Ribbon Cuttings Held For Kingsfield Elementary, Beulah Middle Schools
August 31, 2018
Students have filled the hallways since the first day of school at Escambia County’s two newest schools. And Thursday, the Escambia County School District held official ribbon cuttings at Kingsfield Elementary School in Cantonment and Beulah Middle School on Nine Mile Road.
“This is an exciting moment for our school district…cutting the ribbon for two brand new schools,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said, giving credit to the Local Option Sales Tax for making the recent facility growth in the district possible. The LOST was approved by Escambia County in 1999. “We have always been diligent with that money. We only use it to support building projects that are going to support our students.”
“We’ve got the eye of the tiger…..We are the champions, and you are going to hear us roar,” the Kingsfield Cubs chorus sang their new spirit song to the tune of Katy Perry’s “ROAR” during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Thomas said he asked several Kingsfield Elementary students what they like about the new school. And the very first answer he received was not about multi-million dollar building.
“I like the teachers,” the student said.
“We build schools not to have new buildings, but to give our students the very best possible environment,” Thomas said, “Where they can learn and they can truly roar.”
For additional photos, click here.
Pictured top: The official ribbon cutting at Beulah Middle School. Pictured below: Ribbon cutting at Kingsfield Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Court Says ‘Pre-Reveal’ Games Are Illegal Slot Machines
August 31, 2018
Siding with state regulators, an appeals court Thursday ruled that controversial electronic games played in bars and other establishments are illegal slot machines.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal upheld a circuit judge’s decision that what are known as “pre-reveal” games violate laws preventing slot machines in most of Florida. The panel’s 10-page ruling found, in part, that the games meet the definition of slot machines because they include an element of chance.
The ruling backed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, which prompted the long-running dispute by ordering two businesses to remove the machines. That move drew legal challenges from Blue Sky Games, which developed the games, and Jacksonville-based Gator Coin, which leased the games to businesses.
Supporters of the games, which also are known as Version 67, have contended that the machines are legal because they include a “preview” feature that advises players of the outcome of the games.
But regulators and other critics have argued the preview feature doesn’t matter because the “random number generator” used to create the games equates to the definition of slot machines, which are games of “chance,” under state law.
Also, a key issue has been whether the slot-machine law applies to playing a single game or a series of games. While the outcome of the first “pre-reveal” game is known in advance, a player at the outset does not know the results of subsequent games.
The ruling Thursday, quoting a section of state law, said the determination of whether the games are illegal slot machines “turns on whether the user may receive something of value ‘by reason of any element of chance or any other outcome unpredictable by the user.’ The element of chance or unpredictability must be inherent in the machine itself.”
“We hold that the trial court was correct in determining that Version 67 is a slot machine because the element of chance is inherent in it given that it has a preset win/loss ratio … and that the game outcomes are determined by the machine by chance, via an RNG (random number generator), and there is nothing the user can do to affect the outcomes,” said the ruling, written by appeals-court Judge Joseph Lewis and joined by judges James Wolf and Stephanie Ray. “Furthermore, Version 67 is a slot machine for the additional and independent reason that also inherent in it is an outcome unpredictable by the user. While it is true that the user is advised of the outcome of the game at hand ahead of time through the preview feature, the user cannot predict that outcome until it is randomly generated and then displayed by the machine. Nor can the user predict the outcome of Game 2 while playing Game 1.”
The games have drawn attention in the gambling industry and in the Legislature, which this year debated a proposal to outlaw the machines. The legislative proposal did not pass.
The appeals court upheld a decision last year by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, who originally sided with Blue Sky Games and Gator Coin but then reversed himself. The reversal came after the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which became involved in the case, asked Cooper to reconsider his initial decision. The tribe operates casinos that include slot machines.
The ruling Thursday described Version 67 as “profitable game that depicts traditional slot machine symbols, such as reels; it takes $1 to $20 bills; and the amount of return to the player varies by the amount of money played. Version 67 has a mandatory preview feature that displays the outcome of the game selected before the insertion of any money and before the play button appears.”
“When the first game is played, the outcome of the next game is automatically generated by the RNG and is stored in memory, and that outcome is displayed when the player presses preview for the next game,” the ruling said. “There is nothing a player can do to change the outcome that is randomly generated by the machine from among millions of potential outcomes.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Man Injured When Car Falls On Him
August 31, 2018
A man was injured in Cantonment Thursday when a car fell on him.
The man was reportedly working on the car when the accident happened just before noon on Andalusia Road north of Muscogee Road. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Further details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Eight Ernest Ward Middle School Cheerleaders Named All American
August 31, 2018
During a recent cheer camp at Ernest Ward Middle School, eight cheerleaders were named UCA All American. Each has been invited to take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade at Disney World. They are (L-R) Jamison Gilman, Carsyn Dortch, Chloe Criswell, Leah Hetrick, Zakyla Smith, Sarah Bailey, Emma Gilmore and Leila Sanders. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Rain Shortened Game Over The Smokies 5-1
August 31, 2018
Pensacola snapped a 56-inning streak without a homer to power past the Smokies 5-1 Thursday night at Smokies Stadium.
Having not homered at all in their previous series against the BayBears, Shed Long homered off Matt Swarmer (L, 5-5) in the top of the seventh inning, which extended the Wahoos lead to 3-1 at the time. After a walk to Gavin LaValley, Taylor Featherston crushed a home run to left center, which put Pensacola up 5-1.
That was plenty of offense for Seth Varner, who turned in a fine bounce-back effort after his most recent outing against Mobile. On Thursday, Varner dealt six innings and allowed one run on three hits while striking out four. Carlos Navas does not get credit for the save; however, he pitched the final 2.1 playable innings for the Wahoos in scoreless fashion. With a 2-2 count on Jesse Hodges, the rain came pouring down, and the field was left unplayable. After about a 40-minute delay, the game was declared official.
With the win, Pensacola maintains a half-game lead over the BayBears in the wildcard standings, and with Biloxi’s extra-inning win against the Barons, the Wahoos still trail the Shuckers by a half game in the second-half standings.
The series continues Friday night when RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (9-10, 4.50) tries to put his most recent start behind him. He will be opposed by LHP Justin Steele, who is only making his second start of the season with Tennessee, after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
ECSO: Suspect Pistol Whipped After Strangling Girlfriend
August 30, 2018
Deputies discovered a Walnut Hill man was pistol-whipped after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend.
Cordaryl Lewis was charged with domestic battery by strangulation for the attack on the woman.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Atmore Community Hospital where the victim said she became involved in a verbal argument with Lewis about leaving the house they had just bought. The altercation became physical and Lewis choked her to the point that she lost consciousness, according to an arrest report. Her injuries were consistent with her statement, according to deputies.
When deputies arrived at the couple’s home in Walnut Hill, they found Lewis had multiple wounds to his face and was bleeding heavily after being pistol whipped by a third party whose name has not been released. That individual has not been charged.
The Sheriff’s Office said Lewis has a 1-year old child with the victim.
Lewis was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital and released prior to being booking into the Escambia County Jail. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.
District 1’s Hill Vs Bydlak Was One Of The State’s Closest House Races
August 30, 2018
Primary elections were held Tuesday in dozens of state House and Senate districts, but few held much suspense like the House District 1 race in Escambia County.
Only four House races were decided by less than 4 percent – and none of the Senate races were that close, according to results posted on the Florida Division of Elections website.
In Escambia County’s House District 1, Republican Mike Hill received 9,003 votes, or 48.09 percent, while runner-up Rebekah Bydlak received 8,460, or 45.19 percent — the third closest legislative race in the state. A third candidate in the GOP primary, Lisa Doss, received 1,257 votes, or 6.71 percent.
The closest primary was in Volusia County’s House District 26, where Republican Elizabeth Fetterhoff received 5,683 votes, or 50.27 percent, while her GOP primary opponent, Michael Cantu, received 5,623 votes, or 49.73 percent, according to unofficial results.
by The News Service of Florida
Byrneville Elementary Considers Financing Options For Over $7 Million In Improvements
August 30, 2018
The Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors continued their discussion on new school buildings Wednesday, taking a look at financing options offered by an area bank.
The charter school is considering over $7 million in expansions and improvements including classrooms and a new cafetorium, in addition to improvements to their main building.
Representatives from United Bank presented the board with details on two non-traditional lending programs.
Using a New Market Tax Credits program, the school would received a fixed interest rate for seven years, and the closing process would take about two months. The New Market Tax Credits are part of a federal tax credit program enacted by Congress in 2000, designed to stimulate private investment in low income urban neighborhoods and rural communities.
The bank also presented information on the Community Facilities Direct Loan program in partnership with the USDA. The program would offer fixed rate financing up to about 38 years with an estimated six month closing time. It is designed to provide long-term, low-cost financing for the construction, acquisition, maintenance or renovation of essential community facilities in rural areas.
The board is also considering other funding options. Board member Cheryl Boutwell said she has contacted the Capital Trust Agency about possible financing options.
The Capital Trust Agency (CTA) is an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. The City of Gulf Breeze and the Town of Century sign off on CTA projects, certifying that the projects meet a public purpose under IRS rules and regulations. No funding comes from the or is approved by the municipalities; it is directly from CTA.
Pictured: Byrneville Elementary School board members discuss financing options Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Engineers Survey Carver Park Area Drainage Improvement Project
August 30, 2018
Engineers were on site Wednesday discussing an upcoming Carver Park drainage project in Cantonment.
The project will improve drainage south of Muscogee Road, roughly in a triangular shape area bordered by Louis Street, Booker Street and Washington Street. The project will include the construction of roadside swales, ditch bottom and curb inlets, reinforced concrete and polyethylene storm water transmission pipes and a single dry retention pond to be located east of Ransom Street.
Water mains will also be relocated, and the streets will be milled and resurfaced.
It is anticipated that construction will begin this fall.
The $1,291,129.48 contract was awarded to B&W Utilities, Inc. Other bids ranged from over $1.5 million to $1.7 million.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 30, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending Augst 16 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry received information regarding a subject who was catching undersized Spanish mackerel at Fort Pickens. He responded to the area and found the subject in possession of seven undersized Spanish mackerel. Officer McHenry learned that the subject had a local warrant out of Escambia County. Officer McHenry cited the individual for undersized Spanish mackerel and transported him to the Escambia County Jail for the warrant.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Hutchinson and Mullins were patrolling on the Escambia River concentrating on illegal fishing activity when they saw a freshly set bush hook that was baited with a live bream and not identified as required with the owner’s name and address. They continued patrolling and located several more similar lines baited with bream. They hid their patrol vessel and waited until just before daylight when they heard a boat approaching. They saw the operator of the boat check all the lines. The officers stopped the vessel to address the violation. The operator admitted to baiting the lines with bream despite knowing that it was illegal. The officers issued him a notice to appear citation for using bream for bait and fishing with untagged bush hooks.
Officer Roberson was on land patrol when he received information regarding a subject operating an ATV near Burnt Grocery Creek in Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. Officer Roberson located the subject and ran his information through dispatch. The subject’s information came back with a warrant out of Santa Rosa County. Officer Roberson received confirmation of the warrant and instructed the subject to put his hands behind his back because he was under arrest for the warrant. The subject refused multiple times and fled on foot. The subject crossed a creek and took off in a vehicle. The suspect was arrested a few days later by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for the same warrant. The suspect was issued multiple citations by Officer Roberson at the Santa Rosa County Jail.
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.