Firefighters Respond To Electrical Fire
March 3, 2014
Firefighters responded to a reported porch fire on Deer Run Lane, just off South Highway 99, near Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The fire, reported about 10:30 p.m., was out when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The cause of the fire was believed to be the electrical supply to a clothes dryer. There was no major damage to the home and no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department were dispatched to the incident .
Editor’s note: The red glow in the photos is not fire; it was caused by emergency lights and a light fog.
Pictured: Firefighters responded to a reported fire on Deer Run Lane Sunday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmaker Files Bill To Pause School Grades
March 3, 2014
One of the leading Senate Democrats on education has filed a bill proposing a sweeping overhaul of the state’s school accountability system, though the measure faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Montford of Tallahassee, would pause the school grading system for three years. Also, a state test could not be the “sole determiner” of whether students graduate or get promoted to the next grade over the same time frame. The proposal comes after years of controversy about the state’s grading system and as Education Commissioner Pam Stewart faces a decision on a new test to measure student learning under the revised version of the Common Core State Standards currently being implemented.
“Florida’s accountability system is no longer credible in the eyes of the public — from the adoption of new standards, the selection of a new assessment, to the awarding of school grades,” Montford said in a statement. The bill would also alter the state’s performance-pay law, approved by the Legislature in 2011, by lowering the portion of a teacher’s evaluation that has to be based on test results from 50 percent to 30 percent. Another 20 percent would be based on other measures of a teacher’s performance. And it would delay for three years — from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2017 — the date when new employees are required to enter the state’s performance-pay system.
A companion bill is planned in the House. Montford also serves as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. Local districts and teachers have pushed the state to pause the accountability system for at least three years while the new standards and tests take effect.
by The News Service of Florida
Photo: Captain Of The Boat
March 3, 2014
The weekend weather was perfect for outdoor activities…including running catfish lines up the Escambia River with the Captain of the Boat “Rowdy” at helm near the Molino boat ramp. Photo by Crista Pope for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join The Tate QB Club During Tuesday Night meeting
March 3, 2014
The Tate High School Quarterback Club is beginning their members drive.
Freshman parents, fans, alumni, community members, and others that want to get involved in the football program can join the Quarterback Club Tuesday. New members can join during the next Quarterback Club meeting on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. in the Tate Media Center.
March 4. Come to QB Club meeting March 4 6:30 in Tate Media Center.
March Special Events And Programs At West Florida Library Locations
March 3, 2014
Reoccurring Programs
Main Library: 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola, FL, (850) 436-5060
- AARP Tax Help, weekly on Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 16
- Crafternoons for Youth, weekly on Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Family Game Night, weekly on Monday, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Sensory Play for children, monthly on the third Saturday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Wednesday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
*Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Special Story Time: Bunny Hop (Children)
Century Branch: 7991 North Century Boulevard, Century, FL, (850) 256-6217
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m.
Genealogy Branch: 5740 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL, (850) 494-7373
- West Florida Genealogical Society Meeting, monthly on the first Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
*A meeting will not be held in July
Molino Branch: 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino, FL, (850) 435-1760
- GED Classes weekly on Monday and Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m. until May 16
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Wednesday, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Southwest Branch: 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL, (850) 453-7780
- AARP Tax Help, weekly on Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 16
- Kids: Read to the Dogs, monthly on the fourth Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Tuesday, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
- Book Club: American Girl (preregistered girls ages 7 to 13), monthly on the third Saturday, March 15, 2 to 3 p.m. through November 16
Tryon Branch: 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola, FL, (850) 471-6980
- Kids: Read to the Dogs, monthly on the third Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Thursday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Westside Branch: 1580 West Cervantes Street, Pensacola, FL, (850) 595-1047
- Storytime for children up to 5, weekly on Saturday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Special Events and Programs
For Peace of Mind Seminar, Saturday, March 1, 10 to 11 a.m., Tryon Branch
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is offering free seminars on women’s health for women 21 years or older to present information on breast and cervical cancer risk, the HPV vaccine and the importance of women getting screenings. Women interested in becoming screened will be given resources that may provide their screenings for free. Women who attend will receive health information and incentives for their participation. This will also take place on Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, May 3.
Seuss-tastic Saturday (Children) Saturday, March 1, all day, Main Library
Take the Seuss Challenge, have a piece of birthday cake and share a story in honor of this beloved author and illustrator’s birthday.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and Read Across America, Monday, March 3, 6 p.m., Molino
Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss character and enjoy Dr. Seuss stories. The Molino Mid-County Historical Society will provide cookies, popcorn and lemonade.
Age of Champions, Monday, March 3, 3 to 5 p.m., Main Library
Age of Champions is the inspiring story of a group of athletes—a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole vaulter, team of basketball grandmothers and a pair of swimming brothers—all chasing gold at the National Senior Olympics. The film captures the triumphant spirit of these competitors as they tackle the challenges of old age with grace, humor and optimism.
This special screening is sponsored by the Friends of West Florida Public Library and the University of West Florida Center on Aging.
Author Visit: Dr. Tom Schneider, Saturday, March 8, 1 to 2 p.m., Southwest Branch
Dr. Tom Schneider will discuss his book, ‘A Physician’s Apology’ which is about solutions for healing the mind and body. He relates his personal experiences with his healing principles and debunks many myths. Dr. Schneider is a former Blue Angel, flight surgeon and war hero who writes about solutions for healing mind and body as a result of his extraordinary life. He is currently Chief Medical Officer of HealthSpan Institute International and Medical Director of the Florida HealthSpan in Pensacola.
National Weather Service Storm Spotter Class, Tuesday, March 11, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Tryon Branch
Jeff Garmon from the National Weather Service Mobile will provide a storm spotter class for interested adults. This is the introductory course that describes the basic forms of severe weather, how to make reports to the NWS and more. For more information, http://bit.ly/1jDYT21.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration “Of the Green,” (Children), Thursday, March 13, 5 to 6 p.m., Tryon Branch
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with games, crafts and treats.
Explore Pensacola History – “Having Fun, Wish You Were Here! The History of Florida Through Postcards”
Liz Coursen traces the history of postcards from Florida, starting with Ponce de Léon himself, to show that the images on these mementos helped to make Florida what it is today. In the second part of the presentation, she will focus on early postcard images of Pensacola and surrounding areas and the history we can learn from them. Sponsored by Florida Humanities Council, Viva Florida 500 and the Friends of the West Florida Public Library. For more information, http://bit.ly/NzDNqd.
- Wednesday, March 12, 6 to 7 p.m., Main Library
- Thursday, March 13, 6 to 7 p.m., Southwest Branch
Explore Pensacola History – Atlantic Coast Theater Presentations “Florida Treasures: A Viva Florida History Exploration”
When two tourists discover a treasure chest full of historical artifacts, they are magically transported back in time in a fun-filled journey through Florida history. The audience will laugh and learn about Ponce De Leon, the settlement of Pensacola (Florida’s “Almost Oldest” city), the founding of St. Augustine, and the “original” Pocahontas story. Age appropriate for grades K-8, but all are welcome. Sponsored by Florida Humanities Council, Viva Florida 500 and the Friends of the West Florida Public Library.
- Tuesday, March 18, 3 to 4 p.m., Main Library
- Tuesday, March 18, 6 to 7 p.m., Southwest Branch
- Wednesday, March 19, 3 to 4 p.m., Westside Branch
- Wednesday, March 19, 6 to 7 p.m., Tryon Branch
- Thursday, March 20, 6 to 7 p.m., Molino
Beyond Our Backyard: Archaeology Around the World, each Thursday in March, 7 to 8 p.m., Main Library
WFPL is partnering with the Florida Public Archaeology Network to provide programs each Thursday night in March to celebrate Florida Archaeology Month.
- Thursday, March 6: “The Evolution of Underwater Archaeology in Madagascar and the Serapis Project”
- Thursday, March 13: “In Search of the Founders of Berlin”
- Thursday, March 20: “Bioarachaeology of the Undead Deviant Burials in Post- Medieval Poland”
- Thursday, March 27: “Africa Underwater: The Ghana Maritime Archaeology Project”
These events are sponsored by Florida Public Archaeology Network, Viva Florida 500, the Friends of the West Florida Public Library, the UWF Archaeology Department and the Pensacola Archaeology Society.
Celebrate Spring: Plant a New Beginning, (Children) – Thursday, March 20, 5 p.m., Century
Celebrate Spring with a great story, cookies and treats. Also, plan on getting dirty planting a flower or vegetable for you to take home.
Books to Film Book Club, (Adults) – fourth Tuesday of each month starting, Tuesday, March 25, 6 to 7 p.m., Tryon Branch
The first monthly get together will begin with a list of the dozens of recent books that have made it to Hollywood and share our ideas of what we would like to explore for our book club. Sign up is requested. Everyone 18 and older welcome.
Photos of Polly Crongeyer: Places Near & Far Exhibit, through March 31, Southwest Branch
Polly Crongeyer is an award winning freelance photographer specializing in travel and fine art photography who focuses on environmental portraits and a sense of place, which makes each culture and venue unique.
Poarch Creeks Donated $6K In Computer Equipment To Atmore PD
March 3, 2014
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Police Department recently donated for Dell laptop computers and docking stations valued at $6,000 to the Atmore Police Department.
“We are pleased to have this equipment donated, as a small department it can be a challenge to maintain the latest equipment,” the Atmore Police Department said in a statement.
Pictured top: Poarch Band of Creek Indians Police Department Assistant Chief Butch Lee withAtmore Public Safety Director Glenn Carlee. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Evers Bill: Motorists Should Face Tougher Penalties For Hitting ‘Vulnerable Road Users’
March 2, 2014
A bill filed in the Florida Legislature by Sen. Greg Evers would would impose tougher penalties for hitting certain road users.
Evers’ bill, and a companion House bill by Rep. Dwight Dudley, would impose a second-degree misdemeanor charge on any motorist who commits a moving violation that causes serious bodily harm to a “vulnerable road user”.
The designation would go to pedestrians, including people engaged in work on highways, and people lawfully on the road riding bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds or animals, or operating farm equipment, skateboards, in-line skates, horse-drawn carriages, electric personal-assistive mobility devices or wheelchairs.
The penalty would grow to a first-degree misdemeanor, with the potential loss of a motorist’s driver’s license for at least one year, if a “vulnerable road user” dies.
The penalties wouldn’t replace other charges motorists could face.
The proposal already has support from the motorcyclists-rights organization ABATE (American Bikers Aim toward Education) of Florida.
The measure is separate from the “Aaron Cohen” Hit-and-Run Act (SB 102 and HB 183), which has already started to move in the Legislature. That measure would make it a second-degree felony — rather than a third-degree felony — and carry the potential revocation of a driver’s license for a motorist who fails to remain at the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injuries. A motorist would face a minimum of four years in jail for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of a person.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured: A motorcyclist was critically injured in this hit and run accident on Highway 97 in Molino in April 2013. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Funeral Held For Atmore Police Officer
March 2, 2014
Law enforcement officers and first responders joined family and friends Saturday in honoring Atmore Police Office Dean Lindberg, who passed away Tuesday following a stroke. He was 54.
A retired Army Ranger, Officer Lindberg has been employed with Atmore Police Department as a full-time law enforcement officer since March of 2011. He had previously worked as a law enforcement officer for the Kent, WA, Police Department and the Whiting Field Naval Air Station.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Mary Ann Lindberg, two sons, Terry (Kate) Lindberg and Adam Lindberg both of Kent, WA, a daughter, Hunter Rose Lindberg, and a host of other relatives and friends. He attended the Grace Valley Baptist Church in Cantonment.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home. Burial followed at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church just off Highway 29 in Bogia.
Pictured top: The Atmore Fire Department flies a giant American flag along the funeral route to pay respect to Atmore Police Office Dean Lindberg. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Win T.R. Miller Tournament
March 2, 2014
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs won the T.R. Miller Invitational Tournament this weekend in Brewton, Ala.
The Chiefs went undefeated, taking the tourney title with an 8-2 championship win over Davidson of Mobile. Other teams in the tournament were Escambia County (Atmore) High School, McGill, T.R. Miller, Uriah and W.S. Neal.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rachel Grammer Named District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart
March 2, 2014
Rachel Grammer of the Tate High School FFA was named the District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Saturday at Northview High School. First runner-up was Patra Miller from the Tate High FFA, and second runner-up was Victoria Kent of the Tate High FFA.
A dozen young ladies from the Tate, Northview, Ernest Ward and Bethlehem FFA chapters took part in the second annual pageant.
Pictured top: (L-R) Second Runner-up Victoria Kent, District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Rachel Grammer, First Runner-up Patra Miller, all of the Tate High School FFA Chapter. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.