School For Learning Disabled May Expand To Century
May 8, 2015
There could be a new school in Century’s future, and area residents had the opportunity to learn more about it during a free lunch on Saturday.
East Hill Academy operates schools for children with learning disabilities in Pensacola and Milton. They have entered the Century Business Challenge, which will provide $25,000 in startup cash and a location, in hope of opening a similar academy in Century to serve the North Escambia area.
East Hill Academy is a private non-profit organization providing educational services to children (grades 1-12) with Autism and other related disorders. The school seeks to help students succeed when otherwise their learning disabilities make it impractical to place them in a regular school setting. East Hill currently serves about 60 students.
“The teaching philosophy of EHA is based on the belief that education should be designed to encourage each student’s unique potential and character. The learning experience should be structured, supportive and participatory. The school environment should be a dynamic and nurturing place of learning, where respect is a part of the educational process,” according to the school’s website.
The meeting concerning the possible “Century Academy School” was held Saturday.
Pictured: East Hill Academy on Garden Street in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Residential Policies Moving Away From Citizens Insurance
May 8, 2015
Another 30,050 policies have been approved to move to the private insurance industry from the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The state Office of Insurance Regulation on Thursday announced a round of private-insurer “takeouts” going to two companies — Heritage Property & Casualty and Southern Oak.
Heritage, which has grown to the state’s fourth-largest insurance company, is in line to receive up to 20,000 personal residential policies and 50 commercial residential policies. Southern Oak can pick up 10,000 personal residential policies.
The “takeouts” are scheduled to occur July 14 for the 50 commercial residential policies and July 21 for the personal residential lines.
Based upon prior takeouts, not all the targeted policies will change hands. Policyholders are allowed to reject takeout offers. Of the 632,286 policies that have been approved this year for “takeout,” 110,529 have moved from Citizens to private insurers.
Citizens reported that it had 595,671 policies as of Feb. 28, a vast decline from a high of 1.5 million policies in 2012.
by The News Service of Florida
Tate Aggies Win Class 7A State Championship
May 8, 2015
The Tate High School Lady Aggies beat Sarasota 8-1 Thursday afternoon in Vero Beach to claim the FHSAA Class 7A state championship.
Tori Perkins slammed an infield homer in the top of the seventh to help seal the win, brining home Casey McCrakin and Rachel Wright.
Perkins pitched the win for the Aggies, allowing five hits, one run and striking out five. Tate hitters were Casey McCrackin 2-3, BB, 3R; Rachel Wright 2-4, 2R; Tori Perkins 3-4, 6 RBI, R; Lauren Brennan 2-4, R, RBI; Hayden Lindsay 1-2; Samantha Burks R, 2 BB.
Pictured: The Class 7A state champion Tate Aggies. Photos by Mike Brennan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Forget Letter Carriers Food Drive On Saturday
May 8, 2015
Don’t forget to place food donations by your mailbox on Saturday, as letter carriers will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 23rd year, the annual food drive has grown to be the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to their regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 9. Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including the Bay Area Food Bank and Manna Food Pantries. Last year, organizations received a total of 159,625 pounds of food from the community during the food drive.
“This is a critical food drive because it comes at a time when donations are typically low and the need has increased,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries’ executive director. “During the school year, many children get a healthy meal through the free or reduced breakfast and lunch programs. During the summer, those programs aren’t available. The generous donations from the community allow us to provide nutritious food to hungry families and children throughout the summer months.”
Pictured: An official kickoff event for the food drive was held Thursday at the Downtown Post Office, with representatives of Publix presenting the first donations. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Marks National Day Of Prayer
May 8, 2015
Atmore marked the National Day of Prayer Thursday with several events, drawing the faithful and pastors from Alabama and Florida. A prayer walk was held at Atmore City Hall, followed by prayer at the Veterans Memorial. A community prayer service was held Thursday afternoon in the Cornell Torrence Gym at Escambia County High School.
For an earlier story about the National Day of Prayer service in Molino, click here.
Pictured top and below: National Day of Prayer services at Escambia County High School and Atmore’s Veterans Memorial. Pictured inset: Walnut Hill Baptist Church Pastor Ted Bridges. Photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Could Hold Off On Gambling Bill
May 8, 2015
With a high-stakes gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe set to expire in July, lawmakers may not have to hold a special session to keep it from falling apart, according to a prominent senator who was instrumental in crafting the agreement, called a compact, five years ago.
Any deal between the state and the tribe requires the Legislature’s authorization, but it’s possible that Gov. Rick Scott could sign a new agreement and lawmakers could ratify it as late as January when they return for the 2016 regular session, Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano said.
A provision in the 2010 compact that gives the Seminoles exclusive rights to operate banked card games, such as blackjack, at five of its seven casinos expires July 31 unless the state renews it or inks a new plan.
The compact also gives the tribe 90 days after the expiration date to shut down the card games, but the Seminoles have raised questions about whether they are required to stop the lucrative games in the absence of a new agreement.
It was believed that the Legislature, which failed to endorse a new compact with the tribe after negotiations stalled during the regular session that ended last week, would have to authorize a new deal before the 90-day period runs out for the agreement to be in effect. But Galvano believes otherwise.
“(Scott) could modify the existing agreement to expand the banked card games unilaterally, subject to ratification by the Legislature,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, told The News Service of Florida.
The 90-day provision was included when the original compact was crafted in anticipation of the failure to reach a new agreement before the expiration date, Galvano said.
The Seminoles rejected an effort by Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley to extend the current compact for another year to give both sides more time to work out their differences.
House Majority Leader Dana Young, who is coordinating with Bradley in discussions with the tribe, said she was unaware of whether a compact could go into effect without the Legislature’s approval.
“I haven’t gotten into the weeds on that issue because I’ve just been involved in having conversations with representatives of the tribe. I’ve been looking at the substantive aspects of what could be included in a new compact,” Young, R-Tampa, said. Galvano is more focused on “procedural issues,” Young said.
None of the three lawmakers expect the compact to be part of a special session on the budget scheduled to begin June 1.
“It would be nice if we could say we could do it. I would say it’s not realistic, but stranger things have happened,” Young said.
After the regular session’s abrupt end last week, Seminole leaders sent a letter to Scott, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner requesting negotiations on the compact although the tribe had been engaged in informal talks with Bradley and Young off-and-on this spring.
“I consider the letter to be a non-event,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said recently.
Like the original compact, whatever agreement is struck between the tribe and the state will almost certainly include, at a minimum, elements dealing with pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Any changes to pari-mutuel laws — such as tax rates or additional games for South Florida “racinos” that have slot machines — would be dealt with in a separate gambling bill, as they were in 2010, Galvano said.
“History has shown us that you’re going to have to address other aspects of the industry beyond the compact between the state and the Seminole tribe in order to even modify the relationship with the tribe,” he said.
Passage of any effort to renew or expand the tribe’s card games — which reaped the state about $132 million last year — by the historically gambling-averse House could hinge on support from Democrats, many of whom represent South Florida districts that include pari-mutuel facilities.
From a negotiating standpoint, the state could gain the upper hand by allowing the compact to run out.
“It’s easy to say let it expire and let’s renegotiate a new deal. But that means at some point in time it has to happen. And all people keep doing is moving the goal post. Now we’re hearing the goalpost is really January. It’s not July. It’s not October. It’s now January. The goal line continues to be moved,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Coral Springs lawyer who is the House Democrats’ point man on gambling. “At some point in time it’s going to be apparent to everybody that we’re either going to have to do something or that there is no will in the Legislature to do it.”
Striking a balance between the tribe and the pari-mutuels that can get the Legislature’s stamp of approval is a “three-dimensional game of chess,” Galvano said.
“There has to be things of interest to other industry participants in order to get everyone’s buy-in. That doesn’t meant that everyone gets what they want completely. They didn’t the last time. But it is an opportunity to look at the industry as a whole,” he said. “I call it ‘the Mary Poppins rule.’ Sometimes it takes a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.”
Letting the clock run out on the card portion of the compact could help both sides reach consensus, Bradley said.
“There’s nothing like a deadline to motivate people to action,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Jay Finishes As Class 1A Runnerups
May 8, 2015
The Chiefland Indians defeated the Jay Royals 3-2 in eight innings Thursday afternoon for the Class 1A softball state championship. It was the second consecutive championship for the Indians.
Jay was first on the board in the top of the third inning with a single from Kolby Bray. Chiefland took the lead 2-1 over Jay in the bottom of the fourth. The Royals tied it up 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth with a single from Emily Dobson, Miranda Roberts bunting to first and an RBI single from Destiny Herring.
The game went into extra innings, with Chiefland pulling off the win in the bottom of the 8th.
For the Royals, it was their third finish in second in the past four years.
Jay hitters were: Dana Blackmon 2-4, Samantha Steadham 1-4, Harley Tagert 1-4, Kolby Bray 1-4, Destiny Herring 2-4, Riana Wolfe 2-3. On the mound, Dana Blackmon allowed eight hits and three runs while striking out four.
Pictured top: Jay junior Michaela Stewart reacts to Jay’s heartbreaking loss in the Class 1A state championship game in Vero Beach. Pictured below: The Royals react after the loss. Images courtesy Bright House Sports Network for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos: Northview Teacher Tosses First Pitch, NHS NJROTC Presents Colors
May 8, 2015
Pictured: Escambia County Teacher of the Year, Anna Barry of Northview High School, tossed the first pitch at Thursday night’s Blue Wahoos game in Pensacola. The Northview High School NJROTC presented the colors before the game. Photos by Barrett McClean for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Held For Escambia Sheriff’s Office Colonel Rodney Eddins
May 8, 2015
Funeral services were held Thursday for Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Rodney Eddins. He passed away Sunday at his home.
“He leaves behind an extended loving family and far too many brothers and sisters in law enforcement to mention,” said Sheriff David Morgan. “We all feel his absence and he will be greatly missed. His memory will be forever carried in our hearts. Rest in peace our brother. Your race is done, good and faithful servant.”
Eddins is survived by daughter Rebecca Lynn; parents Rodney “Rocky” and Marilyn Eddins; brothers, Greg Eddins (Tammy), Doug Eddins and Mike Eddins (Libbie); nephew, Blane; nieces, Erin, Rachel and Avery; and the love of Rod’s life, Brittany; as well as man’s best friend, Tanner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Sheriff’s Association, Law Enforcement Memorial, P.O. Box 12519, Tallahassee, FL 32317.
Pictured top: Eddins was recently promoted to the rank of colonel. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Smokies
May 8, 2015
Jesse Winker’s first hit of the game Thursday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium knocked in the winning run which led to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 100th home victory in its fourth season.
Winker’s single to center field scored Juan Perez from second base to give Pensacola a, 5-4, victory over the Tennessee Smokies in front of 4,386 fans. The Blue Wahoos are just 1,620 fans away from reaching one million Friday in its first four seasons of existence.
Winker said a chance for a walk-off is the position a hitter looks forward to being in. Friday’s was his third for Pensacola since being promoted mid-season last year from High-A Bakersfield.
“It’s always a situation you want to be in whether you are 10-for-10 or 0-for-10,” said Winker, the Cincinnati Reds No. 2 rated prospect according to MLB.com. “It’s the best feeling in baseball. Those are the moments you live for.”
After losing both doubleheaders in the last inning on Thursday, the Wahoos turned the tables on the Smokies, who scored its four runs in the first inning off of starting pitcher Daniel Wright on a walk and four hits. The big hit came on right fielder Bijan Rademacher’s bases-clearing double.
The first pitch for the game was tossed by Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year, Anna Barry from Northview High School, and the colors were presented by the Northview High School NJROTC. Click for photos.
Wright settled down and had two 1-2-3 innings and got out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning. He struck out 10 batters in five innings.
Meanwhile, the Blue Wahoos fought back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Kyle Waldrop singled to center field and Perez scored. Seth Mejias-Brean then singled sharply back up the middle to drive in Ryan Wright to bring Pensacola within, 4-2.
Winker scored in the fifth on a ground out by Mejias-Brean, his second RBI of the game. Kyle Skipworth, who led off the sixth with a single in his first game down from Triple-A Louisville, tied the game, 4-4, when he scored on a wild pitch by Smokies reliever Fernando Cruz.
Wright said the two runs in the bottom of the first helped calm him down on the mound. He was happy with pitching six innings and getting the no-decision.
“The two in the bottom of the first really settled me in,” Wright (0-4) said. “I have to spot up my fastball. I don’t throw 97 mph fastballs. That’s not my game.”
“He’s a Hall-of-Famer and you don’t get that chance every day,” Winker said. “I look forward to implementing some of the things he said.”
Both Winker and Wright hope the walk-off changes the course of the season for the last place Blue Wahoos who are 9-19.
“We haven’t started the season off like we wanted to,” Wright said. “We’ve got the batters to do it. We’ve got the pitchers to do it. Jesse coming through there for us is big for us.”
Added the ever-confident Winker: “Anything can happen from this point on.”
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly said both Winker and Waldrop talked hitting with Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin before the game. Larkin has been in Pensacola during the Smokies series.
“They talked about hitting mechanics,” Kelly said. “We’ve been close a couple of times. Jesse’s been close. He’s worked really hard.”
Winker, who’s hitting .240 this season after winning the Arizona League batting crown in the fall, acknowledged getting some advice from Larkin earlier in the day.
Photos by Barrett McClean for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.