Escambia District Seeks Input On Upcoming School Calendars
September 24, 2015
The Escambia County School District has developed proposed school calendars for the next two school years, and they are asking for public approval before they are approved.
Both calendars begin school on August 10, and both include a full week out of school at Thanksgiving (a combination fall break and Thanksgiving holiday).
To view both calendars and take the survey, click here. The calendar links and the survey are the bottom of the linked page. The survey closes on September 29.
Final recommendations for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school calendars will be on the Escambia County School Board agenda on November 17.
Teens Put Down The Smokes, Pick Up E-Cigarettes
September 24, 2015
Florida high-school students have largely kicked the cigarette habit. But many have found another way to get nicotine fixes.
A state report released Wednesday shows that 6.9 percent of high-school students smoke cigarettes, part of a steady decline during the past two decades. But while students have stopped lighting up old-school tobacco, health officials are alarmed at a sharp increase in teens using electronic cigarettes.
The report, released by the Department of Health, found that 15.8 percent of high-school students use electronic cigarettes, which allow people to inhale vaporized nicotine in different flavors. That was up from 10.8 percent in 2014 and 5.4 percent in 2013.
“The use of e-cigarettes, and this dramatic increase that we’re seeing among youth, threatens to normalize smoking again,” said Shannon Hughes, director of the department’s Community Health Promotion Division. “We have worked for decades to de-normalize smoking.”
The report details results of the annual Florida Youth Tobacco Survey. The 2015 survey was conducted in the spring and included 5,877 middle-school students and 6,443 high-school students in 174 public schools throughout the state, according to data released Wednesday.
Overall, the report reflects teens’ continued move away from cigarettes. For example, while 6.9 percent of high-school students said they “currently” smoke cigarettes, that figure is down from 10.1 percent in 2012, 13.1 percent in 2010, 15.7 percent in 2005 and 22.6 percent in 2000. Current tobacco use is defined as having smoked at least once in the past 30 days.
High-school students who said they smoke “frequently” — defined as using tobacco in at least 20 of the past 30 days — also declined. That total was 2.5 percent in 2015, down from 3.9 percent in 2012, 5.1 percent in 2010, 6.5 percent in 2005 and 10.5 percent in 2000, according to the data.
But while smoking tobacco has dropped, the use of relatively new electronic cigarettes has grown quickly. Along with 15.8 percent of high-school students who said they currently use electronic cigarettes, 6.4 percent of middle-school students said they use the devices.
Florida lawmakers in 2014 approved a ban on sales of electronic cigarettes to minors, similar to bans on the sales of regular cigarettes and other tobacco products. Electronic cigarettes do not carry all the health risks of smoking tobacco, but critics contend that the devices can hook teens on nicotine, ultimately leading to the use of tobacco products.
Hughes and the state’s Tobacco Free Florida program want the federal government to come up with national standards to regulate e-cigarettes. While Florida passed the 2014 law, the availability of electronic cigarettes online has made enforcement difficult.
by Jim Saunders and Tom Urban, The News Service of Florida
2-1-1 Northwest Florida Awarded For Quality Assurance
September 24, 2015
United Way’s local five-person 2-1-1 Northwest Florida team was honored with highest quality assurance over 20 other 2-1-1s from across the nation. The Quality Assurance program uses a paid third party to conduct secret calls each month and scores them using 42 distinct items. In competition with call centers containing staffs of over 180, 2-1-1 Northwest Florida scored highest among those who participated.
As a free, confidential informational and referral service, 2-1-1 Northwest Florida ensures that our community’s callers receive superior service from its specialists.
To be connected with community resources and information 24/7, dial 2-1-1 or visit 211nwfl.org.
“I am extremely proud of our team at 2-1-1. They work hard to connect our callers with the community resources that may meet the caller’s need and to provide a top quality service,” said Amanda Crabtree, director of 2-1-1 Northwest Florida.
Pictured: 2-1-1 Call Center Supervisor Mike Martin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School District Purchases Nearly 200 Chromebooks For Ransom Middle
September 24, 2015
The Escambia County School Board has approved the purchase of nearly 200 new tablets for Ransom Middle School.
The district signed off on the purchase of 195 Chromebook 11 tablets with three year accidental damage insurance and a three year mail-in warranty.
The total cost of the purchase of $60,841.95, or just over $300 per device.
Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 24, 2015
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
Pictured top See You at the Pole Wednesday morning at Nothview High School. Pictured below: Two photos from Ernest Ward Middle, followed by photos from Molino Park Elementary, West Florida High and Ransom Middle schools. NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
New Street ‘Rockhill Drive’ Planned For Molino
September 24, 2015
The Escambia County Commission is expected to give approval to a new street name in Molino.
The board is set to approve the street name of “Rockhill Drive” for a paved private driveway north off Crabtree Church Road, west of the Don Sutton Ballpark and Highway 97.
The property and private driveway owners, Mr. and Mrs. James Rockhill, requested the name and will pay the cost of the street sign.
One Killed In Atmore Wreck
September 24, 2015
One person was killed in a predawn accident just east of Atmore Wednesday.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 45-year old Randell Luther Brooks of Loxley was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 5:44 a.m. crash on Highway 31 near Unity Baptist Church. Troopers said the 2002 Ford Escape driven by Brooks collided with a 1995 GMC Sierra driven by 35-year old Wesley Garland Erickson of Atmore.
Brooks was not wearing a seat belt, according to troopers. Erickson was transported to Atmore Community Hospital. His condition was not available.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: The driver of this Ford Escape, 45-year old Randell Luther Brooks of Loxley, was pronounced deceased on the scene of this crash near Atmore Wednesday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Entries Being Accepted For Northview Homecoming Parade
September 24, 2015
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been set for Friday, October 9.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 2.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 9 against Liberty County.
Pictured: A float in the 2014 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
nhs homecoming parade
September 23, 2015
Century Courthouse, Clerk Of The Courts Closed Today
September 23, 2015
The Century Courthouse and other services of the Escambia County Clerk of the Courts will be closed today for observance of Yom Kippur. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller court offices at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Building-Juvenile, and Archives & Records will also be closed.
The Clerk’s court functions follow the judicial holiday schedule, and the First Judicial Circuit courts will also be closed.
The Clerk’s Finance, Official Records and Clerk to the Board offices, located at 221 Palafox Place, will be open.