Tate High FFA Provides Meals Of Hope To The Needy
March 16, 2017
The Tate High School FFA is lending a hand to local families in need along with Feeding the Gulf Coast and Meals of Hope.
The group raised $5,000 to purchase bulk commodities to be packaged in single family portions and redistributed to help feed families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Wednesday, the FFA students packaged thousands of macaroni and cheese meals — carefully measuring, pouring, weighing labeling and counting each bag. Each family receiving one of the mac and cheese meals will know from the label that it was packed by the Tate High School FFA.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Aggie Classic: Complete Day Three Results, Championship Schedule
March 16, 2017
Host team Tate and Niceville will battle it out tonight for the Aggie Classic championship.
Here are scores from Wednesday and the Aggie Classic Championship Day schedule:
Wednesday Scores:
- Presbyterian Christian, MS 6, Southmoore 2
- Pryor, OK 7, Knoxville Catholic, TN 6
- Edmond North, OK 17, Leon, FL 7
- Second Baptist, TX 10, Fort Gibson, OK 8
- Houston, TN 12, Piedmont, OK 2
- Magnolia Heights, MS 7, Mustang, OK 4
- Bartlett, TN 4, Choctaw, OK 3
- Milton FL 5, Coweta, OK 1
- Pace FL 13, Union, OK 2
- Booker T Washington 3, Durant, OK 2
- West Florida 3, Booker T Washington, OK 2
- Tate 9, Knoxville Catholic, TN 2
- Gulf Breeze 1, Berryhill, OK 0
- Niceville 9, Jenks, OK 0
Aggie Classic Championship Day Schedule:
- At Tate High – 3rd place: Houston vs. Edmond North, 4 p.m.; Championship game: Niceville vs. Tate, 7 p.m.
- At Gulf Breeze- 4 p.m. Magnolia Heights vs. Jenks; Gulf Breeze vs. Union, 7 p.m.
- At Milton- Second Baptist vs. Choctaw, Okla, 4 p.m.; Mustang vs. Milton, 7 p.m.
- At Pace- Leon vs. Coweta, 4 p.m.; Pace vs. Southmoore, 7 p.m.
- At Escambia- Presbyterian Christian vs. TBA, 4 p.m.; Berryhill vs. Knoxville, 7 p.m.
- At West Florida- Bartlett vs. Durant, 4 p.m.; Pryor vs. West Florida, 7 p.m.
- At Washington- Fort Gibson vs. Booker T. Washington, Okla., 4 p.m.; Booker T. Washington vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m.
House Ponders Potential Budget Cuts
March 16, 2017
Ahead of a Friday meeting to determine how much lawmakers will have to spend in the fiscal year that begins July 1, the House budget-writing committee heard recommendations Wednesday for potential cuts across state government.
The Legislature is not expected to face a shortfall in the 2017-2018 budget, which lawmakers will negotiate before the annual legislative session wraps up in early May.
But by the following year, lawmakers could be $1.3 billion short of how much they will need to cover expected spending, with a $1.9 billion hole projected the year after that.
House budget subcommittees came up with a pair of scenarios based on how quickly the state should move to reduce the future shortfalls, but the prescriptions were largely the same in big-ticket areas: cuts in payments to hospitals, reductions in spending on universities and scaling back early-learning and other public-education programs.
House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, said how closely lawmakers follow the recommendations will depend on how state finances shape up in the future. But he said a reduction in expected spending of about $1.4 billion is a “realistic goal” for the coming budget year.
“I think it’s a roadmap — whether we decide to go down Road A or Road B — but I think it’s a roadmap of how we’re going to craft our budget,” he said. “I don’t think anything’s set on stone as far as specific amounts.”
Lawmakers likely will get updated revenue estimates after a panel of economists meets Friday. The panel, known as the Revenue Estimating Conference, will analyze the state’s general revenue, which plays a critical role in paying for schools, health care and prisons.
Some of the House’s potential budget reductions would essentially be cuts in name only. Shortfall projections take into account likely future increases in spending, so the Legislature could balance out some of the problem simply by declining to add money to areas of the budget.
But many of the ideas floated Wednesday suggested that such maneuvers wouldn’t be enough.
For example, House Health Care Appropriations Chairman Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, proposed the Legislature not increase some funding to reimburse health-care providers. But he also suggested $220.6 million in cuts to inpatient and outpatient hospital reimbursements.
One potential hang-up with the Senate could come if the House follows through on ideas that would scale back spending on universities. A plan outlined by Higher Education Appropriations Chairman Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, would reduce increases by more than half of the level projected by state economists — under a slower-moving scenario.
Under the faster-moving scenario, universities would be hit with a cut of $80 million, though Ahern played down the significance of the reduction.
“While $80 million sounds like a large number, remember that the estimated expenditures for universities in the current year is $10.3 billion,” Ahern said.
The House is also considering asking universities to use some of their reserves to cover a one-time hit of $38 million in both scenarios. However, when lawmakers tried a similar move to save $300 million five years ago, many universities covered at least part of the reduction with cuts to programs.
Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has made boosting the reputations of the state’s universities one of his top priorities for the coming session — though he now speaks more about increasing financial aid for students than a large boost in university spending.
Trujillo suggested Wednesday that the House could go along with that idea.
“Whether we should just give a bunch of money to the university system is one debate,” he said. “Whether we should increase access to education …. I think we’re much more receptive of that message than we are of just giving wholesale amount of money to the university system.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 16, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending March 9 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Clark received information that an individual posted a picture of himself on a social media website holding an alligator snapping turtle at his residence. After speaking to the individual, he found that two other individuals had also been in possession of the turtle. One of the individuals caught the turtle and then brought it home to take pictures. The turtle was reportedly taken back to the spot where it was first located and released. The individual was cited for possessing and transporting a species of special concern. The other two individuals were given warnings and educated on the laws concerning that species.
Officer Pettey received an internet complaint that showed an individual in possession of what appeared to be an oversized redfish. The individual was located and found to be in possession of a 38‑inch redfish. A citation was issued for the violation.
Officers Pettey and Allgood responded to a trespass complaint that occurred on a hunting club in the Walnut Hill area. Earlier in the week, several trail camera photographs of an individual walking through the club holding a gun were provided. The officers located the subject walking in the area near the club, interviewed him and when he was shown some of the photographs, he admitted to trespass while hunting on the property. A criminal history check revealed the subject is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess firearms. A warrant was obtained the next day for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Officer Allgood received information that some fishermen were harvesting over the bag limit of sheepshead at the Fort Pickens fishing pier. When he arrived on the scene, there were three men with several buckets and a cooler filled with sheepshead. The fishermen were in possession of 59 sheepshead and given notice to appear citations for over the bag limit.
While off duty, Lieutenant Clark saw a vehicle pulling a trailer full of waste tires on Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze. He contacted Officer Allgood and advised him that there was no placard or permit displayed on the side of the vehicle as required. Officer Allgood saw the vehicle approaching his location and confirmed the vehicle was not displaying a placard and conducted a traffic stop. The driver confirmed he did not have a permit to haul waste tires and was issued a notice to appear for transporting waste tires without a permit.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater State Forest when he saw a vehicle driving carelessly, almost striking his patrol vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, he discovered that the passenger had a warrant for his arrest from Santa Rosa County. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. The driver of the vehicle was issued a written warning for careless operation.
Officer Lewis was on forest patrol in Blackwater River State Forest when he detected the odor of cannabis emanating from a tent. He heard people inside the tent and asked them to come outside and speak with him. One of the men admitted to smoking a cannabis cigarette and consented to a search of the tent. Drug paraphernalia and a baggie that appeared to contain methamphetamine were located. A field test of the substance in the baggie was positive for methamphetamine. The man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cannabis not more than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail and the drugs and paraphernalia were seized as evidence.
Officer Lewis saw a vehicle swerving all over the roadway and stopped the vehicle. He detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle and on the driver’s breath. During field sobriety tasks, the driver showed obvious signs of impairment. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail where he blew a .163, more than twice the legal limit. The subject was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or above.
Officer Lewis was on patrol at the Webb Landing campsite in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he saw a man and woman camping. As the man was taking items out of his vehicle, a box commonly used to store drug paraphernalia was in plain sight. He asked the man about the box and the man admitted that there were pipes he used to smoke weed in the box. The man consented to a search of the vehicle and three pipes with cannabis residue were found in the box. He also found another box that contained a glass pipe and a small baggie of methamphetamine. Officer Jernigan arrived to assist. The officers located a large water bong used for smoking cannabis. The subject was arrested for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and for an outstanding warrant out of Pinellas County.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Weightlifting: Northview Tops Jay
March 16, 2017
The Northview Boy’s Weightlifting team defeated Jay on Wednesday by a score of 48-33.
Placing for the Chiefs in their respective weight class, with totals, were:
119-lb class: 2nd Place – Caze Bradley (9th) – 225-lb. total
129-lb. class: 1st Place – Dalton Hadley (11th) – 300-lb. total; 2nd Place – Gracen Brook (9th) – 225-lb. total
139-lb. class: 1st Place – Jarius Moorer (10th) – 370-lb. total; 2nd Place – M.J. Jones (11th) – 365-lb. total
154-lb. class: 1st Place – Ohijie Elliott (12th) – 465-lb. total
169-lb. class: 1st Place – Chase Olsen (12th) – 520-lb. total; 3rd Place – Colton Dockens (9th) – 445-lb. total
183-lb. class: 2nd Place – Keaton Solmonson (9th) – 375-lb. total; 3rd Place – Rayvon Bush (10th) – 360-lb. total
199-lb. class: 1st Place – Tim Bush (11th) – 405-lb. total
219-lb. class: 2nd Place – Jacob Hawkins (9th) – 360-lb. total
239-lb. class: 2nd Place – Tyler Kite (9th) – 340-lb. total
Unlimited class: 2nd Place – Justin Helton (11th) – 465-lb. total
Six of the Chiefs return to action on Saturday, March 25 in the Regional Weightlifting meet at Baker.
File photo.
Century Begins To Burn Debris From 2016 Tornado
March 15, 2017
The EF-3 tornado that roared through Century on February 15, 2016, left behind a tremendous amount of debris. And now, the Town of Century has started to burn the vegetative debris.
The downed trees were transported to an empty lot in the town’s industrial park. The first of those piles was burned Tuesday.
“We are burning this one to see how it goes, like a test,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said. “Under our burn permit, the piles that we burn must be put out and covered with dirt at the end of the day. So we want to see how much of it burns today.”
Hawkins said the piles in the industrial park contain over 800 dump truck loads of trees and other vegetative debris from the tornado.
Additional piles will be burned each day this week as permits are issued from the Florida Forest Service; the entire process will take several days. Hawkins said residents should see little, if any smoke from the burns.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 4 Road Work Begins; Drivers Can Expect Delays
March 15, 2017
Construction work is now underway on a $1.13 million project on State Road 4 in Century.
Crews are milling and resurfacing the 1.4 miles of travel lanes from Highway 29 to the Escambia River Bridge, constructing minor shoulder widening, placing new signs and pavement markings along the project, and reconstructing the CSX railroad crossing in Century.
A temporary onsite diversion (pictured left) has been constructed to route traffic around the railroad reconstruction work. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control once the railroad crossing traffic is shifted.
Tuesday morning, drivers were reporting wait time of up to 12 minutes for a pilot vehicle to lead them through the construction zone.
Construction is anticipated to be complete spring 2017, weather permitting. This is a Florida Department of Transportation project, and is not funded or managed by the Town of Century.
Pictured: Road construction underway Tuesday morning on State Road 4 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works Office To Close Early This Week
March 15, 2017
Due to necessary electr ical repairs, the office at Cottage Hill Water Works will close at noon on March, 15, 16, and 17. The answering service will still accept calls for field service personnel for leaks and repairs. For more information, call (850) 968-5485.
Bob’s Sales Camp: UWF Professor Takes Lesson To Escambia Jail Inmates
March 15, 2017
After years of teaching sales skills to corporate professionals and students, University of West Florida marketing professor Dr. Bob Kimball is taking his instruction to a new audience: inmates at the Escambia County Work Release Center.
In February, Kimball conducted a two-day sales course, Bob’s Sales Camp, with 24 inmates participating in the Pathways for Change men’s residential treatment program. Pathways for Change operates a faith-based addictions treatment program for men who want to overcome destructive behaviors, attitudes and habits that prevent them from living a life free from crime and incarceration.
Through a collaborative effort by the UWF College of Business, UWF Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Pathways for Change, Bob’s Sales Camp included interactive exercises, role-play and life skills. Kimball said he plans to repeat the course with a new cohort of inmates every 90 days.
“We are all selling and negotiating all the time, not only in business but in relationships and other areas of life,” Kimball said. “Selling and dealing with others requires you to listen and help them achieve their goals in order to get what you want. I emphasized to these men that to be successful they should focus on others. As they assess their lives and manage their goals, this is a focus that can really benefit them.”
Kimball first approached Dr. Matthew Crow, chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, about his interest in conducting Bob’s Sales Camp.
“When Dr. Kimball approached me with his interest in conducting Bob’s Sales Camp in order to provide skills to inmates preparing to reenter society, I immediately thought of Pathways for Change, an important community partner for our department and UWF,” Crow said.
Brittany Austin, UWF alumna, serves as a link between the University, where she is as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Pathways for Change, where she is the case management director.
“In our men’s residential treatment program, all of the men have been arrested for a felony and court ordered to complete our program,” Austin said. “They are non-violent, non-sexual offenders who are addicts or alcoholics and want to change. We help them develop new skills and trades, and provide counseling to help them better their lives here. For Dr. Kimball to offer these men a new skill that can be applied to any aspect of life is really valuable. It will help them to sell themselves to others in the future.”
One participant in the camp, Michael Ritenour, said he plans to use the skills he learned when he applies for a part-time job in a later phase of the Pathways program.
“It was very educational and I enjoyed it,” he said. “I’m officially trained now, and I can put that on my resume.”
Kimball, who has taught at UWF for 30 years and built his own successful business career prior to teaching, said he views Bob’s Sales Camp as an act of service on behalf of the College of Business.
“Within the College of Business, we’ve talked about finding ways that cross-functional teams can serve the community,” Kimball said. “Bob’s Sales Camp was a pilot project for this effort, and hopefully others in the college will participate in other ways.”
Wanted Atmore Man Captured by U.S. Marshals
March 15, 2017
A U.S Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force captured a wanted Atmore man in Baldwin County on Tuesday.
Buddy Lee Roberson, 48, was wanted by the Flomaton Police Department on outstanding warrants for felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, felony domestic violence strangulation, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and domestic violence third degree. At the time of his arrest, he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance – cocaine by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Roberson was booked into the Baldwin County Jail in Bay Minette where he was being held without bond.