New Suit Filed Against Florida Senate Redistricting Plan
September 6, 2012
The League of Women Voters, Common Cause and other groups are challenging the Senate’s redistricting map in a new lawsuit that alleges it violated the new constitutional requirements against using political considerations in drawing boundaries.
The challenge was filed in circuit court in Tallahassee and alleges that the Senate drew a map which “reflected blatant incumbent favoritism and partisan gamemanship.”
The map was a second attempt by the Senate, after initially having its efforts rejected by the Florida Supreme Court. But the second map – the one being challenged in the new suit – has survived a challenge in the Suprme Court already, though the plaintiffs say that wasn’t a full review of the issues, but was merely a “facial” review.
“The Legislature drew districts that will keep incumbent senators in office, assist incumbent House members with election to the Senate, impact internal Senate leaderhip battles, and make gains for the controlling party,” the lawsuit alleges.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, the incoming Senate president who drove the Republican redistricting effort in the Senate, was dismissive. “Today’s filing is nothing more than summer re-runs of the same complaints that were rejected by the Florida Supreme Court,” Gaetz said.
By The News Service of Florida
Judge Dismisses Challenge To Pill Mill Law
September 6, 2012
A federal judge has dismissed a constitutional challenge to a 2010 state law aimed at cracking down on so-called “pill mills.” U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, in two orders , rejected the case filed by a patient, two doctors and two health clinics.
The 2010 law included such steps as registration requirements for pain-management clinics and limits on the amounts of controlled substances that doctors could dispense to patients who pay by cash, check or credit card. The Legislature in 2011 passed another law that revamped parts of the 2010 measure.
Hinkle closed the case after issuing an order that largely addressed the issues. He wrote that Florida has a “legitimate, indeed sometimes compelling, interest in regulating the distribution of prescription pain medications” and that it has leeway constitutionally in how it does so.
“Information available to the Florida Legislature in 2010, when it adopted the statutes now at issue, indicated that abuse of prescription pain medication was an acute and increasing problem that had caused a substantial number of deaths and other problems in the state,” Hinkle wrote. “Pill mills were out of control. The state enacted the challenged statutes to address the situation.”
By The News Service of Florida
Campaign Would Connect Vets To Millions In Unused Benefits
September 6, 2012
Only a fraction of Florida’s 1.6 million military veterans get the benefits they’ve earned by serving, leading the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to launch a campaign to find those who should be getting millions of dollars left on the table.
Many of the state’s veterans are paying high premiums or out-of-pocket for health care and other services they should be getting for free from the government, retired Army Col. Mike Prendergast, director of department, said Wednesday. And many vets and their family members get services via other programs that cost Florida taxpayers needlessly.
“Any type of health care, counseling, education or other services that are out there (that veterans are getting through other government programs), that could get paid for by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, in effect means that potentially, our taxpayers are paying for that service twice,” Prendergast said.
Florida has the third –largest population of veterans, but only 260,000 of the 1.6 million are drawing the benefits to which they’re entitled the agency says.
The campaign will have a special focus on Florida’s 449,000 Vietnam-era vets, who make up more than a quarter of all veterans statewide.
One of them, Commander Mark Alvarez of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Tallahassee, said Vietnam vets are often wary due to how they were treated when they returned from an unpopular war.
“We weren’t that well received,” he said. “But times have changed.”
Alvarez also said that veterans’ services, both federal and state, are much improved since that time.
“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is reaching out more than ever to veterans, to let them know what’s out there and how they can help,” Alvarez said. “And I think we’re getting better educated and not being so reluctant.”
Homelessness is another problem for veterans, especially those of the Vietnam era. But according to Prendergast, the numbers have dropped in Florida thanks to an aggressive campaign by the federal government, dovetailed with state and local veterans’ programs.
“Just in the past year, our numbers have dwindled by about 2,000 who have reintegrated into their communities,” he said.
The state campaign is also reaching out to 140,000 women vets and to 231,000 veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
“Our needs are very different, depending on our stages of life,” said former Army Capt. Courtney Heidelberg, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For instance, James Brian Fox, a returning Air Force vet enrolled at Florida State University, said he’s now able to get a higher education thanks to paid tuition and five years of free health care.
“To all the veterans out there who are thinking of maybe separating and going to school,” he said, “there are people here waiting to help you.”
Fox also noted that the veterans agency’s outreach campaign includes new media, which he praised for its effectiveness in connecting with his contemporaries.
“The mobile app is great,” he said. “Young people use the Internet for absolutely everything nowadays.”
Prendergast urged the loved ones of Florida vets to help them qualify for services – especially Vietnam-era vets. They might not be ill now, he said, but in ten years they might be suffering from a disability related to their time in Southeast Asia, where they could have been exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange.
“Whatever branch of service we earned our stripes in,” he said, “we never leave a man behind – or a woman.”
By The News Service of Florida
Arrest Made After Escambia County Pastor Shot At His Church
September 5, 2012
An Escambia County pastor was shot in the parking lot of his church Wednesday evening, and deputies have the suspect in custody.
West Pensacola Baptist Church Pastor Laddie Pierce was shot about 6 p.m. as he was headed to a Bible study. He was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. His injuries are not life threatening.
Randall G. Markham, 72, was taken into custody at the scene. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Deputies said Markham and Pierce were involved in an argument outside the church before the shooting. Markham, deputies said, then pulled a firearm and shot the pastor in the leg. There were no other injuries.
Markham, a member of the church’s congregation, admitted to deputies that he shot the pastor because he believed his wife was having an affair with Pierce. Markham told deputies that “his intent and purpose was to shoot Pierce in the groin area one time without killing him”.
“The pastor was shot by a member of our church who suffers with mental health issues. Pastor is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery,” read a statement issued Thursday by the church.
West Pensacola Baptist Church is located on West Jackson street.
Deputy Injured In Rollover Wreck
September 5, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in a rollover accident Wednesday morning at the New Warrington Road overpass across Mobile Highway.
Deputy Melissa Scruggs, 33, was responding to an armed disturbance call. She was eastbound on New Warrington Road when she struck a guardrail that borders the roadway and traveled into the median. Her 2007 Crown Victoria then struck a bridge concrete barrier and traveled over it. The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the overpass embankment adjacent to Mobile Highway.
First responders extricated Scruggs from her cruiser. She was transported to a local hospital where she remains in serious condition.
Scruggs has been with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for two and half years and is assigned to patrol.
No charges were filed in connection with the accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in this accident Wednesday morning at New Warrington Road and Mobile Highway. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Reported Electrical Fire At Bratt Home
September 5, 2012
Firefighters responded to a reported electrical fire at a home in Bratt this morning.
A resident reported sparks from a bedroom outlet about 6:35 a.m. The fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived on scene at the wood frame home on O’Farrell Road, just west of North Highway 99.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspect Named After Woman Shot, Killed In Escambia
September 5, 2012
A suspect has been named in the shooting death of a woman Tuesday night in Escambia County.
The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. in the 5900 block of Wales Avenue, off Mobile Highway. Deputies found the victim, 47-year old Sandra K. Walker, deceased at the scene.
The shooting was believed to be domestic violence related.
A warrant for premeditated murder has been issued for Fred William Walker, Jr. for the murder. He was last seen in a silver or gray Toyota Tundra four-door truck with a possible unknown Alabama tag.
Walker is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers at a (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia Human West Nile Cases Now Up To Five
September 5, 2012
A total of five cases of the West Nile virus have been confirmed as of Tuesday in Escambia County, a “Mosquito Borne Illness Advisory” continues for the entire county.
The risk of additional persons becoming infected with West Nile Virus from mosquito bites remains very high, according to the Escambia County Health Department. The health department has not said where in the county the infected person reside.
“The abnormally high number of confirmed cases reaffirms the increased risk of contracting West Nile Virus for everyone in Escambia County,” said Dr. John Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department. Since most people who contract the disease have mild or no symptoms, there are most likely numerous undiagnosed cases throughout the area. All Escambia County, Florida residents and visitors should take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes.”
Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus can bite and infect humans. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. Being outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, further increases the risk of infection. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.
Group Claims High School Prayers Illegal; Students Take A Stand
September 5, 2012
The Escambia County (Ala.) School District has banned prayers at events like football games, but that did not stop a group of Flomaton High students from taking a stand on the football field last Friday.
The students stood hand-in-hand along the sidelines before the game in prayer. No faculty or staff took part in the student led, student initiated prayer.
Prayers led over the public address system at Flomaton High School football games was common prior to this year, as was the recital of the Lord’s Prayer by both players and coaches following Hurricane football games.
But that all came to an end prior to Flomaton’s Friday night season opener against Monroeville after the school district received a letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation that claimed such prayers were illegal.
“A local complainant has reported to us that Flomaton High School has a local pastor, often a Baptist minister, pray before each home football game. This practice is unconstitutional,” FFRF attorney Andrew L. Seidel wrote in a letter to Escambia County (Ala.) School Superintendent Randall Little and Flomaton High Principal Scott Hammond. “It is illegal for a public school to organize, sponsor, and lead prayers at public school events. The Supreme Court has continually struck down formal and teacher or school-led prayer in public schools.”
The Freedom from Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit group with about 19,000 members with the purpose to “protect the constitutional principal of separation between state and church”.
“We ask that Escambia County Public Schools commence an immediate investigation into the complaint alleged, and take immediate action to stop any and all prayers occurring before all Escambia County Public Schools athletic events, including those at Flomaton High School,” Seidel wrote.
The school district responded to the letter by enforcing a ban against facility and students from participating in or leading prayer at school sponsored events.
Get Green Thumb Certified With Master Gardener Training
September 5, 2012
Certifications are available for your hard-earned green thumb – Escambia County Extension is accepting applications through Friday, September 7 for a Master Gardener training class.
Class sessions begin Wednesday, September 26 and continue every Wednesday through November 14, with one Friday class on October 26. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2 and run continuously through February 6. Normal class hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for the program is $125 and includes all book and class materials.
Those with a passion for gardening and are interested in serving as a volunteer to assist with community horticulture education programs and activities, are encouraged to apply for training as a Master Gardener. Trainees will complete approximately 60 hours of horticulture training and donate 75 hours of service as an Extension volunteer. Volunteers gain service hours through numerous projects including school and community gardens, community outreach demonstrations, and adult and youth horticulture programs.
For more information, contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or email bbolles@uwf.edu with any questions about the program or application process.
For more information, please visit http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/master-gardeners.shtml.