Northview High Names 2017 Honors Graduates
May 26, 2017
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2017 Senior Awards Night.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 is Alyssa Brianna Borelli. Salutatorian is Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh.
The Northview High School Class of 2017 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are, in class rank order:
1. Alyssa Brianna Borelli — Valedictorian
2. Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh — Salutatorian
3. David Conrad Weber
4. Brandon Edward Korinchak
5. Elisabeth Claire Amerson
6. Hadley Marie Woodfin
7. Mitchell James Singleton
8. Daniel Kennedy Mascaro
9. Emily Michelle Heard
10. Jessica Lauren Stacey
11. Natalie Grace Barrow
12. Adrian Daniel King
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
13. Zachary Chase Sheldon
14. Autumn Grace Albritton
15. Shyla Nicole Pope
16. Alyssa Marie Bell
17. Mallory Olivia Gibson
18. Peighton Danielle Dortch
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
19. Morgan Alexis Myrick
20. Brittanie Nichole McLemore
21. Khari Adama Codrington
22. Victoria Anne Amerson
23. Brianna Morgan Smith
24. Kylie Brianne Brook
Scott Signs Off On Package Of Tax Breaks
May 26, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott signed a tax-cut package Thursday that — while vastly scaled back from what he wanted — eliminates the so-called “tampon tax” and offers tax holidays for back-to-school shoppers and Floridians preparing for hurricane season.
With the package offering $91.6 million in tax breaks during the upcoming year, Scott signed the measure (HB 7109) during a ceremony at 3Cinteractive in Boca Raton.
“Since I’ve been in office, I’ve fought to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations to help boost Florida’s economy and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “Every time we cut taxes, we are encouraging businesses of all sizes to create opportunities for families across the state, and more money is put back in taxpayers’ pockets.”
The savings are projected to reach $180 million over two years due to some permanent cuts.
Scott had requested $618.4 million in cuts before the legislative session, and an initial House package approached $300 million. But the package was scaled back substantially as the House and Senate negotiated a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Business lobbying groups Thursday were quick to praise Scott for signing the package. Floridians will get the first tax breaks next week, when they can buy hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes during a three-day “holiday” starting June 2.
“These tax cuts are going to be huge this year,” Florida Retail Federation spokesman James Miller said. “It hits a number of different sectors, and a number of different industries. Business owners across the state are going to be really happy with the result of this.”
The window on tax-free storm gear is timed with the start of the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1.
With the holiday estimated to save shoppers $4.5 million, sales taxes will not be collected during the period on items such as portable self-powered lights selling for $20 or less; portable self-powered radios and tarpaulins at $50 or less; first-aid kits up to $30; and portable generators up to $750.
The next high-profile savings, projected at $33.4 million, will come during a three-day back-to-school tax holiday set to begin Aug. 4.
Shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, footwear and backpacks costing $60 or less; school supplies costing $15 or less, and personal computers priced up to $750.
Two other key portions of the package, an elimination of sales taxes on feminine hygiene products and a reduction in a commercial lease tax, both go into effect on Jan. 1.
With the issue known as the “tampon tax,” eliminating sales taxes collected on products such as tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners, is expected to save $4.8 million for Floridians next fiscal year. The savings are to slated to grow to $11.2 million when the tax cut is in effect for a full year.
“This common sense legislation will result in a tax savings for women all over the state who purchase these necessary products,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who led efforts to repeal the tax.
Meanwhile, a reduction in the commercial lease tax from 6 percent to 5.8 percent is projected to save businesses $25.4 million next fiscal year, with that total growing to $61 million when the cut is in effect for a full year.
Business groups have long argued that the state should repeal the tax.
“The business rent tax reduction accounts for two-thirds of the overall cut in the package — that’s a significant show of support for small business and an indication that the Florida Legislature is serious about working toward fully repealing this burdensome tax,” Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business-Florida, said in a prepared statement.
Scott had asked for the lease tax to be dropped to 4.5 percent.
“The most significant steps are often the first ones we take on an issue, and this cut opens the door for future reductions of this burdensome tax,” Maria Wells, Florida Realtors president, said in a release.
The delayed Jan. 1 start to the feminine-hygiene and commercial-lease tax cuts is what helps increase the tax-cut package to $180 million when stretched over two years.
The package also includes several other smaller tax breaks.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Graduates Earn $1.33 Million In Scholarships
May 26, 2017
Northview High School has announced that the members of the Class of 2017 have earned $1.33 million in scholarships.
Scholarships were awarded or offered as follows:
Autumn Albritton
- Gary McAdams Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Victoria Anne Amerson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Natalie Grace Barrow
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Marie Bell
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
- UWF – Academic Excellence Schoalrship – $20,000
- Auburn University – Presidential Scholarhip – $72,000
- Coastal Alabama Comm College – Full Tuition – $12,624
- Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholts Justices Foundation – $1,500
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
- Valedictorian Award
- Navy League Scholarship – $1,000
- BBB Ethics Scholarshp – $1,000
Kylie Brook
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Katie Cmehil
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
Ohijie Elliott
- Foundation Scholarship – $75
De’asia Ja’shay Fountain
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Mallory Olivia Gibson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Gabrielle Hawkins
- Gwen Applequist Difference Maker Award – $1,000
Emily Michelle Heard
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Ta’keyzha Johnson
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
Adrian Daniel King
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Daysha Kite
- EREC Scholarship – $1,000
Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Walnut Hill Ruritan – $100
- PSC Academic – $3,600
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Daniel Mascaro
- Spring Hill Portier Award – $100,000
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Chase Olsen
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Malcom Jude Parham
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Shyla Nicole Pope
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Kaitlyn Pugh
- Salutatorian Award
Dustin Radcliffe
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Zachary Chase Sheldon
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $150
- University of West Florida – Academic Excellence – $12,000
- US Army ROTC – 3 yr – $135,000
- Navy ROTC – 4 Yr – $180,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Elks Lodge – $1,000
- Florence Krom & Johnny Stephanou Scholarship – $1,000
Mitchell James Singleton
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Barrineau Park Historical Society – $500
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Glen Key Award – $500
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship – $500
Brianna Morgan Smith
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star 4 yr – $750
- Northwest Florida Bowling Conference Scholarship – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
- PSC Academic – $3,600
Jessica Lauren Stacey
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Freshman Academic Excellence – Mississippi State – $6,000
David Conrad Weber
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Belmont University – Merit Scholarship – $40,000
- Jacksonville State University – Merit 15 Scholarship – $40,000
- SEU – Chancellor’s Scholarship – $12,000
- Troy University – Millineum Scholar’s Scholarship – $53,856
- University of Mobile – Presidential Merit – $48,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
Luke Ward
- Poarch Creek Tuition Assistance – $50,000
- Mercer – Athletic Scholarship – $192,000
Alston Wiggins
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Hadley Marie Woodfin
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- UWF Academic Excellence Scholarship – $12,000
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $3,456
Escambia Approves $89 Million Bond Issue To Build New County Jail
May 26, 2017
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to approve a bond issue of up to $89 million to construct a new county jail.
The project will consists of the planning, design and construction of a new 1,500 rated bed correctional facility on 14.65 at the corner of Fairfield Drive and Pace Boulevard.. It is expected to take three years to construct the facility, once plans are approved.
The total cost for the project will be $134 million — $89 million from the bond issue and the remainder from a FEMA grant of $50 million.
The bonds will be repaid by 2047 using Local Option Sales Tax Funds. The bond interest and fees will cos Escambia County about $9.5 million.
The Central Booking and Detention was damaged beyond repair during a natural gas explosion following flooding on April 30, 2014, forcing the county to find temporary housing for about 600 inmates. The new jail will replace the former Central Booking and Detention Center and the current Main Jail.
Health Officials Move Forward With Pot Process
May 26, 2017
After state lawmakers failed to act, health officials on Thursday laid out a framework for adopting regulations required by a voter-approved constitutional amendment that could make Florida one of the nation’s largest medical-marijuana markets.
The Florida Department of Health on Thursday issued a “Notice of Regulation Development Procedure” establishing the process the agency intends to use to carry out Amendment 2, given a thumbs-up by more than 71 percent of voters in November.
The amendment gave doctors the authority to order marijuana for a broad swath of patients with debilitating conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Doctors also have the power to order marijuana for “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.”
During the legislative session that ended May 8, lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a measure to carry out the constitutional amendment. A key sticking point involved a cap on the number of retail outlets the state’s licensed medical-marijuana operators would be allowed to run.
Currently, Florida’s seven medical marijuana operators can open an unlimited number of dispensaries. That’s based on a 2014 law, intended to provide non-euphoric cannabis treatment for children with severe epilepsy. That law paved the way for the state’s medical marijuana industry.
The industry is expected to explode after the passage of the constitutional amendment, under which at least 420,000 patients in Florida could be eligible for medical marijuana, according to the most recent health department estimates.
The regulation-creating process proposed Thursday by the Department of Health is a shift from typical proceedings, governed by Florida administrative law.
The constitutional amendment gives health officials until July 3 to craft rules to implement the amendment and until Oct. 3 to put the rules into effect.
But typical administrative-law procedures include timelines for challenges and revisions that could push finalization of the department’s regulations far beyond the constitutional deadlines.
Under the process proposed by the agency on Thursday, health officials would give notice 15 days before adopting a new rule. The public would have three days to weigh in on the proposal.
The framework, which would do away with the administrative-law process, lacks guidelines for how to challenge or appeal agency decisions about the pot regulations.
The implementation scheme also apparently does away with a proposed rule that health officials floated earlier this year to try to implement the amendment.
The proposal comes amid bipartisan demands that lawmakers revisit the medical marijuana issue during a special session. The could be unlikely to happen unless Gov. Rick Scott vetoes portions of the budget, forcing the Legislature to come back to Tallahassee for issues other than pot.
In a telephone interview Thursday with The News Service of Florida, Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who was instrumental in passing the state’s 2014 non-euphoric cannabis law and who remains a major player on medical-marijuana issues, credited the health department’s attempts to move forward with regulations to meet the July deadline.
But Bradley said he feared the department would develop regulations built on current Florida law — finalized before the constitutional amendment went into effect — while awaiting guidance from the Legislature.
If so, agency officials likely won’t revisit key issues such as a required 90-day waiting period before doctors are able to order marijuana treatment, something patients have strenuously objected to because they say it creates a significant barrier to treatment for dying or extremely ill Floridians.
“I don’t see the department doing anything bold. My sense is they are going to preserve the status quo until such time as the Legislature acts. I support the department’s desire to remove any legal cloud over people’s ability to receive this medicine pursuant to the current provisions that are in place,” Bradley, a former prosecutor, said. “We need to do more than that, though. And that’s the Legislature’s job.”
Even if lawmakers don’t take up the issue during a special session this summer, committee meetings will begin in the fall in advance of the 2018 session, which begins in January.
“The Legislature is going to be in Tallahassee no later than around 100 days from now, and possibly earlier if the governor vetoes all or a portion of the budget,” Bradley said. “There are opportunities for the Legislature to deal with medical marijuana.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
May 26, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for May. They are Summer Waters, eighth grade; Payton Gilchrist, seventh grade; and Kaylie Leger, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Top Braves
May 26, 2017
In a game that featured arguably the Southern League’s two best pitchers, one swing of the bat by Josh VanMeter proved to be the difference.
Austin Ross and Kolby Allard own the two lowest ERAs in the Southern League and Thursday’s contest proved exactly why. Ross held the Braves to just three hits over his seven innings while his only walk occurred when he gave Keith Curcio a free pass to lead off the second inning.
After allowing a first-inning double to Travis Demeritte, Ross settled in and only allowed two hits the rest of the night. He wound finishing the game retiring 18 of the last 20 batters improving his perfect record to 5-0.
Kolby Allard, who is the third best prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization according to Baseball America, lasted only five innings and was touched up for six hits in his fifth start of the year at Trustmark Park.
After a one-two-three first inning, Allard allowed baserunners in each of his last four innings. In the fifth inning after Allard struck out Ross, Tyler Goeddel hit a ground-rule double before Alex Blandino popped out for the second out of the inning. That set the stage for Josh VanMeter to uncork his first homerun of the season and put the Wahoos up 2-0.
The Wahoos had a chance to put up even more offense in the inning after back-to-back hits from Aristides Aquino and Eric Jagielo before Allard intentionally walked Gabriel Guerrero to load the bases. However, Blake Trahan ended the inning when he grounded out to Joey Meneses to end the threat.
Pensacola’s bullpen turned in another exemplary performance with two more shutout innings in relief. Ariel Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth inning to pick up his league-leading seventh hold of the season. Jimmy Herget came into the ninth and despite allowing a base hit to Meneses struck out the side to clinch his 12th save of the year.
The Wahoos bullpen has only allowed one earned run in their least 20.1 innings pitched (0.44 ERA).
With the victory, tonight in conjunction with the Shuckers loss to Jacksonville, Pensacola moves into sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division with their 26-21 record. In the 2017 season the Wahoos have spent 44 of 49 days either tied or alone in first place.
Deputies: Man Douses Girlfriend With Gas, Threatens To Set Her On Fire
May 25, 2017
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with attacking his live-in girlfriend, dousing her with gasoline and threatening to set her on fire.
Dustin Lamar Hastings, 29, was charged with kidnapping/false imprisonment and battery after the incident on Pineville Road.
The victim told deputies that Hastings became enraged, throwing a coffee table across the couple’s living room and throwing a lamp through a window.
The victim exited the home, she told deputies, with Hastings following. She said he poured gasoline on her and her vehicle, telling her that if she tried to leave he would set her on fire. He then grabbed her by her hair, pushed her down and dragged her up a driveway and forced her back inside. She attempted to leave, with Hastings pushing her against a wall, according to an arrest report.
The victim was eventually able to escape and called law enforcement from a relative’s home. Atmore Ambulance also responded, but the victim refused medical treatment.
Hastings was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Tate High Names Top Graduates, Presents Senior Awards
May 25, 2017
Tate High School named their top graduates and presented senior awards Wednesday night for the Class of 2017.
Samantha Elizabeth Brown was named valedictorian with a final GPA of 5.2706. She was a member of the Tate Orchestra where she was an All-County Violinist, Assistant Principal Violin and Concertmaster. She was a member of the Tate Academic Team and All-County Academic Team member, and a member of the Tate Robotics Team. Brown was also a member of the National Honor Society, president of Mu Alpha Theta and vice president of the Science National Honor Society. She volunteered at the West Florida Public Library and was assistant coach of the Ransom Middle School Academic Team. Brown will attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville to study chemical engineering.
Taylor Bay Best was named salutatorian with a final GPA of 5.0963. She is a Biomedical Science Academy graduate and a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Community Caregivers and the National Beta Club. Best has volunteered at West Florida Hospital for three years. She will attend the University of West Florida to major in Chemistry, minor in Spanish, and later aspires to attend medical school to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
The Tate High School Class of 2017 will graduate at 6 p.m. Friday at the Pensacola Bay Center. A live video stream will be available by clicking here.
Notable awards presented to the Tate High Class of 2017 Wednesday night included:
United States Military Academy (West Point) Appointment — Shania Harris
National Merit Commended Scholars – Matthew Fowler and Ethan Sutley
The Top Ten Percent of the Tate High School Class of 2017 is as follows:
- Samantha Elizabeth Brown — Valedictorian
- Taylor Bay Best — Salutatorian
- Delaney Isabella Beal
- Megan Elizabeth Gulsby
- Alyssa Baye Spencer
- Raymond Andrew Freeman
- Ethan Charles Sutley
- Carmen Elizabeth McCrackin
- Hayden Michael Aiken
- Jacob Herrington Ishee
- Katherine Claire Luebke
- Kathryn Rilla Orren
- Sally Jane Van Raemdonck
- Alexander Joseph Miller
- Matthew John Fowler
- Abigail Elizabeth Edgar
- Shaylyn Marie Caro Thompson
- Brennan Steven Infinger
- Jakira Ashley Davis
- Sheradan Maclean Stillwell
- Alexis Nicole Wilson
- Chance Riley Bellflower
- Hannah Marie Saulnier
- Dawn Margaret Looney
- Zyreshia Kapri Jackson
- Kyle Randall Cooper
- Kayli Lyn Talbot
- Sarah Ann Cavanaugh
- Brooke Ashley Robertson
- Madison Rose Rondeau
- Kristen Elaine Schultz
- Jacob Tyler Atkins
- Samantha Nicole Monasterio
- David Wayne Oglesby
- Hayley N Brown
- McKenna Leigh Smith
- Michael Joseph Brennan
- Corben Zachary Young
- Brine Deborah Bennett
- Joe Ed Estes
- Michael Jerome Roberts
- John Daniel Franklin
- Logan Gregory Blackmon
- Skye Madison King
- Madeline Rose Caranci
- Morgan Leanne Snow
- Kayla Nicole Underwood
- Joanna Deveda Snow
Tate Drops Regional Final To Nease In 10
May 25, 2017
The Tate Aggies fell in extra innings Wednesday to the Nease Panthers in the Region 1-7A Final.
The lead passed back and forth between Tate and Nease (Ponte Vedra, FL), with the Panthers prevailing 5-4 on a single in the top of the tenth.
The Aggies took an early lead in the second inning. Hunter NeSmith’s sacrifice fly scored one run for Tate. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Tate tied things up at four when NeSmith drove in one when he doubled.
Logan McGuffey took the loss for Tate. He went four innings, giving up one run, two hits, striking out four, and walking zero.
For Tate — Reid Halfacre 3-5, 2B; Logan Blackmon R; Kyler Hultgren 1-3; Michael Potts 2 R; Jesse Sherrill 1-3, R, RBI; Hunter NeSmith 1-3, 2 RBI 2B; Corben Young 1-3.
Tate was state ranked and won the Aggie Classic and the Sarasota Classic during the regular season.