Florida Supreme Court To Address Malpractice Issue In Escambia County Case
December 1, 2016
More than three years after a legislative battle about the issue, the Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next week about a medical-malpractice law that spurred debate over access to health information and patients’ privacy rights.
Justices will hear arguments December 8 in an Escambia County case that challenges the constitutionality of the 2013 law.
The law has been controversial, at least in part, because it opened the door to what are known as “ex parte communications” in malpractice cases. In ex parte communications, for example, defense attorneys representing doctors accused of malpractice could get personal health information about the patients involved in the cases. That information could come from other doctors who treated the patients, and disclosure could occur without the patients’ attorneys being present.
Critics of the law, such as plaintiffs’ attorneys, argue the law violates patients’ privacy rights. But supporters of the law contended during the 2013 debate that its passage was a fairness issue because ex parte communications would give defense attorneys access to information that plaintiffs’ attorneys already could review.
The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld the constitutionality of the law in the Escambia County case, finding that it did not violate privacy rights. That spurred an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Showers And Storms, Turning Cooler Today
November 30, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Temperature rising to near 73 by 10am, then falling to around 61 during the remainder of the day. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Rain! First Real Rain In Three Months Falls, More Expected
November 29, 2016
For the first time in about three months, measurable rain fell across the North Escambia area Tuesday morning, and more rain is expected through Wednesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Temperature falling to around 61 by 5pm. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Deadline Today For FFA Citrus Sale Orders
November 28, 2016
Today is the order deadline for in the annual Northview High School FFA’s Fruit Sale.
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5, 1/2 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Monday, November 28. The pickup date is Wednesday, December 14.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to the Northview school office. Fruits available include red apples, pears, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos, and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
Showers And Thunderstorms Becoming Likely By Tonight
November 28, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Windy, with a south wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 64. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms before 3pm, then a chance of showers. High near 71. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Rain By Monday Night
November 27, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 65. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 56.
Dry Weekend, Then A Chance Of Rain
November 26, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Rain Moves In Next Week
November 25, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Visiting Family Over The Holidays? Five Tips For Keeping The Peace
November 24, 2016
by Samantha Grenrock, UF/IFAS
With the election behind us and the holidays ahead, many are probably wondering how to avert conflicts at upcoming family gatherings — events that are often already a source of stress, no matter the year, says a human development expert with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“The increase in togetherness with family members during the holidays can be wonderful, but being with people you don’t normally see for extended periods of time can only increase the likelihood of clashes,” said Heidi Radunovich, associate professor of family, youth and community sciences and UF/IFAS Extension program director for UF Engagement.
For those apprehensive about spending the holidays with family, Radunovich has these tips for making the visit go more smoothly.
1. Agree to take hot button issues — political or otherwise — off the table. “Just because you are related doesn’t mean you share the same world view. While these differences can be ignored most of the time, prolonged periods in close quarters mean different opinions will eventually get voiced,” Radunovich said.
“If there are hot button issues family members know exist, and people simply can’t see eye to eye on them, it can be helpful to set ground rules and agree that those topics won’t be brought up,” she said. “Keep in mind that you can love someone even if you don’t like their views on particular topics.”
2. Make plans as a group and consider individual needs. “Deciding where and how to spend the holidays can set off arguments and lead to hurt feelings,” Radunovich said. “Make sure that people are part of the planning and agree to how things will go.” Topics to discuss ahead of time may include food preparation, travel plans and how you will handle family traditions, she said.
3. Don’t feel the need to do everything as a group. “Expecting everyone to be together all the time can be stressful for all involved, so allowing opportunities for the group to break off to do separate activities can help,” Radunovich said. “For example, set aside activities for children that can allow grown-ups the option of watching sports, reading a book or doing something else on their own.”
4. If conflicts do arise, stay calm. “It’s a lot easier to have a productive discussion if everyone is calm. If you or other family members get into a fight, do what you can to keep or regain everyone’s composure before moving forward,” said Radunovich.
“Regaining composure may mean removing yourself from the situation for a while. You can try leaving the room, going for a walk, listening to music or engaging in some other soothing activity,” she said. “When you come back, it will be easier to see one another’s points of view, and come up with creative solutions and compromises.”
5. Don’t expect perfection. “We can put pressure on ourselves to make the holidays perfect. When our unrealistic expectations don’t come true, this can lead to stress and frustration,” Radunovich said. “There are already a lot of stressors associated with the holidays that can tap out our resources for coping, making it harder to deal with even minor stressors. Keep in mind that the goal is to enjoy your time together, and avoid trying to cram in too many events, or making every meal or event perfect.”
Warm Thanksgiving; Chance Of Rain Next Week
November 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thanksgiving Day: Isolated showers. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.