NAACP Hopes To Revive Debate Over Civil Rights Restoration
October 3, 2012
Hoping to take advantage of a nationwide focus on new voting restrictions, advocates of allowing former felons to more easily gain the right to vote called Tuesday for Gov. Rick Scott and the state clemency board to reverse a decision last year making the restoration of those rights more difficult.
With little more than a month before the November general election, the groups conceded that the changes were unlikely to be approved in time for the election. But they hoped that the attention being devoted to a state-by-state battle over voting rights could help boost the restoration of rights issue.
“It’s easy to do dirt in the dark,” said NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous. “It’s harder to keep doing dirt in the light.”
The clemency board, which consists of Scott and the Cabinet, voted in early 2011 to reverse a policy change four years earlier allowing felons who had completed their sentences and any other requirements of the criminal justice system to more easily gain the right to vote.
The new rules require offenders to wait between five and seven years after completing their obligations to apply for their rights to be restored.
Though Attorney General Pam Bondi was also a key supporter of the change, much of the fire at a Tuesday news conference was focused on Scott.
“It should be unconscionable for all of us as citizens for a governor to turn back the clock on an entire group of citizens who, if they lived somewhere else, would be able to vote,” Jealous said.
Supporters of the restoration of civil rights said making it more difficult for felons to vote can actually make it harder for the offenders to rejoin society.
“What people don’t realize or fail to realize is once a person decides that they want to register to vote, they want to go down and make their voice be heard, that is part and parcel of being rehabilitated,” said Charles Dutton, an actor who spent years in prison for violent crimes.
As part of the effort to draw attention to the issue, the NAACP plans to have mobile billboards deployed to Florida, Virginia, Kentucky and Iowa — states that have some of the more difficult processes for the restoration of rights. Many of those rules, originally rooted in post-Civil War movements to restrict the political power of freed slaves, have since become ways of suppressing the black vote in order to hold down Democratic votes, opponents argue.
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said the clemency board’s decision was aimed at making it more difficult for President Barack Obama to win re-election this year. Republicans hold every seat on the clemency board.
“They saw the numbers and they saw the trend among ex-felons to vote Democratic,” Joyner said of Scott and Bondi.
Scott’s office didn’t appear to be backing down.
“Gov. Scott believes that for convicted felons to re-enter civic society, they must demonstrate a commitment to remaining crime-free as well as a willingness to request to have their rights restored,” spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said in an email.
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Deputies: Man Robs Bank, Gets Change To Pay Taxi Driver
October 3, 2012
A bank robber was caught Tuesday after making his getaway in a taxi and stopping to get change to pay the driver.
The Bank of America on Nine Mile Road near Palafox was held up about 4:10 p.m. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said 33-year old Terry Dewayne Gideon fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash in a Yellow Cab. Deputies caught up with the cab and Gideon a short time later.
During the investigation, deputies learned that Gideon had gone into a nearby Applebee’s restaurant to get change from the stolen money to pay the taxi driver.
There were no injuries reported and no weapons were used in the robbery.
Gideon was charged with robbery and providing false information to a law enforcement officer. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
Gaetz: Voter Fraudsters Should Be Punished Regardless Of Party
October 3, 2012
Incoming Senate President Don Gaetz told reporters Tuesday that law enforcement officials should throw the book at Strategic Allied Consultants if the company is found guilty of systemic fraud in the gathering of voter registration applications for the Republican National Committee.
So far, more than 100 questionable registrations in Palm Beach County have surfaced. Potential irregularities in 10 other counties — including Escambia and Santa Rosa — have also been reported.
“Let’s hope there’s not selective indignation here,” Gaetz said when asked whether there was any irony that Republicans had pressed hard against voter fraud last year and now were faced with a GOP firm being accused of it.
“I don’t find it ironic, I find it outrageous,” he said. “I hope they go to jail.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was reviewing evidence sent Friday by the Division of Elections regarding potentially fraudulent voter registration efforts by the Virginia-based company, agency spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said in an email Tuesday. The agency has not yet determined whether a formal investigation will ensue.
State election officials also forwarded a handful of suspect ballots collected by National Council of La Raza, the largest Hispanic advocacy organization in the nation, sent to them by the Miami-Dade elections supervisor’s office.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Top 10 Most Wanted Gun Crime Suspect Captured In Ensley
October 3, 2012
One of the Gun Response Team’s Top 10 Most Wanted list is behind bars.
Andre Cook, 25, was busted after a tip from an anonymous caller. He was wanted on charges of robbery and aggravated battery from an attempted robbery back in August on Hayworth Avenue in Ensley. That incident sent on man to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.
Based on the information provided by the caller, deputies responded to a home in Ensley where they observed Cook sitting in a chair near the front door. As deputies approached the house, Cook took off through the house and out the back door. Deputies obtained permission from the homeowner to search the residence, and although they did not located Cook, they discovered a sawed off shotgun with the serial numbers filed off. The gun was seized from the residence and turned over to the GCRT.
Deputies later responded to the 8200 block of Durand Avenue in reference to a stolen vehicle. When deputies arrived, the victim told them that earlier in the night, his friend Andre Cook asked him to borrow his car to go to the convenience store. The victim stated that when Cook didn’t return after several hours, he became suspicious and wanted to report the vehicle stolen.
About an hour later, deputies were patrolling the area of Highway 29 and Broad Street when they observed the stolen vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Cook, was taken into custody. In addition to the stolen vehicle, Cook was also in possession of marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was charged accordingly and is being held in the Escambia County Jail on a $115,500 bond.
Northview Tribal Beat Alumini Invited To Play In Homecoming Show
October 3, 2012
Alumni of the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band area invited to join the band for a homecoming performance later this month.
Both musicians and auxiliary members will participate with the band playing pep music in the stands and on the field for the last two songs of the halftime show in October 26. Rehearsals will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, beginning this Thursday, October 4 in the band room. Extra sectional practice time will also be available at 6:15 p.m. on Thursdays.
Interested participants should email their name, t-shirt size and instrument to bree.halteman@gmail.com. Sheet music and show audio will be emailed back.
Rate Increase Approved For Citizens Insurance
October 3, 2012
State insurance regulators on Tuesday announced they have approved a 10.8 percent average rate hike for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. homeowners policies and even higher increases on sinkhole coverage.
Following more than a month of review and multiple hearings by Citizens board members and the agency, the Office of Insurance Regulation approved new rates that will affect most of the company’s 1.4 million customers on policies renewed after Jan. 1.
“The final rates indicate a more reasonable approach toward moving a significant portion of Florida’s demographic to actuarially-supported rates,” Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in a statement.
“Our primary goal is to ensure Citizens policyholders are treated fairly and retain an opportunity to return back to a robust private insurance market as the Florida Legislature intended,” he said.
State lawmakers and OIR officials have been trying to boost Citizens rates in recent years to make them more comparable to rates that would be charged by the private market in some of the riskiest areas of the state.
Lawmakers, however, limited annual increases to 10 percent, a cap that critics say has hindered efforts to depopulate the state-run pool that has become the largest property insurer in the state. The cap, however does not include higher costs for hurricane catastrophe insurance, resulting in rates climbing higher than 10 percent.
Critics, however, said many policyholders are effectively seeing rates go much higher because of changes related to how Citizens awards discounts to policyholders for hurricane proofing measures. The insurer has been revisiting homes to re-evaluate credits given for such home improvements as part of a larger program to reduce Citizens’ exposure.
“This isn’t just a rate hike of more than 10 percent, it’s a rate hike of more than 10 percent after Citizens changed the rules — taking away mitigation discounts, reducing coverage, and changing replacement values,” said Sean Shaw, a former Florida insurance consumer advocate. “Citizens is getting away with charging more for less and policyholders and our economy are worse off because of it.”
The first round of rate approvals includes a 10.8 percent increase in multi-peril policies for residential homeowners. Citizens officials had sought an 11.8 percent average increase.
The agency also approved rates for owners of residential rental property. Those rates will be allowed to increase by 8.8 percent on average.
Rates for mobile homes and commercial lines are expected later this month.
Lawmakers last year removed the 10 percent cap on sinkhole coverage, following a meteoric rise in claims in certain portions of the state, but especially in the Tampa Bay area.
Also Tuesday, OIR approved homeowners sinkhole insurance increases averaging 21.4 percent, down from the requested 29.6 percent increase. McCarty said Tuesday the sinkhole rates would have been even higher if lawmakers had not passed sinkhole-coverage changes in 2011.
By The News Service of Florida
DAR Partners With Wreaths Across America
October 3, 2012
The Three Rivers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced its partnership with Wreaths Across America to double the number of wreaths at Barrancas National Cemetery this Christmas as part of the 20th Annual Wreaths Across America.
“The Emerald Coast is home to more than 128,000 veterans and their families. Our community has always come together to pay tribute and honor these brave men and women, and this Christmas, we hope to double the number of wreaths laid at Barrancas National Cemetery to pay our respects to those we have lost,” stated Mrs. Vicki Miller, chairwoman of the Three Rivers Chapter Wreaths Across America partnership. “Wreaths Across America has started one of America’s most enduring and special traditions, and I am proud that our community is one of its strongest supporters.”
Wreaths Across America, founded by Morrill and Karen Worcester, began in 1992 to honor, remember, and teach the next generation of the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans. More than 400 locations across the United States participate in the annual event, as well at national cemeteries abroad.
Last year, more than 2,000 wreaths were placed at veterans’ gravesites at Barrancas National Cemetery, which is the final resting place of 39,000 veterans and their families. Wreaths Across America has sent wreaths to Barrancas since 2005.
“The effect Wreaths Across America has had on the Barrancas National Cemetery, and our greater community has been dynamic. Every year, we see an increasingly larger amount of people coming out to place a wreath; to remember a loved one, a friend, or a veteran they didn’t know, but who served our nation with honor,” said Angela Nash, director of Barrancas National Cemetery. “Wreaths Across America has become one of our traditions, and we could not be more grateful for the support of our military, veterans, families, and community partners.”
This year’s Wreaths Across America will take place on December 15, at 11 a.m.at Barrancas National Cemetery. Members of the public are welcome; volunteers should arrive at 8:30 a.m.
For every wreath donated, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Three Rivers Chapter Scholarship Fund. To donate a wreath to be placed at Barrancas National Cemetery as part of this effort, or to learn more, click here (select “fldar0001” as the group sponsor). Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)3.
Cross Country: 98 Percent Of Jay Royals Set New Personal Records
October 3, 2012
Members of the Jay High Cross Country team set numerous personal records Tuesday during a meet at Lake Jackson hosted by Paxton High School.
Taking first overall for boys was Micah Kemp with a personal record of 16:45, an improvement of 15 second over his 17:00 last week in the JD Mac Invitational in Jay. For the girls, Jessica Thornton took first with a personal best time of 19:51, over 40 second off her previous personal best set last week in Jay. Overall, 98 percent of the Jay Royals set personal best records Tuesday.
For the Royals:
GIRLS
1 – Jessica Thornton , 19:51
2 – Jorja Agrait , 20:23
4 – Savannah Brown , 21:40
9 – Jenna Thornton , 22:54
10 – Carsen Arrant , 22:49
25 – Alexis Mitchem , 25:58
29 – Kendra Weekes , 26:46
33 – RayAnn Free , 27:15
36 – Carly Sanders , 27:59
43 – Brandy Jackson , 30:09
44 – Ally Ashworth , 30:17:
61 – Jennifer Lowry , 35:27
64 – Haven Tagert , 37:38
BOYS
1 – Micah Kemp , 16:45
3 – Cody Wolfe , 18:29
13 – Mark Foley , 21:04
26 – Austin Gonzalez , 21:47
32 – Joey Belanger , 22:42
59 – Noah Goodson , 26:56
Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing From Police, Assaulting Officer
October 2, 2012
An Atmore man has been charged with running from police and then assaulting an officer.
Brent Antwon Simpson, 23, was charged with with felony assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and fleeing and attempting to elude.
Atmore Police responded to a complaint of a fight and shots fire on Adams Street about 3:08 p.m. Monday. Witnesses said the violator was leaving the scene in a white car with a paper dealership tag.
Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later in the of Sunset Drive and Martin Luther King Avenue. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Martin Luther King Avenue, but the driver, identified as Simpson, refused to stop. Other officers responded and also attempted to stop the vehicle, but police said Simpson continued to flee. Officers pursued him at relatively low speeds never exceeding 40 mph, according to a statement from the Atmore Police Department.
The pursuit ended when Simpson drove to a residence on Mobile Street. Police said Simpson exited his car and physically assaulted officers as they attempted to take him into custody. Simpson was eventually subdued by officers and placed into custody.
Simpson had a toddler-aged child in his vehicle that was turned over to family members at the residence.
Two Injured In Century Highway 29 Rollover Crash
October 2, 2012
Two people were injured in a rollover accident Tuesday morning in Century.
The accident happened on North Century Boulevard at the Century Food Mart, just south of the Century Town Hall about 11:30 a.m. Both injured individuals were transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Names have not been released.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Two people were injured in a rollover crash Tuesday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.