McCullough Named Century Chamber’s Student Of The Year
February 25, 2015
Northview High School senior Jessica McCullough has been name the Century Chamber of Commerce’s Student of the Year.The annual selection is based upon a student’s well-rounded involvement in school activities, community service and more. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview JV Beats Baker; Baker Tops NHS Varsity
February 25, 2015
The Northview Lady Chiefs split games with the Baker Gators Tuesday in Bratt.
The NHS junior varsity defeated Baker 8-4, while the Baker varsity downed the Lady Chiefs 3-1 in eight innings.
Northview will host Freeport Friday. The junior varsity begins at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Scott Suspends 11th Grade English Test
February 25, 2015
Days before testing was scheduled to begin, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Tuesday suspending the administration of an 11th-grade language arts test that Education Commissioner Pam Stewart has asked the Legislature to eliminate.
The move was expected; Stewart had recommended last week that Scott suspend the exam so that lawmakers can consider legislation to permanently scrap it. Critics of the test say it’s redundant because students’ graduation requirements in language arts are fulfilled by an assessment given in the 10th grade.
The state’s largest teachers union, though, said Scott should have done more, even as union leaders conceded they were unsure of the limits of his authority. Officials with the Florida Education Association pointed out that the executive order gets rid of just one of the tests that students face, and they pushed for suspending the entire school-accountability system for a year.
“But we think that the governor ought to have an executive order that delays all of this for a year or two in order to let us try to bring everything together and figure out, is the system that we have in place helping instruction and helping students?” union President Andy Ford said.
In a nod to the fact that the state is introducing a new set of statewide exams this year, the Legislature has already given public schools a reprieve from consequences that might have followed poor marks on the annual school report card. But schools will still be given letter grades, students could still be retained in third grade if they don’t pass a state test, and teachers will still see part of their job evaluations based on student performance.
Ford said the state should treat this year’s exams as a “field test” to work out any kinks.
“We should still go ahead and administer the test, but we shouldn’t have the consequences for that,” he said.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday afternoon after a roundtable discussion with local teachers of the year, Scott indicated he wasn’t interested in a delay.
“We all know that when we measure something, there’s a greater chance that we’re going to take it seriously and we’re going to improve,” he said. “I believe our teachers are going to do well. I think our students are going to do well.”
Stewart also recommended curtailing some other local and statewide tests in her report last week, but much of the testing that the state requires would remain in place. Lawmakers plan to pass legislation dealing with assessments during the 60-day session that begins next week.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Tate’s Football Season Opener Not In Biloxi After All
February 25, 2015
The Tate High School Quarterback Club announced Tuesday that the school’s football season opener won’t be on the road after all. Instead, Biloxi High School will travel to Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment for the first game of the season on a to be announced date
The Aggies full 2015 season schedule is expected to be announced soon.
No Serious Injuries In Hwy 29, Neal Road Accident
February 24, 2015
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at Neal Road and Highway 29 in Cantonment. The accident is under investigation by the Florida highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 24, 2015
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday morning, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Attorney To Appeal Sentence That Allows Sex Offender Doc To Remain Free
February 24, 2015
[Updated] An Escambia County doctor, Brian Mitchell Lee, was designated as a sex offender and sentenced Monday afternoon by Judge Terry Terrell to two years of community control and 13 years probation. The 43-year old was convicted of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual contact, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony and using a computer to solicit the sexual conduct of a child.
Tuesday afternoon, State Attorney Bill Eddins announced the state will appeal the sentence.
“In this case, the statutory guideline recommended sentence called for a sentence of 45 months in State Prison. The Court deviated from this recommendation and imposed a sentence of two years community control followed by thirteen years of probation. In order for a Court to deviate below a guideline recommendation, the Court must give written reasons to justify such deviation. It is the position of the State in its appeal that the reasons given for the deviation are legally insufficient,” according to a statement released by Eddins’ office.
Evidence presented at trial established that on December 22, 2013, an undercover law enforcement officer responded to Lee’s Craigslist ad seeking sex from “younger fit men.” Between December 22, 2013 and January 2, 2014, Lee engaged in sexually-explicit email conversations with who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. On January 2, 2014, Lee traveled to a local bowling alley for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with the teenage boy. Law enforcement arrested Lee upon his arrival. In addition, in an email admitted at trial, Lee wrote that he has “always been attracted to adolescent males”.
According to the sentence imposed by Terrell, Lee will be allowed to continue his medical practice at Perdido Bay Family Care, but won’t be allowed to treat any juvenile patients without another medical professional’s presence. He will also be required to seek treatment as a sex offender.
Barrineau Park Road Paved Into Alabama
February 24, 2015
Escambia County has completed paving a route across the Perdido River into Alabama.
Over three years ago, Baldwin County paved 2.8 miles of Barrineau Park Road (also known as Duck Place Road) from the Perdido River to Highway 112. But the Florida side, from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community — remained dirt until recently.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River into Alabama. But the county-maintained the dirt road on the Florida side was, until 2013, privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long, but the county had no right to pave it. The heirs of William Merwin Barrineau, donated the 2.73 acres of right-of-way to Escambia County for the roadway and related drainage infrastructure.
The route is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. It is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County and vice versa for Baldwin County residents traveling to Pensacola.
Pictured top: Looking from Alabama across a bridge over the Perdido River into Escambia County. Pictured below: The recently paved Barrineau Park Road in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First New Nursing Homes In Over A Decade Approved For Escambia, Santa Rosa
February 24, 2015
After more than a decade-long moratorium on adding nursing home beds, state regulators said Monday they have approved proposals for 2,600 beds in 25 counties — including 120 new beds in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The approvals, through what is known as the “certificate of need” process, came after lawmakers last year approved a measure to lift the moratorium.
Lawmakers began the moratorium in 2001, at least in part, to help lead to more care being provided in communities instead of in nursing homes.
The Agency for Health Care Administration approved a proposal for a new $19 million, 90-bed facility to likely be located in the general area of Nine Mile Road and and the University of West Florida. The agency also approved a proposal for a $3.3 million, 30-bed addition to a current 60-bed facility on Glover Lane in Milton.
“This expansion of Florida’s long-term care infrastructure will not only provide more access to care, but will also bolster Florida’s economy for the next few years,” AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek said in a prepared statement. “In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be spent on construction projects, these beds will result in hundreds of new jobs for administrative staff and caregivers.”
New nursing homes are expected to be scattered across the state, though Central Florida appears likely to see some of the most construction.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
FDLE Arrests Two On Child Porn Charges
February 24, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents arrested two local men on charges of possession of child pornography.
Agents arrested Warren Hardy Lindsley, 31, of 2101 Scenic Highway, # E-204 on 15 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of promoting the sexual performance by a child. Agents began investigating Lindsley after discovering a computer at his residence downloading and sharing child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered multiple video files of child pornography located on a computer belonging to Lindsley. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $50,000 bond.
In a separate investigation, Keith Thomas Shaffer, 55, of 4856 Makenna Circle, Pace was arrested on 15 counts of possession of child pornography. Agents began investigating Shaffer after discovering a computer at his residence downloading child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered evidence linking Shaffer to the images that were downloaded from his computer. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.