Florida Democrats Outregistering GOP, Both Lagging Behind NPA’s
June 19, 2012
More Democrats than Republicans registered to vote in Florida in May, driven by women and Hispanics, according to state registration data released early by the Democratic Party.
Democrats said they registered 5,108 more voters in May than the Republican Party did, the fourth month in a row the party has led the GOP in new registrations.
The party released the favorable figures ahead of the state, which typically lags in its reporting of the data on its website.
The most recent official tally on the state’s elections website, from April, showed 4.5 million registered Democrats in the state and just under 4.1 million registered Republicans.
But when the May state data is released, the larger story is likely to continue to be that independents are outpacing both parties in recent registration.
The official April state registration report, the last available from the Division of Elections, shows Democrats registered just over 7,000 new voters that month compared to about 4,000 new Republicans.
But the number of no-party voters increased by nearly 15,000 in April, according to state figures, more than double the number of new Democrats. Another 500 or so new minor party voters registered. State figures in April showed 2.3 million Florida voters registered with no party and 342,000 with minor party affiliations.
The GOP regularly dismisses registration figures as meaningless because of the large amount of cross-over voting, particularly in north Florida where many Democrats often vote for Republican candidates.
Democrats, on the other hand, say national politics have pushed women and Hispanics toward the party and also say Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s generally low popularity numbers have helped registration efforts. Democrats say the state figures for May will show their party with a 12 percent registration advantage among Hispanics and a 14 percent advantage among women.
Registration closes July 16 for voters who want to vote in the Aug. 14 primary election. Voters can continue to register until Oct. 9 to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.
By The News Service of Florida
Ensley SWAT Standoff Ends Peacefully, Suspect Arrested
June 18, 2012
A SWAT standoff in Ensley ended with an Escambia County man behind bars.
Morrington Decarlos Adams, 37, was charged with battery, aggravated battery and kidnapping false imprisonment following the incident on Calahan Place.
Deputies responded to the 7800 block of Calahan Plance where they found a female sitting outside on the sidewalk with a gash on the back of her head. She told deputies that she and Adams had a dispute inside the residence, and he struck her in the head with a glass bottle.
Deputies later attempted to make contact with Adams who would not come to the door. Information was received that Adams was possible armed with a firearm in the home, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Matt Baxter.. The SWAT team was activated and responded to the scene, along with negotiators. After Adams failed to respond to the numerous attempts by negotiators to have him step outside , the SWAT team deployed gas into the home. Moments later Adams exited and surrendered.
Adams is being held in the Escambia County Jail.
Pictured: A SWAT team standoff in Ensley Monday afternoon. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escapee Caught Quickly
June 18, 2012
A woman that attempted an escape did not enjoy freedom very long before she was back behind bars.
Lori Ann Carrell, 48, was apprehended shortly after authorities said she ran out of work release Friday. Deputies responded to the facility after workers were searching
Carrell and a package of pills fell to the floor from her waistband.
Carrell began to struggle with the workers as they were attempting to secure the pills and handcuff Carrell. After Carrell was handcuffed, she sat down whole other prisoners were being searched. That is when deputies said Carrell fled the facility.
Moments later, Carrell was located in the back parking lot of the nearby Town and Country Plaza and taken into custody without further incident.
Carrell was charged with escape, introduction of contraband into a detention facility, tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. She remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,000.
Cantonment Man Charged With Strangling Girlfriend
June 18, 2012
A Cantonment man has been charged with allegedly strangling his live-in girlfriend.
Michael David Jones, 21, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that she and her boyfriend were at a local bar when she decided that she was ready to leave but Jones was not. After leaving the bar, Jones put his hands around his girlfriend’s neck and began to choke her while she was driving, according to an arrest report. On the way to their residence, Jones allegedly attempted to choke the victim several more times.
A responding deputy reported that Jones appeared to be highly intoxicated.
Look Inside: New Molino Library, Museum And Community Center
June 18, 2012
Progress is continuing on a project to convert the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum. The facility is expected to be completed by November.
For a look inside at the construction progress, click here for a photo gallery.
Pictured: Inside the old Molino School restoration project. Pictured top: The auditorium in what will be the community center. Pictured left inset: A portion of the library. Pictured below: One of the rooms that will become a museum. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Food For America Program Finalist For Best In Florida
June 18, 2012
The Northview High FFA has been named as one of five finalists for Florida’s best Food For America program.
The local Food for America Program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. About 600 elementary school students and scores of volunteers took part in the program.
The program gave the students from Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
The program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in Agricultural Literacy and Awareness projects on the local level. The overall program winner will be awarded on stage during the 6th General Session of the 84st Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando on Thursday, June 28.
The Northview FFA has participated in the program for 17 years, placing first in the state in 2010 and second in the state in 2007 and 2009. Northview has placed in the top five in the state at least 10 times.
For a photo gallery from the 2012 event, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School FFA’s Food for America program in March 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Ranked In Top 10 Areas Losing Most Jobs In USA
June 18, 2012
The Pensacola metro — defined as being all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — is ranked number 10 on a national list of cities losing the highest percentage of jobs.
The Christian Science Monitor said “for some regions, talk of a recovery is more wishful thinking than fact” in their recently published list. The list compiled according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“While two in three metro areas in the United States saw the number of jobs increase, the number of jobs in greater Pensacola actually decreased – down 4,600, a 2.8 percent decrease in employment,” the article states.
Cantonment 6U All Stars Looking For World Series Championship
June 18, 2012
The Cantonment 6U All Stars are 3-1 in the Tee Ball World Series going on at the Gospel Projects Youth Athletic Complex in Milton. Cantonment will be in action again Monday at 7 p.m. With a win, they will advance to the championship game on Tuesday against NEP Gold, the team that handed them a loss Saturday in tournament play. Photos by Katie Mayo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Escambia Residents Sentenced On Federal Drug Charges
June 18, 2012
Four Escambia County residents have been sentenced for their part in a federal drug conspiracy that was transporting large amounts of cocaine and marijuana into the Escambia County area.
Marquis Marchello Hopkins, age 31 of Cantonment, received five years probation based on the court’s determination that he was a minor participant in the overall conspiracy, that he immediately admitted guilt and that he cooperated with law enforcement.
Three other Escambia County residents received federal prison time.
Labarren D. Fields, age 34 of Pensacola, received a sentence of 200 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Jamil Demario Tenon, age 28 of Pensacola, received a sentence of 140 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Eldon Turmaine Abram, age 28 of Pensacola, received a sentence of 24 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, federal authorities identified a sizable cocaine and marijuana trafficking operation, with supply sources in both Texas and Georgia, transporting kilograms of cocaine and large amounts of marijuana into the Pensacola area for distribution. The ongoing investigation involved multiple states and federal agents in the Pensacola area coordinated closely with federal agents in Texas and Georgia.
Other indictments are pending in the operation, authorities said.
NWE, Atmore Come Up Short In Tourney
June 18, 2012
Both Atmore and Northwest Escambia came up short Sunday in the 2012 9-10U All Star District Tournament in Evergreen, AL.
Scores from Sunday were:
Andalusia 11, Atmore 10
Brewton 13, Northwest Escambia 1
Pictured: Action as Northwest Escambia faced Opp Saturday afternoon in Evergreen, AL, in the 2012 All Star District Tournament. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.