Century To Use $250K Line Of Credit, $116K In Reserve Funds For Grant Expenses
January 24, 2012
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to allow the mayor to open $250,000 line of credit and use $116,000 in reserve funds to pay reimbursable grant expenses.
The town currently has grant projects of over $1 million in the works, and the town is required to pay out of pocket for various grant projects before receiving guaranteed reimbursements. That, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, has left the town shuffling money between town accounts to pay the grant-related bills.
The council gave McCall permission to open the quarter million dollar line of credit back in November; Monday night’s vote was to affirm that decision and accept the 3.25 percent interest rate offered by United Bank. The motion to open the line of credit passed 4-1 with council member Sandra McMurray Jackson voting against.
McCall will first use the $116,000 in reserve funds to pay reimbursable grant related expenses prior to using the line of credit.
Santa Rosa Schools Ranked No. 2 In Florida; Escambia At No. 44
January 24, 2012
The Santa Rosa County School District was ranked No. 2 in the state while the Escambia County School District was ranked No. 44 in student performance in rankings released Monday by the Florida Department of Education.
Santa Rosa County was one of 30 districts in the state that received an A from the state, while Escambia County was one of 23 to receive a B.
Thirty-five percent of the students in Escambia County taking the FCAT read below grade level (Level 3), 32% percent are below grade level in math and 52% are below grade level in science. In Santa Rosa County, 20 percent were below grade level in reading, 17% below grade level in math and 38% below grade level in science.
“Education is our highest priority,” said Santa Rosa County Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. “As educators, we see ourselves as servant leaders who demand excellence and put kids first. We have tremendous support from our community and our partners. They understand that quality of life and high quality education are tied together.”
Wyrosdick said that the district uses data-driven progress monitoring with teachers reviewing data daily so they can identify where they may need to intervene with students early in the year to help them improve.
The numerical ranking is based on each school’s total points derived from FCAT scores. The total is the sum of scores for reading, math, science and writing; learning gains in reading and math; and scores for learning gains in reading and math among the lowest 25 percent of students in each school. The school district ranking is determined by the school grade points they earned based on the assessment scores of all students in the district that were enrolled for the full year.
“Santa Rosa County deserves congratulations for this accomplishment,” said Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. “Ranking in the top ten takes commitment, hard work and collaboration not only from those within the educational setting; it takes the support of the entire community.”
Wednesday Final Day To Request Primary Absentee Ballot By Mail
January 24, 2012
Voters who wish to be mailed an absentee ballot for the January 31 Presidential Preference Primary Election must request their ballot by close of business on Wednesday, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Voters can make their request by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone at (850) 595-3900, email (absentee@escambiavotes.com), fax at (850) 595-3914, or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up an absentee ballot in person from the Elections Office. Voted absentee ballots must be received in the Elections Office (not at a polling location) no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, January 31.
In addition to absentee voting, early voting is being offered from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily through Saturday at four area locations:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
A third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day – polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters must present a photo and signature ID at the polls, or they must vote a provisional ballot. A touchscreen is also available at each polling place and early voting site for persons with disabilities.
Evers’ Farm Land Agritourism Bill Gets Committee Nod
January 24, 2012
Despite objections from cities and counties, the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a bill that would prevent local regulation of “agritourism” on farm land.
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 6-1 to approve the measure sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. Agritourism can involve a variety of activities, such as farms offering tours and educational activities.
But Stephen James, a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Counties, said his group is concerned that the bill is overly broad. For example, he said some farm land is close to densely populated areas and that problems could arise if owners wanted to hold festivals that could affect such things as parking.
Pictured: An bill sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers would prevent local regulation of agritourism on farm land, such as the Jay Peanut Festival. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Authorities Looking For DCF Impersonator
January 24, 2012
Authorities are looking for a man they say is pretending to be a Department of Children and Families employee.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a white male identifying himself as DCF employee Craig Johnson entered a home, claiming to be conducting an investigation of child neglect. DCF said the agency does not have an employee of that name, nor are they conducting an investigation of the family in question.
The white male was described as being approximately 5’10” tall, 170 pounds, dirty blond hair, full goatee, wearing khaki pants and white dress shirt. He was described as being approximately 30-35 years of age and was driving a white 2011 model Chevy Malibu.
Investigators encourage anyone who has information to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: An sketch artist rendering of a DCF impersonator. Courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jerril “Pud” Baker
January 24, 2012
Mr. Jerril “Pud” Baker, 73, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Baker was a native of Walnut Hill and a resident of Atmore since 1960. He was a member and board member of the Bream Fisherman Association, retired from the National Guard, a retired employee of Monsanto, and attended the Protestant church.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Baker of Atmore; two sons, Randall Baker of Atmore and Richard Baker of Byrneville; his daughter, Kimberly Baker Smith of Century; three grandchildren, Samantha Baker, Erin Smith and Raychell Baker; and two great-grandchildren, Brody Baker and Jackson Smith; a brother, the Rev. Milledge Baker of Walnut Hill; and a sister, Frances Hernden of Houston, TX.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Allen Harp officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Gilbert McGhee, T.L. Chunn, Charles Lowery, Alan Lowery, Robert McCall and Delbert Clemmons.
Honorary pallbearers will be Freddie Godwin, Randy Dorriety, Gene Lambert and Dr. Bill Hixson .
Sandra Elizabeth Quimby
January 24, 2012
Sandra Elizabeth Quimby, 61 of Atmore, died Sunday January 22, 2012, in Atmore. She was retired after 38 years with Escambia County (Ala.) School System. She was born in Pensacola on August 10, 1951, to Wilson Dempsey and Frances Crabtree Lovelace. She was a member of Judson Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wilson Dempsey Lovelace.
She is survived by her husband Stan Quimby of Atmore; mother, Frances Lovelace of Pensacola; five sons, Stanley Benjamin Quimby, Jon Burke (Heidi) Quimby, David Brian Quimby, Joey Blaine Quimby, Matthew Bradley Quimby, all of Atmore; a brother, Gary (Bronwyn) Lovelace of Pensacola; and a grandson, Jonathan Burke Quimby of Poulsbo, Washington.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. from Judson Baptist Church with Rev. Henry Wilson and Rev. Larry Banks officiating. Burial will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Lovelace, Drew Lovelace, Sean Taylor, Brandon Bailey, Chris Terry and Jeremy Hall.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Joiner Gooch
January 24, 2012
Ms. Hazel Joiner Gooch passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012, in Atmore.
Ms. Gooch was born March 1, 1926, to the late James A. and Rachel Stewart Joiner in Pineville. She made friends wherever she was. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy C. Gooch; four brothers, Arthur Joiner, Albert Joiner, Emmitt Joiner and Grady Joiner; and four sisters, Agnes Allen, Bessie Hollingsworth, Minnie Lee Foster and Nancy Chavers.
Survivors include her son, James Otis “Jim” and Connie Joiner of Cairo, GA ; two grandsons, Kevin Joiner of Cairo, GA, and, Rodney and Amy Joiner of Deltona, FL; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Hoyt and Polly Joiner of Bristol, FL; two sisters, Ola Cavens of Millington, TN, and Delois Kimmons of Davisville; many loving nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Thrower officiating..
Burial will follow at the Dry Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 25, 2012. from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
It’s Celebrate Literacy Week At Jim Allen, Bratt, Byrneville, Molino Park
January 23, 2012
It’s “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!”, and North Escambia elementary schools will celebrate will a variety of activities this week.
The goal of the week is to promote literacy by raising awareness of programs and projects offered by the Florida Department of Education and partner groups, and to promote the enjoyment of reading for adults and children of all ages.
The following events are planned at North Escambia elementary schools this week:
Jim Allen Elementary
- All students will read for an additional 20 minutes each day as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
Bratt Elementary
- All students will read as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
- Students will create story character puppets from the Jan Brett books The Mitten and The Hat.
- On Wednesday, it’s Buddy Reading as students from the upper level grades read to students in the lower grades.
- Thursday is book character dress up day.
- During the week, book report posters will be presented by fourth grade students. Mrs. Cassady’s fifth grade students will present shoe box reports.
- Daily announcements will include information about Sunshine State readers each day.
Byrneville Elementary
- Students will read as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
- On Tuesday, upper grade students will read to younger students.
- Wednesday is Teacher Swap Day — teachers will read to a different class than the one they teach.
- Thursday is Parent Literacy Day with programs at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Guest readers will read to students on Friday.
Molino Park Elementary
- “Reading, Writing and Rover” presentation on Monday.
- Additional activities and reading throughout the week.
Larry Lee Butler
January 23, 2012
Larry Lee Butler, musician, songwriter and award-winning music producer, peacefully passed away in his sleep at his Pensacola home on Friday, January 20, 2012. He was 69 years old.
A native of Pensacola, Florida, he was born on March 26, 1942. By the age of six he was singing with the Harry James Orchestra. At nine years old he had his own show on Pensacola’s WEAR-TV3. When he was thirteen years old he won a five-state talent contest in classical music by memorizing a thirty-six page piano concerto.
Larry became a sought-after Nashville session musician in his twenties, playing the piano on many of the biggest hit records by Nashville recording artists. He became a member of the 60’s hit group, Ronny and the Daytonas, whose hits included Little GTO. He later joined another top rock group, The Gentry’s, whose hits included Keep On Dancing. His career eventually turned to producing many of the top recording stars, including Johnny Cash, Sammy Davis Junior, Julie Andrews and Kenny Rogers, who Larry successfully transformed from a rock artist to a Country Music legend.
Earning over 100 gold and platinum record awards, Larry also won a Grammy Award for co-writing the 1975 Song of the Year, (Hey, Won’t you Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song. In 1979 he won a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, the only Nashville producer to ever win the award. For his many accomplishments in the field of music, Larry was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts from the University of West Florida.
When Hurricane Ivan devastated the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast in September 2004, Larry called upon friends like Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Will Hedgecock, producing three sold-out concerts that brought more than half a million dollars into the community for rebuilding efforts.
In addition to his music career, Larry was proud to be a Master Mason, York Rite Mason and Shriner.
Larry is survived by his wife of 26 years, Peggy Maultsby Butler; daughter, Schanda Butler Olsson, son-in-law, Nigel, and grandson, Justin; sister, Alva Chop; mother and father-in-law, Roy and Allene Maultsby; brother-in-law, Andy and Anita Maultsby and countless family, friends and adoring fans.
Prior to Larry’s passing, BJ Thomas, five-time Grammy-winning recording artist, including Larry’s 1975 Grammy-winning Song of the Year, had this to say about Larry: “Larry has been a part of, and has made, some of the greatest music of our generation. And he has remained one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet.”
Larry touched the lives of many not only with his music, but also with his warm smile and kind heart.
Family and friends are invited to attend Memorial Services to be held on Tuesday, January 24th at 11:11 am at the Perdido Bay Community Center, 13660 Innerarity Point Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507.