Northview, Jay, Other Schools Consider New Independent Sports League
April 23, 2009
NorthEscambia.com Exclusive
Northview and Jay high schools are among about 20 high schools in the Florida Panhandle that have met to discuss forming a new independent athletic league outside of the Florida High School Athletic Association, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
“We all just want to see our teams have a level playing field,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver told NorthEscambia.com.
The problem lies with smaller schools in the FHSAA that are forced to compete at the playoff level with private schools and academies. Those private schools are able to recruit the best players with scholarships and other incentives, making the chances of a small public school winning a state playoff unlikely.
“Sometimes out students say we are playing for second best,” Weaver said, “because they know that they could never win state.”
In addition, the current FHSAA brackets had the Chiefs on the road for over 1,200 miles last football season. The team’s game in Blountstown was a nearly 350 mile round trip.
“It is a hardship during the regular season for families to follow our teams,” Weaver said. “And it takes away from our community because there are no local rivalries.”
The smaller independent league would mean more games closer to home for most member schools.
In addition, schools like Northview and Jay lose financially when hosting an event like a football game where the opponent is from a long distance away. A long distance for the visiting teams equates to poor attendance, and poor attendance equals money lost.
There are about 20 small rural high schools from Northview to Sneeds that are considering the formation of the independent athletic league and the separation from the FHSAA. They range in size from Monroe High School with 106 students to Walton with 699 students. Northview has 554; Jay has 200. Baker, at 435 students, is the only other Escambia or Santa Rosa County school currently in talks about the new league.
Weaver said that it would be hard for a school like Northview to get past the quarter finals in a state competition when paired against private academies that recruit so heavily that they are considered “feeder schools” for college teams.
“It is disheartening to see our kids unable to complete on that level playing field,” she said. “We want what is fair for our students. We don’t want them to be beat by teams that are almost like semi-pros.”
An official from the Florida High School Athletic Association was at Wednesday’s meeting, Weaver said. That official promised the group that the FHSAA would form a committee to address the small schools’ concerns, and that committee would also take a look at how small schools fit into the statewide athletic associations in nearby states.
The small schools, including Northview and Jay, will meet again soon to discuss the formation of the independent athletic association.
Weaver said the independent league is not likely to be formed before August, so Northview, Jay and the other schools will likely play under the FHSAA one more year.
“After that, we’ll just see what happens,” she said.
“The schools would still be members of the FHSAA. The membership carries a lot of resources, but it also would require the schools to follow the FHSAA rules. The FHSAA Handbook is published each year, and the handbook explains things such as eligibility, sports seasons, rules for officials,” Weaver said.
Schools that are considering the independent league are (along with the student population of some schools):
- Monroe (106)
- Graceville (214)
- Cottondale
- Wewahitchka
- Jay
- Franklin Count
- Liberty County
- West Gadsden
- Freeport
- Port St. Joe
- Sneads
- Vernon
- Blountstown
- Baker
- Holmes County
- Bozeman
- Northview (554)
- South Walton
- Chipley (616)
- Walton (697)
Pictured above: Northview Head Coach Cody Keene prepares the Chiefs before last year’s season opener against Catholic High. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Morgan Won’t Deal On Budget, Will Go To State If BOCC Won’t Provide
April 23, 2009
The Escambia County Commission wants Sheriff David Morgan to cut another $4 million from his budget before it is submitted to the BOCC for approval in a few days, but the sheriff says he has cut all that he intends to cut. And if the commission does not approve his budget, Morgan says he is taking it to the governor.
“What you see is what you get,” Morgan said of his $4 million in cuts. “I have to stand before the public and defend what we do.”
Cutting more from his budget would impact public safety, the sheriff said, and that’s a move he is not willing to make.
If the Escambia Commission will not approve his $78 million budget, Morgan say he will, as the law allows him to do, take the budget to the state to force the county to commit the funding he needs. The commission wants Morgan to cut $2.5 million more, for a total of $6.5 million.
Morgan’s budget, the largest of any department in the county, includes about $33 million for the county jail. He said the sheriff’s department is not required to operate the jail; providing for a jail is actually a constitutional requirement of the county commission.
“I believe that corrections is a law enforcement function that should remain with the sheriff,” Morgan said. “But that is what makes my budget the larges in the county.
Morgan questioned the commission’s motives for wanting him to cut more funds, when, he said, he is already operating a department more efficiently than the BOCC operates.
“I have one attorney; the BOCC has five,” Morgan said. “I have seven people in human resources; the BOCC has 23 for about the same number of employees.”
“I’ll stack up lean and mean against anyone in Escambia County government,” the sheriff said of his budget.
He has achieved his $4 million in cuts through several steps. He plans to eliminate the jail’s health services contract with an outside firm, providing jail health services in house for a $1.8 million savings. He recently grounded the ESCO’s helicopter unit for an $800,00 a year savings.
The elimination of the air unit has led to some complaints, he said. Other departments and counties that made use of the helicopter are also left without any type of air support after the cost-cutting grounding of the unit.
“But I didn’t have anyone pony up and write me a check like I asked for,” Morgan said.
Morgan’s proposed budget is due to the Escambia County Commission by May 1.
The sheriff’s comments were delivered to the Tri-Cities Rotary Club Wednesday afternoon. Morgan spoke to the club as the invited guest of NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Escambia Sheriff David Morgan addressing the Tri-Cities Rotary Club Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Students Shine On College Prep Tests
April 23, 2009
Several Ernest Ward Middle School students participated in the Duke University Talent Identification Program.
In order to take part in the program, the students must have earned excellent FCAT scores. After meeting the qualification criteria, the students had the opportunity to take either the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. College-bound students do not usually take the SAT or ACT until they are high school juniors.
Dale Brown, Anna Donald and Jeremy Stacey earned state recognition for achieving a score of 20 or higher on the ACT. Other Ernest Ward students participating the Duke University Talent Identification Program were Kent Smith, Jennifer Spears and Courtney Weaver.
“The faculty, staff, and administration at EWMS are very proud of these students for the outstanding achievement,” said Gayle Hanks, Ernest Ward guidance counselor.
Pictured above: Ernest Ward students (L-R) Dale Brown, Jeremy Stacey and Anna Donald were recognized by the state for high scores in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Morgan Continues Fight Against Crime In North Escambia, Announces Undercover Drug Buys
April 23, 2009
From bike patrols, to traffic crackdowns, to undercover drug buys, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department has been busy in Century and surrounding areas in North Escambia since a new sheriff took office.
For weeks, undercover officers have videotaped drug buys in Century. Now warrants have been issued and arrests are being made, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Wednesday afternoon.
“We are being more proactive in the north end,” the sheriff said, adding that he expects to put five additional deputies on the streets in North Escambia by August. Overall, Morgan said he would characterize crime in Century to be “mid-level” at worse, not the the level seen in some Pensacola areas where gang activity is rampant.
“While we have been in denial in Escambia County about gangs, we do have them,” Morgan said, adding that his department has identified about 15 different gangs operating in the county. The rival gangs have led to “turf wars”, and several shootings in the past few weeks. The sheriff’s department has identified gang members as young as 1o-years old selling crack cocaine.
“We’ve got some pretty serious issues facing us in law enforcement,” the sheriff said. About 1,200 criminals — guilty of crimes from bad checks to murder — will return to Escambia County’s streets next year after finishing their prison citizens. That, he said, may lead to more crime.
With 300 deputies and a county that stretches from Century to the beaches, Morgan said Century and North Escambia present a unique challenge in law enforcement.
“The response in a city environment is different that in a rural environment,” the first-term sheriff said. “In a small community, they get on their cell phones as soon as you make one arrest, then you are done.”
But that does not deter Morgan.
“I intend to terrorize these guys,” he said. His department has made 512 street level narcotics arrests this year.
“I am coming when I come for them; then I am coming back again,” Morgan said. “You get them off balance and you keep them off balance. They need to know that I’ll be back.”
For economic development to happen in a place like Century, or any other Escambia County community, there must be a safe, low crime environment.
“When you’ve got to pick your street or drive around the crack deals, that’s not going to make a good economy,” he said. There are pockets of crime like that in Century, the sheriff said specifically mentioning about a three block area around Pond Street.
Morgan’s comments were delivered to the Tri-City Rotary Club at the group’s weekly meeting. The sheriff attended the meeting as an invited guest of NorthEscambia.com.
Also at that meeting was Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith.
“I know we’ve got a common state line, and we have to work with your office,” the Escambia, Alabama sheriff told the Escambia, Florida sheriff. “We’re glad to help you in any way. We are very happy with the changes you have made, especially in Century.”
After the Rotary Club meeting in Flomaton, Morgan stopped by the department’s Century Precinct to discuss local crime with the deputies that work Century and surrounding area of North Escambia.
Local residents will have an opportunity to meet Sheriff Morgan, hear him speak and express their concerns about law enforcement in North Escambia at two upcoming meetings. Morgan will hold a town hall meeting at Fran’s Diner in Molino at 6 p.m. on April 30, and a second town hall meeting in Century at the Panhandle Restaurant at 6 p.m on May 7.
Pictured above: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (L) looks at a North Escambia crime report with Sgt. David Preston Wednesday afternoon at the department’s Century Precinct. Pictured below (L-R): Morgan discusses crime with Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith and Chief Deputy Mike Lambeth. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Students Plant Tree In Memory Of Late Teacher
April 23, 2009
Fifth grade students at Molino Park Elementary planted a tree Wednesday in honor of Earth Day and a beloved teacher that passed away on the last day of school last year.
On the final day of school last year, fourth grade teacher Sharon Smith waved goodbye to her students, turned around and lost her breath. She died a short time later. She spent 36 years of her life educating students at the former Molino Elementary School and at Molino Park.
A year later, Mrs. Smith’s fourth grade students have moved on to fifth grade, but they have not forgotten Mrs. Smith, planting the blooming Japanese cherry tree in her honor Wednesday.
Fifth grade teacher Florence Cutler directed the tree planting after a moment of silence for Mrs. Smith. Several students from Mrs. Smith’s previous fourth grade class shoveled dirt around the tree. Also, bench was donated by the teachers and staff of Molino Park Elementary and placed beside the tree.
For more photos from the tree planting, click here.
To read more about Mrs. Smith, click here for the NorthEscambia.com article about her death from last year.
Mrs. Smith was also honored as one of the NorthEscambia.com Persons of the Year for 2008. To read that story, click here.
Pictured above: Fifth grade students planted a tree in memory of Mrs. Sharon Smith on Wednesday. Pictured below: Mrs. Sharon Smith and her fourth grade class wave goodbye about five minutes before their final walk to the buses on the final day of school last year at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
NASCAR Night At Flomaton Speedway; Wallace Places Third
April 23, 2009
Flomaton Speedway had a NASCAR Night Wednesday with NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace racing against local and regional drivers in the IMCA Modified class.
Wallace brought his #36, JEGS-sponsored modified to race with about 17 others in the feature event.
This was the first NASCAR night at the track, and owner Jimmy Goodwin hopes to make it an annual event. A large crowd came out to meet Wallace, get autographs and watch him compete on the 1/4 mile banked dirt track.
Wallace finished third in the main event. After Wednesday night’s race he will be heading to Talladega for more racing this week.
Racing is held every Saturday night with four classes running at Flomaton Speedway. There is no racing this Saturday night, but the action will resume on May 2.
Pictured above: NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace’s #36 at Flomaton Speedway Wednesday night. Pictured inset: Wallace signs autographs. Pictured below: Wallace in a group photo with IMCA Class drivers. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More photos will be available at www.mikenewtonphotography.
Mmmm…Doughnuts! Order Now, Help Relay For Life
April 23, 2009
The Town of Century’s Relay for Life team is selling doughnuts with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
The Relay team is selling regular Krispy Kreme doughnuts for $6 per dozen. The doughnuts will be delivered Friday morning beginning at 7:30.
Orders can be faxed today to 256-0318, or stop by the city hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard. For more information, contact Denise or Angel at 256-3208.
Reward Increased For Info In Murder Of North Escambia Woman
April 23, 2009
The reward has been increased for information in the murder of a North Escambia woman found dead in a Pensacola dumpster.
Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers and several businesses have increased the award to $2,600 for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the death of Cheryl Cain.
The body of Cheryl Renee Cain, 29, of Cantonment, was found in a dumpster at an abandoned gas station at the corner of Burgess Road and Highway 29 on March 25.
Crime Stoppers is providing $1,000 of the reward. Bob Tyler Toyota has contributed $1,000, Kim’s Family Pharmacy in Cantonment has contributed $500 and Navy Boulevard Animal Hospital has provided $100 for the reward fund.
All tips to Crime Stoppers can by anonymous. To provide information in this or any other case call 433-STOP (7867).
North Escambia Bus Drivers Meet To Discuss Student Safety
April 23, 2009
The 26 bus operators in Escambia County’s North Sector held an Excellence Forum Wednesday to discuss issues related to student transportation.
The bus operators met at Northview High School with Eric Fritz, the Escambia School District’s director of transportation.
“The meeting was held so that the drivers could make a presentation to Mr. Fritz with ideas and goals for our district transportation department,” said Tina Vickery, route supervisor for North Escambia. “Many ideas and goals were presented with enthusiasm and team spirit as we work together for the safe transportation of our most precious cargo, the school students of the North Sector of Escambia County.”
Northview’s Next Baseball Game Moved Home
April 22, 2009
Northview’s baseball game Thursday has been moved back to Chief territory.
The Chiefs will take on West Florida Tech at home in Bratt at 6:00. It was originally scheduled to be a road game.