MADD At Odds Over DUI Proposal
April 21, 2014
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is objecting to an abstinence-based proposal that would let judges order twice-daily breath tests instead of ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders. But the head of the National Sheriffs’ Association says the “24/7 Sobriety” model is a better way of keeping drunken drivers off the road for good.
MADD National Director Jan Withers on Friday asked Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, to reject the plan, which was approved by a House committee last week and is known elsewhere as “24/7 Sobriety.”
“MADD believes that amendments allowing for twice a day testing or 24/7 sobriety programs are okay, but these programs should never replace the use of ignition interlock for a convicted drunk driver,” Withers wrote.
Instead, MADD wants Florida lawmakers to expand the use of the interlock devices, which keep vehicles from starting if a driver is drunk, to first-time offenders whose blood-alcohol content is above .08. Current state law requires the devices for second- and third-time offenders as well as for those with a blood-alcohol content of .15 or greater.
In a letter to Weatherford, Withers pointed out that 17,224 Florida residents were convicted in 2012 for driving with suspended licenses that were revoked because of previous DUIs, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
“MADD believes Florida needs … a new approach to handle persons arrested for drunk driving as license suspension alone is no longer practical,” Withers wrote. But on Thursday, Sheriff Mike Leidholt of Hughes County, S.D., wrote that he is “wholeheartedly in support” of the proposal (HB 7005), approved last week by the Florida House Economic Affairs Committee. The proposal would allow judges to place drivers with more than one DUI into a 24/7 program instead of or in addition to requiring interlock devices.
Leidholt, who is also president of the National Sheriffs’ Association, helped implement one of the nation’s first 24/7 sobriety programs, now in use statewide in South Dakota and two other states.
“Of all the wonderful programs that sheriffs are initiating, I have not seen one that is as successful in reducing recidivism, managing corrections populations, and reducing alcohol related crashes as the 24/7 Sobriety Program,” Leidholt wrote.
Interlock devices are now in use by more than 10,000 Florida drivers, and the industry generates about $10 million a year.
by The News Service of Florida
Summer Dance Workshop Offered At Byrneville Community Center
April 21, 2014
A Summer Dance Workshop will be offered at the Byrneville Community Center June 9-13.
Classes will be offered as follows:
- 8:30 – 9 am — Pre-ballet (ages 3-4)
- 9:15 – 10:15 am — Ballet I (ages 5-7)
- 10:30 – noon — Ballet II and Jazz (ages 8-10) 0-3 years dance experience
- 12:30 – 2 p.m. — Ballet III and Jazz (ages 9-teen) 4 or more years dance experience
Proper dancewear and dance shoes are required. An optional Summer Dance Workship t-shirt will be available for $15 at registration time. The registration deadline is June 2. Contact Heather Leonard’s Danceworks by email at hldanceworks@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Career Academies Recognized; EWMS Culinary Academy Takes Top Honor
April 21, 2014
The 2014 Career Academy Award winners from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were recently presented, including the Middle School Career Academy of the Year award to Ernest Ward Middle School’s Culinary Arts Academy and the High School Career Academy of the Year award to West Florida High School’s Agriscience Technology Academy.
Middle School Career Academy of the Year
- Culinary Arts Academy, Ernest Ward Middle School (Kathy Ellis, Instructor)
- Microsoft I.T. Academy, Woodlawn Beach Middle School (Jennifer Hensley, Instructor)
Middle School Career Academy Student of the Year
- Elayza Agrabin, Arts, AV & Communications Academy, Bellview Middle School
- Jade Finch, Microsoft I.T. Academy, Hobbs Middle School
Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
- Theresa Simmons, Arts, AV & Communications Academy, Bellview Middle School
- Randy Parazine, Microsoft I.T. Academy, Hobbs Middle School
High School Career Academy Student of the Year
- Angel Aldahondo, Engineering Academy, Escambia High School
- Dezmond Baldwin-Marlow, Sarah J. Ussary Law and Public Service Academy, Pensacola High School
- Abigail Harrison, Commercial Arts Academy, Jay High School
- Olivia Moore, Agriculture Academy, Jay High School
High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
- Kathy Gilliland, New Media Academy, Pine Forest High School
- Monica Bondurant, Communications & Graphic Arts Academy, Pace High School
High School Career Academy of the Year
- Agriscience Technology Academy, West Florida High School (Paula Petsel, Instructor)
- Digital Multimedia Academy, Milton High School (Kim Smith, Instructor)
Career Academy Student Intern of the Year
- Aliya Eggleton, Criminal Justice Academy, West Florida High School
- Morgan Lundquist, Pharmacy Tech Academy, Locklin Technical Center
High School Career Academy Scholar of the Year
- Jennifer St. John, Engineering Academy, Escambia High School
- Margaret Linscott, Communications & Graphic Arts Academy, Pace High School
Pictured top and below: Ernest Ward Middle School Culinary Academy students hard at work. Pictured bottom: Enjoying EWMS Culinary Academy creations. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton FFA String Band, Floriculture Teams Place At Districts
April 21, 2014
The Flomaton High School FFA recently competed at a district competition in Enterprise, AL.
The Flomaton FFA string band placed fourth; members were Nik Shivers, Stone Lehmann, Jose Escobedo, and Logan Hendricks. The Floriculture team placed third and will compete at the state competition. Members of the Flomaton Floriculture team were Haley White, Kristin Fillmore, Toni Simmons and Tiffany Hardy.
Pictured top: (L-R) String band members Nik Shivers, Stone Lehmann, Jose Escobedo, and Logan Hendricks; Floriculture team members Haley White, Kristin Fillmore, Toni Simmons and Tiffany Hardy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There names are
listed in the order they are standing
Photos: Our Easter Egg Find
April 21, 2014
While hiding Easter eggs of the plastic variety around NorthEscambia.com Sunday, we made an Easter egg discovery. We found three mockingbird eggs in a nest nestled deep within the fronds of a sago palm. Hopefully, we’ll share baby bird pictures within a couple of weeks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Suns Hand Wahoos Fifth Straight Loss
April 21, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied back from three runs down to tie the game at four in the top of the ninth Sunday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, only to have the Suns respond with the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning. The Wahoos have now dropped five straight. Rich Poythress singled home J.T. Realmuto from third with two outs in the ninth handing the Suns the 5-4 win. His game-winning hit marked the second day in a row Poythress has delivered a big hit against the Wahoos. He delivered a three-run home run on Saturday night.
Travis Mattair came up with a clutch two-out two-strike two-run double down the left field line to pull the Blue Wahoos within one in the top of the ninth. A batter later, Juan Duran’s infield single scored Yorman Rodriguez from third to even the game.
The Suns were in control early with three runs over the first five innings behind Marlins No. 1 prospect Andrew Heaney. Pensacola got to him for a run in the third when Rey Navarro singled home Brodie Greene, but the lefty retired the final 13 batters he faced. He was finished after 7.0 innings allowing just the 1R/ER while matching his career high with nine strikeouts.
Daniel Corcino started strong for Pensacola striking out the side in order to open the game. He then labored through his 4.2 innings. He walked and struck out five and surrendered 3R/ER on five hits. Drew Hayes took the loss allowing 2R/ER over 1.2 innings despite three strikeouts. Though he only faced and retired one batter in the top of the ninth, Greg Nappo earned the win for Jacksonville. The three game-tying runs were charged to Suns closer Nick Wittgren. He gave up 3R/ER on five hits in just 0.2 innings.
Navarro and Rodriguez led the Wahoos offensively with two-hit games in the losing effort.
Pensacola will look to get back in the win column on Monday with RHP Robert Stephenson (1-1, 5.56) on the mound against Suns RHP Angel Sanchez (0-3, 4.20). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Extension Service To Present ‘Tomatoes At Twilight’
April 21, 2014
Escambia County Extension, Santa Rosa County Extension and the University of Florida/IFAS Extension will present the “Tomatoes at Twilight” workshop next week.
The event is a workshop for farmers interested in learning about small farm tomato production. This hands-on workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at Santa Rosa Extension, 4253 Extension Road, Highway 182 in Jay from 4-6 p.m.
Discussion topics will include:
- General tomato production
- High tunnel tomato production
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Water and nutrient management
- Disease Control
Registration for the workshop is $10 per person. To register visit twilight-tomatoes.eventbrit.com.
For more information, contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Missing Escambia County Man Found Safe
April 20, 2014
An missing Escambia County man for which a Florida Silver Alert had been issued has found.
Gary Nickerson, 67,was located safe Sunday evening, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He had been reported missing earlier after he was last seen in the 3100 block of Rothschild Drive off Scenic Highway on Saturday.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Services
April 20, 2014
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 Son-Rise 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, inc. Marcus Pointe Baptist Church). Pictured inset: The sign at Poplar Dell Baptist Church sums up the Easter story in simple terms. NorthEscambia.com photo, clicik to enlarge.
Three Injured In Two Wrecks; One Cuts Cable, TV, Phone For Some Molino Residents
April 20, 2014
At least three people were injured in two Saturday night traffic crashes, including one that took out phone, internet and cable for numerous Molino residents.
The first accident occurred about 8:40 in the 6200 block of North Highway 95A, near Molino Road. A driver lost control and struck equipment belonging to Bright House Networks, knocking out services for an unknown number of Molino residents. The vehicle also struck a fence. The driver was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The second accident happened on Muscogee Road near South County Road 97 about 9:40 p.m. At least two people were transported by ambulance to area hospitals. There injuries were not considered life threatening.
Both accidents remain under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: Two people were injured in this two vehicle accident Saturday night on Muscogee Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
