Gulf Power Warns Of Telephone Scam
March 25, 2014
In a recent scam, area businesses received calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power Company and demanding payment — or their electric service would be cut off.
Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, however the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent months. Customers are being told their electric bill is past due and that their electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment or other forms of immediate payment.
Gulf Power advises customers that:
- Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
- Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
- All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
School Grade Accountability Bill Headed To The House Floor
March 25, 2014
After years of confusion, a measure that would overhaul Florida’s school grading system and get schools ready for new tests is headed to the House floor after receiving overwhelming approval at its final committee stop.
The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved the proposal (HB 7117) with a bipartisan, 11-2 vote on Monday. Modeled on a proposal by Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, the bill would streamline school grades and suspend punishment for school grades for one year while a new state assessment is rolled out.
The proposed changes come against the backdrop of years of disorder within the school grading system, including repeated steps by the State Board of Education to prevent school districts from dropping more than one letter grade in the wake of changes to the school report card formula.
The plan adopted Monday would alter the grading formula and do away with penalties schools could currently receive for the grades assigned in the 2014-15 school year. That move is in part an effort to make up for the state switching from the FCAT, now in use, to an exam crafted by the American Institutes for Research.
But some Democrats and educators have argued that a one year break is not long enough, especially since Stewart only selected AIR as the developer of the new test last week. Critics say a break of at least three years is needed.
“I think a one-year pause is still not going to be enough time… If we want this to be successful, we should not be rushing it,” said Rep. Karen Castor Dentel, a Maitland Democrat who voted against the plan.
The Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, also calls for a longer phase-in, although President Andy Ford was largely conciliatory during remarks to the panel.
“A one-year hiatus is a good move,” Ford said. “We don’t think it’s long enough, but it is a step in the right direction, and we appreciate it.”
But Rep. Janet Adkins, the Fernandina Beach Republican who sponsored the bill, pushed back against a three-year transition.
“There’s always this kind of desire by the institution to have a greater period (of) transition time,” she said. “… I think what’s in the best interest of our students is creating that sense of urgency. Now, we want to hold our schools harmless. We want to make sure that we’ve got a smooth transition period.”
The Senate version (SB 1642) is scheduled for its last stop at the Appropriations Committee on Thursday before heading to the floor, if approved as expected.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Northview At Escambia Academy Softball Canceled
March 25, 2014
Tuesday’s scheduled Northview Chiefs at Escambia Academy softball game in Poarch, AL, has been canceled by EA.
The Lady Chiefs will host Jay on Friday, with junior varsity playing at 4:00 and the varsity taking the field at 6:00 in Bratt.
House Throttles Back On Red Light Camera Bill
March 25, 2014
The key House proponent of eliminating red-light cameras ended his effort Monday to prohibit the installation of new cameras across the state.
However, a senator seeking to ban the traffic-enforcement technology isn’t ready to put the brakes on his bill.
Members of the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved an amendment by Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, as they backed his measure (HB 7005). The bill now would allow new cameras at intersections but only if their use is justified through traffic engineering studies.
Meanwhile, Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he intends to keep the Senate “on our current path” to repeal the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act of 2010, the state’s red-light camera law.
“I think ultimately what is going to happen is that the House is going to do what they’re going to do, and the Senate is going to come up with its own plan,” Brandes said after the House subcommittee voted. “And I think we will then enter into negotiations about what the overall policy of the Legislature will be.”
Brandes added that he may eventually have to make some concessions to other senators to get the measure to the floor.
Artiles’ amendment also would mandate that 70 percent of the local government revenue from the cameras go into safety measures and would require jurisdictions to shut off their cameras if they fail to provide annual camera-enforcement reports to the state.
“I just want to do something substantive that is going to help Floridians this year,” Artiles said.
In early February, Artiles and Brandes held a press conference in the Capitol to highlight a report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, the Legislature’s non-partisan policy office. The report found there were fewer fatalities but more crashes at electronically monitored intersections and that fines issued due to the technology cost motorists nearly $119 million last year.
Artiles said the state study didn’t provide a full picture of the impact of the cameras because numbers were not available from every area that uses the technology.
The Senate measure (SB 144) by Brandes, who contends the law hasn’t improved safety and that local governments are using the program to fuel their budgets, is expected to go before the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
Artiles had initially proposed that the state ban new red-light cameras while reducing the fine from $158 to $83, eliminating the money local governments could collect.
South Pasadena Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters, while voting for the measure, questioned the state mandating how local governments could spend revenue from the cameras, noting state lawmakers decry whenever the federal government imposes such requirements on Florida.
But Artiles said the outcry from local governments over his initial proposal to eliminate the money demonstrated that the issue is strictly about money.
“It’s about revenue, it’s not about safety,” Artiles said. “What good is it for cities and counties and the state to collect this revenue and not implement it for safety purposes?”
Safety measure could range from adding LED lighting in traffic signals, extending yellow-light times in the signals and even hiring additional law enforcement, Artiles said.
Across Florida, at least 77 county and city governments operate red-light camera programs. However, some governments have been revisiting the cameras. For example, the St. Petersburg City Council has decided to end its program by the end of September.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Gallery)
March 24, 2014
The 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Food Giant parking lot about 7:40 a.m. Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office escorted the torch down Highway 29 through Century.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 66 counties in Florida.
Pictured: The 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics begins in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Dive Team Places At County; Jerni Crabtree Takes Championship
March 24, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School Dive team received first and eighth places during the recent Escambia County Diving Championship at Washington High School.
The Ernest Ward Dive Team consisted of two divers – Jerni Crabtree and Jayda Crabtree. Jayda placed 8th, with a total score of 118.25. Jerni remained undefeated all season, placing 1st with a score of 168.25 and earning her the title of 2014 Escambia County Middle School Girls Diving Champion.
Pictured: Jerni and Jayda Crabtree, the Ernest Ward Middle School Dive Team. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Surveying, Mapping Crews Rejected From Expansion Of ‘Move Over’ Law
March 24, 2014
House members expressed concern Friday that too many professions could end up attached to a law that requires motorists to slow down and shift lanes to avoid law-enforcement and emergency crews working along roads.
Members of the Economic Affairs Committee rejected an amendment that would have added surveying and mapping crews to a measure (HB 469) that would add sanitation vehicles and utility-service vehicles to the state’s 11-year-old “Move Over” law.
“There’s some talk of including prison work crews. We are loving this bill to death,” said Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater. “The average motorist is going to have a long checklist over their sun visor of what they are required to move over for.”
The bill, as it stands, requires motorists to move over a lane, or slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit, when a clearly identified work-crew vehicle is parked and crews are working on sanitation, electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, cable, telephone or other communications services. Sanitation crews were added to the bill March 3. The Economic Affairs Committee voted 14-1 on Friday to approve the bill, with Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, opposed.
Bill sponsor Holly Merrill Raschein, R-Key Largo, said the addition of the survey and mapping crews could jeopardize the bill. Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens, requested the amendment, noting that surveyors and mappers risk their lives while working in the middle of roads or on road shoulders.
“As they are involved in their duties, they tend not to observe the traffic,” Watson said. “Many times they have their backs to the oncoming traffic.”
The Senate version of the bill (SB 478) by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, has yet to make a committee appearance. Evers represents the North Escambia area.
by The New Service of Florida
Escambia Sheriff’s K-9’s Compete To Be Top Dog
March 24, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Pensacola Police Department played host to 49 K-9 units from throughout the south last week during the USPCA Region 1 K9 Trials.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and their awards are as follows:
- Kelly Hall (Drago)
- John Zabelle (Ivan)
- Kevin Biggs (Argo)
- Chris Collier (Baro)
- Jason Land (Edo, 18th overall)
- Patrick Crossley (Dasty, Top Dual Dog, Top Over-All Narcotics, 3rd in 4 Man Team)
- Mike Carr (Iwan, 3rd in 4 Man Team)
- Mark Smith (Jeck, 17th overall, 3rd in 4 Man Team)
- Wayne Gulsby (Caleb, 1st in Overall Search)
- Mike Milstead (Mink, 3rd in 4 Man Team)
- Jason Potts (Askon, 4th Overall Search, 14th overall)
Pictured top: K-9 Edo. Pictured below. Deputy Wayne Gulsby (left) and K-9 Caleb, and Deputy Jason Land with Edo. Pictured bottom: Escambia County K-9 officers. Reader submitted and courtesy photos by Kim Carr, Dellaina Jordan and Jason Bondurant for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five Injured In Highway 29, I-10 Crash
March 24, 2014
Five people were seriously injured in a Sunday morning crash that tied up traffic from Highway 29 to I-10.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 37-year old Ashley E. Sticken of Cantonment was eastbound on the entrance ram to I-10 from southbound Highway 29 when he failed to negotiate the curve in his 1988 Toyota Tacoma. His vehicle began to spin, striking a 2014 Mazda driven by 58-year old Donald E. White of Bay Minette.
White and his passengers, 20-year old Tyler E. White, 25-year old Amy Jernigan, and 19-year old Whitney Roberts, all of Bay Minette, were transported to West Florida Hospital in serious condition.
Sticken was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. He was cited by the FHP for careless driving for failure to maintain proper control.
Pictured: Traffic was tied up at on the southbound Highway 29 entrance ramp to I-10 Sunday morning after crash the FHP said was caused by a Cantonment woman. NorthEscambia.com reader photo by April Pawless, click to enlarge.
Preschoolers Celebrate 104 Years Of Camp Fire USA
March 24, 2014
The preschoolers at the Camp Fire USA Child Development Center in Century recently held a celebration of the 104th birthday of the Camp Fire program. They formed the number “104″ (pictured below) and celebrated with birthday cupcakes). They also learned to count all the way to 100. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
