Financial Assistance Drug Test Bill Passes House
April 27, 2011
People who test positive for illegal drugs would be prevented from collecting temporary financial assistance from the state under a measure approved Tuesday by the Florida House.
By a 78-38 vote, the House approved a measure (HB 353) that backers say would help ensure that tax dollars are spent to feed families and not the addictions of drug abusers receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a program administered by the state that provides up to $300 a month in federal money for up to 48 months to low income residents.
“This money is taxpayers’ money that is supposed to go to take care of our families,” said Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, a freshman and sponsor of the bill. The proposal prompted a series of questions from Democrats skeptical over the science behind the policy and whether such testing would violate Florida’s constitutional right to privacy
Deputies Seek Suspects In Escambia County Shooting
April 27, 2011
An Escambia County man was injured Tuesday evening in a shooting and deputies are trying to identify suspects.
James Edward Taylor, 58, was shot at about 6:15 p.m. during an altercation with two others.
Deputies were called to the 2700 block of West Maxwell Street for the shooting. When they arrived, they were told that the Taylor had been driven to Baptist Hospital by a friend.
Witnesses told deputies that Taylor was arguing with two other men when one of them pulled a gun and fired two rounds, one of which struck Taylor in the left leg. Both men then fled on foot.
The suspects were described as black males with one wearing a purple shirt and white pants and the other wearing a white shirt and dark pants.
Taylor, who was being treated for minor injuries at the hospital, told deputies that he would not be able to positively identify any suspects.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Community Concerned Jay Hospital To Be Closed, Merged, Leased Or Sold
April 27, 2011
[First On NorthEscambia.com] The town of Jay is abuzz that their hospital is about to be closed, sold or merged with another — and town officials along with the hospital’s advisory board have called a meeting for Thursday to address the public’s concerns.
“There are so many people hearing different things and are not sure what’s going on,” said Dr. David Smith, a Jay Hospital physician and advisory board member.
Baptist Health Care of Pensacola leases the 55-bed Jay Hospital from Santa Rosa County to operate as a non-profit community hospital. Baptist is considering a request to the Santa Rosa County Commission that would alter the 99-year lease and allow them to merge or negotiate with Health Management Associates of Naples, Florida, according to Smith. HMA operates the Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton.
“They want to strike out the word ‘non-profit’, and that’s not keeping with the present lease,” Smith said. “We are concerned that if it were to be run as a for-profit hospital by another hospital 30 miles away, due diligence might mean that some services like the laboratory could be moved to Milton. Or they could possibly even close the emergency room.”
The doctor said that consolidation with the Santa Rosa Medical Center and operation by a for-profit company could leave Jay Hospital looking like less than a medical facility, and “that would not serve our county very well”.
“We want to find out what is going on,” Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls said Tuesday afternoon. “We still don’t know anything from Baptist.”
Qualls said the town has scheduled a public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Jay Civic Center for members of the Jay Hospital Advisory Board to address the town’s citizens. “We want to know more than just the rumors,” he said.
“Baptist Health Care and Jay Hospital have enjoyed a strong relationship for over 30 years and Baptist has no intentions to sell or close this hospital. Jay Hospital’s success has been accomplished through a quality medical staff, supportive community, and effective management,” Liz Adams, Baptist spokesperson, said in a written statement released late Tuesday afternoon to NorthEscambia.com.
“Baptist Health Care is always committed to collaborating with hospitals in the region to meet the health care needs of our communities. Jay Hospital is an important part of Baptist Health Care and we are committed to its success,” Adams continued.
Adams declined to discuss if Baptist Health Care was seeking any change to the hospital lease or any possible agreement with HMA.
Smith said that if Baptist does seek to offer another party a lease on Jay Hospital, the advisory board wants 90 days to evaluate it and “help select our new managing partner”.
NorthEscambia.com was unable to reach a spokesperson for HMA late Tuesday afternoon. Jay Hospital board members declined comment, citing confidentiality agreements with Baptist Healthcare.
Jay Hospital serves not only Jay, but other communities in the area including Century, Flomaton, Chumuckla and other portions of North Escambia.
Bills That Favor Gun Owners Poised To Become Law
April 27, 2011
The House passed two measures supported by the powerful National Rifle Association on Tuesday — one that penalizes counties and cities that pass gun regulations that are stricter than state law and another that limits a doctor’s ability to ask questions about gun ownership.
The Senate is poised to pass similar measures this week, positioning both for likely approval soon by Gov. Rick Scott.
House Democrats slammed both measures for favoring the rights of gun owners over a doctor’s interest in protecting patients – particularly children – and the rights of counties and cities to pass ordinances to protect the safety of their residents.
One measure approved by the House on a 88-30 mostly party-line vote represents a compromise between two lobbying groups, the National Rifle Association and the Florida Medical Association.
The bill (HB 155) limits a doctor from asking a patient about gun ownership if it’s not relevant to the patient’s care, and prevents the doctor from noting gun ownership in a patient’s medical file unless the information is pertinent to the patient’s safety or the safety of others.
Republicans touted the measure as a happy compromise, even though pediatricians still oppose the bill. In its original form, the bill prohibited doctors from ever asking patients about gun ownership.
“The fact that it is better than it was doesn’t make it good,” said Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek. “It’s still an infringement on medical care.”
Republican lawmakers said the bill protects a gun owner from being asked intrusive questions.
“For your children’s doctor to question you regarding gun ownership is absurd,” said Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights. He said the “murder rate is very high in Jacksonville. A well-armed citizenry is necessary.”
NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer, who was watching the House debate from the gallery, said it is “common” for doctors to ask these questions, though she could not provide an exact number for how many people have complained about such questions being asked.
The second bill (HB 45), approved on a 85-33 vote on predominantly party lines, puts teeth into a current state law that prohibits cities and counties for enacting stricter gun laws than the state.
It would impose financial penalties and allow elected officials to be fired for violating the law.
“This bill is not about protecting the second amendment,” argued Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee. He said the bill (HB 45) simply would prevent a city or county from regulating guns, jeopardizing the safety of the community.
Republicans defended the measure as a way of making sure cities and counties comply with an existing law. In several instances, counties have enacted stricter gun laws than the state, Republicans said, and felt they could do so because there were no significant consequences for violating the state’s pre-emption law.
“The only thing this bill punishes is arrogance,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Ft. Walton Beach.
The Senate is poised to take up those same measures (SB 402, SB 432) on Wednesday, along with an NRA-supported bill that was intended to allow gun owners to “open-carry” their guns in stores and in other approved areas.
Those bills make up the NRA’s entire legislative agenda this session.
But an amendment to the open-carry bill (SB 234) approved by the NRA would water down the bill so that it would only affect a situation where a person with a concealed-weapons permit “accidentally or inadvertently” shows their gun, so long as it is not in a “rude, angry or threatening manner.”
Lobbyists for retail stores had opposed the bill because they feared allowing guns to be worn openly into stores would scare off customers. The amendment would soothe their concerns by only permitting guns to be “accidentally” shown at a store.
Hammer said she will talk with the governor about signing the NRA-backed bills once they are passed.
“I have not talked to him about the individual bills,” Hammer said. “The time to do that is when he gets them and we will have that conversation. He is super strong on the Second Amendment.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Northview Upset In District Baseball Tourney; Jay Advances To Championship
April 27, 2011
The number one Northview Chiefs were knocked out of the District 1-2A baseball tournament Tuesday afternoon, while the number two Jay Royals advanced to Thursday’s championship game.
No. 4 Freeport upset the No. 1 Northview Chiefs 3-2. For more photos from the game, click here (submitted by Cathy Scott).
The No. 2 Jay Royals beat the No. 4 Baker Gators 3-1. Tyler Prescott allowed only two hits in five innings for the Royals while striking out five. The Royals scored two in the fourth and one in the sixth.
Jay and Freeport will advance to the District 1-2A championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay.
District 1-2A at Jay
GAME 1: Freeport 19 Ponce De Leon 0
GAME 2: Baker 8 Pensacola Christian 3
GAME 3: Freeport 3 Northview 2
GAME 4: Jay 3 Baker 1
CHAMPIONSHIP: Freeport vs. Jay, 7 p.m. Thursday
Pictured above: Action from the Northview versus Freeport District 1-2A playoff game Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo by Cathy Scott, click to enlarge.
New Stats Detail Local Crime Rate
April 27, 2011
The 2010 Uniform Crime Report was released Tuesday, and shows a slight decrease in crime in Escambia County. The report also shows that, with the exception of murders, less than half of offenses in Escambia County resulted in arrests during 2010.
Escambia County’s crime rate dropped two-tenths of a percent from 2009 to 2010, while Santa Rosa’s rate increased by 4.1 percent. Murders, rapes and larceny increased in Escambia County, while the number of robberies, assaults, burglaries and vehicle thefts decreased.
For the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the primary agency outside of the city of Pensacola, less than half of all reports resulted in arrest, except for a 54 percent arrest rate in the county’s 26 murders in 2010.
Only 11 percent of the 2,665 burglaries results in arrests, while 21 percent of robbery and larceny reports resulted in arrests.
More local statistics are below.
Florida’s crime rate fell in 2010 to its lowest level in 40 years as the frequency of violent crime dropped 10.1 percent and non-violent arrests were down six percent from the year before. Overall, the state’s crime index dropped 6.7 percent.
“With six law enforcement officers killed in action in the past four months, the news of these drops reminds us that public safety comes with the commitment of selfless public servants,” Gov. Rick Scott told reporters when announcing the crime figures. The number of murders in Florida dropped by 2.9 percent, forcible sex offenses decreased 3.3 percent, robberies declined by 15.6 percent, and aggravated assault decreased 8.9 percent. In addition, the rates showed declines in burglary (-7 percent), larceny (-4.4 percent), and motor vehicle thefts (-17.5 percent). Domestic violence offenses declined 2.7 percent statewide.
Lady Royals Run To State
April 27, 2011
The Jay High School Lady Royals will compete in the state track meet in Winter Park Friday after wins at the Region 1-A meet in Tallahassee.
Five Lady Royals will take part in the state meet after their performances at regionals:
- Robin Blackman broke the school record in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:26.61. She had previously set the record a few weeks ago with a time of 2:26.75. She placed third at the regional meet.
- Leely Trevino placed second in the 1600 meter run with a personal best of 5:37.28.
- The 4×800 meter relay team of Blackman, Trevino, Caristyn Golden and Jessica Thornton placed 2nd with a time of 10:22.08.
- The Royal’s managed a third in the 4×400 relay with a time of 4:21. The members of this team were Blackman, Trevino, Golden and Shelby Thomas.
Ally Settle also placed seventh in the 3200 meter run.
The Lady Royals earned ninth place overall in Region 1-1A, which includes schools from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
Pictured top: Jay’s 4×400 relay team Caristyn Golden, Leely Trevino, Robin Blackman and Shelby Thomas. Pictured below: The Lady Royals’ 4×800 relay team Golden, Blackman, Trevino and Jessica Thornton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale Begins Friday
April 27, 2011
It’s time to stock up on summer reading material, and the Friends of the Pensacola Public Library Spring Book Sale is the place to do it at a reasonable price this weekend.
The Book Sale will be Friday through Sunday at First United Methodist Church Wright Place, 80 E. Wright Street in downtown Pensacola, and will offer thousands of gently used hardcover and paperback books, CDs and DVDs. Most range in price from 25 cents to $3. It also will feature a “Collectors’ Corner” and silent auction to showcase the more valuable books, Chairwoman Meredith McCarthy said.
The preview sale will be from 4:00 until 8:00 Friday night for members. Non-members can attend for a $5 admission fee. Non-members can join with their admission fee going toward their membership fee.
On Saturday, hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, hours are noon to 3 p.m. No admission is charged those days. On Sunday, a bag of books can be purchased for $5.
All proceeds from the sale go to support the West Florida Public Library system, including the Century Branch Library.
For more details, call McCarthy at (850) 341-1434.
Pictured: Volunteers work to prepare for the Friends of the Pensacola Public Library Spring Book Sale at Wright Place in downtown Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names April Students Of The Month
April 27, 2011
Bratt Elementary School has named Students of the Month for April.
They are:
- Pre-K: Layla Grace, Lizzie Amerson
- Kindergarten: Kerry Hicks Jr., Trent Knighten, Da’mius Wesley, Ar’quavian Smith
- First Grade: Paige Gibbs, Angel Merchant, Haley Baker
- Second Grade: Franki Daw, Travis Butler, Olivia Gibson, Martina Howard, Aaron Downey
- Third Grade: Cody Edwards, Sheyenne Dillon, Jalexis Robinson, Natalee Gipson, Terriana Redmond
- Fourth Grade: Gabbrielle Peebles, Jesse Fails, Danielle Stuckey, Allison Rice
- Fifth Grade: Celeste North, Tristen Segers, McKenna Miller, Kendrell Redmond
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov, Lawmakers Push For Virtual School Expansion
April 27, 2011
Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed his support Tuesday for a bill that expands online K-12 education in Florida, a good indication the measure will become law this year.
After approval Tuesday in its final Senate committee stop, both chambers are now poised to vote on bills (SB 1620, HB 7197) that would require all students take an online course before graduating, would allow kindergarten students to take online classes, and allow virtual charter schools to offer full or part-time online classes.
The Florida Virtual School would also be allowed to offer full-time and part-time instruction to more grades and would be able to receive funding directly from the state instead of going through school districts.
The measures have been swiftly pushed through the Republican-dominated Legislature in the this session with minimal opposition from lawmakers and school lobbyists.
But on Tuesday, several school district lobbyists said they have major concerns about the bill, which could draw more students away from public schools and into full-time online classes paid for with state funds.
“We are very concerned about this bill and ask that it be delayed,” Seminole County Schools lobbyist Darvin Boothe told the Senate Rules Committee. “We do not feel like districts have had an adequate time to be involved in the process.”
Some critics of online education have questioned its quality, saying kids rely too heavily on the Internet for plagiarized answers and that there isn’t enough oversight of students. Many supporters of traditional brick-and-mortar schools say regular schools play a vital role in socializing young children and in checking on the welfare of students.
Even as criticisms began to emerge against the bill, a rally hosted by the group “Florida Coalition for Public School Options” brought hundreds of students and parents from across Florida to the Capitol to show their support for virtual school expansion. A broad alliance of pro-school choice groups came to support the measure, including private and charter school students as well as dozens of home-schooled students who take virtual classes.
The rally drew some of Florida’s most powerful state politicians, such as Gov. Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, who is scheduled to be House Speaker in late 2012.
“Some people are visual learners, some people do well in a virtual school environment,” Haridopolos said. “Not everyone learns the same way. Virtual schools have proven their success and there are enough safeguards in place.”
But in perhaps a sign of what little public attention this bill has received, there was some confusion among elected officials and rally attendees about what legislation they were supporting.
Scott said at the rally he was “calling on the Legislature to move the charter school legislation forward.”
That bill (SB 1546) allows high-performing charter schools to expand grades and enrollment. It is poised for Senate approval this week and was not the primary focus of Tuesday’s rally.
After the rally Scott spokesman Lane Wright clarified that the governor does support virtual school expansion.
“Gov. Scott supports the concept of virtual schools and has since the campaign,” Wright said. “Scott believes that parents and their students should be free to choose the type of educational options that best suit their needs.”
Some parents who attended the rally said they prefer online classes for their children.
Brevard County resident Carol Whitler, who home-schools her grandson said he is taking two virtual classes through K12, a virtual school provider that offers classes through Florida school districts.
Her grandson is hyperactive and didn’t perform well at a traditional public school, Whitler said. He is taking third-grade history and science online and Whitler teaches him the other subjects. He has responded well to online classes, and twice a month has one-on one talks with his teacher. “The future is in computers,” she said.
But other parents said that virtual classes aren’t for everybody.
Annmarie Mitchell, from West Palm Beach, said her 16-year-old daughter Amber took virtual classes but didn’t perform well. Mitchell said it was because she was given a lot of leeway to police her own school work.
“It wasn’t the best choice for her,” Mitchell said. Amber took psychology, history, English, and biology online.
Still, Mitchell supports the idea of allowing more people to take virtual classes.
“A lot of the problems happening with teenagers – and why virtual school is so great for them – is teenagers are really scared to share their opinion because of what their peers will say,” Mitchell said. “So with virtual education they have discussions and chat sessions and they are opening up more.”
Meanwhile, some lawmakers and lobbyists say they are concerned about the state’s increasing emphasis on online courses. Boothe, the schools lobbyist, said the bill could be costly. The bill analysis says it could cost the state an additional $6.2 million next school year based on estimated increases in virtual school enrollment.
Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Sunny Isles, said online education disfavors students who do not own computers. She has unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to require parent notification for students taking online courses.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Hundreds of children and their parents came to the Florida Capitol complex Tuesday on School Choice Day. The group was supporting several issues, including SB 1620 which would add virtual schools to the list of the approved school choice options. The measure was approved Tuesday by the Senate Rules Committee and is headed for the Senate floor. Photo by Michael Peltier for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.