Sunny Sunday
April 17, 2011
After a cool night, we will warm into the upper 70’s on this Sunday. By Monday, the winds will shift to the south, bringing back more humidity.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear. Lows 45 to 50. South winds around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Warmer. Partly cloudy. Lows 61 to 66. South winds around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 86.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Escambia Teachers To Get A Raise
April 17, 2011
Escambia County School District teachers and staff will see an increase in their paychecks.
The district and teacher and staff unions came to an agreement that will amount to a one percent raise for 2010-2011 and a supplement that will equate to a two percent raise for 2011-2012.
The supplement for next year will go toward the employee’s retire; it will not be a cash bonus like has been given in past years.
Complete Results: 18th Annual Livestock Show (With Photos)
April 17, 2011
The 18th annual Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association annual Spring Livestock Show was held last weekend at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on 9 Mile Road in Beulah.
4-H and FFA members in Escambia, Baldwin, and Mobile counties in Alabama, and Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in Florida showed their breeding heifers, preview steers, goats, sheep, rabbits, and poultry during the event.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Complete results were as follows:
YOUTH SWINE SHOW
Lightweight Swine
- 1st Megan Gibbs
- 2nd Thomas Aliff
- 3rd Brant Worley
Middleweight Swine
- 1st Seth Comeau
- 2nd Donnie Dixon
- 3rd Forrest Gibbs
Light Heavyweight Swine
- 1st Wesley Hardin
- 2nd Dylan Livingston
- 3rd Matthew Smith
Heavyweight Swine
- 1st Zachary Comeau
- 2nd Emily Higdon
- 3rd Emily Boutwell
Grand Champion Market Swine
- Wesley Hardin
Reserve Champion Market Swine
- Zachary Comeau
Junior Showmanship
- 1st Emily Boutwell
- 2nd Adam Aliff
- 3rd Davis Warren
Intermediate Showmanship
- 1st Patra Miller
- 2nd Jared Aliff
- 3rd Mattthew Smith
Senior Showmanship
- 1st Megan Gibbs
- 2nd Emily Higdon
- 3rd Forrest Gibbs
YOUTH GOAT SHOW
Dairy Goat, Class I
- 1st Madison Fendley
Dairy Goat, Class II
- 1st Madison Fendley
Grand Champion Dairy Goat
- Madison Fendley
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat
- Madison Fendley
Meat Breeding Goat
- 1st Allie Vidak
- 2nd Jayme Smith
Grand Champion Meat Breeding Goat
- Allie Vidak
Reserve Champion Meat Breeding Goat
- Jayme Smith
LAMB SHOW
Breeding Lamb
- 1st Jessica Baldwin
Grand Champion Breeding Lamb
- Jessica Baldwin
GOAT AND LAMB SHOWMANSHIP
Junior Showmanship
- 1st Madison Fendley
- 2nd Jayme Smith
Senior Showmanship
- 1st Allie Vidak
- 2nd Jessica Baldwin
YOUTH MARKET STEER SHOW
Lightweight Steers
- 1st Kyle Livingston
- 2nd Brant Worley
- 3rd Ethan Cunningham
Middleweight Steers
- 1st Tyler Vines
- 2nd Austin Cunningham
- 3rd Parker Cunningham
Heavyweight Steers
- 1st Ashley Cunningham
- 2nd Donald Cunningham
- 3rd Blake Worley
Grand Champion Market Steer
- Ashley Cunningham
Reserve Champion Market Steer
- Tyler Vines
STEER SHOWMANSHIP
Junior Showmanship
- 1st Brant Worley
- 2nd Ethan Cunningham
Intermediate Showmanship
- 1st Donald Cunningham
- 2nd Austin Cunningham
- 3rd Blake Worley
Senior Showmanship
- 1st Kyle Livingston
- 2nd Ashley Cunningham
- 3rd Tyler Vines
YOUTH MARKET PROSPECT STEER
- 1st Allie Vidak
POULTRY SHOW
Dual Purpose, Silver Laced Wyandotte
- 1st Brandon Davis
- 2nd Rebekah Potter
- Best Dual: BrandonDavis
Production
- 1st Jonathan Rodgers
- 2nd Ami Rodgers
- Best Production: Jonathan Rodgers
Standard
Austrolorps
- 1st Patrick Comley
Buttercups
- 1st Adam Whitfield
Production Reds
- 1st Justin Parker
Golden Polish
- 1st Kelvin Willimas
Peking Duck
- 1st Sara Herrington
- Best Standard: Patrick Comley
Overall Grand Champion
- Britanie Comley
Reserve Grand Champion
- Patrick Comley
Silkie
- 1st Hen: Kelvin Williamson
- 1st Cock Adam Whitfield
- 1st Splash Hen Klaire Ann Ellard
- 2nd Splash Hen Klaire Ann Ellard
- 1st Black Klaire Ann Ellard
- Best Silkie: Adam Whitfield
D’Uccle
- Porcelin Hen 1st: Adam Whitfield
- Porcelin Cock 1st: Adam Whitfield
- Millie Fleur 1st: Klarissa Williamson
- Best D’Uccle: Klarissa Williamson
O.E.
- Quail Hen 1st Adam Whitfield
- Quail Cock 1st Adam Whitfield
- Black 1st Elizabeth Ellard
- Best O.E. Adam Whitfield
Cochins
- Black 1st Britnie Comley
- Blue 1st Britnie COmley
- Splash 1st Britnie Comley
- Red 1st Emily Valentine
- Best Cohias Britnie Comley
Overall Grand Champion Poultry
- Britnie Comley
Reserve Grand Champion Poultry
- Patrick Comley
RABBIT SHOW
Cloverbuds
- 1st James Gruenwald
- 2nd Andrew Fendley
- 3rd Keenan Williams
Juniors
- 1st Klarissa Williamson
- 2nd Madison Fendley
- 3rd Ami Rodgers
Intermediate Product
- 1st Donnie Dixon
- 2nd Jonathan Rodgers
- 3rd Donnie Dixon
Intermediate Ornamental
- 1st Donnie Dixon
- 2nd Hanna Garrett
- 3rd Virginia Montgomery
Senior
- 1st Kaitlin Ward
YOUTH BEEF BREEDING SHOW
Registered Angus Cow/Calf Pair, Class I
- 1st Donald Cunningham
- 2nd Austin Cunningham
Registered Angus Cow/Calf Pair, Class II
- 1st Tyler Simmons
Commercial Cow/Calf Pair
- 1st Ashley Cunningham
Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair
- Donald Cunningham
Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair
- Tyler Simmons
Registered Angus Heifer
- 1st Ashley Cunningham
Grand Champion Registered
- Ashley Cunningham
Commercial Heifer, Class IX
- 1st Allie Vidak
Commercial Heifer, Class X
- 1st Allie Vidak
Grand Champion Commercial
- Allie Vidak
Reserve Grand Champion
- Allie Vidak
Overall Supreme Champion
- Ashley Cunningham
Overall Reserve Champion
- Allie Vidak
BEEF BREEDING SHOWMANSHIP
Junior Showmanship
- 1st Tyler Simmons
Intermediate Showmanship
- 1st Donald Cunningham
- 2nd Austin Cunningham
Senior Showmanship
- 1st Allie Vidak
- 2nd Ashley Cunningham
Photos courtesy Charles Crumpton, Brian Miller, Aimee Hardin, Allie Vidak and Jerry Marbut for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Caregiver Support Meeting Scheduled
April 17, 2011
The Council on Aging of West Florida will host a Century Caregiver Support Group Meeting at on April 21.
There is no cost and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Century Care Center at 6020 Industrial Blvd. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. County residency is not required to attend.
The support group is part of Council on Aging of West Florida programs designed to reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of care giving tasks and enable caregivers to provide high quality care in the home. The programs are sponsored by Council on Aging of West Florida, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging. For more information, call (850) 432-1475.
Florida Virtual School Expansion Poised For House Vote
April 17, 2011
A major expansion of Florida’s virtual school programs is poised for a House floor vote after swift approval from a House committee on Friday.
But a similar measure in the Senate has stalled after questions were raised about its costs to the state.
The House measure (HB 7197) was approved with a substantial amendment after little debate or questions in the House Appropriations Committee on Friday. Only Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, voted “no” after saying the committee was not given enough time to digest the 38-page amendment to the bill.
The bill allows taxpayer-funded charter schools to open full-time K-12 “virtual” charter schools in which classes can be taught on a computer by an instructor located elsewhere.
It also requires students to take an online class before graduating from high school, beginning as soon as 2011.
School districts would also have to offer full-time and part-time virtual instruction to students, through their own programs or by contracting with a third-party provider approved by the Department of Education.
But critics of the increased use of K-12 virtual schools say that quality suffers without frequent face-to-face engagement with teachers and that schools play an important watchdog role in child welfare.
Rep. Kelli Stargel defended virtual classes as the way younger generations are programmed to learn.
“Kids are comfortable online, they Google everything,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland. “They are used to getting information from an online provider.” Stargel acknowledged that online classes have the added benefit of being cheaper than traditional classrooms, thereby saving the state money. “Yes, it will be less expensive,” she said.
A similar Senate bill (SB 1620) allows for a much bigger expansion of state-funded virtual schools, permitting a virtual school company from outside of Florida to offer K-12 instruction to any student in the state, even private school and home-schooled students, with the state picking up the tab.
The bill was set to be heard Friday in the Senate Budget Committee but is stalled after Sen. J.D. Alexander, the chairman of the committee, expressed concerns about the cost to the state.
Because the measure allows home school and private school students to enroll in a state-funded virtual school, enrollment and costs to the state could dramatically increase.
There are over 62,000 home school students and over 313,000 private school students in Florida. If only one percent of those students enrolled in virtual programs and received state funding it could cost the state $19 million.
“I need to know a little bit more about what our budget allocations are going to look like before I take a $20 million impact bill forward,” said Alexander, R-Lake Wales.
But his concerns may be soothed by an amendment to the bill that puts it in line with the House version. Under that version, the doors to virtual schools would not be thrown open to private school and home-schooled students.
This Senate proposal may only have one more shot to become law. Next week the Senate is taking time off and then returns for its last week of committee meetings on April 25.
Schools say the push for more virtual classes comes with some drawbacks.
“It’s a mixed bag,” said Vernon Pickup-Crawford, a lobbyist for school districts, calling the House version “at least more reasonable.” Pickup-Crawford said many schools like the increased flexibility of being allowed to offer part-time or full-time virtual classes. But the House bill still doesn’t allow schools to offer classes outside the regular school day and does not pay extra for “credit recovery” classes students take virtually after failing the first time.
The bill also requires schools to provide facilities and equipment for testing, which costs schools money, he said.
Brian Kennedy, with the National Coalition for Public School Options, which is a parent-organized group that supports school choices beyond traditional public schools, has been watching the bills in Florida closely.
Kennedy said what Florida is trying to do isn’t unusual. States like Arizona and Idaho offer statewide virtual K-12 programs, he said, and have far larger enrollment. Though SB 1620 is favored by virtual school proponents, he called the scaled-back House version a “small step forward on an important issue.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Rogers Weds Winingar
April 17, 2011
Miss Kelly Brienne Rogers and Mr. Kevin Andrew Winingar were united in marriage on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at half past four o’clock in the afternoon at Beach Community Church on Pensacola Beach. The ceremony was officiated by the Reverend James Hightshoe, the brother-in-law of the groom.
The bride’s parents hosted a seated dinner and reception at Beach Community Church. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the home of long time friends, Mike and Barbara Brown of Cantonment.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mel Rogers of Pensacola. The groom is the son of Mr. Donald Winingar and Mrs. Teresa Sanders, both of McDavid.
Miss Stefany Townsend of Fort Walton served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Miss Meagan Core of Pensacola, Miss Erin McCrone of Tallahassee, Miss Cara Drye of Pensacola, and Miss Emily Powell of Pensacola. The flower girls were Miss Victoria Mode of Huntsville, AL and Miss Brenna McCrone of Tallahassee.
Brother of the groom, Mr. Brian Winingar of Bonifay, served as best man. Groomsmen included Mr. Joshua Brown of Pensacola, Mr. Steven Shanks of Pensacola, Mr. Trey Johnson of Pensacola, and Mr. Steve Rogers of Atlanta, Georgia. Ring Bearers were Bryson Winingar of Bonifay and Kyler McCormick of Pensacola.
The bride is a graduate of Woodham High School in Pensacola and continued her education at the University of West Florida where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She is currently employed at Cardiology Consultants in Pensacola. The groom is a graduate of Northview High School in Bratt and continued his studies in engineering technology and mechanical engineering at the University of West Florida where he lettered in cross country and became a captain of the rugby team. He is currently employed as a predictive services consultant with Reliability Solutions in Walnut Hill and a member of the Pensacola Aviators Rugby Football Club.
Following a honeymoon in Tulum, Mexico, Kelly and Kevin will reside in Pensacola.
Chilly Tonight, Lower 40’s
April 16, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind between 10 and 15 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 87.
Tornadoes Kill At Least 7 In Alabama; Few Problems In North Escambia Area
April 16, 2011
At least seven people died in Alabama tornadoes Friday night, while the North Escambia area escaped any reported injuries. But Escambia County, Alabama did suffer damage from an apparent twister.
Washington County (Ala.) Emergency Management reports three fatalities in the Vinegar Bend/Deer Park area. The fatalities were a mother and her two children. The father and two other children in the same family were seriously injured. Vinegar Bend is north of Citronelle, Alabama, about 50 miles from Walnut Hill, Florida.
A man also died in Marengo County, Alabama, when his mobile home was tossed about by another tornado, and three people died in Autagua County, Alabama.
Across the North Escambia area, scattered power outages were reported, but there were no reports of significant damage or injuries.
Tornado sirens sounded in Atmore and Poarch as radar indicated a possible tornado passing near Holman Prison. Atmore Police officers near I-65 and Highway 21 reported seeing a possible funnel cloud just north of the city, but no damage was reported.
As that same storm system moved across Escambia County, a possible tornado was spotted near I-65 and Highway 113 north of Flomaton, and a possible tornado was reported near Appleton.
In Escambia County, Alabama — trees were downed on Wildfork Road in Barnett Crossroads and Appleton; multiple structures were reported damaged on or near Highway 31; and a tree was reported down on a home with occupants trapped inside on Damascus Road. No injuries were reported.
Latest Local Unemployment Numbers A Bit Of Good News
April 16, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a decline in the number of unemployed in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped almost a half percentage point — from 10.7 percent in February to 10.3 percent in March. That represented 514 people no longer seeking employment, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 14,347 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded a half point drop in unemployment— from 9.6 percent in February to 9.1 percent in March. Santa Rosa County gained 314 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,485 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.6 percent.
Escambia County, Alabama, had experienced over a full percent drop in unemployment — from 11.4 percent in Feburary to 10.2 percent in March. Escambia, Alabama, gained 159 jobs during them month-long period, with 1,466 still out of work.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March 2011 is 11.1 percent, the lowest since November 2009 when the rate was also 11.1 percent. This represents 1,030,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,251,000.
The state’s rate is down 0.4 percentage point from the February 2011 rate of 11.5 percent and is 0.2 percentage point lower than the March 2010 rate of 11.3 percent. This is the first over-the-year decline in Florida’s unemployment rate since November 2006.
“The continued decline in the unemployment rate paired with very positive job growth provides a strong signal that Florida’s economy has turned the corner,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “While there are still too many Floridians out of work, our economy is clearly heading in the right direction with Governor Scott’s emphasis on job creation and economic development.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 9.2 percent in March, was down slightly from February’s rate of 9.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 10.0 percent.
Chiefs Beat The Royals For Top Spot In District
April 16, 2011
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 4-3 Friday afternoon in Jay to claim the top seed in the upcoming District 1-2A baseball tournament.
The Chiefs are 12-7 on the season, 7-2 in the district, while the Royals are 12-7, 6-3 for the second seed in District 1-2A.
Northview was led at the plate by Josh Scott. He was 2 for 3, with a double, and 2 RBI’s, including the game winner in the bottom of the 6th to score Kevin Vaughan with the winning run. Kevin Vaughan was 2 for 3 with a run scored, and an RBI. Tyler Brooks was 1 for 3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Dabney Langhorne was 1 for 3 with a run scored for the Chiefs, as well.
Colton Sims was the winning pitcher for Northview running his record to 7-3 on the season. He pitched 7 innings, gave up 3 runs on 5 hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Northview improved it’s district record to 8-2 on the season. The Chiefs return to action Monday, April 18, for Senior Night beginning at 6 p.m. vs WS Neal.
The district tournament begins Monday, April 25 in Jay and continues April 26 with the championship game set for Thursday, April 28.