New, Free ‘PBS Kids’ Channel Now On WSRE TV
March 6, 2017
There is new, free 24/7 kids television channel on the air.
The new WSRE PBS KIDS TV channel is now broadcasting over the air on channel 23.4. It is also available on Cox Channel 695; Mediacom Channel 84; Bright House Channel 200; Riviera Utilities Channel 826; and streaming at pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS app.
Thr free channel will make it easy for families to watch quality PBS KIDS educational children’s content during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high, but when WSRE generally does not carry children’s programming on its primary channel. The TV channel is part of a new multiplatform delivery of 24/7 children’s services with live stream on digital platforms and interactive games integration. The effort is WSRE’s latest initiative to support early learning in Northwest Florida and through the station’s coverage area.
“WSRE PBS KIDS will be an awesome destination for families in our community. Whether you are streaming the service, playing an educational game, following along with a lesson plan or watching a show on our broadcast service, the experience will be learning-filled and fun,” said Bob Culkeen, WSRE general manager.
Florida Nursing Homes Fight Repeal Of Key Regulations
March 6, 2017
For the past two years, Florida lawmakers have debated eliminating controversial regulations on building or expanding hospitals.
But as the 2017 legislative session prepares to start March 7, the debate about repealing what is known as the “certificate of need” regulatory process has expanded to include nursing homes and hospice facilities — and has touched off a new wave of lobbying by industry groups.
Officials with the Florida Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes across the state, said keeping the certificate-of-need process for nursing facilities has become a top priority heading into the session. During a press briefing, they said repealing the regulations on building new nursing homes would lead to more empty beds in long-established facilities, affecting the operations of those homes.
“We think eliminating CON would be extremely disruptive,” Bob Asztalos, the association’s chief lobbyist, said.
But Gov. Rick Scott and some key lawmakers, including House Republican leaders, want to take a more free-market approach to health care that includes eliminating certificates of need. The decades-old process involves hospitals, nursing homes and hospice operators needing to get approval from the state Agency for Health Care Administration before they can build facilities.
A bill (HB 7) that would eliminate the process for all three types of health-care operations was approved in a 10-5 vote last week by the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. A similar bill (SB 676) has been filed in the Senate.
“We know from 40 years of studying CON outcomes, it’s not an effective mechanism in controlling costs,” House bill sponsor Alex Miller, R-Sarasota, told the subcommittee in a room filled with health-care lobbyists and industry officials. “We know it’s not an effective mechanism for improving quality outcomes. And it’s certainly not an effective tool for improving access.”
Certificates of need have long been controversial, and House leaders the past two years have sought to eliminate the process for hospitals. But the proposals have failed to pass, at least in part because of opposition in the Senate.
But Scott, a former hospital executive, last month called for eliminating certificates of need for nursing homes and hospice facilities, along with hospitals, saying such a move would increase competition.
“This will enable nursing homes, hospice services and hospitals to add needed beds without having to request a review,” Scott’s office said in outlining the proposal. “This will also allow Florida hospitals, nursing homes and hospice services to add facilities for those who are in most need, without making them wait due to red tape regulations.”
Eliminating the process for nursing homes, however, would come after years of policies that have helped hold down the number of nursing-home beds in the state.
Lawmakers in 2001 approved a moratorium on certificates of need for new nursing homes. Supporters said limiting construction of nursing homes would spur efforts to provide more services to seniors in their communities.
The moratorium was lifted in 2014, when lawmakers passed a measure to allow 3,750 nursing-home beds to be approved over a three-year period. Nursing-home operators have received certificates of need for those beds in various parts of the state.
While the House and Senate bills seek to end limits on new nursing homes, Asztalos said his association is offering a proposal that would allow up to 3,750 more nursing-home beds to be approved over the next three years while keeping the certificate-of-need process. Such an approach, he said, would meet needs for additional nursing-home beds in parts of the state.
In arguing against eliminating certificates of need, industry officials point to a potential impact on staffing as more nursing homes would compete for limited numbers of workers. Rob Greene, CEO of nursing-home operator Palm Garden Healthcare, said staffing would be “watered down” and affect quality of care.
Greene, who took part in the press briefing, also said he is concerned new facilities would attract patients whose care is covered by Medicare, leaving lower-funded Medicaid patients in older nursing homes — a concept known as “cherry picking.”
But during last week’s subcommittee meeting, Miller tried to dispel concerns about eliminating certificates of need and said the state will need more nursing-home beds in the future.
“We have to keep in mind that we have a major population growth problem,” Miller said. “We have 20 percent of the residents in this state that are over 65. It’s estimated that we will need 20,000 more beds in the next 20 years.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward JV Volleyball Ends Perfect Season; Varsity In Playoffs
March 6, 2017
The Ernest Ward junior varsity team ended their season undefeated with a win over Ransom to win their Escambia County School District’s JV Volleyball Championship.
The 2017 JV Lady Eagles finished the season 8-0 defeating every other middle school in Escambia County along the way. Team members are: Anna Adams, Naveah Brown, Kaitlyn Gafford, Caitlyn Gibson, Grayson James,Taylor Levins, Elianna Morales, Taylor McMinn, Kinzy Powell,Mia Starns, Kailyn Watson and Abby Weber.
The varsity Ernest Ward volleyball team (5-4) is ranked fifth in the district and will begin championship tournament play today at 6:30 p.m. against Ransom Middle at Woodham.
Pictured top: The undefeated Ernest Ward Middle School junior varsity volleyball team. Pictured below: The varsity Ernest Ward Middle School volleyball team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Moves In For Tuesday, Tuesday Night
March 6, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Driver Escapes Fiery Crash
March 5, 2017
One person was injured in a fiery single vehicle crash near the Alabama-Florida state line Sunday morning.
The accident happened just before 5:45 a.m. in the 4300 block of Old Atmore Road in Flomaton when the driver of a pickup truck failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver was able to escape the vehicle before it burst into flames.
The truck was fully involved when the first fire fighters arrived on scene.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital in serious condition.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue, Flomaton Police Department and Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
Further details about the wreck have not been released.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Firefighters Battle Wildland Fire
March 5, 2017
The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue battled a wildland fire Sunday morning on Hurst Hammock Road. There were no injuries reported, and no structures damaged. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Precautionary Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion of Kingsfield Road Area
March 5, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
The affected area included:
- Kingsfield Rd., from Riddle Rd. to Portebella Place
- Ryale Drive, north of Kingsfield
- Cricket Ridge Dr.
- Cricket Cir.
- Riddle Rd.
- Summer Shade Lane
- Portebella Place
Results of two independent bacteriological samples have both returned as clear. PBWNs are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Century’s Sewer System Is Failing; Will Need Rate Increase, State Intervention
March 5, 2017
Century’s aging water and wastewater system is dire condition and town officials say there’s no way to fix it without rate increases and financial intervention from the state.
Alicia Jernigan, Century’s certified wastewater operator, said the town’s wastewater “is failing”, comprised of aging equipment that has not been properly maintained, is wearing out, or is now functionally obsolete. And the repairs, she said, are going to cost more than the town could ever afford.
“There’s no way we can raise rates enough, cut enough employees cut anything out of our budget to pay for what we need,” Jernigan recently told the Century Town Council during a workshop meeting.
Century could be eligible for funding in the form or low interest loans or outright grants from the state, but even that will require a rate increase. Mayor Henry Hawkins said Century’s water and sewage rates are among the lowest in the area.
“The state is not going to give us money to fix the system if we can’t show that we can afford to maintain it,” he said.
“We are going to have to get to money from the (state) government. But the government is not going to give us money to buy new stuff that we can’t afford to take care of. That means we have to bring our rates into line with all of the other utilities in the area so that they know now we have enough money to maintain this stuff that they just gave to us,” Jernigan said.
At $13 for 6,000 gallons, Bob Mearns of the Florida Rural Water Association said Century has the lowest water rates he has seen. The town has not raised water rates since August 2012. At no cost to the town, the Florida Rural Water Association is conducting a rate study to determine just how much rates should increase.
The Town of Century has scheduled a special meeting to discuss water, wastewater and natural gas rates on Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m.
Pictured: Century’s water, wastewater and natural gas franchise also serves the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS Ranked Tops In Customer Satisfaction
March 5, 2017
The Baldrige Group has announced that Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is one of the top three EMS agencies to achieve excellence in customer engagement and satisfaction in 2016, with Escambia County EMS earning an overall satisfaction score of 98 percent.
The Baldrige Group is a performance excellence consulting firm that conducts the surveys on behalf of Escambia County EMS and provides customer engagement and satisfaction results for government agencies throughout the United States. In addition to Escambia County EMS, Nature Coast EMS in Florida and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority in Indiana were also recognized for excellence.
“As an emergency service provider, it is critical to know that we are having both a clinical impact and an overall satisfaction in service,” Escambia County EMS Chief Steve White said. “This honor really shows our citizens that we have exemplary public servants here in EMS who are dedicated to the community through service and excellence each and every day”.
The findings measure metrics from the initial 911 call, timeliness, treatment provided, concern, ability to relieve pain, respect for cultural background and satisfaction with the billing process. Chief White said that it takes a team effort across communications, business affairs, logistics and emergency response personnel to achieve these positive results in customer satisfaction.
Escambia Tax Collector Now Offering Payment Plans
March 5, 2017
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford is encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment.
Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. The Installment Payment Plan application deadline for 2017 property taxes is April 30, 2017.
Online enrollment is easy. Property owners can access BillExpress, search for their property tax record, hit the “Apply for the 2017 Installment Payment Plan” button, and follow the rest of the application instructions. Property owners also can download a application here and mail it in, or pick up a printed application at any office location.
Lunsford said, “The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time.”
Find more information on the installment plan here.
In addition, help is available for those taxpayers who have not yet paid their 2016 taxes. Partial payments are now being accepted for current year taxes. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
· Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
· Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
· No discount allowed for partial payments.
· A $10 processing fee deducted from each partial payment.
· Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
To check the status of your taxes or to pay online, visit our web site at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by phone at (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252 or email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com with any questions.