Entire Staff At Escambia Middle School Is Removed
April 30, 2009
One Escambia County middle school will have a totally new staff next school year after Superintendent Malcolm Thomas cleaned house Wednesday.
Thomas is replacing the entire staff at Warrington Middle School — the principal, assistant principal, counselors and teachers. The 75 employees are not necessarily out of a job. They may be shuffled to other schools, or they may reapply for their jobs at Warrington.
The move comes after the school failed once again to make adequate yearly progress and being taken over by the state. It’s a fate that Carver/Century K-8 School would have faced if the school’s FCAT scores had not been weighted due to a low student population to make a “B”. The Escambia School Board voted to close Carver/Century at the end of this school year.
Extra stimulus funds will go into Warrington to make it a pilot school, all in hopes of bringing the school’s grade up to a “C”.
If the school district had not reorganized the school, the state would have taken a similar action prior to next school year.
Victim’s Advocate Recognized By Governor, Attorney General
April 30, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Advocate Mary Rebber was honored Wednesday with a special tribute award by Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum.
The award recognized Rebber’s dedicated service to Florida’s crime victims. The award was presented during a ceremony at the state capitol to recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and the 25th anniversary of the Federal Victims of Crime Act.
An employee of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 1982, Rebber has worked tirelessly to institute an awareness of victim advocacy, dedicating her time and energy to assisting, counseling and supporting crime victims, helping them recover their composure, assurance, self-worth, personal safety, and whenever possible, recovery of financial losses resulting from the victimization.
In addition, Rebber has worked with the Rape Crisis Center, Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Family Service Center and served at Ground Zero in 2001, working as a victim’s advocate to the vast amount of emotionally and physically scarred survivors of 9/11.
Sheriff David Morgan said of Rebber, “Ms. Rebber epitomizes professionalism, both as an employee and longtime volunteer. She set the standard for this program at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. We are proud that her efforts are being recognized today.”
Bill Passes That Could Pump Life Back Into Jay
April 30, 2009
A bill has passed the Florida legislature that could pump life back into Jay and North Santa Rosa County.
On Wednesday, the Florida Senate passed a bill that will provide exemptions and tax breaks to the six active oil producing companies in Florida. One of those producers is Quantum Resources in Jay.
The state is expected to lose $5.2 million in revenue, but Rep. Greg Evers, co-sponsor of the bill in the House, said it willput people back to work, royalty checks back into the hands of property owners and contractors back on the job.
Evers said the bill will “would provide economic incentives, including temporary oil and gas production tax relief, for small field producers such as Quantum”.
“It is my hope that this small energy production investment incentive and tax relief package will help in creating and saving much-needed local Northwest Florida investment and jobs during these very challenging and difficult economic times,” Evers said.
About 70 people were left without a job when Quantum shutdown the Jay Oil Field.
Jay Field was purchased from Exxon and ConocoPhillips in 2007 for about $200 million. When oil prices soared earlier this year, company officials were quoted as being pleased with their return on the investment, even though they sold 75 percent of their rights in a bet against falling prices. The Jay Oil Field’s first crude flowed back in 1970 and was estimated to contain 100 million barrels, making it one of the largest discoveries in the history of U.S.
In the 1970’s royalties up to $32,000 per month flowed into the Town of Jay’s band account. That amount fell to as little as $1,000 per month at one time. Last year, total oil and gas revenues for the Town of Jay were at $70,000.
The bill passed the Florida Senate on a 116-1 vote last Thursday and the Florida house on a 39-1 vote Wednesday morning.
Pictured above: Quantum Resources in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Simply Amazing: Did You See It?
April 30, 2009
(Updated With New Photos) Amazing. That’s the word the National Weather Service office in Mobile used when they looked at the above photograph. This rare cloud formation moved across North Escambia and South Alabama about 7:00 Wednesday morning.
Forecasters at the NWS did not know exactly what to call the cloud formation, settling on calling it just an “arc cloud”. They say the cloud would have been formed by a rapid surge of warm moist air. Forecasters told NorthEscambia.com that they had never actually seen anything exactly like it before.
Reviewing high resolution visable satellite data, the weather service tells us that the cloud actually stretched from near Gulf Shores to Butler County, Alabama, for a brief period.
If you have photos of the rare cloud formation, email them to news@northescambia.com. Let us know where the photo was taken.
Pictured above: Walt Butler took this photo on Greenland Road in Davisville Wednesday morning. Pictured below, top: The cloud almost looks like a mountain behind the barn in this Walt Bulter photo also from Greenland Road. Pictured below: Two photos from Amy Akins of the clouds near Perdido, Ala. Pictured bottom in photos submitted by Marlene Rubi: The cloud rolls into Atmore and a photo as the cloud passes over Walnut Hill. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton, Davisville Convenience Store Burglars On The Loose (With Suspect Photos)
April 29, 2009
Authorities in three counties are investigating a rash of smash and grab burglaries at convenience stores in Davisville, Flomaton and Uriah — all targeting cigarettes.
Two convenience stores in Flomaton where burglarized in the early morning hours within just seven minutes of each other. At about 1:50 a.m., the suspects broke the side window out of the Norwood BP Station at 1021 Sidney Manning Boulevard in Flomaton, according to Flomaton Police Chief Tim Hardage, and stole numerous items, mostly cigarettes.
About seven minutes later, a similar smash-and-grab burglary occurred at the Norwood BP store at 22685 Highway 31 in Flomaton. Again, a windows was busted and numerous items, mostly cigarettes, were taken.
Police are looking for three men, two white and one black, appearing to be between 18 and 21 years old. They were possibly driving a white four-door car.
Hardage said that a similar incident happened at the Davisville BP on Highway 97 Monday night. Investigator Frank Way with the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’ Department said the burglars took mostly cigarettes in that incident as well. Hardage said a similar crime occurred at a convenience store in Uriah in Monroe County, Alabama.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured above: One of the burglary suspects in a recent rash of convenience store burglaries in three counties. Pictured below: Another view of the suspect. Picture bottom: The suspect removes items stolen from a convenience store in a garbage bag. Submitted photos from the Flomaton Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Editor’s Note: NorthEscambia.com has digitally enhanced the photos provided by the Flomaton Police Department to make the suspect easier to see.
Molino Highway 29 Wreck Causes Injuries Wednesday Afternoon
April 29, 2009
A two vehicle accident on Highway 29 in Molino sent at least one person to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
The accident happened just before 1:00 at Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road when two cars collided. One car stopped in the median of Highway 29, while another came to rest on the shoulder of Barrineau Park Road. One person in the car by Barrineau Park Road had to be extricated by emergency workers. That person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance.
Northbound traffic on Highway 29 was delayed, and at times stopped, while emergency personnel worked at the scene.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: One person in this car had to be extricated by firemen after an accident Wednesday afternoon at Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road in Molino. Pictured below: The second car involved in the accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blog: 1,200 Area Jobs Announced Today — But Not In Escambia County
April 29, 2009
Another major economic development announcement took place this morning on the Gulf Coast, and, one again, the jobs were not in Escambia County.
A new call center in Mobile County near Saraland will employ about 1,200 people. Ryla Cooperation will begin hiring most of those people immediately and hopes to put them to work by June 1.
And the Mobile County Commission is not giving away the bank to lure the company. They are paying them just $87,500 a year for the next two years to locate in Mobile County.
Meanwhile in Escambia County, we continue to rely on the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and grand dreams of a Maritime Park. The old build it (read: shell out millions) and they will come theory just does not cut it in today’s economic climate anymore. The Escambia commission has discussed moving away from the Pensacola Chamber to do the county’s economic development, but so far nothing.
We can’t help but wonder how hard the Pensacola Area of Commerce works to sell economic development in North Escambia. The county tried to lure an electric car plant to Century with millions in funding, but that failed. But what has the Pensacola Chamber done for North Escambia?
Besides the car plant, which was a county deal, the only major development discussed in North Escambia has been a possible Gulf Power nuclear power plant. But the Pensacola Chamber and the county commission had nothing to do with that. In fact, they did not even know it was planned until NorthEscambia.com reported it.
It’s great that Mobile County will get 1,200 new jobs, and we are sure some North Escambia residents will drive to Saraland to work. But we are tired of the jobs going everywhere but Escambia County. It’s time for the Escambia County Commission to take immediate action toward county economic development. The current system in the is county is broken, and it needs fixing fast. Wouldn’t we like to see 1,200 new jobs in Escambia County by June?
We must, in light of the recent stories that we have reported about the push to consolidate Escambia County, Century and Pensacola into one super-Pensacola, mention that the change are advocating is not consolidation to improve economic development. It’s time for Escambia County to shut the door on the Pensacola Chamber and the city’s economic ways. The Pensacola Chamber and its backers will not work to put a business in Century or Escambia County. Pensacola has a pension fund going broke and a multi-million dollar Maritime Park that needs funding.
It’s time for Escambia County to get into the economic development business and dump the Pensacola Chamber.
Chiefs Advance In District Play With 12-8 Win Over South Walton
April 29, 2009
The Northview Chiefs defeated the South Walton Seahawks Tuesday night 12-8 in the District 1-3A Baseball Tournament.
The Chiefs improved their record to 14-9 overall. They will play Thursday at 7 p.m. in Defuniak Spring for the district championship.
Northview scored four in the first inning, one in the third, two in the fifth, and five in the sixth.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs included Scooter Hamilton going 2 for 4 with a double, and scoring two runs. Austin Lowery was 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and three runs scored.
Brad Lowery was 2 for 4, with a double and one RBI. Dabney Langhorne was 2 for 2 with 4 RBIs. Heath Burkett was 1 for 3 with a double. Patrick McPherson was 1 for 4 with two runs scored. Brad Foster was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Dakota Stuckey was 1 for 2 with a double, three runs scored and one RBI.
Brad Lowery picked up the win on the mound for the Chiefs. He worked six innings, gave up six runs, on six hits. Lowery walked four, and struck out 10. He improved his record on the year to 7-2. Heath Burkett pitched the 7th inning for Northview.
Pictured above: The Northview Chiefs. Submitted photo by Becky Lowery for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreck Injures One Wednesday Morning On Highway 164
April 29, 2009
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident just before 7:00 Wednesday morning.
The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 168 and Pine Barren Road near Bratt. The driver of a Ford pickup apparently pulled from Pine Barren Road into the path of another pickup. The second truck broadsided the Ford, sending it into a power pole, snapping the pole.
The driver of the second truck, a 19-year old female, was transported from the scene by Atmore Ambulance with a possible broken ankle. The driver of the Ford was not injured.
Residents in the area did not lose power until about 8:00 when it was cut by Escambia River Electric Cooperative in order to repair the pole.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above and below: A two vehicle accident Wednesday morning at Highway 168 and Pine Barren Road that injured on person. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pilot Program Video System Brings Social Security Office To Century, Local Area
April 29, 2009
Century is home to a new video conferencing system that allows area residents to interact with the Social Security Agency face to face, one of just three such sites in an eight state area.
The video system now available at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century is one of just three in an eight state Southeastern U.S. region. A citizen using the free system is able to sit down in front of a video monitor and carry on a face to face conversation with a Social Security representative in Pensacola or Ft. Walton Beach.
“There’s no more hour to Pensacola, hour to wait in line at our Pensacola office and an hour to drive back,” John Sullivan from the Pensacola SSA office said. “You can sit down in Century with little or no wait and see our representative face to face and do everything that you can do in Pensacola. You just don’t have the wait.”
Sullivan said his Pensacola office sees 350 to 400 people per day, which often leads to a long wait.
The video system is easy to use — you simply sit down and talk. There are no buttons to push, and no computer knowledge required whatsoever. The conversation takes place across a secured line, and the conversation is not recorded. If the SSA representative needs to see documentation, such as a marriage license, the person using the system simply holds it up to the camera. Family members or social workers that accompany someone are able to join in the conversation as well.
“It’s so easy,” said Catharine Jeter, director of the Century Workforce Escarosa office that houses the system. “Anyone can do it, and it really, really saves all the time of going to Pensacola.
Jeter demonstrated the system for NorthEscambia.com. She sat down to the screen and was able to carry on a natural conversation with SSA representative Mary Lanham in Pensacola. There was no awkward delay, and the picture was crystal clear.
Persons using the system do not have to be Escambia County or even Florida residents. Anyone can use the system since the Social Security Administration is a federal agency.
Two other SSA video systems are located in North Carolina and Mississippi.
The system is available at the Workforce Escarosa office at 8120 North Century Boulevard Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Pensacola SSA office at (850) 434-5488.
Among other things, the video conference system can be used to:
- Apply for Social Security retirement or spouse’s benefits.
- Apply for Social Security disability benefits (includes the Adult Disability Report).
- Apply for extra help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.
- Request a Social Security statement.
- Change your address or telephone number.
- Get a replacement Medicare card.
- Request a proof of income letter.
- Get a a Form 1099/1042S benefit statement.
Pictured above: Catharine Jeter (right) sits at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century and holds a video conversation with Mary Lanham (on screen) at the Pensacola Social Security Administration office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.