House Passes Bill To Take On Pill Mills, Fight Drug Abuse
April 22, 2011
The Florida House overwhelmingly approved a plan Thursday to curb prescription-drug abuse, after offering a glimpse of how the “epidemic” is hitting their communities and families.
Reps. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City, and Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach, told the House that they have family members who have abused prescription drugs.
“I will tell you it’s devastating on everyone who comes in contact with it,” said Glorioso, who did not identify his family member but indicated the person was taking the painkiller Oxycontin.
In an emotional speech, the usually low-key Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, said prescription-drug abuse is “destroying our state.”
“Once and for all, it is time that we kill this monster,” Legg said.
The House voted 116-1 to approve HB 7095, with only Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne, opposing it. The full Senate is ready to take up a bill (SB 818) that includes significant differences, and both chambers will have to agree on a final version.
Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi immediately issued statements praising the House. Florida in recent years has become a magnet for prescription drug abuse, with “pill mills” popping up across the state.
“Today we are one step closer to giving law enforcement and regulators the tools they need to combat pill mills and prescription drug abuse in Florida,” said Bondi, who has made the issue one of her top priorities.
The House bill would place new restrictions on clinics, doctors, pharmacies and drug wholesalers. But in some ways, its passage Thursday was a turnaround from the House leadership’s position early in the legislative session.
At that time, House leaders and Scott called for scrapping a planned prescription-drug database because of concerns that it could infringe on privacy rights. The database, which is aimed at better tracking sales of dangerous drugs, was approved in 2009 but was delayed by a bid dispute. It recently got the OK to start operating.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, opposed eliminating the database, and the issue also drew attention from officials as far away as Kentucky. That is because drug users and traffickers have traveled to Florida from other states to get supplies of painkillers.
The House bill will keep the database, though it also would ban drug manufacturers from contributing money to pay for the system. That worries some database supporters because lawmakers have refused to set aside state money for the system.
Drug-company Purdue Pharma recently offered to contribute $1 million to the database, an offer that would not be allowed under the House bill.
The bill also would take steps such as barring most doctors from dispensing two categories of controlled substances in their offices and clinics. That means patients would have to go to pharmacies to get the substances, curbing the ability of unscrupulous clinics to sell painkillers.
Another part of the bill sets up a new permitting process for pharmacies that want to sell the two categories of controlled substances. That process is designed to make sure shady clinics don’t create pharmacies to try to circumvent the ban on doctors dispensing dangerous drugs.
But pharmacies have raised concerns about that requirement, at least in part, because of a March 1, 2012, deadline for getting permits. They are concerned that would not leave enough time for the Department of Health to approve rules and issue permits.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Manhunt Near Cottage Hill Turns Up Empty
April 21, 2011
A Thursday morning manhunt for a burglary suspect near Cottage Hill turned up empty.
Neighbors reported someone in a shed on Stacey Road near Highway 95A about 8:45 a.m. When an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived moments later, a while male ran out of the shed. The deputy gave chase but lost the suspect in a wooded area.
Deputies set up a perimeter around the area on Stacey Road, Coweta Road and Highway 95A as they searched for the suspect. A K-9 unit was also used in an attempt to located the suspect, who remained at large as of 10:45 a.m.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and black gloves. He is between 5-foot 7-inches and 5-foot 9-inches tall.
Anyone with information on the crime should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Century’s Largest Industrial Properties Still Empty
April 21, 2011
Century’s two largest industrial properties — the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber complex and the former Helicopter Technology building — are still quiet despite high hopes for new industry.
Over 3,000 people have already applied for one of just a few hundred jobs expected to be available initially at Century Lumber and Land in the former Alger-Sullivan complex. But, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, “financing is still the holdup” as of this week, preventing the company from beginning operations.
Century Lumber and Land unofficially announced a venture with several other companies September 2, 2010, that Craft said would eventually employee 300 to 500 people within a 36 to 42 month period. A ribbon was cut for the companies in October — without the company actually owning the Alger-Sullivan property.
The Town of Century’s former Helicopter Technology building remains on the real estate market with an $850,000 asking price. Since the property was listed earlier this year, there have been “no bites”, according to McCall.
Pictured: The old Alger Sullivan Lumber Company, and the planned future home of Century Lumber and Land, sits idle. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fund Shift Equals Extra $1.8 Million For Molino School Project, Library
April 21, 2011
County Administrator Randy Oliver’s plans to reprioritize local option sales tax (LOST) funds has been approved, with $1.8 million in additional funding to be funneled to the old Molino school project. Oliver recommended that the county commission increase the total budget for the old Molino School renovation to $4,389,156.
Current plans for the old Molino Elementary School call for the main building to become a community center and museum. The project’s original plans called for a library, complete with the usual shelves of books, children’s areas and computer terminals. But without funding to operate its daily operations and employee salaries, library plans were shelved. In addition, the county needs thousands more to complete building renovations for a library, including the addition of more structural supports under the building’s 72-year old floor to accommodate thousands of pounds of books.
Without additional funding, only a simple library computer kiosk for ordering books will be installed.
The LOST spending reprioritization recommended by Oliver would allow the library to be completed, along with a new location for Tax Collector Janet Holley. Her office will move about 10 miles north to the new 7,000 square foot green building in Molino, along with the tax appraiser’s office that will be relocated from Farm Bureau building on Highway 97 in Molino.
Escambia Bus Stop Sex Offender Proposal Advances
April 21, 2011
The Escambia County School District will move forward and advertise changes to bus stops around the homes of registered sex offenders.
After advertising the proposed changes to the district’s transportation policy, the board will vote on the new policies at their May meeting.
The new rules would lower the distance between bus stops and some sex offenders. Under the current policy, bus stops are not allowed within 1,000 feet of a registered offender or predator’s home. That policy, according to district officials, forces some children to walk long distances to a bus stop, perhaps putting them in greater risk of contact with a sex offender.
Across Escambia County, officials say 44 percent of all public school children live within 1,000 feet of a registered sex offender.
The new policy under consideration would follow current state law by keeping bus stops 1,000 or more feet from a sexual predator or offender being monitored by the state. But in the case of other offenders, the limit would be lowered to 100 feet.
Jay Lady Royals Advance To Regionals; Break Record
April 21, 2011
The Jay High School Lady Royals broke a 16-year old 4×800 meter relay record in the District 1 Track and Field Championships.
The relay team of Robin Blackman, Leely Trevino, Caristyn Golden and Jessica Thornton placed first in the meet with a time of 10:12.00, breaking the 1995 state track meet record of 10:13.6.
Blackman, who anchored the relay, ran a split time of 2:27. Thornton’s split time was 2:38. Golden’s split time was 2:34 and Trevino’s split was 2:31.
“These four young ladies have pursued this record for many years. Both Blackman and Trevino are seniors and had wanted to end their years at Jay High with a school record in the 4×800m relay. It could not have come at a sweeter time than on Thursday’s home meet. With this being the last time these two runners would ever run in competition at Jay’s track, emotions were high,” said Jay Coach Stan Blackman, father of Robin Blackman.
“It has been and honor and a privilege to have coached such a dedicated group of athletes who would never give up,” he said. “Jay High is a better place for the example these girls have always set and the work ethic they have always displayed.”
Blackman will run next season with the Troy State Trojans, leaving a legacy at Jay High School with school records in the 400m dash, 800m run and the 4×800m relay.
Trevino is planning to attend Florida State University and be part of the color guard.
The Lady Royals will take part in the regional championships in Tallahassee on Thursday.
Pictured top: Jessica Thornton, Caristyn Golden, Robin Blackman and Leely Trevino. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Student Government Elections: Three North Escambia Residents Win Top SGA Posts
April 21, 2011
The North Escambia residents won tops posts in the University of West Florida’s Student Government Association Elections held Wednesday.
Luke Killam was elected SGA president, while his sister Rachel Killam was elected SGA vice president. The duo, who ran as “Killam Squared”, are both from Byrneville. (For a pre-election story about “Killam Squared”, click here.)
Rebekah Johansen, native of McDavid and current Cantonment resident, was elected SGA Senate president.
Pictured top: University of West Florida President-elect Luke Killam and his sister, Vice President-elect Rachel Killam. Pictured inset: UWF SGA Senate President-elect Rebekah Johansen. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Radio Host Wins First Place AP Award For Living Homeless
April 21, 2011
He took to the streets to live homeless for 24 hours, then relived the experience for his listeners.
Branden Rathert, afternoon host of NewsRadio1620’s “Pensacola Right Now”, has won a first place award for a public affairs radio program from the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters association. The FAPB announced the 2010 state broadcasting awards Saturday in Orlando.
A call-in to his show from a Pensacola homeless man last November prompted Rathert to visit the man’s campsite, and after meeting “Dan”, “Christine” and “Jesse”, he decided to find out for himself what it was like to live homeless, even for just 24 hours. He recorded an audio diary, along with conversations about their daily plight and how they arrived at this point in their lives. He then turned the experience into a three hour live documentary on his afternoon show, Pensacola Right Now- a live and local show each afternoon from 4-7 p.m. NewsRadio1620.
News anchor Jeff Knox, producer Sammy Bradley and program director Paul Stadden contributed to the program. The EscaRosa Homeless Coalition assisted with additional information, including facts about the Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties’ homeless population and community resources that are available for assistance.
Pictured: A composite photograph of radio host Randen Rathert as normal afternoon talk show host (left) and homeless man (right). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted In 1996 Escambia Murder
April 21, 2011
Kevin Jordan has been convicted of first degree murder by an Escambia County Jury for the shooting death of Samuel Palmer in 1996. Palmer was shot and killed during a botched robbery attempt at a home on Luke Street near Catholic High School.
The case remained unsolved until 2005 when information surfaced that Kevin Jordan was involved, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. In 2009, the Jordan confessed that he was involved in the attempted robbery of Palmer, however he claimed he was not the actual shooter. Jordan told investigators that Allen English fired the shot that killed Palmer. Allen English died in federal prison in 1999.
Jordan has previously been convicted on 20 felony offenses. Jordan faces a mandatory life sentence in prison when sentenced by Judge Jan Shackelford on May 5.
Oil Spill: Local Hope Returns, Challenges Remain
April 21, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott spent Wednesday, the first anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, eating seafood and walking along Destin and Pensacola’s sugar white sand Panhandle beaches in a marketing effort to get visitors back to the region that lost more than $1 billion in tourism business alone following the disaster.
But as Scott strolled and dined Wednesday, challenges facing the region remain, as individuals and businesses battle over claims – many of which remain unpaid – for lost income and local governments and the state play a chess game of sorts to recoup millions lost in local taxes.
Still, signs of life are returning to the region, say business owners, economic developers and local officials who hope that an additional $30 million in market money from BP announced earlier this month will help to bring new visitors to the region and coax back those who used to vacation here, but who last summer went somewhere else and liked the new spot.
“We know there are a lot of people who are still suffering and having difficult times, but we are certainly optimistic with all the signs we’re seeing right now,” said Dawn Moliterno, chairwoman of the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, a seven-county group that will split the $30 million in BP advertising funds.
Business was picking up in the region in April 2010 from the recession of the last few years. A new regional airport had just opened and merchants were seeing heavy advanced bookings.
That changed April 20 with the explosion and fire aboard the Transocean-run rig that killed 11 and set off a chain of events that would shut down the region’s 2010 tourist season.
For 87 days, oil spewed from a wellhead more than a mile beneath the surface of the Gulf, a disaster televised 24/7 that sent nervous tourists scurrying elsewhere to spend their vacation – forsaking even places where oil was never even seen.
Florida’s beach towns, which largely escaped the actual tar and oil, were quieted by an equally paralyzing phenomenon -the public perception that their beaches were soiled. The Florida Panhandle coastal towns were also hurt by the perception that Gulf seafood was inedible.
One year later businesses are still trying to pick up the pieces, but there is burgeoning hope, said Pat Lamar, owner The Canoe Shop in Panama City. Despite being convinced he will never be “made whole” by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the Ken Feinberg led effort to distribute $20 billion in BP cash, Lamar said he and other business owners have had to press on or go under.
“Nobody has mentioned the oil spill in quite a while,” said Lamar. “People are past it. You have to, right? You’ve got to move on.”
On Wednesday, the governor tried to do just that by completing a two-day tour of Panhandle beach communities, stopping in the resort cities of Destin and Pensacola Beach in an effort to boost the state’s beaches and erase an image of oil soaked surf.
“The positive is, if you talked to people, bookings are up and our beaches are spotless,” Scott said in Destin. “The fishing is good and the seafood tastes great. We were on a trajectory last year before the oil spill. We want to get back to that point.”
Local tourism officials appear to back Scott up. Moliterno said bookings in the Destin area are up and so are the prices paid for the rooms, a marked change from last year when reservations tumbled and hotels slashed prices and added incentives to lure customers in.
Some hoteliers have settled claims with Feinberg, who has so far paid out $3.8 billion, including $1.5 billion to Florida businesses and individuals. Many small business owners, though, say they’re still waiting for Feinberg to pay up.
Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson, who closed his real estate business because he could not collect a claim, said Feinberg’s claims process has not provided the kind of relief envisioned when the agency was formed. Hardest hit have been small businesses that did not keep elaborate books or couldn’t afford a stable of attorneys to force Feinberg’s hand.
“Many of our businesses will never get paid, I’m convinced of that,” Robinson said. “I just hope enough of them can be.”
Likewise Tom Rice, owner of the Lucky Snapper Restaurant in Destin – visited Wednesday by Scott – has yet to be paid on a claim filed with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people who just want closure on 2010,” Rice said. “Right now, they don’t know whether to invest, hold steady or liquidate because they don’t know what (Feinberg) is going to do with their claim. They’re just waiting for an answer. “
Counties have been more successful. Earlier this week , Bay County commissioners signed off on a $2.6 million settlement with BP to pay for lost tax revenue, which local officials said was basically what they asked for. Escambia County got $1.9 million through the same process, which is handled directly through BP.
“We’re doing all right,” said Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Bay County Tourism Development Council. “With the dollars we’ve received from BP for marketing, we’ll continue efforts to bring those visitors back.”
While the beaches Wednesday were spotless, environmental issues loom.
Repeated tests show the Gulf is safe for swimming and its seafood is safe to eat. But some problems remain. Taylor “Chip” Kirschenfeld, Escambia County’s senior scientist and division manager for water quality, says hundreds of tar mats remain submerged just offshore. Until the patches, some as large as football fields, are removed, tar balls will continue to roll up on Panhandle shores when kicked up by storms. Local officials have been pushing for the company to finance the next round of cleanup and are waiting for a response.
“BP says they want to make (the beaches) the way they were before the spill,” Kirschenfeld said. “We’re fine with that. The oil was not there before the spill, so it should not be there after the spill.”
As waves crashed ashore behind the newly opened Holiday Inn resort in Pensacola Beach on the one year anniversary, local and state officials said those businesses that weathered the 2010 storm are looking ahead and have more than a fighting chance to survive.
“The visitors are coming back,” said Chris Thompson, president and CEO of VisitFlorida, the state’s marketing arm. “So we think 2011’s going to be a banner year.”.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott and an entourage of local businessmen, officials and media take a quick stroll along Pensacola Beach Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Michael Peltier for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.