No Texting And Driving Bill Passes Transportation Committee
December 8, 2011
A bill aimed at curbing the temptation to text while on the road in Florida was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday by a 10-0 vote.
The measure prohibits driving “while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other text in a wireless communication device”. The bill also prohibits drivers from reading messages while driving.
The bill makes an exception to emergency responders and those with hands-free devices.
First time offenders get fined $30, court costs and six points on their driving record. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice.
By The News Service of Florida
Photos: Flomaton High Group Brings Cheer To Century Care Center
December 8, 2011
Members of the Flomaton High School Beta Club visited Century Care Center this week. The group sang Christmas carols and brought a gift for every resident at the facility.
For more photos, click here.
Pictured: Members of the Flomaton High School Beta Club sang carols and provided gifts for the residents of the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rick Scott: Slash Hospitals, Boost School Funding
December 8, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled a budget plan Wednesday partially paying for a boost in education spending with deep cuts to hospital payments, drawing scoffs from the state’s main teachers union and howls of protest from hospital groups.
Scott’s plans would also trim business taxes, shutter some prisons and shrink the state workforce by about 4,500 positions.
But what drew the most attention was Scott’s proposal to plow $1 billion into public education, in marked contrast to his reputation last year as a skinflint governor who balanced the budget with across-the-board spending reductions. Scott and his supporters touted it as a reaction to his meetings with Floridians during his summer travels; Democrats saw it as a crass political maneuver by an unpopular governor ahead of an election year.
Whatever the motivation, Scott said he would not bend.
“I will not sign a budget from the Legislature that does not significantly increase state funding for education,” he vowed.
The increase would be offset by several factors. About $444 million would replace one-time state funding or the loss of local tax income, and another $190 million would pay for enrollment growth. The per-student increase would be about $142, or 2.3 percent. Scott also didn’t replace hundreds of millions of dollars in federal education funding meant to fill some shortfalls.
Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, downplayed Scott’s education spending as an attempt to distract from the cuts of recent years. The state would still spend about $210 million less on education under Scott’s plan than it did five years ago, with overall education funding down about $1.6 billion.
“Today’s budget proposal seeks to put a smiley face on the massive budget cuts of the past few years and ignores the realities that our children aren’t getting the education they need,” Ford said. “The governor says he wants to create high-paying jobs for Florida by investing in public education, but this budget proposal puts little more than a Band-Aid on the massive cuts of the past few years.”
Scott’s plan would also slash Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, part of a plan to reduce by $2.1 billion the expected spending for the program next year. The governor said he would accomplish that largely by paying the same rates for similar hospitals, which would be placed into 10 groups to determine payment rates according to the type of facility.
“Our current system of reimbursing Medicaid hospital providers is unfair, illogical and incredibly expensive for Florida families and businesses,” Scott said at a press conference that was at one point crashed by a Daily Show reporter asking the governor for a urine sample.
But hospitals said that cut would wreak havoc on the state’s health-care system and could trigger higher charges to private citizens and insurance plans to offset the losses.
“It amounts to a giant tax on the sick,” said Bruce Rueben, president of the Florida Hospital Association.
Tony Carvalho, president of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, said some hospitals’ financial viability would be threatened if the cuts were approved. The average rate reduction for hospitals would be about 35 percent, he said.
“These are staggering cuts for some hospitals,” Carvalho said.
Democrats also laid into the plan, saying it was an effort by the governor to bolster his approval ratings ahead of legislative and presidential elections next year.
“Leave it to the Madoff of Medicare to gut money from education only to return partial funding the following election year in a transparent effort to buoy the sagging poll numbers of the state’s Republicans,” Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux said in a blistering statement following the budget’s release.
Legislative Democrats were only slightly more measured in their criticism. Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, said lawmakers should look at tax increases instead of further cuts as a source of new education funding.
“Pitting one critical priority against another is not the solution Floridians expect from the leader of the fourth largest state in the nation,” she said. “School books versus seniors or teachers versus public safety should not be among the options.”
Other portions of Scott’s budget plan include:
–A reduction of 4,500 positions in state government, including 2,800 filled positions. Officials with the governor’s office said they expected about 600 workers to ultimately lose their jobs when turnover and attrition were accounted for;
–The closing of some Department of Corrections facilities in an effort to save around $65 million, though Scott’s administration said the exact number wasn’t clear yet. The budget plan also counts on the state prevailing in a lawsuit challenging a policy privatizing prisons over the southern third of the state;
–Trust fund sweeps of around $147 million, though the Department of Transportation account would be untouched;
–About $23 million in tax cuts for businesses, which Scott said would be targeted mostly at small businesses, along with a constitutional amendment that could reduce tax bills further; and
–$15 million in new funding to restore the Florida Forever land-conservation program.
Republican legislative leaders, meanwhile, seemed to be unable to agree on exactly how quickly they would act on Scott’s recommendations. Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has pushed to delay a final vote on the budget until a new set of revenue estimates becomes available, likely in March. That could extend the session, slated to begin in January, or lead to a special meeting later in the year.
“I just want to deal with numbers that I feel comfortable with and not be off by hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. … At the very minimum, we want to see where this economy is going before we make some final decisions,” Haridopolos said in an interview Wednesday.
But House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, issued a statement seeming to rule out extra meetings for the spending plan.
“I am confident that [Scott's] blueprint will be a valuable tool as the House develops its own priorities and works with the Senate to pass a balanced budget by the end of the regular session,” Cannon said.
By The News Service of Florida
Atmore Man Charged In Century Shotgun Shooting Road Rage Incident
December 7, 2011
An Atmore man has been charged with shooting a man in Century Tuesday and firing a shotgun across busy Highway 29 in a road rage incident.
Deririck Medlock Hoover, Ala., told deputies he was traveling north on North Century Boulevard (Hwy. 29) about 3:50 p.m. when a white four-door vehicle swerved in front of him, cutting him off. Medlock said he pulled into the Century Quick Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard to calm down after the near-accident.
The driver of that vehicle, 55-year old Willie Floyd, was charged with aggravated battery, discharging a firearm in a public place and criminal mischief.
Medlock said he was outside his vehicle talking on his cellphone when Floyd then pulled into the parking lot and confronted the him, according to an arrest report. Floyd then retrieved a shotgun from his car and fired into the Medlock’s car, striking it with birdshot at the roof line above the rear passenger door (pictured below left).
Medlock then ran across North Century Boulevard when Floyd fired again, striking the victim in the leg with birdshot. Birdshot was also lodged in his wallet in his back pants pocket. Medlock hid behind a tree across North Century Boulevard from the store, where he watched Floyd drive away. Medlock then drove to the Southern Panhandle Restaurant just north of the store and called 911. He was evaluated there by Escambia County EMS, and he refused transport to the hospital.
A witness inside the store at the time of the shooting gave chase, following Floyd’s vehicle to Williams Street, just off West Highway 4 in Century. Deputies were not able to locate the vehicle on Williams Street once they arrived. Other witnesses confirmed the details given by the victim, and at the shooting was captured on the store’s surveillance video.
A 19-year old passenger in Floyd’s vehicle ran inside the convenience store during the incident. He was identified on the store’s surveillance video and questioned by deputies. He was not charged.
When deputies questioned Floyd, he refused to give them any statement and contacted his attorney. Floyd was positively identified as the shooter by the victim, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: A Hoover, Ala., man explains how an Atmore man shot him with shotgun Monday in Century as Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Frank Way listens. Pictured inset: Damage to the victim’s car. Pictured below: A Monday afternoon shooting outside a Century convenience store is under investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Man Charged Firing Gun From His Vehicle On Kingsfield
December 7, 2011
A Cottage Hill man was charged after allegedly firing a gun from his vehicle multiple times on West Kingsfield Road.
John Williams Stuart, age 23 of Williams Ditch Road, was charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle and criminal mischief with property damage of $1,000 or more.
Witnesses reported multiple gunshots fired from a pickup truck in the 2500 and 2600 blocks of West Kingsfield Road. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Stuart’s truck on Kingsfield Road. In the truck, they found numerous 9mm rounds on the front seat, and Stuart admitted having a Rugaer 9mm pistol. He told deputies, according to arrest report, that he had fired the gun from his truck at the ground “at least two or three times”.
Deputies found several shell casings along a two-block area of Kingsfield Road, along with two road signs with gunshot holes in them.
Stuart was released from the Escambia County Jail on $15,000 bond.
Molino Christmas Parade Set For Saturday
December 7, 2011
Final plans are being made now for the 9th Annual Molino Christmas Parade this Saturday.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. and will travel the intersection of Crabtree Church and Sunshine Hill roads to the Molino Ballpark where Santa will visit with all the good little boys and girls.
Entries are still being accepted for the parade; pre-register at Fran’s Diner or Barnes Feed Store, or register the day of the parade. Parade line-up will be at 12:15. Entry fees are $20 for floats; vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts and tractors are $10; and horses are $5 each. Go karts and 4-wheelers are not allowed.
For more information, contact Jayson Ging at (850) 587-2825, Fran’s Diner at (850) 587-2803, Barnes Feed Store at (850) 587-4060 or Christy Wise at (850) 587-3107.
All proceeds from the parade benefit Molino area children in need during the Christmas season. Donations of toys and non-perishable food items are also being accepted at Fran’s Diner.
In the event of rain, the parade will be rescheduled for Sunday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: Scenes from last year’s Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars
December 7, 2011
Several Escambia County students have recognized for the exceptional academic promise as Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Nationwide, there were about 34,000 Commended Students named. These students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
“Escambia County, Floridam students continue to be named among the best. When the education team of the parent and the school come together, it is a winning combination and the winner is always the student,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
National Merit Commended Students from Escambia County are:
- Booker T. Washington High School — Haley Anderson and Luke Evans.
- Tate High School — Rhett Chancellor
- Pensacola High School –Katherine Alvarado, Ryan Burke, Wesley Henderson, Jesse Ihns, Wade Ingram, Holly Kerchner, Peter Mahaffey, Ji Sung Moon, James Mozur, John (Jack) Tamburro, Hayden Ward, Christian (Elie) Zeitouni
- West Florida High School — Robert Mines and Jeff Grosso
- Escambia High School — Dimitri Baptiste and Allison Kane
Brickyard Road Paving A Go For $1.67 Million
December 7, 2011
Escambia County has given the go ahead to Roads Inc. of NWF to pave a portion of Brickyard Road in Molino.
About 1.6 miles of Brickyard Road will be paved between Molino Road and Brickton Road. About 1.3 miles of the roadway is currently dirt, while the third of mile of the road closest to Molino Road is currently an open graded cold mix that will be resurfaced. The widened road will include 11-foot travel lanes plus a one-foot paved shoulder. The project also includes right of way and drainage work.
Roads Inc. was the low bidder on the project at $1,674,183.75.
The project is due to be substantially completed within 180 days – by May 14, 2012.
Pictured above: Brickyard Road in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension To Present Winter Beef Update Next Week
December 7, 2011
A “Winter Beef Update” will presented next Tuesday, December 13 in Walnut Hill.
The program topic will be provide information on developing a beef cattle operation and marketing options with guest speaker Kevan Tucker, Clarke County (Ala.) extension coordinator and animal science/forages agent.
The two-hour program is geared toward beef producers of all experience levels, according to Allison Meharg of the Escambia Extension Service. It will be held at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97.
For reservations, contact Fran Lainhart at (850) 475-5230 or email lainhaf@ufl.edu.
$50 Million Gulf Restoration Plan Includes North Escambia Initiative
December 6, 2011
A portion of a $50 million Gulf Coast restoration initiative announced Monday by the Obama administration will be funneled into the North Escambia area to improve water quality in the Escambia River and the Gulf of Mexico.
The $50 million will spent over three years in conservation assistance to farmers and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers in five states that drain into the Gulf.
In both Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama, funds will be focused on the Canoe Creek watershed and the Sandy Hollow-Pine Barren Creek watershed in the Escambia River basin. Also, in North Escambia, funds will provide conservation assistance in the Little Pine Barren Creek Watershed in the Escambia River Basin.
USDA will work with a team of local, state and federal partners to deliver this project. Through this effort, North Escambia farmers and ranchers will invest in voluntary conservation to provide cleaner water and more abundant wildlife for their neighbors and communities.
The money will be used for conservation practices for any agriculture producers wanting to install conservation and will probably pay a higher cost-share rate than standard EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) or WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program),” said Cam Johnson, communications coordinator for Escambia County (Fla.) “We don’t have a handle of how much money this county will receive, since we have not been given full details of the program.”
“The conservation partnership is taking proactive steps to improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico,” said USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman. “This initiative is a powerful example of how government can collaborate with private citizens, communities, and private organizations. Together, we can identify challenges, leverage each other’s resources and capabilities, and make a difference for both the environment and our quality of life.”
The funds will not go directly to Escambia County; rather, the money will be administered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Molino. Once program details are finalized, NorthEscambia.com will publish application information.
Pictured top: The Highway 4 bridge over the Escambia River at Century. Pictured below: The Escambia River at Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
