South Alabama District Providing Armed Officers For Schools
January 9, 2013
An area school system is stepping up security following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that left 20 children and six adults dead.
Brewton, Ala., Police Chief Monte McGougin announced Tuesday that his department will provide armed officers to each school in the Brewton City School system.
“This is in no way a response to any local problem,” McGougin said. “This is strictly as a result of concerns raised by national events and is a preventive measure locally.”
McGougin said Brewton officer Sgt. Hal Parker has been providing security on campus at T.R. Miller High for more than two years, and will continue there. Officer Heath Madison will begin duty at Brewton Middle School and Capt. James Hicks will be assigned to Brewton Elementary. McGougin said the officers will be present “anytime school is in session”, Monday through Friday, and will be present from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Officials said the city and school system will share the cost of providing the security officers.
Community Gardens Offer Free Food For Needy
January 9, 2013
Three community gardens are offering free turnip greens to anyone in need that is willing to pick their own.
One of the three gardens is full of turnips that are now ready to be picked; it’s located on Main Street in McDavid just west of the McDavid United Methodist Church and the post office. Anyone is welcome to stop by and pick what they need.
A garden in Bratt will be ready for picking in about two weeks, and a third turnip patch in Walnut Hill be ready in about six weeks. Those locations will be announced here on NorthEscambia.com when the turnips are ready.
The gardens are a joint project of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, the McDavid United Methodist Church, the Northview High School FFA and the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Perry Byars, Ruritan member and Northview FFA sonsor. “The idea was to help make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Pictured: Free turnips for those in need can be picked from this garden on Main Street in McDavid, near the McDavid United Methodist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Is Deadline To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grants
January 9, 2013
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information on the grant process, contact Janice Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or e-mail janice.holmes@ipaper.com.
Elections Supervisor Stafford, Clerk Of Court Childers Sworn In
January 9, 2013
Two Escambia County officials were sworn into office Tuesday after winning their respective elections last fall. Pam Childers was sworn in as clerk of the court, ending 55-years in office for Ernie Lee Magaha, and David Stafford was sworn in for this third term as supervisor of elections.
Pictured top: William H. Stafford Jr., senior judge, U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, reads the oath of office to Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford while his mother Nancy, sons Charlie and David Jr. and wife Kim look on Tuesday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Brooks, Riley Selected To Lead Century Town Council
January 9, 2013
The Century Town Council has re-elected Ann Brooks as council president and Gary Riley as vice-president for 2013. Pictured: Century Town Council Vice-President Gary Riley and President Ann Brooks at Monday night’s regular council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Analysts Question Scott’s Obamacare Estimates
January 9, 2013
Key state budget analysts found fault last month with Medicaid cost estimates that Gov. Rick Scott has repeatedly used to raise objections to the federal Affordable Care Act — but the Scott administration has refused to scrap the numbers, according to a report by Health News Florida.
The online news service obtained emails that showed questions were raised by Amy Baker, who leads the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, and Eric Pridgeon, the top staff member on the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee. Baker and Pridgeon play important roles in estimating the state’s expenditures on Medicaid and other health and human-services programs.
The Agency for Health Care Administration, which is under Scott, released a report last month that said Medicaid changes in the Affordable Care Act would cost the state $26 billion over 10 years. That was dramatically higher than earlier estimates, including estimates that Baker and Pridgeon helped put together.
Baker and Pridgeon quickly found flaws with AHCA’s estimates and said moving forward with the numbers would violate state law, according to Health News Florida.
After meeting Monday with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleeen Sebelius, Scott relied on the $26 billion figure in expressing concerns about the cost of the federal health law, commonly known as Obamacare.
The state’s Social Services Estimating Conference, which includes analysts from the Legislature, Baker’s office and the Scott administration, is expected to update the official estimate of the Affordable Care Act costs. As of Tuesday morning, a meeting of the estimating conference had not been scheduled.
By The News Service of Florida
High School Basketball
January 9, 2013
Here’s a look at high school basketball from across the area Tuesday:
BOYS
Northview 66, Jay 60
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals in Jay Tuesday, powered by Neino Robinson with 35 points. Cameron Newsome had 19 points for the Chiefs, while Ladarius Franklin added eight, and Blake McCall contributed two.
Tate 53, Escambia 45
The Tate Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 53-45. The Aggies were led by Travis Walton with 11 and Luke Dykes with 10. Tanner Moore-Hudgens scored nine, Dewayne Williams had eight, and Deonte Nicholson added seven for Tate.
GIRLS
Escambia 44, Tate 34
Catholic 31, Jay 24
Pine Forest 69, Milton 10
Pace 62, Washington 42
JUNIOR VARSITY
Northview 51, Jay 44
JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS
Jay 16, Catholic 14
Charges Pending Against Driver That Hit House
January 9, 2013
Charges are pending against an Escambia County man that drove into a house Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 52-year old Daniel Jackson of Pensacola turned onto Shoshone Drive, ran off the road and hit the bedroom of a house. His 2000 Honda travel two-thirds of the length of the vehicle into the house before stopping inside.
Jackson received only minor injuries in the 3:50 p.m. crash.
Century Against Escambia Transit Gas Tax; Asking Legislature For Exemption
January 8, 2013
The Town of Century is still refusing to go along with a planned four cent gasoline tax hike approved by Escambia County, instead opting to lobby the Legislature for an exemption.
Century has refused sign off on an interlocal agreement with Escambia County that would allocate additional gas taxes collected in Century to the county for mass transit. Town officials contend the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as they force drivers choosing to purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line in Flomaton.
The Century Town Council passed a resolution Monday night asking the Legislature to exempt Century due to the town’s proximity to Alabama. The town says the gasoline tax is currently 27 cents less in across the state line in Flomaton.
The resolution also sates that the four cents for ECAT “benefits the south end of the county significantly more than the north end of the county”.
Without the exemption from the Legislature, Century’s refusal to to play along with the county’s new gas tax is perhaps a moot point.
Amy Lovoy, the county’s budget chief, said the county will still receive the additional gas tax proceeds collected in Century because Century will automatically be included if the tax is approved by Pensacola, the largest municipality in the county.
Pictured: Two of Century’s three gas stations at the intersection of East Highway 4 and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Students Head Back To Class (With 2013 School Calendar)
January 8, 2013
Escambia County students headed back to class Tuesday after a couple of weeks out for Christmas Break. Santa Rosa and Escambia, Ala., students returned to class last week.
Here is a look at the remaining holiday and break days for the 2012-2013 school year:
Escambia County
- January 21 — MLK Day
- February 18 — Teacher Work Day (no students)
- March 25-29 — Spring Break
- May 27- Memorial Day
- May 31- Last Day of School
Santa Rosa County
- January 18 — Planning Day (no students)
- January 21 — MLK Day
- February 18 — President’s Day
- March 18-22 — Spring Break
- March 29 — Good Friday
- April 5 — Planning Day (no students)
- May 27- Memorial Day
- June 7 — Last Day of School
Escambia County, Ala.
- January 21 — MLK Day
- March 25-29 — Spring Break
- May 23 — Last Day of School