakleaf hydrangea and oleander.
- Delay the pruning of azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, gardenias and other spring flowering shrubs until after flowering is complete.
- Prune any cold weather-damaged plants after new growth appears.
- If needed, fertilize shrubs and small trees with a slow release fertilizer. A good general-purpose landscape fertilizer is a 15-0-15.
- 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 sqft of canopy area or landscape area.
- Last opportunity to spray shrubs with dormant horticultural oil.
- Pick up all fallen camellia blossoms and remove them from your property. This practice helps to prevent petal blight next season.
- Prune ornamental grasses.
- If you are in the market for specific colors of azaleas, visit the local nurseries and garden centers this month. Though this is not the most ideal planting time you are assured of the right flower color without having to wait until next blooming season.
Fruits and Nuts
- Time to finish planting bare-root fruit trees.
Vegetable Garden
- This is the month for establishing a spring vegetable garden. Early March plantings have about an even chance of avoiding a late frost.
- The warm season vegetables that can be planted this month are: bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
- The cool season vegetables that can be planted this month are: beets, carrots, celery, collards, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, English peas, Irish potatoes, radish and turnips.
- More conservative gardeners might wish to wait until the middle to latter part of the month to risk tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers.
Lawns
- Remove excessive accumulation of leaves from the lawn. This will increase the effectiveness of fertilizers and pesticides applied to the lawn.
- If a preemergence lawn herbicide is needed to control summer weeds, it should be applied in early March. Make certain to choose one that is safe on your kind of grass.
- Keep lawn herbicides away from the root zones of desirable flower, shrubs and other plants.
- Fertilize the lawn only after the danger of frost has passed and when the grass has greened up. Fertilize using a complete fertilizer applied at 0.5 lbs nitrogen per 1000 sqft containing 50% soluble and 50% slow-release nitrogen.
- Service the lawn mower: include a sharpening of the blade and adjusting of the cutting height for your type of grass.
- Anyone considering establishment of centipedegrass from seed should hold off until the soil warms up and stabilizes above 70°F. Add Item Here…
Blue Bell Recall Issued After Illnesses, Three Deaths
March 14, 2015
Officials are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis) linked to certain Blue Bell products. Five people have been hospitalized with three deaths reported.
Blue Bell Creameries reports that it has removed the affected ice cream products from the market, but some products may remain in the freezers of consumers. If these ice cream products are in your freezer, they should be thrown away, even if some of them have been eaten without anyone becoming ill.
The recalled products include Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Country Cookie, Great Divide Bar, Sour Pop Green Apple Bar, Cotton Candy Bar, Scoops, Vanilla Stick Slices, Almond Bars, 6-pack Cotton Candy Bars, 6-pack Sour Pop Green Apple Bars and 12-pack No Sugar Added Mooo Bars.
The regular Mooo Bars, which were available at grocery stores, are not subject to recall. The recall includes only the products listed above and does not include Blue Bell cups, pints, half gallons, three gallons or the company’s other frozen snack novelties. This was the first recall in the company’s 108-year history.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, five patients who were treated in a single hospital in Kansas were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Three of these strains, which are highly similar, have also been found in products manufactured at the Blue Bell Creameries production facility in Brenham, TX.
The FDA was notified that these three strains and four other rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in samples of Blue Bell Creameries single serving Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich and the Great Divide Bar ice cream products collected by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control during routine product sampling at a South Carolina distribution center, on February 12, 2015. These products are manufactured at Blue Bell Creameries’ Brenham facility.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, subsequently, collected product samples from the Blue Bell Creameries Brenham facility. These samples yielded Listeria monocytogenes from the same products tested by South Carolina and a third single-serving ice cream product, Scoops, which is also made on the same production line.
Appeals Court Upholds 24 Year Sentence In DUI Manslaughter Of Two
March 13, 2015
The First District Court of Appeal has affirmed a Escambia County trial court decision to send a woman to prison for DUI manslaughter for a 2012 crash on I-10 that claimed the lives of an adult and child.
Kimberly Renee Rodrigues was sentenced in November 2013 by Judge W. Joel Boles to 24.45 years in state prison for of two counts of DUI manslaughter, one count DUI causing great bodily harm and one count DUI causing property damage. She was convicted following a two-day trial, and later filed an appeal.
Rodrigues had been free since December 2013 on a $165,000 appeal bond awaiting the appellate court’s decision. After the conviction and sentence were upheld, she was booked back into the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Rodrigues was traveling west on I-10 near the Pine Forest exit about 4:40 a.m. on October 21, 2011. Prosecutors said she was traveling approximately 86 miles per hour when she slammed into the rear of a delivery truck driven by Melissa Lynn Lyublanovits, 44, of Pensacola.
Moments later, a GMC Yukon driven by Riviera Beach resident Lovett Cummings approached in the outside lane and swerved to avoid Rodrigues pickup. Cummings barely missed Rodrigues’ truck but his Yukon then rolled several times before coming to a rest in the trees on the north shoulder of the Interstate.
His 11-year old son, Lovett Deshun Cummings II, was ejected and died on the scene, while his 71-year old father, Lovett Junior Cummings, was also killed in the crash. Cummings’ mother was seriously injured and was airlifted by Life Flight from the scene. The delivery truck driver was unhurt.
Shortly after the crash, Rodrigues’ blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.166/0.170, over twice the legal limit.
Pictured above: A pickup involved in an October accident on I-10. (Note: The tractor-trailer in the photo background was not involved in the crash.)The scene on I-10 in Pensacola where two people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident in October 2012 NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Head Football Coach Ronnie Douglas Resigns
March 13, 2015
Tate High School’s Ronnie Douglas has resigned after two seasons as head football coach.
Douglas said he must take care of his outside car wash businesses. He told his coaching staff of the decision Thursday.
He led the Aggies on two trips to the playoffs in his two seasons with a 8-3 record in his first season and a 9-3 record in his second season. The back-to-back play off appearances were the first for the Tate Aggies since the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Before Douglas, the Aggies won a four total games during three seasons.
FloridaHighSchoolFootball.com also named Douglas as the All-Panhandle Coach of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.