No Injuries In School Bus, Dump Truck Wreck
April 16, 2010
There were no injuries in a Thursday afternoon collision between a school bus and a dump truck.
The accident happened about 3:15 on Highway 87. The Florida Highway Patrol says bus driver Jennifer Gunn, 34, of Jay was stopped and had just let off passengers when a dump truck driven by Keith Herrman, 27, of Milton, struck the left rear of the bus. There were no injuries to either driver or any of the four students on the bus at the time of the crash.
Herrman was charged careless driving, according to the FHP.
Former Jay High Teachers Sentenced To Prison For Sex With Students
April 16, 2010
Two former Jay High School teachers that had sex with students have each been sentenced to 15 months each in state prison.
Ashley Elenea Burkett, 32, and April Burford Watson, 33, were sentenced this morning by Santa Rosa County Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh. They will also be on probation for five years, during which time they will be allowed to have unsupervised visits with their own children. Both will be required under state law to register as sex offenders.
Both entered no contest pleas in January to three counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Burkett and Watson, who were teachers at Jay High School, were arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on August 6, 2009, for engaging in sexual intercourse with male students in 2007.
“The investigation was initiated on July 28, 2009 after an anonymous letter was sent to the Santa Rosa County School District alleging sexual relationships between two Jay High School teachers and male juveniles,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said after the arrests. The letter was turned over the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office for investigation.
“Interviews were conducted with the alleged victims in the case. Two victims alleged that they were involved in sexual activity with Watson at her residence and the residence of Burkett between the months of July and October 2007. One other victim alleged that he was involved in sexual activity with Burkett at her residence and the residence of Watson between the months of July and October 2007,” Haines said in August. “Both of the suspects were questioned by investigators and they both admitted to the unlawful sexual activity.”
Burkett taught reading and special education students and was assistant volleyball coach last school year, according to the Jay High School web site. Watson taught math and was the advisor for the junior varsity cheerleaders, also according to the school web site. Watson was to be the varsity cheerleader sponsor this school year and Burkett was to be the varsity volleyball coach.
Pictured above: Former Jay High School teachers Ashley Burkett (left) and April Watson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Fire Chief Resigns
April 16, 2010
Escambia County’s top fireman has submitted his resignation.
Fire Chief Frank Edwards submitted his resignation Thursday; it will be effective in 90 days on July 15. Edwards took the job back in August of August, 2009. He had served as Pensacola’s fire chief since 2007.
Edwards’ resignation comes two weeks after Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom asked the county’s fire marshal, Steven Rinaldi, to resign. Rinaldi did not resign; instead, he was transferred into a training position by Edwards.
Wilbur Luke “Mookie” Brown
April 16, 2010
Wilbur Luke “Mookie” Brown age 86, of Pensacola passed away Monday, April 12, 2010 at his residence. Mookie was born July 29, 1924 in Atmore, Alabama. He was a WWII veteran and an active member of the American Legion Post 340. Mookie was a loving and devoted husband and father. He lived a long and fulfilling life and will be greatly missed by all that loved him.
He leaves behind his beloved step-daughter and son-in-law; Scott and Sonya Jones, a loved and cherished grandson; Taylor Jones, step-daughters; Judy Franklin, Karen Robinson and step-son; Malcolm Perdue, a loved nephew; Johnnie Wooten and his wife Shelia, step-grandsons; Joey (Melanie) Williams and Linzey (Felicia) Williams.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lois Reese
April 16, 2010
Mary Lois Reese, age 78, passed away Monday April, 12, 2010.
She was preceded in death by her son Lynn Fralick; her parents Nel and Myrtle Inez Robinson; sister Willie Mae Agerton and brother Bill Robinson.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years Thomas Holcomb Reese, twin sister Loyce Allen, brother Alton (Nikki) Robinson (Sybil); And numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Covenant Hospice for their care and compassion.
Graveside services will be held Friday, April 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Jordan Cemetery on Kingsfield Road.
Serving, as pallbearers will be Doug Lassiter, Calvin Thompson, Robert Adams, David Lenn, Drew Lenn and Don Mock.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Pensacola is in charge of arrangements.
Molino Woman, 78, Dies After Being Hit By A Car
April 16, 2010
A 78-year old Molino woman died after being hit by car in Molino Thursday night.
The victim was identified by the Florida Highway Patrol as Mamie Peterson of Molino. The FHP says she was standing in the northbound lane of Highway 95A about a half mile north of Cedartown Road. She was wearing dark clothing, and there were no street lights in the area of the crash.
According to troopers, it was not known if Peterson was crossing the road or walking in the northbound lane when she was was struck by the right front of a 1998 Plymouth driven by Sheila Cashmore, 21, of Pensacola.
Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
It is not suspected that Cashmore was under the influence of alcohol; she voluntarily submitted a blood sample to by analyzed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Charges are pending in the crash after the completion of the traffic homicide investigation, the FHP said.
According to Escambia County Property Appraiser records, Peterson owns a residence at 5370 Highway 95A — the area of the crash.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call. LifeFlight was called to the scene, but it was canceled before landing.
Pictured above and below: Mamie Peterson, 78, of Molino, died after being struck by this car Thursday night on Highway 95A in Molino. Pictured middle: Emergency vehicles on the scene of the fatal accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tea Party Protesters Rally Against ‘Obama Care’, Taxes, Government Spending (With Photo Gallery)
April 16, 2010
With American flags, yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and homemade signs by the hundreds, Tea Party protesters lined Davis Highway at University Mall Thursday afternoon in Pensacola for a tax day rally.
Participants were protesting big government, government spending and government intrusion into the lives of ordinary citizens.
“No Obama Care”, “You Can’t Fix Stupid But You Can Throw Them Out”, “Honk if the word Trillion Scares You”, “Fire Obama” — those were just a few of the signs held by the approximate 1,000 protesters, including many from North Escambia, as they waved at passing traffic.
Protesters ranged from the elderly in wheelchairs to young children waving American flags.
The event was organized the local Tea Party group the Pensacola Patriots.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the protest, click here.
Pictured: About 1,000 people took part in a tax day Tea Party protest at University Mall in Pensacola Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs End Season At 22-3, Perfect 8-0 In District
April 16, 2010
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Thursday with a big win over Pensacola High School, 14-3.
The winning pitcher was Amber McMillan with five innings on the mound and five strikeouts..
Leading hitters for Northview were Aimee Clarke, 2-2; Shawna Montgomery, 2-3 with a double; Misty Doran, 2-2; and Haley Simpson, 2-2.
Northview finished regular season 22-3 and a perfect 8-0 in District 1-2A. Northview will host the district softball tournament beginning April 19 in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Crist Bucks Party In Teacher Pay Veto
April 16, 2010
Gov. Charlie Crist defied Republican party leaders Thursday, vetoing one of their top priorities – a measure that would link teacher pay to student achievement.
After several days of wavering, Crist pulled the trigger, chastising lawmakers for rushing the bill through the process and ignoring input from thousands of teachers who called and wrote to them about potential kinks in the legislation.
“Quite frankly it reminds me of what happened with the health care bill in Washington where members of my party criticized the Democrats for sort of jamming something down their throat, and then here, about a month later after that happened, the very same thing happens here in education,” Crist said.
The legislation (SB 6) would have based teacher pay raises on a performance appraisal determined by local school districts. Half of that appraisal would be based on student learning gains on standardized exams. The Department of Education would have been charged with developing metrics to measure learning gains.
Teachers have protested that many of the accomplishments they make with students cannot adequately be tested. Many teachers showed up at committee meetings over the last month and told stories of children who have special needs or have a difficult home life. Some warned that teachers would be less likely to go to problem schools out of fear that they would be unsuccessful with students who are in unstable environments.
Crist’s veto flies directly in the face of Republican Party Chairman Sen. John Thrasher, who sponsored the bill, and several other leading Republicans who declared it a priority. Thrasher told reporters after the veto that it was disappointing and it appears there will likely be no attempts in the final two weeks of the legislative session to pass a measure to get around the veto. But he also acknowledged that it often takes more than one year to pass legislation and said it could pass next year – when Crist will no longer be governor.
“We made the best effort we could make in the House, in the Senate,” Thrasher said. “And I’m confident that this is an idea that’s going to sweep across America. I am confident of that.”
Democrats as well as the Florida Education Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Florida School Boards Association had been lobbying hard against the bill, but even some representatives of education community were shocked at the public outcry over the legislation.
Crist alone received 65,259 phone calls and E-mails in opposition and 3,090 in support. A spokesman for the governor reported that there were an additional 50,902 E-mails that have not yet been categorized.
His decision drew quick praise from Democrats, but derision from many of his fellow Republicans, including House Speaker Larry Cretul, Senate President Jeff Atwater and former Gov. Jeb Bush, who publicly and vocally twisted arms to garner support for the legislation. The bill also received substantial backing from the business community.
“I am disappointed by the veto of Senate Bill 6,” Bush said in a release. “By taking this action, Gov. Crist has jeopardized the ability of Florida to build on the progress of the last decade, which includes raising student achievement across the board, narrowing the achievement gap for poor and minority students, and improving graduation rates.”
Crist said despite his support for the general concept of merit pay, he had several problems with the bill, specifically how learning gains for special needs children are measured and potential encroachment on constitutional rights on local control for school boards.
“SB 6 places teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs and their teaching certification without a clear understanding of how gains will be measured and without taking into account circumstances beyond the teacher’s control,” Crist said.
Many Democrats walking around the Capitol after the announcement were jovial in response to the governor’s decision. Incoming House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders and current Leader Franklin Sands said it was the caucus position that members would not publicly gloat about the victory. “Only privately,” Sands added.
Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, noted that the measure could return in some form in the future, though likely not this legislative session.
“Obviously it’s a victory, but I’m not uncorking champagne,” he said. “Because frankly it’s almost a sad statement that we had to fight this hard to stop something so wrong headed. We shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”
by Kathleen Haughney, The News Service Florida
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Middle School Track Meet
April 16, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles participated in their first track meet of the season Thursday afternoon at Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Final results from the event were not available Thursday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.