Church News: Ray’s Chapel Adding Second Sunday Morning Service
April 5, 2014
Things were getting just a little too close for comfort Sunday mornings at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia. So beginning Sunday, April 6, the church will offer two mostly identical Sunday morning services.
An 8:30 a.m. service will be added along with the church’s normal 11 a.m. service.
“We are filling up the sanctuary on Sunday mornings,” Pastor Nathan Brown said, “and it was decided that now was the time to add a second service.”
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church is located at 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid, just west of Highway 29.
Pictured: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Pastor Nathan Brown.
Escambia Man Caught In The Act Of Downloading Child Porn
April 5, 2014
Child pornography charges were filed against an Escambia County man Friday after investigators caught him downloading and transmitting sexually explicit material.
Thomas L. Dycus, 54, was arrested at his home. He was charged with 27 counts of possession of child pornography and one count each of possession with intent to distribute obscene material and transmission of obscene material. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a $290,000 bond. Additional charges are pending.
Detective Jeff Brown said the investigation began in July 2013 after investigators determined Dycus had downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children from the internet onto his home computer.
Agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes agents with the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security, initiated a search warrant at Dycus’ residence Friday after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.
While agents were searching the residence, they determine one of Dycus’ computers was in the process of actively transmitting and receiving child pornography.
Brown said computers, hard drives and other external devices were seized from Dycus’ residence and will undergo forensic examinations.
UWF Breaks Ground On New Restaurant Development
April 5, 2014
University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, April 4, to mark the beginning of construction on the East Campus Restaurant Development Site on Highway 90/Davis Highway at Campus Drive.
“This development will transform our East Campus into an inviting space for our students and community and will heighten UWF’s visibility to those traveling on US 90,” UWF President Judy Bense said. “It is symbolic of the growth and development happening all across campus and we look forward to the new vibrancy, services, and student life opportunities that will be created.”
UWF BEI and Compass/Chartwells are partnering for the $3 million development project, which will feature restaurant and retail facilities that will transform the University’s east campus entrance into a vibrant atmosphere that will attract UWF students, faculty, staff, prospective students and visitors of the Northwest Florida region.
The East Campus Restaurant Development Site will feature a mix of retail price points targeted for the University community as well as the general public. The restaurants and retail facilities will be identified this spring, with some of the first businesses expected to open this winter.
The UWF Board of Trustees approved the Development Agreement and Right of Entry document for the East Campus project during its March 26 meeting, marking the final step in the approval process before construction could begin. Before it was presented to the full Board of Trustees, the document was approved by the UWF BEI Board of Directors and ratified by the UWF Board of Trustees Finance and Facilities Committee.
Pictured top: The University of West Florida broke ground Friday for a new restaurant development on Davis Highway at the east campus entrance. Pictured below: Development plans. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Offers FCAT Reading Retakes Next Week
April 5, 2014
Nrothview High School will offer FCAT 2.0 Reading retakes next week, April 7-11.
Retakes are for students in grades 11-12 and adults who have not yet passed the FCAT Reading required for graduation. Students must be on campus by 8:45 on testing days and are reminded that they are not allowed to have electronic devices during testing. For more information, contact Mrs. Crumm at 850-327-6681 x223.
Wahoos Drop Pitcher’s Duel
April 5, 2014
In front of a second-straight sellout crowd of 5,038, the Tennessee Smokies defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 1-0 Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in Pensacola, Fla. The Blue Wahoos (1-1) mustered just four hits off the Smokies (1-1). Third baseman Kris Bryant’s seventh inning solo homerun proved to be the difference.
Cincinnati Reds’ RHP Jonathan Broxton started for the Wahoos and went one scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts. The right-hander is scheduled to throw another inning tomorrow night.
RHP Daniel Corcino (0-1) pitched strong in relief with 6.0 IP giving up just 1 R/ER on a solo home run by third baseman Kris Bryant. Corcino added eight strikeouts and just two walks to his strong relief effort.
RHP Jamie Walczak pitched 1.2 IP giving up just one hit while allowing no runs and striking out three.
Third baseman Juan Silverio continued his strong start to the season going 1-for-3 with a single and a strikeout. Left fielder Donald Lutz got his first hit of the season; he went 1-for-3 at the plate.
The Smokies used three pitchers to shutout the Wahoos. RHP C.J. Edwards went 4.0 IP giving up just one hit and striking out four Wahoos. RHP P.J. Francescon (1-0) was strong in three innings of relief giving up just two hits while earning the win for the Smokies. RHP Armando Rivero came on to earn the two inning save giving up one hit and striking out four Blue Wahoos.
Kris Bryant again showed off his power going 1-for-4 and hitting the game-winning home run.
The Wahoos and Smokies square off again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. for game three of their five-game series to start the season. Reds’ relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton is likely to go one inning to start the game tomorrow. The Reds’ number one rated prospect, RHP Robert Stephenson, will follow behind the rehab stint. The Smokies’ starter for tomorrow’s game has yet to be determined.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos vs. the Tennessee Smokies Friday night in Pensacola. Photo by Tony Giberson/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
April 5, 2014
Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekend ending April 3:
Escambia County
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at Fillingim Landing. He observed a man and woman who appeared to be arguing. When he approached them, he observed two open beers next to them on a picnic table. As he spoke to them about the alcohol violation, the woman kept trying to get his attention and was getting upset. After separating them, the woman told Lieutenant Hahr that she had swore out a warrant against the man and that she had been trying to get the attention of law enforcement so that he would be arrested. She stated that he had beaten her and that she was afraid for her life. Lieutenant Hahr confirmed the existence of a local warrant for battery (subsequent offense) and arrested the man. The woman was provided with information for obtaining a domestic violence injunction and the man was booked into jail.
Santa Rosa County
Officers Lewis and Clark were working in the Blackwater State Forest when Officer Lewis observed a woman approaching him that he had recently warned for possession of cannabis. When she saw him, she attempted to conceal a small handbag in her purse. Officer Lewis recognized her and the handbag. When she reached him, he asked her and her friend what they were doing and if she had anything illegal in her bag. She responded that she did have some “stuff” in her bag. She then admitted that she had some marijuana in the bag. Officer Lewis found a bag of cannabis and a drug pipe in the bag. He issued the woman a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Winners, Losers And The Waiting Game
April 5, 2014
With the 2014 session past the halfway mark, work for some Capitol insiders has only just begun.
It won’t be long before the pizza boxes start piling up outside offices where legislative budget writers and their staff — and the lobbyists looking to slip line items into the state’s $75 billion spending plan — are soon to be holed up as they iron out differences between the two chambers’ proposals.
But the budget won’t be the only focus during the second half of the session. It’s also “Hail Mary” time for players whose proposals are still in limbo.
The lights haven’t gone out yet on House Speaker Will Weatherford’s high-priority bill — already approved by his chamber — that would allow illegal immigrants who have attended at least four consecutive years of Florida schooling to pay in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities, up to four times cheaper than the rates most pay now. The Senate version (SB 1400) will get another committee hearing next week.
And parents of children with a severe form of epilepsy are keeping their fingers crossed while House and Senate leaders work out a deal regarding a strain of marijuana that doesn’t get users high but is believed to put an end to life-threatening seizures. House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who has serious concerns with the proposal, agreed this week to give Rep. Matt Gaetz’s proposal (HB 843) a hearing. The plan has become a priority of Gaetz’s father, Senate President Don Gaetz, which almost certainly enhances its chances of survival.
Others are already celebrating at the midway mark. Gov. Rick Scott spent three days signing into law election-year measures that would help military veterans, cut costs for drivers and crack down on sexually violent predators.
Meanwhile, the gambling industry may be holding a wake. Despite some high-pressure lobbying, hefty campaign contributions and a big chunk of taxpayer change spent on a gambling study, Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter announced on the Senate floor Thursday that a sweeping gambling bill “isn’t in the cards” this year. There’s a bright spot on the horizon for lobbyists and the industry, however. Incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner, who was at the podium when Richter said his gambling plans didn’t pan out, promised that the chamber would deal with the issue next year.
But for the vast majority of those whose issues remain unresolved, game on.
SENATE FOLDS ON GAMBLING OVERHAUL
It wasn’t much of a surprise when Richter told the Senate he lacked the votes to advance a “big, huge proposed committee bill” that would have authorized two casino hotels in South Florida.
But Richter’s announcement on the floor officially confirmed weeks-long speculation that any gambling overhaul was dead this year.
“It has become increasingly apparent to me that, even on our committee, reaching consensus on a 400-page gaming reform bill just is not in the cards,” Richter, R-Naples, said. “We don’t have a consensus in the committee.”
Richter’s efforts became nearly Herculean after Weatherford laid out two requirements — a sealed deal between Scott and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a constitutional amendment giving voters future say over gambling expansion — for passage of any gambling legislation.
Now, Scott holds the cards for any expansion as he renegotiates a $1 billion, five-year deal with the Seminoles set to expire in mid-2015.
The elements of any new deal hinge on the tribe’s exclusive rights to have certain games at its casinos, even if only in specific geographic areas, and revenue paid to the state. Federal law requires any revenue-sharing agreement with the state to include something of value for the tribe, and the feds have to sign off on any compact struck between Florida and the Seminoles. The state Legislature has to authorize the deal as well.
“I think we can reasonably expect an agreement soon that may significantly alter revenue-sharing or exclusivity provisions. If we put the gaming reform cart in front of the Seminole compact horse, we run the risk of getting policies at cross-purposes. The wiser course is to be patient and to address comprehensive gaming reform in the context of a compact ratification,” Richter said Thursday.
Gardiner, an Orlando Republican and gambling foe who will take over as president after the November elections, gave gambling lobbyists gathered in the Capitol’s fourth-floor rotunda hope, even as Richter dashed this year’s dreams.
Addressing Richter, Gardiner said that, although he disagreed with Richter on some gambling issues, work on the bill “allowed us to air that out in public and put everybody on notice that several of us will be here next year and we will be pursuing a gaming bill,” Gardiner said. “I look forward to being here next year and congratulating you on passing that gaming bill.”
HOUSE AND SENATE READY FOR BUDGET TALKS
The chambers on Thursday approved plans to spend about $75 billion in the budget year that begins July 1, setting up negotiations between the two sides over how much to devote to priorities ranging from education to child welfare to the environment.
“The differences aren’t as extraordinary as they have been in some years, so I don’t think we should have much difficulty getting to allocations relatively quickly,” said House Appropriations Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland.
Despite squabbling on both sides of the Capitol about elements of each proposal, the measures passed by lopsided margins. The House approved its $75.3 billion blueprint on a 100-16 vote, with most Democrats joining the Republican majority in voting for the bill. The Senate followed that up by almost unanimously passing its $74.9 billion budget, with the biggest dust-up centered on an effort to split up the joint College of Engineering operated by Florida A&M University and Florida State University.
The Senate budget already included $10 million for FSU to begin the planning and construction of an on-campus, stand-alone engineering school. An amendment authored by Sen. John Thrasher — a St. Augustine Republican widely believed to be a front-runner to become FSU’s next president — also put $3 million in operating funds behind the idea.
But black lawmakers said the proposal evoked memories of a painful time when the law school at historically black Florida A&M was shuttered in favor of a similar school at FSU.
“The fear of the (alumni) of Florida A&M University and many others in this state, particularly those of color, is that this is the beginning of the end of our institution,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, one of the last graduates of the original FAMU law school. ” … I want to know that the lights won’t be dimmed and the door closed on the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.”
Thrasher, who helped reopen the FAMU law school in 2000, said he hoped the proposal would strengthen FAMU’s program, in part by getting rid of a requirement that students at the school meet the same admissions requirements.
“If I thought for one second that this was not going to enhance the Florida A&M University engineering school, I wouldn’t do it,” he said before the amendment was approved on a voice vote.
SCOTT SIGNS HIGH-PROFILE BILLS
Scott signed three sets of bills this week, extending olive branches to at least two sets of constituents as he seeks re-election.
Flanked by military veterans in Panama City on Monday, Scott signed the “Florida GI Bill,” modeled after the World War II-era program and intended to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation.
The wide-ranging measure (HB 7015), rushed through the Legislature the first week of session as a priority of Weatherford and Gaetz, provides university tuition waivers for veterans, pays for military and guard base improvements, is aimed at increasing employment opportunities for veterans and allocates $1 million a year to market the Sunshine State to vets.
Scott tied his own experiences when leaving the U.S. Navy to wanting to support veterans and active duty service members.
“I remember when I got out of the Navy back in the early ’70s, it was not a good time to get out of the service in this country,” Scott said.”Our veterans were not respected; it was a tough time. We’re going to make sure that is this is the most military-friendly state for active-duty members, but also for all the veterans.”
During a ceremony Tuesday in the Capitol’s Cabinet meeting room that included sheriffs, prosecutors, lawmakers, sexual-assault victims and victims’ family members, Scott signed into law a suite of measures (SB 522, SB 524, SB 526 and SB 528) aimed at cracking down on sexually violent predators. Scott and other speakers said the bills will make Florida’s children safer.
Supporters hope the bills will prevent a repeat of incidents such as the kidnapping, rape and murder last year of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in Jacksonville, a case that drew widespread attention. A registered sex offender, Donald Smith, has been arrested in the case.
More broadly, supporters hope the legislation will address problems raised in an investigative report by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The newspaper reported that the commitment of sexually violent predators under the state’s Jimmy Ryce Act had slowed to a crawl. Also, it found that since 1999, nearly 600 sexual predators had been released only to be convicted of new sex offenses — including more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders.
The bills make numerous changes to the state’s criminal and civil-commitment laws. As an example, SB 526 would lead to mandatory minimum sentences of 50 years in prison for what are known as dangerous sexual felony offenders.
Scott capped the bill signings Wednesday with a politically-charged ceremony in the Capitol that had the tone of a campaign event even though it was on government property. Scott gave final approval to a measure (SB 156) that will roll back vehicle-registration fees that were increased in 2009 amid state budget woes.
Scott repeatedly noted that the unpopular fee increases were enacted under former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is seeking to unseat Scott during this November’s election.
“We’re going to right the wrong of this 2009 tax increase that Charlie Crist enacted,” Scott said.
One of Scott’s “critical” priorities for this spring’s legislative session, the reduction is expected to save Floridians between $20 and $25 per vehicle registration, with the total depending on the size of the vehicle.
Kevin Cate, a spokesman for Crist’s campaign, responded to Scott’s announcement by saying the “ridiculous press conference” exposed the current governor’s “political desperation.”
“Everyone knows that Charlie Crist signed one of the largest tax cuts (a property tax cut) in the history of Florida and was also forced to make tough decisions to prevent devastating blows to teachers, students, first responders, and our most vulnerable Floridians,” Cate said in an email.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter told the chamber he lacks the votes to get a comprehensive gambling package out of his committee and will not present the bill next week.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The conference should be fantastic. It will either be really short or long and awesome, and I’m hoping for long and awesome. Both Hukill and I have the same machismo for the tasks we’ve had ahead of us this year, which was to cut taxes, so it ought to be fun either way, because the end result either way is a tax cut.” — House Finance & Tax Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, on pending talks with Senate counterpart Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange.
Century, Pensacola Bicker Over Natural Gas Franchise; Pcola Energy Threatens To Cut Off Schools
April 4, 2014
Amid threats from Pensacola Energy to cut off natural gas service to 50 Bratt and Walnut Hill customers — including three schools, the Escambia County Commission has once again scheduled a public hearing to consider a new natural gas franchise ordinance for the Town of Century.
Century currently holds exclusive franchise rights from Escambia County to provide natural gas service from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia. The franchise area includes Century, Byrneville, Bratt, Oak Grove, Walnut Hill and McDavid.
The 50-year franchise was granted by the county in 1968 to the Town of Century (then known as the Town of South Flomaton) to provide natural gas services to the northernmost part of the county.
Pensacola Energy, formerly known as Energy Services of Pensacola, currently provides natural gas service to commercial customers in Bratt and Walnut Hill — within the Town of Century’s gas franchise area. Pensacola Energy provides natural gas to Ernest Ward Middle School and Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill, and Bratt Elementary and Northview High School in Bratt. They also provide natural gas service to an unknown number of residential customers near Kansas Road, Green Village Road and North Highway 99 in Bratt.
Thursday night, Pensacola Energy Director Don Suarez told the Escambia County Commission that adoption of the new franchise agreement as written would immediately cause his agency to stop gas delivery to the three schools and dozens of other customers and force Pensacola Energy to render its infrastructure unusable in the area.
“That’s not in the best interest of those customers, Pensacola Energy or Century,” Suarez said.
“My hope would be that the county would stay neutral and allow Century and Pensacola to work out their differences,” County Attorney Alison Rogers said, a sentiment echoed by Commissioners Steven Barry and Grover Robinson during the meeting.
Matt Dannheisser, legal counsel for the Town of Century, told commissioners Thursday morning that the commission’s vote to extend the franchise and whether or not Pensacola improperly served customers are two different issues. He said the Town of Century, if unable to resolve issues with Pensacola, has no intent of involving the county.
The commission voted to set an April 29 public hearing and vote on an ordinance providing the new, time-extended franchise agreement to Century in the same geographical area that has been in their territory since 1968.
Pictured top: A Pensacola Energy meter in front of Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, inside the Town of Century gas franchise area. Pictured inset: Century engineer Dale Long, attorney Matt Dannheisser and Mayor Freddie McCall before the Escambia County Commission Thursday. Pictured below: The Town of Century’s gas franchise map (click to enlarge). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Collision With Deer
April 4, 2014
Two people were injured in a pickup versus deer crash Thursday night near Bratt.
They reportedly hit the deer in the Chevrolet pickup truck during the eight o’clock hour near the intersection of Pine Barren Road and Hanks Road. They then drove to a residence on Pine Barren Road and Camp Road and called for an ambulance about an hour later.
The victims, ages 29 and 32, reportedly suffered facial lacerations. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Commission Once Again Postpones Vote On New County Administrator
April 4, 2014
Escambia County still does not have a new administrator and any decision is going to be at least a week away.
The Escambia County Commission was set to pick an administrator Thursday night, but didn’t happen after Commissioner Luman May missed the meeting for a reason that was not immediately known. May likely holds the deciding vote between offering the job to Interim Administrator Larry Newsom and one of the five finalists picked by a search firm.
Commissioner Wilson Robertson made a motion Thursday to just scrap the entire hiring process to date and start over, but that motion failed 2-2.
“This is too serious for one-fifth of the county to not be represented in the vote,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said of May’s absence as commissioners voted 4-0 to postpone a vote on administrator candidates until a special meeting at 10 a.m. on April 10.