Grant Provides For Ransom Middle “From Dirt To Dinner” Program
April 9, 2012
Ransom Middle School’s Eco Club, FFA, and Agriscience programs recently received a grant from the International Paper Foundation to start a school garden.
Ransom’s “From Dirt to Dinner” initiative will involve the Ransom Eco Club, FFA and agriculture student groups to be involved on a daily basis. The project will present a unique opportunity to address recent challenges, such as increased global food prices, and rethink the role of agriculture and its economic and ecological benefits.
The project will also improve the school campus environment with a green zone.
Caylee’s Law Becomes Law
April 9, 2012
Prompted by the death of Orlando two-year-old Caylee Anthony in 2008, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a measure to bolster penalties for lying to police when a child goes missing.
Known as “Caylee’s Law,” the measure (HB 37) was among a handful of criminal justice bills signed into law Friday by the governor that included measures on human trafficking, cop killers and paying funeral expenses for children who die while in state custody.
In contrast, Scott vetoed a measure that would have allowed some non-violent offenders to get out of jail early to fulfill their sentences with intensive substance abuse programs.
Caylee’s Law makes it a third degree felony to give false information to a law enforcement officer in the event of missing child. The bill was introduced following the highly publicized trial of Casey Anthony, Caylee’s mother, who was acquitted of murder but charged with four counts of lying to police. Caylee wasn’t reported missing until 31 days after she vanished.
Casey Anthony was sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum sentence for lying to police as a first degree misdemeanor. She was released last summer after time served.
Had the bill been in effect, she could have faced up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Prompted by the death of another Florida youth, Scott signed HB 173, which gives the Department of Juvenile Justice the authority to pay funeral expenses in some cases if a child dies in the agency’s custody.
The bill follows the death this past summer of Eric Perez in a juvenile lock-up in Palm Beach County, and the initial refusal of the state’s chief financial officer, Jeff Atwater, to pay for his funeral expenses. The CFO’s chief of auditing, Mark Merry, said the state didn’t have statutory authority to make such payments, even though the agency had a policy in the past of doing so.
Perez, 18, died July 10 at a West Palm Beach detention center. His burial expenses were $7,600. Eventually, the state paid Perez’ family $5,000 toward the funeral expenses,
Other bills signed Friday include HB 947, which sets a 10-year minimum sentence for possession of a firearm during a burglary of a conveyance, aggravated assault; or possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes had been subject to a three-year minimum sentence.
The governor also signed HB 7049, which consolidates prosecution of human trafficking investigations into the office of the statewide prosecutor and streamlined laws already on the books.
Among a handful of vetoes issued Friday, Scott rejected HB 177, which would allow certain offenders to be released prior to reaching 85 percent of their sentences if they are enrolled in a qualified substance abuse program.
“Justice to victims of crime is not served when a criminal is permitted to be released early from a sentence imposed by the courts,” Scott said in his veto message. “Florida’s sentencing laws have helped reduce Florida crime rate to a 40-year-low.”
By The News Service of Florida
Camp Fire Century Scores Perfect 100 On VPK Test
April 9, 2012
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center received a perfect score of 100 for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten School Readiness Rate for 2010-2011 school year.
Children were tested on the Echo and Fair test two weeks after they begin kindergarten. The children’s scores that attended a VPK program are calculated, and that determines the school’s or center’s grade.
Camp Fire USA is presently accepting enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. For more information, contact Pam Townson at (850) 256-0953.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Creative Seniors
April 9, 2012
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation hosted the 2012 Mira Creative Arts Awards program recently, honoring 69 of the county’s most creative high school seniors.
Northview High recently honored their award winners. They are: Jacob Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Joseph Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Josie Doucette, Journalism; Alissa Fiellin, Graphic Art; Cory King, Instrumental Music; Melissa Jayne Moretz, Instrumental Music; Kiani Okahashi, Visual Art; Chelsea Parham, Theatre; Justin Purvis, Theatre; and Darwin Eugene (D.J.) Robinson, II, Graphic Arts.
For a list of winners from other schools, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured: Northview MIRA Creative Art Award winners (L-R) Chelsea Parham, Melissa Moretz, Joseph Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Cory King, DJ Robinson, Justin Purvis, Kiani Okahashi, Josie Doucette, and Alissa Fiellin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Biscuits 7-5
April 9, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos went ahead on a two-run homer by Joel Guzman in the third inning and never looked back on their way to a 7-5 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038.
Already leading 3-1, Pensacola blew the game open with a four-run seventh inning. The big blow was a bases-clearing three-run double by left fielder Cody Puckett to put the Wahoos in front by six. The Biscuits made things interesting with three unearned runs in the eighth. All three runs scored after a Blue Wahoos fielding miscue extended the inning. They added another in the ninth, but center fielder Brad Coon grounded out to first baseman Mike Costanzo to end the game with the tying run on base.
Guzman and Puckett each led the way offensively with a pair of hits. Puckett chipped in three RBIs while Guzman contributed two. Tim Gustafson (1-0, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER) picked up with win out of the bullpen while Donnie Joseph (.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K) notched his second save. Montgomery starter Joe Cruz (3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) was saddled with the loss.
The two teams conclude the series on Monday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran to the mound opposite Biscuit righty Jacob Thompson. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. in Pensacola.
By Tommy Thrall for NorthEscambia.com
Cody Puckett’s three run double was part of a four-run seventh in Pensacola’s 7-5 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Time Changed For Century Special Meeting On Gas Leak
April 9, 2012
The Century Town Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday in reference to a project to replace a leaky natural gas line under Highway 29.
The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the council chamber to discuss documents related to a USDA loan for a natural gas relocation project, including consideration and acceptance of the loan resolution. (This reflects a time change from the previously announced 10:30 a.m.)
For more information on the gas leak, click here for a previous story.
Pictured: A decades-old natural gas line buried under the southbound lanes of Highway 29 is leaking. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunrise Services Celebrate Resurrection
April 8, 2012
Easter morning sunrise services were held at many locations in the North Escambia area Sunday morning.
One of the largest was in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held across the area, including Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton and Cantonment. The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful.
According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Thousands Attend Sunrise Service At New Wahoo’s Stadium
April 8, 2012
Over 2,000 people attended a sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium.
The service was conducted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church and was the first sunrise service in the church’s 21-year history. In addition to a praise and worship service, and special Easter message was delivered by Senior Pastor Gordon Godfrey Jr.
Pictured: A sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium. Submitted photos by Dale Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy Tonight; Slight Chance Of Monday Shower
April 8, 2012
Here is your official Easter Sunday forecast for the North Escambia area:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Northview Beats Freeport 9-1
April 8, 2012
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Freeport Bulldogs 9-1 Saturday morning at Freeport in varsity baseball action.
Northview scored one each in the first and second, four in the sixth, and three in the ninth to pick up the win.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Brian Ross, 3 for 4 with two runs scored, and an RBI. Hunter Rigby went 2 for 4, with two runs scored, and two RBI. Zach Barrow was 1 for 4, and scored a run. Kevin Vaughan had four stolen bases and scored two runs. Winston Riley had two hits for the Chiefs, with two runs scored and one RBI. Tanner Brooks scored a run, while Trey Johnson was 1 for 1. Chad Smith also added a single, with a run scored.
Daulton Tullis picked up the win on the mound for Northview. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on only two hits and striking out four hitters. Justice Agerton pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out two batters.
Northview now stands at 4-4 in district play. They play their final two district games at Jay on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 6 p.m. and at Baker beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.