Scott Signs Bill To Restrict Mentally Ill From Buying Guns
June 29, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott defended his support for the Second Amendment as he signed a narrowly-focused firearms bill into law Friday, making it harder for the mentally ill to buy guns.
The measure, which has gotten caught in a cross-fire among gun rights groups, was one of 46 bills signed into law on Friday. The bill (HB 1355) blocks firearms purchases by some people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
In a letter accompanying the bill signing, Scott noted that the measure was the product of mental health and second amendment advocates, while he also highlighted his history of support for gun rights.
“During the 2012 GOP Convention, I was asked to issue a temporary executive order to override laws that allow people to carry concealed weapons, which I denied because it was unclear how disarming law-abiding citizens would better protect them from the damages and threats posed by those who would flout the law,” Scott wrote. “Additionally, I’ve signed legislation protecting the privacy of firearm owners and stopping local governments from overreaching in the regulation of firearms.”
For a governor who has struggled with approval rating, how the move will play with thousands of individuals who have sent in opposition to the law remains to be seen.
The bill was crafted in the wake of 20 children and six adults being gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
A Rasmussen poll released on Dec. 19, 2012, the week after the shooting, found 48 percent of Americans believed more action to treat mental health issues would do the most to prevent such shootings, with 27 percent saying stricter gun control laws would do the most.
The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida, moved through the Legislature with little opposition. Only one legislator voted against the proposal.
“Gov. Scott obviously understands, and has read, the bill,” Marion Hammer, the lobbyist for the NRA and Unified Sportsmen, told the Tampa Bay Times. “The bill will prevent dangerous people with mental illness from being able to buy guns. Everyone should support that, and thank the governor for caring.”
The public opposition came through the efforts of two out-of-state groups, the Colorado-based National Association for Gun Rights and the Gun Owners of America.
“Gov. Scott has shown his disregard for law abiding gun owners and their second amendment rights by signing this bill,” Danielle Thompson, press secretary for the National Association for Gun Rights, said after the bill was signed.
She added the signing may “overshadow” Scott’s prior actions in support of gun rights, but was unsure how this could impact his 2014 re-election.
“It depends upon what initiatives come next,” she said.
A number of people urging a veto of HB 1355 have already also questioned Scott’s conservative credentials due to his suspension of Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch. FDLE investigators said the sheriff destroyed documents tied to the arrest of a man charged with illegally carrying a concealed firearm.
Other critics of the new law, which goes into effect Monday, have said it will discourage people with mental illnesses from seeking treatment.
“I believe it will, if it becomes law, actually discourage people from seeking psychological/psychiatric treatment,” wrote Edward Robbeloth of Fort Walton Beach to Scott on Friday.
Even after the NRA’s Hammer, one of the best-known gun-rights advocates in the country, requested members voice their support for the bill, the impassioned pleas for a veto continued to dominate the comments on the issue that have come into Scott’s state “Sunburst” email inbox since the end of the regular session.
A number of those who wanted the measure vetoed said they may have a hard time voting again for Scott.
“I’m very concerned that the government is getting too involved in everything we do in life and that is our right as a US citizen!!!” Lucille Ewing of Davie wrote on Friday.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Accused Of Assaulting Teens
June 29, 2013
An Escambia County man is behind bars for allegedly sexually assaulting two teens.
Jorge Jesus Ziesk, 22, was charged with felony sexual battery and battery. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail on a $177, 500 bond. He is also wanted on an outstanding aggravated sexual assault warrant from Texas.
Ziesk allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year old girl while she was sleeping and touched a 17-year old male inappropriately, according to officials. Ziesk denied the allegations.
Florida Developing Plan For BP Disaster Money
June 29, 2013
Florida has moved a step closer to determining how to spread around money it gets from the federal fines imposed on BP for the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Consortium to create the process for developing Florida’s spending plan for its share of money from the 2012 Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States (RESTORE) Act.
“This agreement with the Governor provides us with the opportunity to fully coordinate the collective efforts of all levels of government to restore and protect Florida’s gulf waters,” said Grover Robinson, Escambia County Commissioner and Gulf Consortium Chairman. “The Gulf Consortium is ready to get to work on a transparent plan that will best enhance the economic and environmental recovery of our coastal communities and the state of Florida.”
“Development of a comprehensive and thoughtful plan will ensure that Florida moves towards environmental and economic recovery of the Gulf,” Scott said in a statement.
The June 2012 Act directs up to $21 billion from fines imposed on BP to the five Gulf Coast states. The consortium is comprised of the 23 Gulf Coast counties, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
Court Lifts Stay On Execution
June 29, 2013
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has lifted its stay on the planned execution of Marshall Lee Gore, who was a month ago found by a state panel competent to be put to death.
The federal court ruled that the request by Gore’s attorney failed to meet the merits for the stay. Gore was to have been put to death by lethal injection on Monday. The Governor’s Office has set the new execution date for Wednesday, July 10.
Gore, 49, was convicted in the 1988 murders of two women in Miami-Dade and Columbia counties. The execution was scheduled for the murder of Robyn Novick, whose body was found in rural Miami-Dade County after being last seen leaving the parking lot of a tavern, according to a summary in a 2009 Florida Supreme Court ruling. Gov.
Rick Scott initially signed the death warrant on May 13, but at the request of Gore’s attorney put a temporary stay in effect on May 22 so a panel of psychiatrists could consider whether Gore was sane enough to be executed. The panel was asked to determine whether Gore understood the nature and effect of the death penalty and why it was to be imposed upon him. Scott’s stay was lifted May 31 following the psychiatric review.
New Law Guarantees The Public’s Right To Speak At Meetings
June 29, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday guaranteeing members of the public the right to speak at public meetings. While most government meetings in Florida must be open to the public, courts have found that, under current law, there is no guarantee that citizens get to speak at those meetings. The measure signed by Scott exempts emergency meetings from the requirement and allows for time and decorum limits.
The Century Town Council, pictured above, already allows holds a public forum at the end of each regular meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: A Red, White And Blue Garden
June 29, 2013
A patriotic flower garden is all about combining dazzling colors of red, white and blue. Red and white flowers are the easiest to find. Flowers that have a dark blue color like the American flag can be more challenging to locate. Generally the blue seen in flowers is a lighter blue, not a navy blue. But feel free to use dark purple flowers for a dark blue effect. Here are some plants that will perform in your garden throughout the summer, not just for the Fourth of July.
Firecracker Plant
Bright red, tubular flowers that resemble little firecrackers hang on this plant during much of the year. Known scientifically as Russelia equisetiformis, this tender small shrub has an unusual look. The rush-like stems are lacking obvious foliage. It has an attractive weeping growth habit with wiry branches that start out erect then fall over to cascade down in lengths as long as four feet.
Firecracker plant grows well in full or broken sun. It will tolerate different soil types but thrives in areas that are well-drained but are regularly watered. This is a must for the butterfly or hummingbird garden.
Bee Balm
Another flower that is a hummingbird and butterfly attractant is this easy-to-grow perennial. Its bright colors and nectar-filled blooms attract a wide variety of “flying jewels.”
The sweet and minty, citrus-scented plant isn’t just for our winged friends, however. Both the leaves and the flowers are perfectly edible-add them to salads or use as garnishes. The dried leaves have been used for centuries to make tea.
Bee balm, or Monarda didyma, comes in many different colors. ‘Jacob Cline’ is an outstanding dark red, powdery mildew-resistant cultivar.
Cat’s Whiskers
Cat’s Whiskers is a member of the mint family and is native to tropical East Asia. Its scientific name is Orthosiphon stamineus. In zone 8, consider this plant an annual since it is tender and will not reliably come back after a freeze.
Cat’s Whiskers has beautiful dark green leaves and unusual white flowers. The flowers consist of an upright spike that contains long flowers and even longer stamens, reminiscent of cat whiskers. Flowering occurs on new growth.
This plant performs best in full sun. It will however grow with several hours of filtered light or spotty direct sun. Cat’s whiskers is a shrub-type plant that will reach heights of two to three feet and spreads three to four feet.
Blue Mist
Caryopteris x clandonensis, sometimes called bluebeard or blue mist shrub, is a cross between two species, and is one of the best small shrubs for late color in the landscape.
It is a low mounding, herbaceous shrub that prefers loose, loamy soil and full sun. It produces sturdy stems with several whorls of blue flowers in the fall. There are several cultivars available. The famous variety ‘Longwood Blue’ has sky blue flowers.
Another popular type, ‘Worcester Gold’, has yellow foliage and blue flowers. Proven Winners has one called ‘Petit Blue’ that is known for its tight, compact growth habit.
Bees and butterflies love them, but deer don’t — a happy combination. The flowers are so attractive to the bees, that the insects aren’t bothered by the presence of people
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Wahoos Beat The Braves 7-6
June 29, 2013
Devin Lohman launched a leadoff homer in the first inning, setting the stage for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ 7-6 victory over the Mississippi Braves on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Combined with Jacksonville’s loss to Mobile, Pensacola moved back into a tie for the first place through the first 10 games of the second half.
Lohman’s dinger was part of a two-run first inning for Pensacola. Yorman Rodriguez reached on an error and came around to score on a double from Marquez Smith to make it 2-0. After Mississippi tied the game on a Mycal Jones RBI double in the top of the second, Pensacola rallied for five straight runs.
In the second inning, Devin Lohman brought home his second run of the day on a two-out single scoring Ryan LaMarre to make it 3-1. The power returned in the last of the third, as Donald Lutz singled to set up a two-run blast from Smith, his second in as many days. Two batters later, Travis Mattair mashed his team-leading 11th homer of the year to left-center to push Pensacola’s lead to 6-1. The solo shot was also Mattair’s third round-tripper in the last four games.
All of the runs in the first three frames were charged to Braves starter Aaron Northcraft (3-6). The right-hander gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits, three of which were long balls. The Mississippi bullpen stopped the bleeding by allowing just one run over the final five at-bats for Pensacola.
Pensacola tacked on what turned out to be an important insurance run, though, in the fourth when Lutz singled home Lohman who had walked earlier in the frame.
Josh Smith (6-6) picked up the win for the Wahoos by keeping the Braves at bay through six frames. He allowed just one run while scattering five hits.
Once Smith exited, though, the Braves made things interesting against the Pensacola bullpen. Trailing by six entering the seventh, Mississippi strung together three one-out hits, culminating in a Dan Brewer three-run homer to slice the deficit in half at 7-4 against Wilkin De La Rosa.
Mississippi cut the lead to just one in the eighth inning but putting two on with one out. Barrett Kleinknecht brought home a run with a sac fly against Jamie Walczak, who was replaced by Trevor Bell. The Pensacola closer’s first offering went straight to the backstop, allowing Emerson Landoni to scamper home, making it a 7-6 game.
Bell retired the last batter of the eighth inning before closing the door on Mississippi in the ninth for his third save of the year.
Having won back-to-back series for the first time all year, Pensacola travels to Jacksonville to start a five-game series against the Suns at 6:05 p.m. CT. Chad Rogers (3-2, 2.09) will get the start for the Blue Wahoos against the Suns’ Robert Morey (3-4, 4.73).
story by Kevin Burke
Two People Identified From Fiery Fatal Crash On I-10
June 28, 2013
Two people that died in a fiery head-on crash on I-10 on June 16 have been identified by the Medical Examiner.
Driver Dustin Richard Davis, age 22 of Chipley, and passenger Amy Rachel Owens, age 22 of Bonifay, both died in the crash. Davis was the driver of a 1993 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling the wrong way on I-10 near the 36 mile marker. Davis’ Jeep collided with a 2007 Jeep Wranger. The second driver has not yet been identified.
Both vehicles caught fire and were fully engulfed before emergency personnel arrived.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Brian Davis at (850) 484-5000 ext. 306.
$40 Million Bond Issue For UWF Project Collapses Day After Century Approval, But Project Is Not Dead
June 28, 2013
A $40 million bond issue for expansions at the University of West Florida collapsed Thursday, just one day after the Town of Century signed off on the deal, but officials say the project is not dead.
The $40 million was to come from the Capital Trust Agency, a bond conduit partnership between Century and Gulf Breeze, for a hotel, conference center, new student housing and more at the Davis Highway entrance to UWF. The college’s development arm, University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc., has entered into an affiliation agreement with Vieste, LLC, for the project.
Thursday marked the second time financing for the project failed. Vieste originally approached the Escambia County Housing Authority looking for a bond issue, the authority declined to finance the development because the bonds were not investment grade, Matt Dannheisser, attorney for both Century and Gulf Breeze, said.
Wednesday afternoon, Dannheisser said backers had hoped to close on the deal within a week, but he said rapid and recent changes in the bond market might be an issue. On Thursday, CTA decided the bond market was not acceptable to make the bond issue work. The bonds were to be underwritten by Raymond James & Associates of St. Petersburg.
The $40 million UWF project will include 356 student housing beds plus 54 beds dedicated to guest housing, a conference and academic center and parking amenities. The 18 acres at the east entrance of the campus on Davis Highway will also include space for retail development.
Under the agreement with Vieste, UWF was to have received a percentage of the gross revenue from the project, with UWF BEI owning the improvements after 50 years.
Now, Dannheisser said Friday morning, the deal is being restructured to be presented once again to CTA and ultimately to Gulf Breeze and Century for approval. Under the new plan, a subsidiary of UWF BEI will be formed. The now tax-free bonds will be issued to the subsidiary, which will in turn hire Vieste as the contractor to build the project. UWF BIE or the subsidiary will own and operate the facility or hire a a management company.
“UWF will build this project without the developer sharing in the profits,” he said. “UWF will ultimately have more responsibility.”
With a tax-free bond issue, the tax savings will lower the debt service, making the project more attractive to developers. The new financial structure is expected to be approved by the CTA board in the coming days and presented to the Century and Gulf Breeze councils on July 15 for their final approval.
Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA. entury has received over $650,000 in fees since the inception of CTA. Tuesday’s approval of a $40 million bond issue for UWF would have earned Century about $14,000 in fees upon closing.
The CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities, according to Dannheisser. The funds used for the bonds are from the CTA’s coffers, not from Century or Gulf Breeze
UWF will receive a certain percentage of gross revenue from the annual income generated from the student housing, hotel, conference center, restaurants and retail.
The private developer will fund,design, construct and develop the project. There will be no state or university funds utilized. UWF will continue to own the land and will execute a 50 year lease with the development partner. After the 50 years lease term, UWF BEI will own the improvements.
Pictured top: Development plans for the east entrance of the University of West Florida. Pictured inset: Attorney Matt Dannheisser explains the project to the Century Town Council Tuesday afternoon. Pictured below: (L-R) Dannheisser, Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, and Century council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson. Council member Annie Savage participated in the meeting by phone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Arrested For Stealing About Two Dozen Highway Signs
June 28, 2013
A local teen has been arrested for allegedly stealing about two dozen highway signs from roadways in the North Escambia area.
Jerry Ladwan Barlow, 17, was arrested Thursday morning on a felony charge of grand theft less than $5,000 and damage to property. He was released to his parents.
The signs — everything from speed limit signs, to a CR 99 sign, to bridge weight limit, railroad crossing and stop signs — were seized from a home near Walnut Hill in late May after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip.
The signs were returned to the Escambia County Road Department and other agencies.
Pictured: Stolen highway signs lined up at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office substation in Century in late May, just before they were returned to the county and other agencies. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
