Speeding Crackdown All Weekend In North Escambia
March 16, 2008
A crackdown on spring break speeders began in North Escambia Friday, with at least a half dozen Florida Highway Patrol troopers putting the brakes on speeding motorists. The trooper’s show of force continued around the area for the entire weekend.
Six troopers were patrolling the Century area Friday afternoon, using laser detection to determine the speed of passing motorists, according to Trooper Rafael Streeter. The sounds of sirens could be heard around town, as dozens of motorists were stopped for violating the town’s posted 35 mph speed limit along Highway 29.
The speeding crackdown was all part of the kickoff day of Florida’s “Operation Safe Ride”, a statewide initiative to slow motorists down during spring break.
The campaign ran Friday to Sunday, to coincide with spring break activities throughout Florida. This operation was part of a series of long-term enforcement efforts that focus on top priority traffic safety issues to help ensure the safety and well-being of motorists on Florida’s roadways.
Historically, March and April have been peak months for traffic crashes in Florida. In an effort to provide the citizens and visitors of Florida with a safe driving environment during this period, the FHP conducted “Operation Safe Ride” details statewide.
All available FHP personnel participated in Operation Safe Ride. Unlawful speed violators were tracked using RADAR, LASER, motorcycles, and marked and unmarked patrol vehicles. Troopers piloting FHP aircraft were also used to spot violators from the air and then direct troopers on the ground to pull them over and initiate appropriate enforcement action. Enforcement efforts were focused on every Interstate, Florida’s turnpike, and other major state roads in Florida where speeding and aggressive driving are prevalent, including Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol would also like to remind everyone to move over when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle making use of any visual signals is parked or a wrecker displaying amber rotating or flashing lights is performing a recovery or loading on the roadside.
Pictured above: Trooper Rafael Streeter issues a traffic citation Friday afternoon at the corner of Highway 29 and Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
‘Sunshine Week’ Began Sunday
March 16, 2008
The following was submitted by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum:
On Sunday, we will recognize the start of Sunshine Week, a national initiative that champions the public’s right to know what its government is doing. Sunshine Week has been recognized nationally for several years but was first launched in Florida in 2002 by a group of journalists who were seeking to protect the public’s access to its government.
In Florida, every person has been granted the Constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions, and the Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state and local levels. Without this access there is little accountability, and accountability is vital for good government.
I am proud of the key role the Attorney General’s Office plays in keeping Florida’s government open to all Floridians. My office is charged with mediating disputes involving access to public records and provides a mediation program to that effect – a resource which can be requested by any member of the public and was put into action more than 75 times in 2007. The mediation program involves an impartial individual who encourages and facilitates the resolution of a dispute involving access to public records. By allowing parties to resolve issues in an informal mediation process, we prevent expensive and time-consuming litigation which is often not an option for a citizen who is merely trying to hold his or her government accountable and responsible for its actions.
Often, the Attorney General’s Office is not contacted by members of the public, but instead by members of the media who are standing in for the rest of Florida and holding our government to necessarily high standards. As with the initiation of Sunshine Sunday, this is an admirable objective and should be facilitated in every manner possible, and my office will continue to facilitate these resolutions in a timely and service-oriented manner. More information about services related to open records and open government is available on my website, http://myfloridalegal.com.
I invite all Floridians, members of the media and general public alike, to visit this website and learn about the tools and resources my office provides to help hold Florida’s public servants to the standards which make them deserving of recognition as leaders in the nation. Together, we can permit the values which inspired Sunshine Week to last the entire year.
Methodist Churches Continue Holy Week Services At Multiple Locations
March 16, 2008
The Northern Cluster of Pensacola District United Methodist Church is continuing to hold joint Holy Week services at the locations and times listed below. Everyone is invited to attend any or all of these services.
- Tuesday, March 18, 6:30 pm Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church
- Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 pm Farm Hill United Methodist Church
- Thursday, March 10, 6:30 pm Allen Memorial United Methodist Church
Previous services this week were held at Pine Forest United Methodist Church and Aldersgate Methodist Church.
Relay For Life Catfish Fry Held
March 15, 2008
The Town of Century Relay for Life team sold catfish plates from David’s Catfish House during lunch Friday at the roadside park on Highway 29 Friday. Plates included David’s catfish, baked beans, bread and a dessert for $6. All proceeds benefited the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Century’s 2008 Relay For Life will take place from 6:00 pm April 25 until noon April 26 at the old Century High stadium. Call 475-0850 for more information.
NorthEscambia.com photos. Click any picture to enlarge.
Ronnie Arnold Drops Out of School Superintendent Race
March 15, 2008
Republican Ronnie Arnold has announced that he is dropping out of the race for the Escambia County School District’s top job. Arnold prefiled for the superintendent job back on February 20 after current Superintendent Jim Paul announced he was dropping out of the race.
Arnold serves as the district’s superintendent of public and interagency affairs. Two other administrators remain on the Republican ticket for the superintendent job. Alan Scott, assistant superintendent of human resources, and Malcolm Thomas, director of evaluation services, remain on the ballot.
Democrats seeking Paul’s job include current school board member Claudia Brown-Curry, Pensacola resident Myra L. Simmons and former board member Cary Stidham.
Paul was arrest for DUI back on January 10 in Pinellas County, Florida.
NorthEscambia.com Investigative Series: Allied Waste
March 15, 2008
All this past week, we have taken a look at Allied Waste’s service in the North Escambia area. We have taken a look at comments and complaints filed with the ECUA. We have taken a look at a Escambia County Utilities Authority documents obtained by NorthEscambia.com, and shared comments from NorthEscambia. readers.
We were scheduled to continue that series today with a response from Allied Waste. Due a problem we had contacting Allied officials, we were unable to speak to any Allied officials until late afternoon Friday. We have given Allied time to research several issues and then respond to us early next week, most likely Monday. We will conclude the series next week after Allied has responded.
We wish to stress the fact that they delay was a NorthEscambia.com issue. Once we contacted Allied, they have been extremely responsive and willing to investigate several issues for us and for you, our readers.
Thanks for visiting NorthEscambia.com and reading this series. We look forward to presenting you with the conclusion early next week.
To go back and begin reading our Allied Waste series to date, click here.
Elton John Concert Postponed
March 14, 2008
The Elton John concert scheduled for tonight in Pensacola has been postponed until Friday, April 25. According to the artist’s website, John canceled tonight’s performance in Pensacola as well as concerts the next two nights in Tallahassee and Gainesville due to a “sudden illness”.
All tickets for the postponed concerts will be valid for the rescheduled ones, or ticket holders can obtain refunds from their point of purchase.
“Elton and his management extend their apologies for the inconvenience caused by this unavoidable rescheduling of the Florida dates,” the website eltonjohn.com says.
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? Try These Questions From The Actual Fifth Grade FCAT
March 14, 2008
As the FCAT continues today in schools across North Escambia, we thought we would help you waste a little time by playing a game of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” with actual questions from past fifth grade FCATs.
Grab everybody around you and get ready. To play along and see how you might do on the fifth grade FCAT, you’ll need a piece of paper to record your answers to the following questions:
(1) Samantha baked a dessert for her class using the recipe shown below.
Samantha used the least amount of which ingredient?
CRANBERRY APPLE CRUNCH
- A. 3/4 cup chopped apples
- B. 1/2 cup oats
- C. 2/3 cup cranberry sauce
- D. 1/4 cup brown sugar
(2) Louie made 17 bag lunches for the school outing. If Louie
had made 4 more lunches, he would have made exactly
3 times as many bag lunches as Marc did. How many lunches did Marc make?
- A. 6
- B. 7
- C. 13
- D. 4
(3) Coach Neal is planning a track meet for 84 students. Each race has 3 teams,
with 4 runners on each team. How many races should Coach Neal plan so
that each student runs in exactly one race?
- A. 7
- B. 12
- C. 21
- D. 28
(4) Toshi wants to find out which after-school sport is most popular among all
the students at his elementary school. Which of these groups would be best
to survey in order to get this information?
- A. all students at the school
- B. all teachers at the school
- C. all fifth grade students at the school
- D. all parents of the students at the school
(5) The 1927 legislative session designated the mockingbird as the state bird of
Florida. The bird is about 10 inches long and has a wingspan of 15 inches.
Which fraction represents the mockingbird’s length compared to
its wingspan?
- A. 1/5
- B. 2/15
- C. 2/3
- D. 3/2
(6) Angie is flying to London, England, on a plane departing at 2:00 p.m. She is
required to be at the airport one and a half hours before the departure time and it takes her 45 minutes to get from her house to the airport. What is the latest time
Angie can leave her house to arrive at the airport at the required time?
- A. 11:45 am
- B. 12:30 am
- C. 1:15 pm
- D. 4:15 pm
(7) Melanie measured the mass of the textbooks in her backpack. Which unit of
measure best describes the mass of the textbooks?
- A. 3 grams
- B. 3 kilograms
- C. 3 metric tons
- D. 3 milligrams
(8) Marchelle built a rectangular wooden picture frame. The frame has a
perimeter of 130 inches and a width of 30 inches.
What is the height, in inches, of the picture frame?
- A. 30 inches
- B. 35 inches
- C. 10 inches
- D. 13 inches
(9) Sonya has to write the greatest four-digit number she can think of by
following these three rules:
1. Any digit 0 through 9 may be used.
2. Any digit may be used only once.
3. There must be an 8 in the tens place.
What is the greatest number Sonya could write by following the three rules?
- A. 9876
- B. 9786
- C. 8796
- D. 9867
For the next two questions, read the two selections in blue.
Betsy Brandon Meets the Betsy Brandon Meets the President
by M.V. Pollock
There was a flurry of excitement in the Brandon household early one morning in
1791. It was the day that General Washington, the president, was supposed to visit
Salisbury, North Carolina. For most of the people, it would be their only chance to
see anyone so important. Everybody planned to be there. Everybody, it seemed,
except fourteen-year-old Betsy, the oldest child of Squire Richard Brandon’s
family. Betsy had to stay at home to finish the chores.
“Ha! Betsy won’t get to see the president,” teased the younger children as they
climbed into the family buggy. Betsy tried to hide her disappointment as they rode
away.
But Betsy was not one to mope. She returned to the kitchen and washed the
breakfast dishes and swept the floor. Then she took her bonnet from the hook on
the back of the door. She was going outside to feed the chickens. But what was
that rumbling noise? It sounded like wheels, but not like those of her father’s
buggy. It seemed to come from the opposite direction.
Betsy hurried to the front door and peeked out. Her eyes grew wide. Coming
down the road that passed in front of the house was the most beautiful coach she
had ever seen. It was pale ivory and trimmed in gold.
As it came near, Betsy felt herself drawn down the pathway to get a better
view. The coach was decorated with elaborate scenes that reminded Betsy of the
four seasons. And it bore an impressive emblem, like a coat of arms.
Suddenly the driver pulled on the reins. “Whoa!” he said loudly. The ornate
harnesses tinkled musically as the four fine horses halted right in front of the gate
where Betsy stood.
Fearful, Betsy wanted to run, but she felt as if her feet were glued to the path.
The door of the coach opened, and a tall, handsome man in uniform stepped down.
He was almost as tall as her father. He tipped his hat and nodded in her direction.
Then another, even more handsome man stepped out. He was white haired and at
least six-feet-four. Surely they were men of importance on their way to Salisbury
to see the president.
“Good morning, miss,” said the white-haired man. His face was stern and
deeply lined, but his blue eyes were warm and friendly.
“Good morning, sir.” Betsy’s voice quavered when she spoke.
“Is your father home?”
“No, sir.”
“Is your mother home?”
As Betsy shook her head, her golden braids moved back and forth. “My family
all went to Salisbury to see the president,” she explained.
“Did you not wish to see the president, too?” The voice was kind.
“Oh yes, sir,” Betsy replied. “I wanted to see the president more than anything,
but I must stay here to do the chores.”
The two men exchanged amused glances. “If you will prepare breakfast for us,
I promise you will see the president before any of the others.”
Thinking that the president would soon pass by on his way to Salisbury, Betsy
hurried into the kitchen. She prepared a delicious breakfast, which the two men
seemed to enjoy.
They thanked her and prepared to leave. Betsy asked, “Sir, when my family
returns, to whom shall I say I served breakfast?”
The white-haired man climbed inside the coach. Leaning out the window he
smiled. “Just tell them you served breakfast to President Washington and his aide,”
he said. And the coach rolled away in clouds of dust.
Washington by Nancy Byrd Turner
He played by the river when he was young,
He raced with rabbits along the hills,
He fished for minnows, and climbed and swung,
And hooted back at the whippoorwills.1
Strong and slender and tall he grew —
And then, one morning, the bugles blew.
Over the hills the summons came,
Over the river’s shining rim.
He said that the bugles called his name,
He knew that his country needed him,
And he answered, “Coming!” and marched away
For many a night and many a day.
Perhaps when the marches were hot and long
He’d think of the river flowing by
Or, camping under the winter sky,
Would hear the whippoorwill’s far-off song.
Boy or soldier, in peace or strife,
He loved America all his life!
(10) Based on the story and the poem, how was Washington’s life as a child
different from Betsy Brandon’s life?
- A. Washington played by the river, but Betsy played at home.
- B. Washington practiced marching, but Betsy prepared tasty meals.
- C. Washington practiced birdcalls, but Betsy listened for passing coaches.
- D. Washington spent his days playing, but Betsy spent her days helping at home.
(11) Which event from the story FIRST prepares the reader for something
unexpected to happen?
- A. Betsy watched the family buggy leave.
- B. The coach stopped in front of the house.
- C. Betsy wondered what the rumbling noise was.
- D. People were excited about seeing an important man.
(12) Read this sentence from the story.
As it came near, Betsy felt herself drawn down the pathway to get a
better view.
In which sentence below does the word view have the same meaning as it
does in “Betsy Brandon Meets the President”?
- A. Direct your view to the second picture on the left.
- B. The report clearly states the writer’s point of view.
- C. The defense lawyer’s speech affected the judge’s view of the situation.
- D. The guests can get a view of the garden by looking out of the window.
(13) The author of the story describes Washington as having a face that is “stern
and deeply lined” and eyes that are “warm and friendly.” What does this lead
the reader to believe?
- A. Washington was always polite to others, even when he was worried.
- B. Washington’s experiences in life had made him tough, but he remained akind person.
- C. Washington was difficult to know because his looks were so different from his personality.
- D. Washington’s hardships as a soldier made him older than he really was, but he continued to serve his country.
(14) Read these lines from the poem “Washington.”
He said that the bugles called his name,
He knew that his country needed him,
The poet includes these lines to show that Washington
- A. heard the sounds of nature.
- B. wanted to travel the country.
- C. played a musical instrument.
- D. felt patriotic toward his country.
(15) Read these lines from the poem “Washington.”
Perhaps when the marches were hot and long
He’d think of the river flowing by
The poet includes these lines to suggest that whenever Washington felt weary
and tired, he would
- A. find shade by a river.
- B. cool himself in a river.
- C. change his travel route to follow a river.
- D. recall a childhood experience about a river.
That concludes our questions from last year’s actual fifth grade FCAT. Now it is time to grade yourself. Click here for the answer key.
Just so you know…we picked the “easier” multiple choice questions. We did not use the math questions, for instance, were you had to draw geometric figures or show and explain your work.
If you’d like to let us know how you did, click here to email news@northescambia.com
For the entire fifth grade reading FCAT, click here for the test, or click here for the test with answers.
For the entire fifth grade math FCAT, click here for the test, or click here for the test with answers.
Pictured above: Students at Carver/Century K-8 School just before taking the FCAT.
NorthEscambia.com Investigative Series Part Five: The Positive Comments About Allied Waste
March 14, 2008
Today, NorthEscambia.com continues our seven part investigative series looking at Allied Waste and their service to the citizens of the North Escambia area. We will take a look at Allied’s service through comments both good and bad from dozens of Allied customers. And we will learn where our representative on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Larry Walker, and the ECUA stand on Allied Waste service in North Escambia.
In today’s installment of this series, we will take a look at the documented positive comments about Allied’s service. On Saturday, we plan to have a response from Allied Waste officials. On Sunday, we will end the series with a wrap-up and a blog.
NorthEscambia.com asked Walker to provide the positive comments he has received about Allied Waste. In the North Escambia area, north of Quintette Road, he could find three:
- John Killam, Buck Smith Rd., reported no problems with Allied in July 2007.
- Leroy White of Byrneville reported that his service was good in June 2007.
- Bonnie King of Molino reported no problem with Allied in May 2007.
“These exhaust my list of people living north of Quintette Rd whom I have in my files as praising Allied,” Walker wrote in an email response to NorthEscambia.com. “There are more, further south, including one caller who sang Allied’s praises while forgetting to mention that she worked for Allied.”
In an email obtained by NorthEscambia.com, Walker discusses one customer’s satisfaction with other members of ECUA. Those customers, identified only as Pat and Joan of the 3100 block of Byron Place in Cantonment, wrote the following in an email to Allied’s corporate office in Arizona:
We do not know who covers waste pickup in Glenmoor Trail (Cantonment, Fl) but this particular individual is the nicest, most courteous, considerate and professional we have had the pleasure of experiencing. Examples: he does not hesitate to upright overturned trash bins, (no matter how bad the weather is outside;) he displays concern for the safety of a homeowner trying to toss a late trash bag directly into the truck and will get out to assist the homeowner;) he has waited until a homeowner backs out of their driveway so as not to delay them (already late for work;) he is mindfully cautious of children or a loose stray in the street;) and the list goes on.
This type of demeanor is seldom acknowledge but always expected. We would like to compliment you and staff, particularly this individual, who reflects the integrity and social mindedness of their company. He’s more of a neighbor than a hired sanitation engineer. You are to be congratulated. So should he. Please convey our thanks, as well as the thanks of all the neighbors in Glenmoor Trail who appreciate him and the staff who assist us.
Your Chance to Be Heard
If you would like to add your comments about Allied Waste’s service (good or bad) in North Escambia, email your comments to news@northescambia.com. Please include your name and your address. In our story, will will only use the area in which you live (such as “the 13000 block of Highway 97″) and will not print your name. You can also send photographs of your can to the email address. We will feature more NorthEscambia.com reader comments on Sunday, the final day of this series.
Also, Larry Walker of the ECUA had requested that NorthEscambia.com readers contact him with their comments, whether good or bad, about Allied Waste by email to lwalker@ecua.org or by phone at 723-6094. Note that emails sent to the ecua.org address would be public record under Florida law (this does not apply to emails sent to the northescambia.com address in the paragraph above).
To read part one of this series from Monday, click here, for background information.
To read part two of this series from Tuesday, click here.
To read part three of this series from Wednesday, click here.
To read part four of this series from Thursday, click here.
Planned County Budgets Cuts Extend All The Way To The Grave
March 14, 2008
Budget cuts planned in Escambia County will literally to go all the way to the grave. The Escambia County currently pays to bury indigent people that die in the county, but the commission discussed switching from burial to cremation at a Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday.
Escambia County spent $113,400 to bury 102 indigent people in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. That was at an average cost of $1,160 per adult and $335 per infant. It is estimated that it would have cost only $52,200 if those persons had been cremated rather than buried, a savings of over $61,000.
Some deceased persons would still have to be buried. Victims of crimes, suspects in crimes and those that are unidentifiable would still be buried and not cremated. That is because the courts might rule that the body should be exhumed.
The cremation plan was proposed by Commissioner Mike Whitehead.