Senate Takes Up Prison Privatization
February 13, 2012
Today, the Florida Senate will take up or down votes on pending amendments, and try to get a bill on privatizing prisons in most of South of Florida ready for a floor vote.
The privatization bill, a top priority of Senate leadership, was brought to the floor earlier this session, but pulled from consideration when it began to appear that leadership couldn’t get the measure passed.
An amendment that remains pending would shelve the issue for a year in favor of a study. That amendment will be up for consideration on Monday – which would put the bill in place for a vote on Tuesday.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos has said the vote count on the issue is “very close.”
The proposal calls for private prison operators to save 7 percent by running prisons in 18 South Florida counties, about 30 facilities in all. Opponents have said that the plan won’t save that much money.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 13, 2012
Fourteen high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Aaron Floyd, Courtney Lambert and Sandy Rainwater from Northview High School; J. D. Atkins, Jacob Burnham, Camille Driver, Kathryn English, Joshua Gilmore, Evan Goodson, Chanda Hawthorne and Carly Owens from Jay High School; Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell from Central High School; and Brett Campbell from Pace High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 100 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Hubble (3D). Youth Tour participants observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the senate chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
Pictured top: EREC Youth Tour delegates on the steps of the Capitol — (front, L-R) Lauren Griswold, Kathryn English, Carly Owens, J. D. Atkins, Aaron Floyd and Jacob Burnham, (back row) Brett Campbell, Joshua Gilmore, Courtney Lambert, Sandy Rainwater, Camille Driver, Chanda Hawthorne, Evan Goodson and Logan Rowell. Pictured below: Rep. Doug Broxson meets with Youth Tour participants. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panhandle Lawmaker Blasted For Rope Hanging Comment
February 13, 2012
Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, apologized Friday for using hanging imagery in reference to lawsuits challenging new maps for legislative and congressional districts approved Thursday by the Senate.
“My father used to say, ‘Some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope,’” Gaetz said Thursday, referring to his belief that some groups planned to sue no matter what maps the Legislature drew.
On Friday, Gaetz apologized after three black lawmakers angrily said the remarks were insensitive.
“I’m sorry if any offense was taken,” Gaetz said. “Those who know me and those who work with me are well aware that no offense was meant.”
Among those calling for Gaetz to apologize was Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “The use of his analogy reflects back on an extremely violent period in our country’s and our state’s history,” Joyner said Friday. “And it shows an insensitivity on the part of the Senator about the hard-fought passage of Blacks from slaves to citizens.”
The remark also brought a sharp response from two high-ranking black House Democrats.
“The senator’s comment is especially appalling given that it is made in connection to the issue of redistricting, in which there is considerable history of racial minorities being deprived of adequate representation,” said Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, slated to become the House’s top Democrat later this year.
Rep. Mia Jones, a Jacksonville Democrat who chairs the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, also slammed Gaetz. “Senator Gaetz’ use of such highly charged and disturbing language has absolutely no place in this important discussion about the future of Florida,” she said.
By The News Service Florida
Van Ike Sells
February 13, 2012
Mr. Van Ike Sells, 65, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Sells was a native of Hillsborough, FL, a former resident of Tampa, and a resident of Atmore for the past two years. He attended the Baptist church.
He was preceded in death by his sife of 12 years, Shirley Sells, his mother, Millicent Sawyer, his father, Milton Sells, and a brother, Melvin Sells.
He is survived by his brothers, Billy Glenn and Betty Sells of Cantonment, and Darrell and Mary Jane Sells of McCullough; four sisters, Hattie and Glenn Knowles of Poarch, Pandora and Frank Andrews of Atmore, Vicky and Doug Burns of Poarch, and Tera and Frankie Coon of McCullough; his stepmother, Anna Lucille Sells; a special nephew, Shelton and Christin Sells of Atmore; a special best friend, Jimmy Mantis; and an aunt, Dora Dinkle of CA.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Daniels officiating. Burial will follow at the New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday February 14, 2012, from 10 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Pallbearers will be Shelton Sells, Eric Rolin, Jason Fayard, Ben Andrews, John Sells and David Sells.
Smooth Ride: Century Paving Projects Continue
February 13, 2012
Century’s efforts to pave or resurface some of the town’s worst streets is continuing. The most recent resurfacing projects included Field Road and Sellers Street, both off West Highway 4.
Recent paving projects included Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, B Street, Archie Street, West Cottage Street, Lake Street, Ramar Street, Academy Street and the portion of Pleasant Hill Road that is in the town limits.
Pictured: Field Road (top) and Sellers Street (below) were recently resurfaced in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Medical Care: Health And Hope Clinic Dedicated
February 12, 2012
The new Health and Hope Clinic in Century was officially dedicated Saturday morning.
The Health and Hope Clinic quietly opened in October in the old Escambia County Health Department building at 501 Church Street in Century. It is the second location for the clinic, which was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported.
During the official dedication Saturday morning, volunteers, local pastors and community leaders came together to celebrate the new clinic.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s dedication, click here.
“It’s a real blessing,” Tammy Lewis of Bratt said on a recent visit to the new Century Health and Hope Clinic. “I found out about it from the church. It’s great to see doctors and people that will see you anyway without insurance.”
Since 2003, the Pensacola Health and Hope Clinic has provided over $8.5 million in healthcare services and 12,000 patient-provider visits as it carries out its mission of “providing health and hope to the hurting”.
Through the primary Pensacola location, the new Health and Hope Clinic offers primary medical care, preventative care, specialty care – including rheumatology, neurology, women’s health, chiropractic services and minor office surgery, full laboratory services, prescription assistance and pharmacy services and referrals to community social services.
The new Health and Hope Clinic in Century is open on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. For appointments, call (850) 256-6200 or (850) 479-4456. For more information on the Health and Hope Clinic and services, visit www.healthandhopeclinic.org. Services are available to Escambia County, FL, residents only.
Pictured: Saturday morning’s dedication of the Health and Hope Clinic in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Brrr…Freezing Cold Continues
February 12, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Scattered showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Molino Park Students Read 42.4 Million Words
February 12, 2012
Students at Molino Park Elementary School love to read.
During the first semester of school, the total number of words read for the 1st through 5th grades was 42,484,722 words. Students also passed 8,699 AR tests on the books that they read.
During the first half of the school year, Molino Park students read 6,244 books.
Escambia County Offers Cold Weather Safety Tips
February 12, 2012
With our winter weather, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Lloyd Barrow Field Dedicated In Honor Of Longtime Little League Coach
February 12, 2012
Lloyd Barrow Field was dedicated in Century Saturday morning in honor of longtime Little League coach Lloyd Barrow.
Barrow had a winning record as coach for the Century Blackcats in the Tri-County Little League from 1958 to 1973, including a 17-1 run in 1967. The original Tri-County Little League was comprised of teams from Century, Walnut Hill, Jay and Flomaton.
“We had a lot of good teams; we had a lot of good guys,” Barrow said Saturday as he reminisced about his days as a coach. One team he mentioned in particular was the 1963 10-Year Old All Stars.
“We just whipped up on all those other guys in Pensacola,” he said. “And we did it in ‘63, ‘64 and ‘65, three years straight.”
He was instrumental in establishing and building the Little League field at 580 Church Street that now bears his name.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall recognized Barrow “as a pillar of the community that has supported Century all his life” and for “instilling and building Blackcat Pride in the young athletes of Century”.
For more photos of Lloyd Barrow Field and the dedication ceremony, click here.
Pictured top: Lloyd Barrow at the dedication of Lloyd Barrow Field in Century Saturday morning. Pictured inset: A 1967 Major League Champions trophy marking a 17-1 run. Pictured below: A portion of the small crowd braved a cold wind for the dedication. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
