Red Light Camera Repeal Gets Narrow Committee OK
February 15, 2013
A relatively new state law allowing local governments to use cameras to catch red light runners would be repealed under a bill that narrowly passed in the House Economic Affairs Committee on Thursday.
The nearly two-hour debate ranged from drivers’ constitutional rights to the plight of ticketed tourists to studies showing reduced injuries at intersections after red-light cameras were installed.
The law has been under attack almost since state lawmakers voted in 2010 to allow local governments to use the cameras.
This year’s repeal bill (HB 4011), a bipartisan effort sponsored by Reps. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, and Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, was approved 10-8 by the Economic Affairs panel, its first committee stop in the House.
Trujillo touched a chord with Republican lawmakers, most of whom voted for the bill, by arguing that public safety isn’t worth sacrificing constitutional rights.
“We’re willing to compromise the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution: the right against self-incrimination for self-perceived safety,” he said. “That’s the road we’re going down. We’re willing to tell somebody, ‘You are guilty until proven innocent.’”
Law enforcement interests and municipal governments, which get a portion of the fines paid by red light runners, are strongly opposed to the measure.
“I think it’s obvious that it does change people’s driving behaviors, and I think it is obvious that it also helps to save lives and prevent people from having serious injuries,” said Haines City Police Chief Rick Sloan.
Last month, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles released a report showing that crashes were less frequent at intersections monitored by red light cameras. The report, based on data from 73 agencies, found accidents were less frequent at monitored intersections in 41 jurisdictions but more frequent at monitored intersections in 11 jurisdictions.
The panel also debated the question of local governments, law enforcement agencies and contractors making money from the fines.
“This law is strictly revenue driven,” Campbell said.
According to Kathleen Russell, a lobbyist for the City of Orlando, the city took in $6.1 million over the last two years and turned over $3.1 million to the state. After Orlando paid its costs, she said, its profit from the fines was $300,000.
“Whether we’re going to call it a fine, a tax or not, I feel like when we’re creating a system that … allows maybe excessive fines to be produced, I don’t think it is the best interests of what we should be doing for the citizens,” said Rep. Jimmy Patronis of Panama City. The Republican committee chairman, voted for the repeal bill.
Campbell alleged that having red light cameras at intersections discriminates against minorities, the elderly and the poor based on where they are placed, though law enforcement officials denied that was the case.
The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald reported last week that Campbell’s husband’s Honda Odyssey minivan had been caught on camera running a red light five times since the law passed. Campbell told the newspapers she only knew about one of those and doubted that others had occurred. She declined to be comment after Thursday’s committee hearing.
The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee, its last stop before reaching the House floor, but so far, the measure has no Senate sponsor.
By The News Service of Florida
Lady Chiefs Open Season With Win Over Pensacola Catholic
February 15, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs opened their season with a 11-1 win over Pensacola Catholic High School Thursday evening in Bratt.
The varsity and junior varsity Lady Chiefs will hit the road for their next three games — Friday, February 15 at Chipley; Thursday, February 21 at Baker; and Friday, February 22 at Holmes County. The next home game for the Northview Lady Chiefs will be Monday, February 25 as they host Escambia Academy in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Catholic 11-1 Thursday evening in Bratt. Pictured inset: Pitcher Misty Doran, a Wallace State Community College commitment, took the mound for the Chiefs. Pictured below. Angel Lathen for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2013 Jay Winterguard and Indoor Percussion Show This Weekend
February 15, 2013
Over 35 indoor drum lines and color guard units from three states will complete for the top titles in their classifications Saturday during the 2013 Jay High School Winterguard and Indoor Percussion Show.
Drum lines will perform at 2 p.m., and color guards will perform at 4:30 p.m. in the Jay High gymnasium. Admission is $7, with ages five and under and ages 65 and older free.
Company To Provide Employee, Dependent Health Services For Escambia Schools
February 15, 2013
The Escambia County School District has entered into a partnership with Marthon Health to provide onsite health services for 9,000 district employees, dependents, and retirees.
Marathon Health will provide onsite total population health management, including primary care, health assessments, health coaching, and disease management.
The Escambia County School District contracted with Marathon Health as part of an overall effort to promote health and wellness, increase participation in primary and preventive care services, improve health risk management, and reduce healthcare costs.
Marathon Health’s total population health management model moves away from ’sick care’ toward a solution focused on the whole person, not just their symptoms. The model is designed to help individuals maintain or improve their health status, while at the same time helping employers reduce the increasing burden of health care costs.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district decided to become an early adopter of onsite healthcare because healthier employees are more productive both at work and at home, which is critical in education.
“Working with Marathon Health provides our staff with convenient access to both high-quality acute care and preventive services that help them lead healthier lives,” Thomas said. “The healthier our employees are, especially our classroom staff, the more productive they are in working with students. And the fact that this service will help the district control rising health care costs is another reason why we can’t wait to get started.”
Tate High FBLA Members Place At Districts, Headed To State
February 15, 2013
Fourteen Tate High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members placed in the recent District I FBLA Competition.
District I is comprised of chapters including Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Competition included categories such as written, skilled and performance events. The following students placed in their respective category and are eligible to attend the state competition which will be held in Orlando in April”
- Business Calculations: Jansen White – 1st place
- Website Development: Connor Doten, Chase Green, Keenan Williams – 1st place
- Game Development: Zachary Gravitt and Andrew Stark – 1st place
- Business Decision Making: James Wright – 2nd place
- Game Development: Louis LeDue – 2nd place
- Computer Problem Solving: Darren Gulsby – 2nd place
- Computer Problem Solving: Wesley Sapp – 4th place
- Sports Management: Heath Herndon – 3rd place
- Cyber Security: Hailey McQuaid – 4th place
- Job Interview: Sayra Mauldin – 4th place
- Business Math: Kyle Dibattista – 4th place
The Tate High FBLA advisors are Janice Courson and Gene Seales.
Pictured top: Tate High School FBLA members. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicular Homicide: Driver Charged With Century Traffic Death
February 14, 2013
A Brewton man that rear-ended a woman stopped for a school bus in Century last October was arrested Wednesday for vehicular homicide.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 50-year old Sara R. Daw of Flomaton was southbound on Highway 29 at Hudson Hill Road on October 10 when she stopped for a school bus that stopped in the northbound lanes to pick up children. James A. Richburg, 52,of Brewton was southbound in a 2008 GMC Sierra pickup on Highway 29 when he failed to stop and rear-ended Daw’s 2001 Chevrolet pickup.
Daw was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital where she died later that morning. Richburg received only minor injuries.
Richburg turned himself into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday afternoon on a vehicular homicide warrant issued Tuesday. He was released from jail after posting a $25,000 bond.
Pictured top and left: The driver of this white pickup, 50-year old Sara R. Daw of Flomaton died as a result of injuries received in a traffic crash the morning of October 10, 2012, in Century. Pictured below: The driver of this pickup, 52-year old James Richburg of Brewton rear-ended Daw’s pickup. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Brent Lane, Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For ACM Awards
February 14, 2013
Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated for Academy of Country Music Association Radio Station of the Year, and Cat Pak Morning Show co-host Brent Lane has nominated for Radio On-Air Personality of the Year.
“We are all very pleased and honored to be listed as a nominee for this prestigious award. I could not be more proud for our staff and our listener family,” said Kevin King, Cat Country 98.7 operations manager. “To be nominated by our peers for ACM Station of the Year is very special.”
“It’s truly an honor to be able to represent Pensacola at the ACM’s in Las Vegas and to be recognized for doing what we love to do,” Lane said.
WYCT — Cat Country 98.7 — was awarded the national Radio Station of the Year from the Academy of Country Music in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Brent Lane with the Cat Pak Morning show won the national personality award from the ACM’s in 2009, and has been nominated four total times for the national award.
The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be presented live on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m., seen locally on WKRG TV 5.
Century Clinic To Address Area’s ‘Near Epidemic’ Prescription Drug Abuse
February 14, 2013
Lakeview Center in Century will open a new clinic next week to address the Century area’s “near epidemic prescription drug abuse” problem.
“Opioid dependency has reached near-epidemic levels in this part of Florida and Alabama,” said Marvin Chaffin, director of Lakeview’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program. “People are looking for ways to take control of their lives again.”
Successful treatment of drug dependency can help strengthen families and improve overall health and safety for the community, Chaffin said.
Century Medication Assisted Treatment Program begins operation Monday at the Century Clinic of Lakeview Center. The center will use scientifically proven protocols to help people who are addicted to prescription pain killers and other opium-based drugs, according to a Lakeview Center press release.
Methadone is the primary medication used by the program. It is dispensed in carefully monitored daily doses following protocols for either gradual detoxification or long-term maintenance.
The Century Clinic is located at 6021 Industrial Boulevard.
Five Arrested In Prostitution Sting
February 14, 2013
Five women have been busted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for prostitution following an undercover sting.
Frances Elizabeth Fowler, 40, Linday Fay Parham, 52, Tonya Renee Henderson, 34, Heather Christina Tiller, 34 , and Wanda Jo Winslett, 46 were all arrested for prostitution and related charges in the Brownsville area Tuesday night.
Fowler has four previous prostitution convictions on her rap sheet, while Winslett has been convicted twice and Parham once, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Flomaton Man Busted On Multiple Meth Charges
February 14, 2013
An anonymous tip led to the arrest of a Flomaton man on multiple meth-related charges.
Troy Boutwell, age 44, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
The tipster alerted the agents with the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force that Boutwell was allegedly selling methamphetamine a short distance from a residence on Diane Lane off of Upper Creek Road north of Flomaton.
Agent located Boutwell on Diane Lane and reported finding him in possession of about two grams of crystal methamphetamine. When agent interview Boutwell, he admitted to manufacturing the controlled substance at his residence at 6800 Upper Creek Road, Flomaton. Agents received written permission to search the home.
During the search, agents reported finding about three grams of crystal methamphetamine along with chemicals commonly used in the manufacturing of meth.
Also arrested at the scene was Heather Powell who was transported to Conecuh County, Ala., on a failure to appear warrant from that county.