Stand Your Ground Remains Under Fire
April 2, 2012
The National Rifle Association has long been a powerful force in Tallahassee. But as the Sanford shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin continues to create a national furor, NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer and her legislative allies face growing pressure to revamp the state’s “stand your ground” law.
“There’s a critical and urgent need to look at the law, and at least clarify it, or explain it,” said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.
Some black lawmakers have called for holding a special legislative session to deal with the law. While that appears unlikely, Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who was an original sponsor of stand your ground in 2005, acknowledged that it might need to be clarified.
“There’s nothing in the statute that provides for any kind of aggressive action, in terms of pursuit and confront,” Baxley said. “So I think that’s been some misapplication of this statute. If anything could come out of this very tragic circumstance, it could be some clarification of when this applies and how.”
Stand your ground, which was backed by the NRA, has drawn widespread attention since neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot and killed Martin last month. Zimmerman, who has not been charged in the death, contends that he fired in self-defense.
The law allows people who feel threatened in public to stand their ground and use force to defend themselves, eliminating a prior responsibility to try to retreat. Questions in the Martin case center, at least in part, on whether Zimmerman pursued the teen before shooting him.
Gov. Rick Scott wants to wait until the conclusion of the Martin investigation before addressing the stand-your-ground law. He has appointed an outside prosecutor, Angela Corey, to head the investigation and also has announced that a task force will later look at issues such as stand your ground.
“We still don’t know the effect the stand-your-ground law might have in this case, so it would be premature to begin evaluating facts when more facts are yet to emerge,” Scott spokesman Lane Wright said. “Gov. Scott believes we need to be thoughtful and thorough as we deal with this awful tragedy, and for those reasons he will not interfere with the investigation or prematurely expedite the work of the task force.”
By the News Service of Florida
New Senate Maps Submitted To Feds
April 2, 2012
The second draft of new maps for the state Senate have been submitted to the U.S. Justice Department for “pre-clearance” under the Voting Rights Act.
In a memo contained with the filing, the state argued that the plan easily complies with the act.
“There cannot be any serious issue concerning discriminatory purpose in the covered counties,” the memo says. “The minority districts there largely followed the districts recommended by civil-rights groups and materially preserved the ability of minority voters in those counties to elect their preferred candidates.”
The submission should give the Justice Department the full 60 days it has under the Voting Rights Act to review the proposal before candidate qualifying begins. Any changes to Florida elections law must be considered by the federal agency or a federal court before going into effect in five counties with a history of racial discrimination.
Maps for the House were submitted March 13.
Baseball: Wins For Tate, Flomaton
April 2, 2012
Here’s a recap of Friday night baseball action across the area.
Tate 10 — Washington 5 (JV)
Tate 6 — Washington 5
The Tate Aggies swept a JV/varsity doubleheader from the Washington Wildcats at Tate. The JV won 10-5.
In the night cap, Cody Palmer picked up his sixth victory in relief. Hunter Black had the game winning hit again in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring pinch runner Cole Commander.
Matt Rickard 2-4, 2B
Austin Quina 2-2, RBI
Mac Seibert 1-2, 2B, 3RBI
The Aggies, now with a 15-1 record, hit the road this week traveling to Escambia, Pine Forest and Pace.
Flomaton 4 –Mobile Christian 3
Flomaton 12 — Mobile Christian 0
Flomaton Hurricanes beat Mobile Christian both times in their doubleheader Friday night, 4-3 and 12-0. The Hurricanes are currently ranked No. 4 in the state in 2A.
In the first game, Zack Watson allowed four hits and two earned runs while striking out 6. Watson’s record improved 6-1. In the second game, Joseph Parker was had 10 strikeouts while allowing only two hits.
With the wins, t
he Hurricanes improve their record to 16-3 and on a 15 game winning streak. The Hurricanes host the Northview Chiefs Monday night, with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
First Game: Batting
Andrew Cash 2-4 2 1B, 1 run
Hunter Bonds 2-4 1B, 2B, RBI SB
Zack Watson 2-4 1B, 2B 1 run
Jacob Newton 2-2 2 1B, RBI, 2 SB
Tyler Dove 1 run
Joseph Parker 1-2 1 run
Pitching
Zack Watson 7IP 6K 1W 2ER 4 hits allowed CG
Second Game: Batting
Andrew Cash 1-2 1B 2 runs
Hunter Bonds 2-3 1B, 2B RBI 2 runs
James Dean 2-3 2 1B, 2 RBI, 3 runs, SB
Zack Watson 1-3 1B 1 run
Trey Weeks RBI 1 run
Jacob Newton 2-3 1B, 2B 3 RBI SB
Tristan McAnally 1-4 1B RBI
Joseph Parker 1-1 HR RBI 2 runs
Tyler Dove 1 run
Pitching
Joseph Parker 5IP 10K 3W 2 hits allowed W
Tyler Harris 1IP 2K S
School Board Approves North Escambia School Personnel Changes
April 2, 2012
The Escambia County School Board approved several North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and retirements during March.
The school board made the following changes among teachers and staff at schools across North Escambia:
Instructional/Professional Appointments
- Vickie R. Grant, teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Instructional/Professional Transfers
Patricia M Barker, from Warrington to Ransom Middle
Instructional/Professional Retirements
- Kathleen A. Varner, teacher, Tate High
Educational Support – Appointments
- Gladys M Dykes, custodial worker II, Molino Park
Educational Support – Retirements/Resignations
- David J. Knott, Sr., custodial worker, Ernest Ward Middle (retired)
- Jourdan A. Robertson, teacher assistant, Ransom Middle
- Patricia Stepherson, data specialist II, Ransom Middle
Child, Adult Injured In Molino ATV Crash
April 1, 2012
Two people were injured in an ATV accident Saturday night in Molino.
An 11-year old female and a 29-year old female were transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital in stable condition following the crash.
First responders were called to the 4000 block of White Ash Road east of Highway 97 about 9 p.m. for the accident. Complete circumstances surrounding the crash were not immediately available.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident.
Pictured: Two people were injured in an ATV crash Saturday night in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
April 1, 2012
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
A steady rain fell for most of the Opening Day activities, but the skies began to clear as the first teams took to the field.\
For photo galleries, click the links below:
Gallery 1 — T-ball
Gallery 2 — Coach pitch softball
Gallery 3 — Baseball 1
Gallery 4 — Baseball 2
Gallery 5 — Softball
Gallery 6 — Opening Day
Pictured above and below: Opening Day action at Molino Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Hwy 97 Crash Caused By Cigarette
April 1, 2012
Four people were injured in a single car crash caused by a cigarette Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino.
The accident happened about 2 p.m. near Gibson Road.
The driver of a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 56-year old Donald Taylor of Las Vegas, was southbound on Highway 97 approaching Gibson Road. Taylor told troopers that he dropped his cigarette inside the car. As he leaned over to pick it up, he ran off the roadway. As the car traveled on the shoulder, it struck a tree, tearing the right front tire off the vehicle. As the car continued along the shoulder, it hit a second tree, tearing off the left front tire and ripping the driver’s door off the vehicle.
Taylor and his passengers, 68-year old Alice Taylor of Las Vegas, 50-year old Michael Braham of Atmore and 51-year old Jennie Braham of Atmore, were all transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident shut down Highway 97 for about 30 minutes, backing up traffic in both directions.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Three people were injured in this crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Middle Schoolers Compete In Math Tourney
April 1, 2012
About 200 middle school students from four counties took part in the Pensacola Invitational Middle School Math Competition Saturday at Pensacola High School.
From North Escambia, both Ernest Ward and Ransom Middle schools took part in the four-hour competition sponsored by the Math Honor Society of Pensacola High School’s International Baccalaureate program.
Pictured top: The Ernest Ward Middle School Algebra Team (L-R) Haley Brown, Deedee Mitchell, Bethany Reynolds and Abbie Johnson. Pictured below: Algebra I honorable mention award winners in the Pensacola Invitational Middle School Math Competition Saturday at Pensacola High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northwest Escambia Opening Day
April 1, 2012
Saturday was Opening Day for Northwest Escambia at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery from the day’s events, click here.
Pictured top: Opening Day for Northwest Escambia at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Music Play: Northview Holds 10 Hour Music Marathon
April 1, 2012
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The Northview High School Band and Fine Arts music programs held a 10-hour music marathon on Saturday.
For 10 straight hours there was some type of music taking place during the event. Students were sponsored by the hour, as a Fine Arts Department’s fund raiser for a spring trip to Atlanta.
“We used part of the time for rehearsal and part of the time for fun music activities and games,” program director Elaine Holk said.
Pictured: A small portion of the 10-hour music marathon at Northview High School on Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
