Scott Unveils Education Agenda; Charters Get Boost
October 26, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled an education agenda Thursday that could allow more students to go to existing charter schools while preparing the state to adopt a new national curriculum.
Most of the initiatives Scott announced Thursday were not a surprise, but they amount to one of the first vigorous education agendas he has unveiled since taking office last year. Scott largely focused on the economy in 2011, and his main education priority for 2012 was to persuade lawmakers to plow roughly $1 billion of new funding into public schools.
The most controversial element of Scott’s plan could potentially prove to be measures to increase the role of charter schools, public schools that are usually run by third parties and are free of many of the regulations faced by typical schools.
Scott’s plan would remove enrollment caps on existing charter schools and allow school districts to operate their own charter schools.
“We’ve got a lot of choice in our state, but we know in everything else in life, if you have more choice, quality goes up, prices sometimes come down,” Scott told WBBH-TV in Fort Myers in an interview Thursday morning.
In a news release issued after Scott formally unveiled the agenda at an event in Fort Myers, State Board of Education Chairman Gary Chartrand praised the charter school proposal.
“Having been involved with charter schools, I know firsthand how they can positively impact the student performance of children who come from economically disadvantaged areas. … Governor Scott’s agenda would make those opportunities available for more students in Florida,” Chartrand said.
Scott’s agenda would also make other changes, junking some regulations and giving debit cards to teachers to pay for school supplies, with the hopes that businesses would help support the program. And the agenda would require the state not to introduce any new testing that doesn’t conform to the “Common Core Standards,” a national set of curriculum guidelines set to take effect next school year.
Educators largely responded to the news with cautious optimism or at least took a wait-and-see approach.
“It’s kind of sketchy,” said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, the state’s main teachers union. “The proof will continue to be in the details.”
Ford’s group has frequently clashed with Republicans in recent years over whether and how to expand policies promoting school choice. Ford said he would like to see accountability for charter schools as part of the expansion.
“We have to make sure that we aren’t allowing charter schools to cherry-pick students,” Ford said.
He also said the state would “have to make sure that all schools are being treated fairly” in the school supply initiative, given that schools in more affluent areas might have an easier time getting businesses to partner with them.
Democrats, meanwhile, questioned Scott’s motives.
“While we hope that Scott’s plan — introduced just 12 days before the election — is sincere, it does not erase the Republican’s long record of hurting our parents, teachers and students,” Florida Democratic Party executive director Scott Arceneaux said in a statement.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Pace Downs Tate For District 1-6A Volleyball Title
October 26, 2012
The Pace Patriots defeated the Lady Aggies of Tate Thursday to claim the District 1-6A tournament title.
Pace won in three straight, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Pace will host Mosley, and Tate will travel to Niceville as regional play begins.
Over 1 Million Absentee Ballots Returned, Slightly More From GOP
October 26, 2012
State election officials said 1.05 million absentee ballots had been returned to local supervisors of elections by Thursday.
In 2008, 1.85 million voters cast absentee ballots, and Republicans held about a 15 percentage point lead. This year, Republicans continue to lead in absentee returns, As of Thursday, elections officials had received 467,820 absentee ballots from self-designated GOP voters. That’s 44.5 percent. Democratic-identified voted had returned 413,516, or 39.4 percent of the total. Another 169,000, or 16.1 percent, did not designate either party on their ballots.
By The News Service of Florida
Overnight Vandalism At Ernest Ward Middle School Under Investigation
October 25, 2012
Vandalism overnight Thursday at Ernest at Ernest Ward Middle School is under investigation.
Some “rolled” a portion of the football field with toilet paper and burglarized a storage building. Football equipment was scattered across the school’s stadium, and vulgar drawings were painted on the stadium grass. Other areas of the school were also egged.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A crime scene unit was called to the school Thursday morning to document evidence in the case.
A reward is being offered for information leading to arrests in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman, Bank Teller Guilty In $255,000 Bank Robbery
October 25, 2012
A Century woman has been convicted of the quarter million dollar robbery of the Bank of Brewton in February that was carried out with the help of a bank teller.
Robin Ann Godwin, 43, entered a guilty plea in federal court to bank robbery. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced early next year.
According to federal court documents, Godwin formulated a plan with bank teller Pamela Steele to rob the Bank of Brewton. On February 17, 2012, Godwin entered the Bank of Brewton wearing a blue poncho, a grey fedora, large sunglasses, black face paint, a black Afro wig and body padding. Godwin asked Steele about renting a safe deposit box, and Steele took Godwin into the bank vault.
Once inside the vault, Godwin pulled a large bag out from underneath her poncho and demanded that it be filled with cash. Steele then filled the bag with approximately $255,000 in cash, federal documents state. Steele did not put any bait bills or dye packs in the bag along with the cash. Godwin then fled the bank with the bag full of money.
Godwin was taken into custody April 12 as the FBI raided a small travel trailer located in a campground at 1300 Liahona Trail in Bluff Springs.
“We are executing a search warrant related to a recent bank robbery in Brewton,” James Stewart, a FBI supervisory senior resident agent, told NorthEscambia.com as agents worked to complete their operation.
Nearly a dozen FBI agents from field offices in Mobile and Pensacola spent a couple of hours searching the travel trailer in Bluff Springs Thursday night. Multiple containers of evidence, reportedly including at least part of the $255,000 — were removed by agents and placed into the back of a SUV. Some of the federal agents were wearing shirts identifying them as members of a “FBI Evidence Response Team”. Working undercover, they would not allow their photographs to be taken, by a NorthEscambia.com photographer.
Campground residents were inside neighboring travel trailers as FBI agents finished executing the search warrant. Even a couple of hours after federal agents arrived at the campground, some of the neighbors could be seen periodically peeking out of their doors and windows at the travel trailer in “Lot 2″, with it’s patio crowded with lawn chairs and outdoor decorations. Pink flamingo lawn ornaments and potted plants surrounded the patio — nothing making it look out of place for the quiet area just a few feet from the Escambia River.
Bank teller Pamela Steele previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her part in the robbery. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced next month.
Pictured bottom inset and below: FBI agents executed a search warrant related to a Brewton bank robbery at this travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road south of Century in April. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Enters Diversion Program In Marijuana Case
October 25, 2012
A 59-year old Molino man charged after deputies discovered that he was growing marijuana in his backyard and that he had a stash in a freezer has pleaded no contest.
Johnnie Ray Darby of the 4000 block of Saunders Lane will enter a pretrial intervention program on a charge of producing marijuana, a third degree felony. If he successfully completes the program, the charges against him will be dismissed at that time.
An Escambia Sheriff’s Office helicopter air unit located about 10 marijuana plants growing in pots behind Darby’s residence in June, according to an arrest report. A water hose led from the plants to Darby’s residence and power had ran from the residence to the area of the plants, the report states.
Darby gave deputies consent to search the inside of his residence. Deputies reported finding a quantity marijuana stored in his freezer and in a back office of the home.
Northview Homecoming: Court Named, Ticket Presale, Parade, Lunch
October 25, 2012
It’s homecoming week at Northview High School, culminating Friday with a parade, the naming of class maids and homecoming queen, and football against the Vernon Yellow Jackets.
Discount presale tickets will be available at the school from until 2 p.m. Friday. Presale prices are $5 for adults, $4 for middle and high school students and $1 for elementary students.
A $6 meal prepared by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse will be available from 10:30 a.m. until noon from the football concession stand consisting of a BBQ pork sandwich, chips, soft drink and dessert. Tickets are available for pre-purchase at the school. All proceeds will benefit the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund.
The homecoming parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. at Bratt Elementary School and travel West Highway 4 to Northview High School about 1 p.m.
Homecoming festivities will begin at 6:30 Friday, with game kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Pictured: Northview 2012 Homecoming court members (front, L-R) seniors Johnnie Smith, Ashley Cunningham, Ashley Mooney, Ariel Holland, Maranda Moye; (back) freshman Lillie Allen; sophomores – Kamryn Brock, Hannah Gibson, Kendall Cobb; juniors Rebecca Grim, Tamara Green and Audrey Byrd. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jury Splits Life, Death Decision In Double Murder
October 25, 2012
A jury came back with a split decision for a Milton man convicted of murdering two people.
The Santa Rosa County jury recommended that Robert Hobart, 43, be sentenced to death for the death of Tracie Tolbert but receive life in prison for the September 2010 murder of Robert Hamm. The final sentence will be decided at a later date by Judge David Rimmer.
Hobart was convicted last week of the double murder. Hamm and Tolbert were discovered shot to death September 22 on Jesse Allen Road in Allentown. Both victims died from gunshot wounds, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors said Hobart murdered the couple in order to steal prescription drugs from them.
Hobart was a suspect early in the investigation and arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after he was implicated by conclusive forensic evidence. Investigators said ballistics tests matched the weapon to both the shell casings and the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
The murders were discovered after a resident of Jesse Allen Road called authorities to report what looked like a large amount of blood in Jesse Allen Road. When deputies arrived, they found the two bodies on opposite sides of the roadway.
Jesse Allen Road runs west off Highway 87, about 18 miles south of Jay and not far from Central High School.
Large Column Of Smoke Was From Controlled Burn
October 25, 2012
A large column of smoke visible from most of the North Escambia area Wednesday afternoon was from a control burn, according to fire department officials. The Northwest Florida Water Management District conducted a 140 acre prescribed burn off Jacks Branch Road. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Taking A Bite Out Of Hunger: Peanut Butter Drive Underway
October 25, 2012
The Escambia County Extension office, Santa Rosa County Extension office and the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers are collecting peanut butter now through mid-November to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated in local food pantries during Farm-City Week, November 16-22.
“Let’s keep children eating locally grown peanuts in healthy, nutritious, and yummy peanut butter,” is a slogan being promoted for the drive. The extension service said the average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before graduating high school.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 16 at any of the following locations:
- Escambia County Extension office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Board County Commission, Public Information Office, 4th Floor, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.
- Santa Rosa Farm Bureau Jay office, 4035 Highway 4, Jay
- Santa Rosa County Extension office, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton
- Santa Rosa Farm Bureau Pace office, 4474 Woodbine Road, Suite 3, Pace
- Santa Rosa Farm Bureau Gulf Breeze office, 3171 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze
For more information, call Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or Santa Rosa County Extension at (850) 623-3868.