Firefighters Quickly Extinguish School Dumpster Fire
April 23, 2013
Two fire stations responded to a dumpster fire at Northview High School this afternoon. The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. in dumpster located in the rear of the student parking lot. There was no damage to any surrounding vehicles and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Loses Again: Health Dept. Dental Clinic Closing
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County dental clinic in Century will close effective April 30.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia COunty announced Monday that it will “merge” the pediatric and adult dental clinics service North Escambia into one location by closing the Century clinic while the Molino clinic remains open. Both clinics are operated under contract by ProMed Healthcare Services.
The Century clinic currently averages about 160 patient visits per month.
“We are very disappointed that they feel like…our people can get to the office in Molino for services,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ” They don’t realize our transportation challenges.”
“When I learned of the impending closure of the Century clinic,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, “I felt nauseous, another blow to a reeling community. I spoke to (health department Director) Dr. John Lanza last week and he assured me the Molino clinic will gladly serve the patients who are being displaced.
“I also spoke to Don Turner, Executive Director of Escambia Community Clinics, last week. Escambia Community Clinics may well be the future of the Medicaid dental programs in Escambia County. The vast majority of our residents served are adolescents, who potentially face life long stigmas and repercussions from a lack of access to dental care during their early years. I’m optimistic that as a community and as a county, we can formulate a workable solution to the issue,” Barry continued.
“We would love to see them reconsider,” McCall said.
Clients receiving dental services at the Century location will be able to transfer their care to the dental clinic located at 3470 Highway 29 North near Molino,, to another FDOH-EC dental clinic, or to any other dental office accepting their dental Medicaid plan.
According to the health department:
- The Molino dental clinic will continue to provide services for both adult and pediatric clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs.
- The dental clinic located in the FDOH-EC Northside Pensacola service center at 8390 North Palafox Street, in the Ensley community, will continue to provide pediatric dental services to clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs. Beginning May 1, 2013, adult clients using Florida Medicaid or DentaQuest may have tooth extractions performed at this location.
- Clients using Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, or Healthy Kids may also receive services at the dental clinic at the FDOH-EC main service center, located at 1295 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
- All dental clinics provide services Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 pm. For more information, contact the Molino clinic at (850) 587-2544, the Fairfield Drive location at (850) 595-6600 or the Ensley clinic at (850) 471-683.
Over the past several years, Century has lost numerous county and state facilities, including all public schools, a tax collector’s office and medical service from the health department.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired During Century Robbery
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the shots fired robbery of two individuals in Century.
The incident happened Friday night at a car wash in the 8900 block of North Century Boulevard. Two armed black males took money, cellphones and a vehicle key from the victim after firing a shot into the victims’ vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was not stolen.
The suspects fled on foot.
Escambia County (Fla.) deputies took a report on the incident after the victims fled to the Flomaton Police Department.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.
Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Civil Citation Program Offers Alternative To Arrest For Escambia Youth
April 23, 2013
Florida’s juvenile civil citation process has been launched across Escambia County, allowing law enforcement officers to issue a civil citation to juveniles who commit first-time, non-violent offenders rather than making an arrest.
“Youth who break the law absolutely must be held accountable for their actions; civil citation is a great way to do that without establishing an arrest record, which can ruin their chances of a successful future. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to get to the root of what is causing the youth’s behavior and address those underlying issues, decreasing the likelihood they will re-offend while also saving taxpayer dollars,” said Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters.
Youth issued the civil citations must complete required sanctions to leave the program without an arrest record. If the child fails to complete the civil citation requirements, the arrest proceeds.
“We are enthusiastic about the possibilities of this multifaceted approach to diverting young people from a life of criminal activity as well as affording them a chance to not be labeled for life with a criminal record,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
During fiscal year 2011-2012, there were 2,242 youth arrests in Escambia County. Of those, 562 were first-time misdemeanors that would have saved about $2.6 million if civil citations had been issued, officials said.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has been a strong supporter of the county-wide expansion. Juvenile civil citations have been available to youths committing first-time misdemeanors in Escambia County’s schools since September 2012.
“Civil citations offer first time offending youth an opportunity to learn from their mistake and avoid the lifetime stigma that an arrest will create. I applaud all of the agencies involved for their leadership in providing civil citations county-wide,” Thomas said.
State Attorney Bill Eddins, Public Defender Bruce Miller, Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons and Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May also participated in a Monday press conference to announce the program.
Pictured top inset: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters speaks during a Monday afternoon press conference as Sheriff David Morgan looks on. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas expresses his support for the new county-wide civil citation process. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Arrested After Carjacking, Attack, Multiple Wrecks
April 23, 2013
A Cantonment man was arrested after a carjacking Monday afternoon. Steven Kyle Meadows, 22, attacked a man with a chain and wrecked a stolen pickup truck three times during the incident, according to Rhonda Ray, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened shortly after noon in the area of Yarrow Circle in the River Gardens Subdivision, near the intersection of East Nine Mile Road and North Davis Highway.
Escambia Sheriff’s Dispatchers received a call from a victim who told them that as he was working on a home in the 9500 block of Yarrow Circle, a man approached him and asked him for money. When he declined to give the man money, the suspect, later identified as Meadows, left and then returned to the home where he attacked the victim with a chain. The man resfused medical treatment.
The suspect then ran to the victim’s truck and retrieved a knife, and robbed him of personal belongings before entering the home and taking several more items along with the victim’s truck keys. He then stole the victim’s truck and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, Ray said.
The Sheriff’s Office then began receiving calls of a reckless driver who had nearly hit several drivers in the area prior to wrecking in the area of Nine Mile Road and Davis Highway. Deputies arrived to find the suspect and vehicle on a dirt road in a nearby wooded area. As deputies approached the suspect vehicle, Meadows rammed a patrol cruiser and fled the scene prior to crashing into another vehicle near Nine Mile Road and Scenic Highway.
Meadows ran a red light at the intersection and collided with a 2013 Hyundai driven by 53-year old Cynthia M. Minor of Pensacola. She was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Meadows fled on foot and was apprehended behind a business in the 12000 block of Scenic Highway.
Meadows was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, battery, two counts aggravated battery, criminal mischief with property damage, burglary, larceny, grand theft of a vehicle, robbery with a firearm and resisting arrest with violence. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $260,500. He was also cited twice for leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, running a red light, and two counts reckless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Additional charges against Meadows may be pending, Ray said.
Scott Signs Landmark Education Bill
April 23, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill Monday, recasting requirements for high-school diplomas and laying out the standards for state universities to reach “preeminent” status.
The measure (SB 1076), weighing in at 144 pages, makes several major changes to high school and higher education.
It creates two “designations” for high school degrees, each with different requirements, with one aimed at encouraging students to work toward industry certification.
And the bill sets out standards for universities to be recognized as “preeminent universities,” with one of those schools being tapped to operate an online institute in an effort to encourage Internet-based education. It also authorizes universities to do what’s needed to offer the $10,000 degrees that Scott has touted.
The measure has been praised by business groups and educators, in part because it would free students who choose one of the designations from being required to pass some courses — such as Algebra II — that are aimed at college-bound students. Business groups also say the bill will more closely tie the education system to employers’ needs.
“Senate Bill 1076 will make sure our students are prepared for college and careers and have the skills to compete for jobs in an ever-competitive global marketplace,” Scott said during a ceremony marking the signing of the bill.
“The Career and Professional Education Act does far more than reform education, it transforms education in our state. This bill lashes education to the realities and opportunities of the economy, making it far more likely that our graduates will earn diplomas and degrees that qualify them for real jobs,” said Senate President Don Gaetz.
The proposal received overwhelming support in the Legislature, with the Senate approving it 33-7 and the House signing off unanimously.
“What this bill does is it transforms our education system — from our K-12 system and how you get a degree in Florida, and the requirements that are associated with it, to what you do and what type of university you go to and the quality of degree that you’re going to get in our universities,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “It is transformational.”
Officials insisted allowing two tracks toward a high school diploma wouldn’t water down Florida’s education. As if to emphasize the point, the Foundation for Florida’s Future, an education group founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush, issued a statement praising the bill.
“Governor Scott’s signature ensures that Florida students will receive more meaningful tracks to a successful future,” said Patricia Levesque, the group’s executive director. “Today, our state showed its continued leadership in student-centered education reforms.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott signs SB 1076, a far-reaching education bill, during a ceremony Monday. Photo by Brandon Larrabee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate Advances Bill That Sunsets And Abolishes FHSAA
April 23, 2013
Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.
FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.
The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to discuss its proposal on Tuesday.
The House version, rushed through three committee appearances with no opposition, has backing from Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Backers of the FHSAA say the proposal will also make it more difficult for small schools to compete in state athletic tournaments as more reliance is put on each of the 67 school districts to self-regulate their athletic programs.
“When we put a team on the field we know the other team has followed the same rules and regulations,” said Alachua County Superintendent Dan Boyd. “We don’t’ want that to change.”
Critics also say lawmakers are setting a dangerous precedent by delving into the daily operations of a non-profit organization.
“How long is it before you decide you don’t like the way other entities are operating?” asked Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the Florida Education Association.
Stargel argued that the Legislature isn’t overstepping its authority.
“They are the monopoly,” Stargel said. “We designate them as the organization that oversees our high school athletics, many of our public school funds go to the organization, so therefore I believe we have a role.”
She added that the FHSAA could continue as the overseer of state high school athletics after the sunset date if it agrees to abide by the directives of the Legislature.
“I don’t want to take over high school athletics, that’s not our role, but I want them to be accountable to the will of the Legislature and the will of the people,” she said.
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mental Health Gun Bill Moves Forward
April 23, 2013
Targeting people who could be “imminent” dangers to themselves or others, a Senate panel Monday approved a bill that would block firearms purchases by certain people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
Sponsor Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said the bill closes a loophole, as state law already bars firearms purchases by people who are involuntarily committed under the Baker Act. The measure is backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida.
“This bill stops dangerous people from being able to purchase guns,” said Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for the gun-rights groups.
The Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved the measure, which is ready to go to the Senate floor. The bill focuses on people who are found to be an “imminent danger” and face the possibility of being involuntarily committed if they do not admit themselves.
Volunteers Clean Up At Panhandle Equine Rescue
April 23, 2013
About two dozen volunteers spent part of their weekend cleaning up around the Panhandle Equine Rescue facilities in Cantonment.
The volunteers worked to clear an area in preparation for perimeter fencing at the facility. Volunteers included: Jay Birdsong, Matt Weber, Mike and Travis Wilson, Marty Luttrell, Ashley, Shannon, Madi and Kaeli Ann Josey, Ricky and Shelby Lowery, Pam Perry, Molly Edwards, Julianna Horn, Jonathon Pitts, Jim and Joyce Gill, Shana Gavlas, Nicole Eagle and Linda Lambert.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was recently certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
