Fall In The Air? Great Weather Continues
August 23, 2009
Our great weekend weather continues today. Low daytime humidity, and cool nights will continue.
Here is your official North Escambia weather forecast:
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Back To School Info: School Lunch Menus
August 23, 2009
Here are the lunch menus for the first week of school in Escambia County:
(For middle and high school menus, scroll down the page.)
Elementary
- Monday, Aug. 24
- Pop Tarts
- Cheese Wedge
- Mixed Fruit
- Milk
- ***************
- Chili Fiesta Stix
- Pizza Pepperoni
- Peaches
- Corn
- Cookie
- Milk
- Tuesday, Aug. 25
- Breakfast Pizza
- Pears
- Milk
- *************
- Corn Dog
- Chicken Alfredo
- Fresh Fruit
- Pineapples
- Garden Salad
- French Bread
- Milk
- Wed., Aug. 26
- Cinnamon Toast
- Sausage Patty
- Orange Juice
- Milk
- ***************
- Fried Chicken
- Country Fried Steak
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Cornbread
- Jello
- Milk
- Thurs., Sept. 17
- Chicken Biscuit
- Apple Sauce
- Milk
- *************
- Taco Salad
- Cheeseburger
- Fresh Fruit
- Oven Fries
- Milk
- Friday, Sept. 18
- Pancake w/Syrup
- Sausage Links
- Peaches
- Milk
- ************
- Orange Chicken
- Grilled Cheese
- Sandwich
- Mixed Fruit
- Broccoli, Sticky Rice
- Dessert-Manager’s Choice
- Milk
Middle/High Schools Featured Specials
- Monday, August 24
- Popcorn Chicken Potato Bowl
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Chili Fiesta Stix
- Tuesday, August 25
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Cobb Salad
- Pizza
- Wednesday, August 26
- Fried Chicken
- Chef Salad
- Thursday, August 27
- Country Fried Steak
- Chicken Tender Salad
- Hot Meatball Sub
- *Baked Macaroni & Cheese*
- *100 % Fruit Juice Slush*
- Friday, August 28
- BBQ Teriyaki Chicken w/ Sticky Rice
- Yogurt Parfait w/ Fresh Fruit
- Cheeseburger
Back To School Info: School Start Times
August 23, 2009
There is a different start and end time for every school in Escambia County, with Ernest Ward and Northview following a different schedule than the other middle and high schools in the county.
New School Times
- Elementary: The earliest drop time for students will be 7:20. School will begin at 7:45 and will dismiss at 2:00. The North Escambia area elementary schools — Bratt, Byrneville, Molino Park and Jim Allen — will all follow this schedule. The 7:45 to 2:00 day is the standard elementary day for 33 schools in Escambia County.
- Middle School: Ernest Ward will begin the school day at 9:05 and dismiss at 3:45. The earliest students can be dropped off at school will be 8:55. Ransom and the other middle schools in the county, will follow the standard 9:20 to 4:00 school day
- High School: Northview High School will begin an hour later this year and have the latest start and dismissal times of any school in the school district. Northview will have an 8:30 drop time, and an 8:45 to 3:20 school day. Northview’s day started at 7:45 last year. Tate and the other high schools in the county will have an 8:30 to 3:05 day.
- For a detailed list of start and dismissal times for all Escambia District Schools, click here (pdf).
Back To School Info: School Lunch Prices; Free And Reduced Guidelines
August 23, 2009
There’s a little good news for parents sending their children back to school Monday in Escambia County — school lunch and breakfast prices are the same as they were last year.
And there’s no need to worry about cash or checks — pay online at mealpayplus.com.
Escambia Breakfast And Lunch Prices
- Elementary Breakfast: $1, full; $0.30, reduced; $1.80, adult.
- Elementary Lunch: $2, full; $0.40, reduced; $3, adult.
- Middle/High Breakfast: $1.50, full; $0.30, reduced; $1.80, adult.
- Middle/High Lunch: $2.50, full; $0.40, reduced; $3, adult.
Free And Reduced Price Meals
Eligibility and income are used to determine eligibility under the National School Lunch Program.
For free meals, the household income must be less than 130 percent of the federal poverty level. For reduced price meals, the household income must be less than 180 percent of the federal poverty level.
Applications will be sent home with students during the first week of school.
For the income guidelines from the National School Lunch program, click here (pdf).
Back To School: Supply Lists
August 23, 2009
School begins Monday, August 24 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — and that means a lot of school supply shopping.
NorthEscambia.com has the school supply lists from all of the area elementary and middle schools below. Click the name of the school to download and print the school supply list in pdf format.
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Jay Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Ransom Middle
Below are lists from other Escambia County elementary schools not listed above:
- Bellview Elem
- Beulah Elem
- Blue Angels Elem
- Brentwood Elem
- Cook Elem
- Cordova Park Elem
- Ensley Elem
- Ferry Pass Elem
- Hallmark Elem
- Hellen Caro Elem
- Holm Elem
- Lincoln Park Elem
- Lipscomb Elem
- Longleaf Elem
- McArthur Elem
- Montclair Elem
- Myrtle Grove Elem
- Navy Point Elem
- Oakcrest Elem
- Pine Meadow Elem
- Pleasant Grove Elem
- Scenic Heights Elem
- Semmes Elem
- Sherwood Elem
- Sid Nelson Pre-k
- Spencer Bibbs Elem
- Suter Elem
- Warrington Elem
- Weis Elem
- West Pensacola Elem
- Yniestra Elem
Pcola Pelicans Still In First After Saturday Loss
August 23, 2009
The Pelicans dropped the second game in a row to the El Paso Diablos Saturday night, 10-4. The Diablos jumped out to an 8-0 lead after four innings, but the Pelicans did close the gap to four with their first grand slam of the year in the bottom of the sixth. However, that’s all the offense Pensacola could generate, and the Diablos would go on to score two more runs and take the game. The loss is dampened by a Captains’ loss this evening as well, keeping the Pels in first place three games ahead of Shreveport-Bossier.
On his birthday Dane DeValk started the game for Pensacola, ultimately lasting four innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. El Paso’s Arnoldo Ponce hit two solo homers, and Jeff Vincent added a two run homer in the top of the fourth as part of the Diablo’s eight runs. An error by the shortstop in the top of the third allowed Reynoso to reach. The error would be costly, as three runs scored unearned as a result.
Tyler Wilson pitched innings five, six, and seven, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk, striking out four. Ulysses Roque pitched a shutout, one-hit eighth and ninth, but the Pelicans would not score enough to win, plating just four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Francisco Leandro singled, Kevin Reynolds singled as well, and the bases were loaded after Marshall McDougall recorded his first hit of the night. After a strikeout, Antoin Gray connected for his fourteenth home run of the season, and the Pelicans’ first grand slam of the year.
Only Leandro and Reynolds had two hits for the Pelicans, and Antoin Gray’s four RBI were all that would score.
The Pelicans look to salvage a win from this series tomorrow, as the Diablos’ will throw Clegg Snipes on the hill, who started the season with the Pelicans. Pensacola will counter with Randy Beam, who threw a one-hit complete game shutout against El Paso in July of this year. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Tomorrow’s game is Kids Day, and all Kids Club members will gain free admission when wearing their club t shirt. For more ticket information, visit www.pensacolapelicans.com.
Teen Dies In West Roberts Road Accident
August 22, 2009
A Friday afternoon crash on West Roberts Road left one teen dead and two other people injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Kayla D. Baker, 17, of Pensacola was westbound on West Roberst Road when she ran off the road and over corrected. Her 1998 Dodge truck overturned, ejected her and Amanda Clifton, 18, of Pensacola. Both Baker and Clifton were ejected.
Baker was pronounced dead. Clifton was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. A third passenger, Kevin Quinn, 20, received on minor injuries in the crash. None of the three were wearing seatbelts, according to the FHP.
There were no other vehicle involved in the crash.
Confirmed: Poarch Creek Indians To Purchase Greyhound Parks In Mobile And Pensacola
August 22, 2009
Saturday afternoon, the Poarch Creek Indians confirmed what NorthEscambia.com first reported early Saturday morning: The tribe is purchasing a majority interest in the Mobile Greyhound Park and the Pensacola Greyhound Park.
Court records in Escambia County show that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians PCI Gaming Authority has held the $3,450,000 mortgage on the Pensacola Greyhound Park since May 15 of this year.
The Poarch Creek Indians opened the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore back in January. The casino’s only games are video bingo machines that resemble slot machines. The casino does not offer card or table games.
In February, the Escambia County Commission reversed a December vote, allowing the Pensacola Greyhound Park to offer table poker games. The park has not offered the poker games to date.
Following Saturday morning’s NorthEscambia.com report, the Poarch Creek Indians issued the following statement:
PCI Gaming Authority, a wholly owned entity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, today announced that it will make a substantial investment in two pari-mutuel greyhound tracks. PCI will invest in Mobile Greyhound Park located in Theodore, AL and Pensacola Greyhound Track located in Pensacola, FL. The transaction is pending final approval by the respective regulatory bodies governing the two race tracks.
Both Mobile Greyhound Park and Pensacola Greyhound Track have been owned and operated for many years by a partnership comprised of several local families. These families will retain interest in the respective tracks and will partner with PCI in the ownership of these facilities. The new owning partnerships will be Mobile Greyhound Racing, LLP and Pensacola Greyhound Racing, LLP.
Jay Dorris, President of PCI Gaming, noted, “This new venture will keep jobs in the Gulf Coast region and will preserve an entertainment tradition that is important to our area. The families who have owned the race tracks for more than thirty years have deep and important ties to their community. We are pleased to be their partners and excited about what PCI Gaming can add to these great businesses.”
The employment base at these greyhound race tracks is approximately 300 people. Dorris says he expects to retain those current positions. Additionally, with the substantial capital investments PCI Gaming plans to make to both venues, Dorris says he fully expects the employment base to grow.
The purchase of the race tracks by PCI Gaming is the first foray in to non-Indian gaming by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The race tracks will remain truly commercial interest that are taxed and regulated by the respective state and local governing bodies. Dorris said, “It is vitally important, especially during these tough economic times, that counties and states continue to build a tax base. Both of these businesses will be valuable sources of tax revenue, and they will continue to provide crucial employment opportunities.”
Currently, PCI Gaming employs 1,600 people working at 3 different sites in Alabama; The Wind Creek Hotel and Casino, The Riverside Casino in Wetumpka, and the Tallapoosa Casino in Montgomery. Tribal businesses paid more than $10.3 million in payroll inventory and other taxes last year.
Speaking on behalf of the legacy families owning both pari-mutuel tracks, Joe Morrison, President of Pensacola Greyhound Track said, “We are pleased and excited to partner with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to invest in the growth, stability, and continuity of these businesses. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is comprised of many families who live, work, and recreate in our area. The Pensacola Mobile corridor is fortunate to have the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as a part of our community, and our companies are fortunate to have reached an agreement with them to invest in our partnership. Our plan is to have a long and fruitful relationship with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. And we believe it will be one that benefits all of our families and both of these great communities.”
Judge: School Clerk Did Not Violate Order Against Prayer In ACLU Case
August 22, 2009
A federal judge has cleared Santa Rosa School District clerk Michelle Winkler of violating federal court against prayer in school.
Winkler asked her husband to offer a prayer at a district employee recognition program. That prayer alledgedly violated an agreement between the ACLU and the Santa Rosa County School district that banned employees from promoting religion or praying at school functions.
Emails from the district to Winkler had instructed her not to pray at the February school function. Instead, she was told to offer a thought for the day and a moment of silence.
U.S. District Court Judge Casey Rodgers ruled early Friday evening that Winkler was not one of the parties in the original lawsuit agains the school district, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and then-Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. Judge Rodgers also ruled that Winkler did not know that the event where she asked her husband to pray was covered by the settlement in the federal lawsuit.
The Liberty Council argued on Winkler’s behalf that the annual Employee of the Year banquet was not a school sponsored event, but rather an event sponsored by the non-profit Santa Rosa Educational Foundation.
Lay and Pace High School Athletic Director Robert Freeman also face federal contempt charges and are due in court on September 17.
Lay asked Freeman to bless a meal where sports boosters had gathered to celebrate the completion of a new field house on January 28
In February, Winkler was instructed by District Administrator Jud Crane to offer a two to three minute “thought for the day” that was to not include a prayer. In an email exchange, Crane assumed that Winkler would withdraw from speaking if she could not offer prayer.
“I’m still on, and be unfearful of the current events, with your ‘off the record’ permission, I would like to use the prayer that I had prayed about and received from God and will suffer whatever consequences for,” Winkler wrote in an email. “I cannot be silent as God is my very life and Christ is who I am.”
“I simply cannot compromise my LORD. Like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,” she wrote in another email, “I simply won’t bow down to another god.”
Here are the words that Michelle Winkler’s husband spoke at a school employee awards ceremony that had the ACLU seeking the federal contempt order:
“I love the way You have created each of with a purpose which includes the need to serve one another in ways that bring encouragement and inspire each of us to help one another to excel.
Tonight we celebrate some of those who are an inspiration to us and in whose deeds we have been blessed.
There is a Tree (Christ), on which grows the fruits of life: love joy and peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
May we each eat freely from that tree and thereby extend that same grace and mercy to one another as You have faithfully committed Yourself of lavish on us.
Thank You, Father God- in Jesus’ holy and precious name – Amen.
Pictured top: Michelle Winkler and her attorney Horetio Minhet outside the federal courthouse in Pensacola Friday. Photos courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Big Change In The Weather: Cold Front Brings North Winds, Lows Around 60
August 22, 2009
Expect a big change in the weather for your weekend — daytime sun with lower humidity and overnight lows in the low 60’s.
Here’s the official North Escambia weather forecast from the National Weather Service:
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.