Register Now For Northview DCT Coed Softball Tournament
February 13, 2012
The Northview High School DCT will sponsor a coed softball tournament in March, and there is a discounted registration fee available through Wednesday.
The DCT Coed Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on March 3 at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Fee is $100 per 9-12 member team if paid by February 15. Late registrations will be accepted February 16-27 for $150 per team. Registration fees can be paid at Northview from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., ask for Raylin.
Team members must be 14-years of age or older, and there must be three females on the field at all times. There is a 10 team limit.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 or (251) 294-1947.
The concession stand will be open the day of the event. No coolers please.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 13, 2012
Fourteen high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Aaron Floyd, Courtney Lambert and Sandy Rainwater from Northview High School; J. D. Atkins, Jacob Burnham, Camille Driver, Kathryn English, Joshua Gilmore, Evan Goodson, Chanda Hawthorne and Carly Owens from Jay High School; Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell from Central High School; and Brett Campbell from Pace High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 100 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Hubble (3D). Youth Tour participants observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the senate chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
Pictured top: EREC Youth Tour delegates on the steps of the Capitol — (front, L-R) Lauren Griswold, Kathryn English, Carly Owens, J. D. Atkins, Aaron Floyd and Jacob Burnham, (back row) Brett Campbell, Joshua Gilmore, Courtney Lambert, Sandy Rainwater, Camille Driver, Chanda Hawthorne, Evan Goodson and Logan Rowell. Pictured below: Rep. Doug Broxson meets with Youth Tour participants. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panhandle Lawmaker Blasted For Rope Hanging Comment
February 13, 2012
Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, apologized Friday for using hanging imagery in reference to lawsuits challenging new maps for legislative and congressional districts approved Thursday by the Senate.
“My father used to say, ‘Some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope,’” Gaetz said Thursday, referring to his belief that some groups planned to sue no matter what maps the Legislature drew.
On Friday, Gaetz apologized after three black lawmakers angrily said the remarks were insensitive.
“I’m sorry if any offense was taken,” Gaetz said. “Those who know me and those who work with me are well aware that no offense was meant.”
Among those calling for Gaetz to apologize was Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “The use of his analogy reflects back on an extremely violent period in our country’s and our state’s history,” Joyner said Friday. “And it shows an insensitivity on the part of the Senator about the hard-fought passage of Blacks from slaves to citizens.”
The remark also brought a sharp response from two high-ranking black House Democrats.
“The senator’s comment is especially appalling given that it is made in connection to the issue of redistricting, in which there is considerable history of racial minorities being deprived of adequate representation,” said Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, slated to become the House’s top Democrat later this year.
Rep. Mia Jones, a Jacksonville Democrat who chairs the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, also slammed Gaetz. “Senator Gaetz’ use of such highly charged and disturbing language has absolutely no place in this important discussion about the future of Florida,” she said.
By The News Service Florida
Smooth Ride: Century Paving Projects Continue
February 13, 2012
Century’s efforts to pave or resurface some of the town’s worst streets is continuing. The most recent resurfacing projects included Field Road and Sellers Street, both off West Highway 4.
Recent paving projects included Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, B Street, Archie Street, West Cottage Street, Lake Street, Ramar Street, Academy Street and the portion of Pleasant Hill Road that is in the town limits.
Pictured: Field Road (top) and Sellers Street (below) were recently resurfaced in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Medical Care: Health And Hope Clinic Dedicated
February 12, 2012
The new Health and Hope Clinic in Century was officially dedicated Saturday morning.
The Health and Hope Clinic quietly opened in October in the old Escambia County Health Department building at 501 Church Street in Century. It is the second location for the clinic, which was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported.
During the official dedication Saturday morning, volunteers, local pastors and community leaders came together to celebrate the new clinic.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s dedication, click here.
“It’s a real blessing,” Tammy Lewis of Bratt said on a recent visit to the new Century Health and Hope Clinic. “I found out about it from the church. It’s great to see doctors and people that will see you anyway without insurance.”
Since 2003, the Pensacola Health and Hope Clinic has provided over $8.5 million in healthcare services and 12,000 patient-provider visits as it carries out its mission of “providing health and hope to the hurting”.
Through the primary Pensacola location, the new Health and Hope Clinic offers primary medical care, preventative care, specialty care – including rheumatology, neurology, women’s health, chiropractic services and minor office surgery, full laboratory services, prescription assistance and pharmacy services and referrals to community social services.
The new Health and Hope Clinic in Century is open on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. For appointments, call (850) 256-6200 or (850) 479-4456. For more information on the Health and Hope Clinic and services, visit www.healthandhopeclinic.org. Services are available to Escambia County, FL, residents only.
Pictured: Saturday morning’s dedication of the Health and Hope Clinic in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Students Read 42.4 Million Words
February 12, 2012
Students at Molino Park Elementary School love to read.
During the first semester of school, the total number of words read for the 1st through 5th grades was 42,484,722 words. Students also passed 8,699 AR tests on the books that they read.
During the first half of the school year, Molino Park students read 6,244 books.
Escambia County Offers Cold Weather Safety Tips
February 12, 2012
With our winter weather, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Lloyd Barrow Field Dedicated In Honor Of Longtime Little League Coach
February 12, 2012
Lloyd Barrow Field was dedicated in Century Saturday morning in honor of longtime Little League coach Lloyd Barrow.
Barrow had a winning record as coach for the Century Blackcats in the Tri-County Little League from 1958 to 1973, including a 17-1 run in 1967. The original Tri-County Little League was comprised of teams from Century, Walnut Hill, Jay and Flomaton.
“We had a lot of good teams; we had a lot of good guys,” Barrow said Saturday as he reminisced about his days as a coach. One team he mentioned in particular was the 1963 10-Year Old All Stars.
“We just whipped up on all those other guys in Pensacola,” he said. “And we did it in ‘63, ‘64 and ‘65, three years straight.”
He was instrumental in establishing and building the Little League field at 580 Church Street that now bears his name.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall recognized Barrow “as a pillar of the community that has supported Century all his life” and for “instilling and building Blackcat Pride in the young athletes of Century”.
For more photos of Lloyd Barrow Field and the dedication ceremony, click here.
Pictured top: Lloyd Barrow at the dedication of Lloyd Barrow Field in Century Saturday morning. Pictured inset: A 1967 Major League Champions trophy marking a 17-1 run. Pictured below: A portion of the small crowd braved a cold wind for the dedication. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Redistricting Done, Prison Privatization
February 12, 2012
The late Senate President Jim King used to talk about trying to get everyone together to sing “Kumbaya.”
The Capitol this week didn’t exactly teem with lawmakers holding hands and belting out a tune.
The House passed a $69.2 billion budget Thursday along straight party lines, with Republicans saying it was a responsible plan in tight times and Democrats saying it was, well, “half-witted.”
A short time later, the Senate gave final approval to redistricting maps — only to be greeted immediately by a Democratic Party-backed legal challenge.
Meanwhile, chatter continued in the Capitol about divisions within the Senate, as President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, tried to round up enough votes to pass a controversial prison-privatization plan.
MONEY — AND FUR — FLIES: The House budget plan will increase public-school funding by about $1 billion and avoid tax hikes. But Democrats criticized proposals that ranged from raising university tuition to limiting how many times Medicaid patients can get treatment in emergency rooms.
“I cannot support a budget that is balanced on the backs of Florida’s middle class and hard-working Floridians,” said House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, D-Key West.
Republicans, however, said they made the best of a budget that, by some estimates, has a shortfall of as much as $2 billion.
“The budget before you meets our responsibility to provide health-care services to Florida’s most vulnerable while also living within our means and keeping our taxes low,” said Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa.
Amid the back-and-forth, House Republicans and Democrats joined together on one high-profile issue: They unanimously approved setting aside $10 million to keep open a Jefferson County prison.
Senate subcommittees also offered budget proposals this week that included a $1.2 billion increase for public schools. Other parts of the budget braced for cuts, including hospitals and substance-abuse and mental-health treatment programs.
Some Republicans bristled at the budget proposal that emerged in the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Among other things, they questioned the inclusion of local projects that Gov. Rick Scott vetoed last year.
“If the governor vetoed these dollars, why are we putting them back in the budget?” Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, asked.
FROM THE CAPITOL TO THE COURTROOM: Barely halfway through the session, lawmakers finalized new maps for legislative and congressional districts.
But the once-a-decade reapportionment process is far from finished. The GOP-dominated Legislature and opponents now will argue in court about whether the maps comply with constitutional requirements.
Within moments of a final Senate vote Thursday, the state Democratic Party announced a lawsuit contending that the maps violate a 2010 anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment.
“Now the courts have to step in to implement the will of the people — a job the GOP in Tallahassee failed to accomplish,” Democratic Chairman Rod Smith said.
Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, fired back at opponents, though he knew challenges would be coming.
“The sad part is, now the taxpayers of Florida have to be dragged into court by special-interest groups who always intended to be dissatisfied,” Gaetz said.
While the legal issues still need to be resolved, the maps have already led to jockeying among politicians. As an example, longtime Republican Congressman John Mica announced Friday he will run in a reconfigured Central Florida district that also includes Republican Congresswoman Sandy Adams.
As another example, state Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, said Thursday he won’t run this year in the new House District 5, but announced his candidacy for the seat in 2014. That clears the way for Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, who also lives in the Panhandle district, to run without another incumbent in the primary. Coley will be term-limited in two years.
COUNTING VOTES: Haridopolos this week continued to delay a vote on a plan to privatize prisons across the southern half of the state.
The president and Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, have made the issue a priority, saying it would save money for the state. But Haridopolos has acknowledged that he likely didn’t have enough votes to pass the measure when it first went to the Senate floor last month.
He wouldn’t say Thursday whether he has convinced enough Republican members to go along with the proposal. But he said he expects to bring it up for a vote Tuesday.
“It’s a very close vote,” Haridopolos said.
Republican splits also appeared this week about a proposal that would add new restrictions on medical-malpractice lawsuits and expand drug-prescribing powers for optometrists.
The Florida Medical Association and the optometric industry, which have battled for years about drug prescribing, negotiated a deal that helped lead to a 65-page “strike all” amendment in the Senate Health Regulation Committee.
Gaetz and Rules Chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, pushed the amendment through the committee, despite efforts by four Republicans to eliminate parts of the medical-malpractice restrictions.
Gaetz described the proposal as a “peace treaty” because it would resolve the fight among doctors and optometrists about prescribing oral medications. In exchange for going along the optometrists’ expanded prescribing powers, the FMA would receive medical-malpractice restrictions that it has made a top priority.
But the process appeared to trouble committee Chairman Rene Garcia, a Hialeah Republican who fought unsuccessfully to remove one of the malpractice changes that he indicated wouldn’t do enough to protect patients.
When asked after the meeting about the deal, Garcia replied simply, “I wasn’t part of the deal.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: A Senate vote Thursday finalized legislative and congressional maps, carrying out the constitutional requirement that lawmakers draw new district lines every 10 years. The issue now will move into the courts, where Democrats have already started a legal challenge.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This budget looks at only one side of the equation, folks. It’s a half-budget. It’s halfway, half-witted and half-hearted. And one more half-word that I can’t say on the floor of the House.” -Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth.
By The News Service of Florida
Birth: Breanna Nicole Johnson
February 12, 2012
Josh and Heather Johnson are proud to announce the birth of Breanna Nicole Johnson. Breanna was born Wednesday, February 1 and weighed 8-pounds, 12 ounces.
Breanna’s grandparents are Marcus and Tinia Hennington of Cantonment, Billy Cox of Alabama and Elizabeth Cox of Pensacola, and Sandy Standford of Newman, GA.