Scott Appeals State Employee Drug Testing Case
June 4, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott has followed through on his vow to appeal a federal court ruling that blocked drug testing of state employees.
Scott’s attorneys have filed a notice of taking the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. The governor said he would pursue an appeal after Miami federal judge Ursula Ungaro ruled last month that a plan to drug test employees violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.
Scott issued an executive order last year calling for drug testing, but it was quickly challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. State lawmakers this year also approved a measure aimed at drug testing, but it has not been carried out because of the legal fight.
The notice of appeal does not detail the arguments that Scott’s attorney will make.
By The News Service of Florida
Northview High School Class Of 2012 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 3, 2012
Just over 100 members of the Northview High School Class of 2012 graduated Saturday.
The graduation ceremony was dedicated to the memory of late Northview teacher Tommy Weaver, who passed away earlier this year. Each graduate wore a button pinned over their hearts with Weaver’s picture.
Valedictorian Elizabeth Wright urged the graduates to look toward the future, as did Salutatorian Holly Dickson. As part of her address, Dickson led the graduates and hundreds in attendance in a short prayer.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
A complete list of graduates is below the bottom photo, scroll down.
Pictured top: Valedictorian Elizabeth Wright delivers her address to the Northview High School Class of 2012 Saturday afternoon at the school. Pictured inset: Each graduate wore a button pinned over their heart with a photo of late teacher Tommy Weaver. Pictured below: The NHS Class of 2012 celebrates. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summa Cum Luade (4.0 and above)
- Elizabeth Ashley Wright — Valedictorian
- Holly Nicole Dickson – Salutatorian
- Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
- Amber Dianrie Francis
- Josie Britt Doucette
- Caleb Wesley Leonard
- Jamila Akilah Codrington
- Lydia Ann Weaver
- Lindsay Beth Hedgepeth
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 and above)
- Brian Jeffrey Ross
- HenryJoseph Baldwin
- Charla Suzanne Stark
- Taylor Leigh Ann Dukes
Cum Laude (3.5 and above)
- Arthur Jacob Baldwin
- Austin Randall Albritton
- Timothy Lucas White
- Camilah Joy Goetter
- Chelsea Grace Parham
- Melissa Jayne Moretz
- Alexander Dewayne Payne
- Lauren Ashley McCall
- Caroline Lindsay Prater
- Savannah Dyan Singleton
- Emily Lauren Allen
Other Graduating Members, Class of 2012
- Marquita Letara Allen
- Rebecca Shae Barnhill
- Zachary Thomas Barrow
- Heather Leeanne Barrows
- William Wayne Bolton, Jr.
- Joshua Tanner Brooks
- Heather Nicole Byrd
- Taylor Nicole Byrd
- Brandon Wayne Carnley
- Miranda Sheree Cawthon
- Brandon Scott Chambless
- Wesley Kyle Chancery
- Joseph Andrew Davis
- Jody Royce Day
- Quadry Dyquan Dixon
- Christina Danielle Donald
- Jordyn Lynn Dunsford
- Brandon Cole Eicher
- Andrew Devon Farrow
- Alissa Rae Fiellin
- Jamie Lee Gafford, Jr.
- Elisha Ann Galvan
- Kimberly Cheyanne Garnett
- Jacob Nathaniel Gibson
- Daniel Levaughn Graham
- Charles Hampton Hadley
- Joshua Michael Hammond
- Steven Michael Hesler
- Tyler Ernest Hester
- Hannah Marie Hinton
- Bessy Elizabeth Hollingsworth
- Connie Taylor Hubbard
- Lantz Richard Jones
- Cory Robert King
- Sean Te’Andre Knight
- Jacob Dale Lisenby
- Christopher Ryan Loncar
- Kyle David Long
- Seth Alexander Long
- Blake Nathaniel Luker
- Dylan Lee Marquis
- Arran Priecie McCants
- Cody Alan McCarty
- Tayler Christiane McCurry
- Ashley Nicole McDaniel
- Charleigh Victoria McPherson
- Coty Stephen Merchant
- Kayla Amanda Miles-Carvin
- C’lovonta Douglas Mitchell
- Montaio Dearies Mitchell
- Kelly Renee Morgan
- Abigail Christiane Odom
- Kiani Lynne Okahashi
- Seth Anderson Picheo
- Tanya Lynn Poston
- Justin Alan Purvis
- Bobby Chase Reid
- Taylor Nicole Rigby
- Alexandra Nicole Riggs
- Darwin Eugene Robinson, II
- Michael Scott Sepulveda
- Autumn Rose Slay
- Raylin Miranda Spence
- Samuel Scott Spence
- Austin Ryan Strehl
- Sherie Nicole Stuckey
- Nolan Cole Taylor
- Nathan Therrell
- Brittany Danyel Thompson
- Mallory Paige Turner
- Marcus Ryan Walker
- Tyler Dewayne Walker
- Autumn Victoria Walters
- Casey Todd Ware
- Jerald Lamar Williams
- Casey Lane Wooten
- Jamie Thomas Young
The First End Of Course Exam: Escambia Students Do Well
June 3, 2012
The results are back for Florida’s first “End of Course” exam that partially replaces the FCAT math exam. Beginning this year, ninth graders must pass the algebra EOC exam to graduate.
No matter the student’s grade in their algebra course — even a perfect 100 — the student must pass the end of course exam to receive credit for the class. Students that did not score a proficient 3.0 or higher on a 1-6 scale will have three additional opportunities to take the exam to receive course credit.
In Escambia County, 65 percent of students taking the algebra EOC exam passed, while 64 percent passed in Santa Rosa County.
“The scores indicate progress,” Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “The scores show that the students learn when teachers are teaching a particular subject matter.”
The passing numbers were much higher at the middle school level in Escambia County, where more advanced level eighth grade students take the class for high school credit. At Ernest Ward, Ramsom, Workman, Brown Barge, Woodham and Ferry Pass middle schools, 95 percent or more of eighth grade students passed the exam.
At the high school level, West Florida (77 percent), Tate (70 percent) and Northview (65 percent) had the highest percentage of students passing the algebra exam. The other high schools in the county had between 50 and 60 percent of students to pass.
At Jay High School, which includes both middle and high school students, 56 percent passed.
Molino Park’s Harigel Wins With ‘Gas Man’
June 3, 2012
Elijah Harigel of Molino Park Elementary School was one of the winners in a recent Energy Services of Pensacola student drawing and essay contest.
ESP presents the free educational programs “Saving Energy is Easy,” “Sustainability & Energy Education,” and “Smart Energy Education” in participating schools. Each of the winning students received a $100 savings account, and the students were recognized by the Pensacola City Council last week.
In his entry, Harigel present “tips from Gas Man” to save money while saving energy.
Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 60 Years For Fathering Child With Underage Teen
June 3, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for abusing and fathering a child with an underage family member.
Tony Levester Scott was convicted of sexual battery while in position of familial or custodial authority. Following the verdict, Judge Paul Rasmussen immediately sentenced Scott to 60 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender with 30 years to be served as a prison releasee reoffender. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
During the fall of 2010, Scott was sexually abusing his daughter’s half-sister on weekend visitations, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. The victim, who was under 18 years of age, ended up pregnant and gave birth. A paternity test was conducted by Florida Department of Law Enforcement which established Scott as the father within a 99.99% probability.
Scott was given the enhanced sentence based on his extensive prior record and his recent release from prison in June 2010. In 1985, Scott was sentenced to 15 years state prison
for sexual battery.
Jacksonville Suns Beat The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-6
June 3, 2012
Three Suns batters collected three hits as Jacksonville plated seven unanswered runs in the final three innings to counter Pensacola’s sixth-run fifth frame and defeat the Blue Wahoos 9-6 in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The sellout was the Blue Wahoos’ 19th of the season in 25 home openings, as well as the sixth straight dating back to Pensacola’s previous homestand. The victory improves the Suns’ record to 26-30 this season, while the Fish fell to 25-31 in 2012.
After Pensacola grabbed a 6-2 lead with their six-run fifth, Jacksonville charged back with seven straight scores, including four in the eighth frame to take command. C Jake Jefferies got the rally started with a leadoff double and moved to third on 2B Paul Gran’s single prior to coming home on SS Chris Gutierrez’s run-scoring base knock to cut the deficit to 6-5. 3B Shawn Bowman would follow with a two-run double to left to push the Suns into the lead, which they would not give up.
Jacksonville got the scoring started with single tallies in the first and third frames. Gutierrez drew a free pass to begin the contest and eventually was brought home on an RBI groundout, while 1B German Duran left the yard to start the third frame. It was Duran’s second longball of the year, which gave the Suns an early 2-0 advantage.
After Blue Wahoos pinch hitter Stephen Hunt and CF Ryan LaMarre began the sixth with a single and base-on-balls, SS Didi Gregorius reached on an error, with Hunt scoring on the play. LaMarre and Gregorius would then be sent in on 2B Brodie Greene’s two-run single to center, which provided the Fish with a 3-2 lead. 3B David Vidal then subsequently singled home Greene after a double from RF Josh Fellhauer, while Pensacola also used a suicide squeeze bunt and sacrifice fly to bring home the final two scores of the frame.
Suns reliever Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the win to move to 2-3 after his scoreless inning of work, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss. Jacksonville closer Evan Reed (1.0 IP, 2 SO) shut the door in the ninth to notched his 11th save of the year.
Duran (3-5, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) , Bowman (3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI) and Jefferies (3-5, 1 R, 1 2B) all accumulated three hits in the contest and CF Donnie Webb (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) also recorded a multi-hit game, while Pensacola batters tallied two or more base knocks.
The Suns and Blue Wahoos will face off again on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, which first pitch set for 2:05 PM. The Fish are scheduled to send LHP Tony Cingrani to the hill in his Double-A debut after being promoted from High-A Bakersfield on Friday, while Jacksonville is expected to send LHP Jose Alvarez to toe the rubber.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Josh Fellhauer reached base three times in the Pensacola Blue Wahoo’s 9-6 loss Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth: Kaedyn Lee Lynd
June 3, 2012
Sgt. and Mrs. Brian and Kitty Lynd of Ft. Stewart, GA, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Kaedyn Lee Lynd.
Kaedyn came into the world on May 18, 2012, at Winn Army Community Hospital in Ft. Stewart. He weighed 7 pounds, 6.9 ounces and was 19 inches long.
His grandparents are the late Al Proffitt and Penny Proffitt of Flomaton and John and Carol Southard of Puyallup, WA. Great grandparents are Clara “Gramma Sue” and the late John Hendrix of Bluff Springs, and Marvin and (the late) Harriet Lynd of Puyallup WA.
He was welcomed home by his big sister Annabelle Auburn.
Elections Supervisors: Back Off Voter Purges For Now
June 3, 2012
The organization that represents the state’s elected county elections supervisors is recommending they hold off on removing anyone from the state’s voter rolls in light of new concerns raised by the federal Department of Justice.
The DOJ notified the state Division of Elections and Secretary of State Ken Detzner this week that it is concerned that the state’s effort to cull illegal voters from the rolls may run afoul of a federal law that requires states to finish removing ineligible voters 90 days before an election. Florida is inside that window, with the primary scheduled for Aug. 14.
DOJ didn’t immediately order the state to stop removing voters, but along with the warning that Florida could be violating the law, demanded to know whether the state plans to continue the purge. The state’s effort is intended to remove non-citizens from the rolls, something state officials said was possible by matching voter registration lists with a driver’s license database that flags possible non-citizens. Critics have said the list is inaccurate and could lead to legal voters being purged.
On Friday, Ron Labasky, the legal counsel for the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, sent elections supervisors around the state a memo suggesting they stop using the state list to remove people from voter rolls, at least for now.
“It suggested to them that … in light of the fact that the Department of Justice has some concerns about the 90-day window to remove voters that the supervisors just stop doing anything,” Labasky said.
Labasky’s advice is as the supervisors’ lawyer and he said the group hadn’t taken any formal decision on how to respond, meaning it remains up to individual supervisors to determine what to do with the information provided by the state in its efforts to remove voters.
State Division of Elections spokesman Chris Cate reiterated Friday that removing ineligible voters from the rolls is something the agency is committed to. But he noted the supervisors are ultimately the ones who will make the call.
“If supervisors have reliable information that someone is an ineligible voter, that voter needs to be removed from the voter rolls,” Cate said. “But the process is very important to us, and the supervisors have the responsibility of making the ultimate determination of ineligibility and removing ineligible voters.”
The question over the 90-day issue arises because the law doesn’t completely clearly define what is covered by the 90-day requirement. The law spells out that systematic voter removals should stop, but those typically include the removal of people believed to be felons, dead, or incapacitated – it’s not clear whether the law intended to include “special” efforts to purge clearly ineligible voters, such as those who are non-citizens.
Labasky also said that the state was trying to improve its list anyway – with state officials having advised local supervisors earlier this week that it was planning to go back over the list of more than 2,500 people it has identified as potentially ineligible to further vet them before recommending that supervisors consider them for purging.
That also was a factor in his sense that it makes sense to hold off on any new purges, he said.
Also this week Detzner’s office sought to get the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s help in improving the list. State officials want to cross-check the list that has been called into question with one from the Homeland Security agency that is thought to be more accurate.
By The News Service of Florida
Incumbents Win Poarch Creek Elections, Amendment Passes
June 3, 2012
All three incumbents on the ballot were re-elected in the 2012 Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal elections held Saturday, while an amendment on the ballot passed.
Stephanie Bryan was re-elected as vice chairman. She was first elected to the Tribal Council in 2006, and she also serves as chair of the Tribal Gaming Commission.
Sandy Hollinger and Keith Martin were re-elected to two at large Tribal Council seats.
A Tribal Constitutional amendment on the ballot passed, clarifying provisions related to the filling of vacancies for the officers and at-large positions on the Tribal Council.
Poland To Pensacola Bike Ride Hits North Escambia
June 2, 2012
In 2008, Chuck Campbell’s wife Carol spent her final days under hospice care Ohio. And Friday he crossed the Florida state line in Century just ahead of a finish for a 1,000 mile bike ride in memory of his late wife — from Poland, Ohio to Pensacola Beach — to benefit Covenant Hospital in both Ohio and Pensacola.
Chuck and is daughter, who lives in the Pensacola area, were impressed with hospice and began to volunteer. And then came the idea for the bike ride.
He pedaled out of Poland, Ohio, on May 3 with plans to arrive in Pensacola on Memorial day, but weather caused a few delays along the way.
Chuck has had a stowaway on his trip…a young “Flat Stanley”. Along the entire trip, he’s carried along a drawing of the popular traveling book character. This particular Flat Stanley was first mailed to Ohio by Jordan Stranec, a first grade student at S.S. Dixon Primary School in Pace. Flat Stanley hitched a ride back to Florida with Chuck. Due to weather delays in the trip, his plans to visit Mrs. Grant’s first graders at S.S. Dixon were ruined due to the end of school.
Pictured: Chuck Campbell crossed the Florida state line in Century Friday morning as he nears the end of a 1,000 mile bike ride from Poland, Ohio, to Pensacola Beach. Accompanying Campbell (seen in his hand) is the popular children’s character Flat Stanley. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
