Scott Revving Up Veto Pen For Faster Highway Speed Bill
May 14, 2014
Six days after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper gave an impassioned request against the proposal during the funeral service for a fellow trooper, Gov. Rick Scott said he will veto a measure that could increase speeds on state highways.
Scott told reporters after the state Cabinet meeting Tuesday that he will “stand with law enforcement” and veto the bill (SB 392), which has yet to be forwarded to his desk by state lawmakers.
“I’m going to stand with law enforcement and I want everybody to stay safe,” said Scott, who noted he had heard a wide range of opposition to the bill that would have allowed the Florida Department of Transportation to consider hiking maximum speed limits by 5 mph.
Scott added that comments last week against the bill by Trooper Tod Cloud were also “convincing.”
During a May 8 funeral ceremony for FHP Master Trooper Chelsea Renee Richard in Ocala, Cloud used his comments to tell Scott, who was in attendance, that the legislation “wasn’t a bright idea,” according to the Gainesville Sun.
Cloud was “very concerned about troopers being out there on the highway and people driving too fast,” Scott said. “By doing this we’re doing the right thing for our troopers and the right thing for law enforcement. I’ve been to too many law enforcement funerals.”
Richard was killed May 3 after being struck by a pickup truck while she was finishing up work on an earlier traffic accident on Interstate 75 near Ocala.
During the legislative session that ended earlier this month, the speed-limit proposal faced opposition from lawmakers at every stop in the committee process before being passed by a narrow 58-56 vote in the House and a more comfortable 27-11 Senate vote.
Shortly after Scott’s veto comments were reported, St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, one of the sponsors of the measure, tweeted he will bring the proposal back next year.
“I am proud of the bipartisan support we received on SB 392 and I look forward to continuing this discussion next year,” Brandes tweeted.
Kevin Bakewell, vice president of AAA Auto Club South, which sought a face-to-face meeting with Scott to lay out their opposition to the bill, said the veto “will undoubtedly prevent injuries and save lives on our roadways.”
“Speed-related crashes are a major contributing factor in traffic crashes including 30 percent of traffic fatalities,” Bakewell said.
Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat who also sponsored the bill, argued during session that a 5 mph increase is unlikely to impact road safety.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets Life In Federal Prison For Cocaine Conspiracy
May 14, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced Tuesday on on federal charges related to a multi-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine throughout the area.
Ricky Lamar Blankenship, 43, was sentenced to life imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised released by Senior United State District Judge Lacey A. Collier. Blackenship was also ordered to forfeit multiple vehicles, gold vehicle rims, a Rolex watch, diamond earrings, six flat screen televisions and over $260,000 in cash.
Prosecutors said Blackenship was responsible for over 500 kilograms of cocaine entering the Northern District of Florida.
Escambia Woman Awarded $4.25 Million In Cantonment Wreck Suit
May 14, 2014
An Escambia County jury has awarded $4.25 million to a local woman for a 2009 accident that claimed the life of her 4-year old son.
According to the Highway Patrol, a 1999 Saturn driven by Theresa M. Guy, failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Kingsfield Road and County Road 97. The Saturn was struck by a 2003 Dodge 2500 pickup driven by Samuel Seeley of Cantonment. Seely and his passenger, Beverly Seeley of Cantonment, were transported to West Florida Hospital in critical condition.
Guy’s passenger, Glen D. Ashby (pictured left), 39, of Navarre, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son, Nathien Guy, later died at a Pensacola hospital.
According to the lawswuit, Roads, Inc. was installing a turn lane on the right side of the road and had removed a stop sign to a point off the road. Guy’s view of the stop sign was blocked by heavy equipment, and as a result she didn’t stop before entering the intersection.
Escambia County 4-H Members Earn District Ribbons
May 14, 2014
Escambia County 4-H members recently won several ribbons in their district competition in Okaloosa County.
Escambia County 4-H members won blue ribbons in the following categories:
Junior Demonstrations
Elizabeth Hawkins, Cool Clovers 4-H
Jessica Conti, Barrineau Park 4-H
Intermediate Share the Fun
Ami Rodgers, Cool Clovers 4-H
Senior Demonstrations
Danielle & Michelle Tinker, Cool Clovers 4-H
Amanda Tanner, Escambia County 4-H Horse Club
Mitchell Brooks, Spectrum 4-H
Senior Public Speaking
Amanda Tanner, Escambia County 4-H Horse Club
Senior Share the Fun
TEAM EVENT from Cool Clovers 4-H
Jacob Trombino
Aaron Scott
Karrigan Scott
Haley Scott
Danielle Tinker
Pictured top: Escambia County 4-H members. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Late Rally Not Enough For Wahoos In 5-4 Loss
May 14, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the ninth inning and left the tying run at second base in a 5-4 loss to the Birmingham Barons Tuesday night at Regions Field. The Barons scored five runs over the fourth and fifth innings against Wahoos starter Michael Lorenzen (L, 2-2) to shore up the series win over the Wahoos.
The Wahoos had a brief 1-0 lead after plating a run in the third, but the Barons rallied for two off Lorenzen in the fourth. In the fifth, Birmingham used four hits to score three more against the Wahoos starter. He allowed season highs in hits (8) and runs (5R/ER) over 5.0 innings. It was the first time this season he allowed more than two runs in a start.
Trailing by four runs in the ninth inning, the Wahoos loaded the bases with nobody out against former Wahoo Parker Frazier. A fielder’s choice, sacrifice fly and an error led to the three runs before the Barons escaped the jam to hang on for the win. Yorman Rodriguez paced the offense for Pensacola with a 2-for-4 game. Elvin Ramirez and James Walczak combined to work three scoreless innings out of the Blue Wahoos bullpen allowing just a hit each.
Barons (W, 2-2) starter Scott Snodgress held the Wahoos to just 1R/0ER over 7.0 innings to earn his second win of the season. Nester Molina (S, 1) came in to get the final out in the ninth and he picked up his first save of the year.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Wednesday morning beginning at 11a.m. RHP Mikey O’Brien will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos while RHP Terry Doyle will go for the Barons.
by Tommy Thrall
Escambia Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize
May 14, 2014
An Escambia County man has claimed a $1 million top prize in the 50X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. John Kyles, 56, chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $711,505.77. Kyles purchased his winning ticket from Tom Thumb, located at 4805 Mobile Highway in Pensacola. The retailer received a bonus commission of $2,000 for selling the $1 million winning ticket. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Residential Flood Debris Drop Off Site Open
May 14, 2014
Escambia County has opened a Residential Debris Drop-Off Site at the John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 East Nine Mile Road. Hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday until further notice.
This debris drop-off site will only available to Escambia County residents. Businesses and commercial haulers are prohibited.
Material accepted at this drop-off site will be limited to storm generated mixed construction and demolition waste. Household garbage, household hazardous waste or tires are not accepted.
For more information, contact Escambia County Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.
Fire Marshal Investigating Possible Arson
May 13, 2014
A morning fire at a Cantonment mobile home is under investigation as a possible arson by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire was reported about 5:54 a.m. on the northern end of Robinson Street in Cantonment by a 911 caller that indicated the fire was the work of an arsonist. Firefighters reported light smoke coming from the structure when they arrived on scene.
There were no injuries reported.
Man Enters Diversion Program In Animal Cruelty Case
May 13, 2014
An Escambia County man has entered a pretrial intervention program in an 2013 horse starvation case.
Marcus James McCreary, 41, pleaded no contest to two animal cruelty charges. He was ordered by Judge E.P. Nickinson to complete community service work, own no horses for at a least a year and pay $567.25 in restitution to Panhandle Equine Rescue.
In the fall of 2013, PER received a report that a very thin horse was down in McCreary’s yard on Bowman Avenue, just off Nine Mile Road. PER and Escambia County Animal Control responded and found two Tennessee Walking Horses in poor condition — one unable to get up on her own. McCreary voluntarily signed ownership of the horses, mares name Capona and Sweet Mary, over to PER.
Until the pretrial intervention program, charges will be dismissed in one year against McCreary if he successfully completes the steps ordered by the judge.
Pictured: Capona, one of two horses seized from Marcus James McCreary, in September 2013 (above) and after recovery and being trained to ride in May 2014. Courtesy photos from Panhandle Equine Rescue for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sewage Release Health Alert Rescinded For Escambia River
May 13, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has rescinded the health alert issued May 2 for the Escambia River south of Becks Lake Road.
“The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County feels that the water quality in these areas has improved considerably due to the reduction in bacteria levels,” the department said in a news released.
The health alert was issued after excessive rain placed an increased load on the ECUA Central Waste Water Facility resulting in the release of partially-treated sewage into the wetlands that lead to Escambia River.
For more information, call (850) 595-6700.