Bill Filed To Prevent Protests Near Military, Other Funerals
October 24, 2011
A bill has been filed in the Florida Senate to make it illegal to protest and disturb military funerals in the Sunshine State. Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers, filed legislation which would make it a misdemeanor to picket or engage in other protest activities within 500 feet of a funeral, burial or memorial service of a veteran, emergency response worker, elected official or minor.
Benacquisto said she was proud to sponsor an important piece of legislation that recognizes the meaningful balance that must be reached between the First Amendment and a family’s right to grieve in private for their loved one.
“Funerals are emotional times for families and friends to come together and mourn the passing of loved ones,” said Senator Benacquisto. “All too often, they are used for political purposes that distort the courage of the servicemen and women who protect this country. We need to respect this time and allow families to grieve.”
The bill was also filed in the House by Representative Pat Rooney, R-Palm Beach Gardens. House Bill 31 is a response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that stated anti-gay protestors in Maryland exercised their right to free speech at the 2006 funeral of Marine Cpl. Matthew Snyder who was killed in Iraq. According to the judge, protestors were not in violation of the state’s 100-foot buffer zone for military funerals. While Florida law currently makes it a misdemeanor to disturb military funerals, Benacquisto’s newly filed bill proposes the buffer zone.
“I can’t think of a more important piece of legislation,” Benacquisto added. “This bill will allow military heroes to receive the honor and reverence they deserve. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Legislature will recognize what an important initiative this is to the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
Football District Leaders Emerging
October 24, 2011
For the Northview Chiefs, the District 1-1A championship depends on their November 4 homecoming game against the Baker Gators. If the Chiefs knock off Baker, Northview takes the district and Freeport takes the No. 2 spot.
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, a three-way tie is also possible. If West Florida beats Arnold, the Jaguars are first and the Gulf Breeze Dolphins are second. But if Arnold wins, there’s a three-way tie.
In District 1-6A, the Pensacola High School Tigers are district champions if they beat Escambia or Washington. Second place will go to Pace, Milton or Pine Forest depending the outcome of several different games
Hurricane Rina Update
October 24, 2011
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT18/refresh/AL1811W5_NL+gif/023527W5_NL_sm.gif)
Rina formed in the western Caribbean Sunday night and was upgraded to hurricane status by Monday afternoon. It’s expected to move slowly over the next five days, approaching Yucatan Peninsula, possibly as a hurricane. Models diverge after five days — some taking the storm toward the Pacific, other models toward southern Florida. The latest information on Rina is in the graphic above.
Weekend In 500 Photos
October 24, 2011
There were a lot of happenings over the weekend in the North Escambia area, and NorthEscambia.com was there with over 500 photos published. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Just A Drill: Citizens Respond As Tornado Hits Century
October 23, 2011
As a hurricane moved across the Century area Saturday, the town’s citizens took shelter at the old high school on Pond Street. All seemed well as the hurricane force winds began to die down outside — until the hurricane spawned a tornado. The twister took aim at the shelter, leaving destruction and mass casualties behind. Ordinary first responders from EMS and the fire department were cut off by the storm.
But the town’s CERT members jumped into action, providing search and rescue, and basic medical care until more help could arrive.
That was the scenario that played out Saturday morning as part of a drill for Century’s first graduation class for CERT — the Community Emergency Response Team sponsored by BRACE, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies.
About two dozen Century CERT members have attended weekly classes since August to prepare to step up and help in the event of an actual emergency or disaster.
“They have done really well; it was really impressive,” said Chris Hamilton, CERT coordinator for BRACE. “Century is ready.”
The Century CERT training was available to Escambia County (Fla.) residents and included basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
Pictured top: Century town council member Sandra McMurray Jackson (left) and another CERT volunteer held a disaster “victim” Saturday morning during a disaster drill. Pictured inset and below: CERT volunteers search for tornado victims during a drill. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Hundreds Attend Williams Station Day
October 23, 2011
Hundreds from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida enjoyed Williams Station Day Saturday in Atmore.
Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
Festival-goers were entertained by a wide variety of musical acts, and a wide variety of arts and crafts were also available.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery.
Pictured top: Artist John Gill displayed his works at Saturday’s Williams Station Day in Atmore. Pictured inset: Entertainment during the event. Pictured below: Hundreds attend the annual Williams Station Day. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Held For Former Sheriff Jim Lowman
October 23, 2011
Funeral services were held Sunday for former Escambia County Sheriff Jim Lowman. Lowman, who served as sheriff from 1992-2000, passed away Wednesday night at a local hospital. He was 76.
Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Burial followed at Whitmire Cemetery. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment was charge of arrangements.
Lowman is survived by his wife Sue, four children and numerous other relatives and friends.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Northview Holds Senior Night
October 23, 2011
Northview High School honored their seniors during the annual Senior Night Friday before a football win over Freeport.
The school also honored Athletic Director Sammy Day who will retire at this end of this school year. Day has been a teacher and coach for 37 years (1975-2012) in the Escambia County School District and has served as athletic director and coach at Northview High School for 18 years (1995-2012).
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery click here.
Seniors honored Friday night included:
Cheerleading Team
- Taylor Byrd
- Alissa Fiellin
- Lauren Ashley McCall
- Charleigh Victoria McPherson
- Abby Odom
- Taylor Nicole Rigby
- Autumn Rose Slay
- Brittany Thompson
Football Team
- Austin Albritton
- Joshua Tanner Brooks
- Wesley Chancery
- Cole Eicher
- Andrew Farrow
- Jamie Lee Gafford
- Sean Knight
- Caleb Leonard
- Montaio Mitchell
- Alex Payne
- Brian Ross
- Brandon Sheets
- Sam Spence
- Nathan Therrell
Tribal Beat Band
- Jacob Baldwin
- Joseph Baldwin
- Joseph Davis
- Cory King
- Melissa Jayne Martinez Moretz
- Chelsea Parham
- Justin Purvis
- DJ Robinson
NJROTC
- Keisha Adams
- Jody Day
- Christina Donald
- Amber Francis
- Lantz Jones
- Seth Long
- Aaron McCants
- Kayla Miles
- Kiani Okahashi
Pictured top: The Northview High School band, cheerleading, NJROTC and football players were honored Friday night. Pictured inset: Athletic Director Sammy Day was presented a plaque and honored by Principal Gayle Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crime Drops In Florida
October 23, 2011
The number of violent crimes in Florida dropped 3.2 percent during the first half of the year while certain non-violent crimes dropped by 1.8 percent, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported Friday.
FDLE tracks certain crimes that are reported to the FBI as part of the national Uniform Crime Reporting program.
The statistics for the first 6 months of 2011 showed a 3.1 percent drop in the number of murders, a 4.3 percent decrease in robbery, and a marked decrease of nearly 10 percent in auto theft.
One group of tracked crimes, forcible sex offenses, saw a slight increase of 1.1 percent, FDLE reported.
“These first six months’ results are a strong indicator of what we will see for 2011, and the downward trend of Florida’s crime numbers is a positive sign,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
The report also noted that five police officers were killed in the line of duty in the first half of the year. The half-year report only reflects actual number of crimes, not the crime rate, which would factor in population. The crime rate is reported on an annual basis.
By The News Service of Florida
ECAT Receives Safety Award
October 23, 2011
Escambia Count Area Transit has received the 2011 Veolia Transportation Safety Performance Award, Category B, for its commitment to transit safety.
The award was presented at the 2011 Veolia General Managers’ Conference on October 5 in New Orleans.
Veolia Transportation’s CEO, Mark Joseph, and COO, Ken Westbrook, joined Jérôme Gallot, Veolia Transdev’s CEO, to present this the award to Mike Ake, Veolia’s Regional VP on behalf of ECAT, during the conference’s award presentations.
The Safety Performance Award, presented every two years, recognizes Veolia transit systems for positive safety records and dedication to improving safety.
The top honor in each category is given to the system with the best overall bus safety program based on the previous year’s data. ECAT’s low accident and injury frequency was a factor in winning against the other 85 eligible transit systems in Category B (transit systems with a fleet size of 41-80 vehicles).
Criteria for the Safety Performance Award include:
- No catastrophic losses during previous year
- A strong culture of safety, ensuring safety programs exceed company standards
- Analysis of combined accident and injury frequency
Ken Gordon, general manager of ECAT, said he was honored that ECAT has been recognized for its committed efforts in safety. ECAT’s performance in safety has shown significant improvements since 2008.
“This would not be possible without Veolia’s dedicated support in safety training and education,” said Ted Woolcock, ECAT’s director of Safety and Training.