Century Man Facing Felony Fleeing Charges For Taking Off For Alabama
September 18, 2015
A Century man is facing a felony charge after fleeing from deputies in Century and heading across the state line into Alabama.
An Escambia County (FL) deputy attempted a traffic stop for speeding and a turn signal violation on a Toyota Highlander driven by 29-year old Emanuel Rabun Bethea on Old Flomaton Road. After the deputy followed him a short distance with lights and siren activated, Bethea eventually came to a stop about 20 yards from the Alabama state line.
When the deputy asked Bethea to step out of the vehicle, he instead rolled up the vehicle window and drove into Alabama. The deputy did not give chase.
Bethea told his mother, the owner of the vehicle, that he was borrowing for a job interview, according to an arrest report, but the deputy told her that was likely not true because was first spotted in the known narcotics trade area of Pond and Jefferson Avenue. The report also states that Bethea told his mother than he fled from the deputy because he was rude and punched him.
A warrant was issued for Bethea’s arrest. He was charged with felony fleeing and eluding police with light and siren activated and knowing driving with a suspended license. He also received traffic citations for improper turn signals and speeding.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
Voter Registration Event Next Week In Century
September 18, 2015
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will hold a voter registration drive September 21 in Century
The event will be held from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall. Florida residents can register to vote or, if already registered, make sure the elections office has their most current information on file.
Florida residents attending the event should bring their Florida driver’s license, Florida ID card or the last four digits of their social security number.
For more information, call (850) 595-3900.
Northview Sets Homecoming Parade; Entries Now Accepted
September 18, 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.
Senators Question Study On New Standardized Test
September 18, 2015
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle raised sharp questions Thursday about a study that Florida Department of Education officials say validated the state’s controversial new standardized test for public-school students.
Members of the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee reviewed the study of the Florida Standards Assessment, as the new test is called, and suggested that the department had portrayed the report’s conclusions in an overly optimistic light and wondered whether teacher evaluations and school grades should be tied to the exam.
The Legislature ordered the study last year after the troubled rollout of the Florida Standards Assessment, which included delays for students who tried to log on to take the test online and a cyberattack that slowed down the system for at least some test-takers.
The study supported the use of the Florida Standards Assessment for school grades and teacher evaluations but said that “the FSA scores for some students will be suspect” because of the computer glitches.
Under questioning during Thursday’s committee hearing, an employee of one of the companies involved in drafting the report seemed to indicate that reasonable people could disagree with the study’s conclusions.
“I think there is room for professional disagreement here,” said Andrew Wiley, director of education services for Alpine Testing Solutions. “I think there is data, and there’s data in the report, that could be looked at and pointed to that says, maybe the use of these test scores would not be appropriate. And, quite frankly, there was rigorous debate within our group — some people feeling differently and things like that.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart tried to downplay Wiley’s statement.
“I do think that what he was referencing was in general, philosophically, how people feel about using a test,” Stewart said.
But it was clear that senators had concerns about even using the test for teacher evaluations and school grades. Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who chairs a Senate education budget panel, read critical excerpts of the report and pressed Wiley on whether the results of the exam should be used.
“Would you bet your career on an evaluation that was based on an assessment such as this if you were a teacher?” Gaetz asked.
“I continue to think that using these test scores at that level would be appropriate,” Wiley responded.
Lawmakers also quizzed Wiley on when the Florida Department of Education received the report. The consultant said that the agency saw two early drafts of the study, but said that the department only suggested changes to a table and did not have input on the final conclusions.
Stewart said the department didn’t see the final draft of the report until the day before it was released to the public and reiterated Wiley’s comments about the agency’s input when talking to reporters after the meeting.
“You heard him say what kind of input we had, and I suggest you ask him about that,” she responded when questioned about it.
“We did not do any sort of work with them to suggest that they needed to change a conclusion or a finding,” she said later, after a follow-up question.
But the future for any changes to the Florida Standards Assessment seems murky at best. Many lawmakers appear ready to move on after a tedious debate over testing legislation in the 2015 legislative session, and the head of the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee suggested Thursday’s hearing would be the last.
“My intent is, after today we have other legislation that we’re going to be reviewing in our committee,” said Chairman John Legg, R-Lutz. “So my time will be limited.”
He suggested Gaetz’s budget committee might address testing issues. And Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who doubles as CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said the debate about the issue isn’t over.
“This meeting today gave me no more comfort. In fact, it even raised more questions about the process that was used, the conclusions that they came to. I am not satisfied,” he said. ” … I don’t think this is just going to go off into the sunset.”
Ernest Ward Middle Beats T.R. Miller (With Photo Gallery)
September 18, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School beat T.R. Miller of Brewton 18-7 in middle school football Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
Ernest Ward will be on the road against Jay on Thursday, September 24 at 6 p.m.
For more NorthEscambia.com photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teens Learn Employable Skills During Partnership Camp
September 18, 2015
During the summer, the Children’s Home Society of Florida YouthWorks Program partnered with Escambia County’s Department of Neighborhood and Human Services to provide youth with valuable skills working as “Play, Learn, Grow” summer camp support staff.
The youth worked alongside Escambia County employees and were trained on conflict resolution, dealing with difficult people in a work environment, working with diverse populations, responsibility, customer service, professionalism, teamwork and many other workforce skills. The training was conducted in several ways, including one-on-one, in a group setting and hands-on.
“The experience itself helped develop and prepare our youth for the future workforce and we, as well as the youth, are very grateful,” said Eunicia Giuchici, youth career placement coordinator for Children’s Home Society of Florida YouthWorks.
Some of the youth were offered jobs with the county next summer, while others went off to college with new employable skills, and some were hired in local jobs. All of the participants were successful on some level due to their involvement in the summer camp program.
“One youth, Kianna, has a future goal of becoming an educator for young children,” Giuchici said. “This was her first job working with at-risk children. She had some bumps along the way but was able to learn from her experience to guide her in her next job. Due to her hands-on experience at the Summer Camp, Kianna was able to secure a job as a retail associate at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast. She will be attending Pensacola State College next semester to begin working toward her education degree.”
She added that all youth learn in different ways and that is why teaching alternatives are important to their success.
“Whether we tell them, teach them or involve them, we are making a positive effort in the future of our youth and workforce,” Giuchici said. “We applaud the hard work of the supervisors, staff, and support personnel from Escambia County’s Department of Neighborhood and Human Services including Shurlitha Jones, Leroy Williams, Kathryn Lovely and Nellie Washington, and the continuous employment support from Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Robin King and Ronald Rivera).”
Pictured: Summer camp participant Kianna was able to secure a job as a retail associate at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast. She will be attending Pensacola State College next semester to begin working toward her education degree. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
September 18, 2015
Here’s a look at tonight’s high school football schedule from around the North Escambia area:
- Northview at Chipley, 7 p.m.
- Pensacola High at Tate High, 7:30 p.m.
- Jay at West Gadsden, 7 p.m.
- Washington at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
- Jesuit at Escambia, 7:30 p.m.
- Pine Forest at Gulf Breeze, 7:30 p.m.
- Milton at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- Mosley at West Florida, 7 p.m
ALABAMA
- Flomaton at Southern Choctaw, 7 p.m.
- Escambia County at Jackson, 7 p.m
- Hillcrest at T.R. Miller, 7 p.m..
- W.S. Neal at UMS Wright, 7 p.m.
- Crenshaw Academy at Escambia Academy, 7 p.m.
BREAKING: Cantonment Armed Standoff Suspect In Custody
September 17, 2015
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED. CLICK HERE.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED. CLICK HERE.
UPDATE. Suspect is now in custody per Sheriff David Morgan..
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is currently in a standoff at a home in Cantonment after multiple shots were fired at deputies.
Escambia County EMS responded to a call of an unknown nature at the home. When deputies arrived to assist, about a half dozen shots were fired at the deputies. None of the deputies were hit.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team is on scene.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED. CLICK HERE.
Century Residents To See Property Tax Increase
September 17, 2015
The Town of Century has given first approval to a property tax increase, but it won’t cost the average citizen more than a few pennies per month and won’t add much to the town’s bottom line.
The town council voted for a property tax rate increase from a current year 0.8707 mills to 0.9006 mills, an increase of 6.35 percent. The increase would equal the 2013-2014 rate, while remaining lower than the rate during the previous three years.
One mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. If the tax increase is approved, the property tax paid to Century on home with a $50,000 taxable value would increase from $42.34 to $45.03, or about $2.69 per year.
With the increase Century would be set to collect $29,549 in total property taxes, up from $27,463. Due to homestead and other exemptions, many Century residents do not pay any property tax at all because of low property values.
The Century council will hold a final public hearing and vote on the tax increase at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, September 21 at town hall..
Highway 4 Speed Limit To Increase In Santa Rosa
September 17, 2015
Beginning Monday, the speed limit will be increased on a portion of Highway 4 in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Based on the results of a recent speed study, the Florida Department of Transportation will increase the speed limit on a 17.5 mile portion of Highway 4 from east of Highway 87 in Santa Rosa County to Barton Road west of Baker in Okaloosa County from 55 mph to 60 mph.