Jim Allen Elementary Welcomes Escambia’s Teacher Of The Year To Class
January 31, 2017
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas joined Jim Allen Elementary School in welcoming teacher Lacey Brown to campus Monday morning. Brown was named the Escambia County School District Teacher of the Year Saturday night.
The campus was decorated with signs and balloons to welcome Brown, and a balloon drop awaited her in her classroom.
Photos by Savanna Calhoun ECSD for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Beware Of Scammers
January 31, 2017
Officials are warning those impacted by the International Paper explosion to be aware of scammers.
The Unified Command Teams says they have been made aware that businesses are contacting community members potentially impacted by the explosion and offering various services including water testing, pressure washing and carpet cleaning for a fee.
International Paper, through the Unified Command Team, is not currently coordinating with any businesses other than Cotton and CTEH, who are managing the community cleanup.
Gonzalez Utilities, which operates the water system in much of the area most impacted by the IP explosion, is also warning customers that any testing of the water quality should be done by Gonzalez Utilities to eliminate scams. Gonzalez Utilities employees will have the necessary identification to prove their association.
Gonzalez Utilities officials said Monday that the water system has been inspected and no contamination issues have been found..
For more information, contact Unified Command (850) 968-4208 at or Gonzales Utilities at (850) 968-5434.
The Unified Command Team is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
IP Explosion: Coast Guard Joins Cleanup Effort
January 31, 2017
The cleanup and remediation continue following the explosion just over a week ago at International Paper. And now the Coast Guard has joined the effort.
The Coast Guard National Strike Force is working to monitor any potential environmental impact. They are working directly under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect air, water and soil samples from across the area surrounding the Cantonment mill.
The monitoring includes the search for any possible impacts from a pulp and black liquor by-product blown across several neighborhoods during the blast.
Nine Mile Widening Traffic Update
January 31, 2017
This week, both travel lanes of Nine Mile Road will be shifted between Stefani and Waring Roads southward onto temporary asphalt. The shift will allow drainage crews to extend the box culvert under Nine Mile Road.
Also, alternating lane closures will continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews drive temporary sheet pile.
Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
January 31, 2017
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the first nine weeks of the school year:
Mrs.Barberree Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Landon Barrow
Mazie Burkett
Zoey Dunsford
McKenzie Griffis
Olivia Levins
Ruby Lovely
Ashanti Manuel
Bryce Miller
Molly Powell
Zi’nique Smith
Kinley White
Bryce Yoder
Mrs.Coleman Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Ethan Carter
Anastacia Cooley
Allison Grant
Ta’kayvia Jackson
Brandon Lambeth
Brooklyn Miller
Tyson Milliken
Iviyanah Phifer
Brody Rigby
Natalie Rogers
Ember Claire Waters
Jazzlynn Wesley
Mrs.Seales Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
A’zariyah Elliott
Bryce Giger
Annie Mathis
Kaden Smith
Mrs.Brown 1st grade
A- Honor Roll
Jaxon Anderson
Briley Beers
Lyla Calloway
Emma Godwin
Sydney Little
Nicholas Long
Lola Weldon
A/B- Honor Roll
Blaine Buckhault
LaWayne Grice
Katelyn Levins
Trayton Phifer
Zane Weaver
Cecelia Whorff
Mrs.Kitchin 1st grade
A-Honor Roll
Sierra Carnley
Brylen Hadley
Meeyah Lassitter
Olina Miles
Jordan Mullally
AnnaBelle Odom
Jackson Salter
Olivia Thomas
Audrinna Woods
A/B-Honor Roll
Jacob Bolen
Madelyn Calloway
Kallie Harwell
Aziyah Jackson
Tyson Phifer
Dalton Smith
Taraji Wesley
Mrs.Frankhouser 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Taylor Curtis
Gabrielle Hawsey
Caleb Levins
Benji Parker
Isaiah Phifer
Jase Portwood
Aleah Therrell
Cannon Whorff
Allison Yoder
Mrs.Linton 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Autumn Coleman
Crest Waters
Trenton Wright
Mrs.Dunsford 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Elizabeth Coleman
Makenzie Levins
Christian Velazquez
A/B-Honor Roll
Cameron Bourgeois
Easten Odom
Braxton Wagner
Charlee Weaver
Mrs. Weaver 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Luke Godwin
London Brooks
A/B-Honor Roll
Jaycee Harvell
Savannah Hudson
Ryder Lee
Andrew Plant
Bree Robertson
Evelyn Smith
Malia Smith
Mrs.Marshman 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Maddie Mae Driskell
Madison Levins
Riley Long
Brian Yoder
A/B-Honor Roll
Kailee Ancell
Ayden Atallah
Braden Glick
Zack Herndon
Jaci Jackson
Mia Kornegay
Mrs.Thornton 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kelan Jury
A/B-Honor Roll
Tripp Curtis
Evin Matlock
Addisen Miller
Mia Turner-White
Jayden White
Mrs.Johnston 5th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kaylie Glick
Madalyn Grimes
Kaylee Hamilton
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
Aydan Smith
A/B-Honor Roll
Adrianna Atallah
Malachi Bolen
Kadence Calvert
Caitlyn Dortch
Nolin Godwin
Isaiah Hetrick
Camron Howell
Josh Johnson
M.J. Smith
Reygan Steadham
Leif Waters
Joe Wright
State Seeks To Keep Feds Out Of Prison Disability Case
January 31, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections has asked a judge to block the U.S. Department of Justice from intervening in a year-old lawsuit alleging that the state’s prison system has violated the rights of inmates with disabilities.
The Justice Department sought this month to intervene in the case, which was filed in January 2016 by the organization Disability Rights Florida and alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws. The Justice Department’s motion to intervene focused on inmates who are deaf or hard of hearing, alleging that the state routinely fails to provide hearing aids, interpreters and types of communication devices that inmates could use to contact attorneys, families or friends.
But the Department of Corrections filed a 21-page document in federal court in Tallahassee, arguing, in part, that the Justice Department took too long to seek to intervene. It said federal officials first expressed concerns about the rights of disabled inmates in 2013 but did not take action.
“During the past year, DRF (Disability Rights Florida) has aggressively pursued this case, interviewing numerous inmate witnesses, employing at least three experts who have conducted many weeks of prison visits, and propounding massive discovery requests that have resulted in the DOC (the Department of Corrections) producing over 190,000 pages of documentation,” the state department argued. “Significantly, upon information and belief, the DOJ (Department of Justice) has been in communication with DRF about the proceedings in this case, yet it did not attempt to intervene in this case until a few weeks ago. Based on the foregoing, the DOJ, which knew of the issues for years, and clearly had an interest, unreasonably delayed its attempt to enter this case.”
by The News Service of Florida
IP Explosion: Gonzalez Utilities Says Water Is Safe
January 31, 2017
Gonzalez Utilities said its water system is uncontaminated following the January 22 explosion at International Paper in Cantonment. That includes customers in Cantonment Heights – Woodbury Circle, Woodbury Drive, Woodbury Place and Greenberry Drive.
The utility said water distribution lines, wells and tanks have been inspected and no contamination issues have been found. Any testing of the water quality should be done by Gonzalez Utilities to eliminate any scams, the utility said. A Gonzalez Utilities employee will carry property identification.
Customers will questions should contact the Gonzalez Utilities office at (850) 968-5434 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 4p.m. or Russell Bracken at (850) 554-6845.
Escambia Commission, Pensacola Council Hold Joint Meeting
January 31, 2017
The Pensacola City Council and the Escambia County Commission held a joint meeting Monday to discuss common issues. They discussed the creation of a commerce park in central Pensacola, the reduction of homelessness and panhandling, and the creation of “park rangers” or “ambassadors” to watch over security in public parks. None of the discussions or decisions made Monday are binding; any final decision must be approved at a council or commission meeting. The bodies will scheduled another joint meeting within the next couple of months. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 31, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 26 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers were working a night-hunting detail in the north end of Escambia County when FWC Pilot Tolbert and Lieutenant Golloher, acting as a spotter, saw a subject shining a light in a manner capable of disclosing deer. They directed Captain Rondeau to the subject’s location to investigate. Captain Rondeau attempted to stop the vehicle, but the subject fled.
Officers Clark and Long assisted in the pursuit along with the Aviation Unit. After a lengthy pursuit, the subject was finally apprehended by Captain Rondeau and Officers Long and Clark. The subject had an outstanding warrant in Alabama and charges were filed in Florida for felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, night hunting, felony driving on a suspended license and possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Officer Land stopped to check two hunters who were standing near their vehicles. When asked to see their hunting licenses, one of the men replied that he was just driving around. The front seat of the man’s truck had a hunter orange vest and a rifle was in the back seat. Eventually, the man admitted to participating in man drives. He had no valid hunting license or required permits and came back as a convicted felon when his information was run through Dispatch. The firearm was seized and the individual was arrested for the violations.
While on patrol near Gulf Islands National Seashore, Officer Land and Park Ranger Robinson stopped to check a group of duck hunters near Ft. McCree. While Officer Land was inspecting one of their firearms, he found that it was capable of holding more than three shells. It is illegal to use a firearm capable of holding more than three shells while hunting migratory birds and the hunter was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officer Hoomes was notified of a trespassing complaint and while working this complaint, he encountered two subjects squirrel hunting on the complainant’s property. These two subjects were not related to the original complaint. The subjects were issued citations for trespassing and for not possessing Florida hunting licenses.
Officer Hoomes was notified of an illegal deer that was killed in the Hutton Unit of the Blackwater WMA. He made contact with the subject who took him to the deer. The antlered deer was smaller than the regulations allow for the area and was issued a citation for the violation. The deer was seized and donated to a local charity.
Officers Land and Manning responded to a call of a distressed vessel. A family of four was on board their vessel in Escambia Bay when their motor stopped and their boat began to take on water. A Good Samaritan in the area agreed to tow the vessel back to the boat ramp and Officer Land escorted the family back to shore.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
PIP Insurance Repeal Proposal Re-Emerge
January 31, 2017
Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system could be nearing the end of its road.
Legislation has again been filed to eliminate personal-injury protection coverage and require motorists to carry bodily injury liability coverage.
And lawmakers were told last week that personal-injury protection reforms — championed by Gov. Rick Scott and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater in 2012 — haven’t held.
Still, Senate Banking and Insurance Chairwoman Anitere Flores said before legislation advances through her committee that could eliminate personal-injury protection coverage — also known as no-fault — she wants to know if anything else can be done to bring down rates instead of scrapping the nearly four-decade-old system.
The Miami Republican added, at the same time, that her biggest concern going forward is that the 2012 reform effort hasn’t met expectations.
“We were promised a certain percentage of savings, and that didn’t happen,” Flores said after her committee met last week.
In the first two years after Scott signed the reform law, personal-injury protection rates from the state’s top 25 insurers dropped an average of 14.4 percent — 10 percentage points lower than desired.
Since 2015, rates have gone up 25.7 percent, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation. Meanwhile, all liability coverage has gone up 23.4 percent the past two years.
“Unfortunately, since Jan. 1, 2015 we’ve seen increasing trends across all coverages, including PIP,” said Sandra Starnes, director of property and casualty product review for the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
Starnes said the increases are due to rises in medical care, costs of vehicle body work, people driving more and even an increase in distracted drivers.
Flores’ committee is scheduled to be the first of four stops for a measure (SB 156) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, to replace no-fault with bodily injury liability coverage.
Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, has filed the House version (HB 461) for the 2017 legislative session, which starts March 7.
Similar efforts have failed to advance the past couple of years as proponents have argued a need to let the reform effort take hold. But since the end of 2015, Atwater has been among those saying repeal of no-fault may be needed if consumers aren’t getting the intended relief.
Under the no-fault system, motorists are required to carry personal-injury protection coverage that includes $10,000 in medical benefits, a total set in 1979.
Dale Swope, a representative of the Florida Justice Association who is opposed to keeping no-fault, said that the benefits haven’t kept up with inflation.
The 2012 reform law, which set benchmarks for insurers to lower rates, was considered a last-ditch effort to maintain the system after rates increased due to a growth in fraudulent claims. The law also required people involved in crashes to seek treatment within 14 days and allowed up to $10,000 in benefits for emergency medical conditions, while putting a $2,500 cap on non-emergency conditions.
Ditching no-fault for bodily injury, which provides coverage if motorists cause accidents that hurt someone else, would put more questions of medical coverage into the courts, as injured parties would seek to recoup expenses from at-fault drivers, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
However, not everyone is ready to eliminate no-fault.
Jeff Scott, general counsel of the Florida Medical Association, said the reform effort has weeded out fraud and ensures emergency room physicians get paid when treating automobile crash victims.
He also said lawmakers should delay any effort to eliminate no-fault until the federal government determines the future of the Affordable Care Act under the new Trump administration.
“President Trump and Congress have made it clear they intend to dismantle the ACA, but they haven’t made it clear as to what they intend to replace it with,” Scott said. “We simply do not know whether Trumpcare will increase the number of uninsured Floridians or result in a higher number of high-deductible insurance policies being sold, deductibles that poor Floridians, when faced with a large emergency room bill, are simply unable to afford.”
Michael Carlson, president Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, cautioned the repeal could result in higher premiums for all drivers depending on the mandatory premium pricing for bodily-injury coverage.
“We do believe that any consideration of the repeal of the ‘no-fault’ law should be grounded in the reality that new mandatory insurance coverages will have a price effect on Floridians,” said Carlson, whose association includes Allstate, Progressive and State Farm insurance companies.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida