Medical Marijuana Signatures Top 540K Of 683K Needed
January 22, 2014
With a surge of petitions before a February 1 deadline, backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana had submitted 542,211 valid signatures to the state as of mid-day Tuesday, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.
People United for Medical Marijuana must reach 683,149 valid signatures by Feb. 1 to get the proposal on the November ballot.
The group also still needs Florida Supreme Court approval of the proposed ballot wording, which has drawn opposition from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Republican legislative leaders. Gov. Rick Scott also maintained his opposition Tuesday to legalization.
“I’ve said all along I’m against illegal drug use,” Scott told reporters after an appearance in Tallahassee. “I’ve watched how it impacts families. The attorney general gave her best advice to the Supreme Court.”
State Says Schools Will Now Follow ‘Florida Standards’
January 22, 2014
State education officials are pushing forward with a plan to rebrand the standards for what students are expected to learn in Florida schools, hoping to tamp down an uproar among conservative activists who view the current standards as part of a federal takeover of local schools.
Almost 100 changes to the “Common Core State Standards” will be considered by the State Board of Education in February, said Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, who outlined some of the changes to board members during a meeting Tuesday.
“At that time, I think that it is completely appropriate for us to call our standards the ‘Florida Standards,’ ” Stewart said.
Supporters of the guidelines have taken to using the term “Florida Standards” in recent months as some conservatives have continued to decry Common Core. Those benchmarks were crafted by a coalition of officials from about four-dozen states, but have come to be seen by grassroots conservative groups as an example of federal overreach.
Earlier this month, a gathering of the Republican Party of Florida’s state committeemen and committeewomen voted to oppose Common Core, though the resolution is not binding on the GOP and is not expected to be taken up by the party’s executive board.
Stewart said the changes — which include 60 new standards, 37 clarifications and two deletions — and the inclusion of standards beyond the reach of Common Core, which only covers English and math courses, justifies the new name.
“I think when we strengthen our standards, make these standards our own, provide clarification of 37 standards — that clearly is saying that Florida is out on our own, making stronger standards and doing so in a very autonomous way,” she said.
About 52 of the new standards would restore calculus to the state guidelines, though some calculus courses would have been offered regardless. Stewart said the deletions were to get rid of redundant material.
“It’s picked up somewhere else, we don’t really need it and there’s no reason to have repetition,” she said.
John Padget, who said he was not aware when the board approved the math standards that they didn’t include calculus, said he was “overjoyed” at the change.
“I think I’m able to say that Florida Standards, with respect to math, are higher than the so-called Common Core,” he told Stewart.
But it’s not at all clear that the effort to rename the standards will calm groups opposing the benchmarks. A message posted Tuesday on the Facebook page “Floridians Against Common Core Education” slammed Stewart’s changes to “the Communist Core.”
“They really believe we are stupid,” the post says. “This re-branding is meant to make us feel they are doing something for our children.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Two Escambia Businesses Honored As Innovators By Governor
January 22, 2014
Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the winners of the 2013 Governor’s Innovators in Business Awards during Florida Business Innovators Week. The awards recognize Florida companies in select industries that have influenced the state’s economic growth and diversification over the last year.
“Businesses are able to thrive because we have created an economic climate in Florida that supports job creation. I want to congratulate all of the companies being recognized today for their hard work in creating jobs and helping to create an opportunity economy in Florida that supports jobs for generations to come. Florida families are able to live the American Dream with the help of the successful, innovative companies that call Florida home, and I am proud to recognize some of those companies today,” Scott said.
Winners from Escambia County were:
The Governor’s Innovation in Tourism and Hospitality Award, for Florida companies that best exemplify innovation developed through product or process in the last three years, was presented to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum. As part of Florida’s tourism market, in particular the cultural heritage sector, Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum has grown from a volunteer organization to a booming business in a few short years. Through fiscally sound planning, the business experienced continued growth resulting in an increase in visitation from just 8,000 visitors in 2009 to more than 150,000 in 2013.
The Governor’s Business Expansion Award, for Florida companies that expanded their operations in 2012, investing capital and creating jobs, was awarded to Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal’s largest regional operations center resides in Pensacola and they plan to continue their expansion and migration of personnel from Virginia to Florida. They recently announced a project that will add more than 1,500 jobs in Florida’s Northwest Region over the next five years.
Pictured: The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DEO To Pay Claims Held Up By New Florida Jobless Website
January 22, 2014
The federal government will allow the state to pay unemployment claims in cases that have been in dispute for more than a week, as officials look to ease a backlog created by Florida’s new but trouble-plagued $63 million unemployment assistance website.
However, those who receive payments while their cases remain in dispute could have to repay the money if they are later found to have been ineligible.
Also, as part of the agreement to distribute funds, employers who pay unemployment-assistance taxes won’t be held responsible for what could result in overpayments to people.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor are in Tallahassee at the request of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., to review the state Department of Economic Opportunity’s new Connect website.
On Saturday, the Department of Economic Opportunity announced the state agency has been given federal approval to temporarily issue benefit payments to people whose continuing claims have been held up for “adjudication” for more than seven days.
“This step should serve as a great relief for claimants who have faced hardships due to technical problems with the system,” Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said in a prepared statement. “Some claimants have suffered and DEO and USDOL are committed to helping them through all legal and available means.”
Minnesota-based Deloitte Consulting, which has a contract to set up the website, will oversee the payments, the state agency said in a news release.
Last Wednesday, Panuccio — during an appearance before the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee — placed the majority of the system’s troubles at the hands of Deloitte.
The state has been imposing fines of $15,000 per business day against Deloitte since Dec. 23 and has withheld a $3 million payment to the company for failing to deliver a “fully functioning” system.
Deloitte — which has faced questions over the rollout of multimillion-dollar websites in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California — has said the company completed the work outlined in its Department of Economic Opportunity contract and that the Connect system “has surpassed the performance of the unsustainable systems it replaced.”
Connect has been in the works since 2009 to replace a 30-year-old system jobless Floridians used to claim their weekly benefits, monitor accounts and request information. The department provides up to $275 weekly to more than 200,000 Floridians.
Panuccio estimated last Wednesday that up to 60,000 cases have been flagged for review, up from about 48,000 when Connect went live on Oct. 15.
The claims in question are those of individuals who have previously been approved for unemployment checks, but were flagged by the online system for adjudication after further claims for relief were submitted.
To remain eligible, claimants must show every two weeks they are actively seeking work and how they have been unable to find new employment.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Officials Say No Outside Burning After Firefighters Battle Multiple Wildfires
January 22, 2014
The Escambia County Public Safety Department is asking residents to refrain from starting any kind of outdoor fire until our dry, windy conditions improve.
The National Weather Service has also issued a “Red Flag Warning” (no burning allowed); the winds speeds and relative humidity are at such a level that they have led to a number of brush fires in Escambia County in the past two days.
- The first major wildfire Tuesday was reported about 11:05 a.m. off Williams Ditch Road. Two acres burned initially, and by 11:36 a.m. the fire was considered under control. Firefighters returned later in the afternoon as the fire flared up again. The Florida Forest Service used bulldozers to cut two fire lines to fully contain the threat. Crews remained on the scene until late afternoon.
- At 12:32 p.m., firefighters were called to East Chipper Road. Three acres were originally estimated to be on fire. High wind quickly pushed the fire east toward some homes, but no evacuations were ordered. Two fire engines, four brush trucks and the Florida Forest Service battled the blaze.
- At 1:20 p.m. an out of control trash fire was reported at 6550 North Palafox Street. Firefighters quickly contained this fire as it spread toward a tree line.
- At 2:22 p.m., firefighters responded to an half acre spreading brush fire in the 600 block of Community Drive. Firefighters were able to get control of the fire.
- At 11:20 a.m. Monday, a wildfire was reported on Garrett Road just off Pine Forest Road in the Walnut Hill area. The fire burned about 10 acres and threatened an abandoned home.
- At 12:10 p.m. Monday, a second wildfire was reported about 12:10 p.m. on Goodale Lane off Highway 97A in Enon. That fire burned about two acres.
Pictured top: A wildfire burns deep in a wooded area behind the Cottage Hill Baptist Church on Williams Ditch Road Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: A wildfire near East Chipper Road Tuesday. Pictured below: About 10 acres burned Monday on Garrett Road in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Additional Opportunity Available For Agricultural Assistance In Florida
January 22, 2014
The 2008 Farm Bill was recently granted a short extension by Congress. This extension allows the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida to give farmers and ranchers an additional opportunity to improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, and achieve other environmental benefits.
“We are very happy to be able to offer an additional signup period for Florida agriculture producers,” said NRCS State Conservationist Russell Morgan. “This is going to give more producers time to submit their applications and help them get started implementing the practices they need to benefit the natural resources on their operations.”
Interested producers should visit their local NRCS service center now to receive more information on the:
- Organic Initiative–helps producers install conservation practices on USDA certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.
- Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative–helps producers install high tunnels designed to extend the growing season, increase productivity, keep plants at a steady temperature, and conserve water and energy.
- On-farm Energy Initiative–helps producers conserve energy on their operations.
- Longleaf Pine Initiative–helps private landowners improve the sustainability and profitability of Longleaf pine forest ecosystems.
- Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative–provides technical and financial assistance for landowners who voluntarily choose to implement conservation practices that benefit the habitat of the target species–the gopher tortoise in Florida–while continuing to manage the habitat as working lands.
- Gulf of Mexico Initiative–helps producers located in the Escambia River and Middle Suwannee River Area watersheds to focus on reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, improving water quality, and wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland and forestland. Producers located in these watersheds can sign up for assistance under this initiative by contacting their local NRCS office.
After talking to your local NRCS staff, producers may apply for conservation technical assistance and possible financial assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). Applications must be filed no later than February 21, 2014, to be eligible for this year’s funding.
Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the February 21st date has been set to make FY 2014 funding decisions for these special initiatives. As with all NRCS programs, producers may continue to apply throughout the year and will be considered for future funding, if available.
For more information, contact:
- Escambia County District Conservationist Josh McElhaney at (850) 587-5404, x3, 151 Highway 97, Molino, FL, 32577.
- Santa Rosa County District Conservationist Trent Mathews at (850) 623-3229, x3, 6285 Dogwood Drive, Milton, FL, 32570-3544.
Or visitt www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA – NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.
Walnut Hill Man Convicted Of Drug Trafficking, Possession
January 21, 2014
Another North Escambia resident has been convicted in connection with last year’s Operation Blister Pack 2.
Steven Daniel Kite, age 36 of the 700 block of North Highway 99 in Walnut Hill, was charged with felony drug possession and trafficking in amphetamine or methamphetamine 14-28 grams at the time of his arrest on April 23, 2013.
Operation Blister Pack targeted nearly 80 individuals on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of those arrested were involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group”, a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino, according to the Sheriff’s Offfice.
It took an Escambia County jury just under an hour to find Kite guilty as charged. He bond was immediately revoked, and he was remanded into custody until he is sentenced in early April.
Bills Target Genetically Engineered Food In Florida
January 21, 2014
A South Florida Democrat has filed a bill that would impose labeling requirements to make sure consumers know they are buying genetically engineered foods.
By January 1, 2016, the bill would require the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to annually publish a list of commercially grown agricultural commodities that are genetically engineered. By that date, it also would require manufacturers, processors, packers or distributors to make clear on labels that their products include genetically engineered food or ingredients.
The bill says, in part, that the “vast majority of the public desires notice” before eating genetically engineered food. “(Labeling) of genetically engineered foods can provide a critical method for tracking the potentially dangerous health effects of consuming genetically engineered foods,” the bill says.
A similar proposal has been filed in the Florida House.
United Way Free Income Tax Preparation Launches
January 21, 2014
United Way of Escambia County has started their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA volunteers will offer free tax preparation help at Pensacola State College (PSC) from 10am to 4pm in building 96 through tax season.
United Way will also offer MyFreeTaxes, a free online tax tool for self-preparation. Eligible residents, with a household adjusted gross income of $58,000 or less, can utilize the free step-by-step online tool at www.myfreetaxes.com/unitedwayESCAROSA. Starting January 20, IRS-certified specialists will be available to answer tax-related questions at 1 (855) 698-9435, Monday-Saturday, 8am-9pm.
Financial literacy and VITA programs help alleviate future shortfalls in family budgets. Last year, VITA volunteers assisted 2,040 local families in returning $2,800,000 in refunds. If these families had used payday lenders, refund anticipation loans, or refund anticipation checks they would have lost an estimated $280,000 from their refunds.
Tax returns processed prior to January 31 using MyFreeTaxes or a VITA site will be automatically sent to the IRS on the January 31 open file date.
United Way will launch five additional VITA sites around Escambia and Santa Rosa counties beginning February 3. For VITA site times and locations, or questions about the VITA or MyFreeTaxes programs, dial 2-1-1 or call United Way of Escambia County at (850) 434-3157.
VITA Volunteers are still needed and are encouraged to sign up today. VITA volunteers receive IRS training and certification and are asked to commit a minimum of one hour per week through April 15. For more information, please contact Lyndi Smith at lyndi@unitedwayescambia.org or 9850) 434-3157.
Prescribed Burn In Jones Swamp Preserve
January 21, 2014
Weather conditions have forced the postponement of a prescribed burn in the Jones Swamp Preserve.
The Escambia County Natural Resources Conservation Division is still preparing for a prescribed burn in the Jones Swamp Preserve, which could be conducted by a certified prescribed burn contractor with assistance from the Florida Forest Service. The prescribed burn could take place between Wednesday, January 22, and Friday, January 24, to restore the natural ecology of the Jones Swamp Preserve and reduce the danger of wildfires.
The Escambia County Natural Resources Conservation Division is keeping a close eye on weather conditions in an effort to complete this prescribed burn this week, but there is a concern that weather conditions will not be favorable.