Alabama Lawmakers Look To Extend Deer Season
March 16, 2011
Alabama lawmakers are considering a bill that would extend deer season.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn and co-sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, would extend Alabama’s deer gun season from early November through mid-February.
Senate Bill 124 was introduced March 1 to extend deer season two weeks prior to the opening of regular gun season through the first two weeks after the close of regular gun season and also to allow whitetail deer to be hunted over bait.
The extension into mid-February will allow hunters in the southern part of the state to hunt during the rut (breeding season), according to the grassroots website www.extenddeerseason.com.
Dan Moultrie, chairman of the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board, is not supportive of the plan.
“Once we get the buck-doe ratio down closer to that magic one-to-one, it’ll do two things,” Moultrie said. “One, you’ll have a more intense rut that all our (Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division) management staff has been saying for years. They said let’s not go into February. You get the buck-doe ratio right and you’ll see them in January. Looking at how the herd is improving, it would have been a huge mistake to open a February season.”
‘Make Your Mark’ Tell Local Leaders Your Opinion On Transportation Issues
March 16, 2011
What do you think of transportation in Escambia and surrounding counties? You have a chance to let area leaders know what you think.
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT), in conjunction with the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), is asking all residents to participate in the Transportation Development Plan (TDP) local transit survey for Escambia County.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.TransitSurvey.org to “Make Your Mark” in the community by taking the 2011 bus transit survey online. By participating in the survey, residents can voice their opinion about services and priorities for Escambia County and surrounding counties. The survey component of the study will be available for public input through April 2011.
For North Escambia residents, there is a question that specifically asks for an opinion on the statement “It is a hardship to commute between the Northern part of Escambia County and Pensacola”.
Every five years the TPO, in conjunction with ECAT, conducts a major update of the TDP. This is a requirement of each transit agency receiving state funds from the Florida Department of Transportation. Results from the TDP survey will provide information to the TPO and ECAT on everything from travel patterns to identifying support for local transit services and expanded mobility options.
Debate On Teacher Merit Pay Begins In House
March 16, 2011
The Florida House spent more than three hours Tuesday debating the teacher merit pay bill (SB 736) that ties teacher pay to test scores and eliminates the use of multi-year contracts.
Democrats questioned how school districts could afford to implement these reforms when there is no additional funding for pay increases.
“There are no dollars attached to a merit increase,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach. “So where is the carrot?”
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, said school districts are only required to have an evaluation system tied to test scores in place. It is left up to each school district when to award raises.
The passage of this bill is all but assured because it has the backing of the Republican-dominated House and Senate and the governor. The House is expected to approve the bill on Wednesday after more debate, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott, who is expected to sign it.
Democrats could do little to stop the legislation from advancing Tuesday, instead spending hours on the House floor pointing out what they said were the bill’s flaws and offering amend
Arrest Made In Tate High School Sexual Assault Case
March 15, 2011
A 16-year-old Tate High School student was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly forcing another student to perform a sex act on him.
Deputies served an arrest warrant on Raymond Eugene Teamer for felony sexual battery and indecent exposure.
For an update to this story, click here.
According to the arrest report, Teamer exposed his genitals to at least four people while attending a class at Tate High School on March 1. He is also accused of grabbing a 14-year-old female by the neck and forcing her head down into his bare crotch.
Teamer is being detained by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice pending review by the court.
An earlier version of this story is below.
An alleged felony sexual battery at Tate High School was not reported by the school’s administration to law enforcement for at least two days, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. But school and school district officials are disputing that claim.
A male athlete allegedly forced a female to perform an intimate sexual act on him in a classroom as other students were in the room, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred March 1 and was reported to the school’s administration no later than March 2, but the incident was not reported to the school resource officer or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office until March 4, according to Deputy Chris Welborn, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
“The school administration knew before March 4 when it was reported to us,” Welborn said. “I’m not trying to say that the school was trying to cover anything up, but they (administrators) were not forthcoming with us.”
Tate High School Principal Rick Shackle said Tuesday afternoon that information was not accurate. He said he was notified of the incident after school hours on March 1, and the school began its investigation on March 2. He said the school’s resource officer was notified on March 2.
“The day we we started our investigation, law enforcement was notified,” Shackle said. “Law enforcement was made aware on March 2.”
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. on March 1 and was reported to David Venittozi, Tate’s dean, on March 2. The report was filed by the school’s resource officer on March 4.
Ross said that, as of late Monday afternoon, he had not seen the Sheriff’s Office report. Both students allegedly involved in the incident have been suspended and may eventually face expulsion, he said, with any further action by the school district dependent on law enforcement and school district investigations.
Ross declined to release any further information about the incident.
Editor’s note: Under Florida law, the identity of a juvenile charged with a felony is public record.
Firefighters Battle Debris, Brush Fire In Cantonment
March 15, 2011
Firefighters from several stations of Escambia Fire Rescue battled a brush and debris fire Tuesday afternoon on Pine Top Lane near Neal Road in Cantonment. The fire consumed a portion of an old shed and several abandoned vehicles. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters battle a fire Tuesday afternoon on Pine Top Lane in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
AG Bondi: Public Should Be Allowed To Speak At Public Meetings
March 15, 2011
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday she supports legislation (SB 310, HB 285) that would require the public to be allowed to testify at public meetings.
The bills, sponsored by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart in the Senate and Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, in the House, say public meetings must provide an “opportunity for members of the public to be heard.”
It does permit a board or commission to limit a speaker’s time and require that a spokesperson be appointed to speak for large groups. There are occasions when people travel hundreds of miles to speak at a committee or Cabinet meetings only to have time run out before their chance to speak.
The measure was spurred, however, primarily by local governments, which on a few occasions have refused to let people speak, saying that they were disruptive. Bondi said at a First Amendment Foundation luncheon Tuesday that she supports the idea of everyone having a chance to speak at public meetings.
The bill has yet to be heard in any House or Senate committees.
Flags Fly At Half Staff
March 15, 2011
Flags in North Escambia and across the nation were at half-staff Tuesday as a as a mark of respect for the memory of Army Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American Veteran of World War I. When he passed away in late February, President Obama ordered that flags at all federal institutions be flown at half-staff on the day of his interment, March 15.
Gov. Rick Scott also asked that all state and local governments join in the honor or Corporal Buckles and all American veterans of World War I by flying the flag at half-staff across the state.
Pictured above: The flag flies at half-staff Tuesday afternoon at Bratt Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rep. Jeff Miller To Meet With Constituents In Century On Friday
March 15, 2011
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller will host a “Coffee with the Congressman” in Century on Friday.
Miller said the event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Agricultural Building on West Highway 4 in Century. All constituents are invited to come by with questions and comments about pending legislation, federal issues, or just to meet their Congressman.
Evers’ Open Carry Bill Passes Justice Committee
March 15, 2011
Amid protests by law enforcement groups, the Senate Civil Justice Committee voted Monday to pass Greg Evers’ SB 234, which allows concealed gun permit holders to carry their weapons openly.
The vote was 3-2, with two Democratic senators voting against it. The bill was amended last week to exclude concealed weapons holders from carrying guns on college or private school campuses following emotional testimony by the father of an accidental shooting victim. The fate of the bill is uncertain.
Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, a former sheriff, voted for the measure but said he would vote against it if it reaches the Senate floor. Dean said he was concerned about how the bill impacts law enforcement officers attempting to police people with guns.
“It is hard for that responding officer to make a split-second decision about good guys and bad guys,” Dean said. Groups such as the National Rifle Association are in favor of the bill, arguing that it prevents someone from being charged with a crime when a concealed weapon is accidentally shown.
SB 234 still must be heard by the Judiciary and Rules committees.
AT&T, Verizon Offer Free Calling, Texting To Japan
March 15, 2011
AT&T and Verizon announced Monday that post-paid customers can call and message Japan for free. In addition, AT&T residential landline customers will received 60 minutes of free calls to Japan during the next two weeks.
VERIZON WIRELESS
All Verizon Wireless post-paid customers will receive free calling to Japan from March 11 through April 10. Post-paid customers are those who receive a monthly bill from the company (no those that use prepay cards). In addition, Verizon Wireless post-paid customers in the U.S. will receive free text and multimedia messaging to Japan for the same time period.
Verizon customers can also make a $10 donation by simply sending a text message and may choose from nine organizations aiding those in need in Japan, including the American Red Cross. Donating $10 is easy – simply text the specific word to the organization’s designated short code:
- ADRA Relief: text SUPPORT to 85944
- American Red Cross Relief: text REDCROSS to 90999
- Convoy of Hope: text TSUNAMI or SUNAMI to 50555
- GlobalGiving: text JAPAN to 50555
- International Medical Corps: text MED to 80888
- Mercy Corps: text MERCY to 25383
- Salvation Army: text JAPAN to 80888
- Save the Children Federation, Inc.: text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222
- World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals: text WAVE to 50555
- World Vision, Inc.: text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222
Text messages are free for customers donating to any of these organizations. Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization. For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear in customers’ next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, the $10 donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balance.
AT&T WIRELESS AND RESIDENTIAL LANDLINE
AT&T announced it has implemented international calling and texting support efforts for U.S. residential wireless and wireline consumers trying to connect with loved ones in Japan, following last week’s tragic earthquake and tsunami.
Effective beginning last week, March 11, and continuing through March 31, AT&T wireless postpaid customers will not be charged for:
- International long distance usage from the United States and Puerto Rico to Japan
- Text messages to Japan, originated from a U.S. wireless number
In addition, and also effective March 11 through March 31, residential wireline customers can seek credits for up to 60 minutes of direct dial calling to Japan:
- Upon receiving their wireline bill, customers may call AT&T to receive adjusted calling for up to 60 minutes. In other words, no charges for up to 60 minutes of call time from the United States to Japan between March 11 and March 31.
For any of the above activity, customers will either see no charges reflected on their monthly statement, or they will see a full credit applied to their statement for activity between March 11 and March 31.
“We want to help our customers connect with loved ones in Japan in anyway we can,” said Mark Collins, senior vice president, Voice and Data Products, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Connecting with family and friends is most important at times like this— we want to make it as easy and worry free as possible for our customers.”
Still available, AT&T wireless customers can text “redcross” to 90999 to give a $10 donation to help the Red Cross with disaster support efforts in the area. No text message fees apply.