Laura Jackson Is Jim Allen’s Teacher Of Year; 5 County Finalists Named
February 23, 2012
Laura Jackson was named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Jackson, who teaches the fifth grade at Jim Allen, was also chosen as one of the Top 10 teachers in Escambia County.
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 tonight in Pensacola.
The five finalists for Escambia County Teacher of the Year are: Fran Cook, Helen Caro Elementary; Marjorie Stradley, West Florida High School; Jeffrey Pribble, Escambia High School;
Terri Perniam N.B. Cook Elementary School; and Catherine Rudd, Scenic Heights Elementary.
Two Women Charged In 2011 Home Invasion
February 23, 2012
Two Escambia County women are charged in a home invasion that took place in December 2011.
Investigators say Verna Rosa Malia Sealey, 36, and Leandra Yvette Austin, 25, were armed with a shotgun with they forced their way into home near Ensley on the night of December 7. They reportedly ordered the resident to the floor, asking “Where is the money?”.
When the victim denied having any money, Austin allegedly struck him several times with the shotgun. The suspects searched through the home and fled with the victim’s cordless phone. The victim received minor injuries and declined medical attention.
Investigators received a tip that Sealey and Austin were responsible for the home invasion. During the investigation, it was learned that both Austin and Sealey were currently in jail on robbery charges for robbing a Circle K within the city limits. The Pensacola Police Department was able to apprehend them shortly after that robbery.
Investigators said that Sealey and Austin still had the phone that was taken during the home invasion at the time of the Circle K robbery.
Both women were charged with home invasion robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They are currently being held in the Escambia County Jail. With additional charges of robbery, intimidation and drug possession, Sealey’s bond is set at $387,700. Austin, who is also charged with robbery, burglary and larceny, is being held without bond due to a probation violation.
Poarch Creeks Receive $1.85 Million Housing Grant
February 23, 2012
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians have been awarded a $1.85 million Indian Housing Block Grant.
The $1,859,361 grant from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is intended to primarily benefit low-income families living on Indian reservations or in other communities. The award to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians was part of $108 million in additional Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) allocations to 68 tribes in 19 states announced Tuesday.
“These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Projects include affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, community centers and safety programs that every community needs to thrive. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to ensure Native American communities can build their economies in response to their needs and as they see fit.”
Eligible activities for the funds include housing development, assistance to housing developed under the Indian Housing Program, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems.
JV Aggies Fall To West Florida
February 23, 2012
The junior varsity Tate Aggies lost to West Florida High’s Jaguars in Wednesday night baseball action, 7-2.
With the loss, the JV Aggies are 3-1 on the season.
The JV Aggies will be in action again Thursday evening at 4:30 at Washington High School. Varsity action will follow at 7 p.m.
Florida House Unanimously Passes Ban On Synthetic Drugs
February 23, 2012
The House on Wednesday unanimously passed legislation that bans new forms of synthetic drugs that cropped up after lawmakers banned other substances last year.
The bill was needed, said sponsor Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, because as soon as lawmakers ban one substance, chemists alter the chemical make-up of designer drugs to make it not technically illegal.
“These dangerous synthetic drugs pose a serious threat to Floridians,” Representative Ingram said. “Last year the legislature made great strides in the effort to stamp out these chemicals. It is my sincere belief that this bill will complete that objective and punish those who peddle these toxins in our communities.”
The bill adds dozens of chemical variations of synthetic cannabinoids and psychoactive bath salts to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. The bill now goes to the Senate.
“The House of Representatives demonstrated strong leadership by unanimously passing a bill that will protect Floridians from dangerous synthetic drugs,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “We will not allow these creative chemists to skirt state law and pose serious harm to our residents.”
Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, the sponsor of the Senate companion bill, said, “I commend Representative Ingram for all his hard work on getting this good bill passed, and I am honored to be the Senate sponsor for this much needed legislation. Its passage today brings us one step closer to the protection of our children and young adults from these synthetic drugs.”
Sneak Peek: Century’s New Website Coming Soon
February 23, 2012
A website for the Town of Century will soon be live. Town officials have been given a draft preview of the design that will be finalized, with their approval, in the coming weeks.
Late last year, the town purchased a $11,450 package from Ideawörks in Pensacola that included $4,200 for a “basic website design”, $1,750 for a content management system (CMS) to allow town employees to update the site, and $5,500 for a five-year comprehensive marketing strategy to include “grant identification, development, PR plan, five-year marketing plan and budget”. The marketing plan will be finalized after the website is completed.
The images above and below are from the website preview presented to the town this week. The preview is meant to show the basic layout of the site, with photos and wording to be updated before it goes live on the web.
Pictured: A layout preview of Century’s upcoming website as provided by Ideawörks for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grenade Found In Busy Intersection
February 22, 2012
What appeared to be a rusty grenade was found Wednesday morning lying in a busy Atmore intersection, tying up traffic for about an hour as officials decided their next move.
The grenade was found in the intersection of Highway 31 and Trammell Street, prompting Atmore Police to direct traffic around the area. After consultation with members of Atmore’s National Guard unit, officials determined the object was likely just a practice grenade.
A bomb squad was notified. After a phone consultation with experts, authorities decided it was just a harmless dummy grenade. Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean then picked up the dummy grenade from the intersection, placed it in a box and transported it away.
Officials are still working to determine just how the dummy grenade ended up in the intersection.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 22, 2012
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. On Monday, students prepared refreshments for bus drivers.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
FFA week activites include:
Monday: Bus Driver Refreshment/ FFA T-Shirts
FFA members prepared refreshments for all bus drivers to give to them in the morning as they arrived at school.
Tuesday: Teacher Breakfast
All teachers, staff and invited guests were invited to eat a home cooked breakfast before school started that was prepared by FFA officers and members.
Wednesday: Ag Olympics
All agricultural classes will participate the Ag Olympics program with several events. Members are invited to have a coke float in the Agriculture department during the student’s lunch.
Thursday: Minute To Win It/Ag Style
There will be a workshop put on by the FFA officers/Minute To Win It Ag style.
Friday: Dirty Truck Contest
There will be a Dirty Truck Contest on Friday, along with a game of Don’t Forget the Lyrics in Ag classes.
Saturday: Ruritan Auction
FFA members will assist with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Equipment Auction Saturday as a community service project.
Pictured: FFA members served breakfast Tuesday morning at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, W.S. Neal Split Double Header
February 22, 2012
Northview’s JV baseball team split a double header with W. S. Neal Tuesday in Brewton. W. S. Neal won the first game 5-3, with the Chiefs taking the second game 5-3.
Destin Pizzolato led the Chiefs at the plate in the first game with two singles and a run scored. Chason Freeman and Jody Bonner also scored a run for the Chiefs. Daulton Tullis pitched 5 innings for Northview.
In the second game, the Chiefs’s Destin Pizzolato got the win on the mound, with strong relief from freshman Aaron McDonald. Leading hitters for Northview were Dalton Daniel and Daulton Tullis, each with a hit.
Northview’s JV will be back in action Thursday as they host Central at 4:00.
Approved: New Ernest Ward Middle School, $50 Million In Building Projects
February 22, 2012
Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board unanimously approved the construction of a new $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School, part of $50 million in construction projects using half-cent sales tax money.
In addition to Ernest Ward, the district will rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary in Pensacola for $21.5 million and spend at least $75,000 at every other school in the district.
Projects planned for North Escambia area schools include:
- Bratt Elementary will receive $75,000 for general renovations to include casework in classrooms (bookshelves and cabinets)
- Jim Allen Elementary will receive $100,000 for general renovations including the replacement of windows in the cafeteria
- Molino Park Elementary will receive $100,000 for sitework, including a 6-foot wide asphalt walking trail
- Ernest Ward Middle will be rebuilt for $16,500,000.
- Ransom Middle School will receive $90,000 for general renovations including updated video and audio for the cafeteria stage
- Northview High School will receive $100,000 for new construction to include a storage facility
- Tate High School will receive $100,000 for general renovations to include the old gym
- West Florida High School will receive $100,000 for sitework, including additional paved parking
The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945, while portions of Suter were build in the 1920’s. They are the oldest schools in the county. Both of the rebuilds will be constructed on the existing school properties.
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
“With the Ernest Ward rebuild, you will have high performing schools with very adequate facilities across the north end of the county,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said recently.
“It’s about time,” Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton said recently. “The superintendent and I have talked about the need since we were elected. This has been my number one priority once the funding was in place. Since we are using sales tax money, this is a case of money being raised in Escambia County and being put right back into Escambia County.”
Architectural design work on the new Ernest Ward facility will begin as early as this week. The new school, Thomas said, will be completely state of the art, including smart boards and related electronics in each classroom.
In February 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria. Design on the cafeteria is currently underway in such a way that it will be part of the new school campus.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built either in front of or behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed.
Most of project work in 2012 will include the design and permitting stages. Construction, Thomas said, will likely be underway by 2013. Students could be attending classes in the new building by the 2013-2014 school year in a best-case scenario, Thomas said, but that could easily be postponed to 2014-2015 by any permitting or construction delays.
“This will be a win-win for the community,” Slayton said. “This will pump millions into the economy and save jobs in Escambia County. It’s long overdue.”
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
