The Summation Weekly - May 15, 2024

REVEREND HORTON HEAT

WITH FRONTMAN JIM HEATH

RBy Nicole Willis

everend Horton Heat

(RHH) is a Texas-born rockabilly band fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist, Jim Heath. Known for their high energy and unique genre-bending sound, RHH blends elements of country, surf and punk music. The trio grew popular throughout the 90s with notable songs like Psychobilly Freakout and Bales of Cocaine

Today, the band continues to tour across the country and will be making a stop in Pensacola this month to perform at The Handlebar. We had a chance to sit down with Heath ahead of the band’s show to learn more about his childhood, music and career.

RHH will perform on May 15 at The Handlebar in downtown Pensacola. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at thehandlebar850.com.

To learn more about the band, follow @revhortonheatofficial on Instagram or @reverendhortonheat on Facebook.

Take me back to when you first got started. What was your introduction to music like?

When I was a kid, my parents kind of played, but it was church for them and a little bit for me too. My mother could sing fourpart harmonies when she was a little girl. But the funny thing about them is that they were not rock and rollers. They were older when they had me so they were big band people. I got exposed to a lot of stuff like that—big band, musicals and movie themes. They would buy the album from the movies like Pink Panther. I learned about rock and roll, rockabilly, Johnny Cash and all that stuff from my cousins and my extended family. The first song I tried to learn to play on guitar when I was about six or seven years old was Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues. From there, just like anybody else, I went through phases. There was a record store that I could ride my bike to when I was a 12 or 13 yearold kid interested in rock and roll. I was probably going to go buy a Black Sabbath or Alice Cooper album, but the guy at the record store had a big blues selection and he was always playing blues. I heard Howlin’ Wolf and I was just like ‘that’s really cool music.’ So I got into the blues and that led me to wanting to learn to play guitar. So I was a young blues bass guitar player. The next thing I know, my little garage band we had in high school was making money traveling and playing all sorts of different gigs.

I read that you don’t necessarily consider your band to be a psychobilly band, even though people have labeled you as such. What genre or genres do you consider your music to be?

Well, you know, we do kind of fit in with the psychobilly scene. When I try to tell somebody who has never heard Reverend Horton Heat at all, like somebody in my neighborhood or at the grocery store, I tell him ‘We’re rock and roll, but we’re 50s rockabilly-influenced.’ But yeah, I wrote the song Psychobilly Freakout that came out on Sub Pop in like 1990, but that was before really anybody had heard of psychobilly in America, so a lot of people said I invented psychobilly.

How do you see your genre today? Are there any artists that you particularly enjoy?

I like so many different types of stuff, but I’m really focused on roots music. As far as psychobilly, I think the best psychobilly bands are the Koffin Kats and The Brains, but there’s others that are coming along that are really great. I shouldn’t say they’re the best because there’s a lot of other really great psychobilly bands that are even friends of ours—Mad Sin, Guana Batz and all that stuff—I got a lot of good friends in that scene. I’m focused a lot on roots music of all sorts of types. I really love JD McPherson. I think he’s great. I also really love Dale Watson. For country, I think he’s pretty much right there with the best, him and Junior Brown. The crazy thing is, because of [today’s broad] access to music, a lot of young bands can access the older music that was even hard for us to find in the 70s; all the rockabilly records from the 50s were already kind of gone. Now you can find anything, so if you wanted to really focus on rockabilly or focus on surf guitar or whatever, you can find everything just with a click of a finger. There’s some really great things about the digital age and some really bad things about the digital age!

What can people expect from one of your live shows?

We really try to connect with the crowd. We play a lot of fast and energetic music. In some ways, we kind of are a psychobilly band because we took rockabilly and sped it up and made it more aggressive. But we get bluesy, too, we can get jazzy, we can get country. The main thing is, it’s fast, high energy music, and then we’ll throw in a slow song here or there. We connect with the crowd, we smile and we have a good time. We love playing music, so it’s always a good time.

You and Jimbo (Wallace, upright bass player for RHH) have been playing together for over 30 years. Can you tell me about your musical partnership and how you’ve managed to make things work playing together for so long?

Well, a lot of it has to do with Jimbo’s attitude. When I got him in the band, he was very gung ho. To this day, both of us are that way. Our manager has been with us for about 25 years and maybe longer than that. Me and Jimbo are so gung ho that our agent doesn’t even really call us to ask us. He does, but in general, he’s basically just booking gigs and telling us where we’re gonna play. Jimbo is like, ‘Oh, okay, we’re gonna play there. Okay, we’re gonna do that.’ That’s really helped the band a lot because so many bands get really nitpicky about where they’re gonna play and how much they’re gonna make. We just go and play. With Jimbo’s attitude, when me and him started going, we really couldn’t be

stopped because we weren’t stopping ourselves. So that, and more artistically, we’re definitely on the same page about music. He knows a lot about the stuff that I like from the mid-20th century and that type of music. He can play it really well; he’s in time and in tune and he’s, like I said, gung ho. A lot of what makes it work is just that we understand each other so well, we’re good friends.

Last year you released your studio album Roots of the Rev Volume One. Is there a volume two that might be coming?

I hope so, that’s why I said Volume One. There’s a lot of older artists that we have a connection to that we just couldn’t get to on the record. There are a lot more roots there than just in the 12 songs on that record, so we’re hopefully going to be able to do a volume two. We always try to avoid cover songs, so our next project really needs to be another new all original Reverend Horton Heat album.

Do you have plans for that album to be coming soon, or is it just an idea at the moment? Sadly, it’s all still just an idea. I have a bunch of songs that I need to kind of finish up and then get up to speed before we can start thinking about recording again. The guys can get up to speed really quickly, because with bass and drums, once they learn the changes and have those down pat, then they’re almost good to record right away. But with me, I really need to focus a lot on how the vocals are gonna be and the solos and all that stuff. So that ball is really in my court right now, but I’m working on stuff. I am getting a little sidetracked producing some other people here and there, but that’s good, too. I like that. But yeah, hopefully we can get to the new [material]. We have a couple of new songs that we’ve worked on in rehearsals. We are going to do a recording of one song coming up in a couple of weeks, so we’ ll be promoting that one soon! ■

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CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION ONLINE LIBRARY: CLE.ESRBA.COM

ESRBA’s CLE Library is now digital! Go to cle.esrba.com to get your credits. Each download comes with the audio from the seminar, the PowerPoint/handouts, and the CLE Certificate of Accreditation from The Florida Bar. The audio can be downloaded in any file type that you would like including MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, and AIFF formats. For your convenience and ease of listening, the seminars can also be streamed directly from the library.

If you are interested in presenting a CLE seminar or being recorded for a CLE accredited podcast, please email esrba@esrba.com.

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DYNAMIC DEPTH & DIMENSION WORKSHOP AT PALETTE PRODUCTIONS JUNE

Abstraction, like representational work, is built on fundamental concepts. If you are frustrated by abstraction, explore the fundamentals with Jacqueline Sullivan as you experience this exciting form of artistic expression. If your focus is representational, then understanding the principles of abstraction will free you to explore a higher level of artistic freedom. This five-day class will push your limits and help you make dynamic paintings.

It is important to understand acrylic mediums and paste. This workshop will take you to the next step to use acrylic paints and pastes creating depth and dimension in your paintings.

You will learn by demonstration and hands-on instruction with plenty of individual guidance from Jacqueline. All skill levels are welcome including beginners.

The artist supply list is available now on the class registration page as an easily printed and saved PDF—please note many supplies

10-14, 2024

will be provided by Jacqueline, but she has also included a list of items you will want to bring with you to the workshop.

Other important elements of this class are learning how to paint from your heart and not your head and how to create fresh beautiful color without making mud. As a result, you will create stronger and more personal paintings.

Handouts for class use and future reference are provided. Students should finish a few paintings in class. Most paints and many supplies are provided. Check out the registration information, fee, supply list at paletteproductions.net/workshops.

The workshop will be held at Framing by Design, 4718 North W Street, Pensacola, Florida. If you are visiting Pensacola, see tourist, visitor and hotel information at visitpensacola.com.

For questions, contact Pat Page at Palette Productions at 850-293-5414 or email info@paletteproductions.net.

ECFR TO HOST PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST DEMONSTRATION, Q&A SESSION MAY 20

Escambia County Fire Rescue invites certified firefighters or potential cadet candidates interested in joining the organization to a physical abilities test Monday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Pensacola Fire Department - Station #4, located at 1 N. “Q” St.

The demonstration will serve as an opportunity for applicants or anyone interested in a career in the fire service to gain hands-on knowledge of the physical abilities test. Current ECFR cadets will be in attendance to answer questions about their experiences within the cadet program.

Please note this demonstration will not serve as the official physical abilities test needed to join ECFR. An official physical abilities test for individuals interested in joining ECFR as a certified firefighter or cadet will take place Monday, June 10, at 8 a.m. at Pensacola Fire Department - Station #4.

For Certified Firefighter Applicants:

The certified test consists of:

• 1 3/4” charged hose pull in 27 seconds

• Keiser sled in 60 seconds

Tower evolution in six minutes

For Cadet Applicants:

The cadet test consists of:

• 25 push-ups in two minutes

• 40 sit-ups in two minutes

• Run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes

• 1 3/4” charged hose pull in 27 seconds

• Keiser sled in 60 seconds

• Tower evolution in six minutes

Certified Escambia County Firefighters receive numerous benefits including competitive pay and health benefits, a 48/96 schedule, 14 paid holidays, special teams’ incentive pay and more. Learn more and apply online at MyEscambia.com/joinfire.

LIFELONG SCHOLAR,

LEARNER AND EDUCATOR, THE LATE JAMES E. MILLER HONORED WITH NAMED PROGRAMS

The University of West Florida Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering recently received a gift from Diane Miller to name the Bachelor and Master of Science in Computer Science programs in honor of her late husband, James E. Miller. The funds will be used in part for equipment and faculty support to enable some advanced research programs. Miller was a consummate scholar, learner and life-long educator. A legacy and naming event was held at the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering on UWF’s Pensacola campus on May 3.

“This generous gift is an example of how people with previous experience at UWF give back to this great University,” said Mohamed Khabou, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. “Dr. Miller not only shaped the lives of UWF students while he was a professor here, his generous contribution will ensure the continuation of his impact on current and future students.”

James Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in math and physics from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, a Master of Science in Math from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Louisiana, Lafay-

ESCAMBIA-SANTA ROSA BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS DAVID STAFFORD AND TAPPIE VILLANE WITH LIBERTY BELL AWARD

The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association recently presented its Liberty Bell Award at its Law Week Luncheon to dual recipients. Honored with the award were David Stafford, former Escambia County Supervisor of Elections and current Region 4 Election Security Advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland Security and Tappie Villane, Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections. The awards were presented by Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit John L. Miller on behalf of the association.

The purpose of the award is to recognize community service that has strengthened the American system of freedom under law and to accord public recognition to men and women, particularly non-lawyers, for outstanding service in one of these areas: promoting a better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights; encouraging greater respect of law and the courts; stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights; contributing to the effective functioning of our institutions of government; and fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the rule of law.

Also recognized at the luncheon were the first place and second place winners of the University of West Florida Oral Advocacy Championship. The winners, Juliana Wahl and Hannah Penrose, and runners up, Devin Yarbrough Allyson Greenan, were given cash awards sponsored by Lisa, Diana and Benjamin Bernau. The awards were presented by Charlie Penrod, J.D., Professor, Legal Studies Program, University of West Florida, Circuit Judge Thomas Williams and County Judge Charles Young on behalf of the Bernau family and the association.

Law Week is the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association’s week-long extension of the American Bar Association’s Law Day, which is held annually on May 1. Law Day is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.

The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association is a nonprofit voluntary organization serving attorneys and judges in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. For more information about the association, visit www.esrba.com.

EMERALD COAST FITNESS FOUNDATION TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT SIP AND SPLASH: AN AQUATIC AFFAIR PRESENTED BY TIM SMITH ACURA

The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation (ECFF) is pleased to announce their third annual fundraising event, Sip and Splash: An Aquatic Affair presented by Tim Smith Acura, will take place on Saturday, June 1 at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center.

Located at 4345 Commons Drive West in Destin, The Taj, as it’s fondly called, was officially renamed and dedicated during the Inaugural Sip and Splash event in 2022, and since then, the annual event has raised over $158,000 for the local organization. The third annual event promises guests an elegant sunset cocktail hour followed by a seated multicourse dinner under the stars.

ette. He was employed by IBM for several years, before becoming a professor at the University of West Florida, where he rose to the chairmanship of the systems science department. After 18 years at UWF, James Miller moved to Mississippi to become a fully tenured professor and chair of computer science at the University of Southern Mississippi. He retired nearly 20 years later. In his free time, he enjoyed playing the violin and choral singing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He was married to his wife for 58 years before his passing in 2022.

“He loved learning, from studying the classics and theology when he taught computer ethics to vowing to master the theories of quantum physics just this year,” Diane Miller said. “He loved people, and found much to appreciate in everyone, regardless of their appearance or status in life. He was an upbeat counter of blessings, quietly humorous yet sometimes whooping with laughter. He was a man of deep thoughts and few words, deep affections and few dislikes.”

For more information about the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, visit uwf.edu/hmcse.

WSRE PBS WILL HOST AMAZING KIDS DAY ON JUNE 1 FOR AMAZING KIDS WITH AUTISM

WSRE PBS will host Pensacola’s second annual Amazing Kids Day for families affected by autism on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College.

Amazing Kids Day is a free, sensoryfriendly event for children with special needs to explore fun, educational activities. At the same time, parents and caregivers can learn about some of the local family resources available to them.

The following organizations have signed up to take part with educational resources and fun activities designed for kids with autism: The Arc Gateway, Autism Pensacola, Be the Miracle, Western Panhandle Early Steps, Epilepsy Alliance Florida, Escambia Westgate School, Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE), Life Horse and

Pensacola Opera. Plus, WSRE PBS will offer a green screen TV studio activity and computer stations for exploring PBS KIDS online.

Other support organizations are encouraged to apply by calling 850-484-1219.

Amazing Kids Day is sponsored in part by Aaron Erskine, Jacque Falzone, Tonya and Paul Cope, and Linda and Byron Bauer. The event will accommodate a limited number of children, so registration is requested. Event information and online registration can be found at wsre.org/education.

About WSRE PBS

WSRE, a PBS member station licensed to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees and supported by the WSRE-TV Foundation, serves as a critical media source for trusted content and a safe media space for children to grow and learn.

“We look forward to hosting this event all year long,” said Kathi Heapy, ECFF treasurer. “It has become such an enjoyable evening and a wonderful way for us to connect with more members of the community. We are tremendously grateful for the continued support of Tim Smith Acura and the Smith family for this event and other previous contributions they have made.”

The community pool will be transformed into an elegant event space courtesy of Title Wave Sponsors, Bitterroot and Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House. Guests will be greeted upon entry with complimentary valet and a glass of champagne, sponsored by Justin Myers Realtor, before making their way into the nautical-themed pool deck for a sunset cocktail hour. Attendees will sip on craft cocktails poured by Better Together Beverage and made with local spirits, including Distillery 98 and Campesino Rum, along with craft beer from Odd Pelican Beer Company and wine from Good Clean Wine. Destin’s own Yoshie Eddings from Camille’s at Crystal Beach will be serving a variety of hand rolled sushi before guests take their seats for dinner. There will be a special mermaid performance in the pool along with an extensive silent auction and a live painting from local renowned artist, Bradley Copeland, sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union.

Following cocktail hour, guests will make their way to the main dining area to indulge in a multi-course seated dinner served by the Emerald Coast’s most notable chefs and restaurants, including Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Mozey’s Mobile Catering and Cuisine, The Rican Vegan, SunQuest Catering, and Sura Korean Steakhouse. Dishes will be both gulf-

and farm-to-table, showcasing the various cuisines of each restaurant and chef. Emerald Coast’s own Al Alvarado will be entertaining guests throughout dinner on the main stage, sponsored by Silver Sands Premium Outlets, along with a special ceremony to induct the 2024 honorees into the Okaloosa Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.

“The swimming community has been our bedrock for these many years,” said Wendy Rudman, ECFF community outreach coordinator. “Their support is essential. We treasure the opportunity to recognize specific members of the swimming community. It is wonderful to bring together so many members of our swimming family along with other community members and leaders for this fun, relaxed evening.”

Proceeds raised from the silent auction, ticket sales, sponsorship, and general donations will go to the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation. ECFF is a public charity formed to develop physical fitness and water safety among the youth and adults of Okaloosa County. Their facilities and programs in Destin, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach deliver opportunities for instruction, training, and competitive excellence in aquatic sports. Since 2015, ECFF has been managing the public pools at the Bernie R. Lefebvre Aquatic Center in Fort Walton Beach, Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center in Destin, and the ROC Pool in Crestview.

ECFF would also like to thank the local community businesses and individuals who are sponsoring the third annual event, including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, Emerald Coast Magazine, First Choice Appraisals, Flooring Authority, Gilmore Insurance, HomeFi, Jamie Siefert, Life Media, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, MidSouth Bank, Panhandle Pirates Water Polo Club, United Fidelity Bank, Valparaiso Coca Cola Bottling Company, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, and Warren Averett Accounting.

Tickets and tables are available for $125 per individual or $1,000 for a table of ten. Only a few sponsorship opportunities remain, however ECFF is collecting silent auction items from area businesses and individuals wanting to support the event. To learn more about the evening, please visit ecfitnessfoundation.org. Those interested in sponsoring or donating an auction item, please email jessica@proffittpr.com.

DAVIS WOOD RECEIVES MAY 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to recognize Davis Wood, Public Information and Education Officer for Public Safety, as the May 2024 Employee of the Month.

Wood’s career with Escambia County began on Aug. 16, 2021. As the Public Safety PIO, Wood represents each division, including EMS, Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications, and the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards. He manages media inquiries and interviews for each division, manages social media, and writes press releases to share department news stories, hiring opportunities, severe weather alerts, and more.

In addition, Wood regularly seeks training opportunities to hone his skills as a PIO. He has completed numerous FEMA courses and attended workshops to gain a deeper understanding of crisis communications, citizen engagement, disaster response, and media relations. He is a FEMA-certified Public Information Officer, a member of the Florida Public Relations Association Pensacola Chapter and a graduate of Leadership Pensacola Class of 2022.

“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized as Escambia County’s Employee of the Month,” said Wood. “This would not be possible without the support of my coworkers and supervisors from Community and Media Relations and Public Safety. Every day, there is an important story to tell about Escambia County, and I’m honored to be given a platform to share that story. With this honor, I feel encouraged and motivated to continue working with our first responders and Public Safety divisions to tell our story and highlight the heroism performed each and every day.”

When a wildfire spread along Gulf Beach Highway and Dog Track Road on April 4,

Wood was instrumental in communicating updates to the public and the media. Working with Escambia County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management, Wood collaborated with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the American Red Cross, and the Florida Forestry Service to provide information on road closures, evacuations and shelters. Wood stayed on-scene well after his workday had ended and held a press conference to brief the media, ensuring the public stayed informed during a challenging time.

“Davis is an invaluable asset to the Escambia County Public Information Office, serving as both the county’s Public Information and Education Officer for the Public Safety Department and Community and Media Relations,” said Director for Communications and Public Information David Heroux. “His exceptional skills, tireless work ethic and effortless adaptability are evident in everything he does. His unwavering dedication to exceeding expectations truly sets him apart, making him a trusted liaison between the county, media and elected officials.”

“Davis is a fantastic member of our team,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “He works hard to represent Public Safety in a positive light and maintains strong relationships with our local media members. Davis always displays a helpful, can-do attitude and is a great team player. We appreciate all he does for us and look forward to his continued success.”

Outside of work, Wood enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He is an avid sports enthusiast and proudly supports the Tampa Bay Rays. He and his wife, Amanda, are expecting their first child in September.

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners commends and congratulates Wood on his selection as the May 2024 Employee of the Month.

AMERICAN MAGIC UNVEILS AC75 RACE BOAT “PATRIOT” FOR 37TH AMERICA’S CUP

A landmark day unfolded for NYYC American Magic on Tuesday morning, May 7th, as Boat 3, “Patriot”, embarked on its inaugural sail.

Team members and their families gathered at their Barcelona team base for a christening ceremony preceding the sail of their new AC75, the foiling monohull set to be tested and raced by New York Yacht Club American Magic this summer in advance of the 37th America’s Cup.

Clare Harrington, Vice Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, had the honor of christening the team’s AC75 “Patriot.”

In her address to an enthusiastic gathering of team members, friends, and family, Vice Commodore Claire Harrington commented, “The New York Yacht Club has never wavered from its core purpose of ensuring international competition at the highest level of skill and performance. That is our tradition. However, the launch of Patriot also signifies innovation, blending two distinct elements: tradition and innovation. And so I bring to American Magic the heartfelt wishes of all 3,400 plus members of the New York Yacht Club for your success in the upcoming competition, maintaining the club’s tradition through your inspired innovation.”

Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations at American Magic, contemplated the team’s campaign to date, commenting, “As we reflect on the last 21 months, it’s remarkable that we set a launch date of just three days from now. As a team, we persevered through adversity, especially in the early stages of the build when things didn’t proceed perfectly.”

Expressing gratitude towards the team principals, Hutchinson said, “The entire team is immensely grateful to Hap Fauth and Doug DeVos for their unwavering support. Without their vision and backing, none of this would have been possible. As a team, we are dedicated to honoring their commitment by striving for excellence in everything we do.”

Acknowledging the collective effort, he continued, “When you observe the families and children present, you realize the immense support, effort, and energy required to bring this boat to the water. While the production team’s hard work is behind us, the focus and challenges for the sailing team and designers lie ahead.”

In his speech to the team, Mike Cazer, CEO at American Magic, emphasized the team’s collective dedication, stating, “Every person on this team understands our mission: to win America’s Cup. Moreover, they clearly understand their role in helping the team accomplish this mission, and this team is highly talented and dedicated to the mission.”

FIRST RESPONDERS RECOGNIZED FOR SOMERVILLE COURT WILDFIRE HEROICS

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recognized the first responders involved in extinguishing the Somerville Court Forest wildfire Thursday, May 2.

Surrounded by personnel from Escambia County Fire Rescue, the Florida Forestry Service, Pensacola Fire Department, Summerdale Fire Department, Ala. and Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Ala., District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler recognized those who took part in the Somerville Court wildfire response.

In the afternoon of April 4, 2024, Escambia County emergency dispatchers received several calls related to a wildfire that was rapidly expanding and threatening several homes on Somerville Court and Mary Fleming Drive. Escambia County Fire Rescue responded and immediately requested additional units from NAS Pensacola, the City of Pensacola, the Florida Forest Service, Summerdale Fire Department, and Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

Upon being notified of the potential size of the wildfire and the number of homes that could be affected, Escambia County Emergency Management issued an evaluation order using Alert Escambia. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department provided traffic control and assisted with the evacuation order due to the closure of several nearby roads.

Escambia County Animal Control responded to assist homeowners and firefight-

ers with the removal of pets from the evacuation area. Escambia County Area Transit responded with two buses to transport evacuees to Liberty Church on Blue Angel Parkway which opened as a temporary shelter. The American Red Cross was deployed to Liberty Church with six volunteers to help console the evacuees and assisted one family that was displaced by the fire.

Due to the quick response of Escambia County Fire Rescue, firefighters from NAS Pensacola, the City of Pensacola, Summerdale Fire Department, Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service, one home was heavily damaged, 15 homes suffered various degrees of damage, and 200 homes were saved.

Over the next several days, Florida Forest Service remained on-scene to ensure all hotspots were contained.

“The Somerville Court wildfire was a shining example of our dedicated first responders from various departments coming together for one mission: to protect the citizens of Escambia County,” said Commissioner Kohler. “As the fire grew rapidly, our first responders worked tirelessly to evacuate the affected neighborhoods while extinguishing the fire. I commend our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency management personnel and our volunteers for their efforts during that day, and I’m so thankful no one was harmed.”

ESCAMBIA COUNTY EMS EARNS OUTSTANDING STATE COMPLIANCE REVIEW

Cazer also highlighted the team’s commitment to fostering a positive culture, saying, “In addition, the team is also committed to creating a positive and strong culture. Our culture reflects the values of our founders, Hap Fauth and Doug DeVos. These values champion excellence, innovation, integrity, unity, and teamwork. They give us a strong foundation to strive to accomplish our mission. To win the cup, to bring it back home to the United States and to the New York Yacht Club.

Building upon the legacy of its predecessors, American Magic’s new boat, Patriot, represents the culmination of US boat design and engineering excellence. Notable advancements include:

Enhanced hull design to optimize performance in varying wind and sea states.

New lighter foils with an increase in span to 4.5m, facilitating lift out of the water.

Upgraded electronics, hydraulics, and software systems for improved control and maneuverability.

Reducing crew size from eleven to eight members utilizes innovative cyclors (replacing grinders) powering the yacht’s systems.

The AC75 features a 26.5-meter mast, meticulously crafted by the American Magic team in the United States.

The soft sail design comprises twin mainsails and a headsail (jib), resulting in a total sail area of approximately 230m². This configuration ensures maximum efficiency and performance.

The development of Patriot was a collaborative effort involving American Magic’s team of 30 designers, CFD analysts, engineers, naval architects, AI resources, and boatbuilders. Over 108,000 design and 65,000 construction hours were dedicated to refining every aspect of the boat.

Design Coordinator Scott Ferguson reflects, “We followed our own design path with Patriot as we pushed the limits of the AC75 rule while tailoring for the Barcelona venue. Our overall philosophy is minimalistic, as we’ve tried to squeeze down our volumes to the base minimum while still fitting the crew and systems into the boat. There are tradeoffs for every decision regarding performance, weight, energy, and forgiveness. The design team, together with the sailing, shore, and build teams, have developed what we feel is a strong package for competing at a high level here in Barcelona.”

Patriot is poised to deliver high-performance sailing on the racecourse. The team anticipates that Patriot will excel in speed, agility, and maneuverability, providing a platform capable of winning the 37th America’s Cup.

Considered a “role model of excellence as an EMS provider in the state of Florida,” Escambia County Emergency Medical Services has passed the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight’s Compliance Monitoring site survey with no deficiencies found, with the Bureau praising Escambia County EMS for its exemplary service and organization. This inspection marks Escambia County EMS’s second state inspection since 2021, both of which were passed with zero deficiencies.

On Wednesday, April 17, Escambia County EMS received a Compliance Monitoring site survey from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight. During the inspection, Escambia County EMS was reviewed on the following:

• Employee training records and certifications

• Compliance with controlled substance medication storage, how medications are distributed for use by EMS, and tracking of medication administration by EMS

• How EMS orders, stocks, distributes, and replaces medical equipment and supplies

• Random ambulances were selected for complete inventory inspection in compliance with state requirements

• Patient care records and storage of records

• Quality assurance and quality improvement measures with patient care and patient care reports

Training and in-service records for all EMS employees

• Compliance with state requirements for medical direction

Throughout the site survey, the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight representative provided glowing reviews in numerous areas, noting that Escambia County EMS vehicles and records were “outstanding” and considered EMS a “role model of excellence as an EMS provider.”

“Receiving a rating of 100% with no deficiencies for the second year in a row is a true testament to the dedication and hard work our Logistics, Training and Administrative Division personnel have done to make certain that Escambia County EMS is a model organization,” said EMS Chief David Torsell III.

Following the state inspection, Regional Coordinator of FDOT’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight Jeff Guadiana offered additional praise to the EMS staff stating, “please extend my sincere gratitude to your staff for their assistance and for the overall contribution to your service and community. Your continued support of emergency medical services is deeply appreciated.”

“This is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition, and it speaks volumes of our team at EMS,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “These site surveys are held at random, meaning our facilities, ambulances, service and training records, and equipment must always be at their best. I’m thankful to our men and women at EMS and extend my congratulations for their outstanding work and dedication to the citizens of Escambia County.”

For more information about Escambia County EMS, visit the MyEscambia website.

CITY SANITATION DISTRIBUTES QR CODES TO RESIDENT TRASH CANS

The City of Pensacola’s Sanitation Services will continue to place QR codes on resident trash cans throughout the month of May, in an effort to help customers connect to the city website and stay informed of City Sanitation schedules and additional services.

For the remainder of May, Sanitation crews will be placing QR codes on resident trash cans from Creighton Road to Woodland Drive.

All QR codes are expected to be distributed by May 31, weather permitting.

For more information, please contact Sanitation Services at 850-435-1890.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA REGIONAL RESILIENCE SEMINAR JUNE 21

Escambia County’s Natural Resources Management Department invites residents to attend the Northwest Florida Regional Resiliency Seminar Friday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 S. “I” St. This event is free to attend and open to anyone interested in learning more about resiliency in northwest Florida. Lunch is provided. The seminar will feature presentations and panel discussions from state, regional and local agencies and organizations covering climate resiliency topics. Panelists will

also discuss how funding agencies, local government and non-regulatory organizations facilitate resiliency in northwest Florida. Escambia County’s Resiliency Program is a grant-funded effort housed within the Natural Resources Management department. Established in 2022, the Resiliency Program includes the Brownfields Program, Support for the Environmental Justice Committee, and project and grant management for environmental and resiliency projects in Escambia County. For more information, contact resiliency@ myescambia.com.

STATE, FEDS TANGLE OVER IMMIGRATION CASE

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

JIM SAUNDERS

Florida and the federal government squared off this week in an appeals court about whether the state could legally challenge Biden administration policies that led to undocumented immigrants being released from detention.

Lawyers for the two sides filed briefs late Monday at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody have made a high-profile issue of criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of immigration issues, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that Texas and Louisiana did not have legal standing to challenge certain immigration policies.

In light of the Supreme Court ruling, the Atlanta-based appeals court ordered Florida and the federal government to file briefs about whether the state had standing to challenge what are known as “parole” policies.

Lawyers in Moody’s office wrote that the Supreme Court case does not bar Florida’s challenge, largely because the Texas and Louisiana case focused on issues related to arresting migrants — while the Florida challenge involves paroling people who have already been detained.

“Texas (the Texas and Louisiana case) involved the executive branch’s historic discretion to enforce federal law,” the state’s 35-page brief said. “But here, the challenged policies are much more than a mere failure to enforce the law. They instead confer temporary legal status and other statutory benefits in the form of parole.”

But in their 34-page brief, U.S. Department of Justice lawyers called such a distinction “immaterial” and said both cases “concern policies vested with discretion.”

“Here, DHS’s (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s) parole policies reflected decisions about how to best use its limited resources to process and detain noncitizens who unlawfully entered the United States during particular periods of time,” the Justice Department brief said.

Florida filed a lawsuit in September 2021 challenging Biden administration policies. The lawsuit ultimately led to two rulings last year by U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell that said policies, known as “Parole Plus Alternatives to Detention” and “Parole with Conditions,” violated federal law.

The Pensacola-based judge issued the rulings before the Supreme Court decided the Texas and Louisiana case. Justice Department attorneys, who have long argued that Florida did not have legal standing, took the dispute to the Atlanta-based appeals court.

After the Supreme Court decision, the appeals court in February directed Wetherell to consider again whether he had “jurisdiction” in the Florida challenge. Plaintiffs must show standing before judges have jurisdiction to decide cases. So, if Florida didn’t have standing, Wetherell couldn’t have ruled in its favor.

Wetherell, a former state appellate judge who was appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump, quickly issued a decision supporting his earlier rulings that Florida had standing. Like the state’s arguments this week, he drew distinctions between the issues in the Florida and Texas lawsuits.

“The policies at issue in these (Florida) cases do not involve arrest or prosecution, but rather explain how DHS (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) will exercise its statutory ‘parole’ authority … with respect to aliens who are already in DHS custody after arriving at the southwest border,” Wetherell wrote. “Nothing in Texas (the Supreme Court opinion) held that federal courts cannot adjudicate the validity of non-detention/parole policies like these.”

After Wetherell’s decision, the appeals court last month ordered additional briefs.

Florida also contends that it has standing because of costs associated with migrants coming to the state. As an example, it said the state faces costs for educating additional children.

“The district court (Wetherell) correctly concluded that DHS’s policies authorizing the mass parole of aliens into Florida impose financial costs on Florida as well as injure Florida’s quasi-sovereign interest in its territory and the presence and movement of unauthorized aliens within its borders,” the state’s brief said.

But Justice Department lawyers wrote that Florida “alleges an indirect injury and failed to provide sufficient evidence of harm.”

“Following (the Supreme Court decision in the Texas and Louisiana case), it is no longer sufficient for a state to argue that a change in federal policy may increase population and indirectly change state expenditures with respect to driver’s licenses, education, health care, or law enforcement,” the Justice Department brief said. “Finding standing whenever a change in federal policy would cause some incidental costs to states would allow any state to challenge any change in immigration policy, and improperly draw courts into generalized grievances on behalf of states that were unable to obtain their preferred policy outcomes through the political process.”

DESANTIS SIGNS ANNUAL TAX PACKAGE

JIM TURNER NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Emphasizing a sales-tax “holiday” for hurricane preparedness supplies, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed an annual package of tax breaks.

The package (HB 7073), passed by lawmakers during the legislative session that ended in March, is expected overall to trim state and local revenue by $439.6 million during the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Lawmakers included a series of sales-tax holidays in the package, including two periods when shoppers will be able to stock up on hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes. The first preparedness holiday will start June 1, at the start of the hurricane season, while the second will be from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6, just before the peak of the storm season.

During a bill-signing event in Cape Canaveral, DeSantis said “knock on wood” Florida won’t be hit by hurricanes this season, but weather experts have predicted the Atlantic Ocean will be highly active over the next six months.

“They say ‘busy.’ And they always say that. We don’t know. I mean, you just don’t know. You have to prepare,” DeSantis said. “You could have a busy hurricane season and nothing could hit Florida. You could have a low hurricane season and have one hit us. So, really, whether it’s high or low, it’s really a question about (being) prepared.”

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said people need to focus on their personal storm plans and being prepared.

“We know that there are many, many predictions for a very active hurricane season. I don’t want any of you to get focused on that,” Guthrie said. “I want you to get focused on your family … that’s all I need you to do. Let my team worry about the big hurricane

FLORIDA CHALLENGES FEDS ON HEALTH CARE RULE

JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Florida has filed a lawsuit challenging a new federal health-care rule, saying it clashes with the state’s efforts to restrict treatments such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender people.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Tampa, targets a rule that affects programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which operates as KidCare in Florida.

The rule is designed to help carry out a law that prevents discrimination in health-care programs that receive federal money. The law prevents discrimination based on “sex,” and the rule applies that to include discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The lawsuit contends that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the rule, “purports to override the state of Florida’s laws and regulations protecting the health and safety of its residents.”

“HHS further threatens the loss of federal funds for states and insurance issuers that refuse to cover these interventions (such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers),” the lawsuit said. “Plaintiffs bring this action to stop HHS’s interference with the ethical practice of medicine and state police powers.”

But federal health officials said late last month the rule will help strengthen protections against discrimination.

In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the rule is a “giant step forward for this country toward a more equitable and inclusive health care system, and means that Americans across the country now have a clear way to act on their rights against discrimination when they go to the doctor, talk with their health plan, or engage with health programs run by HHS.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the Republican-controlled Legislature during the past two years have made a series of controversial decisions to prevent treatments for transgender people diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

That has included barring Medicaid coverage for treatments such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers. Also, the state has prevented doctors from providing such treatments to minors and put restrictions on the treatments for adults.

The decisions — which are similar to moves by Republican leaders in other states — have spurred a series of legal battles that continue to play out. The issue also has become high profile politically, with President Joe Biden’s administration pushing back against Republicans.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who is helping lead the lawsuit filed Monday, joined Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina last week in filing a case challenging a new Biden administration rule on sexbased discrimination in education programs.

That lawsuit alleges, in part, that the Biden administration has overstepped its legal authority in extending regulations to apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed Monday are the state, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Management Services and the Catholic Medical Association. The Agency for Health Care Administration runs the Medicaid program, which is jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The Department of Management Services oversees a massive health-insurance program for state employees and retirees.

The new rule, which is slated to take effect July 5, is designed to carry out part of the federal Affordable Care Act prohibiting discrimination in health-care services. But the state contends federal health officials have overstepped their authority, violating a law known as the Administrative Procedure Act.

“Under the (rule), Florida may not refuse reimbursement or coverage for gender-change interventions on the ground that they are ‘experimental’ and not medically necessary health care treatments,” the lawsuit said. “The (rule) would therefore require covering puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, surgeries and related services to treat gender dysphoria under Florida Medicaid, CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) and other state programs … contrary to Florida law.”

The lawsuit also said that most medical providers, such as hospitals and clinics, accept federal money through Medicaid and other programs. It said the rule “will therefore force health care providers in Florida to choose between accepting federal funds and complying with Florida law regarding treatments for persons suffering from gender dysphoria.”

But the Department of Health and Human Services said in information posted on its website that the “rule does not require a specific standard of care or course of treatment for any individual, minor or adult. Providers do not have an affirmative obligation to offer any health care, including gender-affirming care, that they do not think is clinically appropriate or if religious freedom and conscience protections apply.”

The department, however, appeared to draw a distinction between decisions involving individual patients and broad policies about treatment.

“The final rule does not require those covered, including state Medicaid agencies, to cover a particular health service for the treatment of gender dysphoria for any individual, minor or adult,” the information on the website said. “Rather, it prohibits health insurance issuers, state Medicaid agencies, and other covered entities from excluding categories of services in a discriminatory way. Coverage must be provided in a neutral and nondiscriminatory manner.”

season, multiple disasters that may or may not come our way. That’s what we’re there for.”

During the hurricane-preparedness holidays, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on items ranging from packages of batteries packets and portable radios that sell for $50 or less to portable generators that sell for $3,000 or less.

Retailers have long supported sales-tax holidays to help drive shoppers to stores.

Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley praised the tax package.

“When Florida shoppers stock up at local businesses during these tax-free holidays, it’s an added boost to the Sunshine State economy,” Shalley said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

The package also includes a tax holiday from July 29 to Aug. 11 on back-to-school items; a holiday throughout July on recreationrelated purchases; and a holiday around Labor Day on tools and other work supplies.

The holidays are expected to save shoppers a total of $289 million, with the backto-school discount period topping the list at $97.2 million. The hurricane-preparedness periods are expected to cut state and local revenue by $80.2 million.

Other parts of the package include such things as providing breaks for certain railroads companies and corporations that employ people with disabilities.

DeSantis put a $1.5 billion tag on the overall package by calculating potential savings beyond the 2024-2025 fiscal year and including a $450 million cut to revenue through the revival of a program that provides bill credits to frequent toll-road users. The toll program was included in the state budget.

The program, which started April 1, provides 50 percent credits to motorists who make 35 or more toll-road trips a month.

LOWER GAS COSTS TRIM DUKE, TECO BILLS

JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

State regulators Tuesday approved plans that will save money for customers of Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. starting in June.

The plans, approved without discussion by the state Public Service Commission, will pass along savings to customers from lowerthan-expected natural gas costs. The commission last month approved a similar plan for Florida Power & Light.

Florida utilities rely heavily on natural gas to fuel power plants, and gas prices have been volatile in recent years. When gas prices surge, increased costs are passed along to customers; when prices drop, customers get a break in their bills.

The plans approved Tuesday will lead to about $233.5 million in savings for Duke customers and $137.9 million for Tampa Electric customers, according to commission documents.

Utilities typically use a benchmark bill of residential customers who consume 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month.

Duke residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills decrease from $160.58 in May to $154.68 in June, the commission said. Such Tampa Electric customers will see their bills go from $143.48 to $136.44.

The utilities also lowered bills at the beginning of 2024, in part because of reduced fuel costs.

“Today’s approvals are great news for Florida customers, especially as we get closer to our warmest months,”

Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said in a prepared statement after Tuesday’s votes.

Customers’ monthly bills are made up of a combination of costs, such as base electric rates, fuel costs and expenses related to environmental projects. Fuel costs make up the second-largest amount, after base rates.

The Public Service Commission each fall sets projected fuel costs for the upcoming year. But if the actual costs turn out to differ greatly from the projections, utilities can seek what is known as a “mid-course correction” — the type of plans that Duke, Tampa Electric and FPL filed.

As an example of the other moving parts in customers’ monthly bills, Duke and Tampa Electric also recently filed proposals that would lead to increased base rates from 2025 to 2027. The commission will consider those proposals in the coming months.

Another wildcard is that utilities generally are allowed to pass along costs related to restoring power after hurricanes. If Florida gets hit with hurricanes this year, that could affect customer bills.

The Public Service Commission on April 2 approved FPL’s proposal to pass along fuelcost savings starting this month. FPL has two sets of rates because of a merger with the former Gulf Power.

Customers in the former Gulf Power region in Northwest Florida who use 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month will pay $135.38 after the

PAM CHILDERS CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA By: