Scott Signs Red Light, Mobile Home, Distiller Bills; Vetoes Others
June 13, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott late Wednesday signed four bills, including a measure that would make it tougher for local governments to issue tickets to drivers turning right on red.
An omnibus transportation bill (HB 7125) made the change, which dealt with red-light cameras. It would prevent ticketing motorists as long as vehicles come to a stop, even after crossing the stop line, before making legal right turns on red.
The bill also includes a slew of other changes, including revamping laws that deal with ignition-interlock devices issued to some people convicted of drunken driving and approving new specialty license plates. Among the groups that would receive plates are the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lauren’s Kids, which is a program aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children.
Also, Scott signed a measure (HB 347) that would allow about 20 small craft distillers in Florida that annually produce less than 75,000 gallons of spirits to offer on-site sales. The bill imposes a two-bottle-per-customer annual cap for the purchases.
What’s more, Scott approved a bill (HB 573) allowing residents of mobile homes to get insurance from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and a measure (HB 7025) specifying that certain condo board election requirements don’t apply to timeshares.
Meanwhile, Scott vetoed three bills, including a measure that would have revamped laws dealing with the competency of mentally ill people charged with crimes. In a veto letter, Scott said he rejected the measure (SB 1420) because it would have led to many types of criminal charges being dismissed after three years if defendants are determined to be incompetent to stand trial. Current law sets that time frame at five years.
Under the bill, the shortened period of time would not have applied to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. But Scott wrote that dismissal of charges after three years for people accused of attempting to commit violent crimes “could pose a serious public safety risk.”
Scott also vetoed HB 725, which would have eliminated recording requirements for closed meetings of the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee. He wrote that the recordings are already exempt from disclosure, but that the “careful balance between openness and reasonable confidentiality” would be best met by maintaining the current requirements.
The third veto hit a measure (SB 354) that involved a property-tax exemption on certain housing for active-duty military members. But Scott wrote that an amendment added to the bill could inadvertently impose property taxes on other military housing that already is exempt from property taxes.
By Brandon Larrabee and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Deputies: Lost Burglar Decides Indecent Exposure Might Just Get The Police
June 12, 2013
An allegedly drunk and lost Atmore man who thought the best way to get home was to get the police by dropping his pants was partially right, except he ended up with a ride to jail.
Corey Nicolas Smith, age 22 of 21st Avenue, was charged with felony attempted burglary of a residence, felony attempted burglary of a conveyance and indecent exposure by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responding to a reported vehicle burglary in the Warrington area found Smith exposing himself “in a vulgar and indecent manner”, according to an arrest report. The arresting deputy placed Smith in his patrol vehicle and “he stated he was drunk and did not know how to get home so he decided the best way was to get law enforcement by exposing himself to the …female in the vehicle,” the deputy wrote in his report.
Smith has previously tried to enter an apartment. The two occupants of the apartment exited to their vehicle. Smith tried to open the door of the vehicle but could not. He then pulled down his pants, exposed himself and began to perform a sexual act that was partially witnessed by law enforcement, the arrest report states.
Smith was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,500 bond.
Escambia Man Gets 40 Years For Robbery Of Individual
June 12, 2013
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for the next several decades for robbery.
Andre Lanier Cook, 26, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 40 years state prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence for attempted robbery armed with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm. Cook was previously convicted by an Escambia County Jury in May.
Prosecutors said on August 1, 2012, in the Lincoln Park area, the victim was approached by Cook. Cook demanded the victim to give him any drugs or money that he had on him.
When the victim denied having any drugs or money, Cook pulled a gun and pointed it at the victim’s chest. The victim panicked, hit Cook in the face and ran from away. Cook then ran after the victim, attempting to fire the handgun several times but the gun only fired once hitting the victim in the leg. The victim was able to identify Cook in a photo lineup just days after the incident.
Sheriff’s Office Camp Friendship Underway At Jim Allen Elementary
June 12, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Camp Friendship” is going on this week at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. The free summer day camp features presentations by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, a field trip jail tour, sports, arts and crafts and much more.
“We want to thank the Sheriff Morgan and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department for their time, talent, and dedication to the children in our county,” Jim Allen Elementary Principal Rachel Watts said.
Additional camps are planned for later this summer at Montclair and Navy Point elementary schools. Both camps are already full and registration is closed.
Pictured: Camp Friendship at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Objects To Muslim Prisoners Joining Kosher Food Case
June 12, 2013
State attorneys Tuesday objected to an attempt by Muslim prisoners to intervene in a federal lawsuit that seeks to ensure the Florida Department of Corrections will offer kosher meals to religiously observant Jewish prisoners.
Muslim prisoners filed a motion May 30 to intervene in the case, which was filed last year in federal court in Miami by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Muslim prisoners seek a halal diet, complying with Islamic dietary laws, but would accept a kosher diet. In seeking to intervene, attorneys for the Muslim prisoners said the federal government should be “commended” for filing the lawsuit but that it does not address the Muslim dietary issue.
“Nowhere in the complaint is there any mention of Muslim inmates not being provided a halal meal, or in the alternative a kosher meal,” the motion said.
But in a document filed Tuesday, the state’s attorneys raised a series of legal objections to allowing the Muslim prisoners to join the case.
“The movants are Muslim inmates who seek a halal diet,” the document said. This case is not about halal diets, but kosher ones.”
U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz held a hearing last week on the federal government’s request for a preliminary injunction on the kosher-food issue, but she had not ruled as of Tuesday morning.
by The News Service of Florida
Burglary Suspects Busted
June 12, 2013
Two more burglary suspects were arrested Tuesday afternoon as an investigation into recent vehicle burglaries continues in the Pensacola area.
Lucas Jenkins, 21, and Tonjas Dixon, 20, both of Pensacola, were arrested around at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive, according to Sgt. Kevin Christman.
Dixon was arrested on 21 warrants that included burglary, larceny, fraud, and grand theft vehicle charges. Jenkins was arrested on nine warrants that included burglary, grand theft, fraud and vehicle theft charges.
The Pensacola Police Department made the arrests in conjunction with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, which also is investigating the suspects. Representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also participated in the investigation.
Jenkins, Dixon and Marcus Johnson are suspects in vehicle burglaries that occurred between early May and June 1 in the Inverness, Cordova Park and Bayview Way areas. The majority of vehicles had been left unlocked.
Johnson, 20, of Pensacola was arrested June 1 on 21 warrants ranging from burglary to fraud, Christman said.
The investigation is continuing as detectives pursue leads on additional suspects.
Wahoos Rally For 7-3 Win Over Braves
June 12, 2013
The first five Pensacola Blue Wahoos reached base as part of a four-run eighth inning that pushed Pensacola past the Mississippi Braves 7-3 on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. With the win, the Wahoos finished the 10-game road trip at 5-5 and knocked Mississippi out of first place in the process.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning trailing 3-1, but strung together a rally against Braves’ reliever Ian Thomas. After a leadoff walk to Ryan LaMarre, Travis Mattair singled to set the stage for a frantic comeback. Tucker Barnhart doubled, Ray Chang singled, and Devin Lohman singled on three consecutive pitches to turn a two-run deficit into a 4-3 lead. The Wahoos eventually loaded the bases with two outs when Theo Bowe drew a walk to give the Wahoos a two-run lead.
Mississippi threatened in the last of the eighth by putting runners on second and third with one out. Pensacola’s Trevor Bell fought back, though, to strike out Edward Salcedo and Barrett Kleinknecht to preserve the two-run lead.
The Wahoos added two insurance runs in the ninth inning on a Ray Chang single and a bases loaded walk to Bryson Smith. That was more than enough for Bell, who picked up his first save as a Wahoo with a scoreless ninth.
Pensacola jumped on top early in the game as Barnhart smacked a two-out single in the first inning to score Smith. The Braves responded with two runs in the last of the second on an RBI single from Kleinknecht, who then came around to score on an errant pickoff attempt from the catcher Barnhart.
Dan Brewer blasted his first homer of the season in the third inning to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Mississippi loaded the bases later in the inning, but Pensacola starter Josh Smith induced a 6-4-3 double play to stomp out the threat. The twin-killing sparked a string of 10 straight set down by Smith to end his outing. Smith went six innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, but didn’t factor in the decision.
Brian Pearl (3-0) picked up the win for Pensacola by pitching a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Smith. Thomas (3-3) took the loss for the Braves by allowing four runs in 1.1 innings.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Wahoos return home to finish out the first half with a five-game series against the first place Mobile BayBears. The BayBears lead the division by a half-game over Mississippi, 1.5 games over Montgomery and two games over Jacksonville. Tim Crabbe (2-6, 3.64) will get the start for Pensacola against Mobile’s Bradin Hagens (7-3, 2.69).
story by Kevin Burke
Hill Easily Wins House District 2 Special Election
June 12, 2013
Staking out conservative positions in a Republican-dominated district, Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill cruised to victory Tuesday in a special election to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford.
Hill collected nearly 58 percent of the vote, while Democrat Jeremy Lau, a labor-union leader, received about 42 percent. The special election in House District 2, which includes voters in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, came nearly three months after Ford, a Gulf Breeze Republican, died of cancer.
After Tuesday’s results came in, Hill said in a brief telephone interview that he focused throughout the campaign on a conservative message that was “from my heart.” He said voters in the district were looking for that type of message.
“It’s simply a message that resonates in this conservative part of Florida,” Hill said.
Hill, who will become the only black Republican in the Legislature, beat five other GOP candidates in a May primary and had a major fund-raising edge against Lau. In all, Hill had raised about $189,000 in cash as of last Thursday, while Lau collected about $27,000.
A State Farm agent and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Hill said he likes the direction that Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders are moving the state, pointing to efforts to reduce the size of government, lower taxes and reduce regulations.
Those are the types of issues he focused on during the campaign.
“Mike Hill is a constitutional conservative at his core,” Hill’s campaign website said. “As a veteran and a small business owner, he knows firsthand the value of our God-given liberty — and the need to be vigilant in defending it.”
Lau, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 2777, criticized Hill during the campaign for not appearing with him at public events and also differed with the Republican on issues. For example, Lau supported the state accepting $51 billion in Medicaid money under the federal Affordable Care Act to expand health coverage for low-income Floridians — an idea that Republican lawmakers rejected this spring.
Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by about 10,000 voters. With all precincts reporting Tuesday, Hill had 11,060 votes, while Lau had 8,047, according to the state Division of Elections website. Voter turnout was about 17.6 percent.
Rep. Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who is expected to become House speaker after the 2014 elections, said in a prepared statement that Hill will be a “strong conservative voice in our caucus.”
“His election sends a clear message that Floridians want smaller government, lower taxes, and the freedom to pursue the American Dream,” Crisafulli said.
By The News Service of Florida
Sheriff Concludes Jail Criminal Investigation Prompted By Commissioner’s Comments
June 11, 2013
Following a criminal investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that there was no merit to comments made to local media by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino.
During an interview with WEAR 3, Valentino referenced “correctional officers playing video games on laptop computers and ignoring prisoners” and said “let’s address these issues before you come to me asking for money”, according to a letter from Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. And the following day, he told two radio stations, including NewsRadio 1620, that the sheriff was holding a gun to the head of the county commission and that the commission will look for further efficiencies in the jail operations before agreeing to funding, according to the sheriff’s letter.
Morgan said he opened a criminal investigation based upon Valentino’s “statements as a material witness” regarding correctional officers playing video games on laptops — a third degree felony offense because the laptops would be considered contraband.
The following statement was released Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation against our officers based upon allegations raised by Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino. As the public may recall, Commissioner Valentino alleged through the media in two separate recorded interviews that Escambia County detention deputies were using laptops and being inattentive to inmates. Laptops are not issued to line officers in the Escambia County Jail. Unauthorized laptops are considered contraband and therefore a felony under Florida statute.
Commissioner Valentino had asserted in the second recorded interview that this information was not “off the cuff” but that it was given to him directly by law enforcement officer sources.
Even though Sheriff Morgan requested the Commissioner’s assistance, Commissioner Valentino refused to provide information to assist in this felony investigation. With the assistance of the State Attorney’s Office, Commissioner Valentino was subpoenaed to provide information to identify his sources so the investigation could continue. Commissioner Valentino, upon being interviewed by the State Attorney’s Office, admitted he had one and only one source. This source is a convicted felon and former inmate who had last been inside the jail in 2009. In addition to the felony conviction, this source had also been convicted of 92 misdemeanors. When asked specifically to name the law enforcement source he had alleged to be in contact with, he stated to the State Attorney’s Office that he had misspoken and that there was no law enforcement source.
Because this information is four years old and from an unreliable source, it would be impossible to follow up and identify if there were any deputies with unauthorized laptops. We are of the opinion that the event never occurred and have concluded that any further investigation is unwarranted. We hope that the serious issues that the Department of Justice has identified will now return to the front and center of the county’s attention.
Woman Found Dead After House Fire Was Murdered; One Arrested
June 11, 2013
A woman found dead following a weekend house fire in Atmore was murdered, and her accused killer is now behind bars.
A neighbor reported smoke coming from a house at 227 Adams Street about 5:20 Saturday morning. Once the fire was contained and fire fighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.
The State Fire Marshall was called to the scene to help determine the origin of the fire. Once Morris’ body was moved, investigators said was evident that officers were working a crime scene and a homicide investigation started. The body was transported to the Alabama Department of Science in Mobile to help determine the cause of death. Officials said those findings are preliminary and the investigation is ongoing and pending lab results.
About 11 a.m. Saturday, a person of interest identified as 40-year Collis McCaster of Atmore, was arrested in Atmore on an outstanding felony warrant from Conecuh County, AL. He was also questioned in Morris’ death.
On Monday, McCaster was transported to the Foley (AL) Police Department where he voluntary underwent a polygraph test and answered questioned concerning the fire.
After completion of the polygraph test, McCaster met with investigators from the Atmore Police Department in a separate interview and confessed to committing crimes against Morris and causing her death, police said.
McCaster was charged with capital murder, first degree arson and first degree sexual abuse. McCaster is being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Family members said McCaster was a homeless man that Morris would help out, sometimes feeding him and allowing him to stay in her home.
Pictured top and bottom: A woman found dead following a fire at the Adams Street home in Atmore was murdered. Pictured below: Firemen fill out statements for law enforcement following the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
