Extension Service Hosting Scholarship And Financial Aid Workshop Sunday
November 10, 2016
In an effort to assist parents/guardians and their high-school aged children in taking advantage of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension will offer a free workshop to the public. The workshop will take place Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center located at 3730 Stefani Road.
A local financial consultant will be on hand to teach this preparatory course in financial aid and scholarships, aimed at helping participants be informed about how to go through the process and knowing what opportunities are available. He will offer tips and information that will help attendees prepare for college in a financially responsible way. This will include how to apply for federal aid such as the Free Application for Federal and Student Aid and Pell Grant, as well as how to take advantage of university/college-specific financial aid and privately-funded scholarships.
For more information, contact UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230.
Seminoles Get Big Win In Gambling Dispute With State
November 10, 2016
Striking a blow to the state, a federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Seminole Tribe of Florida can continue to offer blackjack at its casinos for another 14 years.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s decision focused on controversial “designated-player” card games allowed at pari-mutuels throughout the state. The tribe has maintained that the games violate a 2010 agreement that gave the tribe exclusive rights to operate “banked” card games, such as blackjack, in exchange for paying $1 billion to the state.
A five-year agreement regarding the banked card games — part of a larger, 20-year deal called a “compact” — expired last summer, prompting the Seminoles to file the lawsuit. The state, meanwhile, filed a separate lawsuit asking the judge to order the tribe to shut down blackjack and other banked games, which the Seminoles have continued to operate.
Under the terms of the compact, the tribe is allowed to continue to operate the banked games if the state permits “any other person” to conduct such games.
In his 36-page ruling, Hinkle agreed with the Seminoles that the state-authorized designated player games triggered the exception to the five-year agreement. He ordered that the tribe be allowed to continue to conduct the banked games for the remainder of the compact’s 20-year term.
“The Seminole Tribe is very pleased with Judge Hinkle’s ruling and is carefully reviewing it. The Tribe believes the ruling provides for its future stability and ensures 3,600 Seminole Gaming employees will keep their jobs,” tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott said his office is reviewing Hinkle’s order.
Pari-mutuels — allowed by state law to conduct games only in which players compete against each other — first launched the designated-player games in 2011. Florida gambling regulators approved a rule governing the games in 2014.
The state’s lawyers insist that the games, in which a player acts as the “bank,” do not violate the compact, even if the manner in which they are being played at some cardrooms might.
But Hinkle, siding with the tribe, disagreed.
“The essential feature of a ‘banked’ game is this: The bank pays the winners and collects from the losers,” he wrote.
Under Florida law, a “banking game” is defined as one “in which the house is a participant in the game, taking on players, paying winners, and collecting from losers or in which the cardroom establishes a bank against which participants play.”
Lawyers for the state argued that a player acting as the bank does not establish a bank within the meaning of the statute.
But Hinkle rejected that, writing that the second part of the definition describes a game banked by anyone, including a player.
“When the cardroom devises and runs the games and sets the rules, including the requirement that a player act as the bank, the cardroom ‘establishes’ a bank. Any notion that players just happen in off the street and decide on their own to establish a bank is wholly fanciful,” he wrote. “A ‘poisoned apple’ is a ‘poisoned apple,’ whether poisoned with arsenic, hemlock or something else. A ‘banked game’ is a ‘banked game,’ whether banked by the house, a player, or someone else.”
And the judge blasted the state for arguing that only activities authorized by the Legislature — not state regulators — could violate the compact.
“It is inconceivable that the parties meant that the state, through the officials to whom it delegated the authority to regulate cardrooms, could allow cardrooms to conduct banked games, issue written assurances that the games comply with state law, adopt a rule approving the practice, but then assert that the exception was not triggered because the Legislature itself had not taken the action,” he wrote.
The tribe agreed to pay the state $1 billion — an amount it exceeded — primarily for the right to avoid competition from the cardrooms.
While the pari-mutuels’ designated-player games were not around at the time the compact was signed in 2010, the tribe “would not have entered the compact under those terms had it known this would be allowed” and “certainly did not intend this exclusive right to be easily evaded,” Hinkle wrote.
Regulators in January and February filed complaints against more than two dozen pari-mutuel operators, alleging that the way the designated-player games were being conducted violated a legal prohibition against banked games. Those complaints and a move late last year by gambling regulators to repeal the rule touched off legal battles in state administrative courts.
During a trial in the Seminoles case last month, Hinkle said the rule appeared to be “an end run around the prohibition” against banked card games.
In Wednesday’s order, he elaborated, focusing in part on one cardroom’s requirement that potential designated players pass a background check and post a cash bond of $100,000 to act as the bank.
“The assertion that this game was just players competing against one another, without a ‘bank’ established by the facility, should have been a nonstarter. But the department assured the cardroom in writing that the game was compliant with Florida law. The assurance provided a ’safe harbor,’ protecting the facility from prosecution for conducting an illegal banked game,” Hinkle wrote.
Hinkle’s ruling is not expected to have an immediate impact on the designated-player games, still underway in cardrooms around the state.
“We’ve had two Division of Administrative Hearings judges determine that the games can be played in conformance with Florida law. And that’s what we’re doing,” lawyer John Lockwood, who represents numerous pari-mutuels that operate the games, told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday afternoon.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Garbage Rates Rising For Century Residents
November 10, 2016
Century residents will soon see a slight increase on their garbage bills.
The rate for residential service will increase 53 cents, from $16.45 to $16.98 per month for household waste. The town is passing along a 3.21 percent rate increase from Republic Services, the town’s service provider. Residents will notice the price increase beginning in December.
Under their contract with Century, Republic is allowed to periodically adjust rates based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index. With this hike, the residential garbage rate in Century will have increased $1.94 per month since 2011.
Commercial trash service from the town will also increase by 3.21 percent.
Earn An Accredited High School Diploma At The Library
November 10, 2016
Escambia County residents have a new opportunity to earn their high school diploma through Career Online High School at West Florida Public Libraries. Career Online High School, a program brought to public libraries by Cengage Learning and the state of Florida, offers an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate.
A limited number of scholarships will be awarded to qualified learners. Escambia County residents who are at least 19 years old and have a West Florida Public Libraries card in good standing are eligible for the program. Interested residents can get started by completing an online self-assessment here. Successful applicants will be contacted by the library to discuss application into the program and award of a scholarship. While there is no application deadline, a scholarship is necessary to participate in Career Online High School.
Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an academic coach, who assists with developing an individual career plan, offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance and connects the learner with necessary resources. Coursework begins in one of eight career fields from child care and education to certified transportation, before progressing to the core academic subjects. Many students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits.
This program is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s LSTA program is administered by the Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.
To learn more about Career Online High School, visit a West Florida Public Library or click here.
Century’s Voter Turnout Lowest In District 5
November 10, 2016
Despite a mayoral race on the ballot, Century had the lowest voter turnout of any District 5 precinct in Escambia County.
In fact, only three other precincts in the entire county had a lower voter turnout than Century’s 60%.
According to unofficial results, voter turnout in District 5 was as follows (listed by precinct number):
6 — St. Monica’s Church 76%
7 — Pinewood Presbyterian 82%
11 — Walnut Hill 71%
18 — Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church 75%
19 — Barrineau Park Community Center 77%
21 — International Paper 71%
22 — Century Town Hall 60%
23 — Byrneville Community Center 74%
25 – Azalea Trace, Hillview Dr. 75%
33 – First Baptist Bratt 74%
36 — Quintette Community Center 74%
38 — Gonzalez UMC 79%
74 – Escambia Extension 82%
88- University Pines, University Pkwy. 74%
111 – St. Luke UMC 79%
112 — Hillcrest Baptist 77%
Pictured top: The Century precinct at Century Town Hall. Pictured below: The Walnut Hill precinct at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Celebrate Veterans Thursday Morning
November 9, 2016
A special Century Celebrates Veterans program will be held Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4. Everyone is welcome. with a special invitation extended to veterans. Pictured: Last year’s Century veterans program. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Henry Hawkins Elected As Century’s New Mayor
November 9, 2016
Henry Hawkins has been elected the new mayor of Century.
Hawkins had 337 total votes (59%), while incumbent Freddie McCall had 230 (41%), according to a complete, but official results Tuesday night.
“I feel good. The people have spoke, and they wanted a change,” Hawkins said after learning the results. “My first big plans are to help clean up the town and make it more presentable so that we can get businesses in here.”
“I’m disappointed, but it is what it is,” McCall said. “The people have spoke. I wish him the best of luck. I hope it works out.
McCall has served two terms as mayor, while Hawkins served four years on the town council followed by an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2011.
Hawkins will be sworn in as mayor on January 2.
Pictured: Incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall (left) congratulates his successor Henry Hawkins Tuesday night in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Teachers Of The Year Named
November 9, 2016
Escambia County teachers of the year have been named. They are:
- Jim Allen Elementary — Lacey Brown
- Alternative Education — Naretha Evans
- Bailey Middle — Erin Unruh
- Bellview Elementary — Janet Kay Spencer
- Bellview Middle — Tyvanna Boulager
- Beulah Academy of Science — Elizabeth Mott
- Beulah Elementary — Brandy Paynter
- Blue Angels Elementary — Kathleen Moriarty
- Bratt Elementary — Susan R. Ward
- Brentwood Elementary — Gordon Wade
- Brown-Barge Middle — Megan Judge
- Byrneville Elementary Inc. — Brittany Marshman
- Camelot Academy — Alexandria Palmer
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Angelia Grimes-Graeme
- N.B. Cook Elem. Sch. of the Arts — Christy Ueberroth
- Cordova Park Elementary — Jessica Kelly
- Ensley Elementary — Rosita Robsono-Watson
- Escambia High — Maria Valica
- Escambia Westgate — Amy Bates
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Sara Frassetti
- Ferry Pass Middle — Michelle Tomlin
- Global Learning Academy — Nichaka Tribbey
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Cynthia Morrissette
- Lakeview School — Cheryl Jones
- Lincoln Park Primary — Ashley Phillips
- R.C. Lipscomb Elementary — Bonnie Shiflett
- Longleaf Elementary — LaKevia Green
- L.D. McArthur Elementary — Stephanie Harris
- McMillan Pre-K — Stephanie Collins
- Molino Park Elementary — Sara Calhoun
- Montclair Elementary — Ryan Graber
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Cassie Mense
- Navy Point Elementary — Pamela Mayo
- Northview High — Raja Atallah
- Oakcrest Elementary — Lynda Shald
- Pensacola High — Yolanda Daniels
- Pine Forest High — Karen Longoria
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Angela Wilson
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Kaylin Roy
- Ransom Middle — Barbara Baxter
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Amber Sheridan
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Natasha Burton
- Sherwood Elementary — Megan Wolter
- George Stone Technical Center — Reynaldo Delacruz
- A.K. Suter Elementary — Jessie Harms
- J.M. Tate High — Ursula LaMontagne
- Title 1 — Rebecca Herzog
- Ernest Ward Middle — Yolanda Wilkins
- Warrington Elementary — Tonya Morris
- Warrington Middle — Rochele Glover
- Booker T. Washington High — Cheryl Rembert
- C.A. Weis Elementary — Emily McMillan
- West Florida High — Tiffany Odom
- West Pensacola Elementary — Jacqueline Jensen
- W J. Woodham Middle — Lori Miller
- J. H. Workman Middle — Lisa Bloodworth
The following schools did not submit a name for this list: Judy Andrews Center, Escambia Charter, Jacqueline Harris Prep. Academy, PATS Center, and Pensacola Beach Elementary.
Escambia County Election Results
November 9, 2016
Here are complete, but unofficial results for local Escambia County Races:
School Superintendent:
Malcolm Thomas 95,716 64.79%
Claudia Williams 51,646 34.96%
WRITE-IN 369 0.25%
Sheriff
David Morgan 105,342 73.08%
Rex E. Blackburn 36,178 25.10%
WRITE-IN 2,618 1.82%
Tax Collector
Scott Lunsford 95,103 64.48%
Deb Moore 52,395 35.52%
County Commission District 1
Jeff Bergosh 20,962 69.27%
Audra Carter 9,301 30.73%
County Commission District 3
Lumon May 18,165 76.11%
Delarian Wiggins 4,111 17.22%
Mirza Ahmad 1,591 6.67%
ECUA District 1
Vicki H. Campbell 26,298 97.13%
WRITE-IN 778 2.87%
ECUA District 3
Elvin McCorvey 15,081 64.11%
Derrick ”Smoke” Gainer 2,947 12.53%
John R. Johnson 2,302 9.79%
Tiffany Washington 1,954 8.31%
Benell English 1,239 5.27%
ECUA District 5
Larry Walker 24,437 77.57%
Jim Hunt 6,959 22.09%
WRITE-IN 106 0.34%
Century Mayor
Henry Hawkins 337 59.44%
Freddie McCall 230 40.56%
Pensacola Council District 1
P. C. Wu 2,633 59.96%
C. J. Lewis 1,758 40.04%
Pensacola Council District 7
Jewel Cannada-Wynn 1,639 58.70%
Anny Shepard 1,153 41.30%
Florida U.S. Rep. Dist. 1
Matt Gaetz (R) 253,864 69%
Steven Specht (D) 113,401 31%
Florida State Senate Dist. 1
Doug Broxson (R) 200,015 95%
Write In 9,923 5%
Florida State House Dist. 1
Clay Ingram (R / Inc.) 55,601 76%
Bill Fetke 17,102 24%
Florida State House Dist. 2
Frank White (R) 47,828 61%
Ray Guillory (D) 30,139 39%
Ernest Ward Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 9, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School paused to honor veterans from the across the area Tuesday morning.
About 100 veterans watched students present a changing patriotic mural, along with patriotic songs and an armed forces salute.
“Our veterans need someone that will listen to their stories of bravery, courage and sacrifice,” said special speaker Donna K. Stacey, U.S. Army, retired. “Some of them may not want to talk about some of their experiences. Just be patient. When the time is right, they’ll talk. ”
Stacey currently serves as vice commander and will be commander next year of the Alabama American Legion. She is also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“I also remind you not to forget our women veterans, she continued. “They now make up about 20 percent of our military forces.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
