Relay For Life Garage Sale Saturday
February 21, 2013
The American Cancer Society will host a “Parking Lot Garage Sale” for all local area Relay for Life teams on Saturday.
Relay teams can reserve a space for free for raising funds for the their individual teams and Relay events in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The funds raised will go to each Relay team’s goal.
The public is invited to attend and find some great bargains, including rummage sale items, craft items and baked goods.
The garage sale will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at 5401 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 100 in Pensacola, just off Airport Boulevard. To reserve a space, contact lgaston@shhpens.org.
A similar event will be held in March.
Pine Forest Eagles Beat Gulf Breeze
February 21, 2013
One night after being no-hit in Milton, the Pine Forest varsity softball team rattled off eight hits to beat visiting Gulf Breeze, 10-2, on Wednesday night.
Senior captain Kellie Payne delivered the big blow, a monstrous two-run homer in the sixth inning that made the score 9-2. Sophomores Tiana Acevedo and Rebecca Rudd each drove in two runs for the Lady Eagles, who improved to 3-3 on the young season.
Junior Janessa Landas (2-1) allowed just one earned run in seven innings. She scattered six hits and two walks while striking out four.
Pine Forest scored four runs in the second inning. Kelley led off with a single, and the Eagles scored twice thanks to back-to-back hit batsmen and back-to-back walks. Brooke Lauter scored on a wild pitch, and two outs later, Rudd stole home to make it 4-0.
The Dolphins chipped away with a run in the fourth and fifth innings before the Eagles added three in the fifth and three in the sixth.
Rudd stole five bases, scored twice and made two diving catches in center field. Senior Miranda Kelley went 2-for-4, scored twice, drove in a run and stole two bases. Senior Aleecia Ybarra went 1-for-2 with two walks, a run and there stolen bases.
Vehicle Fire Near Home Quickly Extinguished
February 21, 2013
Firefighters from the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were able to quickly extinguish a vehicle fire Wednesday afternoon that was threatening a nearby home. The fire was reported about 2:45 p.m. on Stacey Road. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
One Tate High Building Evacuated Due To Small Fire
February 20, 2013
One building at Tate High School was evacuated Wednesday morning after a small fire in a bathroom.
The fire was contained to a soap dispenser in a Hall Building bathroom about 9:40 a.m. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no injuries reported.
The incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the school resource officers and school administration.
The school district and Crime Stoppers are offering a $300 reward for information on who may have started the fire, (850) 433-STOP.
An update to this story is published here.
Accountant: Century’s Budget In Good Shape
February 20, 2013
As of the last day of 2012, the Town of Century’s budget was in good financial shape, the town’s accountant said this week.
The town’s gas department revenue was down about $10,000 for the final three months of the year, with warmer weather translating to decreased natural gas sales. But accountant Robert Hudson said colder weather the remainder of the winter could quickly bring the department’s income in line with budgeted numbers.
Otherwise, Century’s budget is on target, account Robert Hudson told the town council.
“Things look from a financial perspective, we are even with about where we projected,” Hudson said.
Century’s total 2012-2013 budget is just under $2.9 million.
Broxson Withdraws Bill To Allow Oil Drilling In Blackwater River Forest
February 20, 2013
[Updated 1 p.m.] Rep. Doug Broxson withdrew a bill today that would have allowed private companies to drill for oil and gas in the Blackwater River State Forest in north Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The bill was withdrawn after public outcry against the idea.
Broxson said drilling could have created as many as 300 new jobs while creating $30 to $60 million in revenue for the state. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had already given a nod to the plan to drill on 190,000 acres if natural assets were not disturbed.
The idea of drilling in a pristine forest has sparked a public outcry to stop the legislation. Sisters Marsha and Erin Fuqua created a Facebook page Save Blackwater River State Forest that has grown to over 1,500 likes, while a petition against Broxson’s bill has accumulated over 2,200 signatures.
“Since filing HB 431, our office has received many emails and phone calls, both in support and opposition to this bill, but very few people seem to have a sense of what the bill actually does,” Broxson said Wednesday afternoon. “I believe that we should have further discussion about how the leases in Blackwater are determined and managed, but in light of the misinformation about this bill, it is probably best to take the legislation off the table until we can have a more public conversation to address the facts.”
Broxson will still hold town hall meeting on Blackwater drilling on Monday, February 25 at the Jay Community Center from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. The meeting will include representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Forrest Service, who will provide information and answer questions regarding the issue of oil drilling on state lands.
“I look forward to continuing this discussion on Monday and in the future as a means to safeguard our quality of life and achieve maximum economic benefit for every citizen in Northwest Florida,” Broxson said.
Oil fields have operated in Jay — less than 10 miles from the Blackwater River State Forest — since the early 1970’s when oil and gas were discovered in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1p.m. on 2/20/2013 to reflect Broxson’s bill was withdrawn hours after our original story was posted.
Charges Dismissed Against Walnut Hill Man For Not Delivering Yetis
February 20, 2013
Multiple theft charges have been dismissed against a Walnut Hill man arrested last summer for allegedly collecting cash for Yeti coolers but not delivering the merchandise.
Timothy James Barry, 51, was arrested on four counts of grand theft and three counts of petit theft after an investigation by the State Attorney’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Judge Joel Boles has granted a defense motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Barry.
“He ruled that there was no criminal intent,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Tuesday,”and that this is a civil, not criminal, matter.” Marcille said the victims in the case would have the legal option to pursue damages in civil court.
Barry, owner of Baywatch Arms & Accessories, allegedly accepted $2,944.18 during the summer of 2011 from seven people to order Yeti brand coolers, a high-end ice chest, on their behalf. After the coolers were not received from Barry, the victims filed a complaint.
Certified letters were sent by the victims and the State Attorney’s Office in an attempt to collect the money. According to an arrest report, Barry admitted to receiving the money from the victims and told deputies on June 4, 2012, that he was unable to repay them.
Barry provided the victims and the State Attorney’s Office with “numerous excuses to avoid coming in to clear that matter up”the arrest report states. One victim told the State Attorney’s Office that he contact the Yeti Cooler company and was told the order was complete and awaiting payment from Barry.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 20, 2013
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events. Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Band Students Awarded At Solo And Ensemble Assessment
February 20, 2013
Several Tate High School band students participated in the FBA District Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessment recently at Gulf Breeze High School.
Solo and Ensemble results:
- Piccolo solo – Lindsey Gordon - Superior
- Flute solo – Lindsey Gordon - Superior
- Flute solo – Angel Chu - Superior
- Flute duet – Elyse Locke and Breanna Fowler - Superior
- Flute duet – Steffany Brown and Raychel Hardy – Excellent
- Flute duet – Ana Lowe and Tori VanScyoc – Excellent
- Flute quartet – Lindsey Gordon, Taylor Ertel, Elyse Locke, and Angel Chu - Superior
- Flute quartet – Kayla Smith, Erin Carty, Savanah Pyron, and Melissa Norwick – Excellent
- Bassoon solo – Ashton Nelson - Superior
- Clarinet solo – Katie Woods - Superior
- Clarinet trio – Audrey Freeman, Breanna Riddell, and Anna Wilson - Superior
- Clarinet quintet – Natalie Wright, Julie Menah, Erica Earnest, Kathryn Howard, and Sarah Cummins – Excellent
- Woodwind Choir – Superior
- Trumpet solo – Ethan Millet - Superior
- Trumpet solo – Jacob Howard - Superior
- Trumpet solo – Zach Vranich - Superior
- Trumpet trio – Megan McMillon, Emma Rogers, and Tristan Workman – Excellent
- Trumpet trio – Megan Collier, Alicia Mobley, and Mariah Constantakos – Excellent
- French Horn solo – Chad Ratliff (Good)
- Trombone solo – Noah Heintz - Superior
- Trombone quartet – Graham Gardner, Chandler Cotton, Shayne Dunn, and Jordan Prince - Superior
- Tuba solo – Jacob Charles – Excellent
- Tuba solo – Nick Krostag - Superior
- Brass Choir – Superior
- Percussion Ensemble – Superior
The following students have qualified for State Solo and Ensemble by making a Superior rating on a Grade 5+ solo/ensemble:
- Lindsey Gordon – Flute solo (Grade 6)
- Lindsey Gordon – Piccolo solo (Grade 7)
- Angel Chu – Flute solo (Grade 6)
- Jacob Howard – Trumpet solo (Grade 5)
- Noah Heintz – Trombone solo (Grade 6)
- Katie Massey – Percussion ensemble (Grade 5)
- Katelyn Varhalla – Percussion ensemble
- Katelyn Godwin – Percussion ensemble
- Alex Gibson – Percussion ensemble
- Ryan Stevison – Percussion ensemble
- Paxton Metcalf – Percussion ensemble
- Honya Richbourg – Percussion ensemble
- Ethan Jensen – Percussion ensemble
‘Smart Justice’ Bill Would Rehab Felons
February 20, 2013
Lawmakers Tuesday filed a bill aimed at breaking the cycle of recidivism in Florida prisons by beefing up the rehabilitation of non-violent felons in the last three years of their sentences.
But the measure may face resistance from the top: Senate President Don Gaetz is skeptical.
The “smart justice” measure by Rep. Dennis Baxley, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Thad Altman, a member of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, would prepare offenders for release with educational and vocational training and treatment for substance abuse and mental illness.
Altman, who sits on the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said it’s smarter to give ex-felons alternatives to further crime.
“We’re in the modern days, in the 21st century, but in many ways our criminal justice and punitive system is still in the middle ages,” he said.
But the measure appears to face an uphill climb. Gaetz told the News Service in an interview later Tuesday he had reservations about such an approach.
“We’re at a 41-year low in our crime rate in the state of Florida, so apparently what we’ve done not only is working, but it reversed what really was a crime wave in our state,” Gaetz said. “And we did that by being tough on criminals. If it’s working, I’m not sure we should change it.”
Baxley agreed that strict sentencing guidelines had served the state well, but said there was room for improvement.
“In Florida we’re known as being tough on crime,” he said. “We think the accountability measures are a big part of why we’ve seen a reduction in crime, and we don’t depart from that. But we’ve also looked around at other states and looked at our own numbers, and we realize that there are some things we could do to reduce the number of crimes committed by recidivist inmates. That is our ultimate objective: fewer crimes and fewer crime victims.”
Earlier this month, the Department of Corrections announced that the percentage of inmates who commit another crime within three years of release had dropped to 27.6 percent for those released since 2008. It used to be 33 percent. DOC Secretary Mike Crews credited a change in his agency’s culture, with more focus on helping inmates overcome the conditions that helped land them behind bars.
According to DOC data, two in five offenders entering prison each year are re-offenders, but fewer than one-fourth of inmates receive treatment to help them after their release.
Barney Bishop, president and CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance, said the bill would not reduce the length of inmates’ sentences. Under state law, inmates must serve 85 percent of their time.
“Critics, mainly unions with protectionist agendas…will tell you that this legislation would violate the 85 percent rule or lead to the early release of inmates,” Bishop said. “This is not true in any way or fashion. They will tell you that this bill privatizes prisons. That’s not true, either.”
Altman said the bill would not have a substantial fiscal impact, and in fact would cut costs.
Bishop said the state wouldn’t have to build new facilities.
“There are right now three brand-new prisons sitting empty around the state,” he said. “And yet the state is paying the debt payment on those.”
Bishop is a lobbyist for Bridges of America, a private provider of faith-based re-entry centers that teach inmates work and life skills.
“Our hope is that the private sector, in a competitive bid process, will have the opportunity to
operate those three facilities,” he said.
Gaetz said he always likes to follow the money.
“Who would profit from this so-called ’smart justice’?” he asked. “Are there companies waiting in the wings, just ready to have private-sector contracts and get millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money so that they can be in charge of rehabilitating criminals? I think that there probably are.
“My understanding is that the meetings that have been held about smart justice, most of the people in the audience have worn $3,000 suits,” he added.
By The News Service of Florida