Escambia County Receives Electronic Absentee Voting System Grant
November 16, 2011
Escambia County is among 13 Florida counties sharing a $1.6 million grant to enhance the absentee voting process for military and overseas citizens. The Electronic Absentee Systems for Elections grant was awarded by the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Absent military voters and those living overseas can request, mark and track their absentee ballots electronically. The system will be designed to provide greater online access, automation of absentee requests and expedite ballot delivery making the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act voting process more seamless. Speeding up ballot delivery is expected to increase ballot request and return rates of military and overseas voters.
“We value the vital role our service personnel play in protecting our freedom. This grant provides an innovative way to enhance the elections process so more than 130,000 “military and overseas voters from Florida can more readily participate in future elections,” said David H. Stafford, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
Phase one, providing online access to ballots, is expected to roll out in time for the January 31, 2012, Presidential Preference Primary election. Democracy Live and Microsoft are the coalition’s partners in the innovative program.
Members of the Our Mission:Your Vote coalition include Baker, Bay, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Leon, Nassau, Okaloosa, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, and Wakulla Counties—serving nearly every major military installation in Florida. The Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections will administer the grant.
Evers Honored As ‘Defender Of Liberty’ By Conservative Group
November 16, 2011
Sen.Greg Evers (R-Baker) received the 2011 Defender of Liberty Award from the American Conservative Union for his “outstanding support of conservative values and principles throughout 2011″. About two-thirds of the members of the Florida Legislature received the award, which was presented Tuesday during a reception at the State Capitol.
“I am sincerely honored and humbled by this wonderful recognition from the ACU,” said Senator Greg Evers. “The ACU is, and has always been, an unwavering watchdog for our conservative values being enforced and upheld by Lawmakers at every level of government, and I appreciate their recognition and their service to our nation.”
Senator Evers received a perfect 100 percent score on the ACU’s first-ever ratings for the Florida State Legislature, which takes into account a Lawmaker’s conservative rhetoric and expressed philosophical views, and his or her actual voting record on a wide variety of issues and proposed legislation, according to a press release.
“I want to thank the good people at the ACU and Chairman Al Cardenas for this great honor,” said Evers. “It is truly an encouraging recognition as I strive to continue to vote for legislation on the most important issues facing our state that will uphold our founding principles of limited government, individual liberties, Second Amendment rights and free markets.”
There were 14 senators and 52 House members that got a 100 percent score on the nearly 20 bills scored by the ACU, and 11 senators and 29 House members who voted with the group at least 80 percent of the time — high enough to rank as a conservative on the organization’s scale — despite Florida’s reputation as a swing state.
Of the 11 senators who fell short of a perfect score, three did so because of opposition to an immigration bill that narrowly passed the Senate but died in the House
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
College Fair Held
November 16, 2011
Northview High School held a College Fair Tuesday night for NHS seniors and their parents. Information was available from several schools, financial aid, scholarships and more.
Pictured: Northview senior Austin Albritton and his mother, Lisa Albritton, talk to a University of West Florida representative during a College Fair Tuesday night at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Rep Pushing For Ban On Texting While Driving
November 16, 2011
A state legislator who has made road safety his main cause in the Legislature urged, and chastised, the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee on Tuesday to get behind a ban on texting while driving.
But Rep. Irv Slosberg, whose daughter died in a car crash several years ago, heard as he has in the past that getting such a ban passed may be an uphill fight.
During a workshop on the proposed agency bill for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Slosberg repeatedly asked why the bill as currently drafted didn’t include such a ban.
“Why aren’t we discussing distracted driving, particularly texting and driving, when 35 states have laws against it?” asked the Boca Raton Democrat, who is the ranking minority member of the committee and has focused largely on seat belt laws and other highway safety legislation during much of his career.
The lawmaker who will sponsor the Highway Safety bill replied that the issue, frankly, is controversial and should be addressed in a stand-alone bill because there are other provisions in the agency bill that must pass. There is a stand-alone bill banning texting while driving – which is awaiting a hearing in the same committee.
“I have to be interested in trying to pass a bill that will not get caught up in challenging politics,” said Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, who added that he respected Slosberg’s passion on the issue. “What I don’t want to do is put (the highway safety bill) at risk because of some polarizing issues in either the House or Senate.”
Lawmakers last year endorsed a proposal to require that driver education include warnings about texting and driving, but Slosberg said most drivers ed teachers already include that in their curriculum.
The committee chairman, Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, said that just because there is nothing in the draft highway safety legislation, now doesn’t mean the issue can’t be taken up.
“That’s why we’re here,” said Drake. “If it’s decided that’s the direction we’ll go, we’ll go. If there’s not enough support, then you know what happens…. I think any of us would be willing to work on something that might be … feasible, realistic.”
Drake added that Slosberg was welcome to file a stand-alone bill on the issue.
That’s already been done.
Slosberg is the co-sponsor of the bill (HB 299) banning texting while driving, along with Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota. That measure has three House committee assignments, including Drake’s Highway Safety Committee where it must be heard first. It hasn’t been put on the committee’s agenda for a hearing yet.
By David Royse
The News Service of Florida
County Closes Beulah Road Near Perdido Landfill
November 15, 2011
The Beulah Road bridge north of the Perdido Landfill was closed Tuesday afternoon after an inspection on Monday revealed deficiencies significant enough for emergency repairs.
Signage for the detour routes will be erected.
The detour north of the bridge will be Muscogee Road to Highway 29 and south of the bridge will be Beulah Road to Nine Mile Road. Variable message boards will be placed on Muscogee Road and at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road. Bridge closure signs will be placed on Beulah Road. Barricades will also be placed at the bridge.
Traffic south of the bridge and south of the Perdido Landfill can still access the landfill. Traffic north of the landfill will need to use the detour route, Muscogee to Highway 295 to Nine Mile Road west to Beulah Road north.
A reopening date has not been determined; repairs may take up to six weeks to complete.
Woman Charged With Beating Her Girlfriend With A Hammer
November 15, 2011
A Century woman is charged with allegedly beating her live-in girlfriend with a hammer.
Domonique Sade Fisher, 26, was jailed for aggravated battery using a deadly weapon for the incident on East Pond Street in Century. She remained in the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday with bond set at $10,000.
The victim’s 12-year old daughter called 911 to report a physical altercation between Fisher and her mother Sunday night. Fischer told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that the incident began when she was confronted by her girlfriend of two years over an online conversation with another person. That’s when, Fisher told deputies, her girlfriend used a hammer to break her computer.
The victim told deputies that Fisher forcibly took the hammer away from her and then hit her multiple times in the face and head. Fisher told deputies that “it was an accident,” according to a Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The victim was treated on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Fisher was recently released from jail after being arrested last month during an Escambia County Sheriff’s “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century. During the October 17 operation, Fisher was arrested on an outstanding warrant for petty theft and two violation of probation warrants. She was released at that time from the Escambia County Jail on $4,000 bond.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Curtis Cephas (middle) and David Bashore (right) arrest Domonique Sade Fisher at a home on Pond Street on October 17 during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Leaders Discuss Countywide Youth Curfew
November 15, 2011
A Pensacola city councilman is pushing for a countywide curfew for youth.
Councilman John Jerralds wants his council and the Escambia County Commission to limit the time periods in which teens can be out without adult supervision. He is advocating a curfew modeled after the one currently in place in Jacksonville that restricts any unmarried person under the age of 18 from being on the streets between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. weekdays or 6 a.m. on the weekend or holidays unless they are with a parent or guardian.
There are several exceptions in the ordinance, including teens on their way to or from work; a church, school or other organization and other events. Both the youth curfew violator and their parents can receive civil citations for violating the Jacksonville law.
On Monday, city and county leaders — including Pensacola council members, Escambia Sheriff David Morgan, Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons, Escambia County Schools Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross and Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver — discussed Jerrald’s curfew at a Pensacola meeting. There were no decisions made at the meeting; there will be more discussions scheduled before the Pensacola City Council or Escambia Commission consider the idea.
To read the entire Jacksonville youth curfew ordinance, click here.
Woman Sentenced To Almost A Year In Jail For Mobile Meth Lab
November 15, 2011
A Century woman has been sentenced to just under a year in jail after an alleged mobile meth lab was found in the truck of her car.
Madeline Hope Johnson, 29, was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days with credit for 94 days served in connection with the case. She is also facing $1,104 in court costs and fees. Once released from jail, she will be on probation for 36 months.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, an off-duty deputy at a Circle K at 3109 North Pace Boulevard in Pensacola was tipped off last year by an occupant of Johnson’s vehicle that she had a meth lab in the vehicle’s trunk.
In the vehicle’s trunk, investigators found several chemical bottles, batteries, two boxes of pseudoephedrine tablets and other items known to be used in the production of methamphetamine. Several lithium batteries were found in the glove box of the vehicle. The glove box also contained what deputies described as an “owe sheet” — a list of names and monies owed.
In Johnson’s purse, deputies said they found several lithium batteries of the same name brand as those in the vehicle. Her purse, according to the arrest report, also contained a list of chemicals and items known to be used in the production of meth.
According to the arrest report, Johnson admitted to being a meth user, but denied ownership of the items in the vehicle.
Groundbreaking Held For Molino Library, Community Center (With Photo Gallery)
November 15, 2011
A groundbreaking was held Monday morning for a new community center and library at the old Molino School on Highway 95A.
“Oh we are absolutely so excited,” said Lil King, president of the Molino Historical Society, which will operate a museum inside the renovated building. “It’s going to be great. We say it’s for the middle of the county, but I think it’s for the whole county. It’s been a long time coming.”
The project includes the conversion of the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum. In addition to converting the old school building, a new 7,000 square foot building will be constructed adjacent to the old building for the tax collector and property appraiser. The current Escambia County Tax Collector office in the former Winn Dixie shopping center in Cantonment and the property appraiser office on Highway 97 in Molino will both be closed. This facility will also house a polling station for early voting and elections. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2012.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Groundbreaking Monday morning in Molino for the renovation of the old Molino School into a library and community center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Doucette, Wright Receive High School Heroes Scholarships
November 15, 2011
Two Northview High School students were recently awarded $1,000 High School Heroes Scholarships from Fisher Brown Insurance and WEAR TV 3.
The Northview students, Josie Doucette and Elizabeth Wright, were among a dozen dozen scholarship winners from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Each winner received a $1,000 scholarship to their choice of either University of West Florida, Pensacola State College or Northwest Florida State College.
Doucette and Wright will be showcased in upcoming 30 second commercials on WEAR TV 3.
Pictured above: Northview High School Heroes Scholarship winners Josie Doucette (left) and Elizabeth Wright with Escambia County Superintendent of Education Malcolm Thomas. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.