Urban School Districts Helped At Expense Of Rural Districts?
August 21, 2017
Two Republican senators havey requested a study of a long-controversial part of Florida’s school-funding formula, arguing it helps urban school districts at the expense of suburban and rural districts.
Senate Education Chairwoman Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, and Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, sent a letter to Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, seeking a study of what is known as the “district cost differential.”
That part of the school-funding formula takes into account costs of living in different parts of the state and has repeatedly spurred legislative debates over the years. In the letter, Hukill and Hutson said, in part, that the so-called DCD has the effect of reducing money allotted to some school districts while increasing money going to other districts.
They requested that the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability “conduct a study of the DCD and provide recommendations on what factors are used to determine the DCD, what the appropriate formula should be, how allocations should be distributed among the school districts, are there alternatives to the DCD, and whether the DCD should be eliminated.”
by The News Service of Florida
Mississippi Downs Wahoos 3-2 On Walk-off Single
August 21, 2017
Thanks to first baseman Gavin LaValley, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos tied the game 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning.
LaValley smacked a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in right fielder Gabriel Guerrero but the Mississippi Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and shortstop Dylan Moore delivered a single to right field that scored pinch runner Joey Meneses to give the Braves a, 3-2, victory Sunday at Trustmark Park.
Pensacola won the five-game series, 3-2.
The Blue Wahoos fell to 26-29 in the second half in the Southern Division and the first half champions are 66-59 overall this season. Meanwhile, Mississippi improved to 16-37 in the second half and 50-73 overall.
For the second game in a row, Pensacola’s bats betrayed them. They were hitting .294 and averaging 8.5 runs a game but only earned four hits Sunday, after earning three the day before.
Mississippi righty Wes Parsons threw seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits, a walk and striking out six Pensacola batters.
The Braves led 2-0 when he left the game scoring a run in the second inning when second baseman Travis Demeritte doubled, his 17th of the year, to score left fielder Jared James, who had hit his sixth triple of the season, which tied him for third in the Southern League.
In the sixth inning, Mississippi scored the second time when third baseman Austin Riley singled on a ground ball to center field that drove in right fielder Tyler Neslony.
Pensacola finally scored in the eighth inning when second baseman Alberti Chavez grounded into a double play that scored center fielder Jonathan Reynoso from third base to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 2-1.
Starting for Pensacola Sunday was right-hander Jose Lopez who pitched six innings, allowed two runs on five hits and no walks and struck out six. He didn’t factor in the decision and is 7-1 with a 2.50 ERA.
Pensacola closer Zack Weiss, who has nine saves for Pensacola, blew his third save opportunity and earned the loss to fall to 2-3 with a 3.93 ERA. He gave up two hits and walked one in 0.2 innings of relief.
Local Unemployment Falls Slightly
August 21, 2017
The latest job numbers show the employment rate falling slightly in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent in July, down slightly from 4.4 percent in June. There were 6,195 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 5.2 percent.
“Over the last year, more than 3,000 jobs were created for Pensacola families, which is great news. Our commitment to keeping taxes low has played a major role in turning around our economy and we will continue to fight to cut additional taxes and keep taxes low for generations to come,” Gov. Rick Scott said Friday.
The industries with the highest growth over the year in Pensacola were leisure and hospitality with 1,500 new jobs and professional and business services with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 5,195 job openings in July, including 1,712 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent in July, down from 4.2 percent in June. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,281 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4.9 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from June to July, holding at 4.1 percent, as the state reported a slight decline in the number of people working. The latest estimates, released by the state Department of Economic Opportunity, reflected about 411,000 Floridians out of work in July from a workforce of 10.1 million.
The state unemployment rate remains below the national rate of 4.3 percent. The state agency estimated a drop of 24,000 people in the overall workforce from June to July, while the number of people out of work fell by 9,000. Gov. Rick Scott used the monthly data release to say the state has created 1.4 million jobs since he took office, doubling a pledge from his 2010 campaign.
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.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Davis Highway Crash Claims Life Of Motorcyclist
August 20, 2017
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Davis Highway early Saturday evening..
The Florida Highway Patrol said 57-year old Tony Isaac of Pensacola was traveling east on Davis Highway approaching Smiths Fish Camp Road on a 2014 Harley. That’s when a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by 27-year Jacquina McCall of Pensacola changed lanes into his path.
Isaac took evasive action, swerving into a turn lane. He collided with a 2013 Dodge Avenger driven by 60-year old Deborah Brown of Pensacola. Isaac was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Brown and McCall were not injured.
Any charges are pending the outcome of a FHP investigation.
Cantonment’s Historic Champion Golf Course Closes
August 20, 2017
The historic Champion Golf Course in Cantonment has closed, but the owners hope for a reopening.
The 9-hole public course at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road is owned by International Paper and was leased to an independent operator that requested to end his lease, according to Whitney Fike, spokesperson for IP.
“The company intends to find another operator to reopen the golf course. Since this could take some time, we ask for your patience on this matter. International Paper is committed to being a great neighbor in the communities where we live and work,” Fike said.
The facility includes a practice range, putting green and practice bunker.
The course was listed in the Florida Department of State’s “Florida Heritage Trail” series. According to the Panhandle Historic Preservation Alliance, the Champion Golf Course opened in 1941, the same year the paper mill then known as the Pensacola Mill opened. The Pensacola Mill became a wholly owned subsidiary of the St. Regis Paper Company in 1946 and merged with St. Regis in 1949. Champion International Corporation and St. Regis merged in 1984, and International Paper acquired Champion in 2000.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Eclipse Will Impact Gulf Power Solar Generation, But No Service Disruptions
August 20, 2017
Gulf Power says customers can enjoy viewing a partial eclipse without worrying about any disruption in service caused by the eclipse.
“Even though our solar arrays are online, there will be no impact in service to customers from the solar eclipse because of our balanced energy mix that includes renewables like wind and solar, but also 24/7 energy sources like natural gas and low-cost, cleaner-than-ever coal,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson.
There will be minimum impact, according to DelaHaya, from the loss of solar generation at the new Gulf Coast Solar Center thanks to the adequate reserves of other generation fuels on hand to handle the temporary darkness.
“Gulf Power customers will not experience any energy problems because of the eclipse,” added DelaHaya “We will have plenty of 24/7 clean, low-cost reliable energy on hand to handle the demands of our customers.”
The Gulf Coast Solar Center is part of Gulf Power’s robust energy mix, and spans 940 acres across three Navy and Air Force sites in Northwest Florida, generating 120 megawatts of electricity from 1.5 million photovoltaic solar panels, enough energy to power nearly 18,000 homes each year across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
“With the energy needs of our customers covered, we encourage everyone to take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness the first solar eclipse to travel coast-to-coast in almost 100 years,” added DelaHaya. “This is a rare event that won’t happen again until 2045.”
In the Gulf Power service footprint, the partial eclipse begins around noon and reaches maximum coverage of 82 percent between 1:37 p.m. in Pensacola and 1:39 p.m. in Panama City. It ends at 3:03 p.m. in Pensacola and 3:05 p.m. in Panama City.
Pictured Gulf Power employees James Craven and Rick DeleHaya are ready for Monday’s solar eclipse with their ISO 12312-2 standard viewing glasses. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Powerball Winner, Jackpot Jumps to $650 Million For Wednesday
August 20, 2017
There were no winner’s in Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. The jackpot for next Wednesday’s drawing is currently estimated at $650 million.
A winner who opts for a cash payout will receive $411.7 million, minus taxes.
Saturday’s winning numbers were 17-19-39-43-68, a Powerball of 13 and Power Play of 4.
In the Saturday night drawing, there were $2 million winners in South Carolina and Tennessee and $1 million winners in California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The odds of winning a Powerball drawng are 1 in 292.2 million. The game is played i 44 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Hundreds Attend Library Eclipse Program, Viewing Event On Monday
August 20, 2017
About 600 people attended solar eclipse educational programs Saturday at the main branch West Florida Library in preparation of a viewing event on Monday.
Special guest speaker, Dr. Wayne Wooten from Pensacola State College, presented the hows and whys of the upcoming solar eclipse during Saturday’s program.
Beginning Monday at noon, the main library at 239 Spring Street will host a viewing event. The library’s solar eclipse telescope will be set up (weather permitting) to allow patrons to have a safe viewing of the total solar eclipse. West Florida Public Libraries will give away free solar viewing glasses provided by the National Science Foundation while supplies last.
Pictured: Hundreds attended a solar eclipse educational event Saturday at the Pensacola library. Photo for NorthEscambia.com
Want To See More Of The Eclipse? Visit Century Or Hit I-65
August 20, 2017
Want to see more of Monday’s solar eclipse? Then get out of Pensacola and head to North Escambia, in particular Century where about 2 percent more of the sun will be covered.
It’s really just a small difference, but assuming the same sky conditions in both locations, it will mean Century will be 2 percent darker than downtown Pensacola.
In downtown Pensacola, a maximum of 81.42 percent of the sun will be obscured at 1:35:35 p.m. In Century, 83.42 percent of the sun will be obscured by the moon.
If you’d like to drive a little bit, head north on I-65 where the moon will cover 90 percent of the sun in Montgomery, 93 percent in Birmingham, 97 percent in Huntsville and 100 percent in Nashville.
Pictured: A representation of the eclipse coverage in Century. Courtesy timeanddate.com.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
August 20, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
· Gregory Street to I-110 northbound on ramp Bridge Painting– The shoulder of the Gregory Street to I-110 northbound on ramp will be restricted from 8 p.m.to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 through Friday, Sept. 1 as crews perform painting operations.
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24.
· Alternating east and westbound lane closures on I-10 and north and southbound on U.S. 29.
· Intermittent closure of the U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp and the U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
· Intermittent closure of the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south ramp (Exit 10A). Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10B.
· Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north ramp (Exit 10B).
· Beginning Monday, Aug. 21 commercial truck traffic will be allowed to use the right lane of I-10 eastbound near U.S. 29.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on I-10, between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17), and on Scenic Highway near the I-10 interchange from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24 as crews perform construction activities.
· I-110 Routine Maintenance- Intermittent and alternating lane restrictions on I-110 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 and Tuesday, Aug. 22 as crews replace overhead and sign lights in the median.
· U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform drainage and bridge operations as follows:
· Northbound U.S. 29: Sunday, Aug. 20 and Monday, Aug. 21 northbound U.S. 29 south of the Nine Mile Road overpass will be reduced to one lane and detoured to the Nine Mile Road off ramp as crews install drainage. Traffic control officers will be located at the Nine Mile Road intersection to direct traffic.
· Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: Eastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound, inside travel lane as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
· U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Alternating lane closures continue as crews perform drainage operations.
· State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 (Bayfront Parkway) between 14th Avenue and the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 26. Tuesday, Aug. 22 lane closures will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be clearing vegetation and removing curb, sidewalk, and traffic separators.
· S.R. 4 Underground Utilities between CSX Railroad Crossing and Old Flomaton Road- Westbound lane restriction from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 as crews perform underground utility work.
· I-10 Routine Maintenance from east of U.S. 29 (Exit 10) and Davis Highway (Exit 13)- Intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane restrictions between U.S. 29 and Davis Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 and Thursday, Aug. 24 as crews repair overhead lights and signs.
· S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway– Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. continue as crews perform sidewalk repairs and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22)- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange as crews reconstruct the Avalon Boulevard overpass.
· U.S. 90 over Simpson River Bridge near Pace Pavement Coring Operations- Intermittent east and westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 as crews take roadway samples for testing.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB Boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads under 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place through the completion of the project.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.