Scott, Crist Push Turnout
November 1, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist spent Friday scrambling to persuade voters besieged by negative ads to head to the polls as the final full week of campaigning came to a close.
Scott, the Republican incumbent, and Crist, a former GOP governor now running as a Democrat, spent the day in strongholds that could determine whether they win the Governor’s Mansion. Scott made two campaign stops Friday morning in Northeast Florida and was expected to make an appearance in the evening at an event hosted by Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Brian Kilmeade.
Scott has spent the last two weeks on the trail urging supporters to cast their ballots, either in person Tuesday or through early and absentee voting.
“I know what happened in 2012,” Scott said after an event at Sleiman Enterprises in Jacksonville. “Mitt Romney lost because people didn’t get out to vote. And so I’m going to make sure people know the importance of getting out to vote. … As long as people continue to get out and vote, we’re going to have a big win on Tuesday.”
Romney won Republican-leaning Duval County by about 15,000 votes in the 2012 presidential race — roughly the same margin that Scott won by in 2010. But there were 150,000 more votes in the county in the race between Romney and Democratic President Barack Obama than in Scott’s initial campaign.
The governor’s margin of victory in the county in 2010 accounted for about a quarter of his statewide edge over former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink — and Scott had a higher share of the two-party vote (52.9 percent) than Romney (51.8 percent) or John McCain, the GOP’s 2008 presidential nominee, who carried the county with a shade under 51 percent of the vote.
As he has before on the trail, Scott seemed relaxed Friday, joking with reporters and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who arrived late to the event after a problem getting to the venue.
“Your bus driver ditched our bus driver,” Bondi said. “We were right behind you.”
Scott was expected to continue to tour the state with high-profile Republicans over the weekend and through Monday, with events planned in Southwest Florida, Miami-Dade County, The Villages retirement community and Orlando.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — both considered potential 2016 presidential candidates — will campaign with Scott on Saturday in Southwest Florida. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is slated to help Scott on Sunday in Hialeah. And the Orlando event Monday is expected to include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, both also considered possible presidential contenders.
Crist, meanwhile, started Friday morning at Munch’s Restaurant in south St. Petersburg. More than half of the diners who shook hands and posed for selfies with the former governor said they had already cast their ballots — for him.
“The message is pretty clear. Get out and vote,” Crist told reporters after chatting with the kitchen staff.
Owner Larry Munch said he, too, had already cast his ballot for Crist. In the former governor’s hometown, which Crist affectionately calls “The ‘Burg,” Munch said his customers — who regularly discuss politics over their morning cups of Joe — are fed up with the seemingly relentless attack ads.
“They’re tired of the mud-slinging,” Munch, cooking ribs on a grill outside his restaurant, told The News Service of Florida. “All you hear is the ads instead of talking about what the topics are. That’s what the talk is over the coffee mugs.”
Crist then met up with Pasco County Tax Collector and former longtime state lawmaker Mike Fasano, who is a close friend of Crist and is a political star in the county.
“This is where elections are decided in Florida,” Crist told reporters before knocking on doors with Fasano in Heritage Lakes, a community where Fasano once lived.
Pasco County, where Republicans have a slight lead over Democrats in voter registration, is considered a bellwether. In 2012, Pasco voters gave Romney a six-point edge over Obama. Four years ago, Scott received 52 percent of the vote in the county, compared to Democratic challenger Alex Sink’s 43 percent.
But Democratic state Rep. Amanda Murphy won a hard-fought special election last fall, giving Democrats hope that Crist — with the help of the wildly popular Fasano — can flip the GOP-leaning county. Murphy said recent polling in her Pasco County district showed Crist with a six-point lead over Scott.
“Our district is definitely changing. Mike Fasano standing out trying to make it more about the person will hopefully change things. I’d like to see more people for the person and not worry about what the letter is behind the name,” said Murphy, accompanying Crist and Fasano.
On his way to knock on doors, Crist was called over by a driver who said he was a Republican and who stopped traffic to get a handshake from the Democratic nominee.
Crist received kudos from Republican and Democratic seniors for abandoning the GOP four years ago. Until 2010, Crist was a lifelong Republican, but he became an independent to avoid a GOP primary against Rubio in the race for U.S. Senate. Rubio went on to defeat Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek. Two years ago, Crist registered as a Democrat.
Mae Stallone, 93, told Crist she admired him for having the courage to switch parties, something the Democrat later said she herself had done four decades ago.
“I admire a person who will go with his gut feeling and change when he wants to,” Stallone told Crist.
“You’ve got to use your brain. And your heart,” Crist said, handing Stallone a daily newspaper that had been sitting outside her home.
Dick Boyle, 86, said he is an independent but is casting his ballot for Crist.
“Put some sense back in the governor’s office. It’s been a long four years,” he told Crist.
A relaxed Crist, wearing a plaid, short-sleeved, button-down shirt and a canvas belt decorated with palm trees, appeared cautiously optimistic about his chances for a victory.
“I feel good about it. I’ll tell you that,” he said. “But it’s going to be close.”
by Brandon Larrabee and Dara Kam
Navy’s Fleet Fly-In Concludes
November 1, 2014
When pilots and aircrew from about 20 different helicopters boarded their aircraft and departed NAS Whiting Field Friday morning, it marked the completion of another successful Fleet Fly-In for Training Air Wing FIVE.
The annual event is one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for the installation and 2014 marked another memorable occasion. For about three days, the skies above NAS Whiting Field were peppered with gray and black aircraft amidst the orange and black training aircraft that continually fly above the base and its 13 outlying fields. With flights to outlying fields in Brewton and Evergreen, the different helicopters were sometimes spotted from the North Escambia area.
Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT coordinated the function, and HT-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rob Sinram was pleased with how the Fly-In turned out.
“This year’s Fleet Fly-In was a big success,” he said. “We got the fleet turnout we were hoping for and students got a lot of flight time and interaction with the fleet crews.”
While the Naval Helicopter Association Fleet Fly-In encompasses a variety of panel discussions on large scale aviation issues, detailer presentations on future assignments, and industry displays showcasing helicopter technologies; the thrilling part is for the TRAWING-5 flight students having an opportunity to touch, ride in, and potentially fly Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard fleet helicopters. More than 300 future aviators received such flights during the open flight periods Wednesday and Thursday.
Picture top: Student Naval aviators and pilots of a Navy MH-60R Seahawk brief before a demonstration flight at the Fleet Fly-In. Pictured below: Multiple MH-60R and MH-60S parked on the ramp at South Field shortly after sunrise. Photos by Jay Cope for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Earn 1-7A Runner Up Spot And Playoff Berth
November 1, 2014
The Tate Aggies were off Friday night, but earned the 1-7A runner up spot and a playoff berth as Niceville beat Crestview 34-10.
If Crestview had won, it would have forced a three-way tie in the district and the two playoff spots would have come down to a shootout between the three times.
Earlier in the season Niceville beat Tate 35-7, and Tate defeated Crestview 42-28.
Before the playoffs, the Tate Aggies still have one home remaining as they host the Escambia High Gators next Friday night at 7:30. It will also been senior night for the Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scores
November 1, 2014
Here’s a look at Friay night’s area high school football scores.
FLORIDA
- Baker 35, Northview 27 [Read more..]
- Jay 44, Freeport 41
- PHS 29, Pine Forest 26
- West Florida 54, Catholic 28
- Escambia 40, Washington 14
- Navarre 49, Dothan (Ala.) 24
- Pace 47, Milton 7
- Arnold 28, Gulf Breeze 14
- Choctaw 45, Fort Walton Beach 3
- Niceville 34, Crestview 10
ALABAMA
- Bessemer Academy 32 Escambia Academy 14
- Flomaton 42, Monroe County 0
- T.R. Miller 18 W.S. Neal 17 OT
Driver Crashes Into West Nine Mile Road Business
October 31, 2014
One person was serious injured in a three vehicle crash that left a car inside a Nine Mile Road business Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old Harvey Milton Jeffcoat of Pensacola crashed his 1991 Honda Accord into the Gulf Coast Fresh Seafood Company at 2250 West Nine Mile Road after being involved in an accident at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road about 10:30 p.m. He was transported to West Florida Hospital with serious injuries by Escambia County EMS.
Two other drivers collided in the intersection — 19-year old Alyson D. Anderson of Cantonment in a 2003 Toyota Rav 4 and 18-year old Tanner Cole Phillips in a 1999 Ford Explorer. Anderson, Phillips, and a passenger in Phillips’ vehicle were not injured.
No charges were filed in the incident by the FHP.
The owner of the business, Jonathan Patti said the seafood company will be reopened once repairs are made. In the meantime, an adjacent seafood restaurant that shares the building will remain open once it’s closed off from the damage.
Pictured: A 59-year old man was seriously injured after his car plowed into the Gulf Coast Fresh Seafood Company on West Nine Mile Road after he was involved in a wreck at West Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Knights Place In Gulf Coast Classic Chess Tournament
October 31, 2014
Nine students from Ransom Middle School’s Chess club, the Ransom Knights, recently participated in the 2014 Annual Gulf Coast Classic Chess Tournament in Mobile.
The tournament was host to 27 students from the greater Mobile area who competed in three divisions, with the Ransom Knights scoring in the top 10 in all three divisions.
In the K-12 under 1200 rating division, Ransom Knight Kaleb Hoskins won third place, Ryan Carty won fourth place, Andrew Hoskins took seventh place and Miles Gibson won eighth place.
In the K-6 under 600 rating division, Ransom Knight Devin Rising won fourth place. In the K-9 Novice division, Ransom Knight James Conti won third place and James Streit won fourth place. Also participating in the tournament were Ransom Knights Connor Crisco and Caleb Loving. =
The Ransom Knights will host a scholastic tournament, The Panhandle Classic, on December 6.
UF Poll Says Florida Governor’s Race Is Tied
October 31, 2014
A new University of Florida poll indicates the governor’s race is deadlocked, with Republican incumbent Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist each getting the support of 36 percent of likely voters and Libertarian Adrian Wyllie receiving 6 percent, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The poll of likely voters was conducted from October 24-28 for the Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9 and News 13 of Orlando by the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service and Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
Earlier Thursday, Quinnipiac University released a poll that showed Crist leading by a margin of 43 percent to 40 percent, with Wyllie at 8 percent. That poll had a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points. With Tuesday’s election nearing, Quinnipiac said Crist has received a boost from independent voters.
by The News Service of Florida
Toddler Dies, Daycare Owner To Face Second Degree Murder Charge
October 30, 2014
A toddler died Wednesday after allegedly being abused by a daycare owner, and the State Attorney’s Office is filing a second degree murder charge in teh case.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office the 15-month old was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with traumatic injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Investigators said the injuries to the child occurred under the care of 55-year old Thelma Denise Lowery, who runs a daycare business from her home at 4738 Ward Basin Road in Milton.
The toddler died Wednesday at Sacred Heart Hospital , according to the State Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators obtained sufficient probable cause to believe Lowery was the person responsible for inflicting the injuries on the toddler. She was charged with aggravated child abuse prior to the child’s death, but will be arraigned on the second degree murder charge on Friday afternoon.
A Santa Rosa Grand Jury will be scheduled to hear evidence and determine whether sufficient evidence is present for a first degree felony murder indictment. A first degree murder indictment can only be charged by a Grand Jury in Florida.
The Department of Children and Families has revoked Lowery’s license to operate her home daycare. Lowery remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Alabama Pastor Murder Suspect Arrested In Texas
October 30, 2014
The Santa Rosa County man wanted for the murder of a pastor Monday morning in Escambia County, AL, has been arrested this afternoon along I-40 in Amarillo, TX.
Brett Richard Yeiter, age 46 of Little Paul Lane in Santa Rosa County, was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals and local Texas law enforcement. He was still driving the same truck in which he allegedly fled the murder scene, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. He will be held in Texas awaiting extradition back to Escambia County, AL, to face an open count of murder.
The shooting occurred a the Book of Acts Holiness Church on Jimmy Sellers Road, just north of the Florida line about 15 miles northwest of Munson, FL. Responding deputies found 69-year old Paul Phillips suffering from a gunshot wound from a shotgun. He passed away a short time later. Phillips was reportedly the pastor of the small church.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Amarillo authorities received a tip about 3 p.m. that Yeiter was traveling east through the Texas Panhandle on I-40. A Texas trooper in the area spotted the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop.
Authorities possibly located Yeiter because he used his credit card in western Oklahoma, a Texas DPS spokesman told the Amarillo Globe-News.
Yeiter was Phillips’ son-in-law, Lambert said. The only known motive for the murder, Lambert said, was an ongoing domestic dispute.
Pictured: Brett Richard Yeiter was booked into the Carson County, Texas, jail after his arrest. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poll: Independents Giving Crist A Slight Lead Over Scott
October 30, 2014
Pointing to support from independent voters, a poll released Thursday gives Democrat Charlie Crist a slight edge over Republican Gov. Rick Scott as they head into the frantic final days of this year’s campaign.
Crist has the support of 43 percent of likely voters, while Scott has 40 percent and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is at 8 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll.
But the race remains a virtual toss-up as Floridians cast early ballots or prepare to vote Tuesday: The poll’s margin of error was 3.4 percentage points. Also, it said 9 percent of voters were undecided.
“Crist, who always has sought to portray himself as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, seems to have sold that message to independents who historically have favored problem-solvers who are less politicaI,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in comments released early Thursday with the survey results.
A Quinnipiac poll released Oct. 22 showed Scott and Crist tied at 42 percent, with Wyllie getting 7 percent. Other recent polls also have shown the contest as too close to call.
Brown said Crist, a former Republican governor running as a Democrat this year, might have received a late boost because of his performance in three debates. One of the debates drew widespread attention because of Scott’s initial absence from the stage amid a dispute about an electric fan used by Crist.
“It would be a reasonable hypothesis that the candidates’ debates made a big difference in this race,” Brown said. “Scott was ahead going into them and behind after them. It could be a coincidence, but it would be a pretty large coincidence. Crist has long been thought of as an excellent campaigner and he used those skills to his advantage.”
The poll found that independent voters support Crist over Scott by a margin of 47 percent to 29 percent, with Wyllie getting 16 percent. That contrasts with the Oct. 22 poll, which showed Crist ahead of Scott among independents by margin of 41 percent to 38 percent.
Among other groups, Scott held a 10-point lead over Crist among men, while the Democrat held a 14-point lead among women.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states. The new poll surveyed voters from October. 22 to Monday.