Bill Would Keep Current Bright Futures Test Threshold
January 23, 2013
Applicants for Florida Bright Future Scholarships would not have to meet higher testing standards scheduled to kick in next school year under a measure filed Tuesday that would maintain the testing threshold at existing levels.
The bill, HB 387, would maintain current law that requires students to score at least a 22 on the ACT or 1070 on the SAT to qualify for the scholarship. The scores represent the 51st percentile on each test. Those standards are scheduled to increase beginning in the 2013-14 academic year to 26 on the ACT and 1170 on the SAT, scores that represent the 75th percentile.
The bill was filed by Rep. Ricardo Rangel, D-Kissimmee.
Friendship Learning Lodge Kids Learn Fire Safety
January 23, 2013
Lt. Chris White, the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department and Flomaton Fire Rescue recently visited Friendship Learning Lodge to help teach them about fire safety. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Prisoner Stabbed
January 22, 2013
A prisoner at Century Correctional Institution was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after being stabbed at least twice in the head this morning.
The prisoner, reported to be about 58-years old, was transported by LifeFlight from the prison on Tedder Road to Baptist Hospital in serious condition.
The prisoner’s name and information about the circumstances surrounding the 7:40 a.m. stabbing have not been released.
Volunteers Paint Community Center For National Day Of Service
January 22, 2013
A small army of volunteers organized by Americorps worked Monday — the National Day of Service — to paint the Carver Community Center.
Completely funded by donations, the non-profit Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue provides a safe place for children to go after school and during the summer as the center provides meals for 150 to 200 children daily. The center also offers tutoring services for children year round.
“They do good things here for the children,” said volunteer Rico Simmons from Pensacola State College’s Student Government Association. “I’m glad to see the turnout today, Martin Luther King Day. It’s a good thing for the future of the kids.”
Nearly 100 volunteers painted inside the community center, a much needed facelift covering flaking and peeling paint in hallways and classrooms.
“Having a clean environment will make learning easier,” said volunteer Alexis Lugo, SGA member at PSC.
“The kids feel safe here,” Randy Fleming of the Florida Department of Children and Families said. “It’s a place they are going to come to.”
“They serve a lot of kids,” Phylis Gonzelez, ACES program coordinator said. “It was a good project for us.”
In addition to a fresh new look inside, the Carver Community Center is set to receive 20 refurbished computers from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, and an individual has volunteered to cover the cost of the center’s internet service for one year.
Groups taking part in Monday’s work at the Carver Community Center included the Pensacola State College SGA, Northwest Florida College, Americorps Coalition of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, the Ministry Village from Olive Baptist Church, Chain Reaction and Habitat for Humanity.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured top: A volunteer paints a window Monday morning at the Carver Community Center in Century. Pictured inset and below: Two of the nearly 100 volunteers that took part in the National Day of Service project. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Century Celebrates Legacy Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 22, 2013
Dozens turned out in Century Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association held their annual motorcade, ending with a program and celebration at the Ag Building. Songs, essays and speeches honored King’s memory, looked forward to the future and honored local community leaders that have passed away. Guest speak Lorenzo Jones addressed the group before a community lunch.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Members of the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church Youth Choir perform Monday morning during a MLK Day celebration in Century. Pictured inset: Audience members enjoy the choir performance. Pictured below: A panoramic picture of the event (click it to enlarge and view properly). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo: Ring Around The Moon
January 22, 2013
High, thin cirrus clouds led to a halo around the moon Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Atmore MLK Day Parade
January 22, 2013
In Atmore, the 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade rolled through town to a memorial program and lunch at Escambia County High School on Monday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: An entry in Atmore’s 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Day parde Monday. Pictured inset: The parade honored King’s memory. Pictured below: A float in the parade. Pictured bottom: The Northview High School NJROTC participated in the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gaetz: Consider Internet Sales Tax, But Not Gun Control
January 22, 2013
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said the Legislature should consider finding ways to collect the sales tax on online purchases, but all but ruled out taking up any gun control proposals in 2013.
Speaking with the Tampa Bay Times’ editorial board, Gaetz said he was open to discussing measures aimed at getting out-of-state businesses to collect the required sales tax on Internet sales. Democrats have proposed the idea as a way of closing the state’s budget gap for years.
“I think that’s an anomaly in the tax code, maybe an inequity in the tax code, that seems to me we have to look at,” Gaetz said.
The Senate president also said he backs universal background checks for the purchase of guns, but he doesn’t anticipate that and other ideas for gun control to land on the Senate agenda this year.
“Congress is going to take that up,” he told the paper. “Let them have that debate.”
By The News Service of Florida
Photos: Local Attends Inauguration
January 22, 2013
Madison Boyett of Molino attended the inauguration of Barack Obama to his second term on Monday. Boyett currently attends the University of Vermont.
Pictured: The sun rising behind the U.S. Capitol Monday morning. Pictured: Boyett attends the inauguration of Barack Obama to his second term. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Basketball: Northview Beats Atmore In MLK Tourney
January 22, 2013
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat Atmore 37-30 Monday in the Escambia County High School MLK Tournament. The Chiefs finished third overall in the tourney.
Leading scorers for Northview were Trent Howard with 15 and Keondrae Lett with 11. Howard was also named to the All Tournament Team.
With Monday’s win the JV Chiefs improved to 5-2 on the season.
The junior varsity Chiefs will play Baker Tuesday at 4:00 in Bratt for their last home game of the season. Also Tuesday at Northview, the junior varsity girls will play Escambia County High School at 5:00, the varsity girls will play ECHS at 6:00 and the varsity boys will play Baker at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.