Man Charged With Escambia Shooting
January 2, 2015
[Updated] One person has been charged in connection with an early Thursday morning shooting in Escambia County.
A woman was reportedly shot in the chest and transported to an area hospital.
Michael Jerome Gratton, a 31-year old listed as being a transient, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm, firing a weapon in public and attempted first degree murder. The woman’s condition and further details concerning the shooting and arrest have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
He’s also charged with a shooting that injured two men last May.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at just over $1 million.
Judge Clears Way For Same Sex Marriages
January 2, 2015
Pointing to his earlier “explicit ruling that Florida’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional,” a federal judge Thursday issued an order that likely clears the way for gay marriages to start across the state.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s order came amid a legal debate about the scope of his August ruling, which struck down a gay-marriage ban approved by Florida voters in 2008. A stay on the August ruling expires at the end of the day Monday, allowing same-sex marriages to start Tuesday.
The legal debate during the past two weeks centered on whether Hinkle’s original ruling, which involved a preliminary injunction against the ban, applied only to issuing a marriage license to two Washington County men who are plaintiffs in the case — or whether it required court clerks across the state to start issuing licenses.
In his order Thursday, Hinkle wrote that his broad ruling about the unconstitutionality of the ban requires the Washington County clerk to issue licenses to other same-sex couples.
“The preliminary injunction now in effect … does not require the clerk to issue licenses to other applicants. But as set out in the order that announced issuance of the preliminary injunction, the Constitution requires the clerk to issue such licenses,” Hinkle wrote. “As in any other instance involving parties not now before the court, the clerk’s obligation to follow the law arises from sources other than the preliminary injunction.”
Hinkle made clear that other clerks can also issue marriage licenses to gay couples —- and warned that clerks who don’t issue licenses face the possibility of getting brought into the case.
“Reasonable people can debate whether the ruling in this case was correct and who it binds,” Hinkle wrote. “There should be no debate, however, on the question whether a clerk of court may follow the ruling, even for marriage-license applicants who are not parties to this case. And a clerk who chooses not to follow the ruling should take note: the governing statutes and rules of procedure allow individuals to intervene as plaintiffs in pending actions, allow certification of plaintiff and defendant classes, allow issuance of successive preliminary injunctions, and allow successful plaintiffs to recover costs and attorney’s fees.”
The four-page ruling drew different interpretations after being released on New Year’s Day.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose office has defended the ban, issued a statement that said Hinkle’s ruling does not require clerks to issue licenses to same-sex couples other than the plaintiffs in the case — but that it allows clerks to do so. As a result, Bondi said she would not seek to block clerks from issuing licenses.
“This office has sought to minimize confusion and uncertainty, and we are glad the court has provided additional guidance,” Bondi said. “My office will not stand in the way as clerks of court determine how to proceed.”
Equality Florida, a group that has helped lead the fight against the ban, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights said Hinkle’s order should lead to clerks throughout the state issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“Today’s ruling confirms that all Florida officials, including county clerks, must comply with the federal Constitution and must therefore treat same-sex couples equally under the law by issuing marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples and by treating their marriages equally in all respects,” said Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
But John Stemberger, president of Florida Family Action, Inc., which spearheaded efforts to pass the gay-marriage ban, said on Twitter that Hinkle’s order is “being widely misinterpreted” and does not have such a broad effect.
“Judge Hinkle has no jurisdiction outside the Northern District of Florida to bind any clerk outside of North Florida,” Stemberger, who is an attorney, tweeted. “Clerks outside of North Florida are required to obey current law (banning same-sex marriage) & are still subject to all the penalties for violating it.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida issued a statement saying, in part, it is prepared to go to court on behalf of any gay couples who do not receive marriage licenses.
“We expect all clerks to respect the ruling,” said Daniel Tilley, an attorney for the ACLU, which has played a key role in challenging the ban. “But if not, we are committed to ensuring marriage equality in all 67 counties in Florida and we would like to hear from any couples that are wrongfully denied a license after the stay expires.”
The legal debate about the scope of Hinkle’s August ruling came after the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers issued a memo in December that said the ruling only applied to issuing a marriage license to the Washington County men who are named plaintiffs in the case. The memo also warned clerks that they could face prosecution if they issued marriage licenses to other gay couples.
The ACLU and other supporters of same-sex marriage vehemently disputed the conclusions in the memo. Ultimately, an attorney for Lora Bell, the Washington County clerk, asked Hinkle for clarification — leading to Thursday’s order.
2014 In Photos: July
January 2, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from July.
The Blue Angels were back for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show.
A stolen car was torched in a Century ballpark.
Nothing says July like a fresh Walnut Hill watermelon.
Northview High School graduate Casey B. Wilcoxon was among a group of soldiers deployed from Fort Bragg to Afghanistan.
Fourth fireworks at Showalter Park in Century.
Firefighters battled a barn and hay fire for hours in Molino.
Scenic Highway reopened in July after being washed away during the April floods.
A rainbow frames the Cantonment Fire Rescue Station.
Gov. Rick Scott visited Escambia County to talk about jobs.
The employees at Cantonment Pharmacy gathered one last time before the business was sold to Winn Dixie.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held a very special “Freedom Sunday” and burned the mortgage on their family life center.
The 2014-2015 Ernest Ward Middle School Cheerleaders attended a three-day Universal Cheerleaders Association camp at the school.
A shelf cloud moves over Pensacola Beach.
The Northview High School varsity cheerleaders attended a two-night stunt camp at Florida State University.
The Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department held a joint training with the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
The old Ransom Middle School on Muscogee Road was demolished to make way for a school bus compound.
Afternoon storms roll across Corley Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Florida Lawmakers Look At 5-Year Plan For Land, Water, Money
January 2, 2015
Florida lawmakers might lay out future water and land preservation efforts in a 5-year plan updated annually, similar to how transportation projects are prioritized.
The proposal will go before lawmakers during committee weeks leading up to the 2015 legislative session, which starts in March.
Since voters approved the “Florida Water and Land Legacy” constitutional amendment in November, lawmakers have heard from a growing number of interests about how the money — by some estimates $10 billion over 20 years — should be carved up.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, told reporters this month he supports creating a 5-year plan for the long-term water and land conservation projects.
“It allows local communities to plan,” he said. “It gives you some flexibility that if there is some land that needs to be acquired, you could do it in a partnership. Because everybody knows what that 5-year plan is.”
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who has joined Gardiner in saying that water conservation and protection will be a priority during the next two legislative sessions, was more ambivalent when asked about a 5-year plan.
“The idea of a multi-year financial plan, similar to the Department of Transportation’s 5-year work program, is something that we have spoken of for some time now and is not a new concept,” Crisafulli said last week. “I believe it is an approach that we will vet through the committee process as we approach the upcoming session.”
The voter-approved constitutional amendment requires 33 percent of the revenue from a tax on real-estate transactions to go to land and water projects for the next two decades.
Supporters of the amendment say it will generate about $10 billion over 20 years, while the state appears to project higher numbers. A state analysis estimates the total would be $648 million during the fiscal year starting in July 2015 and eventually would grow to $1.268 billion by the 20th year.
Since the amendment was approved, concerns have been expressed about issues such as how lawmakers will define land-preservation or water-conservation projects, how the state will determine which of its “impaired” water bodies is most critical and how to approach the reduction of stormwater runoff and agriculture fertilizer use.
Eric Draper, state director of Audubon Florida, backed the idea of a 5-year plan.
“Instead of everybody in Florida hiring a lobbyist in Tallahassee and competing for money from the Legislature, you have a list of criteria and on an annual basis fund the most important things,” Draper said.
The concept of the constitutional amendment was spawned as funding diminished for the Florida Forever program.
Florida Forever, which uses bonds backed with revenue from the documentary-stamp real-estate taxes, authorizes lawmakers to spend up to $300 million a year for preservation. But as the economy went sour during the recent recession, so do did funding for Florida Forever.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
College Flag Football Championship Comes To Escambia County
January 2, 2015
There’s college football being played in Escambia County this weekend — college flag football, that is.
The 2015 National Intramural – Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Flag Football Championship will be held at Pensacola’s Ashton Brosnaham Park January 2-4, 2015. This is the second year of a four-year contract the Pensacola Sports Association and the University of West Florida Recreation Department have to host the event. It is the only collegiate national tournament.
Currently 79 teams are registered to participate, a 12% increase over last year’s event. Over 900 students from all over the country will be in Pensacola representing their schools. Teams qualified for the national championship by winning their regional tournament. Additionally, there is an “Open” bracket which allows for any team to register and compete.
Admission is free for anyone interested in watching and concessions will be available. Ashton Brosnaham Park is located at 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Road, off of 10-Mile Road.
ECUA Begins Trash Service In Northern Santa Rosa County
January 2, 2015
The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners has entered into an inter-local agreement with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to provide single-family residential solid waste collection north of the Yellow River. No other large truck provider will be able to provide service in the franchise area.
North Santa Rosa residents who would like curbside service should contact ECUA if they have not already done so at (850) 476-0480.
The new north end Santa Rosa ECUA services are $51.27 per quarter and include:
- Garbage pickup: twice a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container
- Recycling pickup: on request by resident once a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container, residents should request recycling service when signing up for service
- Yard debris pickup: every two weeks
- Bulky waste pickup: service on request via phone call from resident
- Side door collection service for the disabled at no extra charge, Non-handicapped side door collection service, additional containers or bear-resistant containers at an additional cost.
The residential curbside solid waste service is not mandatory. Individuals who do not signup for service will be responsible for transporting their household waste, recyclables, yard debris and bulk waste items to the Central Landfill in Milton or the Jay Residential Drop Off Station in Jay. Additionally, the commission chose to grandfather in the small providers. Residents may choose a provider that is currently permitted and utilizes trucks that weigh 15,000 lbs. or less.
For more information, visit www.ecua.fl.gov/santa-rosa or http://santarosa.fl.gov/bocc/solidwaste.cfm.
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2015
Tens of thousands of people gathered in downtown Pensacola Wednesday night to ring in the new year with the Pensacola Pelican Drop.
It was the seventh annual event, with giant pelican lowered from a 100 foot crane at the intersection of Palafox and Government streets. The pelican is 14-feet tall with a 20-foot wingspan, perched atop an illuminated “2015 Pensacola”.
The events also included food, an 80-foot Ferris wheel an plenty of activities — including several family friendly areas — leading up to the midnight Pelican Drop.
Pictured top: The Pensacola Pelican Drop celebration. Courtesy City of Pensacola. Pictured bottom: Crowds around the man stage await the Pensacola Pelican Drop Wednesday night. Pictured left: The Pensacola Pelican marks the first moments of 2015. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Computer Classes Planned For Century Branch Library
January 1, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for January at the Century Branch Library:
Basic Computer Skills I – Thursday, January 8 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This class will introduce participants to the components of a computer along with basic keyboard and mouse skills.
Basic Computer Skills II – Thursday, January 22 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This workshop will introduce participants to the Windows environment including navigating between different programs.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.
TaxWatch: Revenue Firms Up For 2015 Florida Budget
January 1, 2015
Lawmakers are expected to have $30.6 billion in General Revenue, plus unspent reserves, to create a state budget in 2015. An historic $30.6 billion budget would be $2.2 billion more than the current spending plan, an increase of 7.9 percent.
“Florida’s economy is faster than most states, which is good news for all taxpayers and residents who rely on state services, from young school children in voluntary pre-K programs to the businesses who use incentives to grow and create jobs,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute, Florida TaxWatch. “The wise investments in our state economy are paying off, and more General Revenue available to the Governor and lawmakers will enable them to increase funding in core services while also providing tax relief to hardworking Florida families.”
Based on the criteria in the state’s Long Range Financial Outlook, policymakers have projected a budget surplus of nearly $1.2 billion considering a continuation budget and $1 billion in reserves. The latest revenue estimating conferences increased General Revenue estimates up by $627.9 million.
The revenue increases are the result of a strengthening economy and lower gas prices, which are boosting consumer confidence. Sales tax collections are up, and so are documentary stamp tax revenues thanks to growth in the housing market. However, not all General Revenue sources are increasing. Indian gaming revenues and Article 5 court fee estimates have been reduced.
Outside of General Revenue projections, other revenue sources are also changing. Property tax estimates are up for the 3rd consecutive year. Taxable value in Florida for 2015 will exceed $1.6 trillion, which is a 5.6 percent growth from the current year. Increasing property values have strengthened the value of a mill ($1 of ad valorem tax per $1,000 of property value), meaning the state will have $459 million in additional local revenue for public schools using the same millage rate.
*The 2014-15 Budget totaled more than $77.1 billion. The $30.6 billion in General Revenue will comprise less than half of the final 2015-16 budget.
2014 In Photos: June
January 1, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from June.
Hundreds of people turned out despite the heat and humidity for the first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival in Century.
An open house was held at the new Escambia County 4-H property on Chalker Road in Molino.
Escambia County made a funding commitment of over a quarter million dollars for a red light at the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection in Molino.
The Town of Century received a $50,000 state grant to renovate the existing playground area at Showalter Park.
A Walnut Hill man was jailed for shooting his son on a riding lawnmower.
With an offering of smoked pork and baked beans, the Town of Century took their gas franchise dispute to Walnut Hill, making their case and hoping to drum up support against Pensacola Energy.
The Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Program made science and reading exciting for kids of all ages at both the Century and Molino branch libraries.
Rep. Clay Ingram announced that the Town of Century has received a $400,000 gas and water system grant.
The Tate High School Class 0f 2014 graduated at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The 113 members of the Northview High School Class of 2014 graduated.
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Open House event at the their firehouse on Molino Road.