Motorcyclist Critical After Escambia Crash
February 13, 2017
An Escambia County man critically injured in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 46-year old Dallas Rawlings was traveling east on Sorrento and ran off the roadway while attempting to pass several other vehicles. Rawlings was ejected from the motorcyle. He was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in critical condition.
Molino’s Troop 430 Celebrates Scout Sunday
February 13, 2017
Sunday was “Scout Sunday” at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. During the morning worship service, the scouts and leaders of Troop 430 Molino were honored with God and Family Awards and a slideshow of activities was presented. Scouts also received thee 2017 Scout Sunday Patch.
Troop 430 meets each week at Aldersgate UMC.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atwater Stepping Down From Cabinet Post
February 13, 2017
State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced that he will leave his elected position for a job at Florida Atlantic University after the upcoming legislative session.
Gov. Rick Scott will name a replacement for Atwater, who has held the Cabinet post since getting elected in 2010. The CFO position will be on the ballot again in 2018.
Atwater, a former Senate president whose political future has long been the subject of speculation, unsuccessfully sought to become Florida Atlantic president three years ago. He will serve as a vice president at the Boca Raton school managing finances and economic development.
“While I would have preferred to embrace this opportunity at a later date, the timing of crucial university initiatives warranted an accelerated transition,” the North Palm Beach Republican said in a statement.
“As a parent of FAU graduates, I cannot think of a better place to begin the next phase of my career,” Atwater added in a release from the university.
Atwater, who had considered a U.S. Senate run in 2016, is in his second term as CFO and would be prevented from seeking reelection next year due to term limits.
Atwater’s statewide post pays $128,972 a year. At FAU, he will replace Dorothy Russell, who retired in January after a decade at the university and was paid nearly $250,000 last year.
The 60-day legislative session begins March 7. Atwater, 58, noted in the statement that leaving after the session will give Scott “sufficient time” to name a replacement to serve out the remainder of Atwater’s term.
Scott, in a statement praising Atwater, said he would begin the process of making an appointment.
“I got to know CFO Jeff Atwater well in 2010 on the campaign trail, and like me, he has been laser-focused on keeping the cost of living low for all Floridians,” Scott said in his statement. “I am proud that the state has paid down over $7.6 billion in debt since 2011 and CFO Atwater has aggressively helped us achieve that goal. He has fought to reduce burdensome regulations that hinder job growth, protect families from financial fraud and has traveled the state to return more than $1 billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners.”
Atwater, a banker who started his political career on the North Palm Beach Village Council in 1993, was elected to the state House in 2000 and moved to the Senate in 2002. He served as Senate president for the 2009 and 2010 sessions.
Current Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, issued a statement calling Atwater “one of the leading fixtures in Florida government for the last 15 years.”
“When I was elected to the Senate in 2009, we were in the middle of the recession and working to balance a budget, while dealing with a multibillion-dollar shortfall,” Negron said. “I will always remember CFO Atwater’s strong and determined leadership during this extremely trying time. I know he will serve FAU with the same tenacity.”
As chief financial officer, Atwater teamed with Scott in 2012 to push legislation intended to reform the personal-injury protection portion of auto insurance coverage. However, the two also clashed in 2015 over the abrupt departure of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, whose exit was orchestrated by the governor’s office.
Atwater was elected chief financial officer with 57 percent of the vote in 2010, and he got 59 percent when he was re-elected four years later.
Scott’s decision about appointing a replacement for Atwater could play a critical role in the 2018 contest for the Cabinet seat. The appointee could have a leg up in running for a full term in the job.
Nobody has opened a campaign account to run for the office in 2018, according to the state Division of Elections website. However, the names of a number of potential appointees have already been floated.
Those names include Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who Scott appointed to his current post after Jennifer Carroll was asked to leave the administration in 2013. Other names include former state Rep. Tom Grady and state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Tom Lee of Thonotosassa, Lizbeth Benacquisto of Fort Myers and Jack Latvala of Clearwater.
Latvala has been an ally of Scott on economic incentives and recently floated a potential candidacy for governor in 2018.
Grady, a Naples neighbor of Scott, is currently vying to become president of Florida Gulf Coast University. He has been appointed in the past by the governor to the State Board of Education and to lead the Office of Financial Regulation.
At FAU, Atwater will report to President John Kelly, who landed the job Atwater briefly pursued in January 2014.
“When I approached Jeff about joining us here, it was immediately obvious he cares passionately about FAU,” Kelly said in a prepared statement. “There is no better person to help guide this university’s finances and corporate relationships as we continue with unbridled ambition to make FAU America’s fastest improving university.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Save Your Sweetheart First Aid Class Tuesday At Molino Library
February 13, 2017
Escambia County residents can learn basic first aid skills Tuesday, february 14 at 6 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
Escambia County Fire Rescue staff will provide basic first aid techniques and tips to keep residents and their Valentine’s Day sweethearts safe and healthy. An additional first aid class for teens 13-17 will be offered Tuesday, February 21 at 6 p.m.
These classes are not for certification.
For information on these and other library events, call (850) 436-5060.
The Molino Branch Library is located at , 6450-A Highway 95A North in the Molino Community Complex.
20 Years Overdue For Inspection: Are The Bridges In Century Safe?
February 12, 2017
NorthEscambia.com has learned that town-maintained bridges in Century have not been inspected in years… at least one since 1995…about 22 years ago.
State law mandates that most bridges be inspected at least every two years.
Bridges are then classified as being safe, or as “functionally obsolete” or “structurally deficient”.
“Functionally obsolete” means that the bridge design is outdated. For example, narrow shoulders, narrow lanes, or older traffic barriers can induce the functionally obsolete classification. Functionally obsolete bridges are scheduled for replacement or rehabilitation as budgets permit.
“Structurally deficient” bridges are recommended for repair, or scheduled for replacement; meanwhile, they are posted as necessary for load, or closed.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins says the town is working to hire a bridge inspection company or seven town-maintained bridges.
Pictured: A culvert aNorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bright Futures, Block Tuition Changes Backed
February 12, 2017
With debates over block tuition at state universities and graduating state college students more quickly, a Senate panel backed a bill that would expand Bright Futures scholarships, impose stricter graduation standards and increase financial aid for first-generation students.
The bill (SB 2) is part of Senate President Joe Negron’s higher-education initiative. It cleared the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee in a 5-1 vote, with opposition from Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth.
Clemens unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill, including with a proposal to let the 12 state universities review the financial impact of block tuition before mandating its use in the fall of 2018.
A move to block tuition would require undergraduates to pay a flat tuition rate per semester, rather than be billed on the current credit-hour basis. The bill would require block tuition but leave it up to the universities to develop the specific plans.
Clemens said he was concerned that if the proposal results in universities only charging for what now represents 12 credit hours per semester but students take 15 or more credit hours, it would lead to a substantial revenue loss for the schools. He said he has been told it could be $30 million or more for some universities.
“That’s a big concern. That’s not a small hit,” Clemens said. “There is a real impact to the revenue loss here that we are not taking into account.”
His amendment was defeated in a voice vote after drawing opposition from Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who chairs the subcommittee and is sponsoring the bill.
Galvano said the Senate was waiting to see block tuition plans from the universities, which have had the block-tuition option for a number of years but have failed to advance a plan. He also said if a plan reduced tuition, which would be a savings for students, the financial loss for the schools could be offset by other funding.
“I think we all can anticipate a very robust education budget at the university level,” Galvano said. “Let’s see what the (university block tuition) plans are. Let’s see how it works.”
Other provisions in the bill would hold universities to a new performance standard based on a four-year graduation rate, rather than the six-year measure now used.
At the 28 state colleges, the performance standards would be measured on a two-year basis for students seeking associate degrees and a four-year standard for students seeking baccalaureate degrees.
College presidents and students have raised objections to that provision, arguing that many of the system’s 800,000 students are “non-traditional,” with 65 percent of fall 2015 enrollment being part-time students and 58 percent minority students.
Nadia Esha, student government president at Florida State College at Jacksonville, said students on her campus are “strongly opposed” to the legislation.
She said the 60 percent of the school’s students who are part time “cannot attend or complete their (baccalaureate) degree in four years.”
“These are hard-working, non-traditional students that seek flexibility that only colleges like FSCJ can provide,” Esha said.
Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, offered an amendment to ease that college standard, seeking to allow students to earn associate degrees within three years and baccalaureate degrees within five. But it was defeated.
Galvano, who was once a part-time state college student in Manatee County, said the performance standard would be aimed at “full-time” students, rather than the part-time college students.
Another provision in the bill would expand Bright Futures merit scholarships for the top students, known as “academic scholars,” to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees, while also providing $300 a semester for books. The top Bright Futures scholarship now only covers about half the tuition and fees at state universities.
Joe Glover, a provost at the University of Florida, said UF supports the bill, including the Bright Futures expansion as well as a commitment to double the state funding match for a program that supports “first generation” students attending state universities or colleges.
Glover said UF had 1,159 first-generation students enrolled this academic year.
But the problem has been there are more students eligible for the need-based financial aid than available funding. In the 2015-2016 academic year, the first-generation aid program supported 8,200 students. Another 13,700 were eligible but received no funding according to the state Department of Education.
The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on also passed a bill (SB 4) that would create funding pools to help universities attract top-quality faculty and recognize high-achieving graduate and professional programs, including law and medical schools.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Elvis Was In The Building: Barrineau Park Historical Society Holds Sock Hop
February 12, 2017
The Barrineau Park Historical Society held an Oldies Sock Hop Friday night with an evening of old time dancing, fun and fellowship. Pictured top and below: Elvis (aka Alberto Frank) made a surprise appearance at the sock hop, even winning the twist contest. Pictured inset: Barrineau Park Historical Society President Craig Exner looking dapper for the sock hop. Pictured bottom. Hula hoop contest winners. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Search And Rescue Trains With New Drones
February 12, 2017
Escambia Search and Rescue volunteers spent much of their Saturday learning how to property operate two new state of the art drones.
The Maxsur Seeker drones are a designed for search and rescue operations, including a dual thermal and color camera. They have about a mile flight range, with the operator able to watch live flight video on a monitor.
Saturday morning, ESAR volunteers were in the classroom learning how to fly the drones, and Saturday afternoon they were out at Lake Stone in Century for hands-on flight time.
The drones were purchased by ESAR as part of a “Sea, Air and Land Capabilities Improvement Initiative” grant funded for $108,200 by local women’s philanthropy group Impact 100 last October.
The complete package included the drones, a Boston Whaler capable of operation in the Gulf, 12 Project Lifesaver systems and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
February 12, 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:
- Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to North Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292)- Traffic on Fairfield Drive will encounter lane restrictions, a shift, and temporary detour from 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 to 6:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 12 as crews perform paving operations. The westbound inside, left lane will be closed just east of Ruby Avenue and traffic shifted to the outside lane. New Warrington Road Spur under the Fairfield Drive overpass, will be temporarily closed and traffic detoured to Mobile Highway, south to the on ramp leading back to New Warrington Road. Drivers traveling eastbound on Fairfield Drive will encounter a lane shift just west of the overpass over the New Warrington Road Spur. Traffic will be transitioned to the westbound travel lanes to bypass the overpass, transitioning back to the eastbound lanes at Ruby Avenue. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit and to watch for construction vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. In addition, intermittent and alternating lane closures continue between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10)/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following lane and ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb 12 through Wednesday, Feb. 15 to allow crews to place concrete for new gutters:
- I-10 eastbound, left, inside lane near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B).
- U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp. Traffic will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road to access I-10 eastbound.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 17 as crews perform paving operations between the Alabama State line and the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge). Drivers can expect delays.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Routine Bridge Inspection over Theo Baars Bridge- Eastbound lane closure in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
- U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance from Ramp from New Warrington to South Pinewood Lane- The westbound, inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 to 3 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 from the ramp from New Warrington to just west of the Bayou Chico Bridge as crews seal cracks in the asphalt.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance from the Alabama State Line to U.S. 29 (Exit 10) - Intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 as crews remove and replace the raised pavement markers along the roadway.
- I-10 Widening from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on I-10 between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17) from 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 to 6:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 as crews perform striping operations. Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway south of the I-10 ramps from 8:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. the week of February 13 to allow crews to install a drainage pipe beneath the roadway. One lane will remain open at all times.
- U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating southbound lane closures near the I-10 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. continue as crews perform drainage work. Also, alternating north and southbound U.S. 29 and east and westbound Nine Mile Road lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass continue to accommodate for the bridge construction operations.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R.297) to U.S. 29- A new detour configuration has been implemented on Nine Mile Road between Stefani and Waring roads as crews construct a box culvert under Nine Mile Road. Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations. Drivers are reminded to use extra caution when traveling through the detour as large vehicles enter and exit the roadway from side streets. The speed limit throughout the construction zone has been reduced to 35 MPH.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Widening from County Road 184 to north of the Yellow River Bridge- Intermittent lane closures between Hickory Hammock Road and the Yellow River Bridge from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 13 as crew perform paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating inside lane closures between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb.16 as crews perform paving operations. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
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.
Tate Aggies Play In 30 Inning Game
February 12, 2017
The Tate High School Aggies kicked off the baseball season with a 30-inning game for the junior varsity and varsity players on Saturday at Tate High School. The varsity Aggies will take part in a preseason classic on Thursday in Pace. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..