Sheriff’s Office Looking For Livestock Officer
September 18, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is accepting bids for its livestock control officer position.
The livestock officer is responsible for “controlling and apprehending all livestock and strays on the public rights-of-way within Escambia County, Florida, and those found or reported roaming at large within said county,” according to bid documents. The officer will also provide food, board and veterinary care for impounded livestock. The livestock officer is also responsible for removing all dead livestock and large animals from the public rights-of-way.
The person selected will be required to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They must respond to calls or pages within 15 minutes and respond to the actually animal incident within 30 minutes. The sheriff’s office provides truck and livestock trailer for the officer’s use.
For more information, click here.
Educators In Federal Court Today On Criminal Contempt Charges For School Prayer
September 17, 2009
Two Santa Rosa educators will be in federal court in Pensacola today, facing criminal charges for praying in violation of a federal court order. A criminal defense fund established to help with with their legal expenses has almost $70,000 to pay for that defense.
Pace High School Principal Frank Lay asked the school’s athletic director, Robert Freeman, to bless a meal where sports boosters had gathered to celebrate the completion of a new field house.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in federal court almost a year ago against the Santa Rosa School District, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and then-Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. The suit alleged that Santa Rosa County Schools “persistently and persuasively promote their personal religious beliefs in the public schools and at school events”.
A federal court order earlier this year prohibited, among other things, any prayer in schools, “reading from a sacred text”, “calling upon a deity to offer guidance, assistance or a blessing” and religious services such as baccalaureate services. There are circumstances were student-led prayers are permissible, but school employees are prohibited to participate in the prayer, even prohibited from “a posture or manner that is likely to be perceived as an endorsement of prayer, e.g. bowing their heads, kneeling or folding their hands”.
Lay and Freeman were ordered to appear today before a federal judge on criminal contempt charges for allegedly violating the court order. They could, depending on the judge’s ruling, be forced to pay fines or serve time in jail.
Several supporters, including Milton insurance agent Robert Smith have formed a legal defense fund to help the two men pay their legal expenses. That fund has $69,670.99.
The lawsuit filed last year names specific events at several Santa Rosa schools, including Jay. The suit states that Jay High School held an invocation and benediction prayer each year from 2004-2008 led by students from groups such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The ACLU also complains in the suit that Jay High School has held baccalaureate services that were religious in nature.
The ACLU also requested documents from the Escambia County School District that might relate to religion or prayer. Specifically, the ACLU requested records from Escambia Schools about graduations and baccalaureate services. The ACLU public records requests also asked for the notes of all speakers at the event as well as any audio or video recordings of the events. The ACLU request extended to all schools in Escambia County, including Northview High School.
Read the complete criminal contempt order against Lay and Freeman by clicking here (pdf).
All That Glitters: Another Gold Party At EWMS Today
September 15, 2009
After two successful and exciting days last week, the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders will continue their Gold Party this afternoon.
If you have ever thought about selling your unwanted gold jewelry for cash — this is the event for you.
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders will host a Golden Girls’ Gold Party from 4:30 p.m. until the last customer is served today in the Ernest Ward gym.
According to information from the cheerleader sponsor, here is how it works:
- Find all of your, used, broken, and unwanted gold pieces. Ex. A broken earring or out of style bracelet. Anything from 10K to 24K and white gold, too. And if you discover something that you are not sure about, just bring it anyway.
- Bring your gold to a GOLDEN GIRLS’ GOLD PARTY. This is no pressure to buy anything because there is nothing to buy.
- Sell your gold to the GOLDEN GIRLS licensed gold buyer. The buyer will assess, test, and weigh your gold right in front of you. Then, they will pay you on the spot. You will actually leave this fundraiser with money in your pocket.
- Enjoy your money. Donate some of it… save it… or spend it. It’s your money so it’s up to you.
Free Hunter Safety Course
September 14, 2009
Escambia County Extension Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are offering a free hunter safety course.
Both traditional classroom style and online training are available. The traditional hunter safety course, which covers the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to be a safe hunter, is 12 hours of classroom instruction with a test and three hours on the range. The online version allows students to learn a majority of the knowledge portion of the course via computer with the remainder of the course covered in a four-hour classroom setting followed by a test and three hours on the range.
Participants must be 12 years of age or older. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The hunter safety course will be held at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, 4810 West Nine Mile Road. Classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 15, 17, 22 and 24 with the range portion held September 26 from 7 to 10 a.m.
Information and registration is available online here or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676. You may also call Libbie Johnson at the local Escambia County Extension Services, (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Grab the Umbrella; Heavy Rain Possible Today
September 14, 2009
Grab the umbrella — there is a good chance of rain, some of it heavy, for your Monday. Here is your official NorthEscambia.com forecast for the week:
- Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Another Wet Day
September 13, 2009
Expect more rain for your Sunday in North Escambia and surrounding areas. Here’s your official forecast:
- Today: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Wet Weekend As Low Moves Inland From Gulf
September 12, 2009
It looks like a soggy weekend here in North Escambia and surrounding areas. Here’s your official forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Gold Party Continues Today At EWMS
September 11, 2009
After a successful afternoon Thursday, the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders will continue their Gold Party this afternoon.
If you have ever thought about selling your unwanted gold jewelry for cash — this is the event for you.
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders will host a Golden Girls’ Gold Party from 4 p.m. until the last customer is served today in the Ernest Ward gym.
According to information from the cheerleader sponsor, here is how it works:
- Find all of your, used, broken, and unwanted gold pieces. Ex. A broken earring or out of style bracelet. Anything from 10K to 24K and white gold, too. And if you discover something that you are not sure about, just bring it anyway.
- Bring your gold to a GOLDEN GIRLS’ GOLD PARTY. This is no pressure to buy anything because there is nothing to buy.
- Sell your gold to the GOLDEN GIRLS licensed gold buyer. The buyer will assess, test, and weigh your gold right in front of you. Then, they will pay you on the spot. You will actually leave this fundraiser with money in your pocket.
- Enjoy your money. Donate some of it… save it… or spend it. It’s your money so it’s up to you.
Attend Ernest Ward? Wear Red, White And Blue Friday
September 11, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School students are being encouraged to wear red, white and blue on Friday in honor of 9/11 and Patriots Day.
Santa Rosa ACLU Defense Fund Grows; Benefit Tonight At Farmer’s Opry
September 10, 2009
A benefit for the legal defense fund for Frank Lay and Robert Freeman will be held tonight at the Farmer’s Opry in Chumuckla.
Lay, the Pace High School principal, and Freeman, Pace athletic director, face federal criminal charges for praying before a meal at a field house dedication despite an order against prayer in Santa Rosa County Schools issued in response to an ACLU lawsuit.
The benefit begins at 5:30 at the Farmer’s Opry, featuring the music of the Saw Mill Band, the Hendersons and Crossroads, will include a hambuger, french fry and baked bean meal.
Guest speakers will include Dr. Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church; Joey Rogers, pastor of Pace Assembly of God; Mike Wiggins, pastor of Pine Terrace Baptist in Milton and Dave Daughter, former local TV news anchor and host of the morning show on WEBY AM.
Harry Minet, senior litigation counsel for Liberty Counsel, will be on hand to “provide an update on the ACLU’s war on freedom”, according to event organizers. Minet will represent Lay and Freeman in their criminal contempt proceedings on September 17.
Tickets for the event are $10.