Supreme Court Doesn’t Like New Evers, Gaetz Districts
March 11, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against a redistricting map drawn by the Senate, declaring that 8 of the Senate’s 40 re-drawn districts are in violation of the Fair Districts standards.
Two of the districts in question include Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — a northern district across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties held by Greg Evers and the southern portion of the counties making up a district held by Don Gaetz. Both are Okaloosa County residents; Gaetz lives in Niceville, while Evers resides in Baker.
The court did not like how the counties were split because it said lawmakers could not justify dividing the Panhandle into two districts that ran east-to-west, dividing a number of counties, instead of a north-south alignment.
Opponents of the plan have pushed for a district that includes all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
If Escambia and Santa Rosa make up a new district, leaving Gaetz and Evers in another district — pitting the two against each other if they should both run in the next election — unless one of them should move.
Gov. Rick Scott has called a 15-day extraordinary session beginning Wednesday to give the Senate another shot at creating constitutionally valid districts.
The court tossed districts in practically every major region of the state, but Senate leaders said the damage was limited.
“We’re not starting with a clean sheet of paper, as some of our critics wanted us to,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Gaetz. “We’re starting I think with a roadmap that will help us get where we need to go.”
Work Begins On New Family Dollar In Century
March 11, 2012
A construction project is underway on a new Family Dollar store in Century.
The 8,000 square foot discount retail store will be located at 9441 North Century Boulevard — that’s at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Green Street. The site was last occupied by Royal Pizza and Subs, which was destroyed by fire in July 2008. Prior to that, the property housed a barbecue restaurant. The 1.22 acre lot is located just south of the Food Giant grocery store.
There’s no word yet on the number of jobs the business will provide, or when the discount store will open.
Family Dollar currently operates 6,800 stores in 44 states. Other Family Dollar Stores in the North Escambia area are located in Davisville, Cantonment, Pensacola and Atmore.
Pictured top: Construction crews have started work on the lot that will contain a new Family Dollar store on North Century Boulevard. Pictured inset: The property was the former home a pizza and sub restaurant that burned in 2008. Pictured below: A typical Family Dollar store. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
On The Hill: Molino Teen Serves As House Page
March 11, 2012
A young man from Molino recently spent a week serving as a page in the Florida House of Representatives.
Mitchell Singleton, a seventh grader at Ernest Ward Middle School, served as a page for Rep. Doug Broxson.
Pages and messengers are students who work one week at the Capitol during the 60-day Regular Session. Each of Florida’s 120 representatives may sponsor one page (ages 12-14) and one messenger (ages 15-18).
Being selected to serve is considered an honor and privilege. Pages and messengers assist the representatives and their staff during the Capitol’s busiest time of year while observing state government in action.
The page and messenger program is a long-standing tradition in the Florida House, with journals making mention of them as far back as 1865.
Singleton and each page and messenger will have their name appear in the official Journal of the House as an official record of their time spent serving in state government.
Pictured top: Mitchell Singleton (foreground) of Molino recently served as a page in the Florida House. Pictured inset: Mitchell in the House Chambers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Officially Repeal Mandatory Septic Tank Inspection Law
March 10, 2012
Lawmakers on Friday repealed a 2010 law that required septic tank inspections across the state.
The septic tank inspection issue has been controversial across Northwest Florida after the passage of the 2010 law. That law was designed, at least in part, to help limit septic tank discharges that could taint the state’s springs.
But opponents argue the law could lead to increased expenses for homeowners with septic tanks. The bill passed Friday calls for city or county officials to develop inspection programs if their areas include what are known as “first magnitude” springs — but it also allows those local governments to choose not to have the programs. There are no first magnitude springs located in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, described the move as a “very big deal in Northwest Florida.”
Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, praised the passage of the bill, which he said has been his priority for the past two years. He called the repeal of the mandatory septic tank inspection law a “big win” for Floridians.
Century Names Park After Late Council Member Nadine McCaw
March 10, 2012
The Town of Century dedicated the former “Roadside Park” as the Nadine McCaw Park on Friday in honor of the late town council member and lifelong resident.
“Momma put so much of her time, money and heart into Century and trying to make it a place that people would be proud to call home,” McCaw’s daughter Felicia Jones of Arab, Ala., said. “Momma lived her life to make a difference in the lives of other people.”
The sign marking the park is adorned with purple ribbons — McCaw dedicated a large amount of time to Relay for Life and its mission of finding a cure for cancer. That cure did not come soon enough for McCaw; she passed away from cancer on July 7, 2011.
“The family greatly appreciates the dedication of the park in Nadine McCaw’s honor,” her sister Willene Bryan of Byrneville said.
The Nadine McCaw Park is located at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road in Century.
Pictured: Members of Nadine McCaw’s family were on hand Friday morning for the dedication of the former Roadside Park in her memory. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Improves To 6-0 With Navarre Shutout
March 10, 2012
The Tate Aggies perfect season continued Friday night with a 3-0 shutout of the Navarre Raiders.
The Aggies Freshment also beat Navarre, 14-2.
Tate will host Ackerman, MS, on Tuesday, with the varsity playing at 7:00.
Death Penalty Recommended In 9 Mile Road Restaurant Murder
March 10, 2012
An Escambia County jury has recommended that Timothy Lee Hurst receive the death penalty for a murder 14 years ago at a 9 Mile Road restaurant.
The jury voted 7 to 5 in favor of death for Hurst. His conviction was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court which remanded the case back before the trial Court to conduct a new penalty phase.
Hurst was convicted in 2000 for the murder of Cynthia Harrison inside the Nine Mile Road Popeye’s Restaurant on May 2, 1998. Hurst, who was then an employee at Popeye’s, stabbed Assistant Manager Cynthia Harrison approximately 60 times and placed her body in the restaurant’s freezer.
Man Charged With Neglecting Horses
March 10, 2012
A Santa Rosa County man is jailed on multiple animal abuse charges after deputies say allegedly neglected nearly a dozen horses.
Cordderryl Lee Pittman, 24, allegedly kept the horses on a property near the Blackwater State Forest without adequate food or water. The horses were removed the property, and Pittman was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on the animal abuse charges. He remained in jail early Saturday; he’s being held without bond on a violation of probation charge.
Pictured: Two of the horses that the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said were being kept without adequate food or water. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ex-Escambia Coach Convicted
March 10, 2012
An ex-Escambia High School coach was convicted Friday of one count of harassing or attempting to harass a witness, victim or informant.
Scott Anderson, who was the head football coach at Escambia High School, did try to influence or dissuade a football player from pursuing criminal charges against another teammate by
having an assistant coach tell the victim that if he were to continue pursuing charges he would be kicked off the football team, according to court testimony.
Judge Thomas Dannheisser scheduled a hearing for the court to make a determination on the defense’s motion for a judgment of acquittal on March 21, 2012. The defendant will also be sentenced on March 21, 2012 if the judge denies the motion filed by the defense.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Northview Students Go Orange And Blue For Tommy Weaver
March 10, 2012
Students and faculty at Northview High School dressed in Auburn clothing Friday in memory of coach and teacher Tommy Weaver who passed away Wednesday. Weaver was a huge Auburn Tiger fan.
Funeral services for Tommy Weaver, 61, were held Saturday.
Northview High School will be setting up a scholarship fund in memory of Tommy Weaver. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to the attention of Mr. Perry Byars at:
Northview High School
4100 W. Hwy 4
Bratt, FL 32535
Picture above and below (scroll down for multiple photos): Students and staff at Northview High School wore Auburn clothing in honor the late Tommy Weaver on Friday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
