Escambia Schools To Live Video Stream Graduations, Beginning With Northview
May 29, 2015
The Escambia County School District will be live streaming high school graduations this year, beginning Saturday with Northview High School.
Escambia County School District will be offering a chance to view seven 2015 high school graduations via live stream on the district’s home page.
“We are excited to offer this to our students’ family members who may not be able to travel to Pensacola for these milestone events,” said Malcolm Thomas, ECSD Superintendent. “This is the first time we have tried this and we plan to start the feed for each event about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to allow everyone time to access the feed from their computers at home, or from out of town.”
“We are especially proud to try this for military family members who are stationed overseas or forward deployed,” Thomas added.
The link to each graduation live stream can be found by clicking here. The video can be watched for free on almost any computer, smart phone, smart TV and many other devices.
Graduations with live video streams will be held as follows:
- 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
Pictured: Northview Class of 2014 graduates at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2015 Honors Graduates
May 29, 2015
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2015 Senior Awards Night.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2015 is Kyndall Lauren Hall, and salutatorian is Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless. A total of 29 students were named honors graduates with a final GPA of 3.5 or above.
The Northview High School Class of 2015 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
(Scroll down to see all honors graduate photos and names)
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:
1. Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
2. Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
3. Matthew Ryan Chavers
4. Mallory Mason Ryan
5. Tristan Taylor Brown
6. Julie Beth Hester
7. Jessica Leigh McCullough
8. Megan Paige Bryan
9. Austin Blake Cunningham
10. Aaron Thomas McDonald
11. Tristan Hunter Portwood
12. Kendal Brooke Cobb
13. Desiree Nicole Elliard
14. Kristen Renae Byrd
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
15. Kelton Joe Wooten
16. Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
17. Joshua Joseph Borelli
18. Kamryn Denise Brock
19. Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
20. Shania Lynn Ward
21. Penny Nicole Banda
22. Adriann Dawn Lee
23. Jaylen Malik Parker
24. Morgan Maxine Ward
25. Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
26. Rickey Heath Smith
27. E’layzha Rikiah Bates
28. Madison Ma’clay McGhee
29. Holly Merlice Cofield
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Schedule Summer Baseball Camp
May 29, 2015
The Northview Chiefs have scheduled a Summer Baseball Camp .
The camp will be held June 1-4 and June 8-11 from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $150 for the two-week camp.
For more information and to register, click here.
Braves Beat The Wahoos
May 29, 2015
Mississippi Braves pitcher Tyrell Jenkins loaded the bases in the first two innings against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Thursday’s game at Trustmark Park.
But the Atlanta Braves No. 9 prospect according to MLB.Pipeline.com got out of both jams by allowing just two runs and the Braves went on to win the game, 4-2, ending Pensacola’s two game winning streak.
Jenkins loaded the bases by walking the first three Blue Wahoos he faced. Seth Mejias-Brean singled with one out to right field to score Zach Vincej to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0.
In the second inning, he loaded them again on singles by Pensacola catcher Cam Maron and center fielder Beau Amaral and a walk.
However, Jenkins benefited from a double play on a sacrifice fly by Zach Vincej that scored Maron, putting Pensacola up, 2-0.
Mississippi scored all of four of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to improve Jenkins’ record to 4-2 on the year with a 3.00 ERA. The tall righty from Texas pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, five walks and five strikeouts, including top Pensacola hitter Kyle Waldrop with the bases loaded in the first.
The Braves loaded the bases in the fifth and right fielder David Rohm drove in two with a one-out single to center, which tied the game 2-2. Then with two out, second baseman Corban Joseph doubled to left field to score two more and give Mississippi a 4-2 lead.
Amaral led the Blue Wahoos lineup, going 2-4 and is now 3-9 in the first two games of the five-game series with Mississippi with a run scored and his fifth stolen base of the year.
Pensacola fell to 21-26 on the year, while Mississippi improved to 25-21 in the Southern League South Division.
Ryan Wright pinch hit in the eighth inning and flied out to end his hitting streak at 10 games. Wright batted .326 (15-46) with eight RBIs and two doubles during his streak.
Mejias-Brean is hitting .361 (22-61) in the past 16 games after going 1-4, and knocking in his 20th run of the season.
Cantonment Woman Seriously Injured In I-10 Crash
May 28, 2015
A Cantonment woman was seriously injured in a three vehicle crash early Thursday morning on I-10 in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 41-year old Samuel Matthew Mosley, Jr. was westbound on I-10 in a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe when he rear-ended a westbound 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 25-year old Erica Sims of Cantonment. That caused Sim’s vehicle to cross the median into oncoming traffic, colliding with a 2014 Ford F250 driven by 48-year old Ronald Buford of Louisiana.
Sims was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Mosley received minor injuries and was taken to Baptist Hospital; Buford was transported to Sacred Heart with minor injuries.
Charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a FHP investigation.
Authorities Seize Three Starving Horses Near Century
May 28, 2015
Authorities seized three severely malnourished horses near Century Wednesday afternoon.
Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized the horses from a property in the 2500 block of Highway 168, near Shaw Road.
“All of the horses were thin, two of them were emaciated. “They didn’t have anything to eat, and they were in really bad shape,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “I’m really glad we have them now, and they will be able to get the care that they need…it will be a long road for all three of them.”
The mare — now named Lisa, Grace and Hope — will be rehabilitated by PER.
Meanwhile, the law enforcement investigation into the incident, with evidence to be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office.
“People need to know that if they are not feeding and taking care of their horses they are going to have to deal with a judge,” Lowery said.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org. The group is specifically seeking donation’s to help with the care of the recently seized horses in their care.
Pictured: Horses seized Wednesday from a property on Highway 168 west of Century. The horses are pictured at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment where they are receiving care. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Presents Grade 3-4 Awards
May 28, 2015
Bratt Elementary School presented the following awards Wednesday to students in the third and fourth grades:
Honor Roll A’s & B’s:
- Rabekah Abbott
- Luke Bridges
- Abbie Buford
- Kadence Clavert
- Chloe Criswell
- Gage Eicher
- Scotty Elliott
- Ja’Kayla Evans
- David Gilley
- Philip Gilman
- Berklee Hall
- Summer Harrell
- Trent Knighten
- Gage Lambert
- Kennedy Long
- Sarah Long
- Braeden McGhee
- Megan McGhee
- Landon Mooney
- Jaquez Moorer
- Elianna Morales
- Alexis Moya
- Angel Schoonover
- Carter Sigafoose
- Jacob Spence
- Emily Stilwell
- David Stokes
- Raycer Watson
Academic Achievement Award:
- Raegan Abbott
- Erich Amerson
- Haydn Baker
- Carsyn Dortch
- Mayson Edwards
- Zykuria Fountain
- Caitlyn Gibson
- Emma Gilmore
- Ava Gurganus
- Leah Hetrick
- Allyson Jones
- Alyssa Moya
- Bentley Van Pelt
- McKenna Simmons
- Kole Stewart
- Aubrey Stuckey
- Clay Wilson
Progress Award:
- Sophia Bailey
- Leah Berry
- Kyra Bryan
- Abbie Buford
- Macie Buford
- Kadence Burklund
- Chloe Criswell
- Raleigh Gibson
- Brooklyn Lambert
- Anija McNeir
- Ethan Pickern
- Allison Rogalski
- Vivyan Smith
- Patience Washington
Outstanding Attendance:
- Rabekah Abbott
- Raegan Abbott
- Drew Albritton
- Elijah Amerson
- Sara Amerson
- Riley Blackwell
- Anastasia Bryan
- Dixie Carter
- Mayson Edwards
- Scotty Elliott
- Tatyanna Findley
- Philip Gilman
- Tony Hall
- Tatum Hasting
- Jikeir Hudson
- Trent Knighten
- Gage Lambert
- Sarah Long
- Blake Macks
- Jaquez Moorer
- Alexis Moya
- Bryson Sanders
- Tyondray Sanders
- Anna Spence
- Jacob Spence
- Emily Stilwell
- David Stokes
- Aubrey Stuckey
- Raycer Watson
- T’ahna Wesley
Perfect Attendance:
- Adam Adams
- Kyle Blanton
- Alyssa Moya
Outstanding Citizenship Award:
- Raegan Abbott
- Luke Bridges
- Zykuria Fountain
- Caitlyn Gibson
- Emma Gilmore
- Burklee Hall
- Leah Hetrick
- Elianna Morales
- Bentley Van Pelt
- McKenna Simmons
- Aubrey Stuckey
- Clay Wilson
P.E.Award:
- Erich Amerson
- Sophia Bailey
- Carson Dortch
- Ji’Keir Hudson
- Trent Knighten
- Elianna Morales
- Bentley Van Pelt
- Clay Wilson
- Leont’e Wright
Music Award:
- J.D. Boyington
- Chloe Criswell
- Samuel Dettling
- Jaquez Moorer
- Elianna Morales
- Dakota Peebles
- William Plato
- Carter Sigafoose
Art Award:
- Sophia Bailey
- Charles D. Gilley
- Berklee Hall
- Bryce Hall
- Jakayla Jackson
- Jessica Loftis
- Angel Schoonover
- Anna Spence
Sunshine Math Team Members:
- Raegan Abbott
- Haydn Baker
- Carsyn Dortch
- Mayson Edwards
- David Gilley
- Philip Gilman
- Emma Gilmore
- Ava Gurganus
- Leah Hetrick
- Alyssa Moya
- Carter Sigafoose
- McKenna Simmons
- Anna Spence
- Aubrey Stuckey
Battle of the Books Team Members:
- Adam Adams
- Erich Amerson
- Haydn Baker
- Zykuria Fountain
- Jessica Loftis
- Alyssa Moya
- Kole Stewart
- Aubrey Stuckey
Sons of the American Revolution:
- Drew Albritton
- Abbie Buford
- Landon Chavers
- Ryan Dove
- Jamyla Feagin
- Kohle Harigel
- Houston Lowry
- Alyssa Moya
Poarch Creeks File Suit To Stop $23 Million Escambia County (AL) Taxation Attempt
May 28, 2015
The Poarch Creek Indians have filed a federal suit against Escambia County (AL) Tax Assessor James H. Hildreth, Jr. over his attempt to levy over $23 million dollars in taxes on tribal property, according to court documents.
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only legally recognized tribe in the state, asserting that their 229.5 acres of land in Escambia County (AL) is held by the federal government in trust for tribal benefit.
The action seeks to prevent Hildreth from accessing taxes on the property and structures on the lands and seeks a permanent injunction against future assessments of property taxes on the lands — including their Wind Creek Casino gaming enterprise.
Hildreth’s latest audit shows the Poarch Creeks owing almost $22.3 million total in current and previous years’ state and county taxes for the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, plus an additional $1.07 million for other tribal reservation properties on Jack Springs Road. The casino, hotel and entertainment center have an appraised value of $289.7 million, according to the audit.
While the tribe is a sovereign entity that is “not subject to state or local control or jurisdiction, it has voluntarily contributed to the economic welfare of the County and its citizens. In addition to providing jobs and economic opportunities, it contributes substantial sums to the County government and other local entities, including local public schools and infrastructure projects,” the federal suit states. “The Tribe also makes its governmental services, including its fire department, available to those outside of its Trust Land.”
Those contributions are in jeopardy due to Hildreth’s taxation attempts, the tribe asserts.
In January 2014, Hildreth informed the tribe that his office was initiating an audit “for the purpose of valuing and assessing for taxation all property of the Poarch Band, both real and personal, which is situated in Escambia County.” The Poarch Creeks responded with a list of property in Escambia County, except for the lands and improvements held in trust. Hildreth responded that property listing was “incomplete and non-responsive” without the trust property, and that his office would proceed with their audit and seek the addition of penalties and fees.
In April 2014, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama issued an opinion affirming that the tribe’s lands are in fact held in trust by the government. Then in March 2015, Hildreth issued a letter to the Poarch Creeks stating that his office had completed the appraisal of all tribal land and that he was prepared to issue an assessment.
Representatives of the tribe met with Hildreth in early April 2015, during which time the tribe says Hildreth intended to levy taxes and penalties against the tribe’s trust lands.
NOAA Calls For ‘Below Average’ Hurricane Season
May 28, 2015
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be below-normal, but that’s no reason to believe coastal areas will have it easy.
For the hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 – November 30, NOAA is predicting a 70 percent likelihood of 6 to 11 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including zero to 2 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). While a below-normal season is likely (70 percent), there is also a 20 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season.
“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., referring to the 1992 season in which only seven named storms formed, yet the first was Andrew – a Category 5 Major Hurricane that devastated South Florida.
“The main factor expected to suppress the hurricane season this year is El Niño, which is already affecting wind and pressure patterns, and is forecast to last through the hurricane season,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “El Niño may also intensify as the season progresses, and is expected to have its greatest influence during the peak months of the season. We also expect sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic to be close to normal, whereas warmer waters would have supported storm development.”
Included in today’s outlook is Tropical Storm Ana, but its pre-season development is not an indicator of the overall season strength. Ana’s development was typical of pre-season named storms, which often form along frontal boundaries in association with a trough in the jet stream. This method of formation differs from the named storms during the peak of the season, which originate mainly from low-pressure systems moving westward from Africa, and are independent of frontal boundaries and the jet stream.
Hot Button Health Issues Added To Special Session
May 28, 2015
The House and Senate have long been divided about a proposal to expand health coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income Floridians.
But when lawmakers return to the Capitol next week for a special session, they also will wade into a series of other controversial health-care issues, including a proposal to revamp insurance coverage for state workers and a push to overhaul some longstanding health-industry regulations.
House Republicans filed six bills Wednesday that delve into hot-button issues such as getting rid of a regulatory process for new or expanded hospitals and allowing advanced-registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances.
The proposals are not new, with House GOP leaders also pursuing many of the ideas during this spring’s regular legislative session. But they will come up during the pressure cooker of a special session, which was called to pass a state budget and also is expected to feature a fight over a Senate proposal to use federal Medicaid money to expand health coverage.
The bills will draw heavy lobbying, as they did during the regular session.
As an example, Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, filed a bill (HB 27A) on Wednesday that would expand the drug-prescribing powers of advanced-registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Pigman, a physician, and other supporters argue the bill could help expand access to care, particularly in rural areas. But the powerful Florida Medical Association and other physician groups have long fought such proposals, saying in part that nurse practitioners and physician assistants don’t have the same level of training as doctors.
Meanwhile, the hospital industry likely will focus on a bill (HB 31A), filed by House Health & Human Services Chairman Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, that would eliminate what is known as the “certificate of need” process for hospitals. That regulatory process requires hospitals to get state approval for new or expanded facilities and often serves as a legal battleground in disputes about projects in the industry.
Also, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, filed a bill (HB 23A) that would allow ambulatory surgical centers to keep patients overnight and also would open the door for “recovery care centers” that could keep post-surgical patients for up to 72 hours. Hospital-industry officials objected to such proposals during the regular session, contending the changes would lead to profitable services being diverted from hospitals to the other types of facilities.
Aside from such regulatory issues, House leaders also want to use the special session to make changes in the health-insurance system for state employees — an issue House Republicans have long discussed.
Brodeur filed a bill (HB 21A) on Wednesday that would set the stage for employees in 2018 to choose among insurance plans with four different benefit levels. Also, the bill would seek to offer financial incentives that could ultimately lead to employees shifting away from the richest plans.
House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, made clear as early as March that he wanted to inject the state-employee insurance issue into budget talks with the Senate. Dubbing the concept “Brodeur-care,” Corcoran said such changes would give more choices to state workers than under the current insurance system.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Senate will go along with any of the House health-care bills during the special session that starts Monday. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, did not take a firm position when asked this week.
“They’ll be fully debated,” Gardiner said during a news conference Tuesday. “We’re going to send them to committee, and the Senate will have every opportunity to review them.”
Along with negotiating a budget, the major debate during the session will be on the Senate’s proposal to use Medicaid money to offer private health insurance to about 800,000 Floridians. House Republican leaders and Gov. Rick Scott have adamantly opposed the idea.
Gardiner, however, said the Senate is more focused on that issue than the other health-care proposals.
“We in the Senate have always been focused on the uninsured piece,” he said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida