School Orientations This Week (With Printable Supply Lists)
August 13, 2014
Orientations are scheduled this week for most Escambia County public schools. School begins next Monday, August 18.
For printable school supply lists, click here.
Orientations will be held as follows:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Orientation, Meet And Greets, August 14-15
- Bratt – August 14 – K-5, 8:30 – 10:30; Pre-K, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Byrneville — August 15, 9-11 a.m.
- Jim Allen – August 14, K-5 9-10:30 a.m.
- Lipscomb – August 14, K – 8:30-9:30; grades 1-5, 9:30-11 a.m.
- McArthur – August 14, 8:30-10 a.m.
- Pine Meadow – August 14, 9-11 a.m.
- Molino Park - August 14, Pre-K 9-10:00; K-5, 10-11 a.m.
For Escambia County elementary schools not listed, click here.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Orientations, August 14
- Bailey – 6th grade 10 a.m.; 7-8th 1:00 p.m.
- Bellview Middle – 9 – 11 a.m.
- Brown-Barge – 9 – 11 a.m.
- Ernest Ward – 10-11 a.m.
- Ferry Pass – 10 – 11 a.m.
- Ransom – 1-3 p.m.
- Warrington - 10: a.m.
- Workman – 1:00 – 2:30
- Woodham Middle – 6th grade 1 p.m.; 7-8th 1-2 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Ninth Grade/New Student Orientation
- Northview
- 8/14/14 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 9th grade/new student orientation
- Tate
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. 12th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 2:00 p.m. 10th-11th grade schedule pickup
- West Florida
- 8/14/14 10:00 a.m. 11th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 1:30 p.m. 10th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 6:00 p.m. Senior/parent(s) information meeting
- Pine Forest
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 9th grade/new student schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th-12th grade schedule pickup
- Pensacola
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 9th grade orientation
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th-12th grade schedule pickup
- Washington
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. — noon New student orientation
- 8/14/14 8:00 a.m. – noon 11th grade schedule pickup
- 8/15/14 8:00 a.m. – noon 10th grade schedule pickup
- Escambia
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th- 12th grade schedule pickup
Note that some high schools have already held some orientation events.
Man Charged With DUI, Child Neglect After Wrong-Way Trip On Nine Mile Road
August 13, 2014
A Cantonment man was jailed after allegedly driving drunk on the wrong side of Nine Mile Road with two children in the vehicle.
Robert Anthony Hardee, 23, was charged with DUI and two counts of felony child neglect. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy’s report, he was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road when he observed traffic swerving left and right to avoid a Nissan SUV traveling on the wrong side of the road. Hardee turned on Chemstrand Road where he came to a stop. Two children were in the vehicle.
Hardee failed a field sobriety test, and later failed a breathalyzer test with an alcohol level of .242 — just over three times the legal limit of .08 — according deputies. Deputies reported finding a small bottle of vodka in the vehicle, with one of the children telling a deputy that Hardee has just consumed the alcohol.
Hardee also received traffic citations for driving on the wrong side of the road and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle.
Free Farm Share Food Giveaway Planned For Saturday In Century
August 13, 2014
A free food giveaway will be held Saturday in Century.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, the AmeriCorps Coalition of Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties and Farm Share will host the free food distribution event for residents of Century and Florida residents North Escambia area (including Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino, Cantonment and Jay) on Saturday at The Habitat Building (former middle school) at 150 East Pond Street. (This is a change of location from the originally announced Showalter Park.)
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue while supplies last or until noon. Assisted by volunteers, Farm Share will distribute fresh produce, water and canned foods for up to 300 families in need. All participants must have a valid photo identification.
Pictured top: Volunteers help distribute food during a previous Farm Share event in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 29, I-10 Overpass Work Begins Wednesday Night
August 13, 2014
Work will being on the I-10 overpass over Highway 29 Wednesday night.
Between 8-10 p.m, a Florida Department of Transportation maintenance contractor crew will clean and patch the northbound inside lane of the overpass bridge on Highway 29 at I-10 eastbound, according to an Escambia County news release.
Lightning Strike Apparent Cause Of Cantonment Gas Leak
August 13, 2014
A gas leak that shut down Pine Forest Road in a Cantonment neighborhood Tuesday night was believed to be caused by lightning.
The leak was report about 7:15 p..m. near the intersection of Pine Forest Road and Graham Road, just north of the Pine Forest Assembly of God. A nearby homeowner reported seeing and hearing the lightning strike before walking outside to see natural gas blowing into the air.
Work crews had the gas shut off in about an hour in order to make repairs to the pipe. Three families voluntarily evacuated during the incident.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: Gas can been seen spewing out of the ground Tuesday evening following a lightning strike on Pine Forest Road. Reader submitted photos by Renee Maneen for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Library’s Bookmobile Back In Service
August 13, 2014
A bit of good news today for residents that don’t want to make the trek all the way to their nearest library — the West Florida Library Bookmobile is back in service. The Bookmobile had been out of service since July 21.
The Bookmobile makes regular stops throughout Escambia County. Anyone with a West Florida Library card may visit the library on wheels and check out books, CDs, and DVDs from the selection of thousands on board. Patrons may also reserve materials online to be picked up on the Bookmobile’s next stop. Materials may be returned to the Bookmobile or to any library branch location.
Library card applications are also available from the Bookmobile driver.
The Bookmobile schedule below, provided by the West Florida Library, shows stops for the remainder of the year. Click the schedule to enlarge and print.
Robin Williams’ Death Shines Light On Suicide, Depression
August 13, 2014
As details emerge about the reported suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams, family members and friends acknowledge he was suffering from a long battle with depression. Many Florida families suffer the same anguish, and suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the state.
Betsey Westuba, who chairs the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, said she hopes Williams’ death serves as a reminder to help people who may be suffering from depression.
“It’s a biological disease,” she said. “Just as we have bodily diseases, we have brain diseases – and, so often, people don’t want to acknowledge that.”
Last year, more than 2,800 Floridians committed suicide, or about eight people a day. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25 to 34.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has help available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. Warning signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts include a sense of hopelessness, apathy and extreme changes in behavior.
Westuba said she has a family history of depression, and a brother who committed suicide in 2007.
“Remember that there are many, many people that go through depression, but they are able to get through it,” she said. “We can help to teach each other skills. We need to educate each other.”
Mental-health experts recommend reaching out to people who may be suffering from depression. She said pets sometimes lift the spirits of those who are depressed, and making future plans may help provide them with a sense of hope.
by Florida News Connection
Redistricting Session Over, Battle Over Map Continues
August 13, 2014
The special redistricting session held by the Legislature lasted just five days, but the two-year battle over the boundaries of the state’s 27 congressional districts seems to be far from over.
Voting-rights groups who sued to get the original map overturned say the new plan, approved Monday on nearly party-line votes in the House and Senate, isn’t enough of an improvement for Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis to sign off on it. And there’s still no clarity on whether an election that is already underway in some counties will be delayed.
Deirdre Macnab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, said Tuesday that the map passed by the Legislature this week “looks suspiciously like” the blueprint that Lewis tossed in July. Lewis ruled two congressional districts approved by lawmakers in 2012 violated anti-gerrymandering standards that voters added to the Florida Constitution in 2010.
“We don’t believe the (new) maps comply with the criteria the judge laid out,” Macnab said.
She wouldn’t comment specifically on whether Lewis should redraw the districts, as some critics of the map have suggested. But she also made it clear that the league believes lawmakers have had several chances to draw a map correctly.
“The Legislature’s already had one opportunity to comply with the amendments,” Macnab said. “This was their second chance.”
During the debate over the map Monday, Democrats were less restrained. Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, said he hoped that Lewis wouldn’t give the Republican-controlled Legislature a third chance to craft districts if he strikes down the new map.
“I hope he decides to do it, or at least have an impartial panel do it,” Waldman said. “Because the fact is that this map has been tainted from the beginning.”
Lewis is supposed to hold another hearing Aug. 20 on the map and a proposed schedule for a possible special election. Even if he decides to uphold the new plan, Lewis could delay voting in the seven congressional districts affected by the changes to the map. Republicans have opposed any plan to change the election dates, saying tens of thousands of Floridians have already cast absentee ballots in the Aug. 26 primaries. Also, early voting has started in some counties.
And if Lewis rules in favor of the Legislature on all counts, the plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit could appeal.
In his initial ruling last month, Lewis said lawmakers put too many African-American voters in Congressional District 5, currently represented by Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown, in an apparent effort to channel those Democratic-leaning voters away from surrounding districts.
The judge also found fault with an appendage of white voters added onto Congressional District 10, now represented by Republican Congressman Dan Webster. Lewis said the voters were placed in Webster’s district to try to help the incumbent hold onto his seat.
Because all congressional districts must have roughly equal populations, lawmakers Monday evened out the numbers by shifting the boundaries of five other seats.
For now, GOP lawmakers say they’re waiting for Lewis’ final ruling. Speaking to reporters after the session ended Monday night, Senate President Don Gaetz didn’t rule out appealing if Lewis rules against the Legislature, but said he didn’t think it would be necessary.
“We place our trust and confidence in his judgment,” said Gaetz, R-Niceville. “I don’t believe that there’s going to be any need or reason to appeal. It is (neither) Speaker Weatherford’s nor my desire to spend more time, more money and more energy on litigation. ”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service Florida
Julia Beatrice Huckabee Johnson
August 13, 2014
Julia Beatrice Huckabee “Hobbie” “Aunt Bea” Johnson 90, passed away Monday, August 11, 2014, in Atmore. She was a retired seamstress with Vanity Fair Mills. She was born in Wayne, AL on January 27, 1924, to the late Johnson Garfield and Ludie Ellen Stephens Huckabee.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Hughlen V. Johnson; brothers, William James Huckabee, Byrd Huckabee and Henry David Huckabee; sisters, Gladys Smith, Uldean Oliver, Mary Burge and Louise Hicks; grandson, Kevin Matthew Johnson; and son-in-law, James T. Sanborn.
Survivors include one son, H. Julian (Sarah Nell) Johnson; three daughters, Sharon Stansbury-Sanborn; Patricia Johnson Chastain and Nona Kay Johnson all of Atmore; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday, August 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Dukes officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be James Hall, Dexter Mallard, Charles Ware, Larry Downing, Ron Weinmann and Hilbert Hall.
Family will receive friends Thursday, August 14, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Mobile Homers Win Over The Blue Wahoos
August 13, 2014
Mobile BayBears hitters showed two-time U.S. Master’s champion Bubba Watson – one of the longest drivers off the tee on the PGA Tour – how to drive a baseball.
While Watson took a few big cuts in the batting cage before the game, it was Mobile that relied on the long ball to defeat Southern League rival Pensacola, 6-1, in the opener of the five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The BayBears knocked two homers over the wall in left field and into the bay in the sixth inning for three runs to take a commanding, 5-1, lead.
Corcino entered the game with a 9-2 record at home with a 2.52 earned-run average. But Mobile knocked him out of the game in the sixth with a lead off home run by third baseman Brandon Drury just inside the foul pole. After right fielder Dustin Martin followed with a single, second baseman Gerson Montilla hit a two-run shot.
Mobile starting pitcher Braden Shipley earned his first professional hit when he smacked a solo home run over the left field wall in the third inning off Corcino to put the BayBears ahead, 2-0. Corcino gave up five runs and six hits in five-plus innings, however, he struck out seven, including five in a row. Shipley allowed just one run on three hits in four innings and struck out five.
The BayBears, winners of the first half of the Southern League South Division, have the best record in the second half, too. They are 30-19 and 72-46 overall. In the final series with Pensacola (20-31, 51-70), Mobile leads nine games to seven.
After Mobile added a run in the seventh, Drew Hayes took the mound and stopped Mobile from scoring any more. He faced the minimum eight batters in the final 2.2 innings. He fanned three batters.
The Wahoos were only able to push across one run Tuesday and missed having catcher Ross Perez in the middle of the lineup, Manager Delino DeShields said. Perez, who was hitting a team-leading .333 on the season, got called up Tuesday to the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
“He earned the promotion,” DeShields said. “I know he was happy. Personally, I hated to see him go, especially for our offense. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the guys moving on and one day reaching the big leagues.”
The second game of the five-game series with Arizona DiamondBacks Double-A affiliate the Mobile BayBears gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. RHP Jon Moscot (7-10, 3.14) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP Aaron Blair (3-1, 3.09).
by Tommy Thrall