UWF To Be First North American University To Host Parkrun, A Series Of Free 5Ks
February 8, 2019
The University of West Florida will host the first parkrun on a college campus in North America on Saturday. A volunteer-based nonprofit, parkrun offers free, weekly, timed 5K routes at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday, year-round.
There are currently 1,400 parkruns worldwide, with three established in the state of Florida. The other two Florida-based parkrun events are in Clermont and Gainesville. The nonprofit has developed a far-reach since its start in England in 2004. After visiting two parkrun events in Ireland, Pensacola resident Robin Foley introduced the idea of parkrun to Caleb Carmichael, head coach of the UWF men’s and women’s cross country teams, and Howard Reddy, vice president for university advancement.
“I was looking for a suitable course and UWF was looking for additional ways to attract visitors to campus, so linking up was a marriage made in heaven,” Foley said.
Foley has worked with UWF in recent months to clear the trail. The idea of parkrun was a welcoming one for Carmichael—he envisioned a competition-grade cross-country course that could serve UWF, nearby schools and the community.
“I wanted people to be able to come to a home meet here, train for UWF’s cross-country teams or run on a trail on campus,” Carmichael said.
Runners and walkers of all experience levels are invited to participate in the Rec Plex North parkrun. The meeting location will be at the entrance of UWF’s Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary, located at the backside of the Rec Plex North, behind Lot Z.
For more information about the Rec Plex North parkrun, visit parkrun.us/recplexnorth. To view the UWF campus map, visit map.uwf.edu.
DeSantis Wants New Teacher Bonus Program
February 8, 2019
Four years after lawmakers started a controversial teacher-bonus program, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he wants to scrap the “Best and Brightest” program and plow nearly $423 million into a new effort to reward teachers and principals.
The Best and Brightest program has faced opposition, at least in part, because it considers teachers’ scores on SAT or ACT college-entrance exams in determining eligibility for bonuses. The use of those scores has drawn state and federal lawsuits arguing that the program discriminates against older teachers and minority teachers.
During an event Thursday at Armwood High School in Hillsborough County, DeSantis also pointed to questions about the logic of looking at college-entrance exams in evaluating teachers.
“While there were some good things to that (Best and Brightest) and some teachers got some good bonuses, the way they did the program was not just whether you were a good teacher but then your SAT scores from going into college,” DeSantis said. “And a lot of folks didn’t think that that was necessarily the best way to do it because, quite frankly, that test is one moment in time and it’s not necessarily indicative of the passion … when you’re into the classroom.”
DeSantis said the new program could provide bonuses of more than $9,000 to nearly 45,000 “highly effective” teachers at schools that showed progress on grading calculations and bonuses of up to $6,500 for principals.
“What we’re trying to do is identify those teachers that are rated highly effective and that are helping their schools move forward,” DeSantis said. “And when they’re doing that, we think they should be rewarded.”
The Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers union that has been a fierce critic of the Best and Brightest program, issued a news release that said it sees DeSantis’ ideas “as a start toward fixing the discriminatory and unfair provisions of that bad legislation.” But it also suggested that higher salaries are the best way to attract and keep qualified teachers.
“There doesn’t have to be a revolutionary way to solve Florida’s problem with recruiting and retaining teachers,” Florida Education Association President Fedrick Ingram said. “We will be urging the governor and the Legislature to go one step further: We need competitive salaries for teachers and education staff.”
The governor’s proposed changes would require legislative approval during the session that starts March 5. The Best and Brightest program, which provides $6,000 bonuses to teachers, is in state law. House Republican leaders pushed for its creation in 2015 — a time when current Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran was the House appropriations chairman.
DeSantis last week released a proposed $91.3 billion state budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year that included $422.97 million for the new program.
Lawmakers set aside $234 million for the Best and Brightest program during the current year. In addition to considering performance on college entrance exams, the eligibility requirements for Best and Brightest also take into account whether teachers have been evaluated as “highly effective.”
Along with the new bonus program, DeSantis said Thursday he wants to provide $10 million a year for five years for a loan- and tuition-forgiveness program that would help recruit teachers. He said the program would provide aid to as many as 1,700 new teachers who commit to working in the state for five years.
“And the preference is going to be on areas of high need, and we have some areas of the state where the shortages are acute,” DeSantis said. “We have underserved areas. And so basically what we’re telling the folks is if you go to college, you rack up some of this debt, if you’re willing to do this and dedicate those five years, that we’ll be able to wipe that slate clean, up and to a pretty significant amount of money.”
The State Board of Education last month approved an annual report that, in part, detailed a shortage of certified science, English and math teachers in Florida’s public schools. Also, the report indicated schools that received “D” ratings for their performances over the past three years have higher percentages of out-of-field teachers than other schools.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Police Release Identity Of Atmore Man Struck And Killed By Train
February 7, 2019
Atmore Police have identified a pedestrian struck and killed by a train Wednesday afternoon in Atmore.
Eric Edwards Smith, 40, was hit about 1 p.m. by a westbound CSX train at the Martin Luther King Avenue railroad crossing, parallel to Highway 31. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Witnesses said Smith was walking or standing on the tracks at the crossing, according to Atmore Police Sgt. Robby Williams. The crossing arms were down, the signal lights were flashing and the train sounded its horn numerous times but Smith did not get out of the way of the oncoming train, Williams said.
Atmore Police and CSX are continuing to investigate.
The train came to a stop about four-tenths of a mile away, near the Second Avenue crossing. The Martin Luther King crossing remained blocked for hours.
NorthEscambia.com photos. click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Considering Conversion Of Plant Crist To Natural Gas, Pipeline Through North Escambia
February 7, 2019
EXCLUSIVE — A Gulf Power document first obtained by NorthEscambia.com shows the company is analyzing the feasibility of a proposed natural gas pipeline though North Escambia to convert Plant Crist from coal to natural gas.
“An underground natural gas pipeline to Plant Crist would give it the capability to run completely on natural gas,” the power company document states.
“We are analyzing the feasibility of a proposed underground pipeline that would deliver more natural gas to Gulf Power’s Plant Crist so that it has the capability to run entirely on natural gas. The conversion to natural gas would significantly lower carbon emissions and help lower costs to customers through lower operating costs.”
The proposed natural gas pipeline will run about 39 miles from the existing Florida Gas Transmission Pipeline near the Florida/Alabama border outside Century south through McDavid, Molino and Cantonment to Plant Crist on Pate Street just northwest of the University of West Florida. Over 85 percent of the proposed route would be located on existing corridors like Gulf Power transmission line corridors.
A project timeline shows permitting beginning by May of this year, construction beginning in early 2020 and the pipeline in service by mid 2020.
“Gulf Power is conducting land surveying to determine the best, most appropriate route for the pipeline. The pipeline will undergo a comprehensive review by numerous local, state and federal agencies to ensure it complies with all environmental and regulatory standards,” the document states.
The Gulf Power document indicates the conversion of Plant Crist to natural gas would mean cleaner energy and projected lower bills for customers. It is estimated the project would create 375 “good-paying” jobs at peak construction and $37 million in tax revenue for Escambia County during the 35-year operating life of the pipeline.
Pictured: Images from a Gulf Power document relating to a natural gas pipeline through North Escambia for the conversion of Plant Crist to natural gas. NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
SRSO: 87-Year Old Jay Assisted Living Resident Charged With Battery On Woman
February 7, 2019
An 87-year old assisted living facility resident was charged after allegedly slapping an elderly resident with dementia in the face.
William Alford of Jay was charged with felony battery and later released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
The Terrace At Ivey Acres in Jay contacted the victim’s son and reported the incident, according to arrest report. The son told deputies this was not the first incident between Alford and his mother. Alford and the victim have adjoining rooms separated by a locked door, the report states, with the only access through a public hallway.
Gulf Power Requests Customer Surcharge To Pay For Hurricane Michael Recovery
February 7, 2019
Pointing to an “unprecedented event” that knocked out power to 136,000 customers and caused massive damage to its distribution system, Gulf Power on Wednesday asked state regulators to approve a plan to collect an estimated $342 million from customers to cover costs related to Hurricane Michael.
Gulf Power, the largest electric utility in Northwest Florida, filed a petition at the state Public Service Commission as it seeks authorization to start recovering the money in April. Customers would pay the storm costs over a five-year period, according to the filing.
“Hurricane Michael was the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Northwest Florida, with Panama City and the surrounding areas of Bay County nearly destroyed, including critical infrastructure and the energy grid that serves our customers,” Gulf Power President Marlene Santos said in a prepared statement. “We know that many of our customers continue to face challenges due to the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and we have worked hard to propose a plan to the Florida Public Service Commission that takes this into account and supports our ability to continue to serve them with reliable service now and into the future.”
The Public Service Commission has signed off on such proposals from utilities after past storms. Also, Gulf Power operates under a 2017 rate settlement that anticipated the utility would be allowed to recover such costs if a major storm occurred.
The proposed increase would translate to about $8 a month for a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month of electricity, a common benchmark in the utility industry, according to the filing and a company news release. Commercial and industrial customers, which are billed differently than residential customers, would see increases of 3 percent to 8 percent.
If the Public Service Commission authorizes the storm-related increases, Gulf Power said monthly customer bills would remain lower than they were in January 2018. During the past year, the company has trimmed bills, in part by passing along savings to customers from a federal tax overhaul that lowered corporate-income tax rates.
Hurricane Michael made landfall Oct. 10 in Mexico Beach as a Category 4 storm and caused widespread damage as it roared north into Georgia. The damage came in the eastern parts of the utility’s service territory, particularly in Bay County. Western parts of the territory, in areas such as Pensacola, Cantonment and Molino, were largely unscathed.
The filing at the Public Service Commission said Gulf Power had 136,000 customer outages and that 120,452 customers lacked power late in the afternoon of Oct. 10. In all, 96 percent of customers in the utility’s eastern area lost power, with more than 99,000 outages in Bay County.
The utility had $48 million in a storm reserve, but that was dwarfed by $350 million in restoration costs that the utility says it is eligible to recover from customers. Also as part of the filing, the company is seeking to collect about $41 million to replenish the storm reserve. The total sought comes to about $342 million after some accounting adjustments.
The Pensacola-based utility has more than 460,000 customers in eight counties. The filing said Gulf Power workers and outside crews replaced about 7,000 poles, 200 miles of line and 4,000 transformers after the storm.
“For areas that experienced the most significant impact of Michael’s eye wall, Gulf Power’s restoration efforts required a complete rebuild of the electric system,” the filing said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Tate’s Palmer, Riggan Sign With South Alabama
February 7, 2019
Two Tate High School Aggies signed with the University of South Alabama Jaguars Wednesday.
Hunter Riggan and Patrick Palmer will play for the Jags under Head Coach Steve Campbell, who is also a Tate graduate.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Set For Northview’s Dariontae Richardson
February 7, 2019
Funeral arrangement have been announced for Northview High School student and football player Dariontae Richardson.
Visitation will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home at 78 Harris Street in Atmore. Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Grace Fellowship at 1412 East Nashville Avenue in Atmore.
At a School Advisory Council meeting Wednesday at Northview, Interim Principal Gerry Pippins expressed deep sympathy to his family and friends. He said Richardson was in a Birmingham for a medical procedure that was originally thought to be successful, and it was not immediately known what happened.
Richardson suffered a heart attack hours after the Chiefs’ Northview first round playoff win over Graceville November 9. The Chiefs’ #10 passed away on Monday.
He made several key plays for Northview in their win against Graceville but was not injured in the game.
The morning after the game, the 16-year old was found at home not breathing. His mother performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and airlifted to a Mobile hospital.
As the Chiefs advanced to route two of the playoffs against Baker, they dedicated the game to Richardson.
Grief counseling was available Tuesday at the school for students and staff.
Pictured: Dariontae Richardson (#10) during the Northview Chiefs first round playoff win over Graceville November 9, 2018. He suffered a heart attack a few hours later. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Opera Presents Hansel And Gretel At Molino Branch Library
February 7, 2019
<The Pensacola Opera presented Hansel and Gretel Wednesday morning at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Ag Boss Says Hemp Could Me Major Industry, Appoints Cannabis Czar
February 7, 2019
Saying hemp is poised to be a “multibillion-dollar industry in the state,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Wednesday appointed the state’s first cannabis czar.
Fried, a Democrat elected in November who made increasing access to medical marijuana one of the cornerstones of her campaign, tapped Holly Bell, a former banker, to serve as director of cannabis. Fried created the position after taking over the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services last month.
Bell, who has a degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University, has worked as a cannabis consultant in other states and helped “build the infrastructure to create Tennessee’s industrial hemp program,” according to a news release issued by Fried’s office Wednesday.
Fried said Bell will work with farmers and scientists to help develop Florida’s nascent hemp industry following the passage of a federal farm bill that broadly legalized hemp, a cannabis plant that does not contain euphoria-inducing THC. Also, Bell will monitor other state agencies’ activities regarding medical marijuana.
“The stakes are really high here in our state to get this right. Studies show that Florida can be the number one state in America for medical marijuana and to help involve and bring up this industry,” Fried told reporters at a news conference announcing Bell’s appointment.
Bell said she helped Tennessee farmers embrace hemp as an alternative to tobacco, soybeans, cattle and cotton — crops similar to those grown in Florida.
“Hemp is a multibillion-dollar opportunity and potential for the state of Florida and the agriculture community as an alternative crop. After 80 years of stalled progress, we can finally begin to put cannabis to work for farmers, consumers and patients here in Florida,” Bell said at a news conference.
Fried, a lawyer and onetime medical marijuana lobbyist, called cannabis her department’s “top priority.”
She also ticked off a list of problems with the state’s implementation of a constitutional amendment, approved by voters in 2016, that legalized medical marijuana for a broad swath of patients.
Insurance companies do not cover the cannabis treatment, cities have prohibited marijuana operators from opening retail stores, and “we don’t have enough licenses” for operators to meet patient demand, Fried said.
“When we have a supply problem, we can’t reduce the cost,” she said.
The state also needs to revisit the “vertical integration” system that requires operators to grow, process and distribute cannabis and related products, Fried said. Moving away from vertical integration could involve opening the industry to companies that wouldn’t be responsible for all aspects of the cannabis business. For example, some companies could operate solely as dispensaries or as growers.
While many of the items Fried identified would require action by the Legislature or the state Department of Health, the agriculture commissioner said she intends to crack down on unregulated hemp-based products being sold at gas stations, grocery stores and smoke shops throughout Florida.
Many of the products contain or are advertised as containing low levels of non-euphoric cannabidiol, or CBD. The products, sold in oil, edible or even whole-flower form, are untested in Florida and have become a source of confusion for law enforcement officials and prosecutors.
Following the passage of the federal farm bill, which took hemp off the list of controlled substances, the state needs to oversee industrial hemp — which is used for rope, textiles and plastics, among other things — as well as all aspects of hemp-related products that are ingested or used in other ways by humans or animals, Fried said.
“Part of all of this is getting CBD to be regulated here in our state, grown here in our state, manufactured here, processed here, delivered here and to be part of ‘Fresh From Florida.’ This is a consumer issue. It is our job to make sure that the citizens of our state who are buying CBD know what is in it. You don’t have that right now,” she said.
When asked what her first task will be as the agriculture department’s cannabis chief, Bell paused.
“That’s a good question,” she said. “I’ve got to do a lot of research and get to know the team and work with the commissioner and put an outline together for her vision. Then, we’ll be implementing that.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida