Ironic Photo: ‘Buckle Up Or Pay Up’
March 18, 2011
Just two days after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office began a two-week crackdown on seat belt use in Escambia County, our cameras happened upon the pictured traffic stop Thursday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The driver of this pickup was pulled over on Highway 97 after an Escambia County deputy observed him not wearing a seat belt. It’s worth noting the bumper sticker on the truck — “Buckle Up! Or Pay Up!”.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Blood Drives Planned, Including Today In McDavid
March 18, 2011
Several blood drives are scheduled for this month in the North Escambia area, including today in McDavid.
The Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile will be at the McDavid Mini Mart at Highway 29 and Highway 164 from 1-6 p.m.
Another blood drive is planned for Sunday in Molino. The Bloodmobile will be at Aldersgate UMC from 8-11 a.m. and at Highland Baptist from noon until 3 p.m.
And, the Bloodmobile will be in Walnut Hill for a blood drive at the Walnut Hill Fire Department from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday March 31.
Pictured: This graphic, provided by Northwest Florida Blood Services, shows some of the benefits of donating blood.
Escambia Man Arrested For Armed Robbery; Accomplice On The Run
March 18, 2011
An Escambia County man was arrested on armed robbery charges as deputies continue their search for his accomplice.
Steven Alexander Wilson, 18, of Pensacola was charged in the armed robbery of a Tom Thumb convenience store at 6930 Pine Forest Road.
At about 9:34 p.m. on March 4, Escambia County deputies responded to a reported robbery at the store. When deputies arrived they were told by the clerk that two people entered the store and demanded money from the register. The suspects were said to have been wearing all black and wearing masks. One of the suspects was armed with a knife.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s major crimes unit were able to identify the armed suspect as Wilson. They also identified his accomplice as 21-year-old Courtney Aviana Rogers of 6761 Community Drive in Pensacola. Investigators have obtained warrant for her arrest.
“These two are charged with robbery and public order crimes,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “The public order criminal charge is for wearing a mask while committing this crime.”
Investigators encourage anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of Rogers to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 850-436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP.
Interactive Map: New 2010 Florida Census Numbers
March 18, 2011
The U.S. Census Bureau released 2010 population data for Florida on Thursday.
This interactive map show population change for any county in the state; simply move your mouse over the map. For more information about local population numbers, click here.
The U.S. Census Bureau released 2010 population data for Alabama Thursday.
Chiefs, Cougars Split Two
March 18, 2011
The Northview Chiefs and the Escambia Academy Cougars split two in Canoe Thursday.
The Cougars defeated the Chiefs in varsity action, 4-3. In junior varsity action, Northview beat Escambia Academy 8-2. Hunter Rigby hit a fence-hopping, almost a homer for a double for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will be on the road Friday afternoon to face Freeport. The JV begins at 4:00, and the varsity is scheduled for 6:00. The Northview Chiefs and the Escambia Academy Cougars will face off again on March 28 in Bratt.
Carnival Continues In Flomaton
March 18, 2011
Looking for something fun to do? A Spring Carnival in Flomaton has been held over through Saturday night.
The Spring Carnival includes rides, games and food for all ages. The carnival is located at the intersection of Highway 113 and Highway 31 in Flomaton. Gates will open at1 p.m. Saturday. Arm bands are available, or pay as you ride.
The Carnival is sponsored by the Tri-City Rotary Club and the Flomaton Area Chamber of Commerce. The Tri-City Rotary Club serves the Century, Flomaton and Jay areas.
Little League Opening Days Planned
March 18, 2011
Opening Day events are planned for ballparks in Walnut Hill and Molino.
Northwest Escambia Little League Opening Day will be this Saturday, March 19. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. There will be activities for the kids and adults all day; the concession stand will also be open beginning at 9 a.m.. Junior and Senior League (ages 13-16) can also register before 10 a.m. A complete game scheduled is below.
Molino Recreation Association’s Opening Day will be next Saturday, March 26. Events begin at 9 a.m. and continue all day with food, food, games and lots of ball action.
NORTHWEST ESCAMBIA OPENING DAY SCHEDULE:
One Airlifted After Barth Lane Stabbing; Victim Won’t Cooperate With Deputies
March 17, 2011
One person was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the Barth community near Molino Thursday night, but authorities said no one would cooperate in their investigation.
A 29-year old male was transported to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight after the incident about 8:25 p.m. on Barth Lane, off Barth Road east of Highway 29. He was reportedly stabbed in the abdominal area.
The stabbing is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but deputies said Friday morning that there was no cooperation at the scene Thursday night.
“There was an altercation in the street between the two subjects, but neither the victim nor the suspect would cooperate with the officer last night,” said Melissa Rawson, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: A male was reported to be stabbed multiple times at this house on Barth Lane near Molino Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida OKs Teacher Merit Pay Bill; Scott To Sign
March 17, 2011
The Florida Legislature passed the biggest change to the state’s education system in more than 10 years, sending to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday a bill tying teacher salaries to test scores and ending multi-year contracts.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on a 80-39 straight party-line vote, with Republicans in favor, after more than three hours of debate. Scott said afterward that he will sign it, the first bill that will be approved by the new governor.
The bill (SB 736) was a top priority for Republicans, who hold overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate, and moved quickly through the process, but not as quickly as a similar bill that passed last year in the face of heavy opposition from many of the state’s teachers, but was vetoed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist.
“This bill is going to improve our system to the benefit of our students,” Scott told reporters after the vote. “We will make sure the best teachers stick around, that we retain them, we train them, and we’ll find the money to make sure they are paid fairly.”
Republicans in the House of Representatives spent much of their time in debate Wednesday responding to criticism from Democrats. Supporters of the bill said it should be welcomed by teachers because it rewards good work.
“Ineffective teachers need to be on guard, effective teachers have nothing to worry about,” said Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville.
This year’s attempt at establishing a teacher merit pay system removed some of the parts of last year’s bill that opponents liked least, such as yanking an educator’s teaching certificate if they receive too many low evaluations. It also exempts special education teachers from having their pay tied to test scores.
“We have listened and we have learned and we have made this a better product,” said Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
The bill was still opposed by the state’s teachers union, though, and by many rank and file teachers.
Under this year’s measure, current teachers are also exempted from the new salary requirements and elimination of tenure. New teachers hired after July 2011 are put under one-year contracts and after July 2014, new teachers will be paid under the new merit pay system.
For new teachers, school districts would be required to set up an evaluation system that uses test scores for 50 percent of a teacher’s ranking and a “value-added” formula for the rest.
While Republicans portrayed teachers and school districts as being on board with the bill, the statewide teachers’ union, the Florida Education Association, says it harms teachers and should be vetoed.
“This bill reduces a school district’s flexibility and authority over teacher evaluations, pay schedules and working conditions,” said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association. “It’s not good for students, it’s not good for teachers and it’s not grounded in sound research.”
Democrats said the bill doesn’t include any funding for merit pay increases.
During a time when school districts are facing big budget cuts, Democrats said it is unlikely districts could afford to implement the plan.
“They talk about giving better pay to teachers, but there is no money in the bill,” said House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, D-Key West. “Show me the money. Where is it?”
The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, said districts are not forced to actually pay for merit increases, just to establish a new pay plan and give raises when the money is available.
Money from the $700 million federal Race to the Top grant will be used to develop new tests.
Some critics of teacher merit pay suggested it is a thinly disguised attack on unions. Many teachers belong to their local unions, which collectively bargain on their behalf on salary, benefits and contract terms.
By establishing a set formula for teacher pay raises, Democrats said a union’s ability to collectively bargain on salaries is diminished. Historically, labor unions have been closely aligned with Democrats and reliable contributors to their campaigns.
“It’s nothing more than an attack on public school teachers. It attacks them maybe because they are the easy target or belong to unions,” said Rep. Rick Kriseman, D- St. Petersburg.
Democrats also said they felt shut out of negotiations on the bill. “Every idea we brought forward since this bill was drafted has been rejected,” said Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach.
Both Republicans and Democrats claim to have the support of teachers.
“This is a pro-teacher bill,” Rep. Rich Corcoran, R-New Port Richey. “More teachers have said to us they want to be measured; they want to be recognized for excellence.”
One teacher disputes that. Peggy Brookins, a math teacher at Forest High School in Marion County, said she has traveled to the Capitol to oppose the bill. “We are going to test these kids to death,” Brookins said. She was troubled that the formula for how a teacher would be paid was not spelled out.
Brookins said after 33 years of teaching, she makes $52,000 a year.
“I don’t know that there is a teacher in this state who wouldn’t want a better system,” Brookins said. “It’s great to measure student performance, but it has to be done over time.”
The last time the Florida Legislature passed education reforms on this scale was the passage of school vouchers in 1999 under former Gov. Jeb Bush. Those reforms established several programs that allowed students to receive scholarships to attend private schools.
One program, the Opportunity Scholarship, which was supported with taxpayer dollars, was shut down after the Florida Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional.
Republicans ended the day Wednesday with a hint for what is to come:
“The community college presidents have suggested we look at tenure at the community college level too, so that may or may not make it here,” said House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. “You can’t do everything in one session, but it’s an idea that has merit and it may come up.”
RELATED STORY: Role Of Private Testing Companies Questioned In Teacher Merit Pay Plan
by Lilly Rockwell
The News Service Florida
Bar Employee Arrested For Selling Alcohol To Underage Man
March 17, 2011
An employee of a Century bar is facing a liquor charge for selling alcohol to an underage man, while the man is facing charges for the purchase.
Bonnie Blackmon, 29, of Jay, was charged with selling alcohol to a person under 21. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on $500 bond. An arrest warrant for alcohol possession by a minor is still outstanding for the 20-year old that allegedly made the purchase, Daniel Dontavious Woods of Flomaton.
An Escambia County deputy observed Woods at the drive-up window of Odoms Bar in Century with a blue Pontiac parked beside him. As he turned around to pass the bar again, the deputy said the same vehicle nearly collided with his patrol vehicle on Ivey Street.
After conducting a traffic stop on the car, the deputy determined that Woods, the driver, was the person that had made the alcohol purchase moments before at Odoms Bar. There were, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, three other people in the vehicle, all under the age of 21.
Woods said the person that sold him the Seagrams Blue Beast for about $13 did not ask for his identification. According to the ECSO report, Blackmon admitted selling a bottle of Blue Beast “to a black guy”. She first told the deputy that she asked for his identification. She later recanted that statement and admitted to deputies that she did not card him, but she said she did recognize him from previous purchases in which he was carded.
The Seagrams Blue Beast was seized as evidence.