Dig Pink Volleyball To Benefit Breast Cancer Programs
September 14, 2010
The Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes will meet on the volleyball court later this month in Bratt in the area’s first ever Dig Pink game.
“Dig Pink is an organization for breast cancer awareness through volleyball. Our girls will be working hard at raising money for the organization and playing a game in honor of survivors and those whom have past away,” said Barbara Luker, assistant Northview volleyball coach. “The volleyball team will be ‘decked’ out in pink for the game and has plans to host a hospitality room for survivors that attend the game. We also are going to try to ‘pink out’ our gym for the game.”
The Dig Pink games will take place on Tuesday, September 28, with the Flomaton and Northview 9th grade teams playing at 4:30, the junior varsity at 5:30 and the varsity at 6:30 in the Northview High School gym.
The Dig Pink website allows individuals to donate to the breast cancer cause. In addition, Northview is seeking monetary and item donations for the hospitality room. For more information, email BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Dig Pink game is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com; additional sponsors are needed. Contact BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us for information.
Open House Tonight At Northview High School
September 14, 2010
The annual open house will be held this evening at Northview High School.
The Open House will a bit different than in years past. Parents will report to the theater at 6 p.m. for a brief opening presentation and then attend mini-sessions in the school.
There will be four mini-sessions as follows:
- Parent Portal — the online parent portal will be demonstrated in the media center
- Vocational — in the cafeteria, with refreshments
- Reading, math, science, history, reading, language arts — Room 218
- Music, art, ROTC, P.E., Journalism — theater
Parents will be given instructions on attending the mini-sessions during the opening presentation.
Pictured: Parents and students attend Open House last year at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Awards $269K Dogwood Lane Drainage Contract
September 14, 2010
The Town of Century has awarded a $269, 449 Dogwood Lane drainage improvement contract to Gulf Equipment Company.
Gulf Equipment was one of six bidders on the project, with their bid over $30,000 less than the second place company, according to Dale Long of Fabre Engineering.
“They do a good job and are a very reputable firm,” Long told the Century Town Council Monday night.
The project will be funded by federal stimulus dollars. Gulf Equipment’s bid was well below the $370,000 budgeted for the project.
Century Relay For Life Committee Meeting Tonight
September 14, 2010
A Century Relay for Life committee meeting will be held tonight.
Anyone interested on serving on the committee is welcome to attend. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Century Library.
Teams may also sign up online at www.CenturyRelay.com. For more information, contact event chair Jacke Johnston (850) 336-2091.
Man Assaults Underage Brother With Can Of Food
September 14, 2010
A Cantonment man is behind bars facing several charges after allegedly hitting his underage brother in the head with a can of food from the family’s kitchen.
Justin Douglas Kent, 23, of Kingsfield Road, is charged with misdemeanor battery and felony counts of aggravated battery and cruelty toward a child. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, Kent got into a fight with his 17-year old brother. In their home’s kitchen, Kent grabbed an “unopened nonperishable metal can” and struck his younger brother in the head and face.
The younger brother was found bleeding on a neighbor’s porch by an arriving deputy, who described his wound as “a large gash that did have a curve shape to it.”
Kent told the deputy that his brother had been nagging him all day and refusing to do chores. He said he grabbed the metal can to defend himself as he was being hit repeatedly in the head by his younger brother.
The can, with a large dent in it, was photographed as evidence, according to the ECSO report, Kent was transported to jail, and the younger brother was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Vinson To Hear Federal Health Care Lawsuit Beginning Today
September 14, 2010
Escambia County will take center stage this week in the fight over the federal health care law that consumed Congress for the better part of a year, and along with it, so will a Pensacola judge who is no stranger to hot button issues.
U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson, a Reagan nominee to the bench who presided over two high profile abortion clinic violence cases in the 1980s and 1990s, will hear oral arguments on the U.S. Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against the health care law by Florida and 18 other states on Tuesday.
The arguments will include Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Pensacola courtroom.
The plaintiffs, the states, argue that the health care law illegally requires all citizens and legal residents to have health care coverage or pay a tax penalty, which they say is a violation the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause. The plaintiffs also say the law runs afoul of the states’ rights guaranteed in the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The defendant, the U.S. Justice Department, counters that overturning the health care law would unduly expand judicial review of Congress and other government branches. More specially, the DOJ argues that Congress has the power to determine how federal money appropriated for Medicaid may be spent and can give states an option of setting up their own health exchanges or having the federal government do so.
Sorting it all out will be Vinson, a senior judge at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola.
Vinson, who was nominated to the federal bench in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, has indicated he knows the legal world will be waiting for his verdict, but that it will almost certainly be immediately appealed no matter which way he comes down. The case is widely expected to end up at the U.S. Supreme Court, which means a final legal decision could take years.
Other than the timing and allowing the arguments on the merits of the case to be heard, Vinson has not said much about the non-jury proceeding. But Ben Gordon, a Fort Walton Beach lawyer who clerked for him from 2000-2002, said Vinson will likely keep the lawyers from both sides on their toes.
“He will be a very intelligent judge who does a lot of his own work,” Gordon said, which made clerking for Vinson “interesting because he wouldn’t just rely on what I and other clerks told him.”
“He’ll educate himself and have read all the key cases,” Gordon said. “I anticipate he’ll ask probing questions on both sides. It’ll be interesting to watch. I believe he will have some questions the lawyers might not anticipate. He’ll be that engaged in this.”
Vinson, 70, is no stranger to cases involving issues at the center of national debates. In 1985, Vinson sentenced two men, Matt Goldsby and James Simmons, to 10 years in prison for their role in bombing an abortion clinic, though he made them eligible for early parole and gave Goldsby’s fiancée and Simmons’ wife, who were convicted of conspiracy, to five years probation. Nobody was killed in the bombing.
Vinson also presided over the federal trial of Paul Hill, who was convicted and later executed for the 1994 murders of a Pensacola abortion provider and a volunteer escort at an abortion clinic. Hill was sentenced to death in state court, but Vinson sentenced him to two additional life terms for violating the federal clinic access law. Hill was executed in 2003.
In 1988, Vinson also made news when he overturned an Escambia County ban on the film The Last Temptation of Christ.
Vinson also dismissed a case in 1998 that was brought by Medal of Honor winner Bud Day of Fort Walton Beach, who sued the government on behalf of military retirees who said they weren’t getting promised adequate medical care.
More recently, Vinson has been a visiting judge in Texas, where he has heard the case of a federal judge in Houston who was charged with sexually harassing female court employees.
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida
Navy Federal Merges With USA Federal
September 14, 2010
Navy Federal Credit Union of Vienna, VA, and USA Federal Credit Union (USA Fed), based in San Diego, CA, announced Monday that they have agreed to merge operations.
The newly combined credit union will begin joint operations under the Navy Federal banner projected to be October 1, 2010, pending regulatory approval by National Credit Union Administration, (NCUA).
In Escambia County, Navy Federal is one of the largest employers, with over 1,200 working for the credit union, according to the Pensacola Chamber Of Commerce.
All USA Fed’s 19 branches – eight in Southern California and 11 military base branches in Japan and Korea – will become part of the Navy Federal branch network. All USA Fed employees will be invited to join the Navy Federal team, and the USA Fed San Diego headquarters building will become Navy Federal’s West Coast operations center. Members will be notified of merger and will have access to additional information posted on Navy Federal and USA Fed websites and in branch offices.
“We are excited about this merger and know that Navy Federal is an excellent choice for us,” said Mary Cunningham, USA Fed’s CEO. “We share the same commitment of service to our members – the men and women in uniform who serve our country and the San Diego community. We’re confident that this will provide valuable opportunities for members and employees.”
According to Navy Federal’s President & CEO Cutler Dawson, “The merger with USA Federal Credit Union is a great opportunity for both of our Credit Unions as we unite our members, employees and operations. We are excited to welcome their members and employees into our Navy Federal family. This is important for us because it strengthens our presence in Southern California and expands our branch access for members – here and overseas.” The combined credit union will have over 200 branches worldwide, with 22 located in Southern California, over $43 billion in assets and more than 3.5 million members.
Escambia Ala. GOP Opens Atmore Headquarters
September 14, 2010
The Escambia County (Ala.) Republican Party opened its Atmore headquarters Monday afternoon with the help of special guest Kay Ivey, Republican candidate for Alabama lieutenant governor.
Several Escambia County Republican candidates were on hand for the event, including sheriff candidate Heath Jackson, school board candidate Sherry Digmon and Danny Joyner, candidate for state senate.
The Atmore GOP headquarters is located at 103 North Main Street.
Pictured top: Escambia County (Ala.) Republican sheriff candidate Heath Jackson talks with Kay Ivey, candidate for lieutenant governor Monday afternoon as the GOP opened an Atmore headquarters. Picture inset: Kay Ivey. Submitted photos by Jacquelyn Gay for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Obama Back To School Speech
September 14, 2010
Remarks of President Barack Obama -As Prepared for Delivery – Back to School Speech
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 14, 2010
As Prepared for Delivery—
Hello Philadelphia! It’s wonderful to be here. Today is about welcoming all of you and all of America’s students back to school – and I can’t think of a better place to do it than Masterman. You’re one of the best schools in Philadelphia – a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom. And just last week, you were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for your record of achievement. That’s a testament to everyone here – students and parents, teachers and school leaders. And it’s an example of excellence I hope communities across America embrace.
Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school. And I bet a lot of you are feeling the same way they’re feeling. You’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new year. The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones. Of joining a school club, or trying out for a team. The possibilities of growing into a better student, and a better person, and making your family proud.
But I know some of you may also be nervous about starting a new school year. Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, and worried about what that’ll be like. Maybe you’re starting a new school, and not sure how you’ll like it. Or maybe you’re a senior who’s feeling anxious about the whole college process; about where to apply and whether you can afford to go.
And beyond all these concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of these difficult times. You know what’s going on in the news and your own family’s lives. You read about the war in Afghanistan. You hear about the recession we’ve been through. You see it in your parents’ faces and sense it in their voice.
A lot of you are having to act a lot older than you are; to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas; to look after younger siblings while your mom works that second shift; to take on a part-time job while your dad is out of work.
It’s a lot to handle; it’s more than you should have to handle. And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like; whether you’ll be able to succeed in school; whether you should set your sights a little lower, and scale back your dreams.
But here is what I came to Masterman to tell you: nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach. So long as you’re willing to dream big. So long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education.
That last part is absolutely essential – because an education has never been more important. I’m sure there will be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it’s all worth it. Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.
More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school. In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you’ll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America’s success in the 21st century.
So, you have an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you to make sure you’re getting the best education possible. And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hand-in-hand.
It will take all of us in government – from Harrisburg to Washington – doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom, in college, and in a career. It will take an outstanding principal and outstanding teachers like the ones here at Masterman; teachers who go above and beyond for their students. And it will take parents who are committed to your education.
That’s what we have to do for you. That’s our responsibility. That’s our job. But here’s your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive – that kind of hard work – is absolutely essential for success.
I know – because I didn’t always have it. I wasn’t always the best student when I was younger; I made my share of mistakes. In fact, I can still remember a conversation I had with my mother in high school, when I was about the age of some of you here today. It was about how my grades were slipping, how I hadn’t even started my college applications, how I was acting, as she put it, “casual” about my future. It’s a conversation I suspect will sound familiar to some of the students and parents here today.
And my attitude was what I imagine every teenager’s attitude is in a conversation like that. I was like, I don’t need to hear all this. So, I started to say that, and she just cut me right off. You can’t just sit around, she said, waiting for luck to see you through. She said I could get into any school in the country if I just put in a little effort. Then she gave me a hard look and added, “Remember what that’s like? Effort?”
It was pretty jolting, hearing my mother say that. But eventually, her words had their intended effect. I got serious about my studies. I made an effort. And I began to see my grades – and my prospects – improve. And I know that if hard work could make the difference for me, it can make the difference for you, too.
I know some of you may be skeptical about that. You may wonder if some people are just better at certain things. And it’s true that we each have our own gifts and talents we need to discover and nurture. But just because you’re not the best at something today doesn’t mean you can’t be tomorrow. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a math person or as a science person – you can still excel in those subjects if you’re willing to make the effort. And you may find out you have talents you’d never dreamed of.
You see, excelling in school or in life isn’t mainly about being smarter than everybody else. It’s about working harder than everybody else. Don’t avoid new challenges – seek them out, step out of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to ask for help; your teachers and family are there to guide you. Don’t feel discouraged or give up if you don’t succeed at something – try it again, and learn from your mistakes. Don’t feel threatened if your friends are doing well; be proud of them, and see what lessons you can draw from what they’re doing right.
That’s the kind of culture of excellence you promote here at Masterman; and that’s the kind of excellence we need to promote in all America’s schools. That’s why today, I’m announcing our second Commencement Challenge. If your school is the winner; if you show us how teachers, students, and parents are working together to prepare your kids for college and a career; if you show us how you’re giving back to your community and our country – I’ll congratulate you in person by speaking at your commencement.
But the truth is, an education is about more than getting into a good college or getting a good job when you graduate. It’s about giving each and every one of us the chance to fulfill our promise; to be the best version of ourselves we can be. And part of what that means is treating others the way we want to be treated – with kindness and respect.
Now, I know that doesn’t always happen. Especially not in middle or high school. Being a teenager isn’t easy. It’s a time when we’re wrestling with a lot of things. When I was your age, I was wrestling with questions about who I was; about what it meant to be the son of a white mother and a black father, and not having that father in my life. Some of you may be working through your own questions right now, and coming to terms with what makes you different.
And I know that figuring all that out can be even more difficult when you’ve got bullies in class who try to use those differences to pick on you or poke fun at you; to make you feel bad about yourself. In some places, the problem is more serious. There are neighborhoods in my hometown of Chicago, where kids have hurt one another. And the same thing has happened here in Philly.
So, what I want to say to you today – what I want all of you to take away from my speech – is that life is precious, and part of its beauty lies in its diversity. We shouldn’t be embarrassed by the things that make us different. We should be proud of them. Because it’s the things that make us different that make us who we are. And the strength and character of this country have always come from our ability to recognize ourselves in one another, no matter who we are, or where we come from, what we look like, or what abilities or disabilities we have.
I was reminded of that idea the other day when I read a letter from Tamerria Robinson, an 11-year old girl in Georgia. She told me about how hard she works, and about all the community service she does with her brother. And she wrote, “I try to achieve my dreams and help others do the same.” “That,” she wrote, “is how the world should work.”
I agree with Tamerria. That is how the world should work. Yes, we need to work hard. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own education. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own lives. But what makes us who we are is that here, in this country, we not only reach for our own dreams, we help others do the same. This is a country that gives all its daughters and all its sons a fair chance. A chance to make the most of their lives. A chance to fulfill their God-given potential.
And I’m absolutely confident that if all our students – here at Masterman, and across this country – keep doing their part; if you keep working hard, and focusing on your education; if you keep fighting for your dreams and if all of us help you reach them; then not only will you succeed this year, and for the rest of your lives, but America will succeed in the 21st century. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case
September 13, 2010
A girl that was last seen nine years ago in North Escambia is among those that will be remembered today on the 12 annual Florida Missing Children’s Day.
Danielle Arion Bell, 14, was last seen at a party on September 30, 2001, near Cantonment. The teenager is believed to be an endangered runaway, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. She is now 22 years old.
Danielle is one of 25 missing children and adults being featured in a statewide billboard campaign this week. Two other Pensacola children are being featured on the billboards — Tavia Bailey, missing from Pensacola since January 24, 1986, and Preston Mills, missing from Pensacola since June 25, 2010.
“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appreciates our outdoor advertisers for partnering with us once again to broadcast the photos of missing children and adults,” said Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “It is our hope that someone, somewhere in our state will recognize one of these faces and provide us with information that will reunite them with their families.”
Danielle attended Tate High School where she was a member of the Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
She was seen at a party on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment. Witnesses told authorities that she left the party that night shortly after a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call FDLE’s Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL MISSING or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630.
Each year, approximately 50,000 incidents of missing children are reported to Florida law enforcement agencies. While many children are located within hours or days, some children are recovered months or even years after being reported missing.
“We count on the public to be vigilant at all times,” said Special Agent Supervisor Lee Condon of FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. “If something doesn’t seem right in a child’s situation, it’s probably not. We count on tips from citizens to provide those small pieces of information which may not seem significant at the time, but could ultimately make the difference in saving a child’s life whether the child is 5 or 17. A missing child is always a child in danger no matter what their age.”
The FDLE encourages the public to sign up to receive free Missing Child Alerts and Amber Alerts via personal computer, cell phone or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
