Summer Tryouts Next Week For Tate Softball, Northview Baseball, Tate Baseball
May 20, 2015
Northview High School Baseball and Tate High School softball have scheduled summer tryouts.
The 2015 Class 7A Softball State Champion Lady Aggies will hold Summer Softball Tryouts on Tuesday, May 26 and Thursday May 28 at 5:30 p.m. on the Tate softball field (enter the campus at the Kingsfield Road gate). For more information, contact Coach Melinda Wyatt at (850) 937-2300 ext. 241 or email mwyatt@escambia.k12.fl.us.
Northview High School will hold Summer Baseball Tryouts on Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at Northview for all returning Northview students, returning players and incoming freshmen. No pre-registration is required. Email Coach Marty Lister at mlister@escambia.k12.fl.us for more information.
Tate High School will hold Summer Team Tryouts on Monday, May 25 from 10 a.m. until noon. No pre-registration is required. Email Coach Greg Blackmon at gblackmon@escambia.k12.fl.us for more information.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hospitals To Scott: Go Look It Up Yourself
May 20, 2015
As Gov. Rick Scott’s newly created health-care commission prepares to meet Wednesday to begin sifting through data about hospital funding, the governor’s request for information has been met with hospitals essentially telling him to go look it up.
Many of the dozens of surveys returned by hospitals have five or fewer of the roughly 100 lines filled out with new information. Officials frequently referred Scott back to information filed with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees much of the state’s spending on health care.
“Florida Hospital regularly reports financial and hospital utilization data to the Agency for Health Care Administration, as required by state law,” wrote Joe Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Florida Hospital Carrollwood, in a letter accompanying an essentially blank response to the survey. “We believe our submissions are up to date, accurate and readily available to the public for review. In order to meet your urgent request, we respectfully refer you to consult AHCA to obtain this comprehensive information.”
Johnson also used his letter to make a pitch for Medicaid expansion — something Scott adamantly opposes — calling it “the most compassionate, sustainable and fiscally prudent approach to deal with the state’s uninsured population.”
The same letter, signed by other officials, accompanied the submissions from other Florida Hospital branches.
It is not the only form letter that has been circulated to the commission. Several hospitals used a similar letter that argued, among other things, that the information Scott was seeking in some cases was unclear.
“Rather than speculate, we will await further clarification on these data points before we provide the requested information,” the letter said.
Scott formed the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding after the Legislature failed to agree during its regular session on a spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Lawmakers were tripped up by questions surrounding whether the federal government will extend the Low Income Pool program, which is set to expire June 30. The $2.2 billion “LIP” program sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients.
The Senate also wants to use Medicaid expansion funds to help low-income Floridians purchase private insurance, but the House has for two years opposed similar proposals.
In an email, a spokeswoman for Scott did not directly answer whether he thought the survey answers were responsive to his questions.
“We received some of the information the governor requested for the commission,” spokeswoman Jackie Schutz wrote. “AHCA is posting that information on the commission’s website.”
Not every hospital stonewalled the governor. Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine was “pleased to respond to your request for information,” according to a letter from Joseph Gordy, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.
“Our team worked diligently to provide as much of the data as possible within the time allotted for response,” Gordy said.
But even some of those responses came with notes of caution. Don Henderson, CEO of The Villages Regional Hospital, appeared to question the wisdom of a proposal Scott has floated to have hospitals share profits if the LIP program goes away.
“However, I would like to point out that if the current operating surplus at TVRH were diverted to other parts of the state, we could no longer afford the capital investments needed to keep up with the exceptional demographic growth in our area,” Henderson wrote. “We would also be very challenged to continue to provide the same rates of charity and uncompensated care. Let’s hope that does not happen.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win Over Mississippi, Even Series
May 20, 2015
Starting pitcher Daniel Wright (2-4) was able to get some run support as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-22) drove in a season-high seven runs to beat the Mississippi Braves (20-18) by a score of 7-4 on Tuesday night.
Wright went 5.0 innings and gave up three runs while striking out eight batters in the process. Greg Ross (2-3) earned the loss for the Braves as he gave up nine hits and five earned runs. Kevin Shackelford earned his first save of the season as he finished the game with a pair of scoreless innings. Wahoos reliever Blaine Howell, a former pitcher for Pensacola State College, also worked a pair of innings in his Double-A debut.
Kyle Waldrop, who hit safely in his first three at-bats of the evening, led the Wahoos at the plate with two singles, a double and an RBI. He is now hitting .361 in the month of May. Marquez Smith and Juan Perez contributed a pair of hits, with Smith driving in a pair of runs. Seth-Mejias-Brean and Ray Chang drove in a pair of runs each, as well.
The Wahoos got off to a good start in the first with a single from Kyle Waldrop and a two-out RBI double from Marquez Smith to drive him home.
The Braves responded in the second with a broken-bat single for an RBI from Eric Garcia, but Daniel Wright got out of the inning with consecutive strikeouts with runners at the corners, leaving the score tied 1-1.
The Wahoos threatened in the fourth inning, with Kyle Skipworth drilling a ball off the wall in straightaway center for a standup triple with one out. Juan Perez was able to draw a walk with two outs to put runners at the corners, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mississippi took the lead on the top of the fifth with a single from KD Kang. Wright then hit Seth Loman with a pitch to load the bases with one out, and Chris O’Dowd drove in another run with a single to right. Wright ended the inning with a pair of strikeouts, but the Braves would lead 3-1 by the end of the frame.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Ryan Wright was able to beat a throw from third for a two-out infield single. It would prove to be crucial, as Waldrop would drive him home on a double the next at-bat. Marquez Smith would follow that up with a single to bring Waldrop home and tie it 3-3. Seth Mejias-Brean then ripped a line drive into left-center field to bring two runs home, giving the Wahoos a 5-3 lead.
Kang and O’Dowd struck again as Kang doubled and was eventually driven home from third on an RBI groundout from O’Dowd, bringing the Braves within a run.
Reliever Kevin Shackelford gave up a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases in the eighth, but was able to get out unscathed by forcing a groundout to end the top half.
After Mejias-Brean walked and Perez singled in the bottom of the eighth, Juan Silva put them both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. That set the table for defensive substitute Ray Chang, who would drive them both in on a single to make it 7-4.
Century Drive-by Shooting Under Investigation
May 19, 2015
An apparent drive-by shooting reported Monday in Century is under investigation.
A resident of Archie Street called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reported that they had found apparent bullet holes in their home. One apparent bullet hole through a front window was easily visible from the street as deputies and a crime scene technician conducted their investigation just before noon Monday.
It was not immediately know exactly when the alleged drive-by occurred. There were no injuries.
A spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation is continuing as they work to develop a suspect in the case.
Pictured: The investigation in to an apparent drive-by shooting Monday on Archie Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendar For Graduations
May 19, 2015
Make your calendars now for graduation. Graduation ceremonies will be held for Escambia County Schools as follows:
Escambia Westgate School — May 28, 9 a.m. at Escambia Westgate
District Extended Program — May 29, 9:30 a.m., J.E. Hall Center, Room 160
Escambia Charter School — May 29, 7 p.m., UWF Conference Center
Northview High School — May 30, 2015, 4:00 p.m., Northview High Gym
Booker T. Washington High School – Jun 1, 2015, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Pensacola High School – June 1, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Escambia High School – June 1, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Pine Forest High School – June 2, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
West Florida High School — June 2, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Tate High School — June 2, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Escambia Health Dept. Urges Steps To Avoid Swimming Related Illnesses
May 19, 2015
The Florida Department of th in Escambia County is observing National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, May 18-24, by promoting simple steps that everyone can take to reduce the spread of recreational water illnesses.
Every year, thousands of Americans get sick with recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are caused by germs found in places where people swim. The most common locations for contracting or spreading RWIs are swimming pools, water parks, water play areas, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, and open bodies of water such as bayous, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico. Swallowing even a small amount of contaminated recreational water can make you sick.
RWIs can include ear, respiratory, eye, skin, wound, and gastrointestinal infections. A single swimmer with a diarrhea-causing illness can quickly contaminate the water of a large swimming pool or a water park. RWIs are preventable, but everyone needs to take an active role in protecting themselves and other swimmers.
Take these simple steps to help prevent the spread of germs that cause RWIs:
- Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.
- Don’t swallow pool or recreational water.
- Don’t swim when you have an open wound or broken skin.
- Practice good personal hygiene.
- Shower before entering a pool or other recreational water venue.
- Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper.
- Check diapers or take children to the restroom every 30-60 minutes and only change diapers in restrooms. Changing diapers pool-side can spread germs in and around the pool.
Following healthy swimming steps will help protect you, your family, and other swimmers from RWIs, according to the health department.
Ribbon Cut On Carver Park Improvements In Cantonment
May 19, 2015
A ribbon cutting was held Monday for improvements at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Improvements to Carver Park include a renovated community resource center, enlarged parking lot, volleyball court and re-striped basketball court. The park will also soon feature a new pavilion for family and local events. The improvements began in 2014 and were funded to Local Option Sale Tax dollars.
Much of the work at Carver Park has been spearheaded by the Cantonment Improvement Association, a group working, as their name implies, to improve the quality of life for all law-abiding citizens of Cantonment, with an emphasis on making sure children and safe and well-prepared.
“Like the Bible says, we are going from the least one to the most, so we want everybody to be involved because our kids need all of us.,” said Josh Womack, Cantonment Improvement Association president. “The more people that’s watching, the less people are going to mess with out kids. That’s the most valuable resource we have…that’s our children.”
“They are working very hard and have put a lot into this,” Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said at Monday’s event. “The CIC is a group that will have more people show up for a work day than came today for a ribbon cutting and free food.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Carver Park is located at 208 Webb Street. The play and picnic areas at the park are located under the largest natural oak canopy of any Escambia County park.
Ferry Pass Fire Station Promotes Volunteer Officers
May 19, 2015
The Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue recently met to discuss upcoming changes within the department and several promotions with the volunteer ranks.
Promotions were as follows:
- Lt. Ronnie McLellan promoted to assistant chief.
- Firefighter Mark Clark promoted to captain.
- Lt. Feliciano Santana promoted to captain.
- Firefighter Jared Sigler promoted to lieutenant.
The new office state at the Fire Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue has over 75 years combined experience. The volunteers are continuing to work alongside a 24/7 career crew recently placed at the station by the Escambia County Commission.
The Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the other fire stations in the county are continuing to accept volunteer firefighter applications. Applications are currently available at any fire stations and will soon be available online.
Pictured are: (top, L-R) Ferry Pass District Chief Kevin Winingar, Assistant Chief Ronnie McLellan, Captain Mark Clark, (below, L-R) Captain Feliciano Santana and Lt. Jared Sigler. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hospitals Push Back Against Scott On Revenue Sharing, Data
May 19, 2015
Florida hospitals fired back Monday against Gov. Rick Scott in the latest salvo over the governor’s suggestion that the health-care facilities mimic professional baseball teams in sharing revenues.
The Florida Hospital Association sent a letter to Scott objecting to the governor’s money-sharing proposal, which the group labeled a new “tax,” to help cover the costs of the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program, set to expire on June 30 unless state and federal negotiators come up with a new plan. At the same time, the hospital association urged Scott to support a Medicaid-funded coverage expansion proposed by the Senate.
“You have suggested that a new tax on hospital operating surpluses might be a way to sustain the existing LIP program. Such an arrangement is not a solution to the challenge we face,” Florida Hospital Association executives wrote in the letter. “The Senate’s comprehensive proposal would provide health care coverage to approximately 800,000 low-income, working Floridians. And, it fully funds a modified LIP program in the first year of a transition towards increased coverage. As more Floridians are covered, this approach allows our state to reduce its dependence over time, on a supplemental funding pool.”
The future of the LIP program is at the center of a health-care spending impasse that forced lawmakers to call a special session to negotiate and pass a budget, the only constitutionally required activity the Legislature must perform.
Scott gave the hospitals and insurers a Monday deadline to provide a wide range of data to be considered by a commission he created to examine health-care finances before lawmakers return to Tallahassee for the special session June 1. The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding — which does not include any hospital executives — is scheduled to hold its first meeting Wednesday in Tallahassee.
In a response to Scott on Monday, the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, which represents public hospitals, teaching hospitals and children’s hospitals, pointed out that most of the information the governor demanded is already captured by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. Other data Scott is seeking is not available, according to a letter from alliance President Tony Carvalho.
“Eighty percent of the data is already in the hands of the agency,” alliance lobbyist Mark Delegal said in an interview with The News Service of Florida.
Some of the information Scott is seeking is also protected from public scrutiny through exemptions to Florida public-records laws.
In addition, Carvalho argued, Scott’s request for information fails to take into account other ways public hospitals are spending their earnings, including on research or clinics that serve low-income patients. That information is not captured in the Agency for Health Care Administration’s database, Carvalho wrote.
“These insufficiencies will directly jeopardize your commission’s analysis of hospital operating margins and deliberations on revenue sharing scenarios,” Carvalho wrote. “Failure to define and collect these expenditures will result in hospital operating margin comparisons that are insufficient. For these reasons, and in order for the commission to reach the desired goals as set forth in your executive order, the commission should request a tailored hospital operating margin template be designed, with input from the hospital industry, prior to embarking on a comparative analysis of profit sharing scenarios.”
Scott has received some of the information he’s requested from the hospitals and is posting it on the commission’s website, Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said.
Scott’s request for the information and his suggestion about revenue sharing came amid battles in the Legislature and with the federal government about major health-care issues.
In its budget proposal during the regular session, the Senate included $2.2 billion for the LIP program, which funnels local and federal funds to hospitals and other health care providers that serve large numbers of poor and uninsured Floridians. The Senate also backed a $2.8 billion plan to use federal money to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The Senate plan would provide private health insurance for low- and moderate-income people, at least in part to shrink the amount of unreimbursed care that hospitals provide. LIP also has been aimed at compensating hospitals and other providers for such care.
But Scott and House Republican leaders, who vigorously oppose the coverage expansion and Obamacare in general, have balked at the Senate plan. Scott sued the Obama administration over federal health officials’ apparent linking of LIP and Medicaid expansion in negotiations.
And Scott, who made his foray into politics opposing Obamacare before it became law, has repeatedly blasted the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for threatening to cut back on LIP funding, although the agency last year gave the state a one-year extension on the program with the caveat that future approval would be contingent on expanding the universe of insured Floridians.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Rain Chances Continue
May 19, 2015
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Memorial Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Pictured: A distant storm cloud and rain shaft as seen Monday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.