Florida Master Naturalist Program In Escambia County
February 8, 2012
A Florida Master Naturalist Program is now being offered in Escambia County.
The program is designed as an environmental education extension program to inform and prepare individuals to share information about Florida’s natural world and environmental history. Anyone who has an enthusiastic interest in learning more about Florida’s environment is encouraged to participate. Classes are appropriate for both novice and highly skilled environmental professionals.
The program is being offered by Escambia County Extension, the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) and participating organizations throughout the state.
The coastal system program module includes classroom instruction, field trips and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife and conservation issues of coastal systems in Florida. Field trips will include the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, Pensacola Beach, Shoreline Park South, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
Classroom sessions will be held at the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center on Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze and the J. Earle Bowden Building in Historic Pensacola Village on most Wednesdays, February 29, through April 25.
Cost of the program is $225, which includes 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook and upon completion, registration in the UF FMNP database as a Coastal Systems Naturalist. A UF-IFAS certificate of achievement, embroidered FMNP patch, and FMNP Coastal lapel pin also will be provided at completion of the course.
To register visit www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu and click on current course offerings. Registration will close on Thursday, February 23.
Florida Seniors Could Get Additional Tax Breaks
February 8, 2012
The House Finance and Tax Committee on Tuesday approved a plan that could lead to additional homestead exemptions for low- and moderate-income seniors who have owned their homes for at least 25 years.
The plan would depend on voters approving a constitutional amendment in November. Also, cities and counties would have the option to grant the additional exemptions, which would equal the assessed value of property.
The proposal is aimed at people who are 65 years or older, have incomes up to about $27,000 and live in homes valued at $250,000 or less.
The Finance and Tax Committee unanimously approved the measures, sponsored by Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes.
Extension Cord Sparked Fire That Killed Sisters
February 7, 2012
An extension cord caused the early Monday morning fire that claimed the lives of two young sisters in Escambia County.
The fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, was accidental.
The fire started in the bedroom where 8-year old Te’Laysia Jackson and 10-year old Te’Sjohnna Sanford died. Investigators said the extension cord was around the edge of the girls’ room, with clothes, boxes and other items on top of it. It overheated and sparked the blaze that consumed the wood frame home in the 2000 block of West Gregory Street about 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The home did not have working smoke detectors, but they are not required by law in a home build prior to 1989, according to officials.
The girls’ mother and stepfather were also at home at the time of the fire. The stepfather tried to rescue the girls, but the heat from the bedroom fire was too intense. The girls also have a brother, but he was not at home at the time of the blaze.
Pictured: Two young girls died in this house fire early Monday morning in Escambia County. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged After Alleged Drunken Dispute With Estranged Wife
February 7, 2012
An alleged drunken dispute with his estranged wife over the weekend landed a Cantonment man behind bars.
John James Orcutt, age 28 of Schifko Road, was charged with disorderly intoxication, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, petit theft and resisting an officer without violence.
Saturday afternoon, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to disturbance call on Mills Avenue off Gulf Beach Highway where they found Orcutt and his estranged wife arguing in the middle of the street. The responding deputy said Ocrutt yelled an expletive at him multiple times before he was taken into custody.
The victim told deputies that she and Orcutt had been separated for several weeks and that he had broken into her mother’s 1999 pickup truck, taking personal belongings and throwing them to the ground, taking $300 which he later returned and taking her driver’s license.
Deputies found the pickup with its tailgate down and several items, including a hubcap, clothing and a driver’s license removed from the vehicle and tossed about.
While Orcutt was being transported to the Escambia County Jail, he told the deputy that he had been drinking a lot and had taken three Xanax bars before breaking into the vehicle because he was mad, according to the arrest report.
Orcutt was released from the Escambia County Jail Monday on a $4,000 bond.
Culp Named Tate High Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2012
Alan Culp has been named the Tate High School Teacher of the Year.
Culp is the chair of the science department at Tate, and he teachers AP and honors biology. He hold a BA in Education Biology and has been a teacher for 10 years, eight of those years at Tate.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner later this month.
Ransom Middle FFA Places 6th In State In Horse Judging
February 7, 2012
The Ransom Middle School FFA recently placed sixth in the state in the Middle School Horse Judging Career Development Event (CDE) in Marianna.
The purpose of the horse evaluation CDE is to stimulate the study of, and interest in, equine science selection while providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency in this area.
Twenty teams from across the State gathered to compete for the top spot. Ransom Middle School’s FFA placed sixth overall. Team members included:
- Alex Mason
- Jacob Crump
- Owen Carter
- Rachel Grammer
Rachel Grammer was the 4th highest scoring individual, and Alex Mason was the 10th highest scoring individual in the state.
Century Honors Baseball Coaching Legend Floyd Adams
February 7, 2012
The Town of Century honored legendary baseball coach Floyd Adams Monday night with a proclamation highlighting some of his Century-area accomplishments.
Adams was head baseball coach at Century High School from 1968 to 1970 where he enjoyed a winning record and won the Escambia River Conference in 1969 and 1970. He was also named the conference’s coach of the year in 1969 and 1970. Adams also served as Northview High School’s coach during the 1996-1997 school year.
“The Mayor of the Town of Century, Florida, honors Floyd Adams for instilling and building Blackcat Pride in the young athletes of Century,” the proclamation presented Monday night states.
“I was honored to coach the very best wherever I went, and Century was no exception,” Adams said.
Last month, Adams was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in Alabama. At Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Adams had a 10-season record of 303-149.
Adams also served as assistant coach for two years at Tate High School before moving up to serve as head coach for the Aggies for seven years.
Adams is a 1952 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore. He has been retired from coaching for over a decade.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (right) presents a proclamation Floyd Adams Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: Adams at the Tate Aggies head coach in an undated photograph.
Escambia Man Gets 35 Years In Federal Drug Conspiracy
February 7, 2012
Erick D. Smith, 30, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 35 years in prison late Friday afternoon for his conviction on charges relating to a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Pensacola, announced United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh, Northern District of Florida.
The federal indictment alleged that Smith and Telly J. Hill were involved in the distribution of large amounts cocaine as well as the possession of firearms in the Lincoln Park area of Pensacola.
During Smith’s trial last year, the jury received evidence regarding several cocaine transactions involving Smith and other men from Foley, Alabama. The jury also viewed fingerprint evidence and telephone records linking Smith to the transportation of cocaine, as well as hearing testimony regarding the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars, casino records documenting Smith’s habit of gambling his ill gotten gains, and the seizure of several vehicles which he utilized during the course of the conspiracy.
Chief United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers sentenced Smith based on the facts surrounding the case, Smith’s perjury during the trial, and his prior state felony convictions. In December 2011, co-defendant Hill was sentenced to life plus 10 years consecutively, for his role in the conspiracy and a drive-by shooting he committed in as part of the drug organization’s operations.
U.S. Attorney Marsh praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Department of Justice and this office will continue its close partnership with law enforcement to vigorously pursue the strongest sanctions against those who plague our communities with drug and gun violence,” said Marsh. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Ernest Ward Students Of The Month Named
February 7, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School Students of the Month for January have been named. They are (from left) Ian Schneider, seventh grade; Emily Walston, eighth grade; and Josh English, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Scott Appoints One To Escambia Early Learning Coalition
February 7, 2012
Monday, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Alexis Bolin to the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County.
Bolin, 67, is a realtor with ERA Legacy Realty. She was appointed for a term that began Monday and ends April 30, 2015.