Congressional Hearing Planned On LIP Showdown
May 13, 2015
A congressional committee will hold a hearing on Gov. Rick Scott’s showdown with the federal government over health-care funding, but that meeting could come too late to help close a potential $2.2 billion hole in the state budget.
Scott announced Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., will have the House Energy & Commerce Committee look into the governor’s allegations that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is trying to illegally coerce the state into accepting Medicaid expansion.
The agency has said that Medicaid expansion will be a factor as it weighs a proposed revision to the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program, but has not explicitly said that the state must expand coverage to receive any funding. The $2.2 billion LIP program, which mostly sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients, is set to expire June 30 unless state and federal officials reach an agreement.
“The committee’s hearing will bring much-needed attention to the Obama administration’s disappointing political power play at the expense of the health care of low-income families in our state,” Scott said in a statement issued by his office.
The governor has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration to attempt to block federal officials from factoring whether the state has expanded Medicaid into its decision on LIP. But federal officials say that they don’t want LIP to pay for the medical expenses of Floridians who could otherwise be covered by Medicaid.
The agency said last week that, at first blush, the state’s new LIP application “falls short of key principles” that federal officials will consider when weighing the program’s future, but a spokesman said Tuesday the agency “is continuing to engage” with the state.
A spokeswoman for Upton’s committee confirmed in an email that a hearing was being planned, but didn’t indicate whether it would come before June 30, the deadline for the Legislature and Scott to agree to a budget before state government could shut down.
“The committee, in its continued commitment to protect the Medicaid program so it is able to deliver on its core function of providing a lifeline for the most vulnerable, is keeping a close eye on the situation in Florida,” the spokeswoman said. “Chairman Upton spoke with Governor Scott today and the committee plans to hold a hearing in the coming months.”
Scott spent Tuesday in Washington, D.C., meeting with 14 members of the state’s congressional delegation as well as Upton and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Funding for LIP is part of a complex health-care logjam that has left legislative leaders unable to reach agreement on a spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Hoping to encourage federal officials to approve the state’s LIP proposal, the state Senate offered a $2.8 billion initiative that would use Medicaid expansion funding to help low-income Floridians purchase private insurance.
But Scott and the state House adamantly oppose the expansion alternative, which would be funded through the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Atmore Woman Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
May 12, 2015
An Atmore woman was killed in single vehicle accident Monday has been identified by Alabama Stat Troopers.
Troopers said late Tuesday afternoon that 62-year old Deborah McIntosh Clark was not wearing a seat belt when her pickup truck left Booneville Road three miles north of the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation. The vehicle struck a ditch and a tree.
Clark was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the accident is continuing.
North Escambia Mosquito Spray Mission Planned Tonight North Of Molino
May 12, 2015
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division plans a “fogging mission” in a large area of North Escambia generally from 6 to 10 p.m. today.
The spray area is generally north of the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection to the Alabama state line, more specifically east of Highway 29 from the Alabama state line south to Barth Road (map), west of North Highway 99 to the Perdido River and south of the state line to Arthur Brown Road, east of Highway 97 and west of Highway 29 south to the Tom Thumb (map), and east of Highway 99 to Highway 29 from the state line south to Roach Road (map).
Methods used to determine necessary fogging mission activity include dry ice-baited light traps, landing rate counts and receiving focally located service requests from the public.
Town Hall Meeting: Molino’s Red Light, Speeding, Paving and Parks
May 12, 2015
Molino’s new red light, speeding, paving and parks were the hot topics Monday evening during a District 5 town hall meeting hosted by Commissioner Steven Barry and county department heads.
Work remains to be done at the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection before newly installed traffic signal is taken out of flash-mode, according to county traffic staffer Colby Brown. The work includes making the median on the southbound side of the intersection longer to help alleviate U-turns into the Tom Thumb. A separate project, he said, will address the nearby intersection of Highway 29 and Crabtree Church Road, but right now there’s no immediate Florida Department of Transportation funding available.
Numerous resident complained about speeders on the mostly residential area of Highway 95A between Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road. Barry said his office would reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and request increased patrols and traffic details in the area.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said several improvements are complete at Don Sutton Park, including new lights for a t-ball field and additional sidewalks. He also said new walking track will be built behind the Molino Community Complex, and second walking track will be constructed at the Ruritan Community Center in Walnut Hill. Both should open in the fall of this year.
Residents also expressed concerns about the county’s dirt road paving schedule.
Pictured top: A town hall meeting in Molino Monday evening. Pictured inset: Commissioner Steven Barry. Pictured below: Public Works Director Wes Moreno and County Administrator Jack Brown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Names New Officer Team
May 12, 2015
Monday, the Northview High School FFA announced officers for the 2015-2016 school year. They are:
President- Haylee Weaver
Vice President- Mitchell Singleton
2nd Vice President- Bethany Reynolds
Secretary- Courtney Weekley
Treasurer- Tamara Barrows
Reporter- Kaitlyn Kleinatland
Sentinel- Tabitha Chavers
Chaplain- Cody Kite
Historian- Donnie Dixon
Photographer- Breanna Campbell
Public Relations- Emma Fennell
The Northview High School FFA has been continuously honored at top chapter in Florida and the nation.
Pictured top: : On behalf of the Northview FFA, Haylee Weaver (right) and Bethany Reynolds (center) receive the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, last October. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Museum Renamed In Honor Of Lillian King
May 12, 2015
The Molino Mid-County Historical Society Museum in Molino was officially dedicated Monday afternoon as the “Lillian F. King Museum”. The museum was renamed in the honor of Lil King, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Molino Community Complex — housing the museum, the Molino Branch of the West Florida Public Library, multiple meeting rooms, and an auditorium — in the former Molino Elementary School.
“It was tough losing her,” King’s husband John said during the dedication. “This was her dream, to save this building.
Lil King also established the Molino Mid-County Historical Society in 1999, of which she served as president from the museum’s inception in 2013 until her passing in February 2015 at the age of 73.
Pictured top: (L-R) Lillian King’s son Ted King, husband John King and son David King listen as Commissioner Steven Barry reads the plaque now on display at the museum in the Molino Community Complex. Pictured below: Friends, family and county officials celebrate the renaming of the museum as the Lillian F. King Museum. Pictured bottom: A few of the displays in the museum. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Face May 22 Deadline On Online Voter Registration , Guns And Growlers
May 12, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott faces a May 22 deadline for deciding whether to approve a bill that would lead to online-voter registration in Florida.
The bill (SB 228), filed by Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, was approved despite opposition from Secretary of State Ken Detzner. It is one of 68 bills that the Senate sent to Scott last week, triggering a May 22 deadline for the governor to sign, veto or allow the bills to become law without his signature, according to a list on the governor’s office website. Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux issued a statement Monday calling on Scott to sign the online-registration bill, pointing to bipartisan support that it received in the Legislature.
“Online voter registration is a no-brainer: It saves the state money, has universal support from supervisors of elections, and is more secure than paper forms,” Arceneaux said. “Both parties in the Legislature recognized that expanding voter participation is good for our democracy. We need to seize this opportunity.” Scott also faces the May 22 deadline on issues such as a bill (SB 186) that would allow 64-ounce beer “growlers” in Florida; a bill (SB 290) that would allow more people to carry concealed weapons during emergency evacuations; and a bill (SB 7078) that would make changes in the state’s child-welfare system.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Hits The Road For First Ever State Series
May 12, 2015
The Northview High School Chiefs loaded up and hit the road Monday afternoon for their first-ever in school history trip to the state final four.
The Chiefs will take on Blountstown at 3 p.m. (Bratt local time) Wednesday in the 1A state semi-final game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. With a win, the Chiefs will advance to the state championship game at 7:35 p.m. Thursday.
The players are staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 4350 Executive Circle, which is now sold out. Other lodging and special rates for fans can be found by clicking here.
Live video from Wednesday’s game (and the following 1A semi-final game between Hamilton County and Williston) will air on the NFHS Network. For a FHSAA.org special access rate of $9.95 for one month, click here.
Live video from Thursday’s championship game will air on the Bright House Sports Network. Click here to purchase a one-day pass for $6.95.
Also, for periodic live score updates and bonus photos, like NorthEscambia.com on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @northescambia.
The Northview Chiefs baseball team hit the road Monday afternoon for the state tournament in Fort Myers. They received a send-off from the practicing football team (most students were already dismissed and off campus at the time). NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Drills For Hurricane Season
May 12, 2015
The hurricane scenario was ominous — a storm packing 140 mph winds with gusts to 170 was projected to make landfall within 72 hours somewhere between Gulf Breeze and Mary Esther. Gulf Power employees then went to work during their 2015 storm drill on Monday, making plans for this storm — or any storm that approaches Northwest Florida.
When a tropical system approaches Northwest Florida, Gulf Power’s 1,400 employees are ready for action — a coordinated force committed to restoring power — and hope.
To ensure employees are ready, every year team leaders participate in a storm drill to help employees find ways to continually improve storm restoration response. Monday’s storm drill was staged in the utility’s new Douglas McCrary Training & Storm Center.
“We prepare year-round for storm restoration,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications manager. “And our crews are among the best in the nation to restore electricity, safely and quickly. This drill enhances our employees’ awareness and sharpens our skills.”
Each year, the utility follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane and works closely with county Emergency Management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and if needed, the company is prepared to bring in thousands of outside utility workers to help.
Planning is also important for Gulf Power’s 436,000 customers. Gulf Power’s storm center website offers comprehensive preparation and safety information, as well as general storm tips and directions on how to report outages. The storm center can be accessed at MyGulfPower.com.
Pictured: Gulf Power Company’s hurricane drill on Monday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Moves Into Forecast
May 12, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Sunday
A 40 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 70.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.