Area Population: Local Florida Cities Growing; Alabama Cities Decline
May 22, 2015
New estimated population numbers released Thursday show the population on the upswing in Florida cities in the North Escambia area, while Alabama city populations in the area are on the decline.
The data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that between 2013 and 2014:
- Century’s population increased by 0.9 percent to 1,752, up from 1,736.
- Pensacola’s population increased by 0.5 percent to 53,068, up from 52,778.
- Jay’s population increased by 1.4 percent to 566, up from 558.
- Milton’s population increased by 1.7 percent to 9,445, up from 9,289.
- Atmore’s population decreased by 0.3 percent to 10,006, down from 10,036.
- Flomaton’s population decreased by 0.5 percent to 1,417, down from 1,424.
- Brewton’s population decreased by 0.4 percent to 5,391, down from 5,408.
The four-year trend from the last complete census in 2010 to the 2014 estimate showed the same trend of decline in the Alabama cities and increases in the Florida cities.
Over the four-year period, Milton’s population was up 7 percent; Jay was up 6 percent, Century increased by 3 percent and Pensacola grew by 2 percent. The population in Atmore and Flomaton fell by about two percent over the four years, while Brewton saw a 0.3 percent decrease.
IP Awards $50K In Grants To Local Community Groups
May 22, 2015
International Paper has awarded $50,000 in Foundation Grants to local community organizations. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs.
“We are privileged to be able to assist our local community organizations in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of the residents and children of Northwest Florida,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager. “Their efforts serve to strengthen our community.”
North Escambia area community organizations and their projects that were awarded grants for 2015 are:
Escambia County Extension 4H “4H Environmental Stewardship”
The 4-H Environmental stewardship program supports the educational directives implemented at the new 4-H Center on Chalker Road in Molino. Specific forestry and natural resource program material will emphasize the concepts of tree value, development of plant communities, forestry services and related ecosystem management. The funds will be used to plant pine and hardwood trees for demonstrations. “We will be using it for a teaching demonstration for the 4-H youth,” Extension Agent Hank Bignell said. The learning process will begin as the 4-H members assist in planting the trees.
Greater First Baptist Church, “Community Literacy Mentoring and Tutoring Program”
Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment (GFB) serves as a resource and learning center for the Cantonment community and the surrounding areas. The grant helps them to provide a continuum of supplemental reading and writing activities, tutoring and homework assistance and various other structured learning, which also includes peer mentoring. Activities are designed to strengthen each participants self-esteem focusing on reading programs and the performing arts. The built in social and life skills development highlights self-respect, respect for others, cooperation, sense of community ownership and responsibility and youth participation in the management of their own behavior.
Cantonment Improvement Committee “Cantonment Resource Center Training Hub”
Escambia County has installed a modular building that is now used as the Cantonment Resource Center near Carver Park. The grant will fund materials and supplies to help outfit the training hub. A ribbon cutting for resource center was held Monday (pictured).
Jim Allen Elementary School, “Eggstraordinary Readers”
The goal of the Reading Eggs program is to support each child’s learning by offering activities in an interactive way to help children progress at their own rate. It fosters a love of reading at a young age so students will continue to read and to be successful throughout life. The Reading Eggs program is a powerful educational program that is based on the most up to date research on how children learn to read. The program includes activities and reward games to keep children motivated and interested in learning to read. This program includes progress reports that can be printed and shared with parents.
J.M. Tate High School “New Life for Old Fish”
Teacher John Hannon will utilize the grant to refurbish all of the science aquariums and redesign each one to represent a different marine habitat that one might find along Florida’s diverse shoreline. The aquaria will be outfitted with living flora and fauna representative of each habitat.
Other grants awarded include:
- American Red Cross “Home Fires Campaign”
- Autism Pensacola “Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab”
- Ballet Pensacola, ”Discover Dance”
- Council on Aging of NWFL, “Big Green, Little Green Composting!”
- Creative Learning Academy “Middle School Library”
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, “Literacy and Environmental Classroom Grants”
- Every Child a Reader in Escambia “Project Ready 2015”
- First City Arts Alliance “Green Art Program: Recycled Papermaking and Paper Arts”
- Partnership for Community Programs “Bay Day 2015,” “Stormwater Curb Marking Program,” and “Stormwater Estuary Education Program
- Pensacola Mess Hall “Natural History Discover Cart”
- Pensacola Opera “From Words to Music”
- Pensacola State College Foundation, Inc., “PSC Summer Environment Camp”
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, “Global Learning Academy Reading Volunteers” and “Nature Trail”
- The Global Corner “New Zealand and Activity Book for Children”
- UWF Foundation, “Emerald Coast BEST Robotics Hub” and “Summer Institute for the National Writing Project”
Pictured top: Extension Agents Hank Bignell and Beth Bolles accepted a grant Thursday from the International Paper Foundation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Molesting Child
May 22, 2015
An Escambia County man was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in state prison for lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12. He was convicted by a jury last month.
he incident occurred while the victim was spending the night at a relative’s house. The victim immediately disclosed the incident.
Operation Works To Clean Up Cottage Hill
May 22, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep operation Thursday morning in the Cottage Hill area.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” was to work with the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch group, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers also worked throughout the day to clean trash and debris from alongside neighborhoods streets.
During Thursday’s event, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office issued 16 traffic citations, and a dozen sex offender addresses were verified. There were 10 code violations cited, and 20 tons of debris was removed. There were no arrests reported.
The event was hosted by the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office plans their next Clean Sweep for June 18 in the Maxwell Street area.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Scott Signs Bills On Carrying Guns, Bolstering Child Protection
May 22, 2015
.Gov. Rick Scott signed 44 bills into law Thursday, including a measure that will allow Floridians without concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns during mandatory emergency evacuations.
He also signed bills aimed at improving the state’s child-protection and juvenile-justice systems, banning job discrimination based on pregnancy and creating tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities.
The new gun law (SB 290) went into effect as soon as Scott signed it. Backers say the measure will allow people to bring their weapons when forced to leave home because of hurricanes and other disasters.
“It’s really a no-brainer,” National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer said. “When people are forced to leave their homes, they have a right to carry their possessions with them — including their firearms to protect their property.”
A similar measure died in the Senate last year amid concerns by the Florida Sheriffs Association and senators on both sides of the aisle. Some were apprehensive about increasing the number of armed people on the streets without concealed-weapons licenses during emergencies.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, addressed those concerns this year by limiting the amount of time people can carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses to 48 hours, which can be extended by the governor.
Meanwhile, the child-protection law (SB 7078) began as what’s known as a glitch bill, expanding aspects of a sweeping reform measure that passed last year. The new law will increase reporting of medical neglect and will expand the role of the state’s Critical Incident Rapid Response Team, which the secretary of the Department of Children and Families can dispatch to investigate child deaths.
It will also require services to be “evidence-based and trauma-informed” — a recommendation of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, which was created as part of last year’s law. Children’s services must be based on the idea that abused kids can recover from trauma by addressing the painful experiences they’ve endured, such as violent or addicted parents.
Additionally, an amendment to the bill caused battles in the House and Senate. That provision, which passed, will require employees and volunteers of certain membership organizations — such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts — to meet background screening requirements through the Department of Children and Families.
“Florida’s children now have greater protection against the evildoers in our society,” said Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Chairwoman Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat who sponsored the bill and the controversial amendment.
The governor also signed a bill (SB 378) that will increase the number of times law-enforcement officers may issue civil citations to non-violent juvenile offenders.
Sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, the measure will eliminate part of state law that limits juvenile-diversion programs to first-time misdemeanor offenders. That would allow civil-citation and other diversion programs to be used in second or subsequent offenses.
The bill will allow officers the choice of issuing simple warnings or informing children’s parents or guardians about misdemeanor offenses. Under the measure, juveniles could be assigned up to 50 hours of community service or required to participate in intervention programs, such as family counseling and substance-abuse and mental-health treatment.
Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, a Deerfield Beach Democrat who sponsored the House version of the bill, said she was “delighted” Scott signed the measure into law.
“This new law gives important discretion to officers on the streets, critical opportunity to youthful offenders and more productive use of taxpayers’ money,” Clarke-Reed said in a prepared statement. “We should, when we can, offer kids who find themselves in trouble a path to productivity rather than a pipeline to jail.”
Over the past four years, the use of civil citations in Florida has increased from seven to 59 of the state’s 67 counties.
Both the child-protection and civil-citation laws go into effect on Oct .1.
Among the other bills Scott signed Thursday was a measure (SB 642) that will create the Florida ABLE program so that people with disabilities can save money in tax-free savings accounts for future services without losing their eligibility for state and federal benefits. Also, he signed a bill (SB 982) that bans discrimination based on pregnancy in employment, public lodging and food service establishments.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Kendal Cobb Named Miss Northview High
May 22, 2015
Senior Kendal Cobb has been named Miss Northview High School 2015.
She is the daughter of Jamie and Becky Cobb. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Northview on May 20, she plans to attend a local community college and major in nursing.
Rather than a traditional pageant, Miss Northview High School was selected this year by a portfolio, poster, resume, an interview with judges, teacher recommendations and a vote of the student body.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lower LIP Funding Sets Stage For Session Debate
May 22, 2015
Florida can anticipate about $1 billion in funding for a health-care program at the center of a state budget standoff, a high-ranking federal official wrote in a letter Thursday, giving lawmakers a better idea of what to expect when they begin a special session next month.
The estimate provided in the letter from Vikki Wachino, director of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, would mark a reduction of about $1.2 billion in the program, which is known as the Low Income Pool, during the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for LIP would then likely fall to about $600 million in later years, Wachino wrote.
The letter also provides a list of options Florida could use to offset the drop in LIP, which sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients. Wachino suggested that the state boost the rates it pays hospitals for treating Medicaid patients.
“We note that this ($1 billion) level of funding for the LIP, coupled with the options the state may elect at its discretion described in this letter, would enable Florida to retain Medicaid investment in the state at or above the current $2.16 billion level of LIP funding,” she wrote.
The federal decision on LIP would extend the program past its current June 30 expiration date and could provide the Legislature with a way out of the budget impasse. Lawmakers are expected to begin a special session June 1 to resolve the spending plan.
But cutting funding for the program could also harden some divisions at the Capitol. Senate leaders have pushed for the state to offset the loss of LIP funds by using federal Medicaid expansion money to help lower-income Floridians purchase private insurance — an idea adamantly opposed by House Republican leaders and Gov. Rick Scott.
If the state has to instead offset the loss by backfilling the hole with tax revenues, that could eat into funding for other priorities, like public education and tax cuts.
“I think it confirms the magnitude of the potential backfill number to make the system whole, and I think it sends a very strong message about the expiration of LIP over time,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said of the federal letter.
Lee and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, argued that the size of the cut in LIP backs the chamber’s insistence on expanding health-care coverage.
“While the letter from CMS outlines a number of policy alternatives, none of these options will allow Florida to maximize both state and federal taxpayer dollars in a more effective manner than by reducing the number of uninsured Floridians seeking basic health care in hospital emergency rooms,” Gardiner wrote in a memo to senators. “Clearly, a conservative free-market expansion of health care coverage is the most fiscally responsible approach.”
But Scott and the House have opposed expanding Medicaid in any form. The disagreement between the House and Senate on the issue in part caused the impasse that saw lawmakers adjourn the regular annual session without a budget in place.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, told his members in a memo that the House was still reviewing Wachino’s letter and would provide a more thorough response later.
“Until then, I believe the clear indication before the special session is Florida will receive a significant level of LIP funds, which will help us in our efforts to finish the budget by the July 1 deadline,” he wrote.
House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, indicated late Thursday he favored a plan that would use state money to make the hospitals whole. The House had pitched a similar idea near the end of the regular session, when lawmakers were unsure what the final size of the LIP program might be.
“Now, the great news is that we’re able to do that with finality,” Corcoran said.
Speaking to reporters at Taylor County’s Perry Primary School, where he was visiting, Scott seemed to once again rule out the idea of a state Medicaid expansion plan.
“The Senate’s plan would cost our taxpayers $5 billion over the first 10 years,” Scott said. “If you look at history, health-care programs in almost every case cost way more than what people thought in the beginning.”
Scott also said he hadn’t decided whether to drop a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to bar the agency from considering whether the state has expanded Medicaid while weighing a decision on LIP.
Attorneys for the two sides agreed Thursday to extend until June 1 a deadline for federal officials to respond to Scott’s request for an injunction in the lawsuit.
In her letter, Wachino tried to emphasize that while LIP and a coverage expansion are related, whether Florida expanded Medicaid wasn’t a factor in the federal government’s decision.
“Regardless of whether a state expands, uncompensated care pool funding should not pay for costs that would be covered in a Medicaid expansion,” she wrote. “Therefore, the state’s expansion decision does not affect the size of the LIP itself.”
House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, applauded the agency for its decision in the face of the lawsuit.
“Despite Gov. Scott’s lack of planning, hostile public relations campaign and frivolous litigation, CMS has acted in the best interests of taxpayers and the people of Florida,” Pafford said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
West Florida’s Hicks Signs With Huntingdon College
May 22, 2015
Former Cantonment Cowboy and now West Florida High School senior Brandon Hicks has signed with Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Pictured: Brandon Hicks (in tie), his mother and father David and Kelli Hicks, sister Cheyenne Hicks and (standing) Coach Harry Lees and and West Florida Principal Eric Smith. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Cancels Subway All Star Baseball And Softball Games
May 22, 2015
The Subway High School All-Star 2014-15 Series baseball and softball games at the University of West Florida were called Thursday evening due to threatening weather.
The East baseball team and West softball team were each up 1-0 as the games ended.
The games will not be rescheduled due to it being at the end of the school.
Team members were:
WEST SOFTBALL
Catholic – Keaton Covan – LF/SS
Escambia – Rebecca Rudd – OF
Escambia – Sara Spears – OF/1B
Northview – Addy Lee – 2B
Northview – Mallory Ryan – Pitcher/ 1B
Northview – Angel Lathan – Catcher/ CF
Pensacola – Tanogela Brown – RF
Pensacola – N’Dya Tolbert – CF
Pine Forest – Brooke Lauter – P/ 1B
Pine Forest – Tiana Alevedo – SS/ 2B
Tate – Izzy Werdann – C/3B
Tate – Tori Perkins – P/1B/3B
Tate – Sam Burks – OF
Tate – Casey McCrackin – SS
Tate – Rachel Wright – 2B/OF
Tate – Lauren Brennan – OF
Washington – Callan Burkett – 3B
Washington – Lauren Douber – CF
West Florida – Kayla Miller – 2B/SS/OF
West Florida – Kristin Gunter – SS/3B/1B
EAST SOFTBALL
Baker – Tori Foster – CF/IF/C
Baker – Alexis Mitchem – P/IF
Central – Makayla Simmons – 1B/OF
Central – Courtney Arnaud – C
Central – Brittney Amey – SS
Choctaw – Macie Gray – C
Choctaw – Sydney Oliver – CF
Crestview – Taylor Henderson – 2B/ SS/ RF
Fort Walton – Braya Enriquez – OF/C
Gulf Breeze – Gena Ramos – RF
Gulf Breeze – Sydney Ezelle – SS
Gulf Breeze – Paige VanTassel – 3B
Jay – Dana Blackmon – P/1B
Jay – Emily Dobson – 1B
Laurel Hill – Ashley Hatfield – C/ OF
Milton – Hannah Wakeman – 3B/P
Milton – Whitney Dowell – C/SS/3B/Athlete
Navarre – Shana Pearl – CF
Niceville – Haley Baker – Catcher
Niceville – Jaci Hodskins – OF/ IF
Niceville – Graysen Gladden – CF
Pace – Tristen Pearson – SS/OF
Pace – Payton Carpenter – P/DH
WEST BASEBALL
Catholic – David Rosen – P
Catholic – Brandon Lockridge – SS
Catholic – Jawan Purifoy – OF
Catholic – Evans Bozeman – IB- P
Catholic – Harrison Carroll – RF
East Hill – Joshua Farina – P/SS/3B
Escambia – Anthony Stoeter – CF
Escambia – Jessie Gunter – P
Northview – Chase Freeman – SS
Northview – Aaron McDonald – OF
PCA – Spencer Wass – P/SS/C/CF
PCA – Brennan Roberts – Catcher
PHS – Chris Welt – P
Pine Forest – Chris Byrd – 2B/P
Pine Forest – Brent Bodree – Catcher
Pine Forest – Nick Williams – P/1B/3B
Tate – Hunter Worley – 3B/C
Tate – Jacob Saulnier – 1B/OF
Tate – Mark Miller – 1B/LHP
Washington – Dylan Morgan – LH Pitcher
Washington – Thomas Strange – Pitcher/ OF
Washington – Rylan Hendricks – OF
Washington – Branch Robinson – OF
West Florida – Mikey Jones – P/INF
West Florida – RJ Lewis – SS/P
West Florida – Kyle Harrison – Catcher
EAST BASEBALL
Baker – Austin Hicks – P/SS/C
Central – Reid Grant – OF/IF
Central – Justin Abel – P/OF/1B
Choctaw – Zach Jowers – SS
Choctaw – Hayden Bludworth – P
Choctaw – Nate Gilmore – C
Crestview – Nathan Gerard – Catcher
FWB – Jake Smith – P
FWB – Joe Guidry – C
FWB – Darren Hasch – 3B
Gulf Breeze – Jacob Kubik – SS
Jay – Taylor Kelley – P/LF
Laurel Hill – Max Smith – OF
Milton – Taylor Ford – Catcher
Milton – Micah McGaha – Pitcher
Milton – Bryton Melvin – 3B/ Pitcher
Milton – Brenden Blevins – Outfield
Navarre – Billy Unterbrink – 2B
Niceville – Drew Frederic – SS
Niceville – Chance Riley – P
Niceville – Tyler Head – C/IF
Niceville – Trevor Eubanks – P
Pace – Chase Lambert – P
Pace – Tyler Sharp – SS
Rocky Bayou – Zackary Payne – Catcher/ OF
Pictured top: Subway All-Stars from Northview High (L-R) Addy Lee, Chasen Freeman, Angel Lathan, Aaron McDonald and Mallory Ryan. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
64 Arrested In Warrant Sweep
May 22, 2015
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office warrant sweep resulted in 64 arrests and 136 warrants being served. The sweep targeted those who had outstanding warrants for sex crimes, fraud and stolen property.
For a list of those arrested, charges and mugshots, click here (pdf file).