Lipscomb Art Teacher Receives Visual Arts Association Classroom Grant
September 23, 2018
Sally Miller of Lipscomb Elementary School has been been name the 2018 Visual Arts Association of Northwest Florida Classroom Grant winner. The grant will provide the opportunity to incorporate “STEAM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into her art room curriculum.
Art has always been tied in with other curriculum, but unique supplies for specific lessons on creative higher order thinking will be used to engage students.
Pictured: Lipscomb Elementary teacher Sally Miller (left) and VAA President Pat Page. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deer Dog Hunting Dispute Goes To Florida Supreme Court
September 23, 2018
Some Northwest Florida residents have gone to the state Supreme Court in a legal battle aimed at reining in “deer dog” hunting on property around the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.
The residents, who contend that “deer dog” hunting has infringed on their property rights and created a nuisance, filed a notice as a first step in asking the Supreme Court to take up the case, according to documents posted on the Supreme Court website.
The notice came after the 1st District Court of Appeal sided with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and overturned a ruling by a Leon County circuit judge. The notice, as is common, does not detail the arguments that the residents will make at the Supreme Court.
“Deer dog” hunting, as the name implies, involves hunters using dogs to flush out deer and has long been allowed in the state’s Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. But the legal battle stems from hunters and dogs trespassing on adjoining private land. Property owners filed a lawsuit in 2016, seeking to prevent deer-dog hunting in the wildlife-management area.
The lawsuit included what is known as a “takings claim” — essentially arguing that the deer-dog problems were so serious that they were depriving the owners from enjoying their property. Also, the lawsuit sought an injunction to require the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to “abate” the nuisance on the private property.
Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers issued an injunction requiring the commission to abate the problem. But the commission took the dispute to the 1st District Court of Appeal, where a majority of a three-judge panel rejected the injunction and sent the case back for entry of summary judgment in favor of the commission on the takings and nuisance claims. Among other things, the appeals court said the injunction was overbroad and violated separation of powers.
“Here, the injunction is impossible for FWC (the commission) to comply with because it holds the FWC accountable for the actions of third parties over which the FWC has no control,” the appeals court ruled.
by The News Service of Florida
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Celebrates Railroad Junction Day
September 23, 2018
Flomaton celebrated the town’s heritage Saturday with Railroad Junction Day. The day featured a variety of free activities, demonstrations, entertainment, food and vendors as friends and neighbors gathered for the event.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery click here.
Gallery includes Railroad Junction Festival photos and car show photos.
NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: NWE At Flomaton
September 23, 2018
The NWE Chiefs traveled to Flomaton Saturday to take on the Hurricanes.
NWE’s Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors shut out Flomaton, and the Flomaton Seniors defeated NWE.
· NWE Freshmen 26, Flomaton 0
· NWE Sophomores 41, Flomaton 0
· NWE Junior s 48, Flomaton 0
· Flomaton Seniors 46, NWE 13
For a photo gallery from the Juniors and Seniors games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: High Stakes For High Courts
September 23, 2018
Elected officials, political pundits and armchair quarterbacks are fanning the flames of a firestorm over President Donald Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, a federal judge who’s been accused of sexual assault at a drunken high-school bash more than three decades ago.
Kavanaugh has vehemently denied the accusations lodged recently by Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist at Palo Alto University. If, when and how Ford will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee has turned into a partisan skirmish of epic proportions. Democrats hope to postpone Kavanaugh’s confirmation until after the November elections, in the hope that they might retake a majority in the Senate and ultimately put the kibosh on Trump’s selection.
Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who leaves office in January and is trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, came out this week with a statement about the Kavanaugh nomination that was ostensibly aimed at keeping everybody happy.
The Republican candidate defended “the truth” — which he said “is not partisan” and “is more important than politics” — and called Ford’s accusations “serious.” At the same time, Scott maintained that Kavanaugh “deserves to have a chance to clear his name.”
A frustrated Nelson, meanwhile, said he’s tried five times to meet with Kavanaugh, to no avail.
Meanwhile, all but two of Florida’s Republican state House members chimed in on the U.S. Supreme Court nomination this week.
Citing a “host of reasons” to support Kavanaugh, the GOP lawmakers used a letter to U.S. Senate leaders to urge Nelson to “transcend party politics” and “look at the nominee … as his own man.”
The missive, dated Wednesday, makes no mention of Ford or her allegations, which first surfaced more than a week ago.
MAYBE ALEXANDER HAIG WILL DECIDE
The clash about whether Kavanaugh will make it onto the nation’s high court is mirrored in some respects by a legal battle brewing in the Sunshine State over who will appoint replacements for three Florida Supreme Court justices who will be forced to retire in January. The battle is over whether Scott, his successor, or a combination of the two, will make the appointments.
In a lawsuit filed last year that argued Scott should not have the appointment power, the Florida Supreme Court said the issue wasn’t “ripe” for a decision. But that’s changed now that Scott has started the process to choose replacements for retiring justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince.
The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed a renewed lawsuit Thursday contending again that Scott shouldn’t have the power. The lawsuit came after Scott directed the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission to begin the process of receiving and reviewing applications.
Saying that Scott “has now acted on his stated intention” to appoint the three justices and has set the process in motion, the groups asked the high court for a “writ of quo warranto,” which is used to determine whether a state officer or agency has improperly exercised power.
The outcome of the case could shape the makeup of the Supreme Court for years, if not decades. Pariente, Lewis and Quince are part of a liberal bloc, which now holds a slim 4-3 majority, that has thwarted Scott and the Republican-dominated Legislature on numerous occasions since the governor took office in 2011.
Scott and the three longtime justices will all leave office in January, which has created the legal debate about which governor will have the appointment power.
In announcing that Scott had initiated the nominating process on Sept. 11, his office said Scott would invite the governor-elect to interview the court nominees after the Nov. 6 general election. The governor’s office pointed to an “expectation” that Scott and his successor would be able to agree on appointments.
If that happens, it would follow the lead of outgoing Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles and Republican Gov.-elect Jeb Bush in late 1998 agreeing to appoint Quince to the Supreme Court.
But the chances of reaching agreement could hinge heavily on the outcome of the gubernatorial election between Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis. Gillum is running as a progressive Democrat and, if elected, might have a hard time reaching agreement with the conservative Scott. The new governor will take office Jan. 8.
“In our understanding of the Constitution, the next governor will appoint the next three Supreme Court justices,” Gillum’s campaign said in a statement after Scott initiated the Judicial Nominating Commission proceedings.
One of the key arguments in the case surrounds exactly when the terms of Scott and the justices end.
The League of Women Voters and Common Cause maintain that the judicial vacancies do not occur until after the outgoing justices’ terms expire at the end of the day on Tuesday, Jan. 8. That is also the day Scott’s successor will take office.
Even if the justices’ terms run out earlier in the day, Scott still doesn’t have the authority to appoint the judicial replacements, John Mills, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, argued last year. That would be up to the new governor, who will almost certainly be sworn in immediately after midnight on inauguration day, the plaintiffs argued, pointing to what happened when the last three governors assumed office.
In a statement issued in response to Thursday’s lawsuit, Scott reiterated he wants to work with the incoming governor to fill the appointments.
“It’s disappointing that these partisan groups filed a politically-motivated lawsuit that would create three prolonged vacancies on the Florida Supreme Court, contrary to all historical practice. The governor is following precedent set by Governor Chiles and has said in good faith that his expectation is that he and the governor-elect will agree on the selection of three new justices,” Scott spokesman John Tupps said in an email.
GILLUM, DESANTIS SPLIT ON SCHOOLS
While the battle about the Supreme Court appointments heated up this week, Gillum and DeSantis also launched plans that show they are far apart on how to improve Florida schools.
Gillum is floating a proposal that would provide a minimum $50,000 starting salary for teachers by increasing the state corporate-income tax by $1 billion.
DeSantis, meanwhile, released a plan that includes requiring 80 percent of school funding to be spent in classrooms and not on administration. He said the plan could help boost teacher pay.
Republicans have criticized Gillum’s proposal to increase the corporate-income tax rate from 5.5 percent to 7.75 percent to raise $1 billion for schools.
Gillum, the Tallahassee mayor, said only the largest corporations pay the tax because of exemptions. He estimates his proposal would impact about 3 percent of the companies doing business in the state. The tax increase would be offset by more than $6 billion in reduced taxes the corporations are paying because of the recent cut in the federal corporate tax, according to Gillum.
“I will not allow them to get away with miss-describing what it is that we are proposing. We are simply saying that we’ve got to invest in our next generation,” Gillum said at a press conference Tuesday.
Meanwhile, DeSantis, a former congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, is touting the plan to require spending 80 percent of education funding in classrooms. His campaign policy statement said it would “cut bureaucratic waste and administrative inefficiency and ensure that money is being spent where it matters most.”
After touring the Okaloosa STEMM Academy in Valparaiso on Tuesday, DeSantis said his plan could boost pay for teachers.
“As we’re moving away from bureaucracy and putting more of the percentage of money we spend into the classroom, to me, the primary beneficiary is going to be the teachers,” he told reporters.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed a lawsuit seeking to block an attempt by Gov. Rick Scott to appoint replacements for three justices whose terms will end as the governor’s tenure comes to a close in January.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I want to make it very clear. The death of U.S. citizens is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a human tragedy.” State Rep. Robert Asencio, a Miami Democrat, speaking to reporters a year after Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico in tatters.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Body Found In Nine Mile Road Ditch
September 22, 2018
A body believed to be that of a homeless man was discovered Friday night in a ditch in front of the Winn Dixie parking lot in the 300 block of Nine Mile Road.
It appeared that the adult male died of natural causes, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The ECSO is continuing their investigation. The man’s name has not been released.
Pictured: A body was found in a Nine Mile Road ditch Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: It’s Easy To Attract Hummingbirds
September 22, 2018
by UF/IFAS Extension
Few sights are more thrilling in the garden than rapidly moving hummingbirds darting among colorful flowers. Hummingbirds, also known as hummers, are always a wonder to see, and it’s easy to attract them to your garden.
In Florida, we see three different types of hummingbirds, but the most common is the ruby-throated. This feathered jewel is only about three inches long and weighs as little as a single penny.
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites in the bird world. They feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. During this period, they eat more than half their weight in food and 8 times their weight in water.
If you’re fascinated by hummingbirds, you probably hang out a feeder or two in the summer to provide them with sugar water. Artificial feeders will attract hummingbirds.
However, feeders should not be the sole source of food provided. The sugar solution may appeal to the hummingbirds’ sweet tooth, but it provides little nourishment. Nectar is much more vital to the hummingbird than just water and sugar. By planting certain flowers and shrubs, home gardeners can provide food and habitat for hummingbirds.
Typical hummingbird flowers are red, have a tubular shape and have no strong scent. But there are several notable exceptions to this general rule. Many plants with red flowers don’t contain very much nectar. Roses, petunias, geraniums and zinnias have brilliant colors but little nectar.
Plants that produce an abundance of flowers over an extended period of time and those that require little care are good choices. Native plants can “fill the bill” where nectar-seekers are concerned and should be used whenever possible.
Perennials that are recommended as nectar sources include butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), red basil (Calamintha coccinea), shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana), cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), firespike (Odontonema stricta), red star hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), and obedient plant (Physostegia spp.).
It’s also important to plant a mixture of nectar producing trees, vines and shrubs that have overlapping blooming seasons. This will insure that a continuous source of nectar will be available to hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Some of the species recommended include red buckeye, bottlebrush, firebush (Hamelia patens), wild azalea, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds are not strictly nectar feeders. Insects and other invertebrates are the primary source of protein for adult hummingbirds and their young. An adult female can consume up to 2,000 insects per day. Small invertebrates including mosquitoes, gnats, small bees, fruit flies, spiders, caterpillars, aphids, and insects eggs make up the hummingbirds diet. So keep your plants free of pesticides. Pesticides destroy the insect food base vital to hummingbirds and their offspring, and may also contaminate the nectar they drink.
And if you do use artificial feeders, remember that the sugar solutions must be kept fresh. Florida’s hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth in these feeders and birds that drink contaminated water could die. To avoid this, change the solution every 3 to 5 days. Clean the feeders with hot water and white vinegar. Do not use soap or chlorine bleach.
Local Unemployment Rate Drops
September 22, 2018
The latest job numbers released Friday show the employment rate decreasing in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9 percent in July to 3.6 percent in August. There were 5,347 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 4. 2percent.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate fell from 3.8 percent in July to 3.4 percent in August. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,734 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was3.7 percent in August, unchanged from the July rate,and down 0.3 percentage points from a year ago.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Milton Panthers Top The Tate Aggies By One
September 22, 2018
The Milton Panthers topped the Tate Aggies 35-34 Friday night.
Milton took an early 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game on a 40-yard run before going to a 14-0 lead on a 27-yard quarterback keeper.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Aggies were the board with a 36-yard touchdown run from senior Patrick Palmer, and the Aggies trailed 14-7. Then take two for Palmer as he scored again, 14-all.
Milton managed to go ahead 28-14 before take three for Palmer, this time from 66-yards out, and the Aggies were down by just one TD.
In the fourth quarterback Hunter Riggan scored on a keeper to even up the matchup at Milton, 28-28.
Then Panthers scored again, 35-28.
But wait the Aggies were not not done. Tate inched within one point as Riggan found Spencer Ruiz for a 63-yard score with 1:19 in the ballgame.
The Aggies decided go for two and the win, but Milton charged for a QB sack and their first win over Tate since 2012.
The Aggies (1-4) will be at Washington (0-5) next Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Battles Back To A 26-20 Win Over Holmes County
September 22, 2018
The Northview Chiefs battled to a 26-20 win over the Blue Devils of Holmes County Friday night in Bratt.
“It was battle against a good football team,” Northview head football coach Derek Marshman said. “We faced a lot of adversity throughout the game.”
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Holmes County capped their opening drive with a trip to the end zone and a 6-0 lead. The Chief recovered a Blue Devil fumble, with a quarterback keeper from Seth Killam setting up fourth and goal. Sophomore Jayden Jackson was in, tying it 6-6 in the second quarter.
The Chiefs were behind 13-6 at the half before dominating the third quarter of play.
Tied at 20-20 in the third, Jackson put the Chiefs on top in the fourth on an 80-yard touchdown run. Late in the fourth, the Blue D’s drove deep into Chief territory, but an interception by Lance McLaughlin sealed the win for the Chiefs.
“Our kids kept battling,” Marshman said. “They never quit; they never gave up. We had out backs against the wall multiple times, but this team is learning. Not just learning how to play the game, but learning how to be champions. They are learning how to fight, and they are learning how to do the little things that turn into big things.”
Friday night’s win put the Chiefs in positive territory on the season at 3-2.
“Each week we continue to get better. We are going continue to get better and be a really good football team,” Marshman said.
Northview will sit out next week before a homecoming matchup October 5 in Bratt against Jay. The Royals (3-2) lost Friday night to Escambia Academy 30-20.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Look for cheerleader, band and more photos by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
