Hendrix, Williams To Wed

August 22, 2010

Mr. and Mr. Russell L. Hendrix, Molino, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Leslee Faye, to Mr. Jordan Williams of Pensacola.

The bride-elect is a graduate of Tate High School and Florida State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary English Education. Leslee is a teacher at Tate High School.

The prospective groom is a graduate of Pine Forest High School and Pensacola Junior College where he earned his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. Jordan is a Registered Nurse at Baptist Hospital. He also serves as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.

They will be married November 6, 2010, at Flamingo Road Church in Pensacola.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Panhandle Republicans Like What Scott Is Saying

August 22, 2010

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott was in Escambia County Saturday, one of several stops in the Panhandle. His first campaign stop was at The Coffee Cup in Pensacola to meet with dozens of supporters.

If resident Leon Delikat is any indication, Attorney General Bill McCollum’s focus on Rick Scott’s history with Columbia Healthcare/HCA in their contentious primary for the Republican gubernatorial nomination will not carry McCollum to victory Tuesday.

Delikat said there have been so many charges in the harsh GOP primary that it is hard to determine which ones to believe.

“In today’s climate, you don’t know what’s true and what’s not,” he told the News Service of Florida after listening to a roughly 10 minute speech Scott gave to about 150 people Saturday.

McCollum has focused in television commercials and on the stump on Scott’s tenure as CEO of Columbia Healthcare/HCA, which was investigated for Medicare and Medicaid fraud and paid more than $1.7 billion to settle civil suits and in fines. As Scott spoke Saturday, two McCollum supporters – one dressed in medical scrubs, another in prison stripes – walked through the crowd holding signs referencing a Scott deposition in a lawsuit filed by a former employee of another of his companies, Solantic.

Scott has said he takes responsibility for mistakes that were made at Columbia and he said he will not release the deposition, calling it a “private matter.” McCollum has accused him of hiding the truth.

The attacks have not swayed Delikat.

“The government has got all the regulations of all these hospitals, so you can (not) be aware of things that are going on with your paperwork and all that stuff and you could end having to pay fines like a lot of other people in every industry,” he said.

McCollum’s ads may not have turned Delikat against Scott, but a recent Scott ad criticizing McCollum seemed to work with another resident who came to hear the Naples businessman speak Saturday. Explaining why he was supporting Scott, Sam Slay echoed a tough ad Scott released tying McCollum to former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, who was arrested after being accused of funneling party money to himself by hiring his own company as a fundraising consultant for the party.

In the ad, which features footage of Greer introducing McCollum at an early campaign event, Scott says McCollum wanted to hide GOP financial records. Slay repeated the charges almost verbatim.

“He said I don’t know that his records need to be public,” he said. “I don’t know the details of that but the second statement was open government is not what we need, you can make more deals in secrecy. I don’t know if that’s a Freudian slip, (but) we do need open government. If you’re doing the right thing, why do you care?”

Slay said he was also bothered by McCollum’s inconsistency on whether Florida should have an Arizona-style illegal immigration law. McCollum initially said that he supported the law, but did not think requiring police to check immigrants’ IDs is much different from what they’re already allowed to do. He later released legislation similar to the Arizona law with Rep. William Synder, R-Stuart, after Scott criticized him for being soft on the issue.

“He said he was against the immigration law for Arizona, then he comes out (and says) ‘oh no I’m for that,’ when he clearly said he was against it, and it was his voice, it wasn’t somebody saying it in bad press,” Slay said.

Slay said he did not think Rick Scott was the perfect candidate for governor. He just thinks Scott is better for the job than McCollum, he said.

“I think probably one of the things we need is probably something different in Tallahassee,” he said. “The incumbents are not doing what they should be doing. It’s time to take a chance. Sometimes you look at candidates and say ‘how many of them would you walk through fire for?’ That’s not really the issue. The issue is who do you think is going to do you the most good.”

Slay said he liked Scott’s promise to forgo the $133,000 a year salary paid to the governor if he were elected. The multi-millionaire doesn’t really need the money, he said.

“He’s not going there for the money,” he said. “He’ll get in there and do something that he wants to do and then he’ll get out and move on. That’s one of the reasons I like him.”

In his speech, which Slay said Scott kept “short, sweet and to the point,” the first-time candidate did not address any of the issues Slay and Delikat – or McCollum – were talking about. He talked about jobs he held as a child and in the Navy, but said very little about either of the companies McCollum has tried to make into liabilities in the governor’s race.

“I started working at a young age. I had a TV Guide franchise by the time I was (in the) second grade, I delivered newspapers, I had a yard route,” he told the crowd. “I’ve built a variety of businesses. I’ve always been in business from a hospital company to the first health care cable channel to manufacturing companies. Everything I’ve done is figure out how to build companies and take care of customers and build private sector jobs. That’s what we need.”

After the speech, Scott said that he was not worried the election would be decided by the controversies that McCollum has raised repeatedly in the campaign.

“In the end, this election is going to be over who does the voter believe is going to help them get a job or keep their job and it’s an easy choice,” he said. “My opponent’s never created a private sector job, that’s all I’ve done all my life.”

By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida

Photo courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

More Rain Possible Monday

August 22, 2010

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight…Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Monday…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. Northeast winds around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 110.
Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light.
Tuesday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 90s. North winds around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Wednesday…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Thursday…Sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Thursday Night…Mostly clear. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Friday…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Friday Night…Mostly clear. Lows around 70.
Saturday…Partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Pictured top: Several inches of rain in the Molino area Saturday afternoon provided the chance for a swim along Barrineau Park Road. Submitted photo by April Mitchell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Featured Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

August 22, 2010

This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Chicken Fried Steak that the whole family with love. Serve with mashed potatoes or cornbread, and you have a real down-home meal your whole family with love.

To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Back To School Info: School Lunch Menus

August 22, 2010

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 23

Pop Tart
Cheese Wedge
Mixed Fruit

Mandarin Chicken
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Sticky Rice
Broccoli
Peaches

Tuesday, August 24

Breakfast Pizza
Pears

Chicken Alfredo
Corn Dog
Fresh Fruit
Garden Salad
French Bread

Wednesday, August 25

Cereal
Sausage Patty
Mandarin Oranges

Fried Chicken
Country Fried Steak
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Cornbread
Jello

Thursday, August 26

Chicken Biscuit
Applesauce

Taco Salad
Cheeseburger
Fresh Fruit
Green Peas
Fruit Juice Slush

Friday, August 27

Pancakes w/Syrup
Sausage Link
Peaches

Chili Fiesta Sticks
Pepperoni Pizza
Chef Salad w/ Crackers
Mixed Fruit
Corn

Middle/High Featured Specials

Monday, August 23

Chicken Alfredo
Classic Chicken Tender Salad
Corn Dogs

Tuesday, August 24

Chicken Potato Bowl
Beef Teriyaki Wrap
Cheeseburger

Wednesday, August 25

Fried Chicken
Chef Salad
Pizza

Thursday, August 26

Country Fried Steak
Cobb Salad
Popcorn Chicken

Friday, August 27

Teriyaki Chicken
Chicken Snack Wrap
Chili Fiesta Sticks

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under General

Back To School Info: School Start Times

August 22, 2010

School start and end times are the same this year at Escambia County Schools.

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 in Escambia County. On early release days, students will be dismissed at 11:00.
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 Middle School, will follow the standard 9:20 to 4:00 school day with drop off time of 9:05. On early release days, Ernest Ward will dismiss at 12:35 while Ransom will dismiss at 12:50.
High School: Northview High School will have an 8:30 drop time, and an 8:45 to 3:20 school day. Early release time will be 12:10. Tate High School will have an 8:30 to 3:05 day. Morning drop time will be 8:15. Early release time for Tate will be 12:00.
For a detailed list of start and dismissal times for all Escambia District Schools, click here (pdf).

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under General

Back To School Info: Lunch Prices; Free And Reduced Guidelines

August 22, 2010

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.
Extra Mile (Elementary): $0.50

Free And Reduced Price Meals

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, or apply online.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under General

Unemployment Rate Up In Escambia, Santa Rosa

August 21, 2010

For the second month, the two-county employment rate in the Florida North Escambia area increased, while the news was much better in Escambia County, Ala., according to data released Friday.

Escambia County’s unemployment rate increased two-tenths of percent— up from 10.8 percent in June to 11 percent in July. That represented 305 jobs lost in a month for a total county unemployment of 15,715 people.

Santa Rosa County also recorded an increase in unemployment — from 9.7 in June to 10.8 percent in July. Santa Rosa County lost 776 jobs during the period, with a total of 7,880 persons unemployed.

The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., fell over a full percentage point, from 12 percent in June to 10.9 percent in July. That represented a gain of 149 jobs, with 1,564 still unemployed.

Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 9.7 percent in July, declined from June’s rate of 10.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 10.5 percent.

Florida’s unemployment rate hit 11.5 percent in July, ending three straight months of decline even as annual job growth showed its first gain since 2007, state officials reported Friday.

With the economy widely seen as weakening again nationally, Florida was among 14 states where unemployment inched upward last month. Florida’s 11.5 percent jobless rate – up 0.1 percent from June – remains well above the national 9.5 percent unemployment level.

Slightly more than 1 million Floridians are out-of-work, the Agency for Workforce Innovation reported.

“As always is true in the trough of a recession, we get mixed messages,” said Rebecca Rust, AWI’s chief economist.

Even as unemployment climbed, the number of existing jobs in Florida showed its first annual increase since June 2007. The 7.2 million jobs in the state represented a boost of 2,700 jobs compared to a year earlier.

Florida’s job growth is better than what’s been seen nationally, with 52,000 jobs lost over the past year. Last month also was the first time since the recession kicked-in three years ago that Florida’s job growth levels surpassed those nationally.

University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith said Friday it’s unlikely the country will slip into a second recession. But he projects growth will be slower through the first half of 2011 unless the federal government begins to focus on creating rather than saving jobs.

Snaith said the latest climb in jobless claims and Florida’s unemployment rate reflects widespread uncertainty over the financial effects of the federal health care overhaul and what may happen to federal stimulus efforts and tax cuts facing possible reinstatement.

“The mystique surrounding the recovery may have had companies on the fence about laying off employees, but the underlying weakness of this recovery has finally been realized,” he said.

State economists last month projected that Florida’s economy has hit bottom but appears likely to continue scraping along as the development industry and housing market still represents an anchor dragging down the state’s economy. With construction dried up, the state also has been staggered by what economists said was roughly 50,000 foreclosures a month combined with tightening credit markets.

Until last month, unemployment had been improving after hitting a 12.3 percent peak jobless rate in March. The federal government, health care industry, and membership associations and organizations continue to report increased hiring but construction, manufacturing, and financial and information services continue to shed positions.

“Even though we’ve had a loss of momentum over the past couple of months, the consensus for most forecasters is that this is a lull, but it won’t be a double-dip recession,” Rust said.

Indeed, there are some signs of life. State forecasters earlier this month increased the forecast of anticipated tax collections by $229 million for the current budget year – and another $260 million for next year, as stronger than expected corporate tax collections reflected rising profits and higher hospital fee collections offset still-slumping real estate revenue.

In Friday’s findings, AWI officials also pointed out that eight metropolitan areas in Florida have seen over-the-year job gains, including Gainesville, Bradenton-Sarasota, Pensacola and Tallahassee.

John Kennedy, The News Service Florida, contributed to this report

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Century Care Center: Jamaican Party Mon! (With Photo Gallery)

August 21, 2010

The residents at Century Care Center enjoyed a Jamaican Party Friday afternoon. Caribbean food, tropical drinks, party music and a limbo contest highlighted the afternoon’s events.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the party, click here.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Last Minute School Shopping? Here Are The Supply Lists You Need

August 21, 2010

School starts Monday in Escambia County. Here are the school supply lists from each elementary school in the county, plus Ernest Ward and Ransom middle schools.

(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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