Boil Water Advisory For Becks Lake Road, Stone Blvd.
June 13, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on all of Becks Lake Road and all of Stone Boulevard in Cantonment.
This notice was issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov.
Summer Reading Programs Continue This Week At Area Libraries
June 13, 2011
Summer reading program area going on at area libraries. The free events will be held at the Century, Jay, Flomaton and Atmore libraries. Schedules are listed below for each.
Century Branch Library
In addition to the programs below, story time is at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays
June 14 Noon
Kathleen Gibson Music
Kathleen is an award winning family entertainer, song writer, author, producer and recording artist. She shares her underlying and uplifting message that each person has a special gift that no one else in the world ever had. “YOU can find your gift, and use it to make a difference in the world.”
June 21 Noon
Walkabout Puppets
Australian puppeteer Bob Parsons performs a variety of shows using marionettes. It’s sure to please children of all ages.
June 28 Noon
Pat Nease Stories
Witty and wicked stories from storyteller Pat Neese.
July 4 Noon
Red String Wayang Theare
July 12 Noon
Beau Broomall Magic Show
Beau Broomall will show off his special magical talents.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
Jay Library
In addition to the programs for K-5 below, story time is at 11 a.m. for preschoolers.
June 13 1 p.m.
Storyteller Pat Neese
Witty, wiley and wicked stories from the wide, wide world.
June 20 1 p.m.
Magician Beau Broomall
Magic from around the world
June 27 1 p.m.
Musician Melinda Mills
Have a world of fun through music and dance
July 11 1 p.m.
Native American Stories
July 18 1 p.m.
Storyville
Jacksonville State University Children’s Theater
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
Flomaton Library
Around the World with the Flomaton Public Library Summer Reading Program will be held each Thursday, June 30-August 4 from 10-11 a.m.
For more information, contact the Flomaton Library at (251) 296-3552.
Atmore Library
The Summer Reading Program at the Atmore Public Library will be held each Friday through June 24 from 10-11 a.m. for ages 4-12. For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
Pictured top: Children enjoy Skip Cain Magic Guy at the Century Branch Library during last week’s summer reading program. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Fifth Graders Awarded
June 13, 2011
The following fifth grade students received end of the year academic awards at Byrneville Elementary School:
Reading:
Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Abby Hammond
2nd Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
Math:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Bailee Hinote
2nd Highest Average: Jayda Warner
Science:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Bailee Hinote
Social Studies:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Destiny Watson
2nd Highest Average: Beau Henderson
2nd Highest Average: Anna Belle Barberree
2nd Highest Average: Alaina Rolin
2nd Highest Average: Logan Calloway
Language Arts:
Highest Average: Kayla Galvan
2nd Highest Average: Shellie Harrelson
Most Improved in Reading: Levi Wagner
Most Improved in Math: Levi Cofield
Most Improved in Science: Zynaisha Davis
Most Improved in Social Studies: Brandon Jones
Most Improved in Language Arts: Joey Killam
Most Improved in Writing: Logan Hanks
Most Improved in Citizenship: Logan Walters
Invention Convention Winners:
1st Place: Bailee Hinote
2nd Place: Beau Henderson
3rd Place: Alaina Rolin
Most AR points: Destiny Watson
2nd Most AR points: Alaina Rolin
“A” Honor Roll All Year:
Anna Belle Barberree
Kayla Galvan
Shellie Harrelson
Bailee Hinote
Alaina Rolin
Jayda Warner
Logan Calloway
Beau Henderson
“A-B” Honor Roll All Year:
Jenna Black
Abby Hammond
Patience Newsome
Meagan Reid
Destiny Watson
Photos: GCA & NRA Hold Annual Awards Banquet
June 13, 2011
The Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association (GCA and NRA) held their 18th annual awards banquet this weekend at the Langley Bell 4-H Club Center.
The following awards were presented before a crowd of about 140 people:
- Allie Vidak — 2011 Show Heifer of the Year
- Tyler Vines — 2011 Show Steer of the Year
- Tyler Knowles — 2011 4-H Spirit Award.
- Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham and Mick Breault — 2011 Breeder of the Year Award.
- Ashley Cunningham — 2011 Grand Champion Steer, 2011 Grand Champion Heifer presented by the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: The 2011 Show Heifer of the Year award is presented to Allie Vidak (left) by Allison Meharg and Sharon Meharg. Pictured below: The breeder of the year award with Scott Cunningham, Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, Mick Breault, and Jack Livingston. Submitted photos by Jerry Marbut for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pharmacists Concerned About Florida’s Planned Medicaid Overhaul
June 12, 2011
“I need my nighttime pill. And I need my little red one.”
Sometimes there’s just no substitute for a local pharmacist that knows customers by name. And knows exactly what they need when the ask for their “nighttime pill”. That’s just one of the points being made by independent pharmacists across the state worried that Florida is opening the door to increased use of mail-order pharmacies — and, ultimately, threatening the mom-and-pop store’s existence.
Pharmacist Kim Cadenhead of Kim’s Family Pharmacy in Cantonment is concerned about a massive Medicaid overhaul that lawmakers passed last month. If approved by the federal government, the overhaul will shift hundreds of thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries into managed-care plans, which could rely more on mail-order pharmacies.
“It will be hard for some Medicaid patients to navigate a system that relies on mail order and phone calls,” she said. “Many people with Medicaid appreciate that one on one or face to face with their pharmacist.”
Independent pharmacy operators from across the state are raising similar concerns.
“It’s not about saving money,’’ said Tracey Jackson, whose family runs Jackson’s Drug Store in the north Florida town of Monticello. “It’s about the big corporations having every ounce of the business.’’
Cadenhead makes no secret that she has a personal vested financial interest in Medicaid patients having the right to choose their pharmacy. At Kim’s Family Pharmacy, which is located in a shopping strip next to Grocery Advantage a short distance north of the paper mill, about 30 percent of the business is from Medicaid customers.
If about 30 percent of her business is lost, Cadenhead said her business will obviously suffer and employees with lose their jobs.
Preston McDonald agrees. He is vice-president of the Escambia County Pharmacy Association and board member for the Florida Pharmacy Association. While he works for a corporate-owned pharmacy at the Winn Dixie in Cantonment, he said some community pharmacies depend heavily on Medicaid customers for business.
“If they lose that, they might as well hang a sign on the door,’’ McDonald said. “They will close.’’
But the real concern is still about the Medicaid patients, Cadenhead insists. Her list of concerns about exclusive mail order requirements, or even the requirement that only certain, and most likely large corporate, pharmacies could be used.
“What if they were allowed to just use CVS for instance,” she said. “That can’t work.” An elderly patient in Century or Walnut Hill might have a difficult time getting transportation to the nearest CVS in Cantonment, rather than using one of the pharmacies in Century or Molino.
Any pharmacy mail order program implemented for Florida’s Medicaid patients would be for so-called “maintenance drugs” — drugs taken month after month for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or acid reflux. The plan would direct Medicaid recipients to certain pharmacies for urgent prescriptions like antibiotics.
The law leaves it up to managed-care plans to determine how beneficiaries will receive prescriptions. But Roberta Bradford, deputy secretary for Medicaid at the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), said the agency would make sure plans have adequate provider networks so beneficiaries will have access to medications.
Jessy Fry, co-chairman of the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network, asked. Fry said mailing expensive HIV medications could help fuel theft and sales on the black market. He also questioned whether drugs could go bad in the Florida heat.
“Mail order in Florida? In July? Really?’’ Fry asked.
Other provisions in the law passed during the spring legislative session are also raising complaints, such as its requirement that seniors go into Medicaid managed-care plans.
Laura Cantwell, an official with AARP Florida, said it is unrealistic to expect seniors to move into managed-care plans by an October 1, 2013, deadline included in the overhaul. She said it should first be tried as a pilot program.
Tallahassee elder-law attorney Twyla Sketchley went further, saying the system could lead to “granny dumping for profit,’’ as HMOs would have financial incentives to move people out of costly nursing homes.
But Michael Garner, president of the Florida Association of Health Plans, vehemently disputed that characterization. Garner and legislative supporters say managed care will allow seniors to receive services in their homes and communities and stay out of nursing homes as long as possible.
“I really have to question how anyone could call that granny dumping,’’ Garner said.
Area Airman Helps With Japan Earthquake Relief
June 12, 2011
The son of a North Escambia area man didn’t know what to expect. He’d seen pictures of the devastation on television and in the newspapers, and he knew he had to help, but how? It didn’t take long for him to find out.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason T. Wintersteen (pictured), son of Jay Wintersteen of Santa Rosa County, was one of more than 20,000 U.S. military men and women, who have provided assistance in support of Operation Pacific Passage. The operation provides the authorized voluntary return of military family members from Japan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. Operation Tomodachi provides humanitarian assistance and recovery operations to the people of Japan.
Operation Pacific Passage has airlifted more than 7,000 passengers and more than 400 pets via military and commercial aircraft from various locations in Japan, and Operation Tomodachi has resulted in more than 400 missions being flown, more than 2800 tons of cargo, and more than 400,000 pounds of fuel delivered. Military members are also assisting in the cleanup of communities and airports.
“I supported the Noncombatant Evacuation and Repatriation Operations and airplane missions going north to Sendai to help with relief efforts,” said Wintersteen, who is assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota. “I also provided electrical support for multinational support agencies during their deployment in support of Operation Tomodachi.”
While nothing can totally prepare service members with the training they need to handle a disaster of this magnitude, the fact that they must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice has come in handy during this operation.
“This is the first time that I have been involved in a humanitarian mission of this scope,” said Wintersteen, who graduated from Rutherford High School, and the University of Maryland University College in 2009 through the military extension program.
Operations of this type are very important because they further demonstrate the longstanding and close working relationships that the United States has developed with many countries around the world over the years.
“This type of operation is important because Japan is one of our closest allies. They would do the same if we experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude,” said Wintersteen.
Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship, in the Japanese translation, means helping friends. For Wintersteen and the others, it has become more like helping family.
“Being involved in this operation made a big impact on me,” said Wintersteen.
Pictured top: Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct a countermeasure wash down on the flight deck. Sailors scrubbed the external surfaces on the flight deck and island superstructure to remove potential radiation contamination. Ronald Reagan is operating off the coast of Japan providing humanitarian assistance as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi. Pictured bottom inset: Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 730th Air Mobility Squadron pack and secure a pallet of relief supplies inside a cargo warehouse at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Pictured below: Houses lie in ruins in the Miyagi Prefecture after the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 in Japan. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Several Area Churches Holding VBS This Week
June 12, 2011
Several North Escambia area churches will hold Vacation Bible School this week.
For additional VBS events in upcoming weeks, see our Events Page.
VBS — First Baptist Church of Bratt
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, June 13-17 from 8:30-11:30 daily. Ages 3-years to 5th grade are all invited to attend the “Big Apple Adventure”.
VBS — Ray’s Chapel Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia, June 13-17 from 6-8:30 p.m. Kick-off and registration on Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m. Ages 5 through the 6th grade. (850) 256-3422.
VBS — Walnut Hill Mennonite
Walnut Hill Mennonite Church will hold Vacation Bible School “Let Your Lighthouse Shine” June 13-22 from 6-8:30 p.m. Ages 5 to ninth grade. Everyone welcome.
VBS — First Baptist Cantonment
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, June 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. (850) 968-9135.
VBS — Canoe Baptist Church
Vacation Bible School “The Big Apple” at Canoe Baptist Church, Sunday June 12 through Thursday, June 16 closing with Family Night. Ages 3 years through sixth grade, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fun Day will begin VBS on Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
VBS — Jay First Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Jay First Baptist, June 13-17 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. daily. More info: (850) 675-4587.
VBS — Cora Baptist Church
VBS at Cora Baptist Church, Highway 197, Jay, June 13-17 from 5-8:30 p.m. Ages 3 through teens. All are invited.
VBS- — Flomaton Pentecostal
Vacation Bible School at Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church, June 13-17, 5:15 until 8:15 p.m. Grades 1-6. For more info: Martha Samson (251) 296-2214.
Hero Headquarters Camp — Victory Assembly
Hero Headquarters Adventure Camp 2011 will be held Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m. until noon for grade kindergarten to fifth. Family night on Sunday, June 19. More info (850) 587-2295 or register online at victorycan.org.
VBS–First Baptist Atmore
Vacation Bible School “Pandamania”, June 13-17 from 5:30 until 7:30 each evening. Ages 3 (by 9/1) through 6th grade. Click here to register.
VBS — Heritage Baptist Church
Vacation Bible School at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment. PandaMania, 6-8:45 p.m. daily June 13-17. For ages completed kindergarten to complete fifth grade. Register online at www.excitingheritage.com or call (850 478-3316.
Recipes: Sundae Funday
June 12, 2011
Every week needs more Sundaes. Celebrate a great meal, a special occasion, a terrific day or just up the “cool factor” of any gathering by scooping up one of America’s favorite treats. Makeover this all-American dessert with easy to create recipes that promise to add a “cherry on top” to the experience. Get inspired and dip into these creative combinations.
(Scroll down to see all five recipes.)
S’Mores Dippers
Description
No campfire is needed for these s’mores.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup marshmallow crème
- 1 teaspoon half-and-half or milk
- 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon red, white and blue cookie sprinkles
- 4 Blue Bunny Champ! Chocolate Swirl Mini Sundae Cones
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine marshmallow crème and half-and-half. Microwave on High 20 seconds or until mixture just starts to puff; stir until blended. Cool for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and colored sprinkles; stir. Dip cones into marshmallow mixture then into graham cracker mixture. Serve immediately. Additional cones may be used to use the remaining graham cracker and marshmallow mixtures.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Strawberry-Kiwi Passion Sundaes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
- 1 medium kiwi, peeled
- 2 Blue Bunny Personals Premium Double Strawberry Ice Cream
- 4 teaspoons chopped white chocolate
- 2 teaspoons sliced almonds
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and orange peel, gently mix.
- Slice kiwi lengthwise into quarters then slice into bite-sized pieces; gently fold into strawberries. Set aside 10 minutes to form juice.
- Top each Personal with half the strawberry-kiwi mixture. Sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons white chocolate and 1 teaspoon almonds. Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 2 servings
Sand Bucket Sundaes
Description
This make-ahead dessert is great fun for summer parties or family desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Blue Bunny Caramel Praline Crunch Frozen Yogurt
- 1/2 cup butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
- Gummy sea-shaped candies, optional
- Sea shell-shaped chocolate candies
- 2 small pails or buckets (about 2 cups in size), washed
Preparation
- In each bucket, layer 1 cup frozen yogurt, 2 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel topping and 2 tablespoons cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Repeat the layers ending with graham cracker crumbs.
- Dessert may be eaten immediately or frozen at least 1 hour. If eating immediately, decorate with gummy and chocolate candies. If freezing, decorate just before serving.
Serves
Makes 8 servings
Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae
Description
Chocolate lovers will adore this sundae topped with a white chocolate-raspberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 3.5-ounce bar high-quality white chocolate, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Chef Duff’s Premium Triple Chocolate Cake Ice Cream
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine half-and-half and white chocolate. Microwave on High, 30 seconds; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat an additional 10 seconds if not melted. Cover and refrigerate until thickened to a medium sauce, about 50 minutes.* (Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.) Gently fold in 1/4 cup raspberries.
- Place ice cream into 4 serving bowls. Top each with a scant 2 tablespoons white chocolate-raspberry sauce and about 4 fresh raspberries.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
*If sauce thickens too much during refrigeration, re-warm slightly in microwave, about 10 seconds.
Campfire Sundaes
Description
Your children will have fun making their own campfire desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 chewy chocolate chunk granola bars
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Premium Peanut Butter Panic Ice Cream
- 4 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping
- 16 pieces candy corn
Preparation
- Cut granola bars in half lengthwise then in half widthwise, forming 4 pieces.
- For each sundae, arrange 4 granola bar pieces on a small plate to form “wood logs.” Top with 1 scoop ice cream, 1 tablespoon butterscotch-caramel topping and 4 candy corn “flames.” Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Florida Weekly Gov’t Roundup: Fighting Universal Health Care, Gov Goes To Canada
June 12, 2011
Florida officials took their “Don’t Tread on Me” healthcare flag to Atlanta this week to urge federal judges to throw out a controversial health insurance law Florida says is un-American at its core.
In a legal battle pitting Florida and half the country against the Patient Protection Act (a.k.a. ObamaCare) attorneys for the state paid their respects to federal judges at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, kind of a courtesy call during a journey that most expect will terminate at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wednesday’s much-watched arguments on whether the feds can force citizens to carry health insurance highlighted a litigation soaked week as lawsuits were filed on a number of fronts by groups unhappy with a host of issues from offshore oil drilling to gun rights.
State education officials, meanwhile, continued their quest to find a successor to Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith, who stepped down Friday and will be temporarily replaced by interim commission John Winn, a repeat performer tapped as a search for a permanent replacement continues.
Finally, Gov. Rick Scott brought his “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” bandwagon to the state’s northern neighbor as he wrapped up a weeklong Canadian trade mission with the news that he’d landed 110 jobs to reduce the ranks of the 1 million Floridians who don’t have one.
HEALTH CARE:
While Scott was in the land of universal health care, a three judge panel of the 11th Circuit appeals court on Wednesday peppered attorneys with questions in a case that could decide the future of last year’s health care overhaul for the United States.
Florida has spearheaded legal efforts on behalf of itself and 25 other states to strike down the law that will require almost all Americans to have health insurance starting in 2014 — a requirement known widely as the “individual mandate.”
With Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Attorney General Bill McCollum sitting at the front of the courtroom, lawyers for states critical of the plan said it is unprecedented for Congress to force Americans to buy a product such as health insurance. They disputed that the U.S. Constitution allows such power, an issue that is central to the sweeping health care law.
Joel Dubina, chief judge of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said early in hearing that the individual mandate is the heart of the case as lawyers for the U.S. Department of Justice tried to convince the panel that Congress was well within its rights to require it as part of the regulation of interstate commerce. Uninsured people seek care at hospital emergency rooms, shifting billions of dollars a year in costs to other people who pay them through increased insurance premiums.
“Congress is entitled to wide deference in the way it deals with the problem,” said Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Kumar Katyal.
Attorneys representing the states say the notion that Congress can force someone to buy a product, in this case health insurance, is anti-thematic to the concept of individual liberty.
“They (uninsured people) are not engaged in commerce,” said Paul Clement, a lead attorney for the opponents, which also include 25 other states.”They’re sitting in their living rooms. They’re not doing anything.”
The case is perhaps the most widely watched legal challenge to the landmark federal law, which President Obama and Congress approved in March 2010. The appeal stems from a January decision by Pensacola federal judge Roger Vinson that the law is unconstitutional.
McCollum — who filed the case immediately after Obama signed it — said it raises constitutional questions about congressional powers that go far beyond health care.
“This is a real, real big reach,” he said.
Wednesday’s hearing was the most visible of a handful of legal challenges fought throughout the week. On Monday a group of physicians filed suit in a Miami federal court to nullify a controversial measure backed by the National Rifle Association that prohibits health practitioners from routinely asking their patients if they own guns and have them properly stored.
In a battle pitting the First Amendment against the Second Amendment, attorneys representing some pediatricians and family doctors are asking U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke to throw out the recently approved measure (HB 155) they say steps illegally between a patient and their physician by limiting the types of questions practitioners can ask.
Later, environmentalists filed another federal lawsuit in Miami, this one claiming federal officials overseeing a Shell Oil request to drill in deep water in the Gulf of Mexico are relying on false assumptions and accepting inadequate safety standards to prevent a repeat of the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
Less than a year after oil stopped flowing from the worst spill in U.S. history, a coalition of environmental groups including Sierra Club, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Gulf Restoration Network filed suit in to stop federal officials from giving the company permission to drill in deep water about 70 miles off the Louisiana coast
On the state level, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office said this week she plans to appeal a Broward County judge’s ruling that tickets issued by police officers for running a red light are unconstitutional because the fine is higher than that levied when a driver is ticketed by a red light camera. It’s a weird twist in the ongoing battle of red-light cameras.
EDUCATION COMMISH SEARCH
More than two dozen people have applied for Florida’s top education job but only a handful is likely to get greater scrutiny by the State Board of Education. The state has struggled over the last two months to find qualified applicants for the job and had to extend the deadline after the first round didn’t yield as many experienced candidates as the search firm wanted. In the first round, 19 applied. The second time, two of the original 19 withdrew and nine more submitted applications.
Among the newest applicants for the job are Gerard Robinson, the secretary of education for Virginia, Bret Schundler, who used to be the New Jersey education commissioner before being fired by Gov. Chris Christie, and Florida trial attorney William “W.C.” Gentry, who sits on the Duval County School Board. The search firm Ray and Associates was hired in April to recruit Florida’s next education commissioner. Eric Smith, the current education commissioner, said he would resign effective June 10.
In the meantime John Winn, a seasoned former education commissioner who held the job under Gov. Jeb Bush, is returning to Tallahassee as interim education commissioner. Winn resigned his post at the National Math and Science Initiative in Dallas.
In one of his final acts as commissioner, Smith gave tentative approval to a new formula used to evaluate some teachers that will eventually be used to determine their salaries. This new matrix includes test score data but also elements such as disability status, class size and attendance, which can impact a student’s performance.
A statewide committee of teachers, parents and administrators spent months determining what, besides test scores, should be considered when determining a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom.
POLITICS:
Election news continues to trickle in as races heat up for 2012. Outspoken Bradenton Republican Sen. Mike Bennett filed the paperwork to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa for the District 11 Congressional seat. Bennett’s most recent notoriety came as the leader of efforts to overhaul the state’s growth management system to return control of development decisions to local government.
Former Ruth’s Chris Steak House CEO Craig Miller is “leaning toward” getting into the Republican contest for the U.S. Senate in Florida. Miller, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2010, lives in the Orlando area. The GOP field so far to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson next year includes former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and former state Rep. Adam Hasner.
Candidates for the U.S. Presidency are already racking up frequent flyer miles to Florida. President Barack Obama will be in Miami on Monday afternoon for a fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund 2012, the organization announced.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney will spend three days in the state next week. The former Massachusetts governor will be in Boca Raton for fundraisers on Tuesday evening followed by a full day of fundraising and events on Wednesday. He ends his swing with a series of private fundraisers with various fundraisers on Thursday.
HAWKES’ (TEMPERATURE) RISE
First District Court of Appeal Judge Paul Hawkes took a legal swing at his accusers this week, calling a Judicial Qualifications Commission report on critical of his performance a legally shoddy hatchet job that should be dismissed.
The motion, filed by attorney Kenneth Sukhia, also says Hawkes plans to ask that the special counsel charged with prosecuting the case be dismissed for omitting critical information from the charges filed last month and for calling Hawkes one of former Gov. Jeb Bush’s “stooges.”
Hawkes has been lampooned for his involvement in the First DCA building, dubbed the “Taj Mahal” for its opulent construction. The judge also faces allegations of destroying public records and behavior unbecoming to the bench.
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
Gov. Rick Scott spent the week in Canada, meeting with more than 120 company executives in his pursuit of jobs. Promising 700,000 new jobs by the time he ends a second term, Scott praised decisions by Toronto Sky Aviation Inc. and UCC Steelwork Connections Inc. to move some operations to Florida. The news follows an earlier announcement by Canadian security company Garda that it would relocate its U.S. Headquarters from California to Boca Raton. In all. the companies will bring 210 jobs to Florida.
“With three jobs announcements in one week, Florida is clearly on the right path,” Scott said in a statement Friday.
During his weeklong sojourn in the summer nesting ground of the Florida Snowbird, Scott did not take credit for an unrelated announcement from the Dave & Buster’s restaurant chain that it would hire 300 people for its new Orlando location. Regardless, we added it to this week’s tally.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Florida, the lead litigant in a lawsuit filed by 26 states, took its fight against a federal health insurance mandate to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal, a stop in a journey likely to end in the U.S. Supreme Court.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “With three jobs announcements in one week, Florida is clearly on the right path,” Gov. Rick Scott in a statement announcing the creation of 210 jobs in Florida.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Scores: Tri-County All Stars; 7-8 Little League Molino, Tri-County
June 12, 2011
He is a look at local little league tournament action from Saturday:
Tri-County 7-8 All Stars
Tri-County’s 7-8 year old advanced to the tournament championship game Sunday at John. R. Jones Athletic Park in Pensacola
Tri-County lost their first game to Myrtle Grove Gold 19-12 Saturday morning. They bounce back in the losers’ bracket, beating A&G 18-16. In their third game of the day, Tri-County eliminated NEP Gold from the tournament 26-25.
Tri-County claimed their spot in the championship by eliminating NEP Blue 23-22. Tri-County will get another shot at Myrtle Grove Gold in Sunday’s championship game.
Tri-County, Molino FL Dist 1 Little League
In the 7-8 year old Machine Pitch Baseball Tournament for Florida District 1 Little League at Niceville, Tri-County beat Shalimar 12-8 on Saturday. They will advance to play Defuniak Springs B at 7:30 Monday night. Defuniak B is coming off a 8-7 win over Niceville #2.
In other action, Destin beat Molino Saturday 12-2. Molino will get another shot in the tournament Monday as they face Defuniak Springs A at 6:30 p.m. Defuniak A lost Saturday to Niceville #1 17-5.