Northview High School Releases Semester Exam Schedule
December 10, 2013
Northview High School has released their first semester exam schedule.
Semester exams will be given Wednesday, December 18 through Friday, December 20. Students will be dismissed at 12:10 each day.
The exam schedule is as follows:
Even With No Opponent, Greg Evers Raises $128K In Campaign Contributions
December 10, 2013
Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, collected $29,200 in campaign contributions during November, bringing his overall total to $128,100, according to newly filed reports on the state Division of Elections website.
Evers does not currently face opposition in Senate District 1, which includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and part of Okaloosa County.
Evers received 10 separate contributions of $1,000, reflecting a new law that boosted the contribution limit in legislative races from $500 to $1,000.
Candidates and political committees face a Tuesday deadline for filing campaign-finance reports for November.
by The News Service of Florida
Bill Would Provide Released Inmates With State ID Cards
December 10, 2013
A Senate panel Monday unanimously passed a bill that would require state agencies to waive their fees to provide inmates being released from prison with the identification documents necessary to get and hold jobs.
The measure by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, would require the Department of Corrections to provide every Florida-born inmate with a certified copy of his or her birth certificate and a state ID card before release. It would also require the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to waive the fees for ID cards and the Department of Health to waive fees for copies of birth certificates.
“This is a very important bill,” said Bob Dillinger, the public defender for Pinellas and Pasco counties. “Without an ID, you cannot get a job.” Dillinger said the problem was exacerbated about two months ago when the U.S. Social Security Administration started requiring ID cards to provide the print-out that Dillinger’s office had used to establish an inmate’s work history.
“It’s the true government Catch-22,” he said. “We’ve found some ways to work around that — but that’s a big impact on poor people. We have to get them an ID.”
The bill is also backed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. A more far-reaching version of the measure, which included mental health and substance abuse treatment, failed last spring.
“If they get a job, they’re not likely to recidivate,” said Barney Bishop, president and CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. “Because when (you) go to a place to work, they want to know where you live, and when you go to a place to live, they want to know where you work — and you can’t do either without a state ID card.”
by The News Service of Florida
Florida Ranks 15th In Protecting Kids From Tobacco; Alabama Is 49th
December 10, 2013
Fifteen years after the 1998 state tobacco settlement, Florida ranks 15th in the nation in funding programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations. Alabama ranks 49th.
Florida currently spends $65.6 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 31.1 percent of the $210.9 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other key findings for Florida include:
- Florida this year will collect $1.6 billion in revenue from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 4.2 percent of it on tobacco prevention programs.
- The tobacco companies spend $562.6 million a year to market their products in Florida. This is 9 times what the state spends on tobacco prevention.
In recent years, Florida has taken significant action to reduce tobacco use. In 2006, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring the state to spend 15 percent of its annual tobacco settlement revenue on tobacco prevention programs. This has allowed the state to conduct a well-funded, sustained tobacco prevention program. In 2009, Florida increased its cigarette tax by $1 per pack.
As a result, Florida recently reported that it reduced its high school smoking rate to just 8.6 percent in 2013, far below the national rate.
“Florida’s strong commitment to tobacco prevention is paying off with large declines in youth smoking that will save lives and save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “But Florida’s fight against tobacco isn’t over. To continue making progress, Florida must sustain its investment in tobacco prevention as required by the state Constitution and further increase the state tobacco tax.”
In Florida, 8.6 percent of high school students smoke, and 14,500 more kids become regular smokers each year. Tobacco annually claims 28,600 lives and costs the state $6.3 billion in health care bills.
Alabama currently spends $275,000 a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 0.5 percent of the $56.7 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other key findings for Alabama include:
- Alabama this year will collect $223.1 million in revenue from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 0.1 percent of it on tobacco prevention programs. This means Alabama is spending less than a penny of every dollar in tobacco revenue to fight tobacco use.
- The tobacco companies spend $196.9 million a year to market their products in Alabama. This is 716 times what the state spends on tobacco prevention.
“Alabama is one of the most disappointing states when it comes to protecting kids from tobacco and needs to increase its investment in tobacco prevention,” said Myers. “Tobacco prevention is a smart investment that saves lives and saves money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs. States are being truly penny-wise and pound-foolish when they shortchange tobacco prevention programs.”
In Alabama, 22.9 percent of high school students smoke, and 6,800 more kids become regular smokers each year. Tobacco annually claims 7,500 lives and costs the state $1.5 billion in health care bills.
Numerous Local Players Named To Subway All-Star Teams
December 10, 2013
Numerous North Escambia area players have been named to the rosters for the 10th Annual Subway High School All-Star Football Game. The game will be played Friday night at 7:00 at Pace High School and will feature seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
The coaching staff for the West Team, which includes teams from Escambia County, will be led by the head coach from Pensacola High School, Mike Bennett. Coaches from the other county high schools will assist Bennett with his game plan. The East, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, will be coached by Jay Walls from Navarre High School. He will be assisted by the other head coaches from the two-county area high schools.
Tickets to the game are $7 and $5 with a canned good item. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families for Christmas by bringing a canned good item.
Game rosters, subject to change, are as follows:
West Team: Neino Robinson, Dalton Tullis, Brannon Freeman, Jeffrey Taylor and LaQuon Thomas from Northview; Lavontia Samuel, Rashan Johnson, Luke Nunley and Dylan Mancuso from Tate; Rocel McWilliams, Kenny Davis, Tristan Parsely,JT Bryant, Izeyic Phifer, Joey Baker, Lawrence Lee, Chris Mitchell and Daylan Abrams from West Florida; Tyrone Jones, Kevin Atwood, Napolean Powell and Anfernee Reese from Pine Forest; Xavier White, Darryl Randolph, Rodney Grice, Tyler Crutchfield, Ricky McAroy, Terry Curry and Jacob Mabry from Pensacola High; Danikeei Hollowell ,William Beasley, Denarious Britt and George Rutherford from Escambia; Cody Henry, Tylan Purifoy, Jeremy Reaves, Ke’Andre Beasley, Jason Borcz, Lou Brown and Nelson Hale from Catholic; and Jadon Jones, Tristan Long and Christian Haley from Washington.
East Team: Tate Upton, Ashton Dennington and Brandon Boutwell from Jay; Dakota Campbell, DJ Thomas, Izayaih Thomas and Kody Nixon from Baker; Chase Whitehead, Garrison Floyd, Chris Nash, Thomas Forte and Marcus Penick from Choctaw; Kyle Koontz, Matt Gillis, Jaylynne Robinson and Khalil Foster from Crestview; Ellis Warren, Marquese Davenport, Carl Pfeifer, Gabe Del-Toro, Trace Ryan, Nick Quinn and Brandon Japenga, from Fort Walton; Carson Sharp, Blake Myer, Nick Dugger and Evan Ogden from Gulf Breeze; ,Curtis Busby, Drew Manning, Corliss Waitman and Michael Hicks from Milton; Michael Hicks, Blake Malter, Christian Gill, Will Robinson-Pettus, Monty Thompson, Alex Todd, Howie Walker and Chas Swem from Navarre; Tyson Kee, Austin Harris and Shayne Crawford from Pace; and Tyler Paskell and Levi Derry from Rocky Bayou.
Niceville High School’s players, who were selected for the East team, will not be playing in the All-Star game due to making it to the state title game. Those players are Tyre McCants, Ashton Hooker, Marqui Daniel, Tayjon Culley, Connor McJunkin, Dane Wagne, and Mitchell Matthews.
Heisman Trophy To Be On Display In Pensacola
December 10, 2013
As the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner is announced this weekend in New York, an authentic Heisman will be on display in Pensacola.
The Heisman will be on display Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Sandy Sansing Nissan at 5705 Pensacola Boulevard. Area residents are invited to bring their cameras and kids and strike their very best Heisman pose by one of the most famous trophies in the history of collegiate sports.
First awarded in 1935, the 25-pound bronze is awarded each year to an outstanding college football player that epitomizes diligence, perseverance and hard work.
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, Auburn’s Tre Mason, Alabama’s AJ McCarron, Boston College’s Andre Williams, Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch and 2012 Heisman winner Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M are the finalists for the 2013 Heisman trophy, the Heisman Trust announced Monday.
Authorities Searching For Missing Woman
December 10, 2013
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating an Atmore woman that’s been missing for almost a week.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said 42-year old Marcie Brewton Morgan of Atmore last spoke to a family member on December 3 and was believed to be in the Saraland, AL, area at the time.
She is described as a Caucasian woman with an olive complexion, wavy dark brown hair, blue eyes, about 5-feet 4-inches tall, 150 pounds with a medium build. She may be driving a blue metallic 2001 Lincoln Town Car with a gray vinyl top and Alabama personalized license plate “ECB”.
Foul play is not suspected in her disappearance, investigators said, but the case is under investigation.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Marcie Brewton Morgan is asked to contact the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-2154, your local law enforcement agency or 911.
No Injuries In Minor School Bus Accident
December 9, 2013
There were no injuries when a school bus driver turned into another vehicle this morning near Pine Forest High School.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 49-year old Regina Lynn Barnes of Cantonment was eastbound on Longleaf Drive in a 2009 school bus when she turned too sharp, colliding with a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 26-year old Heather Nichole Fuller of Pensacola.
Damage to both vehicles was very minor, and there were no injuries.
The FHP cited Barnes with making an improper left turn.
Two Charged In Lottery Scheme; Store Owner Says He’s Out $70,000
December 9, 2013
Two people have been charged in connection with a lottery scheme that a Davisville store owner says has left him out of $70,000.
Deldon Ray McGhee, age 51 of Atmore, and Tracey Lynn McGhee, age 40 of Atmore, were each charged with one count of felony grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000. Both posted a $20,000 bond immediately after being booked into the Escambia County Jail. Officials said there is no known immediate family relationship between the McGhees.
Both were employed by the Grey Goose Lounge and Package on Highway 97 at the Florida/Alabama state line. During a four month period, they are accused of taking books of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets, manipulating them in the lottery computer systems and redeeming winning tickets for cash.
The owner of the Grey Goose told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he recorded a net loss of $70,000.
The Florida Lottery Commission provided evidence on the crime, including records on lottery ticket books, activation, redemption and redemption locations. Investigators also reviewed hours of video surveillance over a 10 day period in which the thefts can be seen, according to an arrest report.
Both told deputies that they did activate and redeem lottery tickets for cash and that other employees were also involved in fixing cash drawers that were short due to lottery ticket thefts. Both McGhees said they did not believe the amount taken by each could have exceeded $10,000, according to the report.
Deldon McGhee said he contacted the business owner and said he would pay back what was taken when received his birthday check in January from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians if he would not file charges, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states.
Rain Chances Continue
December 9, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 49.
- Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 66.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.