Appeals Court: Florida Banks Can Charge Fees For Cashing Checks From Alabama Branch
June 2, 2014
A federal appeals court Friday sided with Alabama-based Regions Bank in a dispute stemming from fees charged for cashing checks at the bank’s Florida branches.
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal banking law trumps a Florida law that plaintiffs contended would bar the fees. The lawsuit was filed as a class action in 2012 after Derek Pereira and Camila De Freitas each presented a check to be cashed at a Regions branch in Florida, according to Friday’s ruling.
The checks were drawn on Regions, and the bank charged Pereira and De Freitas fees. The lawsuit contended that those fees violated state law because Pereira and De Freitas received less than the full amount of the checks.
But the appeals court said Regions, which it described as an “out-of-state state bank,” is covered by federal law addressing the issue. The federal law, which allows such fees, also applies to what are described as “national” banks.
by The News Service of Florida
Molino Park Presents Awards For Grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, First And Second
June 2, 2014
Molino Park Elementary School presented the following awards to students in grades Pre-K, kindergarten, first and second:
Pre – K Awards
Accelerated Reader
- Aadan Adams – 344 Books
Most Improved Overall Behavior
- Aidden Edmonson
- Christian Ward
- Levi Zylstra
Most Improved Overall Academics
- Aadan Adams
- Madeline Hall
- Charles Walters III
Stellar Sunny Days (All Sunny Days)
- Aadan Adams
- Aaron Bowser
- Madeline Hall
- Elam Fayard
- Khloe Gibson
- Shelby Jarrell III
- Emily Johnson
- Adalynn Manning
- London McAnally
- Aydan Nigam
- Grace Oliver
- McKenzie Perez
- Rayna Thompson
- Brinleigh Woodward
Super Sunny Days (Less than four cloudy days)
- Callen Beaty
- Allie Bethea
- Ashleigh Grimm
- Landen Harris
- Taylor Hart
- Chelsea Mace
- Brista McIntyre
- John Parker Miller
- Lorianne Milstid
- Logan Morris
- Makena Porter
- Elias Ridgley
- Charles Walters III
Sunny Days (Less than fifteen cloudy days)
- Dalton Davidson
- Jackson Erickson
- Jagger Etheridge
- Skyler George
- Taegan Hughes
- Haleigh Prater
- Kailyn Tucker
Kindergarten Awards
Accelerated Reader
- Ayden Crabtree
All S’s all year in Citizenship
- Destiny Abrams
- Dallas Batz
- Cameron Bodiford
- Jack Boutwell
- Lamario Carter
- Ayden Crabtree
- Garrett Crabtree
- Shay Crosby
- Joseph Douglas
- Lily Driver
- Caden Eady
- Desi Fryman
- Kamryn Gibbs
- Mileigh Gibson,
- John Hatch
- Bailey Herrington
- Kelsey Hiatt
- Raegan Holley
- Nick Kahalley
- Chet Knable
- Khloe Mason
- Darla Massey
- Caelen McKillion
- Macy Miller
- Mary Oliver
- Wyatt Ormand
- Dominic Picheo
- Shiloh Prince
- Kloie Quiroz
- Ryleigh Sampey
- Brianna Shanks
- Ayden Silcox
- Dakota Smith
- Sophia St. Cyr
- Hunter Steele
- Kailyn Wiggins
- Layton Woodward
All S’s all year in Academics
- Destiny Abrams
- Dallas Batz
- Jack Boutwell
- Lamario Carter
- Ayden Crabtree
- Garrett Crabtree
- Shay Crosby
- Lily Driver
- Caden Eady
- Desi Fryman
- Kamryn Gibbs
- Mileigh Gibson
- John Hatch
- Baily Herrington
- Kelsey Hiatt
- Raegan Holley
- Chet Knable
- Darla Massey
- Caelen McKillion
- Macy Miller
- Mary Oliver
- Wyatt Ormand
- Dominic Picheo
- Shiloh Prince
- Kloie Quiroz
- Ayden Silcox
- Sophia St. Cyr
- Hunter Steele
- Kailyn Wiggins
- Layton Woodward
Perfect Attendance
- Jack Boutwell
- Ayden Crabtree
- John Hatch
First Grade Awards
Citizenship
- Austin Batz
- Camden Beaty
- Kenzie Blazek
- Andrew Chavers
- Alley Enfinger
- John Etheridge
- Jericha Finlay
- Aubree Jordan
- Joshua Kennedy
- Julie King
- Caleb Larson
- Braydon McCarra
- Hunter Manning
- Emma Nigam
- Lauren Pardue
- Caleb Rea
- Morgan Salmon
- Alison Saucier
- Grayden Sheffield
- Logan Shoffner
- Brooklyn Summerlin
- Keeley Wiggins
- Brooke Wilson
- Makayla Wood
- Abbigail Woods
A Honor Roll
- Austin Batz
- Jericha Finlay
- Aubree Jordan
- Logan Shoffner
A/B Honor Roll
- Camden Beaty
- Alley Enfinger
- John Etheridge
- Aiden Harris
- Kristopher Kelley
- Joshua Kennedy
- Brooke Lytton
- Hunter Manning
- Caleb Rea
- Naoki Rogers
- Morgan Salmon
- Grayden Sheffield
- Brooklyn Summerlin
- Makayla Woods
Outstanding Academic Excellence
- Liam Hatcher
- Lauren Pardue
Most Improved
- Kaylie Johnson
- Lauren Pardue
- River Powell
- Jessica Williams
Second Grade Awards
Accelerator Reader
- Lilly Hatch
Citizenship-
- Jade Allen
- Darius Abrams
- Kendall Alvare
- Tony Antrim
- Jarrett Bodiford
- Robbie Bodiford
- Kelsey Boykin
- Nathan Caston
- Niko Champagne
- Riley Crites
- Rylan Davis
- Moses Delarosa
- Matthew Dix
- Harley Edmonson
- Angel Escoto
- Kaydon Harigel
- Lilly Hatch
- Amber Irby
- Bobbie Sue Jarrel
- Sylvia Jarrel
- Samantha Kimmons
- Tommy Leatherberry
- Logan Mace
- Leila Mason
- Austin Manning
- Chance McElhannon
- Anna McKee
- Alyse McKillion
- Addison Pawless
- Chloe Ragsdale
- Brodie Rhodes
- Dylan Settle
- DeQuan Shabazz
- Chance Smith
- Brian Steele
- Colten Taylor
- Lavon Taylor
- Brier Thompson
- Trey Thompson
- Dominique Turner
- Trinity Wagoner
- Greg Walters
- Seth Wilcoxon
- Dylan Wood
- Carley Woodfin
Perfect Attendance
- Jarrett Bodifod
- Robbie Bodiford
- Rylan Davis
- Lilly Hatch
- Samantha Kimmons
- Brian Steele
- Lavon Taylor
A Honor Roll
- Kelsey Boykin
- Lilly Hatch
- Austin Manning
- Anna McKee
A/B Honor Roll
- Niko Champagne
- Kaydon Harigel
- Amber Irby
- Bobby Sue Jarrel
- Chance McElhannon
- Evin Pedicord
- Chloe Ragsdale
- Dylan Settle
- DeQuan Shabazz
- Colten Taylor
Most Improved
- Harley Edmonson
Improvement in Reading
- Angel Escoto
- Jayden Franklin
You Can’t Stop Fighting: Tate Student That Battled Cancer Graduates Today
June 2, 2014
Halee Boyd was among the students graduating from Tate High School Monday morning. A special moment coming a year later than she had hoped. Before her senior year, she began a battle against Alevola Rhabdomyosarcoma , ARMS for short, a rare cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones. Treatments and complications prevented her graduation last year.
As her class members walked across the stage last year, Halee was in the PICU and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Her entire graduating class wore gold ribbons in her honor.
“”Better late than never! It took me a little longer than most, but I’m finally here, crossing the finish line. Today, I stand a little bit taller and a whole lot stronger. Get ready to watch me fly!” — was printed on Halee’s graduation invitations.
Over the weekend, Halee’s family and supporter’s painted “Graffiti Bridge” in Pensacola for Halee as a congratulatory surprise.
“If you have something to live for, you can’t stop fighting,” was painted on the bridge.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Three Vehicle Wreck Claims Two Lives
June 2, 2014
Two people were killed in a three-vehicle crash last Saturday night in Monroe County, Ala., including a former Atmore resident.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 46-year old Douglas Chandler of Monroeville was killed when the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo he was driving collided with two other vehicles on U.S. 84 about 11 miles west of Monroeville.
The accident also claimed the life of one of the other drivers, 67-year old Jane Strength of Frisco City.
The Alabama State Troopers have not released any information about the third and surviving driver as they continue their investigation.
Chandler was a former resident of Atmore. Both victims have family members in the North Escambia area.
ECAT Survey Underway
June 2, 2014
Escambia County Area Transit wants to know how the public transportation system can better serve you.
T has started a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) — a study of the routes, schedules and amenities that ECAT provides. Designed to evaluate the system’s existing operations, the COA will also consider priorities for expansion.
Public input about ECAT will be gathered through a combination of community meetings and online survey responses, and this information will help shape any proposed or recommended changes.
ECAT is asking residents of Escambia County to take a brief online survey in order to gather information about how the system is currently utilized and how users and non-users alike would like to see it improved. The survey, available online at GoECAT.com/survey until July 11 asks respondents 16 questions and takes fewer than five minutes to complete.
The COA comes as a result of a 2011 Transit Development Plan that identified a variety of new service needs related to the county’s projected rapid growth. As ECAT does not have the financial resources to simply add new services, this COA will help determine how best to operate existing services more efficiently in order to provide more and better service within the system’s available budget.
IP Awards $50K In Foundation Grants; Recipients Include Tate High, Jim Allen Elementary
June 2, 2014
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill has awarded $50,000 in foundation grants to local community organizations, including projects at Jim Allen Elementary and Tate High School.
“We feel privileged to be able to assist our local non-profits and community organizations in their continued efforts to serve, educate and help the residents and children of Northwest Florida,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager.
Local community organizations and their projects that were awarded IP grants for 2014 are:
- Jim Allen Elementary School, “Eggstraordinary Readers”
- The goal of the Jim Allen Reading Eggs program is to support each child’s learning by offering individual, one-on-one lessons that allow children to progress at their own rate. This program 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 is interactive and it includes activities and reward games to keep children motivated and interested in learning to read.
- J.M. Tate High School “Focus on Biology”
- The Tate High School grant helps to fund lab microscopes that run on rechargeable batteries. Students will be able to visualize micro and macroscopic organisms and objects, demonstrate proper use and procedures and learn how to properly label and illustrate organisms.
- Autism Pensacola “Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab”
- Ballet Pensacola, ”Discover Dance”
- Community Action Program, “Leap for Literacy”
- Council on Aging of NWFL, “Little Readers”
- Escambia County Board of Education, “Smart Links Recycling Program”
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, “Literacy Classroom Partnership with IP”
- Every Child a Reader in Escambia, “Project Ready 2014”
- Greater First Baptist Church, “Community Literacy Mentoring and Tutoring Program”
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center “Conservation Center”
- Partnership for Community Programs “Bay Day 2014” and “Stormwater Education and Inlet Marking Program
- Pathways for Change; “Pathways to Success”
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity “Improving Access to Books”
- Pensacola Opera “From Words to Music”
- Pensacola State College Foundation, Inc., “PSC Summer Environment Camp”
- Perdido Bay Tribe, Southeastern Lower Muscogee Creek Indians, “Longleaf Pine Repopulation”
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, “Global Learning Academy Reading Volunteer” and “Nature Trail”
- S.S. Dixon “Read and Succeed in Science and Social Studies”
- United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida “Journey to Literacy”
- UWF Foundation, “Best Robotics Hub” and “Explore Summer Camps”
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. A portion of those funds were used to purchase National Geographic Explorer magazine subscriptions for classes in Escambia and Santa Rosa Schools.
Mrs. Rhoda Greenwell, teacher at Jim Allen Elementary School for more than 40 years, reads Charlie the Caterpillar to the students before releasing butterflies. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Robot Sets Speed Record For Running Robots
June 2, 2014
A new land-speed record for legged robots was achieved recently by a robot that calls Escambia County home.
The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition HexRunner robot reached an estimated 30-33 mph on an open course, without any support tethers.
The record-setting run was filmed by the Discovery Channel, which is expected to broadcast it later this summer.
“More significant than the top speed is showing that you can make a running robot that doesn’t need a lot of feedback from sensors, and you don’t need a lot of actuation,” said IHMC Senior Research Scientist Jerry Pratt, team leader of the HexRunner project.
HexRunner is a running robot with six spring-loaded legs revolving around a central hub, with three legs on each side of the hub. At the tip of the top leg it stands six feet high. Dr. Pratt said the speed was measured with a chase car and through analysis of high-speed motion video shot from the side.
“The speedometer on the chase car hit 33 while the robot was still running away from it,” he said. The 30 mph documented speed is a conservative figure based on motion analysis from video taken during the test. “We might be able to hit 45 mph with small modifications if we have a good run on a long enough course.”
The HexRunner is the “parent” of the OutRunner robot, a two-foot version based on technology licensed from IHMC to Robotics Unlimited, headed by Research Scientist Sebastien Cotton, who worked on the HexRunner team.
The ultimate goal, Dr. Pratt said, is to figure out how animals run in nature, an understanding that could produce breakthroughs in robotics.
“The high-level question is how can animals run with stability at high speeds?” he said. “And how can we make a robot to achieve the same feats?”
IHMC Research Scientist Chris Schmidt-Wetekam said one of the next goals of the FastRunner project is to develop a fully segmented leg that more closely mimics biology.
“We’re working toward more complicated robots,” Dr. Schmidt-Wetekam said. “Things look really promising in simulation, but it’s a lot more complicated in actuality, so we went back to basics. HexRunner checks off an important box on our checklist, and validates our simulation. OK, we can do this.”
Wahoos Lose To Jacksonville
June 2, 2014
It’s hard to stay positive when your team puts up a big fat zero on the scoreboard for the third time in four games.
But Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Steve Selsky did Sunday, following a shutout loss, 4-0, to the Jacksonville Suns at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Selsky blasted two singles in four at bats, extended his hitting streak to six games and raised his season batting average above .300 to .302.
He said he and his teammates just need to simplify their approach at the plate.
“Guys are trying to do way too much,” said Selsky, who has gotten a hit in 10 of his last 11 games. “It’s hard to carry a whole team by yourself. You can’t go up to the plate saying, ‘I need a hit. I need a hit. I need a hit.’ You need a quality at bat. A good at bat leads to success.”
It’s that mindset that helped Selsky get the first hit in the fourth inning for the Wahoo’s off of Jacksonville Suns lefty starting pitcher Chipper Smith. Smith improved his record to 2-0, allowing just three hits in six scoreless innings. In his Southern League debut May 16, Smith blanked the Wahoos for four innings, giving up two runs in 5.2 innings of work.
“We haven’t handled lefties well,” Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields said. “(Smith) has baffled us.”
The game turned on an error by Wahoos third baseman Juan Silverio on a shot by Miguel Tejada that bounced off his glove and through his legs into short center field. The possible double-play grounder would have kept the score, 1-0. Instead the Suns added three runs, including a score by Tejada, to go up, 4-0, after three innings.
Unfortunately, Pensacola leads the Southern League in allowing unearned runs with 42 entering Sunday’s game.
Another not-so-good stat? The Blue Wahoos are now 0-8 in Robert Stephenson’s last eight starts and last won, 17-1, against Jacksonville on April 21. Despite Pensacola’s record, Stephenson, who’s considered the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, has pitched well with hitters batting just .200 against him.
However, Sunday was not his day, as he battled a stiff neck. He lacked his usual velocity and lasted just three innings, giving up four runs with two of them earned. Stephenson, who came into the game leading the league with 66 strikeouts in 58 innings, fanned just one batter Sunday.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost to the Suns 4-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Sunday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Class Of 2014 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 1, 2014
The 113 members of the Northview High School Class of 2014 graduated Saturday.
“I’ve learned that things can change in an instant. I’ve learned that how you react to those changes can really determine the caliber of person that you are,” Co-valedictorian Kasie Braun told her classmates. “I’ve learned that the things you earn are worth more than the things you’re given.”
“Always do the right thing, because you will, at some point in your life, reap what you sow,” Braun concluded to a standing ovation.
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2014 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning a record setting $1.7 million dollars in scholarship money.
For a photo gallery, click here. (More individual photos will be published this week.)
A complete list of graduates is below the bottom photo, scroll down.
Pictured top. Co-valedictorian Kasie Braun was the first of 113 members of the Northview High School Class of 2014 to receive her diploma Saturday. Pictured inset: An empty chair with the class flower, a white rose with red tips, honored the memory of Wade Jernigan, a class member who was killed in an traffic accident in 2011. Pictured below: The Northview Class of 2014 celebrates. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summa Cum Luade (4.0 and above)
Kasie Lee Braun – Co-valedictorian
Victoria Anne Wright – Co-valedictorian
Courtney Yvonne Solari
Anna Elizabeth Donald
Jessica Nicole Lowery
Courtney Alexandra Weaver
Dale Wayne Brown
Talana Michelle Heathcock
Tamara Maria Green
Karissa Lea Strickland
Marina Nikol Gray
Danielle Nichole Steadham
Rachel Ann Presley
Audrey Leigh Byrd
Anna Elizabeth Fischer
Lana Leigh Clayton
Zacarra Kelline Davis
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 and above)
Jeremy Logan Stacey
Samantha Suzanne Barrow
Hilery Danielle Scott
Madison Brooke Arrington
Morgan Nicole Digmon
Katelynne Nicole Calloway
Mashama Ashaki-Kai Codrington
Cum Laude (3.5 and above)
Justin Elliot King
Chelsea Brooke Ward
Chloe Vanessa Leonard
Mariah Laine Albritton
Tony Anthony McAroy, Jr.
Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
Lily Ann Townson
Alexandria Nicole Martin
Lauryn Elizabeth Walker
Kira Nerys Cartwright
Other Graduating Members, Class of 2013
Ryan Wayne Ashcraft
Donald Hamilton Baity
Kevin Matthew Barrow
Jody Wayne Bonner
Timothy Michael Born
Trey Brian Boutwell
Taylor Marie Brook
Colton Lane Brown
Jessica Ann Brown
Skye Lynn Brown
Ryan James Carter
Matthew Phillip Cayson
Daniel Ray Coggins
Curtis Michael Coker
Madalyn Yvonne Coon
Dakota Lee Craft
Tristen Lee Creamer
Dalton Ray Daniel
Hunter Nicholas Dettling
David Andrew Edwards
Kendrell Dashawn Elliott
Britney Hope Fischer
Makayla Danielle Flowers
Lindsey Denise Francis
Brannon Charles Freeman
Hunter Paul Gafford
Shaina Eleece Gibson
Tyler Austin Gifford
Brandon Kyle Godwin
Casey Hunter Godwin
Marcus Hunter Godwin
Steven Christophe Gregory
Keyth Briandrya Grice
Rebecca Lynn Grim
Michael Anthony Hall, Jr.
Marvin Anthony Haynie, Jr.
Cory Davis Hester
Kelsie Michelle Hudson
Courtney Lynn Jones
Tori Amber Jordan
Benjamin Adam Kaderly
Ashley Leann Kimbel
Jasmine Diane Maher
Audra Elizabeth Martin
Brittany Nicole Martin
Luke Alexander McDaniel
Holden Eugene Moore
Christopher Jay Moye
Olivia Kate Neal
Emily Christine Nicholson
Shelby Lee Nielsen
Willie Ray Owens, III
Malik Tyrell Peacock
Mary Jane Peck
Natasha Nicole Peebles
Autumn Lashay Pierce
Ronald Ray Pritchett, Jr.
Johnathan Baccari Ramer
Michael Kweisi Rieves
Caitlyn Christine Rigby
Neino Axavary Robinson
Mikaela Lynn Santos
Rebekah Mary Sepulveda
Nathan Ernest Shipps
Danny Hunter Slay
Kent Richard Smith
Mason Alexandra Solchenberger
Crystal Sky Stalvey
Jeffery Lee Taylor, II
Laquan Maurice Thomas
Daulton Blade Tullis
Garrett Mason Turner
Brandy Marie Walker
Kendrick Kendal Walker
Shauna Marie Walker
Karmen Leeanna Watson
Mallory Amanda Wiggins
Isaiah Joseph Williams
Kody Austin Wood
NOAA Predicts A Near Or Below Normal Hurricane Season
June 1, 2014
In its 2014 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a near-normal or below-normal season.
The main driver of this year’s outlook is the anticipated development of El Niño this summer. El Niño causes stronger wind shear, which reduces the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes. El Niño can also strengthen the trade winds and increase the atmospheric stability across the tropical Atlantic, making it more difficult for cloud systems coming off of Africa to intensify into tropical storms.
The outlook calls for a 50 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA predicts a 70 percent likelihood of 8 to 13 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 2 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).
These numbers are near or below the seasonal averages of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes, based on the average from 1981 to 2010. The Atlantic hurricane region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
“It only takes one hurricane or tropical storm making landfall to have disastrous impacts on our communities,” said Joe Nimmich, FEMA associate administrator for Response and Recovery. “Just last month, Pensacola, Florida, saw five inches of rain in 45 minutes – without a tropical storm or hurricane. We need you to be ready. Know your risk for hurricanes and severe weather, take action now to be prepared and be an example for others in your office, school or community. Learn more about how to prepare for hurricanes at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.”