Robotics Competition Prepares Local Students For High Tech Future
October 26, 2014
Young scientists from 14 area middle and high schools tested their science, math and problem-solving skills at the seventh annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida.
This year’s theme, Blade Runner, involved students using teamwork and innovative thinking to execute five sets of tasks to assemble and position a wind turbine into a completed state.
Each team was judged on its robot performance, marketing presentation, team exhibit, technical notebook and spirit and sportsmanship. The top two overall teams and the team with the top robot advance to the regional competition December 5-7 at Auburn University.
Woodlawn Beach Middle School took the overall competition and will be joined by Brown Barge Middle School to represent the Emerald Coast BEST hub at Auburn.
Gulf Power has sponsored the BEST Robotics competition for the past seven years. The event teaches teamwork, problem solving, project management and pride in task completion.
BEST Robotics Inc. — Boosting Engineering Science and Technology — is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology through participation in a sports-like, science and engineering-based robotics competition.
“This annual competition has continued to grow in popularity because it provides local students the opportunity to learn engineering, science and math skills in a hands-on practical setting,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesman. “Gulf Power is very proud to sponsor an event that has such a visible impact on local students.”
Area schools have been competing in BEST since 2004, when Gulf Power sponsored eight local teams to compete in the BEST hub in Mobile, Ala. The funding of hub operations depends entirely on corporate and individual sponsorships. Materials kits to build the robots are provided to the teams by the hub. No fees are paid by students or schools participating in BEST robotics.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Advancing to Regionals at South’s BEST – Dec. 5-7 at Auburn University
- Robotics: Brown Barge Middle School
- BEST: Woodlawn Beach Middle School
BEST Award — The BEST Award is presented to the team that best embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology” in its development which include teamwork, diversity of participation, sportsmanship, creativity, ethics, positive attitude/enthusiasm, school/community involvement and exposure to and use of the engineering process.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Woodham Middle School
- Sims Middle School
Robotics Award — Awarded to the teams whose machines finish first, second and third in the tournament bracket.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Brown Barge Middle School
- Capstone Academy
Founders Award for Creative Design — Awarded to the team that makes best use of the engineering process in consideration of offensive and defensive capabilities in machine design; awarded in recognition of BEST founders Steve Marum and Ted Mahler.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Most Robust Machine — Awarded to the team whose machine requires the least maintenance during and between matches and is generally the sturdiest machine in the competition.
- Pace High School
Most Photogenic Machine
- Brown Barge Middle School
Gulf Power Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award
- Little Flower Catholic School
Best T-Shirt Design
- West Florida High School
- Sims Middle School
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Web Page Design Award — Awarded for the best team website; based on page functionality, creative use of the game theme, information about team members and community efforts.
Woodham Middle School
Best Spirit and Sportsmanship — Recognizes the vigor and enthusiasm displayed by team representatives and the outward display of sportsmanship (e.g., helping other teams in need), grace in winning and losing, and conduct and attitude considered befitting participation in sports.
- Seaside Neighborhood School
- Pace High School
- Sims Middle School
Best Team Exhibit and Interview — The purpose of this category is to communicate through a display, and through discussion with judges, information about the team’s efforts to promote BEST in the community and schools; foster BEST spirit, camaraderie and participation and give evidence of sportsmanship.
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
- Woodham Middle School
- Seaside Neighborhood School
Best Marketing Presentation — Teams should view themselves as employees of a “company” that is marketing their “product” (robot) to a potential buyer (judges). This marketing team is an integral part of the engineering team that has designed a specialized robot.
- Sims Middle School
- Seacoast Collegiate High
- Seaside Neighborhood School
Best Project Engineering Notebook — The purpose of the notebook is to document the process the team used to design, build and test their robot.
- Seacoast Collegiate High
- Sims Middle School
- Pace High School
2014 Teams:
- Avalon Middle School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Capstone Academy
- Creative Learning Academy
- J.M. Tate High School
- Little Flower Catholic School
- Max Bruner Jr. Middle School
- Pace High School
- Seacoast Collegiate High School
- Seaside Neighborhood School
- Sims Middle School
- West Florida High School
- Woodham Middle School
- Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Pictured: The seventh annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Countdown To Election Day
October 26, 2014
The costliest, most intriguing and — many would argue — nastiest gubernatorial campaign in Florida’s history inched closer to the finish line this week, but not before costing more money, creating more suspense and exposing Floridians to more mud.
With Republicans in the Cabinet expected to ease into re-election, the Legislature expected to maintain a heavy GOP tilt and the battle for the U.S. Senate being waged elsewhere, almost all of the oxygen in Florida has been sucked up by the bare-knuckles brawl between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist, Scott’s Democratic challenger.
And while the candidates had already gotten testy and personal in previous exchanges, the debate Tuesday was the most contentious yet. The two threw haymaker after haymaker during the hour-long rumble in Jacksonville. Within hours came word that Scott would once again open his personal checkbook to help out his campaign, potentially putting his investment in getting elected and re-elected at close to $100 million over two cycles.
The tough debate might very well have thrilled the late Tom Slade, a hard-charging partisan who died the day before at the age of 78. Slade, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, helped build a party that has given the GOP much of its advantage in the elections coming up Nov. 4. A memorial service will be held the day after the ballots are counted.
Another former chairman of the party, Sen. John Thrasher of St. Augustine, saw his proposed contract to become the president of Florida State University approved by the school’s board of trustees. The state university system’s Board of Governors will also take a look at the pact — shortly after the election. First things first.
FISTICUFFS ON THE FIRST COAST
There were no arguments over fans and no awkward attempts to speak Spanish, but the third and final debate between Scott and Crist amplified at least one of the things that characterized the first two head-to-head events: constant reminders that the other guy was worse.
Scott and Crist spent the better part of the hour ripping each other to shreds, with Scott (net worth: $132.7 million) trying to cast Crist as a plutocrat who had it easy growing up, and Crist (former Republican) savaging the GOP for harboring racists and Scott for delaying an execution.
“I watched a parent that lost the only family car,” Scott said. “I watched a father struggle to buy Christmas presents. I went through that as a child. Charlie never went through that. Charlie grew up with plenty of money. He’s never had to worry about money. … But what I’m going to fight for every day is what I’ve done the last three years and nine months, I’m going to fight for families like mine growing up.”
Crist, who listed his net worth at $1.25 million last year — about 1 percent of Scott’s — portrayed himself as an advocate for middle-class Floridians and said his family had humble beginnings.
“Listen, when I was a little kid, we lived in a small apartment in Atlanta when my dad was going to medical school and he used to delivered newspapers to make ends meet,” Crist said. “So you don’t know me and you can’t tell my story. And I’m not going to tell yours.”
Beyond discussing whose life would make a better movie on the Hallmark Channel, the two traded shots on a variety of other issues.
Crist elaborated on his previous accusations that GOP leaders were hostile toward President Barack Obama because of his race.
Crist noted that he drew flak from GOP officials because of his now-infamous embrace of Obama as governor and for taking federal stimulus money in the midst of an economic meltdown.
“And it was pretty clear to me. It wasn’t just because I was willing to work across the aisle with a Democrat to get the recovery funds to come to Florida,” Crist said. “It was also pretty apparent to me because it was the first African-American president.”
That brought a sharp response from Scott.
“You’re a divider. You’re a mudslinger,” said the governor, who along with Crist has spent tens of millions of dollars blanketing the state with negative ads.
Another exchange focused on Scott’s decision to delay an execution that was scheduled on the same day that Attorney General Pam Bondi had a fundraiser.
“Did you know it was for a political fundraiser?” Crist asked Scott at one point.
“Charlie, she apologized. She apologized. What would you like her to do?” Scott responded.
Scott didn’t answer Crist’s question during the debate, but had earlier said he didn’t know that the reason for the postponement was a fundraiser.
One potential reason for the sharp tone: The race remains incredibly close. According to a Quinnipiac University poll released this week, Scott and Crist each have the support of 42 percent of likely voters. Libertarian Adrian Wyllie is at 7 percent.
“This election will be won by the candidate whose organization is the best at turnout,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the poll. “They’re dead even.”
Meanwhile, Scott’s campaign reported that the candidate who painted himself as the hero of a Horatio Alger novel would put some of his own money into the effort. It didn’t confirm early claims by the Crowley Political Report that Republican Party sources said Scott would put about $20 million into the campaign. If so, that would bring Scott’s total spending on winning the Governor’s Mansion to about $93 million since 2010.
FAREWELL TO SLADE
In the middle of the kind of campaign season that helped him win his place in Florida history, Tom Slade — a hard-drinking, seafaring tactician who steered Republicans to political dominance in Florida — died Monday in Orange Park from complications associated with heart failure.
The colorful Slade, a mix of Southern charm and tough-talking, hard-nosed strategist, took over as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in 1993, when Democrats controlled the Cabinet, the governor’s mansion and the Florida House, and the state Senate was evenly divided.
By the end of his tenure after the 1998 elections, Republicans had taken over both the legislative and executive branches and secured a GOP-heavy congressional delegation as well.
“Tom Slade was one of the best of a class of old-school intuitive politicians, the mold for which has long since been broken,” said J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, a GOP consultant who was among a handful of insiders who strategized with Slade in Tallahassee in the 1990s. “He was a Southern gentleman. He was a ruthless fighter. He was a charming victor. He did not take defeat kindly.”
Slade’s footprint on Florida politics can still be felt today, said former Republican Party of Florida executive director David Johnson, who worked for the former chairman.
“The main thing I remember about Tom was, he could be the ultimate in political bosses when he needed to be, but he had the kindest heart and was so nice and fun to deal with and fun to work for,” Johnson said. “There’s people in politics that you work for and you respect but there are other people that are fun. Tom was always fun. He stepped out of a novel of politics of an older time.”
THRASHER INCHES ALONG
The long-anticipated naming of Thrasher as head of FSU, meanwhile, inched along. University trustees on Monday unanimously approved a proposed five-year contract with a base value of as much as $2.15 million.
University officials said Monday that Thrasher wasn’t difficult to work with in approving the deal, which would keep him below the top pay level among the state’s university leaders but would exceed the base pay of former Florida State President Eric Barron.
“I think the compensation package is probably on the low end of what a university president would expect nowadays,” said trustee Gary Tyson, a professor of computer science.
“Low end” is, obviously, a comparative figure. The five-year contract would include a $430,000-a-year base salary. Also, Thrasher would be required to reside in the fully staffed, university-owned President’s House; would receive $900 a month for car costs or an automobile fitted with an FSU license plate for his official use; would get a 15 percent annual contribution into a retirement plan; would get his annual dues covered for The Governors Club and University Center Club in Tallahassee; and would be eligible for an annual performance bonus of $100,000 for meeting goals.
The trustees also intend to grant Thrasher, who received his undergraduate and law degrees from the Tallahassee school, a tenured faculty appointment as a professor in the College of Law.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist hold their harshest debate yet, two weeks before voters go to the polls to pick one of them to lead the state for the next four years.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The family recognizes Tom would request all Republicans to return their absentee ballots, vote early, or make their plan to arrive promptly at the polls and cast their vote on November 4th.”—The obituary for Tom Slade, a former Republican Party of Florida chairman who died Monday at the age of 78.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Walnut Hill Road Being Paved Under ‘DIY’ County Cost Saving Program
October 25, 2014
One Walnut Hill road is being resurfaced under a cost-saving “do-it-yourself” Escambia County program.
About 3.1 miles of Rockaway Creek Road will be resurfaced from Pine Forest Road to Nokomis Road as part of Escambia County’s “Open Graded Cold Mix” maintenance program.
About 10-13 years ago, Escambia County used the “Open Grade Cold Mix” to pave then existing dirt roads. The process combined rocks with a liquid asphalt mix and applied it with a cold mix paving machine. The mix would undergo a chemical process which caused the mixture to set and harden.
“This program was very successful and greatly improved the quality of life for citizens in the rural areas of the county, while at the same time greatly reducing the County’s routine maintenance demands,” according to the county.
Now, the roads are swept of the loose rock and a “think hot mix overlay” is added to seal and surface the roadway. The work is performed by county maintenance crews at a significant savings versus contracting the work out.
The Rockaway Creek Road project is expected to be complete in the next few weeks at a cost of about $185,000.
Pictured: A portion of Rockaway Creek Road has already been resurfaced near Pine Forest Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attorney General Bondi Asks Judge To Continue Blocking Gay Marriage
October 25, 2014
Same-sex couples should continue to be prevented from getting married in Florida until a legal battle plays out about the constitutionality of the state’s gay-marriage ban, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a federal-court filing Friday.
The filing came after supporters of same-sex marriage this month requested that U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle lift a stay that has at least temporarily blocked gay marriages from going forward. Bondi argued that the stay should remain in place until the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can rule on the constitutionality of the voter-approved ban.
“There is a great public interest in stability of the law. If Florida’s law is going to change in the substantial manner plaintiffs seek, it should be only after the plaintiffs’ legal claims undergo appellate review,” the filing said.
Siding with same-sex couples in two combined cases, Hinkle ruled in August that the gay-marriage ban was unconstitutional, but he also placed the stay on the decision. The state subsequently filed an appeal that remains pending at the Atlanta-based appellate court.
Since Hinkle’s ruling, however, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up similar cases from other states — effectively clearing the way for same-sex marriages in those states. That spurred the request to Hinkle to lift the stay in Florida.
After Friday’s filing, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida attorney Daniel Tilley issued a statement saying the group hopes Hinkle will reject Bondi’s request to keep the stay in place.
“It’s disappointing that Attorney General Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott have chosen to continue to swim against the tide of inevitable history and block Florida families from having the protections that come with being married,” said Tilley, who represents same-sex couples who live in Florida but were married in other states. Florida does not recognize those marriages.
State circuit-court judges in South Florida have joined Hinkle in ruling that the ban, approved by voters in 2008, is unconstitutional. Bondi last week filed a document in a state appellate court arguing the Florida Supreme Court should decide the constitutional question — an issue she also raised in Friday’s federal court filing.
“The United States Supreme Court having passed on an opportunity to provide a decision with national effect, the state has now moved to have the issue resolved in the Florida Supreme Court with statewide effect,” Bondi’s filing said. “It is in the public interest to at least allow Florida’s highest court an opportunity to review the issue before ordering changes to Florida’s law.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
1A Northview Chiefs Battle To 35-28 Win Over 4A Walton
October 25, 2014
The 1A Northview Chiefs battled to a 35-28 win over the 4A Walton Braves of Defuniak Springs Friday night in Bratt – a battle between two teams headed into the playoffs in their respective classes.
“That was a great football game. That was two very good football teams competing at a high level with big plays back and forth,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said. “Their offense is explosive, and they’ve got a heck of a running back that is just so physical and hard to get on the ground.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleading and dance team photos are coming Sunday or Monday.)
The Braves jumped out to an early 7-0 lead just 40 seconds into the game. The Chiefs evened it out at 7-7 with 7:03 in the first with a 10-yard run from Keondrae Lett and a good kick from Chasen Freeman. Still in the first, with 1:54 on the board, Cameron Newsome added another Chiefs TD, 13-7.
With 6:48 in the second, Walton took a 14-13 lead, with Northview popping back on top 21-14 and carrying a lead into the half.
At 7:10 in the third, Lett added another Northview TD for a 28-14 lead over the Walton Braves , who answered with another touchdown two minutes later, 28-20 Northview on top.
After Walton tied it up 28-28, Northview took the lead at 35-28 with 55 seconds in third quarter on a Jacob Dunsford pass to Nick Lambert for a 77-yard touchdown. The Chiefs held on for the win with a scoreless fourth quarter.
“It’s a huge win, and hopefully it’s going to carry us over into next week,” Wheatley said.
Next Friday is shaping up to be the game of the regular season for the Chiefs as they travel Highway 4 take on the Baker Gators for the district championship. The Gators are rolling on an 18 game regular season winning streak, while Northview is 6-1 with their single loss against much larger 6A Choctawhatchee. Both NHS and BHS are 2-0 on the district.
“It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be exiting. Our kids are anxious,” Wheatley said. “I think our kids know exactly what is at stake. Some of these guys were here last year when Baker came over and beat us and won the district championship. What we’ve got to do is execute and not have turnovers. We need to just play clean football, but I believe we’ll be ready.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleading and dance team photos are coming next week.)
It’s a Tradition: Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
October 25, 2014
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch is open once again this year under the tent at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Tate Blows Away Fort Walton Beach 56-20 (With Photo Gallery)
October 25, 2014
The Tate High Aggies blew past the Fort Walton Beach Vikings Friday night, 56-20.
Tate quarterback Sawyer Smith recorded 273 yards, including three touchdown passes. Reggie Payne caught nine passes for 100 yards plus a 46-yard touchdown pass. Smith also found Darren Lee and Bradley Trombly for second half TDS’s.
Smith put the Aggies on the board with a one yard dive, plus Corey Moorer scored with a 25-yard run to give Tate a 14-0 lead in the fist quarter.
The Aggies (7-2, 1-1) will sit out next week before hosting the Escambia Gators for Tate Senior Night on November 7.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 25, 2014
Here’s a look at high school final schools from around the area tonight:
FLORIDA
- Northview 35, Walton 28 [Read more...]
- Tate 56, Fort Walton Beach 20 [Read more...]
- Jay 64, Cottondale 36
- West Florida 33, Arnold 7
- Escambia 43, Pace 7
- Milton 28, Pine Forest 26 OT
- Baker 35, Franklin Co. 7
- PHS 40, Washington 10
- Catholic 56, Gulf Breeze 35
ALABAMA
- Sweetwater 38, Flomaton 12
- T.R. Miller 44, Excel 0
- W.S. Neal 55, Southside Selma 8
- Escambia County (Atmore) 42, Monroe County 30
- Escambia Academy 41, Glenwood 0
Possible Live Military Explosive Found At Business Near Ensley Walmart
October 24, 2014
A possible live military ordnance was discovered at a business on Hood Drive Friday afternoon. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office responded and a military explosive ordinance disposal team was called to dispose of the item. The item was removed and taken to the Sheriff’s Office shooting range to be destroyed.
There’s no word yet on exactly what the device was.
The area was evacuated. leading to traffic delays in the area of Hood Drive and North Palafox (near the Ensley Walmart).
Pictured top: Deputies block an exit from the Ensley Walmart onto Hood Drive due to a possible live military ordnance found at a nearby business near the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office precinct on Hood Drive. Pictured below: The object was taken into this flea market business. Photos by Jason Isbell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Kicks Off Statewide ‘Food Day’ In Atmore; Florida Celebrating Today Too (With Video)
October 24, 2014
Today is “Food Day”and officials in Florida and Alabama are encouraging residents and visitors to make positive changes toward healthy eating and active living. Food Day events are being held statewide in both states, championed by local county health departments and community partners, to support residents in attaining and maintaining a healthy weight.
For a video news story, click here.
Alabama kicked off statewide Food Day events Friday morning at the Atmore Farmer’s Market with a state proclamation from Gov. Robert Bentley and Atmore Mayor Jim Staff. Events followed across Alabama.
Food Day events were also planned across Florida.
“Food Day reminds us all to make healthy choices in what we eat,” said Florida State Surgeon General and Florida Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “By choosing nutritious foods and beverages, every Floridian can achieve a healthy weight that lowers the risk of future diabetes and heart disease.”
Food Day was created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and is held annually on October 24. The observance is a national celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food that promotes healthier diets and food education.
For a video news story, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Farmer Eddie Mathis; Atmore council members Webb Nall, Chris Walker and Susan Smith; Rigsby-McGhee Farm Foundation founder Amy McGhee; Atmore Mayor Jim Staff; Atmore Chamber President Anne Hetzel; farmer Jimmy Mason; Atmore Chamber Executive Director Sheryl Vickery; and farmer Edward Adams. Pictured inset: Staff reads a proclamation from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Pictured below: The event was held at the Atmore Farmer’s Market. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
