Camp Fire Century Kids Celebrate 100th Day Of School
February 1, 2019
Students at the Camp Fire Youth Learning Center in Century this week celebrated the 100th day of school. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Nine Mile Road Retail Theft Suspects
February 1, 2019
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for help to identify two retail theft suspects. The town men pictured allegedly stole multiple items from Kohl’s on January 12 and January 18. Anyone with information on their identities is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
DeSantis Eliminating Common Core
February 1, 2019
Pointing to feedback he received on the campaign trail, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said Florida will revamp education standards and eliminate “vestiges” of the politically unpopular Common Core standards.
DeSantis’ announcement came five years after then-Gov. Rick Scott took aim at the Common Core standards, which were developed by officials in 48 states and have particularly drawn criticism from Republican voters. The State Board of Education in 2014 adopted what are known as the Florida Standards, a move that involved making changes to Common Core.
DeSantis, who took office Jan. 8, said during a news conference Thursday in Lee County that parents expressed frustration to him about Common Core and issues such as standardized testing while he campaigned last year. He said he was directing Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to undertake a process that will lead to new standards.
“I’m here to say when you complained about Common Core, I hear you, I told you I’d do something about it, and today we are acting to bring those promises into a reality,” DeSantis said.
Though Scott touted moving away from Common Core in 2014, Corcoran on Thursday said Florida has been “stuck” with Common Core and alluded to the Florida Standards as a rebranding.
“It’s all the same, it all needs to be looked at, it all needs to be scrutinized,” said Corcoran, who was a state House appropriations chairman in 2014 and later became House speaker. “And we need to sit down with the experts, the stakeholders, the great superintendents, the great leaders in the community and figure out how do we write the best, No. 1 standards in the United States of America.”
DeSantis said Corcoran will lead an effort during the coming year to develop standards and to address other issues, such as “streamlining” testing in schools. He said he expects the results of the process to go to the Legislature during the 2020 session.
The announcement drew praise from the Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers union that has frequently clashed with Republican leaders over issues such as standardized testing.
“A deliberate look at what students must know is always appropriate, and it’s very encouraging to hear that Gov. DeSantis and Commissioner Corcoran plan to bring teachers and parents to the table as they go about reshaping Florida’s standards,” Fedrick Ingram, president of the union, said in a prepared statement. “We’re also pleased to hear that the administration will look at streamlining testing. Parents and our members cite time spent on testing — as versus on genuine teaching and learning — as one of their top concerns. If all stakeholders are heard, we have confidence that this effort can improve public education in Florida.”
Kurt Browning, superintendent of schools in Pasco County, said he supports “streamlining standardized testing” and other initiatives proposed by DeSantis, such as an increased focus on civics education. But Browning expressed caution about moving away from the current standards.
“I ask Governor DeSantis and Education Commissioner Corcoran to consider the amount of time, funding, and effort teachers, administrators, and school districts have invested in professional learning, curriculum, materials and resources that align with our current standards,” Browning said. “I understand that parents have had difficulty grasping some of the standards, and there may be a need to adjust some of them. My concern is that we not lose ground in the progress we have made toward ensuring our students are prepared for the demands of college and the workforce.”
Debates about school standards and testing have repeatedly flared in Florida during the past two decades. Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, who was elected in 1998, made controversial changes to the system that included a heavy emphasis on testing and holding schools accountable for student performance.
After being developed by leaders from across the country, the Common Core standards have been adopted by 41 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Common Core website. But the standards in recent years became toxic in Republican politics, with many grass-roots voters viewing the standards as a national overreach into schools.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Tate High Varsity Cheerleaders Win State Championship
January 31, 2019
The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders are state champions.
The Aggie cheerleaders won the Florida High School Athletic Association Region Small Coed Championship Thursday afternoon in Gainesville.
The Tate Aggies took first with a score of 83.10, defeating Sebring High with 74.80 and Anclote High with a score of 64.50.
The squad is coach by second-year coach and Tate graduate Morgan White, who spent four years as an Aggie cheerleader.
Pictured: The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders won a state championship Thursday in Gainesville. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Large Warehouse At Atmore Area Cotton Gin
January 31, 2019
Fire destroyed a large warehouse at a cotton gin north of Atmore Thursday afternoon.
The fire ripped through what we are told was a seed warehouse at the Frank Currie Gin Company in the small community of McCullough, about five miles northwest of the Highway 31 Atmore exit on I-65.
At least a portion of warehouse collapsed, according to reports from the scene. Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles.
The McCullough and Poarch fire departments were among the responders working to contain the roaring blaze.
Photos by Glenn Kelley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Warning Issued After Rabid Raccoon Attack In Escambia County
January 31, 2019
Local health officials are warning residents and visitors to avoid contact with wild and stray animals after a rabid raccoon attacked someone in Escambia County.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County health specialists collected tissue samples from the raccoon and have forwarded the samples to the state laboratory, which has confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.
Officials did not release the location in the county of the incident.
Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system. Without proper treatment, rabies can cause brain infection and death. Rabies is transmitted by a rabid animal by a bite, a scratch, or by contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. A series of “rabies shots” can protect a bite victim from developing the rabies infection, if given soon after the bite occurs.
“Rabies is a fatal infection but is preventable,” notes FDOH-Escambia’s director, Dr. John J. Lanza. “It is important to not feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies. Persons who are bitten by a wild animal or an animal who has not been vaccinated against rabies should seek immediate medical care. Proper medical treatment of an animal bite can be life-saving.”
In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats, and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks, and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.
Individuals cannot always tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. To guard against rabies, the health department recommends residents follow these steps:
- Teach your children not to go near wild and stray animals, and never keep them as pets.
- Vaccinate your dog, cat, ferret, or horse to protect against rabies. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.
- Do not feed your pets outside. The food may attract wild animals.
- Make sure your garbage is securely covered. Open garbage attracts wild and stray animals.
- Spay or neuter your pet to reduce its tendency to roam or fight.
- Do not let your pets roam freely or allow them to interact with wild or stray animals. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come into contact with people and pets.
- Call Escambia County Animal Control, at 850-595-0097, to remove stray dogs and cats from your neighborhood.
- If your pet is bitten by another animal, immediately seek veterinary assistance for your pet and contact Escambia County Animal Control.
- If you are bitten by a wild animal, or by any animal that is acting strangely, seek medical care as soon as possible so that a physician can evaluate your risk of rabies infection and administer the rabies vaccine, if appropriate.
DOH-Escambia’s Environmental Health division investigates animal bite reports, tests animals for rabies through the state laboratory, and orders animal quarantine as necessary. For more information, or to report an animal bite, contact the FDOH-Escambia Environmental Health office at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
File photo.
Wood Heater Blamed For McDavid Mobile Home Fire
January 31, 2019
A wood heater is being blamed for a mobile home fire Wednesday night in McDavid.
The fire in the single-wide home was reported about 9:15 p.m. on Worley Road, near the Mystic Springs Boat Ramp.
The minor fire was contained to the area around the stove pipe and roof. There were no injuries.
The McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Jay Fire Department, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded. Several fire units were canceled before arrival.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
T.C. Venom Minor League Football Team To Call Century Home
January 31, 2019
The new T.C. Venom minor league football team will call Century home this year in a season that begins in a few weeks.
The Venom will play four home games at Anthony Pleasant Park off East Highway 4. They are the newest team in the Amateur to Professional Development Football League, the AFDFL.
The APDFL is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of adult minor league football teams throughout the Southeast, according to their website. Players are between the ages of 18 and 30 looking to obtain a second chance of reaching their college or professional football dreams. The APDFL provides these athletes a place to improve their football skills and a platform to showcase their talents by attracting scouts from the collegiate and professional levels.
Team owner Luis Waters said he currently has 53 players on his roster, many that played during their high school days on local teams like the Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes.
“I’m here to give these guys a second chance,” Waters said.
Other teams in the league include the Greater Pensacola Jets, Crescent City Rampage from New Orleans, and the South Alabama Dolphins from Mobile.
The T.C. Venom will open play on Saturday March 2 on the road against the Tuskegee Ayrmen, followed by games in New Orleans and Thomasville, GA. Their first home game in Century will be Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. as they host the Steel City Raptors of Birmingham. A complete schedule is below.
The “T.C.” in T.C. Venom is stands for “Tri-County.”
T.C. Venom Schedule
Sat Mar 2 — Tuskegee Ayrmenc — Tuskegee, AL, TBD
Sat Mar 9 — @ Crescent City Rampage — New Orleans, LA, TBD
Sat Mar 16 — @ Georgia Cobras — Thomasville, GA, TBD
Sat Mar 23 — Steel City Raptors — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Mar 30 — Crescent City Kings — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Apr 6 — Greater Pensacola Jets — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Apr 27 — @ South Alabama Dolphins — Mobile, AL, TBD
Sat May 4 — @ Tri-City Savages — Hattiesburg, MS, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat May 11 — Florida Phoenix — Century, FL, TBD
Sat May 18 — @ Mississippi Raiders — Waynesboro, MS, 7 p.m. CDT
Bob And Bess: You Can Learn A Lot From A Couple Of Byrneville Ducks
January 31, 2019
At Byrneville Elementary School, there’s a plenty of learning about reading, writing and math, and there’s a lot of learning from Bob and Bess.
Bob and Bess are a couple of ceramic ducks that sit in the hallway near the front door. Each and every school day, there is a message taped to each, usually a conversation between the duo.
“Gosh, Bess it really is cold this morning. I am glad that we live inside the school,” Bob’s message greeted Byrneville students on a freezing cold Wednesday morning.
“Me too, Bob. I don’t think it will stay this cold much longer, but the boys and girls need to be prepared if it does,” was the reply from Bess.
They’ve spread their messages for many years, thanks to Byrneville Principal Dee-Wolfe Sullivan. Bob and Bess are a Byrneville Braves tradition and are often a first stop for students arriving at school.
“If I had saved all the messages and stacked them up, they would probably reach up to here,” she said, holding her hand above her waist.
“The kids just really love them,” Sullivan said with a smile.
Pictured: Bob (top) and Bess (below) at Byrneville Elementary School Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Century’s Mayor, Council At Odds Over Choice For Billing Clerk Job
January 31, 2019
Century’s town council and mayor are at odds over his choice of a new billing clerk.
Mayor Henry Hawkins recommended the town promote Netanya Simmons from within. She has worked with the town for just over a year as a clerk tech. She was previously employed for six months as a cashier at Odom’s Bar and Package, and six months as a desk clerk at Performance Tire & Wheel in Brewton. She is certified in Office, PowerPoint and Excel.
Council president Ann Brooks said she did not believe Simmons is the most qualified candidate. Brooks attended interviews on behalf of the council and ranked her choices:
- Leslie Howington, who currently works in leasing and marketing with Lincoln Property in Pensacola. She previously worked for 7.5 years as Century’s town clerk. She is a certified municipal clerk, pursuing ceritifcation as a master municipal clerk. She listed an understanding of the town’s billing process, meter reading budget and income analysis. She was a member of the Florida Association of City Clerks for eight years and served as district director. She also holds an associates degree in paralegal studies.
- Kenneth Kirk, who has worked for Adcomm in Mary Ester since 2011 as an account payable lead and accounting specialist. He also has experience as an office manager at Jackson Hewitt and an agent licensing clerk and licensing analyst with Universal American. He holds an associate degree in electronic engineering and an associate degree in business administration, both from Pensacola Junior College.
- Guindolyn Cosey, who has worked with the East Brewton Police Department since 2016> Her experience also includes six months as a case manager with Judicial Correction Services, and a front end coordinator and clothing manager with Dirt Cheap in Brewton from 2012 to 2013. Her listed skills included calculations and proficiency in a Word and PowerPoint.
After strong discussion, Hawkins stood by his recommendation of Simmons and refused to recommend one of the other candidates.
“I made mine (recommendation). I am through,” he told the council “Y’all do my job for me.”
Hawkins said Simmons was his choice because she has some training with the town’s billing software and the billing clerk’s duties, Hawkins said.
Brooks said training is available from the town’s software vendor for $4,000 for any qualified candidate.
The council instead chose for the entire council to interview Simmons, Howington, Kirk and Cosey at a not yet announced date.
The previous billing clerk, Angela Suggs, resigned her position after seven years.
Before the recommendation of candidates, town accountant Robert Hudson explained the importance of the position.
“I think it’s unfortunate we don’t have somebody who we can train,” Hudson said. “It’s the bread and butter for the town, about $1.6 million in revenue.”
Editor’s note: All employment history and experience information for applicants was taken from their employment applications.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.