BREAKING NEWS: Governor Vetoes Teacher Merit Pay Bill
April 15, 2010
Calling it “significantly flawed,” but saying he believes in the goal, Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a highly controversial teacher merit pay bill on Thursday.
The measure was a top priority of many of his fellow Republicans in the Legislature. “This bill has deeply and negatively affected the morale of our teachers, parents and students,” Crist said. “They do not believe their voices were heard.”
Crist said he knew that his critics would say the move was politically motivated, and Crist denied that. “This thing was rushed through,” Crist said. “It has everything to do with the children of Florida.”
The legislation would link teacher salary increases to student performance on standardized exams, essentially abolishing any form of tenure. Representatives of the teachers’ union, the superintendents association and the school board association have all said they agree with the measure in concept, but its implementation could create major problems for districts around the state and cause major divisiveness between administrators and educators.
Opponents of the legislation have said repeatedly that external factors affecting students, such as socioeconomics or a bad family situation, could have major impacts on a child’s ability to perform and could hurt a teacher’s ability to earn a higher salary over time.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Last Minute Tax Info: Post Offices, Extensions
April 15, 2010
It’s tax day, with the deadline at midnight tonight to file you federal income taxes. If you are last minute filer, we’ve got some info need to know:
The tradition of running to the post office for the last minute postmark will be a bit harder this year — the only two post offices in Northwest Florida open until midnight are the main post office at 1400 Jordan Street and the Nobles Station at 7150 Tippin Avenue, both in Pensacola. No Alabama post offices are scheduled to stay open until midnight.
Even if you can’t get the forms completed today, you still need to pay Uncle Sam if you owe. You need to file an extension form by midnight. Click here for more info.
Council On Aging Caregiver Support Meeting Tonight
April 15, 2010
Council on Aging of West Florida will host a Century Caregiver Support Group Meeting on Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. There is no cost and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. The meeting will be held at Century Care Center at 6020 Industrial Blvd. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. County residency is not required to attend.
The support group is part of Council on Aging of West Florida programs designed to reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of care giving tasks and enable caregivers to provide high quality care in the home. The programs are sponsored by Council on Aging of West Florida, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging. For more information, call 432-1475.
Council on Aging of West Florida is a local, independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has served seniors and their families since 1972. Council on Aging of West Florida helps seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties live healthy, safe and independent lives in their own familiar surroundings by providing community based, in-home programs and services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer’s respite care.
April 15: Need More Time To Do Your Taxes? Get An Extension
April 15, 2010
Taxpayers who need extra time to file their federal returns this year can file the Form 4868 request for an automatic extension through IRS Free File. The extension gives you an additional six months, until Oct. 15, to file the tax return.Taxpayers can file the request for extension with traditional Free File or Free File Fillable Forms. Using Free File to prepare and electronically submit Form 4868 is free to everyone.
In addition, taxpayers can use paid preparers or purchased software to electronically file Form 4868. A paper version is also available for download from the IRS Web site, IRS.gov. However, you will only receive an acknowledgment that the IRS received your request, if you e-file or Free File the request.
An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You need to estimate your tax liability and pay any balance due when you request the extension. Several payment options are available, including electronic funds withdrawal, credit card and check.
If you are unable to pay the total balance due, you should pay as much as possible and then contact the IRS about an installment plan. Even if you cannot pay the balance due, it is important to either file a return or request an extension to avoid the failure-to-file penalty.
The IRS expects to receive approximately 10 million extension requests in 2010, which is about the same as last year. Some taxpayers automatically receive extensions to file. For example, military personnel serving in a combat zone have 180 days after leaving the combat zone to file their returns. Victims of recent natural disasters in certain federally declared disaster areas also have extra time.
Traffic Watch: Lane Closures Today On Highway 97 Near State Line
April 14, 2010
Guardrail work will continue today on Highway 97 near the Alabama state line, and actual resurfacing of the highway is expected to being next week.
Crews will be working today to replace the guardrail on the southbound lane of Highway 97 between the Alabama state line and the Piggly Wiggly. Lane closures are expected.
Repaving operations are scheduled to begin Monday in an area near Molino Park Elementary School. There will be lane closures during the resurfacing operation.
Also in North Escambia, Sandy Hollow Road remains closed due to damage to the Sandy Hollow Creek Bridge. Work to repair the bridge is due to take about two weeks to complete. Highway 97 is the detour for the road that runs between West Highway 4 and Gobbler Road in Davisville.
Traffic Watch: Closures Today Highway 97, Bamer Holley Lane, Sandy Hollow Road
April 13, 2010
There will be closures or delays on three North Escambia roadways today, including Highway 97 just south of the Alabama/Florida state line.
Crews from Panhandle Grading and Paving will be replacing a guardrail on Highway 97 in Davisville between the Piggly Wiggly and the Alabama line. There will be lane closures with the work. Land closures are restricted until after 8 a.m. whenever possible. The actual resurfacing of the Highway 97 should begin this week; NorthEscambia.com will publish the locations as they are made available.
Bamer Holley Lane in Molino will be closed from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Escambia County Road Department. Crews will be working on the railroad crossing near Brickyard Road.
Sandy Hollow Road is closed due to damage to the Sandy Hollow Creek Bridge. Work to repair the bridge is due to take about two weeks to complete. Highway 97 is the detour for the road that runs between West Highway 4 and Gobbler Road in Davisville.
Bamer Holley Lane, Sandy Hollow Road Closed Today
April 12, 2010
Two North Escambia roads are closed for repairs today.
Bamer Holley Lane in Molino will be closed from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. today and Tuesday, according to the Escambia County Road Department. Crews will be working on the railroad crossing near Brickyard Road.
Sandy Hollow Road is closed due to damage to the Sandy Hollow Creek Bridge. Work to repair the bridge is due to being on Monday and take about two weeks to complete. Highway 97 is the detour for the road that runs between West Highway 4 and Gobbler Road in Davisville.
Pictured above: Sandy Hollow Road in Davisville is closed for two weeks. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
It’s Report Card Day
April 12, 2010
Moms and dads…check the book bags and binders tonight. Today is report card day in Escambia County, Florida.
The third nine-weeks report cards from Escambia County Schools will be sent home today.
The last day of school is June 4. The only remaining school holiday is Memorial Day on May 31.
Sunny Skies, No Rain This Week
April 12, 2010
Our seasonable and dry weather pattern will continue for the next week, with lows in the 50’s and highs around 80.
There is not rain in the forecast — perfect weather for the Escambia, Alabama, students on Spring Break this week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunny All Week; No Chance Of Rain
April 11, 2010
We are in for sunny and dry weather the next week, with daytime highs around 80 and overnight lows in the 50’s.
Here’s your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.