ECUA Approves Water, Sewer Rate Hike
November 1, 2011
ECUA has formally approved a 7 percent rate increase Monday for water and sewer customers that takes effect today.
The rate increase was part of a three-year rate hike plan approved last year. Each portion of the increase must be approved yearly following a public hearing.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Board approved the rate hike on a 3-1 vote, with Larry Walker, Elvin McCorvey and Elizabeth Campbell voting in favor and Dale Perkins against. Board member Lois Benson was absent from Monday’s meeting.
The rate hike does not impact customers of smaller water companies in the North Escambia area, nor does it impact residents of the Town of Century.
Santa Rosa Deputies Investigating Halloween Night Arson
November 1, 2011
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Halloween night arson.
A resident of the 4000 block of Kentwood Street told emergency dispatchers that someone had set fire to his father’s vehicle in the driveway of the residence. Witness told deputies that they observed two suspects running from the vehicle after it exploded. One of the suspects was engulfed in flames as he ran from the scene, setting fire to a nearby wooded area as he ran through them.
Burned clothing belonging to the suspect was found at the scene, according to deputies.
Other witnesses told investigators that hey observed the suspects walking up to the victim’s residence wearing Halloween masks and carrying large buckets.
The incident is currently being jointly investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
Pictured: A Halloween night arson in Santa Rosa County. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AG Appeals Prison Privatization Ruling
November 1, 2011
At the urging of lawmakers, Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday appealed a judge’s ruling that a controversial plan to privatize 29 prison facilities was unconstitutional.
Bondi’s office announced about 4:30 p.m. that it had filed a notice of appeal in the 1st District Court of Appeal. The move came as a surprise: Earlier in the day, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration said it would not fight the judge’s ruling.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, issued a statement expressing confidence that the appeal will be successful and that privatization will help save tax dollars for the state.
“Not only is the privatization of our state’s prisons good policy, but it ensures that our state can dedicate more money to education, health care or economic development programs that would otherwise be spent on prisons,” Haridopolos said.
The state faced a Monday deadline for deciding whether to appeal. The Florida Police Benevolent Association, which filed the lawsuit, said it was disappointed that Bondi “waited until the last minute” to file an appeal but said it is willing to fight the privatization issue to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
“We’ve been ready to go from the start, and we’re taking it to the next level,” PBA Executive Director Matt Puckett said.
Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford on Sept. 30 agreed with the PBA’s arguments that lawmakers violated the state constitution in the way they approved the privatization plan. Legislative leaders included the plan in the fine print of the state budget — known as proviso language — instead of passing it in a regular bill.
“Based on the record before it, this court concludes that if it is the will of the Legislature to itself initiate privatization of Florida prisons … the Legislature must do so by general law, rather than ‘using the hidden recesses of the General Appropriations Act,’ ” Fulford wrote, partially quoting a decades-old Supreme Court ruling.
Prison privatization has long been a hot-button issue, with the politically influential PBA fighting proposals to turn over operations of correctional facilities to private companies. On the other side, prison firms lobby for the changes and promise budget savings to lawmakers.
The named defendant in the lawsuit is Department of Corrections Secretary Kenneth Tucker, whose agency is part of Scott’s executive branch. As a result, it appeared that an appeal was dead when Scott’s office said Monday it would not challenge Fulford’s ruling.
But Jenn Meale, a Bondi spokeswoman, said the attorney general’s office went forward with the appeal at the request of the Legislature. She said the office, which has represented the state in the case, has the authority to pursue such appeals when defending the constitutionality of laws.
A spokeswoman for Scott, Jackie Schutz, said the case was about a question of legislative power, making lawmakers – with the attorney general representing them – “best suited to litigate this case.”
Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, both said they think the Legislature acted appropriately in using the budget proviso language to make the prison changes.
Even if lawmakers are not successful in the appeal, they could approve the privatization plan in a regular bill. They could do that as soon as the 2012 legislative session, though revisiting the privatization idea likely would touch off a fierce political fight.
The PBA was already preparing for such a legislative fight Monday, after it appeared the state would not appeal the judge’s ruling. The session starts in January.
“Now we need to educate the public and the Legislature on the significant public-safety issues and lack of significant savings associated with the privatization issue,” Puckett said in a statement released after Scott declined to file the appeal.
The proviso language offered a roadmap to privatize prisons, work camps and other types of correctional facilities in 18 counties across the southern part of the state.
The language called for the Department of Corrections to solicit proposals from private companies and then submit a plan to the Legislative Budget Commission by December 1. If approved by the commission, the proviso said the department “may” award a contract to a private company.
Immediately after Fulford’s ruling, the department suspended the planned opening of bid proposals from companies interested in operating the prisons.
By The News Service of Florida
Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy
October 31, 2011
There are lots of ways to make trick-or-treating safer for children, including a quick check for sex offenders in the neighborhood.
Most Florida sex offenders and predators are legally allowed to hand out candy to children in their neighborhoods as long as they are no longer on supervised probation, according to law enforcement officials.
Authorities say that parents can turn to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database to find the address of registered sex offenders that may be in an area where their children will trick-or-treat. In addition to addresses, the FDLE database also offers photos and descriptions of offenders along with information about their crimes.
According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century area, six in the Walnut Hill/McDavid area, 17 near Molino and 49 in the Cantonment area. Of those 95 offenders and predators, only 19 remain on probation. That leaves 76 that might legally be allowed to answer their doors and hand candy out to children.
To search the FDLE sex offender database, click here. To check the Alabama sex offender database, click here.
In addition to checking the FDLE database, officials said parents should make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult, have a flashlight and cellphone.
There are also several community fall festivals and events planned across the area tonight, offering a “safe” alternative to the traditional door to door trick-or-treating. For a list of many of those events, click here.
Report Cards Delayed For Escambia Students
October 31, 2011
Monday was scheduled to be report card day for Escambia County public school students, but a problem with a new software system delayed them.
Report cards were due to be sent home Tuesday, as problems with the Focus Gradebook software are resolved.
Parents can see most student grades online by using the “Focus Gradebook Parent Portal”. For information on how to register and view grades, online, click here for a previous story.
Molino Woman Charged After Wreck Trying To Avoid Deer
October 31, 2011
A Molino woman was charged after a Quintette Road accident in Santa Rosa County in which she said she was trying to avoid a deer.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Karen L. Marini, age 44, was westbound on Quintette Road about three miles east of the Escambia River when she said a deer entered her path. She veered off the roadway, lost control of her 1999 Pontiac Firebird and struck a tree early Sunday morning.
Marini, who was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries, was charged with careless driving and failure to display a driver’s license, according to troopers.
Northview Homecoming Parade Planned
October 31, 2011
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will be held next Friday afternoon.
Entries are being accepted now for the parade at 1:00 p.m on November 4. Floats, walkers, vehicles, etc. can sign up now by calling (850) 327-6681 ext 254.
BBQ sandwich lunches will be available for $5 on the day of the parade, and homecoming shirts will be $10. To purchase a lunch or t-shirt, see any Northview DCT member, or call (850) 327-6681 ext 254.
The parade will travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High School. West Highway 4 will be closed from approximately 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. between the two schools for the parade.
Photos: Molino Park Fairy Tale Night
October 31, 2011
Molino Park Elementary School recently held their annual Fairy Tale Night with activities to encourage students to enjoy reading.
In additional to fairy tales “Paul Bunyan” read by Matt Brabham and “The Three Little Pigs” read by Paul Morrellbook, events included a character costume contest, with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and a pirate from Peter Pan stealing the show.
Pictured: Fair Tale Night at Molino Park Elementary School. Submitted photos by Candice Blackburn for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prep Football District Standings
October 31, 2011
Winners and losers are emerging as week 10 of play rolls around for Florida schools. For many teams, Friday night will be the last under the lights this season.
At 2-0, Northview sits alone at the top of District 1-1A, with Baker and Freeport tied for second at 1-1 in the district. Baker comes to Bratt for Northview’s homecoming Friday night. A Northview wins seals the deal on the District championship. But if Baker should beat Northview, there would be a three-way tie with Freeport, if Freeport defeats Jay. The Jay Royals are totally out of the district championship hunt.
In District 1-5A, West Florida is at the top, despite a perfect season coming to an end with a 41-20 loss last Friday night to Arnold. District play is over for the Jags at 4-1. Arnold is (3-1) as is Gulf Breeze. There will be a three way tie for the district if Arnold and Gulf Breeze should both win Friday night, setting up a three-team tiebreaker.
Pensacola High is on top of District 1-6A. North Escambia’s team, the Tate Aggies (0-5 in the district), will battle it out for Washington (1-4 in the district) Friday night to avoid being at the bottom of the 2011 district rankings.
Redbox Rental Rates Increased
October 31, 2011
Those Redbox movie rentals now cost more.
Coinstar, the parent company of Redbox, has raised the price to $1.20 per day for movie rentals at most of their kiosks around the country, including those in the North Escambia area.
“The price change is based on an increase in operating costs, including higher debit card fees that went into effect October 1. This is the first time in eight years Redbox has raised our daily DVD rental price,” the company said. Blu-ray rentals will remain at $1.50 per day, and game rentals will remain at $2 per day.
There is a one way to avoid the 20-cent price increase, at least for a couple of months. Until November 30, DVDs reserved at the company’s website will remain $1 for the first night, with additional nights at the regular $1.20 rate.
Pictured: There were no customers at the Redbox kiosks at Walgreen’s in Atmore Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.