Auburn Coach Gene Chizik Visits Local Recruit, Tiger Fans
January 14, 2012
Auburn Tiger head football coach Gene Chizik paid a visit to Escambia County High School in Atmore Friday morning to visit with a small group of fans and a future Tiger defensive tackle.
Escambia County Blue Devil Tyler Nero has verbally committed to play at Auburn this fall. He chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky and others, according to Rivals.com.
Chizik led the Auburn Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship.
Pictured top: Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gene Chizik with Tyler Nero. Pictured inset: Chizik with Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Perry. Pictured below: Chizik with Auburn fan Toby Weaver of Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos by Edie Jackson, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: And They’re Back
January 14, 2012
State lawmakers kicked off an election-year, budget-cutting, once-a-decade-political- remapping session this week as Gov. Rick Scott called for further tax cuts and $1 billion more for education while assuring Floridians that good times are returning.
Ushered into a January session in a constitutionally mandated effort to draw new political boundaries in time for the 2012 elections, legislative leaders took little time to caution voters of potentially painful cuts as they work to craft a budget that may fall up to $2 billon short.
Meanwhile, proposals to make significant changes to the state’s no-fault automobile insurance, and a controversial piece of gambling legislation began their separate treks through the chambers, which both cranked back into action.
SCOTT TALKS DONUTS, JOBS AND EDUCATION:
Visibly more at ease than he was a year ago, Gov. Rick Scott delivered his second State of the State speech to a joint session of the Legislature, saying the signs of economic recovery are in the air and his plans to bring 700,000 new jobs to the state are on track.
Scott kept his message limited by focusing on public education, auto insurance reform and his mantra of more jobs.
“The decisions we make in the next few months will determine whether we continue to create a business climate that will provide new jobs and opportunities for Floridians; whether we fully recapture that spirit of human potential that is at the core of what it means to be a Floridian,” Scott said. “I’m absolutely convinced that we will.”
Otherwise short on specifics, the governor called on lawmakers to find at least a $1 billion more for public education while holding the line or reducing taxes, and warned lawmakers he “cannot budge” on that number.
CLAIMS BILLS:
Taking a cue from Scott’s 2010 campaign, the Senate got right to work, passing a pair of claims bills that have caught the attention of Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
Hours after the session started Tuesday, the chamber approved (SB 4), which calls for Eric Brody to receive $15.575 million as compensation for debilitating injuries he suffered in a 1998 car crash with a Broward County sheriff’s deputy. It then passed the other bill (SB 2) to provide $1.35 million to William Dillon, who spent 27 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of a murder in Brevard County.
“Today’s simply about justice,” Haridopolos said in presenting the Dillon bill, which passed 39-1.
PIP MY RIDE:
With Scott calling for swift action, both chambers released proposals this week backers say are needed to curb costs that have crippled the state’s no-fault system set up 40 years ago to pay medical costs up to $10,000 for victims of automobile accidents.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in April estimates that the number of personal injury protection claims grew by 28 percent between 2006 and 2010 despite no significant increase in the number of drivers on the road. Between 2008 and 2010, estimated claims payments jumped 70 percent to $2.37 billion.
The Senate plan, SB 1860, places tighter restrictions on clinics and makes sure hospitals get paid first. Unlike the House plan, HB 119, the Senate version does not place caps on attorney fees.
The House version, which passed the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee on a 10-5 vote Wednesday, caps overall legal fees and prevents plaintiffs’ attorneys from using multipliers to boost their fees. The House plan also funnels accident victims to hospital emergency rooms or satellite urgent care facilities associated with ERs in an effort to curb costs.
DESTINATION UNKNOWN
Debate over expanding gambling in Florida continued as neither side of the controversial issue was ready to fold. A Senate proposal to allow three mega-resort gambling venues in Florida was amended to allow for expanded gaming in more pari-mutuels around the state. The measure, SB 710, also backed away from earlier promises to shut down Internet cafes.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the bill in a 7-3 vote to allow developments of at least $2 billion to spring up in Florida. Supporters face long odds getting it through the full Senate and House.
The House Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, meanwhile, held a workshop later in the week, on its proposal, but committee chairman Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota said he has not made up his mind about whether he would support the House bill, HB 487, a more limited proposal that would also allow up to three destination resort casinos.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an advisory opinion rejecting proposals for slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities outside Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The opinion came less than three weeks before Gadsden and Washington counties are scheduled to hold referenda about whether to allow slot machines.
ECONOMIC FORECAST
As lawmakers eye gambling as a way to produce revenue several years from now, state economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
Earlier in the week Haridopolos said lawmakers should consider postponing budget action until after revenue data from December and January was available. The idea gained momentum as the week progressed.
By Friday, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said a majority of members were in favor of taking a break on budget items until another round of revenue estimates is calculated, if that’s the approach the Senate president wants to follow.
So far, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has said he is confident the session will end in 60 days.
PRISONS
Scott’s push to get the state out of the prison business took a step forward this week as his prison chief announced plans to close seven prisons and four work camps as part of a consolidation plan that’s possible because of declining numbers of prisoners.
The largest facility slated to close is New River Correctional Institute in Raiford, a part of the so-called Iron Triangle of prison facilities that surround Florida State Prison in northeast Florida.
Later in the week, bills to privatize prisons, work camps and other facilities in South Florida were introduced. The fast tracked measures are scheduled to be taken up next week by the Senate Rules Committee, a sure sign the push to get the state out of the corrections business remains in play.
BROWNING, WALLACE TO STEP DOWN.
Two veteran administrators announced this week they would step down. Two-time Secretary of State Kurt Browning said Wednesday he would step away from the position again. Browning, first hired by former Gov. Charlie Crist in 2006 and then brought back by Scott in 2010, said he will return to Pasco County and would at least consider taking a run at school superintendent. Browning will remain in office until Feb. 17, allowing him to oversee the Jan. 31 presidential primary.
Another veteran to hit the road is Scott Wallace, who will step down this spring as CEO of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. the state-backed company that is now the largest property insurer in the state. Wallace, who has spent six years at Citizens’ helm, gave no reason for his decision to quit effective April 6.
STORY OF THE WEEK: With an election looming and an expected $2 billion budget hole facing it, the Legislature convened this week for a 60-day(?) session that will include redrawing all the political boundaries.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My fellow Floridians, I’m here today to tell you that promise and opportunity will return; in fact ARE returning even as we meet here today. While we have many miles to go, and some of them will be painful, our higher journey is already under way. This year and today we see the rebirth of an even greater Florida.” Rick Scott, during his state of the state speech.
By The News Service of Florida
Florida Supreme Court Rules Against West Florida Hospital
January 13, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected arguments by an Escambia County hospital in a legal battle about turning over documents to an injured woman’s attorneys.
The dispute stems from a 2004 constitutional amendment that called for hospitals to disclose a wide range of internal documents in medical-negligence cases. But West Florida Regional Medical Center argued it should not have to release certain documents to attorneys for Lynda See, who suffered liver damage after going to the hospital to have a gallbladder removed in 2003.
In part, the hospital contended that a federal law, known as the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, trumped the state constitutional amendment and barred the release of documents involved in internal hospital peer-review processes.
But in an opinion written by Justice R. Fred Lewis, the Supreme Court flatly rejected the argument, saying the federal law “clearly does not provide for confidentiality for peer-review documents.’.
By The News Service of Florida
Florida DOC To Close Seven Prisons, Four Work Camps
January 13, 2012
The Florida Department of Corrections announced Thursday that it will be closing seven prisons and four work/forestry camps by July 1. None of the facilities are in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
The DOC said the closures are part of a statewide consolidation plan and were due to declining prison admissions and excess bed space. No inmates will be released as a result of the decision.
The prisons being closed are Broward Correctional Institution (CI) in Ft. Lauderdale, Demilly CI in Polk City, Gainesville CI in Alachua County, Hillsborough CI in Riverview near Tampa, Indian River CI in Vero Beach, Jefferson CI in Monticello and New River CI (both units) in Raiford. In addition, River Junction Work Camp in Chattahoochee, Caryville Work Camp near Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, Hendry Work Camp in Immokalee, and Levy Forestry Camp near Lowell CI in Ocala.
“Declining prison admissions has led to a surplus of prison beds, allowing us to pare down our budget shortfall by consolidating and closing our older, less efficient facilities. We are committed to placing as many affected staff as possible in vacant positions for which they are qualified,” said Secretary Ken Tucker.
Inmates will be relocated to institutions with vacancies that meet their custody, profile, health, education and risk assessment needs.
Pictured: A guard tower at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Park, Jim Allen Students Dream Up One Of A Kind Inventions
January 13, 2012
Flying cars, traffic evaders, automatic bed makers and more were on display Thursday at Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools. Some of the brightest students at both schools presented their one of a kind inventions during an Invention Convention held at each school.
Students in each school’s Gifted Enrichment Classes displayed their projects they completed as part of their 15 week study of inventions and inventors. Each project included a prototype of the invention, information on how it works or how it would be used and the estimated cost.
“There were some really creative ideas,” Molino Park Elementary Principal Alice Woodward said. “They worked really hard.”
For a photo gallery of the Molino Park Gifted Enrichment Class inventions, click here.
Some of the items presented included:
- Tired of traffic on your morning commute? The Traffic Evader by Bryce Korinachk has the ability to fly over traffic using an air propulsion system. Simply refill the air cylinder with any air compressor and you are environmentally friendly when flying over traffic. The Traffic Evader’s sticker price is $75,000 to $80,000.
- The Splashula, at just $9.95 is a bargain for the grill or kitchen. Simply fill the spray bottle attached to your spatula with oil spray, and you’ll be a lean, mean pancake cooking machine — just spray the pan and flip the pancakes. Or, for the grill, load the squirt bottle with water. Flip the burgers and douse the flames in one easy step.
- The “Bathroom Reading Buddy” holds your books, magazines or perhaps even your iPad while in the bathroom for just $24.99. “It attaches to the side of the cabinet and extends out to hold your reading material,” according to inventor Connor Crisco. “When you are finished, just push it back up against the cabinet and it’s out of the way.” $24.99, magazines not included.
- The Auto Bed Maker is sure to please both moms and kids. “This device makes your bed faster than a strike of lightning,” according to inventor Clayton Smith. And, if you act now, it’s half price at just $40.
- The Flying Car (pictured) is a reality in another inventor’s project, but it’s going to hurt the bank account just a bit with a $100,000,00.90 sticker price. It’s easy to use, press the red button to fly; press it again to stop flying. But don’t forget where you parked it — the prototype model is camouflage.
- Girl Guardian is a GPS tracking device disguised as an attractive girl’s bracelet. It’s not recognized as a GPS device, so the bad guy’s won’t touch it. It can be constantly monitored for easy tracking, and includes a panic button for emergencies. And it’s good for the environment — it uses GPS chips from discarded cell phones.
- The 911 AED takes the automated external defibrillator a step further — open the lid and it automatically places a cellular 911 call with GPS coordinates for the dispatcher.
- Passing the sunflower seeds around the dugout at the neighborhood little league games is easier than ever with the Sandlot Seed Server. Simply place a cup under the server then “Open the Core and Let’em Pour” for only $49.99.
- Watered down soft drinks are a thing of the past with the Flavor Ice from Micah Calhoun. For just $50.69 it provides ice made out of the same drink that you are dispensing. “When this ice melts, it only makes your soda taste even better,” Calhoun said.
- The Sponge Shoe is just $9.99. It’s a shoe, it ’s a sponge — no it’s a sponge on shoe. Walk around, and all those little messes are cleaned right up. “It also saves my mom time because she does not have to mop the floor if it’s small mess that I can clean,” inventor Brayden Mickel said.
- The Bristle Bullet is an “easy, fun, cool way to clean your gun”, in Jenna’s project. A brush, like that used to clean baby bottles, is mounted on the tip of a bullet. Simply fire the bullet at your target and your gun is cleaned at the same time. A dozen would sell for $36.99.
- The Glow In The Dark Cork is perfect for night fishing. The glow in the dark paint glows like the moon. No more worrying about battery operated corks that fail when they crack.
- The $45 Dog Collar 3000 hold dog treats on Fido’s collar — no more running back inside for treats on those long winter walks.
- No more ropes with the sure to be American made Flag Raiser by Dalton Brown. For just $19.99, easy electronic controls automatically raise the flag.
- Travel Trays are manufactured of industrial grade stainless steel and collapse for easy storage. From an iPod to a Nintendo DS to McDonald’s fries or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s — the Travel Trays hold most everything with no spill.
- Ever had a fight in the kitchen with the roll of plastic wrap? Fight no more with the Wrap Trap at the introductory price of $7.50. It’s all about the control — the Wrap Trap holds the box of Saran or other wrap nice and steady on the counter while the included blade makes the cut.
Pictured top: The Bathroom Reading Buddy. Pictured inset: The Flying Car for just $100,000,00.90. Pictured below: A portion of the Flavor Ice machine. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Block Drug Felons From Getting Cash Assistance
January 13, 2012
The House Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee Wednesday morning voted 9-6 in favor of a bill that would require the Department of Children and Families to deny cash assistance benefits and food assistance benefits to anyone who has been convicted of a felony for the possession of drugs on or after July 1, 2012.
The bill has an exception for people who have gone through a drug treatment program, and would allow the appointment of someone else to receive benefits on behalf of the person’s children.
The measure is sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Smith, R-Inverness, who last year sponsored a measure requiring drug tests for those seeking cash assistance.
That bill passed but has been challenged in court.
By The News Service of Florida
Groups Can Apply Now For Escambia United Way Funding
January 13, 2012
The application for United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest is available now. The deadline to apply for funding is January 27, 2012. Agencies with 501(c)(3) non-profit status are eligible to apply for this funding of undesignated money pooled from thousands of donors in our community.
Grants will be awarded by a Volunteer Funds Distribution Committee comprised of more than 100 donors and community leaders. These volunteers intensively evaluate each program requesting funding to ensure donor contributions are spent in the most effective way possible in Escambia County.
The money will be allocated to programs that can show measurable outcomes and results within United Way’s three Community Impact Priorities of Education, Financial Stability and Health. If a program does not fit in these categories, funding may still be awarded based on the measurable impact of the program.
In 2011/12, United Way of Escambia County funded 38 programs at 26 agencies and schools for a total external allocation of more than $1,200,000.
Non-profit agencies can download an application today at www.unitedwayescambia.org. For more information about United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest, contact Andrea Farage at (850) 444-7110 or email andrea@unitedwayescambia.org.
Ernest Ward Students Explore Past With National History Day Projects
January 13, 2012
History came alive through the eyes of students at Ernest Ward Middle School Thursday evening as they displayed weeks of work on projects for National History Day.
The History Fair in the school’s gym capped off a project in which EWMS students were required to do research into a topic. The research was presented in exhibit form, much like the typical science fair, or as a drama or web presentation. Students complete projects either individually or in teams.
For a photo gallery of projects, click here.
This was the third year Ernest Ward has participated in the national program, with the top projects from Ernest Ward headed next to a district competition. Winners included:
Individual Projects:
- Bethany Reynolds — The Cotton Gin: An Invention That Revolutionized a Global Industry
- Tristan Barrett — Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism
- Evan Till — The United States Cotton Industry
- Bailee Hinote — Native American Indians
Group Projects:
- Thomas Moore, Ben Preston, Jarod Townley — Railway System
- Mallory Gibson, Autumn Albritton — How The Revolutionary Ward Affected Indians
- Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond, Destiny Watson — Pablo Picasso
- Tylet Houston, Tristan Reaves — The Revolution of Space Technology (Space Race)
Names of winners in the performance, web and research paper categories were not immediately available.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School National History Day entitled “Pablo Picasso” by Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond and Destiny Watson. Pictured inset: Tristan Barrett’s “Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism” is judged. Pictured below: “Native American Indians” by Bailee Hinote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Men Arrested For Robbery
January 13, 2012
Two Escambia County men were arrested moments after robbing a woman at an Olive Road convenience store.
Jamal Anthony Williams, 25, and William Michael Venus, 24, were charged with the robbery of Leslie Suarez at the Mom and Pop’s store.
According to Suarez, as she was sitting in her car in the store parking lot, Williams allegedly walked up to her window and demanded money from her. Suarez, fearing Williams may have had a weapon, gave Williams what money she had. Williams then ran to a green Honda Civic, driven by Venus, got in the passenger side, and fled.
Matthew Criner, Suarez’s boyfriend, came out of the store and Suarez told him that she had just been robbed. Criner began to follow the vehicle as Suarez called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Moments later, deputies located and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Olive Road and Palafox Street. Both Williams and Venus were arrested and charged with the robbery. Both were booked in the Escambia County Jail – Williams with bond set at $12,500 and Venus with his bond set at $10,000.00.
No one was injured during the incident.
State Economic Forecast Steady, House Calls For Timely Budget
January 13, 2012
State economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged Thursday, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
House leaders swiftly pointed to the steady estimate as a sign that Senate President Mike Haridopolos should drop his public consideration of an extended session or a special session to deal with the budget shortfall. Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has said he’s concerned that the numbers could still change dramatically between now and the summer.
Lawmakers would normally work off of estimates developed shortly after the session opens in March, but needed an earlier figure for this year’s session, which began Jan. 10 because of redistricting.
“We will once again face many difficult choices as we craft a budget that reflects the House priorities,” said House Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley. “Delaying these tough choices will not make them go away.”
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said that completing a budget by the end of the 60-day session would also help future job growth by giving business leaders certainty about the future.
“There are inherent risks and uncertainty with any forecast, but none that can’t be overcome with conservative budgeting, planning for contingencies and setting aside ample reserves,” Cannon said.
Haridopolos was unmoved.
“The President continues to have concerns about the revenue estimate,” spokeswoman Lyndsey Cruley said in an email.
The conference found that there were some downside risks for the economy related to personal income in Florida and a potential debt crisis in Europe, but it also said that “the likelihood of a second recession has diminished” in recent months.
“Overall, the adjustments to the forecast indicate an economy that is still in an abnormally slow recovery,” an executive summary issued by the revenue estimating conference stated.
Forecasters are not set to meet again until the summer, though Baker told reporters they would be willing to do so again if lawmakers wanted fresh numbers. At the same time, she suggested that wasn’t necessary.
“At this point, I wouldn’t know of a reason to say, ‘”Well, check back with us in a few months.’”