New Dismissal Times At Bratt, Molino Park
September 13, 2008
School start and dismissal times will be different beginning Monday at Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
Both schools will now dismiss at 1:40 each afternoon. That’s a change from a 2:00 dismissal.
The changes comes due to transportation issues, according to Shawn Dennis, assistant superintendent of operations.
Do to the large physical size of the North Escambia area served by Bratt and Molino Park, many school buses were unable to return to Ernest Ward Middle School by their 3:10 dismissal time.
“Our transportation department is continuing to look at solutions,” Dennis said.
There will be no change in the school day at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Other schools in North Escambia, including Byrneville Elementary, Carver/Century K-8 School and Northview High School will have no change in their schedules.
Pictured above: Buses on a recent afternoon waiting for students at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Mini-Cheerleader Clinic Canceled
September 13, 2008
The Northview High School mini-cheerleader clinic that was scheduled for this morning has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Crist Says Florida Has Plenty Of Fuel As Ike Hits Texas
September 13, 2008
Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued the following statement regarding the fuel supply in the state as Hurricane Ike heads inland into Texas:
“Currently Florida is watching Hurricane Ike approach the Gulf shores of Texas. The people of Texas are in our prayers, and we stand ready to help them in the recovery efforts following the storm. Last evening, I reached out to Governor Perry to let him know that Floridians are prepared to assist our neighbors in their time of need.
“It is important for the people of Florida to know that our state currently has an adequate fuel supply. Major fuel companies continue to deliver millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel to retailers and communities across the state. In addition, we are coordinating with the petroleum industry and representatives from the Florida Petroleum Council and Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association to ensure that there is fuel to meet current consumer needs.
“Despite this fact, there are confirmed reports of gas stations charging more than five dollars a gallon, which can only be described as unconscionable. Raising rates to exorbitant levels like this only causes unnecessary panic and fear. This type of behavior will not be tolerated, and I pledge to work with Attorney General McCollum and Agriculture Commissioner Bronson to ensure swift and appropriate action is taken against all price gougers.
“To report suspected cases of price gouging, please call 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-866-966-7226.”
Ikes Makes Landfall In Texas
September 13, 2008
Hurricane Ike is made landfall early this morning near Galveston Island. Texas with winds of 110 mph, a strong Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Ike was still moving northwest at 13 mph. A turn more toward the north is expected later today, with a gradual turn toward the north-northeast as the center of the storm heads toward Arkansas by early Sunday.
Hurricane Ike is huge storm with hurricane force winds extending outward 120 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds extended out 275 from the center of the storm.
Here in North Escambia, we can expect mostly sunny skies today, with a slight 20 percent chance of afternoon rain. That rain chance is up to 50 percent by Sunday and Monday, with highs in the lows 90’s. Later in the week, we can expect highs in the low 80’s and lows in the upper 50’s.
Pictured above: The latest forecast track from the National Weather Service for major Hurricane Ike. Pictured below: And enhanced satellite image of the storm.
Video: Ernest Ward Versus Neal
September 12, 2008
This short video from the Thursday’s Ernest Ward Middle School’s football game versus W.S. Neal was produced by a 10 year old Bratt Elementary School student, a future Ernest Ward Golden Eagle.
W.S. Neal Eagles Down Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles
September 12, 2008
In the battle of the middle school Eagles, the W.S. Neal Eagles from Brewton downed the Golden Eagles of Ernest Ward Thursday evening in Walnut Hill.
The Neal Eagles crossed the goal line late in the first quarter, only to have a personal foul flag on the play. That Neal touchdown with 49 seconds in the quarter did not count, putting Neal first and 10. They hit paydirt again with just 41 seconds in the first and made a two point coversion to take the lead 8-0 in the first.
A 43 yard run with 4:23 to go in the first half put the Neal Eagles up 14-0. Once again, the Neal Eagles went for the two point conversion, but Chance Smith intercepted the play for the Ernest Ward Golden Eagles.
Neal hit the endzone for another TD with 1:17 in the half. Another pesky flag on the play, and Neal was back first and 10 on the 17. By the time the clock was down to 25 second, Neal was back down in the endzone. They missed another two point conversion, putting the score at 20-0 at the half.
Neal would score again in the third with 5:03 on the clock. With yet another missed two point conversion, Neal was up 26-0.
The fourth came and went, with W.S. Neal downing the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles in their season opener, 26-0.
For a complete gallery of NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos from the W.S. Neal at Ernest Ward Middle School game, click here.
Click here for video from the game.
Pictured above: A Neal Eagle takes down an Ernest Ward Middle School Eagle Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Fall To Baker Gators
September 12, 2008
The Northview Chiefs lost their junior varsity football opener against Baker Thursday evening.
The Baker Gators downed the JV Chiefs 30-12 in Baker.
Shawn Knight scored both of the Chief’s touchdowns.
The Northview JV football team will be on the road again next week. They will take on West Florida High School.
Click here for more photos from the game in Baker.
Pictured above: The JV Northview Chiefs were on the road against the Baker Gators Thursday evening. Heather Leonard photo from NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Declares Chickens Are Not Pets. (Seriously, They Did)
September 12, 2008
Can a chicken be a pet, or is a chicken just a farm animal? In Escambia County, chickens have now been official declared farm animals and stripped of any hope of being legal pets.
The legal status of chickens was considered by the Escambia County Commission Thursday morning at the request of Commissioner Gover Robinson. Apparently, some “cultures” consider chickens as pets, causing things to run afoul when when the fowls end up with the same rights in a neighborhood as cats and dogs.
“You and I many not see chickens as pets, but there are other people that do,” Robinson said. “The question is, if they don’t infringe on their neighbors, is there the ability for them to have it.”
“It’s a gender issue,” Commissioner Mike Whitehead said. “If you allow the chicken, the hen, then you have to allow the rooster.”
“It’s real simple; we just say no. They are farm animals,” Whitehead said. “I understand about diversity. But when you come to America, chickens are farm animals. I’m sorry.”
“The motion is that we reject the request to classify chickens as pets,” Whitehead stated.
The motion passed 3-1, with Robinson voting against it and Commissioner Marie Young absent.
Commission Expresses Concern Over Fire Dept. Unification Plans
September 12, 2008
The Escambia County Commission considered a final fire department unification agreement at their Thursday Committee of the Whole meeting, but they express concern over the agreement about promoting volunteer officers without proper training for their positions.
The plan grandfathers any officer that does not meeting minimal standard for their position for three years. The volunteer not meeting the requirements will be allowed to advance in rank during the three year period. But they would no longer be able to advance in rank after the three year exemption period unless they met all requirements of the advanced position.
“That doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever,” Commissioner Mike Whitehead said. “The whole purpose of this was to create a professional organization that whenever we looked at somebody whether they were a volunteer lieutenant or a paid lieutenant, they had the same qualifications. And this seems to be a huge step backwards.”
“It would be on thing if you said you are frozen at your position…and we are going require that over the next three years you meet these certifications,” he said.
Whitehead said that there are officers in the volunteer system that do not meet Firefighter I standards, the most basic standards above the level of Firefighter Trainee.
Escambia Fire Chief Kenny Perkins said those firefighters, even though they may hold officer positions in a department, would not be allowed to go into the area of a fire, the “exclusionary zone”.
“Then you’ve got officers that can’t fulfill the obligations, the responsibility of the position,” Whitehead said. “He can’t led a group in because he can’t go in. That goes against the very spirit of what we were trying to accomplish here.”
Commissioner Grover Robinson said he agreed, and he found it difficult to imagine promoting someone that did not meet the minimal standards for the position.
Perkins said firefighters, both volunteer and paid, had agreed to the plan.
Commissioner Gene Valentino suggested that long term volunteers with many years of experience get an equivalency type rating without taking the Firefighter I course. He suggest that some of them might not be able to pass the test because that they might not do well on a written exam.
“They’ve given 30 years of their life to this county,” Valentino said. “I’d be foolish to turn my back on them and limit them in their ability to advance in the program if we can design a way to design a program of alternative equivalency.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said he had no problem delaying a vote on the agreement until he had the opportunity to meet with some of the volunteers.
“There may be an educational issue. They just aren’t used to taking exams. And they can’t pass it as hard as they try,” Valentino said, “but they are the best darn guys, soldier I want out there on the front line of a fire because they are good.
“I’ve got no problem keeping them where they are,” Robinson said, “and keeping them doing what they are doing. ”
“If in the next three years a lieutenant can’t achieve the status of a Firefighter I, I’m concerned about him leading a group into a fire. I don’t care how many years he’s done it,” Whitehead said. “I don’t see life safety issues qualifying under a GED approach to things.”
“Do you want someone that can’t pass the 160 hour course trying to save your wife?” Whitehead asked Valentino. “Or your child?”
“But they’ve been saving wives for 30 years,” Valentino responded. “How do you judge that?”
Assistant Chief Robbie Whitfield told the commission that he will personally contact the approximately eight volunteer officers that do not meet Firefighter I standards to find out why they have not yet passed the course.
“These people had eight years to catch up with the program, Mike Herron, chief of the Warrington Volunteer Fire Department said as he encouraged commissioners to not delay action on the agreement. “This is something they have know about since 2001. If they tell you otherwise, it is a lie.”
The commission will vote on the plan at their next regular meeting on September 18.
Click here to read the entire unification plan. (63 pages, 3.73 Mb pdf)
Northview Evacuated For Fire Alarm
September 12, 2008
Northview High School was evacuated Tuesday afternoon following a fire alarm malfunction.
Students were held outside for over half an hour while the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded to the school. The fire department was unable to located any sign of a fire.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department was also dispatched to the school, but they were canceled prior to their arrival.