National Junior Honor Society At Ernest Ward Middle Adds New Members, Officers
January 21, 2011
About 40 students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Students must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA for honor society membership.
For a photo gallery from the induction ceremony, click here.
New seventh grade National Junior Honor Society Members at Ernest Ward are: Kaitlyn Abbott, Jadlyn Agerton, Tristan Barrett, Katelyn Born, Haley Brown, William Brown , Hunter Connell, Nathan Donald, Jacob Dunsford, Amber Freeman, Nathan Galvan, Hanna Ging, Christopher Grant, Dariane Guy, Jordan Helmken, Abbie Johnson, Tonie Johnson, Kendral Langford, Trevor Levins, Thomas Moore, Jason Ogle, Brianna Parker, Liberty Peebles, Ben Preston, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Jamilia Smiley-Knight, Jordan Taylor, David Thorpe, Harmoni Till, Bradley Van Pelt, Brittney Ward, Haylee Weaver, and Courtney Weekley.
New eighth grade members inducted Thursday night are: Autumn Ates, Annie Bobo, Kristen Byrd, Kendal Cobb, Christian Gould, Jessica McCullough and Tristan Portwood.
New officers were also installed. They are: Tamara Wise, president; Samantha Sharpless, vice president; Danielle Suggs, secretary; Austin Cunningham, treasurer; Ben Linam, reporter; Kelton Wooten, parliamentarian; and Jaylen Parker, historian.
Other eight grade members of the National Junior Honor Society Members at Ernest Ward are: Penny Banda, Megan Bryan, Tiffani Cruce, Leann Fillingim, Hannah Gibson, Kyndall Hall, Auden Lassitter, Aaron McDonald, Madison McGhee, Amy Murph, Mallory Ryan, Chelsea Turner and Morgan Ward.
Pictured: About 40 students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Ink Softball Scholarships
January 21, 2011
Two Tate High School seniors signed softball scholarships Thursday afternoon.
Shelby Myers committed to Northwest Florida State College, and Maleah McCombs signed with Pensacola State College.
Pictured top: (L-R) NWF Coach Taryn Gray, Michelle Myers, PSC Coach Horn, Maleah McCombs, and PSC Coach Brenda Pena. Pictured below: (L-R) Mitchell Myers, Shelby Myers, Matt Holland, NWF Coach Taryn Gray, and signing Shelby Myers. Pictured bottom: PSC Coach Brenda Pena, Roger McCombs, Debbie McCaskill and Maleah McCombs. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Takes On Northview In Girl’s Weightlifting
January 21, 2011
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs in girl’s weightlifting 42 to 30.
The following girls placed in their weight category:
- Georgia Goetter -1st Northview
- L. Chavers -2nd Tate
- Burk -1st Tate
- Kasie Braun -2nd Northview
- Raven McGhee -1st Tate
- Madalyn Coon -2nd Northview
- Jordan McGowan -1st Tate
- Laneica Gomez -2nd Northview
- Sarah Killam -1st Northview
- Misty Doran -2nd Northview
- Myers 1st Tate
- Cheyenne Garnett -2nd Northview
- O. Newsome -1st Tate
- J. Paige -2nd Tate
- B. Barnes -1st Tate
- Naomi Cooler-2nd Northview
- J. Ujuari -1st Tate
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Tonight Then Turning Colder
January 20, 2011
Thursday night rain will bring real change to our weather with much colder air. We are forecast to dip into the lower 20’s for Friday night.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 49. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 23. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. North wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Septic Tank Inspection Program Delayed
January 20, 2011
A new law went into effect January 1 in Florida requiring that septic tanks be inspected every five years, but now that law has been put on hold. Gov. Rick Scott let a bill providing for the delay become law this week without his signature, undoing the controversial mandate.
The bill, which was passed during a veto override special session last November, targets a provision in a wide-ranging springs protection bill that the requirement was included in last year.
Scott had 15 days from receiving the bill (SB 2A) to sign it or let it become law anyway. The bill had been on Scott’s desk since he took office January 4.
Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, called Scott’s inaction on the bill “a decisive step” which “postpones the implementation of septic tank inspection regulations, enabling lawmakers to analyze whether or not such a mandate is necessary and saving taxpayer dollars in the mean time.”
SB 2A is sponsored in part by Greg Evers, who represents the North Escambia area.
“The septic tank regulations are especially close to home for Northwest Florida residents, and Senators Evers, Dean and Gaetz have been instrumental in addressing concerns and preparing legislation that offers more time to assess such impactful regulation,” Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner said. “This provides us with time to thoroughly vet options and gain feedback from constituents in order to make the most well-informed decisions.”
“It doesn’t make any sense to me, and I want it repealed. Why is the state government involved in that? It makes no sense,” Scott told NorthEscambia.com about the septic tank inspection requirement during an exclusive campaign trail interview last November.
Schools Could Face $31 Million In Fines For Missing Class Size Goals
January 20, 2011
School districts in Florida — including Santa Rosa County — could share in $31 million in fines for failing to comply with the state’s class size law.
House Speaker Dean Cannon told reporters Wednesday that the House Education Committee will likely examine the fines that schools must pay if they do not comply with the state’s class size law.
Escambia County was among 32 of Florida’s 67 school districts that met the mandate that dictates how many students can be in certain classes at each grade level, but Santa Rosa County had a total of 393 classes not in compliance, according to a state report.
In 2002, voters approved a constitutional amendment that capped classroom sizes at 18 students in a classroom in lower grades, 22 in the middle grades and no more than the current cap of 25 students in a high school classroom. The caps were phased in over the last few years, but this was the first school year where schools had to fully comply with a hard cap on a per classroom basis.
About 5 percent of the state’s schools could not meet the caps, according to the Department of Education.
The State Board of Education this week recommended $31 million in fines for districts across the states, which will now go before the legislative budget commission for final approval.
Cannon said Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who chairs the House Education Committee, is looking at that issue and it will probably be one of many education issues on the legislative agenda this spring. There is no set form on how the issue will proceed though.
“And again, it depends I think in large part to degree, to the extent that most districts worked very, very hard to come close to compliance,” Cannon said. “I think they should get credit for that. But it may have to be done on a case by case basis.”
To The Editor: Nadine McCaw Thanks Community For Support
January 20, 2011
I wanted to write a letter to the editor to express all the appreciation that we have to you and everyone that reads your online news source for the north end of Escambia County. You have published every event fundraiser to help build awareness of my Clear Cell Renal Carcenoma (Kidney Cancer)and the struggles we have faced since my insurance has dropped my coverage. I was able to find some help through some of your readers with the medical bills that have come in so far.
I have a few good days but more bad than good. I have a LONG fight ahead and will be on chemo for at least 6-8 more months to fight the cancer that has spread to my lungs and lymph node system. This has been very trying on me and my whole family, emotionally, physically and financially. The prayers and the support the community have given to me has been more than I could have ever asked for. You have helped me to keep my faith strong to fight the fight of this horrible disease.
I have found many angels that walk about the streets of Century, and I hope that they continue to touch the lives of the different people of our town. The food that had been brought, the donations to help with the medical bills that have been piling up, the benefits that have been held and the participants that helped out during those functions has been more than I ever expected to receive. I pray that God blesses each and every one in the way that I have been blessed.
Nadine McCaw
Century, Florida
To submit a Letter To The Editor, email your letter to news@northescambia.com. You must include your real name, address and contact phone number for verification. Letters are limited to 400 words, are subject to editing and must meet our editorial guidelines.
Rabies Alert For Santa Rosa
January 20, 2011
The Santa Rosa County Health Department is warning residents to avoid raccoons and other animals after two residents came in contact with raccoons that may have had rabies.
A raccoon that possibly had rabies came in contact with a family pet; the pet had to be euthanized because it had not received the rabies vaccine.
Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals through a bite or scratch. Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats, but domesticated animals can carry it as well. The disease is fatal to humans and animals.
The following precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to rabies:
- Avoid all contact with wild and unfamiliar domesticated animals.
- Do not place feeders in the yard – the food will attract unwanted animals such as raccoons and foxes.
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep their shots up-to-date.
- Do not leave your pets outside unsupervised.
- Bring in pet food at night and secure trash cans with fasteners.
- Cover bird feeders. Most squirrel-proof coverings also deter wild animals.
- Vaccinate pets against rabies and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendation for revaccination
- If bitten or scratched by a wild animal or stray domesticated animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the Santa Rosa County Health Department at 983-5275 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, or after hours call 418-5566.
If you see a suspicious animal in your yard or neighborhood, please call animal control at (850) 983-4680. If a dead wild animal is on your property, please contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s regional office at (850) 265-3676, or their 24-hour law enforcement hotline at (888) 404-3922.
Escambia Seeks Rights Of Way For Nicholson Drive In Molino
January 20, 2011
Escambia County is moving forward to obtain rights of way and easements for a proposed paving and drainage project for a portion of Nicholson Drive in Molino.
Nicholson Drive is a county maintained road that extends north off Molino Road for approximately 4,000 feet. The southern 2,000 feet, between Molino Road and Bet Raines Road, is unpaved.
The Escambia County Commission has authorized county staff to move forward with the acquisition of property for rights of way and easements on or adjacent to Nicholson Drive so that the southern portion of the road can eventually be paved.
Scott Says Tax Breaks Are Coming
January 20, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday that he expects his budget blueprint to sail through the Legislature, promising it will include deep program cuts and more than $2 billion in tax reductions.
Two weeks into his first elected job, the governor promised that the budget proposal he plans to roll out Feb. 4 will include sharp spending reductions aimed at covering a $3.6 billion shortfall caused by the end of federal stimulus dollars flowing to Florida and a three-year decline in tax collections caused by the feeble economy.
But Scott still promises to make good on his campaign pledge to phase-out the state’s corporate income tax and cut property taxes.
“I’m going through every line item in the budget,” Scott said. “But I don’t think we should be spending this much money. I don’t think we do a good enough job of how we buy things.”
Scott shrugged off growing skepticism from fellow Republicans in the Legislature about whether the budget balancing act – which the new governor conceded was “thankless” – could include his promised property tax cut of $1.4 billion and a first-year rollback of more than $800 million in the state’s business tax.
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said lawmakers were struggling to close the state’s budget gap, and saw little chance of tax cuts being handed out this spring.
“If there’s a way they can be reduced and still meet the critical needs, I’m open to it, but…it’s going to be very difficult, ” Cannon said, adding that it would be up to the governor to show lawmakers the path to tax-cutting. “I haven’t seen a way (to cut taxes) yet that I’m persuaded is doable,” Cannon said. But he added, “If there’s a workable way they can be reduced, great. I haven’t seen proposals yet that I think can achieve that.”
Scott didn’t provide any plans Wednesday. But he did offer a general condemnation to the state’s current approach to spending – a product of a dozen years of Republican control of the governor’s office and Legislature.
Scott said the state spends far too much on unnecessary services and that too many people see state government as a money-making venture.
“We’re not here to solve every problem,” Scott said. “We’re here to make life better and help people get jobs.”
The former health care executive also broadly described his approach to budget-making, likening it to his experience in private business. “You’ve got to pick and choose,” Scott said. “You can’t do everything. You’ve got to do the things that are the most important at the time.”
Scott reaffirmed his commitment to cutting state regulations, overhauling state agencies, and courting business leaders across the globe to help blunt Florida’s roughly 12 percent unemployment rate. He touted Tuesday’s announcement by Vision Airlines that it was adding flights through Destin in the Florida Panhandle as an example of an early success by his office in achieving his job-creating goal.
Scott said that if Vision’s expansion brought 150 jobs to Florida, it would slightly winnow down his promise of creating 700,000 new jobs over the next seven years.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida