FDLE Pitches ‘Dream Defender’ Rule To Control After-Hours Capitol Access
September 22, 2013
State police plan to limit after-hours access to the Capitol in an effort to avoid a repeat of the month-long occupation of Gov. Rick Scott’s office over the summer by protesters pushing for changes to Florida’s self-defense laws.
Under the proposal by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, members of the public would be expected to leave the Capitol building by 5 p.m. each weekday or within 30 minutes of the end of public meetings. Capitol police could arrest anyone for trespassing who didn’t leave when they were told.
No one could stay overnight or prepare food in publicly accessible parts of the Capitol. There would also be additional restrictions on those who have cards allowing them to access the building and how many people could accompany them.
“The suggested changes are directed at enabling Capitol Police to better secure the Capitol building complex property, safeguard those who work and visit within the Capitol and ensure security services are provided in the most efficient manner,” according to a document outlining the changes.
FDLE released a summary of the proposal to the Tallahassee Democrat after the paper sent in an open-records request. The News Service of Florida requested the document after the Democrat reported on it.
The agency says the full plan is shielded under the state’s open-records law, but it released the outline “in the spirit of honoring the request.” The proposal would still have to be approved by Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. The state fire marshal is also supposed to be consulted.
“At this juncture we have just begun submitting areas of recommended changes to these parties which will be subject to discussions and modifications prior to final decisions being reached in the near future,” the FDLE outline says.
Neither Weatherford nor Gaetz has seen the plan yet, according to their offices. A spokeswoman for Scott referred questions to FDLE.
The plan comes after a group known as the Dream Defenders staged a 31-day sit-in at the Capitol following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The Dream Defenders demanded changes to state laws on self defense, school discipline and racial profiling.
Rep. Alan Williams, a Tallahassee Democrat who worked with the group, said he understood the need to secure the Capitol but didn’t think a “Dream Defender rule” was necessary. Williams said it was also important to make sure Floridians could be heard by state officials.
“I would hope that we ensure that our citizens of the state of Florida continue to have that opportunity before this rule is implemented,” he said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Manna Food Pantries Celebrates 30th Birthday In A Big Way
September 22, 2013
Manna Food Pantries held their 30th Birthday Bash on Saturday.
The event raised over $33,000 for Manna, enough money to feed 6,400 more members of the local community from just a one-day event. The Birthday Bash included a barbecue, gourmet cake contest and two auctions.
Winners in the Gourmet Birthday Cake Contest were: first place Angel Cakes, second place Betty Weber, third place Cupcake Emporium, and the People’s Choice winner was Angel Cakes.
Pictured: Manna Food Pantries 30th Birthday Bash was held on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Investigators Seek Persons Of Interest In Vehicle Burglaries
September 22, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to identify two persons of interest in multiple vehicle burglaries throughout the county. Anyone with information about the persons pictured is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment MinuteClinic Now Affiliated With Baptist
September 22, 2013
The Cantonment MinuteClinic, located inside the CVS at Highway 29 and East Kingsfield Road, is among four in the area that have entered into a clinical affiliation with Baptist Health Care.
Under the agreement, Baptist Health Care physicians will serve as medical directors for four MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics that are open seven days a week inside CVS stores in Cantonment, Crestview, Gulf Breeze and Niceville and any future locations in the region. In addition, MinuteClinic and Baptist will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each offer.
MinuteClinic medical clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who provide treatment for acute illnesses and administer wellness and prevention services, including health condition monitoring.
Looking Ahead: Next Friday’s Football Schedule
September 22, 2013
Here’s a look at the Friday night football schedule for this Friday night, September 27:
FLORIDA
- Choctawhatchee at Northview, 7 p.m.
- Pine Forest at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- Jay at Flomaton, 7 p.m.
- West Florida at Alma Bryant (Ala.), 7 p.m.
- Pace at Madison County, 6:30 p.m.
- *Bay at Gulf Breeze, 7 p.m.
- PHS at New Orleans Jesuit, 7 p.m.
- *Rutherford at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- Navarre at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- OPEN: Escambia, Washington
ALABAMA
- Jay at Flomaton
- Clarke County at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Hillcreast
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Faith Academy
- Morgan at Escambia Academy
One Seriously Injured When Semi Hits Peanut Combine
September 21, 2013
A Jay man was seriously injured when his tractor and peanut combine were hit by a semi truck and trailer Friday night.
Michael D. Hunter, 46, was on a 1967 John Deere tractor pulling a peanut combine traveling north on Highway 87 near Edna Lane. An approaching semi truck and trailer, driven by 70-year old Aloma B. Carlile of Pensacola, struck the combine about 8:35 p.m. and forced it into the rear of the tractor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The impact caused Hunter to be ejected from the tractor and onto the roadway.
The tractor broke loose from the peanut combine and and the tractor traveled on its own power on the east shoulder of the road for three-quarters of mile before coming to stop in a nearby field.
Hunter was transported to Santa Rosa Medical Center with serious injures; Carlile received minor injuries and was also transported to SRMC.
The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation, according to the FHP, and charges are pending.
Friday Night Football Finals
September 21, 2013
Here are final football scores from around the area Friday night:
FLORIDA
Tate 35, West Gadsden 0 [Read more...]
West Florida 59, Mosley 20
Pace 46, Washington 0
Escambia 24, Pine Forest 7
PHS 28, Milton 14
Navarre 17, Crestview 14
Blountstown 48, South Walton 14
Niceville 56, Choctaw 3
OPEN: Northview, Jay, Gulf Breeze
ALABAMA
Mobile Christian 42, Flomaton 28
UMS Wright 35, ECHS (Atmore) 14
T.R. Miller 43, Bayside 40
W.S. Neal 43, Southside Selma 14
Escambia Academy 35, Sparta 3
Burk Named Tate Homecoming Queen (With Homecoming Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2013
The Tate High School Aggies celebrated Homecoming 2013 Friday night.
Bailey Burk was crowned homecoming queen during an evening that included the annual homecoming parade. The Aggies honored their 1962 state baseball championship team, including Major League Hall of Fame member Don Sutton. The graduation classes of 1963 and 2003 were also recognized.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
Pictured top: Bailey Burk was named Tate High School’s homecoming queen Friday night. Pictured inset: Major League Hall of Fame member Don Sutton. Pictured below: Homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kaliegh Blackmon and Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Two For Questioning In 14 Year Old’s Murder
September 21, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking two people for questioning in connection with the Thursday night shooting death of 14-year old Kenteyonna Anderson on West Maxwell Street.
Investigators are looking for 23-year old Jaquest Norris and 21-year-old Juvonte Tyrell Huff for questioning only. They are not currently considered suspects in the murder, according to a press release issued just before midnight Friday.
Huff is also wanted as a suspect in an aggravated battery that occurred Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators were seeking a third person, 28-year old Quentin Gholston, but they said Saturday afternoon that they were no longer looking for him.
Anderson, 14, was outside with friends when a fight erupted nearby and shots rang out, according family members. She was reportedly struck multiple times in the chest. She was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of the individuals is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Hunter Jumper Horse Show This Weekend
September 21, 2013
The James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center will host the Pensacola Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show Sunday, September 22. Classes begin each day at 8 a.m. and run until everyone competes.
As Pensacola’s only Hunter Jumper club, 200 participants are expected to compete in the show and travel to Escambia County from surrounding states. This event is free to spectators and there is a full service concession stand on site.
The James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Facility is a multi-use facility that hosts horse and dog shows, rodeos, concerts, festivals and more. The facility is located at 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola.