Obama Signs Bill To Restart Government, Pay Bills
October 17, 2013
President Barack Obama has signed into law a last-minute compromise bill to reopen the federal government and raise the debt ceiling to avoid a potential U.S. debt default.
The president signed the bill early Thursday morning Washington time after a flurry of activity on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Members of the House of Representatives approved the plan late Wednesday by a vote of 285 to 144 after it was approved by the Senate earlier in the day by a vote of 81 to 18.
The White House budget office said federal workers should plan to return to work Thursday morning.
Obama thanked leaders of both parties and said it is time to earn back the lost trust of the American people.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, and his Republican colleague, Mitch McConnell, put together the composite bill on Wednesday, a day before the current borrowing authority expired.
The bill will keep the government running until at least January 15 and raise the borrowing limit enough to put off the risk of default until at least February 7. In the meantime, lawmakers will negotiate on spending cuts.
If the debt ceiling was not raised, the United States would lose the authority to borrow money to keep paying its bills.
The government shut down on October 1 when the Senate rejected House demands to defund or delay President Obama’s health care law as part of a spending bill. The president has said he will not negotiate any changes in the law until the government reopens.
House Speaker John Boehner said House Republicans fought with everything they had to force negotiations on the law, nicknamed “Obamacare.” He said his party will continue to push for legislative oversight and highlight perceived flaws in the scheme.
[VOA]
Pictured top: Obama meets with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other members of the House Democratic leadership in the Oval Office.
Cantonment Man Dies From Injuries Received In Crash Near Church
October 17, 2013
A Cantonment man has died as a result of injuries he received in a traffic crash early this month at a church.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Wednesday that 69-year old Donald Joseph Hicks of Cantonment passed away October 11 at Sacred Heart Hospital from injuries received in an October 2 wreck at Highway 95A and 10 Mile Road.
Hicks was westbound on 10 Mile Road when he drove his 1998 GMC Suburban through a red traffic signal and was struck by a 1999 Chevrolet C1500 driven by 30-year old Christopher Resmondo of Cantonment. Hicks’ Suburban entered the parking lot of Pinehaven Baptist Church, traveled between two buildings and struck a church air conditioning unit.
Both drivers were transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
No charges were filed in the crash. The Cantonment and Ensley stations of of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Double Shooting
October 17, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for an attempted murder.
Vernon Stewart Polk, 24, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Linda Nobles to life after being convicted by an Escambia County jury of attempted second degree murder with a weapon and aggravated battery with a firearm.
On June 18, 2012, Vernon Polk walked up to the victim’s car outside the Chicago Store on North Davis Highway and opened fire, shooting Alonzo Lindsey twice in the chest and Antoinette Hunter in the arm. Lindsey was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital where they were able to perform life-saving surgery.
Both victims were able to positively identify Polk from photo line ups.
Pensacola Marathon Sells Out For Second Straight Year
October 17, 2013
The growth of the running industry continues to impact the Pensacola Marathon as the full marathon category has sold out for the second straight year. The Pensacola Marathon also features a half marathon and relay category.
Only 400 half marathon spots and 50 team slots remain at this point.
In total, nearly 2,500 people will participate in this year’s event on Sunday, November 10, which is a 30 percent increase over last year’s registration numbers.
“We are pleased with the growth and support of this event from the runners and community,” said Ray Palmer, executive director of the Pensacola Sports Association, the event’s managing company. “Nearly 40 percent of the runners are from out of town which speaks volumes to our race management and our community. Runners enjoy this event and visiting Pensacola and are telling their friends about it.”
For complete race information and to register for one of the few half marathon or relay spots, runners can visit www.marathonpensacola.com or call 850-434-2800.
Results, Photo Gallery: 17 Bands Take Part In Assessments At Tate
October 17, 2013
The Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Music Performance Assessments were held Saturday at Tate High School. Seventeen bands from across the area took part in the event.
Tate and Jay high school received a final overall rating of “Superior”, while Northview’s Tribal Beat received a rating of “Excellent”. For Northview’s band, it was the first assessment event since 1996. The band had never scored a Superior rating in any category. This year, the band received Superior ratings in the Auxiliary (color guard, majorettes and dance team) and marching and maneuvering categories.
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Jay bands, click here.
The following schools received the highest final rating of “Superior”:
- Baker School
- Choctawhatchee High School
- Crestview High School
- Escambia High School
- Ft. Walton Beach High School
- Gulf Breeze High School
- Tate High School
- Jay High School
- Milton High School
- Navarre High School
- Niceville High School
- Pace High School
- Washington High School
- West Florida High School
The following school received a final rating of “Excellent”:
- Northview High School
- Pensacola High School
- Pine Forest High School
Child Molester Sentenced
October 17, 2013
Robert David Sanders, 50, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years or age, sexual battery by a person in a position of familial or custodial authority, and harassing a victim involving prosecution for a life felony.
Following his plea, Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Sanders to a split sentence consisting of 25 years in state prison to be followed by probation for the remainder of the defendant’s natural life. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
Sanders repeatedly victimized a minor child between 2004 and 2013.
Children Of The Swamp: Author To Promote Book Set In Escambia River Swamp
October 17, 2013
A Chicago-area author will discuss his book set in the Escambia River swamps at several local libraries.
Author J. Ferdinand Rizza will promote his book “Children of the Swamp” at three West Florida Public Library locations:
- Friday, October 18 – Tryon Branch Library, 11am-12 noon
- Friday, October 18 – Molino Branch Library, 2-3pm
- Saturday, October 19 – Main Library, 11am-12 noon
- Saturday, October 19 – Southwest Branch Library, 2-3pm
From the publisher:
“Children of the Swamp” Author, J.F. Rizza has set out to not only accomplish his personal best in the writing of this novel, but also to accomplish his personal best in his quest to land the fish of a lifetime. He knew the moment he entered the realm of the swamp that a novel was eminent. However, he did not originally set out with the intention of writing a novel. Instead the novel seemed to seek him out and demanded of him to be written.
The story begins as our main character, a poet, attempts to break a bad case of writer’s block by taking a peaceful hiatus in Florida. Being unfamiliar with the region and its people, he accepts an invitation to go fishing with two locals and soon finds himself venturing out into the Escambia River basin alone with these newly found acquaintances. As he finds himself traveling further and further out into this vast wilderness, he realized his vulnerability and dependency on these swamp-folk. Thus the story unfolds.
With his writer’s block broken, his prose and poetry flow freely throughout the text, coloring it and drawing you the reader deeper and deeper into the spirit of the swamp. The adventure grows as does his understanding of the swamp, its people and its pitfalls. The focus now being on his new found obsession, fishing for that monster of a catch, is the stuff of which legends are made.
Rizza’s writing style is captivation, colorful and rich in metaphor. His sense of character development is outstanding, and the storyline believable. Some of what you read will be very new to you, and much of it you will relate to quite readily. Fisherman, naturalists, campers, survivalists and readers with an interest in prose, poetry and unique American folk culture will find this book to be a “must read”.
“Children of the Swamp” is available from Amazon.com.
Camp Fire Kids Hold Trike-A-Thon For Children’s Hospital
October 17, 2013
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently held their fifth annual Trike-A-Thon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The children not only raised $652 for St. Jude; they also learned about trike safety and the importance of helping others.
Submitted photos by Pam Townson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 97 Wreck
October 16, 2013
There were no injuries in a two vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon on Highway 97 south of Pilgrim Trail in Molino.
The accident happened about 4 p.m. as the driver of a truck with a gooseneck trailer hauling a tractor attempted to turn into a private drive. It appeared the the driver of a pickup was attempting to pass the truck and other traffic and lost control, running off the roadway and hitting a utility pole.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Grand Jury: No Charges Against Deputies In Two Shootings
October 16, 2013
An Escambia County Grand Jury has completed its review of the shooting death of James W. McGlothlin and the wounding of Roy Middleton. Both of the shootings involved Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The grand jury met over a three-day period and heard evidence from numerous witnesses including special agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, deputies from Escambia County Sheriffs Office and civilian witnesses. Based the testimony and other evidence, the grand jury found insufficient evidence to establish that any criminal violations were committed.
Grand Jury Recommendations
The grand jury did return a report making five recommendations to the Sheriffs Office regarding training and procedures.
Those recommendations, reprinted verbatim, included:
1. That the Escambia County Sheriff’ s Office establish more focused and intensive training for the first four years of a law enforcement officer’s career.
2. That greater mentoring be encouraged between junior and senior officers.
3. That the situations presented in both these cases be recreated for training purposes for use in the force on force room. These scenarios should be prepared with various outcomes.
4. In the case involving the death of McGlothlin, we realize that the ofñcers acted in a manner necessary under the circumstances. We do find, however, that these circumstances led to poor decisions. While we understand that the SWAT team was not available under these particular circumstances, we believe that other technological abilities should be available to deal with similar circumstances.
5. In cases where medical care becomes necessary, we believe that both blood or urine samples should be available for additional testing by law enforcement. Procedures should be established that provide that appropriate subpoenas or court orders are available to either obtain or retain such samples for additional testing.
Sheriff Morgan’s Response
“We are constantly striving to improve the quality of service we provide, and to enhance the safety and security of those who live and Work in Escambia County,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan responded in a letter to State Attorney Bill Eddins. “To that end, we will carefully consider the recommendations of the Grand Jury. We will incorporate the Grand Jury recommendations into our policies, procedures, and training plans as appropriate within the constraints of the law and funding.”
Roy Middleton Shooting
In July, an unarmed Roy Middleton was searching for a cigarette in his mother’s car when he was shot by deputies that had responded to a theft in progress call. Escambia County Sheriff’s David Morgan was Middleton was not compliant with his officers’ orders to get out of the car and put his hands up. Instead, the sheriff said, Middleton exited the car quickly with a lunging motion with one hand raised with something in it. Deputies then fired 15 rounds at Middleton. Morgan attributed the number of shots to “officer anxiety”.
Middleton and his family told a different story. Middleton said he at first thought the flashlights were those of his neighbors playing a trick on him. He said he followed the orders given by deputies and raised his hands, holding his car keys with metal flashlight. When he turned to face the deputies, they opened fire.
The incident has received national media attention.
James Wyman McGlothin Shooting Death
James Wyman McGlothin was shot and killed by an Escambia County Deputy in early July at the Lago Vista Apartments in the 400 block of South 72nd Avenue.
McGlothlin was reportedly driving a small red Honda vehicle when he ran off the road and became stuck in a flooded ditch off 72nd Avenue. He then ran into the apartment complex where a K-9 tracked him to a shed. Area residents reported hearing dozens of gunshots as deputies entered the shed.
According to a list released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, McGlothlin was responsible for a long list of crimes in the area between June 21 and his death on July 5 including grand theft, vehicle theft, aggravated battery and the robbery of at least two businesses.