Northview Baseball Takes District Win Over Chipley
April 12, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat Chipley 5-4 Friday in their last regular season district game.
For the Chiefs: Aaron McDonald 1-3, 1R; Chason Freeman 2-3, 1R; Brannon Freeman 1-3; Thomas Moore 1-2, 2B, 3 RBI; Jody Bonner 1-2, , 2SB; Kevin Barrow 2-2, 2R, SB. The winning pitcher was Daulton Tullis pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, three runs, walking four and striking out three. Brannon Freeman got the save pitching 2 2/3, allowing one hit, one run, three walks and striking out four.
The Chiefs will travel to Flomaton Monday night at 6:00 and to Escambia Academy Tuesday night at 6:30.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Lights Out, Cutting Away At Tax Cuts
April 12, 2014
Lawmakers are turning out the lights in the Capitol next week while some celebrate Easter, others observe Passover and, with any luck, all get some R and R as the clock winds down on the 2014 legislative session.
Although House floor action dragged on past 4:30 p.m. Friday in advance of the week-long respite, an empty fourth floor rotunda was eerily quiet. Perhaps the lobbyists and hangers-on were getting an early jump on the weekend, or plotting their strategies for the brief two weeks that will remain in the session when House and Senate members return April 21.
Gambling lobbyists may have already rolled up their tents earlier in the week after House Speaker Will Weatherford declared the issue dead for the rest of the session.
The Republican-dominated Legislature closed out the week with the House passing red-meat legislation dealing with guns, abortion and school vouchers on Friday, sending the items to the typically more moderate Senate with plenty of time for horse-trading on the issues before the session ends May 2.
In other bartering business, the two chambers teed up the remainder of Gov. Rick Scott’s election-year pledge to cut $500 million in taxes and fees. Disparities in the House and Senate tax break proposals are eliciting little more than a yawn from some old-schoolers, including Weatherford, who called the variations typical of the “posturing” during the latter part of the session.
TAX CUTS
The House and Senate advanced divergent roadmaps that both would lead to $500 million in tax and fee breaks for Floridians and a boost for Scott, whose popularity remains low as he vies for a second term in the governor’s mansion.
The Senate’s plan would give Floridians a single sales-tax holiday during the next year — rather than four proposed by the House — and would include money for improvements at Daytona International Speedway, a bit of home cooking pushed by Senate Finance and Tax Chairwoman Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday backed an amendment to replace what has been billed as the House’s “patchwork of awesomeness” tax package (HB 5601) with the Senate’s “broad-based” measures, as lawmakers work to reach the half-billion dollar, election-year benchmark set by Scott.
The committee didn’t vote on the bill. Instead the proposed changes to the House-approved measure — put on a unique Senate committee journey this week — will be returned to the lower chamber, where members are not expected to fully welcome the changes.
The Senate’s plan centers on a $64 million cut to the communications services tax imposed on cable and phone services. It also includes a tax discount on pre-paid phone plans, expected to save phone users $1.4 million; and a measure that would reduce by 20 percent the insurance premium tax on Florida-based bail bond premiums, a $700,000 reduction in state revenue.
The chambers agree on the popular back-to-school tax holiday. But the House also wants discount periods on hurricane preparation, which Scott supported; energy-saving appliances; and gym memberships.
And the House package includes a permanent sales-tax exemption for car seats and bicycle helmets for kids; an expansion of the New Markets Tax Credit program for investments in low-income communities; a temporary lifting of sales taxes on the purchase of cement mixers; a $20 million loan program for television production companies; and a plan to reduce the sales taxes businesses pay for electricity.
Late Friday afternoon, Weatherford shrugged off differences between the two chambers’ approaches.
“That’s normal…We are at the stage of session where sometimes maybe on a big tax bill like that there are some differences of opinion, maybe even some posturing, going on,” he told reporters.
Weatherford balked at giving the Daytona race track, in the midst of a major renovation project, $2 million a year for 30 years in state sales tax dollars, however. The House package does not include those funds.
“That would probably be one we would probably not be supportive of,” he said. “We have lots of time to iron out the differences, just like everything with the budget.”
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Fall Short To The Huntsville Stars 5-4
April 12, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos bats unloaded for three home runs in a 5-4 loss to the Huntsville Stars Friday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. The Stars broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth on a solo home run from Mitch Haniger, which proved to be the winner. The Wahoos have now dropped three straight at the hands of the Stars.
In an encore to his 11 strikeouts in his 2014 debut, Wahoo starter Robert Stephenson battled his control and was knocked out after just two innings. He was tagged for 3R/ER on 5 hits with 2 walks and 0 strikeouts. After the Stars loaded the bases to start the second inning against Stephenson, singles from Stars pitcher Taylor Jungman and D’Vontre Richardson and a sacrifice fly from Josh Prince gave Huntsville a 3-0 lead.
Pensacola rallied back with a two-run homer from Juan Duran in the fourth. Rey Navarro blasted his second home run in as many nights with a solo shot leading off the fifth to tie the game at three. Bryan Anderson launched his second home run of the season to start the sixth to give the Blue Wahoos their first lead of the game, but it was short lived. An error in the seventh led to the tying run before Haniger’s homer in the eighth put the Stars back in front for good.
Despite his struggles, Stephenson didn’t factor into the decision. Jamie Walczak (0-1) took the loss with Stars reliever Casey Medlen (1-0) earning the win with a scoreless inning in relief. Arcenio Leon notched his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos look to RHP Jon Moscot (0-0, 2.08) to snap the skid against Stars LHP Brent Suter (1-0, 1.80). First pitch is slated for 6:30 from Joe Davis Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Man Dies After Officer Involved Shooting
April 12, 2014
A man has died following an overnight shooting involving an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy.
About 3:15 a.m. Friday, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Bent Oak Road in reference to suicidal threats. Thomas Eugene Fillingim, had been reported earlier as missing, armed and suicidal late Thursday night had returned to the home. A Sheriff’s Office news release said Fillingim has been the subject of numerous law enforcement encounters involving violence and weapons in the past.
When deputies arrived on scene Fillingim was in possession of a knife and had cut his own throat from ear to ear, as reported by ECSO dispatch. Fillingim, armed with a knife, lunged at the deputy who discharged his service weapon in self defense, the Sheriff’s Office news release stated.
Fillingim was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Per standard procedure, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will take over the investigation, and the deputy was placed on administrative leave.
Driver Injured, Traffic Disrupted When Chip Truck Overturns
April 11, 2014
An 18-wheeler hauling wood chips overturned Friday morning on Highway 113 at the Highway 31 intersection in Flomaton, creating traffic problems and leaving the driver with minor injuries. The accident was reported about 8:40 a.m. Both north and south bound Highway 113 were closed for the cleanup. Reader submitted photos by Joni Lee, Jeff Johnson and and Benjamin Reid for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Burglarizing Closed State Line Lotto Store
April 11, 2014
A Century man has been convicted in connection with the burglary of the closed State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 in Davisville last October.
Joseph Steve Davis, 53, was found guilty of trespassing in an occupied structure or coveyance, second degree petit theft and criminal mischief. He was sentenced to 12 months probation and 300 hours of community service.
At about 12:11 p.m. on October 10,2013, the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress at the lottery store, which has been closed since owner Thomas “Tommy” Kroll was shot and killed during a robbery on November 6, 2012.
As Florida deputies arrived, Davis was attempting to flee the scene in his vehicle. Davis turned north on Highway 97, crossing into Atmore, Ala.
The Atmore Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Davis about six minutes later. He was taken into custody in Atmore on alcohol related charges. Davis reportedly took beer from the closed business.
Supreme Court Upholds Death Row Inmate Appeal In Billings Murders
April 11, 2014
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday turned down an appeal by a death row inmate who was convicted of killing an Escambia County couple during a July 9, 2009, home-invasion robbery.
Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr., and four other men entered the Beulah home of Byrd and Melanie Billings with plans to steal a safe that the men thought contained $13 million.
Byrd and Melanie Billings died after each being shot multiple times.
On February 17, 2011, Judge Nicholas Geeker sentenced Gonzalez to death in both murders. Gonzalez challenged the convictions and sentences in his appeal to the Supreme Court, raising numerous arguments. Those arguments included that there was not enough evidence to support a sentencing factor dealing with whether a murder is “heinous, atrocious or cruel.”
The Supreme Court found that the convictions were supported by competent, substantial evidence. In rejecting that argument, the Supreme Court also described details of the murders:
“In the case of Mr. Billings, Gonzalez shot him in one leg, repeated the request for money, and then shot him in the other leg when Mr. Billings was still not forthcoming about the money,” the ruling said. “Gonzalez then placed Mr. Billings in a headlock and dragged him into the master bedroom where he shot him in the side of the face. Only after Mr. Billings was terrorized and endured repeated non-fatal shootings did Gonzalez finally shoot him in the head. As to Mrs. Billings, although her actual shooting and death occurred fairly quickly, she was aware of her impending death and probably fearful of suffering multiple gunshot wounds, having witnessed her husband being shot and suffer. She was then shot in the face, while looking at her attacker and knowing that her children were probably also in grave danger.”
Tate Freshmen Down Northview
April 11, 2014
The freshmen Tate Aggies defeated Northview 5-0 Thursday in Bratt.
The freshmen Aggies will travel to West Florida at 6 p.m. Friday. The JV Aggies will host West Florida at 4:30. and the varsity Jaguars will play the Aggies at 7:00.
The varsity Northview Chiefs will host Chipley in Bratt Friday at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of 2010 Murder
April 11, 2014
An Escambia County man was found guilty Thursday afternoon in the brutal rape and murder of a woman whose body was found in wooded area off Nine Mile Road.
Joshua Wayne Douglas was convicted of first degree murder in the death of 25-year old Jamie Broxson. Her body was found near a Gulf Power substation not far from Broxson’s home in November 2010.
Douglas was tied to the murder by DNA evidence. He will be sentenced next week and could face the death penalty.
House Advances “Homeowner Claims Bill Of Rights’
April 11, 2014
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater moved a step closer toward two of his session priorities on Thursday after a House committee signed off on a measure that would bar insurers from using credit history to deny claims and would also require insurers to provide a checklist of consumers’ rights regarding insurance claims.
The House Regulatory Affairs Committee backed a bill (HB 743) that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit information to deny claims or cancel policies after a claim has been filed if the policies have been in effect for at least 90 days.
The bill, now on its way to the House floor, would also require insurers to send a checklist — dubbed by Atwater as the “Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights” — to a policyholder within 14 days after a claim is filed. The checklist would include information about how long insurance companies have to respond to and settle claims. The Senate version (SB 708) has been awaiting a floor vote since March 13.
Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, said policyholders should be advised of their rights when they first get their policy, something Atwater said he would support. But Daytona Beach Shores Republican Rep. Dave Hood, the sponsor of the House bill, said that the approach in the proposal would be more “cost effective.”
“This is an attempt to give (policyholders) the information at the time they need it, without them having to hunt through the house or whatever if there has been a flood or something else,” Hood said. Atwater requested the list, which was put together by the state’s consumer advocate Steve Burgess, in response to his office receiving about 350,000 phone calls last year from people trying to navigate their claims.