Ernest Ward’s ‘Got Talent’
February 23, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School students proved they’ve “Got Talent” during a talent show Friday night.
The first place winner was Seth Killam for his guitar, harmonica and singing performance of “I Won’t Turn Back”, and second place went to Brianna Smith’s baton routine to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.
Additional awards were presented to Morgan Pope for selling the most tickets and Kaylin Glenn.
Pictured: Brianna Smith and Seth Killam, winners in the Ernest Ward Middle School’s “Got Talent” show Friday night. Submitted photo by Jacke Johnston, click to enlarge.
Property Tax Discount Deadline Is Thursday
February 23, 2013
Thursday, February 28 is the final day to pay real estate and personal property taxes and receive a one percent discount, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
In order to receive the one percent discount, the payment must be:
- mailed with a postmark by February 28;
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at all offices by midnight February 28; or
- made on the tax collector website by midnight February 28.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 507 N. Navy Boulevard
Taxes can be paid online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. For more information, call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Scott Pulls Off A Stunner
February 23, 2013
Nobody could have seen this coming when Rick Scott ran for governor in 2010.
But there he was Wednesday, standing before the microphones in the Governor’s Mansion and announcing he would support a massive expansion of the Medicaid program.
Sometimes, to borrow a well-worn cliché, you just can’t make this stuff up.
Scott, who launched his political career by railing against President Obama’s plans to overhaul health care, said he would support a Medicaid expansion that is part of the federal Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. He added the caveat that the expansion should be re-evaluated after three years.
Democrats and groups like Planned Parenthood praised Scott for his stance — almost certainly one of the few times they have praised the Republican during the past three years.
Meanwhile, tea party activists and groups such as Americans for Prosperity — the conservative types heavily responsible for electing Scott in the first place — were aghast.
Scott, who is preparing for a re-election campaign in 2014, described his stance as a “compassionate, common-sense step forward.” If lawmakers go along with Scott, hundreds of thousands of Floridians will become eligible for Medicaid coverage, with the federal government paying 100 percent of the expansion costs during the first three years and at least 90 percent of the costs later.
“We have a choice — and it’s not an easy choice — but my job is to worry about every Florida family,” Scott said during the news conference at the mansion.
Scott also described the Affordable Care Act as the “law of the land,” after it was cemented by Obama’s re-election in November and a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.
But one critical piece of that ruling — in a lawsuit spearheaded by Florida — was that states can’t be forced to go along with the Medicaid expansion. So while the Affordable Care Act will remain the law of the land, Medicaid expansion boils down to a policy choice.
Scott’s announcement also came less than two months after he got pilloried for using what critics said were inflated estimates about the Medicaid expansion’s future costs for the state. Those estimates were widely viewed as an attempt to raise doubts about going forward with the expansion.
Regardless, Scott’s new-found support is a political gamble. Ultimately, he will need the Legislature to agree to the expansion, which at least at this point appears far from certain.
Some key Senate Republicans indicated this week they might be willing to go along, and Scott could count on support from House and Senate Democrats. But House Republicans are another story, with Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, repeatedly saying he is “skeptical” about the expansion.
“Governor Scott has made his decision, and I certainly respect his thoughts,” Weatherford said in a statement emailed to reporters a few minutes before Scott made the announcement. “However, the Florida Legislature will make the ultimate decision. I am personally skeptical that this inflexible law will improve the quality of health care in our state and ensure our long-term financial stability.”
MEANWHILE, MORE MEDICAID
Just hours before Scott’s announcement, he and other Republicans got news they have sought for nearly two years: The federal government is poised to approve a proposal to enroll almost all Medicaid beneficiaries in managed-care plans.
Scott and the GOP-dominated Legislature approved the proposal in 2011, arguing it would help hold down costs and better coordinate care for Medicaid beneficiaries. It has been controversial, however, because Democrats and other critics contend that HMOs could squeeze the care provided to beneficiaries.
State and federal officials still have to work out the final details, but Florida received notice from Washington of an “agreement in principle.” Scott described the decision as a win for the state.
“Improving the coordination of care in Medicaid means we will be able to better manage chronic conditions and give more preventative treatments to help keep Florida families healthy,” he said.
Hundreds of thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries already get services through managed-care plans, but the changes would make enrollment mandatory. Federal officials recently approved a related proposal for Medicaid-eligible seniors who need long-term care; this week’s announcement applies to the broader Medicaid population, such as low-income women and children.
The timing of the notice and Scott’s announcement of supporting the Medicaid expansion created speculation that the issues could be linked. Bottom line, Florida leaders wanted statewide managed-care, while the Obama administration wants Medicaid expansion.
But Scott and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, denied any connection, or quid pro quo, between the issues.
“I don’t think there’s any linkage,” Gaetz said. “There’s certainly no linkage in my mind.”
BILLS ARE MOVING (OR DYING)
Whatever their differences on the Medicaid expansion, Republican lawmakers showed this week that they remain in firm control as the legislative session gets ready to start March 5.
As an example, a House panel Wednesday approved a bill that would give the governor more power over the make-up of judicial nominating commissions. While those commissions might sound obscure and wonky, they play an important role in the process of choosing new judges.
Republicans said the changes would make judges more attuned to the wishes of the people, with Rep. Charlie Stone, R-Ocala, adding that the governor is an “elected official held accountable to the voting public.”
But Democrats, who lost a party-line vote on the bill, argued that the measure would make it easier for the Republican governor to stack the courts.
“The governor not only gets to pick who the judges are, he gets to pick who gives him the list,” said Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami. “I think that upsets the balance of power here. I think we need to keep an independent judiciary.”
Another example of Republicans flexing their muscles came as Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, had to pull back a bill (SB 196) aimed at allowing civil unions, which would grant legal relationship rights to people who aren’t married.
Sobel is chairwoman of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, but she decided against bringing up the measure for a vote, because it likely would have failed. Republicans make up a majority of the panel.
“I can count,” Sobel said.
Conservative opponents of the bill claimed victory. “Just hours ago, defeated SB 196, the stealth gay marriage bill,” tweeted John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, after the measure was postponed.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott, a longtime critic of the federal Affordable Care Act, announced that he would support an expansion of the Medicaid program.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Will Medicaid expansion cover me for the knife (Scott) just buried in my back?” Henry Kelley, a tea party leader in Florida, said in a Twitter message after Scott’s announcement.
By The News Service of Florida
UWF Moves Forward With Conference Center, Hotel
February 23, 2013
The University of West Florida’s development arm is moving forward with a new hotel and conference center on North Davis Highway and Campus Drive.
The University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc. board of directors and the UWF Board of Trustees voted this week to approve an affiliation agreement with Vieste, LLC, of Chicago for the $41 million development.
The groundbreaking on the development is planned for June 2013.
Included in the mixed-use development plans are 100 hotel guest room suites as well as 300 rooms of housing for non-traditional and upper divisional students. Additionally, the agreement references potential decentralized restaurant parcels located within the multi-use site.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Betty Coon
February 23, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School faculty member Betty Coon received the fifth annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Friday morning featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Friday is actually the first award piece created four years ago.)
Coon received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to history teacher Kenneth Hicks. Previous awards were presented to teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and four years ago to Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Betty Coon Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Marshals Nab One Violent Fugitive, Seeking Another
February 22, 2013
The U.S. Marshals have nabbed one of two men that they asked the for the public’s help in finding earlier this week.
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force along with Escambia County deputies and Pensacola Police arrested Deavis Nathaniel Saulsberry at a house late Thursday afternoon located on the corners of Lloyd and N. “S” Streets.
“We did receive a few tips but nothing really credible,” said Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli, spokesperson for the Task Force in Pensacola. “We have some truly tenacious investigators who just don’t give up that easy,” said Guadagnoli.
The 24 year-old felon was wanted by Escambia County for aggravated assault, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and robbery with firearm. Investigators with the Pensacola Police Department notified the task force earlier Thursday that they now held additional warrants charging Saulsberry with homicide, kidnapping of an adult, kidnapping of a child, armed burglary, grand theft auto, and tampering with evidence.
Saulsberry is being held without bond.
U.S. Marshals and other authorities are still looking for Roderick Terril Foster wanted for failure to appear on charges of felony battery by strangulation, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling as well as a misdemeanor warrant for cyber stalking. Foster, 25, is also about 6-feet tall, with a similar build and weighs about 160 pounds. Foster reportedly also looks like his photo wearing his hair long in the dreadlock style.
Anyone with information about Foster, is asked to immediately contact U.S. Marshal’s investigators at (850) 554-0091 or (850) 554-6602 or call 911. Information regarding the whereabouts of Foster can also be sent anonymously via text to “Tip411″ or “847411″ and enter the key word “USMFL”.
County Signs Off On $53 Million Bond Issue For New Century Factory
February 22, 2013
The Escambia County Commission approved a $53 million industrial development bond issue Thursday night for a new wood biomass pellet manufacturing facility to be constructed just outside Century.
John Colquitt of Renewable Fuels in Savannah, GA, told the commissioners that the new plant will be constructed by an affiliate of his company, North Florida Biomass Fuels, LLC. The $53 million will be used to finance the design, construction and equipping of the solid waste disposal and wood biomass pellet manufacturing facility on a 25 acre site at 600 Tedder Road, just west of the Century Correctional Institution.
“The project will make a significant contribution to the economic and public health of the region of the county and shall provide or preserve gainful employment, and will serve a public purpose by protecting the environment and advancing the economic prosperity and the health, safety and welfare of the state and its people, Colquitt said during a scripted exchange with County Attorney Alison Rogers.
Colquitt told commissioners that the project will create 34 new jobs in the mill itself, plus 13 trucking jobs.
The conduit bond issue will not obligate the credit of the county or pose any obligation, risk, or liability for Escambia County. No county funds will be used for the project; the bond issue through the county simply provides a tax-free financing opportunity for the developers.
The Tedder Road property to be used for the pellet plant is currently owned by the Town of Century, but is outside the town limits. The Town of Century has not yet formally approved selling or leasing the property to the company.
Coquitt told NorthEscambia.com that the end product to be produced by the Century facility will be marketed in Europe.
Pictured top: This map highlights the planned 25 acre location of a wood pellet manufacturing facility just outside Century. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: John Colquitt of Renewable Fuels in Savannah, GA, addressed the Escambia County Commission Thursday night.
Man Sentenced For Biting Off Half Of Man’s Ear During Fight Over Woman
February 22, 2013
An Atmore man has been sentenced to probation for biting half another man’s ear during a fight over a woman last year in Bratt.
Brian Craig Sims, age 41 of Marshall Avenue, pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief for the incident on McElhaney Road in May 2012.
Judge Linda Nobles withheld adjudication in the case and sentenced Sims to three years probation. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Sims knocked on the door of his fifth-wheel travel trailer. When he opened the door, Sims then attacked the victim — hitting him in the head with a two-inch thick stick, trying to choke him and biting off half of the victim’s left ear while he was in a headlock, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
A female in the trailer with the victim said she had previously dated Sims for 2.5 years and that he was very jealous.
After deputies interviewed the victim during treatment at Atmore Community Hospital, they were able to find the other half of his ear at his residence on McElhaney Road, according to the arrest report. Deputies said they contacted the hospital and they advised that they would be unable to reattach the ear.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Registration, Orientation
February 22, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School held an orientation and registration Thursday night for all students who plan to attend EWMS next school year. During the program, EWMS and staff members were available to answer questions and explain middle school programs, extracurricular activities, and middle school academies.
Ernest Ward offers three middle school academies: Culinary Arts, Graphic Arts, and Fabrication and Pre-engineering.
For more information about Ernest Ward Middle School and registration, call (850) 327-4283.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Names Citizen, Business Of Year
February 22, 2013
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce named their business and citizen of the year during the organization’s annual banquet Thursday night.
Dr. Jonathan Yoder was named the Citizen of the Year by the chamber. And the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company/South Alabama Vending was named as the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year.