Thomas: All Things Considered, Monday Was A Good First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 24, 2020
Monday was probably the most unique first day of school ever in Escambia County. But all things considered, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said it was a good day, from masks and social distancing to distance learning from home.
“It was a pretty good day,” Thomas told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon. “The weather held off at the right points.”
And he said the district’s numbers on students choosing in-person, remote learning and virtual school were about on par with projections.
“Attendance in-person was about what we expected; most of those came back that said they were coming back,” he said. “There was some shifting, but that was expected.”
The new normal of face masks and social distancing went well on the first day students were back in an Escambia County classroom since before Spring Break.
“I visited nine schools Monday. Most of the students wore masks when they were getting off the bus or when they could not social distance,” he said. “I thought it went rather well and according to plans. There were no kids that showed up sick. Parents have to help us this year and not send their kids to school with they have a fever or a cough; with parents’ help we will do well.”
Some students that chose one of the at home options had a few internet connectivity problems on Monday, Thomas said, but those problems were outside the district’s control.
“If you have four kids all trying to learn online at the same time, that can become a little bit of problem with slower broadband speeds,” Thomas said, noting that the Florida Virtual School did have downtime Monday, but that’s not operated by the district.
Pictured above: The first day of school at Kingsfield Elementary School. Pictured below: The first day of school for a distance learner in Escambia County. Parent submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Just Over Half Of Escambia Students Returning To Traditional School; Others Are Remote, Virtual
August 24, 2020
Just over half of the the students in Escambia County are returning to a traditional brick and mortar school on this first day of classes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were presented with three options for their child’s education — traditional, remote learning or virtual school (in-depth explanations of each are at the end of this story).
According to the latest data from the Escambia County School District provided by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas late Friday afternoon, 54.6% of students chose traditional school, 38.8% chose remote learning and 6.6% picked virtual school.
Here are the choices made by school:
The three options, in more detail, are:
Traditional -
This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.
Remote Learning -
The remote learning model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times. The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school.
Virtual School -
The virtual model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.
Young Marines Honor Memory Of Fallen Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson
August 24, 2020
The Young Marines of Pensacola honored a hero over the weekend in Bratt.
LCpl. Travis Nelson was killed in action on August 18, 2011, while conducting combat operations in in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Nelson, a former member of the Young Marines, had turned 19 just 13 days before his death and had been in Afghanistan for about a month.
The Young Marines of Pensacola is dedicated to ensuring that he is is never forgotten.
Nelson attended Bratt Elementary School from the first through fifth grades and Ernest Ward Middle School through the seventh grade. His family then moved to Pace, where he attended Pace High School.
The ceremony was held at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt, which features a memorial and is dedicated to Nelson.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Prison Inmate Murdered By Another Inmate
August 24, 2020
The death of a Century Correctional Institution inmate is being investigated as murder.
On August 17, inmate Nelson J. Sanderson was pronounced deceased on August 17 as the result of an apparent inmate on inmate assault at CCI, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) said.
The FDC confirmed Friday afternoon to NorthEscambia.com that an active homicide investigation is underway by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FDC Office of Inspector General.
“The safe and secure operation of Florida’s correctional institutions is the Department of Corrections’ top priority. Every inmate death is thoroughly investigated by law enforcement and the Department’s Office of Inspector General to ensure independent oversight and absolute accountability at all levels,” FDC said in an email.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is committed to providing for the safety and wellbeing of all inmates in custody. Inmates who cause harm to others are held accountable for their actions. This includes administrative sanctions, placement in restrictive housing and criminal charges if applicable. This is done for the safety of staff and other inmates,” FDC concluded.
In 2016, Sanderson was serving two life sentences out of Lee County for the lewd and lascivious molestation of a child less than 12-years old.
Former Escambia County Assistant Administrator Larry Newsom Has Passed Away
August 24, 2020
Former Escambia County Assistant Administrator Larry Newsom passed away Sunday afternoon. He was 56.
Newsom was serving as city manager in Flagler Beach.
“This is a profound loss for our family here in Flagler Beach. Our saddened hearts are with Lisa during this most trying of times and our community will miss Larry’s dedication to our City” stated Jane Mealy, Chairperson of the Flagler Beach City Commission.
Newsom resigned from Escambia County in late 2014.
During his tenure at Escambia County, Newsom served as interim county administrator in 2010 after the non-renewal of Bob McLaughlin’s contract, after the firing of Administrator Randy Oliver in 2012, and beginning in December 2013 until the resignation and then passing of George Touart. He served until Jack Brown was hired as adminstratorin April 2014.
When not serving in an administrator position, Newsom worked as the manager of the Escambia County Transportation and Traffic Division.
Newsom began his tenure with the City of Flagler Beach in January 2016 and his leadership help guide the city through hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Dorian.
Pictured top: Larry Newsom (left) speaks during a Molino public forum in 2014 as District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry (right) listens. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Remain Low As Two Tropical Systems Target The Gulf Coast
August 24, 2020
Florida gas prices continue to drift lower, even as two tropical systems move toward the Gulf Coast. The state average price for gasoline was $2.07 per gallon, yet drivers in some Florida cities are finding prices below $2 a gallon.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.08 Sunday night in Escambia County. Two warehouse clubs were the lowest in the Pensacola area at $1.92, while the best price in North Escambia was $2.08 at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Nearly half of the refining capacity in the United States is located along the Gulf of Mexico, predominantly along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines. Marco and Laura are both forecast to make landfall in Louisiana in the coming days. Nearly a dozen oil refineries near New Orleans are in the hurricane warning area.
“The potential for a price hike is always there, when a hurricane threatens the gulf coast refinery region,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “So far, oil and gasoline futures prices have remained low, likely because Marco and Laura are not forecast to reach major hurricane status. Either way, incremental increases are possible if these storms cause damage resulting in long-term impacts to oil rigs, refineries or the fuel supply chain as a whole.”
Escambia High Students Win NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
August 23, 2020
A team from Escambia High School won the high school division for the best design in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.
While NASA is preparing to send the first woman and next man to the surface of the Moon in 2024 with the Artemis program, the next generation of explorers, engineers, scientists, and spaceflight professionals are sharpening their skills to help the agency establish a permanent presence on the Moon and send the first humans to Mars.
The agency announced the winners of the 2020 NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge during a virtual awards ceremony.
The Human Exploration Rover Challenge team from Escambia High School won the high school division AIAA Neil Armstrong Best Design Award, which recognizes the team that best designed their rover to take on the punishing Rover Challenge course, making maximum use of resources and ingenuity. The award is presented in the name of the late NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong.
“This year, we had 111 teams from 27 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 11 other countries,” said Julie Clift, program manager for the challenge at Marshall. “The teams pushed the limits this year, designing and building truly innovative rovers to take on the challenging course. Although we are disappointed we had to cancel the on-site activities, we are thrilled we are able to recognize and celebrate the teams’ hard work and creativity.”
The competition is one of seven NASA Artemis Student Challenges the agency hosts to engage and inspire the Artemis Generation. It is sponsored by NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and Office of STEM Engagement Next Gen STEM in Washington; and managed by Marshall’s Office of STEM Engagement.
The challenge was launched in 1994 as the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Just six college teams participated that first year. Expanded in 1996 to include high school teams, the race evolved again in 2014 into the Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Since the challenge’s inception, more than 12,000 students have participated.
Photo: Escambia High School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Young Man Drowned Saturday Afternoon At Fillingim Landing
August 23, 2020
A young man drowned at Fillingim Landing near Barrineau Park Saturday afternoon.
Nathan Barnes, 22, reportedly dove into the Perdido River in the area of a rope swing and did not resurface. First responders later located him on the Alabama side of the river and brought him back across to Florida for medical treatment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The death investigation was conducted by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Search & Rescue, Florida Fish & Wildlife and LifeFlight were among the responding agencies.
Fillingim Landing is a Northwest Florida Water Management recreation site located on the Pedido River off the 2800 block of Jacks Branch Road, just north of Lathram Chapel Methodist Church.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Feeding Program At West Florida Libraries Comes To A Close
August 23, 2020
The summer meals program at West Florida Libraries came to a close Saturday in advance of the first day of school on Monday, August 24.
Thousands of meals were served to youth at seven library locations across the county over the last several months. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program started early on March 23.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
August 23, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 23:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 23:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- · S.R. 89 Pavement Coring Operations from North of S.R. 87N to South of C.R. 178 – Motorists will encounter daytime lane closures Monday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 28 as crews perform asphalt coring operations.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line- Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
- · U.S. 98 Utility Operations from Whispering Pines Boulevard to Palo Alto – The eastbound, outside lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 through Thursday, Aug. 27 as utility crews upgrade distribution lines.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather