Lawmakers Look To Get Rid Of “R” Word
April 10, 2013
It’s known as the “R” word.
Florida lawmakers are moving toward erasing the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from myriad state laws, as the word “retarded” has become widely viewed as offensive to people with disabilities.
“Mental retardation” would be replaced by “intellectual disability,” and “mentally retarded” would be replaced by “intellectually disabled.” As an indication of how references to retardation thread through state laws, the House is considering a 71-page bill to replace the terms — which pop up in everything from criminal laws to health laws.
“”It makes me upset, mad, when people use the R word. The word makes us (people with developmental disabilities) mad, and angry, and sad. People need to stop saying this word. I speak for others like me,” Barbara Collier (pictured), a client of ARC Gateway in Pensacola since 1996 said. She is a resident of one of six ARC group homes, a valuable member of the ARC horticulture program, a bocce player and bowler in the Special Olympics.
Deborah Linton, executive director of The ARC of Florida, said she has worked for three years to convince lawmakers to eliminate the “R” word and its variations. In the past, Linton’s group was known as the Association for Retarded Citizens.
“It was a medical term, and it became an insult,” Linton said Tuesday after the House Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill (HB 1119). At the other end of the Capitol, the Senate Rules Committee also voted unanimously for the Senate version (SB 142).
House sponsor Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, said 39 states have made similar changes to their laws. A person with an intellectual disability typically has an IQ of 70 to 75 or below, has limits on the ability to carry on everyday life activities and had the disability before age 18, according to The ARC website.
But while advocacy groups have made a priority of changing the terms, two speakers with intellectual disabilities told the House committee Tuesday that they are still hurt by getting called retarded.
“A lot of people have special needs and different personalities,” said Tyler Creamer, 20, of Panama City “I don’t like when people judge us or put us down. I am important.”
Members of the committee praised the measure.
“Sometimes the most simple of bills can be the most monumental,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
By The News service of Florida
Apply Now: Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship
April 10, 2013
Applications are being accepted now for the Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship to be presented to a Flomaton or Jay High School senior.
The student must have played at last two years of high school football, baseball, softball or track/field and have at least a 2.5 overall GPA, or the student must be willing to pursue advanced studies in the forestry field after high school. Students from Jay must have a parent who is a current member of the Santa Rosa Professional Educators association.
Applications are due by April 15 and can be obtained from the guidance departments at Jay and Flomaton high schools.
Northviews Earns Softball, Baseball Wins; Honors Senior Girls
April 10, 2013
Northview’s baseball and softball program picked up wins Tuesday.
In softball action, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat visiting Escambia Academy from Canoe, Ala., 9-4. The Lady Chiefs also honored their senior players on senior night (see below).
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a senior night photo gallery, click here.
In baseball action, the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport on the road 12-1 in a game called in the fifth due to the mercy rule.
Pictured top: Ariel Holland slides safely into home Monday in Bratt. Pictured below: Shaquanna Jones relieved Misty Doran on the mound for the Lady Chiefs. Pictured below: Northview senior softball players (L-R) Ashton Gibbs, Ashley Mooney, Ariel Holland, Shaquanna Jones, Samantha Johnson, Morgan Payne, Shelley Mothershed and Misty Doran. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Qualify For State Weightlifting Meet
April 10, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles have qualified for the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee later this month.
Kyles finished second in the 183-pound class at the regional meet on recently at Arnold High School with a total of 535 pounds. Elliott finished fourth in the 199-pound class with a total of 565 pounds.
Also at the regional meet, Luke McDaniel and LaDerious Franklin finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 238-pound class.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles at the recent regional state weightlifting meet. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Perdido Lake Road Wildfire
April 10, 2013
Firefighters battled a brush fire Tuesday afternoon near Cantonment. The fire was reported on Perdido Lake Road about 1:15 p.m. Firefighters from several Escambia Fire Rescue stations worked for over an hour to contain the fire and protect several structures in the area. The Florida Forest Service also responded to the wildfire. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Beulah Wreck
April 10, 2013
Two people were seriously injured in a two vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in Beulah.
The accident occurred about 2:30 a.m. at Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road. Both victims were transported by ambulance as “trauma alerts” to Sacred Heart Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 22-year old Joseph Patric Gartman of Cantonment was northbound in a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer on Beulah Road when he ran a red light and hit a 1995 Honda Accord driven by 19-year old Josehua M. Miskimens of Pensacola.
Gartman’s vehicle came to rest on it’s passenger side in a ditch, while Miskimens’ vehicle overturned and came to rest about 1,000 feet from the intersection.
Charges are pending in the accident, according to FHP.
The Beulah and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the early morning crash.
Pictured: Two people were critically injured in this Beulah wreck early Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Nine 
Mason Wesley “Coach” Stabler
April 10, 2013
Mr. Mason Wesley “Coach” Stabler, 56 of Atmore, passed away April 9, 2013, in Pensacola. He was born in Atmore on May 3, 1956, to the late Lee and Mabel Stabler. He was a retired educator of over 35 years and worked for the Escambia County School Board as a teacher and coach for over 18 years. He recently retired from Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette as an instructor of mathematics. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother O’Neal Stabler and sister, Levice Davis.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah A. Stabler of Atmore; son, Jerry Bradford (Angie) Alston of Norfolk, VA; daughters, Angela Alston (Ronnie) Brown of Bratt and Misty Leigh Stabler; grandchildren, Caitlyn Brianne Brown, Connor Elliott Stabler, Carmen Abigail Alston and Caleb Bradford Alston; brother, Billy Stabler and sister, Esther Walters.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 12, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Kevin Karie, Edward Walters, Frankie Bell, Philip Evans, David Nolin, and Tremaine Pimperl.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 11, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Flowers will be accepted but donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
We will always love you and miss you our “Poppy.”
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Navy Officially Cancels Remainder Of Blue Angels Season, Including Pensacola Beach
April 9, 2013
The remainder of Blue Angels 2013 schedule — including practices and air shows — has been canceled through the end of the current season in September. The cuts are a response to the federal budget cuts.
The Blues won’t fly any federally funded airshows or public practices through September, although there will still be decrease private practices for basic flight training purposes — without the maneuvers for which the Blue Angels are famous.
The cancellation spells the end of the Blue Angels July airshow on Pensacola Beach. The Santa Rosa Island Authority and other groups have discussed the possibility of Pensacola Beach finding alternative funding for the air show. But with a decreased practice schedule between now and July, that simply would not be possible, according to the Blues.
“The Navy believes there is value in demonstrating the professionalism and capabilities of our Navy and Marine Corps Naval Aviation team, thus inspiring future generations of Sailors and Marines. The Navy intends to continue aerial demonstrations in the future as the budget situation permits,” the Navy said in a press release.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Highway 97 Hit And Run Wreck
April 9, 2013
A 72-year old motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run accident Monday night in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Bruce Winsor of Pensacola and the pickup that fled the scene were both traveling northbound on Highway 97 near Gibson Road about 7:30 p.m. Winsor was traveling two to three car lengths behind the pickup and one of the witnesses when he changed lanes and attempted to pass the vehicles in front of him. At that time, the pickup slowed and began to turn onto Gibson Road. The front of Winsor’s Honda 1300 motorcycle struck the rear quarter panel of the pickup.
Winsor was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by ambulance as a “trauma alert”.
The vehicle that fled the scene was described as a older model, single cab cab pickup that was teal in color, possibly a Ford F150.
Anyone with information on the crash should contact the Florida Highway Patrol or local law enforcement. Charges in the crash are pending, according to FHP.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: A motorcyclist was critically injured in this hit and run accident on Highway 97 in Molino Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Data: 18 Percent Of Escambia Students Are Obese
April 9, 2013
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Monday released student Body Mass Index (BMI) data. The 2012-2013 data indicates that 64 percent of the students measured fall within a healthy weight range. This number has increased from 61 percent, as measured in 2005-2006. The number of students measured that are classified as obese has decreased from 21 percent in 2005-2006 to 18 percent in 2012-2013. No net change was seen in students classified as either overweight or underweight.
Dr. John Lanza, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County said, “While we’re seeing an impact from these efforts in our schools, we still have a long way to go. Facilitating lasting, generational changes can take ten to twenty years or more. We hope to continue to see a downward trend in the incidence of both overweight and obesity in our students.”
Reducing overweight and obesity requires a community-wide commitment. According to Lanza, “Everyone must do their part to help Escambia County change its culture about nutrition and physical activity. We need a community where good nutrition and regular physical activity are accepted as a normal part of our daily lives. We also need a community environment that enables us to make healthy choices. With 34% of our students overweight or obese, every parent, grandparent, neighbor, and community leader needs to be a role model for good nutrition and regular physical activity.”