Bill Nelson Defeats Connie Mack For Third Term
November 7, 2012
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won a third term on Tuesday, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, whose name recognition as the son of a well-liked former senator didn’t pay off.
Mack appeared to be the victim in part of stronger than expected turnout by Democrats in Florida, but his candidacy never really got off the ground, even with many Republicans.
Nelson appeared to benefit from considerable ticket splitting with large numbers of Republicans who voted for Mitt Romney for president supporting Nelson instead of Mack. For example in Pasco County, where Romney appeared headed for a solid win, Nelson was ahead by about 20,000 votes with more than 80 percent of ballots counted.
Nelson was first elected to the Senate in 2000 in a race overshadowed by the presidential recount drama of that year, but has been in public office for much of the time since 1972 when he was elected to the state Legislature.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, hoping to hold on to the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate claimed victory in the race almost as soon as the polls closed. State Democrats did as well.
“He is a true champion for middle class families and a passionate advocate for our state,” state Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said of Nelson. “He has delivered for the people of Florida, and tonight they have delivered him a decisive victory.”
Mack got into the Senate race late, after party members complained that several candidates in the race didn’t seem to be polling well against the popular Nelson. But Mack didn’t take off either.
Mack did chase several Republicans from the race, including former state lawmaker Adam Hasner, who switched to a race for Congress, and former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who dropped out.
Republicans had hoped Mack’s name would make him more viable. Mack’s father, Connie Mack, was a popular U.S. senator from the state. He also shares the name of his great-grandfather, who was a baseball manager for more than 50 years.
After his time in the state Legislature, Nelson was elected to Congress in 1978 and served six terms, representing the Orlando and Space Coast areas. As a result, Nelson was allowed to go into orbit on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986.
In 1994, Nelson was elected to the Cabinet as insurance commissioner, after an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1990, when he lost to Lawton Chiles in the primary.
Football Playoff Brackets Announced
November 7, 2012
Official football state series playoff brackets were released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
In Class 1A, Northview will host Cottondale on Friday night, November 16. The winner will advance to the Regional Finals on Friday, November 23 against either Freeport or Graceville.
In Class 3A, Pensacola Catholic will travel to Trinity Christian. The winner will advance to play the winner of Providence at Madison County.
In Class 5A, West Florida will host Godby of Tallahassee, and Gulf Breeze will travel to Wakulla, with the winners advance to play in the Regional Semifinals.
In Class6A, Milton will host Niceville, and Pace will travel to Navarre, with the winners squaring off in the Regional Semifinals.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
November 7, 2012
International Paper’s Cantonment mill will award $50,000 in foundation grants in 2013 and is hosting a meeting for potential applicants to learn more.
The one hour meeting will be held Thursday, November 15 at 2 p.m. at the mill at 375 Muscogee Road. The meeting will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions. Grant committee members will be available for questions.
Reservations to attend the meeting are required as space is limited, however; attendance is not mandatory to apply.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, January 11.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
Florida Turnout Maybe A Record; Injured Escambia Woman Votes Before Going To Hospital
November 6, 2012
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner said Tuesday that enthusiastic voters have flooded to the polls and could prompt a record turnout. With 4.5 million voters casting ballots early, Detzner said turnout may have reached half before the polls opened on Election Day.
“I don’t have any projections to make except that, one, we’ll probably have a record setting year in terms of turnout,” Detzner said. “Early voting was very enthusiastic by people, as you know, and we’re delighted that perhaps even as many as 50 percent of the people might have voted early.”
Detzner also told reporters Tuesday morning about an unidentified Escambia County woman who fell and broke her leg in the parking lot outside a polling precinct, was carried into the polls by her husband to vote and then went to the hospital for treatment.
“We’re grateful for her interest and passion to vote,” Detzner said. Initial reports showed few glitches in more than 6,000 polling precincts, though rain was a factor in some central Florida locations as a storm front passes through the state.
By The News Service of Florida
Vehicle Fire Investigated As Arson
November 6, 2012
Authorities are looking at arson as the cause of vehicle fire this morning in McDavid.
A resident in the 100 block of Brown Road reported that a relative was setting fire to a pickup truck at the home just before 11 a.m.. When firefighters arrived on scene, they reported smoke coming from the cab of the vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no injuries.
The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire.
Deputies Seek Vehicle In Cantonment Home Invasion Murder
November 6, 2012
Investigators are still seeking clues in a deadly drug-related home invasion early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
The home invasion was reported about 2 a.m. on Stefani Circle, just northeast of the intersection of Stefani Road and Nine Mile Road. Escambia County Sherifss’ deputies found 22-year old Amber Tricona Johnson dead inside the home from an apparent gunshot wound.
Justin Kerry Stanley, 27, was also shot and was transported to a local hospital with injures that did not appear to be life-threatening.
“Investigators are trying to piece together the details of the incident, but it appears that the incident is drug related due to a large amount of narcotics that was found at the residence along with other evidence,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators are working to identify a suspect in the shootings and they are looking for help locating a vehicle that may have been involved in the murder. The vehicle was described as a 2008 silver, four-door sedan with Florida tag 284NIH.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Police: Escambia Caregiver Sexually Assaulted 106-Year Old
November 6, 2012
An Escambia County woman was arrested Monday for sexually assaulting a 106-year old woman.
Taquita Lashay Watson, 29, was charged with sexual assault on a victim 12-years of age or older with special conditions. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
Pensacola Police Department Detective Shannan Fortenberry said Watson had been providing in-home care for the victim, who is bedridden for the most part, for about three months. The investigation determined Watson had used a sexual instrument on the victim in October.
Fortenberry said the investigation is continuing to determine if anyone else may have been victimized by Watson, who has worked as a geriatric patient caregiver for over eight years.
New Atmore Mayor, Council Sworn Into Office
November 6, 2012
A new era began Monday night in Atmore as Jim Staff was sworn in as mayor, replacing longtime Mayor Howard Shell.
After a total of more than two decades in office, current Mayor Howard Shell did not seek re-election. He was first elected to the Atmore City Council 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. After winning the mayor’s race twice, he remained in office until being beaten in 1996 by Rodney Owens, an Atmore chiropractor. He returned to office in 2000 and completed his third term since returning to office.
Along with Staff, new council members Chris Harrison and Susan Smith and returning members Chris Walker, Cornell Torrence and Webb Nall were sworn in Monday during a ceremonial meeting.
Pictured top: Newly elected Atmore Mayor Jim Staff (left) is congratulated on election night by outgoing Mayor Howard Shell (right). File photo by Emilie Mims for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Teacher Named To State Educators Hall Of Fame
November 6, 2012
A local educator was one of 15 teachers in Alabama honored for excellence in economic education and inducted into the inaugural class of the Alabama Economic Educators Hall of Fame in Birmingham recently.
Gerri McDonald of Walnut Hill and her students at Perdido Elementary/Middle School have been recognized frequently by ACEE. She was selected to attend a weeklong economics workshop held at the New York Stock Exchange and to write curriculum for economics at the International Cooperative Education Exchange Program in Economics held in Washington.
She has also been named the Alabama Economics Teacher of the Year and ACEE Master Teacher of Economics. Her students have consistently placed in the top 10 every year in the Stock Market Game, and have placed first six times. They have also placed first and second in the state in the “Whit King: Entrepreneurship and the American Free Enterprise Essay Contest” two years in a row.
Showing off their understanding of economic concepts and creativity, her students have placed in the top 12 in the state for the past five years in the “Color the Concepts” competition too.
“We have a vision of every student graduating from Alabama’s schools with superior economic education and the knowledge, understanding and skills to make successful economic decisions” said Johnnie Aycock, managing director of ACEE. “Through the Economic Educator Hall of Fame, we had the opportunity to recognize and honor exceptional teachers in Alabama that are having a significant impact on our young people’s knowledge of economic, personal finance and entrepreneurship.”
Pictured top: (L-R) Teacher Gerri McDonald, Gov. Bob Riley and Perdido Principal Craig Smith. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Names New Fire Chief
November 6, 2012
Patrick T. Grace has been appointed as the new Escambia County Fire Chief by Acting County Administrator Larry M. Newsom.
Grace has served Escambia County as a battalion chief since 2001, gaining extensive fire ground experience and interactions with all personnel in the organization, both volunteer and career.
“I am very excited about Chief Grace’s appointment to fire chief,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Mike Weaver. “His experience as a career and volunteer firefighter gives him special insight into the needs of both groups.”
Grace was a longtime volunteer in upstate New York before beginning his career with the Milton Fire Department in 1994. During his time in New York he was an active participant in creating a fire department by combining both volunteer and paid personnel. With his personal commitment to the value of both volunteer and career personnel, he was heavily involved in Escambia County’s unification process. Additionally, he volunteers his time as a captain in the Gulf Breeze Fire Department.
According to a county news release, he has high regard and respect for all fire personnel, both paid and volunteer and looks forward to continuing improvement of the department for the betterment of the Escambia County’s fire services.