Bratt Students Help Set National Accelerated Reading Record
March 11, 2012
Students at Bratt Elementary School took part in the recent “Read the Most from Coast to Coast” event and helped set a new national record for the number of Accelerated Reader quizzes taken in one day.
Students across the country, from coast to coast, set a new one day record of 3,581,992 AR tests, breaking the old record of 2,177,586.
At Bratt Elementary, students took 210 AR quizzes with 178 passed during the event. Toatl AR points earned by Bratt students were 140.9.
Supreme Court Doesn’t Like New Evers, Gaetz Districts
March 11, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against a redistricting map drawn by the Senate, declaring that 8 of the Senate’s 40 re-drawn districts are in violation of the Fair Districts standards.
Two of the districts in question include Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — a northern district across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties held by Greg Evers and the southern portion of the counties making up a district held by Don Gaetz. Both are Okaloosa County residents; Gaetz lives in Niceville, while Evers resides in Baker.
The court did not like how the counties were split because it said lawmakers could not justify dividing the Panhandle into two districts that ran east-to-west, dividing a number of counties, instead of a north-south alignment.
Opponents of the plan have pushed for a district that includes all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
If Escambia and Santa Rosa make up a new district, leaving Gaetz and Evers in another district — pitting the two against each other if they should both run in the next election — unless one of them should move.
Gov. Rick Scott has called a 15-day extraordinary session beginning Wednesday to give the Senate another shot at creating constitutionally valid districts.
The court tossed districts in practically every major region of the state, but Senate leaders said the damage was limited.
“We’re not starting with a clean sheet of paper, as some of our critics wanted us to,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Gaetz. “We’re starting I think with a roadmap that will help us get where we need to go.”
Did You Remember To Spring Forward?
March 11, 2012
Did you remember to Spring Forward? Today is the first day of Daylight Savings time. The clock at the Escambia County Bank in Flomaton (pictured) is one of the largest clocks in the area. Bank officials say the clock is rather easy to “spring forward” — it is all electronic. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Work Begins On New Family Dollar In Century
March 11, 2012
A construction project is underway on a new Family Dollar store in Century.
The 8,000 square foot discount retail store will be located at 9441 North Century Boulevard — that’s at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Green Street. The site was last occupied by Royal Pizza and Subs, which was destroyed by fire in July 2008. Prior to that, the property housed a barbecue restaurant. The 1.22 acre lot is located just south of the Food Giant grocery store.
There’s no word yet on the number of jobs the business will provide, or when the discount store will open.
Family Dollar currently operates 6,800 stores in 44 states. Other Family Dollar Stores in the North Escambia area are located in Davisville, Cantonment, Pensacola and Atmore.
Pictured top: Construction crews have started work on the lot that will contain a new Family Dollar store on North Century Boulevard. Pictured inset: The property was the former home a pizza and sub restaurant that burned in 2008. Pictured below: A typical Family Dollar store. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
On The Hill: Molino Teen Serves As House Page
March 11, 2012
A young man from Molino recently spent a week serving as a page in the Florida House of Representatives.
Mitchell Singleton, a seventh grader at Ernest Ward Middle School, served as a page for Rep. Doug Broxson.
Pages and messengers are students who work one week at the Capitol during the 60-day Regular Session. Each of Florida’s 120 representatives may sponsor one page (ages 12-14) and one messenger (ages 15-18).
Being selected to serve is considered an honor and privilege. Pages and messengers assist the representatives and their staff during the Capitol’s busiest time of year while observing state government in action.
The page and messenger program is a long-standing tradition in the Florida House, with journals making mention of them as far back as 1865.
Singleton and each page and messenger will have their name appear in the official Journal of the House as an official record of their time spent serving in state government.
Pictured top: Mitchell Singleton (foreground) of Molino recently served as a page in the Florida House. Pictured inset: Mitchell in the House Chambers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Officially Repeal Mandatory Septic Tank Inspection Law
March 10, 2012
Lawmakers on Friday repealed a 2010 law that required septic tank inspections across the state.
The septic tank inspection issue has been controversial across Northwest Florida after the passage of the 2010 law. That law was designed, at least in part, to help limit septic tank discharges that could taint the state’s springs.
But opponents argue the law could lead to increased expenses for homeowners with septic tanks. The bill passed Friday calls for city or county officials to develop inspection programs if their areas include what are known as “first magnitude” springs — but it also allows those local governments to choose not to have the programs. There are no first magnitude springs located in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, described the move as a “very big deal in Northwest Florida.”
Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, praised the passage of the bill, which he said has been his priority for the past two years. He called the repeal of the mandatory septic tank inspection law a “big win” for Floridians.
Sunday Showers Possible
March 10, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed tonight.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Century Names Park After Late Council Member Nadine McCaw
March 10, 2012
The Town of Century dedicated the former “Roadside Park” as the Nadine McCaw Park on Friday in honor of the late town council member and lifelong resident.
“Momma put so much of her time, money and heart into Century and trying to make it a place that people would be proud to call home,” McCaw’s daughter Felicia Jones of Arab, Ala., said. “Momma lived her life to make a difference in the lives of other people.”
The sign marking the park is adorned with purple ribbons — McCaw dedicated a large amount of time to Relay for Life and its mission of finding a cure for cancer. That cure did not come soon enough for McCaw; she passed away from cancer on July 7, 2011.
“The family greatly appreciates the dedication of the park in Nadine McCaw’s honor,” her sister Willene Bryan of Byrneville said.
The Nadine McCaw Park is located at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road in Century.
Pictured: Members of Nadine McCaw’s family were on hand Friday morning for the dedication of the former Roadside Park in her memory. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Martha Dubose Cofield
March 10, 2012
Mrs. Martha Dubose Cofield, age 77, passed away at a local hospital on Friday March 9, 2012. She was a native and longtime resident of McDavid. Martha was a waitress at Mamie’s Restaurant for 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband W.C. Dubose Jr.. parents Dewey and Elaine Stuckey. and sister Mary Branner.
She is survived by three sons, William Dubose (Jennifer) of Cantonment, Robert DuBose (Sandy) of Pace, Jimmy Dubose (Tonya) of Repton; daughter, Cathy Spears (Dennis) of McDavid; stepdaughter, Joy Garrett (Roger) of Lubbuck, TX.; brother, Joe Stuckey (Sue) of Walnut Hill; and sister, Faye Zangas (Larry) of Flomaton.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 12, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty Eastside Chapel with Rev. Jerry Keese officiating.
Visitation will be March 11, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Eric Dubose, Brandon Dubose, Bobby Dubose, Steven Dubose, Jimmy Dubose Jr., Levi Dubose, Jason Spears and Joshua Spears.
Honorary pallbearers will be Denny Spears and Dillon Spears.
Time Change: Spring Forward (And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries)
March 10, 2012
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
As you “spring forward” with the change to daylight-saving time, Escambia County Fire Rescue wants to remind residents to make another change that could save lives — changing the batteries in smoke alarms.
The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
It is also recommended that residents test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children — Approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- Seniors — Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
- Low-Income Households — Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
For more information about fire safety, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-475-5530 or visit the web site at www.myescambia.com.
For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).