Schools: Pick Up Individual Student FCAT Scores

June 30, 2014

Individual student FCAT scores are available for pick up at your child’s school. For schools not listed below, call the school office for summer hours.

  • Jim Allen Elementary: June 30, 7 a.m. – noon; July 21-24, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.,; July 28-31, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Bratt Elementary: June 30 – July 3,  July 7 – July 10, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Byrneville Elementary: Everyday except Fridays July 1-24 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.; everyday beginning July 28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Molino Park Elementary: June 30 – July 3, or July 7 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and July 8-10 from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
  • Ernest Ward Middle: June 30 – July 2 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and again from July 7 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., or July 8-10 from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Parents should be prepared to show and identification and sign that they have received the report. Those not picked up during the summer will be sent home with the student in the fall.
  • Northview High School:  July 1 – 3 from 8 a.m. – 3:30  p.m. in the administrative office. Those not picked up during that period will be given to the student during orientation – August 13, 9 a.m. – noon for grades 10-12, or August 14, 8 – 9:30 a.m. for ninth grade.

Two Injured In Crash With Utility Pole

June 30, 2014

Two people were injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday night near the intersection of Highway 196 and Highway 95A near Molino.

The driver apparently lost control, ran off the road and hit a utility pole just before 10 p.m. Both were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola; neither injury was considered severe or life threatening.

The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

New Speciality Tags Will Soon Hit Florida’s Roads

June 30, 2014

As they did a year ago, Florida lawmakers this spring approved four new specialty license tags, also extending a self-imposed barrier that hasn’t slowed the program.

Starting October 1, sales will start on the four plates — Fallen Law Enforcement Officers, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Keiser University, and the Moffitt Cancer Center — signed into law this year by Gov. Rick Scott.

Each plate raises money for the sponsoring organization. The fallen hero tag, which will feature the motto “A Hero Remembered Never Dies” across the bottom, will assist the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc.

The latest tags come despite a “moratorium” lawmakers imposed on new license plates in 2008. The moratorium was set to expire this year, but lawmakers extended it through mid-2016.

Since the moratorium was passed, the number of tags on the road has grown from 113 to 122. Also, lawmakers have since established a 1,000-plate pre-order requirement before actual production of the plate begins.

The new plates also come despite warnings from Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees license plates, officials that the program may have reached a tipping point in terms of sales.

In November, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Deputy Director Stephen Fielder told a House subcommittee that the market for specialty plates has become saturated.

The base of motorists spending extra for the specialty plates has remained stagnant over the past few years, Fielder said.

“When I had 30 plates, I had 30 organizations competing for 1 million (motorists),” Fielder told the panel. “I now have 120 plates competing for 1 million customers.” But a lobbyist for specialty plates said the state needs to make it easier for motorists to purchase them.

“There is a reason that many people aren’t able to buy them. The Department of Motor Vehicles will not put an option on the renewal form to go to the specialty plates,” said Susan Goldstein, who represents several associations with specialty plates as well as the Florida Association of Specialty License Plates. “You actually have to physically go to the tax collector or DMV to switch to a new plate.”

Asked about expanding the offerings for specialty tags online, department spokesman John Lucas responded in an email, “It’s strictly a technical reason due to additional fees that (are) involved in such a switch.”

The state sold and renewed 1.35 million specialty tags in 2013, up nearly 14,000 from 2012, but still noticeably off from 1.62 million purchased in 2009. Nearly half of the plates have attracted fewer than 5,000 buyers, including 18 with fewer than 1,000 in sales.

Private colleges are among the lowest sellers. Clearwater Christian College has ranked at the bottom of the sales with just 57 plates sold over the past two years.

Top sellers continue to be the University of Florida, Florida State University, Helping Sea Turtles Survive, Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect the Panther.

Goldstein noted that the number of specialty plates dropped after the fees for first time and renewals of specialty license plates were increased in 2009, when lawmakers were also hiking the cost of vehicle registration and other driver fees to close a budget shortfall.

“The person that wants to buy a new specialty plate has to pay $38 in fees to the state to make a $25 donation to the organization,” Goldstein said. “And we still did over $30 million last year.”

According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the $15 to $25 fee on specialty tags generates about $30 million a year, with about $8.6 million going to state revenue for processing fees and the rest divided among different sponsor organizations. Lawmaker support doesn’t guarantee the tag will hit the road, however.

Of the four tags approved for pre-sale starting July 1, 2013, Florida Freemasons and Lauren’s Kids — a non-profit group that helps survivors of childhood sexual abuse — surpassed the 1,000 mark and went on the road earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the American Legion and Big Brothers Big Sisters continue to struggle in the pre-sale world, with each organization selling about 100 plates as of June 2.

In addition to the new plates, production will begin this year on a new special use plate to recognize field medics who accompanied infantry into battle with a Combat Medical Badge plate. The state already offers Combat Action Badge and Combat Infantry Badge plates.

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

Jacksonville Takes Opener 12-6 Over The Blue Wahoos

June 30, 2014

On Sunday at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game, fans had lots of fun for the first five innings.

Ryan Wright hit his first Double-A home run, which cleared the left field fence and put Pensacola ahead, 6-5, in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was also the second baseman’s first hit at home, after going hitless during his first five-game homestand at Pensacola. However, he’s hitting .300 (6-20) since then.

However, in Jacksonville’s very next at bat the Suns scored six runs off three Blue Wahoos pitchers to go ahead, 11-6, on their way to a 12-6 victory in the opener of a five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Alfredo Silverio led off the big inning for the Suns with a home run.

The big hitter Sunday, though, for Pensacola was first baseman Marquez Smith. Smith hit a two-run home run, doubled in another run and walked in four at bats. It was Smith’s first home run this season, too, in a Blue Wahoos uniform after getting called up from High-A Bakersfield.

Smith said the homer to deep right center felt good after starting his stint with two hits in his first 18 at bats.

“It’s definitely good to get on the right track,” Smith said. “I was glad today to get some hits.”

Delino DeShields said that he would like to get the same production from Smith that Bakersfield got in the first half of the season. There Smith hit .298 with 15 homers and 67 RBI in 68 games.

“I’m hoping he will produce for us while he’s here,” DeShields said. “He is an older player. It gets tougher when you get older.”

The 29-year-old Smith was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2007 out of Clemson University and has played 737 games in the minors, including 2,615 at bats. He also has played 14 games in the Major Leagues, including 13 with the Cubs in 2011.

“I’ve been doing it for a long time and been lucky enough to still have a jersey on my back,” said Smith, who was born in Panama City down the coast from Pensacola. “I’m still having fun playing the game, so you can’t beat that.”

The second game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Monday. RHP Jon Moscot (4-6, 2.83) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns RHP Jay Rogers (2-2, 4.81).

by Tommy Thrall

John Edwin Hopkins

June 30, 2014

Mr. John Edwin Hopkins, 73, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, in Jay.

Mr. Hopkins was a native and lifelong resident of McDavid. Mr. Hopkins was an avid hunter and sportsman and he attended the Windy Hill Baptist Church. His mother, Flora Roach Hopkins and father, Russell Hopkins; two sons, Michael “Bubby” Hopkins and Nathan Hopkins; and sister, Louise McBride precede him in death.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharlene Hopkins Bondurant of Cantonment; one brother, Charles Hopkins of McDavid; four grandchildren, Holley Penrod and Johnathan Nelson both of Pensacola, Meagan and Lauren; special friends and caretakers, Bruce Cofield, Donny Wiggins, Tim Hammond and Edna Mae Darby.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Sam Weaver officiating.

Burial will follow at Crary Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dwight Hopkins, Matt Robbins, Sheldon Robbins, Tim Hammond, Dennis Mathis, Mike Brown and Steve Brown.

Special thanks to the Sacred Heart Medical Group.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Elizabeth F. Classen

June 30, 2014

Elizabeth F. Classen, 93 of Walnut Hill, passed away on June 28, 2014, at her residence. She was a homemaker, born in Meade, KS on January 20, 1921, to the late Jacob and Lena Friesen Loewen. She was a member of Atmore Mennonite Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie Classen; one infant son, Kenneth Classen, one great-grandson, Truman Heatwole; and brother, Henry Loewen.

Survivors include three sons, Roy(Mirian) Classen of Walnut Hill, Ken (Mable) Classen of Atmore, and Steve (Treva) Classen of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Marianne Classen of Walnut Hill, and Beverly Classen of Sarasota; one brother, John Loewen of Meade, KS; one sister, Bertha Classen of Sturgis, MI; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Services will be Tuesday, July 01, 2014, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Carl Martin and Rev. Anthony Swartzendruber officiating.

Interment will follow in Freemanville Community Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be grandSons, Kevin Classen, Rodney Classen, Keith Classen, Ryan Classen, Randy Classen, Corey Classen.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Christine Thompson

June 30, 2014

Mrs. Christine Thompson, 83, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, in Atmore.

Mrs. Thompson was a native of Canoe and a resident of Flomaton for most of her life. She retired from Vanity Fair and attended the Sardis Baptist Church. Her husband, Bert Thompson; three sons, Bobby Thompson, Bert Thompson, Jr. and Michael Thompson; and one granddaughter, Tina Thompson Hall precede her in death.

She is survived by her son, Charles Thompson of Flomaton; two daughters, Gracie (Glendall) Pridgen of Flomaton and Pamela Bethea of East Brewton; daughter-in-law, Sue Thompson; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Earle Greene officiating.

Burial was at the Sardis Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Greg Odom, Chris Thompson, B.J. Thompson, Michael Adams, Jeremy Pridgen and Bubba Pridgen.

Honorary pallbearers were Maurice Lewis, Randay Adams, Burton Smith and Little Charles Thompson.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

James T. (Jimmy) Sanborn

June 30, 2014

James T. (Jimmy) Sanborn, age 72, left this earthly world on June 28, 2014, at Providence Hospital in Mobile surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 17, 1941, in Revere, Mass. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Sanborn; mother, Irene McMillon; step father, Bill McMillon; and sister, Martha (Marty) Sanborn.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon S. Sanborn; brother, Brian Sanborn of Anniston; children, Beverly Sanborn Foster of Northport, AL, Nora Tate of Burlison, TN, Tracey Sanborn of Pensacola, Dee Dee M. Ward of Alabaster, AL and Kylisha J. Mallard of Sharpsburg, GA; sons-in-law, Matt Foster, Jeff Ward and Dexter Mallard; grandchildren, Rachel Worthing, Jerry Wayne Philyaw, Beth Gallagher, Jordan and Marisol Foster, Patrick, Alex and Cristiana Joy Ward, and Zoey, Hayden and Hanna Mallard; and three great-grandchildren.

Following his interest in justice and law enforcement, he obtained a BS from Troy State University, followed by a MS in Criminal Justice from Tennessee Christian University. His 33-year career of serving his community began as a police officer in several small towns in South/Central Alabama, including the Brewton Police Department. The majority of his career was with the Alabama Department of Corrections in Atmore, where he retired as a Lieutenant. He was a 32 degree member of Mobile Scottish Rite, as well as a member of Norris Lodge #301, Perdido Lodge #752, Monroeville York Rite Bodies, and ABBA Temple Shriners of Mobile. He was an avid gun collector and restorer, enjoyed collecting patches and Americana memorabilia, loved Western movies and gardening. Most of all, Jimmy dearly loved his family and church. He and Sharon had recently renewed their wedding vows.

Following his long time wishes, his remains were donated to the University of South Alabama to further medical science, research, and education.

A memorial will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on July 6, at 2 p.m. to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to his beloved church, Trinity Episcopal at 203 S. Carney St, Atmore, AL 36502.

Joe Phillips

June 30, 2014

Mr. Joe Phillips, 92, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in Little River, Alabama.

Mr. Phillips was a native of Lottie and a lifelong resident of Little River. Mr. Phillips was a veteran of World War II, See Bees, Carpenters Local 89. He attended the Honor Flight of World War II in September 2012. Mr. Phillips was the last of eight children to die. He was one good man remarked by his wife. He was a member of the Lottie Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Letitia Phillips of Little River; three sons, Dale Phillips and Mike Phillips both of Bay Minette and Stephen Phillips of Little River; two step-sons, Larry Wooten of Brewton and Joe Frank Wooten of Bratt; two step-daughters, Brenda Sessions of Stockton and Connie Dorriety of Latham, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Pruitt officiating.

Burial will follow at the Phillips Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Phillips, Austin Hornady, Brandon Piper, Brad Wooten, Greg Phillips and Neal Phillips.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Phillips, Billy Scott, Billy Dorriety, Ron Sessions, Nip Hadley and Aubrey Jay.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Identity Released Of Driver In Barrineau Park Crash

June 29, 2014

A female was trapped in her upside-down vehicle for over an hour Saturday afternoon in Barrineau Park.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old Kiatlin Renee Whitfield of Cantonment was westbound on the dirt portion of Barrineau Park Road toward the intersection with North Highway 99 when she lost control and over corrected. Her vehicle then overturned off the roadway. First responders worked feverishly to free the Whitfield and stabilize the vehicle.

She was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in seriousl condition.

Charges in the accident are pending, according to the FHP.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


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