Scott Signs Teacher Merit Pay In Law
March 25, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott signed the teacher merit pay bill on Thursday in Jacksonville, his first signed legislation since becoming Governor, tying teacher salaries to test scores and ending multi-year contracts.
“We must recruit and retain the best people to make sure every classroom in Florida has a highly effective teacher,” Scott said.
Under the measure, current teachers are also exempted from the new salary requirements and elimination of tenure. New teachers hired after July 2011 are put under one-year contracts and after July 2014, new teachers will be paid under the new merit pay system.
For new teachers, school districts would be required to set up an evaluation system that uses test scores for 50 percent of a teacher’s ranking and a “value-added” formula for the rest.
“This bill reduces a school district’s flexibility and authority over teacher evaluations, pay schedules and working conditions,” said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association. “It’s not good for students, it’s not good for teachers and it’s not grounded in sound research.”
This is the second year the Legislature has attempted to pass a merit pay bill, with former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoing the bill last year after teacher protests. This year, the response from teachers was muted and Scott indicated early on his support for tying teacher pay to test scores.
Cottage Hill Residents Clean Up Community
March 25, 2011
Cottage Hill had become a community where neighbors did not know one another and where fear sometimes gripped residents that would not venture outside at night.
“There were elderly people in the neighborhood that if they left something in their car, they would not walk outside their home at night to get it because of fear. They would just wait until the next morning,” said Marsha Ryland.
“That’s not the way we wanted our neighborhood,” Ryland said. So she went to work on the evils that lurked in Cottage Hill, starting with meth after her neighbor’s house burned to the ground from a meth lab gone bad. They organized for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to present a community program on meth. That eventually led Ryland, her daughter Amanda and Carlyn Vickery to work with their neighbors to form the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch.
The group was part of about 100 volunteers, law enforcement officers and county employees that teamed up Thursday morning to clean up a for Operation Clean Sweep to rid the neighborhood of crime, criminals and trash.
During the operation, 38 tons of trash was collected — some by volunteers from the Marines, 36 tickets were issued for traffic violations, five people were arrested on outstanding warrants and Escambia County Code Enforcement opened 26 cases on violations.
“From Jim Allen Elementary to McKenzie Road, we are taking back out streets,” Ryland said. “This was jut the beginning today. It’s our job to make sure it stays cleaned up.”
“This is the first time I can remember since the late 1950’s that the whole community has pulled together and gotten involved,” Vickery said.
“People have really started to know their neighbors and look out for one another,” Ryland said. “It’s made a huge difference.”
For a photo gallery from the Operation Clean Up Thursday in Cottage Hill, click here.
Residents in the area had been encouraged to pile trash and debris from the homes and yards alongside the road for pickup. And they did. Pile and pile of trash — furniture, couches, tires, boats (about a half dozen boats) and more lined the streets waiting for collection. The Marines walked the area, accompanied by deputies on horseback, picking up smaller litter.
Escambia deputies stood next to Highway 95A with radar guns, directing those over the speed limit off the highway for a ticket. The Sheriff’s Office tactical (TAC) unit moved about the neighborhood with parole and probation officers with outstanding arrest warrants in hand.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from Operation Clean Sweep Thursday morning in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crabtree Church Road Bridge Closed
March 25, 2011
The bridge over Alligator Creek on Crabtree Church Road in Molino has been closed for emergency repairs.
Advance decay was found in a support piling during a routine inspection Thursday, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager. The bridge was closed late Thursday afternoon and is expected to remain closed through Friday, April 8.
The bridge on Crabtree Church Road is about halfway between Sunshine Hill Road and Highway 99. The recommended east/west detour is Molino Road between Highway 99 and Sunshine Hill Road.
No Injuries In 10 Mile Rd School Bus Wreck
March 24, 2011
There were no injuries in a Thursday morning crash involving a school bus.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a school bus with no passengers on board and a Toyota van were stopped at a red light at the intersection of East 10 Mile Road and Chemstrand Road about 7:42 a.m. The driver of the bus, Kristie King, 40, of Cantonment, began to travel forward and rear-ended the van, driven by Tony Tran, 53, of Pensacola.
There were no injuries. King, the bus driver, was cited with careless driving by the FHP.
Fire Under Century Home Causes Little Damage
March 24, 2011
A fire under a Century home caused little damage Thursday morning.The fire was reported about 10:15 Thursday morning in the 500 block of West Highway 4. Smoke could be seen coming from under the home as firefighters searched for the source.
The fire was extinguished a short time later. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
Pictured top: Smoke can been seen coming from the end of a home Thursday morning in Century as firefighters search for the source under the home. Pictured below: Firefighters look for the source of the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge: No Animals Near Walnut Hill Man Accused Of Starving 10 Horses
March 24, 2011
A Walnut Hill man accused of starving 10 horses will no longer be able to have custody of, or live around, any animal as he awaits trial on multiple animal cruelty charges.
Late last week, Judge Ronald Swanson modified bond conditions for James Benjamin Bethea, stipulating that he shall not maintain custody of any animal, and that no animal may reside on any property in which Bethea lives, owns, cares for or maintains. In addition, Bethea must allow Panhandle Equine Rescue to conduct random inspections to ensure the bond conditions are being met. The conditions apply as he awaits trial.
Bethea, 61, has pleaded not guilty to two felony and eight misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. One of the horses allegedly starved by Bethea was euthanized by a veterinarian in a pasture February 2 in the 5000 block of Highway 97A in Enon. Nine others were seized by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and transported to an animal clinic for medical care.
Bethea’s trial is currently set for mid-May.
Pictured top: One of nine horses seized in February in the Enon community. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century To Set Election For Mayor, Two Council Seats
March 24, 2011
The office of mayor and two Century town council seats will be on the ballot this fall in Century.
Council Seat 1, currently held by Ann Brooks, and Seat 2, currently held by Nadine McCaw, and Mayor Freddie McCall’s post will be on the October 11 ballot. A run-off election, if needed, will be held November 8.
Qualifying for the election will be held from noon, Monday, August 1 until noon, Friday August 5. To qualify for any of the offices, a candidate must be a registered voter in Century. In addition, any candidate for mayor must have been a resident of Century for six months prior to their qualification date. The qualifying fee for mayor is $185.50 and $48 for a council seat.
The Century Town Council is set to approve an ordinance at their April 4 meeting setting the official guidelines for the election. Click here to read the ordinance.
Atmore Woman Gets Nearly A Year In Jail On Drug Charges
March 24, 2011
An Atmore woman has been sentenced to just under a year in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail on drug charges.
Janice Turner Wall, 53, of Highway 31 Atmore, was sentenced last week to 11 months and 30 days in jail on a felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charges. She was also ordered by Judge Ronald Swanson to pay $518 in fines, and her driver’s license was suspended for 24 months.
Wall was initially arrested by the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office on September 25, 2010.
Get Cash Assistance From Florida — Take A Drug Test First?
March 24, 2011
Following more than an hour of debate and questions, a House panel on Wednesday voted to require all recipients of temporary cash assistance be tested for illegal drugs before picking up their checks.
The House Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 353) that mirrors a Senate plan (SB 556) that also requires recipients to pay for the tests, which will run between $10 and $25.
“I’ve talked to constituents who say they do not want their tax dollars being spent on people who would potentially buy drugs with it,” said House sponsor Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness.
A Department of Children and Families study done between 1999 and 2001 on a pilot drug testing program recommended that it not be expanded statewide, saying there was little difference in earnings of recipients who tested positive or not.
The Department also estimated that the test would disqualify few who now receive funds.
“This is outrageous,” said Rep. Jim Waldman, who said the only upside of the bill was that it had three more committee stops. “Hopefully this will never see the light of day on the House floor.”
SEC Releases 2011 Football Schedule
March 24, 2011
The Southeastern Conference released its 2011 football schedule Wednesday. The schedule is, as provided by SECSports.com:
2011 SEC TEAM-BY-TEAM FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
[As of Feb. 23, 2011 – Schedule is subject to change]
*- SEC conference games
ALABAMA
Sept. 3 KENT STATE
Sept. 10 at Penn State
Sept. 17 NORTH TEXAS
Sept. 24 *ARKANSAS
Oct. 1 *at Florida
Oct. 8 *VANDERBILT
Oct. 15 *at Ole Miss
Oct. 22 *TENNESSEE
Nov. 5 *LSU
Nov. 12 *at Mississippi State
Nov. 19 GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Nov. 26 *at Auburn
ARKANSAS
Sept. 3 MISSOURI STATE
Sept. 10 NEW MEXICO (at Little Rock)
Sept. 17 TROY
Sept. 24 *at Alabama
Oct. 1 vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, Texas)
Oct. 8 *AUBURN
Oct. 22 *at Ole Miss
Oct. 29 *at Vanderbilt
Nov. 5 *SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 12 *TENNESSEE
Nov. 19 *MISSISSIPPI STATE (at Little Rock)
Nov. 25 *at LSU
AUBURN
Sept. 3 UTAH STATE
Sept. 10 *MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 17 at Clemson
Sept. 24 FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Oct. 1 *at South Carolina
Oct. 8 *at Arkansas
Oct. 15 *FLORIDA
Oct. 22 *at LSU
Oct. 29 *OLE MISS
Nov. 12 *at Georgia
Nov. 19 SAMFORD
Nov. 26 *ALABAMA
FLORIDA
Sept. 3 FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Sept. 10 UAB
Sept. 17 *TENNESSEE
Sept. 24 *at Kentucky
Oct. 1 *ALABAMA
Oct. 8 *at LSU
Oct. 15 *at Auburn
Oct. 29 *vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville)
Nov. 5 *VANDERBILT
Nov. 12 *at South Carolina
Nov. 19 FURMAN
Nov. 26 FLORIDA STATE
GEORGIA
Sept. 3 vs. Boise State (at Atlanta)
Sept. 10 *SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 17 COASTAL CAROLINA
Sept. 24 *at Ole Miss
Oct. 1 *MISSISSIPPI STATE
Oct. 8 *at Tennessee
Oct. 15 *at Vanderbilt
Oct. 29 *vs. Florida (at Jacksonville)
Nov. 5 NEW MEXICO STATE
Nov. 12 *AUBURN
Nov. 19 *KENTUCKY
Nov. 26 at Georgia Tech
KENTUCKY
Sept. 1 vs. Western Kentucky (at Nashville)
Sept. 10 CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Sept. 17 LOUISVILLE
Sept. 24 *FLORIDA
Oct. 1 *at LSU
Oct. 8 *at South Carolina
Oct. 22 JACKSONVILLE STATE
Oct. 29 *MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 5 *OLE MISS
Nov. 12 *at Vanderbilt
Nov. 19 *at Georgia
Nov. 26 *TENNESSEE
LSU
Sept. 3 vs. Oregon (at Arlington, Texas)
Sept. 10 NORTHWESTERN STATE
Sept. 15 *at Mississippi State
Sept. 24 at West Virginia
Oct. 1 *KENTUCKY
Oct. 8 *FLORIDA
Oct. 15 *at Tennessee
Oct. 22 *AUBURN
Nov. 5 *at Alabama
Nov. 12 WESTERN KENTUCKY
Nov. 19 *at Ole Miss
Nov. 25 *ARKANSAS
OLE MISS
Sept. 3 BRIGHAM YOUNG
Sept. 10 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Sept. 17 *at Vanderbilt
Sept. 24 *GEORGIA
Oct. 1 at Fresno State
Oct. 15 *ALABAMA
Oct. 22 *ARKANSAS
Oct. 29 *at Auburn
Nov. 5 *at Kentucky
Nov. 12 LOUISIANA TECH
Nov. 19 *LSU
Nov. 26 *at Mississippi State
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 3 at Memphis
Sept. 10 *at Auburn
Sept. 15 *LSU
Sept. 24 LOUISIANA TECH
Oct. 1 *at Georgia
Oct. 8 at UAB
Oct. 15 *SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 29 *at Kentucky
Nov. 5 TENNESSEE-MARTIN
Nov. 12 *ALABAMA
Nov. 19 *at Arkansas (at Little Rock)
Nov. 26 *OLE MISS
SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 3 vs. East Carolina (at Charlotte)
Sept. 10 *at Georgia
Sept. 17 NAVY
Sept. 24 *VANDERBILT
Oct. 1 *AUBURN
Oct. 8 *KENTUCKY
Oct. 15 *at Mississippi State
Oct. 29 *at Tennessee
Nov. 5 *at Arkansas
Nov. 12 *FLORIDA
Nov. 19 THE CITADEL
Nov. 26 CLEMSON
TENNESSEE
Sept. 3 MONTANA
Sept. 10 CINCINNATI
Sept. 17 *at Florida
Oct. 1 BUFFALO
Oct. 8 *GEORGIA
Oct. 15 *LSU
Oct. 22 *at Alabama
Oct. 29 *SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 5 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Nov. 12 *at Arkansas
Nov. 19 *VANDERBILT
Nov. 26 *at Kentucky
VANDERBILT
Sept. 3 ELON
Sept. 10 CONNECTICUT
Sept. 17 *OLE MISS
Sept. 24 *at South Carolina
Oct. 8 *at Alabama
Oct. 15 *GEORGIA
Oct. 22 ARMY
Oct. 29 *ARKANSAS
Nov. 5 *at Florida
Nov. 12 *KENTUCKY
Nov. 19 *at Tennessee
Nov. 26 at Wake Forest