First Amendment Group Seeks Veto Of ‘Warning Shot’ Bill
April 15, 2014
The First Amendment Foundation on Monday asked Gov. Rick Scott to veto what has become known as the “warning shot” bill because of a provision that would allow records to be expunged.
The bill (HB 89), which has passed the House and Senate, has drawn widespread attention because it would allow people to show guns or fire warning shots in self-defense if they feel threatened. The bill also would allow criminal records to be expunged if people are found to have acted legally in self-defense and prosecutors do not pursue charges.
Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, wrote to Scott that the bill “has grave implications for public oversight of our judicial and criminal justice systems” and is contrary to the public interest.
“The expunction provision … not only limits public oversight, but potentially could serve as a tool for obscuring law enforcement and prosecutorial misconduct, while also hindering the development of court precedence essential to understanding how and when the proposed use of force law applies,” Petersen wrote. But during debates on bill, lawmakers such as Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, defended the provision.
“If you’re innocent, that automatically should expunge your name, and you shouldn’t have to defend your name the rest of your life,” Dean said before the Senate approved the bill April 3.
by the News Service of Florida
(Disclosure: The News Service of Florida is a member of the First Amendment Foundation.)
Contractor Paves Remainder Of Bratt Road, Repairs Crumbling Pavement
April 15, 2014
A contractor has paved the remainder of Bratt Road and has made good on a warranty promise to repave sections of the road that were surfaced back in December and later began to crumble.
The first part of the project in December included dirt road paving and drainage improvements on Bratt Road from Pine Barren Road east about 1.25 miles to the existing paved roadway. The county road department provided pipe installation and grading, while contractor Roads, Inc. was responsible for the paving.
An Escambia County official said the cold mix asphalt was likely used on a day that was too cold, causing it to be spread too thin in some spots.
The contractor, Roads Inc. repaired the roadway under warranty and paved the remaining dirt portion of Bratt Road fromPine Barren Road to West Highway 4 at the Travis Nelson Park.
As part of the project, the intersection of Ashcraft Road at Bratt Road will be closed beginning Wednesday at 6 p.m., through Thursday at 4:30 p.m. due to a crossover pipe replacement.
Pictured top: A newly resurfaced portion of Bratt Road by the Travis. Nerlson Park and Highway 4. Pictured inset: Portions of Bratt Road west of Pine Barren Road began to crumble weeks after being paved in December. Pictured below: The repaired sections of Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Charged With Stealing Lottery Tickets From Northern Santa Rosa Business
April 15, 2014
Two people have been charged in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars worth of scratch off lottery tickets from a convenience store last month in the northern Santa Rosa County community of Berrydale.
Investigators said Kristeena M. Bare,25, and Frank Lee Johnson, 37, busted a window of the Berrydale Quick Mart on North Highway 87 to gain entry during the early morning hours of March 19. Once inside, deputies said they stole about $3,300 worth of the Florida Lottery scratch off tickets. They were caught on video cashing two winning tickets worth a combined $115 about four hours later at a Tom Thumb in Milton, according to an arrest report.
Bare and Johnson were charged with property damage, burglary, larceny and dealing in stolen property.
Bare remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail with on bond set at $44,000, while Johnson was being held with set at $27,500.
Wahoos Drop First Of Series 3-1 To Montgomery Biscuits
April 15, 2014
The Montgomery Biscuits took the first game of the series 3-1 over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in a rain-shortened contest. The Wahoos (6-5) had the tying run at the plate with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning when the game was forced into a rain delay. The rain persisted and came down even harder during the hour and twenty minute delay. Montgomery (6-5) scored two runs in the top of the first, which would prove to be all the Biscuits needed.
RHP Carlos Contreras (1-1) struggled to find his command early in the contest and gave up 3 R/ER in five innings of work while striking out five Biscuit batters. RHP Tim Adleman made his first appearance of the year for the Wahoos after being called up on April 12th; Adleman pitched 1.0 innings and gave up no runs or hits.
The Wahoos struggled at the plate and only mustered three hits through 5.1 innings. Left fielder Donald Lutz went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Lutz was stranded on third base when the game was called in the bottom of the sixth. Juan Duran went 1-for-2 with a double and a strikeout.
RHP Victor Mateo (1-2) pitched the entire game for the Biscuits going 5.1 innings, giving up 1 R/ER and striking out four batters.
Left fielder Taylor Motter went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. First baseman Cameron Seitzer had an RBI on his 1-for3 night.
The Blue Wahoos return to the field on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. to take on the Biscuits. The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Corcino (0-2, 2.57) to the mound while the Biscuits will counter with RHP Dylan Floro (0-0, 7.71).
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos take on the Montgomery Biscuits. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms Cause Power Outages, Flooding
April 15, 2014
A line of storms created flooding, power outages and sparked a fire that destroyed a Molino home Monday night in the North Escambia area.
Gulf Power reported as many as about 700 North Escambia customers without power following the worst of the storms, including 246 customers in the dark in the Tate Road area. Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported a large, weather related outage of customers served by their Jay and Bratt substations.
The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 was completely underwater and closed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, for a short period of time. At least two vehicles were disabled by rising flood waters.
Lightning sparked a house fire near Molino that injured on person. Read more…
Pictured top: cars partially submerged in the parking lot of Ensley Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard Monday night. Reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Developer Plans New Dollar General For Cantonment
April 14, 2014
Plans for a new Dollar General store in are in the works for Cantonment.
Teramore Development, LLC, of Thomasville, GA, is planning the 9,026 square foot store for a 1.03 acre lot on Woodland Street at Highway 29 — adjacent to the Cantonment Fire Station.
According plans filed with Escambia County, the new store would not have any vehicular access directly to Highway 29; all driveways would connect to Woodland Street. Plans call for the lot to contain 31 parking spaces and an adjacent storm water holding pond.
The plans have been presented to the Escambia County Development Review Committee during a pre-application meeting. The DRC has not made any ruling or recommendations on the store. It will be up to the property owner or the developer to decide if they will move forward in the permitting process.
Traffic Crash Claims The Life Of A Woman And Her Baby
April 14, 2014
A single vehicle crash Saturday night claimed the life of a young woman and her baby.
Schintai Eberhart, 18, of Pensacola was ejected from the front passenger seat of a 2006 Lexus during a wreck on Brent Lane. She died at a local hospital after undergoing an emergency C-section, and her baby died soon after birth, according to Pensacola Police Officer Jason Browning.
Browning said the crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. Saturday. Lindsey Eberhart was driving the vehicle westbound on Brent Lane from Ninth Avenue when she lost control and the
vehicle hit a curb near Evergreen Road. It then struck a power pole and flipped a couple times before stopping on its left side. The power pole broke from the impact.
Lindsey Eberhart was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The left rear passenger – Deven Heflin, 12, of Pensacola – was also hospitalized with minor injuries. Deven is the brother of Lindsey and Schintai Eberhart, police said.
The right rear passenger was Tristan Horne, 18, of Pensacola. He received a minor hand injury, Browning said.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation; seatbelt usage on all occupants has not yet been determined.
Wesley Graduates From Basic Training
April 14, 2014
Army Pfc. Garbell S. Wesley has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Wesley is the daughter of Bertha Floyd and granddaughter of Annette Wesley, both of Century.
She is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School.
Log-A-Load Bass Tourney Results, Over $13K Awarded
April 14, 2014
Over $13,000 in prize money was awarded Saturday in the 18th Annual Charity Log A Load for Kids Bass Tournament held at Live Oak Landing in Stockton, Ala.
Winners were as follows:
- Keith Deese & Jim Smith – 11.69 pounds; $3,000
- Bryan Ward & Zach Lawshe – 11.63 pounds; $2,000
- Morgan Grainger & Randy Speights – 11.46 pounds; $1,000
- Sterling Johnson & Tim Taylor – 11.39 pounds; $950
- Mark Ross & James Roete – 10.40 pounds; $900
- Darrell Bryan & Gavin Webb – 10.32 pounds; $850
- Logan Marston & Keith Marston – 10.32 pounds; $800
- Eddie Knowles & Wayne McDade – 9.73 pounds; $750
- Tommy Parker & Steve Williamson – 9.37 pounds; $700
- John Bailey & Jeremy Baltzell – 9.36 pounds; $650
- Matt Carpenter & Carl Rowell – 9.27 pounds; $500
- John Taylor & Kim Taylor – 9.11 pounds; $400
- Matt Lemon & Mike Swoboda – 9.10 pounds; $300
- David Foshee & Larry Foshee – 9.00 pounds; $200
- Robbie Stanley & Jacob Hollingsworth – 8.93 pounds; $100
The tournament and events raise funds for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Log-A-Load is sponsored by the Florida Forestry Association and the Florida Loggers Council.
Jay Girls Track Takes District 1-1A Crown; Boys Finish Fourth
April 14, 2014
The Jay High School girls track team won the District 1-1A championship, while the Jay boys finished in fourth place.
Top Jay finishers were:
- Girls High Jump – Kolby Copeland, 4th; Jessica Thornton, 5th, Kourtney Smith, 8th.
- Boys High Jump – Aurhur Fraley, 5th; Jacob Madden, 6th.
- Girls Long Jump – Carissa Mulford, 4th; Kayla Flowers, 6th; Kourtney Smith, 7th.
- Boys Long Jump – Roger Mishoe, 4th.
- Girls Triple Jump – Kourtney Smith, 2nd; Carissa Mulford, 4rd; Kayla Flowers, 4th; Carsen Arrant, 6th.
- Girls Discus Throw – Brianna Hawthorne 5th; Jenna Thornton, 6th.
- Boys Discus Throw – Tucker Harrington, 2nd; Cody Hitt, 4th; Colby Diamond 6th.
- Girls Shot Put- Brianna Hawthorne, 6th; Jennifer Lowery 8th.
- Boys Shot Put – Tucker Harrington, 2nd; Colby Diamond, 4th; Jarred Hunt, 8th.
- Girls 100 Meter Dash – Amber Cross, 3rd; Kayla Flowers, 5th.
- Girls 200 Meter Dash — Amber Cross, 3rd; Autumn Ates, 5th.
- Boys 200 Meter Dash — Braden Cross, 2nd.
- Girls 400 Meter Dash - Kristen Pike, 2nd; Savannah Brown, 4th.
- Girls 100 Meter Hurdles – Carissa Mulford, 3rd; Jorja Agrait, 5th; Kelly Hoover, 6th; Alyssa Chavis, 8th.
- Boys 100 Meter Hurdles – Mason Bridges, 3rd.
- Girls 300 Meter Hurdles – Jorja Agrait, 3rd; Carissa Mulford, 5th; Kelly Hoover, 7th; Alyssa Chavis, 8th.
- Boys 300 Meter Hurdles — Roger Mishoe, 1st; Mason Bridges, 5th.
- Girls 4 x 100 Meter Relay — Jay High School, 4th.
- Boys 4 x 100 Meter Relay – Jay High School, 2nd.
- Girls 4 x 400 – Ana-Grace Smith, Savanna Brown, Jenna Thornton, Jessica Thornton – 1st.
- Boys 4 x 400 – Austin Gibson, Roger Mishoe, Brandon Poley, Braden Cross – 4th.
- Girls 4 x 800 -Ana-Grace Smith, Savanna Brown, Jenna Thornton,, Jorja Agrait – 1st.
- Girls 800 Meter - Jessica Thornton, 1st; Ana-Grace Smith, 3rd; Jenna Thornton, 4th.
- Boys 800 Meter – Cody Wolfe, 3rd; Casey Zylstra, 7th.
- Girls 1600 Meter – Jessica Thornton, 2nd.
- Girls 3200 Meter – Carsen Arrant 5th; Kendra Weekes, 8th.
- Boys 3200 Meter – Micah Kemp, 3rd
For complete event results, click here.
Pictured: The Jay High School Lady Royals track team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.