Florida’s School Chief Looks At Oil Impact On Local Schools
July 29, 2010
Florida’s school boss was in Escambia County today, evaluating how the Gulf oil spill might impact the upcoming school year.
Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith, leading a team of Department of Education (DOE) senior staff members, concluded a series of visits with Florida panhandle school districts Wednesday to learn about the unique challenges they are facing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
As a part of the visits, Commissioner Smith and his team were able to hear first-hand from superintendents and other district officials about the impacts the spill is having on their local communities and how they are addressing those impacts in preparation for the upcoming school year.
The team first traveled to Escambia County where they met with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, as well as Escambia County Foundation for Excellence board members and several school district staff. The visit provided keen insight into the diligent community and district planning efforts that are being undertaken to ensure this school year, and the many beyond it continue the district’s educational goals.
“What immediately struck me during my visit to Escambia was the incredible level of community engagement and the efforts superintendent Thomas has gone through to foster input and participation from stakeholders throughout the county,” said Commissioner Smith. “It’s clear that this is a community that cares deeply about education and I left feeling uplifted with how they have rallied around each other to ensure a quality educational experience for their students.”
Following the Escambia visit, the team traveled to Bay County where they accompanied Superintendent Bill Husfelt on a visit to the joint campus of Rosenwald High School and the newly established CC Washington Academy. There they were able to meet with principals and staff to gauge their expectations for the new school year and discuss how they are planning for the immediate and potential long-term effects of the oil spill in their community.
“What Bay County School District lacks in size they more than make up for in heart, drive and a commitment to learning,” said Commissioner Smith. “Superintendent Husfelt has worked with his staff to develop strong, innovative programs that promote student growth and increased expectations, and these schools are well prepared to provide critical services that further that goal.”
Florida Department of Education Chancellor of Public Schools Dr. Frances Haithcock and other Department leaders concluded the trip with a visit to Gulf County.. While there, the DOE team met with Superintendent Tim Wilder and his staff to discuss the district’s preparations for the fall semester and explore ways the Department could provide assistance. They also traveled to a nearby BP command center to gain additional insight about the disaster and the potential economic impacts to the region in the months and years ahead.
Commissioner Smith concluded his thoughts on the trip by saying, “It’s clear that these districts have many unforeseen challenges ahead of them. But I can say without question that the right leadership is in place to meet those challenges and the Department of Education stands ready to assist them in any way possible to ensure the necessary support systems are in place to minimize the impacts on their children.”
Hospital Honors Dr. Smith For 30 Years Of Service
July 29, 2010
Jay Hospital employees and affiliated physicians recognized C. David Smith, M.D., for 30 years of dedicated service.
“There is no greater example of a caring, loyal, and hard-working physician anywhere,” said Mike Hutchins, administrator of Jay Hospital. “Dr. Smith’s positive impact on our hospital and community over these 30 years is beyond measure.”
Baptist Health Care partnered with Jay Hospital in 1979, to strengthen the then county-owned facility with resources related to technology, personnel and support services. Securing a physician to serve the rural community was critical to the hospital’s survival.
At that time Dr. Smith was in the middle of his residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile when approached to return to his hometown of Jay, Fla. He agreed to fill the role and began his practice on July 16, 1980. Since then, he has cared for thousands of patients in the North Escambia area.
“We could not ask for a more dedicated physician than C. David Smith,” said Don Salter, Santa Rosa County Commissioner. “His life’s work has been at Jay Hospital for the benefit of his fellow residents.”
Hot Weekend: Heat Index Climbing To 110
July 29, 2010
Unseasonably hot temperatures are expected for Friday and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
High pressure and a hot air mass will continue to dominate our weather into the weekend. With high humidity, heat index values are expected to rise to 103 to 107 on Thursday and 106 to 110 on Friday.
This heat will taper off somewhat Saturday and Sunday over the area as an upper trough starts to form over the eastern Seaboard.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: Sunny in the morning becoming partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Highest heat index readings 105 to 107 in the afternoon.
- Thursday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 70s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. North winds around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 106 to 109.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 110.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Sunday: Partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 108.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Monday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 109.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Highest heat index readings around 105 in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 109.
Covenant Hospice Offers Local Grief Program
July 29, 2010
Covenant Hospice will offer a five-week grief support group at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church in Cantonment.
The support group begins July 29 and continues through September 2 from 9-10:30 a.m. each Thursday except August 19. The support group is free and open to the community, but registration is required. To register, or for more information, call Betsy DeBellis at (850) 202-5930 ext. 1903.
Gonzalez United Methodist Church is located at 2026 Pauline Street.
Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses. The focus of Covenant Hospice is to enable its patients to live as fully and comfortably as possible, to provide dignified palliative care, to assist patients’ loved ones in coping with end-of-life issues and the eventual death of the patient, and to improve care for all patients at the end of their lives by example and education.
VBS: Having A ‘Blast’
July 29, 2010
Cadets and Mission Leaders are having a blast this week at Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School. Galactic Blast VBS will continue Thursday and Friday evenings from 5:30 until 8:30. New “Cadets” are welcome to join.
There will also be a “Final Debriefing” for VBS participants and parents Sunday afternoon from 5-6:00 in the church’s “Astro Bistro” fellowship hall. A “Starship Galactic Praise” event will follow from 6-7:00.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the “Galactic Blast” VBS at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Stella Caroline Godwin
July 28, 2010
Stella Caroline Godwin, 92, of Oak Grove, died Tuesday July 27, 2010, at her residence. She was a Nurse with the U.S. Navy Nursing Corp, born November 4, 1917,in Whippany Morris CO. New Jersey to the late Stanislaus and Mary Smach Golba.
She is preceded in death by her husband Marshall Godwin.
Survivors are a son, David Marshall Godwin of Pensacola, two daughters, Susan L. Godwin of El Paso, TX, Ramona Godwin Cole of Ottawa, Canada. Two grandchildren, Anne-Louise Cole and Colleen Cole.
All of her caregivers will be honorary pallbearers, special friends: Wilson and Ruthie Sims, Roy “Buddy” and Marvette Godwin, Franklin “Shorty” Carnley and Bronna and Grant Godwin.
Services will be Friday July 30, 2010, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Tom Simard officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening July 29, 2010 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Special Thank You to Emerald Coast Hospice Team, especially Evelyn and Julie, and Marianne Crumlish (Comfort Care Health Group) Teresa Watford and all our friends in Oak Grove.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Updated: Drowning Of Boy, Age 6, Ruled Accidental
July 28, 2010
The drowning death of a six-year old boy in Molino Wednesday afternoon has been ruled accidental, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the child was found unresponsive at the bottom of an above-ground pool behind a home in the 6000 block of Chestnut Road just before 2:00. The child was reportedly brought to work by a woman that worked as a caretaker for a resident of the home.
Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and LifeFlight responded to the home.
The identity of the young boy has not been released.
Pictured above and below: The scene of an accidental drowning on Chestnut Road in Molino Wednesday afternoon after the drowning of a 6-year old child. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Frontier Becomes Nation’s Largest Rural Telephone Company After Verizon Purchase
July 28, 2010
Frontier Communications has completed the acquisition of Verizon Communication’s local landline telephone operations in 14 states.
Frontier — which provides local telephone service in Walnut Hill, Molino and Atmore — became the largest pure rural telecommunications carrier in the United States with the purchase. The combined operations will provide voice, high-speed Internet, wireless Internet data access, satellite video, FiOS and other services to more than 4 million residential and business customers in 27 states using the Frontier Communications brand. Frontier currently employees about 14,600 people.
“Frontier continually defines its success in terms of customer and employee satisfaction, and it’s obvious they care deeply about the communities they serve,” said Ivan Seidenburg, chairman of the board and CEO of Verizon Communications.
The Verizon acquisition will have no direct impact on Frontier’s North Escambia area customers. Frontier did not acquire any Verizon Wireless customers.
Forestry Cops Catch Man Red-Handed With Stolen Trailer
July 28, 2010
An Evergreen, Ala, man was caught red-handed with a stolen logging trailer in Escambia County, Ala.
Law enforcement officers with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) arrested Ricky Nolan, 51, on charges of receiving stolen property, first degree, and obscuring identity of a vehicle.
At the time of arrest, investigators observed Nolan picking up a stolen 2004 logging trailer in Brewton, according to the AFC. The trailer, valued at $15,000, was reported as stolen in Phenix City, Ala. in February, 2010.
If convicted, Nolan could face 20 years in prison and fines of $35,000.
The truck Nolan was driving was seized and will be subject to condemnation under a new Alabama law that went into effect July 1, according to AFC Law Enforcement Chief Craig Hill. The law, passed during the last legislative session, allows condemnation of vehicles used during the commission of any felony involving stolen timber-harvesting equipment.
The stolen equipment will be returned to its lawful owner. According to Hill, the AFC has investigated thefts of harvesting equipment valued at $558,964 and has recovered stolen equipment valued at $433,500 since October of 2009.
The AFC provides an “Arson/Forest Crimes Hotline” so that citizens can call and report wildland arson, theft of timber, and theft of harvesting equipment. The toll-free number is (800) 222-2927. Any information provided is confidential and the caller remains anonymous.
House Candidate Facing Drug Charges Will Remain In Race
July 28, 2010
Ricky Perritt, the Florida Florida House District 1 candidate arrest on felony. drug trafficking charges Monday night, said Wednesday afternoon that he will remain in the race.
Perritt made the announcement during a brief press conference at a park in Pace. He told reporters that he did not have the word “quit” in his vocabulary. He said that since the ballots with his name were already printed for the August 24 election, he would remain in the running for the seat.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement alleges Perritt, a former sergeant for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, fraudulently obtained 1,200 hydrocodone pills through “doctor shopping” — visiting several physicians or the purposes of obtaining hydrocodone. Agents say Perritt did not disclose to any of the physicians that he had already been prescribed hydrocodone by another physician.
Click here to read the FDLE report.
“Ricky Perritt will remain in the race for the Florida House. Mr. Perritt asks that you continue all of your support and prayers for his family and himself during these trying times, and asks that when you vote on August 24th that you look at all the facts in all of the candidates,” Tommy Nichols, Perritt’s campaign manager, wrote in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
Perrit is facing felony charges of withholding information from a practitioner to obtain a controlled substance, obtaining a prescription by fraud, and trafficking in hydrocodone.
Fink said Perritt suffers from chronic pain in both shoulders and is recovering from a recent shoulder surgery. His arrest came after his wife Jennifer Perritt, 38, was arrested last week on the same charges. A statement issued after her arrest by Perritt’s campaign said Jennifer Perritt has suffered from a degenerative spinal condition for the past seven years, and that she became addicted to her prescribed pain medications.
In that statement, Ricky Perritt said he was “consulting with the appropriate professionals to evaluate the situation” with his wife, and he asked for prayers for her.
“While FDLE officials say that the Perritt’s fraudulently obtained approximate 1,200 pills over a nine month period, sources inside the campaign point out that since both of the Perritt’s had recently had surgery the number of pills in question boiled down to about two or three pills each for the time in question. For people dealing with chronic pain, those numbers are well within reason,” Fink said.