Commissioner Looking For Non-Profits That Need Space In Century
June 18, 2013
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry is reaching out to the Century Town Council and the Century community in an attempt to put empty county real estate to good use for area non-profits.
One half of the old county health department building on Church Street in Century was left empty when a dental provider pulled out of town; the other half of the building is occupied by the non-profit faith based Health and Hope Clinic. Barry told the Century town council Monday night that Escambia Community Clinics may be able to provide dental services in the building, if not the space is available.
Next door, the former 1,664 square foot post office building is owned by the county and is also available space.
“I want to see these taxpayer assets utilized,” Barry said. “I want to see some non-profit in there that’s doing some good for this community.”
The space cannot be leased to any for-profit business.
Anyone wishing to make suggestions on how the buildings can be utilized can do so in the comment section below, or call Barry’s office at (850) 595-4950.
Slowpokes Should Get Out Of The Left Lane
June 18, 2013
A massive transportation bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott will require slow drivers to move out of the left lane or face potential fines. The bill bars left-lane drivers from going more than 10 mph below the speed limit if they know they are being overtaken from behind by faster-moving vehicles. The bill includes exceptions, such as when drivers are preparing to turn left at intersections. Violators of the new requirement could face a $60 fine.
Santa Rosa Teacher Arrested For Soliciting Former Student
June 18, 2013
A Santa Rosa County middle school teacher is being held on a $1 million bond for allegedly using Facebook and text messaging to solicit sex from a former student.
Robert Todd Crutchfield, a sixth grade social studies teacher at King Middle School in Milton, was charged with using a computer to seduce a child and traveling after use of a computer to lure a child.
The investigation by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office found Crutchfield contacted a former student on Facebook. After the 14-year old female accepted a friend request from 41-year old Crutchfield, a conversation began. The conversation later continued via text messaging.
During the course of the texting, the conversation became sexual in nature. An adult who was affiliated with the juvenile was contacted who then notified the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators were able to continue the conversation with Crutchfield where he ultimately told the juvenile he was interested in meeting in person.
Along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, investigators arranged for Crutchfield to meet them at a specific time and location, thinking he was meeting the teenager. Instead, he met law enforcement officers that placed him under arrest. A search warrant was executed at his residence where additional items were taken into evidence.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing this investigation. If anyone has any information related to this case, they are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes unit at (850) 983-1230 or CrimeStoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Expect Delays Escambia Bay Bridge, Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 18, 2013
Drivers can expect delays on the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge and the Highway 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge the next few days, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews will perform maintenance work on the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge located from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 to 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19. The eastbound outside and middle lanes will be closed. Traffic may encounter minor delays.
Crews will perform sign maintenance and debris pickup on the Pensacola Bay Bridge located on U.S. 98 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 19 to 2 a.m. Thursday, June 20. Traffic may encounter minor delays.
FHP Looks For Clues In Jay Hit And Run Wreck
June 18, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a man they say became aggressive and fled the scene of a wreck Monday afternoon in Jay.
The FHP said the driver of a full sized pickup truck was westbound on Highway 4 approaching Booker Lane about 3:30 p.m. when he failed to stop before he rear-ended a 1997 Ford 250 waiting to make a left turn.
The driver of the first truck became verbally aggressive before fleeing the scene, according to FHP. The truck was described as a 1990’s, light brown, full sized Chevrolet type pickup. The truck has front end damage. The grill and headlight were popped out at impact, but stayed connected to the vehicle. The driver was described as a white male, 5-foot 7 inches, white male with a star tattoo around his navel.
Anyone with information on the man’s identity is asked to call Trooper J.M. Tucker at (850) 484-5000 ext 330 or email JoshuaTucker@flhsmv.gov.
The driver of the pickup that was rear-ended, 52-year old Zane B. Burkhead of Jay, was not seriously injured in the crash.
George Touart Applies For County Administrator Job
June 18, 2013
Interim County Administrator George Touart is one of 63 applicants that want to become Escambia County’s permanent administrator.
Touart was hired temporarily in November and took the post December 1 after the county commission fired Randy Oliver. Touart served as county administrator for five years, resigning amid ethics questions in 2007. All formal ethics complaints against him were dismissed.
“This would be nothing less than temporary until we could find a qualified, permanent, top shelf, class act replacement,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said as he made a motion
A five-person citizen committee has been named by the Escambia County Commission to review each of the applications and select finalists for the job.
Warm, Scattered Showers
June 18, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Pictured: Monday evening’s sunset, as seen from the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 99 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Reptiles Invade The Molino Library; The Noise Guy Heads To Other Libraries
June 18, 2013
Participants in the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Program had a chance to get up close and personal with some slithery snakes and more Monday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library.
The Summer Reading Program continues the rest of the week and throws out that old saying about being quiet in the library with Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams. Programs will be held:
Monday: Main Library noon
Tuesday: Tryon Branch 1:30, Westside Branch 4:30
Wednesday: Century Branch 3:30
The 2013 Summer Reading Club will be held weekly through August 10. Children can register at any West Florida Public Library.
Pictured: A reptile demonstration at the Molino Library Monday afternoon. Submitted photos by Heather Murphy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One BAD Stomach Ache: Local 4-H Member Wins National Title
June 18, 2013
Izzy Kent, 10, represented Escambia County and her Barrineau Park 4-H Club at the 2013 ABGA National Boer Goat Show in West Monroe Louisiana by competing in the public speaking event.
Kent won 1st place in the Junior Division (ages 9-14) bringing home the National Public Speaking Champion title. Her topic was “One BAD Stomach Ache”, dealing with bloat among goats.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Teacher Evaluation, Sick Leave Bills
June 18, 2013
A requirement that classroom teachers only get evaluated based on the students they teach and a controversial measure that blocks local governments from requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to workers were signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Also signed were new benchmarks for building nuclear power plants and an effort aimed at reducing sex trafficking by cutting late-night hours at massage parlors.
After Scott departed for an economic development mission to Paris on Friday, the Governor’s office announced he had signed 60 bills and vetoed two others.
The signing of the anti-mandatory sick leave bill (HB 655) quickly drew the most reaction, with applause from statewide business interests and condemnation from those behind an Orange County ballot initiative that would have required paid sick time.
“This law ensures mandatory leave is decided at the state level and preempts union-backed efforts to have local and county governments adopt policies governing terms of employment and other wage related issues,” Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson said in a news release.
Associated Industries of Florida said the law maintains a single, statewide standard for employment benefits that keeps Florida globally competitive.
“Not only would it destroy economic growth and job creation in their own jurisdiction, it would also have a devastating chilling effect on companies considering expansion in any location in Florida for fear other jurisdictions will follow suit,” AIF President and CEO Tom Feeney said in a release.
But Stephanie Porta, a leader in the Earned Sick Time ballot initiative in Orange County, vowed the fight will continue.
“Today, Gov. Scott sided with corporations like Disney and Darden over Florida families,” Porta said.
She said the law goes against home rule, noting that more than 50,000 people signed petitions to put the issue on the August 2014 ballot.
“We look forward to working with the task force established in this legislation to recommend a statewide earned sick-time policy to the Legislature,” Porta continued. “We will also explore legal remedies to ensure voters in Orange County aren’t denied their right to vote on Earned Sick Time.”
The law creates an Employer-Sponsored Benefits Study Task Force, which is directed to analyze employment benefits.
The teacher-evaluation measure was in part a reaction to criticism, including a lawsuit, about the state’s two-year-old system of assessing teacher performance. Critics said teachers were being held accountable in the system for students they never taught.
The new law (SB 1664) requires that at least 50 percent of a classroom teacher’s or school administrator’s performance evaluation be based on the growth or achievement of the students under their charge. The other half would be based on district-determined plans.
Teachers with less than three years experience would only be judged on 40 percent of their students’ performance.
The Florida Education Association, which has spearheaded a lawsuit against the teacher-evaluation system passed in 2011, will continue to contest it in court. It called the new law a “partial fix.”
“While we’re happy this measure passed the Legislature, there is much work to be done to fix the mess created by SB 736 (the 2011 law),” FEA President Andy Ford said in a release.
The FEA continues to question how teachers will be measured if their students do not take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and is concerned that not all teachers will be evaluated based on the subjects they teach.
Among the other bills signed Friday:
— Low-speed vehicles, (SB 62), allows street-legal, “low-speed vehicles” to be reclassified as golf carts, a move to reduce registration and insurance costs.
— Intellectual disabilities (SB 142), eliminates the term “mental retardation” from various parts of state law and replaces it with “intellectual disability.” The old term is considered offensive and outdated by advocates for people with disabilities.
— Online insurance (HB 223), allows property and casualty insurance policies and endorsements to be available on an insurer’s Internet website rather than being mailed, if agreed to by the customer.
— Aquariums, (SB 336), allows tourist development tax dollars to be used for the benefit of certain not-for-profit run museums or aquariums.
— Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission (SB 606), creates a regional transportation commission for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
— Reusable wine (HB 623), allows the sale of wine in 5.16 gallon canisters, which can be tapped like kegs, allowing easier sales of wine by the glass in restaurants and bars.
— Foster care (SB 1036), allows young adults the option of staying in foster care until age 21.
— Underground natural gas (HB 1083), sets up a permitting process for natural gas to be injected underground and stored until it is needed. Storage projects could be located in areas of southwest Florida and northwest Florida that have produced oil in the past.
— Nuclear construction fees (SB 1472), establishes new benchmarks for electric utilities that want to collect controversial fees while planning nuclear-power plants. The measure alters a 2006 law intended to encourage more nuclear power. Florida Power & Light and the former Progress Energy Florida – now Duke Energy – have used the law to collect hundreds of millions of dollars in pre-construction nuclear fees.
— Late night massages (HB 7005), prohibits the operation of massage establishments between midnight and 5 a.m., although it has exceptions for businesses such as health facilities and hotels that might offer massage services. The intent is to crack down on shady massage establishments that are fronts for sex trafficking.
Of the bills Scott vetoed, one (HB 249) would have created a public records exemption for email addresses obtained as part of voter registration applications and the other (HB 265) would have increased the annual fee on the wildflower license plate from $10 to $25.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida