Congressional Members Ask Scott To Toss Some Standardized Test Results
July 2, 2015
Ten Florida members of Congress asked Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday not to allow the state’s new standardized test to be used for teacher evaluations, student promotion to the fourth grade or graduation, regardless of the results of an independent validation scheduled to be completed by September 1.
The letter, released by Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, was signed by eight other Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
“Even if the statutorily mandated independent evaluation due in September deems test questions valid, serious questions remain about whether the disruptive testing conditions rendered this test an unreliable tool for assessing student learning,” the letter says. “Children across the state suffered through blank screens, crashed servers, and repeated log outs. We cannot reasonably expect our children to perform well under these circumstances.”
The independent evaluation of the Florida Standards Assessments was approved by lawmakers as part of a broader testing bill (HB 7069) after the heavily-criticized rollout of the new exams. In addition to technical snafus, the testing platform was also struck by a cyber attack.
by The News Service of Florida
Century Sex Offender, Former Correctional Officer Back Behind Bars
July 2, 2015
A sex offender from Century is back behind bars for allegedly failing to comply with Florida’s registration laws.
Paul Edward Black, 48, was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail where he was being held without bond for failure to report a residence change.
Black was sentenced to federal prison in August 2010 after being found guilty on one count of possession of child pornography. Following prison, he was remain under supervised release for eight years, participate in sexual offender treatment program and register as a sex offender.
In 2009, deputies seized a laptop computer, desktop computer and 56 CD’s from Black’s Century residence while he was at work as a correctional officer.. When sheriff’s investigators later interviewed Black , he admitted to searching the Internet for child pornography, according to federal court documents, and admitted to specific search terms that he used.
New Law Makes More Vaccines Available At Florida Pharmacies
July 2, 2015
Floridians are now able to receive more vaccines at their local pharmacies under a law that took effect Wednesday.
Pharmacists were already able to administer vaccines that fight some viruses, like influenza and shingles, but the new measure (HB 279) added several others, including shots targeted at measles, mumps and rubella; tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (or whooping cough); and human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cancer.
The new law also allows pharmacy interns to be certified to give vaccines.
“The one way to ensure that more people receive needed vaccinations is to make it more convenient, and this legislation increases that access and will help keep all residents and visitors safe and healthy,” said Senate Health Policy Committee Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, in a statement calling attention to the new law.
by The News Service of Florida
Man Gets Federal Prison Time For Weapon Possession During Shooting
July 2, 2015
An Escambia County man is headed to federal prison on a weapons charge in connection with shooting last year at a nightclub.
Darius Devon Williams was sentenced to 14.5 years for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. His DNA was found on the weapon, according to prosecutors.
The shooting happened in the parking lot of Gene’s Lounge off West Navy Boulevard in late September 2014. The victim survived.
Williams still faces multiple state charges for the shooting.
Escambia County RESTORE Project Portal Now Open
July 2, 2015
The Escambia County RESTORE Project Application Portal is now open and can be accessed by visiting restore.myescambia.com.
The portal will be open for 90 days and will close on Wednesday, September 30, with individuals, businesses and organizations invited to submit projects for RESTORE funding via the portal during that time period.
No project proposals will be accepted after the portal’s closing date of September 30, 2015.
Submitted projects must:
- Meet at least one of the eligibility criteria outlined in the federal RESTORE Act (see eligible activities)
- Include a project budget
- Address the evaluation criteria which can be found at www.myescambia.com/restore
Several community workshops are scheduled for each Commission District in an effort to introduce the project portal, answer questions regarding application preparation and submission, and encourage collaboration. Citizens are also encouraged to bring their own projects and ask one-on-one questions. A current schedule of the workshops are listed below:
(District 3) – Monday, July 13, Central Office Complex (3363 West Park Place), 5:30 p.m.
(District 1) – Tuesday, July 21, Charity Chapel (5820 Montgomery Avenue), 5:30 p.m.
(District 5) – Monday, July 27, Langley Bell 4-H Center (3730 Stefani Road), 5:30 p.m.
(District 4) – Tuesday, August 11, Gull Point Community Center (7000 Spanish Trail Road), 5:30 p.m.
Once the application portal closes, project proposals will be evaluated by the technical review team consisting of subject matter experts, the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee and the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners.
During the review process, applicants may be contacted for more information. Once all projects have been ranked, a list of recommended projects will be posted on www.myescambia.com/restore. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments on the project list. The Board of County Commissioners has the final authority for approval of the project list before it is submitted to the U.S. Department of Treasury for federal level review.
For more information, contact Shelly Marshall, RESTORE coordinator for Escambia County, at (850) 595-5460, email restore@myescambia.com.
Special Session Over, But Spotlight On Florida Hospitals Continues
July 2, 2015
A panel formed by Gov. Rick Scott to examine the finances of hospitals and other parts of the health-care industry held its first meeting Wednesday since the end of two legislative sessions dominated by those issues, as Scott signaled he would continue pushing for changes.
The governor’s Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding met in Jacksonville to hear from local hospitals — and particularly UF Health Jacksonville — and to consider data on executive compensation and the quality of care around the state.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Scott made it clear that, despite the end of the special session last month that focused on resolving health-care funding, he wanted the panel to come up with future modifications.
“As we prepare for the next legislative session, it is imperative that the Commission continues to look at taxpayer funded hospitals to ensure there is a measurable return on investment on any money these institutions receive in the future,” Scott said. “This review will help guide our decisions when determining how to best move forward so all Floridians can know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent and the outcomes being received at each hospital.”
The Jacksonville meeting came about a month and a half after Scott wrote a letter to Russell Armistead, chief executive officer of UF Health Jacksonville, asking why the institution “appears to be more reliant on supplemental payments through the LIP program than any other hospital in Florida.”
The Low Income Pool, or LIP, is largely used to cover the expenses of uninsured, low-income Floridians who show up at hospitals needing treatment. A conflict between the federal government and the state over extending the program derailed the 2015 legislative session and forced lawmakers to return to Tallahassee in June to approve a state budget.
The federal government eventually extended the program but cut its funding from about $2.2 billion to about $1 billion. A mix of state and other federal funds was used to fill in the hole.
In his remarks to the commission, Armistead defended his hospital, saying that the state’s return on investment from the facility “may be the best in Florida.” He said UF Health Jacksonville treats a disproportionate number of residents with Medicaid or no health insurance, is the sixth largest employer in Jacksonville and keeps many of its medical residents in the area when their education is complete.
“We do all this, as we’ll explain, despite the markedly declining levels in the LIP funding over the last several years,” Armistead said.
Armistead’s facility, formerly known as Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, also won praise from some of the members of the panel.
The hospital executive also questioned plans by some lawmakers to change the “certificate of need” program, which regulates such issues as the construction and replacement of hospitals. Supporters of the CON program say it is needed to prevent the proliferation of small, private facilities that could pick off the most lucrative patients and leave the least attractive ones for public hospitals.
“If you want business to work and do away with CON, do away with all that stuff, it’s great. Just tell hospitals you don’t have to take care of people who don’t have money,” said Armistead, who added that it wasn’t his preferred solution. “Then, I could turn Shands Jacksonville around probably (in) three weeks.”
Meanwhile, some members of the panel continued to express frustration with the inability to get hospitals to open up their books.
But doing so could require a change in law, according to an official with the Agency of Health Care Administration at the meeting.
Sam Seevers, a former Destin mayor who serves on the commission, pointed out that the members of the panel — who are volunteers appointed by Scott — have to disclose their own finances as part of their obligations under the state’s open-government laws.
“That should be part of what (hospitals) do as well if they’re receiving monies,” she said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Cunningham, Tanner Win 4-H Foundation Scholarships
July 2, 2015
Two Escambia County 4-H members who have excelled in both 4-H and academics have been awarded 4-H Foundation scholarships.
Navy Federal Credit Union 4-H Scholarship – $1,500
Amanda Tanner was a dual enrollment student at Pensacola State College and graduated with a high school diploma and associate’s degree. As a 4-H member for four years, she has held many leadership positions at the local, district and state levels, including president for the 4-H County Council of Escambia County.
Tanner has completed more than 500 hours of community service, served as a 4-H camp counselor and 4-H teen health ambassador, and is a member and president of the Escambia County 4-H Horse Club. Her plans are to attend the University of South Alabama and major in chemistry. After graduation, Tanner plans to attend veterinarian school specializing in large animals.
Escambia County 4-H Foundation Scholarship – $1,500
Donald Cunningham is a four-year 4-H member of the Molino Livestock 4-H Club. He graduated from Pace High School with honors and has completed more than 200 hours of community service at Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Youth Group.
Cunningham was very active in the 4-H livestock project and was awarded Steer of the Year and Heifer of the Year at the recent Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Youth Organization (GCA & NRYO) Spring Livestock Show. Cunningham will attend the University of Florida and major in building and construction management.
Water District Adds New Escambia River Campsites To Reservation System
July 2, 2015
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has added 58 campsites to its online camping reservation system. These campsites are located along the Apalachicola, Escambia, and Choctawhatchee rivers. With these new additions, there are now 88 campsites within 28 areas available to reserve online for free.
“One of the District’s priorities is making the use of public lands easier and more convenient for our visitors, whether they’re from across town or across the country,” District Executive Director Brett Cyphers said. “By providing potential visitors the ability to reserve more campsites online, we can better ensure a more predictable and positive experience. And that’s what we want in the end, more people getting outside and enjoying the natural places they pay to support and protect.”
To make a campsite reservation, visitors must first register for a free online account. Once this is done, visitors can then reserve a site up to 11 months in advance for up to seven days. Two non-consecutive reservations are allowed at one time for each account.
New signs designating, “Camping By Reservation Only” have been placed at the newly-added campsites. Day-use is still available at those recreation areas where signs are posted and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To view the full list of District campsites available to reserve, visit www.nwfwater.com and then click on “Recreation”.
Jacksonville Tops The Blue Wahoos 6-2
July 2, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos welcomed a new slugger to its lineup Wednesday—right fielder Juan Duran.
Duran, who is Pensacola’s single-season home run holder with 17 last season, hit a bullet for a single to centerfield in the fourth inning to drive in Blue Wahoos left fielder Jesse Winker. He went 2-3 on the night, walked and scored. He also knocked a two-out double off the right field wall in the ninth.
The Jacksonville Suns, though, took the lead for the Golden Skillet trophy beating Pensacola, 6-2, in front of 4,649 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The trophy goes annually to the series winner, which Jacksonville now leads, 6-5.
Duran said his wrist felt fine after returning from injury rehab with the Arizona League Reds. There, the outfielder went 9-23 and hit .391 with two home runs and nine RBIs in seven games.
“I felt great,” he said. “Nothing was hurting. I just do my best every time I play.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly was happy to see Duran’s bat in the middle of the lineup, after he hit .243 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 2014.
“Every time he steps to the plate you stop to watch because he has a chance to hit it out of the ballpark,” Kelly said. “We haven’t had that in the middle of the lineup all year.”
Wandy Peralta entered the game 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA against the Suns, even throwing six scoreless innings May 15 against the team. However, Jacksonville scored five runs in the first inning off the southpaw on four singles and a triple by Suns right fielder Carlos Lopez, who has now gotten a hit in 24 of his last 27 games.
Kelly said a few ball and strike calls hurt Peralta’s focus.
“He had the ball up and didn’t get a couple of calls from the umpire which irritated him,” Kelly said.
The Pensacola bullpen came in and shut down the Jacksonville offensive burst. Jacob Johnson threw 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, two walks and striking out three.
Zack Weiss came in in the ninth Wednesday and struck out two Suns. He has now faced 20 batters in his last five games and struck out 11.
“Johnson really saved our bullpen,” Kelly said. “That was huge.”
Kelly also liked what he saw in Weiss, who retired the Suns 1-2-3. He has now thrown seven scoreless innings in his last five relief appearances.
“That’s what we anticipated when he first got here,” Kelly said. “He has straightened things out.
Bond Reduction Denied For Century Homicide Suspect
July 1, 2015
An Escambia County Circuit Clerk judge has refused to reduce bond for a Century man accused in a January 31 shooting death in Century.
Judge Jennie Kinsey ordered that 20-year old remain in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $215,000. He is charged negligent manslaughter and aggravated assault for the shooting death 20-year old Jonathan Wilson. Myles is due to appear in court again in September. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
