Florida Judge Gets Request To Allow Gay Marriages
October 8, 2014
Pointing to a “pathbreaking development” at the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for same-sex couples quickly asked a federal judge Tuesday to move forward with ending Florida’s ban on gay marriage.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in August found that Florida’s voter-approved ban was unconstitutional but placed a stay on the decision while the Supreme Court considered similar cases from other states. Justices on Monday declined to hear those cases, immediately clearing the way for same-sex couples to marry in Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and Indiana.
Hinkle ruled in two combined cases, including a case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida on behalf of same-sex couples who live in Florida but were married in other states. In a five-page motion filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, ACLU attorneys asked Hinkle to lift the stay and wrote that Monday’s decision sent a “strong signal that any remaining doubt about the Supreme Court’s ultimate resolution of the legal issue does not justify continuing to deny recognition of same-sex couples’ valid out-of-state marriages.”
“The Supreme Court’s action yesterday shows that the Supreme Court has decided to let stand decisions — like this court’s (Hinkle’s) — enjoining as unconstitutional state laws that refuse to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples,” the motion said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose office has defended the state’s ban, said Monday during a campaign debate that there are additional cases that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court and “we’re going to be reviewing everything in Florida to see what to do next.”
Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement Tuesday pointing to the role of Bondi and the courts in resolving the issue. Florida voters approved the gay-marriage ban in 2008.
“The attorney general is defending Florida’s constitution, which is her duty,” Scott said in the statement. “This is a matter that will be decided by the courts. Whatever the eventual outcome is from the courts, Florida will of course abide with it.”
If Hinkle decides to lift the stay, it is not clear when same-sex marriages could start in Florida.
In his August ruling, Hinkle wrote that the stay would remain in place until resolution in the Supreme Court of the Virginia, Oklahoma and Utah cases, plus an additional 90 days. The additional 90 days would give Florida time to seek another stay, possibly from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta or the Supreme Court.
Hinkle’s rationale, at least in part, was to make sure there is a final decision before same-sex marriage is allowed in Florida. He wrote that there “is a substantial public interest in implementing this decision just once — in not having, as some states have had, a decision that is on-again, off- again. This is so for marriages already entered elsewhere, and it is more clearly so for new marriages.”
But in the motion Tuesday, ACLU attorneys noted a line in Hinkle’s ruling that said the stay “may be lifted or extended by further order” and asked that the judge lift the stay immediately.
They pointed to “ongoing harms” from the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. As an example, the motion said a same-sex couple married in Washington, D.C., must pay hundreds of dollars a month for insurance because one of the spouses works for a public employer that does not recognize their marriage.
“If defendants are permitted to wait an additional 90 days to make arguments (they are) very well equipped to make in short order, the harms to these and other Floridians —harms that the court has already deemed to be irreparable — will only grow,” the motion said.
The ACLU attorneys said plaintiffs would not object to a seven-day period to allow the state to request a stay from the appeals court or the Supreme Court.
by Jim Sanders, The News Service of Florida
Tribal Beat Coed Softball Tournament Registration Underway
October 8, 2014
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band will host their 1st Annual Coed Softball Tournament on Saturday, October 18 from 9 a.m. until at NWE Bradberry Park.
The entry fee is $150 per team, due by Friday, October 10. Mail payments to NHS Band Boosters, P.O. 25, Walnut Hill, FL 32568 or drop the payment by Northview High School. All of the proceeds will go directly to support the band with travel, new uniforms and other expenses.
Tournament rules require a minimum of four females per team with three on the field. Winner will receive trophy and bragging rights. For information on the rules or any other questions, contact Thomas Long at (850) 529-7502.
Taxwatch Recommends Parole For Elderly Prisoners
October 8, 2014
Florida’s prison population is rapidly increasing despite declining crime rates, and the latest report from Florida TaxWatch recommends options to prevent increasing costs from overwhelming taxpayers.
The report, Florida’s Aging Prisoner Problem, warns that the steadily growing elderly prison population in state facilities will require more costly medical care, resulting in additional budget concerns for an already struggling Department of Corrections.
“Community safety is the first thing to consider when addressing criminal justice reform, but Florida has options to reduce costs and actually improve public safety.” said Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. “Florida taxpayers and policymakers must understand the rapidly incurring costs that accompany aging prisoners so that smart policies can be pursued that prevent either ballooning costs or quick fixes to jeopardize the safety and security of Florida citizens.”
The analysis estimates that by the end of 2015, Florida will have nearly 4,100 additional prisoners in the elderly population, bringing the total to nearly 25,000. The average health care costs for each of these prisoners are estimated by Florida TaxWatch to be $11,000 annually.
The report suggests the Florida Department of Corrections consider clemency or early release for elderly non-violent offenders who are nearing release dates or are requiring end-of-life care.
“Understanding the future obligations Florida taxpayers will have for the criminal justice system will ensure our policymakers are prepared to budget for corrections costs,” added Calabro
To identify, assess and manage Florida’s elderly prison population, Florida TaxWatch also recommends reporting requirements for elderly prisoners’ health care costs and the projections of elderly prison growth.
Northview Chiefs Name Players Of The Week; Lett Sets School Rushing Record
October 8, 2014
The Northview Chiefs, now ranked No. 5 in the latest state football poll, have named players of the week from last Friday night’s win over Jay, including an offensive player that set a new school record.
Senior Keondrae Lett was named Offensive Player of the Week with 313 total rushing yards, a single game school record. Lett amassed the rushing yardage on 15 carries for three touchdowns — that’s a 20.9 yard per carry average. He also recorded one catch for 24 yards and a touchdown. Lett has 842 total rushing yards for the season, plus 82 yards receiving.
Defensive Player of the Week is Jaylen Parker with 13 total tackles including three tackles for a loss and two sacks.
The Special Teams Player of the Week was Chasen Freeman who was 5 of 6 on point after attempts, had two touchbacks and averaged 36 yards on punts.
And the Chief’s Dominator Award went to to Kadarious Johnson for a tackle on kickoff.
Take Stock In Children Scholarship Program Receives Statewide Recognition
October 8, 2014
The Take Stock in Children programs in both Escambia County and Santa Rosa County were recently recognized with a coveted Excellence Award for successfully providing at-risk youth with caring volunteer mentors, college readiness curriculum, and college scholarships.
Statewide, Take Stock in Children students have a high school graduation rate of 92% with 87% of those students entering college. This is well above Florida’s average high school graduation rate of 57% for students living in poverty, with only 28% enrolling in college. Students benefit from the guidance of volunteer mentors from the community and both counties currently have a 100% mentor match.
Escambia’s program, operating under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, currently serves 118 students, and Santa Rosa’s program, operating under the Santa Rosa Education Foundation, currently serves 96 students.
“This award is a source of great pride to both our programs and highlights our dedication to changing the lives of our students through this program,” said Sally Lee, Escambia County Program coordinator. “Our students are counting on us to make the difference in their lives to ensure they succeed academically and professionally.”
In Escambia County, Take Stock in Children scholarships were recently awarded the following students, listed with their mentor and school:
- Mya Acoba, mentor Mari Abbate, Brown Barge Middle
- Savanna Bowen, mentor Lynne Bates, Ransom Middle
- Brandon Brantley, mentor Dave Bates, Bellview Middle
- Sylvia Callihan, mentor Veronica Dias, Warrington Middle
- Tristan Cravatt, mentor Jack McNulty, Bailey Middle
- Breona Dean, mentor Fernaundra Ferguson, Ferry Pass Middle
- Lucas Dinsmore, mentor Pete King, Bailey Middle
- Lina Foust, mentor Anita Prentiss, Pine Forest High
- Diamond Franklin, mentor Ruth Jenkins, Escambia High
- Morgan Garner, mentor Neeltje McNulty, Bailey Middle
- Ian Gifford, mentor Bob Goforth, Ernest Ward Middle
- Angel Goldsby, mentor Stephanie Noa, Workman Middle
- Haley Hennington, mentor Mallory Studer, Bellview Middle
- Madison Hurston, mentor Cindy Barrington, Ransom Middle
- Issiah Johnson, mentor Ken Biland, Bailey Middle
- Lari McCann, mentor Cynthia Worrell-White, Northview High
- Thinh Pham, mentor John Fromularo, Warrington Middle
- Annemarie Pigg, mentor Susan Myrick, Bailey Middle
- Ben Potts, mentor Rusty Branch, Brown Barge Middle
- Malcolm Pressley, mentor Andy Arnold, Workman Middle
- Teriana Redmond, mentor Sherri Stallworth, Ernest Ward Middle
- Ashleigh Smith, mentor Freida Nichols, Ferry Pass Middle
- Kiplin Smith, mentor Charity Hamilton, Workman Middle
- Taylor Smith, mentor Sandra Durr, Tate High
- Austin Witt, mentor Bob Hoyt, Woodham Middle
- Ashten Wright, mentor Ray Sellers, Ernest Ward Middle
Farmers Learn From Fall Tomato School
October 8, 2014
UF/IFAS Extension Gulf Coast Small Farms & Alternative Enterprises held their third installment of “Fall Tomato School” Tuesday in Jay. The workshops were intended for farmers who are interested in learning about small farm tomato production.
The course combined lectures with hands-on activities with a course notebook at the West Florida Research & Education Center in Jay. The school included topics such as transplanting, varieties, nutrition, diseases, staking, insect scouting, harvesting, storage and marketing.
Pictured top: Blake Thaxton, Santa Rosa Extension, explains the importance or trellising in commercial tomato production. Pictured below: Participants learn about pest management. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy Injured In Early Morning Traffic Crash
October 7, 2014
An Escambia County deputy was injured in an early Tuesday morning traffic crash.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 32-year old Michael J. Wohlers was traveling westbound on West Jackson Street in marked police cruiser while responding to a disturbance call when he drove through the intersection, into a ditch, and into trees and shrubs.
Wohlers was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
No charges were filed in the crash by the FHP.
Man Jailed After Molino Carjacking, FHP Chase Into Cantonment
October 7, 2014
A carjacking at a Molino bar landed an Escambia County man behind bars.
William Madison Arrant, 41, was charged with carjacking, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or eluding police and driving with a suspended license after the incident Saturday night at Louie’s Bar on Molino Road.
The victim, described as Arrant’s ex-girlfriend, told deputies that she and Arrant were in her Jeep outside the bar when they got into an argument. She reported that Arrant physically twisted her arm and took her keys. She reported the vehicle stolen after he drove away.
A short time later, Arrant was clocked at about 20 mph over the speed limit on Highway 29 by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. When he failed to stop, Arrant was pursued by the trooper to Countri Lane in Cantonment where he rain into a wooded area on foot. Arrant was located and taken into custody by a K-9 unit from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrant remained in the Escambia County Jail late early Tuesday with bond set at $65,000.
Deep Trouble: Century Must Hire Wastewater Treatment Operator ASAP
October 7, 2014
The Century Town Council was informed Monday night by Mayor Freddie McCall that the town is headed for “deep trouble” with its wastewater treatment facility because there may not a certified operator available enough hours per day.
State regulations require Century’s wasterwater treatment facility to have a certified “Class C” operator six hours per day. The town had a qualified operator, but he’s often unable to work to ongoing health issues. So far, the town has been able to cover all the required hours with a backup operator.
The town recently advertised a job opening for a temporary operator, but there were no qualified applicants willing to accept a part time job. Two current town employees have expressed interest in the position, the mayor said, but they would first be required to undergo training.
“I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring for us,” McCall said as he asked the council to approve hiring a full time operator with a “Class C” permit. “This is critical,” he said.
The council approved the position and authorized a salary of $14 per hour, with a guaranteed $1 per hour raise after one successful year on the job.
Without a certified wasterwater treatment plant operator on duty six hours per day, Century could face fines and other sanctions from the state.
The job will be posted in the NorthEscambia.com classifieds in the next few days.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Telephone Scammer Poses As Sheriff’s Office Employee
October 7, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says someone claiming to work for their agency tried to scam a woman out of $1,000 over the phone.
The scammer called the potential victim and claimed to be a member of the Sheriff’s Office, and the calling phone number had been altered so that it appeared on the victim’s caller ID to have originated from the Escambia Sheriff’s Office Administration Building.
The caller claimed to be an employee of the Sheriff’s Office and told the recipient that if she did not send $1,000 by electronic payment right away, he would issue a warrant for her arrest for failure to appear for jury duty.The recipient became suspicious and contacted the Sheriff’s Office, which confirmed that the call was not legitimate.
Multiple versions of this telephone scam are being reported, with the caller claiming to be from a law enforcement agency, a utility, or the IRS.
The Sheriff’s Office, in a new release, offered the following tip to prevent becoming a victim of telephone fraud:
- Always be suspicious of any threatening calls claiming to be from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or any other business-especially if it is coming from a business that you do not normally patronize.
- A legitimate business will not resort to threats as a first response to a late or missed payment.
- Always be suspicious when asked to send an electronic payment, “Green Dot” or other money card payment, or wire transfer
- Trust your instincts. If you feel that something “just isn’t right, call your local law enforcement agency and report it. It is much easier to prevent fraud in the first place than to recover your money after the fact.