Drivers Escape Injury In Highway 29 Crash
April 6, 2015
There were no injuries reported in a two vehicle crash late Sunday afternoon on Highway 29 at Barrineau Park Road. Occupants in both vehicles refused medical treatment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball Tryouts, Open Gym Dates Scheduled
April 6, 2015
Northview High School volleyball tryouts will be held later this month, and a series of “open gym” dates beginning this week will provide practice time.
Open Gym will be held April 8, 19, 14 and 17 from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. Attendance is not required.
Tryouts will be held April 27 and 28 from 3:30 until 5:00 in the Northview gym.
A current sports physical is required before tryouts or open gym. For more information, contact Mrs. Luker at the school.
Car Show In Jay To Benefit Relay For Life
April 6, 2015
The “Show ‘n Shine” car and truck show will be held Saturday, April 11 in the Jay City Park.
The car show begins at noon, with judging at 3:00. The early entry fee is $20, and increases to $25 at the gate. Awards will be presented for best in show and best project.
All proceeds from the car show will go to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. For more info, call (850) 565-0504.
Escambia To Use Federal Funds To Rehabilitate Or Reconstruct Housing In Century
April 6, 2015
An interlocal agreement will allow Escambia County to pass $75,000 federal funding along to the Town of Century to rehabilitate or reconstruct at least one home.
Century is not an “entitlement community” and does not directly receive any U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME funds as Escambia County does. Though Century can apply for funding through the state’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant, they are not guaranteed funding through that application. Funding through the state program was last received by Century in 2012.
Due to the needs in Century, Escambia County has sporadically funded HOME projects in Century since 1994.
Century will handle client applications and construction management for the homeowner(s) who will receive housing repair assistance through the agreement and will contribute some funds toward the project. Theproject will allow for substantial rehabilitation of at least one home or complete reconstruction. The assistance will be secured against the property in the form of a low interest loan, deferred payment loan and/or deferred payment grant based on the age and income of the homeowner. The Century project gives preference to a very low income homeowner.
The Escambia County Commission will vote on the agreement at their April 9 meeting.
Cantonment Meeting: Learn How To Protect Your Home Against Formosan Termites
April 6, 2015
Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) is hosting a free public workshop Tuesday in Cantonment for area residents to learn necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly Formosan termite damage.
Annually, Formosan termites cause $1 billion in damage in the United States, and our surrounding areas of Escambia, of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa countis are known hot spots for these aggressive pests. Florida’s temperate climate provides a perfect environment for termites, and immediate signs of structural damage to a home may go undetected for long periods of time. Springtime serves as the breeding season for most species of termites, and Formosan termites will be swarming in May, so it is important for residents to understand what they can do in advance to protect their homes.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is collaborating with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Extension Offices in the Panhandle to educate homeowners about Formosan termites. Homeowners can learn methods for controlling this structural pest and protecting their homes by attending one of four educational meetings being held in the month of April. Homeowners are also encouraged to bring their pest control contract to one of these workshops for review.
Specific topics include:
- Formosan termite biology including simple ways to identify them
- Available Formosan termite pest control protection for your home
- Florida law and building code pertaining to termites
- What you can do to recognize and fix the weaknesses in and around your home
- Bring your pest control contract for review by FDACS experts
Registration is encourage, but not required, for meetings that will be held as follows:
Escambia County Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 8 p.m. at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. Contact Beth Bolles to register: bbolles@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230.
South Santa Rosa County Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 6- 8 p.m. at Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
North Santa Rosa County Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6- 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa County Extension, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton. Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
Photo courtesy UF/IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Graffiti Bridge’ Used To Spread Easter Message
April 5, 2015
“Graffiti Bridge” in Pensacola, as seen on Easter Morning. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Services
April 5, 2015
Easter morning sunrise services and special church services were held at many locations across the area Sunday morning.
One of the largest sunrise services in North Escambia was held in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held in Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton, Gonzalez and Cantonment. And thousands attended a Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Sonrise Service held at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown.
The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium Sunday. Courtesy photos from Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Hits Utility Pole In Highway 95A Crash
April 5, 2015
One person was injured when they slammed their vehicle into a utility pole early Sunday morning near Cottage Hill.
The driver of the passenger car lost on Highway 95A near Williams Ditch Road about 2:30 a.m. and struck a utility pole nearly head-on, nearly snapping the pole in half. The vehicle came to rest upside down in a ditch.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the name of the person injured, have not yet been released as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck
April 5, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle wreck Saturday night in Cantonment.
The driver of this car left the roadway and struck a pole on Highway 29 near the Winn Dixie shopping center. The adult male was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver’s name has not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Test Bill On Hold Amid Debate Over High Level Courses
April 5, 2015
Legislation that would overhaul Florida’s testing program for public schools was in suspended animation, as senators weigh whether to exempt some students in high-level classes from statewide standardized tests.
The potential change bubbled up as lawmakers try to put the finishing touches on the highest-profile education legislation of the session. After a lengthy discussion of the bill (HB 7069), the Senate decided to return to the legislation
Language under consideration by the Senate, some of it adopted, would put on hold the use of student test data for school grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion to fourth grade until the new Florida Standards Assessments can be independently validated. The testing platform used for the assessments has come under attack from lawmakers and the public after a rollout last month that featured log-in problems and a cyber attack.
The Senate would also scrap a law requiring school districts to come up with end-of-course tests in classes where the state doesn’t administer such exams; cap at 5 percent the share of students’ time that can be spent on testing; and reduce from 50 percent to a third the portion of a teacher’s evaluation tied to student performance.
But the chamber got bogged down when Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, proposed an amendment that would exempt students who do well on tests in high-level courses — like advanced placement or industry certification exams — or on the ACT or SAT from the corresponding statewide tests.
There seemed to be little disagreement about the policy thrust of Lee’s proposal. According to the overall bill’s sponsor, though, it was unclear whether the amendment might undermine an emerging compromise with the House on the legislation.
“This may be the one straw … that causes us to hit the reset button,” said Senate Education Pre-K-12 Chairman John Legg, R-Lutz. “But if it’s a passion of this body, it will be a passion of mine.”
Lee said he wouldn’t stand in the way of a compromise. But if there wasn’t a done deal, he said the Senate should “send the strongest message to the Department of Education and to our colleagues in the House that we think there’s too damn much testing going on in this state,” particularly with students who are likely to pass the tests with ease.
“We have lost the public-relations war in our communities over testing,” Lee said. “And all the theory and all the concept is great, but the parents aren’t buying it anymore. We’ve spun and talked our way through this as long as we can, and no one’s buying the message anymore.”
Other lawmakers were prepared to go along with the idea regardless of what it might do to negotiations with the House.
“Don’t we owe it to the students, the parents and the teachers of this state to do it right instead of doing it in a hurry?” said Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla. “I beg you, pass this good amendment and challenge, if you need to, our colleagues in the House to not take it. I cannot imagine their good conscience allowing them to reject this amendment.”
Even if the amendment were to pass, though, there could still be divisions about the legislation. A bipartisan group of senators protested an amendment that would allow schools in Florida to start as early as Aug. 10, saying it could hurt tourism and take away summers for young Floridians. That measure was approved on a voice vote.
Some Democrats hammered provisions of the Senate language as inadequate to address parental complaints about the Florida Standards Assessments in particular and over-testing more generally. For example, they questioned why the state didn’t suspend the test while a third-party group conducts the study called for by the legislation.
“This is kind of backwards. What we’re doing is giving kids the test and then deciding afterwards whether or not we’re going validate the test,” said Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida