Sheriff’s Office To Sweep Century
October 10, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies will conduct an “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century next Monday.
The Sheriff’s Office and agencies including Escambia County Animal Control, Environmental Law Enforcement, and the United States Military will work to clean up neighborhoods of criminals and trash, while educating citizens on preventive measures to minimize crime.
The “Operation Clean Sweep” will take place Monday, October 17 primarily in the area bounded by East Pond Street to the south, North Century Boulevard to the west, Cottage Street to the north, and Jefferson Avenue and Old Flomaton Road to the west.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Virtual Classes Go From Optional To Mandatory
October 10, 2011
A new state law that requires Florida high school students to take a class online is causing cash-strapped school districts to spend millions on new computers.
And it’s caught the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which said it is calling on school districts to ensure that students who do not have Internet access at home aren’t at a disadvantage when it comes to being able to take online courses.
“We are concerned about issues of access,” said ACLU spokesman Baylor Johnson. “There is a digital divide in this country and Internet access is limited by economic means.”
The new law requires entering high school freshman beginning this year to take at least one course online prior to graduation. School districts say to meet this new requirement, it means spending money on new computer labs so that students who do not have the Internet at home are able to take online courses.
In Escambia County, school officials say they are working towards getting the word out to all entering freshman and their parents that taking an online course is now mandatory.
“It is what it is, and there are concerns, but we will work through them,” said Norm Ross, a deputy superintendent for the Escambia County School District.
Ross said there are “companies jumping for joy who want to take advantage of this.” The bill that instituted the requirement was heavily lobbied by for-profit virtual education providers.
Florida Virtual School, a state-supported virtual school program that some districts contract with to offer their own virtual classes, said its most popular high school courses include algebra, geometry, Spanish, and a health and physical education class. The school is funded by the state through student enrollment and course completion.
Virtual education companies are a fast-growing industry as more states embrace online education. It is championed by Republican lawmakers as a way to give flexibility to school districts and students.
It is also touted as a way to help students preparing for the shift in three years to online-only standardized tests.
Critics of online education say that it makes cheating on assignments and tests easier and for some students, the material is more difficult to understand when delivered over the Web.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Bills Filed To Ban Texting While Driving In Florida
October 10, 2011
A House Republican on Friday filed a bill that would ban “texting while driving.”
Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, filed the measure, which would ban people who are driving from “manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device …. for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging.”
People in the driver’s seat of a parked car wouldn’t be covered by the bill, and enforcement would be as a secondary offense, meaning police wouldn’t be able to pull a driver over for an infraction, but if they saw a driver texting and pulled them over for something else they’d be able to cite them for violating the texting ban.
There’s also an exemption for using a cell phone to navigate.
The same bill was filed earlier this week in the Senate by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice. Senate President Mike Haridopolos noted this week that similar legislation passed the Senate earlier this year, and declined to predict whether it would again.
“That’ll be an up-or-down vote that happens in the Senate,” said Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. The measure didn’t pass the House this year.
By The News Service of Florida
District Standings: Northview, West Florida Up; Tate Down
October 10, 2011
District rankings are beginning to shape up in the North Escambia area.
In 1-1A, two teams are 1-0 in the district, Freeport and Northview. Both teams are sitting it out with a bye this week, preparing to meet in Bratt in an October 21 game likely to determine district champs. Baker and Jay are 0-1 in the district after falling to Freeport and Northview, restrictively, last Friday night.
The stars of District 1-5A are the West Florida Jaguars so far this season. The Jags are no longer that team you schedule for an easy homecoming win. At 6-0, the WFHS is having the best season in school history, and they are the only team undefeated at 2-0 in the district.
In 1-6A, Pensacola high has the only perfect 2-0 record in the district, while Pace and Milton are both 2-0. The Tate Aggies are at the very bottom of the district at with a 0-6, 0-3 record.
Weekend In Photos
October 10, 2011
Here’s a look back at over 425 photos from the weekend on NorthEscambia.com. Click a photo to read the story and see the corresponding photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Hundreds Of Local Students Take Virtual Trip To Russia
October 9, 2011
Hundreds of local students have been given a passport to Russia, thanks to the Global Corner Learning Center.
This past week, students at Bratt Elementary School had the opportunity to take a virtual trip to Russia — learning about the language, arts, culture, geography and more of a unique land half a world away.
Each year, The Global Corner teachers take students from their classroom virtually to another country. Through The Global Corner, local students have “visited” Japan, Spain, Egypt, Brazil, in addition to this year’s trip to Russia.
The Global Corner was conceived by its director, Lee Hansen, as part of her vision for the Pensacola area to become a player in the global economy and to have Northwest
Florida become an international business hub and the Center of Excellence for International Learning by 2025.
Last week, The Global Corner announced a partnership with Target in recognition of its efforts in providing its Passport to Russia program to local elementary students. The grant monies will be used to support the cost of bringing the program to thousands of area students this school year.
“This is our fifth year of bringing the world to local elementary school students. We provide hands-on activities that help children understand the language, geography, culture, arts, heritage, and literature of countries around the world,” Hansen said. “We’re thrilled to partner with Target to help create a future workforce that understands the world around it.”
Bratt Elementary’s virtual trip to Russia ended last week. Other North Escambia area students will participate in the program later this school year — including home school students on October 25, Byrneville Elementary School on October 26 and 27, Jim Allen Elementary students January 9-12, 2012, and Molino Park in March, 2012.
Pictured top: The Global Corner’s Kitt Lough teaches Russian music and dance to students at Bratt Elementary School Friday morning. Pictured inset: Lisa Crowdus teaches Russian culture at Bratt Elementary. Pictured below: The Global Corner’s Erika Twitchell teaches Bratt students about Russia geography. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Results And Photos: Second Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk
October 9, 2011
About 120 runners and walkers took part in the second annual Chief Challenge 5K Saturday morning at Northview High School.
The overall fastest male was Northview sophomore Isaac McGahan (19:43) and the fastest overall female runner was Northview junior Georgia Goetter (23:46).
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event with over 150 photos, click here.
“My goal is to hook the first time walkers and runners into the great thrill of crossing the finish line. Most likely, their first race won’t be their last,” said Natalie Nall, event organizer. “My mother started five years ago and now at 71 she’s addicted to 5K runs. I feel exercise is her greatest motivator in beating breast cancer and positive outlook in life. It’s never to late or too soon to start exercising.”
The event was sponsored by Atmore Family Medicine, NorthEscambia.com and Pepsi. For a letter to the editor with more acknowledgements and information, click here.
Top 3 in Categories -Kindergarten – Grand Master 55 years and up
Kindergarten Female
1st Jae Heaton
4th Grade Male
1st Keaton Brown
5th Grade Female
1st Alison Rice, Rebekah Amerson, 2nd Delaney Reynolds
5th Grade Male
1st Patton Goetter
6th Grade Male
1st Logan Calloway, 2nd Dawson Brown
7th Grade Female
1st Victoria Amerson, 2nd Mallory Gibson
7th Grade Male
1st Adrian King, 2nd Zachary Sheldon
8th Grade Female
1st Natalie Goetter, 2nd Bethany Reynolds, 3rd Moriah McGahan
8th Grade Male
1st Gavin Coon, 2nd Zack Calloway, 3rd Cody Nellums
9th Grade Female
1st Lakelyn Parker, 2nd Hannah Gibson, 3rd Annie Bobo
9th Grade Male
1st Eathan Coon, 2nd Austin Cuningham
10th Grade Female
1st Zacarra Davis, 2nd Danielle Steadham, 3rd Madalyn Coon
10th Grade Male
1st Isaac McGahan, 2nd Dakota Goins, 3rd Sidney Amerson
11th Grade Female
1st Georgia Goetter, 2nd Whitney Arrington, 3rd Ashley Joiner
11th Grade Male
1st Jack Floyd, 2nd Trey Johnson, 3rd Aaron Rausch
12th Grade Female
1st Charleigh Mcpherson
12th Grade Male
1st Joseph Baldwin, 2nd Jacob Baldwin, 3rd Daniel Nellums
Adult Female
1st Irina Dmitrieve, 2nd Lacey Lee, 3rd Cheryl Bosley
Adult Male
1st Josh Scott, Matt Arnold, 2nd Eric Johnson, 3rd Casey Hare
Master Female
1st Anna Rockman, 2nd Michelle Peebles, 3rd Edwna Fillmore
Master Male
1st Alan Ash, 2nd Greg McGahan, 3rd Jon Yoder
Grand Master Female
1st Debra Parker, 2nd Lois Zuber
Grand Master Male
1st Bert Rice, 2nd Billy Parker
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event with over 150 photos, click here.
Pictured top: Nearly 120 runners and walkers being the second annual Chief Challenge 5K Saturday morning at Northview High School. Pictured inset: Overall winner Isaac McGahan of Molino. Pictured below: McGahan (right) and overall female winner Georgia Goetter received hand painted chairs for their win. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Facing $1.2-$2.3 Billion Budget Deficit
October 9, 2011
Florida lawmakers will face a general revenue budget deficit of $1.2 billion to $2.3 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, House Appropriations Committee members heard last week as the chamber readies for the 2012 session.
If the deficit is dealt with entirely with budget cuts, the state’s general revenue budget would decrease by 5.1 percent to 10 percent next year, committee staff director JoAnne Leznoff told committee members in a briefing.
The projections do not assume how lawmakers would make up the deficit. In years past, they have dealt with budget deficits with a combination of budget cuts, the use of non-recurring revenue and trust fund sweeps.
Longtime Jay Mayor Passes Away
October 9, 2011
A longtime mayor of Jay has passed away. Jeroel D. “J.D.” Bray passed away after an extended illness. He was 91.
After serving in the Army, working for Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the Santa Rosa County Road Department, Bray decided to enter politics. He was elected to the Jay City Council in 1954 and served two years. He was then elected mayor and held the office for 44 years.
During Bray’s term, many of Jay’s roads were paved, a sewer system was installed, a new city hall and community center were constructed and two parks were acquired. One of those parks, the Bray-Hendricks Park, is named is his honor.
Bray is survived by Theda Bray, his wife of 59 years and three children.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 11 at the Jay Funeral Home with burial to follow at Jay Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
For Jeroel D. “J.D.” Bray’s complete obituary, click here.
Eden Lane Brush Fire Reported
October 9, 2011
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to a brush fire about noon Saturday near Eden Lane and Virecent Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.