Florida House Starts Moving On Higher Education Overhaul
March 26, 2017
A Florida House committee has endorsed its version of a higher-education reform bill, including expanding Bright Futures scholarships and requiring state universities to begin using “block” tuition.
The bill (HB 3), sponsored by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, is the House’s answer to Senate President Joe Negron’s effort (SB 2) to elevate Florida’s higher-education system by increasing scholarship opportunities, tightening performance standards for state colleges and universities and encouraging more students to graduate on time. The Senate bill passed 35-1 in the first week of the legislative session.
The House and Senate bills are similar, but the House is taking a different direction on a number of issues.
Both bills would expand the top-level Bright Futures award for “academic scholars” to cover full tuition and fees for those students who qualify for the merit-based aid. It would also provide $300 for the fall and spring semesters for textbooks and other costs.
The Senate would expand the scholarship for “academic scholars” to the summer semester, while Avila said the House wants to expand summer support to all Bright Future recipients, including “medallion scholars”” and “gold seal vocational scholars.”
While agreeing with the Senate that the 12 state universities should have block tuition in place by the fall of 2018, the House would require “at a minimum” that the plans allow students to pay no tuition or fees for classes exceeding 15 credit hours per semester. The other details of the tuition plan, which would replace the current per-credit hour charge with a flat per-semester fee, would have to be worked out by the individual universities.
The House bill, which was approved in an 11-3 vote by the Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee, would be a little more lenient in its graduation-rate performance standards for state colleges and universities.
The House would measure state colleges by graduating full-time students who finish their degrees or certificate programs within 150 percent of the normal completion time, which would be three years for a two-year associate degree. The colleges would get extra credit for students who complete their programs within 100 percent of the normal time, which is closer to the Senate standard.
The Senate wants to measure university undergraduate programs on a four-year graduation basis. The House also would use a four-year measure, but would add a six-year measure with weighting for four-year graduations.
The House bill leaves out several programs in the Senate legislation, including a plan to reward top-performing graduate programs, a scholarship program for students from farmworker families and a plan to expand a tuition-free program for national merit scholars to out-of-state students.
The House bill includes a program to attract top-level faculty and would double a state matching grant for “first-generation” students, which are both in the Senate bill.
David Armstrong, president of Broward College, which last week was named a runner-up for a national award recognizing top-performing community colleges, urged the House committee and lawmakers to proceed cautiously on the changes.
“One of the frustrating and challenging things for us in education at any level is when law or policies or funding formulas, no matter how good they are, keep changing on us,” Armstrong said.
He also said the 150 percent graduation measure was more realistic for the state colleges, where a majority of students attend part time.
Armstrong questioned another provision in the House bill that would measure colleges based on their completion of two-year associate degrees but then hold the colleges accountable for their students finishing four-year degrees at state universities.
“We do not have control over them,” Armstrong said, referring to the college students who move to university campuses.
Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, voted against the bill, saying “this proposal in many respects will have a negative impact on Florida A&M University.”
FAMU could be financially penalized under the Senate and House bill provisions related to graduating students within four years. Based on the students who graduated in 2015, only 13.4 percent of FAMU’s students met that standard, which was the lowest in the 12-university system.
Noting the majority of FAMU students are receiving need-based financial aid and some have to work to stay in school, Alexander said “the one-size-fits-all approach” will hurt some schools.
“We’re picking winners and we’re picking losers,” he said. “I have a problem with that.”
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Vandals Strike Century’s Anthony Pleasant Park
March 26, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a case of vandalism at Century’s Anthony Pleasant Park.
Someone spray painted references to “Weed” along with vulgarities and obscene images around the football field, including on the press box, press box window and a light pole. They also destroyed a custom made “Century, Home of the Blackcats” sign that was painted and donated by a local resident last September.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620. Callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to provide their name and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Anthony Pleasant Park is named after Century native Anthony Pleasant, two-time Super Bowl champion. The park was dedicated in his honor in July 2011.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Program Honors Vietnam Veterans
March 26, 2017
The Atmore VFW Auxiliary hosted its fourth annual Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony (formerly known as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day) Saturday at the Atmore YMCA.
Vietnam veterans from South Alabama and Northwest Florida in attendance were honored for their service and sacrifice.
“You answered the call of your country and you did it well,” guest speaker Judge Jeff White told the veterans. “I pray there will always be heroes like you.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Lifters Take On Regionals, Set Personal Records
March 26, 2017
The Northview Boy’s weightlifting team competed today at Baker in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 Regional Meet.
Placing for the Chiefs were:
M.J. Jones – 139-lb. weight class – 4th Place – 400-lb. total* (210-lb. bench press*; 190-lb. clean and jerk*)
Ohijie Elliott – 154-lb. weight class – 3rd Place – 510-lb. total* (275-lb. bench press*; 235-lb. clean and jerk*)
Chase Olsen – 169-lb. weight class – 5th Place – 525-lb. total* (275-lb. bench press; 250-lb. clean and jerk)
(* denotes new Personal Record)
All three lifters are eligible for at-large berths to the state weightlifting meet in Deland on April 8th. The results of other regions will determine if they qualify for the state weightlifting meet.
Photo For NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Kids Fishing Clinic Set For April
March 26, 2017
Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling appreciation for our marine environment and providing fun, family outings are the objectives for the Kids’ Fishing Clinic in Pensacola on April 8.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will offer a free Kids’ Fishing Clinic for children between the ages of 5 and 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main Street.
These free clinics enable young people to learn the basics of conservation stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, environmental displays will offer participants a unique chance to experience Florida’s marine life firsthand.
Kids’ Fishing Clinics strive to achieve several goals, but the main objective is to create responsible marine-resource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems. In addition, organizers hope to teach fundamental saltwater fishing skills and provide participants a positive fishing experience.
Fishing equipment and bait are provided for kids to use during the clinic, but organizers encourage children who own fishing tackle to bring it. A limited number of rods and reels will be given away to participants upon completion of the clinic.
If conditions allow, participants will have the opportunity to practice their new skills and fish from the pier. This event is a photo catch-and-release activity. An adult must accompany all participants. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and will end when 350 participants are registered.
Earth Day Celebration Planned
March 26, 2017
The Century Health and Rehabilitation Center is planning an Earth Day Celebration for Saturday, April 22. Vendor applications are being accepted now. Contact Mae at (850) 256-1540 or mae.hildreth@gmail.com for information. Pictured: Earth Day 2016 at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Taking It To The Streets: Pensacola Celebrates Ciclovia
March 26, 2017
The inaugural Ciclovia Open Streets Pensacola was held Saturday.
Open Streets Pensacola was a free, safe, and inclusive event that focused on fitness, recreation, and community programs along five miles of road for people to experience the streets in a new way.
Participants were invited to bike, walk, run, skate, roll, or dance their way through the scenic and historic routes of downtown Pensacola. There were numerous activities along the route including fitness classes, sports demonstrations, music, dancing, helmet fittings, a bike skills clinic, plus games and fun activities for all ages.
Ciclovia, also called Open Streets, started in South America and has since been held worldwide for more than 30 years in more than 400 cities.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Unemployment Rate Declines
March 25, 2017
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 5.5 percent in January to 4.8 percent in February. There were 6,812 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 4.9 percent.
“We continue to see economic growth in communities throughout the state and the Pensacola area is no exception. I am proud to announce that businesses in the Pensacola area created more than 4,000 new jobs over the year.” Gov. Rick Scott said.
The industries with the most job growth in the Pensacola area over the year were leisure and hospitality with 1,900 new jobs and trade, transportation and utilities with 1,100 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,588 job openings in February, including 1,442 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
Santa Rosa County unemployment rate fell from 5.1 percent in January to 4.4 percent in February. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,396 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4.4 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate held at 5 percent from January to February and matches the mark for the state a year ago, according to numbers released Friday by the Department of Economic Opportunity. The latest numbers reflect 501,000 Floridians out of work from labor force of 10 million. The state’s unemployment rate remains above the national figure of 4.7 percent.
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.
Making Progress: Century Burns About One-Half Of 2016 Tornado Debris
March 25, 2017
In just over a week, the Town of Century has burned about one-half of the vegetative debris that was left behind when an EF-3 tornado that ripped through town on February 15, 2016.
The downed trees were transported to an empty lot in the town’s industrial park. Piles were created for burning out of about 800 dump truck loads of trees and other vegetative debris from the tornado.
The first of those piles was burned Tuesday, March 14. Town employees are burning the piles under permits issued daily from the Florida Forest Service.
Pictured: Piles of 2016 tornado debris remaining to be burned in the Century Industrial Park on Friday afternoon, March 24, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bald Eagle Released Back Into The Wild
March 25, 2017
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida released a juvenile bald eagle back into the wild Friday.
Mardi Gras the Eagle was found at the Santa Rosa County landfill and was taken to the wildlife sanctuary for rehab when they realized Mardi wasn’t doing too well. The sanctuary believes the eagle is about two years old and a female because her wingspan is about eight feet. Females are always larger than males.
It takes five years for a bald eagle to get a white head, white tail and yellow beak. So in about three more years, Mardi will look a lot different.
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida will hold heir annual Baby Shower and Open House April 15 from noon until 3:30. Visitors can see birds of prey, feed the pelicans, see numerous other animals, take part in children’s games, wildlife crafts and much more. Admission is free.
The Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 105 North S Street in Pensacola.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.