Bernie Sanders Lauds Hillary Clinton As Convention Opens
July 26, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — After last week’s raucous and divisive Republican National Convention, Democrats opened their convention Monday looking to present a striking contrast in unity as they prepare to nominate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president.
There’s always Day 2.
Between suspected Russian hackers and renegade delegates committed to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia often looked at least as rowdy as last week’s proceedings in Cleveland.
The soon-to-be nominee’s name drew boos on the convention floor. The outgoing Democratic Party chairwoman was jeered in front of her home-state delegation, leading to a late decision to strike her from the main program to avoid a repeat in front of a larger audience. At least one delegate had taken a “Stronger Together” sign, scratched out the last word and wrote in its place: “with Bernie.”
All of that was bracketed by complaints about logistics that undermined Democrats’ attempt to be the steady convention.
Not that they didn’t try. Sanders himself touted Clinton twice in the space of a day — once during a boisterous event with his delegates and again before the full convention. In his late-night speech at the Wells Fargo Center, Sanders gave perhaps his most full-throated endorsement of Clinton so far.
He noted how this year’s Democratic platform was, in his view, the most progressive the party has ever produced.
“Our job now is to see that strong Democratic platform implemented by a Democratically-controlled Senate, by a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton presidency. … Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her tonight,” Sanders said.
Even before he took the stage, Sanders was pushing his supporters to line up behind Clinton. In an email to delegates after some of the booing early in the day, Sanders scolded those who had taken part.
“The political revolution is not about one election or one candidate. … Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays. That’s what the corporate media wants. That’s what Donald Trump wants,” he wrote.
But even Sanders drew boos on some of the occasions when he praised Clinton.
Sanders had also told a group of supporters earlier in the day that supporting Clinton was important in her November election against the Republican nominee Trump.
“We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and (vice presidential candidate) Tim Kaine,” he said as some delegates cheered and many booed. “This is the real world that we live in.”
The party also rolled out other popular or Sanders-friendly public figures to try to patch over differences between Clinton and the opponent she defeated in the primaries after a grueling, months-long battle.
Paul Simon played “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Sarah Silverman, a comedian who backed Sanders in the primary, put the message most succinctly and most bluntly.
“To the ‘Bernie or Bust’ people: You’re being ridiculous,” she said.
First Lady Michelle Obama, who is wildly popular among the Democratic base, also implicitly drew a comparison between diehard Sanders delegates and Clinton, who responded to a primary loss to President Barack Obama in 2008 by joining his Cabinet.
“Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant, Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments,” Michelle Obama said.
The day started out on a discordant note; outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, someone viewed with disdain by Sanders supporters, was jeered at a breakfast for delegates from Florida, where she serves as a congresswoman.
“It is so wonderful to be able to be here with my home state,” Wasserman Schultz said, as a cascade of boos and heckling began. “All right, everybody. Now, settle down.”
The appearance came less than 24 hours after Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee at the conclusion of this week’s convention.
Wasserman Schultz was tripped up after leaked internal party emails raised questions about her impartiality in the presidential primary between Clinton and Sanders. The emails are believed to have been obtained by Russian hackers.
Some Sanders supporters Monday shouted “Shame on you!” at Wasserman Schultz, while her supporters chanted her first name. The congresswoman tried to put a brave face on the intense interest surrounding her decision to resign as party chair, reportedly under pressure.
Despite his overtures to Clinton, though, Sanders showed no signs of sadness Monday about Wasserman Schultz’s departure. At a rally for his delegates, the crowd roared when Sanders brought up Wasserman Schultz’s departure.
“Her resignation opens up the possibility of new leadership at the top of the Democratic Party that will stand with working people and that will open the doors of the party to those people who want real change,” Sanders said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Thomas: Escambia Schools Need To Aim Higher
July 26, 2016
Educators must change their mindset to move forward, rather than falling further behind.
That was the message Monday from Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas as he addressed school administrators and some of the district’s teachers Monday at Washington High School.
Citing the book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” from author Carol Dweck, Thomas said a fixed mindset is unacceptable when compared to a growth mindset.
“There are fixed mindsets that believe that there is going to be no change, that children will have a certain IQ just because of their zip code. But we need a growth mindset, that we can develop the mind and achieve acceptable results,” Thomas told NorthEscambia.com after the speech.
“Our problem isn’t that we are arming too high and missing the mark,” Thomas said, referencing and paraphrasing a quote from Michelangelo. “Our problem is that we are aiming too low, and we are successful.”
“There are teachers in the system that have been there a long time, and they teach like they have always taught. A shift has to be made toward the growth mindset,” he said.
Escambia County’s district grade from the state dropped this last school year from a B to a C, and many individual schools also experience a drop in their school grade. Thomas said he does not care about test scores if children are learning at the level they need to learn, but he said that is not happening overall.
“We are obsessed with tests and standards. We need to be teaching every day and making sure the kids are learning at the right level.”
Students return to class in Escambia County on August 10.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas addresses administrators and faculty Monday at Washington High School. Pictured below: Administrators and faculty listen to Thomas, including (foreground, L-R) Northview High Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins, Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver, Ernest Ward Middle teacher Laura Chavers, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl Perry and Ernest Ward Assistant Principal Virkeisha Palmer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball Jackpot Soars To $422 Million For Wednesday’s Drawing
July 26, 2016
The Powerball jackpot has soared to an to an estimated $422 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. The Powerball jackpot has rolled 22 times since the May 11 drawing.
Jackpot prizes are paid in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days after the draw to receive the cash option of an estimated $291 million. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
Pictured: A billboard on North Century Boulevard in Century teases drivers Monday a fternoon with a $422 million Powerball drawing set for Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO ‘Clean Sweeps’ 9½ Mile Road Area
July 26, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released the results of an Operation Clean Sweep last week in the 9½ Mile Road area.
Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said they attempted to serve five warrants, three arrests were made, 10 traffic citations were issued, the addresses of seven sex offenders were verified and Escambia County Code Enforcement issued 20 citations.
The next Operation Clean Sweep will be held in the Montclair Neighborhood on August 18.
Pictured: An Operation Clean Sweep conduction by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 9½ Mile Road area. the Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overturned 18 Wheeler Injures One; Shuts Down Highway 29 For Seven Hours
July 26, 2016
The driver of an 18-wheeler was airlifted to the hospital after a single vehicle accident on Highway 29 just south of Bluff Springs Road just before noon Monday.
The overturned truck kept Highway 29 northbound closed until about 7 p.m. The truck was loaded with ceramic tile.
The driver, a 51-year old female, was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital.
Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Barry Discusses Issues At District 5 Town Hall Meeting
July 26, 2016
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting Monday evening at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. Barry discussed growth, traffic, drainage and more with citizens. Pictured above: Barry’s addresses residents during hall meeting Monday evening in Cantonment. Pictured inset: Barry discusses issues with local residents. Pictured below: Citizens discuss issues with Public Works Director Wes Moreno and Administrator Jack Brown. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Jake Henry Commits To Appalachian State
July 26, 2016
Tate High School Aggie wide receiver Jake Henry has committed to play for Appalachian State of the Sunbelt Conference. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Multiple Injuries In Highway 90 Bridge Crash
July 25, 2016
Multiple people were injured in a three-vehicle accident Monday afternoon on the Highway 90 at the Alabama/Florida state line.
At least two of the injured were transported to area hospitals, including a 58-year old man as a trauma alert.
Further details are not yet available as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates. The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Seminole (AL) Volunteer Fire Department also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Truck Overturned In Creek A Bit Of A Mystery
July 25, 2016
A bit of a mystery surrounds a traffic accident Sunday morning in which a pickup truck was found overturned in a creek outside Molino.
About 7:30 a.m., a caller reporting finding the Ford F150 upside down, the cab partially submerged, in a branch of McDavid Creek. The driver of the truck was northbound on Highway 99 north of Crabtree Church Road when they failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway and traveled through heavy brush along the right of way for over 200 feet. The truck then traveled about 20 feet into a wooded area before overturning into the creek.
The truck’s engine was cold — it was impossible to determine how many hours, or days, the truck had been in the creek.
Firefighters discovered that all of the doors were locked on the king cab truck, and all of the windows were intact, except for a back passenger window that lodged against the creek bank. In order to enter the truck, firefighters had to break the driver’s window to unlock the truck. Before they could open the door, they were forced to cut away tree limbs.
They were unable to located anyone inside the submerged truck cab. A complete search of the creek and the surrounding wooded area also failed to find a victim. Hours later, when a heavy duty wrecker was used to winch the truck out of the wooded area, no victim was found under the truck.
When the truck was removed from the woods, it was discovered that the vehicle gearshift was in park, and the keys were gone.
So how did a truck in park with doors locked end up in the creek? And how did the driver escape from a vehicle where trees and creek bank presented the doors from opening?
The Florida Highway Patrol was able to find the truck’s owner from the tag and registration. The owners denied driving the truck and said it was being driven by a relative. At last report the relative had not yet claimed to be driving or offered an explanation for the crash.
One law enforcement officer theorized that after initially leaving the roadway, the truck had stopped at the top of the embankment leading down to the creek, likely supported by brush and small trees. The driver would have then exited the truck, taking the keys and locking the doors. Then, some time later, the brush and trees collapsed, sending the truck into the creek.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: A firefighter wades through a branch of McDavid Creek to check the inside of a submerged pickup cab for a possible victim. Pictured inset and below: The truck landed upside down in a creek. Pictured next to bottom: A view of the truck after brush and small trees were removed by firefighters. Pictured bottom: The truck was not visible from the roadway. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Fleeing Traffic Stop
July 25, 2016
A Century man tried to run from deputies on a traffic stop, but he could not hide from an arrest warrant.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of Pond and Jefferson streets in Century after clocking a vehicle speeding at 39 mph in a 25 mph zone. The driver, Travis Lavar Scott, provided his driver’s license to the deputy and began to search for his registration. When the deputy later asked if he had found the registration, Scott put the vehicle in gear and sped away, according to an arrest report.
The deputy attempted to intercept Scott at his nearby home on Gilford Avenue, a short distance from the traffic stop, but he exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Scott was charged with felony fleeing and eluding an law enforcement officer with lights and siren active. He was also issued a speeding ticket. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.