Century Contributes $1,000 To Relay For Life
April 2, 2013
The Town of Century voted Monday night to contribute $1,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The town likely will not have a team all night due poor participation in previous years, Mayor Freddie McCall said, but the town will take part the Jay Relay for Life event April 19-20 at Jay High School.
Pictured top: Last year’s Jay Relay for Life. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall cooks at the 2012 Jay Relay. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Medical Pot Sponsor: Chances Are Slim, But Ballot Push Coming
April 2, 2013
The sponsor of a bill that would legalize the use of marijuana in Florida for medical purposes said Monday that it has almost no chance of passing, but backers will likely push a constitutional amendment that would put the question up to voters.
Rep. Katie Edwards put the measure’s chances of getting through the Legislature at “slim to none.” She said she didn’t support the idea at one time, but then she met patients with debilitating pain.
“If you had asked me about six months ago when we were campaigning, if I would have filed this bill, I would have said, ‘Absolutely not,’ ” said Edwards, D-Plantation. “Then I got sick myself and in the hospital (began) talking with … cancer patients and people who themselves were very sick.”
Joining Edwards at a news conference on the issue Monday at the Capitol was Cathy Jordan, who has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Manatee County woman, for whom the bill is named, believes using marijuana has kept her alive. Jordan has been an activist for legalization of marijuana for medical use.
In February, her home was raided by police, who confiscated 23 marijuana plants, though Jordan and her husband weren’t arrested. Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana use for certain people, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Pictured top: Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, (left) talks about the proposed legislation to legalize medical marijuana Monday in Tallahassee. Next to her is Cathy Jordan, a woman with ALS who has advocated for the legalization of medical marijuana and for whom the bill is named. Photo by NSF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The News Service of Florida
Failing School Turnaround Bill Starts Moving In The Senate
April 2, 2013
A bill giving parents more power to decide the fate of failing schools returned to the chamber that defeated it last year, passing the Senate Education Committee on a party-line vote that previewed the fight to come.
The legislation (SB 862) — commonly known as the “parent trigger” bill — passed the panel on the 6-3 vote one day before the House is expected to take up its version of the measure.
It is the second attempt for supporters of the bill, which would allow parents to petition their school district to consider a specific turnaround option for a school that receives an “F” on the state report card for two consecutive years. If the district rejects the parents’ plan in favor of another one, the State Board of Education would choose which plan would be implemented. That board currently approves a district’s plan to overhaul failing schools.
Last year, the legislation died on the Senate floor on a tie vote. But many of the senators who voted against it are gone, having been replaced in some cases by lawmakers who are seen as more willing to support the bill.
Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican sponsoring the bill, also said after the committee’s vote that this year’s version keeps many of the compromises approved last year to try to push the bill through.
“So I think we have much more support, not as many tweaks necessary,” she said. “I think a lot of what happened last year might have been more political than on the policy of the bill.”
Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Boca Raton, said the legislation was “last year’s homework.” But Sachs, who was part of the effort to kill the bill in 2012, wouldn’t directly address the perception that a more conservative Senate would support the bill.
“I think that the Senate is still the more deliberative body of the two,” she said.
The meeting had much of the same emotion that took center stage in last year’s battle. Critics say the measure is meant to allow for-profit charter school companies to bypass school boards and run sophisticated campaigns encouraging parents to sign a charter-friendly petition.
“This bill is a cynical political device,” said Kathleen Oropeza, co-founder of the advocacy group Fund Education Now. “It empowers us to do the grunt work, then mutes our voice.”
But supporters have said that parents should have a right to determine what happens with the future of their children.
“This is an option that is a statement by the parents within those failing schools that they see a problem, and they have a right to suggest a solution,” said Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland.
The House version of the bill (HB 867) has moved more quickly, and the chamber will begin considering it on Tuesday. That could clear the way for a vote as soon as the following House session, currently scheduled for Thursday.
It is expected to be approved.
By The News Service of Florida
Santa Rosa Kids House 5K, Fun Run Is Saturday
April 2, 2013
In honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Santa Rosa Kids House is hosting a 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run at NAS Whiting Field this Saturday, April 6.
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., and the race starts at 8 a.m. The cost is $20 for early registration, or $25 day of the race. The first 200 entries are guaranteed a t-shirt, and awards will be given to the top finishers in all age groups.
Register early at the Santa Rosa Kids’ House, 5643 Stewart Street in Milton anytime, or during packet pick-up at the Kids House on Friday, April 5th from 4-6 p.m. For more information call (850) 623-1112 or email coordinator@srkidshouse.org.
Deputies Hunt For Murder Suspect After Woman’s Body Burned
April 2, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to identify three people seen in the area about the time a homicide is believed to have occurred early Sunday morning.
The body of a 33 year old white female, Melinda McCormick, was found shortly after 2:00 am Sunday in a burning apartment at the Melei Apartments in the 3000 block of Mobile Highway.
The Sheriff’s Office has not released any further information about the circumstances leading up to McCormick’s death.
Those with information on McCormick’s associates or recent activities are asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Preconstruction Services Contractor Hired For New Ernest Ward Middle
April 2, 2013
A contract has been awarded to a Pensacola construction company to provide preconstruction management services for the new Ernest Ward Middle School.
The contract was awarded to Greenhut Construction Company to provide schematic designs, design development and construction drawings for the new school, to be constructed on the current EWMS campus.
The total cost for the preconstruction phase services will be $64,800.
The $16.5 million, 115,202 square foot building is currently being designed by Sam Marshall Architects of Pensacola. The new facility will replace the entire Ernest Ward campus, with the exception of the current gymnasium and football stadium.
No Injuries In Hwy 29 Crash
April 1, 2013
There were no injuries in single vehicle wreck south of Century Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 27-year old Daphne L. McCall of Pensacola was northbound about 7 a.m. on Highway 29 near Brown Road. She left the roadway and traveled into the median before over-correcting and running off onto the shoulder the road. Her 1997 Chevrolet Blazer overturned onto the driver’s side as the roof of the SUV hit several trees before the vehicle landed upright in a wooded area . McCall’s injures were minor; she refused treatment on scene by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol said McCall was cited for careless driving.
Pictured: There were no injuries in this Highway 29 crash south of Century Monday morning. Reader submitted photos by Brian Morgan, click to enlarge.
Greg Evers: Let Floridians Buy Ethanol-Free Gas
April 1, 2013
Sen. Greg Evers is calling for ethanol free gas for consumers that so choose.
Evers is proposing a bill to upend the 2008 law that all gasoline sold in Florida include ethanol, contending that the biofuel causes problems in boats, lawn mowers and old cars.
His efforts died last year in committee.
More Details Released In Century Stabbing, No Arrest So Far
April 1, 2013
Investigators have made contact with an alleged suspect and witnesses in a stabbing Friday in Century, but there have been no arrests.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 40-year old Alfreco Lett was stabbed in the shoulder outside of the suspect’s home in the 5800 block of Gilford Alley just before 1:30 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told deputies that Lett, who was highly intoxicated, became aggressive prior to the stabbing, according to the Sheriff’s office.
Lett, investigators said, was able to summon help from acquaintances who then drove him to a family member’s trailer in the 9500 block of Ivey Street.
The man was transported by ambulance as a “trauma alert” from the scene to the Century EMS post and then by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Sheriff’s Office said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
The investigation is still ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time, the Sheriff’s Office said. The name of the suspect has not been released.
Anyone with information on the stabbing is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The victim was airlifted from the Escambia County EMS Post on Industrial Boulevard in Century. Pictured below: EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the stabbing call at this trailer park on Ivey Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Educator, Principal Passes Away
April 1, 2013
A former local school principal has passed away. Pamela Henderson Mathis, 62, passed away last Thursday at her home in Century.
She was a lifelong resident of Century and graduated from Century High School in 1968. Despite a disability caused by childhood polio, she went on to become an educator for 32 years, earn a Masters’ Degree in History and a Specialist Degree in education. She was the first teacher in Escambia County to earn a National Teaching Certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She retired from education as principal of Ernest Ward Middle School.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment.
For the complete obituary, click here.