William King Sharp
November 27, 2016
William King Sharp (Pete, Bill) passed away November 24, 2016. He was born in McAllen, Texas on June 14, 1942 to A.B. Sharp and Joyce Church, who both preceded him in death.
He was in the Army during the Vietnam War then became a successful homebuilder in Houston for many years until he retired and moved to Pensacola in 2005. He loved to cook, laugh and be full of mischief. We will miss all the fun we had with him and all the many things he helped us do.
Pete (Bill) is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan, his children, David (Dayton, TX), Greg and wife Ashley (LaPorte, TX), and Cassandra (Milton, FL), two precious grandchildren, Hunter and Emma, his sister, Linda (Pensacola) and his very special friends, Vicki Pulse and Henrietta Cook of Pensacola.
Pursuant to his wishes, there will be no service. Our thanks to all of his many doctors, West Florida Hospital, Life Care Center and Covenant Hospice for the care they all gave him in the past few years.
‘Gentle Giant’ Bryant Cooper Loses Battle With Cancer
November 26, 2016
Bryant Thomas Cooper, 19, lost his battle with cancer on Friday.
“My precious son… left his cancer-filled body this morning to be made whole in the glory of God,” his mother, Janet Cooper, wrote on Facebook.
“Even in his last days, Bryant was the most caring, gentle giant I’ve ever seen. He loved everyone. Moments before Bryant left us, he squeezed my hand with such a strong grip until his last breath. I’ll never forget that precious moment with my baby boy.”
“Bryant fought the hardest of battles taking chemo that was made for adults more than 30 years ago,” Janet Cooper wrote. During her son’s battle with cancer, Janet Cooper became a proponent of childhood cancer awareness, urging other to “go gold” for the cause.
During those long hours as Bryant battled cancer, 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 in 2015 interview.
Unlikely Friends
We introduced you to Bryant and his unlikely friend,2-year old Kena Spivey, in previous stories here on NorthEscambia.com.
In late October of 2014, 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, 2014.
Cancer. Not just cancer, but a Stage 4 rare neuroendocrine cancer, and it had spread with a vengeance to other parts of this body.
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.
Kena’s tears stopped when she saw Bryant lying in his hospital bed. The friendship continued to grow up until her passing in late September.
Dry Weekend, Then A Chance Of Rain
November 26, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
FHP: Buckle Up To Arrive Alive This Thanksgiving
November 26, 2016
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is helping to ensure all motorists Arrive Alive this Thanksgiving holiday and is reminding motorists to buckle up before they hit the road. During the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday period, law enforcement agencies statewide worked 9,906 crashes. Tragically, 84 people lost their lives, and 17 of those individuals were not wearing seatbelts.
The public is encouraged to report impaired or aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). Also, remember to check traffic conditions before leaving for a trip and allow sufficient time to arrive at your destination safely.
Newly Elected Rep. Frank White Takes First Step Toward Re-election Bid
November 26, 2016
After winning a seat in the Florida House on November 8, Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, has taken the first step toward running for re-election in 2018.
White and newly elected Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando, joined 22 incumbent House members in opening campaign accounts for 2018, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.
White won 61.3 percent of the vote earlier this month as he defeated Democrat Ray Guillory in House District 2, which includes the southern part of Escambia County and small area of Santa Rosa County.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Downtown Comes Alive With Santa, Elf Parade And 400,000 Lights
November 26, 2016
Friday night was a very festive evening in downtown Pensacola. The night started with Santa and the Pensacola Elf Parade and ended with the lighting ceremony for the downtown lights. Over 400,000 white lights are up in the Palafox Street area, illuminating historic buildings, parks, shops, galleries and outdoor spaces.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Molino Christmas Parade
November 26, 2016
The 14th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for next Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m.
The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark were Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls.
To participate in the parade, preregister at Jimmy’s Grill or register the day of the parade. Registration fees are $30 for floats; $20 for vehicles, motorcycles, tractors or golf carts; and $10 each for horses. No 4-wheelers or go-carts. All proceeds go directly back to the community to help children in need.
For more information, contact René at (850) 255-3330 or Jimmy’s Grill at (850) 754-0041. Donations such as toys and non-perishable foot items can be dropped off at Jimmy’s Grill.
The rain date will be Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: The 2015 Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
High School All-Star Games Moves Downtown
November 26, 2016
Pensacola Sports has announced the 2016 Subway High School All-Star Football Game will be played at the Blue Wahoos Stadium on December 16. For the first time since the event’s inception in 2004 the all-star game will not be played at a high school. The game formerly rotated every two years between Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties.
The Subway High School All-Star Series, a Pensacola Sports event, selects seniors from the Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County high schools. Every high school in the county is guaranteed representation, given they have an eligible senior. The game features three days of practice and a banquet. It provides many players the opportunity to play one last high school game in front of their family and friends and provides additional exposure to college recruiters who attend the practice and games.
“After the success of UWF Football’s first year playing downtown, we felt moving the all-star game was a good fit for the event, the teams and families, the community, and downtown,” said Pensacola Sports President Ray Palmer. “Being able to utilize the beautiful stadium and setting for this type of event is a great way to show the multi-purpose side of the facility.”
Coaches for this year’s game include Jerry Pollard (Pine Forest) and Kent Smith (Pace High), coaching the West and East, respectfully. Additionally, every high school will have representation on the coaching staff. The rosters will be announced next week after the players have been notified of their selection.
“It’s big improvement to the game and the series. The kids are excited,” said Kent Smith, East Team Head Coach. “It’s a great way to get more people to the game in a fun atmosphere. A lot of them have been to the UWF games and seen the atmosphere there and would like to be a part of something like that.”
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: A Pause For Giving Thanks
November 26, 2016
As they gathered a couple of days before Thanksgiving to get organized for next year’s legislative session, many of the lawmakers at the Capitol had more to be grateful for than some extra time off, a pending feast of turkey and trimmings, and some midweek football.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, could be thankful that they had finally finished their long paths to the leadership of their respective chambers. Whether they could offer gratitude for being lined up opposite each other was yet to be determined.
Democrats remained outnumbered, but they could give thanks for new redistricting maps that allowed them to chip away at Republican majorities during Florida elections that were otherwise strong for the GOP; House Democrats even got their coveted 41st seat, which limits just how much the 79-member Republican caucus can roll over them.
The state as a whole also had some things to celebrate, including numbers indicating that Florida tourism has survived an almost pharaoh-esque level of plagues in recent months, from a pair of hurricanes to the spread of Zika. There were even some signs that the Zika threat might be letting up just a bit.
All of the reasons for optimism could be short-lived. Clashes between the House and Senate are inevitable, and could take some of the luster off Corcoran’s and Negron’s big moments. Democrats could find themselves just as besieged as before. And other threats could still hurt the state’s top industry. But as the work week drew to an early conclusion, there were plenty of things to be thankful for. Even the Buccaneers and the Dolphins seemed to be getting better.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The organizing session of the Legislature can often seem a lot like the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics: colorful outfits, questionable entertainment value and largely a build-up to the competition that’s about to get underway. This year, though, the jockeying for position was already in progress.
Corcoran spent much of the day firing warning shots — to senators looking for local projects in the budget, to lobbyists who might have doubted his resolve on overhauling the legislative process, and to the Florida Education Association as the union continues its legal challenge to the state’s voucher-like tax scholarship program.
The lawsuit argues that the program drains money that otherwise would go to public schools and is unconstitutional for the same reasons that the Florida Supreme Court struck down a previous voucher scheme. But Corcoran painted the suit as more than just legal wrangling.
“The teachers union is fixated on halting innovation and competition in education,” he told the House. “They are literally trying to destroy the lives of 100,000 children. Most of them are minorities, and all of them are poor. … It is downright evil.”
FEA President Joanne McCall didn’t engage Corcoran directly, instead asking for him to meet with the union.
“The Florida Education Association firmly believes that people of opposing views should always engage in civil debate on issues,” McCall said in a statement issued by the union. “We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with Speaker Corcoran the reasons FEA has engaged the court in the voucher program. We are here when and if the speaker would like to hear from us.”
As far as compromising with the Senate to pass a budget and get other legislation passed, Corcoran left the door open but also indicated there are some things he wouldn’t be willing to bargain away.
“Gridlock in essence doesn’t help anybody,” he said when asked whether his crackdown on local projects might complicate budget negotiations. “Unless it’s gridlock over something that is a diametrical opposition to the principles that you know would make society, Floridians or the nation great. That’s not gridlock, that’s statesmanship.”
Democrats, who gained seats in the elections this year but saw presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Senate candidate Patrick Murphy come up short, also talked about holding true to their values.
“No matter what happened on Nov. 8, we as the Democratic caucus will still fight for our core principles, making sure that the middle class and working-class people have a voice in Florida,” Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, said in a speech to his caucus Monday.
But even Democrats seemed to think that the Negron-Corcoran dynamic would be the main attraction in the session that kicks off March 7.
Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said Negron has talked about helping individual senators succeed with their agendas, while Corcoran “wants it to be all about his success and implementing his personal vision.”
“I think that’s the difference between the two chambers,” Clemens said. “It’s going to be entertaining to see.”
ALL ABOUT THE U’s
One of the places that the two men were already beginning to tangle was over Negron’s plan to boost funding for the state university system. Negron, who toured all 12 universities in the spring, has talked about increasing spending on higher education by as much as $1 billion over his two years as president.
But it seemed more and more likely that any additional dollars for higher education will come from other state programs.
“I am confident that we can move 3 percent of an $82 billion budget around,” said Negron, who previously served as a budget chairman in the House and Senate. “If not, we’re not worthy of being called appropriators. We’re simply rubber-stamping the work of previous legislatures.”
That was at least in part because Corcoran was already dismissing state analysts’ projection of a $7.5 million surplus — a tiny sliver of the state budget overall. The speaker suggested that new information indicated the Legislature will face a shortfall of $500 million or more as it crafts a budget plan for the spending year that begins July 1.
House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, had a similar assessment.
“The House position is we don’t have any surplus and we’re not going to raise taxes,” he said. “So wherever that money comes from, it will come from cutting existing programs.”
Although Negron said he wants Florida to lift state schools to the level of “national, elite, destination” universities like the University of North Carolina or the University of Michigan, he also tried to be realistic about his agenda.
“I have a vision that won’t happen in the two years that I have the opportunity to serve here but we can make a very good start,” Negron told the Senate.
Negron wasn’t alone in focusing on higher education. Gov. Rick Scott met Monday with the chairmen of the universities’ boards of trustees. He called on them to improve performance on issues like graduation rates and job placement.
“Here’s my attitude, I don’t understand why we’re not No. 1,” Scott told the trustees during the meeting at the governor’s mansion. “I was never in a business where I said I’m fine with being No. 10, No. 15. Why wouldn’t we be No 1?”
But at the same time, the governor called for holding down the price tag for higher education.
“I really believe the cost is ridiculous,” Scott said. “The money these schools have been getting is skyrocketing. It’s not a little bit. It’s a lot of money.”
SUN STILL SHINES ON TOURISM
Just about anything that could happen to dampen tourism in Florida over the last several months has — two hurricanes, the mosquito-borne Zika virus and the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. But, at least for the period between July 1 and Sept. 30, the industry seemed to be more than holding its own.
Scott’s office Monday announced that a record 26.9 million people traveled to Florida between July 1 and Sept. 30, a 5.1 percent increase from the same period in 2015.
The state faced a series of challenges during the first nine months of the year, including the June shooting deaths of 49 people at Pulse nightclub, Hurricane Hermine hitting North Florida in early September and a steadily increasing number of Zika cases in South Florida. Hurricane Matthew added to the challenges in early October by lashing the eastern side of the state, causing significant damage in some areas.
“Visit Florida does an incredible job of marketing our state and keeping all of our tourism partners, which include both large and small businesses, updated on how to keep our visitors informed when our state faces challenges like the Zika virus, hurricanes and the terrorist attack at Pulse nightclub,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
The only one of those issues still ongoing — the specter of Zika — might even be letting up a bit.
A part of Miami Beach has been lifted from the state’s Zika zone, Scott announced Tuesday. The Florida Department of Health cleared the northern portion of an area in Miami Beach where local transmission of the disease had occurred. The agency cleared the three-mile area after no new local transmissions had been detected in the area in more than 45 days.
But Zika transmissions are considered to remain active in about 1.5 square miles of Miami Beach, between 8th and 28th streets. Another area, about 1-square-mile in the Little River area of Miami, also remains a Zika zone.
The Department of Health has announced there are more than 1,200 reported cases of Zika, though some of those are related to travel to other parts of the world where the virus is also active.
STORY OF THE WEEK: House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, formally took office as lawmakers were sworn in for the 2017 legislative session.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “No longer will we have to tolerate last-minute appropriations being stuck into our budget with little or no public scrutiny, in the waning hours of session, literally written on the back of a napkin that they got from the bar the night before.” —House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, on House rules requiring local budget projects to be proposed by the first day of session.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Thanksgiving Gas Prices Second Cheapest Since 2008
November 25, 2016
That Thanksgiving weekend trip to grandma’s or at that shopping trip wasn’t that hard on the wallet this year for gas.
AAA projects that 43.5 million Americans are expected to take a road trip this Thanksgiving and drivers will pay an average of $2.12 per gallon, the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85.
The current average price per gallon, as of Thursday, was $2.14 in the Escambia County area, up from $1.97 one year ago.
Along Highway 29 in Century, gas was $2.18 per gallon at the Century Food Mart and $2.19 at the Marthon. At the Tom Thumb in Molino, gas was at $2.10 Thursday night, while in Cantonment it was $2.03 at the Quick Fill on Highway 29 at Becks Lake Road, and $2.04 across the intersection at the Raceway.
Several stations in the Pensacola area were at $2.01 per gallon Thursday night.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.