All 23 Four-Year Florida Colleges Accept $10K Degree Challenge
January 29, 2013
Eleven more state colleges have joined Gov. Rick Scott’s “$10k degree challenge,” Scott announced Monday, meaning that all 23 colleges that currently offer four-year degrees have backed the initiative.
But the colleges are also making clear that they intend to be flexible in how they define and achieve the goal laid down by Scott, who has installed higher education affordability as a central plank in his education agenda.
“It is important our students can get an affordable education, and our state colleges have stepped up to the challenge to find innovative ways to provide a quality education at a great value,” Scott said in a statement released by his office. “Our goal should be that students do not have to go into debt in order to obtain a degree — and today’s announcement of nearly all of our state colleges meeting this challenge puts us closer to achieving that goal for our students and families.”
Democrats have slammed what they call the “Walmart” approach to higher education and dismissed the idea as a gimmick.
But state colleges have also indicated that they see the mandate as somewhat open to interpretation. And many of them have said that they’re not entirely certain how they will meet Scott’s push for each school to offer at least one degree at a total cost of $10,000.
“Do not ask me how all the details will come together on this, okay?” said St. Petersburg College President Bill Law at a November press conference unveiling the initiative. “We know that we have some significant work to do with our friends in the legislative arena. We’re going to need some new thinking on how we do some of the tuition pieces, how we put it all together, how we package this, how we support students, how we can use these as pilot projects.”
As an example: Polk State College said Monday that it had met Scott’s challenge – as far as students are concerned. The cost of a degree at the school is about $13,700, college officials said, but is less than $10,000 when financial aid is taken into account.
“We couldn’t be happier to know that the governor is using his influence to spotlight affordability within our system,” President Eileen Holden said in a press release from the college. “Now we will turn our attention to the challenge of securing appropriate state support during the upcoming legislative session. The Governor can be a key ally in that task.”
By The News Service of Florida
Medical Condition Leads To Dirt Road Crash
January 29, 2013
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Monday evening near Enon in extreme western Escambia County.
The accident happened about 5:20 p.m. on South Pineville Road about 1.5 miles from Highway 97A. The driver of a Buick Lucerne lost control in a curve on the dirt road and hit a tree. Officials said the 43-year old man was suffering from a possible emergency medical condition at the time of the crash.
The driver was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. His condition was not available.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Authorities said a medical condition led to this crash on South Pineville Road near Enon Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gary Arthur Whiting
January 29, 2013
Mr. Gary Arthur Whiting, 58, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Pensacola.
Mr. Whiting was a native of Rochester, NY and a resident of Walnut Hill for the past 23 years. Mr. Whiting was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His mother, Vivian Whiting, precedes him in death.
Survivors include his father, Newell Whiting of Rochester, NY; wife, Dana Whiting of Walnut Hill; three sons, Anthony Sones of Williamsport, PA, Nicholas Whiting of Walnut Hill and Justin Whiting of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Angela Steadham and Leslie Whiting both of Atmore; three brothers, Larry Whiting and Terry Whiting both of Rochester, NY and Jerry Whiting of Daytona, FL and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Steadham, Nicholas Whiting, Justin Whiting, Rico Padilla, Anthony Sones, Tim Lambert and Jacob Bradley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of arrangements.
Tate Aggies Release 2013 Baseball Schedules
January 29, 2013
The Tate Aggies have released their 2013 baseball schedules for the varsity, junior varsity and 9th grade teams.
Rain And Possible Severe Storms
January 29, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 67. South wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Escambia County Deputy Apparently Rear-Ends Semi
January 28, 2013
There were no serious injuries when an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy apparently rear-ended a semi about 2:40 Monday afternoon on Highway 29 at East Kingsfield Road. There was no word on the cause of the crash. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Reader submitted photos courtesy Cari Hadley (above) and Jerah Parker (below) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Bank Robbed
January 28, 2013
An Escambia County bank robbery is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a bank robbery in progress at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Wells Fargo Bank, 6425 Mobile Highway. The suspects were described two black males that were wearing masks and were armed.
The suspects entered the bank demanded money before fleeing. The suspects are believed to be in a newer model, gray, four door, Toyota Tundra pickup.
If anyone has information on the robbery, they are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Convicted Molino Sex Offender Pleads, Faces Additional Sentence
January 28, 2013
A convicted sex offender from Molino that fathered a child with a 16-year old is facing an additional sentence after a Friday court appearance.
Archie Eley Brooks, 39, pleaded no contest to one felony count of failing to report a name or residence change. He will be sentenced in March.
Once he released from jail after serving time for unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, Brooks reported a new permanent residence on Olive Road. Authorities later determined he was not living at that address, according to an arrest report.
Brooks original sex offender charge stemmed from a two-year relationship with an underage female.
In a February 2, 2010, interview, the victim told investigators that “the relationship started when suspect Brooks moved in with her family and the two shared a room” at her family’s home on Pine Circle Drive in Molino. The victim “stated that Brooks knew she was 16 at the time they began their sexual relationship,” according to the sheriff’s office report.
Brooks told investigators that he had a sexual relationship with the victim in which she became pregnant, according to the incident report, and that he knew the victim was 16 at the time. Brooks told deputies that the relationship lasted about two years until it ended on the victim’s 18th birthday.
Brooks remains in the Escambia County Jail awaiting his sentencing.
Byrneville Elementary Releases Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
January 28, 2013
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Byrneville Elementary School:
Mrs. Barberree’s Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Ayden Atallah
Luke Diamond
Maddie Mae Driskell
Alex Dunsford
Tyler Gilmore
Olivia Griffis
Daisy Johnson
Mia Kornegay
Madison Levins
Allie Odom
Ian Watson
Jayden White
Mrs. Rogers’ Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Nicole Briscoe
Layla Brown
Ashton Covan
Kerissa Dortch
Anna Dunsford
Hunter Johnson
Kelan Jurey
Evin Matlock
Addisen Miller
Blake Shaw
Mallory Smith
Mrs. Dawson’s First Grade:
A Honor Roll
Madalyn Grimes
Tyson McBride
Reygan Steadham
Ms. Thornton’s First Grade:
A Honor Roll
Riley Dawson
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
A/B Honor Roll
Alexa Castro
Nolin Godwin
Josh Johnson
Aydan Smith
Leif Waters
Mrs. Marshman’s Second Grade:
A Honor Roll
Aloysia Dortch
Kayla Johnson
Jessica Loftis
Kaden Odom
A/B Honor Roll
Briana Dunsford
Chase Hampton
Johnnie Howell
Emily Lambeth
Tiana White
Dreama Wright
Mrs. Weaver’s Second Grade:
A Honor Roll
Drake Allen Driskell
Emily Levins
A/B Honor Roll
Leah Anderson
Hunter Barnes
Josh Diamond
Marina Franklin
Micaleb Guntrum
Jamarkus Jefferson
Grace Long
Zane Rolin
Aleigh Thornton
Mrs. Dunsford’s Third Grade
A Honor Roll
Hunter Borelli
A/B Honor Roll
Dakota Bush
Cole Dunsford
Tessa Flowers
Jace Gifford
James Loftis
Torka Mills
Dillon Spears
Harley Walker
David Ward
Mrs. Gilmore’s Fourth Grade
A Honor Roll
Maille Kilcrease
A/B Honor Roll
Logan Bryan
Brianna Colter
Abigail Levins
Tyler Merchant
Jalexis Robinson
Tyler Rolin
Mrs. Johnston’s Fifth Grade
A Honor Roll
Madicyn Bell
Skyler Busbee
Ian Gifford
Alex Glidewell
Chandler Hinote
Lea Nall
Cloe Smith
Savannah Steadham
Nicky Trump
Olivia Watson
Ashten Wright
A/B Honor Roll
Hannah Merchant
Kelli Merchant
Waylon Milstead
Tyler Newton
Valorie Padilla
New Playground Installed At Molino Community Complex
January 28, 2013
A new, brightly-colored playground has been installed behind the new Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A. The complex also includes a museum, tax collector office, tax appraiser office and a library. The library will be opened in the coming weeks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
