Sales Tax Holiday Continues (With Printable School Supply Lists)
August 13, 2011
Shoppers can take advantage of the Florida’s break from the state sales tax on items today and Sunday.
The break from the 6 percent state sales tax and any local option sales taxes applies to clothing, shoes, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less, and certain school supplies selling for $15 or less. (Click here for a list.)
School starts Monday, August 22 in Escambia County. Here are the school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in the county.
(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
North Escambia Area Schools:
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ransom Middle
Complete Escambia County Lists:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- McMillan Pre-K
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- Weis Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Woodham Middle
- Workman Middle
Another Appeals Court Rejects Federal Health Care Law
August 13, 2011
Calling it an”unprecedented exercise of congressional power,” a federal appeals court Friday sided with Florida and 25 other states in rejecting a plan that would require almost all Americans to have health insurance in 2014.
The insurance requirement, known as the individual mandate, is a linchpin of the health-system overhaul that President Obama and congressional Democrats approved in 2010.
But a divided 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that the mandate is unconstitutional, saying it is “unprecedented, lacks cognizable limits and imperils our federalist structure.”
“This economic mandate represents a wholly novel and potentially unbounded assertion of congressional authority: the ability to compel Americans to purchase an expensive health insurance product they have elected not to buy, and to make them re-purchase that insurance product every month for their entire lives,” Chief Judge Joel Dubina and Judge Frank M. Hull wrote in the 207-page majority opinion.
But Judge Stanley Marcus wrote a stinging dissent, siding with the Obama administration’s argument that the mandate is allowed under the constitution’s Commerce Clause.
“The parade of horribles said to follow ineluctably from upholding the individual mandate includes the federal government’s ability to compel us to purchase and consume broccoli, buy General Motors vehicles and exercise three times a week,” Marcus wrote. “However, acknowledging the constitutionality of the individual mandate portends no such impending doom.”
Former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum spearheaded the challenge to the health overhaul, immediately filing suit last year in U.S. District Court in Pensacola after Obama signed the law.
The case, which was joined by other states, the National Federation of Independent Business and two individuals, has become perhaps the most closely watched challenge to the law, which Republicans derisively call “Obamacare.”
The U.S. Supreme Court is ultimately expected to decide the constitutionality of the overhaul. But Florida Republicans praised the appeals-court ruling Friday.
“It is critical that this case be expedited to the United States Supreme Court so that we can put this job-killing federal government mandate behind us and begin making the meaningful improvements our healthcare system needs without infringing on the liberties of Americans,” said Gov. Rick Scott, who has made opposition to the law one of his signature issues.
Florida CHAIN, a health-advocacy group that backs the overhaul, said the court decision was disappointing. But with the dispute headed to the Supreme Court, the group said Florida should move forward with the law, which is known as the “Affordable Care Act.”
“Implementation of the (law) is critical to the health and well-being of Floridians,” Florida CHAIN said in a statement.
In finding the individual mandate unconstitutional, the appeals court upheld part of a January ruling by Pensacola federal judge Roger Vinson. But the court overturned another part of Vinson’s ruling, which said the entire health-care law should be tossed out because the individual mandate could not be separated from other changes approved by Congress.
Also, the appeals court agreed with the Obama administration on the law’s massive expansion of the Medicaid program, which is part of a multi-pronged strategy to expand health coverage.
Florida and other states have fought the expansion, accusing Washington of “coercion.” They contend they would have to go along with the expansion or face the possibility of losing billions of dollars in federal funding for Medicaid.
The court, however, ruled the Medicaid portion of the law was not “unduly coercive,” noting that the federal government will pick up almost all of the initial costs after the expansion takes effect in 2014. Also, the court said that states in the past have faced the choice of complying with Medicaid changes or giving up funding.
“(The) Medicaid-participating states were warned from the beginning of the Medicaid program that Congress reserved the right to make changes to the program,” the judges wrote.
While the Medicaid issue is important to states, the individual mandate is the most legally — and politically — volatile issue in the fight about the Affordable Care Act. People who do not comply with the mandate would have to pay financial penalties.
The Obama administration argues that such a mandate is critical to dramatically reducing the number of uninsured people in the country.
It contends that the Commerce Clause allows such a mandate, at least in part because of “cost shifting” that occurs when uninsured people need health care and cannot pay for it. Such scenarios lead to other people paying higher insurance premiums or taxes to cover the costs.
Marcus, an appointee of former Democratic President Bill Clinton, pointed to the large number of people who lack health insurance and said their inability to pay for health care has a “profound effect” on commerce.
“There is a less of a chance that an individual will go through his entire life without ever consuming health-care services than there is that he will win the Irish Sweepstakes at the very moment he is struck by lightning,” Marcus wrote. “Nor are there more than a miniscule number of Americans who could afford to take on the financial risk of a personal medical catastrophe out of their own pockets.”
But Hull, a Clinton appointee, and Dubina, an appointee of Republican former President George H.W. Bush, said the Supreme Court has never interpreted the Commerce Clause to allow Congress to “dictate the financial decisions of Americans through an economic mandate.”
“In sum, the individual mandate is breathtaking in its expansive scope,” Hull and Dubina wrote jointly. “It regulates those who have not entered the health care market at all. It regulates those who have entered the health care market but have not entered the insurance market (and have no intention of doing so).”
It remained unclear Friday when the Supreme Court might take up the constitutionality of the health law. It also is unclear whether justices would consider the 11th Circuit decision or one of several other cases that have drawn mixed rulings from judges across the country.
But state Rep. Matt Hudson, a Naples Republican who is a critic of the federal law, said the rulings by the appeals court and Vinson are a sign that the individual mandate could be found unconstitutional.
“This is a very good indicator that what we have been saying all along is in fact correct,” said Hudson, the House’s chief health budget writer.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Back To School Bash, Neighborhood Watch Party Today
August 13, 2011
A Back to School Bash and Neighborhood Watch Party will be held today in Farm Hill.
There will be free hot dogs, chips and drinks. The Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department will provide fire safety education and display a truck, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol will be on hand, plus there will be plenty of activities for the children.
Donations of school supplies will be accepted, and school supplies will be distributed to children in need.
The Back to School Bash and Neighborhood Watch Party will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Santa Maria Plaza Park in Farm Hill. For more information, call (850) 554-7376.
The event is sponsored by the Cottage Hill, Farm Hill and Village neighborhood watch programs.
Blood Drive Saturday In Molino
August 13, 2011
A blood drive is scheduled for Saturday in Molino.
There is currently an elevated need for O negative and B negative, but all blood types are needed according to Betty Roberts of Northwest Florida Blood Services.
Saturday, 12:30- 4:30 p.m.
Fran’s Country Grill
5539 North Highway 29, Molino
This is the second annual blood drive in memory of Karen R. Broxson of Molino, who was killed in a July 2009 accident at Highway 29 and 9 1/2 Mile Road. Each blood donor will receive a t-shirt, wellness check, a free cholesterol screening and will learn their blood type.
Escambia Man Faces 35 Year For Home Invasion Robbery
August 13, 2011
An Escambia County man faces up to 35 years in prison for a 2010 home invasion.
Courtney Darnell Henderson was convicted by an Escambia County jury of home invasion robbery without a weapon, battery upon a person 65 years of age or older and resisting an officer without violence.
On April 8, 2010, Henderson and two others forced their way into the home of Lloyd E Dawson, while a fourth person waited in the car. Once inside, Dawson was pushed and held down while he was struck repeatedly with his own cane. The defendants took a camcorder and other electronic devices.
Judge Michael Allen scheduled sentencing for September 9. Henderson faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in state prison. The state will be seeking sentencing as a prison releasee reoffender, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Historical Group Holding ‘Collector’s Day’ Today
August 13, 2011
The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society is holding a “Collector’s Day” today.
Many collections will be displayed, including coins, bottles, Indian and Civil War artifacts, old tools, stamps and more.
Event admission, museum admission and even the hot dogs are free. The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society “Collector’s Day” will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 610 4th Street in Century (the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 4th Street).
Clinton Wheeler
August 13, 2011
Clinton Wheeler, 93, of Cottage Hill, Florida passed away Friday, August 12, 2011.
Mr. Wheeler was born in Andalusia, Alabama, but spent most of his life in Cottage Hill. Mr. Wheeler retired from BEK/Monsanto, he was an avid farmer, cattle raiser, and a hard working man. He was a member of Cottage Hill Assembly Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Verla Wheeler; daughter, Charlene Richardson (Joe) of Jackson, MS; three sons, CJ Wheeler, of Pensacola, Lamar Wheeler (Marie) of Cantonment, Tim Wheeler(Nancy), of Molino; grandchildren Jeff Wheeler, Steven Wheeler, Tonia Boyett, Chris Wheeler, Christie Richardson, Kim Usry, Jessica Broom Joseph Richardson, Katie Wheeler, Laura Wheeler, Michael Wheeler; 15 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Larry Barrow, Ledon Bozeman, Joseph Richardson, Chris Wheeler, Gary Wheeler and Michael Wheeler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rex Barrow, T. J. Barrow, Grady Wheeler and Steven Wheeler.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 14, 2011, 7-9 p.m at Faith Chapel North. A funeral service will be held Monday August 15, 2011, 2-4 p.m. at the Faith Chapel North-Cantonment with Pastor Ronnie McGlothren officiating. Graveside Service will be at the Cottage Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Larry Barrow, Ledon Bozeman, Joseph Richardson, Chris Wheeler, Gary Wheeler and Michael Wheeler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rex Barrow, T. J. Barrow, Grady Wheeler and Steven Wheeler.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Ann Whaley
August 13, 2011
Joyce Ann Whaley, 78, of Pensacola went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 11, 2011.
Joyce was a member of Heritage Baptist Church and was employed by Mitchell Motors for 25 years. She also was a faithful member of the Eastern Star. She loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She had many friends and never met a stranger.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, James Lee Whaley, Sr.; her sister, Rose Elizabeth Peterson; and her parents, Rosalee and James Ferguson.
She is survived by her three children, Deborah (David) Roberts of Pensacola, Jim (Joy) Whaley of Dothan, AL, and Kim Whaley of Pensacola. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Jonathan Roberts, Alison Roberts Nosie, Logan Roberts, Cal Whaley, Emmalee Odom, Abigail Odom and Nate Odom.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Pastor Jeff Howard officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to service time.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Two Injured In Friday Night Crash On Highway 97
August 12, 2011
Two people were injured in a three vehicle crash on Highway 97 south of Tungoil Road Friday night.
According to witnesses, an elderly male driving a van apparently collided with a pickup and another van just after 9 p.m. He was not injured.
The pickup flipped at least once, hitting a tree and landing off roadway. A female passenger in the pickup was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. The driver of the pickup was not injured.
The driver of the second van was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.
Further details were not available Friday night; the accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the call.
Pictured top: A passenger in this pickup was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance following a crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill Friday night. Pictured below : The driver of this van was not injured. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Final Totals: Little Found During Daily Drug Dog Searches In Escambia County Schools
August 12, 2011
Very few drug dog searches in Escambia County’s public school resulted in any sort of drug find during a pilot program last school year.
Each school day, at least one middle or high school in the county was randomly visited by a canine officer and his dog.
During 352 school searches, there were 28 alerts. Seven of the alerts resulting in findings of drugs; the remaining 21 alerts were for residue or odor. Prescription drugs were found twice during physical searches in conjunction with the drug K-9 searches.
“These results and these tremendous decreases in the number of drug related expulsions validate the need for this comprehensive approach we have taken to curb the incidences
of illegal drugs being brought on campuses,” Jeff Bergosh, Escambia County School Board member, said Thursday evening.
Every high school had at least one alert, while only two middle schools (Bailey and Warrington) had alerts during the school year. (See a complete table at the bottom of the article.)
Findings included two grams of marijuana in a restroom at Washington High, marijuana on a bookcase and pills in a tank at the Judy Andrew Center, marijuana residue in a car at Tate High, marijuana seeds and residue in a car and a baggie of over the counter medications at Washington High and residue in a purse and marijuana in a vehicle at West Florida High.
Among North Escambia area schools — Northview High had one drug dog alert for an odor with no drugs found, Tate High had one alert for odor and three findings of marijuana residue. There were no alerts at Ernest Ward or Ransom Middle schools.
The Escambia County School Board implemented the random drug dog searches lasts school year as part of an aggressive anti-drug and alcohol policy. Only one person at the district office, Manager of Protection Services Steven Sharp, knew which school would be visited in advance. The canine officer would report to the principal’s office upon his or her arrival and was accompanied during the search by an administrator or their designee.
Students were not being searched, and they were removed from any classroom that was searched. Searches also included hallways, lockers, parking lots and other common areas.
The district spent about $36,000 from its general fund for the program. About two dozen off-duty canine officers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department were utilized for the searches.
“The Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and their respective canine units, have been instrumental to the district’s success in our continuing work to
keep drugs out of school, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come,” Bergosh said.
Pictured above: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Wayne Gulsby performs a drug dog search at Northview High School during the last school year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge. Below: Totals from all Escambia County middle and high schools.
