Second Baptist Of Texas Takes Top Spot In Aggies Classic
March 20, 2015
The Second Baptist Eagles from Texas won the 22nd Annual Aggie Classic Thursday night as they topped No. 1 seed Tate High School. The 6-5 loss was the first of the season for the Aggies (13-1)
FINAL SCORES:
At Tate High School
- Christ Presbyterian 12, Edmond North 3
- Second Baptist 6, Tate 5
At West Florida High
- West Florida 3, Shawnee 0
At Escambia
- Pryor 9, Escambia 3
At Gulf Breeze
- Milton 8, Union 2
- Gulf Breeze 8, Davidson 5
At Washington
- Washington (OK) 6, Knoxville Cath. 5
- Goodpasture 4, Washington 3
Scott Signs Off On Later Presidential Primary Date
March 20, 2015
Florida’s 2016 presidential primary elections will be March 15.
Gov.Rick Scott wasted no time Thursday signing into law a bill (HB 7035) that sets presidential primaries on the third Tuesday in March, according to a release from his office. Under the previous law, next year’s primaries would have been March 1. Scott said he would sign the bill after the Senate unanimously approved the measure Wednesday.
According to national GOP rules, the later date would allow the Republican Party of Florida to make its primary winner-take-all, instead of awarding delegates proportionally. Democratic Party delegates are awarded proportionally regardless of when a state’s primary is held. The House passed the bill last week.
Delaying the primary date is a different strategy from past efforts by Florida to move up earlier in the presidential primary season. Those efforts led the national parties, which have sought to protect early contests in states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, to take away some of Florida’s delegates.
Wins For Northview Softball, Junior Varsity Baseball
March 20, 2015
Northview 10, W.S. Neal 2
Northview 5, W.S. Neal 2
Northview High School’s junior varsity beat W.S. Neal in a baseball double header Thursday night in Bratt. Northview topped Neal 10-2 in the first game and 5-2 in the second. The Chiefs travel to Chipley Friday, with the JV plaing at 4:00 and the varsity in a district matchup at 6:30.
Northview 6, Flomaton 5
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Flomaton Thursday night 6-5. The Lady Chiefs will be on the road Friday night at Baker. The junior varsity plays at 4:00, the varsity at 6:00
Pictured: Northview’s JV swept a double header against W.S. Neal. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: USMC Battle Color Detachment, Silent Drill Team
March 20, 2015
The United States Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment performed Thursday at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The detachment The USMC BCD is comprised of the official Color Guard of the Marine Corps, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps (“The Commandant’s Own”) and the Silent Drill Platoon.
Photos courtesy NAS Pensacola Public Affairs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court Decision Reopens Juvenile Sentences
March 20, 2015
Florida inmates serving life sentences for crimes they committed as juveniles should be resentenced under guidelines that went into effect last year, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday.
In four separate cases, the justices ordered lower courts to apply the 2014 law to inmates who, as juveniles, were sentenced in the past either to life in prison or to terms that would have effectively kept them behind bars until they die. Two of the inmates were convicted of murder.
The highly anticipated rulings settle the question of whether two seminal U.S. Supreme Court decisions that found life sentences for juveniles violate Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment should apply retroactively. Lower courts were divided on the retroactivity issue.
In a 2010 case, known as Graham v. Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court banned life sentences without a “meaningful opportunity” for release for juveniles convicted of non-homicide crimes. And in a 2012 ruling known as Miller v. Alabama, the high court barred mandatory life sentences for juveniles convicted of murder. Juveniles can still face life sentences in such cases, but judges must weigh criteria such as the offenders’ maturity and the nature of the crimes before imposing that sentence.
Under the Florida law passed last year, a juvenile convicted of a murder classified as a capital felony could be sentenced to life in prison after a hearing to determine whether such a sentence is appropriate. If a judge finds that a life sentence is not appropriate, the juvenile would be sentenced to at least 35 years. Also, juveniles convicted in such cases would be entitled to reviews after 25 years.
In Thursday’s ruling, the Florida justices concluded that the Miller and Graham rulings constitute “a development of fundamental significance,” the standard for retroactivity.
“The patent unfairness of depriving indistinguishable juvenile offenders of their liberty for the rest of their lives, based solely on when their cases were decided, weighs heavily in favor of applying the (U.S.) Supreme Court’s decision in Miller retroactively,” Justice Barbara Pariente wrote in an opinion ordering a lower court to consider a new sentence for Rebecca Lee Falcon.
Falcon is serving a life sentence for a 1997 murder committed during a botched robbery in Bay County, when she was 15.
Anthony Duwayne Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2006 shooting death of a convenience-store owner in Brevard County when Horsley was 17, was also granted another review.
“It’s definitely a victory for child advocates who’ve been asking to get the Graham decision implemented in a widespread fashion,” 2nd Judicial Circuit Public Defender Nancy Daniels said.
The justices also ordered a resentencing for Leighdon Henry, who was tried as an adult for multiple non-homicide offenses, including sexual battery, committed when he was 17, and was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 additional years. After the Graham decision, Henry’s sentence was reduced to 90 years.
But even the reduced sentence would not give Henry the opportunity for reform, Justice James E.C. Perry noted in a 12-page opinion.
“We conclude that Graham prohibits the state trial courts from sentencing juvenile non-homicide offenders to prison terms that ensure these offenders will be imprisoned without obtaining a meaningful opportunity to obtain future early release during their natural lives based on their demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation,” Perry wrote.
State Sen. Rob Bradley, a former prosecutor who was instrumental in crafting and passing the juvenile sentencing law last year, said legislators intentionally left the issue of retroactivity to the courts to decide.
“We did our job. The court did their job today. The system moves forward. Clearly, by adjudicating these cases, that then becomes precedent and other courts will take the precedent set and apply it to other cases throughout the state,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said.
Thursday’s rulings should not have any impact on the 2014 law, Bradley said.
But the retroactivity could present an onerous task for judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers, said 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney William Cervone.
According to a staff analysis of last year’s bill, Thursday’s court action means that at least 300 inmates could have their sentences revisited and possibly reduced. The Falcon decision gave inmates who were sentenced to life as juveniles two years to ask the courts for a new sentence.
“We’ll have to contact victims, reanalyze what the sentencing options in light of Graham and Miller are as to each applicable case,” Cervone said. “It’s a big deal individually and it’s a big deal collectively. But by their nature, they are complicated, bad cases. So each case individually is going to be, I assume, a very contested, intense kind of hearing. It’s going to be very work-intensive for everybody.”
But Daniels, the public defender, embraced the opportunity to revisit the sentences.
“It’s a welcome burden,” she said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Minor School Bus Wreck
March 19, 2015
There were no injuries reported in a rear-end collision involving a school bus with 21 passengers Wednesday in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 64-year old James William Tipton of Cantonment was behind a school bus driven by Teresa Louise Flynn of Cantonment on Highway 297A. When the bus slowed at a bus stop, Tipton’s 1993 Ford F-250 collided with the back of the bus. There were no injuries.
Tipton was cited with careless driving by the FHP.
Man Found Dead After Olive Road Kitchen Fire
March 19, 2015
One person was pronounced deceased following a reported kitchen fire in Escambia County Wednesday.
About 2:30 p.m., firefighters responded to the 300 block of Esast Olive Road. Firefighters did not find any flames when they arrived on scene, but they did find a pot of food on the stove with heavy smoke.
As they searched the residence, a male patient was found face down and unresponsive. Rescue crews performed CPR and the man was taken to West Florida Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a county spokesperson.
According to the battalion chief, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.
No Smoking: Century Considering Tobacco Free Policy
March 19, 2015
The Town of Century is looking at the possibility of a tobacco-free policy for employees in their hiring process.
Mayor Freddie McCall said, that besides the obvious health benefits, a tobacco free town could lead to savings on the town’s employee health insurance rates.
Escambia County adopted a tobacco free policy in 2008, and the Escambia County School Board implemented such a policy in 2010. The school district policy defines tobacco as any product that includes tobacco intended or expected for human use or consumption, including lighted or unlighted cigarettes, cigars, pipes or any other smoking product, chewing tobacco or snuff. The policy applies to tobacco in any form, including lozenges, strips and pouches.
If a tobacco free policy is implemented in Century, McCall said an effort will be made to provide smoking cessation products to town employees through a non-profit program.
Blue Angels Back Home (With Photo Gallery)
March 19, 2015
The Blue Angels were back home Wednesday at the National Museum of Naval Aviation where an estimated 10,000 fans were on hand.
If you missed the practice, don’t worry. There are about four dozen more, usually on Tuesday and Wednesday morning through November. Check the schedule for exact dates and times.
The 2015 Pensacola Beach Air Show is July 11, and the Blue’s Homecoming Show at NAS Pensacola is November 6-7.
Pictured: The Blue Angels first practice of the year Wednesday at NAS Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Seminole Tribe Looks For Opening In Gambling Talks
March 19, 2015
The Poarch Creek Indians are not the only tribe Gov. Rick Scott isn’t talking with. The Poarch Creeks want to talk to the governor about a gaming compact to allow casino gaming on their own acre of property in North Escambia and perhaps other sites including Pensacola and Jacksonville.
The Seminoles currently have a compact that’s expiring in place with the state, and Scott isn’t dealing with either, according to a new report.
In the latest hand in a public game of poker between the Legislature and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, tribal leaders provided a glimpse Wednesday into behind-the-scenes negotiations — or lack of negotiations — on renewing a lucrative part of a $1 billion gambling deal with the state.
As they have in recent weeks, the tribe’s representatives were in Tallahassee to “educate legislators” about a portion of the 2010 deal scheduled to expire in mid-July. The deal, called a compact, gives the Seminoles the exclusive rights to operate banked card games, such as blackjack, at most of its casinos.
In a rare, sit-down interview Wednesday, tribal leaders — general counsel Jim Shore, Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen and tribal councilman Andrew Bowers — met with reporters from The News Service of Florida and the Herald/Times capital bureau. (NorthEscambia.com is a News Service of Florida member.)
A $116 million annual payment the Seminoles gives the state in exchange for being the only gambling operators to offer the lucrative card games will shrivel up if lawmakers don’t act before the legislative session ends May 1, unless a special session is held to deal with the issue over the summer.
An attempt by Gov. Rick Scott to strike a new deal with the tribe blew up in the final days of the legislative session last year.
The tribe has not had any communication with Scott since January, when the governor’s office told the tribe that legislators would be handling this year’s talks, according to Shore.
Three weeks into the 60-day session, discussions have been informal at best.
“We don’t know what negotiation means. We’re talking to legislators, trying to educate them on the compact and stuff. But we haven’t had any specific person or office to negotiate directly yet,” Shore, seated at a conference table in the downtown office of tribe lobbyist Will McKinley.
Both the tribe and the Legislature are engaged in a sort of Texas Hold ‘Em contest as the deadline for the expiration of the card deal looms.
House Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, early this month released an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink gambling proposal that, if approved in its current form, would effectively do away with the minimum $250 million per year guaranteed to the state by the Seminoles in the overall 20-year deal. Young’s measure would allow two Las Vegas-style casinos to open in Broward or Miami-Dade counties and would include hefty payments she contends would eclipse what the tribe now pays the state.
A week after Young floated her plan, the Seminoles, who previously have held their cards close to the vest, took to the airwaves with statewide television ads to try to convince the public and lawmakers to re-up or expand the deal inked by then-Gov. Charlie Crist five years ago. The tribe estimates that its gambling operations have had a $2.4 billion economic impact on the state and created thousands of jobs since then.
Under the existing agreement with the state, the Seminoles agreed to pay a minimum of $1 billion over five years in exchange for exclusive rights to table games at seven of its nine facilities. In addition to money from the banked card games, the tribe also makes payments to the state based on other games, such as slot machines.
The deal allows the Seminoles to halt the payments if slot machines exist anywhere outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, excluding those operated by other tribes. The tribe can also reduce its payments if South Florida pari-mutuels are allowed to have banked card games, or if slots are authorized at any facilities that weren’t already operating in Broward or Miami-Dade, except for Hialeah Race Track, when the deal was signed in 2010.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who was the Legislature’s chief negotiator on the compact in 2010, is also playing a major role in this year’s plan.
Galvano has said that that discussions should remain focused exclusively on the card games and, unlike the deal Scott struck with the Seminoles last year, not include additional games sought by the tribe, such as craps and roulette.
“We think that’s an opening position for him. Others have said similar things as to what they’re looking for. I think they even said they don’t need the money as much now as they did five years ago. So we’re hoping all of this is just posturing and once we get down to some serious talks, they will be flexible and we will be flexible on all issues of the compact,” Shore said.
Galvano hasn’t met with the tribe’s representatives, who have instead had broad discussions with Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island. Bradley’s committee would be the first stop for any gaming legislation.
“I think we may have met with him once or twice, just a general conversation about what their expectations are and what ours are. Since then, we haven’t had any detailed discussions in a couple of weeks or so,” Shore said.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, who has said he supports giving the Seminoles more competition, told reporters Wednesday that his chamber will hold a workshop on Young’s bill next week.
But Allen indicated that destination resort casinos in South Florida would be a non-starter for the tribe. The Seminoles project that their payments to the state would eventually exceed $450 million annually.
“So we’re always a little bit bewildered when somebody says let’s do destinations when the state has this amazing opportunity to continue to grow their relationship with the tribe,” he said.
And he cautioned against gambling “creep” as seen in other states that opened the door to non-tribal casino gambling.
“The playbook of the casino companies is to get something approved, and then get something else approved, and then get something else approved, and then get something else approved. We’ve seen this over and over again in states like Maryland and New York. Pennsylvania’s a great example,” Allen said. “The tribe would certainly not want to be in a position where it’s committing to pay x amount of dollars and have the potential where all those particular changes of scope could happen in upcoming years.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida