Chance Of Rain Back In The Forecast
September 3, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Labor Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Gunshots Fired During Domestic Dispute, One Injured
September 2, 2015
Gunshots were apparently fired in a domestic dispute this near Walnut Hill Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriffs Office responded to an address in the 6000 block of Rockaway Creek Road, south of Nokomis Road. Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said a female allegedly fired a weapons at a man’s feet during a dispute, and he was injured by debris, but not directly shot. His injuries were not considered serious.
There was no immediate word of any arrests. Further details have not been released.
Escambia County EMS and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blood Drive Today In Walnut Hill
September 2, 2015
A blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. until noon today at the Walnut Hill Fire Station at 7760 Highway 97. Persons can donate at age 16 with guardian consent. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. Donors will receive a wellness check, cholesterol screening and a gift of appreciation. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Unlikely Best Friends Battle Cancer As Family Fights For More Research Funding
September 2, 2015
Bryant Cooper, age 18 years, and Kena Spivey, age 19 months, might seem like the most unlikely of best friends. Their friendship, their bond, is held together by the thing they’d most like to beat — childhood cancer.
In late October of last year, Bryant was a happy, focused young man with a love for football. And John Deere…that love was strong enough that he had even landed a dream job of sorts with a local John Deere dealership. But pain in his back — he thought just a pulled muscle or maybe kidney stones — sent him to the emergency room. The preliminary diagnosis was not good…suspicious spots on his liver. More tests for a final diagnosis that Bryant and his mother, Janet Little Cooper, never expected on November 4.
Cancer.
Not just cancer, but a Stage 4 rare neuroendocrine cancer, and it had spread with a vengeance to other parts of this body.
“It’s very rare and incurable. Because it had spread, there was nothing that they could do other than chemo. We were basically told six months for him to live without chemo, maybe a couple of years with chemo.”
Kena was diagnosed with a Stage 3 tumor on her cervix and uterus on July 7, 2014.
Kena was in Sacred Heart Hospital for a chemo treatment, and Bryant was in for his first ever treatment when the two met on November 17. Her parents, Charles and Dawn Spivey, were walking her down the hallway trying to calm her when they met Janet.
“Dawn, seeing the fear in my face, was so kind and began telling me the details of what to expect when Bryant’s chemo started,” Janet said. “Her compassion is what I needed that night.”
Kena’s tears stopped when she saw Bryant lying in his hospital bed.
“As the tears stopped, she reached her little hand out to Bryant and started baby talk grunting like she wanted him. At that moment, a bond was made….”
The friendships have grown outside the hospital…daily texts, activities together and phone calls. Bryant has become a voice of sorts for Kena, able to relate how a medicine tastes or feels to her mom.
During those long hours at her son’s bedside, anger began to grow inside Janet. Not just the anger one might expect toward cancer, but an anger of what’s being done to cure childhood cancer.
On average, 43 teens are diagnosed with cancer each day. And before the day ends, a childhood cancer will claim seven lives.
“There are billions and billions of dollars spent on cancer research every year in this country. But only four percent is spent on find a cure for childhood cancers,” she said.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and this Saturday a special event will be held at Maritime Park with a shave-a-thon benefiting St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. Participants can shave their heads, or just donate, to help the cause. For more information, visit the St. Baldrick’s website. Kena and Bryant have their own team in the event, Standing with Coop & Baby Kena, click here to donate specifically to their team. The funds all go to national childhood cancer research, not to Kena and Bryant.
Janet has also joined the movement to have the NFL go gold for childhood cancer….much as they go pink for breast cancer. For more information, see NFLgoGOLD.com.
“I know this is all too late for my son, but we can keep other families and other children from going through this by working to increase childhood cancer research funding,” she said.
As for Kena…her cancer has spread to her lungs, and the family hopes that someone reading this has experience with a doctor somewhere in the country that might be able to help. And she’s learned to call her best buddy Bryant by name.
Bryant will continue chemo as long as he can tolerate it. And beyond that, according to his doctors, there is little hope. He’s not oblivious to that fact.
“Mama before I die I want to…”, is how many of the conversations between Bryant and his mom go. But still, Bryant has a different outlook.
“Those doctors don’t have the authority to number my days. Only God does,” he said.
Follow Bryant’s progress on Facebook at “Standing with Coop“.
Pictured: “Best friends” Bryant and Kena are battling cancer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Needs School Advisory Council Members
September 2, 2015
Northview High School needs volunteers for their 2015-2016 School Advisory Council.
The council meets four times each year after school. Any interested parents or community members should call (850) 327-6681 ext. 221 to express their interested to serve.
Florida’s New Public School Test Found Valid
September 2, 2015
A study has found the state’s new standardized test for public-school students is valid, paving the way for the exam to be used in teacher evaluations and school grades, the Florida Department of Education announced Tuesday.
But critics said the controversial Florida Standards Assessment is still deeply flawed, and that the report is not as flattering as the department is portraying it. Lawmakers required the report in legislation passed this spring, following a slew of technical problems and a cyberattack on a computer platform.
“I think that we certainly can take away from this report that the FSA accurately measures the student’s knowledge of the Florida standards,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart told reporters on a conference call.
The report’s finding that the test is valid allows Stewart’s agency to begin using it to calculate school grades and results that are incorporated into teacher evaluations under the state’s performance-pay laws. In the bill approved earlier this year, the Legislature put those uses of the test on hold until the study was done. It also lowered from 50 percent to a third the share of a teacher’s evaluations tied to student performance.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, seemed to indicate Tuesday that the study settles the issue.
“This validity study, combined with the Legislature’s efforts during the 2015 Session to reform student testing, have strengthened our school accountability system. … The Florida House will continue to support standards and accountability measures that provide our students with a first-rate education and prepare them for success in today’s world,” Crisafulli said in a statement issued by his office.
The study — conducted by Alpine Testing Solutions and edCount, LLC — was not entirely positive. While it supported the use of the Florida Standards Assessment for school grades and teacher evaluations, it said that because of the computer glitches, “the FSA scores for some students will be suspect.”
That could include grades on 10th-grade tests that factor into whether students can graduate. Stewart noted that those students are eligible to retake the tests. The study didn’t find a problem with pen-and-paper tests, which were used for third-graders, whose performance on the exam can also be a consideration on whether they move to the next grade.
Still, the finding on computer tests was a focus of critics who argued that Stewart and other officials were painting a too-rosy picture of the results.
“This is hardly a blanket confirmation of FSA validity,” said Bob Schaeffer, a Florida resident and public education director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, which is critical of high-stakes exams. “The cynical attempt by Tallahassee bureaucrats to ’spin’ the story conveniently ignores key evidence. Instead of protecting Florida’s politically mandated tests, it will provide further incentive for parents, teachers, and school administrators to overhaul the state’s fundamentally flawed assessment system.”
The Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, was also critical.
“Well, we think the report had all kinds of red flags in it that the DOE should be considering,” spokesman Mark Pudlow said in an email. “But the department seems to be going full speed ahead with its flawed approach.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Cowboys To Hold Wall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
September 2, 2015
An induction ceremony for the new Cantonment Cowboys Wall of Fame will be held this Saturday at the Cantonment Sportsplex on Well Line Road.
Gene Atkins, Morgan Fowler, Shaquille Purifoy, and Bud Norton will be inducted and honored during a special ceremony that will be held about 4 p.m. between a midgets and a juniors game. The public is invited to attend.
Shaquille Purifoy was known by his family, friends, coaches, teammates and others as the life of the party, the clown in the classroom, and the playmaker on the field. Shaq’s personality was larger than life. Many in the community considered him one of their own. He was a role model; one who set the example through his walk with the Lord which was evident in his everyday life. Shaq’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot while visiting his parents when home from college on June 14, 2014.
Bud Norton was a coach in the Escambia County area. He was a part of the Cantonment park in some capacity for more than 30 years, be it park president to having grand kids playing there. Bud is one reason why the park is still around today.
Gene Atkin’s passion was coaching youth football and baseball. Atkins coached in both Atmore and Pensacola for over 45 years. He was widely known for his time working with youth in the 1960’s through 1980’s during his nearly 25 years living in Atmore.
Morgan Fowler was a cheerleader whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 12 from leukemia.
Pictured: Shaquille Purifoy.
Cantonment Man Gets Life For Sexual Assault, Carjacking
September 2, 2015
A Cantonment carjacking and sexual assault suspect was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison as a prison releasee reoffender. Under the sentence handed down by Circuit Judge Jennie Kensey, Atkins is not eligible for parole and will service the rest of his life in prison.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, was convicted bny Escambia County Jury of sexual battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury, attempted sexual battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury, burglary of a conveyance with assault and battery and carjacking without a weapon for two separate attacks on September 18, 2014. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNS evidence linked Atkins to both crimes.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The 55-year old victim went inside the store to make a purchase and pay for gasoline. After she pumped her gas, she found that Atkins had allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkins and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins ordered the victim to drive to a particular location and when she disobeyed his orders, he jumped in the front seat and began beating her multiple times in the face. Finally, the victim was able to stop the car, at which time Atkins pushed her out and stole the car.
Within 20 minutes, the stolen vehicle was located at the intersection of Pine Street and Booth Avenue. The second female victim was jogging past the area when Atkins attacked her and dragged her into the woods where he sexually battered and beat her.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
DNA evidence found inside the vehicle linked Eddie Lee Atkins to the crime. He was subsequently identified by the second victim in a photographic lineup.
Circuit Judge Jennie Kinsey scheduled Eddie Lee Atkins to be sentenced on September 1 at 1:30 p.m. at which time he is facing up to life in prison.
Atkins was released from prison in August 2013 and has a prior criminal history that includes robbery, two aggravated assaults, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Prison’s Cabinetry Program Provides Desks For Elementary School
September 2, 2015
Santa Rosa Correctional Institution’s cabinetry program provided 36 desks to Jay Elementary School to use in a first and fifth grade classroom for the school’s Science Technology Art Engineering Mathematics program. SRCI Warden James Coker, along with SRCI staff, delivered the desks late last week.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is proud to play an active role in the communities surrounding our institutions. Through re-entry initiatives such as the cabinetry program, Florida’s inmates have an opportunity to gain the skills and resources necessary for successful re-integration into our communities,” Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones said.
Pictured: Desks constructed by inmates in the cabinetry program at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in place at Jay Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Customers To See Rate Decrease Next Year
September 2, 2015
Beginning in January, Gulf Power customers will see a 2.7 percent decrease in their electricity bills if approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.
The residential bill for 1,000-kilowatt hours of electricity will drop $3.71 to $135.58. This decrease is due mostly to continued lower prices in natural gas and coal used to generate electricity.
“We’ve worked very hard to manage our fuel mix to provide affordable, reliable electric service for our customers,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power manager of external communication. “In the end it means lower electricity bills and that’s great news for Gulf Power customers.”
Each January the Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s prices to reflect cost changes in fuel, environmental compliance and energy conservation programs.