Mental Health Gun Bill Moves Forward
April 23, 2013
Targeting people who could be “imminent” dangers to themselves or others, a Senate panel Monday approved a bill that would block firearms purchases by certain people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
Sponsor Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said the bill closes a loophole, as state law already bars firearms purchases by people who are involuntarily committed under the Baker Act. The measure is backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida.
“This bill stops dangerous people from being able to purchase guns,” said Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for the gun-rights groups.
The Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved the measure, which is ready to go to the Senate floor. The bill focuses on people who are found to be an “imminent danger” and face the possibility of being involuntarily committed if they do not admit themselves.
Volunteers Clean Up At Panhandle Equine Rescue
April 23, 2013
About two dozen volunteers spent part of their weekend cleaning up around the Panhandle Equine Rescue facilities in Cantonment.
The volunteers worked to clear an area in preparation for perimeter fencing at the facility. Volunteers included: Jay Birdsong, Matt Weber, Mike and Travis Wilson, Marty Luttrell, Ashley, Shannon, Madi and Kaeli Ann Josey, Ricky and Shelby Lowery, Pam Perry, Molly Edwards, Julianna Horn, Jonathon Pitts, Jim and Joyce Gill, Shana Gavlas, Nicole Eagle and Linda Lambert.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was recently certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smith, Blue Wahoos Shut Out Jackson Generals 3-0
April 23, 2013
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith fanned a season-high seven batters over seven shutout innings tonight as Pensacola blanked the Jackson Generals 3-0 at the Ballpark in Jackson on Monday night.
The Blue Wahoos plated all three of their runs in the third inning off Jackson starter Roenis Elias. Three doubles in the inning from Danny Vicioso, Ray Chang and Brodie Greene contributed to the effort and all three came home to score. Steve Selsky’s RBI single scored Greene to cap the Wahoos third-inning rally.
Elias (L, 0-2) settled down after that, and was finished after seven innings. He allowed just the three runs on six hits. He struck out four, but was saddled with the loss.
Smith (W, 2-2) earned his second win of the season to even his record. He surrendered just two hits on the night. With his seven shutout innings, he has now worked 11 straight scoreless frames dating back to his last start on 4/16. Curtis Partch (S, 4) pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the save after Chris Manno pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Offensively, Chang and Selsky led the way with two hits each. Both of Chang’s hits were doubles, he also scored a run and had an RBI.
The two teams continue their series on Tuesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (1-1, 4.60) will start for Pensacola against RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 4.24). First pitch is slated for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Flomaton Wreck Leads To Manhunt In Century
April 22, 2013
One person was injured and another fled the scene after a single vehicle accident Sunday night in Flomaton.
The accident happened just after 10 p.m. on College Street, between the railroad crossing and Ringold Street. The driver of the vehicle lost control, ran off the roadway, hit a ditch and overturned. The vehicle came to rest upside down in a yard. One occupant of the vehicle, described only as a black male, reportedly fled the scene on foot towards Florida.
A female occupant of the vehicle was transported by Escambia County (Fla.) EMS to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A manhunt involving a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution, the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office followed in an area along the state line, including an area behind Odom’s Bar in Century. There was no immediate word of any arrests late Sunday night.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Pictured: One person was injured and one person fled the scene on foot following this crash on College Street in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House, Senate Agree To $480 Million School Pay Raises
April 22, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott will get the $480 million he wanted for education pay raises. But barring a last-minute change of heart by legislative negotiators, he will not get an across-the-board, $2,500 increase for classroom teachers.
The House and Senate agreed to set aside the $480 million during as part of a Sunday negotiating session on the education budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The fine print guiding how the pay raises are provided still has to be worked out, but the lead negotiators for both sides said that any pay increases would be decided based on merit.
The House had been pushing for more money without as stringent a requirement that the funds go to teacher pay raises — even though lawmakers would have made it very clear that they should. Rep. Erik Fresen, the Miami Republican lead negotiations for the House, said Sunday the final language would make sure the money wound up in the right place.
“I think at the end of the day, regardless of how you look at it, it’s going to be used for teacher salary increases, and it will have a methodology that includes merit to make sure that that commitment to merit recognition stays in place,” he said.
Not only have lawmakers long championed the idea of basing the pay raises on merit, lawmakers said the fact that all instructional personnel would be included in the House and Senate raises — instead of just classroom teachers — means a $2,500 across-the-board raise wouldn’t be covered with the $480 million.
Scott has openly touted the pay raise as one of his two priorities for this year’s legislative session, the other being a sales tax exemption for manufacturing equipment. The governor’s office issued a terse statement following the meeting.
“The governor has priorities. The Legislature has priorities. There’s still enough time left to determine how successful this session will be for all of us,” said Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers.
Scott has said repeatedly that he believes that the increase should be across the board, though he dodged a question Wednesday on whether he would sign a budget that used merit as basis for the increase.
“Well, I’m confident the House and the Senate will do the right thing,” he said. “I’ve never talked about what type of budget I will and won’t sign.”
Districts have complained, most recently at a meeting with Scott on Wednesday, that merit increases could complicate efforts to negotiate contracts with local unions in time for the school year.
But Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton and lead negotiator for his chamber, brushed those gripes aside — noting that merit pay will be required in the 2014-15 school year.
“There’s legislation that’s been enacted,” Galvano said. “It’s out there. This is not something new for the districts.”
By The News Service of Florida
Overnight Delays This Week On Nine Mile Road
April 22, 2013
Drivers can expect intermittent land restrictions on Nine Mile Road between University Parkway and the Escambia River Bridge all this week from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. for road repaving.
Construction could be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather. The Florida Department of transportation is reminding drivers to obey posted signs and use caution when traveling through the area.
AND1 Live Streetball Tour, Basketball Clinic At Northview
April 22, 2013
Two big basketball events are coming to Northview High School Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the AND1 Streetball Tour 2013 will tip off in the Northview gym. Doors open at 6 p.m., with game time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the school), or $12 at the door. Details are in the graphic to the left of the page.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Northview basketball will hold a clinic for elementary to high school players. Players will get training from the Northview Chief’s varsity basketball team and coaches. All aspects of the game will be covered. The clinic is $20 per player. For details and registration information, click here (pdf).
Generals Draw Even In Series With 7-3 Win Over Wahoos
April 22, 2013
Despite a two-run homer by Donald Lutz, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short against the Jackson Generals 7-3 on Sunday night at the Ballpark in Jackson.
The Generals scored four runs in the first inning against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Renken. Each of the first four Jackson batters reached against him, and all came home to score in the inning. After that, Renken settled down and retired nine in a row before the Generals got to him for two more on a two-run home run by Abraham Almonte in the fourth inning.
Pensacola never got closer the two runs behind after the home run by Lutz, despite scoring an additional run in the fifth.
Renken (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings. Jackson starter Brett Shankin earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Lutz led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with his 2-for-4 game. Theo Bowe also broke out with a 2-for-4 contest. The two hits were his first two of the season.
The two teams will continue the series on Monday night. RHP Josh Smith (1-2, 10.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals LHP Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City
April 22, 2013
Runners from across the world — including one local man — honored the Boston Marathon victims while remembering the tragedy of 9/11 during a 5K run Sunday in New York City.
Jerry Sanders of Century joined about 3,000 runners and walkers in the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk, a untimed fundraiser for the yet to be opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The event started at Pier 57 and continued 3.1 miles to the World Trade Center.
But the finish line was not the end of the race for Sanders.
“I could not stop,” Sanders said in an email Sunday evening. “Completed the 5K then walked around the city for over 4 hours waving my flag and meeting people. I (my flag) sure was popular! I could not count the people that wanted their pic taken with me.”
Along the way, someone noticed Sander’s “Marines” hat, confirmed that he was a Marine, and led the crowd in the Marine Corp Hymn.
“They sang while I choked back tears, as I was fighting tears from the start,” he said. “Such great people New Yorkers.”
At the finish, a lady approached Sanders and asked why he was carrying the flag, and he explained it was memory of the 9/11 victims and their families. She said her husband had been killed in the North Tower collapse. She asked Sanders if he would meet her husband, and he accompanied her to the site of the north tower where she pointed out her husband’s name on the memorial, rubbing her hand across his name.
“That did it for me,” Sanders said. “I could not talk, only hug her.”
“Words just won’t do,” he said, calling the day an experience of a lifetime.
Pictured: Jerry Sanders of Century carried his American flag as he completed the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk Sunday in New York Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary To Purchase 75 iMacs, iPads With Poarch Grant
April 21, 2013
Tuesday, the Escambia County School District is set to approve the purchase of iMac computers and iPads for Bratt Elementary School as part of a cultural heritage project funded by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The school will purchase 25 iMac computers with three year warranties and 50 fourth generation 16GB iPads with Wi-Fi. The $54,243.25 purchase will be covered from part of a $82,213.90 grant from the Poarch Creeks in March.
The remainder of the grant will be used to allow students to research their cultural background and present the results during a parent’s night in May.
The Poarch Creek grant to Bratt Elementary was part of more than $2 million presented to area schools.
Pictured: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians present an $82,212.90 grant to Bratt Elementary earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.