Girls Weightlifting: Northview Over Pensacola High
December 17, 2013
The Northview Girls Weightlifting team defeated Pensacola High School in a recent meet held at Northview.
Attending Northview and Pensacola High
Placement: 1st Northview 45 Points & Pensacola High 44 points
Northview’s Weight class point winners with combined scores
101
1st – Jadlyn Agerton (NHS)-160
2nd – Lindsey Gafford (NHS)-135
3rd –Rosaly Tambini (PHS)-120
110
1st – Mariah Albritton (NHS)-160
2nd – Tiffani Pritchett (NHS)-150
119
1st –Mallory Peterson (PHS)-155
2nd-Kaylie Hudson (NHS)-150
3rd –Moriah McGahan (NHS)-140
129
1st- Bryanna Lewis (PHS)-195
2nd-Courtney Weaver (NHS)-180
3rd –Iesha Robbins (PHS)-180
139
1st- Shaquaria McLemore (PHS)-215
2nd-Jachristala Gill (PHS)-195
3rd –Zacarra Davis (NHS)-185
154
1st- Ivory Crocker (PHS)-230
2nd-Alexis Madison (PHS)-210
3rd –Madalyn Coon (NHS)-200
169
1st –De’Chele Mallory (PHS)-255
2nd-Olivia Neal (NHS)-230
3rd –Morgan Packer (NHS)-200
183
1st –J’Hara Wiggins (PHS)-250
2nd-Haylee Weaver (NHS)-190
3rd –Addie Lee (NHS)-185
199
1st – McKenzie Nassar (NHS)-225
2nd – Nolasha McNealy (PHS)-175
3rd –Brianna Weaden (PHS)-85
Unlimited
1st – Breanna Campbell (NHS)-290
2nd – Da’ Tranell McIntyre (PHS)-240
3rd –Madison McGhee (NHS)-210
Pictured: Northview Girls’ Weightlifting takes on Pensacola High School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letter To The Editor: Grover Robinson On I-10, Scenic Highway Work
December 17, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Last Friday, the State of Florida and its contractor began commencement on improvements for Interstate 10 between Escambia Bay Bridge and Davis Highway. One of the most noticeable parts of that improvement was the removal of trees from Scenic Highway.
I, like many Escambia County residents, was shocked. While our staff had met with the State and the State had met with the Scenic Highway Foundation, I was unaware of the exact plans and was upset by what I saw.
After seeing the loss of the old growth oaks, I immediately sought to better educate myself with the plans, talking with both State and County employees to determine what work was being done and how the impact to our environment could be mitigated. As I spoke with staff at both the Escambia County and at the State-level, I understood that the agencies involved had to make difficult decisions to in order to diminish potential storm water issues. The regrettable choices were to either remove the trees to create two retention ponds or to relocate eight families on either side of Interstate 10 in order to place ponds on the former home sites. While I certainly appreciate the beauty and environmental history of the old growth oaks along the exit, I do not believe that tearing down homes and trees that others had planted at their homesteads was a viable option.
Since it appears that the actions taken were necessary for progress, Escambia County has offered to assist the State with new landscaping. Escambia County is making an offer to the State of Florida and its contractor to augment the replanting of trees once the ponds are built to see if better species can be planted, as well as more mature specimens. While this certainly will not erase the drastic change that occurred or the loss of the beautiful canopy at that exit, I hope it will make for an easier transition for as we move forward.
I do appreciate the State and its willingness to continue to improve traffic in Escambia County, and I also appreciate their willingness to work with us in as a team to evaluate enhancements Escambia made.
I ask patience of all residents who either live or drive Scenic Highway. Our progress may be slow, but I believe the finished product will be something that is both better for the driver and for our environment and ecology. While I – along with many of you – will deeply feel the loss of the majestic oaks, I am working diligently with the State to ensure that we put forward as best recovery as possible.
Sincerely,
Grover C. Robinson, IV
Escambia County Commissioner
District 4
Victim’s Name Released In Sunday Shooting
December 16, 2013
A Sunday evening shooting in Escambia County is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 51-year old Karl John Krause sustained an apparent gunshot wound during the course of an alleged robbery in the 1200 block of Desmonde Drive, off Massachusetts Avenue. He was reportedly shot in the cheek as he drove through the neighborhood. The suspects were described only as several black males.
Krause was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Escambia Graduation Rates Climb, Fall Short Of State Average
December 16, 2013
The federal high school graduation rate in Escambia County is up, but the district still lags behind the state average and neighboring counties.
Escambia County’s 2012-2013 graduation rates was up to 64.2 percent from 62.1 for the 2011-2012 school year. By comparison, the 2012-2013 graduation rate was 78.9 percent in Santa Rosa County and 82.7 percent in Okaloosa County.
Florida’s high school graduation rate increased by 1.1 percentage points over the last year and has increased significantly during the past ten years. The rate rose from 59.2 percent in 2003-04 to 75.6 percent in 2012-13.
The federal high school graduation rate includes standard four-year diplomas but excludes regular and adult GEDs and special diplomas.
The highest individual high school graduation rates in Escambia County were West Florida, Tate, Washington and Northview high schools, while Escambia Virtual Academy, Pensacola High, Pine Forest and Escambia high schools rounded out the bottom half.
Escambia County 2012-2013 School Graduation Rates Compared from 2011-2013
- West Florida High School — 90.9% down from 91.9%
- Tate High School — 77.1% up from 73.4%
- Washington High School — 76.4% up from 71.1%
- Northview High School — 70.8% up from 67.4%
- Escambia Virtual Academy — 65% up from 42.7%
- Pensacola High School — 62.3% own from 62.4%
- Pine Forest High School — 60.0% up from 55.3%
- Escambia High School — 55.1%, down from 61.6%
Pictured top: Northview High School Valedictorian Jazzlyn Franklin delivers her address to the NHS Class of 2013 at the school. Pictured below: The Tate High School class of 2013 graduates at the Pensacola Bay Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Meetings To Resume In January
December 16, 2013
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will not meet again until next year. A BOCC Committee of the Whole workshop meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, December 12 was canceled.
Meetings will resume Thursday, January 2, 2014, with the Agenda Review beginning at 9 a.m., public forum at 4:30 p.m. and the regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will take place in the Board Chambers at 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.
Public Defenders Back Revised ‘Warning Shot’ Bill
December 16, 2013
The Florida Public Defender Association has decided to back a measure (HB 89) that would grant immunity to people who show or fire guns in self-defense — the so-called “warning-shot” bill by Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican.
Last month, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed HB 89 overwhelmingly as a committee substitute, now called the Threatened Use of Force Act. It faces two more House committees. The Senate companion, by Senate Criminal Justice Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, faces three committees.
An earlier version of the bill died during the 2013 legislative session, but the proposal is back for a second try during the upcoming 2014 session — with some key changes that backers hope will propel it to passage this time.
Changes include getting the public defenders, who didn’t back the first bill, on board.
“We see, routinely, clients that we believe shouldn’t be prosecuted because they did act in lawful self-defense,” said Stacy Scott, the Gainesville-based public defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit. “We’re fighting those cases in court every day.”
Combee sponsored the 2013 bill after hearing about Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison under the 10-20-Life sentencing law for firing a gun into a wall during a fight with her husband. Combee said her sentence was an example of the “negative unintended consequences” of 10-20-Life, which requires mandatory-minimum prison terms for gun-related crimes.
Under the 10-20-Life law, possessing a gun while committing certain crimes is punishable by at least 10 years in prison, discharging a gun while committing those crimes is punishable by at least 20 years in prison, and hurting or killing someone during those crimes is punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
“The public defenders are, in general, in favor of having judges have discretion about sentencing as opposed to mandatory punishments,” Scott said. “And so we felt like, with the amendments that were made to House Bill 89 in its current version, that there was some really important legislative-intent language that talked about 10-20-Life and encouraged prosecutors to not seek those kinds of punishments on people who threaten to use force in self-defense.”
Combee’s first bill would have amended 10-20-Life, but the sentencing law proved too formidable. Many criminal justice professionals credit 10-20-Life with lowering the crime rate, and Combee’s measure drew opposition from a number of prosecutors and law enforcement officers, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, now president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, and State Attorney Angela Corey of the 4th Judicial Circuit, who sought Alexander’s 20-year sentence.
That’s why the new iteration of Combee’s bill seeks to amend the “stand your ground” self-defense law, not 10-20-Life. It would permit people who are being attacked and fear for their lives to display guns, threaten to use the weapons or fire warning shots under the same circumstances by which they could legally shoot to kill.
Corey opposes House Bill 89 as too dangerous, saying prosecutors have the discretion they need.
And State Attorney Bill Cervone of the 8th Judicial Circuit said many prosecutors already take a dim view of changes to Florida’s self-defense laws since 2005, when “stand your ground” was passed.
“Collectively, I think we are greatly concerned about scenarios where there could be a miscarriage of justice,” he said. “We’re more concerned about guilty people who hide behind (’stand your ground’). The defense bar has equal concerns about the other side of the coin. ….I guess our position is that modifying or tweaking the concept is unnecessary in terms of what we already had in place.”
The sheriffs have not yet taken a position on the new bill. But National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, who has worked with Combee on the measure since last year, said the public defenders’ backing could be important.
“They are in a unique position of knowing exactly how often law-abiding people who have exercised self-defense are being prosecuted — and, in fact, persecuted in some cases,” Hammer said. “If state attorneys are not aware that some of their prosecutors are doing it, we hope they will become aware. We need a sea change in attitude in how victims are being treated.”
County Renews Contract With Atmore Ambulance For Walnut Hill, Bratt
December 16, 2013
The Escambia County Commission has renewed a contract with Atmore Ambulance to provide emergency medical services for the portion of North Escambia in the 327 phone exchange.
Atmore Ambulance has been providing ambulance service for the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Davisville and surrounding communities in the 327 telephone exchange since 1978. The county’s current contract with Atmore Ambulance was due to expire on January 20, 2014.
In January 2010, the Escambia County Commission awarded a contract to Atmore Ambulance for an initial period of 36 months, that was renewable for two additional 12 month periods for a total of 60 months. Escambia County (FL) pays Atmore Ambulance $7,384.47 a month.
Under the terms of the contract, Atmore Ambulance directly bills patients for services rendered at an amount not greater than that billed by Escambia County EMS, which provides ambulance service for the rest of the county.
A similar agreement is in place between Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority for Escambia EMS to provide ambulance service in the Flomaton area. Escambia County (AL) pays Escambia County (FL) $7,873.39 a month for the ambulance service
Renewal of the agreement was recommended by Mike Weaver, Escambia County’s public safety director.
Man Facing Two Counts Of Attempted Murder
December 16, 2013
An Escambia County man is facing attempted murder charges after being arrested in connection with a December 10 shooting incident.
Cameron Michael Irby, 19, was charged by Pensacola Police with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Police say Irby is responsible for two shootings about 10:45 p.m. on December 10 in a parking lot of 711 Underwood Avenue, not far from Pensacola State College.
One victim told investigators that he was walking through the apartment complex when he was randomly shot. A second male said he was shot in the buttocks. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The shootings remain under investigation, and police said more arrests are possible. Investigators believe the shootings were drug related.
UF/IFAS To Host Vegetable Gardening Training
December 16, 2013
University of FloridaIFAS Extension advanced master gardener and 4-H volunteer training on vegetable gardening will be held on Wednesday, December 18.
The program will be held at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center at 4253 Experiment Drive in Jay, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will learn about production practices including planting and harvesting recommendations, insect management and healthy food ideas and techniques.
To pre-register online for $20, visit mg-4h-vegetable-gardening.eventbrite.com or register the day of the program for $25. Master gardeners will receive continuing education units upon course completion.
For more information, call (850) 623-3868 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Susan Story To Be Named CEO At American Water
December 16, 2013
American Water Works Company Inc. (AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, has announced that Jeff Sterba will retire from his role as president and chief executive officer of American Water at the Company’s annual meeting, scheduled for May 9, 2014. At that time, American Water’s current senior vice president and chief financial officer Susan N. Story will succeed Sterba as president and CEO. Sterba will stay on as an advisor to Story to ensure a smooth transition until January 1, 2015.
“I am so proud of what the American Water employees have achieved in the past few years,” said Jeff Sterba, president and CEO of American Water. “With a clear and well established vision, we have and will continue to execute our strategy. The leadership team at American Water has created a company where continuous improvement is fully ingrained into our culture, customers are at the center of our actions and increasing shareholder value has and will be the result. While I will miss the committed and dedicated people of American Water, I know I will leave the company in incredibly capable hands, ensuring a pathway for sustainable and profitable growth.”
“The Board is also very pleased that Susan Story will become American Water’s next leader,” said George MacKenzie, Chairman of American Water’s Board of Directors. “Susan has more than 30 years of utility experience and knowledge and we are confident that under her direction, American Water will continue to deliver the solid performance its customers, employees and shareholders have come to expect.”
Story is currently American Water’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. American Water expects to name Story’s CFO successor prior to May 2014.
“American Water is a remarkable company. Our employees are dedicated to providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable water; to the highest levels of customer service; and to the effective stewardship of our environment. Our company is built on integrity and committed to financial fundamentals that serve the best interest of our customers, employees, shareholders and communities,” said Story. “It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this top-notch leadership team and these highly committed employees. We look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence and outstanding performance that Jeff Sterba established during his time leading this great company.”
Before joining American Water, Story served as executive vice president of Southern Company, one of America’s largest generators of electricity serving both regulated and competitive markets across the southeastern United States. In that role she was also president and CEO of Southern Company Services, providing a wide array of shared services across the company’s geographic footprint.
A seasoned utility executive, Story also served as president and CEO of Gulf Power Company, a Florida subsidiary of Southern Company, and as Southern Company’s executive vice president of Engineering and Construction Services. Story began her career at Southern Company as a nuclear power plant engineer and had increasing executive and leadership responsibilities in both power plant and T&D operations, marketing, customer service, human resources, corporate real estate and supply chain management.