Rainy Days; Humid Nights
July 26, 2010
There’s more rain in our Monday forecast, with a chance that some of the storms may produce heavy rainfall.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
BLOG: Big Change For NorthEscambia.com
July 26, 2010
NorthEscambia.com celebrated a major milestone of sorts over the weekend that we hope will benefit you.
Friday evening, we moved to a much faster dedicated web server. That’s it pictured at the top of the page. We had been hosted on what’s called a “shared server” — a server that contained multiple web sites. But, thanks to readers like you, we had experienced growing pains on that server.
During peak hours, it just was not possible for the server to deliver thousands of requests per minute. Over the past month, our underpowered little server delivered over 8 million pages to tens of thousands of people. That, quite frankly, is a huge number of views for a local website and was almost technically impossible for us to pull off with our old server setup. In fact, a small number of our readers would, on rare occasions, receive an error message or notice that a page took a little longer than usual to load.
Friday evening, we moved to our very own, brand-new dedicated server. We are the only company on what is, in simple terms, a mega-server. It’s loaded with all the bells and whistles. We did not change web hosts; our company has been with same web host for 13 years. The web server is connected to eight different major Internet backbone providers with multiple GigE (up to 10,000Mbps) connections.
What does this mean for our readers? First, the end of error messages and slow load times. Second, it means will be able to offer more services and present the news to you in an improved fashion. The new and exciting changes won’t happen right away; there’s lots of behind the scenes work involved.
It also means we will now be able to accept more advertisers. We had to hold back a little bit before due to the technical limitations of the old server. (If you own or manage a business, we’d love to have you as an advertiser. Send us an email, and we’ll talk.)
You are reading NorthEscambia.com from the bottom server in the picture at the top of the page. It is located in a secure facility in the Northeastern United States along with servers for Reader’s Digest, Barack Obama, Yamaha and more high profile companies.
This, by the way, marks the return of our blog column. We’ll work on publishing the column on a more regular basis. The blog will present a variety of topics, from opinion based editorials, to news stories that perhaps we would otherwise never cover, to inside information behind the scenes of our stories. The column will be available on our front page and under the “Blog” tab on the top of each page.
We are looking for a name for the column. If you have any suggestions, please pass them along. And don’t forget to send us your news tips and photos to news@northescambia.com.
And, as always, we thank each one of you for reading NorthEscambia.com and being part of the NorthEscambia.com family. We appreciate you.
– William, NorthEscambia.com
*** Here’s an insider secret: We have also started a Facebook page. You can be among the first to join now at www.facebook.com/northescambia
Pictured top: The NorthEscambia.com web server is seen on the bottom. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pelicans One Better Than The Diablos
July 26, 2010
Adolfo Gonzalez and Marcos Rodriguez each had 2 RBI’s the contest to lead the Pensacola Pelicans (15-4) over the El Paso Diablos (6-13) by a final score of 5-4.
El Paso got the game’s first run in the last of the third inning when Kyle Nichols hit a sacrifice fly to left to score J.D. Reininger and give the Diablos an early 1-0 advantage.
The Pelicans put two on with two out in the top of the fourth inning when Marcos lined a single to left center to score John Alonso evening up the score at 1.
Pensacola took their first lead of the contest in the top of the fifth inning when Adolfo Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Kyle Brown from third base giving the Pels a 2-1 lead.
It was a 2-2 contest in the top of the sixth inning when Marcos lined a single into center to bring in Lou Palmisano from second base and give Pensacola the lead back at 3-2.
The Diablos regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI hit from Hector Bernal and an RBI sacrifice fly from Arnoldo Ponce to give El Paso the lead back at 4-3.
Pensacola tied the game up at 4 in the top of the seventh inning when Adolfo Gonzalez singled in Chris Chiarappa from third base.
The Pelicans regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning when Dallas Christison hit a groundout to second scoring Lou Palmisano from third base giving Pensacola a 5-4 lead.
Ron Hill (3-2) pitches 2 2/3 innings to get the win. Seth Overbey tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of the year.
Today: Last Chance To Register To Vote In Florida Primary
July 26, 2010
Today is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for those who wish to cast a ballot in the August 24, 2010, primary election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations and party changes must be completed on or before July 26th in order for them to be effective for the August 24th election. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that in order to vote in a party’s primary, you must be a registered member of that party before the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click ‘Am I Registered?’.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Mail the completed application no later than July 26th to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Or, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com) to have a form mailed to you.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot, go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins August 9th at four locations throughout Escambia County. For more information, including sample ballots, visit EscambiaVotes.com.
In Santa Rosa County, mail changes with a July 26 postmark to 6495 U.S. 90, Suite F, Milton, FL 32570; or fax to (850) 983-1829. Or make changes in person at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Office Complex, 6495 U.S. 90 in Milton or at the South Santa Rosa Service Center, 5841 U.S. 98 near the Gulf Breeze Zoo.
FCAT Scores At Your Child’s School
July 26, 2010
FCAT scores for individual students are now available at schools in Escambia County.
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test score letters have arrived at individual schools and are available for pickup with a photo ID.
If you have questions, for summer hours, contact your child’s school.
Motorcyclist Flown To Hospital Following Crash
July 25, 2010
On person was injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon in Bratt.
The accident happened shortly after 5 p.m. in the “S-curve” on North Highway 99 just south of Breastworks Road. The male driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle apparently lost control in the curve, slid off the highway and into an electric fence.
The motorcyclist, who was reported to be in his 60’s,was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper looks at a wrecked motorcycle Sunday evening in Bratt as LifeFlight lifts off with the driver. Pictured below: The driver apparently lost control in a curve before hitting the electric fence. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Olivia’s Story: The Littlest Girl’s Biggest Birthday
July 25, 2010
Birthdays are a big deal for every little girl. For North Escambia resident Olivia Bush, her seventh birthday was a big deal in ways she might not realize.
We first introduced you to Olivia last December in a story titled “A Christmas Wish: A Cure For Olivia”.
Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.
She is blind, able to see just a little light with her left eye. And she suffered frequent seizures — until a portion of her brain was removed in February at Miami Children’s Hospital. During the surgery, doctors removed a seven centimeter portion of her brain — basically taking out the bad, non-functioning portion and leaving behind the good, healthy tissue.
She has been seizure-free since. And that was reason for the Bush family to celebrate a little more on the occasion of birthday number seven.
When the big birthday was winding down and the kids were in bed, mom Amber Bush took a quiet moment to go through some of the items from the Sacred Heart NICU and reflect on the days and weeks after the birth of their baby girl, who weighed barely a pound and a quarter.
Amber Bush, in her own words:
“We would just go in the waiting room and pray,” she said of one occasion in the neonatal intensive care unit. “We had no clue until after the fact, that she was so sick. The nurses told us that they couldn’t even look at us because Olivia was about to die. They knew what was coming and we had no clue. But, Olivia was a fighter and she slowly got better and better. I thank God that he shielded us from so much. I really don’t think I could have handled it.
“And, looking back, we really had no clue what we were going through. God shielded us from all the bad that was happening to Olivia and kept reassuring us that she would be OK. He was showing all of those doctors and nurses a true miracle right before their eyes.
“I thank God for these last seven years. They have been seven of the most rewarding years of my life. Not many people get to see their baby develop outside the womb. Not many people get to see a one pound baby fight for life after doctors wanted to abort her.”
It was, truly, a happy birthday.
Top photo courtesy Portrait Innovations.
More Rain Forecast
July 25, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. West wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 96.
Abundant Life Students Place Superior In Fine Arts Festivaln
July 25, 2010
Two youth from the Abundant Life Assembly in Century won superior in a recent Assemblies Of God Fine Arts Festival and were invited to attend Nationals. Zach Ingram won Superior for digital photography, and Victoria Creamer won Superior for voice.
Pictured above: Zach Ingram received a Superior for digital photography of “Ms. Brenda pulling her wagon”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have church news or an announcement you would like to share? Email news@northescambia.com
State Wants $11 Million More In Damages Over Late FCAT
July 25, 2010
The Department of Education continues to press its testing contractor for penalties for late delivery of test scores, adding more than $11 million on Friday to what it says NCS Pearson must pay for damages.
Pearson, which acknowledged problems in delivering the test scores, has already paid more than $3 million.
But Education Commissioner Eric Smith on Friday demanded another $11.7 million in penalties for additional problems, and ordered the company to deliver the money no later than Aug. 6. The additional penalty is for late delivery of math and reading FCAT results for grades 4 through 10 and science results for grades 5, 8 and 11, Smith said.
“Pearson’s usage of unproven technology systems this year has caused great turmoil for our parents, teachers, administrators and other education stakeholders and I remain committed to holding the company fully accountable for these disruptions,” Smith said, adding that if it turns out that it costs districts more than expected to deal with the problems, he’ll go to the company for that money too.
He also said company officials would appear before the state Board of Education in September to answer questions about the delays and explain why the company should keep its contract.
“I have firmly impressed upon Pearson that failure to meet their contractual obligations is not an option,” Smith said.
A spokesman for Pearson, Adam Gaber, said in a statement that the company would make good on “substantiated, unexpected costs,” due to the delay.
He also defended the company’s technology – it delivers testing and grading services in several other states – but again acknowledged the company’s shortcomings with the project in Florida.
“Pearson uses quality technology to conduct its testing, scoring and reporting functions,” the company statement said. “Our technology is sound. In short, as previously communicated, the delay was due to human factors in underestimating the requirements to customize our core technology for Florida.
“As we began the process of testing and configuring our systems to support FCAT and the requirements of the department, it became clear to us that we needed to make changes, and these changes took additional time. As a result we fell behind schedule.“Throughout the process our number one concern has always been the accuracy of the data,” Pearson said. “The FCAT scores are valid and accurate.”
NCS Pearson signed a $250 million contract with the state in 2009 to provide scoring of the FCAT until 2013. Harcourt Assessment, acquired by Pearson in 2007, had provided similar services related to the FCAT since 2000.
The Department of Education has contracted with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment to check the FCAT results, which some districts have also questioned in a matter unrelated to the result delays. The results are also being reviewed by a Pearson subsidiary that was signed up to check the company’s work as well.