Amendment 2 Opponents: ‘Don’t Let Florida Go To Pot’
June 11, 2014
“It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “It’s wrought with loopholes. It’s very cleverly written so that there can be use and abuse.”
Judd and other members of the group said they want to educate voters about the dangers of the amendment, which they consider to be so loosely written that Floridians of all ages will be able to obtain marijuana if it passes in November.
“We are literally looking at an unleashing of a Wild, Wild West of potent marijuana products,” said Calvina Faye, executive director of Drug Free America.
A ballot summary that voters will see when they go to the polls says, in part, the medical use of marijuana would be allowed for people with “debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician.” The more-detailed text of the amendment lists diseases such as cancer, glaucoma and HIV and also refers to “other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.”
Judd said that given the example of states that have legalized medical marijuana, such as California, the “other conditions” in the amendment could include sleeplessness, stress, cramps and pain from a sore back or broken arm.
“If you just look at the history of what we’ve gone through with pill mills, you can imagine that it would be the same type of doctors making those recommendations,” Faye said.
But Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, the group driving the amendment, said the anti-pot coalition’s arguments were misleading.
“This is about getting relief to really sick and suffering people,” Pollara said. “Our opponents look at the polls and see that Floridians probably support medical marijuana and are either split or opposed to the adult use of marijuana. And the way that they think they can win this campaign is by tricking people into believing this is about something other than what it really is, which is the medical use of marijuana.”
The constitutional amendment requires approval from 60 percent of voters to pass, and polling has been inconsistent. A Quinnipiac University poll released in early May showed that 88 percent of Florida voters support allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes.
But Sarah Bascom, spokeswoman for another anti-Amendment 2 effort, the “Vote No on 2 Campaign,” pointed to a poll out Tuesday that was conducted for The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. It showed that roughly 54 percent of Miami-Dade County voters supported the medical marijuana measure — not enough for it to pass in November. And that was in a heavily Democratic county.
“It’s completely at odds with what every poll has found on the topic in the last year and a half,” Pollara said of the Miami-Dade poll. “I don’t really think much of it.”
The polls are inconsistent because they’re changing, University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus said.
“I suspect some of them were fairly accurate at the time they were taken,” she said. “But you’ve got to put them in the time frame of when they were asked and what’s going on. … It makes a difference as to what kind of stories have been carried on television in what markets on the whole issue of marijuana in Colorado and groups coming out against it. The publicity, in other words, can really change people’s minds on this issue.”
MacManus said she thought the ballot measure could go either way.
A political committee that is helping fund opposition to the amendment raised $2.6 million in May, with $2.5 million coming from Republican super-donor and Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson. That committee, the Drug Free Florida Committee, had received $100,000 before May.
A spokesman for United for Care, the group backing the amendment, said it raised $195,359 in May, but details had not been posted on the state Division of Elections website late Tuesday afternoon.
Century Man Gets Three Years On Drug Charges
June 10, 2014
A Century man will spend the next few years in state prison after being convicted on drug charges this week.
Lawrence Hoff, age 65 of the 6800 block of Jefferson Avenue, was convicted of cocaine trafficking 28 to 200 grams and possession of marijuana over 20 grams.
He was sentenced to three years in state prison by Judge Jan Shackelford. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, a $2,500 surcharge, and $1,048 in costs and fees.
Escambia Man Faces Life For Armed Robberies
June 10, 2014
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison after being convicted of two convenience store robberies.
Zethaniah Alexander Faulk, 39, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of two counts of armed robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and two counts of a aggravated assault with a firearm.
The charges stemmed from two Circle K robberies which occurred approximately one hour apart on May 15, 2013. Faulk was masked and carried a firearm during both robberies. He utilized the firearm to batter the clerks from each store before stealing money and other items. He was identified with the help of a Crime Stoppers tip and the fact that a distinctive tattoo was matched to his person.
Circuit Judge Terry Terrell scheduled sentencing for July 14. Prosecutors will seek to sentence Zethaniah Faulk as a habitual felony offender and a prison releasee reoffender. Faulk faces a life sentence for these convictions.
Man Charged With Beating Baby With His Hands, Fists
June 10, 2014
A Santa Rosa County man is behind bars after allegedly beating a baby with his hands and fists repeatedly because the baby would not stop crying at a baseball park.
Joseph Shawn Walker, 27, was charged with felony cruelty toward a child aggravated child abuse. He’s being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to call from the Santa Rosa Medical Center where the 6-month old baby had been taken. The baby suffered a skull fracture, extensive bruising to the head and face area, and bruising to the abdomen shoulders and back. The baby was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital and remains in intensive care.
Private Landowners Can Receive Southern Pine Beetle Assistance
June 10, 2014
Private landowners in Florida can now receive assistance in fighting the southern pine beetle thanks to a state program.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced Monday that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. The sign-up period will run through July 18 and is available for non-industrial private forest landowners.
“The southern pine beetle is one of the most destructive forest pests in the southeast,” said Putnam. “By taking preventative measures now, Florida’s private landowners can greatly reduce their risk of timber loss during future outbreaks.”
Periodic outbreaks can rapidly kill millions of pine trees and deplete tens of thousands of acres of timber resources. The most recent series of major southern pine beetle outbreaks resulted in an estimated $59 million in timber loss between 1999 and 2002.
The program provides incentive payments for the following:
- Conducting a first pulpwood thinning
- Conducting prescribed burning operations
- Conducting mechanical underbrush treatments
- Planting longleaf or slash pine
“Since 2005, we have assisted many private forest land owners through this program,” said Jim Karels, director of the Florida Forest Service. “More than 150,000 Florida acres have been treated for southern pine beetle prevention.”
To learn more about this program and obtain an application form, contact a local Florida Forest Service office or visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com/SouthernPineBeetle/Prevention. Qualified landowners may apply for no more than two approved preventative practices per year. Funding requests may not exceed $10,000 annually. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. This program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
FHP Releases Details On Allentown Wreck With Critical Injury
June 10, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol has released details of an accident last week that critical injured one woman south of Jay near Allentown.
According to the FHP, 45-year old Krista Boyd of Pace was southbound on Highway 89 near Allentown Road when she slowed and began to make a turn into Blue Basket Farms. The driver of a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado that was behind her, 63 year old Patrick James Delcambre of Jay, attempted to swerve into the northbound lane to avoid Boyd, but collided with the rear of her 2006 Toyota Sienna.
Delcambre’s Silverado was then struck by a Dodge Caravan driven by 54 year old Carolyn Jordan of Milton, causing the Chevrolet to roll over.
Jordan was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in critical condition, while Delcambre was transported to Sacred Heart with minor injuries. Boyd was uninjured.
Delcambre was cited by the FHP with careless driving.
Bratt Students Complete Heritage Projects Thanks To PCI Grant
June 10, 2014
Students that just completed the fifth grade at Bratt Elementary participated in a heritage project, thanks to computers and programs provided by a Poarch Creek Indian Endowment Grant.
Students investigated, collaborated, and created a heritage project depicting the history of their ancestors. Students were encouraged to interview older family members and incorporate the interview into their project.
The students also presented a program entitled “Americans All”, a musical celebration of America’s multicultural heritage.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BBB Warns Consumers About Popular Summer Scams
June 10, 2014
Summer is a great time to take that long-overdue vacation or make much-needed home repairs, but as the weather heats up, so do scams. The Better Business Bureau serving Northwest Florida is warning consumers about popular summer scams.
- Don’t let a scam ruin your vacation. Fake travel agents and websites are known for touting too-good-to-be-true deals in the hopes of getting your money in return. Whether it’s a fake timeshare rental or a falsely promised Disney vacation, don’t let a vacation scam take you for a ride. Make sure the offer is legitimate by checking bbb.org first.
- Keep your belongings safe during your move. Summer is the peak time of year for changing residencies, and unlicensed movers and dishonest scammers are waiting to take advantage of the busy season. Not all price quotes online or over the phone are legitimate (or binding), and crooks are not likely to send an estimator to your home in advance. Also remember that the lowest estimate can sometimes be an unrealistic, low-ball offer, which may cost you more in the end.
- Beware of summer concert ticket scams. Before paying for concert tickets online, make sure the seller is reputable. Oftentimes, phony sellers will trick consumers into wiring money with no intention of sending real tickets. Most concert venues now allow ticket holders to print tickets from personal computers, which also gives scammers the opportunity to sell the same ticket over and over to unsuspecting consumers. Be wary of sellers who: offer a sad tale as to why they cannot use the tickets; only accept cash; want the money wired or transferred through a prepaid account; and/or pressure you to act quickly.
- Be wary of high pressure door-to-door sales tactics. Many door-to-door salesmen offer deals for everything from driveway paving to air conditioning repair to security systems. Before saying yes, get all promises in writing, including start and finish dates. Never sign a contract that has an open-ended completion date or blank spaces.
- Beware of job scams that can turn a hot summer cold. Finding summer employment is a top priority for most college and high school students. Don’t let the seasonal job hunt turn into a huge waste of time and money. Always be wary of employers who require fees for training and background checks, or who tout “no experience needed.” BBB considers these red flags for employment scams.
The Spice Kidz Go National With Winning Business Idea
June 10, 2014
Two local students are gearing up to pitch their newly launched business on a national stage, as they prepare to compete in a national competition being held in conjunction with the 10th Annual America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
The siblings – Eve Knight, 12, and Liam Knight, 13 – were selected to compete in this year’s competition after winning the YEA! Saunders Scholars Regional Competition in Boca Raton, Fla., with their business, The Spice Kidz. The pair started their business as part of the first-ever Pensacola YEA! program.
“Early education plays an important role in developing characteristics that are critical to becoming a successful entrepreneur,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “These two students demonstrate our region’s continued commitment to cultivating innovative qualities that can help our local youth succeed in any profession they choose to pursue.”
The Spice Kidz’ award-winning idea was to pre-package Indian-style spices to make curry and Vindaloo dinners. Twelve other middle- and high-school students from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties also launched their new businesses at Pensacola’s inaugural YEA! Trade Show in conjunction with Downtown Pensacola Gallery Night. A total of $6,600 in grants has been awarded to their businesses by several local investors and entrepreneurs, with The Spice Kidz earning the most with $1,200 in funding.
“Innovativeness and ambition are critical components that lead to professional success,” said Global Business Solutions, Inc. CEO Randy Ramos, a successful entrepreneur himself. “Programs like YEA! help to foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and gives them the opportunity to pursue their dreams by harnessing their energy, optimism and creativity.”
YEA! is a national educational program that guides 6th- to 12th-grade students through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, educators and community members to develop ideas and objectives that help to create their own fully formed companies. Winners of this year’s national competition will be receiving scholarships, as well as the opportunity to audition for ABC’s hit TV show Shark Tank.
“Entrepreneurial education is more than just building a business plan and marketing a product or service,” said Dr. Ed Ranelli, Dean Emeritus for the University of West Florida College of Business. “Starting a business also includes learning about how to recognize opportunities and capitalize on them, which is a skill every young professional should master.”
Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Over The Montgomery Biscuits
June 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (29-36) swept the doubleheader over the Montgomery Biscuits (31-34) in the final two games of the series at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. The Wahoos scored a combined 15 runs in the final two games to blow out the Biscuits. Pensacola won four games in the five-game set with Montgomery and are 6-2 over their last eight games played.
The Wahoos took game one, 6-2, behind solid pitching from RHP Mikey O’Brien. O’Brien went 5.0 innings in his third win of the season and allowed two runs on nine hits. LHP Lee Hyde worked his first inning of relief for the Wahoos on the season. He gave up a hit and a walk, but didn’t allow a run to score.
Juan Duran led Pensacola at the plate. The right fielder went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and three RBI. Rey Navarro capped off the victory with a solo shot in the 5th inning to give the Wahoos a 6-2 lead. It was the All-Star’s eighth home run on the season.
RHP Roberto Gomez fell for the fourth time this season with Montgomery. He allowed four runs on five hits through 4.0 innings of work.
The Wahoos dominated in game two and defeated the Biscuits 9-2 behind a great start from RHP Michael Lorenzen. The righty allowed just three hits in 5.0 innings and struck out three batters. RHP Drew Hayes had a scoreless inning in relief while striking out two Biscuit batters.
Steve Selsky hit his first home run of the season and added an RBI double in the fifth. Devin Lohman matched Duran’s day at the plate from game one with three RBI. Five different batters had multi-hit games for the Wahoos and three different players had multiple RBI in game two. Since the Wahoos scored at least five runs in both games, fans can use promo code WAHOOS at PapaJohns.com for 50% off their online order on Tuesday.
RHP Mike Colla fell for the eighth time this season. Colla went 4.1 innings and gave up 7 R/6ER to the Wahoos.
The Wahoos are off Tuesday and head to Mobile for their final five-game set before the All-Star break on Wednesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (6-4, 3.13) will start the series opener for the Wahoos. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (3.71, 5-0) is set to make the start for the BayBears.