Students Learn Fire Safety
October 8, 2015
The Flomaton Fire Department presented a fire prevention program this week at Flomaton Elementary School. Students were able to learn about fire prevention, learn how to escape from a fire and pose for photos with a fire department engine. Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Would You Give Your Boss Your Facebook, Social Media Passwords?
October 8, 2015
Most employees and job seekers could refuse to turn over private user names and passwords for social media sites without retribution, under a revived measure approved by a Senate panel.
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee voted 5-1 to support the measure (SB 186) by Lake Worth Democrat Jeff Clemens. The measure, which is filed for the 2016 legislative session, would prohibit employers from requesting access to private social media accounts.
“People have the right to privacy, and they have a right to not be put under pressure in a job interview to disclose things that maybe they wouldn’t want to disclose and that really has no relation to their ability to do a job,” Clemens said after the meeting.
Clemens said in the past few years, as social media has become more prevalent, about 30 states have adopted similar legislation.
But Clemens’ proposal, which is before lawmakers for the third consecutive year, continues to face opposition from influential business groups, in part, because it would allow employees and prospective hires to sue.
“Employers should have access to any social media platform that employees access during work hours on hardware that they, the employer, actually own,” said Brewster Bevis, senior vice president of Associated Industries of Florida. “We believe the employer can be held legally responsible for information or leaking that is done over that platform.”
Bevis also argued that the measure could block internal investigations into matters such as sexual harassment and bullying.
Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, supported Bevis’ contention about blocking access to internal investigations and provided the lone vote against the measure.
However, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, noted that many companies can block access to social media websites on company equipment and that a business can still investigate cases of harassment as the recipient would have copies of any electronic messages.
“This is the same legislature that in the last two or three years we’ve restricted the use of drones, we’ve attempted … to restrict police officers looking at people’s cell phones and who they’ve called,” Latvala said. “We’ve done a whole lot of things to protect people’s privacy and this is a glaring example of something that I think needs to be done.”
Committee Chairwoman Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said the bill may still need to be amended to focus more on prospective hires.
Clemens said he’s willing to discuss ways that the civil liability issue could be altered, but added that going through an individual’s private social media is similar to going through a person’s private mail.
“I don’t think there is any court in the world that would tell you a business was negligent because they didn’t go through their employee’s mail,” Clemens said.
This bill would prohibit an employer from requesting the user name, password, or any other means of accessing the social media account of an employee or prospective employee, if the social media account’s contents are not available to the general public.
However, people might want to rethink “friending” a boss, as there is nothing in the bill that would prohibit an employer from checking out anything the employee or prospective hire posts that is publicly available.
Also, employers wouldn’t be prohibited from requiring access to a social media account used by the employee for the employer’s business purposes.
The proposal includes some exemptions, such as for employers complying with state or federal laws and for law-enforcement agencies when screening prospective employees or investigating employees.
A similar measure introduced this spring by Clemens failed to get backed by any committees. Two years ago, after a provision was added allowing employers to access employees’ social media information for business-related sites, a proposal was able to clear two of its four scheduled stops.
The new proposal still would need approval from the Senate Judiciary and Rules committees.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Grand Opening Held For New Ernest Ward Middle School
October 7, 2015
An official grand opening and ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the newly rebuilt Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
The modern $20 million facility, funded by the half-cent sales tax, replaced a a campus that was among the oldest in the district.
“Many Ernest Ward students before you have already established that you should study hard, working to prepare yourself for the next big thing that is going to happen in your life,” School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told the student body and invited guests. “To help you do that, the school district has presented you with a brand new, state of the art middle school.”
“Everybody deserves the opportunity to go to new once in their life,” District 5 school board member Bill Slayton said. “You are in a great facility.”
Architect Mike Marshall told the nearly 500 Ernest Ward students to make good use of the building. He challenged the students to always do their best, and work to get their photo on NorthEscambia.com for a positive accomplishment.
Tiffany Bates from of the office of Congressman Jeff Miller presented a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the school’s grand opening.
Students moved into the Ernest Ward back in January so classes continue while the old school was demolished.
The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945 to replace a campus ravaged by fire in 1943. That old school had been constructed to replace an Ernest Ward School that first opened in a log cabin in 1896.
Ernest Ward graduate Billy Ward, who later served as a longtime probate judge in Escambia County, was a special guest at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting. He is the nephew of the Ernest Ward for which the school was named.
Ward remembers the day in 1943 that smoke billowed toward the sky from what was then the campus of Ernest Ward on Arthur Brown Road, near the site of the modern day grain elevator. “I rode my bicycle as hard as I could to get over there and see what happened,” he said. “It just burnt to the ground.”
Classes for the remainder of 1943 and 1944 were held in the school gym, located across Arthur Brown Road and untouched by the fire.
“They divided the gym up and we finished school there,” Ward explained, “before they open the new school here (on Highway 97) in 1945. It was nice back then.”
“But this is something else now,” Ward said Tuesday of the new facility. “It has everything the students need.”
Pictured top and upper inset: The grand opening ribbon cutting at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill on Tuesday. Pictured bottom inset: Ernest Ward graduate and former probate judge Billy Ward. Pictured below: Ernest Ward students, many wearing pink fore breast cancer awareness, listen to the grand opening ceremony. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Names Homecoming Court; Plans Parade, Lunch, Pep Rally
October 7, 2015
It’s homecoming week at Northview High School, culminating Friday with a parade, the naming of class maids and homecoming queen, and football against Liberty County.
The parade will line up on the campus of Bratt Elementary School beginning at noon Friday. The parade will begin at Bratt Elementary at 12:45 p.m. and end with a pep rally in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High. (The general public should not enter the Bratt Elementary campus.)
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies and drink. To reserve lunch, call (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or tickets are available in the Northview front office. Checks should be made payable to the NHS FFA Alumni.
Friday night homecoming festivities will begin at 6:00 Friday with presentation of the class maids and queen, with game kickoff set for 7 p.m. The class floats will be presented at halftime, and homecoming week winners will be announced.
Pictured: The 2015 Northview High School Homecoming Court – Morgan Myrick, junior; Brittanie McClemore, junior; Autumn Albritton, junor; Amber Freeman, senior; Celeste North, sophomore; Savanna Roux, senior; Anna Nelson, sophomore; Jadlyn Agerton, senior; Jerni Crabtree, sophomore; Danielle Robinson, senior; Gabrielle Kline, freshman; Madison Sherouse, freshman; and Ashtyn Carnley, freshman. Not pictured: Jessica Amerson, senior. Pictured below: Seniors Amber Freeman, Savannah Roux, Jadlyn Agerton and Danielle Robinson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Graduate Appears On ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’
October 6, 2015
Tate High School graduate Matthew Bailey appeared during ” on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” Monday night. He didn’t bring home the million, but did win $20,000. Bailey is a 2013 honors graduate from Tate High School. Images courtesy @MillionaireTV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Name Homecoming Court, Set Activities
October 6, 2015
It’s homecoming week for the Jay High School Royals.
Named to the homecoming court were: (L-R) Hannah Vaughn, junior; Kennedy Salter, senior; Alaina Smith, senior; Savannah Dubose, senior; Jenna Thornton, senior; Anna-Grace Smith, sophomore; and Maci Holt, freshman.
The schedule of events for the week includes:
- Lion’s Roar – Thursday, 9:30 a.m., auditorium. Queen will be crowned at this event.
- Pep Rally – Thursday, 1 p.m., Merle V. North Stadium.
- Parade – Friday, 2 p.m., Downtown Jay
- Pre-Game Festivities – Friday, 6 p.m., stadium
- Game – Friday, 7 p.m., Theme: “Wipe Out the Hornets!”
- Dance – Saturday, 8-11 p.m., Jay Community Center
- Powder Puff Football Game – Monday, October 12, 7 p.m., stadium
Photo courtesy Junia Fischer, Photos by Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Community Helpers Day (With Photo Gallery)
October 6, 2015
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Community Helpers Day” recently for students to learn about some of people that are hard at work, often behind the scenes, in the Molino area.
The event includes personnel and equipment from Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Pensacola Police Department, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, LifeFlight, and J. Miller Construction Company.
Pictured top: Escambia County Deputy Jason Land and his K-9 Edo answer questions during Community Helpers Day at Molino Park Elementary. Pictured: An Escambia Fire Rescue firefighter from Molino’s Station 18 answers questions and give a truck tour. Photos by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Photos: NHS Band, Dance Team, NJROTC, Cheerleaders
October 5, 2015
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
Thousands Attend Jay Peanut Festival (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2015
The annual Jay Peanut Festival attracted thousands to the Gabbert Farm Saturday.
For more than 20 years, The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people to the Gabbert farm over two days.
The event included tours of the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. The Jay Peanut Festival was also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Admission is free from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the finale day of the festival on Sunday. The Gabbert farm is located at 3604 Pine Level Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Michele Gibbs, click to enlarge.
UWF Pre-Vet Society Volunteers At Panhandle Equine Rescue
October 4, 2015
The University of West Florida Pre-Vet Society volunteered at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment Saturday morning. The students spent the morning working on grooming and barn chores.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization contact Diane Lowery at rlowery@panhandle.rr.com or visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org to print a foster application.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
