Florida Traffic Fatalities Decline In 2011
January 12, 2012
In 2011, 2,373 people died in traffic crashes on Florida’s roadways, according to preliminary data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. By comparison, 2,444 people died in traffic crashes in 2010. The number of crash fatalities in 2011 is the lowest the state has reported since 1978 even though the Sunshine State’s population has doubled since that time.
Pictured: A 41-year old Cantonment man died in this April 2011 at Highway 95A and Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Could Taking Pictures On A Farm Become Illegal?
January 12, 2012
Advocates for animal welfare and those who might try to expose certain questionable farm practices failed Wednesday to persuade the House Agriculture Committee to slow a move to ban people from secretly taking pictures on farms.
Backers of a bill (HB 1021) that would outlaw the taking of pictures on farm property without permission say it’s simply a matter of private property rights, and that farm owners ought to be able to protect themselves from both potential misunderstandings about what pictures or videos might show and possible industrial espionage.
The measure, which was approved 13-2 by the panel and goes next to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, is aimed mainly at undercover operations by animal rights organizations. Investigators for the Humane Society of the United States and other activist groups have gotten jobs at farms and used hidden cameras to document animal treatment, and sometimes lack of sanitary conditions.
Sometimes, wrongdoing is documented by someone who works on the farm already and learns of it, and then tries to expose it after being unsuccessful at changing the practice, then becoming a whistleblower. Other times it can only be exposed by someone who gets a job intending to investigate the practices, said Laura Bevan, eastern region director of the Humane Society of the United States.
And often, law enforcement won’t get involved – until someone provides evidence of wrongdoing, said Bevan. She said she was involved in a 1999 case in which veal calves were being mistreated and drowned.
After someone in the industry told the Humane Society, it took video and gave it to law enforcement. And the publicity in the case led to changes in the law and animal treatment on such farms, she said.
“Something good came out of that, but that would not have happened, it would not have changed, if we had not gone on that property and taken that video,” Bevan told the committee.
The bill sponsor, Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, pointed out that there are plenty of exemptions in the bill for investigators, though they’re all for government officials, such as Department of Agriculture inspectors.
The measure also has exemptions for insurance adjusters and law enforcement officers. And the bill wouldn’t ban people from taking pictures from non-farm property. If someone stood across the street and used a long lens, for example, that wouldn’t be illegal under the bill. Nor would aerial photography. The only violations would be when someone actually is on the property taking unauthorized photos.
“Private property rights – at the end of the day that is my perspective on offering this bill, and I believe it to be correct,” Albritton said.
Beven pointed out that photos or videos by undercover photographers could also be used to document things having nothing to do with animal welfare, from environmental wrongdoing to migrant workers’ rights, for example.
“Without those kind of exposés, sometimes things have to come to the light of day to be … corrected,” she said.
Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach, was one of two no votes, citing cases in Hialeah involving illegal slaughter of horses that were exposed by secret video. Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, also voted against the measure.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Taking photos on a farm, like these farm photos taken (legally) in Walnut Hill, could become illegal in Florida. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Students Named To Chorus, Band All-State Groups
January 12, 2012
Numerous North Escambia students have been selected to participate in various Florida Music Educators Association All-State groups at the upcoming FMEA Conference in Tampa.
After an extensive audition process, the following students were chosen to represent the Escambia County School District and participate with other students from across the state:
Middle School Treble Chorus
Allison Cramer, Ransom Middle School
Emma Shows, Ransom Middle School
Middle School Mixed Chorus
Shelby Becker, Ransom Middle School
Middle School Honors Band
Elizabeth Shin, Bellview Middle School
Middle School Concert Band
Jonathan Voyles, Ransom Middle School
All-State High School Women’s Chorus
Katelyn Godwin, Tate High School
Joycelyn Woods, Washington High School
All-State High School Mixed Chorus
Eion Blanchard, Tate High School
All-State High School Honors Band
Kevin Fails, Pine Forest High School
Steven French, Escambia High School
Brandon Spencer, Washington High School
All-State High School Concert Band
Graham Gardner, Tate High School
All-State High School Symphonic Band
Chris Snyder, Tate High School
All-State High School Jazz Band
Jacob Dearrington, Tate High School
All-State High School Concert Orchestra
Noah Heintz, Tate High School
Two Escambia Men Indicted In Double Shooting Near Baptist Hospital
January 12, 2012
A grand jury has indicted two Escambia County men in the shootings of two 17-year olds outside Baptist Hospital last December.
James Dortch and Novel Austin were both indicted for first degree murder in the death of Keondrick Abrams and the attempted murder of Tykey Douglas.
On December 17, Abrams was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in a car parked at the Baptist Hospital Sleep Disorders Clinic. Douglas, who was also shot in the head, survived his injury and helped lead police to arrest Dortch and Austin.
Dortch and Austin are scheduled to be arraigned on January 19.
The investigation was conducted by the Pensacola Police Department.
Escambia Man Faces Life In Prison On Long List Of Burglary Charges
January 12, 2012
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison after entering a guilty plea on multiple burglary charges.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Wednesday that Marco Zarate entered a plea of guilty to 11 counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, two of which were while armed with a dangerous weapon, 11 counts of grand theft, one count of grand theft of a firearm, four counts of criminal mischief, three counts of dealing in stolen property, three counts of pawnbroker transaction fraud, one count of attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling, and one count petit theft.
Between April and June 2011, Zarate was connected to a rash of home burglaries that resulted in the theft of at least $50,000 in jewelry in the Cordova Park and Scenic Heights neighborhoods. On June 20, 2011, Zarate was apprehended coming out of a home on Cervantes Street.
Judge Gary Bergosh scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2012 at which time Zarate faces life in prison and will be sentenced as a habitual felony offender.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Pensacola Police Department with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Progress Continues On Molino Library, Tax Collector And Appraiser Offices
January 11, 2012
It’s been about two months since a groundbreaking was held at the old Molino school, and progress is evident on the $4 million project.
The project includes the conversion of the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum under a $2.95 million construction contract awarded by Escambia County to Birkshire Johnstone, LLC.
In addition to converting the 72-year old school building, a new 7,000 square foot building is being 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. The facility will also house a polling station for early voting and elections.
Final completion for both buildings is scheduled for November 2012.
Pictured top: A new 7,000 square foot building that will house the county tax collector and property appraiser offices. Pictured inset: Work on the old Molino School. Pictured below: The new building is located to the right of the 72-year old building. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Larry Walker Seeks Sixth Term On ECUA Board
January 11, 2012
Incumbent Larry Walker prefiled Tuesday for his sixth term as the District 5 representative on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
Walker, a Republican, was first elected to the ECUA board in 1988 and served until he ran unsuccessfully for the Escambia County Commission in 2000. He has was re-elected to the ECUA board in 2004 and 2008.
One other candidate has prefiled to date for the ECUA District 5 seat; Charlou Williams of Cantonment prefiled in December.
Legislative Session Begins: Wait And See On Escambia Wish List
January 11, 2012
The wait and see game began Tuesday for Escambia County as the 2012 Florida Legislative Session got underway. The county has submitted a 20 items wish list to the local legislative delegation – a wish list that includes a half million dollars from the state for the new Molino Library and a policy stance on mandatory septic tank inspections.
Topping Escambia County’s Top 20 requests is support for a Congressional bill to funnel oil spill recovery funds to Escambia and other impacted counties for economic development, environmental damages and lost tourism revenues.
Number two on Escambia’s wish list is a half million dollar state grant for books and furnishings for the new Molino Branch Library (conceptual drawing above). Escambia County has applied for the grant for several years and has been ranked in to top three for the cash before, but for the last several years the Florida Legislature has not appropriated any funding for the state library construction grants. [Related: Work Continues On Library.]
“It is subject to funding by the Legislature. The resubmission was encouraged by State Division of Libraries who believes the legislature may provide some funding this year,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said recently. “This is a great opportunity to make a valuable resource better.”
The Legislative Requests list also includes opposition to regular mandatory septic tank inspections. A requirement that septic tanks be inspected every five years at the owner’s expense technically became state law in July after being approved in the last legislative session. But language was inserted into a budget bill that prohibits the Department of Health from spending a dime on the inspections without the approval of the Legislative Budget Commission — essentially putting the program on hold.
Escambia County’s complete 2012 Legislative Requests list, subject to approval by the county commission, is as follows:
1. Congressional SB 1400 – Support – Oil Spill impacted counties receiving funds to mitigate for Economic Development, Environmental Damages, and Tourism Lost Revenues.
2. Support – Library request for $500,000 allocation for Molino Library.
3. Support – DEP Administrative Hearing Process for Cease-and-desist Orders.
4. Support – Senator Gaetz’s bill, from last year, that allocated $30 Million ($10 per year) to area Economic Development.
5. Support – Amending the law for the Northwest Florida Corridor Authority to include all funding strategies.
6. FS 1013.30 – Oppose – Repealing existing State Statute requiring Universities to fund any and all off-campus infrastructure concurrency improvements (sidewalks, turning lanes, traffic signal, etc.).
7. SB; HB – Oppose – Legislation limiting the discretion of the first appearance judge, requiring written reports and certification of defendants for release and eliminating the presumption of release on on-monetary conditions.
8. Oppose – Any proposal to reallocate Transportation Trust Fund dollars; doing so will reduce Local Roadway and Transit Projects within the FDOT Five (5) Year Work Plan.
9. Support – 2012 Local Projects submittals for the
Transportation Reauthorization Bill (SAFETEA-LU):
• Project: I-10 Beulah Interchange/Beltway PD&E Study
• Project: Construction Funds – Nine Mile Road (US 90 Alt) 2-Lane to 4-Lane Project
• Project: Construction Funds – Creighton/Burgess Road Extension (SR 742) Four Lane Project
10. FS 343.80 – 343-89 – Support – Amending existing State Statute to include clear language to support the Regional Transportation Finance Authority (RTFA) concept providing optional funding strategies beside primarily toll facilities. This approach will reduce the gap between Transportation Funding needs and the existing Funding Revenues. Positive Impact is increasing the number annual roadway capacity projects, stimulating local economies with labor and professional jobs.
11. HB; SB – Support any Legislation offering roadway project priority incentives to any local agency offering a financial partnership with FDOT to improve capacity on state facilities. Positive Impact will encourage local agencies to adopt local tax or other measure to get more roadways funded.
12. HB; SB – Oppose any attempt that requires regular, mandatory inspections of septic tanks and/or the septic tank evaluation program.
13. HB; SB – Support efforts that allow governmental entities to use their public website for legally required advertisements and public notices in lieu of newspaper advertisements.
15. HB; SB – Support legislation which reduces medical expenditures to county detention facilities to 110 percent of the Medicare rate for all inmate medical care.
16. HB; SB – Oppose legislation that would weaken or dismantle Pre-Trial Service Programs resulting in significant jail population increases.
17. Support – Legislation to implement local funding incentives for partnerships on State Roadway Capacity Projects.
18. Support – Requesting that the Dedicated Affordable Housing Funds remain in the State Housing Trust Fund to assure continued funding for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Affordable Housing Programs.
19. SB;HB – Oppose non-homestead associated cap.
20. SB.HB – Oppose Legislative or constitutional restriction on County authority to determine local tax burdens or financial commitments.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Receiving Nearly $1 Million To Help Homeless
January 11, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are receiving nearly a million dollars to help the homeless.
The $948,202 grant from the Department of Children and Families will help keep the doors open at local homeless shelters, find housing for those living on the streets and provide programs to help those who are homeless.
The grants, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will renew funding for 331 local homeless housing projects across Florida for this year.
“These grants play an important role in providing job training, health care, substance abuse treatment and child care,” said Department Secretary David Wilkins. “This funding is critical to helping people find housing and is a crucial part of our state’s plan to be a national leader in battling homelessness.”
The money will support programs that provide transitional and permanent housing dedicated to helping those who are homeless.
Work Continues On East Pond Street In Century
January 11, 2012
Work will continue this week on East Pond Street in Century, but one lane of traffic will remain open.
The road was scheduled to be closed last week, but a lane of traffic remained open as the town worked on a drainage improvement project between Jefferson Avenue west to Ramar Street near Highway 29.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall said it will be over a week before the equipment is in place to do the work that will completely close East Pond Street.