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.
Wreck Backs Up Highway 29 Traffic
November 9, 2016
A rush hour accident on Highway 29 caused a significant northbound backup Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 60-year old Michael Joe Barnes of Milton was northbound on Highway 29 approaching Carolina Drive at 4:43 p.m. when, he told troopers, his 2014 Dodge Ram suddenly accelerated and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu drive by 39-year old Paula Elane Butler of Molino. Barnes’ vehicle then struck a 1997 Ford F150 driven by Richard Shadolph Mixon of Pensacola.
Mixon and Barnes received minor injuries, while Butler was uninjured.
Medical Marijuana Soars To Approval
November 9, 2016
Stunning even some of the proposal’s most avid supporters, Florida voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for patients with a broad swath of conditions.
Amendment 2, “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions,” received at least 70 percent of the vote, far greater than the 60 percent required for passage of constitutional amendments in Florida.
While Florida was one of several states with marijuana-related proposals on the ballot Tuesday, pot reform proponents believed the success or failure of the Sunshine State’s constitutional amendment was critically important for legalization efforts nationwide. Two dozen other states have already legalized medical marijuana.
The clear support for Amendment 2 could make Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan one of Florida’s biggest election winners. He and his law firm have spent more than $6.5 million on the effort to legalize marijuana in Florida over the past two years.
Tuesday’s victory came after voters narrowly rejected a similar effort in 2014, but the politics — and presence — of pot in Florida have changed dramatically since then.
“It’s a gigantic victory because hundreds and hundreds of thousands of sick and suffering Floridians will be able to see the benefit of this law very, very soon,” Ben Pollara, campaign manager of the political committee supporting the amendment, said in a telephone interview shortly after the polls closed Tuesday night.
The constitutional change legalizes marijuana as a treatment option for patients with conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Florida is home to an estimated 500,000 patients who would be eligible for the treatment, making it the second-largest market in the country.
The expansion will be a lucrative boost for businesses already growing, processing and distributing cannabis in Florida and will almost certainly spur even more competition for highly sought-after dispensing organization licenses, now limited to a handful of businesses chosen by state health officials last year.
Opponents of the measure immediately said they would take their fight to the Legislature, which is responsible for implementing the amendment.
In a statement, the “Vote No on 2″ campaign said the group planned to ask lawmakers to ban pot candy, put a limit on THC levels, more tightly define what “debilitating conditions” would make patients eligible for the treatment, and ensure that local communities can regulate and ban marijuana dispensaries that critics call “pot shops.”
While the 2014 initiative failed, it did open the door for pot in Florida.
Partly to fend off the 2014 pot proposal, Florida lawmakers that year authorized non-euphoric marijuana for patients with epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms or cancer. The 2014 law also set up a regulatory structure for the marijuana industry. The Legislature this year expanded the law to allow full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients.
But supporters of Amendment 2 say the current Florida law does nothing for a host of severely ill patients who could benefit from the treatment.
A more Democratic-leaning voter turnout in the presidential election year was anticipated to give the constitutional proposal an additional boost Tuesday.
Some of the same opponents who helped kill the measure two years ago again contributed to the “No on 2″ campaign in an effort to replicate their success. Critics insisted the provision giving doctors leeway to recommend the treatment for unspecified illnesses would amount to “de facto legalization” of pot.
But recent polls showed tremendous support for legalization of medical marijuana, and financing for the opposition crawled to a halt in recent weeks.
Opponents of the measure also warned Floridians that, according to a Department of Health estimate, about 2,000 “pot shops” could sprout up throughout the state, if the proposal passed.
In anticipation of November’s election, local governments around Florida have been considering ordinances that would restrict where the dispensaries can be located.
Morgan — who, with his law firm, contributed more than half of the $12.5 million raised by the political committee backing the Florida proposals since 2013 — maintains that the marijuana industry will almost certainly have a positive economic impact on the state and will result in job creation.
Morgan is a devout believer in the use of marijuana as a far safer treatment option for sick individuals than prescription drugs, which result in thousands of deaths each year nationwide.
“This is not a pharmaceutical and guess what? Thank God it’s not. Man made opioids. God made pot. I’m going to go with God every single time when it comes to me. And by the way, marijuana has never killed one person,” Morgan said during a recent debate.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Florida Voters Turn Out Lights On Solar Amendment
November 9, 2016
A controversial solar-energy ballot initiative fell short short of the 60 percent voter approval it needed Tuesday, concluding for now one of the most-expensive constitutional amendment campaigns in Florida history.
Opponents who argued the amendment would hinder the development of alternative energy in Florida, celebrated the defeat of the measure, known as Amendment 1, as most counties continued posting results. As of 9:30 p.m., the amendment had received support of about 51 percent of voters — far below the 60 percent threshold, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Tory Perfetti, chairman of the opposition group Floridians for Solar Choice and director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom, called the vote a “victory for energy freedom.”
“We defeated one of the most egregious and underhanded attempts at voter manipulation in this state’s history,” Perfetti said in a prepared statement.
“The failure of Amendment 1 is the clearest signal yet that Floridians want more access to clean solar energy,” said Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director, Florida Conservation Voters.
Consumers for Smart Solar, a utility-backed group that spearheaded the proposal, didn’t immediately comment.
The state’s four major private utilities — Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power — collectively spent more than $20.2 million on the proposal, which sought to place existing regulations regarding solar energy into the state Constitution.
Powered by the utility money, Consumers for Smart Solar spent at least $25.47 million to get the measure on the ballot and to advertise and campaign for the amendment, which it said would protect consumers.
But critics contended the measure could lead to “discriminatory charges” against rooftop solar users, as the ballot language said that people who haven’t installed solar on their property “are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.”
Contending the measure was purposely deceptive, the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and the group Floridians for Solar Choice failed last week to get the state’s Supreme Court to strike down the initiative.
The groups had pinned their argument on a tape that included comments by Sal Nuzzo, vice president of policy at the James Madison Institute. On the tape, first reported by the Miami Herald, Nuzzo described how to use a “little bit of political jiu-jitsu” in promoting solar to win support for desired changes in policy.
The court had approved the ballot language for the amendment 4-3 in March.
Consumers for Smart Solar called the lawsuit “frivolous” and a “political stunt” intended to drum up last minute media attention for their anti-Amendment 1 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Tallahassee-based James Madison Institute asserted that Nuzzo misspoke. Consumers for Smart Solar said the James Madison Institute wasn’t involved in planning or drafting the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Consumers for Smart Solar amendment was introduced last year after Floridians for Solar Choice launched a petition drive for its own ballot initiative that sought to ease regulations and allow businesses to generate and sell up to two megawatts of solar power to customers on the same or neighboring properties.
After failing to collect the needed signatures to get on this year’s ballot, Floridians for Solar Choice is eyeing the 2018 election for its proposal.
“The millions of dollars in slick ad buys and glossy mailers did not win the day as opponents of Amendment 1 successfully harnessed social and earned media to educate Floridians about the true intent of this deceptive proposal while tapping a vast network of organizations, solar businesses and supporters who remain committed to growing — not restricting — Florida’s solar industry,” Floridians for Solar Choice said in a release Tuesday.
The spending on the amendment approached the $28.65 million the trial lawyer-backed Floridians for Patient Protection effort spent in 2004 pushing ballot initiatives opposed by the Florida Medical Association.
Consumers for Smart Solar pointed to high advertising costs, bolstered by Florida’s place as a key battleground state in the presidential election, for driving its spending.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida