Bill Would Allow Computer Coding To Count As Foreign Language
August 22, 2017
A Senate Republican filed a proposal Monday that could lead to some high-school students taking computer coding courses to get foreign-language credits. The bill filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would allow — but not require — high schools to offer two credits in computer coding.
Students who take the coding courses and earn related industry certifications would be able to satisfy two credits of foreign-language instruction.
Florida College System schools and state universities would have to recognize the coding courses as foreign-language credits. But parents and students also would have to sign statements acknowledging that out-of-state colleges and universities might not recognize the coding courses.
The bill, which is filed for the 2018 legislative session, would make the changes effective with the 2020-2021 school year.
by The News Service of Florida
Gordon Rousseau Black
August 22, 2017
Gordon passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at home surrounded by the love and care of his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Henrietta Bowman Black; father, Paul H. Black; and his son, Michael J. Black .
He is survived by his wife of forty years, Betty Jo “BJ” Black; daughters, Cyndi Black (Bruce Teed) of Columbia, TN and Heather Black of Pensacola, FL; one grandson, Kyle Teed; sister, Pauline Sizemore and brother, Henry Lamar Black both of Pensacola, FL; cousins; nieces; nephews; and many close friends.
Gordon loved his family and took great pride in their accomplishments. He enjoyed working outside in his garden and going on long bike rides with his dog Jackson by his side.
A private family service will be arranged by Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Gordon’s favorite charities, The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida Inc., 105 North S St., Pensacola, FL 32505.
Wahoos Overcome Jackson 3-1
August 22, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Josh VanMeter seems automatic with runners in scoring position.
The 22-year-old came to the plate Monday with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning and drilled a ground ball into left field to drive in two runs, giving Pensacola a, 3-1, victory against the Jackson Generals at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
VanMeter’s game-winning single drove in second baseman Arismendy Alcantara and right fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Additionally, he is now 3-for-7 or .429 with the bases loaded with 10 RBIs.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly liked VanMeter’s chances at the plate in that situation.
“I can’t think of a better guy to come up in that situation,” Kelly said. “Even lefty on lefty he got a fastball and pulled it. That was beautiful.”
The win was the first in the five-game series against Jackson and its last 10-games at home.
“Everyone dreams of being in that situation,” VanMeter said. “Those situations are always fun for sure. We know we’re in the playoffs but we’re still competing. We ultimately want to win the second half. Hopefully, we can make it five.”
Pensacola, which won the first half Southern Division crown, and the Tennessee Smokies are the only two teams in Southern League history to win four halves in a row. Tennessee did it between 2009 and 2011.
With Monday’s win, the Blue Wahoos improved to 27-29 in the second half and are 2.5 games out of first place behind the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Jackson fell to 25-31 in the Northern Division.
Pensacola right fielder Gabriel Guerrero crushed a bomb to left field to put the Blue Wahoos on the scoreboard first in the third inning, 1-0. It was his sixth homer this season. Plus, Guerrero went 2-2 with two walks and two runs scored for his 39th multi-hit game of the season.
Jackson tied the score, 1-1, when left fielder Jamie Westbrook, who walked to lead off the fifth inning, scored on a Vladimir Frias sacrifice fly to center field. With two outs, Jackson starting pitcher Joel Payamps hit a long fly ball to the warning track in the right center gap that Pensacola’s Guerrero chased down to prevent Generals right fielder Kelly Dugan from scoring from second.
Meanwhile, in his last five starts, Deck McGuire has chased his career-high 10 wins. But the seven-year minor league veteran left after seven innings Monday with the game tied, 1-1. His record remained stuck at 9-8 with a Southern League leading 2.63 ERA.
“It doesn’t matter as long as we win the game I don’t care who gets the win,” McGuire said.
The 2010 first round draft pick allowed one run on five hits, walked one and struck out six.
This season, McGuire also leads the Southern League in innings pitched with 157.1, is tied for first with 155 strikeouts and second with opponents batting .207 against him. It has led to a resurgence in his professional career.
“The biggest thing for me is being more consistent,” McGuire said. “I’m having a lot of fun. Hopefully, I’ll be in the big leagues one day.”
It also consoles Kelly to know McGuire will pitch every fifth day in Pensacola’s rotation.
“We know every fifth day he’s a guy who is going to get a ton of innings for you,” Kelly said. “He’s going to have 27 or 28 starts for us and he has taken advantage of it.”
Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez got the last three outs for his fifth save in seven opportunities. In his previous three games, he was 0-1 pitching 2.1 innings, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks and striking out one.
Jackson starting pitcher Joel Payamps worked six innings and allowed one run on four hits and two walks and struck out five.
Photos courtesy Barrett McClean Photography/Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Watching The Eclipse: Submit Your Photos
August 21, 2017
Whether you were outside in official safety glasses or with the cool cereal box projector, watching inside on the TV or other device, at a viewing party, stuck in a classroom or just working along like a normal day — we want to see your eclipse photos. We’ll be sharing the best photos on NorthEscambia.com!
To submit your photos, add them to the post on our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page here, or email them to news@northescambia.com. Please provide the location, any story behind the photo and any names you wish to share. Please send the largest file size you have.
Pictured above: Students at Northview High School in Bratt, FL, watch the eclipse. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Photos: The Great Solar Eclipse
August 21, 2017
The Great American Eclipse has peaked in the North Escambia area. Many missed the peak due to cloud cover.
The photo above was taken about by NorthEscambia.com at 1:30 p.m., five minutes before cloud cover over the 1:35 p.m. maximum at Northview High School in Bratt.
The photo below was taken by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com at 1:30 p.m. in Atmore, AL.
We have additional reader photos to share later today and Tuesday. Email your photos to news@northesambia.com.
Editor’s note: The color difference in the photographs is due to the type solar filter used.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lockdown Lifted At All Florida Prisons
August 21, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday morning that normal operations have resumed at all prisons, including Century Correctional and Santa Rosa Correctional institutions. The announcement follows a statewide partial lockdown that started last week and cancellation of weekend visitations at all major institutions, work camps and annex facilities.
“We made a planned, strategic decision to take proactive action to uphold our mission to protect public safety and keep our staff and inmates safe. I am confident the measures taken were not only necessary but effective. I am incredibly proud of our team across the Department for joining together to enhance the safety of our facilities and prevent any major disturbances from taking place,” said FDC Secretary Julie Jones.
The lockdown was “in response to credible intelligence indicating that small groups of inmates at several institutions may attempt to disrupt FDC operations and impact safety and security,” according to a department release.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fannie Road: Naked Woman Delays Drivers In Century
August 21, 2017
A naked woman delayed the morning commute for several drivers in Century Monday morning. The woman was reportedly running around Fannie Road naked. After Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies and firemen from Century and Flomaton were able to catch her, she was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for evaluation. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos by Trina Coburn, click to enlarge.
Exact Eclipse Times For Your Location, Public Viewing Spots
August 21, 2017
Today’s eclipse begins locally just afternoon noon and ends around 3:00. The exact time of the maximum eclipse varies by location; see the list below for the exact time for the location nearest you in the North Escambia area.
Don’t want to watch the eclipse alone, Here are public viewing locations:
- E.G. Owens Planetarium, PSC Pensacola, 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. — telescopes with solar filters, a limited number of eclipse glasses available.
- PSC Warrington, 12 p.m. until 3 p.m., parking lot between Buildings 3100 and 3400 — safe viewing reflection, limited number of eclipse glasses.
- Blue Wahoos Stadium, noon until 3 p.m., limited number of eclipse glasses, “race the eclipse around the bases”, moon pies, concession stand open for lunch.
- West Florida Library, 239 Spring Street location only — free solar view glasses while supplies last, telescope set up.
- Atmore – Heritage Park, none through eclipse time - telescope set up, limited number of eclipse glasses
Traffic Shift Tonight For Highway 29, Nine Mile Intersection
August 21, 2017
Tonight, drivers traveling Highway 29 and Nine Mile Road in Escambia County will experience changes in traffic patterns from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue preparations for bridge work and drainage improvements. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct traffic.
• The traffic shift for east and westbound Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass continues. Both directions will be reduced to one lane. Eastbound traffic will shift to the inside westbound travel lane as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
• Monday, motorists traveling north on Highway 29, south of the Nine Mile Road overpass, will be reduced to one lane and detoured onto the Nine Mile Road off-ramp as crews install drainage across the northbound lanes. A traffic control officer will be located at the Nine Mile Road intersection to direct traffic.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Send Us Your Eclipse Viewing Photos
August 21, 2017
Today’s the big eclipse and we want to see how you experience it!
Whether you are outside in official safety glasses or with the cool cereal box projector, watching inside on the TV or other device, at a viewing party, stuck in a classroom or just working along like a normal day — we want to see your photos. We’ll be sharing the best photos on NorthEscambia.com!
To submit your photos, add them to the post on our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page here, or email them to news@northescambia.com. Please provide the location, any story behind the photo and any names you wish to share. Please send the largest file size you have.
You must follow accepted safety practices when viewing or photographing the eclipse. Don’t look directly toward the sun. Do not point a DSLR or other camera at the sun without a certified filter. We do not accept any liability for stupidity or injury.