Ernest Ward Students Explore Past With National History Day Projects
February 10, 2014
History came alive through the eyes of students at Ernest Ward Middle School recently as they displayed weeks of work on projects for National History Day.
The History Fair in the school’s gym capped off a project in which EWMS students were required to do research into a topic. The research was presented in exhibit form, much like the typical science fair, or as a drama or web presentation. Students complete projects either individually or in teams.
This was the fifth year Ernest Ward has participated in the national program, with the top projects from Ernest Ward headed next to a district competition. Winners included:
Individual Exhibits
- Cameron Long
- Bailey Seibert
- Dalton Hamilton
- Bailee Hinote
Group Exhibits
- Ashlan Harigel, Anna King, Bailey Van Pelt
- Lexi Broadhead, Karlee Criswell, Jessie McCall
- Celeste North, Kayla Galvan
- Colby Morris, Logan Wise
Web Design
- Triston Long
- Ashtyn Carnley, Delaney Reynolds
Performance
- Nikoal Creamer, Seth Parker, Chris Johnson
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ken Stone
February 10, 2014
Ken Stone, age 47, hometown boy from Cantonment, left the infirmaries of this life and ran into the arms of Jesus on Friday, February 7, 2014. He was one of five children born to Marcus and the late Gloria Stone in Pensacola on June 20, 1966. Ken graduated from Tate High School and played football for the Aggies. Ken’s passion for football did not end after high school. He coached for years and served on the Board at Ensley Ballpark where he mentored many young men.
On a lazy hot August day back in 1989, Ken and a group of friends spent the day in the same way he had spent many simmering hot summer days all of his life, cooling off in the cold, refreshing waters of the Perdido river. Ken made a decision that day that would change his life drastically by diving off the Barrineau Park bridge. A jump he had made many, many times in his life, but on that day the dark waters of the river were unusually shallow, and Ken’s neck was broken. Several hours later, with our family gathered in the waiting room at the hospital, we were told by doctors that Ken’s condition was very critical, and they did not think that he would make it through the night. Our God had a different plan! Ken fulfilled that plan by touching so many lives with his unending flow of love and friendship for anyone that needed it and with his strong honest faith. His passion for life was fueled by his love of family, especially his sons. Ken could have understandably turned bitter with his handicap, but he never did. He took the life that God had given him and persevered by becoming someone that so many of us would turn too for encouragement, words of wisdom and his biggest gift to simply use that big beautiful smile to just help make any situation a little brighter.
Achievements? Their were many that Ken had reached, but not the kind that hangs on a wall, or maybe piled up in a bank in the way the world defines achievements. Ken’s accomplishments were of the type that are stored in Heaven in the form of treasures he gained from the awesome impact he made on so many lives. He is now boldly walking in those blessings and promises in the presence of our Heavenly Father with that same wonderful smile we all loved and that will be so dearly missed.
Until we walk together in eternity our brother, we will keep your strong spirit and true faith tucked deeply in our hearts! Ken is a believer in our King Jesus and was a member of East Brent Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria; Grandma (Idell); Mema (Martha) and granddaughter, Morgan.
Ken is survived by is sons, Ken Morgan (Keka) and Daniel (Samantha) Stone; grandchildren, Gabriel, Skyler, Baylen, Kalysta Chevelle and Daniel II; father, Marcus Gene; brothers, Mark (Lynn), Roy, Morris and Susie Stone; special friends, Regina and Derrick Perkins and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.
Pallbearers will be Robert Arbegast, Buster Stone, Brett Stone, Lil Roy Stone, Johnny Whitaker and Bryan Cooper.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Whitaker, Billy Cooper, Danny Deweese and Arthur Simms.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 6 p.m. with funeral services to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Jeff Howard and Dr. Dale Patterson officiating.
Interment will follow on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Andalusia Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Senate Fast Tracks State Run Tech Agency
February 10, 2014
The Senate is once again trying to upload an information-technology agency to oversee large computer projects and set tech policy for the state government.
But, unlike in past years, the House is also backing the concept of a technology oversight agency. The Senate proposal comes against the backdrop of on-going troubles with Florida’s $63 million unemployment system and security breaches at giant retails such as Target.
The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday, with little comment, unanimously supported a measure (SPB 7024) to create the Agency for State Technologies which would cost $5 million in the first year and add nine new government positions.
The Senate last year unanimously passed last year a similar measure that died in the budget conference process with the House.
Although no companion bill has yet been introduced in the House, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, included development of a state government information technology strategy in their 2014 legislative work plan released late last month.
“The Speaker believes Florida should not be the only state in the nation without a Chief Information Officer,” Weatherford’s spokesman Ryan Duffy said in an email.
Sen. Jeremy Ring, a Margate Democrat who sponsored the bill, has pushed for the creation of the agency for the past three sessions. He said he expects the House to look more favorably on the tech oversight agency because of high costs and high-profile difficulties associated with some of the state’s latest tech systems. The Department of Financial Services’ Florida Accounting Information Resource (FLAIR) system, now in development, could top $100 million. The Department of Economic Opportunity’s $63 million Connect system for jobless claims has been plagued with problems.
Since Dec. 20, the state has imposed a $15,000-per-business-day penalty and withheld a $3 million payment to Minnesota-based Deloitte Consulting until the Connect system it helped create is deemed “fully functional.”
The glitches have delayed the disbursement of thousands of unemployment checks since the system went live on Oct. 15.
Ring also warned that Floridians remain vulnerable due to a Target Corp. data breach in which information from 70 million credit cards was stolen late last year. The lack of any centralized oversight of the state’s computer systems and websites put Florida “at risk of significant security breaches,” said Ring, a former Yahoo.com executive.
“There is no question that when you have a $70 billion business, and you don’t have a chief information officer, you can see how flawed that really is and how illogical that really is,” Ring said. “We should have done this a couple of years ago.”
More importantly, he said, it’s difficult to “wrap our arms around how much money we spend on IT.”
The agency would be located within the Department of Management Services and run by a chief information officer appointed by the governor.
“It’s imperative we have an agency head that can actually speak the same language as the person on the other side of the table,” Ring said.
The agency would not have oversight of Cabinet agencies such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Lottery, Florida Housing Corp., and the Department of Legal Affairs. But those departments would have to follow guidelines set up by the new agency and any new programs or software costing more than $50 million would have to undergo a review.
The agency, which would require $2.1 million in start-up costs as part of the first year expenses, would consolidate 226 positions from state data centers and the former Agency for Enterprise Information Technology, according to a Senate press release. The nine new positions would include the governor-appointed CIO.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Seeks Appointees To Numerous Boards, Committees
February 10, 2014
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking volunteers for several Boards and Committees, effective immediately.
The Big Bend Health Council (Northwest Florida) was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The duties of this council are to assist the State in planning for health facilities and services, provide a health data repository and help counties and local communities to obtain better health care. Health care consumer, provider and purchaser positions are available. Council members serve a two-year term of office.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment was established under Ordinance No. 88-16. The Board of Adjustment (BOA) conducts any required quasi-judicial public hearings to grant, grant with conditions, or deny applications for variances, conditional uses, requests for final extension of development orders for site plan approval, requests for the temporary use of a mobile home as a guest residence due to medical hardship and appeals of administrative decisions filed by those persons aggrieved by interpretations or administration of these regulations. Under county ordinance the Board of County Commissioners can review of the orders of the BOA affirming, reversing or modifying the decision of an administrative official. Board members serve a two-year term of office and a Financial Disclosure Required.
The Escambia County Extension Council was established in accordance with Florida statutes. The purpose of this council is to study the needs of the county in developing its natural resources, families and youth; to provide for the organization of planning committees in various agricultural commodities in youth and in all phases of home economics important to Escambia County; to provide for close liaison between the committees, county extension agents and the council; and to coordinate the reports of all committees into a single Escambia County resource development program designed to develop the county’s resources and its people through programs for which the cooperative Extension Service has a responsibility for initiating or coordinating. Council members serve a two-year term of office.
The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority was established in accordance with Florida statutes. The authority’s duties are to assist health facilities in acquisition, construction, financing and refinancing of projects. Knowledge of finance and/or health care administration required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida law. The authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing; stop reoccurrence of slum conditions; and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
The Escambia County Planning Board was established under Ordinance No. 88-15. It shall be the continuing duty of the planning board to be currently informed and knowledgeable of the conditions and development of the county and to make studies and recommendations relating to county growth management, either initiated by the planning board, the county administrator, or the Board of County Commissioners. The planning board shall hear, give consideration to and make recommendations to the board of county commissioners on matters in accordance with the requirements of the applicable county ordinance or state regulations. Board members serve a two-year term of office and a Financial Disclosure Required.
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) was created in accordance with Florida statutes. The TDC duties are to review each proposal for expenditure of funds to determine if it complies with the Tourist Development Plan as outlined, review all expenditures from the Revenue Trust Fund and to report findings to the BOCC and the Florida Department of Revenue. Members shall be owners/operators of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations in Escambia County and subject to the tax, and/or individuals involved in the tourist industry, or who have demonstrated an interest in development but are not owners/operators within the tourist industry. Council members serve a four-year term of office.
The Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission was established by an inter-local agreement between Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Pensacola in April 1978. The purpose of the commission is to be “responsible for the promotion of fair treatment and equal opportunity to all citizens of the local community.” Commission members serve a two-year term of office.
The Value Adjustment Board provides for the hearing of all petitions, complaints, appeals and disputes concerning taxable assessment of properties, was established in accordance with Section 194.015, Florida Statutes, which was revised on September 1, 2008. Board members serve a one-year term of office.
If interested in serving on the committees, councils or boards listed above, please contact Judy Witterstaeter, program coordinator at (850) 595-4916 to submit your resume. All resumes must be submitted no later than Friday, February 28. Please note appointees serve without compensation and some positions require filing of financial disclosure forms.
Florida House Looks To Give Nurse Practitioners More Power
February 10, 2014
In an issue that could spur a health-care industry fight, a House select committee Monday will take up a 155-page bill that would give nurse practitioners independence to provide medical services without physician supervision.
House leaders say giving more authority to nurse practitioners, at least in part, could help address a shortage of primary-care physicians in Florida. The bill would apply to a group technically known as “advanced registered nurse practitioners,” who have more education and training than registered nurses. Along with applying to nurse practitioners who provide primary care, it would apply to specialists such as nurse anesthetists.
But the issue is controversial, with physician organizations such as the powerful Florida Medical Association long arguing that supervision needs to continue. Also, Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said Thursday she is working on a bill that would make far less-dramatic changes than the House measure.
“We’re against it (the House bill),” Florida Medical Association General Counsel Jeff Scott said after reviewing the newly filed proposal Thursday. “I don’t think there’s any room for doubt on that one.”
The House Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Innovation has been studying the practice issues in recent weeks, including holding a lengthy hearing last month.
Jorge Valdes, president of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told lawmakers during the hearing that members of his group have the training to provide anesthesia without physician supervision. Also, backers of the changes say nurse practitioners, including specialists such as the nurse anesthetists, already provide services without doctors being present, though they have to get approval from physicians for what are known as “protocols” that outline care.
“In Florida, anesthesiology is delivered by both anesthesiologists and CRNAs (certified registered nurse anesthetists),” Valdes said. “I’m a CRNA. I’m a professional. I’m not asking for anything additional than something I already do, (and that) is to practice my profession.”
The House bill, which will be discussed during a committee workshop Monday, would create two categories of nurse practitioners: “independent advanced practice registered nurses” and “advanced practice registered nurses.”
The advanced practice registered nurses would continue providing services under physician supervision, though they would receive additional authority to prescribe controlled substances. Nurse practitioners currently can prescribe other types of drugs, such as cholesterol medication or antibiotics.
Meanwhile, the independent advanced practice registered nurses, including the specialists, would be able to provide services without supervision if they meet criteria for experience and pharmacology training. Along with being able to prescribe controlled substances, they would have authority to make a wide range of other decisions, such as admitting and discharging patients from hospitals.
Part of the impetus for the House taking up the issue is that Florida faces a shortage of primary-care physicians. The House and Senate also are considering other steps, such as trying to encourage telemedicine, to address that issue.
“As we move into (the legislative) session, this committee will be proceeding with a bold initiative to expand access to care to Florida’s workforce and to increase the competitiveness of that workforce market,” select committee Chairman Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, told the House panel last month.
Grimsley said Thursday the Senate bill would not allow nurse practitioners to immediately work without physician supervision, though it would allow them to prescribe controlled substances. She said the bill likely will set a time in the future, possibly five years, when nurse practitioners could work independently if they meet criteria. She said her bill would not allow nurse anesthetists to work independently.
Such health-care issues — known as “scope of practice” issues — frequently touch off lobbying battles in Tallahassee. As an example, optometrists and ophthalmologists battled for years about the drug-prescribing powers of optometrists, before a bill passed in 2013.
Scott, the Florida Medical Association general counsel, said the new House bill is the broadest scope-of-practice expansion he has seen, and physician groups are already preparing to fight it.
“There is no compelling health care policy goal, realized financial incentive, or access to care reason to eliminate the nearly nationwide gold safety standard of anesthesia physician supervision,” anesthesiologist Jay Epstein, president of the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, said in a prepared statement Thursday.
by Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
Michael “Mike” Thomas Cook
February 10, 2014
Mr. Michael “Mike” Thomas Cook, 62, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014, in Century.
Mr. Cook was a native of Racine, Wisconsin and has resided in Century since 1992. Mr. Cook was a loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Cook.
He is survived by his mother, Joyce Cook of Racine, Wisconsin; wife, Ilene Cook of Century; two daughters, Robin Cook and Niki Cook both of Century; two brothers, Eugene Cook and Jim Cook both of Racine, Wisconsin; one sister, Brenda Cook of Racine, Wisconsin and one grandchild, Thomas Henry Clark of Century.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Ethel D. Carter
February 10, 2014
Mrs. Ethel D. Carter, 97, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2014, in Atmore.
Mrs. Carter was a native and former resident of Plaquemine, LA and had lived in Atmore since 1989. Mrs. Carter attended the St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church and loved to go to the SAIL Center in Atmore. She is preceded in death by her husband, Oscar T. Carter, Sr. and daughter-in-law, Shirley Carter.
She is survived by her two sons, Donald G. (Hazel) Carter of Brewton and Oscar T. “Butch” Carter, Jr. of Centralia, IL; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass and burial will follow at a later date in Plaquemine, LA.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Jimmie “Catfish” Aden
February 10, 2014
Mr. Jimmie “Catfish” Aden, 66, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Aden was a native of Trenton, Michigan and had resided in Bratt most of his life. Mr. Aden was an avid domino player at the Bait Shop, a gardener, mechanic and fisherman. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Aden & June Blackmon; sister, Marty Green and step-father, Junior Blackmon.
He is survived by his ex-wife and friend, Yvonne Aden of Bratt; one son, J.J. (Mitzy) Aden of Bratt; one daughter, Melissa (Tony) Chavers of Walnut Hill; two sisters, Joyce (Gordon) Carlson of Texas and Michelle McCurdy of Bratt; five grandchildren, Tori Lowery, Tiffany and Hunter Chavers, Cailin Lovely and Merena Roley; two great-grandchildren, Bentley Lowery and Ruby Lovely.
Memorial services for Mr. Aden will be held at his home on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at 1 p.m.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Do Not Call Tops List of Consumer Complaints For January
February 10, 2014
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced Monday that the top three complaints received in January 2014 at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were regarding the statewide Do Not Call List, fuel and communications. The agency received 3,927 written complaints in December.
In addition, there were 26,708 calls and 453 emails requesting consumer assistance and information. The top three calls to the agency’s 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline requesting information or assistance were related to the solicitation of contributions from charities, motor vehicle repair and landlord/tenant.
In the past month, the department responded to many consumer concerns and taken action against several individuals or businesses operating outside of Florida law. During the month of January, the agency:
- Registered 7313 businesses.
- Initiated 244 investigations.
- Arrested 13 individuals.
- Recovered $251,456.00 on behalf of Florida consumers.
- Added 13,367 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List. Currently, there are more than 593,000 numbers on the list.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.
Sunny And Warm Sunday
February 9, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67.