2014 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech Contest Entry Deadline Near
August 27, 2014
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Extension, EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Escambia County Women’s Committee, will hold the 2014 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech contest on Thursday, September 4, at 4 p.m., at the Farm Bureau Building at 153 Highway 97, Molino.
The topic of this year’s speech is “Food security is an important issue to the people of the United States. How can Florida Agriculture continue to provide quality solutions for the future?}”
The speech time limit is five minutes for each personally crafted speech. Competitors must be at least 14 years old and not over 18 years old on or before September 19, 2014, and must be a resident of Escambia County, Florida, but do not need to be a member of Farm Bureau.
Judges reserve the right to ask questions not to exceed more than three minutes per contestant. The winner of the county contest will be asked to compete in the district contest. Escambia County Farm Bureau will help with the cost of transportation to the district meeting, and if the Escambia County contestant wins the district, Escambia County Farm Bureau will also help defray part of the cost to attend the state competition.
Anyone wanting to participate must contact Katrina Sanford at (850) 587-2135, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, to schedule a time for the competition. To access the application and more information, along with resources that can be used for the speech contest visit www.floridafarmbureau.org.
Pictured: Nort hview student Courtney Solari placed second in the state last year in the Florida Farm Bureau Speech Contest. She is pictured with Northview FFA Alumni President Angus Brewton (left) and Escambia County Farm Bureau President Jimmy Cunningham. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Schedules Drug Take-Back
August 27, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again teaming up with Walgreens for another a drug take-back program with drop off locations in Escambia County, Saturday, September 27, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.
The “Prescription Drug Take-Back” is a one-day effort to provide the public a site to voluntarily surrender expired, unwanted, unused pharmaceutically controlled substances, and other medications for destruction.
Medications will be accepted at Walgreens locations:
- 9th and Langley Ave.
- Mobile Hwy and Fairfield Dr.
- Olive rd. and Davis Hwy.
- Palafox and Brent lane
- Mobile Hwy and Saufley Field Rd.
“Prescription drug abuse is not uncommon in our society and this is an opportunity for members of our community to get rid of their unwanted drugs before they fall into the hands of someone who may abuse or misuse them,” said Sheriff David Morgan.
For more information, contact Sgt. Delarian Wiggins at (850) 554-1362.
Wahoos Ends Year At Home With 6-2 Win Over Montgomery
August 27, 2014
The Pensacola Blue s ended the 2014 season with a standing ovation from the packed stadium.
It was a heart-felt and electrifying moment to end the team’s 70 home games this year and deeply appreciated by the Blue Wahoos players and coaches. Plus, it was particularly gratifying going out with a victory, 6-2, over the Montgomery Biscuits Tuesday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
“It reminds me a lot of Wrigley Field,” said Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields. “The people keep coming back no matter what. The fans really make this place go. They are the best in the league by far in my opinion.”
Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen admitted that the players joke that they like Pensacola so much, they don’t want to get called up.
“The atmosphere is always fun here, no matter the wins and losses,” said Lorenzen, who worked four innings and gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three. “We love it here. A lot of the players say we don’t want to go up. We want to stay because it’s so nice here.”
Pensacola’s closer Shane Dyer, who earned his franchise record 19th save Tuesday, was on the mound as the fans rose to their feet with two out and the last Biscuits player coming to the plate. Of course, Dyer struck out Montgomery’s Richie Shaffer, who has homered the past two games.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said of the loudly cheering fans. “That’s what guys in the bullpen thrive on. It’s always exciting to go out on top.”
The Wahoos ended their final game of the 2014 season with a sellout crowd of 5,038 to reach 311,687 total, which is the second highest total in the Southern League behind the Birmingham Barons.
It was the 33rd sellout in 70 home games this season for the Blue Wahoos, who averaged 4,453 fans a game. Pensacola had entered the final game 445 fans short of passing last season’s attendance total of 307,094.
The Wahoos are now 53,072 fans from reaching the 1 million mark in attendance in their fourth season in existence, which they will likely reach by the third homestand next season.
Jack-of-all-trades Brodie Greene came over from the Carolina Mudcats, which Quint and Rishy Studer bought and moved to Pensacola to start the 2012 season. Greene, who has played second base, shortstop and the outfield this season, has spent all three years in Pensacola. His season was cut short last year, when he broke his leg in July.
He ended his third season with the Blue Wahoos in fairy-tale fashion, belting a solo home run to deep leftfield – his third of the year and first at home.
“It was a good way to end a tough season,” Greene said. “I’ve been scuffling a little bit. I finally got one over the fence, though. It was great to see everyone behind us. It was like we were in the playoffs or something.”
The Wahoos have five more games on the road against the Birmingham Barons before the end of the Southern League season. They’re 56-78 overall and out of the playoff picture.
Many are making their plans for the offseason, such as playing in the Arizona Fall League, running a baseball academy in Europe, coaching a Wyoming and Colorado high school All-Star team, playing winter ball in Venezuela and returning home to their families, among other things.
One thing’s for sure. As they break for the winter, the Blue Wahoos fans’ standing ovation Tuesday will still be ringing in their ears.
The final five-game series for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the 2014 season is against the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate the Birmingham Barons. It gets underway after a day off Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. start Thursday. LHP Tim Adleman (3-7, 3.00) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Barons RHP Tony Bucciffero (2-2, 5.59). The season concludes Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1.
by Tommy Thrall
Man Charged In Santa Rosa Homicide; Trio Was Playing With Shotgun
August 26, 2014
One person has been arrested in connection with a homicide Monday night in Santa Rosa County.
James “Hunter” Gates, 20, was charged with homicide-negligent manslaughter, using a firearm under the influence of alcohol and possession of alcohol by a person under 21.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting incident about 10:15 p.m. Monday. Gates, a female and the victim were at Gate’s home on Keyser Lane in Pace. Gates and the victim were intoxicated when they began to play with a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun. Gates observed the victim load a shotgun shell into the chamber and then eject the shell.
“In a playing manner,” according to an arrest report, the victim held the muzzle end of the shotgun to his chin and waved the butt of the gun toward Gates and the female. The victim then said “something to the effect of ‘bet you won’t pull it’, which referred to pulling the trigger,” the report states. Gates took hold of the shotgun and pulled the trigger. The gun fired a shell, hitting the victim under the chin. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by a responding paramedic.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Gates had previously loaded a shotgun shell into the gun’s chamber. When the victim loaded the gun, Gates forgot about the previous shell. When he saw the victim eject a shell, Gates thought the gun was empty, the report states.
The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Nine Mile Road Emergency Repairs Rescheduled
August 26, 2014
Emergency repairs on Nine Mile Road (Hwy 90)between the Escambia River Bridge and Scenic Highway in Escambia County have been rescheduled to a later date. All lanes will open to traffic as Florida Department of Transportation personnel reevaluate the construction project in order to reduce traffic impacts and minimize delays.
Construction began Monday to repair the westbound outside, right lane and shoulder that was damaged by heavy rains and flooding in the area in April 2014. Temporary safety measures have been put in place until permanent repairs can be completed. Construction crews will still be on site conducting secondary repairs off of the roadway that will not impact the traveling public.
Teen Struck By Vehicle On Nine Mile Road
August 26, 2014
A teen is in serious condition after being struck a vehicle on Nine Mile Road Monday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 15-year old Montress Johnson was running across Nine Mile Road near Bowman Avenue about 7:45 p.m. when he ran into the path of a 2012 Honda Odyssey driven by 39-year old Suzanne Weeks of Pensacola. Weeks attempted to brake and steer but was unsuccessful in avoiding a collision.
The FHP is continuing the investigation into the incident.
Updated 12:05 p.m. — FHP corrected the teen’s name to “Montress Johnson” rather than “Mongress” as they previously released.
GED Classes Offered In Molino
August 26, 2014
GED classes will resume Thursday, September 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Molino Community Center. Classes will be on Monday and Thursday evenings in Room 124.
New students can take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) on Tuesday, for free September 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center for students age 18 and over. A photo identification is required for the test. Students under 18 need to get a special waiver obtainable only at the George Stone Technical Center (call 941-6200).
Students may also register online by clicking here.
For more information, call George Stone at (850) 941-6200.
Gas Franchise Dispute: Century Working To Analyze Pensacola Energy Data
August 26, 2014
The natural gas franchise dispute between Century and Pensacola is continuing.
Pensacola Energy currently provides natural gas service to three schools and one commercial customer in Bratt and Walnut Hill, plus 43 residential customers — all within the Town of Century’s exclusive gas franchise area. Pensacola and Century are disputing Pensacola Energy’s continued right to serve those customers, as Century seeks a franchise extension from the Escambia County Commission for a geographic area that spans from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia.
Mayor Freddie McCall said Pensacola Energy has now provided 375 pages of public records to Matt Dannheisser, the town’s attorney. Century will hire a private company for $2,500 to sort through the 375 pages and convert the information to usable data such as spreadsheets in order to set rates, especially for the three schools and the commercial customer. Century’s gas system currently only has one customer on commercial rates — a negotiated contract with the Department of Corrections for the Century Correctional Institution.
“Once we get the records on spreadsheets and other forms, we’ll be able to set rates and use that as a tool to get the county to agree to work with use to get this taken care of,” McCall said.
In order to analyze the data and set appropriate gas rates, Century will hire two city of Gulf Breeze employees as private contractors for a total of $3,000.
The $5,500 total for data analysis and rate creation will be paid out of $11,000 the town has in a special revenue account restricted gas fund.
In April, the Escambia County Commission delayed action on the franchise agreement for Pensacola and Century to come to terms. So far, the franchise agreement has not yet come back before the commission.
Alabama Death Row Inmate Commits Suicide
August 26, 2014
Alabama death row inmate Justin Hosch, 26, died of an apparent suicide Monday at Holman Prison in Atmore, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. He was pronounced deceased in his cell.
The official cause of death is pending autopsy results from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
Convicted of capital murder, Hosch was sentenced to death out of Autauga County on October 14, 2010. Hosch shot a 49-year-old Joey Willmore to death after Hosch escaped from the Frank Lee Youth center where he was being held for receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana.
Juvenile Justice Cancels Contract With Controversial Provider In Santa Rosa County
August 26, 2014
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has canceled a contract with a controversial operator of a 40-bed residential facility in Santa Rosa County, with potentially far-reaching implications for the way the state rehabilitates juvenile offenders.
Department officials said the Santa Rosa Substance Abuse Treatment Center hadn’t corrected problems involving safety and security for the 14- to 18-year-old boys in its program. They also pointed to the program’s failure to provide “effective behavioral interventions and appropriate reporting of incidents,” according to a news release.
In a letter to the provider, Youth Services International, the department said the facility saw four YSI staff members terminated in a two-month period for excessive or unnecessary use of force or the failure to report safety and security issues.
“I think we were very thorough in our process in identifying where the deficits were with the program,” said the department’s interim secretary, Christy Daly. “The actual decision to default on the contract was not a difficult one, because at all times we are focused on the safety of these children and holding our providers accountable.”
The canceled contract means Youth Services International can’t bid on new contracts with the state for at least 12 months.
The company continues to operate nine private, for-profit juvenile facilities in Florida, but cannot respond to a current invitation to negotiate the contract for one of them, the St. Johns Juvenile Correctional Facility.
Youth Services International did not return calls requesting comment.
“YSI is an organization that’s long been troubled,” said Roy Miller, president of the Children’s Campaign, an advocacy group. “This sends a real wake-up call — not only to them but to other providers.”
In November, the Huffington Post reported that “Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice has continued to award tens of millions of dollars’ worth of prison contracts to YSI, despite a civil rights investigation by the Justice Department and probes into negligence and violent conditions by authorities in at least five states. In the past year alone, the company has already received four new contracts in Florida totaling nearly $37 million.”
The investigative series resulted in a successful effort during the last legislative session by Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, and Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, to insert language in the state budget requiring the Department of Juvenile Justice to consider a contractor’s history in other states among the criteria by which the department awards its contracts.
Soto said Monday he was pleased to see the department “taking the safety and welfare of our youth more seriously,” but that he planned to return in the 2015 legislative session with a proposal that would increase the department’s number of full-time employees to allow for greater oversight of juvenile detention facilities. Soto said the measure failed in the last session due to budgetary constraints.
He added that he would be scrutinizing the department’s new contracts as well.
“No one should be doing any victory laps as long as there are facilities where youth are being abused in our system,” Soto said.
The reaction from children’s advocates was mixed as well.
“We are gratified to see DJJ take action to respond to the abuse of children in one of its privately-run facilities,” said Tania Galloni of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Incarcerated children are at risk of mistreatment, and that is why juvenile prisons should be used sparingly, if at all. While closing one facility is a good first step, there are still far too many children exposed to abuse in for-profit juvenile prisons around Florida.”
Gordon Weekes, who as Broward County’s chief assistant public defender has investigated Youth Services International facilities, said nothing had really changed.
“In the past when they’ve shut down YSI facilities, they’ve just popped back up under a different name, with the same staff, and DJJ has absolutely no problem with that,” he said.
For instance, Weekes said, after the department did not renew its contract with Youth Service International’s Thompson Academy following charges of physical and sexual abuse, “that program reconstituted itself under a different name, right down the street.” Weekes said he saw some of the same guards transporting youths to court, and they told him they still worked for Youth Services International.
He said that the youths in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities need intervention, hands-on mentoring and attention from qualified staff. But by definition, he said, a for-profit juvenile facility has an incentive to skimp on staff salaries or operating costs — even food — at the expense of the youths in its care.
“And when you cut back on both of those areas, you get low quality,” he said.
Miller of the Children’s Campaign said virtually all juvenile providers are having “huge workforce issues” due to low qualifications and low pay.
Daly, however, said the department was dealing with its providers on an individual basis — including Youth Services International and its Santa Rosa facility. The department sent technical teams to the program, shared the deficiencies they found with Youth Services International and gave the provider the chance to make good. It did not.
“The leadership at individual programs is the critical component of program success,” Daly said. “And we do see strength at most of our programs.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida